News / National
There are red flags on Tsvangirai's candidacy for 2018 - ZimFirst
25 Mar 2017 at 07:13hrs | Views
The ZimFirst leader Maxwell Shumba has said despite some sections of the politiocal divide having endorsed MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as the better candidate to challenge President Robert Mugabe in the 2018 elections, there are still red flags in his candidacy considering his continuous failure to remove Mugabe since 2000.
"Elections are in 2018. We are in March 2017 and personally, although some may disagree in the current political euphoria of coalition expectancy , I know (not feel) that it is too early for all political parties to make an endorsement of the person of Morgan Tsvangirai to lead the mooted coalition, as was done yesterday at the NERA Rally. I respect MDCT President Morgan Tsvangirai for the sacrifices he has made on this journey but we heading into the future and not going backwards to 1999," he said.
"The fundamental flaws that cost us a win in 2013 when he was the Presidential candidate have not been fixed or addressed. There are red flags on his candidacy. I know for a fact that some senior MDC T leaders share similar sentiments and some have even shared them with me their frustration. For example, with Morgan staying in a Robert Mugabe's government house, it is even tougher for him to address those flaws. Knowing what I know of him trying to address those flaws is an uphill challenge, if not darn impossible."
He said on the hand the people also shoulder the blame in the country's road to choosing the wrong candidate.
"I have extensively written previously on the strange Mugabe cultivated culture inherent in many a Zimbabwean that see the majority going after easy picks (low hanging fruits). Worse those who seem to be enlightened are easily excitable. For example when our people see pictures of a leader addressing many people, they get excited and they see a winner. I have always said winning against Mugabe takes much effort than rallies or populism," Shumba said.
"A change in thought process is required. We need to be thoughtful and demand qualitative change and seek to go deeper on what qualifies a leader and then educate others. For me personally, MDC T and Morgan in particular, fundamentally need to address those 2013 flaws that were so glaring to anyone who cares to go beyond picking low hanging fruits. They exist today. No change at all up to this day."
He said on another note everyone has a role on this road.
"Others can be elders and some as leaders of the mission. We can play to win if we confront the reality of our strength and weaknesses. It's important to emphasize the fact that much as one may be popular with people it does not make them what Zimbabwe needs. Mugabe is a case study. 2018 is a defining year for Zimbabwe and I challenge Zimbabweans not to push there into a COMMAND POLITICS lane where they end up endorsing a wrong candidate for the country. Politics is not a juvenile game where we are expected to succumb to peer pressure," he said.
"I am a proud ZimFirster. A believer in the sanctity of Zimbabwe First. I believe in political systems not personality based politics. I will endorse and expect to be endorsed based on the vision offered for the country pre and post 2018 elections. We have a generation mandate to do what is best for our country. And that's what I will do with no fear or favour. Those who want to hunk with the tainted are free to do so and those who want to make opportunistic endorsements we bless them but those are not us ZimFirsters, we keep our sheet clean. THE UNTAINTED. CLEAN and FRESH."
He said people may call him names for daring against the chose prince but he cannot vouch for emptiness.
"Our country, our wealth and our future depends on the choice we are about to make in the next coming months. For us, before anyone try follow what others did by endorsing Morgan yesterday at the NERA rally, they need to share with us what changed between 2013 and now with Morgan. So far we have seen none. If it's based on popularity at the rallies, that's not enough. We cannot afford another 5 years of Mugabe. I believe in a coalition that is built on solid foundation not on shaky ground in which deceit is used as the mortar to bind the entities together. No. Senor," he said.
"We need a coalition yes but without first addressing the causes of failures of the past we will hand victory to the 94 year old easy. As I conclude my piece, let me digress a bit: I salute the activists meeting in Byo who chanted Nyika Vanhu. Vanhu ndoNyika (Abantu ilizwe, Yilizwe ngabantu). Yes, it's about the people. It is this concept that should guide Zimbabweans in choosing the next leader for the country. One who will be a People First leader. Zimbabwe People First leader that requires minimal hand holding. I will not be afraid to talk."
"Elections are in 2018. We are in March 2017 and personally, although some may disagree in the current political euphoria of coalition expectancy , I know (not feel) that it is too early for all political parties to make an endorsement of the person of Morgan Tsvangirai to lead the mooted coalition, as was done yesterday at the NERA Rally. I respect MDCT President Morgan Tsvangirai for the sacrifices he has made on this journey but we heading into the future and not going backwards to 1999," he said.
"The fundamental flaws that cost us a win in 2013 when he was the Presidential candidate have not been fixed or addressed. There are red flags on his candidacy. I know for a fact that some senior MDC T leaders share similar sentiments and some have even shared them with me their frustration. For example, with Morgan staying in a Robert Mugabe's government house, it is even tougher for him to address those flaws. Knowing what I know of him trying to address those flaws is an uphill challenge, if not darn impossible."
He said on the hand the people also shoulder the blame in the country's road to choosing the wrong candidate.
"I have extensively written previously on the strange Mugabe cultivated culture inherent in many a Zimbabwean that see the majority going after easy picks (low hanging fruits). Worse those who seem to be enlightened are easily excitable. For example when our people see pictures of a leader addressing many people, they get excited and they see a winner. I have always said winning against Mugabe takes much effort than rallies or populism," Shumba said.
"A change in thought process is required. We need to be thoughtful and demand qualitative change and seek to go deeper on what qualifies a leader and then educate others. For me personally, MDC T and Morgan in particular, fundamentally need to address those 2013 flaws that were so glaring to anyone who cares to go beyond picking low hanging fruits. They exist today. No change at all up to this day."
"Others can be elders and some as leaders of the mission. We can play to win if we confront the reality of our strength and weaknesses. It's important to emphasize the fact that much as one may be popular with people it does not make them what Zimbabwe needs. Mugabe is a case study. 2018 is a defining year for Zimbabwe and I challenge Zimbabweans not to push there into a COMMAND POLITICS lane where they end up endorsing a wrong candidate for the country. Politics is not a juvenile game where we are expected to succumb to peer pressure," he said.
"I am a proud ZimFirster. A believer in the sanctity of Zimbabwe First. I believe in political systems not personality based politics. I will endorse and expect to be endorsed based on the vision offered for the country pre and post 2018 elections. We have a generation mandate to do what is best for our country. And that's what I will do with no fear or favour. Those who want to hunk with the tainted are free to do so and those who want to make opportunistic endorsements we bless them but those are not us ZimFirsters, we keep our sheet clean. THE UNTAINTED. CLEAN and FRESH."
He said people may call him names for daring against the chose prince but he cannot vouch for emptiness.
"Our country, our wealth and our future depends on the choice we are about to make in the next coming months. For us, before anyone try follow what others did by endorsing Morgan yesterday at the NERA rally, they need to share with us what changed between 2013 and now with Morgan. So far we have seen none. If it's based on popularity at the rallies, that's not enough. We cannot afford another 5 years of Mugabe. I believe in a coalition that is built on solid foundation not on shaky ground in which deceit is used as the mortar to bind the entities together. No. Senor," he said.
"We need a coalition yes but without first addressing the causes of failures of the past we will hand victory to the 94 year old easy. As I conclude my piece, let me digress a bit: I salute the activists meeting in Byo who chanted Nyika Vanhu. Vanhu ndoNyika (Abantu ilizwe, Yilizwe ngabantu). Yes, it's about the people. It is this concept that should guide Zimbabweans in choosing the next leader for the country. One who will be a People First leader. Zimbabwe People First leader that requires minimal hand holding. I will not be afraid to talk."
Source - Byo24News
