Zimbabwe Standard
Letter to the Editor
I AM disturbed by the antics of Arthur Mutambara. In the few weeks he has been in mainstream politics, Mutambara has already messed up big time.
This is surprising coming from someone who is very educated. Maybe this is proof that true leadership is not based on intellectual prowess but on good character. A good leader must be consistent, honest, humble and respectful. Indeed it is these traits that have made people like Mother Theresa and Nelson Mandela icons.
Unfortunately, Mutambara has patently exhibited lack of these qualities since he was appointed leader of the MDC pro-Senate faction. He has positioned himself as a unifier of the two MDC factions. I expect this role to be carried out by neutrals such as church organizations, Crisis Coalition of Zimbabwe and the National Constitutional Assembly.
Mutambara is far from being an honest broker, for he harbours an intention to become President of a united MDC. Therefore, to him the pro-Senate faction is a mere stepping-stone to the fulfillment of his dream. Viewed this way, his association with Welshman Ncube and others is not sincere. It is actually opportunistic.
The clean man here is David Coltart, who has chosen to remain non-aligned so that both camps can hear him. In his acceptance speech, Mutambara publicly distanced himself from his benefactors. It is on record that the faction he now leads has been lampooning and vilifying Morgan Tsvangirai since the 12 October fallout.
Now, for him to describe Tsvangirai as his hero and, furthermore, to declare his anti-Senate stance on a pro-Senate stage is as good as biting the hand that feeds him. I would have expected Mutambara to privately convince his colleagues of his position so that they speak with one voice.
At the Bulawayo congress there was no such unison taking into consideration Gibson Sibanda’s vitriol against Tsvangirai. If Mutambara had consulted his colleagues first, he would have demonstrated the sincerity of his claim that had he been a member of the then MDC National Council, he would have tried hard to convince fellow members of the weight of his position and, on failing to do so, he would have stuck with the majority decision at the expense of his own opinion.
It therefore appears that Mutambara conveniently uttered that statement in order to project himself as more democratic than Tsvangirai.
Mutambara calls himself “untainted” and hence suitable to take over the reins of opposition power. This is a “holier-than-thou” attitude. It smacks of total disrespect for those who went ahead of him in fighting against the oppressive system in Zimbabwe.
I find Mutambara’s anti-imperialism rhetoric nauseating, especially coming from someone with such international exposure. His stance is anachronistic at a time of globalisation and international partnerships such as Nepad. I quote Dr Simba Makoni: “The world does not need Zimbabwe. It is Zimbabwe who needs the world.”
Once again, it is obvious that Mutambara’s obsession with imperialism is personal and hence not representative of his constituency. So much for his democratic credentials! The pro-Senate faction should rein in its President now to avoid further embarrassment.
I have also read that Mutambara was recently on the rampage, vowing to “destroy” Tsvangirai. This is the height of inconsistency further entrenching the view that the man is arrogant and power-hungry. Why spew venom against your own “hero”?
We have had enough of people like President Robert Mugabe and Professor Jonathan Moyo who use their intelligence for self-aggrandisement. History must not keep on repeating itself. Taneta!
Max Makoni
Harare