As such we have failed to rise above petty party squabbles and ethnic differences, whilst in parliament, debate continues to be parochialised along party lines, rather than national interests. Ironically, for our politicians, party interests take precedence over national interests, hence the subsequent closure of parliament before critical bills for the electoral reform process were repealed or amended. How then do we build and anchor our democracy with such narrow and corridor-minded leaders?
Closely linked to that, is the issue of self- aggrandisement. The issue of political posts being vehicles of wealth, a cancer, created by Zanu (PF), has spread like a wild fire to other parties. That explains why we have every disgruntled member standing as an independent, after losing primary elections.
Whilst, the United States may not be the paragon of democracy, the stiff competition for the presidential candidate race between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama in 2008, is a classic example of how we should run our primaries. Even though Clinton narrowly lost the race, it did not destabilise the Democratic Party.
The greatest challenge is weaning our politics from the Zanu (PF) way of doing things. If we fail in that regard, democracy will remain a figment of our imagination, for every politician aspires to be a demi-god, surrounded by minions and psychophants. – Tich Chihwehwete, by e-mail
Post published in: Letters to the Editor