Zimbabwe is heading to the polls on
Wednesday, August 23, 2023, to elect its next president. About 6.6 million
registered voters, across the 12,340 polling stations are ready to exercise
their franchise in a crucial election that will determine the future of the
country for the next 5 years. The two main contenders are Emmerson Mnangagwa, the incumbent President and flagbearer
of the Zimbabwe African
National Union-Patriotic Front Party (Zanu PF), and Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the newly
formed party – Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
The election
comes at a time when the country is experiencing economic turmoil and a
cost of living crisis. Some of the economic challenges include hyperinflation, sharp
depreciation of the currency, rising interest rates, and high unemployment,
among others. Over the last two years
alone, food prices have risen by 750 percent, petrol prices have increased by a
whopping 900 percent and the Zimbabwean dollar has depreciated
by 85 percent to the US dollar. These challenges have fuelled a cost of living
crisis, particularly for households living below the poverty line.
These are the challenges
voters will be considering as they prepare to choose their next leader. But
will these challenges compel the majority of Zimbabweans to defy old-aged party
allegiance and vote for a new candidate, or will they retain the status quo?
This article looks at the
main contenders of the 2023 Zimbabwe election and their campaign messages.
Emmerson Mnangagwa of the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party (Zanu PF)
Emmerson
Mnangagwa, 80, is a veteran politician and the current president of Zimbabwe. He came to power in 2018,
after winning a closely-contested election against Nelson Chamisa, with 50.8%.
This was a year after the longest-serving president of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe
was ousted in a military coup. Mnangagwa was a
very close ally of Robert Mugabe, serving under him as vice president, and the
Minister of State Security. However, in 2017, he was sacked by President Mugabe
over allegations of disloyalty.
Mnangagwa is
seen as a pro-business, and his policies are geared towards promoting a
business-friendly environment and attracting foreign direct investment. For
instance, in 2018, when he took office, he scrapped a local ownership law – a
law which required foreign-owned
companies including mines to sell majority stakes to locals. He has also
assured creditors and development partners of his resolve to implement economic
reforms that are crucial to addressing the country’s
nearly $8.3 billion of debts and arrears.
In the upcoming election, Mnangagwa is seeking a second term to continue
with the economic reforms he started since his assumption into power in 2018. He
has also promised to create jobs, reduce inflation, and improve the lives of
ordinary Zimbabweans. Further, he has promised to improve the country's
relationship with the international community – something that was poor since the
Mugabe era.
However, critics
of Mnangagwa have accused him of his poor handling of the economy
– which has caused severe hardships, pushing millions of people into extreme
poverty. He has also been accused of corruption and human rights abuse –
allegations he has denied and insists that he is the right person to take
Zimbabwe out of the current economic turmoil.
Nelson
Chamisa, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
Nelson
Chamisa, 45, is a pastor and a lawyer by profession and the presidential
candidate for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Chamisa, inspired by
Morgan Tsvangirai, transitioned from a student leader into national politics in
1999. He served as a minister of Information and Communication Technology from
2009 to 2013, when Robert Mugabe agreed to share power with the opposition,
following the disputed 2008 elections.
In
2018, he lost to Mnangagwa in the presidential elections, with 44.3% of the
total valid votes – an election that was allegedly rigged
in favour of the latter. At that time, he was the leader of the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC), following the death of opposition leader Morgan
Tsvangirai. However, he formed the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in 2022,
following a legal battle which led to factions within the Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC).
Chamisa
is regarded as a popular and charismatic political figure, particularly among
the youth, and has been able to galvanise the middle class to support his
cause. His message for the 2023 elections centres on the economic crisis. He
has promised to, among other things, create jobs, reduce inflation and reduce
the cost of living. He has also pledged to fight corruption and be more
accountable and transparent to the citizenry. He says that his government will
restore fiscal sustainability, respect fundamental human rights, and attract
foreign direct investment by creating an enabling environment.
However,
critics argue that Chamisa lacks political experience and that he is making
unrealistic promises to attract votes without any clue on how to fund them. Some
have argued that he lacks what it takes to move Zimbabwe out of the country out
of the current economic quagmire.
The other candidates
One of
the key persons political pundits expect to give the two frontrunners a run for
their money is Douglas Mwonzora, the leader of the Movement for Democratic
Movement (MDC). However, Mwonzora recently withdrew from the race accusing the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of election mismanagement.
The
other candidates are Elisabeth Valerio of United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), Joseph
Makamba Busha of FreeZim Congress, Blessing Kasiyamhuru of the Zimbabwean Partnership
for Prosperity (ZIPP), and Trust Tapiwa Chikohora of the Zimbabwe Coalition for
Peace and Development (ZCPD).
The
rest are Lovemore Madhuku of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Wilbert
Archbald Mubaiwa of the National People’s Congress (NPC), Gwinyai Henry
Muzorewa of the United African National Council (UANC), and Harry Peter Wilson
of the Democratic Official Party (DOP).
Who wins?
Many political
analysts have described this election as a “rematch” between Nelson Chamisa and Emmerson Mnangagwa,
who battled against each other in the 2018 election. With the current economic
crisis currently plaguing the country, the stakes are even higher and the
competition is expected to be stiffer. Chamisa is considered a fresh face who
will bring a “new dawn” to the management of the Zimbabwean economy. But can he
leverage the frustrations of the masses over the economic crisis to craft a
compelling message that will inspire hope and convince citizens to embrace
change?
Mnangagwa
is the current president of Zimbabwe amidst the current economic crisis, with
its antecedent consequences. But at a time when the entire world is undergoing a
recession on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, can Mnangagwa
inspire hope within the citizens that he will use his experience to turn the
fortunes of the country around?
Well,
the candidate who can leverage the current economic circumstances to his
advantage will certainly win the hearts of the people.
Conclusion
As the election draws closer, the economic turmoil and severe cost of living crisis will certainly play a significant role in who eventually emerges as a winner. However, the question of whether the majority of Zimbabweans will defy old-aged, historical allegiance and embrace change, or continue with the status quo remains a political question. The answer to this profound question lies solely in the hands of the electorates and we are looking forward to finding out at the final tally of votes cast on the 23rd of August 2023.
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