Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Remain focused!
Washington Katema
June 16, 2008

This article is nothing more than just a clarion call to all pro-democratic forces in Zimbabwe to remain resolute, steadfast and focused in the face of a marauding dictatorship. It's darkest before dawn.

Goche-s threat
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zimbabwe must not get distracted by the primitive diversionary tactics of Robert Mugabe. The threat to shut down all NGOs-PVOs is just but a political trap. Most human rights NGOs are now fighting for their survival and legitimacy at the expense of the bigger struggle of dethroning Mugabe. Let's remain focused. Nothing is permanent except change. Let's not compromise on our key competences simply because one Nicholas Goche sent out a political flyer instructing NGOs to suspend their operations. He must be told that we are in a Revolution. NGOs must continue to channel people's frustrations into articulate demands that can as well continue to evoke responses from the political systems. That said, CSOs can launch a massive ''Every Vote Counts'' campaign just 7 days before the polls. It must be massive. A bomb. Exactly that.

Mbeki-s admission
By acknowledging that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe at the UN Security Council last week, Mbeki has concomitantly admitted that he is a decade behind. It's almost 10 years since the Zimbabwean crisis started. Misreading political situations has made Mbeki a stranger to political realities. The Polokwane saga was just a tip of the iceberg. The man is just a political nightmare. He and Mugabe are same rubbish in different containers. SADC, AU and UN must not be duped by Mbeki's dangerous tactics clothed under the rhetoric of quiet diplomacy. They must continue to pile political, economic and diplomatic pressure on the quasi-Military Junta in Harare. And play their deterrent, preventive and mitigatory roles to protect the people of Zimbabwe before, during and after the June 27 polls. Election Observers must not leave Zimbabwe till all electoral processes are over.

Simba Makoni
Simba Makoni must just endorse Morgan Tsvangirai. His 'people' have already endorsed his candidature. Dabengwa, Tekere, Nkosana, Mutambara et al have already come out clearly articulating their -- otherwise thought-through positions. He must listen to them. Mugabe is the common enemy. And we must craft a common strategy. The lowest common denominator is making Mugabe history. However, we must be in the position to articulate and appreciate the history of Mugabe before making him history. Mugabe is a product of a violent political system. Having said that, we must be prepared to bear the burden and pay the price.

Our goal
Our overarching goal is to dislodge and dismantle the quasi- Military Junta in Harare before it transmogrifies into a fully-fledged Military dictatorship. Zanu PF must be relegated to permanent political irrelevance.

Every Vote Counts campaign is part of the strategy. Let's have the labor, the lawyers, youths, students, women, associations, coalitions, alliances, assemblies, networks et al joining hands and coming together. Unity in Action is the way forward. Let's Organize.

We are concerned about the well being of the future generations.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP