In an Editorial Comment, The Herald says the endorsement of Emmerson Mnangagwa as Zanu-PF 2023 Presidential candidate is a way of dealing with the succession issue now.
The Herald’s editor argues it is Zanu-PF’s way of showing confidence in what Mnangagwa is doing economically. Below is part of the editorial comment:
The endorsement of ED and his administration is Zanu-PF’s way of saying: “You are doing a good job; you can continue to make long-term plans for the economic turnaround of the country.”
Political stability is a major pillar of economic development and investor confidence.
The eurocentric democracy which we have adopted as Africans has come with the burden of instability and a lack of forward-thinking as a result of too much mathematical focus on limited terms of office. Nobody has ever explained the magic of two Presidential terms besides the fact that that’s what obtains in the United States of America.
Yes, two five-year terms are not enough! This does not, however, mean we are against the two-term limit or advocating for its abolishment.
What we are saying is that perpetual election mode tends to divert attention from addressing urgent economic challenges affecting ordinary people to focusing on winning elections and power in the developing world. Elections can be a curse.
It is in this light that a reformed Zanu-PF, in which economics comes before politics, is dealing with the issue of succession sooner rather than later. In this scheme, ED can continue with his economic reform agenda until 2027 without the distraction of leadership challengers.
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