In 2008, he contested the Zengeza West seat, beating rivals Arthur Mutambara and Patrick Nyaruwata. Edgar Gweshe (EG) speaks to the legislator about his political ambitions and plans for the constituency in which he works.
EG: What inspired you to join politics?
CG: I have always had an interest in liberation politics and my involvement in trade unionism strengthened my resolve to join active politics. I was part of the MDC at its formation in 1999.
EG: Outline your journey from a councillor to a Member of Parliament.
CG: I would say it has been very difficult. In 2003, when I wanted to contest for the position of councillor, I discovered that there were two other candidates from our party who had been imposed without the knowledge of the Ward structure and were vying for the same post. It became an intense battle and we were three MDC members competing against each other in the election. I had to beat my fellow party members first before I went on to defeat my rival from Zanu (PF), Frederick Mabamba. This was my most difficult victory. In 2008, when I contested against the likes of Mutambara and Nyaruwata, it wasn’t as fierce as the council elections.
EG: Do you intend to run for another term in the forthcoming elections?
CG: Yes, the reason being that the agenda we had at the formation of the MDC is yet to be accomplished. Of course we have made some notable achievements as a party but we are yet to achieve real change.
EG: What areas would you like to address in your constituency if the electorate gives you another chance?
CG: There are projects like sinking of boreholes and the installation of generators at council clinics that we started through the Constituency Development Fund. However, funding became erratic so there are a lot of a lot of projects that I still need to fulfill for my people.
EG: Assuming that you get the chance, how exactly are you going to accomplish these unfinished projects?
CG: Another term will create an opportunity to fundraise for development. The MDC has huge prospects of winning the next elections from the top and this will assist in creating a developmental link between the electorate and central government.
It is my hope that as an MP I will play a crucial role in addressing challenges being faced by the Chitungwiza Municipality and establish a development chapter for Chitungwiza.
EG: What is your biggest achievement since you came into office in 2008?
CG: There are several issues that I have debated in Parliament in the Foreign Affairs and Labour Committees. I have played a representative role there, representing the ordinary people. At grassroots level, I have been assisting orphans and the aged in my constituency.
If I am re-elected, I will do a lot for these people and also come up with more developmental projects to assist the unemployed.
EG: What challenges or failures have you encountered during the period you have been in office?
CG: Once you are elected in office, there are high expectations from the electorate. Also, once you are elected, not everybody is happy and the pull-him-down syndrome can become prevalent. On the other hand, developmental projects like boreholes in my constituency have suffered because of lack of resources. We need at least three boreholes in each of the six wards but we only have six boreholes.
EG: What is your assessment of the political environment as the country heads for elections?
CG: It’s tense. The situation is tense due to internal and external factors. There are problems that arise when people within your party want to drag you down. Outside the party, there are some threats of violence that have characterised election periods. Due to some of these factors, it becomes a challenge to mobilise your supporters to go and register to vote.
EG: You have talked about mobilising people to vote for you. If they asked you why they should vote for you what would you say?
CG: I am still relevant to the struggle for change that we started and I need to finish outstanding projects that I started in my constituency. Also, I want to be part of a new Zimbabwe that will bring the change that the people have for long been waiting for. A second term in office will give me the opportunity to effectively deliver for the people of Zengeza West.
I have a vision for my constituency and I would like to see them accessing cheap and clean water. The people need access to basic health services and we need to ensure drugs are available in all the clinics in Zengeza West Constituency.
EG: Do you have any plans outside politics?
CG: I would like to pursue a career in Conflict Resolution and Management because I have a great passion for that area.
Who is Collin Gwiyo?
Gwiyo was born on October 13, 1965 in Masvingo. He holds a certificate in Political Science from William Peak Youth College in East Germany and a Certificate in Executive Education, Leadership and Policy from Harvard University.
He studied Trade Union Management in the Czech Republic after which he worked for the National Union of ZESA and later on proceeded to the Zimbabwe Banks and Allied Workers Union.
Between 1992-1995, Gwiyo was a trustee at the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union’s Education and Research Committee. In 2001, he was elected Deputy Secretary General for ZCTU, a post he held until 2006.
He is married to Isabel and is a father to four daughters, Lynette (16), Takunda (11), Rosa (9) and Oprah (2).
Post published in: Analysis