OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who is all, but one
province away from winning the party presidency uncontested, says he will not
purge his challengers after congress, but will deploy them to influential
positions, to strengthen the party.
Chamisa, speaking after grabbing his 12th nomination out of
the 12 provincial congress held so far, said congress was not a game of winners
and losers, but there was a need to consolidate the party and swim together
with losers in building the movement.
“Our emphasis is unity, our emphasis is inclusive politics,
but also dynamic renewal and regeneration of the organisation, democracy is not
about winners and losers, it is a win-win platform so nobody will be left
behind,” he said.
Chamisa’s statements are likely to give reprieve to
Mwonzora and Mudzuri, who have won a single nomination each for the
secretary-general and vice-president respectively, after they initially
challenged for the party presidency, but got no nomination. Both Mudzuri and
Mwonzora still have a chance to contest and win in their respective posts,
courtesy of those single nominations although the door to challenge Chamisa has
all but been effectively closed.
In what appeared to be an acceptance speech with just the
MDC’s South Africa provincial congress still outstanding, Chamisa said the
on-going congress process was magical.
“MDC is the home of democracy, the home of excellency and
the home of alternative politics that is what is confirmed by our processes so
far, but more fundamentally, this is a humbling honour to our efforts in
leadership to try and ensure that the legacy and vision for a fully democratic
Zimbabwe is realised,” he said.
The party will on Friday hold a crucial national executive
meeting before convening an equally important national council meeting which
will take stock of the nomination process.
Insiders said the MDC national council would also discuss,
among other things, demands by female MDC members to be allotted a seat in the
party’s presidium and the need for regional balance.
Chamisa confirmed the party’s forthcoming national council
meeting, saying it would provide a platform for all nominated leaders to either
accept or decline their nominations.
“We are not blind to the issue of marginalised regions or
groups. Our hearts and minds are not impervious to that as we seek to continue
being the only truly national party. However, elections are supposed to be
purely on merit, we want the best cadres put forward,” he said.
Chamisa’s headache stems from the battle between his
trusted lieutenants Welshmen Ncube, Tendai Biti and Morgen Komichi, who are
toughing it out for the vice-presidency after they all sailed through in the
nomination process.
The three, if they accept the nominations, will battle for
their political lives to fill two vice-presidential posts with insiders pushing
to appease gender activists who want the third slot to be allotted to a woman,
in particular Lilian Timveous.
“Ncube is needed as a vice-president because of the
Matabeleland vote, he holds sway in that region and MDC will be in a better
position with him as a vice-president not by appointment, but he has only
received two nominations so far, making it difficult for him to smell victory,”
a party source said.
Komichi is most likely to clinch the vice-president’s
position ahead of Biti who is believed to be considering the position of
treasurer-general to pave way for Ncube.
Party chairperson Tabitha Khumalo also looks set to retain
her position, while youth leader Happymore Chidziva has garnered more
nominations for the post of deputy chairperson.
Chalton Hwende, who garnered nine out of 11 nominations for
the secretary-general’s post is mostly likely to unseat Mwonzora whose sole
nomination came from
Matabeleland South province. However, another dark horse
Daniel Molokela has emerged to challenge for the secretary-general’s post with
two nominations so far.
Jacob Mafume is going to be facing little competition after
clinching eight nominations for the spokesperson’s position, while former
presidential spokesperson
Luke Tambarinyoka is almost set to become his deputy.
Newsday
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