Much as Zimbabwe’s opposition, its civil society, and the Western media, would like to create the impression that everyone in Zimbabwe is for Tsvangirai and everyone against Mugabe, the reality is that Zimbabwe is a divided society.
Not all, or even most, Zimbabweans are enamored of the opposition and the prospect of its likely retreat from the project of investing Zimbabwe’s liberation with real content.
Some, however, (yes, even many) see in the opposition a way to secure relief from the miseries of the economic warfare the West has waged against their country. For some, a vote for Tsvangirai is way of crying uncle.
Emblematic of the first view, (the view of the fighters) is the following letter written by Hamadziripi Bvopfo to the Zimbabwe Herald. I offer it for two reasons: (1) to show that the authentic Zimbabwean voice is not the monopoly of the US- and British-controlled opposition and civil society; (2) as an augury of the struggle that will continue should the opposition come to power.
Tsvangirai will never rule Zimbabwe
I wish to remind fellow Zimbabweans that the liberation struggle was not a one-day wonder.
It took many years and many lives were lost before we at last got our independence.
What had to follow was to ensure that the majority black people are economically empowered.
Land, a major reason for taking up arms to fight for liberation, had to be given back to its rightful owners — the black majority.
And when the Government embarked on the agrarian reform there were rigorous attempts to resist the program, and then the MDC was born. The imperialists were furious and are still furious.
President Mugabe became the talk of the world and has been condemned for merely doing what is best for his people.
Tsvangirai globetrotted asking for sanctions and persuading the whole world to stop aid to Zimbabwe.
The economy was sabotaged, we have hit hard times, people are struggling to make ends meet, decent meals have disappeared from our tables and the future looks very uncertain.
Morgan Tsvangirai has been on cloud nine dreaming that the hardships will propel the electorate to turn to him as the Messiah.
We are not fools.
It pains us to hear Tsvangirai’s claims of having pioneered the land reform, when we know for certain that he was sponsored to reverse the program.
We have also not forgotten a letter to Cde Kumbirai Kangai, the then Minister of Agriculture and Lands.
The letter came from Tsvangirai’s masters in 1997 — written by Clare Short — then foreign affairs minister in Blair’s government.
Short wrote in her letter that there was no way Britain was going to fund the redistribution of land, and she even went further to claim herself to be of Irish origin.
Finally to Tsvangirai, I say to you, you will never ever rule Zimbabwe.
Hamadziripi Bvopfo.
Norton.
What's Left 
People may be interested in knowing that Mugabe has not been interviewed at all by the Australian TV media, for perhaps 20 years. Yet Tsvangirai and the MDC have been regularly interviewed to state their case. No wonder the public has fallen behind the media demonisation of Mugabe.
Sorry thats ABC news in Australia
Just last night, ABC news called president Mugabe a ‘dictator’. Presumably someone has added that word to the news feed. 7.30 report’s Kerry O’brien casually referred to Mugabe as a despot. In both cases, the media were feeding the public with lies to justify what ever happens to Mugabe. It is Milosevic case all over again.
Agreed, good point, well made.
I am lucky enough to have direct first hand contact with Zimbabweans, and the general consensus is that Zimbabwe cannot carry on as it is, the sanctions have truly crippled the economy, and surprise surprise, the poorest people are hit the hardest.
However some do associate this with Mugabe, as he is the president, and say he could/ should have done things differently, although all agree that he was right to make the changes he did. A case of the right thing in the wrong way.. Although when asked how else could land reform be done without angering the former colonialists and modern day imperialists there is no answer.
One thing almost all agree on is that Tsvangirai is a patsy, and is not following a truly independent agenda.
Amongst average Zimbabweans the reality is that political points of principle are having to come second to the reality of feeding their families etc. The current sanctions have humiliated Zimbabwe into what may amount to a tactical ‘surrender’.
One thing is for sure and that is that no election can be considered ‘free and fair’ when the country in question is placed in an economic stranglehold from abroad.
Excellent points as ever, Stephen. MDC and Makoni both represent the privatisation and liberalisation agenda. Ahmed Sékou Touré is turning in his grave.
A good indication of what’s in store for Zimbabwe if MDC get elected can be found here: http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/how-zimbabwe-can-rise-from-the-dead-1333651.html
“Some white farmers must be allowed to return and Mr Mugabe’s disastrous land ownership laws, which make all agricultural land the property of the state, must be repealed. With private title deeds restored, farmers will be able to raise finance and resume production.”