“It is sunset for the ‘breakaway’ MDC”

Zimbabwe Telegraph

By Moses Chamboko

February 17, 2011

The endgame for the minor MDC faction to which our only rocket scientist was invited by the shrewd lawyer but cunning political upstart, Welshman Ncube, is finally beckoning. Nonetheless, this was never a matter of “if” but “when” from day one.

When he accepted the surprise invitation which sent shockwaves across the rank and file of that faction, Arthur Mutambara petrified keen followers when he declared that he was “the anti-senate President of the pro-senate MDC”. This signalled the beginning of more confusion in years that followed. Up to now, I don’t quite understand what he meant by that bold statement in his maiden speech.

This writer personally wrote to Arthur and Welsh Ncube requesting them to re-think their position soon after the split of October 2005. The writer also had a fairly long interview on a New Zealand-based Zimbabwe community radio with Tendai Biti and Paul Themba Nyathi imploring them to find one another and maintain the unity of the party that had become the epitome of hope for most Zimbabweans. Both gentlemen exhibited unwillingness to move an inch from their respective and grounded positions. Themba Nyathi almost cut me off when I questioned if the MDC constitution was cast in stone. The rest is now history.

While ambivalence had the better of David Coltart (probably owing to his profession), when he finally jumped, he also landed on the wrong side of the fence. A couple of months down the line, those who were quick to read that their new political compass was leading them into the wilderness, made an about turn and rejoined the mainstream MDC. I will not delve into names as it would appear like a forlon attempt to open old wounds.

The recent press conference by the distressed trio of Welshman Ncube, Priscilla and Coltart brought memories of the aftermath of the split. Looking dejected and despondent, one could wonder if it was the same team that had exhibited so much exuberance just in the past few weeks or months. The gloomy pictures looked like an episode from a primary school drama. They all seemed to say “we was robbed” when they generously declared that they were now donating the rocket scientist to ZANU PF for free. We haven’t seen or heard of this magnitude of munificence in the political arena in recent years.

As for the rocket scientist, his utterances at some Diaspora conference in Victoria Falls last December were indeed a precursor to the unfolding drama “muchashama ndava Head of State”, were his own words. Little did we know that he was up for donation (or is it political adoption?)

Looking ahead, it appears Arthur has only three options; to join ZANU PF (if he hasn’t done so already), join the real MDC or simply quit politics and utilise his intelligence and education elsewhere. At his tender age, the sky is the limit, only if he makes the right choices of which the time is now.

Our passionate, energetic and vocal sister, Priscilla, should consider submitting her resume’ to WOZA without delay. I’ve no doubt she will be useful there. As for Welsh, like Tich Masaya, he can simply go back to the lecture room of which all local universities would love to have his signature. While he has done fairly well as minister of education, without a political base, Coltart should start talking to the law society and update himself on what needs to be done for him to start practising as a lawyer again. Beyond the next election, unless a miracle happens, I don’t see these three coming back into the political arena. Also, should they choose to pull out of the GNU prematurely, that will never be a trigger for early elections as they have always been an insignificant partner in that hybrid arrangement.

While the rushed MDC-M-N congress produced this drama that we will entertain us for some time, the main MDC congress slated for May as widely reported promises to be a springboard of hope, strength and prosperity as the people’s party comes out of that congress even stronger.

Views expressed in this article are the writer’s personal opinion.

chambokom@gmail.com