Writing on the wall for Mutambara
EDITOR – The MDC faction led by Welshman Ncube using Mutambara as a facade is a disillusioned political grouping which derails the Zimbabwean opposition.
As it standS all factors point to the fact that the split was engineered simply on tribal intentions ,what else could explain that to this date they have not re-branded their MDC as a national party with its own identity?
When Welshman Ncube spurred the split, he knew there would be a swift closing of ranks and sympathy from fellow Members of Parliament from Matebeleland. All in the name of tribal solidarity.
This tribal solidarity is not different from African solidarity, a concept now expropriated by own Mugabe. As it is, African leaders have adopted a see no evil hear no evil attitude. This is a form of racial solidarity that has little regard for the suffering masses of our country.
Some, like David Coltart, had no choice but to stick with other MPs from Bulawayo. Of course he had to find an explanation and gave the intra party violence as an excuse. To me the argument lacked substance because his own faction is not the least violence free. How does he account for the physical attack on MDC officials Nkulumane Chairman, Samuel Musaka and Bhekithemba Nyathi?
The people of Matabeleland are tired of tribal politics,if they favoured tribal politics they could have easily voted for ZAPU 2000 in the 2000 parliamentary elections. ZAPU 2000 ‘s message was clear. Tribal politics destroy national cohesion and create divisions in society and its proponents cannot aspire to be democrats because it is the opposite of the democratic principle of equality.
The Mutambara faction clams support from Matabeleland on the basis the five senate seats that they clinched in Bulawayo. Lets note that the margins were very slim, in most cases only hundreds, and we are talking of two to three constituencies combined. The voter turn out was only 8%, way below the usual 50%. This can never be a gauge of popularity at all costs.Â
Also, some sympathizers mention the local government elections as an indicator of popularity in Matebeland. But let’s not forget that the other faction did not field candidates – the contest was against Zanu (PF). It is general knowledge that there is hostility against Zanu (PF) in Matabeleland.
The recent opinion poll by the Mass Opinion institute of Zimbabwe which gave the Tsvangirai led MDC a 95.4% leverage over the Ncube faction, is a clear indication of what will happen in next year’s elections.
The writing is on the wall. But this is politics – and you never admit defeat until you are down. Just as I predicated the fate of Jonathan Moyo years ago, I do so today about Mutambara. He is heading for the precipice. Another one bites the dust.
ASHER TARIVONA MUTSENGI, Calgary, Canada
In it together
EDITOR – It’s rather unfortunate that when we have people in the trenches and some dying to defend the democratic space we are left with, we have the likes of my kinsman, who could only identify himself as diaspora, pouring vitriol at the same people who have been persecuted to defend that space.
 I think it’s very unfortunate for the diaspora to pose such beautifully crafted questions at the wrong persons.
Morgan Tsvangirai is a leader of the opposition. The best that he can do is to table the issue with the S. African authorities so that they can they can try to treat you guys well and have your papers at the earliest possible convenience.
It’s a matter of negotiating. He can’t dictate to the SA government.
Remember we are in this together, yourself, myself and Mr Tsvangirai. You do not need guarantees from any opposition leader of a better life. What you need is a sober policy framework so that you can be the master of your own destiny. Something that can only be guaranteed by a change of government as this regime has shown us to have failed to do just that.
And if the diaspora vote cannot win him an election, then cool, you guys are there to stay.
I think any leader would need goodwill as things stand in Zimbabwe now. This economy is not in a position to stand on its own regardless of all the resources at our disposal. The economy is in a coma. We are in dire need of good friends out there who will inject money in order to kick-start this economy.
On your land issue my friend, I as a Zimbabwean would want land. Every Zimbabwean would need an amicable land redistribution exercise and not land grabbing for speculative purposes as we have witnessed. We need a well-planed land and agricultural policy in order for us to reap the benefits of the liberation struggle and land reform. Otherwise I can only urge you to come back home, smell the poverty, and help the democratisation process that has been threatened by the dictatorship.
I think its cowardice to hide behind a name like diaspora when people in Zimbabwe are being hunted by gun-toting police and army every other day.
GILBERT KAGODORA, Mazowe