Mbare is Zimbabwe’s oldest suburb and is one of the areas that suffered tremendously from the Robert Mugabe regime’s shameful Operation Murambatsvina, which left thousands of Zimbabweans homeless in the winter of 2005.
The rally was scheduled to start at midday. We should have known better and trusted our instincts. It was not until four hours later that one of the organizers and would-be beneficiaries, Saviour Kasukuwere, made an appearance, signalling that at least things were about to start happening. Kasukuwere is minister of Youth Development and
Indigenization. His unpopular and controversial regulations on indigenization have once been suspended by cabinet but he remains adamant in his bid to takeover key business entities which are foreign-owned.
Rent-a crowd
The complex was not full, despite the presence of clearly bussed-in crowds that ranged from elderly women from a church sect to youths who were evidently just looking for a place to hang out for the afternoon. Of course the Zanu (PF) youth proper were there; a collection of unemployed youngsters who are willing to sing and dance (gather morale, as they call it) for – wait for it – a bucket of opaque beer and free party regalia.
The atmosphere was made thicker by the presence of Zanu (PF)’s paramilitary allies, popularly known as Green Bombers, clad in their military green fatigues, red berets and dark sunglasses. They were there to showcase the ‘gains’ of the controversial national youth service programme.
If Kasukuwere, dressed in a Zanu (PF) t-shirt bearing the clenched fist of Robert Mugabe, blue jeans and a Cuban-style military cap with a red star was meant to portray his appreciation of the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe then Julius Malema’s entrance was meant to speak of his expensive taste. He arrived in a Mercedes Benz GL500 SUV. The sleek vehicle bears personalized registration, “Zhuwawo” and belongs to the Zanu (PF) director of youth and Politburo member, Patrick Zhuwawo who is also President Robert Mugabe’s nephew.
Malema’s entourage
Malema’s entourage followed behind in Range Rovers, Land Cruisers and S-Class Mercedes Benz vehicles. Inside the netball complex, the crowd erupted, as it had been begged to do earlier by a Zanu (PF) official. In came in Malema, wearing a Zanu (PF) shirt, his fist clenched and waving to the crowd.
He would soon claim that the MDC was an agent of the West, established to effect regime change in Zimbabwe. He would suggest it was paramount to ensure Zanu (PF)’s continued stay in power so as to guarantee the ANC’s position in power in South Africa.
“If the imperialists succeed in removing Zanu (PF) from power, we know they are coming for the ANC next,” he said to thunderous applause.
There is a simple thing that those in civil society and political parties need to learn: discourse. The discourse of the liberation movements is identical – if you did not fight the struggle on our side and with us, then you have no right to speak. It is Zanu (PF)’s mantra. It is now becoming the ANC mantra and Malema is being consistent on this.
Rules of discourse
Now, the rules of discourse are simple: to paraphrase Michel Foucault, the French philosopher, discourse rules in and rules out. What is ruled out are those voices on the margins – the powerless. What is ruled in is the voice of power. Zanu (PF) is in power. The ANC is in power. Whilst we may all have our little centres of power, those are the big centres of power. To re-shape the debate that Malema stoked we have to challenge the liberation movements’ blasphemous declaration of immortality.
Of course, Malema went back to Johannesburg to be met by harsh criticism from the ANC for doing something that did not constitute the party’s foreign policy agenda, especially when president Jacob Zuma was desperately trying to find a lasting solution to the Zimbabwe crisis.
Whilst this action from both Luthuli House and the Presidency was welcome in so many quarters, it has taken yet another foreign policy gaffe by the ANCYL for the ANC to take critical action. Although later withdrawn, Malema’s call for regime change in Botswana sounded more like hollow attempts at parroting the Zanu (PF) mantra on Ian Khama’s regime.
As the ANCYL disciplinary hearing continues, more caution and sanction may be needed in dealing with this rabid politician. Julius Malema is a rather misguided missile that will need more than one press conference and a few statements to deactivate. – This is an edited version of two articles that have previously appeared on the Zimbabwe in Pictures website. They can be found at: http://drupal.zimbabweinpictures.com/search/node/
Post published in: News