Words and sounds
You have to marvel at the picturesque language and the quips that have found their way into our ears as political parties hit the campaign trail.
Bloomberg wrote “Tsvangirai’s Bid to End Mugabe’s Zimbabwe Rule Fades” without showing how that bid was fading. The MDC is ‘doomed by its failure to end police support for Zanu-PF,’ said Valentia Kaseke, a security guard in Harare’s northern Emerald Hill suburb. “All they can do is wait for Mugabe to die and then Zanu-PF will be in disarray.” Turns out Tsvangirai’s bid for power is fading not because of being unpopular but because Mugabe is showing no signs of expiring any time soon!
The Daily Maverick called “Mugabe, the hot favourite” and a wise crack appeared on Twitter “literally or figuratively.”
The Herald not to be outdone by the incendiary headlining wrote: “Revolutionary party ignites star rallies” a headline that came a day after a Harare garage went up in flames with the Harare fire brigade reportedly failing to put out the fire. Next time the fire brigade must be on stand-by with plenty of water outside a Zanu PF rally in case it ignites!
Another Herald headline announced rather confidently “Zanu-PF stretches election lead.” Indeed, talk about stretching it!
Then another wise crack on Twitter: When is Mugabe hitting the campaign trail? He could always use a wheelchair to go around the country kana zvaka-presser.
Another added, “Even the Zanu PF manifesto launch was not free and fair. Once inside the venue, there was no exit until Mugabe’s speech ended.”
It’s going to be a beautiful few short weeks to 31 July.