Tsvangirai should appoint Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube to lead negotiations

With due respect no one can dispute the fact that Morgan Tsvangirai is the father of democracy and the most respected opposition leader who can be accepted by all common loving Zimbabweans. This fact remains and it's binding. People should not waste time dwelling on much anticipated petty issues instead of dealing with reality on the ground. If you check the amount of time vested in coalition matters you will find that time is no longer on the side of the opposition because we are almost 8 months away from the proclamation date of elections. Zimbabweans are languishing in poverty and it is the duty of Morgan Tsvangirai to call for a national dialogue amongst all opposition parties to resolve their impasse ahead of watershed elections. Tsvangirai has experience in opposition politics and being the most respected politician in this country it is worthy while for him to embrace everyone and forge an alliance with all major political parties for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. If there is a person who can give Zanu Pf sleepless nights when an alliance is forged is Tendai Biti. I've still great respect for T.B though the split was a damaging factor to his reputation but at least people have little respect for him. The best people who can lead these negotiations quickly is Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube. These two barristers are well seasoned politicians who can go beyond politics.

Which Are the Parties That Can Form a Good Coalition?

People should not waste much time dwelling on petty issues. Zanu is taking advantage of the confusion in the opposition by further widening rifts and sponsoring confusion and sowing seeds of division among potential coalition partners. Let's not beat around the bush. We have so many brief case parties in this country, some real and some planted by the state to cause confusion in the coalition process. Coalition factor is based on numbers, in as much as we can hate Tsvangirai but the fact remains the same he is the only politician who has strong grassroots support country wide. We have meaningful parties which can form a coalition namely MDC T, PDP, ZAPU, MDC N, NPP, Ngarivhume's political outfit. The coalition is not for leaders but it is for the masses. I have a strong belief that if these five get united we can have a strong opposition force in this country. These above mentioned political parties should not waste time but rather start focusing on pushing one national agenda for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.

Biti and Ncube Should Lead the Negotiations

I have great respect for these two academic barristers. They may have tarnished their reputations politically but it's never too late to reconcile with others. In politics there are no permanent friends or permanent enemies. It is high time, these two fellows can shelve their personal egos and start to lead negotiations on coalition matters. The idea of the coalition is good but the major problem is the composition of legal framework and positions in the future Government of which I believe with experienced lawyers like Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube they can do a better job. During the GNU era Tendai Biti did well as the finance minister and one expect Biti to use the same experience to initiate a good coalition matrix.

Proposed Coalition Matrix

President - Morgan Tsvangirai

Vice 1 - Welshman Ncube

Vice 2 - Joice T R Mujuru

Min of State in President's office - Nelson Chamisa

Min of State in the V President's office - Sylvester Nguni

Min of Finance& Economic Planning and Development - Dr Nkosana Moyo

Min of Information and Publicity - Jacob Mafume

Min of Energy and Power - Elias Mudzuri

Min of Youth and Empowerment - Patson Dzamara

Min of Defence - Dumiso Dabengwa

Min of Justice - Tendai Biti

Min of Women, Gender - Jessie Majome

Min of Home Affairs - Douglas Mwonzora

Chief justice - Beatrice Mtetwa

Min of Foreign Affairs - Fadzayi Mahere

Min of Religion& Reconciliation - Evan Mawarire

Min of sports& Culture - Jacob Ngarivhume

Min of Higher Education - Authur Mutambara

Min of Education - Edwin Mushoriwa

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as the Head of MINDS which is responsible for policy Research and Analysis. He is also an academic and researcher. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com