AS the country prepares for elections President Robert Mugabe insists should be held in March next year after a constitutional referendum, Zimbabwe Independent chief reporter Owen Gagare (OG) spoke to MDC president Welshman Ncube (WN) on the next make-or-break polls, possible alliances, his relationship with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Mugabe, among other issues.
Below are excerpts of the interview:
OG: Are you standing in the presidential elections?
WN: I’m going to stand as a candidate in the presidential election whenever that election is held.
OG: Your critics claim you are using a tribal card, even in your campaigns.
WN: At no time have we ever carried a tribal card, in our campaigns, in our words, in our actions or in anything we have done.
OG: Where do you think these allegations come from?
WN: It is those who have tribal blinkers who see a tribal card the moment they see a person like me who comes from the southern region involved in politics. Our agenda remains a Zimbabwean national agenda.
OG: Are you looking for alliances? Some are concerned the two MDCs will split the vote to the benefit of Zanu PF.
WN: What we should be concerned with is what the political parties are offering to Zimbabweans in terms of their programmes for rebuilding the country. For me it’s about having a new generational politics which will ensure we can once again bring prosperity to our country.
OG: Does this mean an alliance with MDC-T is totally out?
WN: We are working on marketing ourselves and asking the people to vote for us. In 2008 we spent a lot of time hunting for alliances to defeat Mugabe but we were abandoned at the church door. We won’t make that mistake again.
OG: You mean talks with MDC-T again?
WN: Yes. We had an agreement which we adopted but they then rejected us. We were even left without a candidate of our own because we had endorsed Tsvangirai which is why we ended up literally clinging to someone like Simba Makoni as a candidate.
OG: There is belief that you are calculating to getting a certain number of seats to be kingmaker given the strong possibility of another hung parliament.
WN: We have seen the disasters of a hung parliament. Trust me we have no appetite for it by design.
OG: How far are we from elections given the processes we still have to go through? Is March 2012 feasible?
WN: Mugabe has been saying there will be elections every year for the last two years. This is simply to say if I’m having elections around the corner, there is no issue about who is the Zanu PF candidate. It also means you are basically sending a message to investors to adopt a wait-and-see attitude. This is a cruel strategy to make sure the economy does not recover, so you can go into elections and say all these others have also been in government with me but they also failed.
OG: So when can elections be realistically held?
WN: We know that realistically the processes that have to be undertaken to have elections will take longer than March.
OG: Have the principals hijacked the constitution-making process?
WN: There appears to be an agreement between Mugabe, Tsvangirai and (Deputy Prime Minister Arthur) Mutambara that after the stakeholders’ conference government must take over the process to expedite it. We know they put this proposal to the Minister of Constitutional Affairs (Eric Matinenga): he has confirmed it publicly and rejected the move, saying it is a violation of Article 6 of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
OG: How do you relate to Tsvangirai?
WN: We worked together in the National Constitutional Assembly. In the united MDC post congress he was the president, I was the secretary-general. So I can say historically we worked together closely and well. In the government we have worked together closely and well. But we lead different political parties and therefore we believe in different things ideologically, policy-wise.
OG: Has your relationship been strained by allegations Tsvangirai has allegedly sided with Mugabe on the issue of Mutambara’s principal status
WN: Well, that was not unexpected.
OG: Why was it not unexpected?
WN: Because I know Mugabe would always oppose me and my party. In fact he will seek to destabilise and destroy the party and I know Tsvangirai would support Mugabe’s agenda. If they really didn’t want to interfere in the internal affairs of the MDC they would have accepted our communication to say the MDC had its congress and it elected so and so as its president.
OG: Given the divergent views between Zanu PF and MDC-T, one would think you would relate better to Tsvangirai. What makes you a common enemy?
WN: Is it Winston Churchill who coined the expression ‘there are no permanent enemies or friends in politics but permanent interests’.
OG: Is the PM really siding with Mugabe on Mutambara?
WN: Yes he is and his refrain is exactly what Mugabe has been telling us for one-and-a-half years. Oh there is a legal case, oh this matter is pending in the court; yes Mutambara is a principal, he signed the agreement. What nonsense!
OG: How do you relate to Mugabe?
WN: We have been able to find the comfort zones to be able to work together. We are however in complete disagreement and have had numerous conversations and I have said to him you are wrong you are abusing the law.
OG: Who is benefiting here? Is it Mugabe or Tsvangirai or both and what are the benefits?
WN: I cannot see any benefits for Tsvangirai or the MDC-T. The only person who benefits from this and a dysfunctional inclusive government is Mugabe.
ncube uri benzi! always blaming others on your problems
Do not over exaggerate your importance Welshman.In the grand scheme of things your are nothing.Zimbabwe is bigger than you.Do really believe or do you really think you can win the Presidential election like on your own.There is a massive difference between wishing things were true and them being true. University should have also taught you the art and science, of differentiating between reality and fantasy. Mufesi you suffer from delusions of grandeur.
But then politics is now more about money and greed,like religion and the false prophets,its now a lucrative venture for accumulating wealth,especially if you are unemployed or unemployable.The goals of improving people’s lives are now secondary.Swallow your pride Professor,remove these blinkers that you have,offer Tsvangirayi an olive branch, trust me you will be more popular than you are at the moment.Go form your own GPA with Morgan.Trust me Zimbabweans will always remember you for being humble and thus you get the power and prestige you crave for,if you dont then Obert Mpofu will continue to stick his fingers up yours,and mark my words politically thats the end of you.
you know what, this ncube is delusional to an extent that he thinks mdct is dying for him to co-operate wit dem
If you read the above article you know what his arty did pre 2008 election but who rejected the olive branch you are talking about it seems MDC-T drunkeds cannot comprehand any writing and this has been explained again and even above Ncube has repeated it again what happened last time but you and your ools seem do not understand a simple language, HOW MANY TIME SHOULD NCUBE SEEK UNITY OF THE TWO AND WHY SHOULD IT BE NCUBE ALONE TOO? Tsvangirai has said doesn’t need Ncube to win an election so why should Ncube need Tsvangirai then?
ncube’s mdc will never win an election. Ncube wanted to use MDC-T to get the votes . and what happened ????? everybody knows MDC-N won the paltry 10 seats in paliament as compared to how many of the great party, everybody knows. we know mugabe is the common enemy but to share the parliamentary seats 50-50 morgan and ncube doesnt work at all.
The reality is that you seem challenged in your thinking. If you are so convinced that Ncube needs Tsvangirai more than Tsvangirai needing Ncube then why are you so bothered that Ncube does not give a piss about Tsvangirai? I never understand you tribalists and MT bootlickers. You cry that Ncube is nothing yet you want him to kiss up to the little fat dictator. Why? just focus on your little fact dictator and if he as popular as you say he is, then he does not need Ncube.
squarebaasher,,,,,whats your point???? How has the professor implied that he is bigger than Zimbabwe?? Do not use your hatred of the man or his party to just attack him without any solid justification. how is it an unrealistic dream to contest as a president if you have a political party backing you??? Why must he go to Tsvangirayi?? What pride has he shown in thhe above interview????
Funny how Ncube is always the one being pushed to unite…and where Cde Interviewer is the evidence that Ncube plays a tribal card? Oh, because he is Ndebele…easy answer there. No follow-up on the answers when they are explained. Why doesn’t Morgan get asked about the violence at Harvest House against Ncube and what he did to the perpetrators (he promoted them, btw)
The issue of the tribal card arose from the call for devolution which has always been Ncube’s card. One can almost see clearly what devolution is all about. Truth being said, its wishful thinking for Ncube to ever think he can win an election alone. the issue here is not about Tsvangirai needing Ncube but Ncube needing Tsvangirai. judging by the way the general populacy respond to politics locally, the most logical thing they will do is to vote the tried and tested Tsvangirai into power. Ncube will only be politically relevent to make significant impact when, ZANU pf is gone and the two MDCs remaining as the two political parties. unfortunately for Ncube, Zanu is going nowhere!!
Brother Gwabaland everything is done with a purpose.YOU SEE Ncube started a breakaway faction using the Senate elections as an EXCUSE.AN OPPORTUNIST he thought he could start a new political powerhouse in the mould of the Old Zapu led by the mighty Joshua Nkomo or Umdhala wethu,he sought to conquer Matebeleland and using Mutambara as a proxy he sought to conquer Mashonaland and destroy Morgan.I am not sure if members of the breakaway faction were consulted about Mutambara’s appointment, but the more you analyse it the more you find the treachery of this grasshopper.Just because one has a PHD does not mean you are entitled to be President.That sense of entitlement is why ZIMBABWE IS IN THE STATE OF DECAY. oh! i fought in the war of liberation i deserve ten cars, oh i deserve ten farms and ten wives,blah… blah..I AGREE with Grade Zero,Little Ncube is mathematically stupid,his chances of becoming President are just as good as Chinotimba becoming Vice-chancellor of the university Zimbabwe.
squarebasher who was supposed to be consulted about the appointment of Arthur Welshman did not appoint Arthur, Chimanikire , supported by Job skhala proposed Mutambara’s appointment and the proposition was supported by several others and it was the voice of the majority that won the day for good or bad for better or worse get your facts right
squarebasher you are an airbag , is it about winning or is it about standing up for the real issues championing the right agenda and causes. I tell you if you take of ur blinkers and look at the agendas pushed and policies that are being sold ; i tell you you will notice Welshman is the real deal, some have long ceased to create manifestos, their real manifesto is violence, some have been recycling policies and agenda to the extend that their manifestos are now so over worn and threadbare we can see through them. We want mature ,intelligent politics and for that i cant see beyond Bla Welshman and his MDC
Squrebasher,You sound a very angry man. In politics you do not have to be emmotional. People who become emotional end up violent. Wilshman is a sound and stable person. He puts his views so eloquent such that all Zimbabwean with stable personalities understands him. Its not his fault that MDC split. Intelligent people do remain in malfunctioning relationship. You the likes of those tribalists who think that anything from Matebeleland is tribalism. Do not expose yourself. Tswangirayi is not a demi-god. He is human and he blundered when when he overruled a collective decision to go for polls when MDC split. To people like you, there was no blunder because he is Shona. To us, he exposed himself. Ncube must continue the struggle. Mugabe showed what he is made of when he killed people during the Gugurawundi. It is the likes of you who were giving him praise. Now terror is leashed even to the Shona you cry foul. It wasnt bad governance when this affected Matebeleland. You sound a shona fanatic. You do not use brains to analyse issues. It doesnt matter whether Ncube wins one sit or more. People like him are needed in Zimbabwe. Mugabe acted like he disliked every thing that Joshua Nkomo stood for. Today,he and his party are singing a defferent tune to win the heart of people of Matebeleland. The person who was suppose to take over the presidency of MDc during its formation is Gibson Sibanda. Labelling people from Matebeleland sound normal to tribalist like you.
Khohlwa, situations come and go. Ncube is a versatile leader. His degrees are not honoural but he achieved them through attending school. We can tell when a grade zero tries to convince people. Ncube was the brains behind the strength of MDC then. Thats why Tswangirai hates his so much. He wanted to continue using him. You must be sharing the same hatred. Spare us your stupidity man. Keep you ideas to yourself.
enough about tribalism accusations we end up sounding like tribalists I am Shona Myself but i cant help but notice Welshman’s mature approach to bringing solutions to issues that affect us all. I dont care which tribe he comes from, coz once we begin doing that we will be donning a biased straight jacket. MDC.N is not a Ndebele party in as Much as MDC T is not a Shona Party, Lets listen to what they offer and by that we will judge them thank you
You must understand politics better. No right minded people support Gukurahundi or Emthumbane. Gukurahundi was not about the Shona against the Ndebele. NO. It was the Zanu pf government against the Zapu people. Unfortunately Zapu was based in Matebeleland, and it is a fact that most Zapu supporters are Ndebeles. MDC is a nartional party, that is why it commands support in all the cornes of Zimbabwe. I like Prof Ncube but I support Tsvangirai for president. Do you think Blade Nzimande and his SACP party can win elections in RSA if they stand alone? Politics is a game of numbers. It is common knowledge that Tsvangirai commands far lot of support than Tsvangirai. So my suggestion is Prof must support Tsvangirai for President and his faction will become part of a coalition government. South Africa is a good example where ANC and its alliance partners are in government
Squarebasher, Ukhanya kawuyazi into oyikhulumayo. Ukufanisa u Ncube lo Chinos. Can you talk sense. Ungabi ngu ndondabo. Do you have reason why you support MDC-T. You want people to rally behind your party to assist Tswangirai be president with no reason. Is supporting Tswangirai only the reason to remove Mugabe? Is Tswangirai and Mugabe defferent? Why do MDC-T engaging in violence? Is it not the same ideology being used by Zanu PF? Why dont you use facts to campaign for your party. Tribalistic sentiments put Mugabe in power in 1980 but today the Zimbabwe populace is educated.
Brother Modreck have you ever asked yourself why your Party chose Arthur Mutambara?Why,couldnt they find a leader amongst themselves.Why not Gibson Sibanda, Coltart , Sikhala or Chimanikire.Goldie Khupe can you please explain what purpose the Senate elections served ,except it was a Zanu pf scheme to apease those who felt Mugabe had abandoned them.It was meant to buy loyalty by Mugabe who felt threat by party members who felt they had been left out of the feeding trough.In any case wasn’t this election boycotted by 85% of the electorate including Zanu pf.Trust m change in Africa comes through winning elections,not principles.Zambians removed Kenneth Kaunda and look at their economy now.Little Welshman is a revisionist and if you think his PHD will stop Zanu pf looting the country’s diamonds then think twice.Zimbabwe’s problems is not solved by a proliferation of political parties.
squarebasher yes I agree with you, The Senate for what, its just another vehicle of patronage and wasting the tax payer’s money. I was totally against the Senate myself. BUT maybe Weshman and his party knew that with or without them ZANUPF was going to go for the senate elections and the Sanate was going to be a thorn in the flesh of the then opposition later so it was better that they have a few senators of their own to counter the ZANUPF threat. I believe MDCT came to the same conclusion later hence the fielding of Senate candidates, otherwise they wouldnt have fielded those candidates. What we should know now is each and every party’s policy regarding the senate,? What does the senate draft say about the Senate. Squarebasher what i am afraid of is defeating ZANUPF and replacing it with ZANUPF. look what they did in Kenya. Besides getting rid of the senate i would also want to see a reduced cabinet. By the WAy i am not an MDC. N member so its not my part, but i agree with most of their policys so Maybe i will be a member soon
The secret to a better Zimbabwe is Regime change and a new paradime shift in the way we operate as a country. Our core thought if we want a new Zimbabwe which has global recognition and can sustain itself economically, socially and politically, is for us to remove the old guard. the old guard has failed us and have been the largest contributor to the corruption and the demise of the rule of law. thus Ncube and Tsvangirai should both be sensible enough to work out a strategy that will ensure that ZANUPF and the Old Gaurd be removed from any form of power.
Yes Kuda Ncube and Tsvangirai, one thing i noticed is this: a party that doesn’t have internal democracy cannot and will never offer Zimbabwe democracy. Apart that doesn’t have a free and fair ballot vote at party level can never offer Zimbabwe a free and fair election. a party whose members do not have freedom of speech can only gag Zimbabweans. Charity begins at Home look at what they do at party level and you will have an inkling of what they will do at national Level. So Far its only Welshman’s MDC which had a leadership change. time will tell if Welshman will handover the button when the time comes
AFTER ALL IS SAID AND DONE, TSVANGIRAI IS THE FACE OF THE STRUGGLE.
TSVANGIRAI DOES NOT NCUBE, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NCUBE AND THE 23MEMBERS OF HIS PARTY NEED TSVANGIRAI.
THATS HOW IT IS. PERIOD.
Def Jam: Zimbabwean need each other to see this through its a fallacy that Tsvangirai doesnt need Welshman See what happened during the speaker’s election. They need each other and its not a one way street
hey, tribe and politics correlation is tiring us. Let each one of them sell his policies. Havent you seen how obama won in USA? If someone has good intentions, naturally people vote him/her in…only if the electral process is not rigged.
Zimbabwean political parties seem to just hanker around the same route. Ncube should know that before ZAPU and ZANU, there was ANC to which all later politicians where members. Then ZAPU was formed, all were members! ZANU split from ZAPU over ideological differences. They shared the trenches in the war-even forming ZIPA towards independence because they had a common enemy-Rhodesians and their UDI party. After independence, ZAPU turned on ZANU, ZANU turned on ZAPU like baboons fighting for power.In 1987, they joined/forged an alliance. Isn’t that the same root the MDC’s are following? They left ZANU PF-they formed MDC. MDC T split off headed by a shona Tsvangirai (like ZANU in the 60s) due to ideological differences, and MDC remained the original party, just like ZAPU in the 60′s. Both parties share one common enemy-ZANU PF-just like ZAPU and ZANU did. Sometimes they join forces to fight off and defeat ZANU PF. Now isn’t that just what the liberation movements did against smith? So extrapolating into the future dreams of the opposition partiees, it is more likely that in the event of the opposition winning, MDC-T will hold more votes, and MDC will hold some-and ZANU PF will be a major looser-just like Smith.Then the old drama will start all over again. MDC will rise up against MDC-T, and MDC-T will rise up against MDC-fighting for power like a pack of baboons.Then after one of them is thoroughly beaten to pulp, they will join forces again-and live hapily ever-after-looting and teaching each other the art of looting our diamond resources and national game parks without bating an eye-lid. Now is that what we should spent our time and media space debating about, fighting about? Idiots!
Hahaha Basher kikikiki you are a cynic but i cant say you are far of the mark, political parties are driven by base motives: what we then need are checks and balances in the system of government to make sure that they wont join hands in looting our mineral wealthy and cudgeling us during election campaigns
u poor thnkers y a u worrid abt ncube do u thnk a person lyk morgan a poor form 4 cn lead e country acadmical its impractical his ideology is miles awy fr wt we nid as citizens.Ncube continue w wt u persueing politcs doesnt blongs 2 mashonalnd bt to al zim pple.ncube ws the pillar b4 split nw morgan has adptd ditctorsshp styl fr e man himslf.
Its like you read my mind! You appear to know a lot about this, like you wrote the book in it or something. I think that you could do with a few pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this is great blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.
buy wow gold http://www.wow-gold-team.com