By Lloyd Msipa

 

THERE is an old Chinese proverb that says ‘May you live in interesting times’. Zimbabwe’s politics has reached what I would call a tipping point and we are indeed living in interesting times.

 

The announcement by the former Finance Minister, Dr Simba Makoni, that he is taking the bull by the horns to run for the Presidency in Zimbabwe has introduced a new and exciting dimension to the Zimbabwean body politic. It is not so much Makoni’s decision to stand up and be counted but more the symbolism of his decision to challenge President Robert Mugabe.

 

Dr Simba Makoni is coming from the Zanu-PF supreme decision-making body, the Politburo. This should tell all and sundry that President Robert Mugabe is human after all and can be challenged. Before Makoni’s symbolic and brave decision, grown-man in Zanu-PF would literally quake in their boots at the very prospect of taking on the “big man”, Mugabe.

 

It is, therefore, exciting to realise that Zimbabwe still has men and who are not “Mugabe’s wives”, to quote the former Member of Parliament for Sunningdale, Margaret Dongo.

 

Before Makoni’s announcement of his decision to run for the presidency many Zimbabweans were in a state of disillusionment, following the collapse of the reunification talks between the two MDC’s. One is led by Morgan Tswangirayi and the other by Arthur Mutambara.

 

It is a known fact that Zimbabweans are suffering. Whether one is rich or poor Zimbabwe has become a terrible place to live. Those who have money and those without face the same fate in that their money is inaccessible in the banks. The excuse usually cited by government in every radio or television news programme, that of blaming Tony Blair (now Gordon Brown) or George Bush (soon to be Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton) for causing all of Zimbabwe’s economic woes, is now wearing rather thin.

 

Zimbabwe has been on a downward spiral for several years now unabated. Zimbabweans both at home and abroad are sick and tired of being sick and tired (sic). Attempts by countries like Libya to help have come to naught as our situation requires more that a symbolic solution.

 

In fact, Makoni’s press statement after he decided to challenge Mugabe pretty much hit the nail on the head and summarized the real cause of the Zimbabwe crisis. Zimbabwe’s problems go deeper than just the targeted sanctions claimed by every government official who wants to remain in Mugabe’s good books.

 

Zimbabwe has deep-rooted political problems emanating from the political illegitimacy and the decision of the Zimbabwean government to distribute land in an ad-hoc manner. No amount of Sunrise projects by the Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono can solve the Zimbabwean problem. Mugabe has been the leader of Zimbabwe for 28 years and Zimbabwe is no closer to becoming a normal country than it was five years ago. Zimbabwe has now become a nation of queues and shortages such that those born after 1980 know nothing other then a life of queues and shortages of basic commodities. They probably believe that it is normal to be always standing in a queue.

 

Zimbabwe did not get to where it is today through the efforts of the President alone. Zimbabweans need to realize that government ministers in Zimbabwe have been complicit in the downfall of our economy. By constantly recycling the same leadership in Zanu-PF has resulted in Mugabe becoming a super human in the eyes of many. This culture, by the way, is also beginning to manifest itself in the MDC.

 

The prospect of challenging Mugabe personally after serving in Zanu-PF was unheard of before Makoni decided to stand up and be counted. To most in Zanu-PF Mugabe is like a lion.The very thought of telling him to step down to make way for younger leaders a chance to rule was something unheard of . While I have the greatest respect for our President it is however my humble submission that his leadership has passed its ‘sale by date’. Mugabe will turn 84 on February 21.

 

It is in this light that Makoni’s decision to challenge the status quo is more than symbolic. Those who have been muttering about the fate of Zimbabwe’s under Mugabe from the comfort of their living rooms have now been presented with an opportunity to come out of hiding and back this initiative if Zimbabwe is to be salvaged. It is quiet obvious that both MDC’S have run out of steam and neither seems to have a clue as to whether they are coming or going. The Makoni initiative has presented Zimbabweans with a third option of salvaging any residual dignity that remains of our nation.

 

The Makoni initiative should not exclude anybody whose mind and intentions are progressive. There are those that have been quick to dismiss Makoni’s initiative as ill-timed. Some have gone to the extent of questioning his suitability, given his history in Zanu-PF and the finance ministry.

 

I have only one question for them all. What is the alternative? Tsvangirayi or Mugabe?

Zimbabwe cannot afford another year of economic and political chaos. Makoni has presented a third option as the only solution to Zimbabwe’s crisis. A personal sacrifice most will not have the guts to make.

 

 

Complacence is no longer an option for Zimbabweans. Zimbabweans have been reduced to beggars and paupers in their own country and abroad Zimbabweans have been presented with an opportunity to change the political direction of their country and thereby bring it back to the community of nations.

 

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