Opinion / Columnist
Ebenezer MDC-T
12 Sep 2016 at 08:21hrs | Views
17 years ago the Movement for Democratic change was born. It was a dawn of a new political trajectory. A time when the people across the socio-economic, political and religious divide came together as one and decided enough was enough. Zanu pf and Mugabe had messed our country and we were heading nowhere. Very little did we know we will soon find ourselves in abys like today. Men and women of great courage arose. Amongst them Morgan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda, Patrick Kombai, Learnmore Jongwe, Nelson Chamisa, Lucia Matibenga, Getrude Mthombeni, Isaac Matongo, Fletcher Dulini Ncube and a host of other gallant sons and daughters of this once beloved nation.
The increasingly becoming unpopular regime became very ruthless and became very oppressive. Arbitrary imprisonment, torture, and obnoxious legislation turned out to be our daily dose. Draconian pieces of legislation such as Access to information and protection of privacy Act (AIPPA) and Public order and security act (POSA)- modelled along the colonial Law and order maintenance act (LOMA) - were passed by the desperate regime to maintain its hegemony. Against all this, the Party for the people by the people grew from.strength to strength and today we celebrate a giant par Excellency in the political arena. A party that opened the internet era to Zimbabweans, a part that brought to a halt hyperinflation, a party that brought to an end a cholera outbreak that threatened to wipe the entire low-income population of the country. This is the party that authored the RESTART, ART, STERP and the famous JUICE amongst other achievements albeit under very difficult circumstances.
The journey has not been a rose one especially the Welshman Ncube and TENDAI Biti-Elton Mangoma led splits. However, against all this, the movement has stood firm with Morgan Tsvangirai not only the figurehead but the father head. The man has shown great ability in building, growing and maintaining such a sophisticated institution called the MDC-T. He has shone and rose above racial, regional, tribal and gender barriers to keep the Party intact. Emphasis has to be made that it hasn't been his sole effort alone as the man is a proven team player. From ZCTU he teamed up with the late Gibson Sibanda and Baba Isaac Matongo (May their Souls rest in peace), students movement, religious movements and today with other political parties both locally and internationally. Truely Morgan Tsvangirai has is a larger than life character. A selfless, loving and dedicated son of this country. I remember when the GNU (Government of National Unity) was signed the man himself said - " ...the love of my country runs deeper than the scars l have". I don't think anyone could have said it any better. President Tsvangirai has given himself and continues to fight for a new and better Zimbabwe even under the plague of cancer of the colony. A clear sign of selflessness, courage and bravery. Long live President Tsvangirai. Long live the people's president. Long live SAVE Chikara che Zanu. Long live the People's liberator hence we say 2018 Tsvangirai Chete Chete.
During the past 17 years, the Party has survived manslaughter from the blood thirsty Mugabe regime. To date, more than 500 of our membership has died at the hands of this notorious government. Rebecca Mafukeni, Joshua Bakacheza, Cain Nyeve, Chokuda amongst others died at hands of the regime. We don't know where is Patrick Nabanyama, Paul Chidzudza and Itai Dzamara. Kunashe Muchemwa, Yyvone Musarurwa and many others are locked unjustly behind bars under filthy and inhumane conditions. It is the courage and bravery shown by these comrades that should keep us going and be more determined than ever before.
Zimbabwe is our country. Zimbabwe is my country hence #myZimbabwe campaign. This is a campaign about the future. A campaign to restore our dignity and fabric as a people. It is a call to action against the cornered Zanu pf regime. A call to liberate ourselves from Mugabe's bondage and dictatorship.
Ebenezer.
Tinashe G Chifamba is the Organising Secretary of the Party's South African Province Youth Assembly and writes in his own capacity.
The increasingly becoming unpopular regime became very ruthless and became very oppressive. Arbitrary imprisonment, torture, and obnoxious legislation turned out to be our daily dose. Draconian pieces of legislation such as Access to information and protection of privacy Act (AIPPA) and Public order and security act (POSA)- modelled along the colonial Law and order maintenance act (LOMA) - were passed by the desperate regime to maintain its hegemony. Against all this, the Party for the people by the people grew from.strength to strength and today we celebrate a giant par Excellency in the political arena. A party that opened the internet era to Zimbabweans, a part that brought to a halt hyperinflation, a party that brought to an end a cholera outbreak that threatened to wipe the entire low-income population of the country. This is the party that authored the RESTART, ART, STERP and the famous JUICE amongst other achievements albeit under very difficult circumstances.
The journey has not been a rose one especially the Welshman Ncube and TENDAI Biti-Elton Mangoma led splits. However, against all this, the movement has stood firm with Morgan Tsvangirai not only the figurehead but the father head. The man has shown great ability in building, growing and maintaining such a sophisticated institution called the MDC-T. He has shone and rose above racial, regional, tribal and gender barriers to keep the Party intact. Emphasis has to be made that it hasn't been his sole effort alone as the man is a proven team player. From ZCTU he teamed up with the late Gibson Sibanda and Baba Isaac Matongo (May their Souls rest in peace), students movement, religious movements and today with other political parties both locally and internationally. Truely Morgan Tsvangirai has is a larger than life character. A selfless, loving and dedicated son of this country. I remember when the GNU (Government of National Unity) was signed the man himself said - " ...the love of my country runs deeper than the scars l have". I don't think anyone could have said it any better. President Tsvangirai has given himself and continues to fight for a new and better Zimbabwe even under the plague of cancer of the colony. A clear sign of selflessness, courage and bravery. Long live President Tsvangirai. Long live the people's president. Long live SAVE Chikara che Zanu. Long live the People's liberator hence we say 2018 Tsvangirai Chete Chete.
During the past 17 years, the Party has survived manslaughter from the blood thirsty Mugabe regime. To date, more than 500 of our membership has died at the hands of this notorious government. Rebecca Mafukeni, Joshua Bakacheza, Cain Nyeve, Chokuda amongst others died at hands of the regime. We don't know where is Patrick Nabanyama, Paul Chidzudza and Itai Dzamara. Kunashe Muchemwa, Yyvone Musarurwa and many others are locked unjustly behind bars under filthy and inhumane conditions. It is the courage and bravery shown by these comrades that should keep us going and be more determined than ever before.
Zimbabwe is our country. Zimbabwe is my country hence #myZimbabwe campaign. This is a campaign about the future. A campaign to restore our dignity and fabric as a people. It is a call to action against the cornered Zanu pf regime. A call to liberate ourselves from Mugabe's bondage and dictatorship.
Ebenezer.
Tinashe G Chifamba is the Organising Secretary of the Party's South African Province Youth Assembly and writes in his own capacity.
Source - Tinashe G Chifamba
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