News / Local
I am ready to rule - Prof Welshman Ncube
11 Feb 2012 at 14:38hrs | Views
MDC leader, Professor Welshman Ncube has been under attack from a number of his political opponents. This week arecently launched regional weekly paper sought clarification on a number of issues pertaining his party, the inclusive government and his plans for the future.
Below is what he said.
1. There is talk in the media and elsewhere that there are 'gate-keepers' that prevent journalists or other party members from talking to you, why is that so, what are you being protected from?
I am directly accessible to the media every hour of the day. I take calls directly from journalist every day of the week. I don't even have a personal spokesperson. When you sought this interview you came directly to me and not through any "gatekeepers", who as a matter of fact do not exist in the party. Equally, subject to party protocol I and other senior leaders in the party, are available and accessible at all times to the ordinary membership of the party. As a party we believe in an open door policy and all the members of our party including myself are always accessible to both the media and membership of the party.
2. People say Gibson Sibanda died a dejected and angry man after witnessing you scheming about taking over the MDC presidency instead of him â€" what is your comment?
It is very sad that there are those who seek to soil the memory of the late Gibson Sibanda. He was a gentleman among gentleman. The best of the best in his humility, in his concern for the ordinary man and woman. He was a heroe of our struggles for freedom, be it from political oppression or poverty. He was never a dejected man. I was with him through out his long battle with cancer. I, together with Paul Themba Nyathi, Fletcher Dulini Ncube and Pricilah Misihairabwi Mushonga, were with him, the last night he spent at his house, the day before he passed away. We know what he was like and what he felt and what were his conerns right up to his last day. In any event, he passed away long before the processes for the MDC congress started. Let us not dishonour his memory. Furthermore, and for the record, there never was any scheming for the Presidency of the MDC. I was elected at the party's 3rd national Congress.
3. What is the nature of your relationship with the international community, for example Britain, United States of America and Canada, given that the said nations have clearly expressed by word and deed their support of Morgan Tsvangirai?
We are a party that believes that Zimbabwe must be part of the world of nations and we work with all nations that support our struggles for freedom and for the prosperity of every Zimbabwean. An MDC government we will work with all nations that respect our sovereignty and which desire to assist us rebuild our nation from the ruinous ZANU-PF rule.
4. What is the MDC position on the issue of gays and lesbians?
We are a party that is against discrimination of any kind and we believe in fairness and justice for all the people of Zimbabwe.
5. Is your party, the MDC, ready for national, harmonised or otherwise elections?
Yes we are. However, we insist that all the agreed reforms, including a new constitution, electoral reforms, media reforms, security sector reform together with the creation of a political environment conducive to a free and fair election, be in place before the holding of those elections. We refuse to be party to any further sham elections. We have had far too many in the past. Let us have a genuinely free and fair election. And may the best man or woman win.
6. If you are ready, who are your 'Trojan' horses?
If we have any we would not disclose them at this stage, otherwise they would cease being "Trojan horses".
7 Are you ready to rule Zimbabwe, and what makes you different from other presidential candidates / hopefuls?
Yes I am. I have done my apprenticeship. We have the vision for a prosperous Zimbabwe free from political repression and free from poverty. A Zimbabwe, where all will be prosperous and in which our young people will once again have a future. We are different in that we are true democrats at heart and in practice, with the individual and collective capacity and technocratic skills to lead and to restore the economic prosperity of our country. We are also untainted. Our party is the party of hope, the party of the future, the party of delivery. We are ready to lead. We have the policies to bring back prosperity to the nation.
8. What is the possibility of Zimbabweans going to polls this year?
Our view is that the reforms which need our collective attention and which are necessary to be in place before an election can be held can not be completed and fully implemented to hold a credible election this year. However, if these are done and fully implemented then let the election be held so that we can have a fully legitimate government arising out of the true free will of the people. As things stand now the conditions necessary for a free and fair election are not in place.
9. Do you think you are going to win the presidential elections as a Ndebele leader from Midlands given the tribal voting trends and number of Shona-speaking provinces in Zimbabwe?
I am not a Ndebele leader. I am a Zimbabwean leader who is Ndebele and who hails from the Midlands province. I am sure that you don't call Robert Mugabe a Shona leader from Mashonaland West nor do you call Morgan Tsvangirai a Shona leader from Manicaland or for that matter Simba Makoni, a Shona leader from Manicaland. You call them Zimbabwean leaders, as they surely are. Yes I believe that I am going to win the presidential election as a Zimbabwean leader ready to lead his country and with the capacity to bring about real change. As a party we have the policies that speak to the issues that are affecting Zimbabweans, policies that will address the multiplicity of challenges that face the country. We are a party of hope, a party of justice and fairness that believes in equity and equality for every Zimbabwean and this is part of what we are offering to the people of Zimbabwe.
10. MDC T and Zanu PF are reportedly conniving to 'dilute' the issue of devolution of power during the drafting process of the new constitution. It is said that the two parties want for example, elected governors who however do not have powers â€" have your MDC drafters reported any case of foul play regarding the correct capturing of what the people said. If yes, on what issues?
Devolution is one of the key issues that my party campaigned for during the constitution making exercise and we believe that it is one of the key pillars of democracy. We are committing as a party to insist on true and real devolution being enshrined in the new constitution of Zimbabwe. I do not believe that there is any party that is opposed to devolution. Our reading is that the overwhelming majority of our people called for devolution during the COPAC outreach programmes.
11. Some members of your party's top leadership have been quoted in the media declaring that some constituencies' e.g Mzingwane have been liberated and now have declared candidates. Is this not a form of imposing candidates by your executive, prior to any primary elections, if not what is it in the context of fair internal party democracy?
Candidate selection will be done in terms of the party constitution once the election dates are known. As of now we have not even commenced candidate selection for the forthcoming elections. Clearly, there is no declared candidate for Mzingwane or any other constituency. We have clear cut processes and procedures that are laid out in our constitution regarding candidate selection. We respect the constitution of the party and we abide by its dictates as it is the vehicle for achieving internal democracy. We do not and will never impose candidates as we have a free and transparent process of candidate selection for any position in the party.
12. Did PM Tsvangirai invite you and or any member of your party for the aborted Inyanga cabinet retreat to discuss the government work plan?
Every Minister and Deputy Minister, including myself, was invited.
13. What is the latest on the government work plan and what is the position of your party on it?
It is still being developed within government structures.
14. Do you think it is ok for Ndebeles and or Zimbabweans in general to continue living under the shadow of Joshua Nkomo? That is, continue being told not to do and or say this or that in politics because Joshua Nkomo said, did or intended to say or do certain things?
I am not aware that any one is being told what you are saying. What I know is that Joshua Nkomo was a Zimbabwean national leader, indeed not just a hero of our nation but an icon who left a legacy of selfless leadership. We will always live under the shadows of our national icons. There is everything right with that. is a legacy for this country and for the people of Zimbabwe.
15. Has cabinet ever discussed the issue of exhumations â€" what specifically discussed and resolved?
Yes, but I am precluded from giving you the details of those discussions.
16. We understand that there are bones that were lifted from elsewhere and dumped in the Njelele area or somewhere in Matopo are you aware of this as a party, if you are, what are you doing?
I am not aware of that allegation.
17. The people of Matabeleland and Midlands are yearning for answers on the Gukurahundi atrocities, as a party what is your take on the issue and who should be charged for the atrocities.
The Gukurahundi atrocities should be dealt with as a way to achieve nation building through truth and restorative justice. We need as a nation to allow the victims to talk and tell their story so that the whole nation can hear them. We need to allow the victims, the survivors, the perpetrators and the nation to know what really happened, where and when because unless we do that there is no way the nation is going to heal. We believe as a party that there is need for a Truth Commission which will be tasked with dealing with the atrocities from helping people talk, listening to their stories, documenting those stories to allow for restorative justice and also for us as a nation to say never again will allow such an atrocity to happen in our country. At the moment we have assigned this work to the organ on National Healing. In the long term we need a Truth Commission, otherwise we will remain prisoners of the wrongs of the past. We must find a way of coming to terms with our past, however ugly and painful that past might be.
18. The inclusive Government is viewed as a success story in dealing with the pre-2008 instability, politically and economically â€" with regards to Matabeleland what benefits do you think the region has realised from the GNU? Do you think the GNU developed any 'proMatabeleland' development policies besides the Dimaf allocation?
As a party we believe that the Inclusive Government brought stability for the people of Zimbabwe as a whole politically and economically. DIMAF's first port of call is Bulawayo because Bulawayo is historically the hub of Zimbabwe,s industrial base. The years of decline affected Bulawayo the most partly because of its history as the country's industrial base and partly because of skewed policies which reconstructed Harare as a Bambazonke.
We also believe that as a party there are voices in the Inclusive Government that are beginning to talk not just about Matebeleland issues but rather about how marginalisation has for a long time affected the people of Zimbabwe in various regions and how marginalisation has become institutionalised through centralisation of power.
19. Can you shed light on which companies are set to benefit from the Dimaf and what programmes do you have for the region as a minister of Industry and Commerce
Once the process are complete my Ministry will make public not just the beneficiary companies but also all the applicants.
20. Can you clarify your party's position on a proposed unity pact between yourselves and the Dumiso Dabengwa led Zapu?
I am not aware of any proposed pact with ZAPU. However, we remain open to dialogue with any and all democratic formations which share our values and principles.
21. Let's suppose this pact comes into life, how would you work with Dumiso Dabengwa and in what capacity?
It is foolhardy to answer hypothetical questions.
22. What is your message to Zimbabweans as the year 2012.
To Zimbabweans we say this is the year when we should all come together to make sure we have all the reforms that are necessary for us to go for a free and fair election. It is the time for Zimbabweans to join and support the party of justice, fairness and prosperity. Together we will complete the change for a prosperous Zimbabwe.
Below is what he said.
1. There is talk in the media and elsewhere that there are 'gate-keepers' that prevent journalists or other party members from talking to you, why is that so, what are you being protected from?
I am directly accessible to the media every hour of the day. I take calls directly from journalist every day of the week. I don't even have a personal spokesperson. When you sought this interview you came directly to me and not through any "gatekeepers", who as a matter of fact do not exist in the party. Equally, subject to party protocol I and other senior leaders in the party, are available and accessible at all times to the ordinary membership of the party. As a party we believe in an open door policy and all the members of our party including myself are always accessible to both the media and membership of the party.
2. People say Gibson Sibanda died a dejected and angry man after witnessing you scheming about taking over the MDC presidency instead of him â€" what is your comment?
It is very sad that there are those who seek to soil the memory of the late Gibson Sibanda. He was a gentleman among gentleman. The best of the best in his humility, in his concern for the ordinary man and woman. He was a heroe of our struggles for freedom, be it from political oppression or poverty. He was never a dejected man. I was with him through out his long battle with cancer. I, together with Paul Themba Nyathi, Fletcher Dulini Ncube and Pricilah Misihairabwi Mushonga, were with him, the last night he spent at his house, the day before he passed away. We know what he was like and what he felt and what were his conerns right up to his last day. In any event, he passed away long before the processes for the MDC congress started. Let us not dishonour his memory. Furthermore, and for the record, there never was any scheming for the Presidency of the MDC. I was elected at the party's 3rd national Congress.
3. What is the nature of your relationship with the international community, for example Britain, United States of America and Canada, given that the said nations have clearly expressed by word and deed their support of Morgan Tsvangirai?
We are a party that believes that Zimbabwe must be part of the world of nations and we work with all nations that support our struggles for freedom and for the prosperity of every Zimbabwean. An MDC government we will work with all nations that respect our sovereignty and which desire to assist us rebuild our nation from the ruinous ZANU-PF rule.
4. What is the MDC position on the issue of gays and lesbians?
We are a party that is against discrimination of any kind and we believe in fairness and justice for all the people of Zimbabwe.
5. Is your party, the MDC, ready for national, harmonised or otherwise elections?
Yes we are. However, we insist that all the agreed reforms, including a new constitution, electoral reforms, media reforms, security sector reform together with the creation of a political environment conducive to a free and fair election, be in place before the holding of those elections. We refuse to be party to any further sham elections. We have had far too many in the past. Let us have a genuinely free and fair election. And may the best man or woman win.
6. If you are ready, who are your 'Trojan' horses?
If we have any we would not disclose them at this stage, otherwise they would cease being "Trojan horses".
7 Are you ready to rule Zimbabwe, and what makes you different from other presidential candidates / hopefuls?
Yes I am. I have done my apprenticeship. We have the vision for a prosperous Zimbabwe free from political repression and free from poverty. A Zimbabwe, where all will be prosperous and in which our young people will once again have a future. We are different in that we are true democrats at heart and in practice, with the individual and collective capacity and technocratic skills to lead and to restore the economic prosperity of our country. We are also untainted. Our party is the party of hope, the party of the future, the party of delivery. We are ready to lead. We have the policies to bring back prosperity to the nation.
8. What is the possibility of Zimbabweans going to polls this year?
Our view is that the reforms which need our collective attention and which are necessary to be in place before an election can be held can not be completed and fully implemented to hold a credible election this year. However, if these are done and fully implemented then let the election be held so that we can have a fully legitimate government arising out of the true free will of the people. As things stand now the conditions necessary for a free and fair election are not in place.
9. Do you think you are going to win the presidential elections as a Ndebele leader from Midlands given the tribal voting trends and number of Shona-speaking provinces in Zimbabwe?
I am not a Ndebele leader. I am a Zimbabwean leader who is Ndebele and who hails from the Midlands province. I am sure that you don't call Robert Mugabe a Shona leader from Mashonaland West nor do you call Morgan Tsvangirai a Shona leader from Manicaland or for that matter Simba Makoni, a Shona leader from Manicaland. You call them Zimbabwean leaders, as they surely are. Yes I believe that I am going to win the presidential election as a Zimbabwean leader ready to lead his country and with the capacity to bring about real change. As a party we have the policies that speak to the issues that are affecting Zimbabweans, policies that will address the multiplicity of challenges that face the country. We are a party of hope, a party of justice and fairness that believes in equity and equality for every Zimbabwean and this is part of what we are offering to the people of Zimbabwe.
10. MDC T and Zanu PF are reportedly conniving to 'dilute' the issue of devolution of power during the drafting process of the new constitution. It is said that the two parties want for example, elected governors who however do not have powers â€" have your MDC drafters reported any case of foul play regarding the correct capturing of what the people said. If yes, on what issues?
Devolution is one of the key issues that my party campaigned for during the constitution making exercise and we believe that it is one of the key pillars of democracy. We are committing as a party to insist on true and real devolution being enshrined in the new constitution of Zimbabwe. I do not believe that there is any party that is opposed to devolution. Our reading is that the overwhelming majority of our people called for devolution during the COPAC outreach programmes.
11. Some members of your party's top leadership have been quoted in the media declaring that some constituencies' e.g Mzingwane have been liberated and now have declared candidates. Is this not a form of imposing candidates by your executive, prior to any primary elections, if not what is it in the context of fair internal party democracy?
12. Did PM Tsvangirai invite you and or any member of your party for the aborted Inyanga cabinet retreat to discuss the government work plan?
Every Minister and Deputy Minister, including myself, was invited.
13. What is the latest on the government work plan and what is the position of your party on it?
It is still being developed within government structures.
14. Do you think it is ok for Ndebeles and or Zimbabweans in general to continue living under the shadow of Joshua Nkomo? That is, continue being told not to do and or say this or that in politics because Joshua Nkomo said, did or intended to say or do certain things?
I am not aware that any one is being told what you are saying. What I know is that Joshua Nkomo was a Zimbabwean national leader, indeed not just a hero of our nation but an icon who left a legacy of selfless leadership. We will always live under the shadows of our national icons. There is everything right with that. is a legacy for this country and for the people of Zimbabwe.
15. Has cabinet ever discussed the issue of exhumations â€" what specifically discussed and resolved?
Yes, but I am precluded from giving you the details of those discussions.
16. We understand that there are bones that were lifted from elsewhere and dumped in the Njelele area or somewhere in Matopo are you aware of this as a party, if you are, what are you doing?
I am not aware of that allegation.
17. The people of Matabeleland and Midlands are yearning for answers on the Gukurahundi atrocities, as a party what is your take on the issue and who should be charged for the atrocities.
The Gukurahundi atrocities should be dealt with as a way to achieve nation building through truth and restorative justice. We need as a nation to allow the victims to talk and tell their story so that the whole nation can hear them. We need to allow the victims, the survivors, the perpetrators and the nation to know what really happened, where and when because unless we do that there is no way the nation is going to heal. We believe as a party that there is need for a Truth Commission which will be tasked with dealing with the atrocities from helping people talk, listening to their stories, documenting those stories to allow for restorative justice and also for us as a nation to say never again will allow such an atrocity to happen in our country. At the moment we have assigned this work to the organ on National Healing. In the long term we need a Truth Commission, otherwise we will remain prisoners of the wrongs of the past. We must find a way of coming to terms with our past, however ugly and painful that past might be.
18. The inclusive Government is viewed as a success story in dealing with the pre-2008 instability, politically and economically â€" with regards to Matabeleland what benefits do you think the region has realised from the GNU? Do you think the GNU developed any 'proMatabeleland' development policies besides the Dimaf allocation?
As a party we believe that the Inclusive Government brought stability for the people of Zimbabwe as a whole politically and economically. DIMAF's first port of call is Bulawayo because Bulawayo is historically the hub of Zimbabwe,s industrial base. The years of decline affected Bulawayo the most partly because of its history as the country's industrial base and partly because of skewed policies which reconstructed Harare as a Bambazonke.
We also believe that as a party there are voices in the Inclusive Government that are beginning to talk not just about Matebeleland issues but rather about how marginalisation has for a long time affected the people of Zimbabwe in various regions and how marginalisation has become institutionalised through centralisation of power.
19. Can you shed light on which companies are set to benefit from the Dimaf and what programmes do you have for the region as a minister of Industry and Commerce
Once the process are complete my Ministry will make public not just the beneficiary companies but also all the applicants.
20. Can you clarify your party's position on a proposed unity pact between yourselves and the Dumiso Dabengwa led Zapu?
I am not aware of any proposed pact with ZAPU. However, we remain open to dialogue with any and all democratic formations which share our values and principles.
21. Let's suppose this pact comes into life, how would you work with Dumiso Dabengwa and in what capacity?
It is foolhardy to answer hypothetical questions.
22. What is your message to Zimbabweans as the year 2012.
To Zimbabweans we say this is the year when we should all come together to make sure we have all the reforms that are necessary for us to go for a free and fair election. It is the time for Zimbabweans to join and support the party of justice, fairness and prosperity. Together we will complete the change for a prosperous Zimbabwe.
Source - Byo24News
