We Can Get Zimbabwe Working Again

by Tofaranashe Gumbo, MKD Member from Mashonaland West

We can get Zimbabwe working again. Yes, “Let’s get Zimbabwe working again”. This is an agenda every responsible Zimbabwean must take part in.

Let me start by highlighting some of the famous sayings by Father Zimbabwe, the late Cde Joshua Mqubuko Nyongolo Nkomo. He said: “Our primary task is to create one nation. All those fighters in unmarked graves died to liberate all Zimbabweans as a single nation. It would be terrible, and what would the world say if we use the same weapons that we got to free our country against each other? We must united and be an example....The rulers will go, and so will men present and those to come, but Zimbabwe will never go....” (September 1980). Yes, we should take seriously the words of wisdom from the late Dr Joshua Nkomo. Fellow Zimbabweans, we must not behave as if the rulers we have today will be here forever. Neither will we be here forever. As we pass on, we will continue to pass on the baton to our children who shall inherit this country. Anyone who is destroying this country rather than building it is a liability to all Zimbabweans and to generations to come.
The biggest failure of the ZANU PF Government which ruled this country for 29 years was exactly its failure to liberate Zimbabwe by building one single, united Zimbabwe. Instead it has managed to disunite the nation by tribe and by wealth. They have set tribe against tribe. They have set the wealthy against the poor, and the poor against the wealthy. What about the Inclusive government? Is it able to liberate Zimbabwe by building one single, united country? The signs are bad. The nation remains polarized, with ZANU PF accusing MDC – T of refusing to end sanctions, and MDC – T accusing ZANU PF of illegitimately holding on to the reins of power. Now we have a semi-divorce, with MDC – T refusing to have anything to do with ZANU PF. Is this disunity for the nation? Can this disunity liberate all Zimbabweans as was the dream of Dr Joshua Nkomo?
One of the obvious weaknesses of both the MDC – T and ZANU PF is their inability to deal with conflict. As soon as there is a disagreement of any sort, ZANU PF will set its dogs of war against anyone who dares to have a different opinion. MDC – T will rush off to seek mediators and support from outside. Is the Inclusive Government better at conflict resolution? It appears not. They are once again fighting each other, each accusing the other of transgressing against the GPA. Hard words have been uttered, each condemning the other for political crimes of various sorts.
Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) believes that conflict is inevitable. Conflict can also be constructive. We can learn by listening to each other’s views and experiences. The war veterans of the 1970s have much to teach the unemployed youths of the 21st Century. They also have much to learn from the frustrations of these unemployed youths who have received education but have no jobs. In fact the two groups share the challenge of unemployment, and the two groups could solve this problem rather than fighting each other. Their disagreement should and could lead to innovative and creative solutions to the problems of the country.
Yet we find the opposite. The disagreements between MDC – T and ZANU PF are destructive of each other. They are also self-destructive. The more they fight each other, the weaker they will become. This is because they are not following Dr Joshua Nkomo’s wise advice: we must liberate all Zimbabweans by uniting them. And we must unite to achieve common shared goals.
Mavambo Kusile Dawn offers the following common goals that all Zimbabweans can follow:
• Let’s work together to get a good national Constitution that will build Zimbabwe and enrich all Zimbabweans, whether they are war veterans or unemployed youths, rather than one that will benefit only a small number of already rich people.
• Let’s work together to provide security for all, rather than being frightened of each other, and attacking, torturing and killing each other in the name of security.
• Let’s work together to provide food for all. We must get rid of our dependence on donor food, and provide food security by ourselves.
• Let’s work together to provide good health facilities for all. Many people are dying needlessly because of lack of health care.
• Let’s work together to provide quality education for all. Our wonderful education system has been brought down. Let us re-build it.
‘Let’s Get Zimbabwe Working Again’

Why the Media Needs to Change – Protect and Enhance Zimbabwean Democracy through Information

By Diana Patel

Zimbabweans are waiting patiently for the announcement of the new Zimbabwe Media Commission. The names of the proposed commissioners have been forwarded to the President two months ago and, we expect the appointment of the new Zimbabwe Media Commission by the end of this month, together with those of the other three commissions, the Zimbabwe Commission on Human Rights, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission. We need the new Zimbabwe Media Commission in place so that other potential players in the media, such as the long awaited daily newspaper, News Day, can obtain a license to operate. The more players in the arena the better our chances of access to information.

 

For democracy to function in Zimbabwe people’s access to information is essential. The free flow of information is critical for people to actively engage in national and local activities. However, while access to information is essential the definition of what is valuable information is open to debate. Zimbabweans have had very limited sources of information. They have been denied something that is essential for participation in community life. We need information to participate in elections and community activities, we need access to information to better our lives.

 

Zimbabweans need news and information to be able to take advantage of life’s opportunities for themselves and their families. We need information to participate fully in our system of government, for us to stand up and be heard. MKD’s values of openness, inclusion, participation and empowerment together with the pursuit of truth and the public interest are all important in pursuing democracy, allowing people’s voices to be heard. We have many journalists in Zimbabwe who have continued to work hard to pursue and promote these values.

 

New technology, the internet and mobile phones, allow us to connect and access information globally, but we still have difficulty accessing information nationally and  locally, where we live and work. Information is as vital to the healthy functioning of communities as jobs, clean air, safe streets and public health. Informed communities can effectively coordinate activities, achieve public accountability and solve problems. To achieve democracy in Zimbabwe we need access to information.

 

Where families struggle to make ends meet and many men and women work multiple jobs, time to access information that could better our lives is limited. Information must be easily accessible if we want communities to engage. MKD wants people to engage nationally and locally, and the path to this engagement may well be through fulfillment  of basic information about jobs, shelter and housing, health care, education, food, electricity and water. The first requirement of engagement is access to relevant and credible information, MKD promotes the free flow of information,freedom of the media, democratic dialogue and a vibrant well- informed society. MKD hopes that this will be of major concern to the new Zimbabwe Media Commission.

Diana Patel is a member of the Mavambo.Kusile.Dawn National Steering Committee and Convener of the Social Services Cluster of the party

Simba Makoni on The "Disengagement From ZANU PF" By the MDC-T

"Time To Concentrate on Policies and Not Jobs For The Boys And Girls"

The Interim President and National Steering Committee of Mavambo.Kusile.Dawn would like to register dismay at the developments within the Inclusive Government of Zimbabwe.

It is clear that ZANU (PF) and President Robert Mugabe have never been serious about engaging the MDC-T and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, specifically, and about the concept of power-sharing in general.





Whereas ZANU (PF) has acted in bad faith throughout the life of the Inclusive Government, the MDC-T itself has also acted in a manner that does not inspire confidence in their ability to rise above the problems bedeviling Zimbabwe.

Since the inauguration of the Inclusive Government, the Prime Minister has insisted at every opportunity that everything is well, that “Mugabe is genuine”, “Mugabe is not the problem, but other people around him”, and “Mugabe is committed to power-sharing” despite warnings and clear evidence to the contrary. This went on even as the Prime Minister’s MPs, Deputy Minister of Agriculture-designate and MDC-T supporters were persecuted and harassed all over the country. Yet, now the Prime Minister says “in this period, we have seen a complete lack of paradigm shift on the part of ZANU PF.”



Everyone could see this, even as the Prime Minister told the world “Mugabe is indispensable and irreplaceable.”



We note with concern that the issues over which the MDC are disengaging from ZANU PF are issues of “jobs for the boys and girls” and not policies that can deliver real change for Zimbabweans.

The people want stable and permanent jobs, economic development, repair of dilapidated infrastructure, food, functioning health and education systems and social support networks. The people want their dignity and respect back. In this regard, we note that since they entered the Inclusive Government, the MDC-T have not put forward policy initiatives aimed at pulling the country out of crisis. The modest improvements that have occurred in people’s lives over the past year are the result of the default dollarisation which commenced in early 2008 and was formalized by ZANU (PF) before the Inclusive Government.



The MDC-T says it is unhappy that it still has no Ambassadors posted, no Provincial Governors and Resident Ministers appointed and that Roy Bennett has still not been sworn in as Deputy Minister of Agriculture.



In principle, MKD stands opposed to a bloated government, especially the Executive. We would have expected that, instead of fighting for posts that will expand government and burden the struggling Zimbabwean taxpayer, Prime Minister Tsvangirai would be fighting President Mugabe over policy matters that can improve the economic fortunes of the country and the well-being of citizens.



One such policy we are still waiting for from the PM and his party is the reduction in the avaricious consumption of limited resources by the bloated executive, freeing up what little resources we have for the improvement of the quality of life of all Zimbabweans.



Indeed, while it is patently obvious that Mugabe has no intention of sharing real power with Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister and his party are expected to at least show that they have what it takes to change the fortunes of Zimbabweans. The people expect them to propose effective development policies, not just fight for public sector job opportunities.



The people expect MDC-T to champion causes such as National Reconciliation and Healing, in order that we never get a repeat of the violence and brutalities that have characterised recent elections.

The people expect the MDC-T to demonstrate better governance competency than ZANU (PF), instead of helping implement destructive ZANU (PF) policies, as they have been doing since they entered the Inclusive Government

The people want the MDC-Ti to demonstrate they can govern the country, facilitating prosperity through policies that are different from what we have come to expect from Mugabe and ZANU PF.

This is not happening.

Political will to bring social stability and economic well-being and create jobs seems to be lacking in both MDC-T and ZANU (PF). The focus is all about power, command and control, creating room at the feeding trough of government for themselves and a small number of their supporters and officials, while at the same time pursuing destructive policies that belong to the dinosaur age of the ZANU (PF) regime of the last decade.



On careful examination, it emerges that the reasons for the MDC-T disengagement from ZANU (PF) have nothing to do with delivering real change to the people of Zimbabwe. The fight is about the MDC-T being allowed a bigger share of public sector jobs, motor cars, travel allowances and good living.

We urge both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai to show genuine concern for the suffering people of Zimbabwe, to apply themselves diligently to resolving their power disputes. We further urge President Mugabe, especially, to show that he is committed to genuine partnership and power-sharing with the MDC-T, a party that defeated him in the March 2008 elections.



This will enable the Inclusive Government to formulate and implement the policies required to create jobs, stimulate economic growth that benefits all our people and bring Zimbabwe back into the 21st Century where it belongs.

Also of concern to us is that even this action of “disengagement from ZANU (PF)” by the Prime Minister and the MDC-T is not clear in its meaning. The MDC-T can not have their cake and eat it. They say they have “disengaged from ZANU PF” and from Cabinet and yet they are still in the Inclusive Government, they are still reporting for work and they are still executing their duties as cabinet ministers? So what exactly is the meaning of their action as announced last Friday, 16 October 2009? Can the Prime Minister clearly spell out to a concerned and confused nation the practical meaning and effect of this action because the people can not see its significance?



At the same time, we are aware, as is the entire nation, that there are three parties to this agreement and this Inclusive Government. How is the Prime Minister relating to the third party in government, the MDC-M? Is he meeting with them in the Cabinet Room in the absence of ZANU PF? Is he engaging them at all or ignoring them?



The people of Zimbabwe are genuinely concerned and confused over this unclear position from the MDC-T. They have the right to an explanation from their Prime Minister.



It is time to stop playing with the people of Zimbabwe over petty positions and power. It is time to deliver real change to the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe. If the amount of attention that is being given to who gets what post in the Inclusive Government was directed towards delivering jobs, economic recovery, social harmony and stability, this country would have been much further down the road to prosperity than it is now.



It is time to bring real change to the people.


It is time to Get Zimbabwe Working Again.

Sanctions And Regime Change

Fay Chung (right, foreground) in conversation with a diplomat and Mr A. Mujeyi of MKD at the launch of the party at Stoddart Hall in Mbare on July 01 2009

A Political Analysis by Fay Chung

We heard again in the CNN Interview of President Mugabe in New York that sanctions and regime change are the main, or indeed the only reasons, for the disasters in Zimbabwe. How far are the problems we face due to these two factors?

Zimbabweans have faced the following problems: the horrendous inflation of 200 000 000 per cent before the Zimbabwe dollar was unceremoniously dumped; the dependence on food aid; election violence including torture, the burning of houses, the theft of cattle and other livestock, the killing of over 200 opposition political activists; etc. How far are these specific problems due to sanctions and regime change? And what are the exact remedies for these problems? A proper analysis should lead directly to an effective strategy.  

It is well known by everyone that the main cause of the inflation was the reckless printing of money. Once printing stopped, inflation also stopped. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was responsible for the printing of money, and this cannot be blamed on sanctions. Unfortunately the reckless inflation has led to the total loss of savings by everybody, in particular pensioners. We changed from trillionaires and billionaires to paupers.

The dependence on food aid – what happened? The answer is simple - Communal farmers who have fed Zimbabwe since the mid 1980s could not find seeds or fertilizer. We failed to plan for adequate seeds and fertilizer, either by producing them in country or by importing them. Again this cannot be blamed on sanctions and regime change. We were of course short of foreign exchange, but we did not prioritize seeds and fertilizer. Instead we bought expensive tractors and combine harvesters, given free to political supporters of ZANU PF. Our prioritisation was wrong: we know very well that for the past two decades the Communal farmers have produced maize for the country. Why did we not make sure that seeds and fertilizer could be available on sale to them? No seeds and no fertilizer meant no food. This was not due to sanctions and regime change. It was due to RBZ and Government prioritisation which excluded investment into seeds and fertilizer.

Election violence preceding the Presidential Re-Run in June 2008 was extreme, and particularly shameful as it was directed in particular at ZANU PF’s own supporters. These supporters voted for ZANU PF in the March 2008 Elections, but “kicked the ball outside the field” in the Presidential Elections. This means they voted for ZANU PF parliamentarians, but not for the ZANU PF Presidential candidate. Again it cannot be said that this political violence was caused by sanctions. Was it caused by regime change strategies?

There is little doubt that the USA and the West in general have openly desired regime change. Their reasons for this was the land resettlement programme of 2000, when over ten million hectares of land formerly owned by their companies and their nationals were taken over. Nevertheless, there is a universal consensus that land resettlement was absolutely essential in Zimbabwe, and that it was long overdue by 2000, twenty years after Independence. There is wonder and speculation about why the ZANU PF Government waited for twenty years before addressing this critically important issue. Indeed it was only tackled when the war veterans began openly criticizing the Government for “selling out” by its neglect of land resettlement over that long period. There is also criticism of the use of violence in the take over. The issue of multiple farm allocations, and the allocation of large farms to political heavy weights, and small farms to ordinary people can also be questioned.

The Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZIDERA) passed by the United States House of Assembly and Senate in 2001 is the document which most clearly outlines the sanctions. ZIDERA states that the USA will not support any multi-lateral or bilateral loans or grants to Zimbabwe unless there are specific reforms regarding ownership of property, the rule of law, and the use of political violence. ZIDERA specifically seeks collaboration of the European Union in the enforcement of these sanctions. What this has meant in reality is that Zimbabwe has been deprived of grants and investments from the West for the last decade. Zimbabwe received an average of about US$350 million in aid and investment in the 1980s and 1990s. This stopped abruptly in 2001. Aid and foreign investment came to about 10 – 15% of Zimbabwe’s export earnings at that time. It is important to analyze why the removal of this 10 – 15% of foreign exchange should have led to the collapse of the economy. Had Zimbabwe become so aid dependent that it could not survive without it?

It is to be remembered that the Ian Smith regime actually managed to industrialize and become food self sufficient under much worse sanctions over the period 1965 - 1980. Clearly the anti-sanctions strategies followed by the ZANU PF Government over the last decade were seriously deficient, if they existed at all. Cleverly the sanctions included targeting the personal accounts and travel arrangements of some 200 top ZANU PF officials, and most of the Government and ZANU PF rhetoric and activities were centred around this strategy, whilst totally neglecting the real issues of economic survival and growth. Expansion of the monetary supply and use of foreign exchange for finished goods intended to buy political support were the main observable strategies. Both of these strategies proved disastrous.

Sanctions were and are real. The wish for regime change was and is real. Nevertheless the reality is that probably sanctions and regime change strategies account for only 20% of the Zimbabwe’s political and economic failures. ZANU PF’s internal disintegration cannot be blamed on the West. The neglect of seeds and fertilizer in order to concentrate on luxury goods cannot be blamed on the West. The rampant corruption cannot be blamed on the West. The neglect of the poor and the wild enrichment of the politically elite cannot be blamed on the West.

Dr Fay Chung is the Cluster Convener: Communications, for Mavambo.KusileDawn Party and a member of the National Steering Committee. She is a former Minister of Education in ZImbabwe, who went on to spend 10 years working for the United Nations

Second Coming Of ZANU PF's "Messiah"?

Opinion by Zinyane Laselangeni

Tsholotsho MP and political turncoat Prof Jonathan Moyo has written a letter to ZANU PF seeking readmission to a party which he himself had only recently described as a dead duck on the shelf, only breathing from the evils of state security and abuse of state funds! Seeking readmission is well within Jona’s right but what has brought consternation among those who have been closely following developments on the political arena has been the readiness and speed with which ZANU PF functionaries have rejoiced over his impending readmission, raising questions about what ZANU PF has up its sleeve, considering the posturing which is now threatening the very survival of the SADC pet project, the Inclusive Government. ZANU PF is digging in its heels, stalling implementation and honouring of its obligations under the Global Political Agreement, under the pretext that MDC has not lifted sanctions.

Everyone knows that MDC does not have the power to lift the sanctions imposed by outsiders such as the USA and the European Union. Accusing the MDC is a fig leaf to cover up ZANU PF’s refusal to cooperate in the implementation of the GPA. Success of the Inclusive Government will give credit to the GPA, as everyone can compare what was there before to what is there now. It is in Zimbabwe’s interest for the PGA to succeed, but it is not in ZANU PF’s interest to allow the GPA to succeed.

Tellingly heavyweights in ZANU PF and Mugabe loyalists, including Didymus Mutasa and Patrick Chinamasa, have since acknowledged receipt of his application. This only serves to confirm that his readmission into the troubled and sinking party is only a matter of formality, going by the hail of praises from the two loyalists who ranted and raved about his work and abilities during his tenure in the party and government.

His readmission at this point seems automatic, but the question is who needs the other most? 

It remains a fact that ZANU PF finds itself in the abyss, in the wilderness, and is seeking any systems go to reposition itself and reclaim lost ground. No wonder they see Jona as their “Messiah”. The party needs the Professor more and recalling him recalls the nostalgia of years gone by –from 2000 to around 2005 -when the party pulverised the opposition with sheer media terrorism spearheaded by the Professor. Who will forget the years when TV and radio became Jona’s fiefdom and arena to further the interest of the then ruling party at the expense of Zimbabwe, heralding the trampling of basic rights. Zimbabweans were stripped of the right to determine and question content. Draconian legislation to destroy freedom of the press were introduced.

Negative impact aside, he displayed outstanding abilities. He is indeed the Goebbels of ZANU PF. ZANU PF, now on the verge of collapse, has found its “messiah”, to lead the strategy in a propaganda war. Jonathan is being rehired by the party to extricate it from its intricate web of internally induced fissures. He worked wonders for the ailing ZANU PF and President Mugabe in the past, winning by hook or by crook. 

But is the second coming of the ZANU PF “messiah” going to save the party from collapse this time? The party has irretrievably lost its support among ordinary Zimbabweans to MDC-T and MDC-M, a re-invigorated ZAPU and Mavambo-Kusile-Dawn (MKD). Given what has happened in 2008, I personally don’t think that Jonathan can perform any miracle. An analogy of ZANU PF as something that has the deadly HIV virus would suffice in this case. The party is now suffering from advanced AIDS, rendering Anti-retroviral therapy less helpful as resistance has set in, owing to abuse of prescribed norms and values of conducting politics. Failure to reinvent the party which is still steeped in 19th century politics in this day of evolving systems premised on democracy and respect for human rights has proved sufficient to slowly render the party irrelevant to the wishes and aspirations of Zimbabweans and the country. 

Resentment of the status quo and of the professor are deep rooted. This is partly an offshoot of his escapades when he handled the media portfolio. Moreover the theft of cattle and goats from ordinary people, the terror, violence, the burning of houses and the killing of opposition members have left an unforgettable mark on the population. People do not vote for those who have robbed and killed them in a free and fair election.

Watch this space as Jona will soon be marshalling the party and Government information machinery. His duty will be to continuously discredit political competitors.

Examining Zimbabwe's Electoral System

Zimbabwe adopted the British First Past the Post Electoral system in 1985. This was undoubtedly past of the love-hate relationship that ZANU PF has with our former colonizers. We are sometimes like teenagers always rebelling against our parents, swearing at them, cursing them. At the same time we remain slaves of our colonizers, always aping the way they do things, including their electoral system. The 1980 electoral system was more like the present South African electoral system, where the electorate voted for candidates selected by political parties.

The British system is known as the First Past the Post system. The South African system, which is the more widespread system in modern times, although it is expressed in many varied ways, is known as Proportional representation. The two systems are often combined, for example with 70% of the seats through the First Past the Post system, and 30% through the Proportional representation system.

There are obviously advantages and disadvantages to each system, and it is appropriate for Zimbabweans to choose the most suitable system for our situation. The First Past the Post system which has been in place in Zimbabwe since the 1985 Elections, has the advantage of simplicity: whether you win by 30 votes, 300 votes, 3000 votes, or 30 000 votes, you are the winner. This has led to what is sometimes called “corruption”, where a losing candidate will appeal to the local army battalion to come to the polls, and tip the balance. This has been a well known ZANU PF strategy for almost every election.

Another disadvantage has been the manipulation and violence which have characterised intra-party primary elections, with accusations that winning candidates got in through patronage from the big shots or chefs, rather than through popular votes. Primary elections have caused serious divisions in every party. Bribery of the electorate, bussing in of voters, and other such moves are common.

Primary elections have also brought about more tribalism, as candidates appealed to local tribal loyalties, making it difficult if not impossible for the best candidate to win.

It is noticeable that the number of women candidates has decreased considerably since 1980. This is because women candidates may not be ruthless enough to win the primary elections within their own party, given the level of patronage in place.

One disadvantage of Proportional representation is that the party has a greater say in the choice of the candidate, although the system of candidate selection within each party may bring in different degrees of democracy. An advantage is that a party may ensure greater gender representation than the present primary elections system. A party may also be able to ensure that its candidates provide a greater variety of skills and experience.

At this point in time it is important for every Zimbabwean to consider what electoral system is put in place under the new Constitution. Are we about to repeat the mistakes of the past, in particular slavish imitation of our former colonial masters? MKD supports a vigorous debate on what combination of First Past the Post and Proportional Representation would serve Zimbabwe best.

Unhealthy Zimbabwe Exposes Wrong Priorities Of The Inclusive Government

More than six months after the inauguration of the Inclusive Government of Morgan Tsvangirai and Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe faces a continuing health risk. The collapse of sewage and water infrastructure all across Zimbabwe has led to international organisations warning that the cholera epidemic could return with a vengeance with the onset of the summer rains.

Meantime, doctors and nurses downed tools and demanded proper salaries and an end to unnecessary delays in the payment of supplements from donors. Their anger is understandable against the backdrop of a government that is living extravagantly, unwilling to share in the suffering of its own people, let alone its employees. Harare Hospital, which is in dire straits, looks on while the government spends US$11 million on foreign travel, while ministers are allocated three cars each. All this luxurious living is noticed by the struggling health professionals. It is, besides anything else, a truly de-motivating experience for them.

The United Nations estimates that 6 million people in Zimbabwe (over half our population) have no access to clean and safe water, making the spectre of cholera a clear and present danger. Added to this, all health experts agree that, with rubbish still piled high in our streets, the sewage system broken down in our towns and cities, the advent of the rainy season will certainly see the return of cholera.  

We are also woefully unprepared for the Swine Flu, with cases having now been reported in Mutare. Fatalities from this ailment will only be because the health officials in this country, overstretched and de-motivated, have not been equipped by the Inclusive Government to deal with this threat. We are particularly incensed that this neglect of a vital area comes at a time when the Inclusive government sees it fit to spend money on cars and travel, running into tens of millions of US dollars, looking only after their comfort while the people who elected them into office die like flies all over the country. It is a shocking state of affairs that the government is not paying enough attention to this most critical of areas, for without a healthy population, without a truly motivated health staff, this country can never hope to even start on the journey to recovery.

60% of posts in our health institutions remain vacant, while doctors and nurses who have fled the country for greener pastures remain reticent about coming back to Zimbabwe. Their reluctance is based not only on the poverty wages being paid to those who remained behind. Their working conditions are poor, and in some places horrendous. Doctors tell horror stories of continuing drug shortages despite the best efforts of the NGO community. They tell stories of inadequate and sometimes downright dangerous working conditions. The minister who is supposed to hear them out, an MDC minister, has kicked them out of his office. He says he only deals with “policy” and not operational details. For daring to demand better health facilities and better conditions of service, they are fired!

Without an optimally functioning health delivery system, the recovery of this country will remain a mirage, a distant wish. The Inclusive government has failed to come up with such a proposal, instead prioritising its own comfort and needs.

Mavambo Kusile Dawn stands ready with a realistic plan for tackling this health emergency. More than 4000 people have died of cholera. The death toll over the past few years is frightening, with thousands of deaths which could have been avoided if the medical system was effective. At the core of our emergency intervention plan is the need to ensure that Zimbabwe becomes a competitive health sector employer worldwide. Instead of persecuting and harassing doctors, we advocate engagement, meaningful and timed. We advocate speedily addressing the concerns of the health professionals so that Zimbabwe can once again take its place as one of the most enviable countries in Africa on the heath care front. Dialogue with those who do the work is essential if the health system is to improve. Arrogant refusal to discuss with the doctors and nurses will lead nowhere. Instead of spending tens of millions of dollars on cars, travel and other luxury items, let us spend it on drugs and the maintenance of essential medical machinery and equipment.

We call on the Inclusive government to put its own greed last and instead start addressing such issues as these if it is serious about an economic turnaround and improving the quality of life for Zimbabweans.

Why Did Zimbabwe Fail?

One of the questions all Zimbabweans ask is why did we begin relatively well in the 1980s and early 1990s, but began to collapse in the last decade? In the areas of education, health, water supply, etc., Zimbabwe was considered to be a “star”, but it lost its star status over the last decade, with the collapse of the education and health systems, and the outbreak of cholera as a result of the collapse of the water provision system. The very areas where Zimbabwe was regarded as outstanding were the areas which collapsed. Why could we not sustain the progress we had made in the first two decades of Independence? Surely we knew how to be successful?

The standard answer provided by ZANU PF is “sanctions”, but we should remind ourselves that Ian Smith’s Rhodesia suffered from even worse sanctions than ourselves: they did not receive foreign assistance or foreign investment, yet nobody can doubt that they were financially solvent. We became financially bankrupt. Why?

The real reason can be found in the change in ideology of the then ruling party, ZANU PF. With the change of ideology came growing corruption. ZANU PF’s new ideology was firmly grounded in corruption. Whereas in the first decade and a half, there was an enthusiastic attempt to help the poor, on whom they had depended for support during the Liberation Struggle, this had ended by the mid-1990s, and has completely disappeared over the last decade. Whereas in the first decade and a half, schools and health facilities were provided for the poor, but the mid-1990s, it was replaced by good education and health only for those who could afford it. The rich became richer, what is termed “filthy rich”, whilst the poor became poorer than ever before. Whilst the rich can boast 2, 3 or even 35 cars each, the poor cannot afford to eat even one meal a day. Over the last decade the poor became reliant on donors for food. Zimbabweans were reduced to beggars, whilst those in power concentrated on increasing their personal wealth.

Whilst the 1980s were characterised by ambitious house building for the poor, by 2000 only the very rich could build houses, the poor being condemned to living in plastic and cardboard shacks. 22 roomed houses became the order of the day for the rich. Moreover, no effort was made to provide jobs for the 400 000 children who leave school every year, only half of whom have secondary education. The children of the rich were sent out of the country for secondary and university education, whilst they allowed the once brilliant education system to deteriorate.

Many of the ruling class who became filthy rich are routinely corrupt. There are countless well known episodes of corruption to titillate us. There was the ZUPCO scandal, where ministers got away with known crimes. There were the GMB scandals, where ministers took tons of maize to give away as election bribes. They got away with it. There was the water purification scandals. This caused the death of at least 4000 people from cholera. No one has been prosecuted for this. There are the land acquisition scandals involving both urban and farm lands. They have got away with it. We hear of millions of dollars spent on jatropha processing plants and plantations, but amazingly nothing is produced. These are public funds, abused and misused to enrich a few people. Corruption has become a cancer destroying the society.

Under the Inclusive Government, some things have changed. Education, health and water have received a lot of attention from donors, and are improving. However, it does look like the members of the Inclusive Government are more interested in using their power to enrich themselves, in the same way that ZANU PF leaders have done over the last decade. The signs are there: the demand for imported vehicles; the number of posh vehicles per minister; the fight over powerful positions; the holding of meetings in the most expensive hotels; the wastage of funds; etc., etc.

Unless the Inclusive Government is serious about solving the real economic problems, such as providing jobs for all, reviving Zimbabwean industries, and ensuring food security, the situation will remain more or less as it was under ZANU PF. The former opposition parties of the MDC are in danger of being swallowed up by the ZANU PF ideology. We need a Government which concentrates on development, on food security, on building up national industries, rather than a Government which concentrates solely on individual enrichment. We need to see economic crimes not only highlighted, but also justice being done. The cancer of corruption cannot be allowed to destroy the nation.

Should The Zimbabwe Dollar Come Back?

The return of the Zimbabwean dollar is being discussed in Parliament and in the mass media.

The majority of Zimbabweans are against the return of the Zimbabwe dollar. We are naturally influenced by the severe suffering we have undergone over the past five years. We found our money devaluing to the point where virtually 96% of Zimbabweans became destitute. The elimination of thirteen zeros meant that billionaries suddenly became destitutes. The middle class who constitute the bedrock of a stable society, such as doctors, nurses, teachers and civil servants, suddenly found that they could not afford to feed themselves. They were too poor to catch buses. They could not pay their rent. They could not pay for electricity or water. They could not pay for school fees.

Commerce and industry stopped functioning, as prices escalated daily and even hourly. The price of goods escalated so that the price in the afternoon was be double that in the morning. Everyone spent their salary within minutes of receiving it, hoping that they would get at least enough food to last them the month. Supermarkets became empty. Government reacted by arresting supermarket managers. They also arrested bank managers. Amazingly the printers of worthless currency, the RBZ, were not imprisoned. They do not accept any responsibility for the inflation.

Meanwhile the RBZ continued its wild printing of hundreds of trillions of dollars. The demise of the Zimbabwe dollar took place when the money supply was increased by 200 million per cent early this year. The printing presses were working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Inflation was estimated also at 200 million percent. Such was inflation that by January 2009, just before the collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar, US$1 was worth 23 trillion Zimbabwe dollars. Civil servants were now being paid US$1 – 2 per month. Amazingly this was after some 13 zeros had already been lopped off. The Zimbabwe dollar had become worthless. Although it was illegal, everyone was demanding forex before they would sell you anything. Eventually, in February 2009, Government declared it legal to utilize forex. Government recognized that the Zimbabwe dollar was dead.

Return of the Zimbabwean dollar?? Zimbabweans fear a repetition of the past: once bitten twice shy. Will we again face 200 million per cent inflation?? Will the little money we have again be devalued to a minus quantity? We lost our sovereignty when we destroyed the worth of our own money. Are we surprised that Zimbabweans are afraid of the resuscitation of the Zimbabwe dollar?

Yet can we really survive without our own currency? Of course inflation stopped immediately when the printing of paper money stopped. On the negative side, it is virtually impossible to borrow money. Banks are short of money as most people utilize the bank only as a transit camp, through which they receive their money, which they withdraw as soon as possible, of course just in case the RBZ returns to its criminal habit of taking our forex without our permission. We are now a cash economy with very limited monetary services. Can we develop without these banking services? Clearly not. Without a formal monetary system our economy will not be able to go forward.

The answer is clear: we should enter into negotiations as soon as possible with South Africa to enable Zimbabwe to be supported by the Rand monetary system. Such a negotiation would enable us to print Zimbabwean currency linked to our forex deposits, in this case the South African rand. This agreement should be time defined, let us say for five years, after which we can review the situation.

Let’s have a practical solution to a practical problem. 

Our Thoughts On Teachers' Strikes And A Lost Generation

The MKD Party and all progressive forces in Zimbabwe, has learnt with deep regret that the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) has today called upon Teachers throughout the country to down tools as from Wednesday 2 September 2009.

This unfortunate development is a replay of what happened last year, when pupils wrote examinations yet the Teachers had taken a prolonged industrial action, leaving our children ill prepared for examinations. Their grievances are legitimate since last year. We sympathize with them.

There is no denying that in Zimbabwe Teachers have been abused by the system. When economic mismanagement reached fever pitch with the Reserve Bank going over-drive printing worthless notes, and lopping off zeros,Teachers and other civil servants could not access those useless trillions.. As a result, Teachers were depending on handouts from sympathetic parents. How degrading for a trained professional? But did the authorities care? Of course not?

Now there is an inclusive government but does anybody care? Even with the new kids on the block from the two MDC formations, the plight of civil servants is not even a source of concern to the inclusive government. All they do is fight over who must be given which post – provincial governor, ambassador, governor of the reserve bank or attorney general. Where are the masses in all this mudslinging? They have been forgotten. They are invisible.A whole generation is being destroyed while political leaders are bickering for positions.

The seriousness of this matter of a pending strike by the Teachers must permeate politics because children are the future of Zimbabwe. Each parent is concerned, and so does any right thinking person. It is immoral to sacrifice our children on the altar of political expediency.

Just last week-end Government Ministers, with their Permanent Secretaries, drivers, personal assistants, private secretaries and security details on tow, invaded a Nyanga Motel and gobbled thousands of US dollars ostensibly to review a 100 day programme which is a monumental failure. How much fuel was used on those sleek new fuel guzzlers.. Such money could have been used to pay Junior Doctors who were on strike. But the inclusive Government had a better solution – to fire the doctors who were demanding a living wage, while the Ministers were feasting on our money at Nyanga.

The poor teachers, who are demanding US$500 per month, will definitely be fired if they dare proceed with the strike.. The lingering question is what has really changed about the welfare of doctors, teachers, and the rest of the civil servants since the coming of the inclusive government? Besides the starving wages, teachers in rural areas are harassed by youth militia purporting to work for factions of this inclusive government.

As a party yearning for the dawn of a new era in Zimbabwe, we plead to NGOs, other co-operating partners and anybody who wishes Zimbabwe well, to come to our rescue and intervene now. The inclusive government needs at least US$180million to pay the teachers and avoid this crippling wildcat strike, that will definitely destroy the lives of our children and future generations. Surely that money can be mobilized from within and outside Zimbabwe.

It is one thing to punish Zanu PF officials with sanctions but if the strike by teachers goes ahead, the damage to our children is irreversible. Politicians come and go but denying children education will leave them permanently damaged, and creates the ideal breeding nest for immorality and crime.

We Can't Afford To Go It Alone In A Global Village

Finance Minister Tendai Biti, of the kiya-kiya fame, was quoted in the government press as saying it was a joke to expect financial assistance from the international community in order to kick-start Zimbabwe’s comatose and ailing economy.

MKD party and all right-thinking Zimbabweans locally and abroad, can bear testimony that we have heard this kind boastful verbal nonsense before. During the burial of the late Vice President Joseph Msika, President Mugabe made similar remarks to the effect that Zimbabwe should not rely on foreign aid to develop its economy but on its own endowment.

Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono has on numerous occasions remarked that “failure is not an option” and urged Zimbabweans to “think outside the box “ or even “ dispense with text book economics”.

Simply put, Mnister Biti is now in synch and resonating at the same frequency with both President Mugabe and Governor Gono. The trio is in agreement that Zimbabwe should go it alone.

What these three gentlemen have not told us is how our economy, now gasping its last breath of life, can mobilize its natural endowments to pull the country out of this perennial quagmire.

President Mugabe owes the people of Zimbabwe an explanation as to why foreign aid is no longer good for the country when he embraced the World Bank, the IMF, the European Union and many other bilateral donor funds all these years. How has the donor funds improved the lives of poor Zimbabweans?

Now the people are psychologically being brainwashed into accepting that donor funds are the poisoned chalice and the only way is to go it alone. Minister Biti is swallowing the bait hook, line and sinker. We all know that he is hoodwinking the people. He is using the excuse of the anticipated massive inflows of foreign cash which did not materialize, to sell off State assets. Definitely Biti’s eyes are fixed on ZISCO Steel, Air Zimbabwe, TelOne, NetOne, ComOne and the National Railways of Zimbabwe. Those assets will be sold for a song.

If the proceeds from the sale of these parastatals could be used to increase capacity utilization in the productive sectors of the economy, Biti can be excused. But we all know the money will be recklessly spend on consumption – buying cars for Ministers and MPs; or paying civil servants who are baying for his blood if he does not increase their salaries. If Biti strips all the national assets to the bone, what will happen when all the money is gone? Will he keep the restless soldiers in their barracks or prevent teachers, nurses and doctors from striking?

We feel pity for this brilliant young lawyer Tendai Biti, who is sinking deeper and deeper into troubled waters each passing day. He felt good in the opposition because all he did was criticize now he is in the hot seat and all he does is sweat.

Zimbabwe needs to enhance its creditworthiness to enable it to attract direct foreign investment so that it can produce goods and services that can be traded to create wealth. Selling off the family jewels for consumptive purposes only helps to accelerate the pace towards a failed State.

For as long as Zimbabwe’s ‘’exclusive’ Government remains fragile with the three parties fighting over positions, then investors will shy away and people sink deeper into abject poverty.


Perhaps the time has come for the people of Zimbabwe to realize how hopeless and directionless the coalition government is. The Government can hold as many retreats, seminars, symposia, workshops and more meetings, but for the old woman out in the rural village, and the jobless school leaver, there is no change. Its just continuous suffering and starvation, whilst the Ministers and senior government officials converge for another retreat and the feeding frenzy continues unabated.

As MKD, our position is very clear. Let us go back to the drawing board and start afresh. Let us wake up to the dawn of a new era where politicians are held accountable: where the rule of law is held sacrosanct; where investors are assured a return on their investment; where property rights are respected; where our children hope for a bright future not in the diaspora but in their own motherland.

In this globalized village, there is nothing like going it alone. Nations need and depend on each other. Zimbabwe is not exception, may be in the minds of those on the lunatic fringe.

Dr Simba Makoni's Speech At The Launch Of Mavambo.Kusile.Party

Salutations

I add my voice to Godfrey’s in both welcoming you all here, and thanking you for honouring us with your presence. I particularly thank the diplomats who are here, for choosing us, in preference to another event which we believe they were notified of late yesterday, and whose timing we are not sure was with good intent.

Today marks the tenth anniversary of the death of Dr Joshua Nkomo, Father Zimbabwe. We are excited by the coincidence of our launch with this anniversary, which reminds us that we have had towering visionaries and dedicated patriots, whose example we are inspired to emulate.

We also recall that it was ten years ago when the broad family of civic organisations launched the Movement for Democratic Change, whose contribution to the advance of democracy in our country also spurs us on the journey we are embarking on today.

Why Another Party?

As we launch our Party today, we understand that the question may arise, indeed, has been posed to us, ... “Why another party in Zimbabwe”?  

First, because we believe it is necessary to open up the democratic space some more. We read the reaction of the people to the entry of another credible candidate into the March 2008 presidential elections, as testimony to their yearning for truly competitive politics. We believe that the original de facto one-party state, in the first twenty years of our nationhood, which was succeeded by a decade of a two-horse race; have not served Zimbabweans well. The two-horse race for power, control and command has not brought to Zimbabwe, the benefits of democracy and pluralism.

That is why we believe that, for the advancement of the frontiers of democracy, for the deepening of the content of democracy, it is necessary that our country has more choice than just two parties. 

Indeed, as Godfrey has observed, now there is just choice between two parties-in-one.
We acknowledge the efforts of others who came before us, notably, Mr Edgar Tekere, who formed ZUM, the late Justice Enock Dumbushena, who formed the Forum Party of Zimbabwe, Mrs Margaret Dongo who formed the Zimbabwe Union of Democrats, and Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who formed the Movement for Democratic Change. We appreciate their contributions to the opening up of political space. They prepared the ground for us, not only to be in the contest in the March 2008 elections, but also to be here today.We commit ourselves to advancing further those frontiers, and to widen further that democratic space that they opened up.

Why Us?

Another justifiable question which has been posed is, if indeed there is need for another party, why M.K.D?

Our response is, because we are committed to raising the content and practice of national politics from mere contests for power and positions, to participation, contribution and cooperation. The platform of the independent candidates in the March 2008 elections, viz; national reconciliation, healing and re-engagement, remains very relevant.

We are also fired up to introducing a concept of leadership that is committed to serving the people, rather than commitment to power, command and control. 

That is why we believe that the other party should be us, the MKD.

Whilst we are committed patriots, we also understand the meaning of national sovereignty in a global village, not as insularity and isolation, but as engagement and cooperation with regional and global partners.

We value our history, as a tool for shaping our future. Our history teaches us the folly of prejudice and bigotry, and our history measures the costs of greed and cruelty. We understand and empathise with young people who do not want to be prisoners of the past; young people who are proud to be Zimbabwean, but want to play on the global stage with peers from other countries.

Because we understand all that, we can also offer all that to the young people of Zimbabwe. That is why we believe that that other party should be us, MKD.
Our vision is for a stable, peaceful, united, progressive and developed Zimbabwe, where the rights and freedoms of all citizens are respected and protected.

Philosophy and Principles

We seek to create an open, accessible, accountable, responsible and responsive governance system that provides genuine empowerment to the individual, to the family, to the community and to the nation; a governance system that does not shackle its citizens, or drive them into dependence and despondency, to the extent that they end up asking, “Dai Hurumende yatipawo magejo”.

We believe in a governance system that is caring and compassionate, not cruel to its own people; and provides equity and fairness for all Zimbabweans, regardless of region, ethnicity, religion, gender, race, class, disability and age.

We are committed to the promotion, extension and defence of the following:

A democratic non-racial party and country, promoting the welfare of all citizens.
The supremacy of and respect for the constitution and laws of Zimbabwe, at all times, not selectively when it suits us, but at ALL times,

The separation of responsibilities between the institutions of state (i.e. the executive, legislature, and judiciary), while engendering effective co-operation between them.

Clear division between the office bearers, functions, institutions and resources of political parties, on the one hand, and those of the State, on the other hand. We do not wish to see perpetuation of the deliberate confusion between what is Party and what is State. What is State is for the nation as a whole, and what is Party is for the party members and adherents.

Representative, responsive and accountable government, chosen through regular, peaceful, free and fair elections, not imposed by the application of violence and force.

The rights of all citizens of Zimbabwe, particularly those resident outside the country (the Diaspora), to participate in national affairs, including elections. It is their right to participate in all the affairs of Zimbabwe. We are also committed to assuring their safety and security in those places where they happen to be domiciled for the time being. We want them to know that we are concerned about the conditions of privation and insecurity that they have been forced to endure by Mugabe, particularly during the course of the last three years; when their suffering became intolerable.

Decentralisation of government authority, and according responsibility to the authorities that are closest to the people, so that the people get direct, swift and efficient service and assistance, closest to where they are.

Respect for all legitimate rights, including religious and cultural rights, of individuals, associations and communities within a secular state. 

The right to work, the dignity of work and high work ethics. No Zimbabwean should be subjected to the indecency of begging, when they can provide for themselves.

The right of all people to property and assets, in a regulated market economy with protection for vulnerable members of our society.

Improvement in the quality of life of all Zimbabweans, through increased access to housing, health, education; and the protection of all people from crime and violence. When a minister of state and their property are violated in the manner that the headlines have depicted in the last week, it is gruesome testimony of a situation where protection of citizens from crime and violence is deficient.

Balanced national development, with equal and very close attention to regional and especially rural development. This whole nation of Zimbabwe needs to move forward together, at the same pace and to the same extent. It is time to bring all our people into the 21st Century. No Zimbabwean should feel excluded. No Zimbabwean should feel discriminated against. And no Zimbabwean should feel undermined and deprived.

Protection and enhancement of the quality of the physical environment and natural resource base.

Values

Guided by respect for human rights, freedoms and the rule of law, we uphold the following values:

• Service and Servant Leadership.
• Honesty and Integrity.
• Ethics, Equity and Fairness’
• Competence, Entrepreneurship and Meritocracy.
• Democracy, Diversity and Genuine Tolerance.
• Patriotism, National Participation and Representation.
• These are the values that differentiate us from the other political players in the country.
  
  Objectives
  

Some of our key objectives are to:

Redefine the role of government and leadership to incorporate the values and principles of service to the people, competency, accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law.

Advance leadership as a convening authority that diligently listens to all peoples and accommodates all views, even those that diverge from their own, coordinates and respects diversity of ideas. We are committed to a leadership that will strive to bring out the best of every Zimbabwean citizen, rather than trying to clone them into uniformity.

Vigorously combat corruption and pave the way for good and responsible government and ethical business and social practices. That is a commitment we make to the people of Zimbabwe, which commitment we know others cannot make with a straight face.Advocate for a competent, efficient and non-partisan civil service, including the security sector, which will serve the interests of all Zimbabweans.

Mobilize the nation’s skills and intellectual resources and carefully apply them accordingly. The ignominy of classrooms that have no teachers and hospital wards that have no doctors, when thousands of Zimbabwean teachers and doctors are suffering abject poverty outside our borders, is an indecency that we cannot afford.

Create meaningful opportunities that reward talent, innovation, skill, expertise and creativity, and facilitate individuals, families and communities to work towards self-reliance.

Increase investment in the education and health of the people of Zimbabwe, for stability and prosperity.

Affirm the developmental and enabling role of the state, ensuring that the state is a strong facilitator for development, not an overbearing and imposing state. A state that enables the private sector and private initiative, including individual initiative, to be the engine for growth and development for our country, in a manner that is regulated to avoid excesses and avarice.
Encourage domestic and foreign investment.

Our Immediate Priorities

We have four immediate priorities, viz:  

The promotion of national reconciliation and healing.

The restoration of civil liberties, freedoms of speech, assembly, association and choice; and return to the rule of law.

The restoration of the economic and social viability of Zimbabwe.
Depoliticisation of the civil service and the security organs so that they serve the interests of the state and the Zimbabwean nation at large.

Real Change

What I have outlined above is what we call the platform for real and genuine change for Zimbabwe.

As Godfrey said, on February 13 2009, an inclusive government, consisting of two MDC formations and ZANU-PF, was inaugurated. We welcomed then, and we welcome now, that Inclusive Government, formed now by a structure we call the MDC-PF.

Because we are committed to the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe, we want that Inclusive Government to succeed, in order to alleviate the extreme suffering that the people of Zimbabwe have endured unnecessarily and undeservedly for well close to a decade.
We, therefore, offer ourselves, in our individual capacities and collectively, as the new MKD party, to support and assist that Inclusive Government.
We say to President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai, we have the resources at our disposal to serve the interests of the people of Zimbabwe, so that we can Get Zimbabwe Working Again, efficiently and effectively and for the benefit of all citizens, so that we can bring real change to Zimbabwe.

However, we note with serious concern that, on a track record of five months, the Inclusive Government is not responding to the genuine needs of the people; it is not acknowledging the gravity of the crises facing Zimbabweans every day.

When the priority of an Inclusive Government which purports that its primary concern is to solve the country’s problems, is bickering and fighting over motor cars, we cannot help but express disquiet and discontent. When an Inclusive Government which professes commitment to resolving the country’s problems decisively and quickly, engages in bickering over which document will form the basis for constitution making; it doesn’t give us confidence that they have the will to solve the country’s problems.

The people of Zimbabwe are ready for real change, and MKD is offering itself as the vehicle for the people to achieve that real change.

Because we are not in the politics of power, we are not in the business of command and control, we want to reaffirm our availability, our willingness and our readiness to support the Inclusive Government, so that it serves the people of Zimbabwe genuinely and honestly, with integrity and without corruption.

The Activists

Let me take this opportunity to thank the activists of MKD, for their commitment and their resoluteness in staying the course. I am aware of the rocky path we have traversed in the last eighteen months. I have heard, and in many cases have also felt, your frustration at the slow pace of transformation of the Movement of Volunteers into a fully-fledged political party. 

I understand and I share the frustration. However, I say to you, “Kumhanya hakusi kusvika.
Today, we are here, we are launching our party. I take this opportunity to thank the National Steering Committee of our party, who have paved the way for us to be where we are today. They have worked diligently, quietly and effectively to bring us here today.
I say to the activists and members-to-be of our party, let us be guided by our key values, of service to the people, honesty and integrity.
Let us bring out the best of the skills and competencies amongst us, so that we can make a difference to our national politics.

A Mission to Clean Politics

If I talk like a missionary, it is because I believe we are on a mission, a mission to clean up the politics of Zimbabwe; a mission to make politics the art of service, to remove from the vocabulary, the phrase, the cliché, that “politics is dirty”; so that everyone will accept that the politics of service is clean, honest and has integrity.

I believe in politics that is driven by competence, and the need and commitment to serve.
The TeamOn February 5 2008, I offered myself, Simba Makoni, as an individual, to the service of our people, when I launched my campaign for the Presidency of Zimbabwe. Today, on behalf of the activists of MKD, the Movement of Volunteers, activists who started by supporting an individual, an independent candidate, and worked to create a new party that the people of Zimbabwe deserve, I now offer not just an individual, Simba Makoni, but a team of leaders.
It is a team of largely young leaders, a team of relatively unknown leaders, a team of leaders who come without baggage. It is a team of leaders who carry no prejudices, a team of leaders who have nothing to hide. It is also a team of leaders who are not motivated by greed and power, but by service to the people. We offer Zimbabwe a new leadership, which is fresh and untainted, and brings new hope for the future.
To the team, I say thank you, for offering to help get our country working again.

A Young Lady

It would be remiss of me not to publicly acknowledge the support that I get from this young lady here called Chipo Makoni, - my wife. Life has not been easy in our household in the last eighteen months. She has carried it all cheerfully. Thank you dear, for everything you have in the past, and more that you will do in future.

Party of Choice

In conclusion, I say to all of us who are coming forward to join Mavambo.Kusile.Dawn, and to the people of Zimbabwe, to whom we are offering our service, that let us build a party with a difference, a party of service, a party that will create a new brand of politics, not only in Zimbabwe but also on the African continent; a party that will get our country working again and a party that will facilitate real change for Zimbabwe.

Here ends the Movement of Volunteers, and here begins the Party of Choice for Zimbabweans
Ngiyabonga, Ndatenda, I thank you

Principles And Policies Of Mavambo At A Glance

1. VISION

A stable, peaceful, united, progressive and developed Zimbabwe, where rights and freedoms of all citizens are respected and protected.
A party of constant renewal, inclusion, tolerance, transparency and accountability.

2. MISSION

• To mobilize the nation to share and realise our vision.
• To position M.K.D to become the party of choice that will appeal to all Zimbabweans.

3. PHILOSOPHY

To create an open accessible, accountable, responsible and responsive governance system that:
• provides genuine empowerment;
• is caring and compassionate; and
• provides equity and fairness for all Zimbabweans, regardless of region, ethnicity, religion, gender, race, class, disability and age.


4. PRINCIPLES

We are committed to the promotion, extension and defence of the following principles:

• A democratic non-racial party and country, promoting the welfare of all citizens.
• The supremacy of and respect for the Constitution and laws of Zimbabwe.
• The separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers, while engendering effective co-operation between them.
• Clear division between the office bearers, functions, institutions and resources of political parties and those of the State.
• Representative, responsive and accountable government chosen through regular, peaceful, free and fair elections.
• Guarantee of the rights of all citizens of Zimbabwe resident outside the country to participate in national affairs, including elections.
• Decentralisation of government authority and responsibility to as close as possible to the people it is expected to serve.
• Respect for all legitimate rights, including religious and cultural rights, of individuals, associations and communities within a secular state.
• The right to work, the dignity of work and work ethics.• The right of all people to property and assets in a regulated market economy with protection for vulnerable groups.
• Improvement in the quality of life of all Zimbabweans through increased access to housing, health, education and the protection of all people from crime and violence.
• Balanced national development, with attention to regional and rural development.
• Protection and enhancement of the quality of the physical environment and natural resource base.

5. VALUES

Guided by Respect for Human Rights, Freedoms and the Rule of Law, we uphold the following values:

• Servant Leadership
• Honesty and Integrity
• Ethics, Equity and Fairness
• Competence, Entrepreneurship and Meritocracy
• Democracy, Diversity and Tolerance
• Patriotism, National Participation and Representation

6. OBJECTIVES

We undertake to:
• Participate in the constitutional and electoral processes of the country.
• Influence national legislation and policies.
• Win elections and execute the policies and programmes of the party.
• Redefine the role of government and leadership to incorporate the values and principles of service to the people, competency, accountability, transparency and respect for the rule of law.
• Advance leadership as a convening authority that diligently listens to all its people and accommodates, coordinates and respects diversity of ideas.
• Promote respect for the basic freedoms of speech, assembly, association and choice.
• Promote the free flow of information, freedom of the media, democratic dialogue and a vibrant well-informed society.
• Promote citizenship rights and duties through adherence to the Zimbabwe Bill of Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other Conventions and Covenants on Human Rights.
• Vigorously combat corruption and pave the way for good and responsible government and ethical business and social practices.
• Advocate for a competent, efficient and non-partisan civil service, including the security sector, which will serve the interests of all Zimbabweans.
• Promote the harnessing and utilisation of the natural resources to meet national needs.
• Formulate and implement a rational and secure land tenure system to encourage stability and equitable development.
• Mobilise the nation’s skills and intellectual resources.
• Create meaningful opportunities that reward talent, innovation, skill, expertise and creativity and facilitate individuals, families and communities to work towards self-reliance.
• Increase the contribution of art, science and technology in the development of all sectors of the economy and society.
• Increase investment in the education and health of the people of Zimbabwe for stability and prosperity.
• Affirm the development role of the state.
• Promote the private sector as the primary engine of growth and economic development.
• Encourage domestic and foreign investment.

Immediate Priorities For The Stabilisation and Growth of Zimbabwe

Below are what we consider the immediate priorities if Zimbabwe is to regain her status as a fully-fledged, dignified member of the international community. Your comments are quite welcome, so that we can GET ZIMBABWE WORKING AGAIN AND BRING REAL CHANGE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY- NOT FALSE CHANGE THAT SEEKS TO KEEP MUGABE IN POWER.

The promotion of national reconciliation and healing through:

• Acknowledgement of the destruction and disruption of families and communities through political violence and the need for truth and forgiveness.
• Provision of justice, counselling, rehabilitation and restitution.

The restoration of civil liberties, freedoms of speech, assembly, association, choice, and return to the rule of law through:
• Involvement of all stakeholders in the constitutional making process.
• Reform and amendment of all repressive legislation.
• Depoliticisation of the civil service and the security organs so that they serve the interests of the state and the Zimbabwean nation at large.
• Reaffirmation, redefinition and depoliticisation of the institutions of traditional leadership of chiefs, headmen and village heads.

The restoration of the economic and social viability of Zimbabwe through:
• Formulation and implementation of prudent economic, fiscal and monetary policies, which uphold a business friendly environment, for the growth of the economy and the creation of employment.
• Promotion of domestic and foreign investment in mining, construction, tourism, industry and commerce to stimulate economic recovery.
• Engagement of all stakeholders in the process of fair and transparent land reform, with the critical objective of reviving agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.
• Restoration and further development of national public utilities such as water and energy and other infrastructure, transport and communications.
• Restoration and stabilisation of sound financial services.
• Mobilization of social protection measures to strengthen humanitarian assistance, particularly focusing on vulnerable members of our society.
• Resuscitation and development of quality accessible and affordable primary, secondary and tertiary education.
• Revival of free preventative and affordable curative medical services.
• Provision of training programmes to increase the skills base that will make Zimbabwe internationally competitive and its people self-reliant.
• Engagement of the Zimbabwean Diaspora in the development of the country.
• Advocacy for the safety, security and welfare of Zimbabweans outside the country.
• Reengagement of the international community and reinstatement of bilateral and multilateral co-operation.

‘Let’s Get Zimbabwe Working Again’

Elements Of The Constitution of MKD

We, the founding members of the M.K.D Movement, recognise that Zimbabwean society is polarised, that our leaders are alienated from the people and that the state resorts to violence to suppress dissent and dialogue. The state is averse to and intolerant of alternative views and ideas. Our people are seized with fear, and suffer extreme stress and tension. There is:
• little respect for the law;
• disregard for human rights;
• gross abuse of state resources;
• rampant corruption;
• politicisation of national institutions; and,
• poor accountability in the conduct of national affairs.


There is no vision or agenda around which to rally the nation for reconciliation, healing, revival and development. As a result, Zimbabwe’s economy has been undermined, with over 80% of the population living in abject poverty, and rampant unemployment, especially among the youth. This situation has dispersed a big part of the population into exile, where many Zimbabweans live in conditions of deprivation and want.

The family, community and national bonds and fabric of coherence and collective responsibility have been severely weakened by state ineptitude in social, political and economic management. The result is economic contraction, mega-inflation and massive declines in access to food, education, health, housing, water, sanitation, energy, transport and other goods and services.

We recognise that the national liberation struggle was successfully waged through mobilisation of nearly the whole population, and effective cooperation among the different political and civic formations. We appreciate the initial peace and stability, progress in economic and social development, and human upliftment, achieved in the early years of national independence. We also acknowledge the alienation, and pain inflicted on sections of the population, at that early stage of our nationhood.

Therefore, being committed to true national unity, and genuine empowerment of citizens, communities and organizations, we offer the people of Zimbabwe a political party that aims to mobilise Zimbabweans to build on the vision and experiences of our national liberation struggle, and the gains of the early years of independence. Through M.K.D. the people of Zimbabwe can re-dedicate themselves to making Zimbabwe a peaceful, respectable, prosperous, progressive and developed country.

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of the Party shall be Mavambo.Kusile.Dawn (M.K.D).

ARTICLE 2: SYMBOL

The rising sun, representing newness, a new beginning, re-birth and constant renewal, shall be the party symbol.

ARTICLE 3: VISION

3.1 A stable, peaceful, united, progressive and developed Zimbabwe, where rights and freedoms of all citizens are respected and protected.
3.2 A party of constant renewal, inclusion, tolerance, transparency and accountability.

ARTICLE 4: MISSION

4.1 To mobilize the nation to share and realise our vision.
4.2 To position M.K.D to become the party of choice that will appeal to all Zimbabweans.

ARTICLE 5: PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

5.1 Philosophy

To create an open accessible, accountable, responsible and responsive governance system that:
• provides genuine empowerment;
• is caring and compassionate; and
• provides equity and fairness for all Zimbabweans, regardless of region, ethnicity, religion, gender, race, class, disability and age.