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Mashudu Netsianda
WITH 11 days left before the 31 July harmonised elections, the country’s major political parties have intensified their campaigns, reaching out to every corner of Zimbabwe in endeavours to win the hearts of the electorate. Campaign teams drawn from different political groupings are traversing the length and breadth of the country selling their policies outlined in their manifestos to neurotic Zimbabweans as they try to convince them to vote for their political formations.
The parties are on a cut-throat campaign trail trying to outdo each other in the race for power and authority as the election date approaches.
Political parties, big and small are in heightened state of campaigning and anticipation.
It is indeed that time when people’s elected representatives and other aspiring candidates for public office go directly to the electorate seeking a fresh mandate to lead them. Election period presents an opportunity for ordinary people from all walks of life to flex their muscles as they elect candidates of their choice. However, these choices need not be influenced by blind loyalty and euphoria for change for change’s sake, taking into consideration the manipulative propensity of politicians, especially whipping up of emotions when elections are just around the corner.
Sadly, the tragedy of Zimbabwean politics has been the quest for self enrichment and personal fortification by some leaders chosen by the people instead of devotion to national interest and that of the electorate.
Zanu-PF launched its manifesto on 5 July at Zimbabwe Grounds, Highfield in Harare culminating in the rolling out of massive campaigns throughout the country as the revolutionary party gears up for the polls.
The party’s spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo said the manifesto buttresses the ideals of indigenisation and empowerment. .
“The Zanu-PF manifesto is mainly anchored on empowerment and employment, which are the key issues that the party seeks to address,” he said.
President Mugabe, who is also Zanu-PF president and first secretary and therefore its candidate for the presidency, said:
“The essence of Zanu-PF’s ideology is to economically empower the indigenous people of Zimbabwe by enabling them to fully own their country’s God-given natural resources which are the means of production.
Through our deliberate socio-economic policies and achievements since our heroic independence, we have laid a firm foundation for the attainment of this strategic goal. Notably, our achievements have been blighted since 1999 by the twin evils of regime change and the illegal economic sanctions.”
“The last five years of the awkward GPA government have exerted the greatest toll on the people’s aspirations,” President Mugabe said.
A political manifesto is a declaration of intent, policy or aim issued by a political party, which the electorate uses to assess the strength of what a particular party would do if voted into power.
Political analysts have said employment creation and economic revival were the bread and butter issues for the people of Zimbabwe.
Zanu-PF has crafted clearly defined policies and programmes that are meant to economically empower black people and make them masters of their own destiny.
The revolutionary party has successfully implemented the land reform programme, which has benefited more than 200 000 families.
MDC-T has also intensified its campaign programmes with teams mobilising for support in every constituency.
The party launched its manifesto in Marondera in Mashonaland East on 7 July.
In an effort to attract people to vote for the party in the harmonised polls, MDC-T has in its manifesto come up with the “Juice Plan.”
The party says in the event that it is voted into power, it would create decent employment opportunities for all Zimbabweans, create an environment for citizens to acquire entrepreneurial and business skills as well as the creation of a “ friendly environment” for both domestic and Foreign Direct Investment and promoting economic freedom and entrepreneurship.
The party also says that it would manage the country’s foreign debt and develop an external debt resolution plan.
In its Juice Plan, MDC-T says it will create one million new jobs by 2018 as well as resuscitate companies and entities with potential to provide jobs.
Looking at the document, it however, remains unclear how the party would implement the policy.
The Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC formation is set to launch its manifesto in Binga, Matabeleland North.
The party’s spokesperson, Mr Nhlanhla Dube said they have lined up campaign rallies throughout the country with a joint manifesto and policy launch expected today in Binga.
“We have now intensified our national campaigns and we have collapsed our provincial structures to district level and those in the district to ward levels so that we are able to reach out to everyone through our door-to-door campaigns.
“Our teams have been deployed on the ground 24 hours a day and seven days a week and they are spreading the party’s central message to the people, which is ‘devolution is our new revolution.’
“Our message is very clear as MDC we have politics of programmes that benefit and uplift the lives of poor and marginalised communities,” he said.
Zapu president Dr Dumiso Dabengwa said his party’s campaign teams were also on the ground to mobilise support ahead of the elections.
“As Zapu we are out in full force to garner support for our party ahead of the elections. Our people are on the ground and they are busy campaigning in their constituencies so that we cover ground despite the challenges in terms of resources,” he said.
Dr Dabengwa said his party had lined up rallies, which he would address in Masvingo and Chitungwiza to drum up support.
In the 2008 harmonised elections, Zanu-PF got 97 seats while MDC had 99. The other MDC formation, which was then led by Professor Arthur Mutambara, secured 10 seats with the remaining seat going to Professor Jonathan Moyo who was then an independent candidate before rejoining Zanu-PF.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo