Categories: Stories

Tsvangirai says Mnangagwa has to work very hard to change his character

Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said new Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa has to work very hard to change his character but he has very little choice.

In an interview with CNN in which he was asked whether Mnangagwa would meet his promises to bring about democracy, create jobs and revamp the country’s economy, Tsvangirai responded:

“Let me say that knowing Emmerson Mnangagwa, his character, he will have to work very hard to change his character so that  he can define the future of the country and define his future as a democratic, as a reformer that I doubt. But at the same time he knows that he cannot continue on the same path Mugabe has travelled and still expect the nation to respect him.”

The interview was carried out before Mnangagwa was sworn in.

Mnangagwa was sworn in today as the country’s third President and promised to create jobs and revamp the country’s economy.

He said his turn-around programme would be hinged on the command agriculture programme which has been hailed as a success.

Mnangagwa called on civil servants to return to work and vowed to stamp out corruption and bring those involved to book.

He also said elections will be held as scheduled which means they have to be held before 21 August when his term ends.

See also:

Mnangagwa’s wish list

ZANU-PF president to be in power until 21 August 2018 even if Mugabe goes

(784 VIEWS)

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Who propped whom: Masiyiwa vs Nyambirai?

A friend who knows about my legal battle with Zimbabwe’s richest man, Strive Masiyiwa, way…

May 1, 2026

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwean Constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to decide

Britain says amendment of the Zimbabwe constitution is a sovereign, legislative matter for Zimbabwe to…

March 24, 2026

Who started the war?

It is now 47 years since I wrote the short story below for a South…

March 4, 2026

Zimbabwe 2026 monetary policy statement at a glance

Zimbabwe has released its 2026 monetary policy statement in which it seeks to stabilise its…

March 1, 2026

Was Chombo Mugabe’s number two?

Far from it, on paper that is. Ignatius Chombo was one of the longest serving…

February 6, 2026

Zimbabwe’s 2026 citizen’s budget

Zimbabwe on Thursday announced a ZiG290.9 billion budget with revenue expected to be ZiG287.6 billion,…

November 30, 2025