Professor John Makumbe is one of those who never had a critical word against Tsvangirai and MDC but this time he has out done himself! How can anyone say Zimbabwe is “on the way to democracy” and then gives a spill on the availability of food in the shops?
On the political front Zimbabwe has not moved an inch, Mugabe continues to rule the country with an iron fist. MDC was supposed to deliver democratic change and the true measure of that change would have been the end of dictatorial rule and the restoration of all individual rights and freedoms. The greatest single achievement by MDC should have been that 2008 was the last year Zimbabweans never had to live in fear of political violence. MDC has failed to deliver on this key point.
Zanu PF has indeed “been running rings round MDC” as you rightly said, Violet. And, of course, no good will come out of this; the constitution making process is one example.
The constitution should be a law governing the relations of equals. Mugabe has so much power; he can disrupt the process, disregard what he does not like, impose his will, etc. There are other things affecting the constitution making process such as a free press. These matters should be addressed first before money is wasted on a process that clearly defective.
As things stand this constitution process is one between a Slave and Slave Master; it will not be a democratic document!
The economic achievements are not as great as the Professor and MDC leadership would have us believe. The filling of the shops with foods and other goods was a result of the dollarization of the economy and scrapping of the price controls. Other than scrap the misguided policy of the Mugabe-Gono days, there was little else the inclusive government did, really.
The inclusive government should have left no stone unturned to stop the farm invasions and thus restore confidence in the rule of law and respective for property rights. That alone would have gone a long way to restore agricultural production and lure new investment.
Zimbabwe’s mining sector has the potential to achieve a 40% growth rate and last year achieved only a 2%; these are Finance Minister Tendai Biti’s own figures.
The Schools and Hospitals the Professor was pleased to see functioning are indeed running thanks to the donor community. If it was not for the Red Cross a prison sentence in Zimbabwe would be a death sentence – prisoners were starving! Zimbabwe has the dubious position of being the most aid-dependent nation in the whole world. Of course that did not stop inclusive government spending US$ 28 million on overseas travel alone. What is there to be proud of in that!
I agree with Tanonoka (Heart of the matter 7 January 2010) Zimbabweans politicians are in power “to improve the nation but to improve themselves”.
The way forward is to be found in the ordinary people. We look too much to our political leaders to solve the nation’s problem because we have conditioned to believe that the people are powerless and helpless. We, the people, are neither powerless nor helpless. Yes Mugabe usurped our basic freedoms and rights including the right to have a meaningful say in the governance of the country. Power is like honey, taste it and you will want more. It is little surprise then that people like Tsvangirai spoke for the people before they tasted power. After; they forgot about the people and were busy “chewing” as Tanonoka aptly put it.
Democracy, we all agree that the only solid foundation for good governance is democracy, can only thrive where the electorate is informed and powerful. In our struggle to get our people’s power back from the political leaders there two basic truths we must keep at the back of our minds that:
a) Power, however it has evolved, whatever its origins, will not be given up without a struggle (Shulamith Firestone). Power can be taken, but not given. This is why it is naïve to believe Mugabe will deliver a democratic constitution and, afterwards, hold free and fair elections.
b) The process of taking power is empowering in itself (Gloria Steinem). The International Community can never deliver a working democracy for Zimbabwe. At best they can force Mugabe out of power but the chances are another dictator will step in. Like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, the people have to walk down the length of the Yellow Brick Road for themselves to appreciate the true value of democracy and freedom just as Dorothy had to, to appreciated that there was no place like home!
2009 was great disappointment because MDC could and should have delivered on its promise to bring about real and meaningful democratic change in Zimbabwe. Still the people can bring this about themselves this year. The people must reject Mugabe’s political machination and for once set their own political agenda; for example, reject the new constitution and demand that there be fresh elections now!
Wilbert
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