Tsvangirai 'a reincarnation of colonialists'
2012-08-07 13:08
Special Report
Zimbabwe's Zanu-PF party is mulling over a special congress at which top vacant positions will be filled and the succession of President Robert Mugabe would be decided, according to a report.
Cape Town - Zimbabwean political analysts have taken a swipe at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for his attacks on African nationalists, saying his utterances were "inspired by his sponsors who are trying to rebrand him as a new African leader to pursue their neo-colonial agenda".
Tsvangirai has been criticising African nationalists at various forums and recently called for a "third revolution" against liberation heroes, according to the Herald online.
Addressing delegates at the recent launch of Africa's Third Liberation, a book written by Geoff Hurst and Greg Mills in South Africa, Tsvangirai accused African liberators of betraying the ideals of the fight against colonialism.
"They [Africa’s liberators] went into office without a plan and today, the new crop of African leaders has to deal with the economy to provide jobs to the millions of our young people," he said.
Tsvangirai had earlier attacked African nationalists at a public lecture during his recent visit to Japan.
When he returned home, he called for a revolution to oust nationalist leaders in Africa.
"Independence and freedom are different. The nationalists brought independence, but have failed to deliver on the promises. Instead the country has gone into reverse. The nationalists have become the enemies for demanding that what they deserve includes their political freedom," he said at a memorial service for a late politician at the weekend.
Rebranding exercise 'doomed'
Political analysts, however, said Tsvangirai’s reactionary agenda was uncalled for, but targeted at his sponsors ahead of national elections in Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF legislator Professor Jonathan Moyo said the rebranding exercise was doomed.
"This attempt is doomed and that is why revolutionaries believe that Tsvangirai is a Jonas Savimbi and little Chiluba.
"The whites have exposed his treachery because nationalists had their initiatives of their own thinking hence the slogan ‘We are our own liberators’, so the white man’s attempt to re-brand Tsvangirai as a new crop of African leader is futile."
Zanu-PF apologist Christopher Mutsvangwa said Tsvangirai was inspired by white rule "nostalgists", adding that he was a "reincarnation" of the colonialists.
Another political analyst, University of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr Charity Manyeruke, expressed shock that Tsvangirai believed nationalists have no vision.
"That the nationalists had a vision for Africa is not debatable. It is very clear that through their efforts we have had our independence, education for all and such programmes as the land reform," she said.
- News24
