Zimbabwe Prime Minister Tsvangirai Urges Tolerance, National Unity
At a funeral, Mr. Tsvangirai urged Zimbabweans to set aside their political differences and work together for the good of the nation
In a graveside eulogy of Mpopoma-Mabuthweni Senator Gladys Gombani-Dube in Bulawayo, Mr. Tsvangirai said people should take the example of the late MDC lawmaker Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai called on Zimbabweans Thursday to unite and work together to build the nation despite their political and ideological differences. In a graveside eulogy of Mpopoma-Mabuthweni Senator Gladys Gombani-Dube in Bulawayo, Mr. Tsvangirai said people should take the example of the late MDC lawmaker who he said worked well with her counterparts from President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF in the constitutional revision process. Mr. Tsvangirai did not address the issue of elections looming possibly in 2012 or the deepening divisions in the unity government. ZANU-PF officials attending the burial also spoke highly of Gombami-Dube, saying her death was a huge loss to the nation. She died Monday after a short illness. All three parties in the inclusive government were represented at her burial. Deputy Spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo of the Tsvangirai MDC told VOA's Ntungamili Nkomo that the nation must shun political polarization. "Senator Gombami-Dube was a uniting force, and she is an example that the prime minister urged Zimbabweans to follow," Khumalo said. Independent political analyst Effie Dlela Ncube commented that unity can only be achieved when the leadership from all political parties make it a priority.