Focus on Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) discipline is not accidental but deliberate; there is growing concern the party which openly expresses its desire for the liberation of Matabeleland also appears to lack discipline to achieve its goal. We argue that MRP needs to establish dominion over itself for it to have real influence in Matabeleland’s political power and control; that requires discipline to operate by principle not just desire.
We believe with knowledge and discipline it is possible to affirm the Matabeleland agenda and the politics of localisation to touch all fronts of the region and render mainstream politics of Zimbabwe redundant in Matabeleland.
There is a widespread sentiment that if you are not of ethnic Shona background you will not get fair treatment from any governing body founded on the mainstream politics of Zimbabwe; it is for that fact the emergence of Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) as a political entity was welcome by the Matabeleland public who hoped it was going to positively alter the political narrative to reflect the best interests of the region, but there are now growing reservations over the direction of the party.
Far from addressing the intensified inequalities that define Zimbabwean politics of centre and periphery, MRP is executing its own form of the marginalisation process within Matabeleland. Instead of being a force for aggregating local power and ramping up local empowerment, the party is busy breeding political uncertainty, and doubt, fear, and anxiety have engulfed communities; there is now reservation over embracing the organisation as a face of the Matabeleland society’s struggles.
What is proving to be MRP’s downfall is the lack of discipline; there is concern over the loose cannon type of conduct of individual members and the perceived organisation wide laisse-faire attitude on matters of discipline.
By its silence, the increasingly populist MRP party leadership is guilty of condoning uncouth activities by their membership. Diversity makes Matabeleland what it is – a tolerant society; ideological indiscipline that makes individuals in MRP comfortable with making abrasive remarks and display intolerance is putting the party at loggerheads with the very diverse constituency it needs to gain political power.
Character got MRP out of the metaphorical bed, commitment moved the organisation into action, but unparalleled lack of discipline in its ranks in recent times threatens its ability to follow through on its goals.
We ask: is MRP a protest group against ethnic Shona people or its goal is still to transform the face of Matabeleland’s political space and help create and secure safe spaces for all residents? The fear is that the party has become too self-absorbed to recognise the value of public support and now stands to protect just its brand as a political entity.
It is important that MRP does not allow itself to descend into an anarchist, anti-Shona sabre-rattling group gushing vitriol against Shona people while paying little attention to its Matabeleland development goal. Let’s face the reality that Matabeleland is home to whoever lives in it regardless of their ethnicity, tribe, and race. And Matabeleland’s progress and safety must never be seen in demarcation of certain population groups.
Growth and stability of political groups rely on discipline, constant change in response to changing needs or challenges, and support from the public. History teaches us that any political entity unwilling to subordinate its interests to broader public interests cannot form policies representative of society’s interests. There are concerns MRP may be becoming too self-absorbed to consider Matabeleland public interests.
MRP’s image now is no different from that of a political or gang cartel; the party has become increasingly intolerant of being contradicted; party members are increasingly delusional of their influence in the political scene of Matabeleland; their approach to politics is founded on a platform of both ignorance and arrogance.
At present, there is concerning self-indulgence that sees the party obsessing with the view that it only is the custodian of Matabeleland’s best interests and that through it Matabeleland would be delivered from Shona repression; in what is clearly another delusion, its failure to gain substantial public support is perceived as a reflection of public political ignorance and nothing to do with the organisation’s doctrinal incoherence or incompatibility with public interest.
Disconnecting with your constituency is the beginning of collapse. We do appreciate political difference is part and parcel of democracy, but it must be a goal for the party to reach out to the public to find common ground.
Instead of the party assuming the role of boss and saviour of the people of Matabeleland, it must take itself as an essential piece of the jigsaw puzzle of Matabeleland’s socioeconomic and political revival. It must create opportunities for the public to take an active role in formulating goals for the party’s strategic interests informed by public interest.
Discipline in politics, and MRP as an organisation, is critical for Matabeleland progress. Many would agree that MRP’s political goals are predominantly aimed at cleansing the political space of certain population groups. But irrespective of the specific groups of population being targeted for marginalisation, it is becoming urgent to discuss the poverty of that ideology itself, namely its debatable utility, its official and hidden motivations, its effects on individuals, certain population groups and diversity of our society and, ultimately, its visible dysfunctions.
MTHWAKAZI INDEPENDENT 