1] Dear @NockstheGreat & @TogaraseyiLaw, you asked that I share thoughts on the MDC-A name fight.
I doubt there is anything new that can be said on the topic.
Almost all scenarios have been explained by better minds, especially Dr AM, & I do associate myself with his thoughts.
I doubt there is anything new that can be said on the topic.
Almost all scenarios have been explained by better minds, especially Dr AM, & I do associate myself with his thoughts.
https://twitter.com/Laque_davis/status/1418835223693991936
2] As a bit of context, to me, the MDC-A long became a party, which initially, just like the MDC-T, had both a party & electoral name.
You would realise that now MDC-T calls itself both that, & simply MDC.
Looking at older tweets, MDC-A also called itself both that, & just MDC.
You would realise that now MDC-T calls itself both that, & simply MDC.
Looking at older tweets, MDC-A also called itself both that, & just MDC.
3] The decision to almagate as MDC-A, contrary to "popular" opinion, wasn't even a response to the SC judgement.
From as far as just after the death of MRT, movements towards MDC reunification, were evident.
In any case, the ALLIANCE agreement created opportunities for this.
From as far as just after the death of MRT, movements towards MDC reunification, were evident.
In any case, the ALLIANCE agreement created opportunities for this.
4] The question of when exactly the MDC-A because a full-fledged party is for me, irrelevant
These people historically always had ways of legally & politically existing, even when the two seemed to be conflicting at time.
Difference was, it was an internal headache, unlike now.
These people historically always had ways of legally & politically existing, even when the two seemed to be conflicting at time.
Difference was, it was an internal headache, unlike now.
5] If you listen to Guchutu's interview for instance, on why the MDC-A leaders at times behaved outside the ALLIANCE agreement without supporting "papertrail", you learn something.
His response was something like: 'as Principals, at times we met & made decisions as we pleased"
His response was something like: 'as Principals, at times we met & made decisions as we pleased"
6] Before I exhaust you with that context, the question perhaps is, "why not change the name"?
The answer is, that decision is both "legal" & political.
For instance, do you not wonder why noone asks Dougie to change their party name!
What does the "T" in his party stand for.
The answer is, that decision is both "legal" & political.
For instance, do you not wonder why noone asks Dougie to change their party name!
What does the "T" in his party stand for.
7] The "T" in MDC-T didn't just mean "Tsvangirai".
It meant 'MDC party LED by Tsvangirai.'
How then is he leading it, in death?
Answer is, it's all about the electoral weight it supposedly holds.
Sadly for Dougie, he ignores its 2018 weight, and is conveniently stuck in 2008.
It meant 'MDC party LED by Tsvangirai.'
How then is he leading it, in death?
Answer is, it's all about the electoral weight it supposedly holds.
Sadly for Dougie, he ignores its 2018 weight, and is conveniently stuck in 2008.
8] So with time, the current MDC-T will have to also swiftly move away from that "T"
I can't even see them using it in 2023, or even for the by-elections.
If they don't just revert back to MDC, they will want the name MDC-A, to "build" from its 2018 electoral performance.
I can't even see them using it in 2023, or even for the by-elections.
If they don't just revert back to MDC, they will want the name MDC-A, to "build" from its 2018 electoral performance.
9] You seldom hear the ference to "MDC-T" by Adv NC's group post the polls.
It was just MDC & with time, just MDC-A.
Speaking politically, the same way Baba Bertha needs to maintain the MDC-T name, Adv Chamisa too, "needs" to maintain the MDC-A name, for now.
2023 is 2023.
It was just MDC & with time, just MDC-A.
Speaking politically, the same way Baba Bertha needs to maintain the MDC-T name, Adv Chamisa too, "needs" to maintain the MDC-A name, for now.
2023 is 2023.
10] Rebranding.
Funny enough, history has contradictions, regarding the effects of the MDC name.
Use of the MDC name did relatively well for Prof Ncube.
It did nothing for Sikhala.
It did nothing for Dr Khupe.
Change of name did nothing for Biti & was even worse of Mangoma.
Funny enough, history has contradictions, regarding the effects of the MDC name.
Use of the MDC name did relatively well for Prof Ncube.
It did nothing for Sikhala.
It did nothing for Dr Khupe.
Change of name did nothing for Biti & was even worse of Mangoma.
11] So whereas its important to maintain the same names used for elections, within the election cycle, post it, any guess is as good as mine.
So for the meantime, I accept why it makes no political sense for the MDC-A to rebrand.
They have a 2018 agenda to see through.
So for the meantime, I accept why it makes no political sense for the MDC-A to rebrand.
They have a 2018 agenda to see through.
12] Also, rebranding is seen as succumbing to defeat.
It's a lie that the MDC-A name legally belongs to DM.
There is no legal basis for that.
It's even worse for him, cause it's not a political reality either.
It's just him trying to stand on the shoulders of both MRT & Chamisa
It's a lie that the MDC-A name legally belongs to DM.
There is no legal basis for that.
It's even worse for him, cause it's not a political reality either.
It's just him trying to stand on the shoulders of both MRT & Chamisa
13] So when you say to Chamisa "rebrand, the name will be given to Mwonzora" (which is true), are you also telling him that its alright for ED to give parties names as he pleases?
Are you saying this is a battle that can't be won or shouldn't be fought?
That has to be clear.
Are you saying this is a battle that can't be won or shouldn't be fought?
That has to be clear.
14] Calm heads are clearly needed, as 2023 nears.
Important, and even hard decisions, will need to be made eventually.
The good thing though, is that Adv Chamisa appreciates the difficulties of Leadership and will himself tell you, unequivocally, that's he's up for it.
Important, and even hard decisions, will need to be made eventually.
The good thing though, is that Adv Chamisa appreciates the difficulties of Leadership and will himself tell you, unequivocally, that's he's up for it.
15] So, both NC & DM will "rebrand"
Fortunately for NC, history shows voters aren't docile.
Its tougher for DM who lacks the courage to face a MDC-A building from 2018.
His MDC-T is populated by political dodos.
Flightless when they politically lived & now extinct.
enkosi!
Fortunately for NC, history shows voters aren't docile.
Its tougher for DM who lacks the courage to face a MDC-A building from 2018.
His MDC-T is populated by political dodos.
Flightless when they politically lived & now extinct.
enkosi!
became*
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