I WONDER whether I am the only one concerned about the utterances of Nelson Chamisa, the MDC-T mouthpiece who has become a constant mourner and whiner and who has become almost predictable in manner of speech and use of memorised phrases and words.
Chamisa reminds me of High School days when we had to memorise Shakespeare to impress our teachers and fellow pupils or University Days when we used “big words” we had just learned. His language has become increasingly monotonous and nauseating. He is argumentative and lacks depth and often refers to the bad spirits of those his superiors signed a deal with. “Zanu PF is trying to swallows us as they did PF Zapu!” What is that Chamisa? The PF was born way before 1987. What history books are you reading? Have you been weaned yet?
He loves the media and his soundbites are characteristically childish and monotonous. He has almost become a joke in the Diaspora by his constant whining and childish responses to otherwise very serious questions requiring depth in response. When does this spokesman have time to reflect on issues or consult or simply take a breather? He refers to the March 29 elections as having been won by the MDC, yet criticizes Zanu PF for not respecting the rule of law. Take a pick, Nelson! Law or no law!
He exudes political youthfulness that misguides his judgment and his responses to serious questions are often knee-jerks that expose his inability to analyse issues in depth and find solutions to problems presented. He blames Zanu PF for spitting venom at the MDC, yet allows Lovemore Moyo to spit the same venom. Yes Moyo, who is now expected to be the impartial one after his plucking from MP to Speaker under very cloudy circumstances – which his ‘surname-sake’ Jonathan is challenging now, and rightly so!
Chamisa should realise that the process of change is like the growth of a baby from conception – it is a process that has to take its natural trajectory. It cannot be forced and no amount of verbiage will replace the natural progression of things. In politics you have to exercise caution and allow events to take their natural progression. The MDC is getting the PM, Deputy PM positions out of political expediency, not legalities of the electoral process and Nelson having received, and note received, a book prize from the UZ should be in a position to know this. Or should he?
He has said a lot of misguided statements that cannot be repeated here for their divisiveness – statements proving the MDC spokesman’s often hormonal response to issues of legal significance only serve to undermine the significance of those statements. For instance, he says the Zanu PF party is divided, yet in the same breath fails to explain the postponement of the Executive Committee meeting of the MDC that was supposed to chart the way forward after their imagined impasse! He fails to acknowledge the inconsistencies from the MDC camp spokesmen and leadership.
How can there be an impasse after you have appended a signature to more than one document? What did your principals think they were signing Chamisa? What is still there to be facilitated? Why did you append your signature before your current fresh demands? Isn’t this the political immaturity we are talking about?
It is interesting that Chamisa was sidelined in the aftermath of the harmonised elections of March 29 and MDC-T Secretary General, Tendai Biti took centre-stage and become the spokesman declaring myopically that, “Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the new President of the Republic of Zimbabwe”.
We also saw another spokesman emerge by the name of George Sibotshiwe. He was dubbed “Tsvangirai’s Spokesman” but seemed to duplicate the work that Chamisa was doing. Now that the crucial period has passed (the election period) Chamisa again takes centre-stage with his usual knee-jerk statements.
I just hope that these so-called spokesmen could learn how to express themselves without the usual anti-Mugabe or anti-Zanu PF ranting. The National Question is bigger than Mugabe, than Zanu PF, FP Zapu or MDC and MDC has never identified itself with the “national”. If Zanu PF is guilty of such, then the MDC should not imitate that which it purports to criticize. The MDC should not sign a Memorandum of Understanding with that which it despises. It defies logic, any logic.
Some of us hope Nelson, like his European historical namesake Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, (famous for his Napoleonic conquests) will raise the Zimbabwean flag high. His namesake was a British flag officer, so he is becoming one also?
Well unlike our Nelson, the British Nelson was noted for his ability to inspire and bring out the best in his men, to the point that it gained a name: "The Nelson Touch". His actions during these wars and his heroic image as a one-armed, one-eyed patriot, ensured that before and after his death he was revered. I’m not sure if I can say the same about this one!
N/A • N/A Subject: MINISTER CHAMISA Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:17:59 • Well Nelson is seeing the Ministry of Information slipping through his fingers that'S why he is now complaining loudly. He will continue to complain after he realizes things are not in his favour,he will then go back to school to further his studies.
Mhofeti • pasizw@yahoo.co.uk Subject: Chamisa Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:05:43 • To be fair to Nelson Chamisa I think the post of the party spokesman is too senior for him because on a level playing field he is likely to come second best to the more experienced opposite. The point is you don't become mature because you have decided to be involved in politics but you become wiser and discretional as you learn from yours and others' experiences. I personally think that the post must be held by a someone who is able to uphold the party and national interests even in the face of extreme provocation and that comes with age enriched by experiential knowledge. Mavedzenge I don't think Tsvangirai's pullout at this point will yield the 'desired' result because the 'shelf life' of such action has expired as he doesn't hold an indefinite benefit of doubt.
mavedzenge • N/A Subject: These comments are drivel Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:46:56 • All your preceding comments are utter nonsense.The old man is holding the country to ransom by refusing to share important ministries and you have the cheek to write this drivel?The country burns whilst the old man seeks to please his coterie of corrupt cohorts by holding on To Home Affairs and Finance.I think MT should pull out of this charade.This is utter bollocks.
THE TASMANIAN SHE-DEVIL • na. Subject: TALK IS CHEAP Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:10:14 • Dear God,
these comments are unbelievable.
Its like a cat fight out there - and in this particular instance its an all male arena?
When you decide to go into politics you do so because you are not happy with the progress that is being made. so why retrogress now and criticize one another instead of getting on with the job you are elected to do?
ALL YOU MEN SHOULD GET A GRIP AND DO THE JOB YOU HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO DO.
Stop capitalising on your position to grab the media's attention then wonder why at the next elections you get didley squat!
Wise Man • N/A Subject: Nyasha Matate Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:43:08 • Okay Nyasha let me try and show that I am wise. Lets treat issues seperately here. If you want to talk about Lovemore Moyo, then do so, and if it is Chamisa, say so. I am sure Lovemore Moyo can not be called a youth. I only pray for the day when Zimbabweans will appreciate the difference between government and political parties. I am sure by accusing Chamisa and Moyo of criticising government, you are referring to instances where they criticize some individuals in Zanu PF. People should not be immune to criticism. I also believe that Chamisa only complained about hate speech against Tsvangirai, he never said MDC should not be criticised. I would also appreciate it if we criticise without resorting to hate speech. Personally I have been reminded by other people on this site whenever I use hate language and I am trying to reform. But this article is full of hate speech. Chamisa is not in government, he complained about people in government using hate speech. This distinction should be clear. And I will never come in support of Chamisa if he uses hate speech. I dont think issue of Zapu is hate speech.
Nyasha Matate • n/a Subject: Wise Man on Chamisa Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:58:21 • Wise man, Chamisa has done nothing more than fan a lot of hatred and his youth and inexperience is now showing. I think if he wants the media, especially state media to respect him and the MDC he should stop talking nonsense each time he opens his mouth. I have heard him criticise Zanu at every opportunity but blams Zanu for criticising the MDC. He cant have it both ways and he should understand that newspapers are not there to protect the MDC, but hold them accountable for their actions. If Lovemore Moyo is allowed to criticise a Government (that he is now part of) why should he be immune from criticism. Why should the MDC think that everyone is on their side? Every person has a right to choose what party they side with. The MDC sometimes thinks that everyone should support them. Why? Is that democracy? I think they should just grow up and learn to accept criticism. Their ways are becoming too childish and how can you expect such people to run crucial ministries if they can't even run their own party! Wise man show us that you are wise!
Wise Man • N/A Subject: Chamisa article Sat, 04 Oct 2008 11:31:56 • What wrong are you accusing Chamisa of doing here so that at least there could be debate? People should know what is going on, and so far he has helped you and me to know what is happening regarding the impasse on cabinet allocations. You should at leats be grateful for that. I dont know if the issue of whether Zapu was swallowed can be argued on, people should just agree to disagree on that and move on. If Dabengwa says so, then who are we to dispute it. And Phillip, do I detect some hidden implications from the book price that Chamisa got? I hope its not what I think.
DREADS • na. Subject: FRUSTRATED BY CHAMISAURUS Sat, 04 Oct 2008 10:38:39 • Well said PM!
Sometimes i wonder whether it is not retrogressive to knowingly give anyone a place in our history who has not yet spent five years overseas learning the actual nuts and bolts to the background of our country's history?
there are MDC kids here in the UK half his age who are more progressive in their heads than this antiquated dinosaur Chamisaurus.
or perhaps Chamisaurus has actually spent time here just trawling from pub to pub, deeply involved in pub talk, capitalising on his situation like some other negatives that we have all met and know?
Right now Zimbabwe needs positive-thinking individuals who actually have a game plan who can take us into the future, not digging themselves into quicksand and taking the rest of us with them.
What we actually need is a giant winnowing basket that will sift the grain from the chaff and remove the weevils and other insects in the shape of such individuals that gnaw away at the integrity of our intentions.
But we have one already and its being shaken constantly by a soulmate we all know called TIME and in the end it is Time who will tell all.
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