I WRITE to answer an opinion article by Bekithemba Mhlanga in the Independent of September 19 titled “Will Matabeleland get fair representation?”
Before I go into detail, let me answer him. No. The deal signed was not for fair representation of Matabeleland, Mashonaland or any other region. It was simply a deal that would put together the political parties to find a workable measure to the economic meltdown, while the country awaits the crafting of a new democratic people-driven constitution in 18 months.
It is a fact that Matabeleland has provided much oxygen to MDC-T and deserve better treatment, but this is not an MDC-T government and therefore putting tribal appeasement political demands on the working document will be turning a blind eye on the real objectives that made Tsvangirai to commit to work with people who wish him dead.
It is an unfortunate scenario that people choose to look backwards when we are supposed to look forward. What Mhlanga needs to realise is that the appeasement game has never produced successful results. If we date back into history, Britain signed an appeasement deal with Hitler in 1938. The result was catastrophic – World War II.
The power-sharing deal should not act as an appeasement club for the spirits of Joshua Nkomo, Lookout Masuku or King Lobengula who are no longer participants of this struggle.
Let it be known that should we decide to play the appeasement spirit games, we then have to appease the spirits of Learnmore Jongwe, Talent Mabika, Austin Mpandawana, Tichaona Chiminya, Isaac Matongo or Tonderai Ndira.
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The fact that Zanu PF failed to “truly take up the mantle for Lupani, Kezi and Mawabeni” should not be used as a control in the experiment to judge other political parties. MDC-T is a party with its own policies different from Zanu PF.
Tsvangirai is no fool either to forget those that contributed to the democratic process. I myself contributed too and a lot of others. I have scars on my back, I was in jail, but I understand that this is not an MDC-T government, it is a Government of National Unity. It encompasses all.
There is no room for trivial tribal politics. There is no room for fair representation, although everybody deserves fair representation. This would be a wrong platform to be asking for that.
By Daniel Chigundu
