The ManicaPost
Donald Kamba Makoni
TO arrive at a political ideology one must understand what ideology is in the first place. Ideology is the study of ideas, their nature and source; the doctrines, opinions or way of thinking of an individual, group, class etc; specifically the ideas on which a political, economic or social system is based.
This creates serious problems in defining a political ideology, when to my limited knowledge, there are no known original ideas that account for a political ideology in the Zimbabwean set-up.
In the days of the struggle, a Marxist-Leninist ideology was pursued by the liberation forces, and, soon after independence scientific socialism became the post-liberation ideology.
And yet, today, 40 years into independence, one hardly hears of Marxism or scientific socialism.
Abject capitalism appears to be the new ideology on the ground.
Capitalism has often been blamed for making the rich even richer and the poor even poorer.
And yet capitalism with a human face has seen the establishment of some of the most robust social welfare schemes meant to shield the poor from extreme poverty and to make the life of every citizen not only bearable but also minimally comfortable and decent.
In such capitalist states, corporate responsibility has meant that the abutting communities benefit from proceeds that flow to productive ventures conducted in the area, with basic amenities such as health and educational facilities, roads, bridges and boreholes, housing, piped water, among others, provided in the process.
Zimbabwe sought to introduce community share ownership schemes to alleviate the plight of communities, but the abject capitalist mentality and nature of Zimbabwean captains of industry and business persons has not made this possible.
If an agreed national ideology is to function properly there is need for the establishment of legal statutes to enforce compliance.
No such law, to my knowledge, exists in Zimbabwe that makes corporate responsibility a legally enforceable requirement.
The above scenario does point to the absence of a national ideology that shapes attitudes and behaviours. Political ideology holds away over social and economic policies.
Across Africa, every political party, ruling or opposition, claims to be driven by an ideological philosophy that makes it people-centred and therefore, averse to greed, selfishness, corruption and anything that hurts the everyday person.
And yet, on the ground, African economies are hit hard by a selfish, greedy and corrupt leadership that has transformed the richest continent in resources to one that is occupied by the poorest people under the sun.
Clearly there is a mismatch between purported ideologies and grinding poverty that affects the vast majority that ironically comprise the mainstay of the voting populace.
And yet ideology is fundamental to drawing parameters around which laws of the land are constructed. It is therefore one thing to talk about ideology and totally another to talk about the sincerity of the drivers of that ideology.
The usefulness and importance of ideology must thus be understood in accordance with the sincerity or insincerity of the leadership.
In complete contrast is the capitalist ideology practised in the West that binds both ruling and opposition parties and seeks to reinforce an agreed national agenda.
Little wonder, it is not abnormal for members on either side to vote for or against a motion put forward by a member of their own party without any reprisal.
Little wonder, during election time in Western countries there is no fighting or killing of each other on the basis of party affiliation because all are agreed on a single ideology that binds all citizens.
The effectiveness and soundness of any ideology lies in its applicability in humane and legal terms.
The Chitepo School of Ideology serves as a useful guide in shaping the thinking and actions of the students for the good of the nation.
The CSI should rise above an indoctrination centre and assume the stature of a national institution that reinforces national cohesion and national interests.
The school should espouse a national vision that takes into account our historical, spiritual, social and cultural values and must of necessity act as the engine that propels our legal and justice system for the good of all citizens. There is absolutely no merit in hosting an ideological school that compartmentalises thinking and alienates pockets of society purely on political grounds.
If such school as portrayed above were to exist such ideology would serve to tear the nation apart and is therefore no good for anybody or the nation at large.
Zimbabwe lacks a national vision and thus lacks a national ideology. This is a recipe for chaos and partisan ideologues merely worsen a bad situation, with polarisation graduating into a permanent feature of the Zimbabwean socio-economic and political space.
Ideologies at individual, family and institutional level must operate within the confines of the national interest that must be defined as the raising of the standards of living of the people through affordable goods and services and thus ease the maintenance of peace and tranquillity.
Ideologies that are narrow in content, context and intent are as empty as mindless sloganeering and a disservice to the national good.
It is such ideologies that fan hate among nationals on the basis of party affiliation and must be condemned as disruptive of national discourses that seek to unite the people under a common cause and common goal.
Any responsible political ideology must be verifiable, rational and truly representative of people’s aspirations, expectations, desires, norms and values.
A progressive political ideology is a critical arm in nation building and serves to bring cohesion among the people and discourage divisions among the people.
Zimbabweans wake up.
Zimbabweans protect the national interest.
Zimbabweans unite and fight as family for the sake of the future generation.
Zimbabwe, be ideologically sound and clear, lest you perish.
Divided you fail, you become the vanquished.
United you succeed, you become the conqueror of modern-day self-imposed territorial slavery.
Zimbabwe, be ideologically sound and clear, lest you perish.
Africa wake up!
Africa protect the African interest!
Africa unite and fight as family for the survival of the future of the African generation.
Divided you fail and become the vanquished.
United you conquer the disease of modern day self imposed continental slavery.
Africa be ideologically sound and clear, lest you perish.
Thank you reader and good luck.
