Chamisa ready to fulfil Tsvangirai's vision

MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa sang praises for his predecessor Morgan Tsvangirai Thursday, describing the late opposition leader as a tolerant politician who took a lot of abuse by the Zanu-PF-led regime but still resisted temptations to take up arms.

Chamisa said he wished Tsvangirai could have been the one to front the main opposition's fresh bid to land State authority in elections due 30 July this year.

"I would have wanted Dr Tsvangirai to be here, I would have wanted Dr Tsvangirai to be the one articulating this vision," he said to loud applause from hundreds of MDC followers who packed the hall.

"I would have wanted Dr Tsvangirai as the founding father of democracy, as the icon of democracy in Zimbabwe to be leading the charge.

"But we are unfortunately without him. The good news is that he has left a person who is able to carry his vision forward and I am here to carry that vision forward."

Tsvangirai, the MDC's founding leader, died 14 February this year following a protracted battle with colon cancer.

Chamisa, who was one of Tsvangirai's deputies, was quick to stampede his colleagues away from the MDC's top job with claims by his allies the late opposition leader anointed the 40-year-old as his successor.