People must benefit from local resources: Dube

In 2010 Dube was one of those who fought for amnesty for Zimbabwean exiles using fraudulently-obtained South African identity documents. His efforts saved more than 5,000 people whose passports had been seized at the South African border and eventually gave birth to the Zimbabwe Documentation Project that has benefitted more than 275,000 exiles.

Dube (43) has now returned home, where he is the aspiring MP for Umzingwane Constituency in Matabeleland South. He is a member of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube.

(MN): Why did you decide to go into politics?

(ND): I became attached to the poorest of the poor in our community and made a vow that I would at one stage change these people’s lives. In 1997, I became part of the Consultative Council of Zimbabwe, a forum that consulted on the formation of a broader political instrument to address national issues, unite people and create a democratic state. This came after the realisation that Zanu (PF) had departed from the ideals of the liberation struggle. We then formed the MDC in 1999 and I became its first chairman for South Africa.

(MN): Critics say your party will not outlive the exclusive government. What’s your response?

(ND): In 2006, we were given six months before we became extinct, but we still remain a factor in politics today. I believe that we are the fastest-growing movement in the country.

(MN): Regional or tribal: which of the two labels sticks?

(ND): Neither. Our policies and leadership representation represents all tribes in Zimbabwe. Those who label us are just capitalizing on the fact that we are being led by Ncube, forgetting that he, like any other Zimbabwean, has a right to lead.

(MN): But how do you think those labels will affect your party’s chances of winning seats, especially outside Matabeleland?

(ND): We have been to all provinces in Zimbabwe and I am happy that the majority knows that we are the only party with a future that goes beyond the slogan, “Mugabe must go”. The people know we are national in character.

(MN): How do you project your party’s performance in the coming elections?

(ND): We will win seats countrywide and President Ncube will form the next government because we have done a lot to win people’s support. We have explained our policies and we have been well-received. People know we are the only party that goes beyond sloganeering and is able to bring development.

(MN): Your party is much smaller than Zanu (PF) and the MDC-T. Do you think its overall performance will affect your bid to be MP?

(ND): The campaign to stand in the constituency was not a personal one, so my win would have come from hard work by the men and women who make up the whole MDC team. Should I win I would not claim any credit – because I was not chosen because I possess any special skill. I am just a privileged messenger from the party.

(MN): What are your short-term goals for your constituency, should you win?

(ND): We have already pooled resources as a party to shift the method of farming from the traditional one of planning on the unreliable rainy season to arid farming. We also want to spearhead ranching and drought-resistant crops like sorghum and millet.

(MN): What immediate challenges do you expect to meet as an MP?

(ND): Most local schools like Nswazi, Mzinyathini and Silobi lag behind in science subjects, with very few teachers and laboratories for the subject. This has seen very few graduates qualify for courses at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo, just 40 kilometres away. The first challenge would be to address that.

(MN): What developmental strengths do you hope to build on?

(ND): Vast mineral resources like gold should benefit locals through both employment and proceeds. Currently, less than a third of the 900 people employed by How Mine are locals and we hope to change that in line with the devolution of power and equitable distribution of resources we fought for. The many tourist attractions like Ncema and Mtshabezi dams, Khoisan paintings and the Imene Falls would be well-marketed.

(MN): Nationally, what would you fight for?

(ND): The implementation of the devolution of power. The people of Mutare must benefit from their diamonds and those in Gwanda from their gold. We also need to curb the relocation of companies to Harare.

(MN): Your parting shot?

(ND) : I have learnt a lot from the South African Communist Party in developing pro-poor policies to narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots. We remain Social Democrats and a multi-class party, but have been inspired by the SACP.