Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe, especially the various MDC formations, are a disappointing lot that have continued to let down the people and the struggle for a just, democratic Zimbabwe.
Dumisani O. Nkomo
Instead of focusing on mobilising the people on issues affecting them, they have continued to major on minor things and in effect have taken opposition politics back to the mid-1990s.
They have become a microcosim of Zanu PF, only that they are a lot weaker since they do not enjoy incumbency and the support of the coercive structures of the state such as the army, police and intelligence forces.
I would like to point out several factors that have weakened the opposition and continue to weaken opposition parties, especially the various MDCs. The foremost reason why the opposition parties have and will fail is their failure to unite as pointed out by Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa.
The fact is the opposition will never win elections unless they form a formidable united front capable of challenging and defeating Zanu PF.
The only way the opposition can unseat Zanu PF in the next elections is by forming a formidable issue-based united democratic front which has segments of progressive breakaway Zanu PF members and a whole lot of new leaders between the ages of 25 to 50. This united democratic front should be inclusive, including the MDC-T, MDC Renewal, MDC (Welshman Ncube), NCA and Zapu as well as progressive individuals and institutions.
I do not agree with many antics of the MDC-T, including blatant blundering by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai and cases of violence, intimidation etc within their party, but the fact is a united front without Tsvangirai and his party will be very weak.
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Likewise, a united front without MDC Renewal and MDC (Ncube) will be very weak because the two parties have rich intellectual capital and political history but questionable grassroots support.
Zapu would be crucial with its rich ideology and links with former and current members of the military establishment.
No one should come into this united front thinking that they are or will be the automatic leader because it may actually be the best idea to choose somebody who is not even leading any of those parties to lead this new coalition so as to do away with all the history and excess baggage.
(Personally, I think) the MDC-T has let down the people of Zimbabwe by engaging in an exercise of political suicide by literally donating 14 seats to Zanu PF after “expelling” 21 MPs. If the MDC-T decides not to contest in the by elections, it will be literally donating the seats to Zanu PF, hence betraying the people by failing to defend democratic space that they gained through the 2013 elections.
If they participate they will confirm their status as perpetual flip flops and masters of political acrobatics and a party that has no permanent position on anything and everything except being in perpetual opposition to anything and everything.
The recalling of the 21 will also adversely affect any chances of a united opposition for the elections, much to the joy of Zanu PF. The UMDC is being affected by small-mindedness, personal interests and in some cases personal ambitions which override capacity.
This will lead to a weak and fragmented opposition. Obviously, infiltration can never be ruled out as it is expected in politics in any country.
To enter into the rough domain of African politics and not expect infiltration would be the height of political naivety, hence opposition parties need sound intelligence infrastructure and stratagem built into their systems in order to deal with this ever present threat.
The number of opposition Members of Parliament have established themselves as Missing Persons (MPs) both in their constituencies and in the august House. Nauseatingly, they enjoy being called “Honourables” without understanding the first thing about being honourable.
My late uncle Sihambile Jeqe Stephen Nkomo was an MP for over 20 years and I don’t remember him even once wanting to be called honourable, unlike this undeserving horde of MPs who have failed to hold constituency feedback meetings for their constituents to hear grievances or to give feedback on parliamentary proceedings.
Some have failed to visit their constituencies and a vast majority have decided to be virtually non-speaking, non-acting legislators in Parliament.
This is unlike the days of Micah Bhebhe, Sidney Malunga, Byron Hove, Edward Ndlovu and Lazarus Nzarayebani who gave ministers a tough time in Parliament even though there were only one or two news outlets at the time.
There are exceptions of course like Jessie Majome and a few others, but most of them have failed to represent the people in Parliament.
With the advent of Information Communication Technology, one would have thought opposition MPs would take advantage of Twitter and Facebook to engage their constituents, but alas they are waiting for the next elections before they open Facebook pages and Vote-so-and-so-Twitter accounts.
Those who are active on social media expend their energy on internal character assassination, petty fights among themselves and social media subsidised ego trips. Our opposition political parties have failed to resonate with issues affecting ordinary people and have failed dismally to take advantage of factionalism within Zanu PF and instead they continue to disintegrate like amoebas, or is it replicate.
Unlike in South Africa, the United States and the United Kingdom where politicians actively contribute their views on pertinent issues in newspaper columns so that people understand their policies and perspectives, most of our opposition politicians seem unable or unwilling to engage these mediums.
It was therefore pleasing to see Moses Mzila Ndlovu writing on the Maleme issue in a local paper.
Others that have done well in this regard include David Coltart, Eddie Cross, Nhlanhla Ncube and Obert Gutu.
The times have changed and we need leaders that can engage the public on issues by taking their ideas onto public platforms.
Dumisani O. Nkomo is chief executive officer of Habakkuk Trust, a non-governmental organisation based in Bulawayo. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted on email: [email protected]; Twitter: @dumisani.nkomo or Skype: Dumisani Nkomo
