The MDC is celebrating 12 years since its formation on September 11, 1999. Yesterday, September 10, 2011, thousands of MDC supporters gathered at Gwanzura Stadium to celebrate what the MDC organising secretary Nelson Chamisa described as "12 years of the people’s struggle for real change".
Chamisa said the 12 years had been momentous. In that time, he said, the MDC had tasted the sweet joys of success and the pain of despair and deprivation, but said it had resolutely and courageously stood up to oppression and injustice.
"Yes, bodies were harmed and maimed, ailments incurred, property destroyed, tears shed, sweat oozed and blood lost in the search for a lasting solution to the problems bleeding our one and only beautiful Zimbabwe," Chamisa said. "True, we lost great comrades, young and old. Names such as Gibson Sibanda, Isaac Matongo, Learnmore
Jongwe,Tonderai Ndira, Tichaona Chiminya, Talent Mabika ,Getrude Mthombeni to mention but a few, come into mind. The movement lost some of the finest and most gifted sons and daughters our land has ever known. We dare not disappoint these beloved departed cadres."
He said it had been a dozen years of joy and sorrow, pains and gains, ups and downs, the denied victories, deprived wins and stolen successes.
"The people and party were cheated in 2002 but recovered, robbed in 2005 but survived and divided in October but renewed and strengthened with the 2006 Congress to deliver a sucker punch to Zanu (PF) in March 2008. We are bigger, better, stronger and wiser. We have learnt our lessons," Chamisa said.
The MDC was mooted at a National Working People’s Convention held in Harare on February 26-28 1999, where people from all walks of life converged to identify problems bedevilling the nation and to sculpt a way out.
The epoch-making gathering was host to over 40 civic organizations which included trade unions, students, women, the disabled, the unemployed, professionals, academics, business people, residents associations, human rights watchdogs, war veterans, peasants and informal traders. The MDC was born at the post convention meeting held in Harare, May 7-9, 1999. The MDC was then launched before a bumper crowd of over 15 000 at Rufaro Stadium on September 11, 1999.
Its 12 years of advocacy for people’s rights and interests in the face of extreme adversity and persecution, reaped huge rewards in the 2008 general elections held under a punishing economic environment.
The MDC, as part of a Coalition, took over the reins of power following a stunning election victory. It formed a government with archrivals Zanu (PF) under Prime Minister Tsvangirai and President Mugabe's leadership, based on the power sharing provisions of the global political agreement.
The Coalition Government during its two and half years ushered in significant social and economic reforms to provide relief to the poor, upgrade infrastructure and revive the ailing economy. It has made a record of good governance, unparalleled economic growth at 9 per cent of the GDP, marginally rising rate of employment, prudent and
disciplined management of state affairs and finances, and a low inflation rate of 5 per cent.
But the MDC-led government once again fell victim to greed, propaganda and a conspiracy by vested interest groups culminating in the current comparisons with Zanu (PF).
"Although we often get excoriated and chided for various omissions and commissions, we are students in national service, we are learning," Chamisa said. "We have our own frailties. We remain vigilant and assiduous. No single human being is perfect. We draw comfort from the knowledge that excellence is a magnet to conspiracies, slander and vilification. We are ready for it all the way through."
The MDC organising secretary said the MDC's key goal was to govern differently and democratically.
"Our principal task is to keep the hope and deliver real change to the peaceful and peace-loving people of Zimbabwe," he said. "Through our yet to be published strategic New Zimbabwe blueprint Vision 2030, our vision is to build a country and people of a global leadership position in all the various fields of endeavour—in business, education, health, tourism, technology and sport.
Post published in: News