The muddle with 'moderates' in Zimbabwe

By Bernard Bwoni

Politics is a complex case of harnessing the interest of the electorate and conceding that there will always be an element of indifference from some quarters. There are two sides to the political spectrum in Zimbabwe, the ruling party and the opposition and that is also worldwide in most cases. The ruling party is built on a backdrop of a protracted liberation struggle and the conservative principles are entrenched within these defining foundations. The opposition in the country is mostly ‘moderate’ and that is understandable and expected. The opposition politics in Zimbabwe was founded and funded on ‘moderate’ neoliberal principles and they make no secret of where their loyalties lie.  The question to pose is where do moderates fit in within the revolutionary ranks?

Let us start by looking at what moderation is and how it is viewed across the political divide and within intraparty politics in the Zimbabwean context and of course the 'all important international community'. Moderation is often associated with balance, carefulness, impartiality and a yearning for acceptance from the ‘international community’. It is often seen as the alternative to the bellicose revolutionary approach exhibited by those who inspired and liberated this country from the colonial regime. The ‘moderate’ is often seen as the ‘lovely one’, the ‘good neutral’ with the calmness to be able to 'equally' coexist alongside the very same machinations that have destabilised Zimbabwe over the years. They are often seen as the ‘sensible ones’ who are looking to fuse the revolutionary ideology with neoliberal ideas and ideals which to be fair is often the preserve of opposition politics. The reality is that these moderates don’t inspire, have never and will never build a nation. They thrive on empty promises and principles of ‘being better than the rest’ and the constant craving for approval from the ‘international community’. The moderate in Zimbabwean politics is nothing short of a proxy and their much-celebrated ‘open-mindedness’ about ideas and ideals resembling opposition politics is mere excuses to further undermine the genuine ideology that define Zimbabwe. It is the sacrifices of the pioneers of the liberation struggle which inspire and build nations and may the totally altruistic heroism of the greats as Christopher Chatambudza, Simon Chingozha Nyandoro, Chubby Savanhu, Godfrey Manyerenyere, Arthur Maramba, Godwin Dube and David Guzuzu forever shine the light of freedom and liberation on such uninspiring ‘moderates’.

When there is absence of restraint and control on the conduct and behaviour of members of any political grouping then indiscipline roots itself in the mechanics of that polity. The violation of deep-rooted core values, ideals, directives and regulations governing the behaviour of all party members is the indiscipline that comes with it. Any departure from these core values, beliefs, principles, rules and regulations must be dealt with decisively and this must be across the board. The rules and regulations must be followed accordingly and in line with the polity constitution and members who overstep the line as set by the constitution must be directed and redirected so as to bring them under the authority and premises of the constitution of the polity. This will enable all party members to work within their individual and collective remits as set out within that particular constitution. Any party constitution has a very specific purpose, to regulate, to keep all party members in check and under control so that party objectives, goals and ideology are fulfilled. There must be no exceptions; each and every member of any political entity must stick to rules and regulations as set out by the Constitution of that political entity.

The trouble with moderates is their inability to stand for any real principles and by the principles and direction of a particular political entity. That is why there is this tendency to sit on the fence indulging in unsanctioned snuggly associations with agents of the regime change agenda in Zimbabwe in the oblivious pretext of provincial development. There is everything wrong with deviating from the core values, rules and regulations as set out by the constitution that directs any political entity. If the party directive is that Legislators must not accept funding from clandestine elements of the regime change agenda then any departure from such is nothing short of indiscipline, inconsistent and synonymous with fermenting instability.  The political entity is bigger than these self-seeking ‘moderates’ and they must never be allowed to undermine the honourable name of the revolutionary ruling polity. The ‘moderate; is just but an individual and the party is that bigger picture build on the collective strength of the people. The party is way larger than the insignificant ‘moderate’ pieces and all party members are small parts that make up the unit. These errant ‘moderates’ must be reined in and refocused on the party direction and agenda.

Whatever the motive, cosy embraces with agents linked to elements that have pursued and continue to pursue a regime change agenda in Zimbabwe undermines the polity ideology. Zimbabwe’s sovereignty must never be sacrificed for the egocentric wants of some unstable and reckless individuals at the expense of the majority.  The molestation and manipulation of the constitution of the polity by individuals must never be allowed to undermine the honourable name of the revolutionary ruling party and sovereignty of this country which many a great men and women lost their lives to liberate. Each and every individual must be made to account for their own respective responsibilities or recklessness. Each individual is responsible for his or her dirty deeds and must never be allowed to drag the name of the revolutionary party into the mud for own ends. Any attempts to sabotage and undermine the revolution whether deliberate or naively must be thwarted. Trying to divert attention away from the real issue at hand with mudslinging and unrelated counter allegations are just an indication of paltry grasping onto straws. Cool heads are often an embodiment of real power focusing on action instead of words, and having the ability to present maturity and develop loyalty in unique ways. These childish pranks and associated tantrums are just unacceptable in an ideologically rich and composite structure like the revolutionary party.

The reality is that in a revolutionary setting moderates pose a genuine threat to the cause of the country's liberation struggle for economic emancipation and national sovereignty because the moderate ideological dither or complete lack of ideology in fact wittingly or unwittingly cause confusion, their desire to compromise, appease and please often and always betrays the genuine ideals of the liberation struggle and ultimately national trajectory. It seems like the polity finds itself in an unholy and unhealthy union with such ‘moderates’ who secretly despise the revolutionary ideology and clandestinely working to render the revolution impotent and unclothed. Such moderates will not enlighten or inspire but serve only to invite alien intrigue. The country is currently going through a transition from economic enslavement to economic emancipation, a transient period that requires no moderation. From an ideological perspective the only way for ‘moderates’ is on the other side of the spectrum.

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