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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
FORMER Copac co-chairpersons Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana of Zanu-PF and his MDC-T counterpart Mr Douglas Mwonzora have embarked on a joint project to write a book detailing their experiences during the constitution making process.
The two lawyers confirmed the development in separate interviews yesterday.
“A lot of things happened behind the scenes during that period and I feel it is necessary to tell the nation how the whole process took place,” said Cde Mangwana.
“This book will be useful in years to come as people will know how things were done. Ours is a unique constitution made by three political parties with different ideologies.
“That was the most challenging process, which leaves a lot of memories. It was not easy to overcome some of the challenges and at some point we were accused of selling out by our respective political parties,” he said
Cde Mangwana could not say when the book would be published but said he was sharing notes with Mr Mwonzora who would write some sections.
He also said a video footage of the Copac process, which is being edited, was likely to be launched in November in the country with the second launch set for Denmark at a date to be announced.
Mr Mwonzora said the book would capture the details of how the constitution making process started up to its historic conclusion in March this year when Zimbabweans endorsed the new document in a referendum.
“The book will show how people from very conflicting political backgrounds could set aside their differences to advance one common thing. It deals with the problems we had as parties and how we conquered the obstacles to come up with a new constitution,” said Mr Mwonzora.
He said the book would have a special section that focuses on the role of Mr Edward Mkhosi from the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC, who also participated in the process as co-chair.
“Part of the book deals with Mr Mkhosi, a person with no legal background but training in veterinary science and how he was able to fit in a legally hard hat area and how he became a stabilising force between two tempestuous individuals. I and Mangwana were militant and Mkhosi was accommodative,” said Mr Mwonzora.
He said the book was anchored on conflict resolution as it highlights conflicts during negotiations and how other players sought to pull out at some points but finally came to a common understanding.
“The book will provide good lessons for national reconciliation and help future generations,” said Mr Mwonzora, adding that they have started working on the book but have not determined its length.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo