FORMER MDC secretary general, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, has announced plans to officially launch a new political party – ANSA, the Alliance for National Salvation, which seeks to identify politically and culturally with the socio-economic interests of Matabeleland and Midlands.
Mzila said ANSA will offload the burden of Zimbabwean unity from the shoulders of the people of Matabeleland, Midlands and redefine the politics of the country.
As the interim president, Mzila also declared ANSA will challenge beliefs that Mashonaland has leaders who have national appeal while Matabeleland politicians are made to stand as deputies.
Prior, Mzila was suspended from MDC, after he and a group of party politicians were accused of wanting to overthrow incumbent leader, Professor Welshman Ncube.
Speaking at a presser last Saturday, Mzila – seated next to his wife, spoke passionately about the party’s vision and said it would be false to perceive ANSA as a regional party.
He indicated the party’s aim was to recognise nationalities and advance communities in Matabeleland and Midlands.
“Matabeleland and Midlands have and are still facing serious systematic and systemic challenges that militate against the advancement of their communities. The dichotomy national is both applicable in the regional level. Matabeleland is a nation so is Midlands. There are nationalities in those nations,” he said.
Mzila argued that the word ‘region’ meant to define provinces had now been abused by oppressors to further subjugate people living in various areas within Zimbabwe.
“It is important to understand nationhood, we all belong to nation which has been reduced to a region and we say no to that. It is extremely difficult to understand how a nation can move from nation to a region.”
I believe also Mashonaland is a nation yet these are issues that are not spoken about this is a nation with nationalities there is no question of focus. The word region is mischief created by oppressors, today we are saying no more to that. If this initiative appeals to others outside us, we are very open but for now it is an alliance between nationalities of Matabeleland and Midlands,” he said.
The firebrand politician said Matabeleland has been disadvantaged yet it was part of a country that claimed it was united, a disadvantage that had a negative impact on the southern region of Zimbabwe.
“The burden of unity should have been shared before independence and after independence, the winning side, in this case, Mashonaland political elites should be the ones responsible for the burden of unity. Contrary, Matabeleland through Joshua Nkomo carried the burden of unity. After independence that burden remains with Matabeleland politicians.”
“Shona elites have the luxury to form regional political parties and fish for deputies in Matabeleland but the opposite is considered unacceptable. Actually, Matabeleland elites have outsourced leaders from Mashonaland to create a façade of national appeal, of course to the detriment of the region,” he explained.
“Matebeleland and the Midlands are faced by a number of critical issues, chief amongst them being the Gukurahundi, the Land Question, deterioration of the Social Services, Culture and Identity crisis, Tribal or Ethnic exclusivity, and Unfair treatment of Diaspora community.”
Mzila said so far ANSA was self funded by “tried and tested battle hardened individuals” who believed in promoting and championing for Matabeleland.
“As we grow bigger, we will need funding but we think we can’t fail to find funding locally, regionally and intentionally. This is a noble initiative, which pushes for democracy, equality and justice, concepts that are the norm nowadays,” he said.
Top politicians who are said to form the nucleus of the party include Anastasia Chikuni – Organising Secretary, Duduzile Sibanda – chairperson, Leeroy Maplanka – a former MDC activist, Abednico Moyo – a MDC founder and former national executive member, Esaph Mdlongwa – former ZAPU activist and ex-MDC Luveve MP and Nketa Dlamini Mangoye -former Mangwe district Chief Executive Officer.
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