Harare -
Zimbabwean opposition leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has promised to “never betray” his country’s right to self-determination should he be voted into power in Wednesday’s elections.
He says his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party believes in African philosophy and the right of Zimbabwe to determine its destiny without outside influence.
Addressing tens of thousands of MDC supporters at the party’s final campaign rally in Harare on Monday, Tsvangirai pledged reconciliation rather than revenge, to rebuild the country and unite its polarised citizens.
Promising to allow 89-year-old Mugabe to retire in peace, Tsvangirai reminded his supporters that the polls presented the country with a choice between “a bleak yesterday” and “a better tomorrow”.
In what appears to be a direct response to Mugabe’s statement at the weekend that he was a “puppet” of the West, the MDC leader told his followers in the presence of AU and Southern African Development Community (SADC) observers that he would not sell his country to the highest bidder.
“We will never betray African philosophy. We will always believe in the right of Africans to determine their own destiny without external influence. We believe it’s the right of Zimbabweans to determine their own destiny,” Tsvangirai said.
However, he made it clear that Zimbabwe needed friends in the international community because no country could rule itself in isolation.
Tsvangirai said the six million Zimbabwean voters faced not only a political but a generational choice.
“Mugabe belongs to a generation that fought for independence. We belong to a generation that is fighting for democratic change. Today’s problems cannot be solved by yesterday’s people,” he added.
The country had a choice between those who wanted to defend the status quo and those who wanted to free the people of Zimbabwe.
Insisting that Mugabe’s Zanu-PF “stole” the 2002 and 2008 elections, the prime minister said his party had agreed to a unity government only after the AU and SADC intervened. He said electoral rigging would not be allowed again.
“You can’t come at an advanced age and seek a new mandate. For what? I think the most honourable thing Mugabe can do is to respect the intelligence of the people of Zimbabwe,” he said.
Tsvangirai said although he was a “survivor” who had been beaten up and jailed “for no reason”, he would not seek revenge as he was not bitter.
“The reason is I don’t want to be a prisoner of bitterness and revenge. I am a builder and not a destroyer.
“I want President Mugabe to enjoy his retirement in peace.”
The MDC leader vowed to rule with humility for the sake of the country’s future, stability and development if he won the elections. He would develop a national security strategy and work with the existing security chiefs to better secure the country, he said.
“I intend to rule this country with diligence and competence. Our vision for Zimbabwe is a modern and developmental state in which Zimbabwean people are able to exploit their opportunities for the good of themselves and the country.”
However, the MDC president vowed to review all government contracts to ensure “no one gets away with stealing from the people”.
While land should be given to ordinary Zimbabweans, Tsvangirai said, it should go to those who could use it productively.
He promised food security, peace, economic development, housing and health, among other things. - Pretoria News
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