My heart is also bleeding Tanonoka. Warova dede nemukanwa in your article of today. I am the MDC USA Chairman and I cannot disagree with you on anything you said. We need plan B for sure.
Shumba
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Thank you. That was an excellent article. Could it be that Tsvangirai has already seen that the GNU will not work? and that what we see in him is a man agonizing over a new more robust form of resistance?
Brian
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I do agree with you that Morgan no longer has the charisma as he used to have when in opposition. While I believe that the GNU is not a well oiled machine, I dot not agree that it was a mistake going to bed with Mugabe.As I see it, it was a calculated move to weaken ZANU Pf from within. Picture this friend. There was no way the MDC was going to come to power through the ballot. Its either Mugabe would rig the election or there would be bloodshed like what happened during the June 27 shame. So Morgan and co realized that if they compete in any election Mugabe would not budge so the only way out was to enter the GNU and the try to fight from within. I believe that up to now we can not call this plan a failure.Mugabe agreed to demands for a new people driven constitution and I believe this is the starting point. If we can have a new constitution then using that constitution we can elect whoever we want to govern us.
You must also remember that the root cause of this current crisis is because of the weak Lancaster House adopted constitution whereby Mugabe was able to amend it to his favor and consolidate power. After amending the constitution Mugabe almost became Mr. Zimbabwe himself. No one in government dared question him.
Josephat
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Yes you are right Mr Whande. I have also said it in my comments in the Zimbabwe Times that Mr Tsvangirai and his MDC should go into a retreat. I think the whole MDC needs to rediscover its strength.
It is important that Morgan realizes that they joined a notorious dictator and should be wary of sanitising his crimes for the sake of unity.
CLIFFORD
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Are we not pushing Tsvangirai too much?
I think you are one of the very few people looking at this matter with realism and soberity. Rome was not built in one day! We as Zimbos need to to be politically dynamic in terms of the strategies to achieve our goals of change but we have to be aware that a process take due time to deliver. At the moment it looks like the most vocal commentators to the GNU have nothing positive to say about the efforts by Tsvangirai.
The MDC joined the GNU on humbling realisation that there previous strategy to attain change was not really working to achieve the originally intended goals. And like all managers and people must do to succeed in life, once in a while, you have to stop and review progress, identify challenges and devise means or adjust to accommodate and overcome the challenges identified.
As Zimbabweans, we must have the same mentality rather than being too quick to criticise and appear to shot from the him all the time.
Midzi
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Hi Tano
Thank you for your amazing article that restored my faith in my beloved leader. Like many I have questioned his quiet diplomacy in the face of outrageous and blatant provocation from the enemy. I commented recently, to a fellow activist, that although I am questioning Morgan's wisdom and strength at the moment, in the past whenever I have wondered about his motives for various actions and reactions that in hindsight I always see that Morgan was right all along. You have stimulated my thought processes and I have reached a similar conclusion to yours. Sadly though we cannot spare him the time for a retreat. None of us have that luxury at the moment. We need our fearless warrior back at the helm a soon as possible. His strength will come from our love and support and the final victory which is inevitable will give him the courage to face his personal demons. We will be there for him to carry him and repay him for his enormous sacrifice.
Thank you for such an inspiring and eloquent masterpiece.
Belinda
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Dear Tano
Thanks for a great article in which you highlight that Morgan did return to work far to quickly after the 2 tragedies. Yes he does need to retreat, regain his strength and realize his former strength and vision as he does seem to have gone “soft”. Instead of sitting at home through this process, it would probably help if he spent the time visiting SADC and other countries, acting as ambassador, not only to the GNU (TG), but especially the MDC in this arrangement, ensuring that pressure is piled against mugabe to adhere to his end of the bargain. He needs to retreat from the day-to-day government events which are better left to Tendai Biti & Co who have great fighting energy and clarity at this crucial stage. Though Mutambara is not respected much, he is also showing his teeth against mugabe and this is what is required NOW. If mugabe utters or moves out of line, a ton of loud dung should be dropped on him there and then. There is no time for misplaced respect and niceties. There is no time for “quiet diplomacy”, but the process should involve keeping all Zimbabweans informed every step of the way, day by day. Daily news conferences with honest and factual question and answer sessions would be ideal in recording the events.
Gono has admitted to his errant if not criminal activities within the RBZ. This is public knowledge. But what is not discussed loudly, is what is mugabe’s complicity in the same? We know his involvement in murders, torture, etc., but what is mugabe’s hand in the theft of funds through the RBZ?
The people keep looking at Morgan for “his voice”, but due to the fragility of the process he is not well placed to be vocal. His place is to cajole mugabe, but this can not be appreciated by the majority, and is seen as week. Let him travel and gain the respect of other African leaders while at the same time placating mugabe out of the media glare. In the interim the “tigers” are left at home to act like tigers should!
For this purpose a new free press in required – like yesterday! We have heard gono starting his own, and also Trevor Ncube. That was weeks ago… and still nothing. Of all issues outstanding, information and press restrictions need to be lifted first… and this will assist in putting pressure to achieve other outstanding issues. This must be zanupf’s greatest nightmare!!!
Impi
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Va Whande,
Just to let you know that there are those in the Diaspora who appreciate your wise words in this piece. We must pray for Morgan and hope that he finds the strength of which you speak. There is no viable atlernative.
Regards,
Barry
(ex Harare teacher, domiciled in UK)
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Hello Sekuru Joseph,
Hope you are well. I will not comment much on the content of your articles but your writing skills are what a lot of Zimbabwean journalists lack.
Lovely stuff, keep it up!
Regards
Farai
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In Response to your article pushing Tsvangirai too far
Funny how people will never learn from history despite the tendency of history repeating itself. How the MDC walked into this trap with their eyes wide open defies all logic. Where on the African continent have GNUs ever worked? Was MDC trying to score a first on the continent by making the impossible work? It does not matter how beautiful we try and coin these useless coalition governments. The bottom line is that the arranged marriage by aunt Mbeki and father SADC was stillborn before conception. All the pointers were there for all to see. This virus that is spreading in Africa is a slam in the face of democratic principles that we need to be observing. Surely for the MDC to continue to make excuses for Mugabe’s intransigence is mind boggling. If at all they care for all the activists past and present who have laid down their lives for freedom the party needs to come out clean and tell it as it is on the ground. Tsvangirai cannot tell us that he does not practice megaphone politics in as far as telling us what is happening on the ground is concerned. He owes it to us to tell us the truth. Hapana chiri kufamba instead of shielding Mugabe when it is very evident that nothing is happening.
What the MDC did at a critical point in our history as a country was to hand over Mugabe the much needed reprieve he was looking for by joining this sick marriage. Everything was collapsing around the dictator. Mugabe was on a monitor in the intensive care and the MCD decided to hand him the bag of oxygen and resuscitate him so that he continues with his wicked ways. By joining the GNU the MDC gave Mugabe time to regroup and restrategise. What he is simply doing now is running circles around MDC and buying time. A funny pattern that might not be obvious to the MDC has emerged out of this marriage. When the so called principles are scheduled to meet and have an agenda set to discuss pertinent and critical issues to implementing the GNU Mugabe and his buddies simply throw in spanners and creates emergency situations to ensure that there is no progress for example stripping Chamisa’s portfolio of certain powers and re-detention of Jestina and others.
What he is simply doing is to ensure that outstanding issues remain unresolved such as issue of ambassadors, governors, Gono and Tomana appointments. Meanwhile time is not static but ticking in the right direction for him. His intention was never to share power equitably with Tsvangirai. Mugabe hates the MDC with a passion. To him they are traitors and belong to the dustbin. He will never repent no matter how much the MDC placates him. A few days to go into the 100 days of the GNU what has been achieved. Instead in the MDC Mugabe has found himself small boys he can send around on errands globe begging bowl in hand and defend this sick marriage.
What MDC needs to do urgently is to regroup and reflect and make bold but painful decisions. The country needs leaders who can strategically think, plan and move us forward. Izvi zvekukiya kiya zviri keudzwa ne MDC will not work. Is this not this kukiya kiya by Mugabe and gang that has got us into this mess. The MDC should learn and fast.
Thanks RG
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hamufunge here kuti muzaya vane chivanhu. vaida kunyatsopumwa nemanyanga nemasvikiro, ehee mwari ariko asi zvakaipei kuti ngoma irohwe vozorwa ndove etc nana godobori vobviswa mweya yaakunetesa zvinhu, vana muporofita Mwazha vakanaka asi aaa ini hangu ndirikuti pane zviri kusarira. Ndinoyeuka musi wetsaona taiveko kumba kwavo ndikakumbira kuti ndivashande vakaramba vakanyarara then ndikaenda kuna Mbanga akati enda kuna Edith sec, uya akati enda kuna J Mungwari, kamupfana kaye kakati nyora email, yecv ini aikaka, apa chitatu ndakarota motorcade yavo yatsika munhu ini ndaitevera sure kwavo ndikabva ndasungwa nemapurisa apo ndakaramba kuti munhu haana kutsikwa asi warohwa nemhepo yemotorcade, and then i was later released. Izvi ndakataurira maMP aive mumota mangu tichienda kwaManzvire kurally, vakati drive carefully ngatinamatei, saka pakadai panonetsa.
julliana
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Are we not pushing Tsvangirai too much.
Hello Mr T. Hwande
I have been following all the events happening in the political arena.
with great interest. From my point of view, the public need to be remind that Mugabe is the individual who brought all this suffering.
As long as that person is still within the whole scheme, he will always throw spanners into the works. Instead of people demostrating against him as an individual, change won't come soon. Since this government was formed, no one has mentioned or questioned why Mugabe is doing what is doing.
My question for you Mr Hwande is "How long do you think Zanu is gonna be cheating or harassing people?" As it is now they are no longer popular among the general populus, where are they going to ganner support from. What sort of a party is that always gets away with rubbish. Do they still have the same muscle as they used to have in the 80's? In Shone we say "chisingaperi chino shura" Saka Zanu haiperi
here? Nekuti matauriro enyu pane dzimwe nguva anoita kunge Zanu
yakangwara isina anoikunda uye ichagare iripo nariini nariiini.
Please give insight, and tell us why it's going to be there for long and why it will always be able to manouvre. I always read your articles read your articles and I trust you should be able to tell us more about this Zanu and their God (Mugabe)
Regards
Umbadzo
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hie Tano
I have just read your commentary the heart of the matter. As a regular listener to SWradioafrica was relieved because you have realised the exact situation in the GNU. The ,problem is not about PM or MDC Mugabe and his junta are refusing to give power and that need PM to fight peacefully and carefully because ZANU hardiliners are realising that power is slowly going. I agree with you when you say the PM needs a retreat but he cant becuse we want this peaceful struggle to continue.Refer to the commenmt last evening by Shumba in reference to the ultimatum by MDC where he said The mdc must tread carefulyy otherwise they may fall into a trap by ZANU because it is Zanu who dont want this to work. I really under your conncerns which you every thursday raise but decesions on the MDC must heat two fronts 1. totake power without cusing panic in the junta 2. and to allow people in the process to be able to live peacefully thus why decisions seem to be delayed. Lets not expect too soon results but they are coming(refer again to the comment by shumba last night where he again cautioned those who are wanting results now now, its dangerous when dealing with Talibans .
More importantly now you have suggested ideas for the MDC that is what we at home want from you Ideas to fight peacefully this old old people whohave nothing for the people,
thanks see you later and thus the way it is today thursday 7 may 2009
struggle continues at home
mafu
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mdc Tsvangirai Leadership..
Hello son of the soil(SOTS)"
THE SIMPLE TRUTH IS Morgan Tsvangirai is DEPRESSED. and severely attenuated, It is Imperative the MDC recognise this and assisst him to heal .Within their caucus They have to form A triumvarate who should queitely assume more responsibilty and allow this man to heal It has to be Done. !;Stop inappropiate Speeches ie Mugabe can not do anything without me and I can not do anything without him .That is what it SHOULD BE. Reality is Mugabe is doing as he pleases .Solution < Have a speech writer for MTsv.
2 Stop protecting Mugabe Do not attack Muagbe Attack His Infractures
of the agreements reached with SADC List them and send them to President Zuma in his capacity as Chairman of SADC Copy them to AU and UN Keep Targeted Personal Sanctions intact.
3 MDC caucus must have a serious meeting and pass a motion of NO confidence and non recognition of GONO and TOMANA appointments and refuse to recognise their rulings as binding
4Parliament has not passed a single law of reform !WHY?Strategise .Also incoporate the egocentric Professor USE Private Members Bill. A: abolish aippa and posa; enshrine free speech and freedom of association B Outlaw Abductions C Make Clean water Provision a National Right. Tszangirai cannot do everything We must not make him a Messiar. He is severely wounded.
5 Let it be known President Reagan Had smart men around him The Berlin Wall fell in his Watch. We can Fell the Mugabe Wall of Arrogance and Intransigence in crumbled Zimbabwe
6;Surround Tsvangirai with intelligent men and women of integrity skills in every field Zimbabwe is reachely endowed.Mdc misstepped by going with Mbeki betral.Let us turn it upside down as he was turned at Polokwane.Fellow Zimbabweans marry ourselves to Principles.JoinTsvangirai. Join Zuma Join Hands as the People.
joyce
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Pushing Tsvangirai too far
I totally agree with you, at least I know someone feels the same as I do out there. You say it none can say it better. You make it emotionally touching!
Simbarashe
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I agree with your analysis of the MDC /Tsvangirai dilemma in the Unity Govt. What dictates the pace of change ,taking into account strategy and tactics of the protagonists will remain complex in the Zimbabwean context? all of a sudden people are impatient and expectations are high and in the equation is the next elections. Crucial to any strategy by the MDC is sorting out the outstanding issues by next week as it is being reported and getting a free press, an independent electoral body, rule of law of course and a retrained police force and Giles seems to be ineffective so far and on the face of it.
Banda
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We forget too soon. One of our fingers is pointing out towards him blaming him for not having done much. Not knowingly or conscious of the fact that the other four fingers are pointing to us and asking ask what have you done yourself? This is a process and not an event. We all need to put our hands and heads together and help him finish what he started. It will take time. We need to sacrifice hence teachers should consider going to work and also assist in coming up with solutions that will make their lives better. The 16 abductees sacrificed and are still sacrificing. Very easy to blame but very difficult to come up with something sensible.
Anonymous
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I agree with you completely. Governments of national unity don't work. Its not working in Kenya and should never have been allowed both in Kenya and Zimbabwe. Its the death of democracy. What is the purpose of votes? why waste peoples time voting.
Tsvangirai should never have gone into the deal as its now brought a deadlock. Nothing is moving, the world is sceptical. Now violence on the farms is even upsetting the world more, and no one is taking this government seriously. Too much is going on. Is there any hope?
Please don't publish my real name, which is on this email.
Catherine
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