via The MDC must renew itself before it is too late by Tanonoka Joseph Whande | SW Radio Africa February 17, 2014
Reports about the manhandling of Elton Mangoma and Tendai Biti by MDC-T youths are extremely disturbing even to die-hard supporters of Morgan Tsvangirai himself.
Most worrying is that this not only happened at all but happened at the party’s national Headquarters in the party leader’s presence.
Whether Tsvangirai knew about it or not, whether he approved of it or not, that incident has sent a clear message to Zimbabweans that there is no place to hide and if we ever entertained the belief that we ditch ZANU-PF to run away from violence and intolerance then all our efforts over the past fifteen years have all been in vain.
For some time now, there have been muted calls for Tsvangirai to step down as leader of the MDC on account of the fact that he has failed to make a difference, having gone into presidential elections three times and coming out on the losing end every time.
Someone has described leadership as ultimately being about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen, and that effective leadership is the ability to successfully integrate and maximize available resources within the internal and external environment for the attainment of organizational or societal goals.
The ultimate goal of any party leader is to win the presidency of the country and turn their party into a ruling party. And Mr. Tsvangirai has failed dismally, whether or not the elections were rigged.
I keep wondering if Tsvangirai’s rank and file followers feel hopeful, elated and actually believe that Tsvangirai will weave some magical moves and become a real leader such as the long suffering people of Zimbabwe deserve.
Do they feel they have a leader worth their time?
I keep wondering if they feel as encouraged today as they did two days before the last elections.
Leadership is “organizing a group of people to achieve a common goal”.
Where does Mr. Tsvangirai stand? Has he shown any leadership qualities or he is in that position by virtue of the personal wars he fought before, getting people to mistake his bravery in the face of adversity for leadership quality?
Leadership has been described as the “process of social influence in which one person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task”.
What common task has come from not only Mr. Tsvangirai but from the political party that he leads?
Has Tsvangirai justified any of the people’s optimism or has he regressed?
I am one of many people who have now come to terms with the reality that the MDC needs new leadership. Much as we might like him; much as we recognize his popularity, all these do not translate into success and the party needs success.
We cannot afford sentimentality; this is a serious situation and the party has to move on.
After decades of Mugabe’s awesome power of destruction and abuse, there were expectations that Tsvangirai and his party would bring better direction.
Sadly, the situation remains the way it was and Mugabe and his camp are more entrenched than ever before.
Over the past years, Tsvangirai has shown himself to be indecisive. His carelessness in personal conduct is cause for concern and so is the new direction the party seems to be taking.
He has failed to craft a philosophy that people can identify with and, indeed, there does not seem to be much difference between his party and any other except on implementation.
I feel cheated that all the support, optimism and expectations people had over the MDC have gone to waste and the people have nothing to show for it.
Firm, principled leadership should by now have emerged.
The heart of the matter is that it is time for the MDC to look for another more dynamic and forceful leader.
Admittedly, Mr. Tsvangirai has done his best but his best has not been good enough.
I pay tribute to Mr. Tsvangirai’s bravery, but that is a personal trait that has nothing to do with leadership.
Mr. Tsvangirai has done his part and it is time for him and the party to move on.
The MDC clearly needs new leadership to move it from the bane of personalized political parties. The fact that such an organisation is known by his name is itself an indication that the emphasis is no longer on the party but on the leader.
And that is a dangerous development as can be seen with the advent of internal violence.
Mr. Tsvangirai has, however, done the best he could.
It is not fair of MDC supporters to try to squeeze more out of him or to prop him up because the party and the supporters will not get anywhere. There is simply nothing left for him to prove to anyone; he has done his part and must be allowed to retire. He shall always remain as a symbol of a party that dared authoritarianism and repression to deliver the country to the people.
He shall remain to Zimbabwe and to the MDC as a brave founding president of the party, a party that still has possibilities.
It would be best if Mr. Tsvangirai were to volunteer rather than hiding behind the so-called grassroots in clinging on to the leadership.
The MDC itself has changed a great deal and I hope it does not fall into the same trap that ZANU-PF fell into when the party tried to fit the leader not the leader fitting the party.
It is not fair to block the door for aspiring young Turks who have ambition and ability to lead better than a current leader.
Tsvangirai only has to look at ZANU-PF to see how overstaying can destroy not only a leader but a party and, ultimately, a nation.
Leaders have to stay a step ahead of their followers, which is not the case in both the MDC and ZANU-PF.
Times move and changes come. People, like their politics and culture, are dynamic and change all the time.
I am mostly concerned about the MDC because, of all parties, people pin their hopes on it; it has a lot of support and had appeared to be the savior that the people were looking for.
The MDC must understand what they mean to the people and must take such responsibilities with the seriousness it deserves.
Public trust is essential and if they let the people’s trust in them get eroded, the MDC is going to end up like ZANU-PF and that would be a tragedy for the people who had put so much hope and expectations into it.
Responsible leadership does not mean a prolonged stay at the top. Some of the world’s best leaders spent only a couple of years at the apex of their organizations.
The MDC must reshuffle itself and shed the already creeping practice of marrying an individual to a party post.
It is time to pass the baton to the next runner.
The thuggery shown by the MDC-T at Harvest House is a clear indication of the absence of tolerance in Tsvangirai’s MDC party.
Those who have stood by the party now find themselves being made to choose between condemning what happened, and incite more of Tsvangirai’s wrath, or to keep quiet, thus giving tacit approval to the abominable act.
I have always regretted the simple fact of how the MDC has steadily been copying ZANU-PF’s way of behavior.
It is difficult to believe that what transpired at Harvest House was perpetrated by MDC adherents in Tsvangirai’s presence.
It is a shame and Tsvangirai has opened a new chapter to prove how much of a liability he has become to the party in whose hands so many millions, at home and abroad, put so much of their faith in.
The MDC must renew itself; it must renew its leadership and it must renew its covenant with the people if it is to remain relevant in its quest to save Zimbabwe.
I am Tanonoka Joseph Whande and that, my fellow Zimbabweans, is the way it is today, Monday, February 17th, 2014.
COMMENTS
He really needs to step down. The MDC should have realised, when his wife passed away that he was not the same man . They should have advised there and then to step aside in mourning. Although Zanu wanted it that way, it still would have been to MDC advantage.
That unfortunate incident compromise Tsvangirai’s position. From there on, it was all downhill. The MDC must act now or they are gone.
We should not wait for the MDC to sort itself . with current indication ,this will never happen.
I believe we should for a coalition of the willing and approach morally upright individual,well known ,to lead this fight for freedom.
We can not let Mugabe destroy whatever is left of our children’s inheritance.
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, if you want to redeem yourself and the especially the party, step aside and put an interim leader. Redemption of the party is more important than your personal redemption, just as the rejuvenation and redemption of Zimbabwe is of paramount importance.
The mechanisms of putting in an interim leader, you will leave the MDC structures to decide. The placement of an interim leader must also be done with removing the suffix “T” on the party name.
Your interim leader must be deemed to be neutral and display proclivities to the democratic creed. The interim leader must not be tainted with past factionalism or inclination towards other individuals.
This must be done with the full co operation of those victimized in this recent saga. If the victims are truly interested in the redemption of the party, they must fully cooperate with the interim leadership process.
When you eventually hold your elective congress, whenever that is, you Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and any other presidential hopefuls must be allowed to contest in the true spirit of democracy. Who ever emerges as the victor must lead a redeemed and reinvigorated MDC or MDG ( Movement for democratic Governance). Whoever wins must have the full backing of even the losers.
This is the only way you can redeem the party, yourself and Zimbabwe included.
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, if you want to redeem yourself and the especially the party, step aside and put an interim leader. Redemption of the party is more important than your personal redemption, just as the rejuvenation and redemption of Zimbabwe is of paramount importance.
The mechanisms of putting in an interim leader, you will leave the MDC structures to decide. The placement of an interim leader must also be done concurrently with removing the suffix “T” on the party name.
Your interim leader must be deemed to be neutral and display proclivities to the democratic creed. The interim leader must not be tainted with past factionalism or inclination towards other individuals.
This must be done with the full co operation of those victimized in this recent saga. If the victims are truly interested in the redemption of the party, they must fully cooperate with the interim leadership process.
When you eventually hold your elective congress, whenever that is, you Morgan Richard Tsvangirai and any other presidential hopefuls must be allowed to contest in the true spirit of democracy. Who ever emerges as the victor must lead a redeemed and reinvigorated MDC or MDG ( Movement for democratic Governance). Whoever wins must have the full backing of even the losers.
This is the only way you can redeem the party, yourself and Zimbabwe included.
The guy is not only a liability, but is now dangerous. In his own words, he said those who beat up Mangoma would not be punished. That’s the day the sheepskin fell off.
Every other opposition party should form a coalition to fight Mugabe and Tsvangirai at the next election. We need to ensure both get kicked out.
Well written article but you forgot to mention their financial status.It wont survive another six months without serious well wishers donations.His leadership separated the party from its usual donors because he could not take their advice on vital decisions.I doubt the grassroots support he commands now because a lot has changed since 2008.Its easy in Hre to mobilize street kids to show in numbers for $5 each or less.
TANONOKA WHANDE YOU ARE BEING AMBIVALENT IN THAT YOU ARE ADVOCATING that Tsvangirai should step down because he has failed to dislodge Mugabe and at the same time you are castigating Mugabe for failing to relinguish power when he has managed to win elections for his Party. What are saying here when everyone is convinced that Mugabe rigged. Do you really believe that change of MDC leadership will weaken Mugabe guys be serious. Zanu as it is today will not loose power through mere elections forget. Dont fool yourselves please
Thank you bruv, the Whande’s are just there to advance their personal agendas with no better suggestions on how to remove monster zanu from power. Whande must tell us what Tsvangirai must have done to counter mugabe’s support from the military,police,war veterans and the CIO? Those opposing Tsvangirai must tell the nation what they hope to do to win the elections not ranting. Whande himself cannot an election against Tsvangirai and win!
Are these the qualities of a leader we want to lead zimbabwe in future? We must be serious and rest this guy now. Best before 31. July 2013.
Morgan has had his chance and has failed. He must pass on the button or he goes down with the party. I think if he does not resign by en of April 2014, it would be too late for MDC and Zimbabwe.
I began calling for this change just when I heard Morgan declaring the election a “farce”. On election eve he said on TV (outside Zim “Mugabe and I have agreed that whoever loses under all circumstances must leave the political arena”
A few days later we all know whet else ehe said.
People join sense. Morgan is finished. Those who hate my postings must remember me calling for the unification of the opposition, removing the party surnames, T, 99, M all being surnames of MDC…remember?
That is what needs to happen.
Good article.Everything you said is true.ZANU is now been made stronger by Tsvangirai’s weaknesses. I have observed. ZANU supporters pretending to be MDC supporters backing Tsvangirai because they know that with MT at the helm of opposition ZANU will forever rule. A vote for MT translates to victory for ZANU s histottory has shown.
this is really bad for mdc as a party, i want to say this type of politics does’nt help anyone. why is it african politians/leaders they still have that mentality the only way to silence someone who has a different opinion from yours is to bit or kill him? in life this why we do have words like democracy, fredom of speach what surprizes me is our leaders they don’t want to see none putting that into practice especialy against them. then to fellow zimbabweans i want say by changing the leadership i don’t think is going to make any difference,weather is going to be biti or whoever i don’t see him dislodging zanu pf through the ballot box with the current situation in place, mudede as head of registry office, chihuri head of police, chiwenga army. to me as i see it i don’t think have failed to bit mugabe, he did bit him massively, but with those people still holding those key positions never ever think bit will be a better leader to zanu pf. if i may ask how many of u guys think if it was’nt them 31 disidends who fought zapu in the 80s mugabe was going to ask nkomo for unity accord? i don’t. the only way to get these theives go is to be armed again. i know its a hard way but if really need our freedom that’s the only solution.
Mujibha, its an irresponsible call my friend. In 2008, even though beaten, margin was not enough to allow MDC to rule, see. Margin has to be ok. So it can be done without war.
Tsvangirai must go. His foolish blundering is the reason that the MDC is not the government now. A good definition of stupidity is somebody who tries the same thing over and over again expecting a different result each time. Tsvangirai steps into the simplest traps, he associates with his own yes men, he does not manage his party well, he blundered into the last election without thoughtful preparation and planning, he has shown himself to be venal and corrupt. He is not the man to bring ZANU down. Let him honour those who have supported his party by stepping down and letting a new leadership have a go.
Brave people stand up and do something about dictatorship.Mugabe and his thugs have been destroying you all for years,stealing ,pillaging and looting.They blame the destruction of Zimbabwe on sanctions,what a bloody joke.Real sanctions were imposed on Rhodesia and the country PROSPERED because there was an honest man ruling the country,not a thief and a bunch of manic idiots.Are you people real!!!!!!
im ashamed by my fellow Zimbos who at every given flimsy chance wnt t blame Tsvangirai.Wht abt the Zanu pf rot tht hs destroyed the country.We all are quiet Tsvangirai is he ruling Zim or Mugabe is in charge looting and destroying.
whande you have good ideas but ideas are ideas. practically, tsangi’s stepping aside will only gift zanu. remember that zimbos are politically illiterate. they only know tsvangi and Mugabe that’s why other parties struggle to make any impact. if tsvangirai steps down now, it may take 15 years for the new leader to get new recognition which will play into zanu’s hands. violence though is totally a taboo.
Chindunduma u ar a fool,, e point is clear here,,morgan shld step down for e party 2 retrieve the confidence in pple of Zim,,,u can’t label a party by its leaders name,,, Do u know wat it mins?leader 4 life jus like mugabe,,,well we don’t want thawed have fought hard 4 dis
I totaly agree with Zvichapera. Upto 2016 should be Redemption and Reorganisation period. From then to 2018 elections should be time for decisive strategic planning for eminent victory. Thats that. NO to Tsvangirai’s zanu-pf tendencies.
As I alluded to earlier on, if the MDC is to redeem and reinvent itself, they need to reposition themselves by implementing a transition mechanism to 2016.
You are right Danza in stating that, the need to reorient themselves by having an interim leadership.
This is the same party I remember that used to advocate for transitory leadership during the GNU era. Why can’t they implement these transitoty ideas in their party if they expected to implement them at national level
Pple u ar not focused,yes Zanu Pf looted agreed then how 2 solve it? u can’t replace a dictator with another dictator ,,,both guys ar clinging 2 power its hazardous fella,,,,i think this is easier 2 understand
Agreed. Tsvangirai should step down! He will be a hero for doing so. I think Stive Masiiywa for President!
We need a clarion call for Masiyiwa to come and become President of the Country. We need him as a matter of urgency. He is the only Zimbo who is as popular as the other 2 and in the eyes of the public untainted. He can do a lot more for the young and old orphans of Zimbabwe than he is doing with his Trust. He is the MAN.
I am 100% sure that Zanu PF is very happy that Morgan is clinging on to the leadership of MDC….
The MDC are guilty of Achans sin: taking the things from the enemy’s camp (during the GNU)into their camp There needs to be a complete turn around. Complete repentance! In fact as a nation we should all be weeping over the sin of Zimbabwe!
Iwe Whande, you are now insulting us with you Zanu Pf inspired discourse. Why cant you suggest this to your president Kabila? As MDC, they know better how to ran their affairs. What is you worry? There are so many alternatives for you. There is Zunde (brand new, inviting membership), mdc n is calling for new ideas like you have, Mavambo is also smart and calculating like a leopard, waiting to slaughter its prey without putting much effort. There is DCM 99, not sure whether i spelt it right.
MDC will discuss the matter of leadership renewal in 2016. Haunzwi, kuDRC ndekeFrench……..frets akrakts, die prenchise viars, 2016 wah MDC
Tsvangirai wadii mose murimagwara kwanzi we are struggling to renove Zanu Pf makavanda ku Diaspora. Muno macho mawhindi ndiwo macouncillor nokutya kwenyu mazidofo. Vana Mangoma kudhonzwa T shirt kurowha. Tsvangirai is popular with grassroots like it or not ivo vanaMangoma zvavakadyiwa kuManicaland tovarasha. You are free to mobilise for 2016 and takeover power kwete kuita sokuti Tsvangirai wachinja Constitution kuti arambire pachigaro. Huyai ku Congress muzvionere tabva nawo kure musangano uyu.
Every one here is calling for Tsvangirayi to step down, All I have heard is step down but for us supporters we need to here someone saying I can do better than Tsvangirayi in ABCD, not to just ask him to step down, Why is there not someone brave enough to fill Tsvangirayi’s shoes?. Mudzuri said he wants to take over but he does not tell us what his policies are or how different from MT he will takle the issues. Mr Whande MT has a lot of supporters to sway these supporters there has to appear an alternative and the alternative has to be as brave as or better than MT or at least brave enough to stand up to MT not this mahumbwe that we are seeing from Mangoma and co.
Biti and Mangoma negotiated the GPA in bad faith taking advantage of perceived weaknesses in Morgan. As a result nothing they negotiated was implemented leaving Morgan with no power in the GNU. In parliament non of the two raised issue about murderous ghost workers which Biti continued to pay till he left. They believed once he loses this time everyone would turn against Morgan and they takeover power for personal gain for they know they cannot remove ZPF from power 2 years after their ascendence to power with the merchants of intimidation the ghost workers intact. Their shock now is that people are not easily fooled and soon they will be history.RMT is not power hungry he will soon leave the power but only in safe hands and not Gono’s lawyer.
I support ur sentiment Jose , I really wonders what type of advisors Mr Tsvangirai have , yes we know he has grass roots support , but he had failed to claim & reedeem people ‘s power ,now I won’t hesitate to come out openly stating that he must step aside , we are not saying he must quit MDC , no , he must be part of MDC,for the struggle to continue,, people of Zimbabwe & supporters of Mdc , if u have a mentality that Mdc is Tsvangirai , you are dead wrong , the more time we take quarreling about him not to step down the more the chance Mdc & the mass will bound to board a burnt wagon.
How are u mr Muronzi ,yes We know Morgan has surppot , ,because people of Zimbabwe had been loyal, patience and had persisted unconduciveness of our country , hoping to see change through , Morgan Richard Tsvangirai , my question to you my dear brother ,is the support was there & it’s still there so with this support which he is having where is he failing to claim the victory ,if u dig deep into this question u will get an answer not one answer but many answers .
It is bookish Tononoka to speak about leadership renewal when you actually mean leader removal. The “leadership renewal” phrase in its plurality form requires you to identify a couple of office bearers in the MDC top six who together with Tsvangirai have failed our expectations.
Tell us the “how” part of party rejuvenation is needed at the moment. Has Mangoma and his class ever suggested any form of party motivation and hacked down other than calling for leadership change without presenting any blueprint towards party renewal?
Tononoka, you forget that some guys are non political brands once out of the movement. Am i the only one who knows that Wade was in opposition politics for 26 years in Senegal? Its not light work to dismantle black repression. In any case, you can join new opposition groupings that are sprouting across the country, they are “juvenated” already, they need no rejuvenation if you can comprehend this.
RMT forever
I am afraid Tanonoka Joseph Whande, from the start you are betraying your cause, just like many MDC-T supporters (read: Tsvangirai supporters), the majority who are Shona.
Quite clearly you are a well educated man; an adult/grown up somebody, who I presume is very much aware of the history of the original MDC party.
I dont want to believe you are like many of these youngsters who parade themselves as MDC-T supporters, but do not appear to know what they support; why they support the MDC-T and furthermore, deliberately twist the history of this party – which history clearly explains the party’s current predicament. This history parallels that of their bigger brother; the gukurahundi ZANU PF party.
I have a problem with you constantly refering to Tsvangirai’s party as the MDC.
Tsvangirayi’s party is NOT the MDC. Tsvangirayi leads the MDC-T, NOT the MDC. The MDC is led by Welshman Ncube. You can verify this with the Electoral Commission. Even the ballot boxes in the July 2013 elections were printed as such.
The constant reference to the MDC-T as the MDC is a refusal on your part, as it is by many like minded Tsvangirayi followers, to accept the causes of the party’s splitting in 2005 – hence the current problems you are now complaining about.
You are actually complaining about the very SAME ISSUES that led to the party splitting in 2005; which issues you all refused to acknowledge at the time; ALL because of, as usual; SHONA TRIBALISM!!
There is absolutely nothing new in what you are saying. Welshman Ncube and company raised these issues several time in 2005 and thereafter. You don’t tell me you don’t know about “Tsvangirayi’s Kitchen Cabinet”?
As I said, you are an educated old man – you certainly wouldn’t have forgotten such a short history; you should know about this – what then is new today that you are now condemning Tsvangirayi for?
Many of us raised the issue of Tsvangirayi being a “little/younger Mugabe”; and “upcoming dictator”, you all ignored this because of Shona tribalism – Tsvangirayi is Shona, therefore he has to be supported at all costs.
Welshman is a Mthwakazi, therefore he has to be rejected at all costs – no matter how reasonable or correct he could be in his assessment of the situation. In your mind, doesn’t this ring a bell about the PF ZAPU/ZANU PF politics of the 1980s?
This is why many philosophers of yesteryear always stated that “if you can not learn from history, you are bound to repeat it”. Clearly, many Shona peaople refuse to learn from the 1980s history, hence the constant replay of this sad history in Zim’s politics.
Always remember: the past informs the present, and the present informs the future. And as Ian Douglas Smith once remarked, “A Statesman looks into the nation’s future; whilst a politician focuses on the next election”. Both Tswangirayi and his gukurahundi father, Robert Mugabe fit this definition of a politician very, very well.
If Tsvangirayi was a Statesman, we would love to know from him and his MDC-T party, what “MANDEVERE AWANDISA” means; coming from a party that is supposedly democratic?
Shonas have a problem of creating personality cults in Zim’s politics. You did this with Robert Mugabe in the 1980s and made him what he is today; look at what we are now beset with?
Despite this bitter experience, you have continued to do the same with Tsvangirayi and the results are all there for everyone to see.
For someone to go public and say, “I am the MDC – I dont care even if the party split” what does that say to you? and inspite of such telling statements, you all violently and stubbonly defend the man.
Tsvangirayi is doing all these things because of this so-called “GRASSROOTS SUPPORT” that many of you people have used time and again to justify his continued stay as the party’s leader.
How on earth a so-called educated people can use this so-called “grassroots support” to align themselves with someone who clearly lacks leadership qualities to lead a modern nation is beyond me. A man whose judgement of issues at hand is highly suspect; whose commitment to democratic values is questionable; whose commitment to “national-unity-in-diversity” is just as good as that of his opponent gukurahundi Mugabe – I am lost for words.
Instead of all this hullaballooo about Tswangirayi; accept that many of you people supported Tsvangirayi; NOT the MDC, the party founded in 1999.
This is why you went with Tsvangirayi, to form MDC-T when he split from the MDC; instead of going with the MDC to continue the struggle for democracy in a democratic and peaceful way.
Tswangirayi is a walking disaster – accept it – you made your MDC-T bed, now sleep on it; just as you made your gukurahundi ZANU PF bed in the 1980s, now sleep on it too.
ENJOY THE TWO BEDS – THEY ARE VERY WARM INDEED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mthakwazi, you are not being constructive, you are just too much of a tribalist. Not all Shona’s are criminals neither are all ndebeles criminals or tribalists
Judge a person by the content of their charactor, not by the color of their skin, tribe or religion
Zvichapera
The word TRIBALIST is the easiest to throw around in Zim if you dont agree with your opponent across the ethnic divide. Look at the facts and stop being emotional.
Yes not Shonas are criminals and mind you, I never said anything about criminality.
All I am saying is this – it is the majority who drive the direction of political developments in any country. In the case of Zim, the majority are Shona. This is not to say each and every Shona voted for Mugabe or Tsvangirayi – there were of course exceptions to this.
But the fact remains, the majority are responsible for the political and economic mess that is Zim today, due to the Shona cultural “wanawekumusha and the idya nehama, mutorwa anehanganwa” eliefs!!
Not in my GENERATION
The concept of ” mwana wekumusha” as you put it, is from fossilized generations like that of Bob. I am 36 years old having been bred in an urbanized environment like most of today’s youths. We do not have that mentality. Our sekurus a do prescribe to that just like their belief tha giving birth to twins is a curse
My generation has is more modern it’s approach with more eligntenment.
I had the privilege to attend business school abroad( thanks to my father’s hardwork, not Bob). In business school leadership classes, we were taught about ethno-relativism and etho-centrism.
Ethno-centrism is the belief that one race is more superior than the other, and ethno-relativism is the belief that we are all equal, no race or tribe is more superior than the other.
Our class was diverse in terms of race, tribe and religion. Today most successful leaders, be they in business or any other setup, prescribe to ethnorelativism, something that has clearly lacked in our country, Zimbabwe.
So, in a nutshell Mthakwzi, Do not promote racial or tribal segregation, otherwise you are no different from the gukurahundists. Judge a person by the content of their charactor, not because they are manyika or Karanga. It’s a thing of the past.
The onus is on our current generation ( am assuming you are not of Bob’s generation) to de-tribalise an de-racialist our creed and dogma. The world would be a better place if we all had such kind of mentality. It would also be a better place if we had leaders who prescribe to the utilitarian principle and know when it is time to pass on the baton, not to be in power for 34 years.
Not in my GENERATION
The concept of ” mwana wekumusha” as you put it, is from fossilized generations like that of Bob. I am 36 years old having been bred in an urbanized environment like most of today’s youths. We do not have that mentality. Our sekurus a do prescribe to that just like their belief tha giving birth to twins is a curse.
My generation is more modern it’s approach with more enlightenment.
I had the privilege to attend business school abroad( thanks to my father’s hardwork, not Bob). In business school leadership classes, we were taught about ethno-relativism and etho-centrism.
Ethno-centrism is the belief that one race is more superior than the other, and ethno-relativism is the belief that we are all equal, no race or tribe is more superior than the other.
Our class was diverse in terms of race, tribe and religion. Today most successful leaders, be they in business or any other setup, prescribe to ethnorelativism, something that has clearly lacked in our country, Zimbabwe.
So, in a nutshell Mthakwzi, Do not promote racial or tribal segregation, otherwise you are no different from the gukurahundists. Judge a person by the content of their charactor, not because they are manyika or Karanga. It’s a thing of the past.
The onus is on our current generation ( am assuming you are not of Bob’s generation) to de-tribalise an de-racialise our creed and dogma. The world would be a better place if we all had such kind of mentality. It would also be a better place if we had leaders who prescribe to the utilitarian principle and know when it is time to pass on the baton, not to be in power for 34 years.
The last comment is a mixture of good facts twisted by tribalism and topped with some chip-on-the-shoulder sentiments.
The acceptance of poor leadership is rampant across our continent; it is not something unique to Zimbabwe or the “Shona.” Likewise personality cults, be it (Zanu-Ndonga-Ndabaningi Sithole or Zapu-Nkomo)are not unique to any part of Zimbabwe or indeed the world (Cuba-Castro, North Korea-Sung dynasty, at one time Venezuela-Chavez, Malawi-Banda or even good old Smithy-RF etc.) It is more a reflection of the maturity of political culture and system than of tribe or race.
Let us not befuddle simple issues. Morgan fought a good fight, he was one of the key founding fathers of the MDC (by whatever name). He helped create a large base of support for the party. But the time has come for him to hand over the baton, especially since it is now clear after 3 attempts that he does not have the required skills for the next phase of the struggle.
Understandably he is fearful for his future without his position as MDC president, but he needs to be helped past his fears, not encouraged.
A strong system should not be so dependent on personalities: it is hard to remember the names of the last three presidents of Botswana before Ian Khama – and yet the country has run smoothly all along.
@Rwendo
I am challenging you to prove the claim you have made in this opening remark:
“The last comment is a mixture of good facts twisted by tribalism and topped with some chip-on-the-shoulder sentiments”.
Where is the tribalism in my contribution? As far as I am concerned, telling like it is, is never tribalism or racism in my book.
I cannot say this colour is blue, when the whole world can see that it is the colour white – hell no. I challenge you to prove the tribalism and disprove the facts about Tswangirayi and his supporters, over this issue of tribalism.
What are the chip-on-the-shoulder sentiments you are refering to? Again I challenge you to state them and I am prepared to go toe to toe with you on this one; if only to prove you totally wrong on this score.
My criticism of the acceptance of poor leadership, by the Shona in particular in the name of “grass roots support” is based on repeating history, where the same history is expected to have made people wiser over time.
Where is this maturity of political cuture or system among the Shona electorate; if 34 years down the line, the same system appears to perpetuate itself and there seems to be no change?
Worse still, the same political system of tribal intolerance in Zim’s politics is even engulfing the young; people born in the 1990s. These are people of the internet culture; people with access to google and all such technologies, but they continue to reason and vote like the Chaminukas; Kaguvis and Nehandas of old!!
You should not forget that there is this issue of MWANAWEKUMUSHA in the Shona culture. There is even a saying about the need to “eat with a relative” whatever one has got, because “an outsider forgets”…..mutorwa anehanganwa.
Transposed into politics, even in the modern day Zim politics; this would simply mean – “eat/vote” for a fellow Shona whatever the circumstances, because “an outsider/Mthwakazi/Ndebele/Sotho/Nambya/Khalanga/Venda/ etc forgets.”
Stating facts and the intrinsic cause of our present political predicament in Zim as a nation is not befuddling issues. You can only solve a problem if you are able to define the cause and accept it – not if you bury your head in the sand because the causes are too uncomfortable to confront head on.
I have never said Tswangirayi did not play his part; he indeed did and on that score we agree. He fought a good fight, I do accept that; but I dont believe he has to be rewarded with guaranteed leadership to State House, for the scares on his body. This is a struggle he committed himself to as a personal decision, no one forced him into it.
Different phases of the struggle always require different leadership attributes – unfortunately, in my view, Tswangirayi appears to have become just too desperate for power, that he has forgotten he is supposed to be fighting for democracy after all.
He has been using the same undemocratic tactics of tribalism, and labelling of opponents as used by gukurahundi ZANU PF/Mugabe in order to defeat his opponents. In many instances, this “grass-roots support” thing seems to have gone to his head!!
Painful truths! Those with ears have heard. Some of us said the same things in the 80s about Robert Mugabe, very very few listened. We said similar things prior to the 2005 MDC split, about Morgan Tswangirai, again very very few listened. Zimbabweans deserve what they are currently going through. They deserve this leadership that will clearly never take this country forward. I challenge everyone, just to pause for a moment and imagine what this country would be like if Joshua Nkomo had been elected Leader of the country in 1980.
Danisa
One thing I am very sure of is that had Nkomo taken over in 1980, there would have never been tribalism and racism in Zim.
His party PF ZAPU reflected national consciousness, with the majority Shona people in its upper echelons of power. Nkomo, just like Mandela was one politician who loved to engage; he was not unncessarily confrontational. This is why everytime he chose to do his own things and continued to pursue negotiations with Ian Smith; unlike Robert Mugabe who despite his weak military force always chose military solutions over negotiated solutions.
Even today, Mugabe is still very much the same – just check, how long did it take since the formation of the MDC in 1999, before he met Tsvangirayi across the negotiation table?
As to the continued adherence to democratic values; one can not say about Nkomo, as it is well known that all politicians are the same once they test power. Joshua Nkomo did on many occasions show this big-man African disease in the leadership of his party. One never knows since this was during the struggle.
But as for NATION BUILDING – the man was unparalled. He was number one. Objective Shona speaking people like Strive Masiyiwa recognised this, and appreciated it through his Scholarship initiatives.
There is no young and old Zimbabwean; even those of Robert Mugabe’a age who can quote even one sentence or word from Dr Joshua Nkomo’s mouth – throughout his history in politics, that could be interpreted as tribal. You can check the records; all the archives, you will find none.
The same can not be said of Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tswangirayi. Tribal insinuations attributable to them and their followers are aplenty – you lose count!!!!
All his children would be billionaires.
I think the MDC as a party has a constitution , and within that constitution there channels which should be followed to unsit the incumbent . It actually boggles our minds that we have got top lawyers within the party who are not willing to use the lawful means to convince Tsvangirai to step down. It appears pple are resorting to date tactics. Surely the NEC of the party knows the truth .
If Tsvangirai has the support of thru majority within the Nec , then he is a democrat. If the Nec majority wants him gone I don’t think it will take a day.
In my opinion , Tsvangirai had been a fool not to see that within the party senior anf powerful members have been campaigning against him ( bhora musango) with objective of him resigning after the elections. But him of thicker skin doesn’t give up so easily.
People consider this , a treasurer of the party voicing his concern before the elections , deputy treasurer writting a letter to for the head of the party to resign, a former organising secretary(Mudziri) throwing his candidature , the secretary general mum about the turmoil in the , the youth leader not listening to his constituancy ( the youth) , etc, etc.
Whoever will benefit from this should be someone from outsider. Biti and Mangoma were party of the failing team , they were chief negotiators during the gnu. They new what they were after and now they are after the kill.
Politics is dirt, even dirtier in Africa .
The MDC-T is now beyond psychological and moral repair. It is heavily infiltrated and composed of naive supporters who are now sworn Gukurahundi activist. Leadership renewal or change will not help the struggling people of Zimbabwe wherever they are. We need a third force to fight the evil Gukurahundism, which is spreading like a cancer within our body politic. period! !!
Mthwakazi: “Shonas have a problem of creating personality cults in Zim’s politics.” This sounds like someone looking at things through a tribal prism. AS I indicated, personality cults have been seen North, East and South of Zimbabwe, and beyond our borders, in other evolving democracies.
“You made your MDC-T bed, now sleep on it; just as you made your gukurahundi ZANU PF bed in the 1980s, now sleep on it too.” This too me sounded self-righteous, ignoring the fact that we are all in fact in the same bed, if we aspire to be one nation, whoever we may choose to vote for.
However, in truth, my first paragraph was unnecessarily provocative for a public forum. I should have written: “The last comment is a mixture of some good facts but with interpretations I question.” I leave it there.
@Rwendo
In response to the first paragraph; that we have had personality cults in our politics in the past and that there has been some elsewhere just as well, does not justify us perpetuating the same; especially given our own experiences of suffering under gukurahundi Mugabe.
All I am saying is; given the fact that the Shona people form the majority in terms of the electorate – they cannot expect positive change in Zim as long as they continue the failed voting patterns of the past, that are irrefutably informed by gukurahundi ZANU PF’s tribal politics of the struggle days and the early 1980s.
This is not looking at issues with a tribal lense in anyway; it’s merely stating the facts and the reality of politics in Zim. Positive change in Zim means a total paradigm shift on the part of the majority electorate.
It means doing things differently from the way ZANU PF has always done things; and engaging your opponents differently from the way gukurahundi Mugabe engages his opponents – particularly those from Matebeleland/Mthwakazi.
Regarding your second paragraph; again I am stating things as they are. It is the majority electorate, who happen to be Shona who determined the outcomes of the 1980 and 1985 elections that saw gukurahundi Mugabe consolidate his power through militarising the Zimbabwean society, by appointing only ex-ZANLA combatants in all key establishments in the country. Furthermore, it is the majority Shona people, who despite the glaring leadership weaknesses in Tswangirayi, decided to tribalise the 2005 MDC split and went along with Tswangirayi, notwithstanding his defeat over the 33 vs 31 votes in favour of participation in the Senate elections.
And interestingly so, despite their opposition, they later embraced the Senate idea, come the 2008 elections. One simply wonders; so what exactly was all the fighting for? the splitting of the party etc? Wasn’t this just tribal, because the majority vote had gone Welshman Ncube’s way?
As you can see, there is nothing self-righteous about this. I am merely presenting facts as they are. Even though we might all be suffering in all this; it’s just unfortunate that we in Mthwakazi have largely been victims of circumstances given our voting patterns of the past.
Clearly, we might take a stand as we did for a long time against Mugabe and ZANU PF – nothing changes unless the Shona electorate begins to see the light!!!
We all knew and many have called for Morgan to step aside since he conceded yet another decisive moment. This of the youths shows that Morgan is another Bob and he ( or the CIO )has organised the youths to intimidate his rivals. this action has one achieved one thing – the destruction of the MDC – so Morgan keep your party and become a minority and let watch a new opposition grow. Biti and Mangoma must leave the party immediately and join up with Simba Makoni and form a new party that will take the country by storm. These are the true and intelligent leader with credibility that we need and the time is right for such a move as the old mans days are nearing an end. Morgan has long lost the support of his members and needs to taken out of the political arena but as he will not go let him crumble with his few followers in Harvest house and become what he really is – a nothing.
Interesting reading. I want to believe in the well written piece. All that is left is for the writer to inform me the exact blunders that Tsvangison has made, how he made them and what he should have done instead, if there are known persons who would have taken this better route and why they did not or why they did not steer Tsvangison that way. If he refused, let him leave then.
Where there no others working against him, like withholding funding for the party’s campaign to see to their own selfish ends? The led must, at times, support the leader rather than dig under him.
Nonsence what renewal? Fish rots from the head, once the head is rotten, its pointless trying to remove the head.
Trying to renew the MDC is lik trying to wash a fish whose head has gone bad. It doesnt work coz its both futile and foolish. Let the MDC stick to its rotten head and you disgruntled MDC rebels can go form ur own party if you think you are better leaders than Tsvangison The Great!
You culd name it MDC-B. (B for Biti lol.) and thats the beauty of politics in Zezuruland.
Bayethe Mzilikazi.
Can someone enlighten me on one thing? After mangoma and bit have teamed up with makoni as is being suggested by others will they renegotiate better this time arround for reforms since the two were the mdc”t negotiaters. Or better still, do the two have an understanding or agreement with zanupf to impliment the existing outstanding reforms before the 2018 elections?
About 6 months ago many people including Biti and Mangoma were crying foul over an election stolen by Nikuv. Biti proved that people were bused from chendambuya, mangoma’ s constituency, to vote at Mt Pleasant. Now when they say they lost due to Tsvangirai and that things will be different with them, I ask myself ” vanofunga kuti tinopenga here, they were part of the leadership, they even represented the party at the highest level of negotiations. Kana vatadza vese ngavabve.”
we are missing the point here, Tsvangirai is not a dictator why i say so because he listens to everyone in the party , I am not perfect like any human being ,but zanu will celebrate if Tsvangirai steps down to the true cadres of the party lets fund the party enough to compete with zanu in 2018 if donors decide otherwise its fine we go without them ,we will respect their decision ,Its shocking to hear the party had just over hundred thousand dollars to campaign in the july election this is not time to fight each other.
Wy is it that the failure of MDC T is all blamed on Tsvangirai alone?If it’s leadership renewal then all of those Mangomas ,Bitis ,Mudzuris,Mwonzoras and all those in MDC T gvt shld go at the same tym with Tsvangirai,if Mangoma is to stay and so as Tsvangirai and if Tsvangirai goes so as Mangoma.Wre is Mangoma putting himself wen he talk of Tsvangirai stepping dwn,he must first step dwn himself then tok of others,he wants to fool us so he cn take ova after Tsvangirai.
I have read all the comments and statistically the odds are against tsvangirai.this is a simple survey to gauge mr tsvangirai’s popularity.i have been consistently voting for mdc since its inception but now i am not going to do so because mr tsvangirai blundered when he agreed to participate in july 31 elections without fundamental reforms.to me that was a sucker punch. Bravo Strive Masiiwa
I have very few contributions to make.
1. I do not like people who think Tsvangirai should stay because he has support. Tsvangirai is not the party. He should preach the party doctrine and make it clear he can die today while the party lives on.
2. Whande, with all due respect, you need a bit of education. Its not your emotional responses to episodes. Relax and breathe in and out. Someone said, if you believe you can do better, go for it and we will rally behind good ideas not Whande as a person. Please do not bark from a distance like a female dog that runs way when things get tough. We know you are not in Zimbabwe and even if you were, you would do the country a real service if you shout your ideas from the rooftop. Leave Tsvangirai and his people to sort the mess.
3. All MDC leaders are compromised. If anybody listened to me, I would invite Simba Makoni to take over opposition and fight an intelligent fight not one where people go to vote without knowing where the ballot papers are and who printed them and how many they are as well as how many stations are there. Biti please step aside and possibly join Zanu PF while at it. Its a game of survival-money and corruption.
4. Talking textbook politics from the comfort of your home pains a lot of people, some whose families were decimated by the evil at home. So be careful.
@Mthwakazi-I am really impressed with your comments above and detailed explanations inn proper order.Some might feel offended but you have stated the truth as it is.The majority of our people practice tribalism without knowing it because its being encouraged from higher levels.If you visit some government offices and churches in Mat region you get annoyed because local languages are deliberately not being used. What do you call that?
As I said, on tribalism:
“There is no young and old Zimbabwean; even those of Robert Mugabe’a age who can quote even one sentence or word from Dr Joshua Nkomo’s mouth – throughout his history in politics, that could be interpreted as tribal. You can check the records; all the archives, you will find none.
The same can not be said of Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tswangirayi. Tribal insinuations attributable to them and their followers are aplenty – you lose count!!!!”