Oh, China and Cuba, big brothers of our revolution. Teach us your ways.

These vanguards of all things revolutionary; see how they keep their revolutions intact by constantly renewing them.

In China, Xi Jinping, China’s president, was already being groomed for leadership back in the 90s. In 2007, at the CCP’s 17th party congress, Xi, together with Li Keqiang, were elected to the CCP’s Politburo Standing Committee. Xi then became President Hu Jintao’s VP the following year, and succeeded Hu in 2013. Li is now premier.

The CCP imposed age caps on leaders. You just don’t stay in leadership past age 70. Oh, the horror!

Leadership turnover is not frowned upon. In fact, it is encouraged. Young leaders coming through the ranks are schooled in the ways of the party; even where they bring new ideas, these, ultimately, are meant to keep the CCP relevant.

See how the CCP approaches its congresses. In 2012, China had to manage its slowing growth. One report said that Congress was to elect a leadership whose main challenge would be “to facilitate the transition from a labour-intensive and export-oriented to an innovation-driven and sustainable economic development model”.

Not a congress of fist waving, finger wagging, and fawning praises. Nah. Actual work.

Then to Cuba. In April 2016, the ruling Communist Party held its seventh congress. Raul Castro announced that the party, the revolution, and Cuba itself, had to renew itself to survive.

The age limit for entering the party’s central committee would be fixed at 60. Nobody aged over 70 can be in leadership. This way, younger cadres can make it up the ranks quicker.

According to Raul:

“Somebody who is 65 or 70 is useful for important activities, but not the activities of an important leader.”

Oh, such horror! 65? That’s a baby around here.

Raul’s talk is the kind of talk that, let’s face it, will cause us to break our longstanding friendship with Cuba. No more Rrrrruben Barwe reporting on ZBC, from the steps of State House, like “our relations date back to the days of the liberation strrrruggle”.

Pasi naRaul!!! Pasi naye!!!

(*begin fist waving, finger wagging*)

But Raul’s reasons are simple. Blooding younger comrades into the party allows “the systematic rejuvenation of the entire system”. That way, “we are never surprised by developments”.

Fidel is an icon, but the party does not see his exit, or that of any older member, as the end of the revolution.

Raul channels the iconic “new pines” speech given by Cuban hero Jose Marti back in 1891. Said Raul to his party:

“The historic generation will hand over the new pines, the flags of the revolution, and socialism without the slightest hint of sadness or pessimism, with the pride of accomplishment, convinced they will know how to continue and enhance revolutionary work.”

In Zim, such talk would be met with widespread horror. Disciplinary committees. Suspensions. Expulsions. Votes of no confi…

(…resume fist waving, finger wagging)

And no, it’s not just in government. It started there, most definitely. But now we are all in full chorus, united in singing Steve Makoni’s Handiende as an anthem:

“This is the only place I know.

I put my tears and sweat into it.

I’m not going anywhere.”

From the ruling party, the opposition, civil society and even private enterprise, people fear new things. If our leader leaves, the party will crumble. He’s the sole center of power. If our leader leaves, our struggle for democracy will fail. He’s the face of the struggle.

I can’t leave my post as CEO. I built this company.

Only I can be director of this here NGO; the donors trust me alone.

Labour unions too.

Even in church; Go where? I was there when this church started! Only I have the anointing.

The burial society chairman. The Cherutombo Neighbourhood Watch Committee leader. The Hurombiri Drinkers Drama Club chairman. The head of the Hatibvipano Budiriro East Housing Co-op.

Think on it. The Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters’ Association even has a “life president”. And a deputy life president. And so on.

Everyone is where they are for life. We refuse. We don’t want. Step down? For the why? For you? Go and form your own party. Go start your own business. Start your own bheria society. Not here. Here, no. I have the people.

Handiende. My tears and sweat flowed here. I will stay for my children.

Ah, the old “I’m staying for the kids”. That’s the old “the people still want me” culture in politics. As if Fidel didn’t get massive cheers — and even tears of adoration — as he walked into his party Congress for the last time last week. He’s still the man. As is that dude Barack.

If your institution can’t live past you then you have failed at this leadership thing. You have built nothing.

And so, because of this culture in Zim, our young people have no spaces to express themselves. They can’t present fresh ideas in government or the opposition, in civil society or in business, even in church, and not be accused of being “against the leadership”.

So we are stuck. Stuck with a stale government, facing a stale opposition, in an economy in the hands of some stale managers.

Are we not bored by all this staleness?

There’s nothing to challenge young people’s talents here. No spaces for them.

In the ruling party, it is because “we are defending the revolution”. Comrade please; if all that your young people aspire to is a passport, a visa and a plane ticket, then your revolution has failed.

Ask Raul. As he put it last week, “everyone’s time comes…but ideas will endure.”