Itayi Tawona Muchemwa

*Rethinking Liberation: Unity and Inclusivity in Southern Africa* The recent elections in Botswana and South Africa have marked a significant turning point in Southern Africa's political landscape. The rejection of the notion that liberation parties have a divine right to govern signals a new era. Liberation movements must prioritize unity and inclusivity to remain relevant. This shift is driven by citizens' growing demands for effective governance, economic development, and social justice. Embracing diversity and promoting national unity is vital, as seen in Botswana's historic election results where opposition parties united to defeat the long-ruling Botswana Democratic Party. A people-centric approach prioritizing citizens' needs and internal democracy is also crucial. This is evident in Zimbabwe's struggles against ZANU-PF, where disunity and individualism have hindered progress. Zimbabwe's opposition parties can greatly benefit from adopting a collective ap

"The opposition's greatest challenge lies not in Zanu PF's tactics, but in its own leaders' personal egos and the 'messiah complex'.Though Zanu PF has dispatched former Honorable Blessing Chebundo to deal with the opposition, signaling a strategic shift in their approach. This move indicates a more focused and experienced effort to manage the opposition. The opposition s fragmentation has hindered its effectiveness as a formidable opposition. Unity is crucial for a strong, legitimate challenge to Zanu PF's rule. "The opposition's fragmentation into various formations (MDC Green, MDC Alliance, MDC T, Sihala Initiative, CCC, and The Blue Movement) has weakened its effectiveness. To credibly challenge Zanu PF, opposition members and leaders must unite, swallowing their pride and revisiting the founding principles of the Working People's Convention. This includes engaging civic society, producing new leaders through democratic congresses, observing

”T he Democratic Union of Zimbabwe (DUZ) party is in disarray after its communications director, Itayi Tawona Muchemwa, resigned citing a diverted political focus and accused party leader, Robert Chapman of only wanting influence in order to join the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) framework. Muchemwa’s resignation comes a week after party Youth National Chairperson, Elvis Dzvene, also resigned, accusing the leadership of dictatorial tendencies. In his resignation letter to the party president and Secretary General, Pishai Muchauya, Muchemwa cited dictatorship by senior party members since all decisions are passed by few individuals, which is against the party constitution. “There is victimisation of members during and after meetings by top executives,” he said, adding DUZ has diverted from its founding principles. “Funding and resources are only known by the principals as the party has been personalised.” In an interview with CITE, Muchemwa alleged DUZ is secretly lobbying to join t

Any political movement keen on maintaining voter influence must master the art of countering disinformation and fake news. As one wise man once said “a lie travels around the globe while the truth is still putting on its shoes. To achieve superiority, three fundamental functions must be established in a political campaign . First, there must be a structured information management system. Second, a willingness to stare at the truth, evidence and numbe rs without flinching. And third, leaders must embrace proposals for improvement and provide resources. However, in a political culture where the end justifies the means and key campaign functions are allocated to goons and ethnic chiefs, the space for a fully-fledged, professionally-run campaign is limited. What tends to happen is that after elections, political parties cease to exist. Then, two years to the next elections, they re-emerge, delegate meetings are sponsored and candidates declared as the party flag bearers.

Young people need to be given a chance to express themselves in ways that they are passionate about. Policies effecting youth can be framed by young people themselves rather than old politicians, who most probably cannot feel the contemporary problems young people are facing. Youth should be given the opportunity to prove themselves by making politics accessible to the them. The right balance of young talent and experienced politicians can lead to the cleaning of politics and can restore the public faith in the political system.   The role of the youth of Zimbabwe   is to educate itself and engage in activities and debates that will shape their future. This role though, is one that can only be taken up with sufficient motivation and support from individuals who see the youth beyond the labels that have been placed on them such as “lazy”, “ignorant”, “irresponsible” and plenty other terms. We want our youths to be economically and psychologically emancipated so that they can live to

Freedom should not be understood to mean leadership positions or even appointments to top positions. It must be understood as the transformation of the lives ordinary people in the hostels and the ghettos; in the squatter camps; on the farms and in the mine compounds. It means constant consultation between leaders and members of their organisations; it demands of us to be in constant touch with the people, to understand their needs, hopes and fears; and to work together with them to improve their conditions.” – Nelson Mandela