A Presentation to the University of Zimbabwe, Election Resource Centre Symposium on the 2018 Harmonised
Election.
Friday 18 May 2018
By Takura Zhangazha*
Cde Chairman,
Let me begin by thanking you, the Faculty of Arts here at
the University of Zimbabwe and the Election Resource Centre for inviting me to
share my views at this important symposium on the country’s 2018 harmonised
general election. And to be particular
to share my perspectives on ‘Political Activism and the Harmonised Elections’
as advised by the organisers.
On the face of it, this is a fairly straightforward topic. Mainly because wherever there is an election,
obviously all the political activists come into full bloom. Even those that you would have thought were
more preoccupied with religion or sport than all things electoral or
political.
The more ambitious activists become candidates or campaign
managers of others.
This is the lighter side of political activism around
elections. And on the assumption that it
is done in a democratic context. But I
will return to this point toward of this brief presentation.
The reason why this topic is important is because of the
dark history of political activism and elections since national independence
and as informed by the culture of violence that stemmed in part from, the
liberation struggle.
Since 1980 the dominance and power of he ruling party has
set the tone around what it means to be a political activist or an activist for
a political party in pursuit of political power. Intentions at dominance led to ruling Zanu Pf
party leaders carrying over the culture of violence that informed the
liberation struggle into its own civilian structures, particularly in the rural
areas. Hence where there were differences with the then main opposition PF Zapu, there were regular incidences of
violence meted out against opposition activists trying to hold meetings especially
in what were considered ruling party strongholds in the early 1980s. This violence was to escalate with the historical
tragedy that was to become Gukurahundi in the same decade where at least 20000 civilian
lives were lost in the Southern parts of the country.
Historically therefore, the dominant form of political
activism has largely been one characterised by resort to violence against those
that are not in support of the ruling party.
Ideas rarely mattered. Defence of
personalities and the ‘party’ did.
In recent times an interesting dynamic has occurred. The victim has also learnt how to become a
perpetrator. Opposition activists, so
long bearing the brunt of ruling party violence (with state assistance) have
taken on similar characteristics of not only violence but more significantly protecting
the party and its leading personalities.
Again, the activism is less and less about ideas but power, even if only
internal party power, and protecting it.
Hence the perpetual splits and violence against former party members in
the main opposition MDC party.
Where we consider this year’s general election and the
political activism that we are witnessing around this, we must not lose sight
of these historical considerations.
While the events of November 2017 have been touted as a new dispensation
by the ruling party, the proximity of the general election makes it diffiuclt
to tell if indeed the latter has changed its approach to political mobilisation.
The current political activism that we are witnessing largely
through primary elections and rallies has been admittedly less violent. this is a tone, as in the past, that is
being set by the ruling party and its leadership. The reasons for this new approach is as they have
stated, to give the elections an irrefutable legitimacy in they yes of the international
community. And after the departure of
Mugabe, they had had a lot of goodwill from the diplomatic community which they
do not intend to squander in the short period before the election.
So the activism this time around will be much less violent
with such incidences being the exception rather than the rule.
There are is one other key aspect concerning contemporary political
activism that I will allude to before concluding. This
is the startling fact of how in the now a lot of political activists (never
mind their ages) are motivated by materialism.
And its not just the t-shirt, cap or bag of rice that they are given in return
for political support but I am referring here to bigger materialist
motivations. More and more campaigners, ‘kingmakers’
are thinking beyond the t-shirt and more at tangible economic opportunities that
proximity and ascendancy in a political party can bring. And some of these material benefits can be in
the form of residential stands, tenders,
access to credit and protection of business interests (including for those in
the informal sector).
In conclusion cde Chairman, the political activism of the
2018 harmonised elections is largely going to be peaceful as informed by the
approach and attitude of the ruling party.
The opposition will tend to mimic this except in incidences of frustration
or where they become victims and resort to retaliation. It is an activism that will not be driven by
a pursuit of ideas but a motivation to protect the party and its leading personalities. All in return for sometimes crass but general material reward.
*Takura Zhangazha spoke here in his personal capacity (takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)
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