and representatives: (1) “Selfless Service: a good candidate is not selfish. He or she has the people who elected him or her at heart. The interest of the people comes first before his own personal interest”; (2) “Responsibility: a responsible leader sets goals and makes a follow-up in order to see that those goals are fulfilled”; (3) “Accountability: an accountable candidate is ready to explain to the people the motives of his or her directions and performance. He/she has no problems with being transparent when it comes to handling public funds”; (4) “Truthfulness: a good candidate is truthful. A good leader does not necessarily have to be perfect. A leader who admits failure wins respect among the people because he admits the truth”; (5) “Respect for Human Dignity: this is a fundamental quality that a leader should have. A good leader should have respect for human dignity. All human rights such as right to life, decent accommodation, freedom of worship, etc. are based on the need for respect and promotion of human dignity”. Beyond the Elections: Towards a New Politics [7] It is in the nature of free and fair elections that no individual or small group should be able to determine the results. It is certain, therefore, that some will be disappointed. The issues that face us are not simple, and we are divided in our opinions about the way forward. It is quite possible that the results of this election may give no individual leader or party an outright or clear majority. But if it is true that, as we wrote in March 2013, “most Zimbabweans have lost trust in the leadership”, it is also true that an exaggerated trust in individual leaders or parties has not in the end served us well. We must go into the process committed to accept the results of a free and fair vote by the people, whatever they are. The experience of the Government of National Unity of 2009 was, for some, a disappointment. But a result that accurately indicates a more or less equal division of opinions would be a sign, not of electoral failure, but of success. It would invite us to a new and challenging kind of politics, a new cooperation and harmony based on reasoned argument, generous compromise and respectful toleration. It would be a door to a new Zimbabwe. Whatever the 4