THIRD FORCE CONCEPT
The political situation in Zimbabwe is paralyzed. It is sick and needs resurgence. How dysfunctional our political institutions have become and the systemic failures across board are difficult to fathom. Enormous arrogance and greed across politically as well as parastatal institutions leave much to be desired. Arrogance surely is neither a virtue nor greed in politics.There is growing evidence that emphasizes a third force movement in Zimbabwe politics. Yes, a Third force because a number of factors are contributing to the resurgence of a third force. The performance of the main political parties is a decline while the future electoral prospect for a third political force is not in doubt.Third Force cannot simply be a vehicle focused on electoral politics/elections; Third Force must be multifaceted with the capacity to utilize community organizing, campaigns around issues affecting the generality of Zimbabwe, and policy advocacy to advance a vision/mission and agenda for transformative change. It must devise mechanisms to endorse candidates running as independents.
Third Force must place a premium on participatory processes that build solid relationships with people through engagement with them on issues and struggles that affect their daily lives: conducting civic education forums and workshops; training community organizers and candidates for public office; engaging people and constituencies in community conventions and assemblies to establish political agendas.
The main
opposition party is bogged down with internal party strife, and the electorate
has lost confidence in it while the
other subdued political parties are seemingly not up to the task; summarily
dismissive as being disjointed, disorganized, semi-structured and not
convincing enough to attract votes.
Here in
therefore lies the argument for the proposed need for a third force,
The third
force is critical and timely. The third force is necessary because our politics
is not benefiting Zimbabwe ; competent people are sitting on the fence, while seasoned
politicians who have mastered the art are ruling with such dexterous
callousness, incompetence, thievery, and greed, all to the disadvantage of
Zimbabweans who they are supposed to
serve. Since when did politics become a profession? Politics must be seen as a
call to service and not the other way around, being an avenue for money making.
Recent utterance by one senior member of the Main opposition party in Zimbabwe leaves
a lot to be desired . Such utterance cannot be expected from a senior member of
the party .
Carefully
reflecting on these neo-bred politicians, I wonder if they really have the
mantra of country first. Zimbabweans are yet to see the dividends of the party
politics that they signed up for.
Listed
below is what the third force must
provide.
The
philosophy of a third force movement is that it must have a character of a
movement drawn from well-meaning Zimbabweans with a burden for change towards nation and
state building. The character must
emphasize inclusion of individuals who have demonstrable attributes deemed as
the ideals for nation building including: integrity, competence, loyalty to
Zimbabwe , visionary, forward looking thinkers, creative minds, unflinching
commitment to the nation etc.
The Third
force must have a clear agenda and clarity of purpose for nation building, and
harnessing youth potential, using our natural resources to benefit Zimbabweans , inclusive growth and
attack on corruption.
The
agenda for Third Force should focus on the following
- Transforming the economy to a knowledge based economy
- Transforming the agricultural sector
- Transforming the education sector to unlock the human potential required for innovation, technology and manufacturing.
- Transforming the public sector to rid it of corruption
The third
force must appeal to political parties with members drawn from same and ordinary
Zimbabweans in a form of mobilized
movement of like minds to steer Zimbabwe towards nation building.
My
personal analysis.
Itayi
Tawona is a human rights activist and can be contacted on ; +263772913155 itayitawona@gmail.com
, Itawona.blogspot.com
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