Why I voted for President Mnangagwa and Modi

IAM a proud citizen of Zimbabwe, a Bulawayo man and a resident of Bulawayo South Constituency since I was born. From the time the MDC emerged I have voted for all their candidates in all elections except this year. I was not influenced in any way whatsoever by their political messages, I just didn’t like Zanu-PF. This year I decided to vote for all Zanu-PF candidates after it became clear that the party had reformed itself and was determined to undo the economic decay of the past 18 or so years. I did it because I thought that our country needed a business minded leadership, not politicians in charge. The confirmation of Raj Modi as the National Assembly candidate vindicated my decision — I wanted to give a successful businessman a chance to use his skills to run my constituency for a change.

Sure, I felt a little sad not to give my vote to the MDC Alliance. I would like to see a young man get elected to the presidency one day, just not Nelson Chamisa. But my vote was not a vote against Nelson Chamisa as much as it was a vote for President Mnangagwa. It would have been more of the same with Chamisa as our leader — after all he admitted that he was working with Mugabe. A change of diet was necessary.

Most of the people I know who voted for the MDC in previous elections voted for Zanu-PF. But unlike me, they were convinced by Modi, who argued that it would not make sense for him to go to Parliament if the President of the Republic was from another political party. The myth of migrating X on the ballot had nothing to do with it — President Mnangagwa is loved in Bulawayo. Others voted for Modi for MP because he has done so much for the constituency over the years, but chose Chamisa for President, but I am glad that President Mnangagwa emerged the winner.

Pres iden t Mnangagwa’s election to the presidency was obvious, but as always the urban electorate, always oblivious of the aspirations of the rural voters, cried foul. Up to now they still cannot accept that he was duly elected, hence the aftermath violence that rocked Harare. The MDC Alliance leadership is guilty in this respect, especially the top leadership which is denying the obvious. To them, the definition of democracy is a Chamisa and MDC Alliance victory. President Mnangagwa is not popular, no one voted for him, they argue.

You can disagree with a person’s actions, which is a prerogative of every politician, but it is another thing to question the people’s choice.

I find it ironic that the MDC Alliance, which called for sanctions that destroyed our economy (yes, I now admit, sanctions had a hand in the annihilation of our economy), think only they have the keys to the economy. Yet every word and action that denigrates our President does more harm to Zimbabwe than any action which our enemies may take in an effort to undermine our nation.

If our own people incessantly defame our President, how can we expect the international community to respect him? He is your President, like it or not. At the very least, respect the office and give due regard to its occupant. The Enlightened Voter