Playing a cat and mouse game

game of politics.
It is not just the satellite dishes but also the cellphone that has brought the information age right to  the ear of the voter. Communication is now relatively easy and affordable. This new information age has taken a toll on the post office. Who wants to send a letter if you can text?
The past three years have changed the political landscape. The megaphone has been replaced by SMSs even while the politician is still speaking at a rally. Those left behind will be able to know the impact of any message the politician is bringing to the campaign and can be analysed within minutes.

Those voters with satellite dishes have been watching other political campaigns in many countries and messages they carry for the ordinary voter. The voter in the USA, Russia, South Africa, India or in any African country, has the same expectations from politicians.
What has brought the world together is economics. How does a voter survive in these economic harsh conditions? It is no longer a promise of manna from heaven. The underlining campaigning message is that things could be better if corruption was brought to an end. Some are of the belief that poverty and corruption go hand in hand. If corruption is eliminated, then poverty could be eradicated.

In countries that have seen uprisings like those in the Middle East and North Africa, the voter has been persuaded to believe that economic corruption and moral decadence were the root causes of their poverty. They have voted for moral change which they believe could be brought about by their religion, Islam. Islamic parties are now in charge of Government. Whether this will translate into economic prosperity, only time will tell.
In Zimbabwe, religion does not seem to play any role for the voter to decide which party to vote for. The stage has been set for the economics of the stomach. Yes, the talk is about jobs, maybe for those young people in the cities and towns. They have seen factories and businesses closing. Most of them are now resorting to selling airtime in the street corners and at shopping centres.

Others have embarked on the flea market business where they shout at the top of their voices to attract customers to come to their stalls where merchandise will be sold at lower prices as low as one dollar per two pairs of trousers. From Harare to Gutu or Beitbridge, the flea market business has taken root. The bales of clothing are brought into country by any means available. The economic activity, especially in Harare, is amazing. Everywhere one goes, there is buying and selling taking place. Not to be outdone, the motorist has become the king of the road.

But it the manufacturing sector that is quite fascinating to watch. With no electricity to talk about, dilapidated workshops are producing door frames and gutters window frames to feed the building industries with the necessary materials. The access to the elusive dollar has also seen the manufacture of basic goods such, as furniture to bring comfort to the family life. While all this economic activity is taking place, many people do not show any happiness on their faces.

The general talk is that they are unhappy with the economic situation they find themselves in where they have to scrounge for a living. Even those who are fortunate enough to hold a full time job are on the whole despondent. What is the matter? I shall quote what a woman from DRC said on France 24 TV: “Electing politicians is like being asked to choose a driver all the time when a car breaks down. Nothing changes unless the car can be repaired.”  Maybe, this is what goes on in the mind of every voter.

If it is economics that is on the mind of a voter just like in any other country, the task of a politician becomes quite impossible. Those voters eking out a living, out of self employment in unhygienic conditions will be skeptical if politicians can just make empty promises. What many voters are looking for is not a promise but a practical plan that will take them out of their present predicament. The blame game has gone far enough. The Inclusive Government has been an eye opener to many voters who have seen the performance of politicians from various political parties in Government.

Generally, it can be safely said that the coming together of these politicians from different parties has not changed anything for the ordinary person who happens to be the voter. Those in employment are unhappy with their low salaries while those in the informal sector have their own worries as well.
What is the way forward? The politician is paid to provide the answer. The voter is listening and waiting for a credible answer. Politics is different from religion in the sense that, at least a preacher has the leeway not to promise life of material goods on earth but the glory of after life.

If people can believe that there is happiness in after life then surely the politician has an easier task to convince the voter that food, water and electricity will be at the door step or people shall get the tools and means to improve their lives, here on earth. The ball is in the court of the politician and the voter like a cat, is watching where the ball will land.