The quality of products coming out of the production line of trade unions has often been very questionable; we have been overwhelmed by defective products the likes of Zwelinzima Vavi, Gwede Mantashe and other trade unionists of suspect politics.
This is not inspiring any confidence that even the barest minimum requirements of the SABS quality assurance are met, but — as with everything else in life — we do get occasional surprises of awe-inspiring quality, the Ramaphosas and Motlanthes.
When we look across the Limpopo, we also notice what the trade unions in Zimbabwe have produced: Morgan Tsvangirai. If the quality of politics of men were to be judged by the manner in which they pleased the eye, Tsvangirai, I’m afraid, is hopeless. Not only is he not a man to whom you can ascribe good looks, but his politics also leave much to be desired. Is Zimbabwe really short of good leaders?
The tyranny that has befell the Zimbabweans calls for extraordinary human will on part of Zimbabweans themselves to bring about lasting change. It has become apparent that Zimbabweans are timid or have been so severely traumatised by the tyrannical regime of Robert Mugabe that they seem incapable of liberating themselves. History is littered with instances of men of robust constitution, charged with revolutionary zeal, rising up against despotic regimes, unseating them and liberating the masses. Where violent overthrow of an illegitimate and tyrannical regime is out of the question, as was the case in South Africa, constructive engagement is necessary. We have only witnessed destructive utterances.
Upon Tsvangirai’s shoulders rest the hopes of millions of suffering ordinary people, but unfortunately he does not appear to have that will to bring about the change for which his Movement for Democratic Change exists. What we have witnessed thus far is continuous whingeing and pointing of fingers at those he accuse of not advancing his course.
Campaigning for election is not enough to unseat the despotic regime of Mad Bob when it is clear that he will not relinquish power any time soon. Events following the March 29 elections and the subsequent run-off indicate that Tsvangirai and his MDC do not have a plan B; or maybe they have, that plan being to wait for the puppet master from the UK to pull the strings and give rhythm and momentum to the Zimbabwean drama.
Unlike Mahatma Gandhi, who succeeded with his civil disobedience as a form of non-violent resistance, the Zimbabweans appear incapable of even honouring calls for stay-aways, perhaps fearing more brutal crackdowns by Zanu-PF lunatics. But for how long can you sit back and take the beating from a bully without attempting a counter-punch or at least biting the bully’s ear off, when you’re being clubbed to death anyway?
Tsvangirai is not providing the kind of leadership required to liberate the Zimbabweans from Mugabe’s lunacy. I cannot imagine black South Africans during the height of apartheid surrendering their political destiny to the leadership (or lack thereof) of a person of Tsvangirai’s quality. Zimbabweans deserve better and certainly Tsvangirai is not the person to lead them during their struggle for liberation. I am beginning to suspect that Zimbabweans may be voting against Mugabe and not necessarily for Tsvangirai. Already there is a faction within the MDC, which is telling of the quality of Tsvangirai’s leadership.
It is sad to see millions of Zimbabweans continue to suffer while those in leadership are dictated to by their egos rather than the plight of their followers. I doubt whether Tsvangirai and Mugabe can proclaim with absolute certainty to have immediate experience of what ordinary Zimbabweans are going through and the manner in which they are affected by their hesitation to form a government together and address the problems facing their country. I do not think they have the willingness to place themselves in the situation of ordinary Zimbabweans and conceive enduring the same torments. Until that happens on the part of either party, there can be no lasting solution to the problems in that country.
Sentletse,
What you say about conditions for the elections in March is true; in fact the MDC actually thanked Mbeki for this at the time. So, he has been responsible for some progress, albeit very, very, very slow. But South Africa has been dragging its feet in this matter and continues to do so. It took six years after the rigged 2002 election (Which South Africa declared to be free and fair!!! If this does not indicate South Africa’s bias towards Zanu-PF then I don’t know what does) to get a semi free and fair election in March 2008. As you say, the results of the March election allowed Tsvangirai to get the moral high-ground and well he should have it. I didn’t see anyone questioning Mugabe’s right to rule when he won elections after the war, but because Tsvangirai is not part of this “old boys club” we need all these shenanigans and “mediations” and “negotiations” and God alone knows what else to happen before the man can just become president. No one was calling Mugabe a “spoilt brat” when he became president of Zimbabwe nor Mbeki when he won elections in South Africa. Will Jacob Zuma and the ANC need to go into six years of “negotiations” and “mediations” if he wins the elections next year before he can become president because the DA disagrees with his views? Tsvangirai should be president of Zimbabwe and Mugabe/ZANU-PF needs to stand down immediately, this is how a democracy works. If you want a dictatorship instead of a democracy then just say so! If the people of Zimbabwe decide after six years that Tsvangirai is a puppet/muppet/agent of the evil imperialist west or that he is just completely useless then they can vote him out of power and they must be free do to so. We urgently need to call a spade a spade here. The problem with Africa is that people are afraid to call a spade a spade and that’s why we sit in the situation we are in. Mugabe must be pushed from power, he is illegitimate (everyone except Mugabe and Zanu-PF are agreed on this fact). Mbeki now needs to follow through now and without delay. He needs to press for targeted sanctions on a regime which has been riding rough-shod over the population of Zimbabwe for years and years and continues to do so with no repercussions for their actions. Pressure does and will work; there is not doubt about that. As an example, at the threat of latest set of UN sanctions Tendai Biti was very quickly released from prison and suddenly Zanu-PF was open to talks again (probably in bad faith though, it must be said).
Everyone who doesn’t think like Sentletse is called a moron or a defective product. Interesting!
I hav said it b4 that Zims fot so many wars and we are nw tired. SA is not free but are living an artificial life. Wait 4 vavi and malema to get their feet on the ground and wil see how all this nonsense about zims being docile ends. Ixheba lendoda..
Siphiwo
Anyone who wants to know my heritage can have it. I don’t believe in “anonymous”, which is why I use my own name – unlike you! Why is it such a big deal if Sentletse has nothing to hide? I think he is just being mysterious to push up his ratings i.e for materialistic ends.
Sentletse is also giving totally false figures on the Zim situation, and a twisted version of Mbeki’s cover -up. I have not even bothered to point all this out AGAIN because I think he could be a plant for Mugabe or for any other of the African dictatorships. Otherwise why the secrecy?
A piggy that did not quite get to the trough, did not have roast beef or anything else for that matter…..
True that Inxeba lendoda alihlekwa! (do not laugh at one man’s problems). I am always offended by “zim issues for zimbabwean nonsense”.
Zimbos take it to SADC and some people block the discussion!! They take it to the AU and someone blocks it!! They go to the polls they are visibly rigged and only that someone thinks the elections are free and fair! Opposition members murdered, someone says no crisis. Bob goes it alone at elections still someone thinks he is legitimate president, I mean someone recognises him as president.They take their issues to the UN, and some people block it! Then Morgan says I do not want you to mediate, I need someone else. Someone refuses help !! What on earth is poor Morgan supposed to do?
Obtain Scud Missiles and shoot out the stars!!!! Morgan maybe it’s time you realise there is only one Mahatma Ghandi.
Zizi’s list of credible African leaders is a bit pathetic. It depends upon what one’s basic assumptions are about what a good leader should do, and what “African” is. That is where we should start, or else nothing is really communicated here. Many of Africa’s thought leaders have been imprisoned or killed: Machel, Saro Wiwa, Soyinka,Cabral, Biko, many contemporary thinkers like Ngugi who often have to be in exile … To imply that other African states are not neo-colonial is laughable. Just look at SA. Aping America, even the gangs are, the cultural programming has a good percentage of black American, we are borrowing Islam when
other African countries are killing African religions and thought to copy Islam or evangelical Christianity, suddenly our sisters are subject to “honour killings” when that was not part of indigenous traditions. We need to discuss much more what we want, in each of our countries. If we wish to keep a nation state on our land, then how will the people in it be SERVED by a govt, or do they serve the govt? Why is an entrenched old male considered more just and reliable than a younger, committed person. It seems as if Tsvan is just a catalyst for a larger discussion, which is not finding its focus. I think that the people will follow a stronger leader than Tsvan is that person comes, but for now he is enought of a focus for people to organize. The SA struggle has a pretty cohesive populace in the townships with clear ideological models and an identifiable, external enemy. I want to hear concrete suggestions of how the people should organise – take a geographical area in Zim, analyze what’s going on and suggest to us how thast area can organize, and fit in with ?? larger organisation. Let’s also talk about the female sex slaves rape victims that the boys and men immediately took in the Kenyan and Zim problems, and add their stats to the victims of this violence when later they die of AIDs or being on the street because their husbands and families then reject them ..hai .. who is doing stuff instead of just talk?
@Lyndall Beddy
“…I don’t believe in “anonymous”, which is why I use my own name – unlike you!”
Ag! I just don’t comprehend what you mean to say- ‘Siphiwo Qangani’ or ‘Sentletse Diakanyo’ as “anonymous”- what the heck? ‘Lyndall Beddy’ is no difference to “anonymous” then.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not (here) to defend Sentletse but I cannot understand why should you keep pinning unenthusiastic questions this author, he’s not the only author/contributor whom we don’t know where they’re from and I (believe) it really doesn’t concern (us) where they come from. If you happen to disagree with his facts, you’ve got all the space or platform in the world to dispute his fiction(s) and enlighten us with reference to what’s actually truthful.
I beseech yet again; Please oh! please stop (personally) attacking authors or contributors of TL by asking time and again “where do they come from”, ‘where do they live’, and the sort, don’t you get it, it’s so kak annoying and it doesn’t add any positivism in the debate.
I do not wish to be a leader!Especially an African leader! If it means talking after rigged elections and forming so called governments of national unity, amount to democracy – the African way. I think what people want in any country, Zim included, is democracy, peace and prosperity!! Not a GNU which is quickly becoming synonymous with Africa, just like the Dark cursed continent was.
Siphiwo
It appears to have escaped your notice – but all the bloggers on Thought Leader have biographies. ONLY the commentators are allowed to be anonymous.
Ever wonder why?
Asking for his identity is NOT attacking him!
Siphiwo
If I Google you or Sentletse – I mainly only get comments on Thought Leader.
You trust ‘Google’ too much, that’s why you’ll keep bumping on (only) comments about me from TL…have you considered trying to find my biography from your nearest library? i suppose not. Go on, but make sure you look at the right isle.
Lyndall Beddy
You trust ‘Google’ too much, that’s why you’ll keep bumping on (only) comments about me from TL…have you considered trying to find my biography from your nearest library? i suppose not. Go on, but make sure you look at the right isle.
Siphiwo
I have read every biography in our library (which is very small). I order new ones by mail. What is the name of your book and your publisher?
Lyndall Beddy
Book title: ‘Ukuza kukaNxele’ by Uthandi Izinto Publishers, Isiqendu sokuqala.
There you go…Dont ask me no more
Siphiwo
I am sorry that I am not able to read it.