MDC supporters have waited for too long to enter the Promised Land which tantalisingly and paradoxically appears so close and yet so far. Some of them stoically suffered harassment, torture, and even death at the hands of their political opponents, but were sustained by the hope that one day their sacrifices would be rewarded. Now that President Robert Mugabe has insisted that elections will be held in 2013, most MDC supporters expect to dance on the political grave of Zanu PF.
Opinion by John Chitakure However, that wish will remain wishful thinking unless Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Minister Welshman Ncube prove to be the political giants that they claim to be, by transcending their mutual hatred for each other, and go to the polls as a united front.
There are many reasons why a divided MDC cannot win the forthcoming elections, one of them being that the two MDC formations are going to share their supporters thereby unwarrantedly giving Zanu PF another bunch of keys to State House.
Unity between the two MDC factions is possible because history repeats itself, and history books are full of such coalitions that became success stories. Tsvangirai and Ncube must know that in politics, there are no permanent enemies, but permanent national interests.
What people want right now is change of government, and the only political party that can translate that dream into reality, at least for now, is MDC. However, there won’t t be an MDC government in Zimbabwe as long as there is disunity between the two MDC formations.
The MDC formations should take a leaf from Mugabe, a seasoned, shrewd, calculating, and cunning politician.
The fact that he, at 88 years of age, going on to 89, still has no challenger in Zanu PF proves his political prowess beyond any reasonable doubt. Moreso, the history of his political career bears witness to his political ingenuity.
He spent years in jail, but had the guts to reconcile with his jailers at independence. He lost nothing in forgiving.
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As if that was not enough, demonstration of his political intelligence and generosity, in 1987 he reconciled with Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo.
Last but not least, in 2009, Mugabe reconciled with Tsvangirai, and allowed him to become Premier, not a mean achievement for Tsvangirai.
Yes, circumstances forced Mugabe to do that, but at least, he had the audacity to be a student of the sign of the times.
The GNU restored Mugabe’s respect, credibility, authority, and gave him political longevity.
In politics, reconciliation is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of political maturity and prowess. Ncube and Tsvangirai must know that both Mugabe and Nkomo accepted their 1987 marriage of convenience, not because they were less intelligent or less popular, but because they both had the interests of the nation at heart.
If Tsvangirai accepted to sup with Mugabe, then it defies all reason that he cannot sup with Ncube, even if it means using a long spoon. They started the journey together, why not finish it together?
Tsvangirai and Ncube should be reminded, constantly and sternly, that they are not the real MDC, but the people, who have unwaveringly stood by them since 2 000 are, and these people deserve to be listened to.
If the people want the two MDC factions to go for elections as a united front, neither Ncube nor Tsvangirai should sacrifice that desire for his political expediency, selfishness, and myopic personal vendettas. In fact, the two are not indispensable members of the MDC.
Tsvangirai and Ncube should also be reminded that the people vote for them so that Mugabe can retire. They must remember that after next year’s elections there won’t be another GNU. Other political parties will emerge, probably equally or even more popular.
The MDC will be committed to the dustbins of political history just like what happened to both ZUD and ZUM. Tsvangirai and Ncube should not continue to play the blame game. People are not interested in knowing who refused to do what, they want unity, a new government, and independence from Zanu PF.
Both Tsvangirai and Ncube should know that, it’s 2013, or never. The blood of the people which was spilt during the liberation struggle and the 2008 presidential run-off, so that democracy could come to Zimbabwe, should not be taken for granted. No one should be asked for a vote that will be wasted.
The only way not to waste people’s votes is the unity way. Tsvangirai and Ncube, you either shape up or ship out.
- John Chitakure is a practical theologian based in Texas, USA. He writes in his personal capacity and can be reached at [email protected].
