Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwean voter, this time beware!
03 Aug 2012 at 05:53hrs | Views
Some decades ago, Zexie Manatsa and his band sang, "Vaparidzi vawanda, handichaziva wekutevera. Baba ndadzungaira…" (Too many preachers, I don't know which one to follow. I am confused).
This is the current political situation in Zimbabwe and voters must be wary of fake gold. They must penetrate the glitter and get to the substance of all these vocal parties. While the multiplicity of political parties reflects a demonstrated nuance towards an affirmed democracy, poor choices may also defeat the very purpose of the expanded voter's menu.
At this eleventh hour towards general elections, it's expedient to table the score cards of Zimbabwe's current leaders' performances to gauge their relevance and output from the political arena.
While some leaders have performed tremendously well to deserve accolades, some have woefully fared and have been mere bricks on a wall with no striking presence or contributions to society. It may be normative to remind the dear voter to avoid costly pitfalls actuated by rooting for fruitless folks.
This is the time to make wise choices. Only industrious folks deserve political tickets for the benefit of Zimbabwe.
If your MP:
• Always promises you snow in the desert just to catch your votes
• Is renowned for naps and snoring in Parliament and attends the house to boost attendance
• Was last seen in the constituency ages ago when at the last public election campaigns
• Takes you for statistical numbers and not real people with senses, feelings or needs
• Is a know-it-all who does not accept criticism or suggestions from anyone
• Never accounted for the CDF fund and yet remorselessly used it for personal gain
• Is notorious for cheers and jeers (hot air) in Parliament without any sensible contributions for your constituency or the nation at large
• Is infamous for chasing money, booze and women to the detriment of effective representation
• Relies on long-since-gone historical heroism to justify current mal-performance
• Is retrogressive and not progressive enough to cope with reality
• Advocates violence and intimidation to command power and influence among the electorate
• Flip-flops a lot and lacks practical connection with, and defined policy for, his constituents
• Is way too busy for the constituency and yet he only finds time when needing your vote to return to Parliament,
Then this could be an opportune time to look the other way and consider other available players in the political arena.
If a political party has made you:
• Feel taken for a ride or for granted through the works of its named leader
• Feel betrayed, ignored or taken for a nonentity
• Get imprisoned, detained or hurt for your open political affiliation
• Feel abandoned as you suffered and languished alone in prison
• Lose your valuables including property, goods and other chattels
• A victim of assault, violence, abuse or fear for openly supporting a party of your choice,
• Feel pressured or intimidated to the extent of turning your party regalia into underwear or nightwear
• Instilled fear and propaganda in you to the extent of self-censorship
Then it's time to move on for another party for a new choice.
If your incumbent leader:
• Loves so called "state-of the-art" cars and foreign travel when you are drowning in squalor
• Has often not walked his talk per campaign promises made
• Has baseless ideas and lacks pragmatic solutions to reality on the ground
• Is a paper tiger who is great on written policies that do not transform into practical action
• Sleeps on the leadership wheel and has no connection with the masses
• Lacks a sense of boosting infrastructure for the country at large
• Believes in a bloated government with a cabinet that at times executes duplicitous roles
• Has a daring appetite for ephemeral trinkets and yet pathetic on finding effective solutions for local issues
• Shifts policy positions (turncoat) depending on weather, mood or motive to please friends
• Advocates violence and persecution of citizens wanting to exercise free speech and association
• Does not believe in democracy, peace or better life for fellow citizens
• Is absorbed by foreign travel than effective home policies that cut costs and benefit citizens
Then it's time to return to the drawing board. This time make a wiser choice.
If your potential leader:
• Is more of a joke than a real leader and is corrupt, greedy and reckless
• Does not weigh words and facts before public speeches and appearances
• Is rigid and insulated to fresh ideas and concepts
• Lacks vision, focus or purpose in the community meant to be served
• Has, except for verbal promises, never performed any meaningful community service
• Has never demonstrated a connection with victims of accidents or natural tragedies
• Is notorious for stating the obvious and takes the electorate for granted,
Then think again. Wisdom and courage to re-evaluate your current options will unyoke you from the drudgery of political imprisonment and stagnancy that wards off national development.
When you vote those MPs in, make sure they serve and literally run for that Parliament seat. Give them a "serve or perish" condition and they will reform and serve you.
----------------------
Tapiwa Kapurura writes in a personal capacity.
This is the current political situation in Zimbabwe and voters must be wary of fake gold. They must penetrate the glitter and get to the substance of all these vocal parties. While the multiplicity of political parties reflects a demonstrated nuance towards an affirmed democracy, poor choices may also defeat the very purpose of the expanded voter's menu.
At this eleventh hour towards general elections, it's expedient to table the score cards of Zimbabwe's current leaders' performances to gauge their relevance and output from the political arena.
While some leaders have performed tremendously well to deserve accolades, some have woefully fared and have been mere bricks on a wall with no striking presence or contributions to society. It may be normative to remind the dear voter to avoid costly pitfalls actuated by rooting for fruitless folks.
This is the time to make wise choices. Only industrious folks deserve political tickets for the benefit of Zimbabwe.
If your MP:
• Always promises you snow in the desert just to catch your votes
• Is renowned for naps and snoring in Parliament and attends the house to boost attendance
• Was last seen in the constituency ages ago when at the last public election campaigns
• Takes you for statistical numbers and not real people with senses, feelings or needs
• Is a know-it-all who does not accept criticism or suggestions from anyone
• Never accounted for the CDF fund and yet remorselessly used it for personal gain
• Is notorious for cheers and jeers (hot air) in Parliament without any sensible contributions for your constituency or the nation at large
• Is infamous for chasing money, booze and women to the detriment of effective representation
• Relies on long-since-gone historical heroism to justify current mal-performance
• Is retrogressive and not progressive enough to cope with reality
• Advocates violence and intimidation to command power and influence among the electorate
• Flip-flops a lot and lacks practical connection with, and defined policy for, his constituents
• Is way too busy for the constituency and yet he only finds time when needing your vote to return to Parliament,
Then this could be an opportune time to look the other way and consider other available players in the political arena.
If a political party has made you:
• Feel taken for a ride or for granted through the works of its named leader
• Feel betrayed, ignored or taken for a nonentity
• Get imprisoned, detained or hurt for your open political affiliation
• Feel abandoned as you suffered and languished alone in prison
• Lose your valuables including property, goods and other chattels
• A victim of assault, violence, abuse or fear for openly supporting a party of your choice,
• Feel pressured or intimidated to the extent of turning your party regalia into underwear or nightwear
• Instilled fear and propaganda in you to the extent of self-censorship
Then it's time to move on for another party for a new choice.
If your incumbent leader:
• Loves so called "state-of the-art" cars and foreign travel when you are drowning in squalor
• Has often not walked his talk per campaign promises made
• Has baseless ideas and lacks pragmatic solutions to reality on the ground
• Is a paper tiger who is great on written policies that do not transform into practical action
• Sleeps on the leadership wheel and has no connection with the masses
• Lacks a sense of boosting infrastructure for the country at large
• Believes in a bloated government with a cabinet that at times executes duplicitous roles
• Has a daring appetite for ephemeral trinkets and yet pathetic on finding effective solutions for local issues
• Shifts policy positions (turncoat) depending on weather, mood or motive to please friends
• Advocates violence and persecution of citizens wanting to exercise free speech and association
• Does not believe in democracy, peace or better life for fellow citizens
• Is absorbed by foreign travel than effective home policies that cut costs and benefit citizens
Then it's time to return to the drawing board. This time make a wiser choice.
If your potential leader:
• Is more of a joke than a real leader and is corrupt, greedy and reckless
• Does not weigh words and facts before public speeches and appearances
• Is rigid and insulated to fresh ideas and concepts
• Lacks vision, focus or purpose in the community meant to be served
• Has, except for verbal promises, never performed any meaningful community service
• Has never demonstrated a connection with victims of accidents or natural tragedies
• Is notorious for stating the obvious and takes the electorate for granted,
Then think again. Wisdom and courage to re-evaluate your current options will unyoke you from the drudgery of political imprisonment and stagnancy that wards off national development.
When you vote those MPs in, make sure they serve and literally run for that Parliament seat. Give them a "serve or perish" condition and they will reform and serve you.
----------------------
Tapiwa Kapurura writes in a personal capacity.
Source - Tapiwa Kapurura
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