In the interest of helping people make informed choices for the March 29 election, I’ve been looking for background information on the various presidential candidates and their parties.

The MDC (Tsvangirai) was pretty straightforward. Their policy document is on our site, and their website is updated fairly regularly.

Similarly, Simba Makoni’s website features a range of statements, photographs, and even Makoni’s CV.

I found “really dark horse” presidential candidate Langton Towungana’s phone number on the Telone directory online, of all places. And I was pleasantly surprised when he answered the phone himself. And was completely charming. As sceptical as I am about this election, and as convinced as I am that the “Plan B” – how we defend our vote after its been stolen – is an absolutely critical part of preparing for this election – I do have a soft spot for Towungana. It started when I first heard him in an interview with Studio 7. When asked about his election manifesto, he said “It’s there. But what’s more important than any manifesto is how we turn this economy around.” He reckons he’s on an assignment from God because of Zimbabwe’s “terrible situation.”

But what disappointed me entirely was trying to get some information out of Zanu PF. I saw that the Herald had published the introduction to the Zanu PF manifesto which they launched on 1 March. The investigating I did down various pathways online looking for the manifesto or the Zanu PF site all came up short. So I decided to give them a call. Even though they’re listed in the directory, it took four phone calls to find their correct number (+263 4 774 146). And I ended up having the most gobsmackingly ridiculous conversation with the woman on the other end of the line (who wouldn’t tell me her name). It went something like this:

Me: Hello, my name is Amanda. I’m phoning from Kubatana. I’d really like to find out more about Zanu PF. Please may you tell me your email address.
Her: Why do you want that?
Me: Because I saw that you launched your manifesto last week. I read Mugabe’s introduction to it. I want to send you an email to request that you send me your whole manifesto document and some other information about Zanu PF.
Her: I can’t give that to you.
Me: Why? Is your email down?
Her: Our email is there. But I can’t just give you the address.
Me: Why?
Her: Because I don’t know you. I can’t just give that information out to you without knowing you.
Me: Oh. That’s alright then. How about you just tell me the address for your website. Then I can go and have a look for myself. Maybe I can find your manifesto there?
Her: But who are you?
Me: My name is Amanda. I work at Kubatana. We help Zimbabweans find out more about issues that matter to them, like this upcoming election.
Her: I don’t know you.
Me: That’s alright. What is your website address?
Her: I can’t give that to you.
Me: Do you not have a website?
Her: The website is there. But I can’t just give you that information.
Me: Why not?
Her: Because I don’t know you. I cannot give you this kind of information over the phone. Best we sit down face to face and we see each other and we discuss. And then once I know you I can decide if I want to share this information with you.
Me: So you can’t tell me your website address unless you’ve met me?
Her: Yes.
Me: That’s interesting. Many political parties these days are hoping that people will vote for them. So they are sharing their information with all Zimbabweans so that the people know more about them so that they can win their votes.
Her: Yes they are.
Me: So I’m confused. I don’t understand why you would not want to share this information with me and with others. Why do you have a website if you don’t want people to go and view it?
Her: I don’t care what you think. This is our organisation’s policy. I cannot give you that information.
Me: Really? Not even an email address.
Her: No.
Me: So what is your name?
Her: Why?
Me: So I can come and see you and we meet face to face and then maybe you’re more comfortable giving me your website address.
Her: Why do you want to do that?
Me: So that I can learn more about your party.
Her: You don’t need to know my name.
Me: So then how am I going to come see you?
Her: Good bye.
Me (To the dial tone): Alright then. Thanks ever so much for all your help.

“Let the people’s voice thunder,” Mugabe said in launching the manifesto. But how are you going to thunder if you’re only willing to speak with people you know?

This entry was posted on March 7th, 2008 at 10:12 am by Amanda Atwood and is filed under Elections 2008. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.