It’s polytricks time again

positioning themselves for political office.
Regrettably, the positioning in many instances involves vote-buying.
It’s also regrettable that it works sometimes. It is simply taking voters for granted for one to make distributing “goodies” a bigger priority than proposing policies that benefit the communities under constituencies.
Proactive and dedicated politicians have been busy in their communities since winning, or losing the last elections.
There are many examples of selfless Zimbabwean politicians who put the people’s interests first.
But there are also those in politics for personal gain, politicians that use money to get voted into office and do absolutely nothing for the people that entrusted him/her with a mandate to look after their interests.
Politics is a business ticket to them, one that offers both business opportunities and political power. But they are hardly a part of the community.
They go to the constituencies in fancy cars complete with their sunglasses, and their mineral water and their umbrellas, and sit on those “high tables”.
By failing to identify with the people, they fail to understand them. Some develop an employer-employee kind of relationship, where the politician is bigger than all the people around them combined.
Others prefer the teacher-student paradigm, where they assume they know better than everyone else, and do a lot more talking than listening. But arrogance, coupled by the assumption that all else is ignorant has its dangers.
Why would one ask his/her rally crowd that includes senior citizens to repeat some sentences?
It certainly is good for emphasis but those would not be students, but rather a collective force that the politician works under.
They are a cross section of what Zimbabwe is made up of, and they long for development, prosperity and a good future. The last thing they need is a smiling guy with loads of money to spend for a short while.
Under normal circumstances, the guy should only be a voluntary employee tirelessly working for the voters, reporting back and always looking to do more.
Being a politician was never designed to be a job, but a lifestyle for those passionate about involving themselves in developmental projects and looking after the areas they represent.
Some though, hide behind what their political parties stand for, and then pollute the whole electoral system with money. Some of the political figures have realised that money can buy anything, including unlawful and unethical means of winning.
This is why political parties must prioritise formulating a clear-cut criterion for nomination of candidates. The disqualified must be able to understand and respect the party’s decision and those participating in elections should adhere to strict codes of conduct.
Money has become a factor when it really shouldn’t. An election win should not be for the one with the biggest election budget, but a reflection of the wishes of the electorate based solely on the candidate’s proposal and subsequent actions.
Election results in the country will continue to be a “vague” reflection of the voters if candidates from the same party split votes and give someone that ordinarily would not stand a chance, a seat in Parliament.
When they get elected, some go into “hibernation mode”, only to reappear years later with T-shirts and bags of soya beans.
It should be unfair for one to dangle a carrot asking for a favour, go away and only return with the same orange-coloured vegetable for another round of elections.
It should also be seen as downright insulting for one to view people as a commodity whose valuable vote could be bought or sold. It’s disrespectful for one to belittle the people that give him/her power.
I have heard cases of prospective candidates rushing to get their hands washed as soon as they finish shaking the palms of the prospective voters.
Some refuse to join in during some activities such a dancing and eating.
Others fail to observe the customs and traditions of their hosts and prefer to seek refuge behind the sunglasses and expensive suits.
Drawing a line between “me” and “them” only serves to alienate one from the people.
How is one supposed to serve the people when he/she addresses a group they can’t stand being in the same room with if it were not for the much needed votes? Genuine politicians should be honest individuals with a passion for working with the people and having little to gain from being in a public office.
Without doubt, they should be paid for their efforts because they dedicate a great portion of their working lives, and even beyond, to being public servants.
However, the obsession with wealth should only be second, if at all, to efforts directed at lifting the people and the country.
Holders of public offices should always remember that they are the servants and the people the paymasters, as voters are the only indispensable part of the voting process. If they are unable to understand the people, the least they could do is to respect them.
Respect enough to value one’s right to choose, and respect enough to refrain from bribing voters.
The politicians should respect, enough to offer a helping hand, in whichever way they can so that the electorate does not simply see a victory for a political party, but hope for a better life and future.
A ticket to the polls should mean a chance to help, and not a display of one’s buttocks as they step on people’s heads towards the top.