G40—the noblest idea that went begging

Before the 2017 coup, ZANU PF had become divided into two factions. Namely, Lacoste and G40. Ordinary people were treated to some counter-accusations—each group accusing the other of trying to stage a coup against Robert Mugabe. It later turned out that, indeed, Lacoste had all along sought to stage a coup.

There was no clarity, even after the coup, that the so-called G40, had principles, on the question of G40 formation. There was never anything of substance in the G40 faction. Except, perhaps, loyalty to the deposed ailing former president?

This group later resembled what befell the UANC party of Bishop Abel Muzorewa in 1980. Most of them became so timid as if having fronted an anti-progressive agenda. None of them sought to be identified with the stigmatized G40. It seemed as if being associated with G40 was treacherous.

As to how the G40 idea had been peddled, in the first place, is strange. The Lacoste group had probably successfully employed propaganda in associating G40 with Grace Mugabe’s desire to take over the party? Nevertheless, the G40 group could have become formidable, had it courageously stood up with principles. They could have succeeded, even where Grace Mugabe had taken up its leadership.

Factionalism in ZANU PF began after some of its party members attempted to peddle the idea of promoting those of the younger generation. This appeared as having simply sought to apply the principle of regeneration. While, to me, there has never been anything admirable about ZANU PF, nothing could be nobler than the G40 idea. The opponents of G40 could only be lunatics, stuck in the past. But failing to understand the natural reality of the principle of existence.

It can only be a mind, clogged in aberration that fails to appreciate that the principle of continued existence depends on regeneration. This is how the physical universe is sustained. Anyone going against the natural physical universe can only be psychotic. While possibly true that the former late President Mugabe may have been mentally sick, that may have been contagious, as to also affect his associates.

Paternalism makes it criminal to suggest promoting the G40 idea. Yet this is the only thing that could have kept ZANU PF afloat for many years. Normal people know that ZANU PF is now dead and stinking, regardless of its sadistic behavior. Normalcy reveals that there is nothing that exists forever, in the physical universe. No matter how effective a cow can be, in producing milk, there comes a time that it should be retired or replaced by its progeny.

An Austin Cambridge of the nineteen sixties, cannot be as effective as the latest models of this generation. Let alone the fact that the price of its maintenance would be exorbitant, but unsustainable. Regardless of how effective the Austin Cambridge may have been, that model cannot compete with the latest models. Hence, if normal, ZANU PF would have long incorporated the G40 idea, more than the clear stupidity, currently being embraced.

Why the so-called revolutionaries fail to see such simplicities, makes one wonder whether they deserve such emblematic titles? As outsiders, we can assume that the reason for avoiding ceding power is evil deeds committed during the struggle? Very few people appreciate the fact that this life is as temporary as the morning dew.

What boggles the mind is that those said to have initiated the G40 idea, seem to have lost direction? As if viewing it as embarrassing to be associated with G40?  Where is the problem? Why should it be a problem to stand up for the truth? The problem with most people is the inability to stand up for what one considers to be true. One can only suspect that the person who initiated this idea, within the ZANU PF structures, must have been an implant.

For that person, it must have been daring to exist in a party as wicked as ZANU PF. Hence, unable to come forward with followers. Grace Mugabe is assumed as having been the leader of that faction. If true, I would then subscribe to the belief that, even though she spoke openly against Emmerson Mnangagwa, she was never a politician. She may have only spoken behind her moribund husband, but unable to stand up for principle. That is if the G40 was her idea.

If not Grace Mugabe, the actual initiator of G40 is now scared to come out openly, in fear of victimization. That person, possibly, fears for his life, or in fear of losing whatever crumbs received within the ZANU PF patronage. Either way, this is a result of not appreciating that integrity is senior to the physical person. Hence, Jesus declared:

 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:37-39) (NV).

Corruption drives a person into believing that there is value in the accumulation of wealth, where everyone else wallows in poverty. Although unbelievable, there are people valuing money and wealth more than themselves. However, by comparison, a human being cannot be compared to anything that is physical. There is no way a human being can be compared with money or anything in this world.

On a downward spiral, an unprincipled person perceives that corruption is an opportunity to become rich. Due to endemic poverty, there are many good people who believe in such assumptions, as to envy those practicing corruption in their environments. It is, indeed, sad to observe such deterioration of values in our society. But I find it extremely important to unpack the G40 idea.

This appears as having been the most brilliant idea, as granting responsibility to young people. Those who fought in the war of liberation ought to have been driven by principle, in the first place. The fact that we have people, feeling as deserving appreciation for participating in the liberation war of over forty years ago, reveals a scarcity of principles. There could never have been principle, among those cadres, without desiring to see prosperity in future generations.

Supporting the G40 idea should not be construed as suggesting that the youth would be cleverer than the elders, necessarily. Today’s adults are the ones to shape the acceptable conditions of tomorrow. In other words, if the adults are greedy, the youngsters are susceptible to adopt greediness as a way of life. Yet the value of greediness is poverty and misery.

However, if the G40 idea had been adopted by ZANU PF, most young people would have recognized the need to be progressive. Obviously, there cannot be progress among those seeking to conflate independence with their own personalities.  Such behavior can only be found in the animal kingdom. But careful analysis shows that even animals instinctively care for their progenies.

Problems arise from an inability to know that a human being is basically good. Young people are robbed of their freedom to think independently, due to the paternalistic environment. Respecting elders is good, but idolizing elders, projects idolatry. Only a free person comes up with highly innovative ideas. When under slavery, one is preoccupied with desiring to please the master.

The young people are challenged, as unable to confront the elderly people who think that they know better than them. This mentality gets transferred to their own children’s children, assuming it to identify with what is normal. My encouragement to the youth is that the suppression of progressive voices is not new. Those young people, known to keep the flame ablaze, should never feel discouraged.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12) (NIV).

It is only those focusing on the here and now, who find satisfaction in this physical life. The highly normal people think more about the future than thinking about the few years remaining in this life. Only the criminals are known for failing to plan ahead.

Responsible people can, actually, help criminals to come to their normal senses. What has been happening in our country is that normal people seem to be succumbing to criminality. Rather than do what is right. This is due to envying good lives, seemingly, being enjoyed by criminals, who never think about tomorrow.

As human beings, we are our brothers’ keepers. It can only be the light that drives away the darkness, rather than darkness driving the light away. When putting it in simpler terms, Christians are supposed to be the light of the world. Yet those Christians are known to be the ones that drive corruption to its unprecedented levels.

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:13-15) (NIV).

Modeled in self-centeredness, the one-party state agenda was adopted from the communistic ideology. While appearing as workable in countries like China, communism is a wicked system of governance. It has never produced anything workable in African countries, due to the bastardization of Christianity and communism, as responsible for producing corruption.

The Asian countries seem capable of handling corruption, hence appearing as capable of handling communism. African countries identify themselves as Christians. The so-called revolutionaries pretend to accept Christianity, only as a way of obtaining support from those calling themselves Christians. They pretend to be democratic on one hand yet communistic on the other.

The communists, sitting in the comfort of having supplied weaponry in fighting colonialism, deal with the leadership in abusing black Africans. Of course, the former colonialists are to blame. They abused Christianity to colonize Africa. The same Christianity is now being exploited by the so-called revolutionaries, to abuse poor Africans. The most abused Scripture, in this regard, is Romans 13:1-7:

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (NIV).

For those desiring to know the causes of all African problems, they should not go further than this particular Scripture. But the enlightened ones, who might have become regular readers on this website, would have long been disabused of this nonsensical falsehood. See [The effects of religiosity in hypnotized supporters].

God is not the author of confusion. The most important datum brought by Jesus is responsibility. As highlighted in Matthew 5:13-15, true Christians are caught off-duty when allowing confusion to exist, in their environments. The greedy politicians taking advantage of such Christian confusions should never be allowed to get away with it.

Christians should never submit to such wicked governing systems. But Christian leaders have, apparently, been the ones abusing their congregants, more than the politicians. Bishops claim to be more superior to others, as deserving to be paid tithes. Yet, Jesus, in whose authority they claim to be followers, never taught them that rubbish.

Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing relief to those having witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social decay. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long-awaited providential oasis of hope.

The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99

Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com  for $6.99