August 23:D Day

By McDonald Gurura

As my country goes to the ballot tomorrow the 23rd of August 2023, I felt enthused to blog on thoughts to ponder as we cast our votes, so walk with me a bit.

“Every man got a right to decide his own destiny..” so starts Bob Marley’s “Zimbabwe”. A song in season as Zimbabwe elects her councillors, parliamentarians and president tomorrow. The song provokes thought and evokes emotions on why countless young and old men and women took up arms to fight for liberation and the right to vote.

Sadly today, we have many with misplaced privilege and entitlement hidden under the guise of “too woke to vote”. In reality the woke party’s apathy is a spit in the face of widows, widowers, orphans and survivors of brutal and cruel war. I am sure those who died in battle for the cause turn in their graves at the mention of those who choose not to vote.

Voting is not only a constitutionally enshrined democratic right for every eligible citizen but it is also a responsibility is obliged to country and generations to come. I’ve heard a common phrase, “Why should I vote, after all my one vote is inconsequential!” Let me share a thought I read earlier today, which I shall slightly paraphrase “But what can I do? I am just one person” said 6 619 691 people (The number of registered voters in Zimbabwe 2023).

So much has been said around the unique nature of this year’s harmonised elections specifically regarding how key the plebiscite is in shaping the trajectory of our economy. Whether we falter or rebound, make or break, thrive or survive is really going to boil down to the calibre of leaders that we give authority to rule for the next 5 years through this democratic process of voting.

Several critical questions naturally ensue from this train of thought with regard to the leaders we vote for. There must be competencies and ethical standard in the leaders we elect. In this vein, I will share a few blessed attributes Zimbabwe has and the requisite leadership qualities necessary to cultivate and grow her endowments;

Zimbabwe is blessed with hard working people, she needs leaders that can provide opportunities for her citizens to be fruitfully employed.

Zimbabwe is blessed with astute business people, she needs equitable opportunities for her entrepreneurs to thrive.

Zimbabwe is blessed with a rich abundance of natural resources, she needs leaders who are accountable in deployment of her resources for national development.

Zimbabwe is blessed with talented creatives, she needs leaders who can facilitate her artistes to thrive locally and shine on the international stages.

Zimbabwe is blessed with amazing sports people, she needs leaders who can groom her athletes to compete globally.

Zimbabwe is blessed with arable natural land, she needs leaders who can cultivate her to feed her children and the world.

Zimbabwe is blessed with a unique space in the African landscape, she needs leaders who can make her fully blossom to be a beacon that proves Africa can excel and shine.

I could go on with the numerous blessed attributes that Zimbabwe is endowed with but truth is that time and space would not allow me to exhaust the long list. I reckon the snippets above make you ponder and choose wisely.

Having chosen wisely, the next 5 years and future demands all clergy, business, political, civic leaders and citizenry at large put differences aside and rally behind the common and blessed cause of building our nation.

This call to action transcends colour, class, creed, gender or age and places a demand on one and all to rally behind the elected civil servants and trust them to put the nation first as they serve.

This call to action demands that citizens maintain a sober and respectful level of bringing to account our elected leaders who have selflessly chosen to take up the sacred oath of public office, live a life above reproach and abide to a higher moral code to safeguard our nation.

I know my thoughts may sound idealistic at best and utopic at worst, but allow me to dream! Martin Luther King Jr preached the dream he had and it became a reality which still unfolds to this day. Closer to home, kith and kin across tribes took up arms for liberation, land and the ballot and here we are today enjoying the fruits of their sacrifice. History will indeed judge us harshly if we make their sacrifices futile. So let’s vote!

Blog Post #99

1600hrs
22 AUGUST 2023
McDonald Gurura writes in his own capability as a renowned journalist and seasoned TV personality