Abolish political parties

Party politics is a cancer that is eating into the fabric of our communities on a daily basis. Polarity caused by allegiances to political parties has torn families apart and spawned hate speech on social media. The hate is eroding morals and our Ubuntu as citizens associate leaders and parties with either poverty or prosperity.

Prominent community leaders are stating boldly that this seat belongs to this or that party and we must protect it, regardless of neither lack of development in an area nor performance of current leadership.

Political leaders are divided along party lines and ensure development of communities and favours go to “home” areas and party faithfuls first, at the expense of the nation. Invisible party tentacles are at every table where development is being discussed, distorting the missions and visions of many well-meaning patriots and entities. Zimbabwe must abolish political parties for at least 20 years, to allow the country to heal and for our democracy to mature.

Zimbabwe has been a multi-democracy for less than thirty years after previously following traditional chiefs and absolute rulers before the arrival of Europeans. We are a very young democracy with an electorate that values association more than ideas. The political party system is and will hold back our development as a people and nation, unless if we take a bold step to define democracy to suit our needs.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing while expecting a different result. We have tried democracy as prescribed by western powers and the results have been disastrous for us. Every Zimbabwean must now ask themselves difficult questions regarding our politics. Is the political party system working for us? If the answer is no, then what can be the alternative?

I am proposing that we do away with political parties in Zimbabwe for at least 20 years, after expiry of the current administration’s term of office. Former Mayor of the City of Harare, His Worship B. Manyenyeni has been saying this for a while. He is a man who has seen the ills and cancers of party politics first hand, while trying to turn around the fortunes of the City of Harare. I solidly agree with him.

Individuals willing to serve their communities must stand up and contest in elections without the blinding jackets of political parties. Citizens will vote for Councillors and Members of Parliament. Councillors in each municipality will vote for an Executive Mayor who may or may not be a councillor. Members of Parliament will vote for a President who may or may not be a member of parliament.

The president will then nominate his cabinet that must exclude all sitting parliamentarians and other public servants. This system will remove the aspect of jobs for the boys and introduce better checks and balances to the 4 pillars of our democracy. There are many areas that need interrogation and constitutional provisions to be considered before we can adopt a system of this nature. We have the minds required to deliberate on and propose a working format for this system.

The old man toiling in his field in Mhandamahwe deserves better. The woman sitting in Rezende Street selling tomatoes deserves better. The young man sitting on a sewage tank in Mbare deserves better. The young girl walking to school with no shoes in Nyika deserves better. The baby delivered today at Mutare General Hospital deserves better. We can do better.

You the citizen of Zimbabwe deserve a functional country. Progress and prosperity is your lot. It all begins with leadership which put your needs first. You do not need a go-between for your voice to be heard. You have your future in your hands, the future of your family and friends is in your voice. It is now time to speak, to demand that future, a future that is progressive and prosperous for us all. A future where leaders are accountable to and work for you.