Welshman Ncube is the beneficiary of the split that occurred in MDC and is getting good coverage and grassroots support in Matebeleland. Ncube will still struggle to get enough votes to form our next government.
Dr Simba Makoni is the President of Mavambo Kusile Dawn and he has the potential to lead Zimbabwe. He should come out more often and explain to the masses what he stands for. MKD is not visible enough. Currently, it does not appear to be a well-oiled and functioning political organisation. However, MKD should not rule out working with other democratic forces in Zimbabwe. On his recent visit to the United Kingdom, Simba Makoni encouraged supporters and Zimbabweans to look forward to a brighter future. We must learn to work together for the good of Zimbabwe. There is also no reason why MDC-T cannot work with MKD or Welshman Ncube working with MKD. In both scenarios, Simba Makoni should be the President of Zimbabwe.
However, political parties should get into a coalition only if their principles and values are compatible, to some extent. The values of MKD are Servant Leadership, Honesty and Integrity, Ethics, Equity and Fairness, Competence, Entrepreneurship and Meritocracy, Democracy, Diversity and Tolerance and Patriotism, National Participation and Representation. Surely, other democratic forces should find these values and principles palatable.
We now have a weakened, corrupt and tarnished MDC-T, a growing MDC-N, a factional Zanu (PF); without an obvious leader after the ageing Mugabe. MKD is still waiting in the wings. This is the time for MKD to act and get in the mix. We also cannot deny the fact that Tsvangirai has been a champion for democracy in Zimbabwe. However, like any one of us, he has got his limits, and it seems he has reached those limits. It would be suicidal to support a leader for other reasons other than his/her ability to run the country. Yes, Tsvangirai has been brutalised by Zanu (PF), but could that be the only reason to support him? Yes, Zanu (PF) liberated us from the oppressive and minority rule of Ian Smith, but, should this be the only reason we support the party? Yes, Simba Makoni was once a Zanu (PF) politburo member, should that be a strong reason not to support him? Morgan Tsvangirai was once a Zanu (PF) member. If you were born before 1980, and you have had no links with Zanu (PF) or ZAPU, then you were not politically active. We must stop looking at our individual interests and start thinking of a stable and democratic Zimbabwe.
The mantra, anyone other than Mugabe, without forwarding alternative policies is not the answer. “The future of Zimbabwe is bright” Simba Makoni said on his recent visit to the United Kingdom. However, this can be achieved once we become tolerant to political views of others and our ability to robustly debate political issues. Let us explore what problems unite us. As democratic citizens of Zimbabwe, we should not mind sharing ideas with other democratic forces in Zimbabwe. – TENDAI KWARI, by e-mail
Post published in: Letters to the Editor