By Pearson Mbendera.
Since the formation of the MDC in 1999, establishing a big politic rivalry with the ruling party ZANU PF. The fact that they are still knocking at the door and trying to be the hope of Zimbabwe may shock many people, but it shouldn’t come as a shock, they don’t have what it takes to rule this country.
Zimbabwe was somewhat a one party state, the opposition political parties in existence then couldn’t stand against ZANU PF and offer the people a meaningful alternative. But MDC came and changed that, and for the first time, there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel, change was on its way to Zimbabwe, at least that’s what people believed, except they were wrong, change wasn’t destined for Zimbabwe, and if it was, it wasn’t coming with the MDC, they didn’t have a clue to what change meant. They still tried though, and they are still going, lost, but still going.
But while they are trying to change the country, and make it better, they need to show change in themself first, before we give them the keys to the kingdom. The once favoured and highly regarded party as far as opposition parties are concerned, they influence the MDC used to have on the people is slowly winding down, with people now preferring to stand on their own, and align with non-political movements, pushing for the much needed change, the change that MDC promised, the change that many believed was something they embodied.
It is no secret that ZANU PF has failed, and for that reason, any political party that was too come and offer something better was going to e popular with the masses, particularly the working class in the big cities, but while that’s just a foundation, winning an election takes more than the rallying of a people with a common enemy to thwart. But MDC was the party, giving ZANU PF a run for their money.
Competition is healthy, it always spurs growth and development. Competition in everything, sports, academics, in the industry and in politics as well. And when the MDC was formed, it was a wake up call for ZANU PF that was getting more relaxed and sloppy, taking the people for granted. But in my opinion, ZANU PF’s hold on power has grown stronger and stronger since the formation of MDC. While the MDC have offered a glimmer of hope here and there, it seem to be dying and dying with the passage of time.
With no grassroots level participation, the MDC is failing to connect with the people. Criticism of the failure of the ruling government is something obvious, even a blind man can see that, the continued reference of such action by the MDC has made me believe that they are clueless, and are just good at noting what’s wrong, without having the ability to provide the much needed solutions.
Many people have voted against ZANU PF and not for MDC, and that’s not a healthy position to be in while in a bid to win the election. They have stood against ZANU PF alright, that’s commendable in some way, but they have just opposed, and never offered something of substance.
With time passing by, all they have managed to do is break up, showing us how immature, impatient and lacking in leadership and resolve, all the things we expected from them. And because of their inability, they have left Zimbabwe in a dilemma, with much need to change the government, but no right political party to take over from a failing ZANU PF.
Nothing has changed tactically since they came into existence, thy have ran every election with the same themes and the same old promises and slogans. Boring the followers who have now lost faith and patience in the party. While ZANU PF has switched tactics over the elections, the MDC’s mandate still remains the same, win the election, but having failed to do so on three elections, new ways of winning the elections are required, and the inability to adapt to changing situation, is something that should be coming from a political party promising change.
While I cannot speak for the entire population, it seems to me that change in this country may actually have to com from within ZANU PF or from another opposition party, not anyone that is in current existence. truth be told, while ZANU PF has made a mess of this country, MDC hasn’t been able to offer the alternative they are supposed to stand for, instead, they seem to be the poorer, stupid and impatient version of the ZANU PF. Why replace ZANU PF with such a mediocre party, at a crucial time in our history. We don’t want a temporary solution, but a permanent one, and MDC has failed to be that political party to bring a ray of sunshine to a country engulfed in a cloud of
Maybe MDC will change, but I don’t see how. Right now, they are selling a product they do not even believe in a product, they themselves don’t even have. Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Its about time the MDC heed of these wise words, otherwise, they will continue in the path of offering the struggling people of Zimbabwe false hope. With ZANU PF, some prophets and everything false in Zimbabwe, we have enough of that, we want real change, until that day, I would rather vote ZANU PF, at least I have faith in the fact that they are going to mess up. That’s much better, I won’t be disappointed then. And if they manage to turn things around, well, that will be a bonus.
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