Chipinge District is Ready to Vote

Owen Dhliwayo

The country was literally brought to a standstill on 14 June 2018 as aspiring candidates file their documents with ZEC. It was a day set aside for the nomination court to sit and allow prospective candidates to present their credentials for approval as provided by the law. In Chipinge District, the nomination court for the House of Assembly sat in Mutare, a provincial capital for Manicaland Province. Chipinge District has five (5) constituencies that are being contested by at least twenty – two (22) candidates. Notable political parties that have successfully fielded candidates in the district include CODE, MDC Alliance, MDC T, NCA ,Rainbow Coalition and ZIPP with various individuals filing their credentials as independents. This is ample proof that the Chipinge community is made up of people of different political persuasion as well as of different level of development.

According to the recent Afrobarometer Survey, more than three-fourths (77%) of Zimbabwean adults say they will “definitely” vote in the 2018 election. There is a likelihood of witnessing a substantial voter turnout as opposed to voter apathy we have grown to experience during election period. From the same survey, 63% of the respondents strongly believe that voting is a civic duty whereas 34% believe it as a personal choice. It becomes the duty of community-based organisations like PYD to ensure that all eligible voters in Chipinge District exercise their right to vote. People in Chipinge District has had a low opinion of the political process in addressing their socio- economic challenges. This is a moment for the district to have a belief in their power to make a political difference in this election.  Most politicians have been long regarded as a symbol of dominance and the architect of community polarisation and social exclusion. Large scale investments like Greenfuel and Matanuska have been used by politicians to divide and exploit the district, and it has become a struggle for common people to realise social justice. This year’s harmonised elections are an opportunity for the community to exercise their right to vote, but through relating the political rhetoric uttered at rallies to the suffering, oppression and exploitation of people in the district. Any candidate worth his or her salt in Chipinge District need to reconcile the inherent contradictory in the political circle with the challenges for social amelioration and economic development in our community. 

Another aspect needing serious attention is the role of women in political processes within the community. It is important to note that of all the 22 aspiring House of Assembly candidates, there is only one-woman candidate – Sifiso Sithole,who is contesting in Musikavanhu constituency. This can be interpreted from a social, political, economic and cultural pattern within our Zimbabwean society, and from the values of the contesting political parties. The political structure combined with the patriarchal contempt for women has caused them to experience marginalisation that knows no ethical or physical bonds. However, more women are vying for the local authority’s positions. This election is an opportunity to make clear political statement against a depressing situation where marginalisation, polarisation and exclusion are managed and allowed to achieve a rhetorical precision at the expense of socio-economic relevance.

The lessons of past elections can be instructively applied to the forthcoming harmonised elections. As a community, we have a history of defining our own socio – political trajectory and needs to be defined as a community that yearns to create a socio – economic condition that permeate across the political divide. The political ferment around rights-based approach to community development should be a vital cog in defining this election in the district. The struggle for a fundamental transformation of the district is of paramount importance. Therefore, there is need to deal with voter apathy. Voter apathy has been primarily caused by politicians who focus more on rhetoric that props political power at the expense of social change. It is good to note that community-based organisations like PYD’s work has been to create a community of awareness to achieve social justice. Chipinge district has been a victim of political benevolence from reckless political parties, and this was anchored on a system of patronage to enhance social control. Therefore,candidates like Winmore Mlambo, Vrante Mahlupeko, Joshua Murire, Canfred Pambuka, Takawira Mupakati, Robert Mhlanga, Adam Chimwamurombe, Clifford Hlatywayo, Sibonile Nyamudeza etal need to prioritise an improvement on the district’s social condition.

PYD is urging all registered voters in the district to exercise their right to vote in order to have the desired social conditions that may improve their welfare. According to ZEC District Elections Officer, James Saguru, over 111 276 people against a projection of 120 000 have registered to vote in the five constituencies in Chipinge District. Chipinge Central constituency has the largest number of registered voters or 28 731, followed by Chipinge South with 24 415. Chipinge East and Chipinge West constituencies have 21 218 and 18 626 respectively with Musikavanhu constituency managing a figure of 18 286. Of the 111 276 people who have registered to vote, 67 672 people are female voters while 43 604 are male voters. Chipinge District has 204 polling stations.