Roundup: Health problems weigh down Zimbabwe opposition leader who hints at retirement

by Gretinah Machingura

HARARE, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- Health problems have weighed down on Zimbabwe's long-time opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai who has hinted at imminent retirement from active politics, sparking fresh speculation on his possible successor and future of the opposition in the country.

Tsvangirai, who has been at the helm of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) since its formation in 1999, hinted in his New Year message on Monday that he was considering handing over the reins to the younger generation.

Tsvangirai, 65, is battling colon cancer and has been in and out of hospital since he revealed his condition in June 2016.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa last Friday visited Tsvangirai at his Harare home to offer him moral support.

"Beyond what we have achieved together, we ought to leave a lasting legacy where the baton can be changed peacefully, in a tranquil and cordial atmosphere of unity and togetherness.

"At a personal level, I am using this New Year not only to reflect on the onerous journey that we have traveled together but also to peer with renewed hope into a bright future.

"I am looking at the imminent prospects of us as the older generation leaving the levers of leadership to allow the younger generation to take forward this huge task that we started together so many years ago with our full blessing and support," Tsvangirai said.

Apart from being the leader of the MDC Alliance, a loose coalition of opposition political parties seeking to challenge the ruling ZANU-PF party in this year's elections, Tsvangirai also has three deputies in his party who include the youthful Nelson Chamisa who is 39 years old.

His other deputies are former Deputy Prime Minister during the 2009-2013 inclusive government Thokozani Khupe and Elias Mudzuri.

As a former trade union leader, Tsvangirai once shared power with former president Robert Mugabe in a coalition government between 2009 and 2013.

His party has arguably been the major and biggest opposition party to emerge in post-independence Zimbabwe, posing the stiffest challenge to Mugabe's rule until the long-time ruler and strong man resigned in November 2017 after military and public pressure.

"His (imminent) retirement has a meaning not only for the opposition but for democracy. When a leader feels incapacitated and is no longer giving the fullest or the best of their effort in any endeavor, it is advisable to take that move so that you spare your organization the agony of trying to legally or illegally remove you," said Nhamo Mhiripiri, Professor of Media and Social Development at the Midlands State University.

Mhiripiri said it was in the public interest for the ailing Tsvangirai to retire as he had done his best.

Political analyst Tichaona Muchapera said it was best for Tsvangirai to retire given his failing health.

"In view of his health it's the right thing to do as he needs time to heal.

"In terms of succession, he can appoint one of his deputies to take over till the next congress in 2019 as it is very impractical to have an extra ordinary congress in an election year." Muchapera said.

After Tsvangirai spoke about handing over to the younger generation, speculation is now rife that Nelson Chamisa could be his preferred successor.

"As for his preferred candidate, it's open to speculation but if you are to go by who he has warned up to the most the pointers are Nelson Chamisa," Muchapera said.

Whether he is ready for the top job is the question that many Zimbabweans have.

Political commentator and former MDC-T councilor for Chitungwiza Council Jacob Rukweza said Tsvangirai's retirement from active politics was inevitable given his health.

"Tsvangirai's age and physical stamina had always been part of his currency as an opposition politician. Therefore, there is no doubt that given his current state of health it is for his own good and the good of his party that he should consider retiring," Rukweza said.

Rukweza said Tsvangirai's retirement has two possible implications for his party and the MDC Alliance.

If managed well, Tsvangirai's retirement could rejuvenate his party and invigorate the MDC Alliance but if poorly managed, Tsvangirai's retirement had the potential to further divide the fractious party and subsequently weaken the MDC Alliance, he said. Enditem