Why I am a Card-holding Member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)

…and why you also probably have to consider it too, or consider voting for the Party in the next elections!

Following is an extract from the first two pages of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Constitution under the presidency of Professor Welshman Ncube. I am firmly convinced that this man is the best qualified to take this country that we all love through a strong and stable transition process as we move from the thirty years of Zanu PF misrule, mismanagement, etc. MDC remains not only the most democratic party in the country but its constitution clearly states its aims and objectives, which I ask you to read below, as well as the preamble, and see for yourself what drives this party and what it stands for.

The recent Freedom House Change and ‘New’ Politics in Zimbabwe shows that MDC-T (the Movement for Democratic Change-Tswangirayi) has been losing a lot of support over the last three years (of course they contest the report), and one of the most cited reasons is that “the MDC‐T in office [is] often being exposed as comparable‐in‐corruption to ZANU‐PF”. Now, that is really unfortunate and disappointing. If MDC-T has leanings close to ZANU-PF in this regard whilst in the Inclusive Government, then worse can be expected if they become the governing party.

Make no mistake, there are good men and women in that party, and there is no doubt that they have braved difficult circumstances, some life-threatening, jointly with MDC, in a bid to dislodge the Zanu PF government. But if the experiences of Zimbabweans can be anything to go by as shown by the Freedom House Report, then I am afraid MDC-T is losing the mantle of leadership. On the other hand, MDC has consistently shown itself a party driven by its values and committed to the original values and principles of constitutional democracy. Those founding values and principles can be seen in the extract below from the party’s constitution. I invite you to read them below:

CONSTITUTION FOR THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (MDC)

PREAMBLE

WHEREAS from the 26th to the 28th February 1999, delegates representing various working people’s organizations including the trade union movement, the student movement, religious organizations, human rights organizations and women’s organizations met at a convention in Harare to discuss various issues of concern regarding Zimbabwe.

AND WHEREAS the convention unanimously noted the failure and inability of the present Zimbabwean Government to govern Zimbabwe justly, transparently, honestly, fairly and equitably.

AND WHEREAS the said convention identified and raised serious concerns and unhappiness at the manner Zimbabwe has been governed.

In particular the convention noted:

• the inability of the economy to address the basic needs of most Zimbabweans;

• the disempowerment of the people and breach of the rule of law through state sponsored violence and abuse of human rights, and in particular the genocide perpetrated in Matabeleland and Midlands [the only party mentioning his unfortunate part of our history];

• the severe decline in incomes, employment, health, food, security and well being of people;

• the unfair burden borne by working women and persistence of gender discrimination in practice;

• the decline and in some cases collapse of public services;

• the lack of progress in resolving land hunger and rural investment needs;

• the weak growth in industry and marginalisation of the vast majority of the nation’s entrepreneurs;

• the absence of a national constitution framed by and for the people;

• the persistence of regionalism, racism and other divisions undermining national integration;

• widespread corruption and lack of public accountability in political and economic institutions.

AND WHEREAS the convention noted the need and desire for forming a political movement that will seek to address the broad concerns of the convention.

AND WHEREAS it was subsequent to the convention established through wide consultations throughout Zimbabwe that there is an overwhelming desire for the formation of a broad based political party.

AND WHEREAS a political party known as the Movement for Democratic Change dedicated to the promotion and advancement of human rights and to setting up a government based on the principles of freedom and good governance, was launched at Rufaro Stadium on the 11th September 1999.

AND WHEREAS the inaugural Congress of the Movement for Democratic Change was held at Chitungwiza on the 29th January 2000 and it was resolved to adopt a constitution.

NOW THEREFORE the Movement for Democratic Change adopts the following constitution.

Article one and two (name and legal status) ommitted

ARTICLE 3

AIMS, VALUES AND OBJECTS

3.1 The MDC shall be a social democratic party. It believes that the key to prosperity and development is the empowerment of the people through participation in democratic structures which operate on the basis of transparency and accountability.

3.2 The MDC shall be an all inclusive dynamic political party with a truly national base and which shall seek to win political power and form a government of the people through free, fair and direct elections.

3.3 The MDC shall seek the mandate of the people to govern the country and work for:

a) A dynamic economy built on the principles of a mixed market economy with a strong social conscience.

b) An open democracy, in which national government is accountable to the people through the devolution of power and decision-making to the provinces and local institutions and structures.

c) A just society in which the weak and poor are assured of a decent standard of living and equitable social services such as in the field of health and education and in which equal opportunities are available to all people.

d) A fair and equitable distribution of land.

e) Respect for the individual through provision and protection of fundamental human rights.

f) A sustainable environmental and natural resources policy in which the environment is protected and held in trust for future generations.

g) The eradication of all forms of corruption.

h) The eradication of all forms of discrimination including gender, sex, race, tribe, place of origin, and religion.

i) Respect for and recognition of, cultural diversity within a united society built on the principle of national integration and eradication of negative cultural practices.

j) The equitable and fair distribution of Zimbabwe’s national resources among regions.

k) The equal representation of women in public office and within the Party.

3.4 The MDC believes in the principle of active civic participation in public affairs and shall in pursuit of this principle work with trade unions, business and employers’ organisations, human rights organisations and other civic groups in the formulation of national policies.

3.5 The MDC shall recognise the sovereign equality of all countries and shall promote progressive forms of international economic, social and political cooperation that advance national development goals.

3.6 The MDC salutes and honours all heroes of the liberation struggle, who fought and struggled so that all Zimbabweans could enjoy freedom, equality and prosperity.

3.7 The MDC celebrates and cherishes the independence and sovereignty of the people of Zimbabwe. We honour our compatriots who toil daily for the progress of Zimbabwe so that the values and principles of the liberation struggle on liberty, freedom, equality, justice, tolerance, patriotism and economic development can become a reality for all Zimbabweans.

3.8 The MDC shall be guided, at all times, by the values and principles of social democracy and those of the liberation struggle and commits itself to fight for those values and principles so that each and every Zimbabwean can be free and prosperous.

Now, dear reader, your intelligence and judgment is certainly great, and I have no doubt that you personally can see that this is the Party of the future. Of course, documents don’t apply themselves, there have to be human agents behind them. I am pleased to say to you that MDC has excelled again in this regard. A look at the three political parties in the Inclusive Government (MDC, MDC-T and ZANU-PF) shows that MDC has been the party most consistent in sticking to its founding values. It has been the one party that has clear and apparently beneficial policies for the people of Zimbabwe (please see our policies here http://www.mdczim.net) and it is the one party totally untainted by any allegations of corruption or violence. It is also the most ethnically representative party in this country. I certainly would support such a party, and that is why I am a card-holding member of the MDC.

This party, another plus, has been and still remains the most vocal on issues of Devolution of Power, Equality and Unity in Diversity, Respect for the Rule of Law, and above all, it listens to the people’s issues. This is the party that is committed to helping people of Zimbabwe put a descent meal on the table, tuck in their children at night and know they are safe from violence and harm, ensure that children get a decent education and our elderly health care, and young people get a decent job at a decent wage and our entrepreneurs flourish. This is the party that is committed to fair and equitable land redistribution which ensures productivity and economic grown, and contrary to allegations by ZANU-PF, this party is committed 100% to indigenization, only in an orderly manner that ensures Zimbabwean resources benefit all Zimbabweans, not just a few elites in power.

The MDC does not intend to work for you, it intends to work with you, for it believes in the intelligence, good judgment, wisdom and essential decency of Zimbabwean people. We believe in empowering people to make their own decisions about their own lives, not that we make decisions for them from some distant capital. It is for this reason that we remain committed to Devolution of Power, for we believe Zimbabweans are capable of managing their own affairs, all they need is an enabling legal environment. That we intend to deliver, and that we will deliver. For this reason we need your vote, we need you mandate, not to rule over you, but to govern with you.

Please vote MDC next election for a just and fair Zimbabwe. Call, Sms, Whatsapp, Facebook and Tweet your friends and relatives and tell them about the MDC. Remind them about our Green Colors, for they stand for LIFE. Thank you very much all, God bless you. And may God bless the Republic of Zimbabwe!

VOTE MDC FOR PARLIAMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PROFESSOR NCUBE FOR PRESIDENT!