by Justice Zhou
The manner in which Robert Mugabe was forced to relinquish his vice-like grip on power might have come as a culture shock to many a critic and political experts, primarily because it involved the army.
But his final exit definitely brought a sigh of relief to the majority of Zimbabweans, judging by the wild celebrations that ensued, as crowds flooded the streets of the country’s major cities just to demonstrate their delight at his sudden departure.
To the average Zimbabwean, what mattered isn't necessarily the politically-charged debate surrounding his exit or the semantics about whether the army actually carried out a coup d'état or not, when it rallied around his party and parliament to pressure him into stepping aside,
If we focus more on the semantics, we definitely would be misreading the cards. Ordinary Zimbabweans had not only suffered 37 years of authoritarian rule, if truth be told. They also have had their livelihoods smouldered by endless economic hardship.
As such, many are looking forward to a new era in which the country’s economic fortunes will be turned around; jobs created and democratic values entrenched under the new administration, this is probably what they expect.
There’s no justification, whatsoever, for the new dispensation to expect people to pamper them or not to place them under close scrutiny, treating them like celebrities. The danger is that politicians easily transform into patronising despots once they are not closely monitored and held to account for failing to deliver on promises.
Checks and balances and constructive criticism are part of the hallmarks of any government that claims to be a champion of democracy. At the same time, it’s unfair to dismiss the potential and capabilities of the new government simply based on the previous regime, if not too early.
The advent of Emmerson Mnangagwa onto the scene as the new president has generated a lot of political heat. A flare-up of arguments and counter-arguments has broken out among the who’s who of analysis, as to whether he should be treated as just another Mugabe or given a chance to prove that he actually is himself.
Some say Mnangagwa is ordinarily turning out to be exactly what the doctor ordered, doing what is expected of him as a public servant, while others have argued that the true test of his credibility and popularity will be revealed through the results of elections due to be held in a few months time.
However, Mnangagwa has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that, even with his shortcomings, he has a reformist agenda and knows what it takes to lead Zimbabwe out of its economic hell-hole. This is despite the ghost of Mugabe’s chequered legacy still hovering over his head, as unrelenting critics take turns to smear his personality.
Just a few weeks into office, the few changes that have been made under his interim administration signal a remarkable shift in policy. There already are moves to relax the investor-unfriendly indigenisation laws, as well as re-engagement overtures to the international community.
Efforts are also being made to woo back investors, the diaspora and evicted white farmers so they would take part in rebuilding an economy battered by years of mismanagement and isolation.
Here’s how Mnangagwa’s government appears to be breaking with the old order:
He has introduced a raft of austerity measures that include the reduction of the number of cabinet ministers, freezing the recruitment of new workers, retiring older staff, and cutting back on government-issued vehicles to officials as well as the size of delegations on foreign trips.
Calls for the return of increased production on farms and an end to land-grabbing have been made, with the deputy finance minister having also met with white farmers in neighbouring Zambia, who were evicted by Mugabe during the country’s often-violent land reforms, urging them to return home.
Targeting re-engagement with the international community and restoration of relations with western countries, the government has embarked on a charm offensive based on what the new minister of foreign affairs says is centred around win-win economic diplomacy, “on an equal footing” with his counterparts.
A zero-tolerance approach and crackdown on corruption, if it won’t later turn out to be politically-motivated or just meant to punish Mugabe’s allies, is already underway, with top officials accused of graft being put behind bars and hauled before the courts.
In fact, Mnangagwa has signalled his intentions to shift towards an economy-based approach to his rule rather than a populist and totalitarian style, unlike his predecessor Mugabe. It might as well be too soon to cast aspersions on his leadership potential, even as he should not be spared criticism.
Surprise package
The period between now and the polls will be very short and action-packed, yet also crucial for Mnangagwa to fancy his chances. Will he pull out just another one of the usual Mugabe-type of shockers, proving his critics right?
Will he betray the generality of ordinary people who look up to the new order for salvation, representing the interests of emerging oligarchs instead, as some of his detractors have suggested?
Or will he shame the sceptics by working towards successfully putting Zimbabwe’s economy back on the path to recovery, raising his approval ratings and ultimately winning the next elections?
In any case, first impressions make him look like the man with a surprise package up his leadership sleeves, probably unlikely to revert back to the ways of the old regime.
The manner in which Robert Mugabe was forced to relinquish his vice-like grip on power might have come as a culture shock to many a critic and political experts, primarily because it involved the army.
But his final exit definitely brought a sigh of relief to the majority of Zimbabweans, judging by the wild celebrations that ensued, as crowds flooded the streets of the country’s major cities just to demonstrate their delight at his sudden departure.
To the average Zimbabwean, what mattered isn't necessarily the politically-charged debate surrounding his exit or the semantics about whether the army actually carried out a coup d'état or not, when it rallied around his party and parliament to pressure him into stepping aside,
If we focus more on the semantics, we definitely would be misreading the cards. Ordinary Zimbabweans had not only suffered 37 years of authoritarian rule, if truth be told. They also have had their livelihoods smouldered by endless economic hardship.
As such, many are looking forward to a new era in which the country’s economic fortunes will be turned around; jobs created and democratic values entrenched under the new administration, this is probably what they expect.
There’s no justification, whatsoever, for the new dispensation to expect people to pamper them or not to place them under close scrutiny, treating them like celebrities. The danger is that politicians easily transform into patronising despots once they are not closely monitored and held to account for failing to deliver on promises.
Checks and balances and constructive criticism are part of the hallmarks of any government that claims to be a champion of democracy. At the same time, it’s unfair to dismiss the potential and capabilities of the new government simply based on the previous regime, if not too early.
The advent of Emmerson Mnangagwa onto the scene as the new president has generated a lot of political heat. A flare-up of arguments and counter-arguments has broken out among the who’s who of analysis, as to whether he should be treated as just another Mugabe or given a chance to prove that he actually is himself.
Some say Mnangagwa is ordinarily turning out to be exactly what the doctor ordered, doing what is expected of him as a public servant, while others have argued that the true test of his credibility and popularity will be revealed through the results of elections due to be held in a few months time.
However, Mnangagwa has proved beyond any reasonable doubt that, even with his shortcomings, he has a reformist agenda and knows what it takes to lead Zimbabwe out of its economic hell-hole. This is despite the ghost of Mugabe’s chequered legacy still hovering over his head, as unrelenting critics take turns to smear his personality.
Just a few weeks into office, the few changes that have been made under his interim administration signal a remarkable shift in policy. There already are moves to relax the investor-unfriendly indigenisation laws, as well as re-engagement overtures to the international community.
Efforts are also being made to woo back investors, the diaspora and evicted white farmers so they would take part in rebuilding an economy battered by years of mismanagement and isolation.
Here’s how Mnangagwa’s government appears to be breaking with the old order:
He has introduced a raft of austerity measures that include the reduction of the number of cabinet ministers, freezing the recruitment of new workers, retiring older staff, and cutting back on government-issued vehicles to officials as well as the size of delegations on foreign trips.
Calls for the return of increased production on farms and an end to land-grabbing have been made, with the deputy finance minister having also met with white farmers in neighbouring Zambia, who were evicted by Mugabe during the country’s often-violent land reforms, urging them to return home.
Targeting re-engagement with the international community and restoration of relations with western countries, the government has embarked on a charm offensive based on what the new minister of foreign affairs says is centred around win-win economic diplomacy, “on an equal footing” with his counterparts.
A zero-tolerance approach and crackdown on corruption, if it won’t later turn out to be politically-motivated or just meant to punish Mugabe’s allies, is already underway, with top officials accused of graft being put behind bars and hauled before the courts.
In fact, Mnangagwa has signalled his intentions to shift towards an economy-based approach to his rule rather than a populist and totalitarian style, unlike his predecessor Mugabe. It might as well be too soon to cast aspersions on his leadership potential, even as he should not be spared criticism.
Surprise package
The period between now and the polls will be very short and action-packed, yet also crucial for Mnangagwa to fancy his chances. Will he pull out just another one of the usual Mugabe-type of shockers, proving his critics right?
Will he betray the generality of ordinary people who look up to the new order for salvation, representing the interests of emerging oligarchs instead, as some of his detractors have suggested?
Or will he shame the sceptics by working towards successfully putting Zimbabwe’s economy back on the path to recovery, raising his approval ratings and ultimately winning the next elections?
In any case, first impressions make him look like the man with a surprise package up his leadership sleeves, probably unlikely to revert back to the ways of the old regime.
