Diasporan based Zimbo declares interest in Bubi parly seat

A Zimbabwean based in the United Kingdom has declared his interest in contesting for the House of Assembly seat for Bubi in elections scheduled for this year.

The country expects to hold harmonised elections this year following the expiry of the term of the Government of National Unity (GNU) a year ago.

Mr Geneva Sibanda, an educationist and cattle rancher in Robert's Block Resettlement area in Inyathi, said he was driven by the desire to develop his area.

Robert Block area is a resettlement area with small-scale farmers, mostly livestock producers.

Mr Sibanda, who walked into the Chronicle newsroom on Tuesday is studying for a doctorate in Criminal Justice at Portsmouth University in the United Kingdom where he is based.

He said he wanted to contest as an independent candidate after constituents in the area asked him to do so.

"Elders and farmers in the area always called me saying they want me to represent them. I want to represent my people and area in Parliament. I am not aligned to any party because that would sideline those that belong to another party though I sympathise with the political parties we have. My wish is to represent the whole community at large," said Mr Sibanda.

"As a business person I want to be a voice for the people and represent their interest for development."

Clifford Sibanda is the incumbent MP for the constituency.

Bubi Constituency covers areas around the mining area of Inyathi, Siganda and parts of Insuza and Nkosikazi area.

Born in Malitou, Gungwe, in Gwanda district under Chief Mathe 51 years ago where he did his primary education, Mr Sibanda said he moved to Bubi in 2000 when he benefited from the land reform programme.

He said he established himself as one of the few flourishing farmers in the area.

He did his secondary and tertiary education abroad where he attained a Degree in International Relations with the Richmond American University in UK in 1999, and went on to do a degree in Law with Glamorgan University in Wales in 2006 and a Masters Degree in Social Work at Cosmos University also in UK in 2009.

He is presently working for the Portsmouth City Council in the adult social services department heading the criminal justice team.

Asked how he would balance being in the Diaspora and representing his people in the event he won the seat, Mr Sibanda said he was abroad for education and was already packing his bags to return home as soon as he completed his doctorate.

"Bubi is my home and I wish to see it grow. Being in the Diaspora is like working in Harare and living in Bulawayo or Inyathi. When duty calls home comes first and I am preparing to come back home as soon as I finish my studies and live with my people. I come home about three times a year and am ready to relocate soon after I finish my doctorate," he said.

"There are no basic services in Bubi especially schools, water and clinics where people only depend on Inyathi Hospital. I promise to make sure such services are available with intervention from Government and other sectors. I am here ready to talk on behalf of my people in Parliament."

Mr Sibanda said he was a former human rights activist having worked with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association in Bulawayo and Amnesty International internationally.

He said he was prepared to face any challenge as he wished to develop his area.