Interview with Zapu parliamentary candidate for Motobo South

Today I had an opportunity to interview Mr Joakim Moyo, who is an aspiring candidate for parliamentary elections for Matobo South Constituency. The elections are now around the corner, 31st July 2013, has been recently upheld by the Constitutional Court as the legitimate and proclaimed election date. Moyo talks in difficult issues which affect his constituency and also casts a wide net into other constructive national issues.

Thulani: The election season is upon us, the atmosphere is pregnant with expectations, could you please allow me to ask you to interpret the political state of affairs for us, ZAPU has fielded quite a sizeable number of candidates for parliamentary and local councils, what electoral chances does the have after a long time in the political wilderness?

Joakim: Everything comes per season and goes with lots of expectations. For Zimbabweans it is yet another period of hope for a better future. In fact people are now praying for elections to usher in a different type of leadership, which I may call servant leadership. If Zapu wins a substantive number of seats in the forthcoming plebiscite, for the very time in the history of Zimbabwe, people's aspirations and expectations will be squarely met, for people's aspirations are Zapu's aspirations, intractably interlinked. The political wilderness that Zapu has emerged from, has been a "University of Hard Knocks" where Zapu graduated with distinctions in human dynamics and real-time development. Zapu's chances of making a mark are high because we have been on the ground mobilising people longer than all other parties.

Thulani:  Who is Joakim  Moyo? what inspired you to get involved in politics, some say politics is a dirty game played by dirty man in clean suits?

Joakim: Joakim Moyo is a son of a peasant farmer,  who has lived through rural poverty, rubbed shoulders with affluence, gone back to work with the peasants. He is an educator; a father, an advocate for peace and bleeds at the sight of unfairness.

Thulani:  Where were you born and what are your chances at winning the Motobo South  Constituency?

Joakim: The chance of winning in Matobo constituency are very high as I have already alluded to above, that we have been on the ground, we have done what we call people's needs identification and analysis, but above all we have now managed to build symbiotic relationship with the people, but let me hasten to say people will and have to decide, they have a choice, a wide selection of choice, between what has been there before and denied them opportunities of life or what is new and appealing, which will enable them to control their lives and live dignified lives once again.

Thulani:  ZAPU is known for its flagship policy of devolution of power, how will this really work in practice if ZAPU performs extremely well in the forthcoming elections?

Joakim: A ZAPU win, be it provincial or national,  would see the three tiers of government empowered to handle matters in their power. Provincial councils would plan, control resource exploitation in areas within their jurisdiction. Councils would do the same. Each would retain the lion's share in revenue generated locally. ZAPU governance recognises supremacy of the people in deciding on matters of their livelihoods. The national government would be the regulatory and liaison authority on matters of international linkage. Devolution is all about bringing the government close to the people, giving people the authority and power to decide their destinies, namely, political, social, economic etc.

Thulani:  As an aspiring MP what are your priorities in terms of development in your constituency?

Joakim: The constituency needs are, in order of priority; water, power, roads, land consolidation, services consolidation and re-education on ownership and stewardship. These are what I believe to be hygiene factors giving strong foundation for sound economic take off. Our needs assessment clearly indicated that these were the needs that people in my constituency will be happy if met.

Thulani:  What sets you apart from the current incumbent MP in your constituency, in other words what are your unique selling points (proposition)?

Joakim: Our current MP doesn't has dismally failed to our mobilise people to identify real problems affecting them, he is like an alien in our community, his ideas are devoid of reality, he seems to prioritise petty problems of non-significance. My approach is people driven, I do not impose my ideas on people, and my focus is leadership in coordinating and harnessing human capabilities in idea generation and implementation.

He seems to look outwards and up to government for solutions. I believe in people initiated solutions, on people identified problems. I believe in re-education on newer technologies in order to remove alienation by having people able to identify with newer technologies and finding value in them.

Thulani:  Zimbabwe is clearly a lost dream, where do you think the country went wrong and what can be done to resuscitate the dream?

Joakim: The Zimbabwean Mega-dream was shattered in 1963 when ZANU was formed. A group of young, educated, tribally driven Turks waged a senseless war against wise that had leadership skills to unite all the people. This group has been in charge for the past 50 years but have not delivered anything other than the economic malaise we find ourselves in today. We allowed these people to take us for a drive and for granted for too long. Zimbabwe is very tribal in all spheres of life and this has to be undone as a matter of urgency if we are to revitalise our economy and usher in a dispensation where people will be treated as equals regardless of tribe or race. People should conduct themselves and be treated on merit than on tribal affiliation. There is also a distorted history on who owns Zimbabwe as if it is a private limited company. To me this country is Public limited and such publics include people of all colours as long as they associate with the country. The ZAPU dream and vision of a non-tribal Zimbabwe was completely lost in 1980 when the government of Mr Mugabe took over under dubious conditions.

Thulani:  The issue of gukurahundi, and marginalisation of the Matebeleland regions and peoples are a great concern which remain unattended to, what is your view of this and how could this be seriously and sensitively tackled?

Joakim: Gukurahundi was, is and shall remain a live wire until it is neutralised and earthed. Only then can it exude a useful current for development. A massive offence was committed by power hungry and a deliberate ruse to safe-guard private interests. Its masterstroke was the twin devil's duo choir. A truth and reconciliation commission must be set up, where perpetrator confess and ask for forgiveness from victims. Monuments must be erected in memory of the innocent of this genocidal and barbaric acts and a holiday must be declared in which all Zimbabweans recommit themselves to peace and vow never again should ethnic cleansing be allowed. Denial of these genocidal atrocities should be criminalised. Marginalisation can be redressed through deliberate bias investment towards areas that didn't get their share during disturbance times. All it needs is national commitment.

Thulani:  If there is one question, which I have not asked but that you are dying for me to ask, what would it be and how would you respond to it?

Joakim: The question that remains unasked is "What is leadership?" I see it as "a people's choice that ignites continuous self-driven actions". This is like in the following equation "Leadership is equal to good followership, where followership is inspired by the leader for the benefit of the led and self". Thank you.