Mnangagwa Vows Zanu PF Rule 'Until Donkeys Grow Horns'
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has emphatically stated that his Zanu PF party intends to remain in power indefinitely. He invoked a well-known Shona idiom, quoting the late Vice President Simon Vengesayi Muzenda: “Zanu PF ichatonga kusvikira madhongi amera nyanga.” This phrase translates to "Zanu PF will remain in power until donkeys grow horns," signifying an eternal hold on leadership. Mnangagwa made these remarks during the 27th Ordinary Session of the National Consultative Assembly (NCA), which convened in Harare. The declaration underscores the party's commitment to maintaining its political dominance. The use of the idiom suggests a deep-rooted belief in the party's enduring legacy and its perceived inevitability in Zimbabwean politics. This statement signals a firm stance on the party's longevity, aiming to reassure its members and project an image of unshakeable control.
President Mnangagwa's declaration, using a traditional idiom, frames Zanu PF's political tenure as a permanent fixture, akin to an impossible natural phenomenon. This rhetoric aims to instill a sense of inevitability and long-term stability among party loyalists, while potentially discouraging opposition by projecting an unassailable position. From a governance perspective, such pronouncements can highlight a focus on entrenching power rather than on policy innovation or responsiveness to evolving public needs. In the context of democratic principles, the emphasis on perpetual rule, rather than on periodic electoral accountability, raises questions about the mechanisms for political transition and the space for alternative voices within the political landscape over the next decade.
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