Tsvangirai the father of modern day democratic resistance

Zimbabwe's modern day democratic tendencies are built with grains and molecules directly imported or replicated from Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai. Himself a democratic luminary par excellence , a veteran of the struggle for equality and social justice with the qualities and whose speeches shall be recited by generations to come for the service of mankind. Tsvangirai is an icon whose pronouncements and actions shall guide and inspire many to walk and remain resilient to the cause of a just society regardless of the general norms and adversities.

Upon attainting the leadership of the then politically "correct" ZCTU in the sunset of the 1980s, from Albert Mugabe a relative of Robert Mugabe who by default happened to be a surrogate and functionary of the ruling party, he dismantled all the patronage machinery and installed a new governance culture premised more on servant leadership. Without any doubt, this immediately put him into a collision course with the regime but despite the direct threat to his life and person he remained true to his cause. Jail stints, being labeled an enemy of the state among other litanies of allegations did not deter nor dampen his morale as he focused on serving his people.

Fast forward to the new millennium, Tsvangirai remained true to his values thereby impacting a different and robust political culture. His political approach changed the whole political landscape not even sparing the complexion thereof. Neither did Tsvangirai accept any of Mugabe's "victories."  The courts of law were not decisive and helpful in any case as they remained partisan and indifferent to the democratic war cry. This in essence has taught the people of Zimbabwe never to accept an unjust system or the product thereof, in the face of detention, death, banishment and injury Tsvangirai.

All forms of peaceful democratic resistance owe their existence to the esteemed darling of the people, Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai. The 2008 general elections is a point to note. Zanu PF imposed and used gross rigging and manipulation of the electoral process and this culminated into the infamous "bhora mughedi" debacle. This was simply practicing with confidence what they have seen being done by the adorable Tsvangirai as he frog marched the employers to the negotiating table during his hay days with the labor organization, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

It is with regret that the practical lesson of democratic practices and the consequences thereof benefitted the enemy more that the original owners. In a rather stubborn and surprising manner, the MDC T a party of excellence miscarried, erred and made omissions in the handling of its internal polls to determine candidates for the national polls. Without denial, there was massive state orchestrated rigging but apathy was a result of general disgruntlement with the internal systems. The denial of the same is an equal suicide and a glorification of the same – to know the disease is half the cure.

Many political parties have compromised systems when it comes to how they handle internal polls and in the majority of cases they have very questionable democratic etiquette. The loud cries for a clean governance culture seem to be harshly suppressed within thereby breeding lots of despondency and general complacency. Many political organizations seem to spend most of their energies in trying to cosmetically unite people after internal polls than simply implementing the very democratic values they purport to advance. Lessons from the life of Dr. Tsvangirai have taught the people of Zimbabwe not to accept marriages of inconvenience or to abandon the values of democracy. Even Zanu PF, seemingly invincible, Dr. Tsvangirai stood his ground and demanded an equal share and say in the manner in which the affairs of the state are managed. The culture of forcing people to accept dubious and compromised leaders who snatch power through clandestine methods is past it's sell by date. A closer look at the life of Dr. Tsvangirai shows us that the entire international community struggled to enforce a borne down Tsvangirai's throat to accept Mugabe's "victory" and to date he is yet to do the same – So why others? A diabolic, insensitive  and evil mind will try to force and impress upon the hapless masses to share anything with their oppressors for the so called unity and pressing forward – forward to where?

History does not have it on record that after Dr. Tsvangirai acceded to the compromised marriage with his nemesis, did Mugabe acceptor recognize Tsvangirai's presence nor did he care. The immediate appointments of Johannes Tomana, Gideon Gono and the unilateral appointments of more cabinet ministers all pointed to contempt and brewing confrontation. The experiences of our Dr. Tsvangirai have clearly taught the people of Zimbabwe that flawed electoral processes must never be accepted. It is clear that all regimes brought about by questionable and contested processes will never change their modus operandi as they owe nothing to the people except to themselves and their evil intentions. Their tenure in office is simply an opportunity to appoint friends, colleagues and pay back some favors to those who would have abetted their ill conceived agenda.

The Zimbabwean scenario is blessed with a mortal, Dr. Tsvangirai, whose life is a testimony and the plus of it being his presence to give and guide the masses to a new Zimbabwe. All that have happened in Dr. Tsvangirai's life and his experiences can be used and replicated to all spheres of life. The greatest danger of accepting flawed processes for the sake of PEACE, UNITY, and PROGRESSis being rendered useless and irrelevant Africa have no record of revisiting the past and correcting the wrongs . The lesson has been learnt that people with a dictatorial mentality will never care about the people for they owe them nothing however they move on to loot and appoint their friends into influential positions without consultation. There is nothing called "for the sake of progress" because a flawed process will never take a nation or an organization anywhere.

Zimbabwe owes Dr. Tsvangirai a lot for his total disregard for dictatorships and other forms of social injustices. Internal democratic practices must be benchmarked upon the call of Dr. Tsvangirai of a paradigm shift from the Zanu PF systems of unilateral declarations and the silencing of the masses. As is in the public domain, Zanu PF has used the good methods of enforcing democracy from Dr. Tsvangirai to their advantage and will definitely use it again in the coming polls in solidarity with Joice Mujuru. Choreographed, rehearsed and pompously presented of unity will never be forced upon a grieved people without addressing the real challenges, neither will the people forget the lessons from the great man himself when he is still walking among us. Neither shall our neighbors benefit from one of our own whilst we hunger. Calling for reconciliation, cohesion and ‘finding each other "withthe use of commercially hired praise singers without addressing the concerns is counterproductive. Dr. Tsvangirai the true father ad pioneer of modern day democratic resistance.

Dr. Wangu Mazodze is the Chief Executive officer of Glencore Consulting (Pty) Ltd and the MDC T South Africa Spokesperson and he writes in his own capacity.