Welshman Ncube's MDC position itself as a better alternative

Bulawayo,-Professor Welshman Ncube's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is courting the support of political parties in Southern Africa, in an offensive the party said is necessary "so that its position as an alternative to both MDC-T and Zanu PF is understood."

As recent as last week, the party's delegation comprising of Qhubani Moyo, the secretary for external affairs and foreign relations, Lameck Nkiwane Muyambi, a member of the party's national executive, Ngqabutho Nicholas Dube, the secretary for recruitment and national spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube were in South Africa meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) and South African Communist Party (SACP).

"We want to get our position understood as an alternative to both MDC-T and Zanu PF. We also want our ideals to be understood independent of the two parties' arguments," Nhlanhla Dube, the MDC national spokesperson told Radio VOP.

Dube said the engagements are a result of a resolution taken during last year's congress and would involve all Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states and the African Union (AU).

"It is a broader programme that wants to locate us as a political party in SADC, African Union and the rest of the world," said Dube.

The MDC last week held a provincial assembly meeting in Bulawayo where party leader, Ncube described his formation as the future of Zimbabwe.

Ncube said his party has gained ground against Zanu-PF and the MDC T since last year's poll, adding that his formation will continue with local and regional offensive courting support.

The formerly united MDC split in 2005 over whether to participate in senate elections. Since then relations have gradually deteriorated, with regular sniping including personal attacks between Ncube and Tsvangirai.