The unhealthy jostling for political positions at the expense of a direct focus on the real issues that are affecting the ordinary man, woman and child on the street is what appears to have irked the First Lady. It is easy to understand where she is coming from, for the extent of the economic challenges the country is facing one would expect all those in positions of influence to be right on the ground with the people. Mai Mugabe does not mince her words and many have translated her words to create a desired effect. However underneath all the negativity and the inaccurate portrayal of Mai Mugabe there is more to her than all this. She is genuinely committed to addressing the plight of the grassroots and in her addresses, she has been uniquely blunt to the point of being lightyears away from all correctness. She does not seem to seek to protect reputations nor does she seek to garner a reputation but rather displays a rare commitment to ‘serve the people’ and ‘do the work’ to get Zimbabwe moving. In all her addresses her key words have been ‘work’ and ‘the people’. Her grassroots connections with the people are laid bare for all to see and not mere gimmicks to garner votes. The First Lady has a special bond with the grassroots there is no doubt about that and hence the mixed reactions her rallies provoke. She talks the talk yes, but she strides the walk as opposed to just merely walking it.
This is what she said on her recent Chiweshe address, “Saka ini ndakapiwa basa, saka ndicharishanda” which translate to ‘there is work to be done and I am going to get it done and shamed on those who have a problem with her work-orientated approach’. Many on social media took offence to that and some translated that to suit. She challenged the usual politician tactic of only connecting with the grassroots when it comes to election time. Electoral outcomes do not achieve themselves; politics is about politicians who are in sync with the electorate all year round and get the work done. She made it clear that it is about “working for the people, working for the party and working for the country”.
Here is a First Lady who gets things done and has got things done. She has the grassroots at her heart and the same grassroots buys into her practical vision. This is not about flamboyance and unnecessary sophistication but simple and practical things that matter to the people. Mai Mugabe has that unique ability to sell to the grassroots that idea and take the people in the unchartered territories of the candid politics of pragmatism. To give the First Lady her dues, she has been quite clear that the ruling party does not exist in a vacuum hence why she has persistently emphasised the cultivation of a national focus that encourages people to work for a shared vision, have shared goals and a shared Zimbabwe. These are the hallmarks of nation builders and when she speaks, the message and vision is the Robert Mugabe grand vision. You cannot be in a position of influence and then not have the grassroots at heart.
From her addresses, it is quite easy to pick up that Mai Mugabe is more of a pragmatist as opposed to an idealist. Her focus is on practical things, on how to get things done and working. She has a linear and practical way of thinking and doing things. If you read newspapers articles without listening fully to her addresses you would be convinced that it is primarily about divisive politics. However her focus and main points have been on processes behind the task of getting Zimbabwe moving and the end outcomes that uplift the grassroots.
Mai Mugabe may not be as glossy as most idealists, but she gets the work done. She is an effective organiser and the number of times she mentions the word ‘work’ when she speaks clearly demonstrates that pragmatic approach. She influences and her starting point has always been to the grassroots. She is dynamic, responsive and resilient with a strong repertoire of community work badges. She articulates a vision of passionate confidence and to some that may come across as brassy and hence why most media sources, internal and external publish fiction and mere fabrications. Mai Mugabe addresses the grassroots from the heart and it is easy to see the passion she has. Her addresses and unrestricted honesty enchants friends and foes alike because they focus on practical and immediate needs that matter to people on a daily basis. She has been focusing on issues that people hold dear to their hearts and they respond well to those. Those are the issues that affect people in their day-to-day lives, the people who are on the ground and these are the realities on the ground. She clearly has a practical attachment with the grassroots and she connects with the ordinary people on a basic and practical level. Mai Mugabe is not restrained by the pretentions that restrict most politicians in Zimbabwe hence why she is not afraid to be herself and people find that endearing. She is real. She has something to say and she says it. You might not like her approach but her direct approach is quite refreshing and resonates with the ordinary grassroots populations.
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