July 30th who should you vote for?

As we move ever closer to judgement day, we, the youth are being courted for our votes left, right and centre. We have many questions that need answering. We have many things we simply do not know. We are faced with large opaque manifestos from parties who promise the world, but in reality will never be able to follow through with these bombastic dreams. Chamisa's alice in wonderland ideas like bullet trainsand airports in every village are two of the most famous!

So, as we read the newspapers and watch our television sets, are engulfed by the debates on Facebook and Twitter, how do we separate the wheat from the chaff, the important information from the exaggerated lies?

First of all, it certainly isn't easy! The Herald is obviously pro ED. And the Daily News is blatantly pro MDC. Newsday gives us a better mixture of views. Social media are often full of violent, hateful rhetoric, and impassioned arguments which lose focus and don't help us with rational decision making.

This is why I think we need to concentrate on leadership and progress. Which leader will be taking us in the right direction? Which leader knows how to act, to fight for the people, and to get stuff done? For me the answer is simple; it is ED.

First of all, he got rid of RGM! That in itself should give him bonus points in the eyes of each and every Zimbabwean. He made history and brought us back into the international community. He has opened the country up for business. He has created 60,000 jobs in a relatively short amount of time. He has brought in billions of dollars of investment and investors are all over the streets of Harare, Mutare, Bulawayo and beyond. Of course, things aren't perfect, but again, direction is what is important.

ED's clamp down on corruption has forced everyone to act differently. The police and officials are now scared to take bribes. With 850 million dollars of stolen funds repatriated, there is a lot more work to do, but he has achieved more in 7 months than his predecessor achieved in 7 years. No more are we afraid to voice our opinion, to debate about politics, to tweet whatever we like! RGM ran this country as if it was his own personal fiefdom. ED reads critical Facebook posts, he listens to the people, he responds and works for us. Direction. Progress. Openness.

Unfortunately, his opponent has been a perennial let down. While his mere age had the potential to rejuvenate and inspire, his deals with the devil have only disappointed us. The fact he was even willing to utter these words, "Grace is of course welcome to join our party", should be a warning to all who are considering voting for him. He has welcomed the NPF officially into the alliance. Let's remember the NPF isthe official body representing Grace and Bob's interests. This is no secret.

Yet he maintains this stance, and keeps them close. The first time I heard this, I couldn't quite believe it. But now we have seen it, the conclusion is clear: Chamisa has made an alliance with the Mugabes and the Mugabe machine. Chamisa'sdirection is backwards.

His direction unfortunately also travels a path of violence. The new dispensation was ushered in by ED through peace and unity. The people came together and not a shot was fired. Yet if we look at how Nelson Chamisa came to power, it isn't a pretty sight. It is completely the oppositie. It includes heinous violence against opponents and the utilisation of a violent vanguard to get his way.

So on July 30th, I choose to move forward. I choose ED.