DEAR EDITOR ─ ALLOW me to register my appreciation and admiration for Dr. Simba Makoni at this crucial time in Zimbabwean politics. He has shown an unrivalled level of maturity and conducted himself very well the last few days, when everybody else seemed to be swept by political events.
Contrasted with Tendai Biti, who was quick to announce election results and declare the Movement for Democratic Change party the winner, I think Dr. Makoni has shown political maturity and commonsense that is now rare in Zimbabwean politics.
I hope that it is true that he will be forming a party after the elections as indicated by Dumiso Dabengwa a few days ago. I think Dr. Makoni will easily become President in 2013. The number of votes that he is said to have won during this round show that the man cannot be easily dismissed as a non-entity as certain sections of the media have indicated. He is still young enough to present a challenge in 2013.
I would also like to register my admiration for people like Dumiso Dabengwa and Welshman Ncube who have also demonstrated maturity in losing. Dabengwa has lost parliamentary elections before, but continued to be a useful and principled member of the party (Zanu PF unified and PF Zapu) and has conducted himself in the most professional manner. His interview on BBC showed a mature politician whom every party should find indispensable.
Welshman Ncube, despite all the vitriol spit at him has always maintained his composure and never over-reacted in any situation.
Well done Makoni team and let's work together for 2008. Together we can do it.
Muchi Makarichi London, UK
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READER OPINIONS
Chimoko • n/a Subject: Simba Thu, 03 Apr 2008 18:05:19 • Now this is the moment of truth for Zimbabweans and people like Simba Makoni must take advantage of the current situation. This is the right time for Simba to form a party and 4 to eight years time people will be tired of the new government and there will be looking to someone and that someone should be none other than Simba Makoni.Congratulations to zimbabweans for the job well done kicking out Zanu PF. Zanu PF will never rule Zimbabwe again in our life time we have suffered a lot.So Simba should jump to this opportunity. For now lets wait and see what Tsvangirayi has to offer VIVA MDC.
dave • madyamhuru@aol.com Subject: makoni an opportunist Thu, 03 Apr 2008 12:13:14 • There is some smell surrounding a man that was Zanu till a few weeks from elections which he wanted to run under Zanu colours. ForgiveTendai Biti the rash of adrenaline that forces him to dare suggest his tally.A sophisticated country like Zim has enough mathematicians to do the task. Why has it taken so long. We dont need apologists. If the figures do not indicater a victor why not announce thr run-off. The wheeling and dealing with no electoral mandate is what is raising tempers. I hope those delaying results know why? and realise the potential disaster that could arise from further delays. Makoni is history even the current President has been found worthier by the electorate. Failed politicians should go back to their jobs.
Everyone says Opposition is Healthy so your snide comments show just how insecure you really are about our new kid on the block. Admit it, 8% in a month is not bad at all.
Do the records show how many votes percentage-wise Morgan attracted in his first month of standing for the MDC? It has taken him 10 years to get where he is.
As for rigging - you all act like it is a black thing, but didn't the Republicans rig their votes in Florida which helped Bush get into the White House last time?
PS: bobo@statehouse - your email address is imaginative, but howzabout gob@statehouse now?
BODIDILEE, BULAWAYO • na.na Subject: WOTCH DIS SPACE! Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:07:35 • A black belt martial arts champion in a pub brawl does not flex his muscles unnecessarily. Instead he breathes in deeply as he considers the options available to him should the fight move into his corner.
Simba Makoni has no reason to waste his breath in political claptrap because in a mere month he scored a magnificent 8%, but imagine if he had entered into the political ring a year ago? He's my man!
mary • mchiri@yahoo.co.uk Subject: SIMBA Wed, 02 Apr 2008 20:51:40 • Simba has nothing to say because hapana anomuda how can he have mashoko kunaani he thought Zimbas can be pulled and twisted just like that next time anofanira kusunga dzisimbe, whereever he worked he was sacked including SADC saka kudzidza kwake kwakafoira, nway try hard next time DR SIMBA, vanhu vanoda chokwadi dont say u r on your own only a magnet can attract things, kunyarara kunokunda zvose
Arthur Gwagwa • arthurgwagwa@yahoo.com Subject: political maturity Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:50:22 • Simba's attitude is reflective of the long suffering attitude which Zimbabweans are known for and it is a commendable quality. Although Biti's approach might have been tactiful from a strategic (preemptive) point of view, I also think that it is unwise for him to rush to the international community like a cry baby. I have been observing with much interest a lot of people popping up on different channels purpoting to be experts on Zimbabwe. Yet again, what we need at this time is intensive consultation among Zimbabweans. As Peter Hain said, the solution to Zimbabwe's problems lie within the African community especially within the Zimbabwean community.
Vadzimu • n/a Subject: n/a Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:01:51 • I also am of the same opinion. I should admit I am surprised though at Simba Makoni's silence on the delay of results. At least he should have the courtesy to put a note about these concerns on his website so that all of us who have been following him can at least know what position to take, if not physically then mentally.
Let's remember that even in the event of him losing now, there is the future to think about. Thank you.
Bobo • Bobo@statehouse.com Subject: Political Maturity Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:57:02 • Yes I agree, Simba is presidential material. I am a fan of Dumiso Dabengwa as well, the man is just a natural leader. They've seen it all. Well done guys.
Biti is young and energetic. His urgency is well understood in my opinion because he is trying to prevent rigging which deprived the MDC of victory last time. So well done Biti boy, thats it. Once beaten twice shy. Keep it coming.
Steve Chicco • schicco@hotmail.com Subject: Tendai Biti Mon, 31 Mar 2008 01:40:08 • Muchi'c Makarichi’s contrast between Tendai Biti and Makoni sounds logical but it doesn't apply when dealing with a despotic regime like that of Robert Mugabe who stole election after election.
The idea of announcing results separately is to pre-empty the rigging process. In the past the command center cooked up figures and announced them before MDC where able to show the world the real figures. And when you cry foul afterwards without the original figures of your own, no one is going to believe you.
You can’t be a gentleman when dealing with Mugabe.
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