LUSAKA – Environment, Water and Climate Saviour Kasukuwere says President Robert Mugabe has proved himself as a capable leader.
Kasukuwere (44) said in an interview that President Mugabe had done so by subjecting himself to elections, in which he was favoured by the collective wisdom of Zimbabweans.
He said this on the sidelines of the just-ended Jubilee Leadership Conference for young and emerging leaders convened by United Church of Canada Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu in Zambia.
“We have lots of young people who are in Cabinet, lots of young people who are in the periphery of our party (Zanu PF) and lots of young people in the central committee and people working hand-in-glove with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe,” Kasukuwere said.
“The question you want to ask is, why are young people not doing anything to challenge President Mugabe, who is 90? President Mugabe has subjected himself to elections over a number of years and he has proven time and again that he is a capable man and a capable leader, and we young people in Zanu PF give him 100% support because we believe and agree with the direction he has taken.”
Kasukuwere, one of the outspoken champions of indigenisation in Zimbabwe, said the young people unreservedly support Mugabe.
“He is an outstanding father for our nationalism and we support his position because it will lead to a better life for our people,” he said.
“It’s not just a question of what is your age, and that if you are young, you then must challenge one who has the capacity. Look at the president; he has been challenged before by Morgan Tsvangirai and he thoroughly dealt with him and this was as a result of the collective wisdom of the people of Zimbabwe. So it’s not about the age. What if you are young and just a drunkard as well as corrupt or young and irresponsible, should we entrust you with the leadership of the country just because you are young? We look at the fine qualities, irrespective of what people are saying.”
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Kasukuwere said he was in support of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s entry into politics, describing her as a “fearless cadré”.
“It is a welcome development. She is a hard worker. She has worked alongside the president. She is under sanctions. She is a determined, committed and fearless cadre, and her coming on to the scene is a very welcome development,” he said.
Grace has entered politics after being endorsed to become head of the ruling Zanu PF’s women’s league.
Grace (49) will take over the role in December at the party’s annual congress.
The post will allow Grace to sit on Zanu PF’s powerful politburo.
There has been tension in Zanu PF over who should succeed President Mugabe, who was re-elected last year.
– The Post
