Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
FORMER MDC Alliance Bulawayo provincial chairperson Tendai Luba Masotsha has joined Zanu PF after years in the opposition, saying she had become disillusioned by what she described as unfulfilled promises to Zimbabweans.
Masotsha, who has been associated with the MDC, MDC Alliance and Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), announced her decision in a statement on Tuesday, saying she had made a “conscious and patriotic decision” to join the ruling party.
She said her decision followed years of waiting for change that, in her view, had not materialised.
“For many years I have been a strong and vocal supporter of the opposition, and a serious critic of the ruling party – from MDC, MDC ALLIANCE to CCC.
“Today (Tuesday), I have quitted opposition politics. I have made a conscious and patriotic decision to cross over from the opposition to the ruling party, ZANU PF, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“This was not an easy decision, but it was a necessary and very honest one. For too long, we in the opposition have kept the suffering masses waiting. We promised change was coming tomorrow, next year, next election. Change, change, change. Yet deep down we knew nothing was coming anytime soon,” said Masotsha.
She said she was particularly troubled that some people who had hoped for change had died while waiting for their circumstances to improve.
“What pains me most is that some of the people we made those promises to have died while waiting. They died suffering, holding on to our empty promises,” she said.
Masotsha said she no longer wanted to remain part of an opposition movement that, in her view, had failed to deliver meaningful change for suffering Zimbabweans.
“If opposing (the ruling party) yields no fruits, especially for those who believe in us, then it is time to change strategy.
“I believe Zimbabwe is one family. Real progress will not come from endless fighting, but from working together. I can do better, I can serve better, I can carry the voice of the voiceless from inside where development is planned and implemented,” she said.
She said she was ready to work with Zanu PF leadership in Bulawayo Province, adding that her move was driven by a desire to contribute to development rather than remain focused on political differences.
“I lose nothing by choosing development over slogans. I lose nothing by choosing unity over division. I lose nothing by choosing my country over my party.
“I am not joining ZANU PF as a silent member. I am joining to work, to build, to be a bridge for all those who believed in me in the opposition, to bring their concerns to where solutions are made,” she said.
