Are we better off working with someone ...or being on our own?

From the time the MDC was formed, Zimbabwe has witnessed the worst, docile forms of opposition and intra-party violence. Lives have been disturbed while many other citizens have been subjected to inhuman treatment as the opposition party and its leaders watch. While some leaders of opposition political parties have been arrested and detained sadly Zimbabweans have not seen or heard leaders of these parties working hard enough to improve the system. The most we have heard is meaningless press statements and futile trips to SADC. These political parties have not shown maturity by restraining themselves from getting physical and threatening with each other despite politics being a contest of ideas and not violence or insults. Our observation is that here is an urgent need for the opposition to show leadership in addressing the increasing levels of political violence among their members, otherwise we risk having political hooliganism entrenched in our country's society and institutions that will eventually be difficult to address.

Friends, Zimbabweans, countrymen/women lend me your ears, we must accept now that in our midst is a weak, violent, corrupt and cry-baby opposition which lacks vision, energy and vibrancy to deliver for our people particularly the unemployed youths. Zimbabwe Unemployed People's Association (ZUPA) which represents the interests of millions of economically disadvantaged people is saddened and shocked by the calibre of opposition politics and leadership in our country. It is not our place to judge whether the allegations, claims of poor leadership, corruption and violence  are true, but for you as opposition leaders to be at the centre of such serious error of judgement in a country where unemployment and economic decline is affecting thousands is treasonous. Your leadership is threatening to derail Zimbabwe's democratic train.

Due to lack of political leadership when it comes to key issues such as Economy, Communities, Natural resources and International leadership, a prime and pleasing opportunity has arisen for ZUPA to find its own home, form its own political party called National Economic Champions-NEC. We believe, for our people to attain economic freedom, employment and better livelihood, a political party such as ours is necessary. We understand the suffering of the unemployed, the disadvantaged, the poor, the vulnerable, the disabled and the elderly. NEC will provide vibrant and energetic leadership in the processes of restructuring our national economy.

Our economy must have a clear-solid goal of creating the most effective and
competitive companies on both the domestic and world markets. We are of the view
that the state should solidly regulate and develop the natural resources sector
by creating companies with close links to transparent yet powerful democratic government, making the firms big enough to compete with multinationals. These companies would become national champions in their own right, representing the state's interest in both local and international commerce. Given appropriate guidance and support private companies will be able to serve as national champions and help create jobs and wealth for both current and future generation. NEC will forcefully champion for land utilization, economic growth and investment, employment creation, education, social services and utilization of universities, innovation and technology, fight corruption and promote good governance. As the organisation that represents the interest of the millions, that stand to benefit the most, ZUPA will have a permanent seat in NEC Joint command. We now ask you to consider our 10 cardinal pillars as they best explain the vision and goals of the NEC.

The political concept of National champion is our guiding principle  

Restructuring national economy, fight unemployment, corruption and poor Chinese investment

Creation of effective and competitive companies  both in domestic and world markets as national champions.

Expropriation of underutilized farms without compensation

Depoliticisation of the indigenisation programme

For perpetuity community trusts to be formed around chiefdoms lead by the chief as the chair of the board of trustees

Deliberate creation of strong and accountable national mining champions and banks

Ordinary citizens at grassroots must have access to shares in corporations in their areas through community trusts as is the case with First Nations in Canada and BEE in South Africa.

Promotion of investment in the development of the Africa led economy

Zimbabwe must preserve the legacy of the liberation struggle, ensure a 50-50 gender balance in all elected offices, facilitate devolution in a single state, allow dual citizenship and Diaspora vote and create a Senate independent of political parties that will be the oversight chamber

thepresidiumzupa@yahoo.co.uk