Letter from Morgan Tsvangirai (Vol 19)
July 18th, 2008
My Fellow Zimbabweans
Throughout the world today, people are commemorating the 90th birthday of one of Africa’s greatest leaders, Nelson Mandela. To Mr. Mandela, we say, Makorokoto. You remain a shining light to our people, to me, and to fellow leaders in the struggle for true liberation of all our people.
As Mr. Mandela sagely advised years ago, the road to freedom is long and requires great sacrifices. Our colleagues in the MDC and the democratic movement — students, churches, civil society organizations – have all made courageous sacrifices on this long road to free Zimbabwe from tyranny.
As a result of your brave spirit and peaceful heroism, the international community knows now more than ever that Zimbabwe’s leadership crisis has hit new depths of shame. They know Mr. Mugabe is an illegitimate President. Your voices were heard. SADC, AU and Pan African Parliament observers heard your voices on June 27th and reported to the world your words: “this is not an election,” you said, “this is a war to silence the people.”
So, my Fellow Zimbabweans, are we today still strong enough and brave enough to make it through the next stage of our liberation? We are tired, yes. But, of course, we shall not give up! We shall not waiver now! The will of the people shall prevail!
As much as some would try to confuse our people with mind games, detours and delays, we still know what we want. Our goal has not changed. We must not let exhaustion and despair cause us to lose sight of our only destination – a New Zimbabwe where once again our people enjoy the basics of life — food, jobs, dignity, peace and hope.
We are in a different struggle now. There are those who want to wear us down. There are those who want to wear down your belief that change is possible. They want us to forget that we are the winners – that we won a historic victory on 29 March. There are those who want each and every one of us to feel beaten, physically and psychologically – into submission and into compromise.
But, let me tell you now, their attacks have had the opposite result. Those who have tried to crush our spirits have not succeeded. They have further emboldened us. Our people still want change. Our people still demand change.
Where are we then, today? So many mixed messages and lies are being told to our people. Now is the time for truth. Now is the time to stop the violence. Now is the time to take genuine steps to move the process forward.
Many of our brothers and sisters in Africa, from SADC to the AU, continue to stand with the people of Zimbabwe as we begin this process. On this historic day of celebration of Madiba’s birthday, another important meeting has taken place between President Mbeki and AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping.
A result of this meeting, we welcome today’s appointment of a reference group of eminent Africans who will work with President Mbeki and the main parties in Zimbabwe to find a peaceful negotiated solution to the Zimbabwean crisis.
As we strive to restore the dignity of our country and our people, we pray that those in the regime in the position to halt the violence, persecution and starvation of our people will immediately and urgently do so. We pray that without delay they demonstrate their genuine commitment to a negotiation process that heals our ravaged land and violently betrayed people.
My fellow Zimbabweans, we share with our colleagues from throughout the democratic movement the deep desire to end the crisis as soon as possible without sacrificing justice or fairness. We share with the people of Zimbabwe the deep concern that normality and stability must be restored immediately. We share with our fellow Zimbabweans in the security services the deep awareness that they are still being asked to carry out activities that breach professional codes of conduct. We share with many of our fellow Zimbabweans in ZANU PF the profound hope and belief that the time to heal the country is now.
On this day where the world celebrates the iconic leadership of Nelson Mandela – his heroic vision, tolerance, forgiveness and humility – let us all set our sights on ending our own leadership crisis – also with vision, tolerance, forgiveness and humility.
Together let us agree to do the right thing for the Zimbabwean people.
Together let us respect their voices as expressed on 29 March.
Together let us rise above the divisive paranoia, fear and selfishness that chains us to endless poverty. Together let us finally deliver to the Zimbabwean people the true liberation and peace they so desperately wait for. We have a historic opportunity to bring healing and hope.
Together let us begin.
Makorokoto Mr. Mandela!
May your heroic spirit continue to bless the people of Africa and the world.
A luta continua.
I thank you and may God bless Zimbabwe.
(via an MDC Press Release)
July 18th, 2008 21:58
It is a true honour to know that Nelson Mandela has reached his 90th year in freedom and peace.
However unfortunate for the people still remaining in the Great Country of Zimbabwe. I read today on the BBC that the ordinary people are now experiencing 2.2 MILLION percent inflation.
The delusion that would make someone not see their own involvement in such a turn around from the prosperous nation which gained complete independence in 1980 where $1 US would not even buy $1 ZIM is beyond comprehension.
This website has helped many people rally around the world and put unbiased pressure in their region to observe the facts of the tyrant who stole power and refuses to give it up. The sham of democracy could have been avoided if Mugabe was honest – even if only to himself, many others would still be alive today.
Comprehending the conditions inside at the present time is so distressing from someone who just enjoyed the luxury of a warm and nourishing meal, I can only empathise and be grateful I do not have first hand experience.
My thoughts are with those who bear the untenable conditions.
People outside and inside the continent of Africa need to keep pressuring for a form of independent justice.
In particular, I would ask those Chinese with influence to consider what cost of life gives you the copper and other minerals from Zimbabwe?
Every decent person sends good wishes and prays for the safe return of a peaceful and prosperous nation.
Clearly, it is best to follow the example of the noble Mr Mandela, who like Ghandi before him allowed all to see the futility of carrying on as things are.
May this chapter in Zimbabwe’s history come quickly to a peaceful close.
July 18th, 2008 22:46
While we celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Mandela, we eargerly anticipate the speedy death of ‘you know who.’
There shall be songs of jubilation and screams of ‘Freedom.’ And we will be there to witness the burial (preferably in concrete) or the burning? of the vilest serpent that ever crawled zimbabwean soil.
Caution though Mr Tsvangirai beware Mbeki and his lean and angry look, he’s trapped in a task he has no clue how to go about.
Just show him the ropes, some people are slow learners and they are all equal in the eyes of God.
Unfortunately.
July 18th, 2008 23:42
From the swearing in of Mugabe as president to the elimination of as many MDC members as it takes for Zanu-PF to eventually end up with a majority in parliament, it will have been one big swindle. The only way to finally deliver true liberation and peace to the Zimbabwean people is for Mugabe and his whole rotten regime to be got rid of. If this can be done by world pressure and African pressure led by South Africa, all well and good. If not, Morgan will never be President by negotiation alone.
July 19th, 2008 12:41
Love Matibili’s turn of phrase! A latent poet in there somewhere?
Couldn’t agree more.
July 19th, 2008 20:45
Now I had a nice serious message all thought out, untill our friend here made me laugh so much, I clean forgot my words!
Mr Tsvangirai… Your words inspire and give hope. Thank you.
Madiba… Happy birthday. You will forever be in our hearts and minds.
‘You know Who’ – ditto what Matibili said.
July 19th, 2008 21:08
Dear Morgan Tsvangirai
You are a courageous man. An honest broker for freedom and democracy for your people. But you state that you share with many (how many?) of your fellow Zimbabweans in Zanu-PF the profound hope and belief that the time to heal Zimbabwe is now. This sounds admirable until you remember that the leader, and those in control of that party are criminal despots.
Unfortunately, history teaches us that appeasement to such regimes never works. This is because, instead of preventing people doing more mad things, it galvanises them further to do so. Such people should never be rewarded for their criminal acts. Agreements with such people are never worth the paper on which they are written.
May God help you in your struggle.
T.G.
July 19th, 2008 22:37
A child with a learning disability thrives on rewards both negative and positive, in order for them to understand life and its demands socially and personally.
If they break a window pane in a vile temper, the behaviour is not reinforced by a positive reward.
Such children, left to their own devices soon realise that they are unpopular with adults and their peers. Some reform while others sink in the quick sand of their making, due to their unrepentative and headstrong temperament.
Caring adults come to the rescue of such kids because they understand the cause for such behaviour and they strive to redirect the child.
Failure to do so is irresponsible and ultimately leads to the child self destructing.
I see this closely resembling the illegimate leader of zimbabwe and how the world has handled him.
July 20th, 2008 00:32
Sorry Tara
Didn’t mean to derail you from your serious message.
Glad you laughed, albeit during these rather depressing times.
I thought I was dead serious too, when I wrote this.
God provides times of emotional release.
Please do not be offended by this
coz I really believe in Him.