Is Nkosana doing a Makoni ?

Is Nkosana Moyo a Decoy or Real Deal ?

By Dumisani O. Nkomo

The arrival on the political stage of Nkosana Moyo has been received with mixed feelings. Just like Simba Makoni did in the run up to the 2008 elections Moyo has generated an equal amount of energy, excitement, dissention, opposition and measured confusion. The cardinal question on many people’s minds is “Will Nkosana Moyo have a Simba Makoni effect on the 2018 elections?” Is he the real deal? Can he actually dislodge ZANU P.F from power or is he a ZANU P.F project? Does the country need another super genius academic to rescue it from this 37-year-old political and economic quagmire epitomized by ZANU P.F mis-governance and legendary corruption?

What Nkosana Offers

Dr Moyo appears to offer a welcome relief to the Zimbabwean political landscape dominated by geriatrics, recycled politicians and at times clueless opposition leaders. The man has a swathe of ideas to turn around the economy and appears to have a profile fit for an American President. He has the academic credentials, the business acumen and looks some of the ladies say. But this of course is not a beauty pageant nor is country’s rough political terrain for  naïve theorist so his critics say. Regardless of this however Nkosana presents fresh challenges to opposition leaders to pull up their socks and rid themselves of a culture of political entitlement. Zimbabweans do after all have a choice to choose political leaders of their choice and it is the democratic right of every eligible citizen to aspire to the presidency. This is neither a sin nor a crime but a constitutional right .

Similarities Makoni

Moyo’s critics argue that he is an exact political prototype of Dr Simba Makoni. Makoni like Moyo also served in the government as Industry minister as a young and intelligent technocrat. Like Makoni Moyo boasts of Phd in the pure sciences. Makoni a [phd in Chemistry and Moyo in Physics. Both men have a swathe of international experience with Makoni serving as Executive Secretary of SADC for a lengthy period and Moyo leading various international organizations in South Africa including the Mandella Institute for Development [ M.I.N.D ] .  Nkosana Moyo has an apparent appeal to the middle class, urban youth, segments of academia an appeal which of course is still to be subjected to the realities of African electoral realities. Like Makoni , Moyo appears to proffer a third way. A way which is not like the ZANU way of autocracy or the Morgan Tsvangirai way which has been described by some as uncouth or lacking in political stratagem. However, is this third way  a mere mirage which will lead people into the wilderness instead of leading them to the promised land of a new Zimbabwe founded upon democracy, justice, social and economic transformation.

The problem I have is that whilst Dr Moyo has a lot of positives on his side his sudden appearance on the political scene appears to a deja vous moment. Once again there is the strong possibility that the vote will be split, that Zimbabweans will be confused at the last moment and a formidable coalition be scuttled by the emergence of this late arrival to the political scene. In the same way in which Simba Makoni attracted a lot of sympathy, energy and ultimately split the decisive 2008 vote, Dr Moyo is likely to do the same. He will be seen by some if not many as a ZANU P.F project. Whether or not he is one may be difficult to disprove to millions of Zimbabweans especially those in the rural areas. Actually Dr Moyo’s assertion that those who know him will campaign for him in the rural areas is the height of political naivety. The Zimbabwean presidential election is won and lost in the rural areas since the majority of the voting electorate resides there. ZANU P.F knows this well so their strategy will be to divide the urban vote and go all out for the rural vote.

I have nothing against Dr Moyo and I actually think he is a great person but he may not be what the country needs right now. He is too soft and apologetic to appeal to the mass of Zimbabweans who want to see Mugabe’s back. His messaging is so ambiguous in  such in a manner that confuses the ordinary Zimbabwean. Whilst the Mugabe must go mantra is not sufficient in this day and age, ambiguous messaging which is silent on the desirability of democratically  dislodging ZANU P.F is worrying .Moyo is an ideal candidate for the 2023 or 2028 elections . He is most relevant in a political landscape where ZANU P.F and Mugabe have  already been removed .Furthermore Moyo signalled his advent into mainstream politics by ranting against coalitions as being undemocratic . He may be right in other contents globally but in Zimbabwe right now a formidable coalition is imperative in achieving long term socio economic and political transformation. Moyo must not do a Simba Makoni on us especially at this eleventh hour .He may have noble intentions but noble intentions but noble intentions are not enough to win elections .

Mayibuye !

Dumisani O Nkomo

Nkomo is the Chief Executive Officer of Habakkuk Trust and Spokesperson of Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. He writes here in his personal capacity.