I have a number of friends and acquaintances that are
running for political office in Zimbabwe’s scheduled harmonised election. The greater majority of them intend to be local
government councillors, others still want to be members of parliament and one
or two intend to be the president of the country.
Some are brazen while others are a little bit more circumspect
about their ambitions. A few are doing
it for fun. And a fewer more are doing it on behalf of their political party. One
or two still believe they were chosen or sent by God to seek political office
and as a result thereof strongly believe that they are guaranteed victory. Oddly
there are some that are claiming to be testing the waters for the 2023
elections by running in 2018 where ironically they do not expect to win.
None of them appear enamoured to any specific ideological perspectives. If they are they go with what’s trending and don’t
ask too many questions. Be it of their respective
party manifestos or some ‘free market’ persuasions they encountered at a learning
institution or workshop.
The reasons for this are varied. But most significantly is that if they are in
the opposition they probably feel that they have been in the trenches for long
enough to be nonchalant about ideas. Or
that their personal political experiences (torture, arbitrary arrest and
detention) at the hands of the long
ruling Zanu Pf party are enough reason to deserve political office. A point that is somewhat understandable.
Regrettably a number of these colleagues are also in it for
the benefits that come with political office.
The prospect of allowances, perks, salaries and determination of tenders
appears to be very motivational. In fact
some of them deliberately chose to run for local government because of this as
opposed to a specific desire to be closer to the people.
A number of the candidates I also know are also doing it because
they are young. No more no less. They are strongly persuaded that it’s now
their turn to lead because they are youthful and therefore much more able
bodied to be in leadership. Given the population
demographics, being young, on its own helps score political points or even
electoral victories. Regrettably for
them, it is still not enough to guarantee electoral success. Let alone to give one political gravity. But
it most certainly helps. And there is always the rider that even if you are a
young candidate that loses this time around, you can always try again next
time. Health and life permitting.
What is however more important is that all of these
colleagues, are playing an important part in enabling the democratic right of
all Zimbabweans to choose leaders of their choice democratically. And in a democracy there is no such thing as ‘too
many candidates’. Especially in an
electoral period. People should be
spoilt for democratic choice. Even if 23 presidential candidates make the
ballot paper longer.
The only critical aspect to all of these candidates is that
they must commit to the enhancing of a democratic culture not only for elections
but in all aspects of Zimbabwean lives and the state itself. To participate in the 2018 election as a
candidate essentially points to some sort of commitment to the democratic
process. While at the same time accepting the possibility of defeat.
Because based on the party manifestos, candidate promises,
there are no big ideas that are being pushed for. Most candidates for every contestable position
are not saying much that is different.
The proposed economic policies of all the major parties are neo-liberal. A majority of individual candidates share a messianic
streak supported by religious dogma. And the rest of the field is largely
opportunistic. So the
truth of the matter is that there are no high stakes in this election. At least
not on substantive matters. It all
appears to be a matter of preference.
And that’s a good thing (at least for a functional democracy).
The only challenge is that the more our politics is imbued
with materialism, celebrity style campaigns and non-contextual neo-liberal
marketing pitches as ideas, then it is bound to lose its organic feel with the
people. But then again, we deal the hand
that we are dealt.
*Takura Zhangazha writes here in his personal capcity
(takura-zhangazha.blogspot.com)
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