Speculation had been rife of an impending alliance between the former MDC colleagues. In the end Tsvangirai went into partnership with former Zanu (PF) politburo member, Simba Makoni, and ZANU Ndonga.
Welshman Ncube joined forces with another former Zanu (PF) politburo member, Dumiso Dabengwa, and his revived ZAPU party.
No chance of unity
Ncube has insisted that there were never any talks between his party and Tsvangirai, nor was there a chance of the two reuniting.
According to analysts, an alliance between the two would not only have been vital in the electoral fight against Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) but the partnership would have helped take the country forward in the event of forming a new government.
‘MDC-T is better on its own’
“The coalition between Tsvangirai and Ncube would not only have helped during the election but after the elections as well. It would have helped solve the lingering Matabeleland question,” said political analyst, Ibbo Mandaza. “If Morgan Tsvangirai won with Ncube in his corner, he would have had a formidable deputy. Ncube is one of the best minds in the country.”
Ineffective coalitions
Other analysts said the coalition would have been preferable.
“In a democracy, coalitions are always encouraged, especially when you are up against a formidable opponent. But any coalition that does not coalesce on common ideals is not going to be effective,” said analyst Rejoice Ngwenya. “It would have even been better if the coalition between the two MDC factions had come to fruition. Then Zanu (PF) would be quaking in their boots.”
Some believe the coalitions the two parties struck will not significantly alter their political fortunes.
University of Zimbabwe political scientist, Charity Manyeruke, told The Zimbabwean that the current alliances were not strong enough to change the electoral map.
“They are not significant enough when it comes to the big politics of the country. What help would MDC-T get from Mavambo? MDC-T is better on its own. It does not gain any political mileage from the cooperation,” Manyeruke said.
She said the Ncube – Dabengwa partnership would not contribute anything in terms of votes.
“If these parties had been working together for a longer period, people would have been able to see what the partnerships produced,” Manyeruke said.
Post published in: News