Politics is indeed one thing, and development is a different discipline altogether, which calls for an inclusive approach regardless of one’s social, political and economic background. It is therefore trite that Zimbabweans should never allow differences to trump on progressive ideas and roadmaps that work for the benefit of everyone.
In this regard, political contestation in Zimbabwe is crippling efforts by various institutions to better the life of Zimbabweans who should be benefitting from initiatives by those they voted in power.
This writer had a chance to interface with parliamentarians from both ZANU PF and the MDC in Parliamentary Portfolio Committees’ familiarisation tours. Before embarking on the tour, I thought to myself, so the honourable members of Parliament would be in different busses according to their political parties? If they were to be put in the same bus, would there be peace in the busses throughout the journey.
It was not long before we were seated in the bus before the rest of the legislators came aboard one after the other at the August House. As they trickled in, it was difficult to identify who belonged to which political party. This was supposed to be a hypothetical answer to my pool of questions, but I was busy looking far ahead of my immediate ground.
To my amusement the bus’s engine roared to life and in no time the journey began. For the better part of the first 50 kilometres of the journey, it was all greetings and now was more confused. Who is ZANU PF in this bus? Where are the MDC Alliance guys? I told myself that only time will tell.
As the conversations shifted from contemporary greetings to political discussions, it became apparently clear who belonged to which party. The bus was filled with this spirit of mutual respect and sober discussions on politics. In short, there was harmony and constructive engagement.
I wondered, if only the rest of Zimbabweans could fit into this bus and enjoy the positive debates and oneness displayed by the legislators. The bus was certainly a different setting from Parliament.
For the first time ever, no names here; (because this writer understood what is at stake for the legislators, especially from the opposition). An MDC lawmaker came out from his political cocoon showering accolades on President Emmerson Mnangagwa for liberating the political environment and allowing the opposition to campaign in the rural areas.
The legislator shared his ordeal at the hands of former President, Robert Mugabe, how they were hunted down during campaigns and how they were incarcerated and spent nights in the mountains in their rural homes after running away from Harare where they wanted persons.
There was generally laughter as their ZANU PF counterparts listened of course in stitches as the outspoken parliamentarian poured out his heart and appreciation for President Mnangagwa.
This was to be short-lived as the major questions I heard at the start of the journey had not been sufficiently answered.
A ZANU PF legislator, name withheld, had to interject and ask; “honourable, why is it then that you always shoot down any motion or initiative by ZANU PF legislators regardless of how sensible it is.”
For a moment I thought, now is the time that peace flies away and enter the season of insults. This was not be as the MDC legislator responded “for once let me say this. We see a lot of sensible submission all the time, but I for one would suggest the repealing of a clause which allows for political parties to recall a member of parliament.”
He added that “if that is done away with, you will certainly hear us applauding good ideas and calling a spade a spade. But for now my brother, I will not risk my seat (parliamentary) just for seconding a good idea. There is a standing command, to oppose ZANU PF and that has to be that.”
The response was an eye opener and rang the bell that as long as we have an opposition operating using the template of the MDC, development that is all inclusive will remain remote.
Regardless of its efforts, Government’s efforts will never get a thumps up from the MDC. This explains why the opposition has been manipulating, exploiting and spinning on the austerity measures to depict Government as failing. It should make sense that when repaying a debt, one has to forego some of the luxuries. What is going on in Zimbabwe is home economics at national level, and should be embraced holistically.
In essence, the political will for development is there but is overshadowed by political institutions whose ambitions are very exotic and remote controlled by those less interested in bettering Zimbabwe’s wellbeing.
