by Gift Mashoko
With the elections around the corner the situation in Zimbabwe is rather calm as compared to the previous years when during election period people would be forced to attend rallies and get beaten up for supporting or not supporting certain parties.
This has been attributed to President Mnangagwa who is showing that he is a man of peace, a unifier and every Zimbabwean`s father regardless of political affiliation, fulfilling his words of being a servant leader and a listening President. He surely is a humble man and a man of his words.
President Mnangagwa’s call for peace ahead of next week`s election has been hailed by chiefs where Chief Dandawa highlighted that Zimbabwe has never witnessed such a peaceful election period since 1980. During elections, Zimbabwe normally experienced political violence and disturbances, but from the time President Mnangagwa spoke about peace, there has not been any form of violence. He noted that political parties were carrying out campaigns freely without intimidation. This alone, is a clear sign that the President`s call for peace and unity ahead of the harmonised elections is being heeded.
President Mnagagwa’s reaction to the recent bombing that happened in Bulawayo at the White City Stadium which was targeted at assassinating him was commended by the electorate. President Mnangagwa instead continues to preach the word of peace, encouraging people to address their differences peacefully.
The President’s meetings with church leaders, traditional leaders, youths, women, business community and the white community shows that he is non-selective, he is everyone’s President, a man who wants everyone to work in peace and harmony. The President is instilling the culture of peace and unity among Zimbabweans especially during this election period.
Peace in Zimbabwe is recognised by the freedom the Political parties are given to campaign. They are freely campaigning, holding demonstrations, and expressing themselves on social media. No political violence has been noted. This is a sure sign that peace is prevailing in the country.
EU ambassador to Zimbabwe, Phillipe Van Damme announced recently that if there was a leadership crisis there would be chaos in Zimbabwe and that President Mnangagwa is still managing to keep under control these forces that are very much contradictory. This clearly shows that even the international community has realised that peace is prevailing in Zimbabwe.
The peaceful atmosphere in Zimbabwe has also created a conducive business environment for foreign investors who have expressed interest to invest in Zimbabwe.
It doesn’t really need a rocket scientist to see that Zimbabwe is now enjoying freedom and democracy since President Mnangagwa took over from former President Robert Mugabe. President Mnangagwa is on record saying “Peace begins with me, peace begins with you, peace begins with everyone”.
