DEAR EDITOR – The just ended Extra-Ordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community was once again inconclusive. Many Zimbabweans waited with bated breath for an outcome that would help Zimbabweans find that much needed solution to the current crisis in the country.
The bickering over the Ministry of Home Affairs has left so many questions in our minds.
I do not mean to join the bandwagon and just start blaming Zanu PF for holding on to that ministry, but as Zimbabweans I think we are now really missing the point.
I think the two parties, if I am correct, have been locked in discussions since the beginning of 2007 – a process that culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and also a power-sharing deal on September 11, 2008. Many of us onlookers were sceptical about such a deal, but the principals, including the leaders of the two MDCs, convinced us that the deal was worth it – and we believed them.
We are now coming to two years since these negotiations started, and are shocked that the parties to this deal are willing to let it fail because of the control of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
There are two very disturbing issues to consider here.
One is that the MDC, by signing an “inadequate document” on Sept. 11 shows their lack of judgment and lack of leadership. I remember, fully well, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai coming out the conference room at the Rainbow Towers saying, “We have a deal!” and saying that then President Thabo Mbeki will make an announcement about the deal. Tsvangirai went on to attend an official ceremony on Sept. 15 where he made a statement himself about the deal. My concern is: What deal did he sign? Almost two months later, the MDC leader is still arguing against the lack of good faith on the part of Zanu PF.
The key question here is: Can Tsvangirai be trusted with running institutions of State when he has such bad judgment? How could he sign an incomplete deal? What was the urgency of signing that deal? If he was duped by President Mugabe and former SA President Thabo Mbeki that means him (Tsvangirai) and his team could well make serious errors of judgment as leaders of the country, and this concerns me very much.
Secondly, the MDC seems to be going through a tough time as a party with secretary-general, Tendai Biti issuing statements that conflict the party president’s. Are there ideological weaknesses in the MDC and is Tsvangirai really in control as the leader? Biti recently issued a statement condemning the leadership of the Republican US President, George W. Bush, yet the relationship between the MDC and the Bush administration has been very cordial and mutually respectful.
Some of us were shocked to read Biti’s statement accusing Bush of unilateralism, when they seemed to be on the same side regarding the Zimbabwean question.
It is such weaknesses in the MDC party’s leadership that concerns most of us and the ideological weaknesses. It is also the inherent lack of synchrony in the statements issued by the MDC. Tendai Biti’s statement in response to Sen. Barack Obama’s appointment is not published on the MDC’s official website, only that of the party President is published. This is very revealing and the power struggles are now becoming very nauseating. The MDC needs to show leadership.
I have noticed that many contributors to this forum who used to write in defence of the MDC have backed down. It is becoming increasingly difficult to defend a party that fails to control the quality of its own product. The PR department of the MDC is now in tatters. Many individuals appear and disappear and we do not really know who the spokesman in that party is. Sometimes Biti takes on the role of spokesman reserved for Nelson Chamisa. There’s also George Sibotshiwe, who only seems to emerge whenever there is a conference in South Africa and many other unofficial MDC spokespersons in the UK, US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and party supporters who have knee-jerk responses whenever an issue arises.
For a party that is trying to take Zimbabwe to the next level, these structural and individual weaknesses are concerning and until the MDC resolves these intra-party weaknesses, they will always find it difficult to unseat Zanu PF and President Mugabe. It is one thing to continue hammering on the weaknesses of Zanu PF – which the party itself has admitted to in various fora – and quite another to espouse your own policies. The MDC needs to carry out a forensic audit of where they are as a party before they call for equitable power-sharing. Ten years after its formation, the party is still looking very much juvenile.
Prince Kahari
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Hamadziripi Simbaneuta • tedhama@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: Real issues have to be dealt with
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:26:31 • Togarepi as I symphathise with Tsvangirai , I am not saying you should support him, but as a Zimbabwean like you no matter which party you support , can you say all these political parties were genuine on this deal???After all their mess whom do you think is benefitting, its them leadership at the expense of the entire nation.
I symphathise with Tsvangirai but I did not say he is perfect, but the way I see as my personal view he is one closer to nation's needs on the three leaders we have.This is my own view and I am not denying yours, but now you and me we have a task to look at real problems which are facing the country.
In MDC , leadership at various levels discuss and debate about how they want the poltical decisions handled.I used to be in ZANU PF long time ago , I dont think there is something like that.Decisions comes from the top and the Central Committee has just to rubber stamp.That is very wrong, which means that its a few elite in the Politiburo who think and make decisions for the entire political party.
Mandela was right that there is lack of Leadership in Zimbabwe with the Nation at heart.You are right that by saying that he was pointing at Mugabe.
Mugabe all along he was on top of the situation, it was about ten to fifteen years ago about the succession debate in Zanu Pf, what happened to all those people who were raising that issue.
Nkomo had Zimbabwe at heart when he agreed for the Unity government in 1987, you and me knows really what happened after that.
As I said before , we can blame North ,South,East and West of the World for our problems, but the main problem is the key holder in Zimbabwe.We dont have to pass through America and Britain to go to Chiadzwa - Marange, if you really know what is happening there!!!!
I am saying to voters we have to question our leaders the progress they are making for the sake of the nation.At least we know that Tsvangirai 's term expires in February 2009, what happens it is within MDC as party .Do you really know about the little god of Zanu Pf.Sometime ago I once heard that he was going when his term expired, that March 2008???
Lets call a spade a spade.
togarepi mavhiyangwena • tmbomv@yahoo.com
Subject: Hamadziripi Simbaneuta
Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:04:09 • Thank you for your contribution Hamadziripi ,which to me is as biased and unintelligent as it comes. You seem to want us to believe that all Zanu pf associates are bad people and everyone in the MDC-T is as pure as gold. Tsvangirai has messed up a lot and has taken us for a ride on many occasions. There is no need for us to argue over it ,because its an open secrete.
Even the Western backers have said this over and over again ,that he is now a burden . They have no choice at the moment as they have no alternative. The other thing is he has chewed up Mari yavo and they are just hopping.When Nelson Mandela said they is leadership failure in ZIM. Most of us, with dead brains took it to mean it was a reference to President Mugabe. Leaders are either in Govt or opposition.
No amount of persuasion will make me support Tsvangirai until someone takes over MDC-T.I have got a file of his speeches at conferences. rallies,other gatherings and also his denial scripts claiming he was misquoted. His sudden u-turns, He is not principled at all. Look at they way they contradict each other with BITI and young Chamisa.
Just recent he made us understand he was not going to SA for the SADC. Biti had his own version of events. Chamisa his own. Sibotshiwe his own and Tsvangirai said something and then next day he is in SA.
Hey guys can I take this opportunity to let you all know that I make dogs and sell them.The last one is a male, made out of sh...t and have named him bullsh..t. Wanna buy? contact me then.
Mhofeti • pasizw@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: Political assessment
Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:22:30 • Hamadziripi I don't agree with everything you wrote but must comment you for a very sensible piece of contribution. Our elected leaders can afford to pursue their selfish interest in our name (forgery) knowing fully well that no one will call them to account let alone question them. Just to add to what you said, the sad thing about the political skirmishes in Zimbabwe is they are pitting related families against each other all in the name of party loyalty. This culture is perpetuated by a closed society whose political information is monopolised and manipulated by candidates seeking political office. I actually believe I'm more sensitive to certain issues having been priviledged to learn from varied contributions that reflect our rich and diverse opinions. As a result I believe we will be pleasantly surprised on the potential friendships that we can develop from such seemingly hostile and parallel views because our shared values and interests far outweigh our differences. Come on Zimbabwe!!
Hamadziripi Simbaneuta • tedhama@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: Scoaring points yes every party has its weaknesses but where are going?
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:27:12 • Yes MDC has its own failings but ,what they are fighting for, is the rights of people of Zimbawe not the other party fighting to loot Zimbabwe for personal gains.At least in MDC they can disscuss and criticise each other within themselves, what of Zanu Pf and its little god Mugabe?
Its still a long way yes I do agree that Zanu Pf has been given this chance by failings of MDC but , the problem is encouraged by us the voters.We tend to worship our politicians not really looking at what they are suppose to do as their work.Some even surrenders their wives to a politician , going to the airport to recieve a politician coming back with nothing.
The problem of our society we do not look at what is to be done but we focus at point scoring.That is what is making our country fail.Our politicians lacks accountability because they have realised that there is no one who assess their task or to report to.You might disagree with me but thats a fact.
If you look or read most of the contributions here they are about point scoring not looking the real issue.Our politicians be it the ruling or opposition they have now mastered that no one will question them.
As a people if we refuse to be used or brainwashed and stand for our rights , I tell you that everyone will come to clean his or her feet on our heads.Our level of poltical discussions and understanding has to raise a bit higher.Its no longer a time when politicians come and lecture their conspiracies but this is questioning of progress, achievement and accountability.
How long shall we continue to fight each other not looking at the real problems we are facing.A good example was the way this deal was handled by the
mediater ,all political parties.It was just games because they know that no one will question them.
Ok we are at this current situation now, the so called new gorvenment is being appointed, the parliament has been closed because there is no suffiecent money to run it.Do you really know where we are leading to???We might be supprting different politicians but we must have one common goal.
Politicians must be responsible , accountable and respectable.I salute those who say yes we have made some mistakes and find ways of correcting them.But to those who are arrogant and think they are not to be questionable by anyone, they have no support from me.
Remember there is no politician who is worth to die for and kill for.Every life is important to God , so respect each other , stop point scoring ,we have to sort our political situation first , everything will follow.
Mhofeti • pasizw@yahoo.co.uk
Subject: MDC as a party.
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:33:03 • Well said Prince, I will openly say that MDC has not taken full advantage of the opportunities presented by the economic demise to consolidate their position as a credible alternative to Zanu PF. The economy's failures have worked perfectly in favour of MDC so far but how long that ticket will continue earning dividends for MDC is not clear as that is also stretching people's patience.
n/a • n/a
Subject: Deal
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:23:45 • Beware of ZANU PF.
Tisu Vatongi • tisu@hotmail.com
Subject: Prince
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:31:37 • Prince, Prince, Prince...take heed of Abel's contribution below!
MDC still believe Tsvangson is the most intelligent leader in this world, never mind his lack of education and zero sense of judgement.
He has fallen into the trap of making the deal collapse, and he does not realise how impossible it is to recover from that stigma.
Zanu-PF continues to occupy the high moral ground, and we do not care if they do not remove the sanctions. Nyika ndeyedu vakomana!
Abel • abel.mudi@yahoo.com
Subject: beware prince
Tue, 11 Nov 2008 07:48:40 • Beware of abuse from the mdc-t guys. they dont like that kind of talk you know. To them Morgan and crew are as good as God himself.
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