SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
3 April 2008
The Zimbabwe National Students Union has urged Robert Mugabe to quit as President following Zanu PF's loss in the just announced parliamentary elections. The combined opposition of the MDC Tsvangirai, MDC Mutambara and Professor Jonathan Moyo snatched 110 seats from a 210 seat parliament, while Zanu PF only managed 97. According to independent estimates it also appears as if the presidential vote is going Tsvangirai's way.
Speaking to Newsreel on Thursday Blessing Vava, the organisation's information secretary, said it was clear Mugabe and his party have lost and they should accept defeat. He said the delay in the announcement of the presidential vote results was a clear sign that Mugabe had lost. Vava said, 'Mugabe's defeat is a milestone for both the youths and the students,' and called on teachers and lecturers who left the country for greener pastures to come back and rebuild the nation.
A ZINASU statement chronicled a long list of factors that made life hell for ordinary students under Mugabe's regime - student leaders were victimized and hounded out of college, halls of residence were shut down to demobilize student activism and student grants were cut, throwing many into destitution.
The students have already demanded that any new government should reintroduce their, 'beloved grants and payouts to cushion students upkeep and survival.' They also demanded a conducive learning environment where education can be accessed by all and not just the rich. ZINASU say the new government must prioritise education and other basic essential services to develop the nation.
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