Why?
1. It has now become apparent Tsvangirai doesnt have what it takes to safeguard briSHIT interests.
2. It has become apparent that dislodging ZANU is not as easy as 'damaging Zimbabwe's economy'.
3. Zimbabwe has now become an embarassment to briSHIt politicians. EU patience has been stretched too far in defending briSHIT interests and settler monopoly in Zimbabwe...and the position is becoming undefendable.
4. A Mugabe win in March 2008 would further undress briSHIT neocolonial appetites in Zimbabwe to much further embarassment.
5. Continued rivalry between ZANU and the briSHIT government is a lose lose situation.
Is Simba being used as a condom to bridge the diseases between briSHIT-Zimbabwe coitus?
The questions are.
1. Which partner bought the condom?
2. How foolproof is the condom?
We hope it doesnt burst....
In the mean time enjoy the positive briSHIT press on Simba below.
Simba Makoni: Zimbabwe's roaring lion?
By Joseph Winter
BBC News website
Simba Makoni, a senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party, has announced he is to challenge Robert Mugabe for president.
With a PhD in chemistry, his supporters say he has the magic formula to reverse Zimbabwe's economic collapse and end its political stalemate.
The mild-mannered, jovial man has long been seen as a possible compromise candidate, with backers both in Zanu-PF, as well as plenty of admirers in the opposition.
He has variously been described as a moderniser, a technocrat and a "young turk".
Opposition MP Priscilla Misihairabwi told the BBC News website that Mr Makoni was very courageous to publicly challenge Mr Mugabe from within the system.
He could be living up to his name, Simba, which means lion in Swahili - spoken across East Africa - and means strength in Shona, one of Zimbabwe's main indigenous languages.
Ms Misihairabwi also says that Mr Makoni is a man of principles.
The then finance minister stood up to President Robert Mugabe over economic policy in 2002 and was sacked for his trouble.
'Saboteur'
Mr Makoni's supporters note that he has a good understanding of orthodox economics and he comes from the party which delivered independence from Britain in 1980 and which does not want to relinquish power.
He could appeal to those voters who are desperate for some improvement in their daily lives but do not quite trust the opposition.
I share the agony and anguish of all citizens over the extreme hardships that we all have endured for nearly 10 years now
Simba Makoni
His soft tone could also help heal the country's bitter divisions and end the years of political lambast and name-calling.
But his critics dismiss him as a political lightweight within his party and say he will struggle to compete against Mr Mugabe, who will be his main opponent in the March elections.
He was brought in as finance minister in 2000 to restore relations with donors and the business community but failed to change Mr Mugabe's policies.
He was sacked 18 months later after calling for a devaluation of the currency to try and boost exports.
Mr Mugabe said those who wanted a devaluation were "economic saboteurs".
Mr Makoni responded by cheerfully introducing himself as "Saboteur".
But until he announced his candidature for the elections, he remained a member of Zanu-PF's policy-making body, the politburo and so must share some of the blame for the country's economic woes.
Heavyweight backing
He nevertheless tried his best to distance himself from the crisis.
"Let me confirm that I share the agony and anguish of all citizens over the extreme hardships that we all have endured for nearly 10 years now," he said.
SIMBA MAKONI
Zanu-PF moderniser
1980: Named deputy minister aged 30
2002: Sacked as finance minister after argument with Mugabe
2002: Went to South Africa
Possible support of Zanu-PF heavyweight Solomon Mujuru
Trained chemist
And despite saying he would have preferred to stand as a Zanu-PF candidate, he strongly criticised its leaders.
"I also share the widely-held view that these hardships are a result of failure of national leadership and that change at that level is a pre-requisite for change at other levels of national endeavour."
But he is believed to have the backing of Zanu-PF heavyweight Solomon Mujuru, whose wife Joyce is vice-president.
Zimbabwean political analyst John Makumbe said that if the former army chief is indeed backing Mr Makoni, then the Zanu-PF vote would be split in the 29 March election - boosting the chances of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which is also fielding two candidates.
"This is a significant development," he said. "We are beginning to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel."
Scandal-free
At just 57, he comes from a different generation to the octogenarians currently running the country and its ruling party.
While the party old-guard were fighting the 1970s guerrilla war of independence, Mr Makoni was studying chemistry in Britain.
He is very approachable and ready to laugh - unlike Mugabe
Priscilla Misihairabwi
Opposition MP
But he also found time to represent Zanu in Europe and clearly made an impression.
When the first post-independence government was formed, he was appointed deputy minister of agriculture at just 30.
Over the next four years he served as minister of energy and of youth before abruptly leaving government.
"He was too hot to handle," one long-time associate told the BBC.
"He was too clever and too young for the older members of the party. They wanted him out of the way."
Mr Makoni went on to become Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, (SADC), a job which he says required "a fine balance between high principles and pragmatism".
Ms Misihairabwi says that Mr Makoni is also untainted by allegations of corruption or scandal.
"He is very approachable and ready to laugh - unlike Mugabe," she said.
"There is a real excitement about this but whether that will translate into votes is another question."
Friday, 15 December, 2000, 15:38 GMT
Simba Makoni: Waiting in the wings?
By Grant Ferrett in Harare
Simba Makoni is the most popular figure in a deeply unpopular government.
Appointed in July following the country's bloodiest and most divisive general election campaign since independence two decades ago, he's widely liked and respected.
Friends and critics alike agree that he's extremely clever and has a reputation for integrity.
The puzzle is why he accepted the almost impossible job of finance minister at a time when the economy is collapsing and shows every sign of getting worse.
Rise - and fall
By the standards of the ruling party, Zanu-PF, Simba Makoni has reached high office at a relatively young age.
Compared with President Mugabe and his two vice presidents, all of whom are in their late 70s, Mr Makoni is a youngster at just 50.
While the party old-guard were fighting the liberation war in the 1970s, Simba Makoni was studying chemistry in Britain, gaining a BSc and a PhD.
But as well as being a student, he went on to represent Zanu in Europe.
He clearly made an impression.
When the first post-independence government was formed, Simba Makoni was appointed deputy minister of agriculture. He was 30.
Over the next four years he served as minister of energy and of youth before abruptly leaving government.
"He was too hot to handle," says one long-time associate.
"He was too clever and too young for the older members of the party.
"They wanted him out of the way."
High profile
Mr Makoni was down but far from out.
He became Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community, (SADC), a job which he says required "a fine balance between high principles and pragmatism".
As, in effect, the most senior civil servant in the organisation at a time when regional and world attention was focused on ending apartheid in South Africa, Mr Makoni gained a great deal of international experience and exposure.
"He learnt a great deal," says one colleague.
"He returned to Zimbabwe a far sharper and more polished performer."
Return to the fold
President Mugabe's decision to appoint him as minister of finance was welcomed on all sides, but it carried risks for both men.
In giving a very senior post to someone of such obvious popularity and relative youth, Mr Mugabe has invited unfavourable comparisons.
A recent opinion poll suggested that Simba Makoni was the most serious challenger to Mr Mugabe's leadership among ordinary Zanu-PF members.
Among fellow party politicians he's
1 comment:
Robert Mugabe:
Strengths: Has strong liberation credentials.Led ZANLA and ZANU_PF to victory in 1980. Is well educated. Responsible for earlier successful educational policies making Zimbabwe the one of the biggest sources of skills. Manages to fool Africa and the world as an Anti-colonial nationalist though he would rather his offspring live in London.
Weaknesses:At 84 is too old. Has allowed corruption to flourish under his watch. Corrupt senior officials never touched. Lacks modesty. While his ministers and officials drive brand new cars acquired with scarce forex hospitals don’t have drugs. There does not seem to be prioritization. Blames western sanctions for suffering. What is never admitted is that Ian Smith kept Industry running under the same sanction and also war. Hospitals were fully functional. Smith and his ministers were modest yet Mugabe maintains a long car motorcade. He also has blood in his hands:Launched Gukurahundi in the 1980s with his friend Enos Nkala ( of the ‘War unto ZAPU peace unto the people fame”). The Murambatsvina is still fresh so is the Chiminya killing. His officials enjoy flounting their wealth in a ‘sea of poverty’. His main support is from those benefiting from the crisis:those getting free fuel,forex ,farms .Zimbabwe can only vote for this man if they want to continue to suffer. If Zimbabweans still believe in the ‘ideals of the liberation struggle’ then its time we dumped Robert Mugabe. His programs and policies have only benefited the corrupt few.
Morgan Tsvangirai:
Strengths:A brave man.The man should be credited with building the first non-tribal opposition party in Zimbabwe. The party that cut across racial line. The MDC is the party that showed Zimbabweans that indeed ZANU-PF can be opposed. Morgan has strong organizational ability.
Weakness: The failure to provide leadership leading to the split has been his weakest point. The failure to agree to unite the party has been Morgan Tsvangirai’s most disappointing action. Granted that he is not alone to blame but an impression is created that MDC does not worry about the suffering of the people rather than the positions. The fact that the unity talks collapsed around the issue of ‘seats ‘ is very embarrassing to some of us who had such a high regard for Tsvangirai. This is also not helped by the violence perpetrated on other MDC supporters by factions within the main MDC wing. A picture emerges unfortunately which paints Morgan as a potential dictator. If Mugabe was the only other candidate then Tsvangirai was going to March to State house. He has been Mugabe’s victim and so those opposed to Mugabe were going to back him.If he loses he will surely blame himself for his selfish actions.
Simba Makoni:
Strengths:Highly educated. A business man. Has international experience. Has liberation credentials. He is independent minded unlike the other 'Mugabe's wives'. Has been called a ‘sellout ‘ for speaking his mind. Unlike other cabinet ministers he was the first to admit that the country suffers not because of sanctions but ‘failure of leadership .Has naturally filled the gap created by the failure to unite MDC. Will receive massive votes from MDC and angry ZANU-PF supporters
Weakness: Stayed too long in ZANU_PF hoping for reform.Treated with suspicion though this is changing following a stinging attacks by the ‘ZANU-PF ‘ aligned Herald, Chronicle and ZBC.
His support base does not seem extend to the rural areas. ZANU-PF normal makes the rural areas ‘no-go-areas’. He seems to be another Mbeki, very aloof. Is loved by the majority of Zimbabwe internet forum users. If this can translate to votes then Simba Makoni can win the Presidential elections which will be best for Zimbabwe. He needs to attracts sufficient votes from disgruntled ZANU-PF supporters and Zimbabweans angered by the collapse of MDC supporters. One can see that the only reason why ‘big guns’ in ZANU-PF don’t openly support him is fear of losing the ‘feeding trough’.
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