How many times must we write and read about being cautiously optimistic that the warring Zimbabwean political parties will finally close the deal and set our northern neighbour back on being the prosperous nation it once was.

How many times must we write and read about being cautiously optimistic that the warring Zimbabwean political parties will finally close the deal and set our northern neighbour back on being the prosperous nation it once was.

Yesterday, the Southern African Development Community announced it had arrived at a settlement that would cause Zanu-PF and the two MDC factions to form a government of national unity. SADC announced that the two MDC leaders - Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara - would be sworn in as prime minister and deputy prime minister respectively. It also said Zanu-PF and the MDC (Tsvangirai) would share the chairing of the contentious home affairs ministry, which is in charge of the police.

But no sooner had the word been spoken did the MDC start rubbishing talk of a deal. They say they are not happy with some issues, particularly those relating to the detention and police harassment of MDC supporters.

Still, knowing all that we know, we cannot afford to throw up our hands in despair. Hope should spring eternal that the Zimbabwe leaders will sooner, rather than later, place the interests of their country ahead of party politics. We are indeed cautiously optimistic that a solution will be found.