Many politicians approaching the end of their tenure look for something meaningful to accomplish so they can leave a great legacy. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo, MP for Bulawayo East, is not one of those politicians. This fearless MDC cadre’s work ethic demands that she leaves a Legacy in every place she is found. She challenges all the people that she meets to do and be better, to care about those living under the oppressive regime of Robert Mugabe. While softly spoken, this diminutive woman has achieved something that her more flamboyant peers have been unsuccessful at.
In September 2011 Southend-on-Sea branch took the unprecedented action of inviting Hon. Tabitha Khumalo. She was met at Gatwick airport by a contingent from the South East District. She was whisked away to the Labour Party conference upon arrival. During her visit she met with members of the South East District that had been removed from the MDC UK & Ireland website for querying the process of the Leeds elections. The MDC UK & Ireland Provincial executive then created a non-elected parallel structure for the South East. There was major division in the party because of this. The matter was not dealt with by Harare which caused a further rift. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo met with Branches in the South East. In a stirring speech delivered in Oxford she beseeched South East District branches to work with UK & Ireland Executive to further the interests of the Movement of Democratic Change. She explained that her work as the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) representative in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (JOMIC) involves her working with people who do not embrace the principles of democracy and respect for human rights. JOMIC was created January 2009 to oversee the implementation of the 27 articles of the Global Political Agreement. She said if she could get up every morning to work with members of ZANU-PF, the MDC in the UK and Ireland could work together. She reminded all that there was only one MDC-T.
Hon. Tabitha Khumalo, met and spoke to many leaders all over the UK. She talked about her vision of a united MDC-T that worked for the people of Zimbabwe. She challenged people that voted to hold their leaders accountable. She also met with apolitical groups that represent the interests of Zimbabweans in the UK like Southend Zimbabwe Network (SZN) where she explained what was happening in Zimbabwe and the challenges the people faced. She challenged all Zimbabweans in the UK & Ireland to create a blueprint of how they wanted to contribute to getting Zimbabwe back on her feet again.
Hon. Tabitha Khumalo’s visit culminated in the MDC UK & Ireland Provincial Executive engaging with the South East District that resulted in the restoration of South East District Executive. She met with the Mayor and council leaders in Southend-on-Sea where she secured scholarships to the University of East Anglia valued at about £48,000.
Hon. Tabitha Khumalo has left the MDC UK & Ireland a legacy of unity. We are transfixed on the task ahead of liberating Zimbabwe from the violent grip of ZANU-PF. The party is strong and enjoying a surge in membership. More Branches are being created. People are positive and passionate about working for a better Zimbabwe. All this is a result of one remarkable woman’s vision for her party and her country. Hon. Tabitha Khumalo is a woman I am indeed proud to work alongside with. May she live long and prosper!
Audrey Charowa
Vice Secretary
MDC South East District
