ANSA reacts to attack by the MDC-T's Felix Mafa

The tragedy of Zimbabwe is that when we the people of the regions of Matebeleland and Midlands define our destiny, define what we need and want, we are derogatorily labeled tribalists, regionalists; now Mafa and his MDC T have added a new word to the attack platform, we are called a "funny people". What is funny about being a resident / citizen of the region? What does the MDC T through Mafa find funny about a citizenry attending to its most critical issues. This is typically apartheid language of a black man being labeled a "funny monkey".  It is extremely patronizing and unfortunate for Mafa to appoint himself as the know-it all person for what is good for the region. It is very saddening to be called a "funny people" by dim-minded people like Mafa. The region will react to his statement in due course.

Mafa is inadvertently and maybe unconsciously unmasking himself as the biggest admirer of Mugabe and his ZANU PF. He is busy crediting ZANU PF of creating political parties. What a pity, but at the same time what a revelation! If he and the MDC T want to advance the theory of creation of parties by ZANU PF, then they should first acknowledge that ZANU PF's biggest project is MDC T itself and Mafa was conveniently appointed commissar cum spokesperson. The people still remember who ecstatically enjoyed drinking tea with Mugabe, he is still licking his lips wishing for more. ANSA is championing what the MDC T and like-minded parties have failed to do; the Matebeleland and Midlands question. Now we know, they think we are a funny lot. Who pulled MPs out of Parliament to strategically and deliberately give ZANU PF its much desired majority? Who was busy boycotting elections, then flip-flopping within months? Those are the symptoms of a ZANU PF project. If Mafa and his MDC T are so worried about splitting of votes, the best thing they can do is to disband and totally leave the political scene. After 16 years of pathological failure the MDC T should just exit. We would not mind adding another word to the political dictionary, TSVANGXIT! He should never believe that he and his outfit are God-ordained to be the sole voice of the people, when it is so evident that they are singing out of tune. Mafa is a disgrace to his village, district, province and country. Most importantly he is a disgrace to his family.

ANSA is responding to serious issues / concerns of Matebeleland and Midlands, and for one social misfit Mafa masquerading as a politician / nationalist to call the people a funny lot is definitely political suicide for himself and his political outfit. The monopoly philosophy in opposition political parties is very dangerous. They talk of being there first or longer; what Mafa and crew forget is that they have been messing the country longer.

It should be noted that the MDC T itself is a regional and tribal party, this fact is undisputable. Instead of his lot gracefully rallying behind their deputy, Thokozani Khupe when their leader was diagnosed with cancer, they hunt high and low for tribally / ethnically acceptable deputies and pull the carpet under Khupe's feet. If this is not the highest form of tribalism, then we need to redefine the term. By virtue of Khupe's ethnicity she cannot lead MDC T, and Mafa's selective analysis and definition misses this. Mafa thinks not contesting an election in Harare is very dangerous. He believes if we people of Matebeleland and the Midlands tell him that we need to ensure adequate social infrastructure, want to be in charge of business and investment decisions in our area, want equitable and fair land management principles and attend the Gukurahundi issues to finality - he labels us funny, foolish, and dangerous. Then let him bring that peril, we are waiting.

Felix Mafa, as you climb up a tree with the aim of negatively commenting or taking pot shots at other people's bald heads be wary, the rough bark and branches have ripped open your trousers and undergarments. You are hearing people giggling below; they are not enjoying your stunt, they are amused and bemused by your rabid nakedness. Be warned! You have displayed one of the highest levels of ignorance, but we are not yet sure whether your caliber of ignorance is just the common strain or the higher form that is accompanied by symptoms of shadow-chasing, tail-chasing and advanced rubbish bin cravings. Time will tell!

Nketha Mangoye Dlamini
ANSA Interim Spokesperson