Academic Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes:

In any given political context, it is critical for a political party to make a comprehensive analysis basing on the political outlook which is drawn from the political space. It is important for the office of the Presidency to have such , inorder to make better and informed decisions. You can have best economic, development advisors but you can lack political clout to deal with the direction of the country.

I have made my own assessments, I can safely say both MDC and Zanu PF have pressed the mute button as far as politics is concerned. There is a political vacuum which feeds into the political space. The political space is starved, there is a crisis emanating from politics and narratives. The hullubao surrounding political decisions has so many complexities and hurdles along the way.

Role of Special Assistant for Political Affairs / Political Advisor

1. Study the political space

2. Makes key political decisions which are well informed

3. Gives political Narratives

4. Makes correct predictions

5. Is ahead of key informed decisions

6. Research and Development

7. Does the dirty work for the master

8. Carries the political space

9. Defines the economic narrative which feeds into the political space

10. Assists the Office of the President with better and informed decisions

11. Takes political risks which may not be welcome with the public

12. Master mind of Result Based Monitoring Political sytems eg election outcomes, pegging possible outcomes

13. Genuine political advice

Summary of lack of Political Advisory across political divide

Zanu PF

– Miscalculations on the attendance of anti sanctions march at the National sports stadium. That event could have easily been pushed to Rufaro stadium or any other venue. The attendance left ED exposed

– Grumbling of citizens on the ground due to economic turmoil must be examined with caution. This is a security threat

– gap between leadership and people. There is a vacuum. There is a generational consensus

– propaganda that does not feed into the political matrix. The madhara type of politics is now being countered with social media and modernisation concept.

– failing to read the mood on the ground

– the command type of politics must stop and make informed decisions.

– politics of the belly

– dirty tactics of politics

– Politics which lacks development

– Always in the election mode. No proper development plan

– Inconsistencies

– Lack of political clout

– Dependency theory type of politics. Relying from handouts.

MDC and other opposition parties

– opposition must turn the Chamisa momentum into a Political dividend

– strategic intelligence

– strategic Plan

– proper rural strategic plan

– commercial branding

– resource mobilisation

– How to grab or harvest from this current situation

– defining the political Narrative

– How to deal with military establishment

– Research and Development

– winning elections is different from winning state power

– harvesting from possible political dividends

– Confrontational politics or diplomacy, which is which?

– responsive type of politics. What to respond on social media and what to avoid?

– informative type of politics

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – D. Phil ( Women’s University in Africa), he holds a BA Solusi University, M.A University of Lusaka, Zambia, Post Grad Project Management University of Zimbabwe, and B Science In Development Studies candidate, Zimbabwe open university.

Muzamhindo is a Policy Advisor and leading Consultant in Project Management and he can be contacted at [email protected]