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We are glad we were not the only ones that witnessed a whole newspaper cry with foreboding over the happenings in the troubled opposition MDC-T. Information Minister Christopher Mushowe has also noticed what we gaped at when NewsDay unashamedly expressed grief at the goings on in the MDC-T. It wrote as its leader a piece titled, “MDC mustn’t mirror Zanu-PF”.
The tone and effect of the piece left nothing to imagination. Here is a paper that is fully in support of a political party and feels so emotional and so filial towards the political family that it takes any affliction personally. For those who did not see the editorial in question, here are snippets:
“It appears the power struggles that have torched the storm in Zanu-PF are also threatening to pull the rug off the opposition MDC-T’s feet. Is it not unfortunate that Tsvangirai, who for many years has been portrayed as a fighter for democracy, now appears to be undoing his legacy?
“How on earth could young Chamisa pose a serious threat on his hold on power when he recently plucked him from obscurity after losing the secretary-general’s post to Douglas Mwonzora? Why should Tsvangirai feel threatened when he should create an opportunity for others to take over the reins of power from him if he is a bonafide democrat?
“If the chaos obtaining in the opposition is anything to go by, it becomes increasingly doubtful that the party will remain united and topple Zanu-PF from power at the 2018 elections.
“It is sad that political violence has blighted MDC-T rallies lately due to insecurity by some top officials. Tsvangirai should understand that the biggest blow to Zimbabwe’s political and economic problems has been the split in his party over the years. The split was neither necessary nor strategic hence the building of a grand political coalition should begin with the urgent reunification of the MDC-T forces.”
The paper notes that the upheavals in the MDC-T, “are not a good sign at all as they cast Tsvangirai as narrow-minded and obsessed with power”. The paper warns Tsvangirai against expelling Chamisa and rather concentrate on building the party “and take advantage of the chaos in Zanu-PF ahead of the 2018 polls”. The paper appeals for unity among opposition forces or risk continue losing to Zanu-PF.
New commissar in town?
We noted that NewsDay left nothing to imagination. It is a de facto member of the opposition. And you can imagine, if it were a physical person, it standing up and chanting slogans about the need for organisational unity and deploring divisions. Much like a commissar or organising chief.
The paper is embedded in the politics of the MDC-T and pleads on behalf of “young” Nelson Chamisa. How a 37-year-old married man, who may actually be known as Baba vaAshley, becomes a young and innocent lad when he is no longer a virgin politically and otherwise, only NewsDay knows.
In the MDC-T Chamisa, who is charming and charismatic, is known as a scheming character and has been given the moniker ‘’Cobra’’. We all know that no innocent person deserves that unfortunate nickname. But those in the party know better and this is specifically why a few moons back Chamisa suffered the grief of being reduced to a mere card-carrying member having lost out on the race to become the secretary-general of the party.
Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition, does not trust Chamisa, just as many don’t. Yet the commissar in NewsDay, tete vemusangano or the aunt of the party, is ever pleading with the hard-hearted father to understand the children, and a wayward child, like Nelson Chamisa.
True to the fashion of the Tete, that autochthonous sister to the head of the family, NewsDay both excoriates and exhorts at the same time. She must not leave anyone feeling proud or having had her favour. She pretends to be neutral even when she has a side.
In the end, it is the stability of the family that she is looking for. Our NewsDay prays only too hard for the MDC-T to thrive and wrest power from Zanu-PF. The party should not crumble. The party should not disintegrate.
It should not fire its bright pebbles like Nelson Chamisa. This is what the Tete of the party says – the aunt called Newsday. We are right.
It is a truism that when your opponents praise you, you should be careful.
It is like the devil kissing you.
Take care to count your teeth after such a deadly kiss!
Conversely, if your opponent or enemy publicly displays annoyance or anger, know that you are right. Now, we, like many right thinking people have been taking note of the ongoing reportage at the other side of town, including the aforementioned NewsDay. NewsDay has its equally solicitous cousins in the private media who have been siding openly with the opposition and attacking its opponents in the ruling party.
Everyone has been taken aback by the senselessness of such political solicitation which has paid scant regard to ethics of journalism. We have expressed our disgust in the past weeks or so in these pages. Apparently this has stung some cousin of the aforementioned Aunt.
In a column yesterday, the unhappy cousin railed at us, in particular one Tichaona Zindoga and Takunda Maodza. The paper claimed that what we were doing was to please a George Charamba and “their handlers”. Poor Zindoga is a regular target for this kind of excoriation.
It may be a new thing for Maodza and other cadres who will find the courage to speak out. But then when you are singled out, it means you are doing something that greatly upsets the Western-funded opposition and its commissars in the media. It can only be a good thing for our country, which really must encourage those that find themselves at the wrong end of the opposition’s tongue.
There can never be a better way to defend your country.
Online Reporter