Ezra 'Tshisa' Sibanda and Eric Knight to stand as MPs

A NEW flair is likely to characterise this year's anticipated harmonised elections with a record eight former journalists reportedly eyeing Parliamentary seats on different political party tickets.

These include former Zimbabwe Mirror scribe Grace Kwinjeh (MDC-T), ex-journo, publisher and Makonde MP Kindness Paradza (Zanu PF), ex-ZBC reporter and Mberengwa East MP Makhosini Hlongwane (Zanu PF), ex-ZBC disc jockeys Ezra Sibanda and Eric Knight (both MDC-T), ex-ZBC news anchor Supa Mandiwanzira (Zanu PF) and ex-ZBC announcer James Maridadi (MDC-T) and former Daily News news editor Luke Tamborinyoka (MDC-T).

Kwinjeh recently announced her interest to contest the Makoni Central constituency in Manicaland.

The Brussels-based MDC-T activist said she will be coming home next month in time for the campaign period.

"Yes, I will be coming home after the MDC leadership confirmed me as a candidate in the 2013 elections. At the moment, I have campaign teams on the ground in Makoni Central where my dear departed brother John Nyamande used to be MP," she said.

"I am overwhelmed by the support from home and the invitations to stand in constituencies in Harare and Bulawayo. I chose Manicaland and Makoni as I feel that I would like to work for the development of my home area," she told our correspondent yesterday.

Mandiwanzira is believed to be eyeing the Nyanga North seat.

Mandiwanzira was recently co-opted as treasurer into Zanu PF Manicaland provincial structures.

British-based Sibanda and Knight have confirmed setting their eyes on Vungu and Mbare constituencies respectively, while Paradza is reportedly plotting a comeback to his Makonde seat with Maridadi vying for Mabvuku constituency which was represented by Shepherd Madamombe (MDC-T), who is now late.

Hlongwane would reportedly seek a second term in Mberengwa East, while Tamborinyoka is reportedly set to contest in Domboshava.

None of the three parties has officially unveiled its candidates.