In a 1948 speech to the House of Commons, Winston Churchill paraphrased Santayana when he said ‘Those who fail to learn from history are condemned to repeat it.’
Zimbabwe had all the potential to become the South Korea of Africa, a free democratic and prosperous nation, as the Japanese school Ken Yamamoto observed soon after Zimbabwe’s independence. Instead, after 43 years, he have become just another failed African country; a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs who have stayed in power all these years because the rigged elections.
Let’s face it; we are a failed state because we have failed to learn from history and have and continue to pay dearly for it.
It took Zimbabweans nearly 20 years to accept the political reality that Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF cronies were corrupt, incompetent and murderous thugs. Having embrace the Zanu PF men and women as the nation’s liberation heroes and heroines it was a bitter pill to swallow that the same men and women would deny the people their basic freedoms and rights including the right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country and even the right to life.
The evidence that Mugabe and company did not care about the freedoms and rights of the ordinary people were there all along; it was the people who refused see and believe their own eyes. During the fight to end white colonial rule, Mugabe and his Zanu PF nationalists had promised “One man, one vote!” for example. And yet Zanu PF made it clear that if the regime was to lose the 1980 elections, the bush war would continue.
Of course, the people voted to end the war and, in doing so, lost their right to a meaningful say in the governance of the country to this day!
It was not until the late 1990s, nearly 20 years after Zanu PF rigged the 1980 elections to impose a de facto one-party dictatorship, that the nation finally reached the consensus on the need to implement democratic reforms to restore the individual freedoms and rights.
After the blatant betrayal by Zanu PF thugs, one would have thought Zimbabweans would be diligent in their selection of the men and women they would entrust the task of implementing the reforms. Or, at the very least, not repeat the same mistake of treating these leaders as demigods who must not be questioned much less held to democratic account, as they did with Mugabe et al. Alas! That was not to be!
The people of Zimbabwe have risked life and limb to elect MDC/CCC leaders into power on the promise they would implement the democratic changes the nation was dying for. After 23 years, 5 of which in the 2008 to 2013 GNU, Chamisa and his MDC/CCC friends have failed to implement even one token reform. Worse still, they have been participating in these flawed elections, perpetuating the dictatorship - the very thing they were entrusted to end - out of greed.
If Zimbabwean had been diligent and attentive then they would have realised that MDC/CCC leaders had sold out by failing to implement any reforms during the GNU. Or, at the very least, figured out for themselves at the sheer futility of participating in these flawed elections without first implementing reforms.
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
Coltart’s confession has not helped the penny drop. Whilst most Zimbabweans accept that Zanu PF is rigging these elections, they are participating in the flawed elections because they believe CCC’s oxymoronic claim that the party has winning in rigged elections strategies (WIRES).
These WIRES and claims that CCC will “win big” are just hot air to hide the real reasons why Chamisa and company are hell bent on participating no matter how flawed and legal the process got - greed and incompetence. It was the same reasons why MDC leaders failed to implement even one reform in five years of the GNU.
It is insane that anyone, much less the whole populous, would believe in these WIRES nonsense, especially after 43 years of Zanu PF mafiosi rigging elections. We really are a nation refusing to learn from history!
Still, these people who are ignoring the warning and insist on participating in the flawed elections will sober up on the 24 August 2023, the day after voting day, as Zanu PF claims yet another landslide victory. They will complaining that Zanu PF rigged the elections, conveniently forgetting they had rejected the advice to have reforms before elections because they had a winning strategy to each and every vote rigging Zanu PF shenanigan.
By insisting on participating in these flawed elections Zimbabweans are not only giving legitimacy to Zanu PF but are forfeiting the right to complain about the rigged elections. Voter beware! Buyer beware! Caveat emptor!
It is too late to get the elections postponed. The opposition leaders’ last chance to pressure Zanu PF to clean up the election was by refusing to participate without the verified voters’ roll. They topped over each other to submit their nomination papers and the chance was lost.
Still, the ordinary Zimbabwean can register their disapproval of the flawed and illegal election process by refusing to attend with Zanu PF and opposition rallies and refusing to vote. They will do even better by publicly denouncing the flawed process and the opposition for selling out. It is not too late to let the whole world know but especially SADC that these elections are flawed and that Zanu PF must not be granted legitimacy.
After 43 years of rigged elections, 2 500 years after the Greeks gave mankind democracy as a system of government; we should know that these flawed and illegal 2023 Zimbabwean elections are a farce. And should have the common sense to demand an end to this insanity.
19 comments:
@ Jeffryson Chitando
Zanu PF has remained in power these last 43 years not because the people "Voted" for the regime. The regime has rigged elections to stay in power. And you and your fellow MDC friends had the golden opportunity to implement the reforms and end the curse of rigged elections during the GNU. You failed to implement even one token reform.
You and your CCC friends know that with no reforms in place, Zanu PF is rigging these elections. You, personally, are eyeing one of the Masvingo Senatorial seats and by participating you are giving Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuating the suffering of the people.
You are taking advantage of the people’s suffering and their desperation for change to con them to participate knowing fully well this is insane. Even you know that Coltart was right, the rational course of action is for CCC to stop participating.
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
Representatives of the country's three main political parties have pledged their parties' commitment to observing peace ahead and beyond the country's harmonised elections due August 23 this year.
The three representatives – from Zanu-PF, CCC, and MDC-T – made the verbal pledges at a recent political parties-media meeting that was facilitated by peace-based NGO, 4H Zimbabwe.
In a bid to break the cycle of violence that has marred political contestation in the country, 4H Zimbabwe, which has facilitated several peace-based sports and arts initiatives among youths from major political parties, brought representatives from the three parties who all denounced violence and further chorused their formations' commitment to observing peace.
Farai Marapira, a Zanu-PF official who works in the party's information department, emphasised the need to dump the culture of violence in place of sustainable peace.
"In view of these elections that are upon us, as Zanu-PF, we would like to encourage all and sundry, regardless of political affiliation, to exercise peace and restraint as we engage each other," he said.
This is just a waste of time. If anyone is really serious about end the culture of violence, free the Police and Courts to carry out their duties wthout fear or favour!
Deputy Minister Rwodzi threatening police officer.
This is the political reality in Zimbabwe and no wonder there is no peace and order in the country. Like it or not the Police know that Zanu PF thugs are above the law and to pretend otherwise is foolish. It is equally foolish to pretend that Chamisa et al have strategies to counter the negative consequences of the compromised Police force much less to force the Police to carry out their duties.
@ Happy Home
So CCC can continue participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy because it is not the only opposition party in the country? What an idiotic argument! Are we to allow murderers to get away scott-free because he/she is not the only murderer?
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
As Coltart readily admits these elections are so flawed the only logical step is to withdraw. MDC-N leaders did not withdraw in 2013 out of greed just as MDC-T leaders did not withdraw for the same reason. CCC are participating in these 2023 elections for the same reason greed.
It is shocking how some people even talk of CCC’s greed as if they did the nation a great favour by selling out on reforms during the GNU and are, once again, doing us all a big favour by participating in these flawed elections to perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship! The sheer stupidity of some people beggars belief!
“CCC are not the only opposition party!” uttered with such confidence and beguiling finesse and caginess of one who thinks himself wiser than King Solomon himself! So the whole nation must suffer so Chamisa and company can have their share of the bribe from Zanu PF! What an ape!
@ Brett
You are spot on there my friend, there is not going to be any meaningful change in Zimbabwe even if CCC were to win these elections.
Chamisa and company had the golden opportunity to deliver meaningful changes during the 2008 to 2013 GNU, they failed to deliver ever one token reform. Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of high office and the rest is history, as they say!
Chamisa is already having “generational consensus” with Kasukuwere, a corrupt and seasoned Zanu PF murderer. We can be certain of one thing, they are not planning democratic changes!
43 years after independence and we cannot even produce something as basic for free, fair and credible elections as a verified voters' roll! Of course, we are doomed to relive the nightmare of rigged elections and the consequences of bad governance.
Zimbabwe is a failed state, it took us a few decades to get here, and here we will stay! We are stuck! Hapana kwatiri kuenda!
https://www.zimeye.net/2023/07/18/those-who-fail-to-learn-from-history-are-condemned-to-repeat-it-are-we-condemned-to-repeated-rigged-elections/
@ Cogito
“Well said Bret as Zimbabweans we doomed as long as we have Zanu PF in power.”
You nearly got that one right. The more precise answer is: “we doomed as long as we keep participating in these flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus keep the regime in power!”
It is us the people who are keeping Zanu PF in power because we will not listen much less think. It is insane to keep participating in elections so flawed that getting 73% of the votes was not good enough to get Tsvangirai into State House and yet we persist!
@ Happy Home
“Why are you not mentioning other political parties as if CCC is the only opposition party which is participating in the election? If CCC withdraw from the race is it going to make the reform implementation.”
Happy Home, you are the wisest human being that has ever lived. Your arguments make perfect sense. I thought the argument was it is futile participating in an election process so flawed winning 73% of the votes was not good enough, that participating would only give Zanu PF legitimacy and, for CCC leaders, out of greed.
So you in your infinite (infantile) wisdom argue that they should participate since withdrawing will not implement reforms. Are you saying participating would implement the reforms?
Fcuk me! You really are a nincompoop!
Sure thing Comrade Sikhala! You insisted in participating in the flawed 2018 elections and got one of the gravy train seats and, most important of all, gave Zanu PF political legitimacy. Instead of thanking you the regime kicked you in the teeth and throw you in prison! Hope you have had time to reflect on the sheer futility of participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the failed state for 30 pieces of silver!
@ Inter Mlan
“Pa Dendenyore in Wedza, CCC installed ma tower lights anoshanda ne ma solar.
Vanhu vakati what we want is development
Manheru kwakutoona aka baka.
Husiku ma youth e Zanu pf kwachu kwachu ,zvamuka zvaka zvakadzurwa ma solar vakatora.
Zanu iparty yemabanditi.”
Why am I NOT surprised!!!!!
No doubt Chamisa will come up with a strategy to deal with the problem. If CCC can guard the vote, it can guard tower lights and will, no doubt, arrest and punish the vandals!
Lest people forget, Chamisa et al had five years during the GNU to implement reforms so that the Police would be the ones arresting the vandals in this case. They did not implement even one reform because MDC believed the party can win rigged elections.
@ Wezhira
“Gutu West Aspiring CCC Member of Parliament Arrested.”
The country is in a real economic mess, unemployment has been 80% plus for the last 20 years, corruption has soared to new nauseating height as Gold Mafia documentary showed, 49% of our people are now living in abject poverty, basic services such as education have collapse with former 3 students who cannot read or write, etc. etc. All signs that Zimbabwe is a failed state.
We should be engaged in a fierce debate on what those aspiring to rule will do to revive the economic meltdown, end the corruption and restore human dignity. And yet all we ever talk about day in day out is how Zanu PF is rigging these elections and the sheer futility of participating to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate the dictatorship. All because we do not have the common sense to implement the reforms and end the curse of rigged elections once and once for all.
Except that the country will never move forward regardless which one of you thugs win. These are just two hyenas fighting over a goat - the goat will be very foolish hang around to see the outcome! Zimbabwe is a failed state and the only hope for meaningful change is by completely dismantling the dictatorship.
Chamisa was in the 2008 to 2013 GNU and failed to implement even one reform. CCC will not implement any reforms if they win these 2023 elections. As for Kasukuwere or Mnangagwa they are fighting to keep the dictatorship not to dismantle it!
There is growing evidence that these elections are being rigged and instead of admitting the problem and doing some thing about it the CCC leaders and fanatical supporters are burying their heads in the sand and pretending the growing evidence is to the contrary and they are celebrating. Come 24 August there will be waling and gnashing of teeth! They idiots will complain that Zanu PF rigged the elections - the very thing they are stubbornly refusing to accept is possible!
@ Don’t forget to pray
“I bet this time war is going to erupt because we won't let this thugs fool us.”
You cannot give legitimacy to the vote rigging regime by participating in the flawed elections and then seek to remove it from office through street protests or some such move. Go on the streets and the regime’s will have soldiers with instructions to shoot to kill awaiting for you.
@ Cogito
Mnangagwa addressing vaPositori4ED.
He even boasts of beating up people, in 2008 millions were beaten up and/or raped and over 500 were murdered in cold blood. To him, that is why he has the soldiers, the Police, CIO, Prison Service, war veterans and his own Zanu PF green bombers there for, to intimidate, beat, rape and murder.
There is an audio of a Zanu PF chair person explaining to his listeners that there will be a party-cell meeting every Wednesday and a register will be kept. Those who fail to attend will be expected to have a valid excuse or they will be fined a goat!
The speaker explained how a register will be kept of all those who vote. Since the votes will be counted at each Polling Station, the party will compare the Polling Station voters’ roll against party register to picked out those who voted for the opposition. If Mnangagwa should fail to win in the first round the party operatives will target all those who did not vote for Mnangagwa. “It would be better for you to kill yourself!” warner the speaker.
The truth is these elections should not be taking place without first implementing the democratic reforms designed to end the violence and vote rigging. MDC/CCC leaders sold out by failing to implement reforms and are selling out now by participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy.
It is a great tragedy that the ordinary Zimbabweans ourselves are our own worst enemy we too are participating in the flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuating our own suffering because we foolish enough to believe Chamisa has winning in rigged election strategies. Even after 43 years of Zanu PF mafiosi rigging elections, we still believe the oxymoronic nonsense!
@ Cogito
"You will never find justice in a world where criminals make the law," said Bob Marley.
In Zimbabwe the people are so naive and gullible they have been conned into participating in flawed elections to give the vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy and their junior partners a share of the spoils of power. The people have been conned into giving up their right to free and fair elections and told they can win rigged elections. They believe this oxymoronic nonsense even after 43 years of Zanu PF rigging and winning elections.
Democracy and elections are a waste of time in Zimbabwe. What is the point of giving some one the right to vote with right hand, make a big song and dance about it, and then take away that right and more with the left hand. And then claim the people voted for me knowing fully well the election was rigged!
"You will never find justice in a world where criminals make the law and the people are too dumb to know what is going on, much less hold the criminals to democratic account,” to paraphrase the great Bob Marley.
This is just cheap politics. Most African countries look back to the colonial days as our "golden age" because ever since our independence things have got worse. After 29 years of self rule SA is in deep economic trouble and well on its way to becoming just another failed African country. Some people will say it is a failed state already - look at the country's leaders.
Look at Fikile Mbalula wittering about “ANC will not allow regime change in Zimbabwe!” He is determined to keep the corrupt, tyrannical and vote rigging Zanu PF regime in power at all cost! Where is the logical in that?
Look at Julius Malema, the idiot praised Mugabe to the high heavens even as the late dictator dragged Zimbabwe deeper and deeper into the abyss.
If most of Africa is a mess, proof none of the continent’s leaders have the quality to lead their small country, it is insane to think the buffoons will lead United States of Africa to peace and prosperity! First stop SA becoming yet another failed African country, then, perhaps you can start talking about an economic union with the countries in the region.
The European Union is not exactly a bed of rose petals. Now imagine if Russia, for example, was a member!
@ Osama23
“Zanu pf rigged the 2008 March elections and was forced to a run off
How can u force for a run off by boycotting the general elections
Wakuto sayawo zvako iwe.”
The most important thing about the 2008 elections is that both SADC and AU were finally convinced that not only were the 2008 elections a farce but more significant that Zimbabwe would never ever have free, fair and credible elections without first implementing the democratic reforms. The primary purpose of the 2008 to 2013 GNU was to implement the reforms.
It is sad that even now with the benefit of hindsight there are “very smart” (at least you claim to be) guys like you who still have no clue what reforms are about much less that the GNU was the golden opportunity to implement the reforms. And in your infinite (infantile, I would say but will not dare) you are now justifying participating in flawed elections so we can “force for a run off”.
So MDC/CCC have failed to implement even one reform during the GNU and are now participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy because they want to force for a run off! Well Zanu PF rigged the 2013 and 2018 elections so there was no run off. It looks like the party will do the same the year. Even if there was a run off what exactly would you want to accomplish from another run off.
Frankly, the whole idea of failing to implement reforms then participate in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy for the purpose of forcing the regime into a run off does not makes any sense to me. But then I do not have the intellect of a very smart guy like you, Osama23!
@ Tondoro
I am calling for an end to the curse of rigged elections and participating flawed elections to perpetuate the failed state. If that is proof I hate my country, then yes I hate my country!
Some of the sheer stupidity I have had to put up with is nauseating. Still, it goes a long way to explain why Zimbabwe is a failed state - we have more than our fair share of village idiots!
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