Chamisa needs a lesson in democracy

Around the world today they say that democracy is in crisis. In Europe they fret at the rise of the far right. In America, we see Mr. Trump, hardly the epitome of freedom, openness and democratic process. In China, we see a successful superpower which is arguably the most influential power in the world, succeeding without any semblance of democracy, or democratic process.

Yet I'm an optimist. And one of the few regions in the world which is becoming more democratic is incredibly our home continent. Who would have thought twenty years ago that Africa would be the most exciting place in the world in terms of democratic development. In the last five years we saw Ghana and Nigeria enjoy the smooth transition of power, and we saw free elections all across SADC. We have even said goodbye to Zuma! We were blessed by the strong (female) leadership of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, shining as an example to all. Even Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta in Kenya have recently let bygones be bygones and joined hands for the sake of peace and unity in their country.

Yet in Zimbabwe, in arguably the hour of greatest hope in just under forty years of sovereignty and independence, we have fallen on a self-defined opposition leader who appears to entirely misunderstand the nature of democracy.

On the passing of our great leader Morgan Tsvangirai, the young usurper appeared to have a rush of blood to his head. He offended the entire Tsvangirai family by politicising a funeral and then sent his hordes of angry violent (male) supporters to attack Dr. Khupe and her allies.

This sounds more like Mugabe than Morgan.

We are in a fragile and delicate period of transition. Whatever you think of ED, and I personally was never a fan, he has now set Zimbabwe on a new course, a new journey. The decisions we now make as a nation, and as a party can and will define the future for our children, and our children's children.

Do we choose the path of democratic process? Or do we let violence rule the day? As ED calls for the international community (46 countries have now been invited) to come and observe our elections, young Nelson Chamisa races forward on his wholly undemocratic venture.

It is very simple. The MDC must abide by its own constitution. This again, is at the very heart of democratic process. There is only one elected deputy president of MDC-T and that is Dr. Khupe. If you don't like her, fine, speak up, protest, even call for a general assembly and a vote; that is how one expresses disdain and disagreement in a democracy.

To resort directly to violence is to spit in the face of the wholly peaceful revolution we all experienced in November of last year. Despite those harmonious events, Zimbabwe, still, is unfortunately one of the most politically violent countries in the continent. Elections are always the peak of such violence. So now is the time for all leaders, especially those with violent gangs at their disposal, to stand up and say no to violence. This should be clear and unequivocal.

And as they say no to violence, let us all say yes to democracy, democratic process, freedom and the rule of law. Africa is changing. Zimbabwe is changing. We cannot miss the freedom boat. For our sake, and for the sake of our future generations.

Let us not be fooled by charisma, or duped by Chamisa. We made that mistake already, and the results were tragic. Instead of a new democratic Zimbabwe, we got Bob and Grace.