WHEN Stanford Biti was born in Murewa, Zimbabwe few years back, little did the world know that a politician of unusual merit has emerged.
This week The Zim Diaspora tracked down Mr Biti brother to Zimbabwe's Finance Minister Tendai and caught up with him in South End-on-sea, Britain's sea-side city where he was leading a demonstration against deportation of failed Zimbabwean asylum seekers.
Chairman Stanford Biti (in red cap and red T-shirts) demonstrating in South End this week.
He is diminutive and tough-talking and is not afraid of anyone, so he says. Whenever he starts speaking everyone wants to listen because his big commanding voice reminds everyone of South Africa's celebrated praise poet Muzwakhe Mbuli.
Mr Biti's critics say he is an undesirable and unpredictable politician ever to grace the MDC political arena, but we have discovered that he is the most admirable chairman in the history of his branch. And, arguably he leads one of the most dynamic MDC structures in the United Kingdom.
Melody Mthethwa (brown cap) joins other MDC demonstrators
Many would argue that Mr Biti is a very controversial individual who is in struggle with his personal demons, but today we uncover the most sensible Zimbabwean of our generation. He speaks of equality and social justice. He speaks of the need to eliminate tribalism in Zimbabwe. Before he rejoins his maker, he wants to see all the injustices addressed, he wants political accountability. He is a great and very civilised Zimbabwean. Indeed, Mr Biti is a rare species of the Zimbabwean flock, hence we refer to him as a politician of unusual merit.
Mr Biti is chairman of the MDC South End branch and his name is now popular among local journalists. He is known for exposing Robert Mugabe's stinking human rights record and he is also known for campaigning against deportation of Zimbabwean failed asylum seekers.
He was instrumental in the banning Mugabe's ally, Stalin Mau Mau who had business interests in South-End-On-Sea. Indeed, The Zim Diaspora agrees, this is what we call political activism, Mr Biti. As a result of South End-on-sea demonstrations, Mau Mau's UK safari came to an end.
Hate him or love him, Mr Biti is a fact of life in Zimbabwean politics.
A trained teacher by profession, Mr Biti together with his brother Tendai are part of the group that met in 1999 to finally transform the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) into a political force called the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
He swapped his teaching profession for politics and he says it was not meant for personal gains but to liberate Zimbabweans from the liberators. He was a teacher at Sumudzayi Primary School and because of his likeability and skills was appointed chairman of Mabvuku Tafara Sports Association. During the All-Africa Games, he was the Transport chief organiser.
No wonder why the MDC was to become a force that changed the face of Zimbabwean politics for ever. It was one part that was made up of terrific personalities. The MDC under the stewardship of Morgan Tsvangirai challenged Robert Mugabe's dominance, to put it appropriately, the MDC defeated ZANU-PF if it was not for Mugabe's rigging skills.
In Zimbabwe he also ran several companies including a hardware company which supplied farmers and locals in Harare.
"In 2000 I became my brother's election chief-strategist in Harare. And soon after the formation of the MDC I was part of the brains that organised a freedom march in Harare that brought the city to a standstill," said Mr Biti.
"It was not easy, we were brutalised by the police and the CIO. Some of those police officers who tormented me have now joined the ranks of the MDC. I see them everyday and I believe it is good to reconcile. But what I find very depressing is the fact that these people are bringing into the MDC some ZANU-PF mentality," he said.
"If ever there is a tough election, I dont think we will ever see any election tougher than the one we saw in 2000. I had to play hide and seek with Mugabe's security agents," he said.
Murambatsvina experiences
Mr Biti's lowest point came during Mugabe's infamous Murambatsvina in Harare. He is remembered by most Murambatsvina victims as a man who confronted a police manned bulldozer which was pulling down his shops.
"They all pounced at me and physically attacked me. One of the officers managed to identify me as Tendai Biti's brother. I denied any links with Tendai just to save my life. They then asked me to sing a national Anthem in Shona. Fortunately as a teacher I did it very well to their amusement. That`s how I survived, thereafter, they let me go ," he said.
He blames the Murambatsvina for the collapse of his businesses. "After that my business went into liquidation," he said.
Mr Biti says his life became difficult as the CIOs kept on tracking him down accusing him of working against President Mugabe.
"In 2006, I finally left the country for the UK. Two days upon arrival in South End-on-Sea I attended an MDC meeting here and donated 20 Rands for that matter. I was immediately elected chairman, and ever since we have reinvigorated the South End branch," he said.
Asked what was his thoughts on the government of national unity, Mr Biti said the idea was not bad because it was arrived at in recognition of suffering masses.
"But on one had the GNU has proved that ZANU-PF and MDC are like oil and water. They cannot mix and will never mix," he said.
On MDC infiltration by ZANU-PF
Mr Biti says he believed that the MDC as a part has been infiltrated by Mugabe's men and women. One thing Mr Biti prides himself of, is that he and his entire Biti family has never voted for ZANU-PF even at the midst of 1980s when Robert Mugabe was hailed as a "Shona Jesus".
"Me and my family have always been supporters of Ndabaningi Sithole. We have never at any point been friends of Robert Mugabe because we realised he is a dangerous man even during the Rhodesian war. There are a lot of evil things Mugabe did which is yet to be publicly documented," he said.
Mr Biti says the failure by the Jonathan Chawora executive to account for thousands of the MDC-UK funds stems from many years working in the ZANU-PF arena.
Mr Biti recently hit headlines when he screamed at the Chawora executive over missing MDC-UK funds, when he realised that he was not achieving any results, he threw eggs at the troubled provincial leaders.
"I find it unacceptable that someone would be entrusted by the public and then goes on to betray the public confidence. For example, Chawora and company went to Zimbabwe recently and these are the same people who are saying they will represent desperate asylum seekers in the Home Office, this is is honestly a joke. These people are not serious for that matter," he said.
Mr Biti says it was unfortunate for the MDC as a party to have encountered the leadership of the Chawora executive.
"Right now there is a lot of tribalism in the party and all this is because of poor leadership skills. We have seen the party in the UK excluding certain members of the minority and branding them sell-outs because those people belong to the other tribe. This is very depressing indeed.," he said
"My dream is to see a Zimbabwe without regions, a Zimbabwe without MaShonaland and Matabeleland. I want Zimbabweans to unite in purpose. Anyone, if capable should be voted to lead the MDC regardless of tribe, creed, colour and origin as long as you are a Zimbabwean citizen. It is only that way that we can create a Zimbabwe which we will proudly handover to our grandchildren," he said.
Mr Biti says he will not rest until the Chawora executive is brought to book over public funds which they have failed to account for, even upon request by Harare authorities.
"We have information that the Finance department in Harare has been struggling to get all the information from the Chawora-led executive to enable them address the impasse. What does that mean, It means that there is something serious which happened to public funds," he said.
Mr Biti is among the organisers of the MDC-UK uprising (rebels) in response to the provincial executive's failure to account for party funds.
It is estimated that over £70 000 has not yet been properly accounted for, a development that has divided the party into two rival groups in the United Kingdom.
On ZAPU
Mr Biti says he was particularly disturbed by certain individuals in the MDC who were in the business of castigating ZAPU and those who were now turning to ZAPU.
"Such a behaviour is Mugabe's mentality and is evidence that the MDC has been infiltrated by individuals whose way of life was shaped by Robert Mugabe. The MDC was founded upon an inviolable principle of the right to choose. If someone chooses ZAPU, let him go because that is the way of life the MDC is fighting for, than to start attacking people and branding them tribalists for joining ZAPU," he said.
"As MDC we should instead tell our people about the gains of remaining within the MDC than to bully people into staying with us or those who want something else. Honestly, everyone knows well that ZAPU is not a Ndebele party, but a national party, for someone to say ZAPU is a tribal party smacks of Mugabe's tactics which he has been using since coming into office," he said.
"Look at Joshua Nkomo umdala wethu, he was a very astute politician and we thank him for signing the unity accord to stop the Matabeleland massacres. It`s unfortunate that by signing the unity Accord he played into the hands of crook Robert Mugabe," he said.
Mr Biti is happily married to Rudo and the couple have two children, Tendai (jr) who is in Australia and Fadzai.
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- The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. ZimDiaspora is not responsible for what they say. Please keep your comments short and sweet. Obscene, tribalistic, racist, vulgar comments will be deleted.
written by Deadb4Hague, November 05, 2009
written by Ruvarashe, November 05, 2009
written by tirivashe, November 05, 2009
written by Nhamo, November 05, 2009
written by Fairai, November 05, 2009
Mr Biti keep up the good job baba...ndizvo!
written by Jola, November 05, 2009
written by Ruvarashe, November 05, 2009
written by Fatso, November 05, 2009
written by Jola, November 05, 2009
written by clara, November 05, 2009
I think both of you are bloody idiots. Biti has sent more money to Harvest House than any other UK branch, why you are busy pocketing MDC funds. Then if thats the Biti-madness you are talking about, they we love Biti. Biti ndizvo..........
written by Ripo, November 05, 2009
written by mlindelwa, November 05, 2009
written by manyondo fiyo, November 05, 2009
written by Tongai, November 05, 2009
written by Svinurai Mqhoyiza., November 05, 2009
Tribalism and corruption stinks in MDC as it is in Zanu.
If MDC was led and checked by you, it would be a unique Zimbabwean party comparable only to Zapu.
written by Svinurai Mqhoyiza., November 05, 2009
Tribalism and corruption stinks in MDC as it is in Zanu.
If MDC was led and checked by you, it would be a unique Zimbabwean party comparable only to Zapu.
written by Didi, November 05, 2009
written by Maidei, November 05, 2009
''He is diminutive and tough-talking and is not afraid of anyone'' Traits of a dictator.
''...the most sensible Zimbabwean of our generation''. LOL!!!! No comment.
''He is a great and very civilised Zimbabwean.Mr Biti is a rare species of the Zimbabwean flock''. Something not right here Mr editor.''
''...because of his likeability and skills....'' He wouldn't have enemies.
I could go on. If this was someone's reference at a job interview, i am not sure he would get the job. Too superfluos and grand staged.
Its not even three years since he arrived in England. Did he not come with a hidden agenda.
Pse note i am not commenting on his political views or anything to do with ZANU/ZAPU?MDC etc.
But i just LOL!!!!
written by Ntabeni, November 06, 2009
Mr Biti, honourable Biti, keep giving it to them. Kana vakakunetsa, come to my party ZAPU. We need level headed people like you
written by Didi, November 06, 2009
written by acadia, November 06, 2009
written by Gomoguru, November 06, 2009
written by Mthulisi, November 16, 2009
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