via If I were Morgan . . .. 27 November 2014 by Vince Musewe
If there is anything we should learn from the recent purges within its leadership ranks, it is that most Zanu PF leaders are actually tired of President Robert Mugabe and, like most of us, would like to see him go. What they have lacked are the scruples to unite and dismiss him.
And so it turns out that we have been right all this time, that Mugabe has been and remains the stumbling block on Zimbabwe’s progress. Even his minions, in surprisingly considerable numbers, no longer believe that he is relevant to the Zimbabwe we want to create.
The public display of tantrums which we have seen from First Lady Grace Mugabe should indicate to us the frustration of the First Family on their comprehension that they no longer have the full support of all within the Zanu PF leadership.
Mugabe will never deliver the Zimbabwe that we desperately want, including the Zimbabwe that those who legitimately fought in the struggle sought to achieve.
I am glad that this has now been revealed because for years, we have been saying that Zimbabwe’s potential can never be fully realised through a dictatorship. Mugabe is old and remains in the past. He can no longer lead us in creating the future we desperately desire.
What Mugabe has done is to use his wife, Grace, in order to flush out those who desire a leadership renewal, but this does not change the reality that it is time for him to go. The impulsive reaction of purging of his underlings will likely expedite his exit.
How exhilarating!
Let me be clear: I do not subscribe to the value system of Zanu PF and I have no respect for those who do. So in my view, all those who are now being purged are not innocent spectators or victims.
They have been complicit in supporting and benefiting from this tyranny while participating in the destruction of our country and its potential. They chose personal gain at the expense of national interest. Let them reap their harvest of sorrows.
All this must surely present a unique opportunity for our opposition political parties. However, I fear that they are not doing enough. It is time for the audacity of hope.
In my opinion, the MDC-T, despite their purported inadequacies, must now take the driver’s seat and lead.
If I were MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, I would certainly now consolidate and take a higher ground by being a unifying force of all democratic movements so that we may at last expunge the dictator once and for all.
This coming-together of democratic forces, in my view, cannot be conditional nor can it be based on egos, but must be based on putting Zimbabwe first. I would advise that Morgan goes all out to motivate all and sundry and be the selfless leader he claims to be; a leader who realises that this is no time for grudges.
If I were in his position, I would call an immediate conference for change that attracts all Zimbabweans to collectively demand the immediate stepping down of Mugabe and the take-over of the country’s affairs by an interim inclusive body so that we may arrest the decline and save Zimbabwe. We must move towards reforms and ultimately towards free and fair elections as soon as possible.
In this effort, I would ensure that nobody is left behind especially the moderates within Zanu PF, the army, the police and civic organisations including legitimate churches that see the rot in Zanu PF and would fully support a people-driven change agenda that must be implemented now.
This is no time for endless Press conferences that achieve little, but it is time to act in an inclusive and non-partisan manner.
If I were in Morgan’s position, I would definitely mobilise for mass action where all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliation, must for once make the bold statement that enough is enough and Mugabe must stand down.
This action must include all Zimbabweans, including our brothers and sisters in the Diaspora. Let January 2015 be the month of regime change led by Zimbabweans.
I would, with immediate effect, withdraw all councillors and Members of Parliament from government in protest of the revelations that South Africa hid the truth with regard to the 2002 elections which makes all other elections after that illegitimate.
I would not just issue a Press statement and ask for a mere apology on such a grave matter, but bring the South African government to account.
The recent ridiculous reaction by Mugabe’s minions that the 2002 Kampepe Report is a mere private opinion to be brushed off is not surprising and remains a ridiculous assertion that seeks to discount a grave historical and deliberate blunder affecting the rights of Zimbabweans.
I conjecture that were the opinion otherwise, I have no doubt the same minions would have rushed to claim victory and vindicate the dictator as legitimate. We must ignore their simple exuberant minds.
I think that Morgan must take this opportunity to motivate and encourage the masses and all opposition parties for a final push that will see the fall of the dictator who now has little support even within his ranks.
The emperor is naked.
Mugabe will not willingly go. If we sit by and dither, hoping for better times to come, we shall soon see Grace in State House as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe; God forbid.
My message to Morgan is, therefore, that Zanu PF, as we know it, is dead and if there is any opportunity to act decisively and shape a better future for Zimbabwe, it is now.
Let those who have ears hear.
COMMENTS
While I agree with the author that this is an opportunity to be ceased by any opposition worth its salt, be it MDC_T or an other and also that Mugabe & Zanu pf have failed the nation & their departure is long over due, I have serious problem with Vince when he starts talking of ‘inclusive government’. In my view, the inclusiveness need to be qualified.
If the inclusiveness include ‘the zanu pf deadwood and kleptocrats’ then to hell with it. That will take us back to the GNU, albeit with a modified name. I’m sure most Zimboz will, together with me, say “down with any other form of GNU”. This creature will never bring lasting solution to Zim’s problems as long as zanu pf people are part to it. Zviri nani kutosiya zanu pf ingokonewa kutonga nyika yacho – that is exactly what almost happened last time only for the so-called GNU to rescue zanu pf. We all know mapurisa nemasoja even ne the so-called O-vets vanga vasisa wani mari semunhu wese. Saka samba rokufamba vachirova vanhu kuti vaite zvinoda zanu pf vangavasisina. Which was very good for the liberation of the country from current dictatorship. Only for the GNU to give zanu pf a long lease of life – manje nhasi tiri papi.
Aiwa, GNU haidzokorodzwi. Kweete!
Dreams will remain dreams. President Mugabe represent a liberation brand embeded in all that is Zimbabwean. Tsvangirai and company will remain as bystanders for as long they represent foreign interests.
It’s so sad what is difference between Morgan and Mugabe. Any leader who cannot accept time and shortcomings us no good for Zimbabwe. No one. Is written on forehead kuti will provide solutions to Zimbabwe , but will resolve this. I feel sick to imagine that there are still people who think Morgan still has what it takes to resolve our matters . Please let’s learn from Mandela
Vince I don’t know that what you say would work as those that oppose are seemingly looking after their own interests. Some of us that oppose are waiting to see who will put their hand up first and say “I am ready”. I wait with baited breath for the new UD to register. What will MDC T do? What I would expect them to do is to drop the T. That is the mistake they made in the first place. They should of stuck to their original name and fought tooth and nail to keep the original. If I was Morgan I would lose the T. After that if someone else used the name I would add the P.MDC P. (people) After all when this party was formed it was by the people for the people. Now it is all about egos. Then I would attempt to mobilize the people.PLEASE DO ANOTHER ARTICLE AND CALL IT “IF I WERE UD”
you are not a politician in specfic african one ,my friend,its either Tsvangirai or mugabe in Zimbabwe.ncube left and has not even a seat in parliaament,We both agree Simba makoni is better than Mugabe and Tsvangirai but look at him now
Doc U.R. CRAZY but a nice CRAZY. Well said.
Zimbabwean mentality. Do u think UD will truly command support in Zimbabwe. Its about trust.many members in the UD hv bn labeled Sellouts which is Zimbabwe vocabulary of suppressing independent mind. U cant think independently in our country coz u become a rebel. MDC should hv thot of the years after morgan an sold a new MDC face long bk. Not withstanding the sellout label on Biti i m of the opinion he can be trusted as Biti not UD. Who will be the leader of UD?
vince , i dont thing its about the streath of the oppossion party in zimbabwe, its about the mindset of the security organisations which need to be changed. They should know that they is life after mugabe . The feeling among them is that without him they will be nomore and in addition to this, they know the concequences of daring to oppose or seen to be on the wrong basket.Remove fear factor among our people and we will know how to be independant.We all know where our fear is coming from.
Vince i have always liked your angle and wording strike while the iron is hot.
“If I were in his position, I would call an immediate conference for change that attracts all Zimbabweans to collectively demand the immediate stepping down of Mugabe and the take-over of the country’s affairs by an interim inclusive body so that we may arrest the decline and save Zimbabwe.” After repressing demonstrations after the turn of the century and then rigging every election thereafter, is ZANU PF/Mugabe going to pay the least of attention?
“If I were in Morgan’s position, I would definitely mobilise for mass action where all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliation, must for once make the bold statement that enough is enough and Mugabe must stand down.” Vince, you have been been back in Zimbabwe long enough to understand the Zimbabwean “man in the street” by now. Mass action? Just look at how many of us supported Itai.
“I would, with immediate effect, withdraw all councillors and Members of Parliament from government in protest of the revelations that South Africa hid the truth with regard to the 2002 elections which makes all other elections after that illegitimate.” Now there is something that might actually succeed in precipitating mass action – by the MDC-T councillors and MPs.
“I would not just issue a Press statement and ask for a mere apology on such a grave matter, but bring the South African government to account.” How? Through SADC perhaps?
My aim is not to be negative but to be realistic. The last 2 months have spoken (additional) volumes about the politics of this country and us Zimbabweans. If even neutral and pro-Mujuru ZANU PF members, at all levels within that violent party, have mumbled and muttered but at the end of the day stared in sullen silence and done zilch as Mugabe, Grace and a group of Mugabe’s underlings have had their way; in broad daylight, broadcast blow by blow, day by day in the national media, … how then do you mobilize ordinary, peaceful non-partisan Zimbabweans?
Sometimes, when it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, you just have to accept it is a duck, no matter how passionately you may wish for it to soar like an eagle.
I dont think the writer even knows what he is talking about. What will be different now than what was tried and failed in the past. As long as there are no laws to carry out a free election then there is nothing to talk about. Whether another party wins it depends whether they want to call it a win or not. Until they want to give up power then it will be very difficult. Mass action …….. then be prepared to die.