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The rise and fall of Mugabe: Advent of a new government
Clyde B. Chakupeta
March 20, 2008

Introduction
Zimbabwe appears to be country with a past but not a future. When the future of Zimbabwe is discussed or presented, it is with predictable gloom. As the elections of perceived change loom on the horizon, it is an auspicious time for a fresh examination of the past, present and future prospects of Zimbabwe against the background of relevant positive and negative social and economic developments. Several concrete developments simply beg for a fresh look at Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe had been seen in terms of who they were and have been, not in terms of who they are and are becoming. All dominant definitions of Zimbabwe are borrowed from the past. Yet there are new developments which warrant a serious redefinition of the Zimbabwe identity and political destiny. Zimbabwe had been reduced to the figurehead of one person, Robert Mugabe! Mugabe is indispensible and Zimbabwe is synonymous with Mugabe and ZANU PF! Such malicious thoughts have led Mugabe, the Superman, to be convinced of his indispensability, at the expense of the common good.

Hopeful alternatives
Simba Makoni-s implacable courage is commendable. Many might ask who else is from ZANU PF, the perceived heavyweights who are refusing to come out in the open. Such people we are to be wary of because they are fence sitters, waiting to tilt with the side as they see the demise of their master, Mugabe. Is Simba himself a political heavyweight? This seems to have been dismissed by ZANU PF legends who have labelled him names, together with Dumiso Dabengwa. Neither is Tsvangirai a political heavyweight. Mugabe himself is a political tyrant.

These are the three main contenders in the coming elections, decisive of the nation-s future. It is imperative for the electorate to analyze and reflect on the future of Zimbabwe. One would echo Obama Barrack-s words in the Democratic race in the United States. Obama says, "If I have got the American people behind me, I fear no man. Nobody can stop us. We can do this". This is what the MDC and the Makoni project must have as their stance, the people of Zimbabwe.

An attempted explication of African politics
In this election, we are choosing unity over division. In Africa however, politicians rarely campaign on policy or ideology. In countries like Kenya, for example, tribal loyalties are by far the most important determinants of voting behaviour.

On the contrary, votes are won or lost on the performance of the economy. The later Bhutto, in her second term in 1993, shined because of her tight monetary policy that reduced the budget deficit, pulling the economy back from the brink of collapse¹. A massive inflow of foreign investment rose to expectations of a new era of economic development, while her privatization programme was commendable for its transparency and broad ownership approach.

Zimbabwe-political and ideological constipation
We need to fight against the war of poverty, political manipulation, diseases, inflation and economic madness, human rights abuses.

There is the politics of patronization that has dominated Zimbabwe for ages. Mugabe has used such manipulation for years, but with the economy falling tremendously. What could be wrong with the old man and his policies, if ever he has any? Could it be a case of a generational drift? Generational gap in politics has been a major political issue in Africa, "an issue which hitherto has gone unnoticed, ignored or unanalyzed by the national and international researchers, opinion-makers and policy makers" ².

According to Jonathan Moyo, such a gap is not only most likely to cause conflicts within African countries, "where ruling old-guard nationalists are increasingly finding themselves out of step with their younger populations, but also between African countries and the rest of the aging populations of the post-industrial economies of the northern hemisphere"³ .

Such drives one to conclude that a new generation is thus a necessity for Zimbabwe at this moment of our history, a generation that has a good chance of breaking new ground and generating new knowledge for policies which might meet the challenges and opportunities in Zimbabwe. Such should be a new government that leads Zimbabweans not only to seek a future but they should also have a vision of that future and a realistic strategy for achieving it.

It is important to stress the need for a new generation, for such a focus on generations is important because they represent the social issues, which lead to the creation of social identities, ideologies, visions and the construction of public sphere and their consequences on individuals and communities at national level⁴ . Mugabe, a Pan Africanist residue, was only useful in far as the struggle against colonialism was concerned, only spearheading the anti-colonial struggle, but in a post-modern Zimbabwe, he is a tragedy politically and administratively. One needs to recount the disasters he has subjected the country to; Gukurahundi, Unity Accord (marriage of convenience), farm invasions, price controls, Look East policy, and many other policies of short sightedness.

This has led to the construction of irrelevant rigid and centralized social structures which stifled individual and community innovation, while creating the fiction of the old owl leadership presumed to be infallible and believed to be unquestionably supported by patriotic masses⁵ . Such myopic thoughts have precipitated various forms of authoritarian, economic ruin, military subjugation, suppressing of the povo, destruction of education and health institutions, brought international ridicule upon Zimbabwe as a failed state. Mugabe has stifled individual creativity, has emasculated and privatized politics, reason why he has failed to groom an heir to the throne. Stepping down for Mugabe at this moment is inconceivable though he realizes fully well that he is a well spent dead horse that need to no more flogging.

Democracy-s purpose is to allow a president to be removed without bloodshed; Mugabe might try to resist that. His armed force men have vowed never to support any government apart from Mugabe-s. What-s that supposed to mean? Already they are taking positions compelled by Mugabe. What we rather aim at this time if to choose unity over division and sending a powerful message that change is inevitable, and change is what we are getting come March 29. But the abounding question is who of the two main alternatives offer the most? MDC has recently kick started its campaign with a fabulous manifesto, so has the Makoni project, which aims at forming a government of national unity. This seems to mean Simba will pick both from MDC and ZANU PF in case he wins. Won-t that be a case of recycling the same old dogs from ZANU PF and coat with a few MDC or other so called stakeholders?

Conclusion: Envisioned Zimbabwe
What we desire is a Zimbabwe that beats the unacceptable unemployment and underemployment, in this period referred to as "jobless growth" or "jobless recovery". A Zimbabwe that does not only return to the sound education and health system that was refined, but to surge forward. I wish to encourage programs which focus on the support for women in the decision-making process, and those which recognize the important role of young people in national development process and a system that harness the expertise of those in the Diaspora. We are in a state whereby poverty emphasizes the vigour of the individual and deprives the society of incalculable human resources at this critical time. Its elimination will enrich our country and release a harvest of energy and skills. Left unattended, as Chedi Jagan would say, "The expansion of poverty with hunger undermines the fabric and security of the democratic state"⁶ . I would crave support for our efforts to retain economic growth and request assistance from the wider world for recovery programmes meant to benefit the people. Re-engage the World Bank, the IMF, the Commonwealth, SADC, and other regional or global bodies in combating the additional ills of disease, corruption, trafficking, unemployment, foreign investment, money laundering. The Look East Policy in itself is but a façade of lack of sightedness and a reversion of an economic blog that benefits more than it assists.

We should aim at establishing a balanced infrastructure development of the economic and simultaneous emphasis on industrialization and agriculture. Economic growth with social justice and economic justice. Good governance with equality and respect for civic and political as well as economic, social and economic rights. A war against all forms of discrimination, political patronage, nepotism, bribery, corruption and extravagance. A civil society that strives to serve the dignity and values of humanity. It is necessary not merely to treat the symptoms but to attack the roots of the problems that have compounded our nation.

Notes

1. The Weekly Telegraph. Pg 28 (9 - 15 January 2008).
2. Jonathan Moyo - Generational Shifts in African Politics: Prospects of a New Africa, 1998, African Association of Political Science (AAPS), Mt. Pleasant, pg 6
3. Moyo pg 6
4. Moyo pg 8.
5. Moyo pg 10.
6. Jagan Cheddi, A New Global Human Order. 1999, Harpy Pub., Ontario, pg 57

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