‘The people at lower structures are focused, determined and resilient towards achieving change, there is still a big element of service and sacrifice; l witnessed that in Bikita, Gutu, Ngundu, Mashava, Chiredzi and in Chinhoyi yesterday,’ – Khupe.
Today Women of Steel (WOS) talks to Honourable Thokozani Khupe, the Vice President of the Movement for Democratic Change and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. We cover a wide range of issues; the reported in-fighting within the MDC-T, her position on the possibility of the MDC-T forming a coalition with other parties to challenge Zanu PF in the 2018 elections, and the struggle female politicians face to survive among others.

 
Khupe is most probably one of the longest serving female leaders who founded the original MDC led by Gibson Sibanda at the time, in 1999. She has over the years survived the tumultuous seasons the party has endured, including fighting for her own personal survival, especially in the Matebeleland region from where she hails. The party has survived two major splits which left it weakened and struggling for survival, however, Khupe is one of the leaders who have at each point remained to fight on. Apart from the taxing and exhausting political life, being a single parent, Khupe has also over the years improved herself academically and is soon to be recognised as Dr Khupe after submitting her PHD Thesis with the University of Zimbabwe, titled ‘The informal sector and empowerment of women: a case study of women informal retail traders in flea markets in Bulawayo.’
She shares her story:
 
WOS – Who is Thoko Khupe?
Khupe – Thoko Khupe is the fourth daughter of Fanelo Max Khupe and Cathrine Nleya. I was born in Bulawayo where I also went to school. I did my primary education at Mpumelelo Primary School and proceeding to St Bernards Secondary School. I am a mother of three, twin boys and a girl. I am a holder of a BA in Media Studies, an MBA and I have just submitted my PHD Thesis with University of Zimbabwe and my topic was ‘The informal sector and empowerment of women: a case study of women informal retail traders in flea markets in Bulawayo.
 
WOS – What motivated you to get into politics?
Khupe – The desire to change the direction of the country. The problems around the economy and historical issues to do with Gukurahundi, including the marginalisation of my home region Matebeleland as well as the increased centralisation of power by Zanu PF. All this and other factors led me to join my colleagues in the trade union movement in attempts to chart a new trajectory for Zimbabwe.
 
WOS – Tell us more about your political journey over the years, from the trade union movement to date.
Khupe- I have served as the Secretary of the ZCTU Women’s Advisory Council and also as a General Council member of ZCTU. I was later elected as a National Executive member of the MDC at its formation in 1999 and appointed Secretary for Transport, Logistics and Welfare at its 2000 congress. After the split in 2005 I was elected Vice President to our leader Morgan Tsvangirai a position I hold to date. In 2009 I was appointed Deputy Prime Minister at the formation of inclusive government.
 
At a global level in 2010 I was elected President of Global Power Women Network and in the same year was appointed Goodwill Ambassador of CARMMA, a campaign for the reduction of maternal mortality rates something that is very close to my heart.
I have also received the African Achievers Award in 2012.
After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2011, I set up the Thokozani Khupe Cancer Foundation which has sought to raise awareness and encourage early detection and treatment of the disease. I have since dedicated the bulk of my activism to issues of broader health rights for women and everyone in general, in recognition of that  I received the National Health Rights Activist of the year in 2015.
 
WOS – What have been your main challenges?
Khupe- Being a woman is a challenge because there are men who still think women cannot lead, yet women are leaders in their own right. Besides their dual work and gender roles at home some have become inspirational and empathetic leaders, at various levels of society.
 
WOS – Politics they say is a dirty game and men especially will not let women participate freely, how have you survived so long? Most of the female MDC -T founding members have since left the party you are the most senior left if we are not mistaken.
Khupe- I have survived in the trenches with many others because I do not tire easily, I focus on the broader objective and I have belief and conviction on what must be achieved. Some of our colleagues have lost that along the way, but I take seriously the dictates of collective responsibility. It is not and was never going to be easy to dislodge an entrenched dictatorship like the Mugabe one. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW…

WOS- Do you have any ambitions to lead the MDC one day? Being so senior?
Khupe- I am the Vice President of my party and I so much enjoy working at that level, and assisting my President Tsvangirai in executing his duties.
 
WOS- The MDC is reported to be facing leadership struggles that might lead to another split. Is there an internal strategy to avoid this?
Khupe- Differences in a huge party like ours will always be found. But leaders always debate exhaustively to find a collective binding common ground. We have just been in Masvingo where we had robust conversations on sidelines of our five district cluster meetings where the President and his lieutenants were assessing the health of the party. The people at lower structures are focused, determined and resilient towards achieving change. there is still a big element of service and sacrifice. l witnessed that in Bikita, Gutu, Ngundu,Mashava, Chiredzi n in Chinhoyi yesterday. The leaders thus take a cue from the people. The people are united and so leaders will also strive to be united for the sake of the people who voted for them.
 
WOS – How does the VP view other political players such as Joice Mujuru and People First; Is she open to the much debated idea of a broad grand coalition?
Khupe- My views on a broad coalition are guided by the party collective. The MDC-T has a big tent philosophy in that regard stands ready to work with other progressive players in finding a solution to our national crisis. That is why we are part of the NERA process which aims to pile pressure on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the regime for electoral reforms.
A coalition cannot be an elite pact but must be a convergence of ideas and ideologies to extricate the country from the clutches of ZANU’s misrule. So anyone who realises that and breaks away from the Zanu PF ideas is welcome in the broader democratic movement.
 
WOS – What is the strategy of securing the vote in 2018 give the experience of the previous stolen ones?
Khupe- ⁠⁠We hope reforms we are fighting for through NERA and other fronts will result in a level playing field which will come through such systems as biometric voting, security sector reform and alignment of our electoral laws with the current Constitution, to vaccinate against the possibility rigging. We however will keep the pressure and our eyes open to defend the peoples vote.
 
WOS – What is your advice to fellow women who want to enter politics?
Khupe- Politics is a hard hat area, you need patience, perseverance and some drive. It needs someone who listens but who is aggressive and assertive at the same time.
 
WOS – Thank you Hon. Khupe and may God bless your journey.

 – Grace Kwinjeh