Comments on: Zimbabwe: Is Dr. Simba Makoni a puppet?

By: Zimbabwe Elections 2008 - The BN Village

Zimbabwe Elections 2008 - The BN Village — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 09:28:29 +0000

[...] presidential, parliamentary and local government elections will take place on March 29 2008. Global Voices Online � Zimbabwe: Is Dr. Simba Makoni a puppet? By Staff Reporter Last updated: 06/22/2007 02:23:20 ZANU PF’s internecine fighting reached a new [...]

By: patrick mwila

patrick mwila — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:43:03 +0000

Change is inevitable. Bravo Mugabe for liberating zimbabwe from the colonial yokes.However,its high time you handed power to the young generation for economic,political and social emancipation of zimbabwe. You have brought untold misery amongst the zimbabeans due to your myopic and tyrannic policies. vakuru-stop rulling people with an iron fist as that kind of leadership is long gone in Africa and the world at large.Viva change!Morgan and Makoni.stop the habit of intimidating the press for fair coverage………….let them report appropriately as the international community looks forward to free and fair elections. ABASH MUGABE! VIVA BBC,CNN.CFi.

PATPAUL.

By: Gracca Grasian

Gracca Grasian — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 08:11:46 +0000

I still find it dificult to imagine that anyone in Zimbabwe can claim that they will win an election on a stand alone basis given the prevailing political environment. Such day dreaming is a cause for concern given the long suffering that ordinary Zimbabweans have gone through as a result of Mugabe’s absurdities. I am one of those people who now think Mugabe is no longer the enemy in Zimbabwe, we should all blame a weak leadership on the opposition front that lacks strategy.
To start with Mugabe’s movement is showing huge cracks, these cracks are an obvious sign of Mugabe’s unexpected vulnerabilities that could be potentially utilised by the opposition.
What then should have happened after Makoni’s defection? every Zimbabwean was supposed to welcome this as a huge breakthrough since it offered an opportunity for the last push that would have helped ZANU PF to disintergrate into small ineffective splinter groups which would seal Mugabe’s fate. Such a strategy was going to require no election to remove Mugabe, he could have been removed by his own party at no cost at all. Makoni and other brave hearts in ZANU PF represents years of frustration with Mugabe’s obsession with power, their defection was an excellent opportunity for change which both the two MDCs would have embraced since we all know that winnning an election is impossible in Zimbabwe given Mugabe’s control of political space. Today I believe that three quarters of people in ZANU PF want him to go, but some are cowards and some are opportunists who are concerned about their future after Mugabe is out. Tsvangirai is very confused if he thinks he can win by standing alone, he will get a rude awakening after the election when daggers will be drawn by his own juniors to remove him. By allowing himself to loose successive elections he is tarnishing himself as a brand, he can not thrive on loosing elections and then run to Australia and Britain and complain that Mugabe rigged elections. Besides the there is this childish thing with MDC politicians, why do they think its their right to win an election?, no election is won easily even in America a country that claims to be the mother of all democracies they should Ask Obama and Hillary Clinton!

Given the above if the MDC losses it will not be Mugabe’s fault, it will be a result of the MDC having failed to network and collaborate with others that are fighting for change in Zimbabwe. Besides if you know that the systems for a free and fair election are not in place, why contest altogether? Contesting the elections means you have some faith that you might win, complaining after loosing is equal to being a bad looser! Given our past experiences of Zimbabwean elections, a weak and divided opposition will not win, sadly crucial votes are going to wasted and once again the old trickster will find a reason for another celebration.

my own comment on opposition leadership in zimbabwe: SAMLL MINDS IN BIG POSITIONS!

By: Trevor Tisana

Trevor Tisana — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:55:13 +0000

Truth be told, the chances that Simba Makoni is a ploy by ZANU PF are close to zero. Fact, the opposition did not have the majority of votes to be able to remove Cde Mugabe. Thus the chances that Cde Mugabe would throw Makoni in to take votes away from the ruling party is just obsurd, remember how cunning Cde Mugabe is. Even if he is there to pull votes away, the majority will just vote him in and he will have no choice but to stand in as president.

Lets face it, Cde Mugabe still has support, whether it voluntary or out of habit is another matter all to gather. It is this grip that Makoni needs to break if he is to have a chance.

Here i am, finding myself hoping once again. it is good to hope.

By: Bev Clark

Bev Clark — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 07:55:01 +0000

Gracca, in Scotland, echoes much of what is being said on the streets here in Harare.

The entry of Makoni has produced excitement and renewed energy. We should welcome choice, not be fearful of it. We need more than a two party state. People who suggest that Tsvangirai should be rewarded for his long battle against Mugabe do not have the future of Zimbabwe at heart. They have personalised the situation – something that we need to stop. If Simba Makoni provides the opportunity to force cracks in Zanu PF’s armor then this is a good thing.

Crucial at this point is Gracca’s comment on the need for all opposition forces to set aside their egos and their agendas and agree to form a consolidated block against Mugabe. If they don’t Mugabe will have yet another excuse (split opposition vote) to substantiate his “victory”.

The MDC can’t do it alone – we have evidence of this. A high inflation, hunger and unemployment do not mitigate Mugabe’s vote rigging. We need more ZPF defections, more unity in the opposition and more courage among ordinary Zimbabweans to force Mugabe into retirement.

By: Gracca Grasian

Gracca Grasian — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:25:13 +0000

I have been watching with interest the emergency of Makoni on the political scene In Zimbabwe and the subsequent scepticim by the Zimbabwean masses both locally and in the diaspora. Makoni is a relief and an opportunity for re-invigorating the otherwise boring politics of Zimbabwe. I am not worried about whether Makoni is an impostor or not, any sensible person will observe that Makoni has taken a huge risk, given Mugabe’s history of brutalising anybody who competes for political space in Zimbabwe.

I only regret that Makoni came too late into the lime light denying his campaign enough publicity before the elections. Makoni is a good replacement of especially Tsvangirai’s boring MDC politics that has failed to remove Mugabe. The only thing needed now is a coalition of convinience, I mean everyone who hates Mugabe’s politics must utilize this rare opportunity to remove a burden that have weighed heavly on our conscience for such a long time. If it is possible, people should take their cats, dogs, pigs and cows to to vote in order to help them to maxmise the vote against tyranny. I used to support the MDC but I now feel that Tsvangirai though hard working, lacks strategy hence his continued failures.
If Tsvangirai was a strategic thinker, he would have jumped at the opportunity of collaborating with Makoni in order to strenghten the opposition. Every wise Zimbabwean should rally behind Makoni and those who are joining forces with him. I am in Scotland and I am even interested in organizing a fundraising activity to support Makoni’s Campaign. If anybody have enough details about how to volunteer for Makoni’s Campaign i would appreciate the contacts.
Thanks.
Gracca

By: joe mawedze

joe mawedze — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 20:42:27 +0000

Dr Simba, muri Murume pakati pevamwe varume.
Keep the fire burning. the state house awaits you
we are tired of the Despotic and tyranny of Grandpa.

By: Murume

Murume — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:01:18 +0000

Simba Makoni Campaign Up-Close – Make Your Own Mind up this Friday (London)

A key strategist behind Simba Makoni’s Zimbabwe Presidential bid, Dr. Nkosana Moyo will provide a personal account of Simba Makoni’s late bid for presidency and clarify Simba’s position on key issues at a cocktail function THIS Friday at the Commonwealth Club.

In an exclusive opportunity to help shape a defining moment in Zimbabwe’s history, Dr. Moyo will outline Simba Makoni’s plans for Zimbabwe’s economic recovery and the future welfare of Zimbabweans

With only 5 weeks to elections, campaign funding is a pressing imperative. You can play your part in influencing Zimbabwe’s destiny by attending this unique fundraising cocktail event.

When:

6.30pm Friday 29th February 2008 . (Keynote speech at 7.15pm)
Where:

The Commonwealth Club

25 Northumberland Avenue
London WC2N 5AP

http://www.thecommonwealthclub.co.uk/

Cost:

£50 (£25 pays for your cocktails and £25 goes to the campaign).
RSVP

by Wednesday 27th February 2008, Email…… Telephone….
How you can help:

Attend the event
Forward this invitation to colleagues, peers and anyone interested in realistic change in Zimbabwe.
Biography Nkosana Moyo

Nkosana Moyo is currently on sabbatical from his role as Managing Partner of Actis Africa in order to assist Simba Makoni with his campaign. In addition to a 20-year career in industry, commerce and financial services, Nkosana served as Zimbabwe’s Minister for Industry and Trade at the same time Simba Makoni was Finance Minister.

Nkosana holds a PhD in Physics from Imperial College, London and an MBA from Cranfield School of Management. He is World Economic Forum Global Leader of tomorrow and an Eisenhower Fellow

By: Maposa leo

Maposa leo — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:25:25 +0000

Mugabe kunyangwe akabira maelections he will never win. Why? its because everybody including his family members needs a change. The truth is all those guys in Zanu Pf are lieing to him they all need new leadership they are only afraid of him and he knows that. So guys are you telling me that Mugabe is the only men with balls in Zanu PF? Vakuru I think its high time you retire we like you but as an adviser, not on that hot seat, give it to someone motwsa magaro vakuru. Chigaro chopisa ichi vakuru. But you are cleaver because you managed to screew people into one Party State and Life Presidency vakarivara. Anyway vakuru your company is broke now, your workers vatambura do you have TSITSI in your vocabulary? Please have mercy on us. If we only knew that we were fighing to benefit YOU. Can we tell our children about our suffering in the war? they would want to know why we suffered in the war. Simba is trying to free the nation moti ihure,ko wakanyarara varipadyo nemi avo? They are more dangerous then Simba because abuda pachena. Zimbabwean Simba is our only hero who can stand from the lion’s den and declare the truth. Let us rally behind Simba he is our salvation at the time. Makoni is a hero all the other guys are afraid of the oldman although they are also sick and tired. Simba keep it up Zimbabwe will rally behind you.

By: David

David — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:12:26 +0000

Zimbabwe’s police chief Augustine Chihuri this week told senior officers to back President Robert Mugabe reminding them the veteran leader had given them farms, resources and other perks, authoritative sources told ZimOnline.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:01:36 +0000

I almost wonder if Makoni’s candidacy is a secret ploy to smoke out disaffected (”disloyal”) types within ZANU-PF and the army.