Speaking at a Sapes Trust discussion on Thursday, MDC-T Vice President Nelson Chamisa explained the logic behind the opposition party’s backing of Operation Restore Legacy.
Responding to one of the panellists Ibbo Mandaza, who criticised the Morgan Tsvangirai-led party for “political short-sightedness” by backing the military and Zanu PF in the removal of former president Robert Mugabe, Chamisa said that the opposition supported the military removal for strategic reasons. Said Chamisa:
We make no apology for participating in the demonstrations. For us, Mugabe was a more difficult opponent than ED (Mnangagwa). It was a strategic decision we made. As far as we are concerned, ED is a weaker candidate compared to Mugabe. Why is ED weaker? He is charisma-free. Why is ED weaker? He does not have grassroots support. Why is ED weaker? He has no track record. His track record is of defeat. Defeat even to junior people like [former Kwekwe MP Blessing] Chebundo. So for us in terms of confronting a political opponent, we had to redefine the opponent and we wanted to help Zanu PF to give us a weaker opponent in ED. We still believe that ED is our next guest for defeat. We have no doubt about that.
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i thought you were learned if not about defeat it’s about the right governance i wanted to vote for now I see how wrong i was that is why you were drooped with ZANU and TENGERA moyo bhachi you are not yet there cool off and think like a leader unovhaira
NELSON YOU NEVER CEASE TO DISAPPOINT.
This man called ED has learned leadership at the feet of the Grand – Master Cde Robert Mugabe himself- don’t take him for granted. In his loyalty he learn’t that there is no leadership without follower-ship. Remember no two suns shine at the same time. As the sun shines the moon gives its reflection – the weakness you identify in him failing to get a seat was God designed – for in that weakness he always emerged victorious. Why don’t you give credit to the overwhelming success of the Command agriculture, which he led as assigned by his Predecessor . You and me will make ED great, if only we could have the grace that was upon his life – the grace to be loyal. Be warned lest you are of the mistaken thinking that Robert Mugabe is gone- no- the legacy was restored and the inspiration will continue in the liberated men and women’s minds for a long time to come. Every one of us has wicknesses and strengths, put on a scale, Cde Mugabe’s scale would tip towards the positive- hate him or love him; he headed SADC and AU. What is important is that he was not ruling alone and as such the legacy continues. We live in a world that discriminates according to colour, the resilience we have as a Nation came from this leadership where ED is emanating from. Turn your political thrust from being oppositional to being developmental and see the beauty of competing like dolphins -leaving room for growth and development as compared to sharks that compete to kill each other for space. When matured you don’t run to America for help you run to God – if you kneel before him you can stand up before anyone. Let us see with God’s eyes- see how corruption is being dealt with- it can only be God’s hand directing the ED administration – because a new foundation has to be laid down. Change will start by breaking old bonds of corruption, bigotry and patronage and proceed to create new bonds that support a structure that is inclusive whilst allowing for unity in diversity. The ideology of the emancipation of the black man’s mind, the abolition of the exploitation of man by man, the institution of one man one vote, the possession of the land as an inheritance from our forefathers and the ability to trade fairly on the international scene to support economic development will continue as we mend our ways- that was what the 14 years of the liberation struggle was all about. We are Zimbabweans and Unique, the future is in the hands of our children – together we shall build a vibrant Nation.