Press Statement By Mashonaland East Province former NPP Members on Joining MDC Alliance
We are gathered here as Mashonaland East National People’s Party (NPP) leadership represented by Provincial Chairperson Taurayi Pasirayi, Provincial Women’s Wing represented by Melody Makoni, Provincial Youth Chairperson Savelore Manyika, Freedom Fighters represented by Philemon Tombe, members of the National Standing Committee James Jowa, Maxwell Museu, members of the National Executive Committee Tonderai Murape, Tawanda T., Phillip Chafunga and Vimbai Shonhiwa. Also gathered here are members of the constituency executives. We are here to make a big statement to the Nation, that after careful analysis and consideration of the developments that have been taking place in the NPP Party, we have decided to disassociate from this project with immediate effect.
The major reason that has driven us to make this bold decision is that we have differed fundamentally with the leadership of Dr. Joice Teurayi Ropa Mujuru on the way forward regarding the Party’s joining of a true grand coalition of progressive political formations. It is our considered view that the MDC Alliance is the only platform that currently offers this once-in-a-generation opportunity to dislodge ZANU PF from continuing to mismanage the affairs of the State and the economy.
The NPP leadership continues to demand the use of a neutral name and logo for the grand coalition, among other conditions. This argument is grounded on the basis that it is a marketing gimmick for one of the parties in the grand coalition. Given that the harmonized elections are around, it is our view that insistence on such conditions is self-serving and does not consider the greater good for the public interest which has been subjected to ZANU PF hegemony for 38 years.
We believe it is stupid and arrogant to continue making such demands, also given that any changes to the coalition name will only confuse the electorate considering that the MDC-T is the biggest opposition political formation that has stood the test of time.
We have always believed in convergence as we embark on this inexorable march to a new and prosperous Zimbabwe. We have always believed in the language of convergence in our battle to deconstruct a social system imposed on the long-suffering Zimbabweans by ZANU PF that continues to thwart and suppress our fundamental interests and freedoms.
Following the signing of the famous MOU between Dr. J.T.R. Mujuru and the now late Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, joint demonstrations and rally in Gweru in 2016, attendance by Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai at the NPP inaugural convention, joint NERA demonstrations – these positive events raised a lot of hope for the formation of the grand coalition involving the two parties. We have equally seen concerted efforts to persuade the leadership to join the Alliance by lower echelons of NPP, but these have fallen on deaf ears.
Based on this background we have therefore come to the conclusion that NPP has deviated from its founding principles and values of putting people first as evidenced by the leadership’s continued refusal to join the grand coalition.
We are therefore pleased to announce that we have today, Monday 30th April 2018 joined the MDC Alliance, not as NPP, but as Alliance Partners who share the same vision with other likeminded democrats in the battle to challenge the existing political and socio-economic order. We bring a special blend of Zanu PF cadres, MDC (tadzoka nevana venyu), PDP, Mavambo, those who had not been active in politics but had joined Mujuru’s NPP and a special flavour of freedom fighters. NPP presents a solid structure of National Executive Committee members, Provincial Executive Committee members, and Constituency Chairpersons who understand the terrain and features of Mashonaland East Province.
Advocate Chamisa ndimi muneyese, you represent now and the future. We have never seen such charisma, vibrancy and dynamism. You are the only hope for the marginalized, the peasants, students, workers and the unborn. We appreciate your commitment President of accommodating some of our people in the leadership to participate in harmonized elections either as MPs, Councilors, senators, Provincial Councils under the banner of the MDC Alliance.
In conclusion, we commit ourselves to hard work at province, district, constituency, wards and village levels together with our Alliance partners to win the watershed elections resoundingly. We undertake to swiftly integrate our people, visit the fence sitters and doubting Thomasses so that we all have the same visions and mission.
I Thank You
Contact Person
Tonderai Murape, 0773 989 310