Zimbabweans have, however, already been informed that they are not from China: the opposition has announced they will eject Chinese engineers and investors from Zimbabwe once they assume office.
Whether this is “visionary,” as the leader of the opposition declares, or, as others describe, “fantasy,” it is certainly an original approach.
Similarly, it is unique for a political leader, as the opposition candidate has repeatedly done, to claim he has been promised $15 billion from the Americans (which they manifestly did not, and have publicly denied ever committing).
To then contend he guided Rwanda’s national ICT development by personally advising that country’s head of state provokes incredulity compelling President Paul Kagame to state, on the record, the two have never even met.
My opponent is neither the first nor the last political figure to stretch his CV. This is a consequence of holding such high party office when still a relative political novice. That, at least, is plain for all to see.
More importantly, it is neither right nor fair to the voters. The election is about the next five years. The challenges facing Zimbabwe are neither difficult to know nor hard to see.
How does this put food on the tables of our people? Or foster respect for minorities in our society? Or help Zimbabwe attract the foreign investment critical to our economic recovery?
There are signs the opposition is aware of this, too. Yet still, they present no cogent plans for addressing citizens’ concerns. Instead, they organize rallies outside the Zimbabwe Election Commission premises declaring “No Reforms, No Elections.”
Zimbabweans deserve the forthcoming free and fair election — even if the opposition appears intent on squandering that opportunity for themselves. My offer is real change that is delivered — because it can be — in the next five years.
The alternative is unreal change — change that is not delivered, because it cannot be — not in the next five years or beyond. This does not lead to a new Zimbabwe. It leads to a Zimbabwe that is not new. For when there is no change, nothing changes at all.
By Emmerson Mnangagwa- Washington Times
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