Live Updates: MDC-T Bulawayo Rally

Live updates and pictures from the MDC-T rally being held at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo today. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is on the campaign trail trying to unseat 89 year old President Robert Mugabe who has been in power for 33 uninterrupted years.

More pictures will be loaded as we get them……………

Morgan Tsvangirai: Everyone talks about Gukurahundi but no one acts on it. Victims should be compensated and perpetrators held accountable. A New Zimbabwe is within sight. Thank you Bulawayo for an overwhelming turnout . July 31 go and cast your vote.

*We have accepted the concept of devolution because of Matabeleland’s marginalisation. Provincial gvts should determine development.

*We have accepted the concept of devolution. Devolution was supported by 80% of people who contributed to the new constitution but it was more acute in Matabeleland.

*They have sabotaged Joshua Nkomo airport because they don’t want Joshua Nkomo’s legacy to live on. We will finish the project.

Morgan Tsvangirai: *The economy needs fixing. We have to create jobs by opening collapsed industries as well as opening new ones. Zimbabwe has been ready for business. Why have firms in Bulawayo closed?

*Why is it, Bulawayo is no longer the capital of industry. We will make Byo an economic zone. Why should gvt move cold storage commission from Byo and locate it where there is no cattle rearing. Wrong priorities.

*Social services: We can’t develop this country without empowering the youth with a good education. Gone are days when children would not go to school because parents cannot afford.

We will provide free primary education to allow parents time to save money for secondary school then gvt provides loans for tertiary education.

*We have accepted the concept of devolution. Devolution was supported by 80% of people who contributed to the new constitution but it was more acute in Matabeleland. ‪

15:36: Morgan Tsvangirai: We have to change the culture of impunity and bring in a culture of accountability. Right now you will be arrested for saying Mugabe is a thief when it is true. Gvt should be open to criticism.

15:34:Morgan Tsvangirai: We have a plan. We have to change the culture of governance starting with separating the party from the government. A gvt should serve all Zimbabweans irrespective of political affiliation. We have to change the culture of partisan traditional leaders who see themselves as an extension of ZANU PF.

15:32: Morgan Tsvangirai: This is a watershed moment. We all know the suffering of 2008. Across the political divide no one wants the country to slide back to 2008. That is ZANU’s record. It was so bad that we had to rescue them from their own crisis. We had to rescue Zim and he managed to do that. Our record is there for all to see. We can do better alone without ZANU PF. Time has come to give MDC exclusive responsibility to move this country forward.

15:29: Morgan Tsvangirai: We beat Mugabe in 2008 but he refused to leave. He was saved by SADC which told him to enter into a coalition with myself to save face and provide a soft landing. Time has come for him to leave and he will leave. I want to thank those who fought for our liberation and one thing we cannot trade is our sovereignty. But we cannot allow one man to privatise this country. ‪

15:20: Vice President Thokozani Khupe says lets vote for education for our children, improved welfare and empowerment for women, jobs, a stable economy and more care for the elderly. The only person who can deliver a better life is none other other than MT with the support of the MDC-T and all Zimbabweans. After 1 August we will all be able to say “hey life is good”. She is on fire. Her message has got the crowd demanding, bring it on. We are ready for July 31.

15:15: Standing ovation for Vice President Thokozani Khupe: Thanks Gorden Moyo for organising such a huge rally.

15:11: Coalition for change partner MKD leader Simba Makoni gets warm response. Makoni talks about coalition. Says we started negotiations as five parties but two of the parties later walked away. Says we could have achieved a New Zimbabwe in 2008 if we had united because his votes and MT’s votes were more than Mugabe’s. We are correcting that mistake by backing MT for state house. Thats the only way we can achieve a New Zimbabwe.

*Simba Makoni says we lived in fear in Rhodesia and we are living in fear Zimbabwe. Even Mugabe is living in fear. That’s why he is afraid to retire. Thats why Mugabe surrounds himself with bodyguards and can’t freely mix with the people like Tsvangirai does. We want to free him to Zvimba. July 31 like 1980 election, youths have a chance to bring freedom to Zimbabwe

15:08: Cutting across the age barrier. A 10 year old delivering a touching poem. Cries for quality education and a bright future for Zimbabwe.

15:07: Mai Tsvangirai meets Bulawayo. Wild applause. She challenges me not to take people for granted. They have faith in change project, don’t let them down. Massive response to her call for unity and equal prioritisation to development in all areas and not just Harare. Urges youths to desist from violence despite political differences.

15:04: Secretary General Tendai Biti: This election is for the majority who didn’t vote before. This is a defining election for our generation. In 1980 the vote was to end war of liberation and bring one man one woman vote. This election is about ending the war on hunger, poverty and tyranny. Some of us initially resisted entering the GPA arguing it would be to save ZANU PF, but Morgan Tsvangirai the visionary said let’s get in the transitional to save Zimbabweans who were dealing with trillions, food shortages and general collapse of economy.

*Two days into coalition, things had improved. There is more to come if we boot out Mugabe and ZANU PF. The message is simple. The secret to good governance is love. If you love people you wont waste money to buy bullets instead of buying food for the people. Lack of love leads to Gukurahundi, Murambatsvina, long sleeve short sleeve violence and looting of diamond cash. Tendai Biti

14:10: Women’s assembly chair Theresa Makone reads a list of women’s demands in a New Zimbabwe. Free primary education and loans for tertiary education, teachers should be well paid to do away with incentives, good maternal care, free health services for cancer detection and treatment, title deeds to land, a good agricultural extension services and technology such as drip irrigation and monthly grants for the elderly.

*Mai Makone says most police officer’s vote thwarted because the majority of them are demanding change.

14:05: Promise Mkwananzi (Youth Secretary General): MDC-T has given Zim new hope. 90 % of our people are unemployed. Jobs are on the way with an MDC-T government. This is the time. The time is now. Robert Mugabe is going. Youths are ready to bring change. ZANU PF wants to rig elections but Zimbabwe is ready to defend vote. Election results should be announced on time. Observers should be present at all polling stations.

14:00: Provincial chairman Gorden Moyo gives special announcement: On 1 August Zimbabwe will be having a new president who cares for you. His Excellency Dr Morgan Tsvangirai and Vice President Khupe. 1 August, we will realise our dream of devolution. We will have our own provincial council. President MT has master keys to open closed Bulawayo industries. Moyo thanks Bulawayo for turning White City Stadium into Red City stadium.

*MP Zwizai wows crowd with the popular Mugabe hamba, Morgan Tsvangirai yaaa slogan.

*White City Stadium is packed to the rafters. Rapturous welcome for Vice President Khupe.