Democracy beyond tsvangirai

One of the greatest shortcomings of the Zimbabwean state of mind is the worship of man.

Religious worship for instance, I have heard christians claim 'mwari wanhingi ndibatsirei' (god of so and so help me) and so forth. Have you no God of your own then? I would not be surprised if the Zanu PF factions label themselves Zanu PF-Mujuru and Zanu PF-Mnangagwa. Just as the MDC lot did with MDC and MDC- T.

MDC-T did make it clear from the adoptation of their name that they viewed Tsvangirai as the only being to lead the party till death. Had it not be, they would have settled for a different name. They made Tsvangirai their Messiah. I have little wonder what would have happened if the former PM had won the presidential elections. No doubt he would have consolidated his power through purges. He shows all the traits of a dictator.

It then goes without saying that I admire the move by Gorden Moyo. The legislator resigned because of his principles. His principles were conflicting with what was happening within the party. Now that is the mark of a man who knows what he is about. It is easy to say that he is jetisoning a plane that is headed for a crush, but how many would rather leave a post of that nature?

One that seemed to be for him for retention at their upcoming congress if only he bootlicked?

It is, after all, common knowledge that Tsvangirai is surrounding himself with those who bow to him. He certainly is not going to have malcontents around him.

Another Mangoma is unacceptable at this point. So is another Biti. What he needs are people like Chamisa, Mwonzera and company who will not overlook his mistakes, but condone because he is the definition of the cause. Men who will make decisions based on emotion and not reason. Men moved by principals and not principles. He is the change that people clamour for. He is the Messiah.

One individual who spoke out on Gorden Moyo's resignation was Job Sikhala. It was refreshing to note that the former MDC-99 leader had nothing but warm sentiments towards Moyo. Sikhala spoke of Moyo defining him in light of their student activism days. And unlike the brusque tone we have grown familiar with of Mwonzera, he speaks well of the comrade.

But what does this tell us about MDC-T? The party has lost compass and Gorden Moyo's resignation is a statement to that effect. Many others have called on the beleagured leader to step down. Biti, Mangoma and their Renewal Team; recently Zinasu with their call for Tsvangirai to voluntarily step down; the Manicaland provincial youth executive; the list spans on and on. But then Tsvangirai would rather die than let go of the helm. He is a man driven by the desire of power, absolute power, and that many consider him to be the face of the struggle for democracy fuels his hunger. He does not realise how much he has lost the lustre that he had in the early years of his political career. It would be absurd for any right thinking Zimbabwean to trust their future with this man. One can not change from one dictator to another as if it is the most natural thing in the world.

Mugabe's political career at independence was viewed as a blessing by many because he spoke to and for the masses. The peasants, the workers, the unemployed, the downtrodden, you and me. But with the passage of time he forgot about them and focused on his immediate circle. Tsvangirai appears to have the same traits, and add philandering onto the list. He is unassailable when it comes to sexual scandals, his lack of discretion is monumental. A womanizing dictator, even I, had I been Gorden Moyo, would have taken leave of office. Anyone with the desire to serve the people would do the same, they would put their principles on the fore before personal glory. How can a principled man consent to be led by an unprincipled one?

I have a friend in the public transport sector, he drives one of these ex-Japan Toyota Sprinters on the Harare-Bulawayo highway. One Sunday on a trip from Gweru- now you have to know that these drivers tend to know each other and can ferry the other for free- he requested to be dropped off in Kwekwe. Apparently the other chap was driving in a manner that bordered on a suicidal driving mission.

'I would rather get into another vehicle, and pay my way, but know that I'm being driven by someone who cares about the lives he is transporting.' He is said to have said.

In my view that is what was going on in Gorden Moyo's mind. He would rather find a captain who cared about the plane's passengers than one who appeared to be oblivious of the fact that he had any passengers at all.