tawandamusarurwa
Richard Muponde
Zimpapers Elections Desk
MDC president Senator Douglas Mwonzora has said his party will vigorously lobby for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe, if elected into office.
Senator Mwonzora is one of the 11 presidential candidates contesting in this year’s polls, which will take place on August 23.
In an interview with the Zimpapers Elections Desk, Senator Mwonzora said his party will also seek to rejoin the Commonwealth.
“Because of sanctions, Zimbabwe does not have access to international capital, as well as international markets. We will, therefore, push for the removal of sanctions by promoting democracy, free and fair elections, as well as through promotion of human rights,” he said.
“There are great economic benefits for joining the Commonwealth. We will fulfil the conditionalities for joining the Commonwealth.”
This year’s polls, he said, should be about ideological contestations on how to transform the social, economic and political lives of the people of Zimbabwe.
“For the MDC, we are entering this election in order to attain governmental power through peaceful, constitutional and democratic means; govern differently; and change the lives of the Zimbabwean people for the better. But these elections must be peaceful, free and fair,” he said.
Senator Mwonzora said one of his party’s foremost goals is to provide free education for learners in Grade One up to Form Four.
“For higher education students, we will offer educational support in the form of student loans, grants, bursaries and scholarships. We will also provide free healthcare, which will include maternity care, as we believe that giving birth is national duty. Our government will promote the inclusion of all our people in the economic life of the nation by providing interest-free loans for people, especially the youth and women who want to start small businesses,” he said.
The MDC, he also added, has high chances of winning the elections if they are conducted in a free and fair environment.
“Zimbabweans now want to vote for ideas, and we have them,” he said.
“We will promote agricultural production and, therefore, income generation, by subsidising inputs. We will promote inclusion in the mining sector by promoting artisanal miners. In order to maximise revenue in mining, we will promote beneficiation and value addition.”
@muponderichard
Online Reporter