MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s sudden departure from his anti-indigenisation stance shocked many Zimbabweans who, however, described it as a humble move to align himself and his party with the ever growing global nationalistic politics being adopted by many countries. Speaking during a debate at the World Economic Forum in Cape Town last week, Tsvangirai rose to defend Zimbabwe’s indigenisation policy which stipulates that locals should own at least 51 percent in foreign owned companies. He said the indigenisation policy was not about expropriation by the powerful, but said it was about setting fair value for the black majority who are not enjoying the full benefits of the country’s economy. “People have raised concern about indigenisation,” he said. “But indigenisation is not about expropriation or nationalisation, it is about setting fair value across the political divide while agreeing on the principle of citizen empowerment.” He said what was important was how the programme would be implemented. “We are contributing the mineral resource, you will exploit it and we will exploit to the benefit of both of us. “Companies want political stability and policy consistency and we have been consistent in the area of indigenisation.” A political analyst who refused to be named, however, said Tsvangirai had finally decided to embrace indigenisation after realising that the exercise was being implemented for the benefit of the majority. He said Zimbabweans should however not be surprised if the MDC-T leader was to change goalposts again on indigenisation. He also said it should be remembered that the MDC was a neo-liberal party that represented the broader and general interests of Rhodesians and Anglo Saxons who are currently after the country’s resources. Indigenisation, he said, was now a global movement that could only be ignored at one’s peril. “This sudden change in attitude by Tsvangirai on this people-oriented policy is not surprising given that he does not want to be left out in a global movement that is now being adopted by many countries,” he said. “We now have a situation where some global economic giants like Canada, Australia and Russia are now fully exploiting their resources because of the huge global demand for commodities like minerals, this is called resource nationalisation and there is absolutely nothing wrong with Zimbabwe doing that. “As a result of this, the MDC has no alternative, but to support these programmes or risk being totally rejected by the people,” he said. Another political analyst from Bulawayo who requested anonymity said resource nationalistic politics in the country were bearing fruit and required support from everyone. Issues like control and ownership of the land and natural resources are non negotiable… Zimbabweans are expected to go to the polls this year as per GPA recomendations.