MDC‐T and the campaign
Imposed candidates….
‘L.M. came, he first spoke about devolution. In the end he introduced the candidate he
imposed, and then we asked him ‐ we asked him what kind of devolution he was talking about.
Because you spoke about devolution first, and then for you to introduce your imposed
candidate…? He then went on to say because he is at national level whatever he says goes. He
said that even if he got that person from the toilet, it was a must for us to vote for him. We
said no! We don’t know that person. Things got messed up.’ [Insiza South]
Reactions to election outcome
Thinking of Joshua Nkomo….
‘I just do not understand why this keeps on happening this way. I am so disappointed. I have
been disappointed by every election since 1980. We met Mr Joshua Nkomo in person, at Njelele
Hill, and we cleared everything with the spirits for him to win. Maybe Mugabe has got a
stronger god than all of us and that is why he wins, no matter how people vote….’
[Old lady, Matobo]
‘What I can say is that in terms of politics I have no alignment to any party, but whoever leads
in a good way ‐ I’m not even saying there is one who is leading in a good way ‐ but, in the
1980s, this side in Matabeleland there was Nkomo, he was the one whom we looked up to.
When things started getting tough he said, “My people, things are tough ‐ if I continue going
out to other countries, this matter will not be handled well. I better join these people, so that
we unite and I fix things internally”. He then left us with Mugabe. Even now we are saying it is
okay where we are, whoever is in opposition is not of concern to us.… We will speak to the one
who was left on the throne by Nkomo.’
[Old man, Gwanda]
Depression…
‘It’s a paralyzing election result to every one, the future is bleak. They will continue to fill their
bellies, while we suffers.’
[Old man, Lupane]
‘If he is the one who has taken over the whole country what can you do? Where can you go to?
There is no way out, if these radios are telling us the truth, to say that old man has won, what
can we do, nothing.’
[Old lady, Umzingwane]
Pleasure…
‘I am glad that ZANU PF has won – they have promised us that we can own factories now, so I
am waiting to be given part of a factory.’
[Young man, Tsholotsho South]
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