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Zimbabwe: Suspense and Hope Grip Nation as Day of Decision Looms
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Financial Gazette (Harare)
27 March 2008
Posted to the web 27 March 2008
Stanley Kwenda
Harare
"March 29. Everyone at his place, Mugabe to the land, Simba Makoni to Finance and Morgan to State House, vote wisely," so says a text message widely circulated on mobile phones this week.
So pregnant with emotion is the mood in Harare, just two days before the 5.9 million registered voters cast their votes on Saturday.
Many are full of anticipation while others are approaching election day with caution, probably as a way of keeping their blood pressure under control, in case the election outcome does not turn out to be what they expected.
The Financial Gazette went on to the streets of Harare to hear the people's views and thoughts on this weekend's general elections.
Although many could not conceal their zeal to vote on March 29, they remained distrustful of the electoral process, which they said could be manipulated in favour of the ruling ZANU-PF.
A majority of those interviewed were convinced that the election will bring change, most saying Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) president, Morgan Tsvangirai is likely to win.
Tonderai Mutizwa, a wholesale worker, expects nothing short of change from the election. He says if the ruling ZANU-PF party wins, that would be a confirmation that rigging was resorted to.
"(President) Mugabe will not win this election unless he rigs. We are waiting for change next week, what might stop us is that (President) Mugabe might rig the elections.
"Things are being changed everyday and now we are being told that teachers will not be allowed to conduct elections, it's confusing," said a despondent Mutizwa.
Just a few metres from Mutizwa's humble workplace along Mbuya Nehanda Street is a teeming bus station, Market Square.
"I have no doubt that Tsvangirai will win but I fear that soldiers will not accept the result as they have already said.
"I want this election to change the circumstances of my family, I know whoever comes in will not be able to put food on my table, but I want a conducive environment where I can work and feed my family," said Godfrey Tasara, a bus driver.
Eunice Sigauke, a shop assistant and street vendor, wants the elections to bring change.
"All I want is change for the better and this change should come peacefully. We cannot continue to have running battles on the streets of Harare with the police, things are tough for us but vending has been criminalised and we wonder how these leaders want us to survive.," said Sigauke, a single mother of two.
George Madawo, a crippled vendor, said he took up street vending to escape poverty. But he hopes the elections change his circumstances.
He does not trust Simba Makoni and thinks he is a proxy for the ruling party.
"I am on the streets because of poverty. I used to work at a factory but this became pointless because the money was just not enough. I will be fighting for change when I go to vote on Saturday," said Madawo.
Tecla Muzezewa, a trendy shop owner and foreign currency dealer, had no kind words for the current leadership.
A ZANU-PF supporter who refused to be named said no-one had the capability to turn the tables on President Mugabe.
Those rooting for the opposition would be disappointed after the results are announced.
"You will be very disappointed next week because ZANU-PF will win this election. No one has the capability to defeat President Mugabe. In fact any expectation of change is a day dream," he said.
With the air pregnant with expectation. Harare residents will find out after Saturday whether Tsvangirai , Makoni or President Mugabe will occupy State House.
Our Bulawayo Bureau Chief Charles Rukuni reports that the election mood in Bulawayo is confusing.
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Though there is a popular feeling that independent candidate Simba Makoni could win more votes than Tsvangirai in the presidential race, most people have written off his election partners, the Arthur Mutambara faction of the MDC.
Mutambara is not contesting the presidential poll. He is backing Makoni.
Observers say if President Mugabe fails to win an outright majority in the first round, he does not stand a chance in the second.
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| Copyright © 2008 Financial Gazette. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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