IN MY discussions with patriotic Zimbabweans across the globe, I have discovered that there is a very strong view that if Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai’s signature is the one that will save the country then he should be accorded the power that is commensurate with the power of his signature.
The power of Mr. Tsvangirai’s signature comes with responsibility and therefore requires necessary say in the major decisions in the Government that will obtain in Zimbabwe because people should be able to measure his contribution.
Any performance is measured against the job description and specification.
Mr. Tsvangirai appears to be asking for clarity of his role in a Government of National Unity. This is necessary to avoid unwarranted conflict in a situation where tension will be inevitable – in any change process – because people are resistant to change.
The idea of a ceremonial role is understandably viewed as an insult by both President Robert Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai because you do not fight an election to have a ceremonial role. People do not elect leaders to have a ceremonial role. In a situation that Zimbabwe finds itself in since 29 March 2008, it makes sense for Zanu PF and the MDC to share power 50-50.
Professor Arthur Mutambara of the smaller MDC faction has been a subject of serious criticism for tipping the balance of power in favour of Zanu PF, and misusing his king-making position. Zimbabweans would hope that Mr. Mutambara has good reasons for his decisions.
Professor Mutambara lives among Zimbabweans and it is the mark of a transformational leader to listen to the people who follow him/her lest they are accused of being arrogant and out of touch with reality. This would be a cardinal sin that any leader can ever commit in politics.
For a person of Mutambara’s intellectual ability, who has researched on rocket science, it should be easy to gauge and ascertain the people’s wishes and feelings.
Change is about people’s feelings and emotions and if you cannot connect with people then there will be no buy-in and change.
Mr. Tsvangirai has been referring to the March 29th election as a better measure of ascertaining people’s feelings. In that election he was ahead of President Mugabe and the power of Mr. Tsvangirai’s signature is understandably derived from that election.
President Mugabe had told the nation in the period leading to the June 27 run-off election that challenged the pen will never defeat the gun. In the on-going talks between Zanu PF and the two MDC formations, it is clear that the pen and the gun should co-exist to save the country.
In any case, it was the signatures of President Mugabe, the late Dr Joshua Nkomo and Ian Douglas Smith (and even Bishop Abel Muzorewa) that brought the independence of Zimbabwe at Lancaster House in England in 1980.
It is a truism that Zimbabwe will not move forward without Mr. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main MDC’s signature. So does it mean that Mr. Tsvangirai is under pressure to save Zimbabwe with the power of signature? It looks like a Messiah moment for Mr. Tsvangirai and, with it will come serious criticism if things go wrong and praise and even worship if he gets it right and it’s now a fine line.
The question for Mr. Tsvangirai is: Does he go into the theatre without enough tools or go in and ask for the tools once he is inside?
Mr. Tsvangirai should not under-estimate his power even without all the tools he wants, his presence in the theatre will make a difference to the lives of the people of Zimbabwe much more than he might imagine.
It will take his creativity, imagination and initiative. It cannot be disputed that Mr. Tsvangirai’s role in the future government should reflect the power of his signature.
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n/a • n/a Subject: TRUE Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:51:37 • Its true Tsvangirai's signature will change the lives of many but it has to be made clear to him of his powers before he signs otherwise we will see another episode of what happened to ZAPU, Africans cannot do without the help of the west , we might have the resources but how to utilise them hatina chipo chacho. Mogiza in as much as we want Zimbabwe to be a bread basket again hold on to your signature until all is clear you are God sent
fed up • n/a Subject: n/a Thu, 21 Aug 2008 19:00:37 • Oh, come on, I'm so sick of this. You really think white people are trying to recolonise Zimbabwe? Come on! Don't you think there might be some people who are just concerned and looking for a future, and voting for the only option that seems possible? (If ZANU PF had not been so wily about eliminating all opposition over 28 years, well, perhaps we might have a few more options..
I'm not talking here of government leaders or company directors intersted in getting their hands on wealth. I'm talking about ordinary people who just want a life. Where is all your demonisation going to get us (all of us, that is, not Black or White or Whatever. I am sick of this)?
n/a • n/a Subject: n/a Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:54:20 • MT is not negotiating on behalf of his party or that of Zimbos who voted for him but for his white masters who gave him the tools to start this party. Does he need to consult on every little detail he is faced with when his party assented to the talks. Why should he consult Brown thru the half Scottish poofter in Bushmanland to the west of us. This idiot can and should never be trusted with executive powers. We dont want to forever rue the day we did so when shackles of slavery are firmly securely locked on our feet and hands. Better the talks collapse now than to give in to these monsters and their puppet. This should teach every Zimbabwean that you do not need to look for salvation from outsiders - the sanctions say it all - but to look for it from within. Hapana chichachinja apa.! White people are on a relentless campaign to recolonise Zim and turn it into Rhodesia and have the bones of Ian Smith interred at the Heroes Acre side by side with those of Tongogara. May the good lord deal with MT the way he dealt with Mwanawafa!
Arthur Gwagwa • arthurgwagwa@yahoo.com Subject: Attention to detail is needed! Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:47:59 • It appears to me that there is still a lack of trust on both sides of the political divide therefore the current requisitions and enquiries to seek clarification is a pre-requisite in coming up with a structure that is sustainable and that can endure the test of time.
Hope that is deferred makes our hearts sick but it is equally important for the MDC and ZANU PF to clearly understand the nature of the creature they are trying to create. Roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability must be clearly delineated to create a properly functioning government.
While it is my wish for a GNU to come into effect as a matter of urgency, I equally think an attention to detail is also needed. We dont want to close a wound that has puss in it- it will be a matter of time before it ruptures again. Ngavasvine urwa ihoho, vogeza ronda, vozonyatsorivhara zvakanaka! Keep it up Makwanya!
Nyasha • n/a Subject: Ignorant man Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:51:11 • Well reasoned article. You are beginning to make a lot sense, although Morgan cannot be sided with 100%. His signature might turn out to be destuctive of the country that has already been destroyed. Morgan seems to have lost the vision that he had for Zimbabwe, if he ever did. Also never underestimate the power of an ignorant man, especially surrounded by intellectuals
n/a • n/a Subject: n/a Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:17:34 • True. MT should hold on to his signature and Mugabe to his power. MT should continue to make Zimbos suffer as they are the ones who encouraged this nonsense. For a country with a high literacy rate that was fed the truth since independence on the rapacious and unsatiated appetite of the rogue west in trying to recolonise africa, the goons who went on to support this party should now feel the effects of their stupid decision. If they think this ignoramus is their saviour they have a long wait coming, possibly eternity. BOB gara panyanga imbwa idzi dzichanaka chete!
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