Resolutions of the MDC Renewal National Council
Following recent developments in the renewal team which most of you are well versed with, in particular, the deviation of our erstwhile colleagues from the Mandel declaration which we hold to be timeless and sacrosanct, we the renewal democrats gathered here today on the 3rd of June in the year of our Lord 2015 have decided to peacefully disassociate ourselves from them.
Guided by the original MDC`s founding values and principles of September 1999 and the timeless philosophies encapsulated in the Mandel declaration of 26 of April 2014, we the democrats gathered here today make the following proclamations and pledge to live by them in the prosecution and execution of our struggle for a better Zimbabwe, a prosperous economy and a free people. Free from want and deprivation, free from fear and repression and indeed free to pursue our happiness and economic prosperity, make the following resolutions:
1. We shall pursue the philosophy and ideology of modern nationalism. This entails that we will, in all our endeavors always put our country and its people first before all else. We shall always pursue the emancipation and liberation of the region and indeed Africa as a whole. We endorse unreservedly all the noble efforts in the region and in the continent to fight for political autonomy and economic progression of Africa and its member states. In this regard, we endorse the latter and spirit of the African Union`s vision 2063 in its entirety. We will strive to contribute positively towards its realization both as an opposition political party and indeed when we come to government as we will certainly and inevitably do! In seeking to develop our nation we will embrace and work with the rest of the international community while leveraging on our resources to the best benefit of our people.
2. We believe that no matter how protracted, bitter and costly the struggle for change may be, it is nevertheless a just and legitimate cause. In this regard, and in spite of all the repressive mechanisms laid before us by an illegitimate and authoritarian regime of Robert Mugabe, we will pursue the struggle for change using non-violent, peaceful but fearless and bold methods. All our efforts will be aimed at galvanizing the people of Zimbabwe towards national reconciliation and nation-building. This country is afflicted by a horrendous past and our people bear deep scars from gross human rights violations and socio-economic deprivation. We therefore believe that the government must pay reparations and compensation for all victims of state sponsored violence and unrestrained economic deprivation and political persecution.
3. The economic situation reflects the dismal failure of the present government not only on its 2013 electoral promises but as well as on its constitutional duties and responsibilities to ensure a working and a workable environment for our hardworking and peaceful people to pursue their economic interests. This has led to a proliferation of vendors and an alarming rate of emigration to neighboring countries due to acute levels of unemployment forcing our people to live as second class citizens vulnerable and exposed to xenophobic and other forms of ridicule and exploitation. There is therefore no doubt that this country now needs renewal and revival. Revival of the economy, of the critical state institutions that have been rendered moribund and indeed the renewal of hope and the belief that we as Zimbabweans are no lesser humans and deserve no lesser respect from our government and our publicly elected officials. Zimbabwe has enough wealth for all of us and indeed for all future generations if managed properly and shared more fairly and transparently. Our people remain trapped in abject poverty because of the shameless greed and selfishness of a few individuals.
4. Ever since Mandel, there has been institutional stagnation in terms of building the party and its institutions. We have therefore drawn a line in the sand and start to build the people`s institution in earnest. In so doing, we believe that we must build a strong party in our own accord. We will continue to uphold and pursue social democratic values by fostering and maintaining durable relationships and networks with our grassroots members and working together with like minded parties, organizations and individuals who believe as we do, that the we can never claim to be leaders until and unless the interests of our people become the focus of our leadership. This shall be the guiding ethos of our leadership style and we will remain open and amenable to working with the others in various forms and capacities to pursue and attain change, political freedom, economic prosperity and democratic, transparent and accountable governance.
5. For a longtime, following the Mandel declaration, we have been dithering and ambivalent in constituting our party properly. As a result we have suffered an identity crisis. Thus, we want to put this confusion to rest by constituting ourselves into a clear and unambiguous leadership and party identity. In that regard, our party will be called …………………………………………………………………………………………….
6. In conclusion, we will do whatever is permissible in a constitutional and democratic society to achieve the change that Zimbabweans yearn for. We verily believe that the golden goal of change is well within our reach and achievable. We call upon the unity and effective organization of and by all democratic forces in ensuring that political change and economic freedom are achieved well within our lifetime.
Renewal: The Courage to determine our own destiny!!!