PROMINENT academic Ibbo Mandaza has warned politicians against underrating MDC leader Welshman Ncube, saying the Industry and Commerce minister is “an integral part of this country’s politics”.
Report by Khanyile Mlotshwa Staff Reporter
Mandaza made the remarks during a symposium organised by Bulawayo Agenda at the Small City Hall on Thursday.
The symposium — titled: 2012 in Retrospect, Taking Stock of Key Socio-economic and Political Issues and Looking Forward to 2013 — was also attended by MDC-T policy director and Bulawayo South MP Eddie Cross and MDC deputy director of policy and strategy Joshua Mhambi, among others.
Mandaza urged the electorate against putting too much faith in political parties and individuals, but institutions of governance.
“If there is the so-called change within the next year, then what was a bad dream under (President Robert) Mugabe will be a nightmare under (Prime Minister Morgan) Tsvangirai,” he said.
“This is not because of anything about Tsvangirai, but because of the failure of the country’s governance institutions.” The former newspaper publisher also appeared to be discounting Cross’ claims that Ncube led to the split of the original MDC in 2005.
“On the MDC’s split, as a historian I have followed that split with an interest,” Mandaza said.
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“We all know the true story of what happened. Nonetheless, whatever one might think about him, Welshman Ncube is an integral part of this country.
“Welshman is there and he is a principal. He was in the principals’ meeting yesterday (Wednesday).
“It is important to understand that Zimbabwe is one of the most integrated countries in Africa.
“The issue of tribalism is a political myth. Let us stop this issue of dismissing people, people who have stood up to put up a voice.
“People have stood up to represent people and we should respect that.”
Speaking at the same occasion, political analyst and academic Lawton Hikwa said Zimbabwe should be looking forward to leadership renewal.
“For a long time, this nation has become obsessed with the word change,” he said.
“It has not been clear what change we want. It is time to let the young generation take over. If we had an armed struggle, there comes a time when that armed struggle becomes obsolete in history.
“If that has happened, what should stop generations of children of those who participated in the armed struggle from taking over the government with an understanding of the politics and economics of their time?”
