Demystifying the Chamisa myth

Guys, a quick walk around the streets of Kuwadzana left me wondering and questioning some 'truths' we have over the last months had begun to take as universal truth.

It was, and I must confess even I believed it, that Chamisa had the youth vote in the bag. Alas to my surprise the man is not as infallible amongst the youths as we had been led to believe.

As I moved around the streets of Kuwadzana near the popular K2 bar where most unemployed youths hang around and I met some eloquent youths playing ball (mabhuza) over the weekend. It was clear that some have not been convinced by Wamba Dia Wamba and still needed him to prove himself.

For the sake of time I will note some of the shortcomings highlighted by the boys and girls of Kuwadzana:
The Library- this was a burning issue as they pointed out that for years they had been promised the facility will soon be up and running, but years later the dilapidated structure is close to ruins before it is even completed. Most questioned how he (Chamisa) will deliver on his infrastructure plans for the country when he failed to deliver for his small community of Kuwadzana.

Most were not impressed by Chamisa's past leadership roles. They noted that it was under his guidance as MDC-T national chairman when the party was embarrassed in the 2013 elections and that one cannot blame rigging as Tendai Biti, the Secretary General at the time, even admitted that it was a lack of internal organisation that led to the 2013 hammering. This by the way led Biti to part ways with the party.

They noted Chamisa's lack of respect for traditional family values. It was pointed out to me that a country is a family and prosperity can only be achieved if the ties are strong. This was said to be one of Chamisa's short falls as he is never seen in public with either his wife or his child. This was a red flag for those who interrogated how he will expect to lead the Zimbabwean family when his family does not seem to be in tune with him.

Lies Lies Lies- Many accused Chamisa of being a joker and not an astute statesman as he is continuously caught in a lie. The most prominent example that was given was his recent BBC interview in which he refused a statement he made and which was recorded on tape. It was said that even though politicians lie, they should never be caught. The young people I spoke to revealed that this just shows that he is not prepared to play the political game at an international level as he would compromise the whole nation.

Disrespect for women- the groups I spoke to made it clear that Chamisa had showed that he has no respect for women and he did not think of them as equals. They said that whilst Chamisa was a young man he had the values of an old chauvinistic man who looks down on women. Even though he preaches progress his actions prove him otherwise.

I can list many other points but these are just the few contending issues. From my discussions with these young people I realised that nothing is as it seems. Chamisa still has a long way to go to win over the youths. Some even warned him that he should not think his age will buy him votes.

Some even went further to attack his personal background and took a swipe at his intellectual capabilities, one guy said, "Chamisa had to get his degree using the back door of adult education after failing to get the required A Level passes for one to go to University."