Who is funding the Zanu pf backed ZIMTA?

Zimbabwe Teachers Association is the country's largest representative body for teachers. But, the painful reality is that it is Zanu pf backed.

As reported by Radiovop earlier, (http://news.radiovop.com/index.php/national-news/3657.html), the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) through its President Raymond Majongwe called for all the three separate Zimbabwean teachers` unions to unite under one umbrella. This call sounds very reasonable, if at all the teachers are to have any meaningful influence in pressing for a genuine review of their salaries, benefits and working conditions.

The ZIMTA President, Tendai Chikowore`s refusal to even consider unity with the other 2 teachers` unions goes a long way to prove that the ZIMTA agenda is not in tune with most of its members` expectations. Open-mindedness seems to be a missing attribute within the ZIMTA structures. Open-minded to deliberate on the suggestion by PTUZ. Chikowore`s reaction however should not come as shocking in the light that ZIMTA is Zanu pf backed. As further outlined in the Radiovop article, ZIMTA has since written what is described as a `Stinging Letter To Mugabe and Tsvangirai.`  The ZIMTA President said, "We are fed up with our low salaries and we have written a stinging letter to Morgan Tsvangirai and President Mugabe telling them that time is up.

It is noted that ZIMTA through Chikowore chooses to respect only Mugabe whom she addresses as President Mugabe, whilst she talks of simply a Tsvangirai. Such differential treatment of the 2 Principals in the GNU, in as much as it may appear insignificant to some, does have a big bearing surrounding the Zimbabweans` politicking. Yet another question that comes to mind is why it is the very first time since Zimbabwe attained independence that ZIMTA gets into the habit of writing `stingy letters` to the government of the day? In 2009 before the formation of the GNU when inflation was at its peak and the teacher faced the toughest challenges,  the writing of stinging letters to Mugabe was never an option by ZIMTA. ZIMTA is simply geared out to frustrate MDC-T.

Whilst efforts by the Education Minister, Hon. David Coltart in addressing the plight of the teacher and pupil maybe highly commendable, the Education Sector is still dysfunctional. The lack of motivation and the lack of any credible service delivery, absenteeism amongst many other problems remain some sticking aspects.

In their disunity, the bargaining position of the 3 teachers` unions in pressing for the re-visitation of their perks is severely weakened, a weakened position which the Public Service Commission headed by Mariyawanda Nzuwah exploits to its advantage.

What is also disheartening is that most of the ZIMTA members remain unaware of the real agenda behind today`s ZIMTA. Most of the ZIMTA members are also rural based and have very limited access to information if at all. Most of the ZIMTA members are those teachers, who joined the union in the years immediately following the independence of Zimbabwe, whilst the younger generations are members of the other two organizations, younger unions which are more vibrant. However, their young rejuvenated blood and energies all come to nothing in the face of the bigger Zanupf linked ZIMTA.

Yet another question which may fail us, is how Chikowore manages to remain at the helm of the Apex Council, as the APEX Council national chairperson, a big body which represents all the Public Servants. It is such kind of politics which get some people wondering whether there is real thought put to issues before the holding of their elections, and also before coming up with the constitutions governing these bodies. And if the Public Servants have so much concern over their welfare, why they would keep such an incumbent as their Chairperson.

As if that is not enough, as per the Radiovop article, ZIMTA is being funded by Education International. If this revelation is anything to go by, the question that would remain unanswered is why would Education International be funding a Zanupf backed teachers` Association, more so when all the other Western organizations and institutions are shunning all organizations with Zanupf links? What worthy ZIMTA activities deserve any funding by the Educational International? Is it not such actions that Mugabe and Zanupf exploit to strengthen themselves?

The Zimbabwean Public Servants have to stay very vigilant to avoid being used by people who purport to be representing them yet they have some hidden political agendas. Such kind of cunning politicking is not new in the Zimbabwean scenario. For years, a Mrs Nondo led the Zimbabwean Nurses Association (ZNA) as the President. For years she faked that she was fighting the cause of the Zimbabwean nurse. She led the nurses` street protests, the shock only coming a couple of years later when she was elevated to the big position of Public Service Commissioner. From the street protests to taking up a sit right next to Mariyawanda Nzuwah, where she now determines the fate of the nurse.

It is high time the vulnerable Zimbabweans come to realise that some of the problems faced are kind of self inflicted. Voting for a Chairperson who eats with the devil, is self inflicting pain. No one is pushed to attend the ZIMTA meetings. No one is forced to be paying a monthly fee towards ZIMTA. It is one’s right to pull out of ZIMTA and join any other organization or even stay aloof should none of these organizations serve your interest, unless and until the union of your choice is born.

It is in this light that should ZIMTA be receiving any funding from the West, the Educational International ( http://www.ei-ie.org/en/index.php then Zimbabweans in the Diaspora through our several Diaspora pressure groups should unite to press for an immediate freeze of the funding until this teachers` association cuts off its ties with Zanupf, and unite with the others under a single umbrella. It is not right that an organization with links to Zanupf be receiving money from the West. It is such kind of funding that are in most cases diverted towards Zanupf linked projects.

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