Newsday

By Owen Gagare

20 December 2010

Power struggles between MDC-M leader Arthur Mutambara and secretary-general Welshman Ncube returned to haunt the party on Sunday during the Chitungwiza provincial council’s nomination of candidates for the party’s congress next month.

Although Mutambara announced on Friday he would not stand for the party presidency or any other post at the congress, a move he said was meant to unify the fragile party, his backers walked out of the meeting accusing the Ncube faction of bussing in some people who were not supposed to be part of the electoral college.

Despite the walkout, nominations went ahead with Ncube, who has also been endorsed by Harare and Bulawayo provinces, being nominated for the presidency.

Party insiders said Ncube was almost assured of the top post with his ally, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, almost certain to secure the powerful secretary-general’s position and former Zengeza MP Goodrich Chimbaira the national chairmanship.

Edwin Mushoriwa, the MDC-M spokesperson was nominated for the vice presidency, securing his second nomination after getting the nod from Harare province on Thursday.

Mushoriwa was however not nominated by Bulawayo province which instead nominated Frank Chamunorwa, with whom he is likely to battle for the second most powerful position at the congress.

Chitungwiza, like Bulawayo and Harare nominated Mushonga as secretary general, Chimbaira as national chairman, Moses Mzila Ndlovu as deputy secretary general and Paul Temba Nyathi as treasurer general.
Theresa Marimazhira –Muchovo, was nominated for the deputy treasurer’ general position, her second nomination after also securing the Harare nomination. Miriam Mushayi was nominated for the same post by Bulawayo.

The Chitungwiza nominations were preceded by heated debate between the rival factions prompting provincial secretary Charles Manyoza and organising secretary, Adam Pashama, among those who walked out of the meeting.

They protested against the participation of members of the Women’s Assembly who were put into office during the restructuring of the party earlier this year, arguing the process was illegal.

“Ncube restructured the party to put people who were loyal to him but we challenged the manner the restructuring exercise was done. The matter was then handed over to David Coltart, our secretary for legal affairs, so that he could determine whether the exercise was done legally. Coltart has not yet given us a report on the matter, so we felt that the new executive should have not participated,” said a member of the party who chose to remain anonymous.

“There is a very strong likelihood that Coltart may say the restructuring was unconstitutional hence our belief that they should not have participated. Some districts also had parallel structures and we felt the process should not go ahead with the situation like that.”
The party’s secretary for information in the province Wonder Chinamhora, confirmed the walkout and the nomination results.

“The meeting went very well, it was peaceful. Of course at first there were some people who were bitter about the women’s wing, but that matter was resolved because it was referred to David Coltart,” he said.

Asked about the provincial secretary general’s walk out, Chinamhora said Manyoza was disgruntled about the women’s assembly issue but said the meeting went ahead because it had been called to nominate leaders and not to discuss women’s issue.

SW Radio Africa

By Tichaona Sibanda

20 December 2010

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara has said he will not seek re-election as the MDC-M president during his party’s congress, slated for January next year. This leaves party secretary-general, Welshman Ncube, a clear favourite to take over the presidency.

Mutambara reportedly pulled out of the race at the weekend after Ncube’s candidacy was endorsed by 11 of the party’s 12 provinces.

Ncube’s endorsement effectively sealed Mutambara’s fate, whose rise from political obscurity in 2006, to lead the breakaway faction of the MDC, shocked many political observers. SW Radio Africa is reliably informed that at that time Mutambara was invited to take over the leadership of the MDC-M by former legislators Job Sikhala and Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, despite strong objections from Ncube.

Mutambara told journalists he pulled out of the presidential race to avoid divisions within his party, though it was clear he failed to garner any support from the party’s provinces, including Manicaland where he hails from.

There were futile behind the scenes manoeuvres from some in the party to have Mutambara take up the vice-presidency, which has been vacant since the death of Gibson Sibanda in August. Party spokesman Edwin Mushoriwa confirmed that Mutambara is stepping down as president.

‘It’s true I can confirm he’s (Mutambara) stepping down. It’s a decision that he made and announced over the weekend. On the other hand I can confirm Welshman Ncube has received overwhelming support from the party’s provinces to take over,’ Mushoriwa said.

Asked what will happen to Mutambara when he ceases to be the party leader, in relation to his post as deputy Prime Minister in the unity government, Mushoriwa said it is clear in the GPA that a party leader automatically becomes a principal in the unity government.

‘I don’t know how the government will approach that matter but as far as what is contained in the GPA, say when Ncube takes over the party presidency, he is expected to assume the role of principal in the inclusive government,’ Mushoriwa said.

Ncube, believed to be the instigator behind the split in the MDC in 2005, is poised to take over the party leadership without any contest.

‘As far as I know, I don’t think anyone has yet to challenge him and it looks like we might approach the election without a challenger at all,’ Mushoriwa added.

Mushoriwa told us the nomination process is still in progress and the party will get a clear picture of those nominated to stand for election, in two weeks time.

Mushoriwa has been nominated to stand for the vice-presidency and will fight it out against JOMIC member, Frank Chamunorwa.

Ncube’s close confidante and fellow party negotiator, Misihairabwi-Mushonga, has been nominated to be the secretary-general, with Moses Mzila Ndlovu as her deputy.

Paul Themba Nyathi has been nominated to take the treasurer general’s position, with Theresa Marimazhira as his deputy.

Surprisingly, one of the star ministers in the coalition government, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart, does not feature in any of the nominations, including Bulawayo province where he is Senator.

‘It’s not that he will not feature in the upper echelons of the party. Coltart is a very strategic member and because of his expertise he will be accommodated. There are many influential positions where individuals will be appointed and not elected, so Coltart remains very much in the picture,’ according to Mushoriwa.

The Zimbabwe Mail

www.thezimbabwemail.com

20 December 2010

In a bizarre defiance, the outgoing MDC-M President Professor Arthur Mutambara has insisted he may contest as Presidential candidate in 2011 general elections amid reports of bitter infighting and skulduggery that have cost leading member of the MDC-W, Education Minister David Coltart his position from the party.

For the MDC-W leadership 2011 Congress, Bulawayo Province which IS mainly made up of Ncube’s Kitchen Cabinet, nominated: President – Welshman Ncube, Deputy President – Frank Chamunorwa, Chairman – Goodrich Chimbaira, Secretary General – Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, Deputy Secretary General- Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Treasurer General – Paul Themba Nyathi, Deputy Treasurer General – Miriam Mushayi and there was no mention of David Coltart.

Sources said Welshman Ncube intervened to get Senator David Coltart appointed into what he called the National Executive Council along with Nqgabutho Dube after a huge outcry from party members.

In the coalition government, Education Minister David Coltart is credited for his hardworking efforts in reviving the dilapidated country’s education which has suffered at the hands of Robert Mugabe’s regime.

On his Facebook profile, Welshman Ncube was attacked by his party members on why David Coltart was being sidelined, and for more than twelve hours he could not give a clear answer, only to come back 24 hours later to announce that he had foisted him into a National Executive Council.

One livid party member Bekithemba Mpofu said, “So one of the most hardworking Ministers gets overlooked? Wondering what criteria is being used? Coltart is being overlooked by his own province.

Leen Coleen Mokoena said, “Yes why have they left Coltart out? He is by far the most hard working Minister Zimbabwe has ever had. He is sincere and has Zimbabwe at his heart regardless of what they continue saying of him being a former Rhodesian.”

Sources said the party’s decision to sideline or shove Coltart away from frontline is influenced by his recent public spat with Robert Mugabe’s War Veterans.

Meanwhile in Manicaland, where Mutambara comes from, violence broke out after the province rejected the imposition of Welshman Ncube as leader. Sources said there are now parallel structures in the province. The province is likely to launch a Mutambara led faction in the party.

On his Facebook profile, Ncube said, “Our MDC provincial nominations in Manicaland were disrupted by police yesterday.”

The Zimbabwe Mail reporter at the scene said police were called in to disperse rowdy mobs belonging to Ncube and Mutambara factions who fought running battles against all day, with both factions claiming be the legitimate provincial executive.

Nominations for Manicaland will now be carried out in Bulawayo, sources said.

In a dramatic twist Mutambara is now saying he may turn out to be the next head of state even though he is stepping down as leader of the party.

Addressing a Diaspora conference in the resort town of Victoria Falls, Mutambara left delegates bemused when he insisted he was not going anywhere.

In a clear show of bitterness over the handling of his removal from leadership which was first reported by The Zimbabwe Mail, the Robotics Professor said, “I took a plunge and see where that took me; I became the president of MDC. After that I became the Deputy Prime Minister,” he said.

“Muchashama ndava Head of State because I am not going anywhere,’’ Mutambara said in defiance.

The Deputy Prime Minister however, said he was not going back on his pledge to quit the leadership of the MDC.

But, sources said Mutambara had no choice but to throw in the towel after he failed to gunner any support from the party’s provinces.

“I am stepping down as the leader of my party MDC. I am not running- it’s done.

“We are going for a congress in January and I have said that I am not contesting for any party post but I will still be a member of the party,’’ he said.

Mutambara had to step aside when he became a pariah within his own party after widespread accusations that he was taking the party into Robert Mugabe’s pockets.

Analysts said Mutambara is likely to lose more if he openly defies his party and so he has to abide by Welshman Ncube’s wishes and act in a normal way right through to the life span of the coalition government and so that he can drive off in his free Mercedes Benz and all the packages that goes with his position.

We could not verify other reports saying Mutambara is planning to join Zanu PF, but those close to him are urging him to stay in MDC-W and lead his faction to challenge Ncube’s leadership.

It has also since emerged that a majority of the party’s provincial structures have been wiped into backing Secretary General, Professor Welshman Ncube, to take over as leader of the party.

Ncube was not eligible to stand again for his current post, having served the mandatory two terms allowed under the party’s constitution, a situation which is not explained as to why Mutambara is not accorded protection by the party’s constitution.

In true Robert Mugabe’s fashion, Ncube has wiped into line Matabeleland North, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South, Harare, Midlands North and South and Mashonaland East provinces to replace Mutambara.

Mutambara was invited to lead MDC in February 2006 following the split of MDC in 2005.

He did not contest the presidential elections in 2008 preferring, instead, to throw his weight behind Mavambo Kusile leader Dr Simba Makoni.

Standard

By Nqaba Matshazi

19 December 2010

THE red carpet has all but been rolled out for Welshman Ncube, who is now set to assume the presidency of the smaller faction of the MDC without a contest.

Incumbent leader, Arthur Mutambara pulled out of the race after the Harare province endorsed Ncube’s candidacy amid revelations that 11 out of the 12 provinces were in favour of the secretary general’s ascendancy.

Mutambara says he pulled out of the presidential race to avoid divisions within his party, but there are revelations that the robotics professor saw that the writing was on the wall at a national council meeting nearly a fortnight ago.

The MDC-M leader is reported to even have failed to get an endorsement from Manicaland, his home province, a development that irked Mutambara.
Before Mutambara threw in the towel, calls had been made to have him to take up the vice-presidency, which has been vacant since the death of Gibson Sibanda in August.

“For the sake of unity and continuity, Mutambara had been tipped to become the vice-president,” the source continued.

It was not immediately clear why he turned down the offer, instead electing to be “an ordinary member” of the party.

MDC-M has since banned all its members from making pronouncements on its congress, which will be held next February.

The party’s Harare provincial executive council met on Friday and nominated leaders for positions, with Ncube being nominated for the presidency.

Party spokesperson Edwin Mushoriwa was nominated for the vice- presidency while Goodrich Chimbaira was nominated to be the chairman.

Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga was nominated to be the secretary general with Moses Mzila being her deputy.

Paul Themba Nyathi was nominated to take the treasurer general’s position with Theresa Marimazhira being his deputy.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart, who is the faction’s secretary for legal affairs, does not feature on the nomination list.

Standard

By Lesley Moyo

19 December 2010
BULAWAYO — Makokoba reverberated to the sounds of the African drum and marimba on  Wednesday night as the township-based Ibumba International Festival kicked off full of promise.

Over 100 invited guests filled up Stanley Hall, the main venue of the festival and were captivated by the performances from Siyaya, Iyasa, Amawumbo, Ingwenyama, Kwabatsha and Tumbuka who put up a spectacular opening act.

Not to be outdone was new kid on the block, Clive, an upcoming comedian.

He left the guests in stitches and even received applause from the guest of honour, Education, Sport Arts and Culture minister, David Coltart as well as other delegates who were in attendance.

Saimon Mambazo Phiri, director of the festival was spot on in his welcome speech when he said Mokokoba was the oldest town in Bulawayo but with the latest ideas.

The festival, now in its 13th year, has brought new ideas and has shown great improvement. This year was no exception.

Coltart applauded the role played by arts in society. “In good times and also in bad times it is usually the arts industry that keeps us going,” Coltart said.

He also became the latest high- profile person to endorse Bulawayo as the heart and soul of the arts and culture in the country.

“Bulawayo is the heart and soul of art and culture in our nation, if not in southern Africa. We have an amazing amount of artistic potential in this city.
This festival reminds us to be wholehearted in our efforts in promoting artistic talent so that we can be rightly proud of our arts and culture industry,” Coltart said igniting thunderous applause from the packed Stanley Hall.

After his speech the minister, officially opened the festival by beating a tall African drum 13 times, each signalling the number of years the festival has been held.

Phiri was also honoured on the night with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his work in promoting arts in the city.

After the opening ceremony, it was time to party with seasoned artistes in the mould of Jeys Marabini accompanied by his band Kozekulunge, Willis Wataffi Afirika and man of the moment, Winky D.

On Thursday, the Indaba Book Cafe hosted two book launches by South African-based Nomashawekazi Damasane and celebrated poet Albert Nyathi who launched his latest book Echoes from Zimbabwe, which traces the political history of Zimbabwe as seen through the poet’s eyes.

Celebrated culture expert and historian, Phathisa Nyathi congratulated the two for launching their books and sharing their experiences with the world.
“Poetry is a result of the mediation between the heart and the mind. It belongs to the heart but the mind must do the creation.

“Therefore we congratulate the two for sharing with us what is close to their hearts,” Nyathi said.

He added that poetry was the heritage of every society as it was part of the folk tradition.

The same venue also witnessed the opening of Writing with Light exhibition, which runs until the end of the festival.

On Friday morning the artistes had an opportunity to meet with the mayor of the city of Bulawayo, Thaba Moyo to discuss pertinent issues affecting the city and the arts industry.

Some of the forthcoming highlights of the festival include the comedy Nite on Saturday that will feature South African comedians Edgar Langveldt and Madluphuthu, Carl Joshua Ncube, Omkhula, Clive and Babongile Skhonjwa.

The Kwaito and Urban Grooves Nite is another major draw card to the festival.

The festival runs until Tuesday and those who will take time to attend will have a time of their life if the performances witnessed so far are anything to go by.

Newsday

18 December 2010

By Rejoice Ngwenya

The pathetic Zanu PF caravan of jocular politics never ceases to amaze me. These fellows need urgent psycho-therapy.

Do they take us for brainless buffoons? Says “a top official in the Attorney-General’s office”, according to a report on the Zimbabwe situation: “

The people of Zimbabwe should not only look up to President Robert Mugabe to take action against Mr Tsvangirai, as it is now clear to them that he committed treason and should be charged by the laws of the land and the people.

“Sanctions imposed by the West have crippled the entire economy and Mr Tsvangirai as a member of the Government and the Executive goes behind its back to ask for more sanctions that will hurt ordinary Zimbabweans, it’s unacceptable . . . ”

My prognosis is that these so-called “people of Zimbabwe” exclude the twenty thousand victims of Gukurahundi, their dependants, relatives and friends murdered by the Zanu PF-controlled Fifth Brigade in the 80s.

What about the one million homeless victims of 2005 Murambatsvina? Never mind four million Zimbabweans in exile who fled from Robert Mugabe and Gideon Gono’s 231 000 000% inflation between 2006 -2008?

Have I mentioned the five thousand “white” commercial farmers whose land was expropriated between 2000 and now, including one million farm workers and their dependants who were violently displaced?

If I were to do a research on the “lost generation” of high school and college students who have been ejected into a largely dysfunctional economy between 2000 and 2008, the statistics of trauma and idleness would be too ghastly to comprehend.

I will remind this “top official” how, between 2000 and 2008, almost two thousand MDC activists were kidnapped, killed, maimed or arrested.

Need I mention the general national trauma that we “people of Zimbabwe” have been subjected to in the last thirty years of Mugabe’s vicious and unrelenting authoritarian rule? Have we not watched with horror and dismay as Zanu PF and its cronies parcel up the country amongst their few selves, handing over large chunks of resources to the Chinese in their deficient but over-played “look East policy”?

These people have a nerve! If you want to see a decent stock of sell-outs and purveyors of treason, look no further than Zanu PF!

Another report continues on Tsvangirai: Tsholotsho North legislator Professor Jonathan Moyo said: “There are only two things that could happen in any civilised democracy, for him to resign not just from Government but public life altogether.
He must also be prosecuted for a litany of treasonous acts against the State.” I have very little to say about the professor — for most has been said — but he should know better.

In a civilised democracy (that he has written extensively on), tolerance and political competition are fundamental. Between 1980 and 2008, all our national elections have been directed by an institution and system that conveniently ignores intimidation, rigging and dishonesty.

As near as June 2008 — when the professor was an “independent” — we saw Mugabe competing against himself in a process that left a murderous trail of destruction worthy of an international court of justice’s attention.

Only a few weeks ago, journalists were incarcerated apparently for no reason other than legitimate disclosure.

Those artists like Owen Maseko who have ventured to express their political opinions are persecuted and threatened with death. So much for “civilisation”!

In a civilised democracy, public broadcasters are accessible to everyone, not just the “ruling” party. Newspapers are not bombed or banned, neither are demonstrators battered or arrested.

And so when WikiLeaks publicises what everyone else knows and agrees with, it is hard to see any treasonous thing about it.

The facts are clear: entry of MDC into national politics would always be complicated by Mugabe’s control of “military resources”.

This is why it made sense for people like Welshman Ncube, David Coltart, Nelson Chamisa, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Tendai Biti to accept and concentrate on “socio-economic” ministries.

The “real” people of Zimbabwe want education, health and jobs, not guns and bullets. When Morgan Tsvangirai or Arthur Mutambara for that matter, sit and discuss Zimbabwean politics with Americans, Germans, South Koreans and Japanese, this would hardly qualify as treason. Regime change?

Of course in a “civilised democracy”, regime change is legitimate. The late Edison Zvobgo had friends in London — like Tiny Rowland — who used to help finance Zanu PF elections.

During the liberation struggle, Nordic NGOs donated money and food to Zapu and Zanu. Didymus Mutasa has made numerous trips to China and Cuba to discuss Zimbabwe’s (or is it Zanu PF) political options.

The mere fact that these discussions have not been “wiki leaked” does not in any way absolve Zanu PF of any transgression.

How do you explain small arms shipped Nicodemously into Zimbabwe, diamonds making their way to China and riot gear from Israel without any “secret discussions”?

Therefore, I submit a humble opinion that hard evidence exists on how Zanu PF has oppressed people of Zimbabwe to almost genocide proportions — and yet no one of them has been jailed or “investigated”.

How much more treason can one do than murder twenty thousand innocent citizens in his own country?

Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Do not divert our attention with weak links. There are more important national priorities.

Democracy, good governance and freedom are universal and integral extension of modern-day civilisation

Rejoice Ngwenya is a social commentator

Newsday

17 December 2010

By Khanyile Mlotshwa

Bulawayo has amazing artistic talent that needs to be given a chance to shine, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart has said.

The minister was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 13th edition of the annual Ibumba International Arts Festival at Stanley Hall on Wednesday evening.

“Bulawayo is the heart and soul of art and culture in our nation, if not in southern Africa. We have an amazing amount of artistic potential in this city. This festival reminds us to be wholehearted in our efforts in promoting artistic talent so that we can be rightly proud of our arts and culture industry,” he said.

Coltart, who opened the festival by tapping on the traditional drum thirteen times to celebrate the festival’s 13 years, said the Ibumba Festival was a success because of the support it got from the local community in Makokoba, Bulawayo’s oldest township that over the years has become the melting pot of artistic and sport talent.

“We should not underestimate the way in which the people of Makokoba contribute to this festival: by attending shows and by sharing in the expectation. It is true that in bad times people find solace in art,” he said.

The festival’s opening ceremony was attended by among others the godfather of township theatre Cont Mhlanga, poets Albert Nyathi and Paul Damasane, musicians Sandra Ndebele and Jeys Marabini, Highlanders Football Club caretaker coach Mkhuphali Masuku, and renowned theatre veteran Walter Muparutsa.

An ensemble of Siyaya, Amawumbo, Ingwenyama, Kwabatsha and Tumbuka artists put up a splendid performance choreographed around the theme of the festival, “Live Out Loud.”

Coltart said it was important that Stanley Hall, “a historic and wonderful building,” played host to the festival.

Dating back to the pre-independence era, Stanley Hall and Stanley Square in Makokoba have been the home of legendary artists like Dorothy Masuka.

After independence it was the home of the legendary Amakhosi Theatre before it moved to the Township Square Cultural Centre at the edge of Makokoba.

“What we see here is the real way in which arts and culture can play a part in people’s lives. I want to congratulate those who persevered through the 13 painful years in our nation,” he said.

Chonicle

17 December 2010

Chronicle Reporter

THE Government will not increase school fees next year because it wants education to remain affordable to every Zimbabwean, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday.

In a telephone interview, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, said the Government would prefer a situation where schools reduced levies, which at some schools were beyond the reach of many parents.
“Our fees structure is nominal and the Government would not change that,” said Minister Coltart.
“Fees are pegged by the Government while the levies and incentives are determined by School Development Committees (SDCs) in liaison with parents and that is where most concerns have emerged.”
Minister Coltart said the Government was aware of the problems associated with the payment of levies and said his ministry would negotiate with teachers’ organisations and SDCs to have levies reduced.
“The Government allows schools to determine levies according to their different and specific circumstances and in this case incentives are also part of the levies.
“Where parents agree on the payment of levies and incentives, the Government would not intervene. However, should salaries for teachers be increased next year, we will negotiate for a reduction of levies or incentives,” he said.
The fees for Government schools are pegged at US$5 and US$10 for primary schools in high density and low-density suburbs.
Parents with children attending secondary school in high-density suburbs are paying US$10 while those in low-density areas pay US$20.
However, a number of private schools increased their fees during the course of the year by about US$50.
Christian Brothers College pupils in Bulawayo for instance pay US$1 090 while those at the Dominican Convent are parting with US$1 200.
Minister Coltart’s sentiments come on the backdrop of a fierce fight between parents and school administrators over the payment of incentives and levies.
During the course of the year teachers have been going on strike while others went on go slow, in protest over incentives.
In some schools, pupils were turned away while others were barred from attending lessons for failing to pay levies and incentives.
While a majority of parents have called for the scraping of teachers’ incentives, Minister Coltart is on record, as saying incentives would remain until teachers are offered a competitive wage.

Newsday

17 Dec 2010

By Khanyile Mlotshwa

There is a need for a victim-oriented truth commission dating back to 1965 so that Zimbabwe can address the roots of human rights problems haunting the country, in the post-independence era, MDC-M has said.

The party’s secretary for legal affairs David Coltart said the 1982-1987 Gukurahundi genocide and other post-independence human rights violations should not be looked at in isolation as there was a history dating back to Ian Smith’s Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI) in 1965.

“Our emphasis is on that process of getting the truth. How far should we go to get the truth? I believe we should get back to 1965. You cannot look at Gukurahundi in isolation. What happened in the 1970s explains what happened in the 1980s,” he said.

Coltart said when the rebel Rhodesian Prime Minister declared independence from Britain, he sowed seeds of violence through which a number of people suffered human rights abuses.

“The Rhodesian army committed human rights abuses along with guerillas. Victims suffered at the hands of Zanla, Zipra and the Rhodesians. Going back and hearing from the victims what happened plays a big role in the process.

“We should go back to 1965 because that was the date of illegality. When Smith declared the UDI, that action sparked the violence. If we are being honest and objective, that’s when it (the commission) should start. I have always said that it was a great shame that we did not set up a commission after independence,” he said.

In the euphoria of independence in 1980, the then Prime Minister Robert Mugabe did not institute a commission into the Rhodesian era’s human rights violations electing, in what has become one of Africa’s few miracles, to, “turn guns into ploughshares”.

In contrast, while South Africa’s Nelson Mandela preached reconciliation, he instituted a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that caught some of the country’s liberation movement heroes and heroines offside. Coltart said in Zimbabwe it would be pointless to go beyond 1965 because both the victims and the perpetrators of that time are dead.

“Our position is the position of the united MDC that was agreed on in December 2004. We have not changed from that. Our party’s position on Gukurahundi is very clear. We need a truth, justice and reconciliation process. That is a long-term plan. We need a victim-oriented commission.

“There has been change in terms of the MDC-T policy. The MDC-T, according to page 37 of its 2008 election manifesto, talks of truth and justice and the granting of amnesty. We want a victim-oriented truth commission. It should not be up to any politician to determine what happened and what should happen. People who are victims should be allowed to say what happened to them. It is for victims to tell politicians what should happen regarding justice and reconciliation. MDC-T talks of amnesty, and I think that is premature. Victims may want amnesty, but it’s not for politicians to say it,” he said.

Coltart said his party was aware it was small within the matrix of Zimbabwean politics but it took its role in balancing the country’s political equation seriously.

“We are not one of the large political parties. We are not naïve. We are not under any illusions. But we have an important role to play. We would never have arrived at the Global Political Agreement (GPA) if it was not  for the role that (Welshman) Ncube and (Priscilla) Misihairabwi-Mushonga played.

The MDC-M’s Ncube, and Misihairabwi- Mushonga, were the party’s negotiators during the talks that led to the signing of the GPA in September 2008.

Newsday

16 December 2010

By Silas Nkala

Zimbabweans should give the education sector between five to six more years to fully recover, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart has said.

Coltart said although this year was the country’s best academic year in a decade, evidence was that Grade Seven results had “gone down” in some schools.

“We have had the best educational year in a decade this year. Teachers were at school attending classes. There were problems of course around teachers’ incentives.

“It is still early to say what the quality of this year’s Grade Seven results is like because we are yet to sit down and do an analysis. However what I have heard from different schools is that the results for this year have gone down. That is, however, anecdotal and not empirical.

“If that is the case, I will not be surprised because, despite the advances we have made in the past years, the education sector still remains in a fragile situation. There have been few textbooks for over a decade. It is difficult for any teacher to teach without textbooks,” he said.

Coltart likened the education sector to an aeroplane which is in free-fall after its engines have failed.

“We are just starting to get some of the engines going but that process is only beginning, we are pulling the education sector out of a nose dive but it takes time. We will start to have improvements by next year. But even next year, we should not expect too much.

“Grade Sevens who will write next year haven’t had textbooks for the last six years. It is impossible to fully make up the deficit of the last six years.

“We would see the impact in four, five, six years when the Grade Ones who are starting their education now would have had access to  textbooks from their first year at school,” he said.

Coltart said although it would take time for results to show, strides had been made in the education sector.

“If you look at the education sector, you will see in microcosm, the functionality of this government. If you go back and see where education was you will understand. Teachers were on strike, I had 90 000 teachers on strike. Examinations had not been marked by February 2009.

“When I got to the ministry, the head office building was in chaos. Lifts were not working. Toilets were not working, the stench was appalling. It was like a sewage pond. At times people take it easy and forget where we have come from,” he said.

The minister said the textbook programme has been the greatest achievement of the ministry to date.

“At the moment we are working hard. We are delivering textbooks to 700 schools a week. We are now providing textbooks at about 1:1 student-textbook ratio.

“For the first time since independence we have produced books in Nambya, Venda and Tonga. Next year we will be producing Sotho and other languages.
“The Grade Seven examinations started on time and ended on time.

“The results also came out on time, at the beginning of December. For the first time in over two decades we are reviewing our curriculum,” he said.