The main performer, who is also the faction leader, Nelson Chamisa did not disappoint. He began by trying to ignite the so called democracy flame to signify that the MDC was championing democracy in Zimbabwe. This is despite the fact that Chamisa usurped power during the funeral of the party’s founding leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, in the process almost burning alive another contender for the post, Thokozani Khupe – an undemocratic act. Fast forward to present day, the same Chamisa is found threatening party members with expulsion for harboring ambitions to contest for party presidency during the forthcoming Congress slated for 2019. He also stands accused of expelling elected mayors of Chegutu and Victoria falls for being elected ahead of his preferred candidates. It is quite clear Chamisa does not stand for democracy but self-gain and as such the democracy flame, initially, could not partake in deceiving Zimbabweans. After much tinkering and tweaking the flame had no choice but to burn.
The next performance was a bar higher – the Kanjiva (dove) act. Doves represent love, peace, honesty, and loyalty and their release act as a good omen at traditional gatherings such as weddings or funerals. In trying to portraying the MDC as a peaceful party, Chamisa released nineteen doves. This is despite the fact that the country is still trying to come to terms with the MDC violent demonstrations of 1 August, which resulted in property worth thousands of dollars being destroyed and the unnecessary loss of six lives. Logic therefore dictates that this party cannot be releasing doves as of now. Two of the nineteen doves seemed to support this line of argument – they just would not fly away, despite being thrown in the air. One dove eventually flew away probably having realized that the next throw would be more violent, while the other bird would have none of it.
Having ran out of options Chamisa is seen lifting the defiant dove and placing it on his head – risking being soiled, which had it happened could have been an icing on the cake. It seems as though the defiant dove realized that by staying on Chamisa’s head it would seem as though the latter had received the anointing similar to that of Jesus Christ soon after his baptism – it then flew to the podium before anyone could take a picture. The drama continued until the last dove flew away.
The following acts were a bit toned down and ordinary. Chamisa declared that as a 19 year old faction there were now old enough to marry – eh, get in government. Not sure what that meant to Tsvangirai’s 18 year reign – I will leave it at that.
The long and short of it is that, the MDC 19th anniversary celebrations served to bring out contradictions in what Chamisa does and says – his dictatorial tendencies against the lighting of the democracy flame, his call for protests that turn violent opposed to releasing of doves, blaming Government for the economic challenges facing the country versus asking from America to maintain sanctions on the country, the list is endless. With such hindsight it is hoped that MDC supporters will transcend political boundaries and work to uplift the country as opposed to picketing to safeguard the interests of their selfish leader.
