Politics is a part of our lives

"In philosophy, one of the main reasons Plato opposes the democratic regime is precisely that it engenders apathy among the citizenry"

Perhaps the real challenge in politics is not so much the term 'POLITICS' but the concept and meanings of all the complex phrases and terminology used that confuse and further manipulate society's perspective of what a working system of governance should be like.

What I have learnt to understand based on my own perspective when analysing the differing socio-economic and political environments across the globe, is there seems to be a systematic attempt by a group of influential individuals to tactfully deceive the public out of fear they may be labelled as failures whose promises are frequently supported by never ending excuses for non-delivery of promised election manifesto's.

The natural reaction from the ordinary man and woman in the street is to 'complain' or 'blame'  as they seek affirmation from their fellow citizens at home, work and community gatherings about their observation which is probably a natural human instinct. However if we look at this issue more closely how many ordinary men and women actually know how to progress their feelings of disappointment so that they produce the responses they expect from those they elected to positions of authority? In many countries not just Africa are members of society aware of the process and procedure to hold politicians and those working in public institutions for their decisions and actions? I personally would not have known had I not done my own research in my quest to understand politics and its relationship with society. 

Since time memorial politics and politicians have never been popular, nor are they destined to be any time in the immediate future. That sounds generalised but a disappointing but inevitable fact of life, in Zimbabwe it is one hardened by the election rigging, tribalism, racism, nationalism, corruption and general all-purpose promise breaking by the same crop of politicians from the liberation era still bent on revenge and retribution for colonial oppression and white supremacy.

There is no doubting that perhaps the kind of politics prevalent in Zimbabwe is one born from a violent liberation struggle and one whose objectives have failed to transform the liberation party to a more compassionate and people centred political institution focused on addressing the imbalances of economic colonialism brought about by neo-colonial tentacles inherited from the Rhodesian capitalist system which has become a global system that has seen the gap between the rich and poor rise to unimaginable proportions (I'm not saying a Socialist approach is better but Capitalism needs some form of moderation). But if we’re to aspire to, perhaps, politics being less hated, or even being respected as a means of changing our country, then there are some ways in which we do our politics that are going to have to change.

Electoral Reform has become a popular phrase with not much value to it at the moment as the ruling party Zanu PF continues to down play it as a trivial element in the political playing field for their survival and continued domination in Zimbabwe politics. Much as they would like to delay this key process needed for the country's political development and growth, it is after all a constitutional prerogative that should at some point be pursued to ensure laws are realigned to the new National Constitution.

I would also like to see the review of the Political Parties funding Act to take to account the current challenging economic environment that's making it almost impossible for opposition parties to sustain their activities, be it capacity building and voter education in their target Constituencies. The political party registration process also needs to be put in place so that only new parties that can prove they have an agreed number of people registered as members can officially register as political party's capable of contesting in elections. There should be a Political Fund created whose funds should be drawn from members of the working class similar to the way the Social Fund is managed but in this case run independently but monitored by a committee made up of representatives of all political parties.

Any party that wins more than 5% of seats in parliament would have their manifesto audited by the same independent Electoral Commission, so there would be a transparent system to ensure such a Fund is used according to legislated guidelines. This would also help members of the public assess which political party is likely to manage national resources more effectively when in government.

Considering the economy is the battleground on which the next election will be fought, having a better informed electorate sounds pretty damn reasonable and uncontroversial. Is it any wonder that voting levels in the by election were down, that trust in politics is through the floor and faith in the power of government to change Zimbabwe is on the wane, when the government won’t allow proper debate about our politics, and is busy selling the countries resources to those countries who care less about human rights violations for is own political relevance?

A never ending nightmare to all peace loving Zimbabweans, and a plague that each and every citizens inside and outside the country should come together and start cleaning up. Quickly. Because if 'WE' do not do it, we should not expect external forces to do it for us, for they always have their own agenda.