Opinion / Columnist
Morgan Tsvangirai - is he 'tactically' good enough? Part 2
02 Sep 2013 at 05:52hrs | Views
I would like to acknowledge that, as much as what is written here may cause great offense – It is neither my desire nor my intention to insult anyone personally, instead, I wish to stir thought and institute debate. All respect is paid to genuine political actors and the Zimbabwean people.
In Part 1, I dealt with the idea that no political operation seeking to pose a serious challenge to 60+ years of Zanu PF hegemony, power and exhaustive influence over the Zimbabwean State, can have a low 'political' IQ.
Here in PART 2, I wish to focus on why I believe a root and branch re-structuring of opposition politics is needed, and the part that Zimbabwe's opposition movement should seek to play post 31 July election. Not as petulant sore losers constantly reacting to the Zanu PF election 'victory' but as genuine public servants pulling out all the stops to serve the fledging 'national progress' agenda.
The shock of defeat has paralyzed and angered that part of the opposition movement known here as the MDCt 'hawks' (Indeed as much as that operation feels that numbers make them a big player above all others; can we agree that a deficiency in political brains makes them part of a movement that needs a big re-think, about whether or not it is serious about getting change or it is just playing at political posturing)
Traumatic experience whether that be physical, emotional, or social - often result in symptoms of shock and paralysis and disbelief and anger. For Zimbabwe's opposition movement these responses in the wake of the 31 July election debacle are understandable. To expect that there would be no sense of anger and loss and frustration after once again seeing years of hopes and expectations dashed is to expect too much.
I challenge the statement and other ideas like it currently in circulation that says "the members of the opposition have no right to claim anger at being beaten in a 'rigged' electoral contest". On the contrary I will say that they have every right to feel cheated but then that begs the question – macomrades- HOW should this prevailing sense of loss and anger be channelled?
Should it be channelled into negatives, into destructive hopes and efforts that ensure that Zimbabwe under the current GOZ fails? Hopes and efforts that seek to ensure that the Zimbabwean economy and nation State collapse into chaos?
HOPING THAT NATIONAL COLLAPSE and PUBLIC SUFFERING ARE A STEPPING STONE TO POWER
It is one thing to hope that Zanu PF fails if they are your political rivals and opponents; but its quite another to hope that Zimbabwe fails just so you can obtain power. Especially when so many people want to be hopeful for the future. As stated, I sincerely have no problem with the anger felt by the leadership and members and supporters of Zimbabwes opposition but what other ideas are there? The LACK of any serious plan B or post election policy has allowed for the indulgence of the fantasy called TONGAI TIONE a concept that may have worked wonders in 2008 but in 2013 and beyond - not so much. For any not aware with the phrase it is a statement without any real substantive policy behind it. On 3 August 2013 Morgan Tsvangirai said;
"The MDC-T National Council has resolved not to legitimize this electoral fraud. We will not join any institutions arising from this election and we will not engage in any discussions to join government".
• HOPING OR DOING - Will your 'hopes' and negative talk in favour of Zimbabwe / GOZ collapsing also involve acts of destabilization?
• LOWERING OR RAISING the MDC/OPPOSITION POLITICAL 'IQ' – Should you also seek to contest the 2018 elections, how will 'sitting back' waiting for chaos make you better educated about running the government both local and national? How will you hope for chaos but also, hold GOZ feet to the fire as a 'loyal opposition'?
• THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE - Zanu Pf won the election but they do not represent the people's will fully (too many abuses lies and broken promises that need correcting) but The public / regional reaction to the outcome of the 31 July plebiscite showed that 'stability' was valued more by those parties than protest or chaos the national ire and temperature was not inflamed. What do you say to those that just want stability?
• SHARED BLAME - Outrage about the 'stolen' vote process exists but do you accept it is distributed between both – Zanu based on worries whether their policies will be implemented and an MDC who failed to protect the vote prior to elections MDCT, can not mobilize the people to protest because the public sees them as equally to blame for their defeat?
• SANCTIONS versus INDGENIZATION – Will you genuinely seek the ending of international sanctions? If the nation collapses and an MDCt government came to power will it retain the 51% 'empowerment' policy? YES/NO. Why/ why not?
That does not dismiss genuine grievances nor does it justify any and all Zanu PF malfeasance and abuse. It just means everyone should play a fitful part in national issues and help the economic recovery, as times of conflict are not static or fixed constants. The methodology used to oust the regime and bring 'change' was self defeating and that overall lack of coherent strategy and death of serious intelligent leadership retained the Zanu PF hegemony."Let's sit and wait for the economy to collapse" - is not a serious political strategy? WHY? - Because it relies upon the sole unsubstantiated belief that Zanu PF (with its diamond money) need MDC (with their Euro American backers) more than anything beyond the same window dressing 'apprenticeships' that occurred during the GNU?
The issue being why the 'national collapse' idea gained any traction and what might be the possible consequences?
Cont. WHEN OBJECTIVE TRUTH IS A HATED ENEMY...
Source - Mathias Kundayi - Independent Political Analyst
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