Why the people of Bulawayo should be voting Zapu in June 10 By-elections

The people of Bulawayo find themselves in an interesting position.  Out of 14 constituencies that have been voluntarily relinquished by the MDC parties, five of those are in Bulawayo by coincidence or design.  It is more than likely that this is by design to lessen the influence of the people of Bulawayo in order to sterilise politics and avoid contamination with ideas from this 'largely un-educated Khalanga' backdrop. If that is the case, this is cause for concern as it may have unwittingly exposed a convergence of ideology between Zanu-pf and the MDC parties.  But then it may be mere coincidence that the five ex-MPs from Bulawayo find themselves in the political scrapheap. If it is by coincidence, this is another para-suicidal move by the MDC parties with unintended consequences that can lead to further internal self-destruction of this once mighty opposition movement. Expelling their own MPs at a time when they have committed themselves irrevocably to abstain from participating in an election on Zimbabwean soil is a 'dumb' move showing lack of political maturity at best and political naivety at worst. It is tantamount to freely donating parliamentary seats to Zanu-pf.

What the people desperately need is sound representation in the legislature. Bulawayo needs local MPs to fight their corner in this 'dog eat dog' environment.  Bulawayo needs a voice in HQ Harare in order to address the problems that have besieged this city for well over three decades of misguided Zanu-pf rule and marginalisation.  We have seen the gradual stripping away of the city's assets coupled with de-industrialisation at a massive scale. The historical industrial giant has been reduced to growth-point status in economic terms. Where have all the factories gone? In their place all that remains are dilapidated buildings with the big locks and chains at their gates. The result is ever rising unemployment and poverty in the city.  In the City of Kings! We need women and men who are willing and able to take the fight back into the backyard of our new oppressors. We need our MPs back in parliament to express the wishes, needs and aspirations of our people.

That is why we should be relieved that Zapu is participating in these elections.  Let us go out in huge numbers and vote for the five candidates standing for election on a Zapu ticket. Let us keep our oppressors at arm's length, at a safe distance over there.

We are calling out on all Zapu supporters and sympathisers to mobilise support for these candidates.  Let us mount a door to door campaign reminding the people of Bulawayo how lucky they are that they have been given a stark choice to kick out Zanu-pf out of Bulawayo for good or be forever doomed to perennial suffering. Let us not forget that our comrades in other regions are facing the prospect of Zanu-pf winning  seats largely unopposed,  thanks to the MDCs. However, we, the people of Bulawayo, have an opportunity to keep Zanu-pf out of Bulawayo.  These by-elections are so crucial that we beseech all the residents of Bulawayo to ignore our petty political differences and vote together to keep our avowed enemy outside the city boundaries. We call upon our sister parties devoted to the dismantling of the dysfunctional Zanu-pf machinery to vote with us.  We call upon all the pressure groups and other civic  organisations  in and around the City of Bulawayo to rescue the city from the jaws of Zanu-pf.

ZUPA has signalled its full support of Zapu candidates  in the coming by-elections. Zanu-pf's economic  credibility is zero.  

We call upon the MDC  core-vote  to be used against  Zanu-pf by supporting  Zapu candidates  in these by-elections. MDC supporters can correct the mistakes of their leaders who are  abstaining  from these coming elections by lending their vote  to Zapu.  As for the few Zanu-pf sympathisers still remaining in Bulawayo, on this occasion we say your Bulawayo needs you more than Zanu-pf wants you.

The candidates seeking your votes in the coming by-election are local to their constituencies.  They have not been bussed in from some remote village or town. They have a connection with the areas they seek to represent. They have a deeper understanding of the development needs of their townships.  Their lived experiences give them the inside knowledge of what needs to be prioritised to revive Bulawayo's economic fortunes.  They were there in the good old days when Bulawayo was Bulawayo.  They are better placed to facilitate a bottom-up change as dictated by the wishes of the city's residents.  That is why you should entrust them with  your precious vote.

These Zapu candidates have gone through the fire and emerged without a blemished record. They are men of honour. They are principled and are willing to die while holding dear onto their pro-democracy ideals. They are battlers and are battle-hardened warriors. They have been in the trenches before and are ready to serve again. They have made contributions to Bulawayo in various capacities. Now they are seeking to serve you once more in a different capacity.  Vote  Dr  Strike Mnkandla (Phelandaba-Mpopoma),  Mr Jonathan Ndlovu (Makokoba),  Mr Casper Sibanda (Lobengula-Njube), Alderman Michael Bathandi Mpofu (Pumula) and Amon Nyamambi Dube (Luveve).  Every vote  counts.

The future of Bulawayo is in our hands. Let us not be fooled by  Hon VP Mphoko's suggestion that meaningful change comes only from Zanu-pf's  cabinet.  Zanu-pf has wasted over thirty years during which time they could  have won the trust of the people of Bulawayo. They should have sent their Messiah Hon VP Mphoko between 1982 and 1987 when we need to be rescued from the 5th Brigade.  Where was Tata Mphoko when our people's jobs were trans-located to the Northern region? And more recently when our dignity was stripped bare following the hypnopompic hallucinatory utterances about the Khalangas by the Hon President of the People's Republic? Indeed where was this  self-appointed champion of the Ndebeles when the president's wife was lecturing the Ndebeles about how to get intimate,  scolding  their men for 'quickies' that produce feral children as implied by her own careless  utterances in her grand tour of Matabeleland?  Well this is payback time. Vote Zapu and score at home for a precious and lasting victory.

The final reason for voting Zapu in these by-elections is to leave our mark on this historic comeback by  ZAPU, the veteran party  of  African and Zimbabwean politics.  Zapu, the sleeping giant has come out of its tactical hibernation as the political temperature s rise, ready to fight for its rightful place in the Zimbabwean political arena. The Charging Bull is coming downhill at full speed. Who dares stand in its way? Isifohlile! Yapoya!

Personal views of the writer. The writer can be contacted at jimayima@yahoo.co.uk
Released by Zapu Europe Information, Publicity and Marketing Dept.