The MDC this weekend continued with the nationwide feedback rallies that were attended by thousands of people across the country.
Addressing a rally at Nyika Primary School in Mutare North, Manicaland province, Mt Pleasant MP and deputy Media, Information and Publicity Minister, Hon. Jameson Timba said the MDC was fighting to bring real change to the people of Zimbabwe.
“Eight months after the formation of the inclusive government, President Morgan Tsvangirai has said the party will approach the people to hear their views on the performance of the inclusive government.
“This is a democratic manner in which party leaders in their respective areas will consult the people and hear the people’s expectations of the inclusive government, bearing in mind the snail’s pace at which issues in the Global Political Agreement are being implemented,” said Hon. Timba.
He further encouraged people to seriously look into the merits and demerits of the party’s participation in the inclusive government.
Hon Timba took the people down the memory lane on why the MDC entered the inclusive government.
He said the MDC had joined the inclusive government in order to stabilise the economy, to democratise State institutions and to ensure that the country has a new, people-driven Constitution.
“The MDC was formed to allow the people of Zimbabwe the opportunity to put a full stop on the Constitution issue, which is at the epicentre of democracy. It is the duty of every democrat to make sure his or her voice is heard in the new Constitution,” said Hon Timba.
At Bhasera Business Centre, in Gutu East, Masvingo province, the MDC Secretary for Information and Publicity, Hon. Nelson Chamisa called on all civil servants and traditional leaders to desist from exercising their duties in a partisan manner.
Hon. Chamisa, who is also the Minister of Information ,Communication and Technology, said Zanu PF had politicised vital state departments like the police, the army and the Central Intelligence Organization, which were being manipulated to crush the very people they were supposed to protect.
He said chiefs and village heads should not be used by Zanu PF to pursue narrow and myopic political interests.
“We know that Zanu PF was once very popular during the height of the liberation war and soon after independence. However, Zanu PF became selfish after the liberation war. The Zanu PF propaganda machinery is desperate to portray the MDC as a counter revolutionary party, yet our party respects the gains of the liberation struggle. There is need for a paradigm shift on the part of all State institutions. Politics should not fuel hatred but should be pursued in the interest of the people,” said Hon. Chamisa.
The MDC information chief also said the party did not believe in the culture of fear and violence, adding that there was need for the people to openly speak out their minds.
“We must speak out our minds .We should not be afraid of our leaders and we have to give Zanu PF a new political orientation,” he said.
Chamisa said the inclusive government was only a transitional phase and the journey towards a new Zimbabwe was not complete.
“ZANU PF wants to impose the Kariba draft on the people but we are saying there is need for a people driven Constitution. There are so many problems in the inclusive government.
“However, we will soldier on until the completion of the Constitution-making process. The new Constitution will pave way for fresh elections,” said Hon. Chamisa.
A bumper crowd braved the scotching sun to attend the rally. Elderly women could be seen waving their hands chanting the MDC slogans.
Abisai Masvingise, a local villager said the MDC carried the hopes of the entire nation, especially villagers who wanted t see real change in the country.
There was an electric atmosphere as the Basera community welcomed one of its most illustrious sons, Hon. Chamisa who did his secondary education at Alheit High school, four kilometers from Basera business centre.
“I have an emotional attachment to this place. I was groomed and nurtured here,” he said.
Addressing a separate rally at Ndunduma Business Centre in Chipinge, Chipinge Senator Josiah Rimbi echoed the same sentiments and encouraged the people to soldier on in the fight for a truly democratic Zimbabwe.
In Wedza, Hon. Theresa Makone, the MDC Women Assembly chairperson was the guest of honour at two feedback rallies at Hwedza Centre and Mt St Mary’s.
Speaking at the two functions, Hon. Makone urged Zimbabweans to participate in the Constitution-making process so that they write the Constitution they want.
“When the Constitutional consultations begin, let us turn out in our numbers. We want to be protected by the police not fear them; we want our security. We want real change to be brought to the people,” she said.
Hon. Makone said the MDC was fighting for the dignity of the people, social security, freedom, democracy, prosperity, peace and hope.
“We want our dignity as a people. We want to be proud Zimbabweans wherever we go. We want a Constitution that lives beyond our age, we want our hope to be rekindled and we want peace in our homes and communities,” she said.
In Matabeleland South, at least 5 000 villagers in Buvuma, Gwanda South attended the feedback rally over the weekend despite attempts by Zanu PF supporters to disrupt the preparations.
MDC National Chairman Hon. Lovemore Moyo commended the efforts of the people in attending the gathering as a sign of their support of the MDC leadership.
“The MDC’s intention is to bring real change to the people of Zimbabwe. However, others want to see people suffering while some of us are working hard to bring real change to the people,” said H0on Moyo.
“It is our aim to put more effort to humble Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF. We will not stand and watch Mugabe ruin this country. We will not hide behind the outstanding issues and as your leaders we have resolved that by the end of October the people will have spoken on whether MDC should remain in government or not,” said Hon. Moyo.
The rally was also attended by Nketa MP, Hon. Seiso Moyo, Matebeleland South provincial leadership and councillors.
The National Chairman also addressed another rally on Sunday at Ntunja Ward 9 in Matopo North.
Thousands of people also attended another rally in Sanyati – Gambiza, Mashonaland West Province that was addressed by deputy national organising secretary, Senator Morgen Komichi.
“The people of Zimbabwe want real change. They have braved propaganda, violence and suffering. We in the MDC are clear that we have not yet arrived and we will continue to march together to a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning,” Hon Komichi said.
