Opinion / Columnist
Welshman Ncube throws the grand coalition plan into thin air
28 Jun 2013 at 13:12hrs | Views
Welshman Ncube, Mutumwa Mawere, Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe successfully submitted their presidential nomination papers.
Simba Makoni stepped aside to pave way for a coalition; unfortunately, the coalition plan has suffered a still birth. It is now very clear that Ncube is not going to join the coalition.
The one to watch is Ncube. Ncube is playing a very strategic and cunning game. In their view [MDC-Ncube], both Zanu-PF and MDC-T are not going to win 50% + 1 in the impending elections without a run-off.
Ncube is going to get some votes, especially from the Matebeleland and Midlands region. There is no doubt that he has been working and campaigning harder than any other presidential aspirant. He will get rewarded for his sterling effort.
As little as 5% of votes for Ncube can change the shift of power. His party would then support one of the candidates in the run off and MDC (Ncube) are part of the government. Therefore, by refusing to join a grand coalition, Ncube is positioning himself for the role of the king maker. Another Government of National Unity is now in the making and Ncube is geared to be a partner in it. The question is; will he get into another marriage of convenience with Tsvangirai? Can we envisage him partnering Zanu-PF? God forbid!!
The question to ask is; whose interest is Ncube putting ahead? Is he putting first the interests of Zimbabwe or his personal glory?
This move leaves Tsvangirai with a lot of work to do. The so called "grand coalition" would be meaningless if Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, ZAPU and Ndonga are there in name only. Do they have enough followers to boost the numbers for MDC-T? Are they not parasites looking for a ride from the more formidable and battle weary MDC-T?
At this juncture, Ncube's refusal to join the so much muted grand coalition is a smart move. Why join a coalition now if you are going to be the kingmaker after the election? It is a win - win for him. The last and a smartest move to kill the game; Ncube should join MDC-T after the elections. Zanu-PF will be dead and buried. Any other move will spell doom for Ncube.
Simba Makoni stepped aside to pave way for a coalition; unfortunately, the coalition plan has suffered a still birth. It is now very clear that Ncube is not going to join the coalition.
The one to watch is Ncube. Ncube is playing a very strategic and cunning game. In their view [MDC-Ncube], both Zanu-PF and MDC-T are not going to win 50% + 1 in the impending elections without a run-off.
Ncube is going to get some votes, especially from the Matebeleland and Midlands region. There is no doubt that he has been working and campaigning harder than any other presidential aspirant. He will get rewarded for his sterling effort.
As little as 5% of votes for Ncube can change the shift of power. His party would then support one of the candidates in the run off and MDC (Ncube) are part of the government. Therefore, by refusing to join a grand coalition, Ncube is positioning himself for the role of the king maker. Another Government of National Unity is now in the making and Ncube is geared to be a partner in it. The question is; will he get into another marriage of convenience with Tsvangirai? Can we envisage him partnering Zanu-PF? God forbid!!
The question to ask is; whose interest is Ncube putting ahead? Is he putting first the interests of Zimbabwe or his personal glory?
This move leaves Tsvangirai with a lot of work to do. The so called "grand coalition" would be meaningless if Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, ZAPU and Ndonga are there in name only. Do they have enough followers to boost the numbers for MDC-T? Are they not parasites looking for a ride from the more formidable and battle weary MDC-T?
At this juncture, Ncube's refusal to join the so much muted grand coalition is a smart move. Why join a coalition now if you are going to be the kingmaker after the election? It is a win - win for him. The last and a smartest move to kill the game; Ncube should join MDC-T after the elections. Zanu-PF will be dead and buried. Any other move will spell doom for Ncube.
Source - Tendai Kwari
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