JUST A THOUGHT - ON THE LIFE AND DEATH OF ZIMBABWE'S DISTINGUISHED SON, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI!

The death of Morgan, yes, like the death of most people, is a sad inevitability. 

And yet, Morgan Tsvangirai, should loom as tall and as extensive in the annals of Zimbabwe's history and future. 

As that of former President Robert Mugabe. Mugabe was a 'freedom and liberation fighter', fighting to free Zimbabweans from British colonialism and its resident overseer, Ian Smith's UDI. 

Morgan was also a 'freedom and liberation fighter', fighting to free Zimbabweans from the corrupt, nepotistic and backward dictatorship of Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF regime. 

Morgan has provided Zimbabweans with a star to guide them to the future, a better future. Robert and Zanu-PF provides them with the chains to keep them tied to the past!

Just as how the liberal democracies tend to have a 'revolving political system.' With one or a coalition of parties forming the government, only to be replaced by another party or coalition of parties. 

Which then set about undoing all or many of the policies of the previous administration. 

So, also, do 'revolutionary or liberation governments have the tendency to replicate many of the vices of the previous regimes which it replaces. And, in time, becomes the new oppressor and magnet for the people's call to arms to remove them.

Like all 'liberation and/or revolutionary forces', Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF regime might have been the best force to fight for Zimbabwe's liberation, on the battle field. 

But, for many years, they have not been the most appropriate force to lead the country post-liberation, as it were. 

For them to have fulfilled that role effectively, they needed to have reform theie 'liberation army and political party, to make it more fit for purpose. 

They needed to have been able to move away from the anticipated 'sharing out of the spoilt of victory' to  the 'boys coming in from the bush' to claim 'what they imagined to have been theirs by rights of 'arms and sacrifice.' 

That mindset is understandable from the position of the ordinary rank and file members of any 'liberation or revolutionary army.' But not from the position of nation building. 

Nation building requires trying to get the best people into the relevant positions for building the country. It requires more that just finding a job for the boys, in payment for their contribution towards the struggle.

This is the mould which Morgan Tsavangirai had fought to break in Zimbabwe. The opening up of the country to effective multi-party political system. 

Morgan has paid a heavy price in his and his MDC's party's struggle to give Zimbabwe an alternative voice to that of Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF regime. 

In this respect, he has probably done more for Zimbabwe's advancement than Robert Mugabe, and his 'crocodie' usurper, Emmerson Mnangagwa. 

Who seem to be of the view that Zimbabweans should be forever grateful to Zanu-PF and the veterans for their role in the liberation struggle. That their past service to their country gives them the right to become its new oppressors.

Let us home that the people of Zimbabwe, especially the young people. Will have the circumspection to appreciate and honour Morgan Tsvangirai's role and contribution towards the political and social advancement of their country, by voting the MDC into power in the coming general elections.