TJ: Do you intend to run again in the next general election?
SC: Yes I am running again as an MDC-T candidate because our party has not yet achieved its objectives. We intend to take over state control and deliver real change. The elections are the last step towards real change and real transformation of the lives of the people of Zimbabwe. I want to finish what I began.
TJ: What would you say you have achieved for the constituency?
SC: My development footprint is connected to how we utilised our Constituency Development Fund. That was our main source of income and I made tremendous representation in parliament through motions that not only addressed the challenges faced by people of Mbizo but also by the nation.
I took over chairmanship of the Media committee in 2011 and I am happy with the achievements this committee has made, including the facilitation of two commercial radio licenses. In January I will be presenting a private members’ Bill on Media Freedom and I will become the third Member of Parliament in the history of Zimbabwe to present a private members’ Bill.
TJ: If you were re-elected, what would you add to your list of achievements?
SC: My first term allowed me to engage development partners and in my next term I intend to build upon this relationship and bring much needed development to my constituency.
I want to work with the local authority and my aspiration is to engage development partners who invest in Kwekwe to revitalise our industry and expand our income base.
Housing for people in Kwekwe and Mbizo in particular remains a challenge. I am glad that during my tenure lobbied the government for the reintroduction of housing mortgage facilities. Now we have to influence the city council to provide more land for building societies to construct houses for low and medium income earners.
Kwekwe remains a hub of Gold, but these mining activities are not structured or formalized and they are prejudiced against the youths. I intend to lobby for a formalised and structured Small Gold Miners platform that creates employment and benefits the people, state and local authority.
TJ: Briefly describe the constituency you are serving.
SC: Mbizo is a dormitory constituency, with most residents working in the industries. However, most of the industries have shut down due to viability challenges leaving the residents to engage in informal business for survival.
Light industry is beginning to mushroom, especially at the centre of the constituency around section 11 with people manufacturing materials like window panels and bricks. Mbizo constituency remains densely populated and has only one clinic for about 11 0000 people. The six Primary schools and two High schools are not sufficient for the needs of local children.
TJ: MPs have been accused of abandoning their constituencies as soon as they are voted in power. What do you think about this?
SC: I do not have the luxury of abandoning my constituency; I am with my political structures every weekend. I have my constituency surgery open from Monday to Saturday, which is manned by my personal assistant.
TJ: What is your view regarding the Zimbabwean media?
SC: Zimbabwe’s Media remains hum strung and archaic amidst a plethora of draconian legislation that inhibits freedom of the media and muzzles diversity and plurality. Major reforms are needed which include granting media professionals the opportunity to regulate themselves by establishing a Voluntary Media regulatory framework. Zimbabwe must, in 2013, migrate from analogue transmission to digital broadcasting. Digital broadcasting will enable the establishment of more broadcasting stations.
TJ: Why does MDC-T make you the parliamentary candidate of choice?
SC: I have demonstrated the ability to perform the tasks of a parliamentarian.
As MDC parliamentarians we have a set of objectives and targets to achieve and failure to meet these standards has consequences.
TJ: What motivated you to join politics?
SC: Zanu (PF)’s failure to improve the quality of life for people since 1980 was my major motivation. My quality of life deteriorated at the hands of Mugabe and Zanu (PF) as l was growing up and I thought instead of mourning and expecting some salvation from some people I should join politics.
TJ: What do you make of the GNU and the constitution making process?
SC: The GNU was a painful process to go through but it was necessary.
Necessary in that the MDC had to make this decision in light of the barbaric acts of murder and insanity which were being displayed by Zanu (PF) during the run-off Elections of 2008. The country was on its knees and President Tsvangirai and the MDC held the keys to resuscitate Zimbabwe, so we went to bed with the enemy to save our children. Now the country is moving forward at a slow pace.
The Constitution remains key to achieving a free and fair environment for the country to hold credible and uncontested elections. I have read and understood the COPAC document and I am confident that the COPAC draft in its current format must not be further amended but must be put to test of the people through a referendum.
TJ: How would you rate MDC-T’s chances of winning coming elections?
SC: If the Elections are held in a free and fair environment MDC-T will have an ocean wide victory and MDC will definitely be the governing party with Morgan Tsvangirai the President.
TJ: Is MDC-T well constituted to bring about meaningful change to the country?
SC: MDC-T is more than ready to govern; we have an abundance of policies, some which are actually at work now in the inclusive government. MDC-T has structures with competent people in the country and in the Diaspora who are more than ready to serve in government.
TJ: Do you think the country is ready for March 2013 elections?
SC: Not until we achieve conditions that establish free and fair elections. This includes a non-partisan police, free media, a non partisan judiciary, a non partisan military, an end to state-sponsored violence, respect for rule of law and an end to hate speech.
TJ: You are a documented victim of political violence. How do you think perpetrators of violence should be treated in view of national healing?
SC: Perpetrators of violence must be given an opportunity to own up and apologise. This will enable them to heal. Victims should be able to speak out and tell their perpetrators how they feel. However, perpetrators of heinous crimes like murder and rape should face the consequences of the law.
Settlement Chikwinya was born on November 29, 1976 as the only child to the late Mako Nkala and Jennipher Chikwinya. He is married to Nyasha Chiku and they have three boys: Tadana, Kupakwashe and Tavonga. Settlement is currently employed as a Mechanical Engineer in charge of workshops at Zimasco Pvt Ltd in Kwekwe. He is the Portfolio Secretary for Science and Technology in the National Executive of the MDC and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Communication Technology.
Post published in: News