STRONG willed and ready for the rough and tumble that is
characteristic of Zimbabwe’s treacherous political landscape, former Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s daughter Vimbai-Java, is ready for the
big time.
In this interview with NewsDay senior reporter Richard
Chidza (ND), Vimbai (VT) who will represent the MDC Alliance later this month
as a parliamentary candidate in Glen View South constituency, comes short of
disclosing a wish to take over the leadership of the opposition MDC-T formed by
her late father almost 20 years ago. Below are excerpts;
ND: How did you end up a politician, following your
father’s footsteps?
VT: I have been a politician and coming from a political
family it is always been there. And being a child to Morgan and Susan
Tsvangirai, you would not have escaped it.
ND: Tsvangirai was terrorised by former President Robert
Mugabe for the greater part of his political life. Would you think Mugabe has
changed now after November last year?
VT: Let me begin by explaining my father’s character. He
was a forgiving man no matter how much you wronged him. At some point he would
forgive you. That’s why you will find that despite him winning elections, they
robbed him of victory, but he came back to sit down with them and form the
Government of National Unity despite the killing of opposition activists as
well as the violence.
ND: Why did you choose Glen View South constituency?
VT: It was one of the first seats my late mother helped set
up structures. So I have always been connected to it and it made sense to me to
go there.
ND: So your mother helped set up political structures?
VT: Yes
ND: Did you accompany her? Very few people know that Susan
Tsvangirai was involved in real political activity?
VT: I was still young but I feel a connection to it. Oh yes
she was. Actually in most areas she was heavily involved.
ND: But there have been suggestions that your father chose
that seat for you after initially trying Mt Pleasant?
VT: True, we sat down and he indicated he wanted me to take
up the challenge and try to represent Glen View South.
ND: You don’t think your father imposed you on the people
of that constituency?
VT: No. I don’t think it is imposition because the people
of Glen View South love me.
ND: The family at some point was divided over the
leadership of the party with reports that majority were against now president
Nelson Chamisa’s leadership. When did allegiances shift?
VT: I think the MDC is a democratic party. But
unfortunately as regards the family we have uncles in the family and they are
better placed to answer these questions.
ND: We have heard that Mrs Elizabeth Tsvangirai held a
memorial that most family members did not attend. Why?
VT: Tsvangirai was a man of the people and a former Prime
Minister of this country. At the time of his death many people would have held
memorials and they were free to do that. The family is still planning to hold
one.
ND: There was talk that Tsvangirai might have been declared
a national hero. How would you have felt?
VT: My father fought for democracy in Zimbabwe and remains
a national hero.
ND: Do you see yourself eventually taking over the party
leadership?
VT: I don’t know. We will see what the future holds. But
for now we are fully behind MDC Alliance presidential candidate Advocate Nelson
Chamisa. He is the president at the moment.
ND: What if the MDC Alliance and you lose this election.
What happens?
VT: It is impossible for us to lose this election. Given
the people we are gathering and the numbers we see at our rallies, there is no
way we are going to lose. I also strongly believe that in the hearts of each
Zimbabwean, there is a yearning for change. This is the time. We will win this
election.
ND: How do you juggle politics and church business being
the wife of a pastor in your own right?
VT: I am a woman of God and it does not change whether I am
in business, politics or at church. I think there is need for more God-fearing
leaders in the political arena. I have seen the ugly side of politics. I think
we should move away from the narrative that politics is dirty. If we are going
to move this country forward, we need God-fearing leaders.
ND: What are your plans for Glen View South?
VT: I am a town planner by profession and I would want to
help especially as regards infrastructure issues. The roads, water and sewer
reticulation decay is heart-breaking. It is unfair to have people getting water
for only two days a week. I want to fight for that. We all pay the same rates
to the same council despite the geographical divisions between the high and
low-density areas. We will also look at empowerment projects for the youth and
women. Morton Jaffray Waterworks was built to serve half a million people but
now it is over-stretched. Something needs to be done and I could help.
ND: If Chamisa wins, Local Government minister?
VT: Well. I don’t know, but we will see. Newsday
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