Pretoria opens dialogue with MDC

Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has described as “positive” the South African government’s apparent shift towards a policy of engagement with his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

The MDC in the past had been kept at arm’s length by a South African government pursuing a policy of “quiet diplomacy” with President Robert Mugabe. But last week, in a round of meetings, MDC secretary-general Welshman Ncube held talks with South African officials in what appeared to signal a decision by Pretoria to play a more effective mediation role in Zimbabwe’s political crisis. In the past, contacts with MDC had been limited to officials within the ANC.

“We have to work with the Zimbabwean government and other stakeholders to avoid a situation of total collapse (in Zimbabwe),” South African President Thabo Mbeki explained to parliament during Ncube’s visit.
“The fact that down the line they have reviewed their position is very positive,” MDC leader Tsvangirai told IRIN this week. “South Africa is the one that’s reviewing its position regarding the Zimbabwe situation, and we certainly appreciate this change of strategy to engage both sides of the political divide.”

But a South African foreign affairs spokesman denied there had been a change in tack. “South Africa is on record as saying it’s keeping in touch with all the role players in Zimbabwe to bring about peace and stability,” Dumisani Racheleng told IRIN. “If you want to mediate peace you don’t just speak to one party.”

Sanusha Naidu of the South African Institute of International Affairs believes that rather than any grand policy change, what appears to be emerging is a “subtle shift” of emphasis. “We should see it as the constructive engagement of both sides of the political spectrum.” She added that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) “has also taken a more pro-active stance to the MDC and maybe influenced the ANC”.

According to Naidu, Pretoria’s approach to Zimbabwe has been governed by the perceived need to tread softly in a region where post-apartheid South Africa is a relative new-comer to the diplomatic stage. “South Africa wants to be pro-active but on the other hand is not sure how to engage,” she told IRIN. “South Africa needs to be more clear on articulating a position.”