Candidates from across the political divide have started to make grandiose promises, two weeks before the July 31 polls.
REPORT BY PATRICE MAKOVA
A lot is being pledged by candidates, some of it sounding almost unattainable.
The Standard spoke to a number of first-time candidates, who were all confident of winning, with some literally promising milk and honey.
Varaidzo Mupunga (25) is one of the youngest contestants in the parliamentary election.
Representing Zanu PF in the Harare West constituency, Mupunga today launches a door-to-door campaign as she steps up efforts to market herself.
She said if elected, she would lobby for the formulation and implementation of policies that are pro-development.
Mupunga said top on her agenda was service delivery, particularly the provision of clean water and a constant supply of electricity.
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“I also promise to deliver community-based security that people of Harare West trust,” she said.
She said as a youth, seconded by Zanu PF to the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) as a liaison officer, she was keen to see peace prevailing during the campaign period.
Mupunga faces off with incumbent and deputy Women’s Affairs minister, Jessie Majome of MDC-T, Julius Mudakuvaka of ZDP, Salome Rice of MDC and Francis Sibanda of Zapu.
Independent candidates are also in the race. Glen Dhliwayo is an independent candidate in Highfield West. He promised to promote small to medium enterprises in the constituency. Dhliwayo said Gazaland in the constituency had the potential to be the hub of SMEs that would create jobs and income for thousands in the area.
“Together with the community, we shall come up with plans to transform Gazaland into a thriving centre for SMEs that will absorb some of our unemployed youths,” he said.
Dhliwayo said many youths ended up getting involved in drug abuse and crime because they had nothing to do.
“We need vibrant and relevant community programmes that are designed and run by the youths themselves so that they succeed,” he said. Dhliwayo is contesting the likes of Moses Manyengawana of MDC-T and Emmanuel Juta of Zanu PF.
Former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Radio 2 disk jockey, Ezra Tshisa Sibanda is contesting the Vungu constituency on an MDC-T ticket and was confident of making it to the August House.
He said if elected, his priority would be to build roads, provide food to villagers affected by drought, as well as establish irrigation and other income generating projects. Sibanda is contesting against Josphat Madubeko of Zanu PF and Ritta Ndlovu of MDC.
Another popular former ZBC Radio 2 DJ, Eric Knight is standing in Mbare constituency, again on an MDC-T ticket.
Knight promised to change the lives of residents of Mbare, one of the poorest suburbs in the country.
If elected, he said he would facilitate the development of small- scale and big businesses in order to create jobs for thousands of unemployed youths.
Knight pledged to improve housing, education and cleanliness in the suburb. He promised to improve security by tackling Chipangano, the Zanu PF militia accused of political violence. Knight is contesting against Zanu PF politburo member, Tendai Savanhu.
But it is not only the MDC-T which has attracted television and radio personalities. Robson Mhandu, a well-known television personality and former general manager at ZBC is representing Zanu PF in Chitungwiza North.
Mhandu said he was inspired to join politics by the ideals of President Robert Mugabe and the realisation that some of the technocrats and educated people who benefitted from Zanu PF’s education policies have abandoned him and the party.
“I bring quality, professional and mature leadership. I have the knowledge, skills and right attitude to execute people-driven projects,” he said.
The television personality said if elected, his priorities included providing decent housing, social amenities, transport, safety and security as well as clean water, electricity, health and good roads.
Mhandu will battle it out with Godfrey Sithole of MDC-T, John Magengezha of Mavambo/Kusile, Angela Chigonero of MDC and Terrence Utaumire of UMD.
Chihwayi promises people-centred leadership
Kurauone Chihwayi is contesting the Kuwadzana constituency on a ticket of the Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC.
He describes himself as a “silent assassin who is simply responding to a calling.”
“I am offering people centred leadership, sound, accountable and competent leadership that is reliable, hardworking and accessible and open to criticism,” said Chihwayi.
He promised non-partisan economic empowerment programmes for youths and women.
Chihwayi said he has a package of working solutions for the people of Kuwadzana.
He claimed that his main rival, Public Service minister Lucia Matibenga of MDC-T was a “non-resident in Kuwadzana.” Matibenga could not be reached for comment.
“I have never lost in any battle and failure is not an option. Total transformation of lives is my first priority. I am a God-fearing incoming legislator who is on a mission to diligently and effectively serve the people of Kuwadzana,” said the MDC deputy spokesperson.
