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Dr Masimba Mavaza
Arguendo is a Latin term meaning “in arguing” or “for the sake of argument”. When one assumes something arguendo, the person is asserting a hypothetical statement to be true.
The person doing the arguing can also be called an eristic: It makes me mad when that eristic wins his debates with his false arguments.
The Greek root word is eris, “strife or discord.” Definitions of eristic – given to disputation for its own sake and often employing specious arguments.
Yet Zimbabwe has witnessed a flood of opposition political parties who are opposing for the sake of opposing.
CCC does not want people to understand that political parties are formed by people who share certain fundamental beliefs.
That these values can be quite different to those of Zanu PF.
Now, so far in the campaign rallies and messages going on, CCC has not told people any values and any reason for opposition.
It is sad that these parties hope to be elected to Parliament on a platform that is based on the lack of values. And that having been elected on such a platform, voters expect them to act in accordance with their platforms and beliefs, which are not there.
So far, the take always from CCC rallies are that they have anything to say to the people of Zimbabwe.
All they are telling people is that Zanu PF must go. This mantra promises nothing and shows that the opposition, in particular the CCC, is opposing just for the sake of opposing.
Zanu PF takes these elections seriously because they are the crux of our existence as a nation.
Well, CCC has certain beliefs, which were shaped by its founders.
For instance, CCC advocates for inviting former colonisers to come back and recolonise Zimbabwe. Chamisa said he never wanted Zimbabweans to continue to be free. He blames our freedom on freedom fighters.
CCC is anti-welfare, anti-human rights, anti-family, pro-gay and yet accuses Zanu PF of human rights abuses. CCC believes in elitism, anti-self-sufficiency, secrecy and surprises.
The New Dispensation believes in more human rights instead of less, egalitarianism instead of elitism, equality instead of discrimination, more welfare instead of anti-welfare, it believes in our land and our people.
So, it is fair and true to say that CCC opposes just for the sake of opposing.
And when they do get into Parliament, they will be there to wreck the country by opposing Zanu PF, just for the sake of opposing.
They will be disrupting peace and promoting divisions.
They promise to open flood gates for white people to reclaim Zimbabwe in the name of money, disregarding the ultimate payment made by freedom fighters.
The other aspect of CCC’s ‘opposing for the sake of opposing’ is even more sinister. It accepts that Zanu PF is right, but still wants to oppose it anywhere.
CCC has no beliefs, and to that end it is wrong to oppose without an alternative.
We have on our hands an ineffective opposition party that simply opposes the Government for the sake of opposing.
Following a spate of rallies by both parties and social media debates, we are left with no other choice, but to conclude that the opposition opposes everything, just for the sake of opposing.
Their arguments and objections are without substance, lack merit and never present a solution to the problem they identify.
They have become like the spoiled kids of the jungle.
While the very nature of the election campaign is to ensure transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility and value for the electorate choice, most of the arguments put forward by the opposition have no credibility and do not lend to any of the factors outlined as Zimbabwean problems.
An example of the mediocrity that passes for intelligent campaign speech is Chamisa himself.
He recommends that the whites come back. Clearly, the combined opposition has no legitimate grounds for disagreement, but is like a drowning man clutching at straws.
All Zimbabweans pray for the day when good sense and maturity will prevail so that these rallies can be enlightening and effective, rather than a circus show put on by the bumbling opposition clown who is a pastor.
We must never give a damn about CCC and Chamisa. They are spoilers. We have people like them in Zimbabwe and they have caused chaos and suffering.
CCC did not happen by accident; they are a part of the machinery and is performing under instruction. We will always have such people and we only find them in the opposition because, don’t be fooled, they are performing both foreign and domestic duties.
They are decoys used to divert attention from certain issues and try and send voters the wrong way.
Zimbabwe has suffered for so long and apart from sanctions, the country has suffered more because of the paid opposition. Zimbabwe fought for freedom for land and for those famous four words, “one man, one vote”.
Now we have elections and the opposition abuses them by just opposing for the sake of opposing.
Zanu PF got the land to the people and there is enough land for those who can utilize it not only for their own benefit, but for the nation’s good as well.
Youth are the backbone of their nation; they are tomorrow’s leaders and they should, of necessity, be exposed to everything going on around them.
They are our future leaders, but what do we get out of it when we teach them wrong targets, cheer after they make speeches that polarise the nation and let them spark violence.
These CCC leaders should be the future parliamentarians, but at this early stage of their political lives they are already rubbishing elections and the results thereof.
What should we really expect from these CCC members?
Their responsibility as opposition is to digest and analyse what is going on and come up with alternatives, a position and a stand which would form part of their party’s policies.
They should not just oppose because they are in opposition; they should not just oppose because something has come from a man they oppose. This is not representing the people.
Opposition parties do not exist just for the sake of opposing, but must come up with alternatives and articulate them to the people in exchange of a vote.
Political parties exist for people and those at the helm of such parties much never forget that they hold those positions in lieu of their constituents.
23 August is near, we need to be ready. Zimbabwe, iwe neni tine basa.
Online Reporter