We must fix this dishonourable and low-level politics

ICWT Newsletter | Issue 61

By Dr Musa Kika

We all watched the 2023 general elections happen and grave concerns raised, including by SADC. We desired to move on from the polarity of elections and shift conversations towards development priorities, institutional building and national cohesion. For what progressive society can be built absent these?

But the positive mindset and noble intentions of the majority find themselves stretched, again, as we watch – almost helplessly, the effects of what could be a combination of concerning developments within political parties and within institutions of government. Contested vindictive and Machiavellian recalls of elected representatives have hit our shores once more. The court challenges have begun. The Minister of Local Government has declared council vacancies. The President has proclaimed parliamentary by-elections for 9 December 2023. It’s an all too familiar and demoralising cycle.

It would have made for a thrilling Netflix political drama, but its real. Once again, the national mood and psych are crushed; the positivity and mental capacity for people to deploy their energies towards nation-building are stretched.

Questions are being asked whether there is legality in the recalls, or in the police entering the chambers of Parliament to remove the recalled MPs, or in the Minister of Local Government declaring council vacancies, or in the President issuing a proclamation for parliamentary by-elections. Yet still, there are deeper political questions: who is behind the scheming and who is handling who and who is taking advantage of what?

These are all important, but I believe the real questions now should target the root of the problem as opposed to the manifesting symptoms, beyond smart legal and political analysis. The time is nigh to reflect on a national programme of action to overcome dishonourable and low-level politics. The reality is that laws and institutions are central to democracy, but they are not the most important; these can be breached and manipulated – often with impunity, so long as the national mission, agenda and personality, and the mark we are pressing towards have not been collectively defined and accepted. Laws and institutions then become tools and means to an end, not the end in themselves. Otherwise, these could just be facilities for one group to outmanoeuvre another in a theatre of performative democracy and abusive constitutionalism.

I posit that meaningful and useful laws and institutions are those which manifest a spirit of progress and tolerance. How we calibrate the personality of the Zimbabwean will determine the level and focus of our politics.

It is toxicity and polarity that allows what we are currently witnessing to happen, and many Zimbabweans would want to see toxicity and polarity holding us at ransom gone. Many realise that these two in their negative energy rob us of the best of each one of our citizens.

It is a moment to dialogue. But we must not allow the few dominant polarising voices across the political spectrum, and within political formations, to be the ultimate influence. Many in the extreme polls are beneficiaries of the polarity and would want it that way. It’s time for well-meaning Zimbabweans from all political persuasions and those in the middle, to radiate their superior positive influence and mediate a new politics. It’s a call to national duty to those tired of polarity and political toxicity. This dishonourable and low-level politics must be fixed!

Dr Musa Kika , is a Zimbabwean human rights and constitutional lawyer.

In Conversation with Thelma Chimbganda

Thelma Chimbganda, Co-Founder& Chief Logistics Officer Of Beyond Borders, provides a number of nuggets for aspiring entrepreneurs in this riveting episode. Co-Founder & Chief Logistics Officer for Beyond Borders Logistics & Tsoka International Thelma Chimbganda shares an inspirational lived experience of success, failure and resilience. Her desire to help people during the Covid-19 crisis has grown into a logistics solutions business. Thelma says watching her father taught her enduring life skills. Watch his episode here..

Audience Responses

From the Thelma Chimbganda episode, our community had this to say:

@rejoicenyashamupazviripo5418:

Thelma for someone who knows you from high school well done your story is so powerful and I’m so happy to see you excel in everyway. I totally relate when you speak about feeling like you failed but well done on rising above it all.

@tafadzwamaringe3576:

Thank you for having this amazing soul on your show…if determination and hard work also resilience was a person it cld be her..above all she is a true inspiration to women…she is a true gem this one and soon will be in the forbes magazine.

@faraimutibvu1260:

This is a truly inspiring story, motivating, makes you think never to give up on aiming higher in life. Thank you, Thelma, for sharing your story.

@gr8booksmore929:

Inspiring story of resilience and determination. Thanks Trevor for giving wings to this account.

@rudochifamba7143:

Probably my favourite interview and I have watched almost every single on of Trevor’s convos. Absolutely inspiring!! Nothing stopping her from getting to the point where she is competing with the likes of Amazon, IMO.

Coming Next: In Conversation with Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika

Don’t miss the next episode with Internationally Celebrated Global Educator on innovation strategy and Digital Transformation Audrey Simbiso Chidawanyika In Conversation with Trevor.

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• Hon. Mthuli Ncube: Zimbabwean Minister of Finance and Economic Development.