A friend and I were speaking this morning about the upcoming election. We were reflecting on how limited each of the presidential candidates are, in their various different ways. Why aren’t we more demanding, we asked one another. Why aren’t Zimbabweans more insistent that they deserve good leaders. Why do we settle for so much less than the ideal?

This was still on my mind when I came into the office and found this poem by Tawanda Mutasah, extracted from The Zimbabwean:

The Rural Vote

We are their cows
Why else would we be herded
Driven under the whip by these clowns
To the voting booths as if to be graded?
Isn’t it them who should be proving
Their worth to us the electors?
Why do the goal posts keep on moving
At the whims of these pretenders?

Chief’s dog in front, bums rotund from diverting humanitarian food aid
Chief atop brand new tractor, comically close behind
We the people, single file in between
Chief’s enforcers brandishing their whips, bring up the rear
Chief says this is to deliver an orderly vote
We the people, have been assured we are independent
Chief’s made-in-China, bright red tractor, looks quite orderly
Chief’s beard looks well developed, very black, shiny

Miss this queue that’s to be joined by every independent serf
You have lost without recourse even that barren ten-acre erf
Walk a trifle too slowly or too fast
Your tenure in this chiefdom cannot last
Smile to your marching neighbor your amusement at the Chief’s comical traction
An enforcing clown’s whip will administer prompt sanction
Mentally calculate by how much Central Bank underwrites the Chief’s beard
Food aid will be withheld by those much feared

Chief’s overfed dog arrives first at polling station
Chief arrives, chief’s bottom and tractor’s top outpuffing each other where they meet
We the people queue up in the order in which we came
Chief shows off his ballot, a clumsy “X” next to aged face of the Pharaoh
Chief beardedly proclaims: “this is how we vote in this village”
We the people are then told we are free to vote “in the manner of the village”
Chief’s enforcers stand close enough for us to smell their patriotic sweat
Chief’s dog growls steadily when it smells my extracurricular thoughts

Are we their cows?
Or is the power in our hands?
Is it enough to be placid serfs behind pained frowns?
Or, each alone in the voting booth, is it possible to seize destiny’s reins?
But before I can complete the thought
My marching neighbor taps me on the shoulder
Time to single-file back towards destiny still elusively sought
Leaving the embers of the mind yet again to smolder

- Tawanda Mutasah

News that huge salary increments continue to be awarded continues to flow out of the press and there must be jubilation out there. The beneficiaries will be like wives who receive flowers as an apology from a husband for errant and undignified behaviour that does not change one iota after the forgiveness.

These are interesting times for Zimbabwe and that is not meant to be interesting in the usual sense of the word. Indeed, the times are trying, exasperating, exacting and pushing the Zimbabweans way in to the wall. Any relief, however temporary, will thus be greeted like the second coming. Except the second coming is still a way off, if reports from the space station are anything to go by. Instead of ululating at this new found generosity that is dished out sparingly and to interest groups, Zimbabweans should instead be asking, what got us here in the first place? For us, in the coloured community that question is a no brainer. We have been shafted by both sides.

For the rest of you, remember that part of the reason why we are where we are now is because of the huge payout that was awarded to young war veterans followed by the adventure in the Congo. While this increase is welcome, the question must be asked: But where is the money going to come from? Does a father in a drought season hand all the food out of the granary to satiate every one’s hunger once and for all? Is that wisdom? By all means, take the increment, you have after worked for it and deserve it. Understand though that this is not the largesse of a political party, it is what is due to you as long suffering civil servants of an inefficient government. If the current government had not deliberately, and in a fit of a ten year long and on-going temper and tantrum, destroyed the economy you would not be in the position you are now. Accepting plasters for wounds that require surgery. The plaster might stem the outflow of blood but it will not save you.

You will have to be far more sighted than that and deal with the source of the wound so that you never have to be this undignified to the point where you only get decent increments at election time, again. Take the money, then vote him out!

What we need in Zimbabwe right now are more defections in Zanu PF, a viable plan of action for what we’ll do when the election is stolen (again), and citizens with courage. Without these, it is unlikely our next election will produce anything startlingly different than the past three have.

I’ve been reading the various reactions to Simba Makoni’s candidacy with interest. The Mutambara formation of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has gotten behind Makoni. But by and large, the response from civic activists and supporters of the Tsvangirai-led MDC has been negative. The negativity is based on a couple of factors which include his late entry – he’s seen as someone who hasn’t been around long enough as an independent; and the fact that he has been Zanu PF and he intends to remain Zanu PF.

The thing is, even if the Tsvangirai MDC does win the March 29 election, Zanu PF will still be around. I don’t see them just up and disappearing come April. And we need to reach a place in Zimbabwean politics where extreme polarisation is a thing of the past. We need political parties to work together for the benefit of Zimbabwe whilst maintaining their different philosophies and ideologies. If Makoni can move Zanu PF to a new thinking and new leadership that makes them more approachable and easier to work with, he should be given the opportunity to do so.

An article entitled It’s an election not a coronation caught my eye recently. Both Tsvangirai and the MDC should reflect on these words. It is an election in which both candidates have to work hard to convince Zimbabweans to get out the vote for them. Having worked tirelessly for the last 8 years does not automatically guarantee Tsvangirai victory. And he should not be viewed as the only legitimate challenger to Mugabe.

A Kubatana subscriber emailed us this opinion:

Loyalty is a great quality, but we have to ask to what exactly are we being loyal. The argument that we should continue voting for Tsvangirai because of his past contribution is the same argument used by Mugabe as to why we should vote for him. Didn’t he liberate the country from colonial shackles and therefore we should continue loyalty well beyond his ability or willingness to deliver “the goods”? Sometimes, we have to step back from emotional loyalty and look to the greater good. Not voting for someone is not necessarily being disloyal to that individual. People’s contributions to a cause, does not bestow the entitlement of office or reward. We do what we do because it is the right thing, not because we expect high office. If Tsvangirai doesn’t make it to the Presidency, I will still respect and honour him. I just want to see my country begin the road to recovery, both nationally and individually.

For many years the MDC has been unable to convert their stolen elections. Why would they suddenly be able to do so in 2008? A failing economy and an ailing dictator don’t necessarily place victory in one’s lap. Indeed, Mugabe has become even more shameless (his latest election jingle features the refrain: “If you want a farm, vote Zanu PF. If you want a company, vote Zanu PF.”). And Mugabe is confident that his battle-cry of “sovereignty” allows him to rig elections with impunity and run Zimbabwe into the ground without any regard to criticism.

If Makoni can somehow encourage the neutralisation of Mugabe and create a “new Zanu PF” committed to justice and Zimbabwe’s social, economic and environmental recovery then this should be seen as progress.

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” appears to have been said with African elections in mind – and Zimbabwe is no exception! With each election, there must be beatings, torture, and political rape as Zanu PF activists violently “prove” their loyalty to the party whose leader has in the past declared he was prepared to beat the daylights out of anyone who dared challenge him.

The March 29 elections have been no exception according to human rights activists with heads being bashed solely on the accusation that the victims of that political rage are anti-Zanu PF. But there are signs of defiance in the high density streets as some young – and not so young – opposition activists are literally daring the devil by loudly and proudly wearing t-shirts emblazoned with the image of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

This has been a cardinal sin since 2000 with Zanu PF supporters taking it upon themselves to “reorient” compatriots who had been wooed by the opposition – and beat these people up they did. Remember the Hunzvi-inspired re-education camps where opposition supporters where abducted and had to endure hours of torture just to convince them Zanu PF was the party of the future. Today however, hordes of MDC (Tsvangirai) supporters can be seen wearing the t-shirts that boldly pronounce their allegiance as a sure sign of defiance.

It is a statement that they have had enough and are apparently ready to take the punches from any bellicose political thug. Young men can be seen putting up Tsvangirai posters in broad daylight, while in the past this was done at night when the owls started hooting for fear of being spotted by rats who would then inform the Zanu PF “beatmasters.”

These heavies would then descend on the home of the MDC daredevil, smash the windows of his home, drag him from his bed and dispense a sound beating. “How dare you support a party that wants to return the country to British rule?” they charge without any sign they are just pulling your leg. But then, they pull your genitals, flagellate your back, and make you wish you were never born. Never mind that the attackers also live in a land where they have to contend with abject poverty, bellies full of flatulence (because there is nothing in there you see!) which they incredibly blame on anyone other than the bespectacled Grandmaster himself.

Someone mentioned that the open defiance being seen in the run up to March 29 could be because Zanu PF’s erstwhile violent types in urban areas could be sensing a thrashing at the polls and would have nowhere to hide once the Bespectacled One is given one hard kick in the political butt. So imagine today you beat up a neighbour because he is wearing an MDC t-shirt or chanting a pro-Morgan Tsvangirai slogan, and tomorrow the same Tsvangirai is your president! Interesting Dr. Watson, interesting!

But then, politics is one weird sport where foot soldiers behave as if they are under some hypnotic spell and will engage in all sorts of behaviour that defies logic. So while the politicians battle it out trading barbs, their supporters decide to clobber each other because of t-shirts.

I read with interest the other day about a young man in Epworth who got so pissed off for some reason and vented his anger by pulling down a Mugabe poster. You can already imagine his fate! The cops were – in the fashion of a rapid response team – soon onto him like flies to sh*t. Throwing him behind bars for a month, the court said the unfortunate man’s behaviour could insight violence, thus jailing him for a month was an attempt to maintain political stability ahead of the polls! Great, just great. Imagine if he had decided to burn a t-shirt bearing the face of the bespectacled Grandmaster!

Reports about opposition MDC posters being pulled down across the country by Zanu PF activists remain unpunished, and one has to wonder rather aloud if such behaviour is not likely to insight violence. Shouldn’t these chaps be thrown into the cells to “maintain political stability?” But then this is Zimbabwe where the rule of law exists in different forms for different folks! I ain’t telling which t-shirt I am wearing as I write this, but be assured it is emblazoned with a face screaming for food on the table.

And that is the face of every Zimbabwean.

Securing accommodation in Harare has become one of the most daunting tasks one has to do if you do not own a house. Almost every month, I have a chat with my family and friends on the struggles one has to go through to find a decent place to stay. Worse still with the high rentals that owners are asking for, some even in foreign currency.

In one of the usual discussions, I came across something that I never thought could happen in real life especially when people are staying under one roof. Imagine the way rentals are so high and others being paid in US dollars and someone decides to add to that a very long list of rules!! My sister’s colleague got a place to stay at some house in Southerton, paid his rental and moved in. On day one, he (to his surprise) received some three sheets of hand written paper titled ‘Rules of Accommodation’ which comprise 29 rules to be observed as long as he was staying at the house.

Right at the top of the rules is a cautionary statement, “Please do not tear this paper, read it regularly, losing it is paying a heavy fine. When addressing us, uncle and auntie is sufficient.” What amazed me even more in the introduction of the rules is the fact that the tenant is given one month probation. And that’s when I thought people only talk about probation when discussing issues of employment.

Rule number 6 reads, “Never do laundry in the tub. Use the outside sink. Hang clothes with pegs, never without. Use the line near the mango tree.” The rules also stipulate that the tenant uses tissue paper only and not newspapers. In addition to the rent and observing the rules, the tenant is also expected to bring 375ml floor polish, scouring powder, a pack of toilet paper, a bulb and toilet cleaner every month. In these hard economic conditions, I tell you it is hard to keep up with landlords’ rules.

The highlighted parts of the rules are a pointer to how much burden tenants carry in addition to the exorbitant rentals. It is such a pity to hear of such stories when there is a Rent Board and the Rent Regulation law of 2007 which ought to protect tenants from unfair treatment by landlords in Zimbabwe. Most tenants are scared that the moment they report their landlords to the Rent Board, they will be evicted from the premises and start all over again to look for accommodation.

To me, it was obvious. Being an independent meant that I was independent. Not connected to anything, any one, any organization. Not a capital I Independent. Which might imply I was part of any Independent party. Any more than being a democrat makes me part of the Democratic Party (democrat meaning the rule of the people) or being a republican (wanting to live in a country not ruled by a king) makes me a part of the Republican Party.

So why, when I say I am an independent, do people ask me about Simba Makoni? I have not formed a party. He has not formed a party. He has not asked to join my ‘grouping’, nor has he asked me to join his. Now, I appreciate that he definitely has a grouping (of like oriented individuals, I guess we would describe them), but they are individuals; not bound by any document (like a constitution) or specific creed, manifesto, declaration, etc. And they have not claimed, nor have even attempted to claim, any ‘independent’ title.

Therefore I feel quite slighted when asked about him. When the world talks to him, do they ask him about me? Or Ward 7? After all, that is the whole focus, and reason, for being an independent. So that I can work freely (if I get elected!) for Ward 7, without any constraints for party, or grouping, whatsoever.

Second question is, why does the party (any party) want to ‘have’ councilors running Harare? Surely a Party will focus on national issues. (The economy I hope). Why should they ‘control’ any city? And what can they offer Harare, that is different from Bindura? Or Chinhoyi? Or Hwange? Surely what is needed for Harare is different from what is needed from Zvishavane? Or Mutare? So every Councilor’s priority should be to his (or her in many cases I hope) Ward within the city/district that it is.

The answer came to me in nomination court. I met several ex-Councilors, who are now running for Parliament or Senate. They were moving up. “Why must we stay in Council all our lives,” was said to me often. My answer is simple. “Because this is the community we are trying to serve.” And we should be trying to serve our community, not self interest. It should not be a stepping stone to National needs.

This then is the answer to the Party question. They want control. Power. It is, for a Party, a stepping stone to National power.

So how do you feel, when you vote for your Councilor, being used as a stepping stone. Vote for an individual, not a Party. Certainly not at this level.