Tsvangirai, unfortunately, now realises that to go into government on Mugabe’s terms is political suicide for him, and no lasting comfort for his people. The “West” will not make funds available if Mugabe’s still calling the shots, that has been made abundantly clear and nobody’s given Tsvangirai a magic wand, except perhaps one that makes fellow Zimbabweans magically disappear whenever the Opposition or civil rights groups attempt any kind of public demonstration against the state (not that I blame them, given the likely consequences). The sad fact is that Mugabe is willing to shed plenty of blood to stay in the game, but Tsvangirai is not, in order to get into the game. So the agony goes on and Zimbabweans might as well be dead already, for all they are able or willing to do about it themselves.

So, let them all speak, and keep speaking. Their words aren’t worth much, but it’s all they can do….It’s not Mugabe who matters any more, but Zimbabweans everywhere, who need to know that their pain and abuse at the hands of the tyrant does not go unseen. The other important audience includes the would-be kingmakers of SADC…They too need to know that their current approach is ill informed and totally out of sync with the rest of the world. They must face reality and understand that if we keep on putting two fingers up to the international community like this, our own countries and dearest projects such as the 2010 Soccer World Cup will suffer for it.

When respected voices have been raised across the world, including those of Africa and friends of Africa, it becomes ridiculous for Mugabe to bang that old racist-colonialist drum. Not that being ridiculous ever stopped ZANU-PF, but as I say, it simply is not about them any more. They’re history, and everyone knows it except them. So let the chant swell across the globe and let the whole world join in: Mugabe must GO!! Sooner or later, the right people will start listening.