Mujuru told thousands of mourners at the burial of the late Lt Col Stanley Urayayi Sakupwanya that war veterans should desist from bragging about their credentials and imitate his humility – despite having played a pivotal role during the liberation struggle and in the early years after independence.
“He never beat his chest and climbed up on the roof top to brag about his massive contributions to the country. He quietly went about his military and civilian lives without shouting about his achievements. There are many others like him,” Mujuru said.
Her speech struck a sharp contrast to those made by President Robert Mugabe and other Zanu (PF) leaders at such occasions, during which they usually remind everybody that they freed Zimbabwe from the colonial yoke and were entitled to run the country as they pleased.
The analysts said a moderate Zanu (PF) leader would be able to do business with the international community.
Rejoice Ngwenya, a political analyst, said the fundamental morality of Mujuru’s speech indicated that war credentials should not be used as a materialistic passport to self-enrichment.
“It would look like, given the opportunity, Mujuru would behave moderately as a national leader and engage with everybody well in business,” Ngwenya said.
Mujuru highlighted that though national economic gains might not be realised fast enough, interests of fellow citizens should come before those of leadership.
Alexander Rusero, a political commentator said Mujuru’s speech could indicate a turning point for Zanu (PF), adding that the former liberation party was in a reorientation and rejuvenation process, as it feared no external threats from the disjointed MDC. Rusero said since 2000, Zanu (PF)’s modus operandi revolved around liberation war credentials.
“Given the intra-party factionalism threatening Zanu (PF), one camp might want to remind the nation that it is possible to subordinate war credentials to proper national leadership.
“People should not judge Mujuru by her recent statement but her moderate conduct all along,” Rusero said, describing her as a soft hearted and motherly leader.
According to Rusero, should Mujuru takeover from Mugabe, there would be a lot of opening up of policies regarding Zimbabwe’s engagement with the international community. He believed she could transform Zanu (PF) from a liberation movement to a post 21st century political party.
Observers said Mujuru’s rival, the hardliner Emmerson Mnangagwa, would not preach post armed struggle politics in his life time, but would instil fear in citizens and scare away potential investors.
Post published in: News
Dear Lady Mujuru,
Our hearts understand only too well where you are coming from, but
the fact is that after H.E. telling the children of the Nation and making sure that the World understands that in no uncertain terms no whites will ever farm again in Zimbabwe, and what with the Zimbos here in the UK appearing intent on bringing down the current Government with demonstrations and negative publicity as always, may I respectfully point out that your pleas are going to fall on deaf ears. Many of those demonstrating do it to ingratiate themselves into the Benefits System of the UK, despite having blood relatives in Zimbabwe who are suffering much worse than they are. Others have moved hill and high water to establish themselves and with their Degrees and valuable experience, and high salaries, will never return now. In between licking their wounds, they have struggled to get where they are. And I am not just talking about the white section of Zimbos.
Instability does not engage investment, and with all the diamonds and gold we have at our disposal, not to mention the billions of gallons of liquid gas beneath Hwange waiting to be coveted and taken away from those whose inheritance it is, others are constantly asking me why we begging for others to come in and help us? It is wearying.
As a woman, I would rather give you a chance of running the country instead of another man. We have had various men in State House now for eons, and it would be such a nice change to have a woman with your credentials in there, but whoever she is, she will have to look inward and dig deep before potential investors decide to embrace Zimbabwe as they did before H.E. told the Commonwealth to take a hike and get lost.
Reality is that on June 13, Zimra instituted a garnishee order to recover money it is owed by the local authority. Highly placed sources at Town House have told the press that about $43m was taken in the process thereby compromising the city’s financial position to pay outstanding salaries for the months of May and June, and sadly this is only one faceted crack in the tip of the iceberg.
When people are unable to travel to find jobs because industries have folded, unable to afford transport to work, to pay their rent, fund school fees and uniforms, or feed their families who go without assisted Medical Aid, they quickly become disillusioned and knowing that there is enough wealth beneath the barefeet of the next generation for the entire Nation, does not help matters one iota. This is not a criticism.
These are the facts and all the window-dressing in the world will not solve our problems, but perhaps a woman at the helm will be able to change matters?
I sincerely hope so. May God Bless you and keep you, Amai Mujuru.
What a long and boring message “Donette”. Any foreign investor in a ZANU-led Zimbabwe had better be prepared to lose their money,