Wise advice to Welshman Ncube on coalition with Tsvangirai

The situation regarding the much envisaged coalition between the two MDC formations has now assumed two perceived positions, first The MDC led by Ncube is now publicly seen as the party which opposes coalition and second, the MDC-T is publicly seen as the party promoting the need for a coalition between the two formations.

These are two superficial positions, which unfortunately in a political environment like the one currently taking place in Zimbabwe will possible influence voting patterns.

Being publicly seen as in opposition to the coalition may easily be inaccurately translated to mean an attempt to aiding Mugabe and his ghostly and ghastly party to remain in power.

Being publicly seen and known for promoting some kind of coalition might be mistakenly interpreted as being a good guy, who is serious in toppling the evil man and his evil party.

Prof Ncube and the MDC have come out strongly in opposition of the coalition, this stand was informed by two possible reasons, if the MDC was seen as too eager to unite, this would have damaged them, their growth spurt would have been curtailed as they were going to be seen as not being serious, and not having confidence in their abilities. The second reason is about the need to assume an extreme position in order to influence possible future negotiations, this is a clever position.

Mr Tsvangirai and his party have come out strongly, and publicly supporting the coalition, "If it means Tsvangirai and Welshman are the impediments to that alliance or that coalition then Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube should not be leaders of political parties," Tsvangirai is said to have said.

Tsvangirai and his party's public position is also influenced by two factors, the first being aimed at portraying and painting the MDC led by Ncube as the impediment to toppling Mugabe, this is informed by the fact that the majority of Zimbabweans hate Mugabe and his party with a passion, so to be seen as an impediment is an electoral disadvantage. The second, factor here is the need for Tsvangirai and his party, to be viewed as the 'good guy' and the reasonable ones, who are prepared to compromise for the good of the nation.

True positions
The true positions of these two parties are known and the evidence is littered everywhere, the MDC led by Welshman is the one that could easily move positions, it is the one which can  easily compromise, this view is supported by the fact and evidence of 2008 where the MDC signed the alliance document, but the MDC-T refused to sign, instead opted to lose the election than form an alliance with the MDC.

The MDC-T is the actual impediment towards a true and fair coalition, their insistence on that in any coalition the MDC-T should be the senior partner and that Tsvangirai should be the leader is untenable.

From now on wards the MDC should pull the carpet off the MDC-T feet by publicly supporting the coalition, but fight it behind the scenes. The MDC has gain credibility, by being seen to be in support of this coalition will not damage their image, instead it will promote it.

We all know that the MDC-T does not want this coalition, but are pretending to be in favour of it.

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Thulani Nkala can be contacted at thusinkala@gmail.com