1] Hopefully, after this, I will be saying less and less stuff about @DMwonzora & the @MyMDC_T

In Africa, any serious politician has to be a charismatic orator.

Strategy & effective administration is actually anchored on that.

Sadly, Dougie ticks none of those boxes.
2] African politics is unique.

There are many brilliant politicians who failed to make a mark, simply because of their inability to command attention.

You need to be able to convince people to listen, if you have any chance at convincing them to believe in you & what you offer.
3] Of equal concern is the perceptions people have of a politician.

ZANUPF caused irreparable damage on Tsvangirai as a political brand, as State media "successfully" labelled him a stooge of Westen interests.

I've wondered if the MDC did enough, to shake this off early.
4] Another critical feature of African politics, is that parties are just as popular as their Leader(s), especially the inaugural one(s).

The party grows as the Leader becomes more popular.

Most times, the Leader fortunately or unfortunately becomes more popular than the party.
5] ZanuPF was just as popular as Mugabe

MDC-T was just as popular as Tsvangirai

MDC ALLIANCE is just as popular as Chamisa.

Whoever takes over usually struggles.

Funny enough, Dougie is attempting to bank on the popularity of man who actually politically died with his MDC-T.
6] In short, Dougie has his work cut out for him because:

i) He cannot inherit the MDC-T, which was just a political relationship between Tsvangirai & his followers

ii) He lacks the ability to command political attention

iii) He has already been condemned as a Zanupf appendage
7] Out there, the political conversations still hover around the names of Chamisa & ED

Both locally & internationally, outside the EOC drama, the election of Mwonzora was buy & large a non-event.

Dougie even has a spirited social media team that only attract attacks & ridicule
8] If you were to ask a layman on the streets who Sen Mwonzora was/is & what he represents,they probably wouldn't know.

This is despite the fact that the man is genuinely one of the longest serving Opposition politicians.

Who can name any one exciting thing about Sen Mwonzora?
9] It's fine if I'm coming across as a fanboy promoting cult & personality politics.

Serious politicians have to accept the realities of African politics & properly position themselves to effectively cause change.

The MDC-T is a stillbirth

Realities aren't affected by opinions
10] Sen DM is simply the disputed Leader of the unelectable

The only elected officials in the MDC-T are there because of the SC judgement & the recall axe DM wields

In Africa, you're better off being seen as the victim

DM's politics,which threatens the voters,is unsustainable
11] So,the whole talk about dialogue with @nelsonchamisa & ED, is a desperate attempt by Sen Mwonzora to become part of the political conversation.

Its actually a sensible move.

His election didnt stimulate any political interest & he needs to search for it elsewhere.

enkosi!!

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More from @Laque_davis

4 Jan
[1] All these whispers for "talks" between the warring MDC factions are a waste of valuable time.

At a personal level,I believe in multi-party democracy,meaning that we need as many Opposition parties as well.

Secondly,we are better off without chaotic elitist unification talks Image
[2] Its quite funny, that Senators Mudzuri & Komichi, as they were campaigning towards the MDC-T EOC, all claimed to posses requisite skills & maturity "to reunite MDC politicians/factions"

Mwonzora is now singing form the same hymn, promising to "personally talk with Chamisa" Image
[3] In fact, it was under the same "wisdom" that Senators Mudzuri & Komichi, dutifully accepted the positions offered to them by Sen Mwonzora.

they didnt want "the MDC-T to split again".

Funny enough, they masterminded the MDC-ALLIANCE split.

Question is, what has changed now? Image
Read 15 tweets
2 Jan
[1] These are trying times indeed

Before looking at what gov, the Opposition & civil society should be doing, we as citizens, need to realise we have a role to play

We really need to change our behaviour, if any gov measures are to be successful

it can't be business as usual
[2] The recklessness that characterised festive season celebrations are just unacceptable

It would seem like many people are still living in denial, yet the covid variant, or second wave, will have more devastating effects, compared to the first wave.

It's actually scary
[3] Dear citizens, in our individual capacities, let us avoid unnecessary gatherings, visits & travels

Lets sanitize, wear masks,& adhere to all regulations, to the best of our individual abilities

most importantly, let us demand the same, of those we can't avoid contact with
Read 9 tweets
31 Dec 20
1] Was looking forward to having the 'Devil topic' with @McBrzy36 🤣

Endless tweets on politics, important as they are, can become tiring, because of our polarisation

Be that as it may, I would think it's clear to everyone, more so Pres Chamisa, as to what Dougie will now do
2] From the onset, it's clear that Mwonzora has issues with Chamisa, not Mnangagwa, especially between now & 2023.

He has never been in any political contestation with ED, yet has been fighting NC since about 2014.

For the time being, NC is his only external political opponent
3] So with ED, we are likely to see Dougie's "rational disputation" (as if he has any dispute with him)

The MDC-T will start formally recognizing ED & ZanuPF, dialoguing through Parliament & even formally attending State functions.

Wont be surprised if Dougie joins POLAD
Read 10 tweets
30 Dec 20
1] Politics is fun.

The tables in MDC politics are turning so fast, its difficult to keep up.

Prof Madhuku, Dr Khupe's long time lawyer,absolutely unconcerned by the irony of being legal adviser to Presidents of other Opposition parties has seemingly ditched his long time ally
2] Witness Dube, Dr Khupe's aide & Spokesperson for 10 long years also ditched her & now is Spokesperson of the Dougie led MDC-T.

Sen Phugeni,Dr Khupe's current Spokesperson has seemingly ditched her camp & accepted Dougie's election & perhaps his appointment as Witness' deputy
3] Others such as Giles Mutsekwa, the famous "shumba yaMnangagwa" Blessed Chebundo (who just recently lost a ticket to represent the @mdczimbabwe in Kwekwe Central) & current Gweru legislator Brian Dube have seemingly "ditched" Chamisa and are in the Mwonzora MDC-T camp.
Read 13 tweets
29 Dec 20
1] As @DMwonzora supporters celebrate his controversial win, it's safe to say that the MDC-T has effectively split.

The faulty lines were there from the onset.

Having a Acting Pres, Chair, Vice Chair, Organizing Sec & SG all vying for one post was recipe for disaster. Image
2] In fact, at one point, the Deputy Organizing Sec, Gift Chimanikire also wanted to run for the post

There is some audio clip of the Acting Spokesman, Phugeni seeing himself "..one day leading this great movement.."

All things being equal, 7 senior leaders wanted to be Pres
3] Whereas having 7 leaders gunning for one position can easily be seen as democracy at play, it also means something else.

One targets an electable position because of ambition & their lack of belief in the abilities of other contestants.

If that is true, then it's scary Image
Read 10 tweets
27 Dec 20
1] This is quite sad

In the context of how @mdczimbabwe was decimated through this junta project, all in the name of #democracy, #constitutionalism & #protecting the legacy of MT, who simply should be allowed to rest peacefully for he has no more role in the land of the living
2] If the end has ever justified the means, then the "illegality" of appointing @nelsonchamisa as VP & heir apparent, (with Mudzuri as some buffer) was a necessary evil.

With all his well documented misgivings, Nero leads the only significant, authentic & united MDC faction.
3] I bullishly put my head on the chopping board through the prediction attached below

Argued:
a) the MDC-T EOC wasn't likely to be held this year
b) it would be chaotic in the event that it was

Even sarcastically threatened to post my nudes (@M_Jay94)
Read 13 tweets

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