Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
Encyclopedia
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe (MDCZ) is a political party
and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe
. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.
. The MDC was formed from members of the broad coalition of civic society groups and individuals that campaigned for a "No" vote in the 2000 constitutional referendum
, in particular the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
. The party split following the 2005 Senate election
, with the main faction headed by the founder leader Morgan Tsvangirai
and the other formation headed by Arthur Mutambara
. At the Morgan Tsvangirai-led 2006 Congress, Thokozani Khuphe
was elected for Vice President replacing Gibson Sibanda
who was now part of MDC-M.
The two factions subsequently won a combined majority in the March 2008 parliamentary election
.
Province Chairman Shaky Matake announced that they had defected from the Mutambara-led formation.
An opinion poll in 27 September 2007 by the Mass Public Opinion Institute of Zimbabwe found that of the 22% of poll respondents who are supporters of the MDC, 21% backed the main MDC formation led Tsvangirai and 1% expressed support for the smaller Mutambara's faction.
The poll takers acknowledged the survey was conducted mainly in the rural areas, traditionally a ZANU-PF stronghold, because the majority of the population lives there. It polled 1,202 of eligible voters.
(SADC) mandated South African President Thabo Mbeki
to mediate between ZANU-PF and the MDC in April 2007 to create conditions for free and fair elections for the 2008 polls. Mbeki appointed Sydney Mufamadi
, South Africa's Minister of Provincial and Local Government, and director-general in the presidency, Frank Chikane
, as the main mediators in the talks. All parties agreed to refrain from commenting on the progress of the talks in the media. Due to the media silence, it is relatively difficult to judge the progress of these talks, but both parties have agreed to constitutional amendments and the revision of certain key media and security laws. Critics argue that these changes are superficial and the mediation seems to have had little impact on a practical level. The MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai threatened to pull out of the talks if the conditions were not created in which free and fair elections can take place.
In July and August 2008, the MDC and ZANU-PF entered into negotiations in order to settle electoral disputes and to reach a compromise. The talks were both mediated by the South African president, Thabo Mbeki
.
witnessed the signing of the power-sharing agreement, brokered by Mbeki. At the Rainbow Towers hotel in Harare
, Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed the deal to resolve the crisis. According to the deal, Mugabe will remain president, Tsvangirai will become prime minister, the MDC will control the police, Mugabe’s ZANU (PF) party will command the Army, and Mutambara will become deputy prime minister. Tendai Biti has now been confirmed as the Finance Minister in the GNU and will be sworn in on Wednesday 11 November 2009.
rejected calls by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
to enshrine gay rights in a new constitution. Homosexual acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe
, as in most African countries where many people view gay rights as un-Christian and un-African.
. Tsvangirai ran for President while Mutambara backed the independent candidacy of Simba Makoni
. In the election, Tsvangirai won 47.9% of the vote according to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
results, ahead of Mugabe's 43.2%, necessitating a run-off because neither candidate won a majority. However, Tsvangirai claimed to have won a narrow first-round majority on 50.3% based on the mandatory posting of votes counted at polling booths.
In the simultaneous parliamentary election
, both factions contested most seats, with the Tsvangirai faction winning 99 and the Mutambara faction 10, compared with 97 for Zanu PF, 1 independent, leaving 3 vacancies caused by deaths of candidates.
On 28 April 2008, the two factions of the MDC announced that they were reuniting, thus enabling them to have a clear parliamentary majority. As of June 2008, the factions have not formally merged.
International media reported that MDC members and supporters, including prominent activist Tonderai Ndira
who was murdered in May, were subjected to arrests, beatings and killings during the campaign period for the second round of the election.
On 22 June 2008, Tsvangirai announced at a press conference that he was withdrawing from the run-off against Mugabe, due to be held on 27 June, describing it as a "violent sham" and saying that his supporters risked being killed if they voted for him. He vowed that the MDC would ultimately prevail and that its victory could "only be delayed".
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe
House of Assembly of Zimbabwe
The House of Assembly of Zimbabwe is the lower chamber of the country's bicameral Parliament. It was the unicameral legislative body from 1989 until late November 2005, when the Senate was re-introduced....
. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.
Foundation
The Movement for Democratic Change was founded in 1999 as an opposition party to the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party led by President Robert MugabeRobert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. The MDC was formed from members of the broad coalition of civic society groups and individuals that campaigned for a "No" vote in the 2000 constitutional referendum
Zimbabwean constitutional referendum, 2000
A constitutional referendum was held in Zimbabwe on February 12-13, 2000. The proposed new Constitution of Zimbabwe, which had been drafted by a Constitutional Convention the previous year, was defeated. The defeat was unexpected and was taken as a personal rebuff for President Robert Mugabe and a...
, in particular the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions is the dominant central trade union federation in Zimbabwe. The general secretary of ZCTU is Wellington Chibebe and the president is Lovemore Matombo....
. The party split following the 2005 Senate election
Zimbabwean Senate election, 2005
The Zimbabwe Senate election of 2005 was held on November 26 to elect members to the newly formed Zimbabwe Senate. There were a total of 3,239,574 registered voters, of which 631,347 or 19.5% voted. Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF won in a landslide election, garnering over 73% of the popular vote, in what...
, with the main faction headed by the founder leader Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
and the other formation headed by Arthur Mutambara
Arthur Mutambara
Arthur Guseni Oliver Mutambara is a Zimbabwean politician. He became the President of the Movement for Democratic Change-Mutambara faction in February 2006. He has worked as the Managing Director and CEO of Africa Technology and Business Institute since September 2003...
. At the Morgan Tsvangirai-led 2006 Congress, Thokozani Khuphe
Thokozani Khuphe
Thokozani Khuphe is a Zimbabwean politician and the Vice-President of the Movement for Democratic Change . She has been Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe since 11 February 2009, and she is a senior Member of Parliament for Makokoba constituency.In 2005 she was elected Vice President of theMovement...
was elected for Vice President replacing Gibson Sibanda
Gibson Sibanda
Gibson Jama Sibanda was a Zimbabwean politician and Trade Unionist. He was a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change and at the time of his death was the Vice-President of the faction of the Movement for Democratic Change led by Arthur Mutambara...
who was now part of MDC-M.
The two factions subsequently won a combined majority in the March 2008 parliamentary election
Zimbabwean parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 29, 2008 to elect members to both the House of Assembly and the Senate of the Zimbabwean parliament...
.
Developments in 2007
On 3 August 2007 it was widely reported that two officials of the smaller Arthur Mutambara-led MDC formation had defected to the main Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe formation, a week after talks to reunite the two parties had broken down. At a media briefing, former Member of Parliament Silas Mangono and MasvingoMasvingo
Masvingo is a town in south-eastern Zimbabwe and the capital of Masvingo Province. The town is close to Great Zimbabwe, the national monument from which the country takes its name.- History :...
Province Chairman Shaky Matake announced that they had defected from the Mutambara-led formation.
An opinion poll in 27 September 2007 by the Mass Public Opinion Institute of Zimbabwe found that of the 22% of poll respondents who are supporters of the MDC, 21% backed the main MDC formation led Tsvangirai and 1% expressed support for the smaller Mutambara's faction.
The poll takers acknowledged the survey was conducted mainly in the rural areas, traditionally a ZANU-PF stronghold, because the majority of the population lives there. It polled 1,202 of eligible voters.
Political negotiations
The Southern African Development CommunitySouthern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
(SADC) mandated South African President Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
to mediate between ZANU-PF and the MDC in April 2007 to create conditions for free and fair elections for the 2008 polls. Mbeki appointed Sydney Mufamadi
Sydney Mufamadi
Fholisani Sydney Mufamadi is a South African politician. He was Minister of Safety and Security from 1994 to 1999 and Minister of Provincial and Local Government from 1999 to 2008.-Early life:...
, South Africa's Minister of Provincial and Local Government, and director-general in the presidency, Frank Chikane
Frank Chikane
Frank Chikane is a South African civil servant, writer and cleric. He is a member of the African National Congress.-Biography:...
, as the main mediators in the talks. All parties agreed to refrain from commenting on the progress of the talks in the media. Due to the media silence, it is relatively difficult to judge the progress of these talks, but both parties have agreed to constitutional amendments and the revision of certain key media and security laws. Critics argue that these changes are superficial and the mediation seems to have had little impact on a practical level. The MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai threatened to pull out of the talks if the conditions were not created in which free and fair elections can take place.
In July and August 2008, the MDC and ZANU-PF entered into negotiations in order to settle electoral disputes and to reach a compromise. The talks were both mediated by the South African president, Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mbeki
Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki is a South African politician who served two terms as the second post-apartheid President of South Africa from 14 June 1999 to 24 September 2008. He is also the brother of Moeletsi Mbeki...
.
SADC Facilitated Government Power-Sharing Agreement
On September 15, 2008, the leaders of the 14-member Southern African Development CommunitySouthern African Development Community
The Southern African Development Community is an inter-governmental organization headquartered in Gaborone, Botswana. Its goal is to further socio-economic cooperation and integration as well as political and security cooperation among 15 southern African states...
witnessed the signing of the power-sharing agreement, brokered by Mbeki. At the Rainbow Towers hotel in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Mugabe and Tsvangirai signed the deal to resolve the crisis. According to the deal, Mugabe will remain president, Tsvangirai will become prime minister, the MDC will control the police, Mugabe’s ZANU (PF) party will command the Army, and Mutambara will become deputy prime minister. Tendai Biti has now been confirmed as the Finance Minister in the GNU and will be sworn in on Wednesday 11 November 2009.
New Constitution and Gay Rights
On October 25, 2011, Zimbabwe's Justice Minister and Zanu (PF) member Patrick ChinamasaPatrick Chinamasa
Patrick Antony Chinamasa is a Zimbabwean politician, currently serving as the Minister of Justice.-Career:A leading member of the ruling ZANU-PF party, Chinamasa became first deputy Agriculture Minister, and then Attorney General of Zimbabwe; he also holds the role of Leader of the Zimbabwean...
rejected calls by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
to enshrine gay rights in a new constitution. Homosexual acts are currently illegal in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
, as in most African countries where many people view gay rights as un-Christian and un-African.
2008 election
Tsvangirai and Mutambara failed to unite on a single MDC candidate for the March 2008 presidential electionZimbabwean presidential election, 2008
The Republic of Zimbabwe held a presidential election along with a parliamentary election on 29 March 2008. The three major candidates were incumbent President Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African National Union - Patriotic Front , Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change , and...
. Tsvangirai ran for President while Mutambara backed the independent candidacy of Simba Makoni
Simba Makoni
Simbarashe Herbert Stanley Makoni is a Zimbabwean politician and was a candidate for the March 2008 presidential election against incumbent Robert Mugabe. He was Minister of Finance and Economic Development in President Robert Mugabe's cabinet from 2000 to 2002...
. In the election, Tsvangirai won 47.9% of the vote according to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is a nominally independent organization which controls elections at all levels of Zimbabwe politics. It was established by an Act of the Parliament in 2004, with influence from its predecessor, the Electoral Supervisory Commission as well as the Southern African...
results, ahead of Mugabe's 43.2%, necessitating a run-off because neither candidate won a majority. However, Tsvangirai claimed to have won a narrow first-round majority on 50.3% based on the mandatory posting of votes counted at polling booths.
In the simultaneous parliamentary election
Zimbabwean parliamentary election, 2008
A parliamentary election was held in Zimbabwe on March 29, 2008 to elect members to both the House of Assembly and the Senate of the Zimbabwean parliament...
, both factions contested most seats, with the Tsvangirai faction winning 99 and the Mutambara faction 10, compared with 97 for Zanu PF, 1 independent, leaving 3 vacancies caused by deaths of candidates.
On 28 April 2008, the two factions of the MDC announced that they were reuniting, thus enabling them to have a clear parliamentary majority. As of June 2008, the factions have not formally merged.
International media reported that MDC members and supporters, including prominent activist Tonderai Ndira
Tonderai Ndira
Tonderai Ndira was a Zimbabwean political dissident murdered in May 2008.Ndira lived in the township of Mabvuku and Tafara, east of the capital, Harare, and was a "prominent activist" member of the Movement for Democratic Change...
who was murdered in May, were subjected to arrests, beatings and killings during the campaign period for the second round of the election.
On 22 June 2008, Tsvangirai announced at a press conference that he was withdrawing from the run-off against Mugabe, due to be held on 27 June, describing it as a "violent sham" and saying that his supporters risked being killed if they voted for him. He vowed that the MDC would ultimately prevail and that its victory could "only be delayed".
Notable party members
- Thokozani KhupheThokozani KhupheThokozani Khuphe is a Zimbabwean politician and the Vice-President of the Movement for Democratic Change . She has been Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe since 11 February 2009, and she is a senior Member of Parliament for Makokoba constituency.In 2005 she was elected Vice President of theMovement...
, Deputy Prime Minister,Vice President and Member of Parliament for Makokoba - Tendai BitiTendai BitiTendai Laxton Biti is a Zimbabwean politician. He is the Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change political party and a member of Parliament for Harare East; currently he is the Minister of Finance of Zimbabwe.-Early life:Biti was born in Dzivarasekwa, Harare...
, Secretary-General,Minister of Finance & Member of Parliament for Harare North-East - Lovemore MoyoLovemore MoyoLovemore Moyo is a Zimbabwean politician and the current Speaker of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. He is the National Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai party led by Morgan Tsvangirai....
, National Chairman and Speaker of House of Assembly; Member of Parliament for Matobo North - Nelson ChamisaNelson ChamisaNelson Chamisa is a Zimbabwean politician and member of the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe for Kuwadzana, Harare. His charismatic speeches and eloquence saw him rise to become the Secretary for Information and Publicity for the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change , and former national...
, MDC Publicity Secretary ; Minister of Communications; Member of Parliament for Kuwadzana Central - Elias MudzuriElias MudzuriElias Mudzuri is a Zimbabwean engineer and politician. Mudzuri was elected to a four-year term as Mayor of Harare, a city of 1.8 million, in March 2002. Trained in Sierre Leone as a civil engineer, the mayor is a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers. Before becoming mayor, he had worked...
, Organising secretary; Minister of Public Works; Member of Parliament for Warren Park and former Executive Mayor of HarareHarareHarare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its... - Eddie CrossEddie CrossEddie Cross is a Member of Parliament for Bulawayo South, a renowned Zimbabwean economist and founder member of the mainstream Movement for Democratic Change party led by Morgan Tsvangirai. He is currently the Policy Coordinator General....
, MDC Policy Coordinator General and Member of Parliament for Bulawayo SouthBulawayo SouthBulawayo South is a parliamentary constituency of the Zimbabwean House of Assembly located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The current member of the House of Assembly for Bulawayo South is Eddie Cross, a member of the Movement for Democratic Change... - Roy Bennett, MDC Treasurer-General and Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate
- Thamsanqa MahlanguThamsanqa MahlanguThamsanqa Mahlangu is the Zimbabwe Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment. He is the Member of House of Assembly for Nkulumane .He is also the Chairman of the MDC-T Youth wing....
, MDC National Youth Chairman;Deputy Minister of Employment Creation Gender & Youth Affairs & Member of Parliament for Nkulumane - Felix Magalela Mafa SibandaFelix Magalela Mafa SibandaFelix Mafa is a Zimbabwean activist, politician and member of parliament for Magwegwe in Bulawayo for the MDC-T party, as well as being provincial spokesperson for that party.In 1980 he was the ZAPU PF candidate for Mashonaland Central constituent in Harare....
, MDC Provincial Spokesperson and Member of Parliament for Magwegwe BulawayoBulawayoBulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe after the capital Harare, with an estimated population in 2010 of 2,000,000. It is located in Matabeleland, 439 km southwest of Harare, and is now treated as a separate provincial area from Matabeleland... - David Anthony ChimhiniDavid Anthony ChimhiniHon. David Anthony Chimhini was born on 10 June 1950 in Mutasa and is the MP for Mutasa North in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe.He attended Nyanga High school, Marist Brothers for his high school education. Hon Chimhini then proceeded to Kutama College where he qualified as a teacher. Hon...
, Founding member of MDC, first MDC National Administrator at its foundation in 1999 and MP for Mutasa NorthMutasa NorthMutasa North is a constituency of Zimbabwe. It belongs to the province of Manicaland.In the 2005 general election the candidate of the Zanu PF was declared the winner, with an overall majority. This was in contrast to the fact that the candidate of the MDC polled an overall majority. In 2008 David...
See also
- 44 Harvest House44 Harvest House44 Harvest House, also known simply as Harvest House, is a six storey building in Harare, Zimbabwe, located at 44 Nelson Mandela Avenue and Angwa Street. It serves as the National Headquarters of the Movement for Democratic Change party in Zimbabwe....
- History of ZimbabweHistory of ZimbabweAt the end of the Bush War there was a transition to majority rule in 1980. The United Kingdom ceremonially granted Zimbabwe independence on April 18, 1980 in accordance with the Lancaster House Agreement...
- MDC Congress 2005
- Politics of ZimbabwePolitics of ZimbabwePolitics of Zimbabwe takes place in a framework of a semi-presidential republic, whereby the President is the head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. Executive power is exercised by the government...
- Movement for Democratic Change – MutambaraMovement for Democratic Change – MutambaraThe Movement for Democratic Change — Mutambara is a Zimbabwean political party led by Welshman Ncube.-Foundation:The Movement for Democratic Change was founded in 1999 as an opposition party to the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front party led by President Robert Mugabe...