Opinion / Columnist
Opposition politics in Zimbabwe full of confusionists
06 Jan 2015 at 13:28hrs | Views
Failure by the opposition political formations in Zimbabwe to create a coalition is a clear sign of confusion ruling amongst their ranks and file. Ever since its formation in 1999, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has been rocked by incessant fragmentations which resulted in its eventual weakening.
The indelible fact about opposition parties in this country is their classic deficit on quality leadership. All leaders that led the MDC editions demonstrated a crystal-clear track-record of poor leadership.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC-T president is a typical example of a failed leader that illustrated gross lack of leadership prowess. He failed to dislodge Zanu-PF from power since 2000 when his party first entered into national polls. He is an infamous serial loser who registered successive failures in all elections. In 2000 parliamentary polls he was even rejected by the people of Buhera North Constituency for a parliamentary seat. From there on all hell broke loose as he was defeated by President Robert Mugabe in all presidential polls. He failed to appeal to the electorate until he lost his political sparkle and glitter in 2013. Zimbabweans regret the time of support they dedicated to this worthless political-rover who banks his fortune on opportunism. The electorate is fed up by his ever-rising level of political blindness.
It is mind-boggling to note that Tsvangirai, as a presidential aspirant, is currently running a life-style of a pauper as he can hardly cater for his basic needs. The party is carrying a begging bowl for him as it is requesting party supporters to send a mere US$1 per month per each supporter through eco-cash to enable this cog to continue existing. If he can't take care of himself how did he expect to cater for the needy in this country? It seems he wanted to use the electorate to facilitate him to the higher echelons of power to enable him to loot public funds and assets to enrich himself.
Upon inception of the original MDC, Tsvangirai rejoiced free hand-outs from western donors that thought he could satisfy their prospects of regime change in Zimbabwe. His poor leadership qualities frustrated their anticipation leading to their abrupt departure after he recorded yet another poll defeat on July 31, 2013. This left him with no cash even to buy his family groceries.
Tsvangirai's semi-literate levels, characterized by his dictatorial tendencies, led to the latest split which saw Tendai Biti and Elton Mangoma, calling for leadership renewal in the party. Due to lack of vision, Morgan Tsvangirai perceived this as direct assault on his political career. This precipitated another split which gave birth to MDC Renewal Team which walked away with all progressive minds, leaving MDC-T in the cold. Nevertheless, the future of the MDC Renewal Team is on the fence as it cannot convince the electorate as a practical and formidable alternative to the embattled MDC-T.
Professor Welshman Ncube, who led the other MDC-N break-away from 2005, failed to lead the party and chose to hire the politically bankrupt politician, Professor Arthur Mutambara, to take over reins of power. Professor Mutambara was a splendid failure that created animosity till he was eventually dislodged unceremoniously, leading him to form yet another MDC edition. MDC-Mutambara faded quickly with very little influence to the national politics with its leader vanishing into thin air.
The overzealous and the adolescent behaved Job Sikhala formed a splinter group that he named MDC99. This was another episode of melodramatic opposition politics. This party failed to yield the minimum expectations of a normal party.
On the other side of the river, there is Dumiso Dabengwa who is leading the renewed ZAPU which in actual fact is another batch of failed and confused leaders that could hardly appeal to more than a dozen people. Dabengwa was reduced to a mere family head as opposed to his ambition to be a head of state. He added to the political dust-bins of similar confused political leaders like Simba Makoni, Margret Dongo, Egypt Dzineminhenzva, Shakespeare Maya and Kissinoti Mukwazhi, among other nonentities.
The common denominator of all the opposition politicians in Zimbabwe is that they are devoid of alternative policies which can successfully challenge Zanu-PF policies.
-------------
Suitable Kajau can be contacted at kajausuitable@gmail.com
The indelible fact about opposition parties in this country is their classic deficit on quality leadership. All leaders that led the MDC editions demonstrated a crystal-clear track-record of poor leadership.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC-T president is a typical example of a failed leader that illustrated gross lack of leadership prowess. He failed to dislodge Zanu-PF from power since 2000 when his party first entered into national polls. He is an infamous serial loser who registered successive failures in all elections. In 2000 parliamentary polls he was even rejected by the people of Buhera North Constituency for a parliamentary seat. From there on all hell broke loose as he was defeated by President Robert Mugabe in all presidential polls. He failed to appeal to the electorate until he lost his political sparkle and glitter in 2013. Zimbabweans regret the time of support they dedicated to this worthless political-rover who banks his fortune on opportunism. The electorate is fed up by his ever-rising level of political blindness.
It is mind-boggling to note that Tsvangirai, as a presidential aspirant, is currently running a life-style of a pauper as he can hardly cater for his basic needs. The party is carrying a begging bowl for him as it is requesting party supporters to send a mere US$1 per month per each supporter through eco-cash to enable this cog to continue existing. If he can't take care of himself how did he expect to cater for the needy in this country? It seems he wanted to use the electorate to facilitate him to the higher echelons of power to enable him to loot public funds and assets to enrich himself.
Upon inception of the original MDC, Tsvangirai rejoiced free hand-outs from western donors that thought he could satisfy their prospects of regime change in Zimbabwe. His poor leadership qualities frustrated their anticipation leading to their abrupt departure after he recorded yet another poll defeat on July 31, 2013. This left him with no cash even to buy his family groceries.
Professor Welshman Ncube, who led the other MDC-N break-away from 2005, failed to lead the party and chose to hire the politically bankrupt politician, Professor Arthur Mutambara, to take over reins of power. Professor Mutambara was a splendid failure that created animosity till he was eventually dislodged unceremoniously, leading him to form yet another MDC edition. MDC-Mutambara faded quickly with very little influence to the national politics with its leader vanishing into thin air.
The overzealous and the adolescent behaved Job Sikhala formed a splinter group that he named MDC99. This was another episode of melodramatic opposition politics. This party failed to yield the minimum expectations of a normal party.
On the other side of the river, there is Dumiso Dabengwa who is leading the renewed ZAPU which in actual fact is another batch of failed and confused leaders that could hardly appeal to more than a dozen people. Dabengwa was reduced to a mere family head as opposed to his ambition to be a head of state. He added to the political dust-bins of similar confused political leaders like Simba Makoni, Margret Dongo, Egypt Dzineminhenzva, Shakespeare Maya and Kissinoti Mukwazhi, among other nonentities.
The common denominator of all the opposition politicians in Zimbabwe is that they are devoid of alternative policies which can successfully challenge Zanu-PF policies.
-------------
Suitable Kajau can be contacted at kajausuitable@gmail.com
Source - Suitable Kajau
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
