24 June 2007

By Fortune Tazvida

Organisers of a Saturday rally in Luton, the United Kingdom were left kicking themselves when the venue they hired to host President Morgan Tsvangirai turned out to be too small because of the large turnout. Luton demographically has a very large  Zimbabwean population and it was no surprise when over 2000 people crammed the Lewsey Community Centre to see their hero. At least half that number could not access the venue and milled outside listening to the MDC leader via speakers that were taken outside for their benefit.

The hot summer weather did not help matters as it made the hall hot and humid. Despite the poor organisation the rally proved beyond doubt  Tsvangirai is a big draw. Cheerful Zimbabweans blew their car horns as they drove to the venue with hundreds wearing t-shirts emblazoned with Tsvangirai's picture. It was also easy to see why Arthur Mutambara, leader of a breakaway faction of the MDC was eager to exploit the platform and try to improve his small support base. Several online publications helped create confusion by claiming Tsvangirai and Mutambara would address a joint rally.

A senior official in the MDC UK structures told Nehanda Radio no such arrangement was ever made. 'Yes Tsvangirai, Madhuku, Mutambara, Siwela and others are travelling under the Save Zimbabwe banner. But Tsvangirai's UK structures invited him to address his supporters, so why would Mutambara be welcome? Mutambara claims to have his structures in the UK so let them organise a rally for him and his 50 supporters.' Lynnette Mhlanga a publicity and information secretary in the Mutambara camp initially sent an e-mail to the media claiming the rally would be addressed by the two leaders. When this proved false, she sent out another one maliciously claiming the whole rally had been cancelled.

The rally itself was an emotional affair as MDC activists paid tribute to the late National Chairman Isaac Matongo. Matongo's children who were in the audience broke down into tears as Tsvangirai acknowledged their presence. Another activist Wiz Bishop could be seen crying throughout Tsvangirai's address. Such was the emotion in the crowd, it was clear Zimbabweans are desperate for a solution to the country's problems. Tsvangirai urged party members to take up the mantle and contribute financially to the struggle back home. He also told the crowd the MDC could not make decisions on asylum matters on behalf of the British government. This was at the discretion of the UK and all the MDC could do was lobby on behalf of Zimbabweans.

Members of the press were however not impressed by the shoddy treatment meted out to them by security details at the venue. Some were barred from entering the venue while others got in after getting mouthfuls of abuse. Matthew Nyashanu the Information and Publicity Officer was told by several journalists to ensure they reserve a place for journalists in future rallies. SW Radio Africa journalists Violet Gonda and Lance Guma could be seen recording the rally while squashed in between restive crowds in the front. This journalist was warned he would face eviction if he did not respond to certain inaudible instructions from the security guards.

Nehanda Radio: Zimbabwe's first 24 hour internet radio news channel.

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