Self-importance is an awful vice. A story is told of a haughty father who was obsessed by his empire. Cyprian M Ndawana
Yet, his son was stilted; he marched right-left while other boys marched left-right on the school open day. Seeing that his son was an oddity, the conceited father exclaimed: “All boys are out of step, except my son!”
Consumed in superiority aura, the father faulted all the boys yet their marching was correct. And, in total disregard of the inherent dignity of fellow parents, some who were not even attentive to the march, the haughty father had the audacity to bellow a broadside on their sons.
Indications are that President Robert Mugabe, like the conceited father, has developed obsession for his plumage at the expense of realism. Like the orchestra that was engrossed in its music on board the Titanic when it sank, Mugabe is oblivious of the perils the country is in.
He traded a cheap ruse of criticising his Cabinet while opening Parliament last week.
He further robbed himself of the self-respect that could have been a means of lifting him to loftier stations by gesturing with his fist in what has become his overused body language of demonstrating vitality.
Yet, his ponderous speech delivery conveyed a contrary impression from the one he wanted the gesture to convey. Despite being a faded imitation of the man who stood erect at the final lowering of the Union Jack in April 1980, Mugabe has over the years been fond of downplaying effects of his advanced age.
Nonetheless, nature does not discriminate; king or commoner, Pope or altar boy, both wilt as age advances. Now in his second childhood, it was infra dig for the nonagenarian to brag that he was still bouncy and in charge of polity. On the contrary, such utterances fuel speculation than conviction.
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For a President who does not sit in Parliament, opening and closing of the august House are revered occasions that must be accorded the respect they duly deserve.
Yet, Mugabe trivialised the ceremony almost akin to chasing the hound instead of the hare.
Given that he chairs weekly Cabinet meetings, it goes without mention that he has an ideal platform for addressing grievances with errant Cabinet members than the opening of Parliament.
He needed not have watered down the essence of Parliament opening by labouring on his annoyance which he could have done at another forum.
It was indiscreet to berate ministers as did his wife at her rallies. Their mouths must be parched. He conversely added weight to the credibility crisis his government is suffering from. Since the harmonised elections, debate over the authenticity of the electoral process and results still rages.
The populace expected him to spell the vision and motivate the nation to buy into the vision. Yet, paranoia deluded him to seethe. Unlike the scriptural Moses who led grumbling Israelites who did not share his vision, Mugabe is privileged in that the Cabinet is his personal appointees.
If some within Cabinet no longer share the chalice with him, such divergence does not warrant being an inclusion of Parliament opening speech, but a summoning to the office for a no-holds-barred discussion. Sadly, days are turning into weeks with not a single minister reprimanded.
One wonders why he questioned the credibility of Cabinet members without him taking action. Yet, repercussions of his accusations have far-reaching implications given that Cabinet has the onerous responsibility of spearheading strategies of heaving the country from the socio-economic morass.
Despite claims to being a revolutionary, Mugabe has proven to be more of a bane than boon. His longevity in power is a blot on his legacy.
Now in his twilight, the down and dirty truth that his subordinates discuss succession in whispers does not augur well for his leadership qualities.
Zimbabwe is now a far cry from the regional breadbasket she was at independence. Commercial farms seizures robbed us of livelihood as evidenced by thorns and thistles which now abound where crops used to thrive. Industry is in likewise derelict; the indigenisation thrust has been shown to be an investor repellent.
The wall clock atop Munhumutapa Building has not been working for years. It now symbolises the doleful economic stagnation. With citizenry resorting to vending amid the record high unemployment rate, prospects of a land of milk and honey are a forlorn expectation.
Pressing issues Mugabe ought to have spoken about in his opening speech include re-entry into the Commonwealth. With the Look East policy failing to be the panacea it was hyped to be, ZimAsset, like its predecessors, amounts to an economic pie in sky — a pastiche devoid of ingenuity.
It is about time Mugabe swallowed his pride and sought readmission into the Commonwealth. Those in the know say that a nationalist is one who places national interests ahead of his.
Opportunities rarely present themselves gladly for Mugabe to prove his claims than applying for re-entry into the Commonwealth. In the wake of the meltdown resulting from his ruinous policies, the country inevitably slumped into a lull.
Under his leadership, Zanu PF has proven to be a ruining party than a ruling party. Mugabe must of necessity have spoken about his long overdue retirement; he is tired and must long have retired.
It is despicable to die on harness, more so after having been blessed with longevity.
Adorable leaders earn respect not essentially for their felicity, but for timely passing on the baton such that they get asked why they are leaving, than prolong succession that they be asked when they intend leaving.
Despite direct communication with God, Moses had the laudable humility to implement advice on leadership from his pagan father-in-law, Jethro. As with Jethro, my presage is proffered with profound sincerity.
Cyprian Muketiwa Ndawana, email: [email protected] is a public speaking coach, motivational speaker and speechwriter.
