By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo| have been writing several articles on strategic intelligence, political connectivity, ideological thinking and change of mindset which most people would not take account of.

I have to be frank, the victory by Zanu Pf in the Bikita West by election is a clear indication that MDC has no strategy on how to deal with imbalances in rural areas. I have openly made critical, comprehensive analysis on why opposition keeps loosing presidency and key seats to the ruling party.

There could be loopholes and anomalies in elections, resulting in disputes, but the bottom line is Zanu PF is still on top of the Situation in terms of the 2/3 Majority in Parliament.

Arrest of Job Sikhala

The arrest of St Mary’s Mp Job Sikhala, was strategic to the ruling party. MDC lacks political clout especially in rural areas, and Job was seen as an energiser in the most difficult areas and he was seen as an alternative and threat to Zanu PF.

They identified two key people who are like that in the opposition, with radical approach, it is Biti and Sikhala. The apparent move to arrest Sikhala was well calculated. The reason why they moved the court proceedings to Bikita was a warning to Masvingo and Bikita that the same will happen to you. By arresting Sikhala, Zanu PF was busy on the ground giving hand outs, inputs and other things.

There are two groups in the MDC, the first group believes in dialogue, and the other believes in confrontational politics. The more of radical approach. The likes of Job Sikhala, Tendai Biti, Jacob Mafume, Youth assembly Chairperson and Secretary General believes in confrontational politics.

They believe the regime must be taken head-on, where as Nelson Chamisa and other few stalwarts believes in official dialogue. Zanu PF silenced Bikita residents by giving them a stern warning, by taking Sikhala as an example.

People were silenced and he was set as an example. Whilst MDC was busy launching RELOAD, and making a lot of noise about Sikhala’s arrest, they regained control of the area.

They took advantage of the confusion over Sikhala’s arrest. After the 24th of July, Sikhala will be released on bail, and Zanu PF would have registered a victory. MDC lacks strategic intelligence and the art of mastering research on such key components.

They need a Jonathan Moyo, one who sits in the background doing all the donkey work of strategizing.

Whilst we all agree, Nelson Chamisa has the charisma and energy, we must all agree that, the task is a collective obligation and the Job Sikhalas and Bitis are necessary for them to re-energize the movement. For now Zanu PF scooped the Bikita west by election. Zanu is Zanu and they have different strategies. Opposition must come up with a strong intelligence wing that should be ahead of the ruling party.

Idelogical thinking

The high level of illiteracy in rural areas is one contributory factor why opposition keeps loosing to the ruling governing party. People in rural areas don’t know anything about inflation, media reforms, electoral reforms, Statutory Instruments ( SI), cutting expenditure, what they simply know is hand-outs, inputs, food, music, second hand clothes, to them it’s enough.

I will give a good description of what rural people want, they need the following, cooking oil, salt, rice, chunks, fertiliser, inputs etc with that only, you can creat a strong background.

From my background as a researcher, humanitarian worker, I have worked in rural areas, I understand their thinking and it is very easy to convince a rural person to vote for you. You arrive with candles, box of matches from Harare, you can convince a rural voter.

Their focus is on immediate needs and consumption. Urban people are different from rural people. Their thinking and approach of issues is totally different. They can be easily bribed and convinced.

Rural Strategy

It is high time, MDC must move away from smart politics, politics of suits, corner shoes, politics of documents, politics of meeting people in hotels and well ventilated offices, politics of announcements, politics of studio 7, politics of press conferences, politics of twitter announcements, to politics of action and practicality.

From my own observation, I have worked for several organizations in rural areas, one can testify it is very difficult to dismantle a ruling party ( zanu PF), their structures are well intact. From cell they have intact documents.

In rural areas, they don’t practise politics of shouting. Their approach is silent. Sabhuku nevanhu vake kundovhota. They ensure everyone is on the queue to vote. They have foot soldiers on the ground, the machinery is well oiled and activated.

Opposition exists in people’s minds, structures are in shambles and it is difficult to penetrate. What opposition needs to do, they need to set up camps, offices, employ project managers, project directors, they need to come up with what is code named ” rural project , and people must establish offices in wards and districts and ensure you fetch potential voters.

These are clients. People don’t eat promises, they want inputs, food and wears, and opposition must move away from the concept of politics of complaining and begin to take action, be practical on the ground. Set up committees on the ground.

Politics of newspapers must be out. If I may ask you, when Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti launched their RELOAD document, how many rural people got the message? How many rural people got the meaning?

Even in urban areas how many people got the idea? I took a survey after the Harare launch, even those in urban areas were not much concerned with the document.

RELOAD document

I went through the document, it was well written, well researched, but lacks practicality. After the launch then what? You look at the material of the books, very expensive, the money could be used to mobilise rural voters, buying cars for each district. As long as people vote for Zanu PF in rural areas, their stay in power will be justified. They will be in charge of the state apparatus. To me the launch was fine but then what? If you have an introspective on rural vote, they keep records intact, they have registers, and they are very organised.

Every month, every household is receiving a bag of maize. What is opposition doing for the people in rural areas?? In Harare alone, Nelson Chamisa got 700 000 votes and it was so sad. People must listen to researchers. We have over 4 million people who reside in Harare.

What happened to the other 3.7 million people? You need to ensure that everyone is registered. This is the kind of message you should be carrying.

Bikita By election can be a repeat of 2023 election

Elections are drawing closer by day. Some are busy making noise on the twitter, come election day, you loose all the seats. Facebook and twitter does not vote. Those who make noise on facebook and twitter, are in diaspora, and in 2023 it will be business as usual after failing to garner votes as usual. It’s a wake up call and strategy. Change of mind set is key, research, development work, political connectivity, talking less and more action.

Why do you focus in towns only?

Sometimes I laugh !!! Everytime, there is a rally in Hatfield, Harare south, Dzivarasekwa, Harare gardens, Harare west? What about Kadoma, Gutu, Gokwe, Chirimuhanzu, Norton, Hwedza, Buhera, Muzarabani? You want to expect miracles in 2023? Forget. Every program is done in HICC, Africa unity square, what about Gwanda, Lupane?

Most of you, you spent time on whats app groups instead of doing door to door campaigns and engaging people and explaining to them , the state of the economy in simpler terms. Politics of inclusion, politics of understanding, re-defining the concept of changing the mindset of the voter.

Until the day you will leave those well ventilated offices and conduct door to door campaigns in Murehwa, you will definitely register a win. For now, it’s clear we have nothing to talk about.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo – Doctor of Philosophy at Women’s University of Africa – Candidate