By Kudzai Makuku
In politics, a single day can feel like a lifetime. Fortunes shift, perceptions change, and what seems apparent to the casual observer is often far from the truth. Politics demands patience, wisdom and, above all, the ability to see beyond appearances , to observe with the discerning eye of experience.I call it using the third eye.
Too often, people rush to conclusions as events unfold. Yet history repeatedly reminds us that haste in politics is costly. Those who sprint ahead without understanding the terrain often end up backing the wrong horse , one that was never even in the race and are soon left stranded on the margins of relevance.
In recent months, we have witnessed growing speculation about supposed divisions or tensions within the Presidium. Whispers of discord between President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga have circulated, mostly fuelled by those with vested interests in disunity. But such talk is not only misplaced , it is entirely divorced from reality.
The relationship between the President and his Vice President is one built on history, trust and mutual respect. It is a bond that has been tested through struggle, strengthened by shared purpose, and refined by years of leadership under pressure. It cannot be shaken by idle gossip or political wishful thinking. Those who imagine a rift misunderstand the depth of that partnership ,a partnership grounded in loyalty to both the party and the nation.
What is unfolding in the party today is not a conflict in the cockpit, but rather turbulence among the passengers. It is we, the lower ranks , the children of the revolution who are engaging in unnecessary squabbles. Like wise parents, the President and his Vice President observe these internal skirmishes without rushing to intervene, understanding that such moments are part of political maturity and institutional growth. Their silence should never be mistaken for division ,it is a mark of leadership, patience, and foresight.
Those who truly know the two men understand that their relationship extends far beyond the public eye. They consult, they share ideas, and they remain united in vision and principle. They do not waste time responding to political gossip or the petty machinations of opportunists. Instead, they continue working together ,steering the ship of state with composure, focus, and a shared sense of duty. Behind closed doors, they are known to share a laugh over the very rumours meant to drive them apart.
It is we, the followers, who must take a lesson from their example. The real test of loyalty is not in how loudly we proclaim allegiance, but in how faithfully we uphold unity. The Presidium stands solid, hand in hand, focused on delivering for the people. It is we at the grassroots who must align ourselves with that spirit of harmony and discipline.
Some have tried and failed to create a wedge between the President and his Vice President. Failing that, they now resort to manufacturing lies and distortions designed to sow tension at the top. But such efforts are destined to fail. The bond between these two leaders is anchored in shared history and mutual respect ,it will not be broken by political mischief or misinformation.
There are also those who have chosen a new path ,one of rewriting history in an attempt to downplay the role of Vice President Chiwenga in the nation’s story. But no amount of revisionism can erase the truth that lives in the hearts and memories of Zimbabweans who witnessed history as it unfolded. The President himself knows the reality ,he was there, side by side with his comrade, as the tide of events turned in 2017. Those who stood at the forefront of transformation ,just as those who stood at the forefront of the liberation struggle remain celebrated in our national consciousness. Such history cannot be forgotten, and it most certainly cannot be rewritten.
Equally misguided are those who believe that the Vice President’s firm stance against corruption is not backed by the President. They insult and attack the Vice President, convinced he stands alone in this noble fight. They will soon learn the truth ,the President himself has been unequivocal in his commitment to zero tolerance for corruption, a position he made clear during the 2023 elections and has consistently reaffirmed since. The Vice President’s actions are not independent of this agenda they are a reflection of it. The two men are of one mind in cleansing the system and protecting the integrity of the nation.
President Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga are not adversaries ,they are partners in progress. Together, they form the backbone of stability, vision, and leadership in our country. While the chatter continues on the sidelines, the cockpit remains calm, steady, and united guiding Zimbabwe forward with purpose and shared conviction.
The message is clear, it is us, not them, who must stop fighting. Unity at the top must be mirrored at every level below. For when the cockpit is in harmony, the flight is steady and the nation soars.
