We, the people of Matebeleland and Midlands, humbly call on: 

1. Dr. Dumiso Dabengwa: President of Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU) and
2. Prof. Welshman Ncube: Secretary-General of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and 
3. Their respective political parties; Zimbabwe Africa People's Union (ZAPU) and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to form an alliance which will immediately work together for the good of the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces.

Introduction

It is a well documented fact and political reality that the people and regions of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces have for the last 30 years of Zimbabwe's independence, been consistently treated as second-class citizens in all matters of national interest.

This has manifested itself in many ways, including but not limited to
a) Human rights violations
b) Mis-allocation of national resources
c) Misrepresentation at all leadership levels (business and political)

Although mere lay people, we the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces, are fully aware of and appreciate the electoral power we hold and entrust to our elected political leaders.

We fully comprehend the constraints and difficulties our past leaders have operated in and the forced positions they have been forced to take. Notably, the signing of the Unity Agreement in 1987 between ZAPU and ZANU as well as the more recent formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) following the agreement between the splintered MDC and ZANU.

Despite these constraints and difficulties, the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces have since the 1980s demonstrated their detestation for the ZANU-PF politics of violence, tribalism and systematic marginalization of these regions by consistently voting for the opposition until the unity accord was signed in 1987 which effectively left Zimbabwe without any formidable opposition party. The formation of MDC in 1999 saw the people of Matebeleland and Midlands rallying behind it.

Our rallying point has remained a constant desire to see the removal of ZANU-PF from all spheres of government.

2008 Presidential and Parliamentary Elections

The 2008 presidential and parliamentary elections were ground breaking as they reaffirmed the people's power to choose their political leaders and placed Zimbabwe on the doors of a new political dispensation.

Despite the violence, intimidation tactics and manipulation of results employed by ZANU-PF, the electorate was very clear in consigning ZANU-PF to the dust bins and annals of history.

Unfortunately, for Zimbabwe and most importantly the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces, ZANU-PF's saving grace was a fractured and much divided opposition vote which led to their retention in the lop-sided, ineffective and forced on GNU.

Present day politics and way forward

The impending end of the GNU, imminent elections and present day Zimbabwe politics as a whole, yet again present us the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces with an opportunity to unite and end all ills afflicting our regions and country because of ZANU-PF and claim our rightful place as fully fledged and rightful citizens of Zimbabwe.

This will only be attainable on the proviso that you (Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and Prof Welsman Ncube) as our political leaders and your respective political parties, immediately form an alliance which will agree on:

a) One presidential candidate
b) One parliamentary candidate per constituency
c) A manifesto or set of goals to be attained by your coalition government
d) A formula for the allocation of all senior civil servant posts

We observe that there are no fundamental political differences in the ideologies or the general appeal of both ZAPU and MDC to the general electorate. The majority of the people in Matebeleland and Midlands will certainly vote for either of these two parties.

The problem, however, is that if the two parties do not form an alliance, the majority of the votes, per constitution and nationally, will be a split between ZAPU and MDC. In the current majority-takes-all system, this will clearly be to the advantage of MDC-T (and in one or two constituencies--ZANU-PF) as they will be declared the majority winner. The net result will be the people being represented in parliament and senate by people from a party which effectively does not carry the mandate from the majority of the electorate in that particular constituency or nationally.

We sincerely believe that your parties (ZAPU and MDC) need each other as much as the people of Matebeleland and Midlands need both of them.

We implore you not to antagonize each other but to act on the clear synergies and lead us the people to our goals of political and economic emancipation.

We implore you and your respective parties to put the interests of the people of Matebeleland and Midlands provinces (which should also be your interest) first.

We implore you to listen to the people who have and will give you the mandate to lead them.

We implore you to show selfless and dedicated Leadership as we wait to hear you announce the alliance.

As time is of the essence now, we trust that all necessary negotiations will be speedily concluded and the proposed alliance announced no later than 28 February 2011.

Thus done and signed for and on behalf of  l

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