Healing and reconciliation should cut across political divide

As the days increasingly draw closer towards the country  having its harmonised elections in a couple of months, the story on the ground already speaks of heated contrasts on which party will have its candidate lead Zimbabwe as the Head of State, with much contest being between Zanu PF and MDC Alliance.

Zanu PF has already concluded on its primary elections, with the opposition MDC-Alliance yet to finalise on who its candidates will be, from councillors to Senators. As the selection process revealed, both parties have not had a smooth sailing progression, with anomalies being noted and respective parties acting in their different accords, to address such and prepare for the ultimate battle which is to land the Presidential Post.

As it is, Zanu PF resolved to hold a healing and reconciliation workshop meant to unite all candidates who participated in the Party's primary elections, with the aim to have the losing and winning candidates work together and enable resounding success, not of an individual, but of Zanu PF as a whole.

Giving credit to Zanu PF for encouraging unity of purpose, one also has to be objective and open minded and understand that, such engagements have only one end result, which is to win and thrive. This becomes a commendable show of workmanship, where individuals put aside their personal differences and work together to make sure that a common shared vision flourishes.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, on numerous platforms has been preaching on unity, peace and hard-work so that Zimbabwe becomes a greater nation for the benefit of all citizens. It is in the same vein that Zanu PF holds the healing and reconciliation workshop to remind its members that a common goal is only achieved after people learn to collectively work together. Participation from Party members becomes a confirmation that peace and unity are unifying factors in making sure that the Party wins resoundingly during the elections.

This is the same spirit that Zimbabweans should adopt, and remember that there is life after elections and inroads to working together should not be deterred by political differences.

It is unfortunate that young men like MDC-T national deputy youth leader Shakespeare Mukoyi confessed how the youths in the party, under the Vanguard tittle, were being used by MDC-T leader Nelson Chamisa to prop him up to Party president, including attacks on Thokozani Khupe and anyone opposing his elevation. MDC-T has gone into its third week trying to finalise on the selection of candidates to represent its Party ahead of elections, with irregularities including imposition of candidates, violence and voter intimidation being some of the reasons marring the process. For a Party that describes itself as a party of excellency, it surely leaves a lot to be desired.

It is also however fortunate, that such assertions are being made, so that other youths are made aware of the misfortunes of being used to do dirty work by overzealous politicians to further their own selfish agendas and it is never too late to break away from systems which promote violence.

Healing and reconciliation should be a national anthem that cuts across political divide so that elections are conducted in a peaceful environment that is not soiled by violence and bloodshed. At the end of it, Zimbabweans should remember that progress is only made and success achieved through unity, peace and working together. It is a collective effort where every individual is tasked to contribute towards the growth of the economy, regardless of political affiliation.

In President Emmerson Mnangagwa's words, "a house divided cannot stand."Zimbabweans should come together, work together, as no one is more important than the other. We are all Zimbabweans.