Is Tsvangirai a puppert

Congratulations to Blessing-Miles Tendi for his upcoming book about Zimbabwean issues. Such continued research and writing marks the art of a progressive community because history is being recorded as we develop dialogue and learn from our past mistakes. Of course, once in a while we may disagree on some aspects. Still there is no love lost.
The recent Frontline Club presentation in London by this author has prompted me to air just a few words.
Tendi sought to expose alleged weaknesses of the MDC as a political institution. In summary, Tsvangirai was labeled a puppet of the West. He was taken for a flip-flop personality not so solid enough to make independent decisions. Tendi's authorities were predicated on interviews with ANC top brass, the South African department of International Relations and Co-operation and Professor Chan. He then quoted Tsvangirai off context and dwelt on that interview to hammer him really hard. For all intents and purposes, for any article to garner weight and authenticity, there should be demonstrated balance on substantiated facts. Such balance triggers informed opinions. 
Any facts carry weight when both sides are afforded uniform opportunities to air their sentiments on a common topic. That way, in case a frail submission is made by one camp, the audience makes independent conclusions. Any conclusion remains the reader's prerogative. Once a presentation signifies an outright smear campaign or consumption by baseless academic stipulations to support a thesis, then the truthfulness or seriousness of any submission is cast into doubt. Even solid points risk being eroded by any questionable bias. Tsvangirai never had the chance to effectively address the allegations through an interview.
The ANC is a political party with its own agenda. Obviously, assertions from any of their spokespeople are representative of the common leadership policy. It's not surprising that they chose to harp on the same string as they sang in unison to decry MDC's lack of independence. Their reservations about confidence in Tsvangirai are also understood. As a household policy, they could be simply uncomfortable with MDC and that's how they feel. To distinctly capture that ANC unison chord and authenticate it because of a thousand repeated voices saying the same stuff seems unfounded and prejudiced. In any case a thousand toads do not make a single fish.
As Tendi noted, Mbeki has a less than good impression about Tsvangirai based on the allegations that he consulted the US ambassador on the next step during negotiations. Mbeki's mediation role revealed bias as he led the mediation team in Zimbabwe. He had dragged his feet using the insidious "quiet diplomacy" stance for too long until a public outcry became inevitable. Nothing had been moving. Violence was escalating at a time Zimbabwe was longing for peace and a return to real life. 
Thabo Mbeki remained purposefully passive and an interested party in the Zimbabwe peace proceedings. Practically, he did nothing to timely address the woes of our countrymen. Lives were lost in his eyes as he sent out false but dangerous "everything-is-under-control" messages to the world. For that reason alone, he lost his respect and stature among objective Zimbabweans. After that dismal failure to bring peace to a troubled nation, all his utterances don't seem to mean anything to serious minds longing for peace in Africa. He heavily let Zimbabweans down at a critical hour.
If Tsvangirai is a stooge of the West, how come the Chinese are stealthily taking over retail business ventures in Harare? Are we also becoming stooges of the East? Isn't this an attempt to garner more trouble for ourselves from the East just after cleansing ourselves from the British colonial system? Isn't this substituted colonialism in the eyes of a seemingly progressive Zimbabwe? Why not practice what we really preach? What's wrong with simply minding our own business as a sovereign state and exercise our national independence in the true sense? If dependency-syndrome is a disease on the Zimbabwean political arena, then probably all political leaders in Zimbabwe need medical help.
Regardless of the veracity of Mbeki's assertions during the interview with Tendi, professionalism was highly expected from his person. Mbeki stepped out of his diplomatic seat, forgot his erstwhile capacity and acted emotionally. In so doing, he erred because: The political situation in Zimbabwe is in the current state because of Mbeki's previous role in mediation proceedings. He breached trust as he let out confidential or detrimental information entrusted to him by all major contenders. He openly distinguished himself as biased and having an appetite to derail the capacity of one of the contenders. He remains an essential element and should therefore remain gagged and neutral for intents and purposes. 
GNU is still an ongoing issue and still further mediation is expected through South Africa as a trusted mediator. Regardless of Zuma having superseded Mbeki, ANC leadership remains hinged to the peace-making process in Zimbabwe. Such careless statements from a once-trusted mediator are dangerous for peace building and international relations in the region. Moreover, given the controversy Mbeki generated during his tenure as a trusted mediator for the Zimbabwe crisis, his statements through Tendi's interview trigger discomfort, mistrust and anxiety in a citizenry longing for peace and stability. 
As a supposedly respectable statesman, leaking sensitive or incisive information to self-serving individuals only works to plant resentment and retain animosity among the contenders. In any case, at times silence is golden. Real statesmen remain wise, alert and conscious to the needs of all citizens. Being diplomatic revolves around a carefully-crafted choice of words!
Tapiwa Kapurura writes in his capacity and views expressed are solely his and not credited or discredited to this publication.