Opinion / Columnist
Our Choice on July 30th
28 Jun 2018 at 15:56hrs | Views
At its core, every election boils down to a choice. Between competing visions, ideologies, plans or personalities. Sometimes it is clear cut what the choice is, other times it is a little more opaque.
In this election, the choice has not always been clear. Other than the age difference between the two main candidates, there has been no main contrast between the two. Both speak the language of democracy, both plan to use investment to revive the economy and both want to engage with the world and end our international isolation. In short, both are promising a new Zimbabwe.
But the events of last Saturday changed everything for me. When they attacked ED, I realised just how nervous he makes the old guard. Just how much his reforms and new dispensation threaten their interests. Just how terrified they are of freedom, progress and democracy.
I realised for the first time why they are embracing Chamisa – because he doesn't threaten their interests. He will allow them to be. To maintain their power.
That is why Grace Mugabe is openly backing (and possibly even funding) Chamisa. Why Jonathan Moyo is tweeting anti-ED propaganda. And why Patrick Zhuwaois urging anyone who will still listen to him to vote for the MDC.
That is why the NPF (or if we call it by its real name, G40) and its leadership are guests of honour at MDC events, and are openly calling on their supporters (if there are any left) to vote for Chamisa.
They have realised that Chamisa is a soft touch and will go easy on them. So desperate is he to get into power that he has abandoned all principles. In fact, the saying "there are no permanent enemies in politics, just interests" has become his personal mantra, trotted out by supporters to end any argument.
Much like in the Godfather, when his enemies try to kill the boss, Don Corleone, in the knowledge that his son will be a more amenable ally to them, the old guard have realised that if they can just get rid of ED and pave the way for Chamisa, they can breathe easily. They will be untouched. Things will go back to how they were.
The moment I heard of the assassination attempt on ED, I realised that this election is bigger than ED and Chamisa. It is about forward or back. New or old. Peace and progress, or violence and stagnation.
A vote for ED is to stick two fingers up at Grace, Moyo, Zhuwao and those that tried to kill him and end his reform agenda. It is a vote for the peace and progress that they so detest.
By contrast, a vote for Chamisa or anyone else is by definition, a vote for their agenda. For a return to the old Zimbabwe. That may not be what Chamisa wants, but it is what he has come to represent. He has sold his soul to the devil, and become one of them.
On 30th July Zimbabwe will either choose to move forward with ED, or to return to the past with Grace and co.
After last week's terror attack, it is really that simple.
Charles (student)
In this election, the choice has not always been clear. Other than the age difference between the two main candidates, there has been no main contrast between the two. Both speak the language of democracy, both plan to use investment to revive the economy and both want to engage with the world and end our international isolation. In short, both are promising a new Zimbabwe.
But the events of last Saturday changed everything for me. When they attacked ED, I realised just how nervous he makes the old guard. Just how much his reforms and new dispensation threaten their interests. Just how terrified they are of freedom, progress and democracy.
I realised for the first time why they are embracing Chamisa – because he doesn't threaten their interests. He will allow them to be. To maintain their power.
That is why Grace Mugabe is openly backing (and possibly even funding) Chamisa. Why Jonathan Moyo is tweeting anti-ED propaganda. And why Patrick Zhuwaois urging anyone who will still listen to him to vote for the MDC.
That is why the NPF (or if we call it by its real name, G40) and its leadership are guests of honour at MDC events, and are openly calling on their supporters (if there are any left) to vote for Chamisa.
They have realised that Chamisa is a soft touch and will go easy on them. So desperate is he to get into power that he has abandoned all principles. In fact, the saying "there are no permanent enemies in politics, just interests" has become his personal mantra, trotted out by supporters to end any argument.
Much like in the Godfather, when his enemies try to kill the boss, Don Corleone, in the knowledge that his son will be a more amenable ally to them, the old guard have realised that if they can just get rid of ED and pave the way for Chamisa, they can breathe easily. They will be untouched. Things will go back to how they were.
The moment I heard of the assassination attempt on ED, I realised that this election is bigger than ED and Chamisa. It is about forward or back. New or old. Peace and progress, or violence and stagnation.
A vote for ED is to stick two fingers up at Grace, Moyo, Zhuwao and those that tried to kill him and end his reform agenda. It is a vote for the peace and progress that they so detest.
By contrast, a vote for Chamisa or anyone else is by definition, a vote for their agenda. For a return to the old Zimbabwe. That may not be what Chamisa wants, but it is what he has come to represent. He has sold his soul to the devil, and become one of them.
On 30th July Zimbabwe will either choose to move forward with ED, or to return to the past with Grace and co.
After last week's terror attack, it is really that simple.
Charles (student)
Source - Charles Kanye
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
