Source: ‘Tsvangirai family has no future role in MDC’ – DailyNews Live
Maxwell Sibanda 25 February 2018
HARARE – The late Morgan Tsvangirai’s family will not have anything to do
with MDC politics as their role in the party naturally ended when he was
buried on Wednesday, social and political analysts have said.
While Tsvangirai’s family has been at the centre of the MDC succession
row, giving conflicting statements on who was the opposition leader’s
preferred successor, their contribution to this debate was only acceptable
when the late opposition leader was alive, analysts said.
Media and democracy scholar Rashweat Mukundu said naturally, the family
role ends with the burial as none of them has any senior position in the
party.
“This as it may, the family is likely to be welcomed should any of them
decide to support the MDC and contest for leadership like every other
party member.
“I don’t think any of Tsvangirai’s family members needs special treatment
but must, like Morgan himself, prove themselves in the field and earn
their mettle,” said Mukundu.
Political analyst Mcdonald Lewanika said the Tsvangirai family’s voice has
never really been pronounced in MDC matters, at least not publicly.
“One assumes that after Morgan’s burial, they will retain some influence
and respect within the party but they definitely will not have any veto
power over the party’s decisions, save for those who are already in or
have intentions of joining the party’s organs, where their name will no
doubt still retain some value and command respect.
“But the MDC is a party of institutions, rules and regulations, and I am
sure both the party and the family will be happy to allow this party
infrastructure, which Morgan built, to dictate the pace in the party and
safeguard its future,” said Lewanika.
Political analyst Maxwell Saungweme said it is true the MDC has been
operating as a cult weaved around the magical name Tsvangirai.
“Normally organisations or parties run that way die with their leaders.
But the events of the past few days point to (Nelson) Chamisa as someone
who can still rally Tsvangirai crowds to continue with Morgan’s legacy.
“The advantage Chamisa has is that the majority of party members are
youths who resonate with his calls. So he can harness this youth
demographic dividend and continue with the party.
“Certainly the party will now just be MDC with no surname. The issue of
giving surnames to political parties must be buried with Tsvangirai,” said
Saungweme.
He said there could still be some influence on the MDC from the family.
“As you saw that just before his death and at the funeral, Tsvangirai
brothers wanted Mudzuri to takeover, who is said to be related to the
Tsvangirais.
“At the same time Morgan Junior (Richard) endorsed Chamisa in public. But
the truth is, slowly but surely, Tsvangirai family will not have much
influence on the party, but Morgan’s name will still carry some political
weight and it will be used and abused by contending MDC officials during
the period of succession tussles and beyond.
“You are likely to hear people saying I am doing this because that is what
Tsvangirai wanted for example. His wife may still have some connections
with some MDC officials such as Chamisa, but it will not influence the way
the MDC progresses.”
Political commentator Rejoice Ngwenya was blunt about any chances that
Tsvangirai’s family may influence anything in MDC.
“An emphatic No! Actually, the right phrase is `never should they’. Our
opposition is not dynastic.
“However, they are free to join structures like anybody else. My wish is
that they preserve their father’s or brother’s legacy by setting up – or
at least accepting a Morgan Tsvangirai Foundation for Democracy. Joining
in factional contestations will destroy their reputation.”
Political analyst Phillip Pasirayi urged the MDC leaders to bury their
political differences and find convergence in honour of this great man.
“Tsvangirai was humble and tolerant of divergent political views. He was
vilified, brutalised and there were several attempts on his life, hundreds
of his followers were murdered but he remained resolute and kept fighting
for change and a new politics that was more humane and tolerant in
Zimbabwe.”
Media practitioner Nigel Nyamutumbu said the greatest honor that the MDC
can give to this gallant fighter is for the MDC to mature out of politics
of personalities, unite and build consensus on who takes over and ensure
Zimbabwe becomes a vibrant democracy.
Political analyst Vivid Gwede said to honour Tsvangirai, the vision of a
truly democratic Zimbabwe must be followed to its ultimate fulfilment by
those who profess to follow his path.
“Like Martin Luther King Jnr., like Herbert Chitepo, like Tongogara and
others, he has seen the Promised Land but has not been allowed to get
there,” Gwede said.
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