CAPE TOWN - I was greatly disappointed by the way Zanu (PF) supporters so blindly supported their leaders, but I have come to be even more disturbed by the manor in which MDC supporters now so blindly support their leaders.
How will any leadership be accountable to its citizens if people are so afraid of speaking out, or are people really so blind? I have been shocked at how easily I have been accused of being Zanu (PF). Whenever I am critical of MDC I am met with much suspicion. Is it really so polarized that you are either a blind sheep in one camp or a blind sheep in the other camp? If you speak out against what you see as wrong in both the MDC and Zanu (PF), you are in neither camp and thus you are an outcast.
I have supported MDC in many waysin actual fact, I have, on several occasions, risked my life for the MDC, but I also have the right to exercise my freedom of speech. I have tried to engage the MDC and expressed many of my concerns with very few results. My critical response to what I see as their failures is aimed to influence public opinion, so that hopefully public opinion will hold the leadership responsible for their actions, giving them guidance and ultimately leading to a stronger, more transparent and accountable leadership.
Not accustomed to criticism
If the MDC is not accustomed to criticism, when it makes mistakes, it can blame those who have become blind followers. Surely every MDC supporter can recall times when the MDC made mistakes? For example, the MDC called for Zimbabweans in Joburg to return to Zimbabwe for the run off elections- with NGOs even supplying free busses for the journey.
Then the MDC withdrew from the elections, leaving many who had heeded the calls from the MDC unable to vote and without money of transport to return to South Africa. The very fact that the MDC is its current situation, one in which, as Mugabe put it, it has one foot in and one foot out, means it is not in full control. They have not yet succeeded in fulfilling their mandate, that of the people, whose collective support has given MDC more than enough authority and credibility to overthrow Mugabe and his gang of thieves. In fact this support has given MDC so much credibility that they are now even able to gain an audience with leaders such as Presidents Obama, Brown, and Zuma, but to mention a few. That the MDC has not fulfilled its mandate after 10 years proves that patient silence and blind support has not worked.
When will people really take ownership of the MDC? When will we hold them accountable? When will we demand of them what we paid for though our flesh, blood and votesfreedom and an end of Zanu (PF)s reign of unaccountable governance?
The MDC is a political party, but it is also the face of the will of the peoplea channel through which so many angry, frustrated, desperate and hungry people express their demands for change. If the channel can no longer represent their demands eventually people will find other means, or possibly other organizations, to express their needs. It is important that people try to guide the MDC before the party is completely lost or people are so frustrated that they turn their backs on the MDC.
It was a mistake to enter the power sharing agreement and it is mistake to half withdraw. It is time to end the agreement completely or return to cabinet meetings. Call me an outcast if need be, but I cannot stand and watch silently while I see such mistakes unravel. I see the jellyfish behaviour of leaders who are afraid to make solid decisions. If they are afraid the decision to withdraw will lead to a divide in MDC. They should not be afraid, for if it does divide, they will have successfully identified who has money and wealth in their hearts in place of where the will of the people should be. Indeed, a divide of such a nature could strengthen those that remain true to the will of the people, as people have noticed certain elements amongst MDC cabinet members that are behaving like thieves.
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