Zim to the polls:…despair, disinterest, determination to defend their votes…

Zimbabwe is going to the polls again this week in a mixed atmosphere of despair, apathy, hope, disappointment in the lack of service delivery by the opposition in urban areas, and talk of reform and transformation from the long-ruling ZANU PF government. This has emerged from an interview with Ringisai Chikohomero, a political analyst with The Institute for Security Studies (ISS). He speaks to BizNews from Bulawayo. He lists the reasons for the shift in support towards the ruling ZANU PF government in urban centres that have traditionally been “the backbone and the strongholds” of the opposition. He says the central business districts of Harare and Bulawayo have an “awful sense of dilapidation” - and does not in itself show the potential of the opposition in terms of managing and governing. “So this is what the citizens who are more perceptive could be looking at going into this round of elections.” Although there are also fears of election manipulation, people do feel they are better prepared to counter it, with “the young ones” saying: “But this time we're going to defend our vote; this time I'm not leaving the polling station until all the votes have been counted.” Meanwhile, there has been some “recognition and realisation” in the ruling party that for the country to move forward, it needs to reengage with the international community. - Chris Steyn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices