Tembedza, an education pioneer

NS: Where did you get the courage to represent people from such diverse political backgrounds?

DT: The fact that I almost died at the hands of Zanu (PF) in 2008 and am now standing as a parliamentary election candidate speaks volumes about God’s plans for my future.

The green light given to me by the MDC underscores my qualities as a future leader. Age is just a number so people should not read too much into it.

What motivated you to join the race for a parliamentary seat?

Marondera East has not seen any meaningful development since Zimbabwe attained political independence in 1980. Despite being one of the largest political constituencies in the country, Marondera East has no boarding schools or schools offering Advanced Level education for the mainly rural communities. This is not acceptable.

The constituency is now home to a University of Agriculture but locals are not benefiting from the institution due to lack of required entry academic qualifications.

As soon as I get into parliament, I want to introduce Advanced Level education at strategic schools such as St. Ludgers and Dhirihori. The schools will be encouraged to offer subjects relevant to degree programmes offered by the local University.

If members of parliament before you failed to bring such institutions to the constituency what makes you think you will make the difference?

Those before me did not fail but lacked interest in development of the constituency since they did not come from the area. They were foreigners to the constituency so their hearts and minds were elsewhere.

I hail from Chief Svosve area at Tembedza village. My ancestors are from the area and all my interests are here.

My political toil is aimed at developing Marondera East and improving the welfare of the people with whom I share social, economic and political problems. In fact people here say it is high time they were represented in parliament by one of their own.

What else do you plan to do for the constituency?

I will mobilise resources to upgrade clinics in the constituency and facilitate the introduction of new ones. People here walk long distances to clinics such as Masikana and Masomera among others which lack essential drugs and nursing staff.

The state of roads in the constituency remains deplorable. The last time the roads received attention was before Zimbabwe attained independence in 1980.

If I get into office, my energy will be focused on tangible service delivery. Resources are available but it is a matter of informed priorities on the part of the Member of Parliament.

Villagers in your Chief Svosve constituency struggle to produce good harvests. How will you improve their fortunes?

The land is barren and exhausted, but everything possible will be done to help them fertilise available land and assist them to diversify their farming activities.

Livestock farming is quite viable in the area and households will be assisted with domestic animals to kick-start animal husbandry projects. I will facilitate the tapping of water from Wenimbe Dam and local rivers for irrigation schemes at a village level.

The fact that people from Chief Svosve area were pioneers of the land reform programme following their invasion of Igava Farm in 2000 under leadership of Chief Gahadza Svosve, underscores the urgent need for assistance towards farming activities by villagers in my constituency.

I believe if adequately assisted from wherever they are based, people from my constituency will be empowered.

You almost lost your life at the hands of identified local rivals, how will you fairly represent the interests of such people in parliament?

I am a Christian and level headed politician who believes in forgiveness. It takes men to err and God to judge. Who am I not to forgive if Jesus died for our sins?

This is despite being savagely attacked by known Zanu (PF) militia and managing to apprehend Lawrence Nyamanhindi, whom I later released after reporting the matter to Chief Svosve and the police.

I know it will be difficult for people to believe that I have forgiven those who wanted to eliminate me, destroy my family homestead and savagely assault my sister, Elizabeth Martha Tembedza, who later died from sustained injuries.

Marondera East is home to both new farmers and communal farmers, most of whom have supported Zanu (PF) in the past, how will you make inroads in such a volatile area?

I have identified with communities around the constituency in my own humble way and I am raring to go. I am glad that the electorate realised that workers and people centred politics is not all about rich candidates, but the ability to deliver and represent interests of the marginalised majority.

How did you get into politics?

Through the preaching of the pioneer of MDC politics in Chief Svosve area, the late Hebert Chapendama. Before he passed on last year Chapendama invited me to his home and advised me to throw my hat into the ring as parliamentary candidate. He told me, together with hundreds of other villagers, that I had what it takes to be a people-centred legislator.

If you win the election how long would you want to stay in office as a Member of Parliament?

It would be up to the electorate, but I would prefer a five-year term and then I would like to climb the political ladder. At 29 I have a long and promising future in politics. Ever since 1999 my life has been all about political activism.