TJ: Why have you decided to run for presidency?
JS: Zimbabwe is in shambles and I have the potential to turn the economy around. Zanu (PF) and MDC formations have both failed to bring the much needed transformation.
TJ: How do you intend to solve the Zimbabwean crisis if you are voted into power?
JS: I will put in place economic policies that will attract the growth of our economy through investment opportunities with foreign investors.
I will also democratise our society to the extent that it builds confidence within the international society. MDC 99 will ensure that the people of Zimbabwe participate in policy formulation. At the moment, everything is decided by the three principals in the government. If I become president of this country, I will push for employment creation by allowing young people to get support from financial institutions.
I will also ensure that women are given a huge decision-making role and I would
address the issue of the 2008 violence perpetrators who have not been
punished for the atrocities they committed.
TJ: What motivated you to venture into politics?
JS: I have always been involved in politics but became visible when I was part of Student Activism at the University of Zimbabwe. I then graduated
into national politics when I participated at the formation of MDC.
TJ: What then inspired you to form your own party?
JS: When we formed MDC in 1999, we wanted to build a new Zimbabwe.
Zanu (PF) had destroyed the country and we wanted to bring in new governance with new values but that did not happen. I was frustrated and decided to
form my own party.
TJ: What is your view regarding the media in Zimbabwe?
JS: There is journalism activism, whereby newspapers and radio stations support a particular party. There is closure of space by the media. We still have huge challenges in our country. I have already started campaigning,
preparing for the elections.
However, I don’t get to be on ZTV because I am not Zanu(PF).
TJ: Do you feel the electoral system is in place and Zimbabwe can have elections next year.
JS: A lot still needs to be done, like putting in place the voter’s roll. ZEC is useless, it has always been part of Zanu (PF)’s rigging strategy. We need an independent body to monitor the elections.
Mugabe should never attempt to steal votes from MDC 99, as he will pay dearly for the election fraud. I am different from Tsvangirai, he was cheated in the 2008 election and all he did was run to Botswana. He abandoned the people. Instead he should have stayed with the people and confronted Mugabe.
TJ: What makes you think you are a strong contender in the coming election?
JS: I will be the youngest candidate which shows that I represent the
future. Voting for Zanu (PF) is as good as digging your own grave. Besides, people are no longer interested in having Robert Mugabe as a contestant in our elections. He had enough time to rule the country and expose himself. As for Morgan Tsvangirai, he does not have leadership qualities. He cannot make independent decisions. I worked with him at the formation of MDC and he is always seeking unnecessary consultations.
TJ: In your view, has the GNU worked?
JS: When the Inclusive Government was formed by Zanu (PF) and the two MDC
formations led by Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara in 2009, we
expected a new Zimbabwe to be born.
Unfortunately, the GNU failed to live up to expectations and there has not been any meaningful transformation on the ground. Instead, the inclusive
government failed to eradicate corruption and other social ills.
What we have noticed is the proliferation of corruption ever since the inclusive
government was installed.
TJ: You were instrumental in the formation of the MDC, what are some of the blunders that have been made by MDC-T?
JS: MDC-T lost its creditability when they agreed to the GNU. Unfortunately, Tsvangirai would not let go of his only opportunity to taste power. He did not live by his word, as he promised to withdraw from the GNU if it did not work out. The GNU has been a total disaster. Tsvangirai has stayed on because he is enjoying the trappings of power.
TJ: What can you say about the draft Constitution?
JS: There was total betrayal of the people of Zimbabwe by political parties
as they chose to install themselves as an authority to write the new constitution which was supposed to include all the stakeholders. Tsvangirai dragged the nation through a sheer time wasting and costly new constitution-making process, fully aware that Mugabe and Zanu (PF) would bully MDC into accepting a document that would do nothing to promote freedom and justice. We all know that not even a single democratic reform has been implemented.
Zanu (PF)-inspired political violence remains the order of the day. The only encouraging thing is that Zimbabweans have realized that MDC was in politics only for the benefit of its leadership. Selfishness on the part of MDC leadership would leave (Zanu PF) grey with envy.
TJ: Who is Job Sikhala?
JS: I was born on the 30 October 1972 in the Masema area of Gutu in Masvingo. I studied for a Law degree at the University of Zimbabwe and I was the Member of Parliament for St Marys (in Chitungwiza) from 2000 to 2008.
Post published in: News