BM: What motivated you to join politics, particularly MDC-T?
IJ: From 1990, I became disillusioned by failure of the Zanu (PF) leadership in government. People who had taken positions of power in 1980 started pursuing self-enrichment exercises. They represented a fundamental obstacle to development. Instead of using resources for the betterment of the country, they took them for personal use. So when MDC-T came into existence, I joined a political party for the first time in my life. Its vision represents hope for Zimbabwe.
BM: What is your vision for Chirumanzu-Zibagwe?
IJ: It’s all about development. I want to ensure that politics in that constituency is only known of in the context of facilitating development. I wish to facilitate re-opening of lifeline tributary mines that used to operate in the area, but have shut down. Investors have stayed away because of the political intolerance in the area and I wish to correct that so that our youths get jobs. Resettled farmers need to be helped to become productive. They were given the land but have no clue how to ensure productive farming. Micro projects for the people should be made available by attracting donors and investors. We need to have infrastructure on the farms- clinics, good roads, schools for the resettled people. Agriculture should transform the lives of people. Those with vast tracts of land should share it.
BM: You speak of furthering the controversial land reform spearheaded by Zanu (PF). Is it not against the values and policy of your MDC-T party?
IJ: No. MDC-T recognises that people were given the land; that is why the party agreed in the new constitution that there shall be no reverse of the exercise. However, what is needed is to ensure productive farming and that those who have the land are given the skills to farm. Help them master a market model of agriculture. We need to get back to the era when we could feed ourselves and not rely on imports of our own staple food.
BM: So what have you done so far in light of the fact that you have passed the stage of selection of candidates?
IJ: I have facilitated formulation of the development agenda – allowing people space to say out their concerns on development of the areas. So I now know that the people want some of the things I have said above. If the people vote me in, I will hit the ground running. I will use the Constituency Development Fund on what the people want achieved.
BM: The incumbent MP, Mnangagwa, is accused of atrocities like the Gukurahundi massacres and masterminding of political violence during the bloody 2008 polls. In Kwekwe Central where he once stood, his opponent Blessing Chebundo was almost burnt to death by the Zanu (PF) activists. Are you not afraid of opposing him?
IJ: I am only an embodiment of the people’s vision. I stand for the people and so I can say we are a team in the struggle. It is not a one man mission. It is not a personal game between me and him and so I am not scared at all. Fearing him would be admitting inferiority, which inferiority I am not into.
BM: How would you describe Mnangagwa’s performance?
IJ: It leaves a lot to be desired. He has not been accessible to say the least. Personally I have never met him in the constituency. Generally there has not been much about what people say he has done for them. I challenge him to say what he did with the $ 50,000 from the CDF because the majority of the people is not aware of any. Only a few, probably his supporters, say he bought furniture in schools.
“Those who have land must be given skills to farm”
BM: Can you comment on the delimitation of your constituency being such that MDC-T would be at a disadvantage, and your chances of winning.
IJ: Yes. It is covered by scattered farms where there are resettled people who think their stay is based on Zanu (PF)’s existence. To the South, the constituency reaches Chaka; on the East the boarder is at Chatsworth, which is Gutu-West. The North-East boarders Chivhu town while the South West demarcation cuts off in Shurugwi. The North West part borders Chiundura with the North West of the constituency having areas like Munyati and Sherwood farms in Kwekwe.
People in all these areas say they want change, but do not feel such would guarantee them their farms. So I will have to convince them they are wrong. MDC-T shall not evict them.
BM: When you were initially disqualified by the MDC-T from standing in the primaries, the party believed you were Mnangagwa’s spy planted to give him the weakest opposition. Your comment?
IJ: I am not. If I was a spy, I would be useful for Zanu (PF) in MDC-T strongholds where there is need to split the vote. However, this constituency is perceived a stronghold of Zanu (PF) so for them there would be nothing to warrant planting their own. I have a track-record with the people of Chirumanzu-Zibagwe that is why on primaries they put trust in me.
Biography
Ishmael Jeko, 38, was born in Chiredzi in April 1975. He did his primary education at Bani School in Masvingo before progressing to Manunure Secondary in the same town. After completing ordinary level education, Jeko enrolled at Mary Mount Teachers College in 1993. Upon completion of the studies in 1995, he taught at Mt Darwin Primary School for seven years, during which time he attained a Degree in Education at the University of Zimbabwe and another one in Media Studies with the Zimbabwe Open University.
He went on to acquire a Master of Education Philosophy with UZ. He then left primary school teaching for lectureship at Morgenster Teachers College in Masvingo until 2007 when he joined Midlands State University as a lecturer. In 2010, Jeko acquired a PHD in Education from the Mandela Metropolitan University in South Africa. He is now a lecturer at MSU and the MDC-T Secretary for Finance in the constituency.
Post published in: News