The MDC Alliance (MDCA) Mashonaland West Women’s Assembly has thrown its weight fully behind newly-appointed national party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere after her appointment was publicly condemned by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada.
Speaking in an interview with SlyMedia Productions on Sunday, Mashakada queried why Mahere, a latecomer to the Alliance was given such a powerful post ahead of party members who have been in the movement for a long time.
The Mash West Women’s Assembly, however, condemned Mashakada’s “sexist” remarks and his alleged failure to appreciate the rise of women in politics.
Below is a statement issued the Mash West MDCA Women’s Assembly in support of Mahere:
Statement from MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s assembly
We condemn the sexist attack on our national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere by Hatfield MP Tapiwa Mashakada in his interview with SlyMedia Productions on 14 June 2020.
He singled out and attacked Fadzayi Mahere because she is a woman.
We feel Tapiwa Mashakada does not appreciate the ascendance of women to powerful positions of power in politics.
Women are the torchbearers of our struggle and we applaud and support the recent appointment of Fadzayi Mahere to the post of MDC Alliance Spokesperson by our able president Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
President Chamisa is indeed our top change agent as he is changing the dynamic of self-promotional politics to team-oriented, service style leadership in order to achieve the change that delivers.
We are proud of president Chamisa for promoting gender inclusiveness at all levels of our structures with young women like Fadzayi Mahere getting top positions.
To Fadzi, in heels yes you can.
MDC Alliance Mashonaland West Women’s Assembly
Kkkkkkk – typical blind loyalty that is killing our politics! Dr Tapiwa Mashakada is never against the rise of women in politics. He is about “merit”- simple!
According to Adv Chamisa’s logic, then anyone can apply for a position in the MDC Alliance, instead of rising through the ranks! This is a clear sign that Adv Chamisa has dictatorial tendencies. I now understand why the likes of Prof Jonathan Moyo and Dr Pedzisayi Ruhanya are making a lot of noise on Adv Chamisa’s side – they are “applying for top positions.”
I was also about to question the problem with Mashakada asking a genuine question that deserves a reply. Is it not the democratic way to query a move or ask for clarification when one is not satisfied? Chamisa simply needs to air his justification for the ascendancy of Mahere. If the need to foster gender equality weighed in, he should mention so. How can you call yourselves democratic when you have a tendency to thwart or block questions. When asked, PROVIDE ANS ANSWER, ALLOW FREE DEBATE. That is what we call democracy. Attacking Mashakada for for querying the promotion is a ZANU PF way of doing things!!! WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM ZIMBABWEANS!!!!???