Deliberations made by Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga, the Minister of Regional Integration and International Cooperation, National Constitutional Assembly chairman, Lovemore Madhuku and the mood of scores of Zimbabwean exiles who attended a recent constitutional briefing here last week, left me believing that the “Yes” vote would be the best way to go.
We are tired of the political haggling that has characterized the inclusive government and if this draft will pave way for elections that will give us a people-centered government, then so be it.
The new charter is nowhere near the model document we were all looking for, but the few concessions made by an intransigent party like Zanu (PF), which has always stood against democracy, should be taken as welcome first steps towards building a better Zimbabwe.
I would not like us to be stuck with the GNU, as we fight Zanu (PF) for a complete parcel we have no guarantees of getting, while the country continues to burn, poverty continues to bite and lives continue to be lost. I believe that we should fill the little democratic space we have been given.
When I was hounded to South Africa in 2008, traveling the long route I took via Botswana taught me that when times are hard, the few bread crumbs you get along the way should not be dismissed because they can save your life.
Most Zimbabweans have given too much credit to President Robert Mugabe’s ability to manipulate and outwit his political opponents, but failed to realize that the octogenarian has used division between the same opponents to get ahead.
I therefore, believe that pro-democracy forces should fight together and make sure that we move beyond the referendum and press for other key reforms like those in the security sector, the judiciary and other state bodies that have stood in the path of true democracy.
Life and limb should not be at stake ahead of elections and this can only happen when soldiers are confined to the barracks mindful of the need to protect and not harm the people and members of the ZRP police their constituencies, not campaign for a certain political party.
I have lived and worked as a journalist in South Africa for close to five years now and seen about three key political developments, including the impeachment of a seating President and key elections, yet I still name off-hand the army, air force and prison commanders. The only time I have attended a press conference by a police commissioner has been to address the media about crime, not anything else. Yet most of these have been war veterans in their own right and exist in a country where whites constitute the leading majority in the biggest opposition party.
A year before I can become a South African citizen through naturalization and therefore, bitter that dual citizenship is still a pipedream in the new charter; I am angry at the inexistence of the Diaspora vote and livid at the silence on amnesty for those hounded into exile by Zanu (PF) on cooked up charges, but rest in the hope that a better government sharing in that pain would be put in place and swiftly give people what they want – including a proper, people-driven constitution written and accepted by all.
My advice is that we should vote “Yes” to the draft constitution.
Post published in: News