OPOSITION political parties see 2015 as the year to consolidate their positions, strengthen their structures and put in place alternative policies to those of Zanu PF which in the main have failed to take the country forward, they said.
PAIDAMOYO MUZULU SENIOR REPORTER
The opposition parties, particularly the main one, MDC-T, split earlier last year. The party was still working on reunifying the factions so that it could offer Zanu PF a strong fight for the votes in the next election.
The splinter MDC Renewal Team spokesman Jacob Mafume yesterday said his party hoped that 2015 would be a year for true contestation of ideas rather than political positions.
“2015 should be a year for contestation of ideas, not political positions as had been rife in the past year where the country witnessed infantile fights over positions in political parties,” Mafume said.
Mafume added that his party was ready to consolidate its unification with the Welshman Ncube-led coalition.
“We are going to intensify the push for a complete renewal of the country’s politics that it becomes people-centred and solves problems by seeing through the reunification process, engaging other democratic forces and putting alternative policies to the people of Zimbabwe,” he added.
Renewal Team and MDC formal announced their re-unification early December, saying the process would be complete by August 2015 when they will hold their inaugural elective congress.
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On the other hand, MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu said after its November congress, the party was gearing towards strengthening its structures across the country and re-positioning itself as a government-in-waiting.
“We will be working flat out to ensure that all structures are strengthened, united and in place as we put our claim as a government-in-waiting,” Gutu said.
He added that the party was working on its policy documents and would start the new year with a vibrant signature for its activities.
“We are a government-in-waiting and are coming up with policies that are viable to rescue the country from failed Zanu PF policies based on our social democracy ideology with the signature line — equal opportunities for all,” he said.
The party also promised to reconnect with its traditional allies like civil society and labour movements.
“We are also working on rebuilding synergies with our usual partners such as labour and civil society organisations as we work towards reclaiming our space and position in the national politics,” Gutu said.
Spokespersons for Simba Makoni’s Mavambo, Dumiso Dabengwa’s Zapu and MDC were not immediately available for comment.
However, these parties were involved in the talks for creating one merged opposition party under the banner of coalition for democrats.
