Opinion / Columnist
In the name of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai
18 Dec 2014 at 11:33hrs | Views
The name of Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai is the game changer in the Zimbabwean social, economic, political, academic and religious circles. The son of a peasant whose meteoritic rise to prominence is unrivalled in recent history. Despite being of a modest academic background, his influence, charisma and eloquence made him a dignitary in all the plush and affluent capitals of the first world. In humility and submission all military establishments of the world's superpowers have saluted and bowed before the Gutu-born political icon with flags being hoisted signaling his perpendicular rise . It is the mention of his name or association thereof by both default and design that determines the closing and opening of doors of life and opportunities in all spheres of Zimbabwe's political, social and economic spectrum. Does Tsvangirai know that it is all about him and not really about the package as some want to put it? The party he leads is popular because of him not the other way round.
Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai, titled Doctor after being honored with the same is an alumni of the prestigious Harvard University College in the United States, with academic merits in Leadership and Governance though this is generally omitted and hence he is portrayed as a hapless chancer and an academic deserter. It is this misconception that has led to many under estimating his capacity thereby allowing him to outwit his opponents at their own game. Among the causalities of his intellectual prowess are distinguished academics in the mould of Professors Arthur Mutambara, Welshman Ncube and Lovemore Madhuku not leaving out the hundreds of Zanu PF allied academics whose combined intellect could not outdo superiority of his excellence in the 2008 general elections.
In the Zanu PF camp, every political upstart who will be seeking relevance throws in the name of Tsvangirai. It is on record that even the former Vice President Joice Mujuru among her crimes was failure or omission to publicly denounce and denounce Tsvangirai. To determine one's full submission to Zanu PF one needs not to swear upon the shrine of Robert Mugabe but to swear against the name of Tsvangirai. This in itself is a clear admission of the regime's deeply hidden far for the name and person of Tsvangirai. In several platforms, the rural folks were deeply embedded with the fear of Tsvangirai as an exotic alien who had no link to Africa and Zimbabwe in particular let alone the villages despite his long Karanga name and his humble upbringing in the former Tribal Trust Lands.
A sad testimony is that of various villages, homes, granaries and livestock that was destroyed on allegations of being associated with Tsvangirai in rural areas, townships, farms and cities. Many people lost their limps, lives, sources of live hoods, jobs, homes and for supporting or being associated with Tsvangirai. On countless occasions, many people had to leave the country on account of being labeled "enemies of the state" just for exercising their right of association. High ranking civil servants were chucked out for their allegiance to this great icon whose political pull has engulfed the entirety of Zimbabwe. Many higher education students were expelled from colleges not to mention businesses and farms being expropriated as punishment for in good books with Mugabe's chief nemesis. Here is a man who carries the hope of the nation aspirations and all their future is pinned upon him. As people plan into the future, the mention of his name punctuates all conversations. Religious sermons and prayers mention him as an epitome of the life ahead. The scale of academic genocide, gross human rights and detentions all experiences serve as seals of commitment and the hallmarks of excellence all in sacrifice to the Tsvangirai led cause.
Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai made his name long before the formation of the MDC party. The political outfit is a byproduct of his reputation and popularity of Tsvangirai and not the other way round. Long before the party was formed, Tsvangirai was already a red-carpet guest at various institutions, organizations and a fierce critic of the status quo in Zimbabwe. Generally known is his reluctance to delve into politics possibly a sign of his humility. The formation of the MDC and its acceptance by the people was solely because of the presence of Tsvangirai. It is failure to appreciate this fact that led to the Welshman Ncube rebellion. At all times as evidenced in general elections, the distinction and wide brand-gap between the party and the person was seen. The cunning Tendai Biti in his days suggested the use of Tsvangirai's face as part of the party logo with the full understanding and knowledge of the effect thereof.
It is an uncontested truth that most if not people who have contested for elections in Zimbabwe on the MDC T ticket won not on merit but by mere association with Tsvangirai. The same has been proven continuously citing the loss of "political heavyweights" to Tsvangirai's deployees. Coming in the name of Tsvangirai have led to the electoral humiliation of Patrick Chinamasa, Gibson Sibanda, Robert Mugabe, Dumiso Dabengwa, Vivian Mwashita, Amos Midzi, Jonathan Moyo, Emmerson Munangagwa, Shuvai Mahofa not to mention the deliberate withdrawal of John Nkomo fearing the merciless massacre. The Tsvangirai mania have changed Zimbabwe's political landscape and not even sparing the complexion thereof. Painful and controversial as it may seem, it is clear that all top leaders owe their political standing to Tsvangirai and can lose against any Tsvangirai sponsored candidate in any contest. The mention of most of whom were of no social standing only to discover the goodness of life at the benevolence makes one unpopular. Many were security guards, teachers, garden boys and "mix-mix" guys only to be given a bright life under the Tsvangirai banner.
Generally observed is the full realization by some with a predatory mentality and are ruthless political entrepreneurs. Such is a grouping of people that have used the good name of Tsvangirai in vain to further their own interests at the expense of the movement they purport to love and serve under. With the full conviction and understanding that they are basically nobodies without the envied Tsvangirai tag, they have created safe havens and fiefdoms from which they operate and execute their mission. With the comfort and perks from their "leadership" roles, they have continually manipulated the system to their advantage. Armed and equipped with the internal controls mechanisms, the gang continuously surround themselves with stooges who will never stand against them thereby creating a firewall between the people's leader and his priceless followers. The trick had been repeated by Tendai Biti with some perfection from the mishaps of Welshman Ncube – did it end there? The hidden agenda mentality is what has been responsible for the frustration of old cadres by those with a feudal mentality and whose only limit is a fully fledged empire thereby replacing them with their clowns with dubious struggle credentials if they have any to lay claim upon .
Hope is never a strategy and still is yet to bcome one. Many have tried in varied circumstances to throw the name of Tsvangirai for their personal aggrandizement to no avail. It is a scholarly thesis and academically rewarding on achievement to prove why those close to Tsvangirai normally have no good words for him. Some of his former close aides and colleagues speak in the negative about their former master with all their adjectives flying in superlatives. Very few if any have benefited from their association with Tsvangirai or to claim an inch from patronage. Jacob Mafume, Paul Madzore, Elton Mangoma, Julius Magarangoma, Jefferson Chitando among others are bitter for Tsvangirai not allowing their egos to suppercede national interests. Some wanted top posts in government, contracts and general corruption and the closing of such pilferage closed the friendship and association avenue.
One of the greatest attributes of Tsvangirai is his very elastic tolerance minced with fatherly patience. Being the leader he is, it is at many times that he was warned and could see a rebellion coming his way. The MDC T Youth Assembly in 2005 saw the deviant and erratic behavior of Ncube but still Tsvangirai gave them a long rope to hang. The Biti saga was too clear and heralding for a longtime but neither was it nipped in the bud or dealt with according as precedence had already been set. Judging by the seemingly stable current political climate when potential malcontents are yet to sprout in earnest, it remains to be seen if the elasticity limit has been exceeded. Truly in the coming cases, warning signs shall be managed according.
Tsvangirai's calculated useful arrogance have defined and shaped economic policies in a number of instances. His call for rule of law and refusal to sing the tired "sanctions" mantra is a notable standpoint. Faced with the option to sheeply comply and join the gravy train, Tsvangirai valued the blood of Bakacheza, Jenti Youna, Nabanyama, Mabika, Chiminya, Pfebve and refused to tow the line. The refusal led to a serious judicial persecution disguised as prosecution on a plurality of instances on trumped up charges some carrying the death sentence in a bid to subdue the darling of the masses. Observing his unfailing and relentless resolve for a change in the governance culture, the regime threw many spanners into his rail in the form of infiltration among other machinations.
Despite the persistent and spirited denial, it is evident that the attempt to infiltrate and neutralize Tsvangirai is a plot planned, managed and executed from the highest offices in the land. The rise and involvement of some dubious characters facilitated and made possible by some lax security measures not to mention the mortgaging of the people's project for personal gain. Without doubt, it is not possible for Tsvangirai to know every member and as such treats all members as comrades in good faith though some wolves continuously come in sheep's clothing. Trickily painful is the complicit of those close to him who occasionally give passage to dubious characters thereby obtaining classified information not forgetting compromised "leaders " whose motivation is personal gain.
Though controversial but clear for everyone to see, is the permanent "ready to take over" mentality. Since the inception of the people's project the popularity and charisma of Tsvangirai has been a cause of sleepless nights to many. In his presence may want to be close to him and once the same is achieved a greater propensity to take over emerges. It happened with Gibson Sibanda, Welshman Ncube, and Elton Mangoma. To the best of my knowledge, no ritual was ever conducted to exorcise the takeover demon – is it dormant now or slowly creeping in? Gone for good? My foot! With due respect to all lieutenants, it starts with Tsvangirai and the buck stops there – it is cold outside.
Dr. Wangu Mazodze is the Spokesperson of the MDC T in South Africa and writes in his own capacity as an ordinary citizen of Zimbabwe.
Cell: 0027785900238
Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai, titled Doctor after being honored with the same is an alumni of the prestigious Harvard University College in the United States, with academic merits in Leadership and Governance though this is generally omitted and hence he is portrayed as a hapless chancer and an academic deserter. It is this misconception that has led to many under estimating his capacity thereby allowing him to outwit his opponents at their own game. Among the causalities of his intellectual prowess are distinguished academics in the mould of Professors Arthur Mutambara, Welshman Ncube and Lovemore Madhuku not leaving out the hundreds of Zanu PF allied academics whose combined intellect could not outdo superiority of his excellence in the 2008 general elections.
In the Zanu PF camp, every political upstart who will be seeking relevance throws in the name of Tsvangirai. It is on record that even the former Vice President Joice Mujuru among her crimes was failure or omission to publicly denounce and denounce Tsvangirai. To determine one's full submission to Zanu PF one needs not to swear upon the shrine of Robert Mugabe but to swear against the name of Tsvangirai. This in itself is a clear admission of the regime's deeply hidden far for the name and person of Tsvangirai. In several platforms, the rural folks were deeply embedded with the fear of Tsvangirai as an exotic alien who had no link to Africa and Zimbabwe in particular let alone the villages despite his long Karanga name and his humble upbringing in the former Tribal Trust Lands.
A sad testimony is that of various villages, homes, granaries and livestock that was destroyed on allegations of being associated with Tsvangirai in rural areas, townships, farms and cities. Many people lost their limps, lives, sources of live hoods, jobs, homes and for supporting or being associated with Tsvangirai. On countless occasions, many people had to leave the country on account of being labeled "enemies of the state" just for exercising their right of association. High ranking civil servants were chucked out for their allegiance to this great icon whose political pull has engulfed the entirety of Zimbabwe. Many higher education students were expelled from colleges not to mention businesses and farms being expropriated as punishment for in good books with Mugabe's chief nemesis. Here is a man who carries the hope of the nation aspirations and all their future is pinned upon him. As people plan into the future, the mention of his name punctuates all conversations. Religious sermons and prayers mention him as an epitome of the life ahead. The scale of academic genocide, gross human rights and detentions all experiences serve as seals of commitment and the hallmarks of excellence all in sacrifice to the Tsvangirai led cause.
Dr. Morgan Tsvangirai made his name long before the formation of the MDC party. The political outfit is a byproduct of his reputation and popularity of Tsvangirai and not the other way round. Long before the party was formed, Tsvangirai was already a red-carpet guest at various institutions, organizations and a fierce critic of the status quo in Zimbabwe. Generally known is his reluctance to delve into politics possibly a sign of his humility. The formation of the MDC and its acceptance by the people was solely because of the presence of Tsvangirai. It is failure to appreciate this fact that led to the Welshman Ncube rebellion. At all times as evidenced in general elections, the distinction and wide brand-gap between the party and the person was seen. The cunning Tendai Biti in his days suggested the use of Tsvangirai's face as part of the party logo with the full understanding and knowledge of the effect thereof.
It is an uncontested truth that most if not people who have contested for elections in Zimbabwe on the MDC T ticket won not on merit but by mere association with Tsvangirai. The same has been proven continuously citing the loss of "political heavyweights" to Tsvangirai's deployees. Coming in the name of Tsvangirai have led to the electoral humiliation of Patrick Chinamasa, Gibson Sibanda, Robert Mugabe, Dumiso Dabengwa, Vivian Mwashita, Amos Midzi, Jonathan Moyo, Emmerson Munangagwa, Shuvai Mahofa not to mention the deliberate withdrawal of John Nkomo fearing the merciless massacre. The Tsvangirai mania have changed Zimbabwe's political landscape and not even sparing the complexion thereof. Painful and controversial as it may seem, it is clear that all top leaders owe their political standing to Tsvangirai and can lose against any Tsvangirai sponsored candidate in any contest. The mention of most of whom were of no social standing only to discover the goodness of life at the benevolence makes one unpopular. Many were security guards, teachers, garden boys and "mix-mix" guys only to be given a bright life under the Tsvangirai banner.
Generally observed is the full realization by some with a predatory mentality and are ruthless political entrepreneurs. Such is a grouping of people that have used the good name of Tsvangirai in vain to further their own interests at the expense of the movement they purport to love and serve under. With the full conviction and understanding that they are basically nobodies without the envied Tsvangirai tag, they have created safe havens and fiefdoms from which they operate and execute their mission. With the comfort and perks from their "leadership" roles, they have continually manipulated the system to their advantage. Armed and equipped with the internal controls mechanisms, the gang continuously surround themselves with stooges who will never stand against them thereby creating a firewall between the people's leader and his priceless followers. The trick had been repeated by Tendai Biti with some perfection from the mishaps of Welshman Ncube – did it end there? The hidden agenda mentality is what has been responsible for the frustration of old cadres by those with a feudal mentality and whose only limit is a fully fledged empire thereby replacing them with their clowns with dubious struggle credentials if they have any to lay claim upon .
Hope is never a strategy and still is yet to bcome one. Many have tried in varied circumstances to throw the name of Tsvangirai for their personal aggrandizement to no avail. It is a scholarly thesis and academically rewarding on achievement to prove why those close to Tsvangirai normally have no good words for him. Some of his former close aides and colleagues speak in the negative about their former master with all their adjectives flying in superlatives. Very few if any have benefited from their association with Tsvangirai or to claim an inch from patronage. Jacob Mafume, Paul Madzore, Elton Mangoma, Julius Magarangoma, Jefferson Chitando among others are bitter for Tsvangirai not allowing their egos to suppercede national interests. Some wanted top posts in government, contracts and general corruption and the closing of such pilferage closed the friendship and association avenue.
One of the greatest attributes of Tsvangirai is his very elastic tolerance minced with fatherly patience. Being the leader he is, it is at many times that he was warned and could see a rebellion coming his way. The MDC T Youth Assembly in 2005 saw the deviant and erratic behavior of Ncube but still Tsvangirai gave them a long rope to hang. The Biti saga was too clear and heralding for a longtime but neither was it nipped in the bud or dealt with according as precedence had already been set. Judging by the seemingly stable current political climate when potential malcontents are yet to sprout in earnest, it remains to be seen if the elasticity limit has been exceeded. Truly in the coming cases, warning signs shall be managed according.
Tsvangirai's calculated useful arrogance have defined and shaped economic policies in a number of instances. His call for rule of law and refusal to sing the tired "sanctions" mantra is a notable standpoint. Faced with the option to sheeply comply and join the gravy train, Tsvangirai valued the blood of Bakacheza, Jenti Youna, Nabanyama, Mabika, Chiminya, Pfebve and refused to tow the line. The refusal led to a serious judicial persecution disguised as prosecution on a plurality of instances on trumped up charges some carrying the death sentence in a bid to subdue the darling of the masses. Observing his unfailing and relentless resolve for a change in the governance culture, the regime threw many spanners into his rail in the form of infiltration among other machinations.
Despite the persistent and spirited denial, it is evident that the attempt to infiltrate and neutralize Tsvangirai is a plot planned, managed and executed from the highest offices in the land. The rise and involvement of some dubious characters facilitated and made possible by some lax security measures not to mention the mortgaging of the people's project for personal gain. Without doubt, it is not possible for Tsvangirai to know every member and as such treats all members as comrades in good faith though some wolves continuously come in sheep's clothing. Trickily painful is the complicit of those close to him who occasionally give passage to dubious characters thereby obtaining classified information not forgetting compromised "leaders " whose motivation is personal gain.
Though controversial but clear for everyone to see, is the permanent "ready to take over" mentality. Since the inception of the people's project the popularity and charisma of Tsvangirai has been a cause of sleepless nights to many. In his presence may want to be close to him and once the same is achieved a greater propensity to take over emerges. It happened with Gibson Sibanda, Welshman Ncube, and Elton Mangoma. To the best of my knowledge, no ritual was ever conducted to exorcise the takeover demon – is it dormant now or slowly creeping in? Gone for good? My foot! With due respect to all lieutenants, it starts with Tsvangirai and the buck stops there – it is cold outside.
Dr. Wangu Mazodze is the Spokesperson of the MDC T in South Africa and writes in his own capacity as an ordinary citizen of Zimbabwe.
Cell: 0027785900238
Source - Dr. Wangu Mazodze
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