via Tsvangirai’s arrogance a disappointment | The Zimbabwean by Benjamin Takavarasha 15.10.13
The claim by Morgan Tsvangirai in his address to party supporters in Masvingo recently to the effect that MDC-T would collapse if he was removed from its helm is nauseating and constitutes an unnecessary own goal both within his party and the country at large (The Zimbabwean 10 October). “If you remove me that will be the end of it and you all know that” he is quoted as saying.
As I understand it, MDC-T was not formed by one person as Tsvangirai’s statement seems to imply, but by a core group who then sold it to the nation. And those who joined in droves were committed to the ideals on offer rather than driven by blind loyalty to the core group, much less the founding President Tsvangirai himself. They all are just as much part of the project as the founding pioneers.
How different things have turned out to be from the Tsvangirai I first saw and heard in Kensington Town Hall, London in MDC’s early days when he humbly told the audience that he did not have the monopoly of wisdom and ideas, or words to that effect. As I understood it, this implied that he and his party would be receptive to constructive ideas and criticism. How different from the ‘one man show’ that his latest statement implies. This arrogant statement is undoubtedly a typical example of Lord Acton’s famous dictum to the effect that ‘Power corrupts and corrupts absolutely’.
Ironically Tsvangirai’s statement resonates with Robert Mugabe’s infamous statement at one of his Zanu (PF) Congresses when he said [on the party’s leadership] “There are no vacancies”. Both leaders, consciously or otherwise, undermine and at worst, insult, their followers – whether or not any of them aspire to leadership, albeit not a crime in itself in a supposed democracy.
Tsvangirai’s statement, unwittingly or otherwise, implicitly exposes the party’s poverty in personnel whereby of all the hordes of followers none of them except himself has the calibre of party leadership. How can an outsider contemplate joining a party in which one person, be it the founding President, is bigger than the party? How can an outsider want to join a party that would perish if its current leader was out of the way by death or otherwise?
I may not hold much brief for Job Sikhala but at least I would concur with him when he decried the personalised names of the MDC formations [MDC-T, MDC-M now MDC-N) even if it was to distinguish between them. For Tsvangirai in particular, it could have contributed to his notion that he and his party were inseparable. Perhaps it is high time MDC-T seriously considered an alternative name.
All in all, Tsvangirai’s statement has been an unfortunate own goal, not only a gift and ammunition to his traditional enemies or detraction, but also a disappointment to many of his loyal supporters along with those outside the party who had looked up to him, whatever his shortcomings, as the one viable alternative to the status quo.
COMMENTS
By refusing to go now, he is actually making the party weaker. No one is bigger than the party including Morgan himself.
anomboenderyiko musiyei abviswe neparty yake. ko imi sei musingati Mugabe akaba maelections aende
And he wonders why he lost the support of the public
Imi siyanayi naye Tsvangirayi kuti ndiye akabira here ma elections munoshaya zvekuitamutyika vana Robert Matibiri vane 33 years vachikanya nyika
Morgan is more years at da helm hakuna kwaanoenda
TSVANGIRAI IS MORE STUPID THAN A DONKEY.
your mother too!
Thembani you should learn to think before you engage your fingers. He was PM in a government that improved the decline brought about by Robert Mugabe, you might compare him to a donkey but he is a better donkey than Mugabe.
Morgan is a stupid person
True Tsvangirai is not indespensable to the party but he is needed now more than ever unless otherwise. The title of your article best suits MUGABE than anyone else.
I don’t buy into this idea anyway. Let the party decide what they want, whether he stays or not.
How many times do you have to lose to know that your strategies are useless.Tsvangirai is a failure he has made enough mistakes please.
Iwe Thembani you seem to be against Tsvangirayi as a person. Siyana naye. Bvisai Mugabe ndiye achembera
@Thembani – why did Mugabe not go when he was defeated by Morgan in 2008? And so what’s the fussy about Tsvangirai? Vanhu veZANU munonetsa, kuda kungotonga pese pese. Mind your ZANU business and leave Tsvangirai with his MDC. It’s the party to decide not you vekutonga nenganyavhu. Leave Tsvangirai alone.
@Diego Zhaba
We fuss about Tswangirayi because he and his MDCT claim to be democrats who are fighting to introduce democracy in Zimbabwe. Now, you cannot act undemocratically when you purport to be a democrat. We dont want another Mugabe.
Mugabe and his party have never pretended to be democrats, in fact they wanted a one party state in the 1980s. This is why singazikhathazi ngabo, ngoba siyabazi ukuthi bavele bangamaGukurawundi!!
This is what happens when you allow the “brand” to take precedence over the party and you include the leader’s brand in your party name. This has happened to both MDC’s. The leader thinks he IS the party and consequently he ranks himself above the party, no matter how badly he behaves or what mistakes he makes. Delusions of grandeur begin to fill his mind as he becomes less and less accountable. He then thinks that the party owes him a living and starts to use the party’s funds as a personal bank account.
This is the situation facing the democratic movements in Zimbabwe today. Unless action is taken to rectify this, the diaspora will never be able to return and Zimbabwe will continue to be ruled by dictatorship.
Fellow countrymen and women, the parties of change urgently need real change in the quality of leadership. It is arrogant in the extreme for Morgan Tsvangirai to say that the party will collapse if he steps down. He needs to realise that the party is much bigger than him and that some of the numerous ridiculous decisions he has made since 2008 has cost the country and the people of Zimbabwe BIG TIME!
@Nzou
Stop lying. Our MDC is just that the MDC. It doesnt have that “N” that you like fixing onto the name. Did you see an “N” on the ballot papers in the recent elections?
Our party is NOT about Welshman Ncube, it is the media and the tribalists who focus on Ncube as a person, rather than focusing on the party itself, the MDC.
You can not quote any statement from Ncube at any time where he conflates his person with the party. If you have this evidence, please present it here!!
@Mthwakazi. What Nzou says went right over the top of your head. Read it again slowly so it sinks in.
Nzou, you come across as a true patriot who puts the country first before personal interests. can we please chat some more in a more secure environment than this. Some of the language used on this blog is too uncivil. My email address is jhuruva2002@yahoo.co.uk Thanks.
For now Tsvangirai is the commander in chief, take him away and the party crumbles. Leaders can’t be changed in the mmiddle of battle. Those advocating for change are ZPF who what to see the party weakened. They tried MDC N, MDC 99 and now they seek MDC-Biti. More-gain is MORE
A failed commander in chief is a failed commander in chief. If you back a loser, you keep losing. It’s a no brainer
That is as true as tomorrows rising sun Jena,what you have articulated.Those advocating for him to leave are either zpf or infiltrators.
You have said my bro. Those with ear will hear.
Hey you must leave Tsvangirai alone,you all know African Leaders know all tactics to use to keep on in power.You are running a marathon in your minds,Tsvangirai didn’t contribute in losing the elections,the truth is MDC has been winning the elections since 2000 bt those power hungry,corruptive idiots can’t take it…In the 2008 violent elections it indicated tht Zanu-PF has been defeated t demanded re-run without telling the public the results.
To hell with all those who are saying Tsvangirai must step down lets face the facts!!!!
Tsvangirai is not running mdc alone.Removing him will mark the end of the party. He is indispensable at moment.You can not change the captain in the middle of the storm
@Austin Vuma – Good thinking of the political dynamics at play. The rest who are calling for him to step down at this crucial time fear ZANU will be trounced come 2018 because the old man will be gone, and non from his team can stand up to the MDC challenge.
So are you saying it is wise to take the country into an election when you know it will be rigged against the people?
So are you saying it is wise to take the country into an election when you know that NIKUV (Israeli company) is working with zanupf to trash the voters roll?
So are you saying it is wise to take the country into an election when you have not inspected the voters roll?
If the answer is yes, then you are a fool like Tsvangirai
Leaving Tswangirayi alone is not democracy, Mr Democracy wisher!!
Bathathe Tsvangison kaMorgan, MDC-Tea is yours and yours alone
That’s the sobber truth. The MDC will lose support if Tsvangirai leaves the party. Varume hutungamiri chipo. Its a favour from God.
You are not the one to say if you go the mdc is dead yes it’s true but Tsvangirai you are not the one to tell the people sorry.
Tsvangirai is not Zimbabwe’s problem, Mugabe is. Let us not play into the hands of ZANU PF’s intelligence.
@Bambanani Sizwesakithi
Siphukuphuku. Sithuthandini!!!!!!!
The two are both the main problem in Zim. They are just two sides of the same coin.
That is why they speak the same language of dictatorship “the party will die if I LEAVE..”!!
The MDC-T should come up with a name that is independent from an Individual eg MDC Zimbabwe, MDC Football Club , MDC Chaiyo chaiyo, MDC Original, MDC Mistakes are Common, whatever and sell it to its Constituents
Benjamin Takavarasha, listen here my friend. We in the green team MDC have time and again told you people that we are NOT MDC-N, we are MDC. Go to the official national party registration records, you will see that there is no MDC-N. It is you people in the media who are the problem. Even the ballot paper of the recent election do not have this MDC-N of yours.
As for Tswangirayi’s arrogance, you all have been told, and warned in the past that Tswangirayi is an upcoming dictator, you would not listen. Driven by your tribalism, you all though Welshman was a fool.
In 2005 when the party split, didnt Tswangirayi say “…I am the MDC……I dont care even if the party splits…”?
You all ignored this because he is one of your own, he speaks your language, he is your tribesmanetc, etc. An exact repeat of the Joshua Nkomo era tribal politics of the 1980s, that saw you dance and sing in praise of Mugabe and insulting Nkomo left right and centre.
Indeed you never learn. Now will you please shut up and enjoy the election defeat quietly!!!
Tsvangirayi must stay until those purporting to be true democrats grow horns. The writer of this article has a hidden agenda and is a front for Zanu. The common man and woman in Zimbabwe see hope in Tsvangirayi. The congress will decide who to succeed him not a writer of some skewed article who is trying to sow division in the party of excellence. Takavarasha and Thembani can vote for Zanu in 2018 and MDC wont lose sleep. Thembani must tell the ghost that leads Zanu to go and rest first and leave the youthful Morgan alone. Save musacheuka muridzo! All sober-minded Zimbabweans are behind you.
The writer never said Tswangirayi should leave. All he is against is the language of arrogance, about the party falling apart after Tswangirayi leaves.
This is the same argument gukurahundi Mugabe uses to justify his continued stay at the helm of his party and the country’s Presidency!!
@ Chitova- well done. These are ZANU people purpoting to be MDC supporters.
MDCT is Tsvangirai he can go and the party will continue. How did he arrive to that conclusion.He can go now zimbabwe has no problem if he choose or if he voted out.Why does he want to die at the top. Good leaders resign and cets an award for that, Think twise.
Chitova
I will never be ZANU and neither will I support a loser like Tsvangirai. The fact is Tvangirai is a loser no doubt about that..Prove me wrong.
If Tsvangirayi really uttered those words then its most unfortunate. I hope he was merely grandstanding as politicians do from time to time.His departure is definitely not the end of the party.Far from it.
I would liket believe that this so called Benjamin whatever Takavara—–somehing lie that should leave Tsvangirai and MDC -T to us the supporters. what is your problem man? Get lost and nevr be found
MDC is a political party yes, however people need to look at how popular the labour union was when Tsvangirai and Sibanda were there as leaders, now it seem no ZCTU in Zimbabwe. Check how NCA was during his leadership and check now with Madhuku. Check University of Zimbabwe SRC during Authur Muthambara’s or Learnmore Jongwe’s days as presidents and check now. Why? The person in his individual capacity as a leader plays a greater roll than all other guys below, thus why he is elected, its not just a place holder suitable for anyone. If it was not the case any one would be a leader, and no need for elections even for state president, people would just pick anyone and he becames a president. In as much as the statement may show self praise or arrogancy especially uttered by the incumbent its not very far from truth, remove Mugabe, and see if you will not change the face of Zanu Pf and even Zimbabwe at large. Look at Cuba during Fidely Castrol’s days and now. Policies or startegies for any political party or country without the brave leader to impliment and takind decisive decision to impliment would remain on paper. So genetlemen and ladies this is my opinion based on my observations. Remove a leader you change everything for better or for worse. In zimbabwe politics individual persons have a brand. Besides how many opposition political parties does Zimbabwe have, which party is more popular than MDC led by Tsvangirai, why?
Tsvangirai and hos MDC are no longer popular.In the past jokes of stupidity were about Muzenda, now stupidity jokes are about Tsvangirai.I bet he misses breakfast with Mugabe most.
its very sad to see the so called democrats comparing themselves to zanupf. How can you even say mugabe must gop first before tsvangirai can go and when anyone critisizes they are zanupf. I thought the standards are suppose to be completely different but in our case same fanana zanupf or mdc. why should i vote mdc then and risk being beaten and all sorts of things when in the end these people are as corrupt as zanupf and are self serving. The fact of the matter is that there are people around tsvangirai who feel when he leave they will also loose power so maintenance of the status core continues to benefit them despite the continual failure to come up with strategies to unseat zanupf.
so bruce you are saying there is no other leader in MDC who can replace tsvangirai just like there is no leader who can replace Mugabe. mandela, bill clinton, even in the opposition in south africa tony leon left, hellen Zille might be leaving after 2014 elections. The point is no matter how good a leader you are the button stick has to be passed it creates room for new ideas and new leaders to be groomed. There is no need to change constitution to mantain a leader that sets bad precedence for democracy.
@Benjamin Takavarasha
“…All in all, Tsvangirai’s statement has been an unfortunate own goal…also a disappointment to many of his loyal supporters along with those outside the party who had looked up to him, whatever his shortcomings, as the one viable alternative to the status quo…”
Looking up to a man with an open zip, and third leg at full mast? Pathetic!We would rather commiserate with barefooted ministers looking up to a Chinhoyi rock to ooze purified diesel than pathetic jerrymanderings queing behind a blind, clueless man with a tireless fornicating corck.
Maybe its high time this leadership change debate was taken up within the structures of our party rather than be played out in the media. It is good for press freedom and the right to freely express one’s opinion but surely somehow this agenda has the smell of a ZanuPf rotten agenda. Nevertheless, its true that our party strategies against Zanupf have not yielded the ultimate result; seeing the back end of Mugabe’s rule. My President is an iconic figure who knows what and when to do what is neccessary in the interests of the unity and common future of the party. Those within who, for personal reasons, or to please their Zanupf masters or are truly interested to inspire us towards the attainment of our democratic revolutionary goal; they surely know that the contestation of such positions can only take place within the frame work of a congress or an elective conference. So I suggest this debate be taken to “active” grassroots structures that have the mandate to vote and elect our leaders. The outcome will vindicate us all.
It’s getting harder and harder to support MDC, with Morgan as the leader. The more he tries to defend his untenable position, the more he drives me away from the party. He clearly lacks the democratic thinking which is supposed to be the cornerstone of MDC. Sad really.
All of you have said nothing , go back to the drawning board . It raises some trepidations that sellouts are campaigning against Tsvangira instead of telling us about how they will succeed this dead wood Mugabe , Tsvangarai is now out of the combined government and already things have turned around from bad to worse , this shows how powerful Tsvangarai is , he was born a leader and let him lead MDC T until we the MDC T members decide to change our leadership at thje appropriate time , ZANU MUST NOT TELL US WHAT TO DO , please back off. We liberated Zimbabwe through the bariel of gun with high hopes for better life , but its all a mess and shame because of ZANU PF , young boys who feels they are now more educated debate these bigger issues and try to be bigger than us , time is coming where by they will see us and start running away , becareful this is not what we fought for , bye i have got pains because of these pple who always gives a blind eye while ZANU PF messes up .
Muzenda was more likeable than Mugabe. You joke about Mugabe’s age and his dogs hear u, I can assure u you will wallow in prison. Jokes about Tsvangirayi will not bother him or MDC. Keep joking bcoz its healthy to laugh bt that wont change their resolve to lead the party.
Plse leave Tsvangirai alone.Mtwakazi Ncube wl never rule Zimbabwe and your party is as good as dead ,you are against Tsvangirai hoping that if people leave Mdc-t they wl come to your party you are dreaming ”uyapupa kakhulu ” as for Thembani stay with your Zanu pf its ok leave Mdc Alone why cant u tell us about indegenisation.Sory magent Save forever
I am a staunch supporter of Mdc-t and i feel my president did not get it right if he ever mentioned the arrogant statement.surely Chamisa is a sharp marketer ndakanyora newe imm ukandikunda.rebranding Mdc-t is long overdue why cant we name it Mdc-Together or even begin matalks ekuti mubatane mose ma mdc, after that all the old leadeship(tsvangirai, mutambara,ncube,job sikhala) step down and usher in new leadership with fresh impetus.These leaders have done a great job in their own right and automatically are Mdc elders. The time is now to initiate that varume,tikasadaro zanupf will rule forever. United we stand,divided we fall.Vatsvangirai na va ncube please to something to reunite mdc,you are now wiser and experienced!
own goal. shame shame shame on you tsvangirai. asi chii ne ma leaders e zimbabwe munofunga kuti hakuna a beter substitute here vanhu imimi. haaaaaa makubhowa manje. ipa vana chance yekupinda panyanga mhani. wakarwa hako but zvaramba.
The problem with Journalist they can misqoute you and feed the nation with lies . If it is true can u provide us with an audio version of what he said exactly then we can judge from there . Wavangisa chana chezhira watota nhema ndinovona wavekuda kupfeka chikumba cheZBC but isu hatina dhiri nhazvao Save Imhondoro Chinjaaaa Maiiitiro ako okunyora nhema sevapfana VaMuchechetere
Tsvangirai hasn’t delivered us yet I wonder why people complain about help him to fight not fight him , we will all win at last
The mdc brand is inseparable with our Morgan , long live mdc long live Morgan.
Tsvangirai and his MDC are no longer popular.In the past jokes of stupidity were about Muzenda, now stupidity jokes are about Tsvangirai.I bet he misses breakfast with Mugabe most.
I blieve that 2much of anything bcomes monotonous.Murume anowanzorohwa mbiri tsvimbo dzakasimba,uku hakuchisiri kurohwa asi kuzvindikitwa.Semazivire edu tese MDC haisiri yaaninani zvake,asi ibato rakaumbwa nevashandi Z.C.T.U.zvichakadaro anodawo zvake anogona kupinda panyanga.Vanoda kubatsira vaT. Kutsvaga zvavo wekushandisa.There must be a criteria when electing a president.We can’t just pick from anywhere.The rest give Ceaser what belongs to him.When chickens quit querelling for the food, they’ll often find that there is enough food.Vanhu vakawanda ndivo vasina manyatera rwendo rweMbire,asizve vazhinjisa ndivo vasisina zvigunwe netsoka.