FRANCIS MUFAMBI|She who laughs last, laughs best, it is deja vu once again in Zanu PF.
ZANU PF is more divided along ideological lines and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive than at any point in the last two decades. These trends manifest themselves in a myriad ways, both in politics and in everyday life.
Partisan animosity has increased substantially over the same period in ZANU PF, those with a highly negative view of opposing views have more than doubled, but with great consequences. Most of these intense partisans believe the opposing views are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being.”
Beyond Dislike: Viewing the Other Party as a ‘Threat to the Nation’s Well-Being, a person who brings an opposing view is branded as treasonous and labelled a traitor a thief and a witch. The aims of ZANU PF were abandoned and the only thing left was hero worshiping of Mugabe and making sure no one will ever challenge him. The fear of Mugabe gripped the party to such an extent those who left his party could not freely talk. It needed a strong will and courage of a woman to rise above the fear and form an opposition party with the views of railing the country back on its tracks.
Mujurus formation of a party was not out of power hungry or greediness. She is entitled to presidential pecks and the same security she had before. The good life was open to her and still open to her. She had to put all that down and focus on mending and rebuilding the nation. There are men who were fired from ZANU PF and went home with their tails between their legs. Never lifted a finger. Some are begging to be recalled but Mujuru braved all and risked all for the sake of Zimbabwe.
“Ideological silos” are now common on both the left and right. People with down-the-line ideological positions – especially are more likely than others to say that most of their close friends share their political views but are afraid of Mugabe. They disagree over where they want to live, the kind of people they want to live around and even whom they would welcome into their families. But Mujuru defied all odds for Zimbabwe. Yes there are issues about her past but who could have risen above that past and steer the country towards second freedom. This should be applauded and indeed such bravery is her theme. Gandanga rine Chivindi.
And at a time of increasing gridlock in the State House many on both the left and the right think the outcome of political negotiations between Mugabe and his leaders should be that their side gets more of what it wants. But no Mugabe gets more stronger. If you can not see the torture Munangagwa is going through and he is a man you can not start to imagine what Mujuru went through as a woman and a lone descending voice.
These sentiments are not shared by all – or even most Zimbabweans. The majority do not have uniformly conservative or liberal views. Most do not see either party as a threat to the nation, while more believe their representatives in government should meet halfway to resolve contentious disputes rather than hold out for more of what they want.
Yet many of those in the center remain on the edges of the political playing field, relatively distant and disengaged, while the most ideologically oriented and politically rancorous Zimbabweans make their voices heard through greater participation in every stage of the political process to build the nation without fear of a single person. The most politically polarized are more actively involved in politics as builders amplifying the voices that are oppressed and covered in fear. A Rising Tide of Mutual Antipathy Among all Democrats, policies are viewed as a threat to the well-being of the country by those who are in ZANU PF.  They think Democratic policies threaten the nation this tells only part of the story. A question to those who have a very unfavorable impression of the Builders, “Would you say the party’s policies are so misguided that they threaten the nation’s well-being, or wouldn’t you go that far?”
The answer lies in the fear of being replaced as official opposition. Mujuru is not interested in being opposition or taking an opposition lead. She is interested in removing the rot in the country and build a strong Zimbabwe. The fearful opposition can hold on to their opposition position.
Politics gets personal and personal attacks on Mujuru are expected but let’s not lose focus and aims. Opposition parties should share a passion for politics. They are far more likely than those with more mixed ideological views to discuss politics on a weekly or daily basis. But for many, particularly on the right, those conversations may not include much in the way of opposing opinions.
While few Zimbabweans overall go so far as to voice disappointment with mai Mujuru leading that sentiment is not uncommon in the people who are from a gruesome experience with Mugabe. The treatment of Ngwena must show you that it is not easy to oppose Mugabe. It needs a builder to build a very strong wall around the country.
To be sure, there are areas of consensus. Most Zimbabweans regardless of their ideological preferences, they have one goal in common, to remove Mugabe.
When they look at a political system in which little seems to get done, most Zimbabweans in the center of the electorate think that Mujuru and Opposition leaders should simply meet each other halfway in addressing the issues facing the nation and work as a team.
Compromise in the Eye of the Beholder.Regardless of Mujuru’s background the importance is her future plans and her motherly love for Zimbabwe.