ANALYSISBy Blessed Mhlanga
MOST opposition parties in Zimbabwe appear to be torn by divisions raising fears that they may not perform well in the forthcoming general elections.
With less than five months left before the elections, as alluded to by presidential spokesperson George Charamba last week, no strong opposition candidate has emerged from the opposition as MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai continues to battle ill health.
On the other hand, Zanu PF presidential candidate, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has for long been viewed by many as unelectable, now appears to be the most serious contender.
With state machinery at his disposal, Mnangagwa has embarked on a charm offensive, which may prove critical in the forthcoming elections.
Since grabbing power in November last year, Mnangagwa appears to be moving away from the ways of his predecessor — who seemed to cherish being treated like a demigod. He has done away with long titles which his former boss used to love, although there are some within the system who seem unable to stop hero worshipping leaders and insist on referring to him as “His Excellency, president of Zimbabwe, head of state and government and commander in chief of the defence forces.”
The president has also embraced social media and has opened a Twitter account and Facebook page, making a good public relations statement, especially with the youth.
“When we grew up the fastest means of communication was getting on a donkey then riding it to the next village to relay the message by word of mouth, or alternatively you would walk all the way,” Mnangagwa said while addressing people at an open hall in Harare last week.
“But now you can communicate with the entire world in seconds. I am learning to be in those platforms. My children are teaching me.”
In a meeting at his offices recently, Mnangagwa told this publication that he wanted a country with free speech, where everyone’s views were worth listening to, an economy that worked for everyone, with peace and unity being the hallmark.
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