'Yesterday people can't provide answers to today's challenges,' says Tsvangirai

Movement for Democratic leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has set the tone for his party's election campaign, saying the terrain of the upcoming polls "will be determined by those that are able to give answers to Zimbabwe's challenges".

Speaking at the official opening of the Movement Democratic for Change's National Policy Conference in Harare today, Tsvangirai said the upcoming elections which were expected later this year, were about a party and a leader "who has the plan and the ideas that will address the many current challenges facing the people of Zimbabwe".

"The next election is not necessarily going to be about who can set in motion the most blazing violence machinery in our land," Tsvangirai said.

"It is not going to be about who is able to dominate media space with as much hate speech, derogatory statements and dishonest claims and self enrichment disguised as empowerment of the people.

"It is about a party and a leader who has the plan and the ideas that will address the many challenges facing the people of Zimbabwe.

"Certainly, yesterday people cannot provide answers to the challenges we face today. Today's problems need today's people, new people with new ideas and a new vision."

He said his party aimed at putting Zimbabwe back on the path of recovery.

"We are going to be the new brooms that will poise this country on the path to recovery, growth and stability," he said.

Tsvangirai is seen as a serious challenge to the tight grip of veteran leader Robert Mugabe, who has ruled the country for more than three decades.