Political activist Nigel Chanakira has left the country after casting his vote in the just ended election.
Taking to Twitter, Chanakira said people have to engage and dialogue much more with all politicians for a better Zimbabwe.
So! Elections done and dusted. “Ngoma ndiyo ndiyo!” (Same old Zim!😅). It’s back to the grind for some of us; regional and global opportunities look more sustainable from my personal viewpoint so as to diversify and avert earnings, savings, investments, retirement funds and medical aids from being eroded the likely local environment. The prevailing blatant and brazen corruption, intolerance, misappropriation of resources, hyperinflation and fragile exchange rate for all who care to see have led me to another fork in the road.
Nobody listens and cares anymore within the ruling elite. Like most Zimbabweans I used to be timid and private about my political views but I have now become more decisive and openly swayed in a different direction for the sake of our beloved country. Folks, we have to engage and dialogue much more with all politicians for a better Zimbabwe. Left alone they will not govern for the people both at national and local government levels but for themselves. Not that my opinion counts or has ever counted for much, but my prayer is that ZANU PF will reform itself further to become a modern, progressive and futuristic party that is not tone deaf and optics blind.
Being a rural focused party that does not incorporate the urbanites, the middle class and independent thinkers plus not speaking truth to power, could be its demise. The lack of a 2023 manifesto was shocking to say the least but then, the 2018 election Presidential pledge must have been rather too embarrassing to contemplate a new release.
CCC as the main contending party remains in substance, a movement that must now evolve to become a democratic party. They seem to listen more based on my personal engagement and skirmishes with them. My sagas with water, roads and vehicle clamping in Harare have yielded tangible results. Currently they depict some favorable alternative policies within their manifesto of being all inclusive, energetic and youthful. Their underdog status after having been stripped off the assets amidst the MDC fiascos and starting afresh is commendable and has all caught my attention.
CCC Councillors generally though, have been a disappointment in local governance and the corrupt and poor performances have not been endearing. They clearly survive by a protest vote in my in that they remain by far the only meaningful opposition party yet have fared poorly. I lived in Cape Town for many years and I have witnessed that opposition parties can successfully run cities and municipalities. I pray that they do better if they are Re-elected. A maturing nation demands that our national and local governments must have at the very least a functional commonality for the good of the public.
As for the other parties, perhaps the lure of POLAD and having an “also ran” C.V. drew them into the race but frankly, they have been very poor at mobilizing followers and articulating their objectives and seem to only serve to sanitize a skewed election. Politics in Zimbabwe remains a tough if not dirty game and very expensive to whisky we are at it. It clearly is not for the meek and mild. Others are simply in it to be used to rubber stamp pay masters. This explains why women in general and many notable male potential candidates steer clear. The leveling of the playing field within political parties and within the scope of national elections needs serious addressing for more equitable representation.
I personally yearn for a better Zimbabwe than heretofore and by God’s grace I will live to see it within my lifetime. I’m more addicted and loyal to my God and my country than I ever could be to a political party. Blind loyalty, even for a football club including my beloved Liverpool FC, sounds pretty dumb to me. Others selfishly vote and follow for the benefits that they derive from political parties. I personally have never subscribed to doing business via political favors and I never will. May God’s sovereign will for our beloved Zimbabwe prevail. Bye Zim🙏🏿❤️🇿🇼
