Opinion / Columnist
Mujuru, no shame in quitting politics
10 Apr 2017 at 02:52hrs | Views
The decision by embattled National People's Party (NPP) leader, Joice Mujuru to endorse Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of Movement for Democratic Party (MDC-T) as the presidential candidate representing the coalition of opposition parties in next year's election is one more sign that the former Vice President (VP)'s political career is dead in the water.
Mujuru, who for ten good years served in government as the Zimbabwe's VP has conceded that Tsvangirai is better than her to lead the coalition, putting to rest the much hyped re-invention of her political career. This endorsement must have come as a big blow to her supporters who were clinging to the last hope that she might have what it take to lead the nation against all odds.
To be very honest, Mujuru's downfall was evident right from the start when she was dragged into the stillborn Zimbabwe People First project. Her reluctance to come to the fore after Mutasa and Gumbo conferred their trust in her spoke volumes. Mujuru did not have confidence in her own abilities then and she still suffers from low self-esteem now. As someone who worked in government for so long, one would hope the confidence and strong will from her boss (President Mugabe) would rub off on her but alas the lady still need hand holding, this time by Tsvangirai. But for Mujuru being forewarned is being forearmed, she should be aware that most former MDC-T officials dumped Tsvangirai as a result of his poor leadership qualities and autocratic rule.
To make matters worse, Tsvangirai himself is a dead horse who lacks the requisite political stamina that can make him challenge the ruling party in the coming harmonised elections. His shortcomings and lackadaisical approach to politics is a threat to his next year's election victory. Mujuru should be encouraged to go back to the drawing board and rethink her endorsement of an equally exhausted politician like Tsvangirai.
The fact that Tsvangirai needs a coalition to defeat Robert Mugabe is telling in itself. Mujuru claims Tsvangirai should lead the coalition because he is capable of mobilizing large crowds of people.
Unfortunately, most of these people who attend Tsvangirai's rallies do not vote, and this has contributed to his past defeat. Truth be told, Tsvangirai is now a political spent force who has nothing to offer Zimbabweans.
It is unfortunate that Zimbabwe's opposition is its own worst enemy. Every opposition leader wants to be president or, at least, occupy a position in the top brass. In that vein, some speculation have it that Mujuru is eyeing the deputy president post in the coalition, a position she is accustomed to apparently, as the seat of president is too hot for her. Already, MDC-T has three deputies and other opposition leaders might also be having the same mind as her, hence we are going to witness a bloody political fight before the elections, mark my words.
By endorsing Tsvangirai, Mujuru has sealed her own fate and by the looks of things, it's not looking good for the former vice president. Mujuru should consider plan B perhaps, retire from politics and go into fulltime farming. I am just saying.
Mujuru, who for ten good years served in government as the Zimbabwe's VP has conceded that Tsvangirai is better than her to lead the coalition, putting to rest the much hyped re-invention of her political career. This endorsement must have come as a big blow to her supporters who were clinging to the last hope that she might have what it take to lead the nation against all odds.
To be very honest, Mujuru's downfall was evident right from the start when she was dragged into the stillborn Zimbabwe People First project. Her reluctance to come to the fore after Mutasa and Gumbo conferred their trust in her spoke volumes. Mujuru did not have confidence in her own abilities then and she still suffers from low self-esteem now. As someone who worked in government for so long, one would hope the confidence and strong will from her boss (President Mugabe) would rub off on her but alas the lady still need hand holding, this time by Tsvangirai. But for Mujuru being forewarned is being forearmed, she should be aware that most former MDC-T officials dumped Tsvangirai as a result of his poor leadership qualities and autocratic rule.
To make matters worse, Tsvangirai himself is a dead horse who lacks the requisite political stamina that can make him challenge the ruling party in the coming harmonised elections. His shortcomings and lackadaisical approach to politics is a threat to his next year's election victory. Mujuru should be encouraged to go back to the drawing board and rethink her endorsement of an equally exhausted politician like Tsvangirai.
The fact that Tsvangirai needs a coalition to defeat Robert Mugabe is telling in itself. Mujuru claims Tsvangirai should lead the coalition because he is capable of mobilizing large crowds of people.
Unfortunately, most of these people who attend Tsvangirai's rallies do not vote, and this has contributed to his past defeat. Truth be told, Tsvangirai is now a political spent force who has nothing to offer Zimbabweans.
It is unfortunate that Zimbabwe's opposition is its own worst enemy. Every opposition leader wants to be president or, at least, occupy a position in the top brass. In that vein, some speculation have it that Mujuru is eyeing the deputy president post in the coalition, a position she is accustomed to apparently, as the seat of president is too hot for her. Already, MDC-T has three deputies and other opposition leaders might also be having the same mind as her, hence we are going to witness a bloody political fight before the elections, mark my words.
By endorsing Tsvangirai, Mujuru has sealed her own fate and by the looks of things, it's not looking good for the former vice president. Mujuru should consider plan B perhaps, retire from politics and go into fulltime farming. I am just saying.
Source - Peacemaker Zano
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