News / Local
The Political Dilemma Book 'Unveiled'
05 Feb 2017 at 18:27hrs | Views
This year brings the count to 17 years of economic meltdown in Zimbabwe which has resulted to massive industrial shutdowns, whereby the industrial hub (Bulawayo), was not spared from the wrath.
According to business digest, nearly 150 companies folded in the second quarter of 2016, leaving hundreds jobless as the country's economic implosion continues to worsen.
Thousands of graduates are capped every year from different universities and other tertiary institutions all over Zimbabwe only to become vendors or jobless.
However, a 25year old Procurements graduate diverted his attention to politics citing that it is politics that has influenced everything to turn out the way it is.
Defying the odds in a society that is skeptical and fearful about anything that has to do with politics, the 25 year old author unveiled his first ever publication The Political Dilemma at the book launch held at Bulawayo Public Library on Saturday.
"Publishing the book was difficult because a lot of publishing houses in Zimbabwe tend to distance themselves from books about politics so l had to do self-publishing," said the author, Pluto Bonnie Ntabende.
"The inspiration to pen the book came more from seeing my fellow brothers and sisters suffer," added Ntabende.
"Why not write about politics when ultimately, it is politics that controls everything, from service delivery to health care and to all other sectors."
Born and raised in Bulawayo, Ntabende was greatly inspired by historical figures like the late Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Martin Luther Jnr, who fought for what they believed in.
"The book is mainly targeting the youths as they had shown little interest in Zimbabwean politics in the past years, yet they are the ones greatly affected as the future rest in their hands," said Ntabende.
According to Ntabende, the book tackles a lot of political issues including The Parliament, the Cabinet, and pointing out the reasons why the youths should vote and actively partake in the country's politics.
Besides focusing on youths, the book encompasses everyone's needs as it also gives the older generation an insight of how the youths perceive politics.
Even politicians stand to benefit a lot from the book as it can help them get the youths on their side and encourage them to engage in politics as book hints on the youths' expectations.
The book hits the market one year ahead of the much anticipated 2018 harmonised elections and months after the #tajamuka this flag campaign which went rampant on social media platforms last year.
The official book launch which attracted mostly male youths stirred a political debate platform whereby the youths revealed the reasons behind their lack of participation in Zimbabwean politics.
"l am not en ticed to go voting because the so called candidates have nothing new to offer, look at the Mawarire uprising which amounted to nothing because the guy lacked vision and a clear cut purpose," said one of the youths among the crowd.
"The guy was busy promoting laziness, urging people to 'stay away', stay away and then what? Because the next day people woke up to the very same problem."
One of the young men in the crowd said that he would go voting only if one of the candidates at least promises free WiFi, and the whole room busted into laughter.
"Right now we moving towards the 2018 harmonised elections and the leaders from the constituency level are nowhere to be seen, they want to just show up at the last minute with their half cooked manifestos and expect us to jump and vote for them," said one of the young men who identified himself as Shadreck.
"lf they have something to offer they should start campaigning now, reveal their agendas while giving us time to digest and see whether they are worth voting for."
A lot of youths expressed dissatisfaction with Zimbabwean politicians citing that the politicians are failing to bring something tangible to the table, as to how the economy can be turned around.
According to some youths who attended the book launch, they said the problem is that most politicians in Zimbabwe are more concerned with power and attention rather than focusing on the real issues on the ground like unemployment which has increased the levels of poverty whereby the youths are the mostly affected.
"As youths we should vote wisely, bearing in mind what we want our future to be like. Do not vote for someone because they are MDC, Zanu PF or People First, but vote for a leader who has something reasonable to offer and has a clear vision of what should be done for the next generation," said one of the young ladies during the launch.
In his closing remarks, Ntabende cited that the need to see the youths making their own decision and making their voices heard in the 2018 elections is what prompted him to pen the book. He further added that his satisfaction will come only when the youths' voter turnout number is increased in the 2018 elections
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you"- Pericles
According to business digest, nearly 150 companies folded in the second quarter of 2016, leaving hundreds jobless as the country's economic implosion continues to worsen.
Thousands of graduates are capped every year from different universities and other tertiary institutions all over Zimbabwe only to become vendors or jobless.
However, a 25year old Procurements graduate diverted his attention to politics citing that it is politics that has influenced everything to turn out the way it is.
Defying the odds in a society that is skeptical and fearful about anything that has to do with politics, the 25 year old author unveiled his first ever publication The Political Dilemma at the book launch held at Bulawayo Public Library on Saturday.
"Publishing the book was difficult because a lot of publishing houses in Zimbabwe tend to distance themselves from books about politics so l had to do self-publishing," said the author, Pluto Bonnie Ntabende.
"The inspiration to pen the book came more from seeing my fellow brothers and sisters suffer," added Ntabende.
"Why not write about politics when ultimately, it is politics that controls everything, from service delivery to health care and to all other sectors."
Born and raised in Bulawayo, Ntabende was greatly inspired by historical figures like the late Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Martin Luther Jnr, who fought for what they believed in.
"The book is mainly targeting the youths as they had shown little interest in Zimbabwean politics in the past years, yet they are the ones greatly affected as the future rest in their hands," said Ntabende.
According to Ntabende, the book tackles a lot of political issues including The Parliament, the Cabinet, and pointing out the reasons why the youths should vote and actively partake in the country's politics.
Besides focusing on youths, the book encompasses everyone's needs as it also gives the older generation an insight of how the youths perceive politics.
Even politicians stand to benefit a lot from the book as it can help them get the youths on their side and encourage them to engage in politics as book hints on the youths' expectations.
The book hits the market one year ahead of the much anticipated 2018 harmonised elections and months after the #tajamuka this flag campaign which went rampant on social media platforms last year.
The official book launch which attracted mostly male youths stirred a political debate platform whereby the youths revealed the reasons behind their lack of participation in Zimbabwean politics.
"l am not en ticed to go voting because the so called candidates have nothing new to offer, look at the Mawarire uprising which amounted to nothing because the guy lacked vision and a clear cut purpose," said one of the youths among the crowd.
"The guy was busy promoting laziness, urging people to 'stay away', stay away and then what? Because the next day people woke up to the very same problem."
One of the young men in the crowd said that he would go voting only if one of the candidates at least promises free WiFi, and the whole room busted into laughter.
"Right now we moving towards the 2018 harmonised elections and the leaders from the constituency level are nowhere to be seen, they want to just show up at the last minute with their half cooked manifestos and expect us to jump and vote for them," said one of the young men who identified himself as Shadreck.
"lf they have something to offer they should start campaigning now, reveal their agendas while giving us time to digest and see whether they are worth voting for."
A lot of youths expressed dissatisfaction with Zimbabwean politicians citing that the politicians are failing to bring something tangible to the table, as to how the economy can be turned around.
According to some youths who attended the book launch, they said the problem is that most politicians in Zimbabwe are more concerned with power and attention rather than focusing on the real issues on the ground like unemployment which has increased the levels of poverty whereby the youths are the mostly affected.
"As youths we should vote wisely, bearing in mind what we want our future to be like. Do not vote for someone because they are MDC, Zanu PF or People First, but vote for a leader who has something reasonable to offer and has a clear vision of what should be done for the next generation," said one of the young ladies during the launch.
In his closing remarks, Ntabende cited that the need to see the youths making their own decision and making their voices heard in the 2018 elections is what prompted him to pen the book. He further added that his satisfaction will come only when the youths' voter turnout number is increased in the 2018 elections
"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you"- Pericles
Source - Caroline Chiimba
