Yesterday, I reported on the lack of basic painkillers and intravenous fluids at Harare Hospital.
The spokesman for the CCC faction aligned with Nelson Chamisa, Promise Mkwananzi, responded by saying that this is what I should focus on, rather than critiquing them.
Below is my response to him on Twitter.
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Mr. Promise, the nonsense you are tweeting shows that you don’t understand the role of the press or the political opposition in a democracy or even under authoritarian rule.
As media, it is our job to critique everything in public life, including the opposition and its effectiveness!
I see you continue to tout the so-called “citizen leader” instead of an institution. Personally, I don’t want to follow a personality, I want to follow an idea and a cause.
Whoever leads effectively is who I will follow!
This country’s problems don’t take holidays, they need to be tackled daily.
So, you can’t tell me to report on these issues without questioning the opposition’s role in pushing the regime to fix them.
It is a ridiculous proposition which is devoid of any understanding whatsoever of how our institutions are supposed to work.
It is political madness to expect a journalist to focus on a broken healthcare system while what you call the “Citizen Leader” is on sabbatical.
It means you don’t understand the role of the opposition, and that is worrying!
The media’s role is to act as a watchdog for both ruling and opposition parties, informing the public and fostering debate on issues that affect our people, it should do so without fear or favour always unless it has been captured.
It is crucial for the media to critique all aspects of public life, including the opposition, to ensure a well informed citizenry and a robust democratic process.
The opposition’s role is to hold the government accountable, represent citizens’ interests, and serve as a counterbalance to the ruling party by offering alternative policies and ideas.
This can’t happen if they are on sabbatical or if the effectiveness depends on only one person who can take political holidays.
No one can do it if there is no credible and legitimate opposition.
When Dr. Mashumba broke down in tears while speaking to the former health minister in 2019, I put down my pen and took on the role of a leader.
I set up Save Our Hospitals Zimbabwe and brought millions in goods into Zimbabwe’s public hospitals.
That should have been the opposition’s role, not a journalist’s.
See👉🏿https://nehandaradio.com/2019/03/15/save-our-hospitals-initiative-launched-in-zimbabwe/amp/
So, Mr. Promise, when your “citizen leader” is on sabbatical, it is essential to question their ability to fulfill their role as an opposition leader effectively.
When journalists like myself step in to address critical issues, such as healthcare crises, it underscores the importance of a strong opposition in holding the government accountable and advocating for change.
My job is simply to report that there is no medication at Hospital B and explain why that is the case.
The role of the opposition is to push the government to secure that medication as soon as possible by making noise daily and embarrassing the government into action.
Their role also includes organising alternative medication for citizens while simultaneously shaming the government.
If I were the leader of the opposition today, I would mobilise my health advisory team and secure funds to obtain painkillers and intravenous fluids, just as Hopewell the journalist did throughout 2019.
I would show the country that under my leadership, the people would have an effective government that responds to their needs immediately.
But how can you do that when you are on sabbatical, Mr. Promise?
Does politics go on sabbatical?
Is a journalist supposed to take over the role of the political opposition?
When we step in, you accuse us of wanting power and intending to contest as presidential candidates!
If you are a genuine opposition, pull up your socks and give help to the people who need it but aren’t getting it.
I did my job as a journalist by reporting on the issue.
As the opposition, you should have ideas on how to address these crises.
You can’t run for office if you don’t have solutions for crises as they arise.
I have demonstrated numerous times how to do it.
You can’t just come election time asking for money and votes.
