 |
Harare, August 10, 2023 - In a spirited address to a crowd of more than 150,000 supporters in the heart of Harare, Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa left no room for ambiguity. The 80-year-old leader minced no words as he cautioned that the country would be "lost" if he wasn't re-elected in this month's impending polls. The rallying cry came as he addressed a fervent gathering for his political party Zanu-PF near the city center.
"If Harare fails to vote Zanu-PF, you will be lost," Mnangagwa, often referred to as the "Crocodile" for his political shrewdness, declared boldly. This pivotal statement underlined the high stakes of the upcoming elections, slated for August 23. Amid a backdrop of societal disquiet, hyperinflation, and unemployment struggles, Zimbabweans are preparing for a tense contest.
Notably, suspicions regarding potential election irregularities are running rife, echoing the nation's history of disputed votes and unyielding party rule since its independence in 1980. With an aura of both seriousness and wry humor, Mnangagwa confidently asserted, "No one will stop us from ruling this country," marking the beginning of his party's major rally in the capital.
Supporters swarmed the venue, receiving lunch packs and party regalia in a spirited show of enthusiasm. A touch of irony emerged as street vendors from the Mbare township shared tales of being "encouraged" to leave their work behind and board buses bound for the rally.
For the second time, Mnangagwa is set to go head-to-head with Nelson Chamisa, the 45-year-old leader of the opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). As Mnangagwa inaugurated a borehole ahead of his speech, a tangible effort to assure voters about the state of the economy and governance was palpable.
Injecting a touch of amusement, Mnangagwa chided Chamisa's promises of aid from Washington in exchange for votes, stating, "It's shameful that Chamisa wants Zimbabwe to be developed by Biden." Noting his own recent spate of infrastructure openings, including a coal mine, clinic, and coal-fired power plant, the president seemed determined to exude a sense of reassurance.
