allAfrica.com: Zimbabwe: There Will Be No Run-Off

THIS week our business editor Shakeman Mugari interviewed independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni on his Mavambo project and prospects in the election tomorrow.

Mugari: Zimbabwe goes to the elections tomorrow, and one of the issues that people have raised is that you came on the scene late and therefore you are playing catch-up. What's your response to that?

Makoni: It is quite clear that we started late because I only announced my candidature on the 5th of February. Mugabe announced (his candidacy) in March 2007. Morgan (Tsvangirai) confirmed by about September. But we don't see it as a major disadvantage because we have been received very well. You should have seen the enthusiasm of the people as we went round. So yes, I came late but it was forced by other conditions. I however feel we have had enough time. People now know Mavambo.

Mugari: What were the conditions that made you come late?

Makoni: When I was in Zanu PF, we were working with others over a long period of time, I could say it goes back to even 1997 or 1999 but more specifically in the 2000 elections as we were facing the election. I was one of the people who were pushing for leadership renewal in the country and the party.

This picked up momentum at congress. We had expectations that we would go to congress to elect new leaders but that was not possible for reasons that everyone is aware of now. It wasn't until after the failure at the extraordinary congress in December that we started extensive and intensive consultations both within the party and outside that led me to announce my candidature.

Mugari: Independent opinion polls have been showing that Tsvangirai will come first followed by Mugabe and you will be a distant third. How do you respond to that?

Makoni: Wait for March 30 when the results are out.

Mugari: I want to know what you think will be the scenario on March 30 after the election.

Makoni: I can tell you that we are romping home to victory. There are no two ways about it.

Mugari: Do you mean you will win so convincingly that there won't be a run-off?

Makoni: There will be no re-run. Tsvangirai will be a distant second and Mugabe will be a further distant third.

Mugari: But the numbers at your rallies don't indicate as much. Where are you getting the confidence to make such bold predictions?

Makoni: From the engagement that I have had with the people of Zimbabwe. We have been meeting people from across the country. The Herald conceded in the second week of my campaign that Makoni's meet-the-people strategy is working. Zanu PF and MDC are worried.

Mugari: What makes you think that you can win this election without a political party? Other parties have clear structures that you lack.

Makoni: Because the people of Zimbabwe are not looking for a political party. They are looking for a leader; a leader who unifies and connects with them. They want a leader who is honest, does not steal, cheat and lie; a leader who is not corrupt. That leader is me.

Mugari: You only have a few candidates contesting in the parliamentary elections. What makes you think that Zanu PF supporters will vote for their senator, MP and councillors but cast their vote for you as president?

Makoni: Absolutely. Don't underestimate the people of Zimbabwe. There are Zanu PF and MDC candidates who are campaigning for themselves in their respective constituencies but they are telling the people that when it comes to the presidency, vote for Simba Makoni.

Mugari: When you announced your candidature, you said there were many people in the Zanu PF leadership behind you. Later, you said there were no heavyweights behind you. Just recently you changed again and said you had many supporters in the central committee and politburo of Zanu PF. Is there no contradiction here?

Makoni: Let me make it clear and I hope you are going to write this. This notion of heavyweights is a creation of you guys in the media. I never talked about heavyweights. Every single voter in this country is a heavyweight to me.

Mugari: Some observers say that you are a Zanu PF project. The allegation is that you have been created to solve the Zanu PF succession problem. Some say yours is a plan to rescue Zanu PF from Mugabe.

Makoni: As I have gone round in Maphisa, Checheche and Nyamapanda no one has confronted me with this question of the bigwigs or Zanu PF succession issue. So which people are these that you are talking about?

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