Opinion / Columnist
Opposition should regroup for 2018 Elections.
21 Aug 2013 at 15:13hrs | Views
With at least 40 heads of state reported to be scheduled to attending President Robert Mugabe's inauguration at the National Sports stadium, the question we should be asking one another is "What's next for opposition politics". The two answers are: Opposition now needs leadership. Opposition needs to regroup and continue the struggle unabated.
Mr. Tendai Biti's writing of the "Wanachi" essays on social media will not help the now traumatised opposition followers. We have learnt that the social media is truly a poisoned chalice. Where is the once venerated Baba Jukwa? Elections cannot be won on Facebook alone. This is the time for REAL leaders to stand up and show us the way.
We should remember that to many people, ZANU-PF is a revolutionary party that liberated them from colonialism. It enjoys the fierce support of the military and police. How can the opposition win when campaigns in Zimbabwe are hampered internally by a split constituency?
How can the opposition win when tribal politics bedevil them and are fragmented in their opposition to Mugabe? Their votes are split by residual tribal politics. When the state-controlled media favours ZANU-PF, how can the opposition win when restrictions are imposed on meeting venues and intimidation by state security services is rampant?
The non-implementation of the electoral reforms as stipulated in the new constitution was a final nail on the opposition parties. This was also reinforced by the South African Development Community reluctance to adopt an aggressive approach to reform in Zimbabwe.
How can the opposition win an election against cronies bent on protecting their ill-gotten wealth? Decades of patronage and nepotism'have resulted in unwavering loyalty from ZANU-PF beneficiaries. No opposition will stand a chance when intimidation tactics are used by ZANU-PF to neutralize the opposition. The inability to vote of the Diaspora mainly made up of former professional middle class, youth, and the academic community was a point for ZANU-PF.
How can the opposition win an election when the rural folk and the elderly are more likely to vote for ZANU-PF- with the memories of liberation still ringing in their ears and the war veterans constantly reminding them that a vote for the opposition will not be accepted by ZANU-PF?
How can the opposition win an election when the voter rolls, alleged to be populated with ghost voters and fraudulent registrations is still in use; when campaigning space was never equally divided and Public Order and Security Act used to disrupt opposition party meetings and rallies.
How can the opposition win when the state-controlled media provided ZANU-PF with air time denied to the opposition parties and opposition party members fearful of attending rallies and meetings (when granted).
This shock defeat has paralysed the opposition and clear leadership from the opposition is invisible on the ground. This is the time to re-group, re-strategies, find ways to conquer the known challenges and get ready for the bruising battle ahead. A war is won after several battles. To the opposition, 2013 elections is one of the battles lost but the war is not lost. To ZANU-PF, this a battle "won" albeit the way it is won, but the war for total democracy is not over.
Source - Tendai Kwari
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