MDC-T's superiority complex bodes ill for coalition partners

As discussions around the formation of a so-called grand opposition coalition continue in the public domain and behind closed party doors, one thing that is becoming abundantly clear is that the MDC-T has assumed ownership of the coalition, displaying a worrying superiority complex that bodes ill for other opposition parties.

While the other opposition parties appear to be open to discussions and compromises with the MDC-T, the latter has made it clear that it's either its way or no way at all regarding the sticking issue of who should lead the coalition.

The MDC-T stated from the onset that it wants its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, and no one else, to lead the mooted coalition, never mind the fact that Tsvangirai has failed to dislodge President Robert Mugabe in the last 17 years or so, and is now battling poor health and exhausted political intelligence and strategy. At the same time, other vibrant and dynamic opposition leaders with different and perhaps better, modernised strategies have emerged, but the MDC-T will not brook discussion on anyone else besides 'Save chete chete' leading the opposition coalition.

Several of that party's officials have come out in the media stating in no uncertain terms that they would not allow anyone else besides Tsvangirai to lead and their utterances have made it clear that what is being touted as coalition negotiations is in fact, a platform for MDC-T to dictate to perceived smaller opposition parties.

Already, Tsvangirai is being given the semblance of an untouchable demi-god in opposition politics.
MDC-T Organising Secretary, Abednico Bhebhe ,told a rally organised by the National Electoral Reforms Agenda (Nera) in Bulawayo that Tsvangirai was 'the first born' of the opposition movement. 'I ask that when we come together so that we respect each other, we should know who we are as members of the coalition, if a man has five children, there is a first born and there is a last born. The last born and the first born will never be equal in responsibility. Let me tell you like this, if we have five children, the first born is Morgan Tsvangirai, the second born is Joice Mujuru, the third born is Welshman Ncube, fourth born is Joelson Mugari and fifth born is Tendai Biti' he said.   

MDC-T Vice President, Nelson Chamisa, reiterated the same when he told local media that Tsvangirai was the only one with the 'stamina' required to take President Mugabe head-on. One wonders which stamina Chamisa was talking about because in terms of physical strength, mental dexterity and political experience and intelligence, Tsvangirai is not the best that Zimbabwean opposition politics has to offer at the moment.
Meanwhile, MDC-T Bulawayo Chairperson, Gift Banda made it clear that according to his party, the purpose of the coalition is to get Tsvangirai into State House, not to free the people of Zimbabwe from alleged oppression or bring so-called democracy to the country, but to get 'Save' into State House for which he has longed for long. 'There are these numerous opposition parties whose agenda is not to support Tsvangirai's entry into State House, their agenda is to destroy MDC-T. The most important thing is that we should unite and also recognise our own members before any other groups. If we unite, Tsvangirai will enter State House', he said.

Banda's statement smacks of selfishness, manipulative tendencies and greed, traits that have been inherent in the MDC-T and recently brought to the fore by talks of an opposition coalition. One would be forgiven for concluding that having failed to wrestle power on his own since 1999, Tsvangirai and his party are now seeking to climb on the backs of gullible smaller parties to get into Government, which in their view, is the gravy train.

Better candidates have been suggested by those calling for a neutral to lead the opposition coalition, an example being of former Minister of Industry and International Trade, Dr Nkosana Moyo,  whom some are arguing would make a better candidate to front the opposition coalition and face Zanu PF, but the MDC-T has roundly rejected the suggestion.

That party's stance has since left many wondering if they are negotiating in god faith with the other opposition parties or they are just seeking to swallow other parties and gain the required numbers to pursue their own selfish ends.

The MDC-T's stance and hero-worshiping of Tsvangirai also raises questions on what the other parties stand to gain out of the coalition since it has been increasingly demonstrated that things are going to be run the MDC-T way.

It would not be far-fetched to conclude that in the event that a coalition materialised and it came to the sharing of posts and Constituencies, the MDC-T would seek to take a larger share than all the other parties combined, by virtue of them being the 'first born' of opposition politics in Zimbabwe.

It would therefore be prudent for the so-called smaller opposition parties, or 'briefcase parties' as the MDC-T has called them, to realistically assess the benefits of being devoured by the MDC-T when they could perhaps make better inroads on their own.