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This article participates on the following special index pages:
2008 harmonised elections - Index of articles
Statement
by Morgan Tsvangirai
Movement for Democratic Change
April 01, 2008
The challenge of giving birth to a new Zimbabwe founded on restoration
and not on retribution; on equality and not discrimination; on love,
not war; on tolerance, not hate.
After Saturday
29th of March 2008, Zimbabwe will never be the same again; the people
have spoken with one voice.
I would like
to thank the millions who came to reclaim their dignity and invest
in the change they can trust.
I'd like to
thank the thousands in every corner of our country who braved the
cold to come and make a statement on Saturday 29th March: from the
mothers in Bikita, grandfathers in Tsholotsho, widows in Mpopoma,
sisters in Kwekwe, school teachers in Zhombe.
In those minutes
inside the polling booth, each one of us re-wrote the history of
Zimbabwe. For that particular moment we each held the destiny of
our country in the pen we used to cast that vote.
The votes cast
on Saturday was for change and a new beginning. It was a vote for
jobs; it was a vote for food, for dignity, for respect, for decency
and equality, for tolerance, for love, and for trust.
Our people,
therefore, cannot wait for the execution of that mandate.
I know that
in moments such as this there is a temptation to short-cut processes,
and to resort to opportunistic pathways. We will exercise restraint,
and leadership, as we have exercised over the years.
Indeed, for
years we have refused to resort to violent and unconstitutional
methods of achieving democratic change.
Against great
seduction and temptation, we refuse to be swayed away from the paths
of democracy and social justice. That commitment to those values
will not be betrayed now.
However, I have
to urge the electoral authority that is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,
to proceed with haste, and I think two and a half days is not haste
at all!
We, on our part,
will tomorrow disclose the totals from our count based on published
returns at polling stations. And will after that result make a comment.
Thank you.
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