Makhosini Hlongwane, excited that he has moved from a mere MP to a Minister Without Portfolio (Gurukota risina zvarakamirira) to a full Minister of Sport, could have thought the richest pickings for success are at ZIFA. Cde Kanengoni, when she was still a Deputy Minister, tried to score by firing at ZIFA and we all know that it all came to naught. What makes Makhosini think that he will succeed where those before him has failed? The answer to this question can be addressed from a number of angles including the protection that Football Associations are guaranteed by FIFA. This partly explains Dube's continued survival at least maybe until 3 October. The other reason may be that the other Board members have not seen the light in the way that The Herald has seen the light and think that our fooballing problems are from Dube et al notwithstanding that some of the senior reporters from the same publication were implicated in the Asiagate scandal. (One has to read how they have tried hard to rubbish the Asiagate scandal). Personally, I think some of the problems in soccer can be apportioned to the guys at Herald House as well as other media houses in the country. As such, Dube has ended up getting some sympathisers. Some people arent seeing much problems as the media is portraying thus the full house at the last national team match, despite an evident conspiracy not to mobilise supporters to attend.
Given these dynamics, we have a new Minister who thinks he can clear this potential minefield. He has to know that the Sports and Recreation Commission, which falls under his ministry, is the major block to his clearing endeavour. His ministry, like the Commission is also part of the problem. Why? ZIFA has become a rentier organisation. One that relies on its own resources for survival. In political science there are rentier states like the oil countries, which do not rely on taxes for day to day running. This means that the citizens may not be able to demand their rights as they have nothing they offer the state. Government has rendered all efforts to reign in ZIFA unsuccessful because they have not been able to financially support ZIFA. The soccer fans, who pay to watch matches, may have a better say but they are also rendered useless. As it is, Cde Makhosini will definitely not be able to make a difference. We will wait and see! Charira
