A chilling eye witness account about Zanu-PF “electioneering” published in the London Times:
Last weekend we had a big pungwe – a political indoctrination meeting – on the farm. It was after Mugabe had come to our little town of Chegutu, southwest of Harare, and addressed the crowd with threats of “war”. A pungwe starts when the shadows lengthen and the sun goes down and darkness falls over the land. It does not stop till after the sun has risen again. All our workers had to go, as well as all their wives with babies and any children over the age of 12. Some of them didn’t go; so the mob sent little bands of chanting youth militia with sticks to fetch the absentees, drag them out of their houses and beat them for non-attendance.
Through the night we heard the chanting and the slogans and the re-education speeches ringing out into the cold darkness for hour after hour after hour. On and on it went, striking fear into my heart. I got up and paced around in the cold night, listening.
When the first birds began to sing, I thought: “How can these birds sing after such a night as this?” Then the birdsong was drowned out. There was a terrible noise like a swarm of bees. I knew the beatings had begun again and I listened helpless, tormented, in fear but praying fervently.
Does one really want to form a government of national unity with such people? Does one have any other choice?
Pierre,
The answer to your questions is:- South Africa, 1990-1994.
And today Mbeki has been totally exposed for the sake of history as Mugabe’s big buddy.
And, with him, the image of the previously saintly Southern African liberation movements tainted with the blood of Black voters in Zim.
Mbeki sounded relieved – even excited – {last night on TV } that the pest MDC finally relented and withdrew.
Khosi at first glance one is tempted to say touche! You are right. If the ANC could have a GNU with the Nats then certainly one could have one with Zanu. But this is a very superficial reading.
One, the Nats agreed to be the junior party in the GNU. Not a Kenya style GNU where the party that wins the election plays second fiddle in power. But there is a deeper reason why Zanu are not the Nats.
As I said before, apartheid on the one hand represented a crude racism, but also something else – the profound fear of Afrikaners that their existence in Africa is threatened. This was not, I am sure you will agree, an entirely unwarranted fear.
As bad as aparthied was any comparative analysis of violence in SA from 1948 to 1994 pails against the levels and extent of violence in contemporary African conflicts and colonial conflicts such as that in Kenya and Algeria.
Not other African government had invested so much in public infrastructure as the apartheid Nationalists had. They presided over an industrial policy which employed thousands of South Africans of all races. In this they had credibility.
And I am pretty confident if a comparative study had been done it would have been found as the least or at least one of the least corrupt African administrations over the period 48 – 94. All South Africans experienced a rise in living standards and economic inequality between the races fell under the Nats. Infant mortality went down and life expectancy went up. This added to credibility.
Whats more the Nats never pretended to be anything but the racists they were. It was terrible to defend racist legislation BUT they had credibility – they walked their talk. When De Klerk and the party changed its policy one could begin believe that they would. They had a track record of doing what they said.
History will note that the Nats gave the ANC a functioning state. The trust that they could be negotiated with – it turned out – was not misplaced.
Zanu does not represent anything now but an entrenched predatory elite that has no raison d’etre except power and the trappings of power. Mugabe has always claimed the moral high ground but never delivered on this promise, what credibility do they have?
In reality, as expressed in the way they have governed, there is no higher calling for Zanu, if there is one it is corrupt to the core.
It’s leaders have enriched themselves while the population has suffered tremendously. Mugabe’s regime come the mid 80’s (3 years into its rule) had murdered more people than the apartheid state had in 40.
Vorster said in the 70’s that if Afrikaners give up power they will never get it back. Which is why they had to tread carefully when making concessions. Mugabe today says simply, he will never give up power.
Who is the best GNU material?
There is no value in forming a government with Mugabe’s side. They only know how to destroy, not build. They will be useless in any efforts to pick up the almost terminally wounded citizens, economy, infrastructure of Zimbabwe. In one decade they set back the country 100 years. There is absolutely nothing positive Mugabe’s crew can contribute. They must have absolutely no role to play in any rescue plan. Mugabe and his mates have had close to eight years of free rein under Mbeki’s supposed persuasive pressure to do the democratic thing. They ducked the opportunity. Now they must appear before the worlds’ human rights courts to account for their destruction of democracy.
I think one very important thing that is always missed in the Zim discussion is that fact that Mugabe has never said he will not relinquish power. He has said he would not relinquish power to the puppets of the West. Two different things. I ask anyone here to tell me why Morgan Tsvangarai is NOT a puppet of the West.
Mpho and her(his) boyfriend,
Are there really not any Zim politicians who are not as tainted by colonial intents as Morgan Tsvangarai?
Khosi! You expect him to give me a straight answer on that one? I’ll ask, but I’m sure I won’t have anything other than a sad shake of the head at my political innocence to come back to you with.
What do you make of the comments from Tsvangarai that Mbeki has never put to him the notion of a Govt of National Unity? Where did that suggestion come from then? Or do you think Tsvangarai is not telling the truth?
I think the onus is on the accuser to prove their point.
How is Morgan a puppet, and how do you think will the puppetry manifest itself in government policy if he was president Khosi?
Secondly, if you have made a convincing case for the above, I think there’s a nother case you should make.
Do you think that a leader should be judged first and foremost on whether he betters the lives of his countries citizens or on whether he is a puppet or the ‘wrong’ skin colour?
Khosi – ” I think one very important thing that is always missed in the Zim discussion is that fact that Mugabe has never said he will not relinquish power. He has said he would not relinquish power to the puppets of the West. Two different things. I ask anyone here to tell me why Morgan Tsvangarai is NOT a puppet of the West.”
Well, two things:
1.) He was quoted by the Mail& Guardian online to have said as follows
“The MDC will never be allowed to rule this country — never, ever,” Mugabe told local business people in Zimbabwe’s second city, Bulawayo, referring to the opposition Movement for Democratic Change. “Only God who appointed me will remove me — not the MDC, not the British.” I think by saying only God will remove him, he actually said that he will not relinquish power, don’t you agree?
2.) Have you got proof that Morgan Tsvangirai is a puppet of the West? I think not. And, even if he was, why did Thabo Mbeki at all suggest (like others already did – so his idea is not at all novel) that Mugabe should abandon the run-off and form a GNU with Tsvangirai, whilst earlier he supported Mugabe in everything and even told GW Bush to keep his nose out of Africa’s business? That makes him sound a little like a hipocrite, doesn’t it?
Rat,
Are you opposing what I said or in agreement with it.
I don’t know whether there is any proof that Tsvangirai is “the West’s” puppet. “The West” knows nothing about Tsvangirai except that he’s not Mugabe. Therefore, he’s their favourite. Does Tsvangirai have any concrete plan at all on how to turn Zimbabwe around if and when he becomes President? If so, I haven’t heard of one. He will certainly accept the assistance offered by “the West”. That is why some suspect him of being their puppet. My personal view is that Tsvangirai is just another would-be dictator. I can tell just by watching him swaggering, it’s a real Big Man’s kind of swagger.
Khosi, I see you are ducking my questions.
Khosi ducks all questions
So what if Tsvangirai is a Western puppet (although no-one seems to have any evidence that he is beyond Zuna propaganda)? Zimbaweans are dying like flies. Immediate re-colonisation of Zimbabwe by the West would in fact be a very attractive outcome for most Zimbabweans at this stage.
And while were on the subject of the West, here’s an interesting article from Cif.
According to Keith Richburg black American journalist who wrote “Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa” it’s still better to be born black in the US – the citadel of the West – than in Africa or any other part of the world.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jun/22/zimbabwe.usa
khosi, you have a very worrying understanding of democracy. The essence of democracy is that when one loses an election – even to Western puppets – one hands over power to the guys who got the most votes. Sometimes that does not happen – ask All Gore – but then it is not a real democracy. In a democracy no party or person has a divine right to rule. Even if the MDC was a Western puppet, if the people of Zimbabwe voted for them they should have a right to rule. To say that one will only hand over power to some parties with some values is really to admit that one is not a democrat.
Hayibo bantu bakithi. Clara, Wessel and someone called garth; did you read what I wrote. I said prove that he is NOT a puppet. I did not say he was. I have no proof that he is or is not a puppet. But I will tell you that 1. his proximity to the British, 2. his links with Tony Leon of the DA makes me suspecious that he will not always act in the best interest of Africans. I said earlier today that the scares of colonialism are still too fresh for Africans to think that another colonial wound could not be inflicted.
To the person called garth,
I did not know that bloggers here have started cheerleading squads. I really hope you have some form of opinion, even if its from a braincell of a cheerleader.
But something has always unsettled me about Wessels point of view. I am at this point declaring Wessel a racist (a Constitutionally Speaking blog despot) who should be engaged with care and be helped to see the fooly of one race supremacy over the other.
Is that the sum total of your arguments re Morgans puppetry?
I’m surprised it took you so long to brand me a racist. Like Rhoda Kadalie I will wear it as a badge of honour. I’m reminded that Johan Kriegler, Dennis Davis, Max du Preez, Helena Dolny have all been called racists.
Come the end of this nightmare period in our history if you were not called a racist, or a coconut, you probably never made a coherent argument for justice and the end of prejudice.
Pierre,
I love you, I really do. If you were a woman I would track you down, marry you and endorw you with a lifetime of African goodies.
Democracies sometimes provide the incorrect results. Look at George Bush, he was delivered by a democratic process. American can afford such a mistake, sub-saharan Africa cannot afford a mistake called Morgan Tsvangarai. Had Al Gore been president, I may have been paying 5 rand for a litre of petrol and thousands of Iraqi lives could have been saved.
Another democratic process that has us in deep kak is the Polokwane process. Now we have people threatning to kill people every weekend and our justice system reeling on the ropes.
Democratic processes do go awry. Should our leaders stand by and do nothing?
Wessel,
Cover your whole body with badges of honour and every single one of those badges would be honouring racists.
Speaking in a manner that stems white supremacy is not a pre-requisite for a coherent arguement for justice and it endorses prejudice.
stems = roots
> Speaking in a manner that stems (roots) white supremacy is not a pre-requisite for a coherent arguement for justice and it endorses prejudice.
Khosi, this is an excellent example of the circular nature of South African political debate.
The Nats said, beware of the ’swartgevaar’, chaos. We need apartheid as a bulwark against it. But we convinced (and forced) the Nats that their vision were wrong.
Now when events go wrong (like the Xenophobic violence, or the chaos in Home affairs or hospitals), we are told, its because we had apartheid, that we have this, it is because of apartheid that some officials are corrupt and inept.
*Without apartheid we will have chaos.
*The chaos we have now is caused by apartheid.
Huh?!
You argue that my points above should not be made because they are racist. You probably find it highly offensive that I say that economic inequality between races in SA fell during the Nats rule. That the Nats were less corrupt. Unfortunately its born out by hard figures.
My point is that if we want to fight racism we need to avoid charging theoretical windmills like imperialism and racism. (Even if they hold some water, its best left for intellectual masturbation and wont help you and me practically.)
We must prove the racists wrong. How? By good governance, by bettering the lives of all South Africans, by having a caring state, by valuing public institutions before the cult of personality. No amount of elegant rhetoric, liberal hand wringing or coercion will cure white prejudice (or balck prejudice about themsleves for that matter). Only positive action will make the large inroads we need.
Many on the left and Africanists deny black agency. Black actions are of no import. Instead blame and solutions are heaped on and demanded from whites. This is profoundly Afro pessimist in itself.
In that I am in complete agreement with Biko.
Many blacks are mentally enslaved. Whites are irrelevant in this regard he said ( but even more so now than in Biko’s time). Blacks should take responsibility for their destiny, justice and freedom by creating a destiny, justice and freedom.
I agree that Khosi has a point regarding what Mugabe said. He did say he will not relinquish power to a puppet of the West, meaning only someone who bears his stamp of approval. (This does not mean I approve of Mugabe and don’t largely blame him for the mess, nor that Morgan is a Western “puppet”)
I also agree that Khosi has a point with democracy. It is not the end all and be all of life, a kind of untouchable shrine. You need a mature society for democracy to function well. The internal ANC electoral process (though not fully democratic in the sense of ground level votes), it did show the immaturity in our society, when people are willing to risk the stability and future of our country on a criminally accused. If the ANC was truly above Big men as some claim, then why not rather choose someone without a dark cloud over them?
Democracy is only as good as it is able to perpetuate itself. When democracy votes a dictator into power who abolishes democracy or undermines the electorate, has democracy not failed? Or have the people failed? Whichever option you choose, pragmatically we need to try to avoid it.
So yeah it’s the best we’ve got, but we have to do what we can to keep it free from the abusers, as Khosi duly noted regarding Polokwane. (just check the comments on the friendsofjz site and you’ll know what I mean)
Wessel has a point regarding the burden of proof. You can’t just make a wild accusation without some kind of proof for how you came to that conclusion.
Wessel also has points regarding the old regime. I think though that as Khosi notes, the wounds of colonialism are still fresh and so are the fears. Our society is probably not ready yet for a completely balanced view of our past and we will have to cope with that, on both sides of the coin.
I disagree that Khosi never answers questions, he has often answered mine, not always no, but few answer all questions. At times we agree at other times agree to disagree, but civility helps a lot when engaging people from different backgrounds. It also helps to avoid emotional methods (or logic fallacies), and truly try to understand the other person’s perspective, even beyond some of the details (online we have limited verbal communication). Of course, these are only useful if one is actually interested in engaging others and learning and not just pushing your own view forward.
My 10 cents (erm well times ten, it is kinda long winded)
Wessel, did you read Richburg’s book?
Wessel,
I did not say that your points should not be made, I said you should be engaged with carefully.
I am a Zimbabwean.
I am most astounded by the poor knowledge of African liberation history exemplified by debates on Zimbabwe going on on websites (including your blog), in newspapers, TV and on radio.
The most common fallacy is that Zimbawe today is comparable to SA in 1990-94. No. That is comparable to Zimbabwe’s war of liberation. In 1979, Zimbabweans rejected a unity government that was a Smith brainchild and had Bishop Muzorewa as the head of state. We fought a bitter and brutal war that resulted in independence in 1980. Our fight was the hottest and bloodiest war for liberation on the continent. ANC or any other SA groups never fought to that extent. Check your history.
In 1980, the election was about black majority rule. SA faced the same choice in 1994. Overwhelmingly, blacks would vote on one side. Now the fight is different. We are trying to remove a black dictator who took power in our name in 1980.
When the SA citizens try to remove ANC from power and replace it with another black party, let’s have this discussion again. Until you realise this difference, please spare us the unity government nonsense. Zanu and Zapu did it in 1987 and where are they now?
What we are faced with now, is the challenge to remove a black dictator who claims the right to defend us in hunger, repression etc. against re-colonisation. If you spare a thought for this, you will understand why we Zimbabweans understand why Polokwane voted for Zuma.
Samaita, that is a beautiful name.
South Africa has learned a lot from the mistakes that countries such as Zimbabwe made. That is why a South African president can only be in office for 2 terms. As a South African I always find offence when people talk of the ANC as if they are talking of the Republic of South Africa. The ANC is not South Africa.
This Republic is built on:-
1.) a credible constitution
2.) a sound judicial (its taking blow but its standing firm)
3.) a sound fourth state in the form of the media
No one will ever be a President of this country longer that the constitution stipulates. What I am saying to you is that, as much as Polokwane was a model for democratic action, South Africa did not need Polokwane to avoid a dictatorship. In fact, it was after Polokwane that uncertainty blew up in South Africa and people start speaking carelessly about violence. So its ‘goodness’ is still a matter of debate.
Another issue I have is that by saying the ANC membership voted for Zuma in the context that make Zimbabweans understand that vote, you are discrediting Zuma and the internal politics of the ANC. Zuma is extremely popular and would have beaten anyone who stood before him (like ungqingili). I do not think people voted for him in fear of an invisible dictator.
My point is, the fact that Zimbabwe needed Polokwane 20 years ago does not mean that South Africa is better of for getting it.
Thanks Khosi. Just remember that when we got Independence in 1980, the Zim constitution was the best in the African world. Britain does not have a written constitution but is a democracy. When liberators become vampires, the constitution, the press and the judiciary will not help. Pikoli? Selebi? Zuma? Manto? Threats of adverts withdrawal by govt from the Sunday Times?
I have personal fears about Zuma but respect the right of 4500 ANC members to elect the draft President! That is how precarious your democracy is. more than 10000 Zanu PF members endorsed Mugabe in December 2007!
First of all I was disappointed that the government did not withdraw advertsment from the Sunday Times. That toilet paper is a danger to Africans, period.
When legitimately elected representatives make decisions they were appointed to make, you can not shout ‘dictator!’ and call the ‘vampires’ just because you do not like the decision. Whose blood did they suck?
Never forget that these people are accountable for what happens in government, so let them take decisions they are prepared to loose all reputation for.
No Z I have not read his book, just that article.
Wessel
He was journalist in Africa from about 92-94. So he covered the breakdown in Somalia, black hawk down incident, Rwandan genocide, SA elections. It is a kind of memoir of that time, as an African American he was keen on going to Africa and find his roots. It is quite a depressing read, but interesting because it is a personal journey and because of the time period.
As an example in Somalia they would hire an armed vehicle with armed militia’s, for protection in order to cover events there. So his life was in danger a number of times, and some fellow journalists died in that time period. He probably had a bit of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) after some of the events, but I think you’d find it a worthwhile read. There has been some controversy and it is also worth it to read what his critics had to say.
TM once again withdrawing from any positive involvement? http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2346524,00.html
Thanks Z, sounds very interesting. What you describe sounds a bit like ‘the Bang Bang club’. A very good, but depressing book.
Bob Mugabe (and his regime) has no respect for the law, not even international law.
http://www.news24.com/News24/Africa/Zimbabwe/0,,2-11-1662_2347229,00.html
The inevitable has happened…Robert claims victory after another rigged election.
Holding on to power is all dear old Robert can do tosave himelf from being tried for crimes against humanity…I think that he cannot accept how he has singlehandedly brought the countrry to ruin; despite having good intentions at the beginning….Sadly this is why most african leaders fail…it becomes every man for himself…we see this in our very own government( people using their positions for personal gains).
Samaita, thanks for what you wrote. Firstly, I agree with you on what you wrote about the Polokwane vote. You are absolutely correct. Govt policy needs to change as it has marginalised and harmed the poorest and the swing to the left is necessary. However, one does not place a man who is easily corruptible in charge of a more socialist minded state. That is asking for trouble.
With regard to your comments on Zim, thank you very much. I’ve been told that Zimbabweans know Tsvangarai actually achieved well in excess of the 50% required, but that they also know that Zanu-PF’s vote rigging was underestimated! In those circumstances, one would be crazy to place any sort of faith in the electoral process – which is the first thing many would look for the existence of in a democratic state. The situation in Zim is further complicated by the Act amending the Presidential Powers which has created the potential for an even greater monster than what has been witnessed until now. Mugabe, to my understanding, has not even begun to use the powers this Act has given him.
I am firmly of the opinion that the so-called Western Concepts of Democracy are actually a few codified aspects of a few elderly European countries which have been transposed on Africa without regard of the mindset of the nations, the capacity to invoke the institutional structures and with little attempt to allow for the natural motion of settling in, taking stock, and finding our own way of Governing.
Mouse, as for respecting International Law, wasn’t it the British who were abusing the Diplomatic Bag in 1990 to ship electronic equipment into Zim illegally? The Zim Govt were correct then to say that opening the “bags” was not a breach of International Law, as the British hypocrites (see Setumo, I can spot them too) claimed, the breach was in the initial act of the British.
Linda – “Sadly this is why most african leaders fail”
I’m choking! Abdoulaye Wade??? Festus Mogae??? Johnson Sirleaf???
Balancing the scale are we…..ok….Idi Amin, Mobuto, Jean bedel…..come now Mpho!?!?
I think you should move to Europe.
I can’t say the US because the Supreme Court gave George Bush Baby his first electoral win. That won’t suit you will it?
U MISUNDERSTAND ME….THE TRUTH IS NOT EASY TO SWALLOW …….AND UHH I AM ENJOYING LIFE JUST FINE DOWN HERE….
You don’t sound like you are. Happy people have no need to SHOUT!!!!
You are not speaking the “truth”, you are making negative stereotypical assumptions about Africans and about the “right” way to govern.
Q: Do you think I’m white?
Where did I say that?
its a question!!!!
its a question