Tsvangirai slammed for Oxford University lecture

MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has been criticised for lining up a lecture at the African Studies Seminar at Oxford University, Britain today on the mining of diamonds in Marange, a subject he knows very little about, the state media reports.

Analysts for the state controlled newspaper 'The Herald' yesterday said Mr Tsvangirai was trying to seek relevance before his Western handlers after his party's massive defeat by Zanu-PF in the harmonised elections on July 31.

They said Mr Tsvangirai was not the right person to speak on the mining of diamonds in Marange, considering his support for sanctions on the diamond mining companies, making the sell of the gems difficult for Zimbabwe.

Mr Tsvangirai and his party are known for their disdain for the mining of diamonds that is expected to transform the economic status of Zimbabwe for the better.

Political analyst Dr Charity Manyeruke of the University of Zimbabwe said it was strange and awkward that organisers of the so-called African Studies Seminar were inviting an irrelevant character with regards to the mining of diamonds.

"For the organisers of that seminar to call a person like the former prime minister to speak on diamond mining is absurd, knowing he is not an expert in that field and we wonder at the logic," she said.

"It is not clear why they invited a person like Tsvangirai, who knows little about the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme.
"I think the presentation will be made not in the interest of Zimbabweans."

Dr Manyeruke said it would be interesting to find out if Mr Tsvangirai would speak on the actual effects of sanctions on the diamond industry.

"The issue of sanctions has affected the sell of diamonds," she said.

"What is his take on that given that he is a pro-sanctions person."

Midlands State University lecturer Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri said Mr Tsvangirai was likely to say something that would discredit him further as evidenced by statements he uttered in the past while abroad that ended up haunting him.

"He might not be the most qualified person to speak on diamonds, but they maybe interested in his views as a former prime minister," he said.

"We have to wait and see considering that he recently disputed the results of the elections.
"He tried to remove the sanctions when he was the prime minister, but failed.

"So it will be interesting to hear what he will say."

Oxford University's director of African Studies Centre Dr Nic Cheeseman, who organised the seminar said Mr Tsvangirai would speak in the evening.

He said in a letter written to those who would attend the seminar that they had changed their programme to accommodate him.

"I write with exciting news ' I am pleased to say that Morgan Tsvangirai, former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, has just confirmed that he will join us for the African Studies Seminar/OXFAM one day workshop as St Antony's College this coming Thursday (October 24)," said Dr Cheeseman.

"As a result, we have made some small changes to the programme and the arrangements on the day."
Mr Tsvangirai is well-known for globe trotting meant to discredit Zimbabwe's systems in a hope that his Western "friends" could intervene to cause illegal regime change and catapult him to power.

He is responsible for calling for illegal sanctions on the country that have affected every facet of the country.