The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and the Changing Geo-Political Landscape in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The rise of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) in 1999 is one of the milestone changes in Zimbabwe’s political history. This paper argues that the rise of MDC had negative and positive impacts on Zimbabwe’s political landscape. The birth of MDC was made possible by socio-economic hardships that were caused by errors of omission and commission by the government of ZANU-PF. On the other hand, it is also argued that there was western infestation in the creation and/or funding of MDC, a position held by ZANU-PF. This created polarization in the country leading to widespread violence as there was the redefinition of patriots and puppets. The paper concludes that the rise of MDC challenges ZANU-PF ‘divine’ leadership perception and had to continually seek means to remain in power.