Outsiders cannot solve our problems

THE die has been cast and it’s game on. As political temperatures continue to rise ahead of the harmonised elections next week, candidates are intensifying their campaigns for the decisive plebiscite. Zanu-PF aspiring MP for Pelandaba-Mpopoma, Cde Joseph Tshuma (38) is one of the 10 candidates who are contesting, probably the highest number of contestants for any constituency in Bulawayo. He has been very visible on the ground, canvassing for support in the constituency which Zanu-PF lost to MDC in 2000.
Cde Tshuma, who surprised many when he beat seasoned politician and Zanu-PF Politburo member, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu in the party primary, is a successful young businessman who has a passion for the constituency which he wants to resuscitate after the 11 years of failure by MDC-T.

He said Zanu-PF does not play student politics of sending a postman or a messenger of court to the august House like MDC-T did in 2008 and seeking to do again this month. Immediate past MDC-T MP for the area, Mr Sandla Khumalo, left his job as postman after he was elected. This time around, the party is fielding Mr Bekithemba Nyathi, a messenger who beat Mr Khumalo in a controversial primary, which turned out to be a battle of errand boys.

Cde Tshuma said people in his constituency want proper water and sanitation and improved access to education.

He said: “Zimbabwe attained political independence not economic independence and this is the reason we are saying the economy should be in the hands of Zimbabweans. We want to build this economy together with people. We will find solutions to the problems we are facing together again. We will not run to America for solutions to our own problems.”

If elected, he said, he wants to bring back improved sanitation in the constituency, provide furniture in schools and empower youth and women.

“I want to address the issue of sanitation in my constituency especially in Iminyela and Mabutweni. The situation is worrisome because in some areas four families share one toilet. I want to build toilets so that sanity prevails in this constituency. The other issue is to bring up youth social clubs. There is a tendency of youths taking much of their time drinking alcohol. We want to open clubs that were last used when the constituency was still in the hands of Zanu-PF. Youths will take their time learning different sporting activities which include boxing.

“The education system in the area is also not good at all. Furniture in schools is in bad state and I wonder how the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was used. There are a number of drop-outs because of poverty in some families hence we want to bring back the issue of food in schools. This is the time for people to stop voting in anger or frustration. Zanu-PF is the party that can bring back development.”

The vibrant Cde Tshuma said he will go to Parliament representing people not his family and friends.

“My mission is to represent people and what they will tell me, I will do,” he said.

“I am not going to Parliament to get cars and squander money like what this other MP did. I went to school, I was employed in several companies and I have leadership qualities and I have money to sustain my family hence I will spearhead development in this area.”

Cde Tshuma did primary education in Hwange as well as Bulawayo. He did his secondary education at Mzilikazi High School. He founded his first information, communication and technology company in 2001. The business has grown over the years and he now runs a gold mine, milling company, butchery and a sports bar in Nkulumane.

He holds two diplomas in information and technology and marketing.
Cde Tshuma said he worked in various organisations that include OK Zimbabwe, Innscor Africa and Zimsun Casinos.

He became active in politics in 1995 when he was in Bindura. Then he held the position of district secretary for information and publicity. He relocated to Bulawayo in 2002 and has held several positions in the party. Now he is the provincial deputy secretary for transport and welfare in Bulawayo.

He is married to Beauty Nyoni and they have two children.

Cde Tshuma also said people in the constituency are looking forward to improvement of Pelandaba Clinic, as it is the only clinic in the constituency.
“The clinic is for the people and improving the infrastructure and helping the clinic in sourcing funds for medicines would be some of my tasks. The clinic is under the city council but as the MP I would assist because it will be of great benefit to the community. Furthermore, we are working towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and developing the clinic implies that the city and the country at large will be in a good position to achieve the desired goals,” said Cde Tshuma.

He is confident of victory, come 31 July.
“The reality on the ground is that I am going to win,” he declared.

“People understand me and the policies I am telling them are real. The leadership qualities I have cannot be compared with other contestants.”

He also said problems being faced by people in the city that include closure of industries that led to high rate of employment and the country at large can only be addressed by Zimbabweans.

“Outsiders cannot solve our problems,” he said.
“We have to work together as citizens and there is no reason why people should rush to the Western world for solutions. We will struggle together, fall together and rise up together until we reach Canaan.

“In this constituency, when I win, we are going to have a constituency meeting every month where I will be briefing them on issues that will be taking place in Parliament. The meeting will be a dialogue between me and them where we will be mapping a way forward for problems they will be facing.”

Other contestants are Mrs Duduzile Dube of MDC, Mr Nyathi, the former messenger, Mr James Katso of Free Zimbabwe Congress, Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo, the former MDC-T member standing as an independent, Dr Strike Mkandla (Zapu), Ephraim Thamsanqa Zhou (Alliance Khumbula Ekhaya), Mr Chad Sakala (Zapu-FP), Mr Vusumuzi Joseph Mabhikwa and Thamsanqa Jealous Ndlovu are both standing as independent candidates.
Cde Tshuma does not see anyone from the above doing better than him. He urged party members to be united and vote for Team Zanu-PF.