THE setting up of a 10-member Council of Elders by Zanu PF proves the inclusive nature of the party, analysts have said.
At its congress last week, Zanu PF announced the new council that will advise the party, in a move that observers said was a masterstroke that will add more value to the party.
Researcher Alex Munyonga said the setting up of the Council of Elders was a well reflected decision aimed at bolstering team work and synchronise party energies towards a rhythm of success for the party.
The development, Mr Munyonga said, was a testimony that no one was being left behind in the party.
“Instead of jostling and fighting for positions, it is prudent that each member be content with the position accorded them to maintain the party momentum from that angle,” he said.
“The philosophy is to place each member where they can perform best. Individualism and selfish attitudes have no place when it comes to party and nation building.
“Where more energy and mobility is needed, the young and energetic are tasked. Where experience and wisdom is called for then the elders come in. From an African point of view, age is a crucial ingredient for decision making and cementing of constructive ideas.”
Researcher and analyst Mrs Angeline Tariro Zivanai said African elders were a treasured repositories of knowledge.
“The elders have tried and tested knowledge,” he said.
“One philosopher of science, Paul Feyerabend, once remarked that archives are a fertile seedbed for knowledge breakthrough. He added that even failed experiments should not be discarded as they give a brilliant starting point for reflection.
“However, such a philosophy does not celebrate the monopoly of decision making by the elders, instead, a cross-pollination of ideas is made possible through dialogue across the different organs of the party.”
Harare-based political commentator Blessing Chimanga said President Mnangagwa, whose party, Zanu PF, had a congress preceded by democratic elections, was entrenching democracy.
The Council of Elders, he said, would bring wisdom to the party since it included former Politburo members.
“This will afford the President to have independent and honest opinions on developments in the country by consulting from the elder’s council,” said Cde Chimanga.
Dr Hamadziripi Dube, who is also a political analyst, said such a refined level of organisation acted as an arsenal for the party.
“Political formations have to take a leaf from such. A body of advisors testifies the listening attitude of the President,” he said.
Cde Bonface Mutize, who is a Zanu PF Central Committee member, said appropriate guidance was always needed.
“The President did not impose himself as the President of the party, but was endorsed by the party’s 10 provinces to become the President and First Secretary of Zanu PF, hence the need to set up an advisory body,” he said.
Another Zanu PF central Committee member Cde Lewis Matutu said the Elders Council was a clear reflection of wisdom on the part of the leadership of the party.
“Zanu PF has come a long way and is there to stay,” he said.
“As the party grows, so are individual interests and conflicts, therefore, the council of elders becomes very critical to manage individual expectations and conflict within the organisation
“It’s formulation is a clear reflection of wisdom on the part of the leadership and we applaud President Mnangagwa for the decision to introduce the council of elders.”
Educationist Loice Magweba said the Council of Elders will strengthen the party.
Newly elected Central Committee member for Hurungwe Cde Terrence Mukupe said: “The party is going through a renewable process. In terms of the changes that have happened with the party constitution, they are actually very positive, the thrust is now more about the people, it’s not about the positions.” – The Herald
