Standing in the way of MDC unity

Standing in the way of MDC unity

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By Msekiwa Makwanya

ARTHUR G.O. Mutambara Presidential Acceptance Speech on 26th February 2006 in Bulawayo is an embodiment of hope and a masterstroke of diplomacy which strikes at the very heart of the challenges in Zimbabwe today.

By calling for a reunification framework and strategy to be established immediately and making his personal pledge for unity, AGO Mutambara has demonstrated that he is serious and in touch with reality. Through his preparedness to step down as President of the party, to allow for fresh elections in which he reserves his right to contest; Mutambara has shown that he is genuine and pragmatic.

It should be noted that in any political party there are always people who genuinely feel that they do not stand to benefit from unity because they are not
confident of their competence and positions on the united platform, but we can only urge them to put the party first and unite. The most important thing is
for any leader in a desperate situation like Zimbabweans today is to realise that, there are people who are suffering out there.

It is not about who formed the MDC that is already there in the history books and their place is guaranteed, what Zimbabwe needs now is a vision and strategy which can take the party to a much more effective level of functioning so that there will be a credible opposition in Zimbabwe. The generality of Zimbabweans are watching carefully and the people will get impatient with anyone who stands in the way of unity.

There is no doubt that Mutambara has been listening to the views of the people and the power of his carefully selected words should make it hard to ignore for those with ears to hear.

Let us say most solemnly, the wrath of the party should be visited upon those who will stand in the way of unity or cause further division. To Morgan Tsvangirai, the message is clear: “You cannot go it alone chief, yes, you are great and popular, but the ball game is changing and you have to respond to the new reality and show the way to unity”.

Many great leaders have shown the tendency to falter towards the end and undo all the great respect they toiled to achieve. People will always remember your last move, the rest is history.

It can only be hoped that Tsvangirai will not miss this opportunity because Mutambara is not fighting him and many will wait for his response with a bated breath. Whatever the response from Tsvangirai, we have another great leader on the stage in the name of Mutambara thanks to the congress in
Bulawayo.
Msekiwa Makwanya is a social commentator based in England. He can be contacted at: makwanya@yahoo.com
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