Zimbabweans now aware of their responsibility to collectively challenge status quo

A political commentator Vince Musewe has said in his opinion it is now evident that Zimbabwean citizens in general have become more aware of their responsibility as a collective and therefore more active.

"We have seen, for example, the emergence of social movements made up of citizens being a new phenomenon. In addition, opposition political parties in general, have woken up to the reality that fighting Zanu PF from separate corners has its disadvantages and it is important and likely to be more effective to come together in one form or another to establish a coalition," he said.

"Added to this, is the realisation that we all must exercise our right to vote if we are to make the electoral difference which we desire. For me these are important but not adequate considerations to be able to create the necessary confidence that indeed we can dislodge Zanu PF, especially in an election whose machinery they still control."

He said that is to say, without us seeking further changes on the electoral architecture and how elections are run and administered in Zimbabwe.

"I do not think that we can be successful in dislodging a regime which has entrenched its interests for the last 37 years and has unmitigated access to public resources and institutions which have always been and continue to be abused to create an electoral advantage for them," he said.

"I therefore do not concur with Alex Magaisa's view which says that some of us in opposition parties must simply preach a positive message of hope despite the urgent need to address the fundamental and rather obvious root causes of the circumstances which we find ourselves in. There is no authenticity in that proposition."