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The July 30 General Election
in Zimbabwe is important because it marks the end of a campaign
season which for the first time in decades has been without
influence of the deposed president, Robert Mugabe. Unless the election succeeds in producing a winner outright with a 50 + 1 majority as stipulated by law, Zimbabweans will soon know who will be their next leader. The new president will serve a five-year term.
The election comes a few months after Mugabe's ouster at the instigation of the army. It will determine the future of the country in the world after so many years of ostracism on the part of the international community. The result will also shape Zimbabwe's political and economic prospects. And it goes without saying that it is up to the new leader that it will be incumbent upon us to open a new era for Zimbabweans
"Zimbabwe is open for business"
Despite the fact that it is a new era for [Zimbabweans]. optimism and cautious hope surrounding Emmerson Mnangagwa's rise to power, the economic situation in Zimbabwe remained unchanged. The economy, which has collapsed under Mugabe's rule, has not yet come out of the woods.
Despite his mantra "Zimbabwe is open to business", the Mnangagwa administration has been fighting to revive the struggling economy. In the run-up to the elections, the country remains hit by high unemployment, deindustrialisation and a serious liquidity crisis. This affected the livelihoods of ordinary citizens, many of whom resorted to street vending for food. The cost of living remains very high and those in the informal sector have paid the price.
Mnangagwa promised to turn the economy around and bring the majority of Zimbabweans out of poverty.
As he read from the same scenario, the main opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa also promised to open Zimbabwe to foreign investors, as well as to address the economic malaise that is taking place. 39; spread like a virus during the Mugabe era.
Winning hearts and minds
During the election campaign, the two main candidates, Chamisa (from the
Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance) and Mnangagwa (from
Zanu-PF), both promised heaven and earth. It is therefore not surprising that opinion polls
and the support on the ground for both candidates underlines the fact that
this election is a two-horse race between the MDC-Alliance, and Zanu-PF.
Supporters attend a campaign rally of the Movement for Democratic Change – Alliance in Harare.Aaron Ufumeli / EPA
Chamisa promised a major infrastructural development that will include the transformation of rural economies into industrial centers, an efficient rail system stimulated by the introduction of high-speed trains, and the construction of modern highways in cities and villages of Zimbabwe.
economic recovery, the two candidates promised to continue foreign direct investment. Both say they will repay Zimbabwe's debts to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
They both promised to eradicate corruption and address the land issue. Mnangagwa said that the era of land grabbing, multiple farms and inactive property is over. This was also the same story of the MDC-Alliance. The two leaders also said that they would work to save Zimbabwe's international image.
There are clearly more similarities than differences between the two main contenders and their commitments to voters. But a few distinctive factors remain obvious.
The Chamisa campaign sells hope to the electorate. He made good use of his great oratorical skills to find a rope of hope among voters.
Mnangagwa, on the other hand, focuses on reform and stability. He often mentioned the "successes" of his "new dispensation", namely the fight against corruption, the securing of investment commitments and the economic recovery. This is a tactic that is designed to justify why the electorate should give it a second bite to cherry.
Tight Race
It will be interesting to badess whether participation in the rally will result in votes as Zimbabweans go to the polls. Both the Zanu-PF and the MDC-Alliance recorded well-attended rallies, although the opposition repeatedly taunted Zanu-PF for encouraging schoolchildren to support their rallies
. it looks like the race is too close to call. That being said, participation in the rally may not be the best measure for measuring popular support.
It should not be forgotten, however, that citizens attend rallies for various reasons. Some go for entertainment purposes; some are forced, and some are looking for free t-shirts, party accessories, food and drinks. Others just attend to see their political idols in the flesh.
No action is taken at these gatherings to determine if the participants are registered voters.
And then there is the question of opinion polls. A recent Afrobarometer survey predicts that Mnangagwa will get 40% of the vote, with 37% for Chamisa. About 20% of respondents refused to disclose their preferences and 3% said that they would vote for other parties
Even knowing that polls opinion is not an exact science, it is likely tight race between Mnangagwa, the candidate of the establishment, and Chamisa, his young competitor
Don Mwonzora, postdoctoral researcher (specializing in political sociology) at the l '; Unit of Zimbabwean Studies – Department of Sociology at Rhodes University, South Africa. Rhodes University
This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.
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