Last modified: 2004-04-17 by bruce berry
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The Movement for Democratic Change, or the MDC, contested the recent
parliamentary and presidential elections in Zimbabwe. Even though they lost, their
flag has been seen across the country.
The flag is in a 1:2 ratio, the same as the national flag of Zimbabwe.
The colour of red, black, green and yellow are present because those
colors not only derive from the national flag, but are the traditional colours of the Africa. The open hand on the flag is the election symbol
of the MDC and it represents transparency. It is holding nothing,
hiding nothing, showing commitment to change in Zimbabwe. The flag was shown in a Yahoo News Photo covering the elections.
Zach Harden, 17 Mar 2002
As there are still about 20 members of our family in Zimbabwe we took
great interest in the recent election and its surrounding events. I can
confirm that the depiction of the flag of the Movement for Democratic Change
is correct. The only addition you might like to make is that it consists
of the top four stripes of the Zimbabwe national flag.
That itself was adapted from the flag of the governing party, ZANU(PF).
This has four concentric rectangles, from the centre black, red, yellow
and green. The colours were transformed into stripes and the triangle and emblems added. In
1996 in Harare, I saw the two flags, national and party flying side-by-side.
Interestingly, whether by deliberate intent or not, the party flag was
on flag-right. I was very keen to take a photograph of them, but was told
that I would be arrested if I did so, as the party headquarters was considered
a top-security installation. As I was there on holiday, and did not fancy
an indefinite period as a guest of Mr Mugabe, I decided to forego the picture.
Michael Faul, 25 Mar 2002
The open hand, the election symbol of the Movement for Democratic Change,
was chosen as it represents transparency - We have nothing to hide,
we carry no weapons and we promote the ideals of a peaceful democracy.
In addition it illustrates that each one of us has the power to change
the current political status quo in Zimbabwe. We have that power in our
hand and we can exercise it when we vote in this year's elections.
Our Slogan: In Shona- "Chinja Maitiro, Maitiro Chinja". In Ndebele
- "Guqula Izenzo, Izenzo Guqula".
The closest English translation is; "Now is the time, fight for
change, support the Movement"
Info from the MDC
website.
Zach Harden, 17 Mar 2002