Zimbabwe Elections 2013.

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Could this be the end? Or it is the beginning of a new reign of the same old? Could we part of a wave of change that is sweeping across the world? Are we expectant of change? Do we as Africans harbor any hope for change, now that our counterparts in the North have twice effected change in their nation? As the world celebrates with America's United States their independence I have sat down contemplatively and have come up with questions unresolved that I will pose to the rest of the world.
To begin with, the president of the Republic of Zimbabwe has announced the dates for the 2013 elections for the public to democratically elect a new head of state. This will bring to an end, the life of a Government of National Unity that we all agreed to back in 2009. We in Zimbabwe I must say are the most resilient and peaceful people on the face of the earth. One can say we were subdued long before we could protest, but the truth of the matter is, we know the value of human life. Among us live a breed of people who could do anything for money and other gains, and those are the easy targets our politicians use to kill and destroy other people's livelihoods. Political pawns they are and the most corrupt and decadent among us manipulate their dim wits to grow opulent. 
On this day, in 1776, 13 American States declared themselves free from British rule and embarked on a journey that the country is still on today, towards the achievement of total democracy. The declaration of independence in America prompted the French to demolish their monarch. Old ideals were thrown out and founded were the new ideals of liberté, égalite and fratenité. A new dawn began that saw the independent states coming also together under one Federal Government. At the same time, Capitalism rose and saw the world prosper. Colonization of Africa followed suit, with ambitious European states venturing far across the seas to claim territories that belonged to native Africans, Indians and Asians. Later, they too were displaced and native peoples ruled in their respective countries, free at last! However, with all these good developments happening across the globe, there lately has been yet another sign of the times. Perhaps it is time to depart from the so-called democratic practices or rather, it is time to practice the 'real' democracy as has been avoided by many democracies across the world. Democracy is a very hard practice, for those who want the word to be defined in the true sense of the world. It is so because it means every individual in a nation is heard and is truly represented and leaders are held accountable at any point in time.

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We have seen the current ongoing events in Egypt who have twice forced their leaders to leave their posts. Early in June, the Brazilians took to the streets in Sao Paulo over bus fares. By mid June, about a million protesters turned up to protest against an even longer list of injustices they had braved over the years which include poor public services, corruption, overly paid for World Cup stadiums et cetera. There has been protests in Turkey over a building project backed by Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan. In Indonesia, they have refused to accept the increase in gasoline prices. What began as mere demonstrations in Sofia, against abnormally high electricity and hot water bills became even more serious demonstrations against the government's policies and the entire political system in the country. As a result, the government of Boyko Metodiev Borisev resigned. The rest of Europe, in Greece people are displeased by austerity measures adopted by their government as well as in Spain and other Euro zone countries. It seems like the time we are in is a phase of people-initiated changes in the most high places in countries and this should ring bells to current African leaders as well as those planning to lead. Personally, I feel we should not remain quiet when things in our beloved Zimbabwe are not going so well, especially if they are because government officials are not performing their duties. The issue to keep in mind is that we should be peaceful, in everything that we do. We must, just like the rest of the people who are realizing this, see that power, real power lies in people, not governments. 
As for the presidents old and young in Africa, presidential aspirants, let Dilma Rousseff, Tayyip Erdogan, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Mariano Rajoy and Morsi and the rest of them tell you how it is to have people who you would have thought you had gotten them in the bag tell you. As docile as we may look, as lethal as the armies may seem, it will take just a day for the walls to break and the water come crushing in on authority. Remember, it is hard to contain an angry mob that is not fighting among itself, but shouting for your removal from power. Perhaps it is the work of the Divine one fighting for the injustice His children are suffering at the hands of unruly politicians. 

The lines that run under the heading 'What is ZANU PF? in their constitution include the following portion,'driven by its Democratic African Values where the leadership is accountable to the membership which elected it...'. On the other hand, the MDC's elections manifesto promises people that the party, once elected into power will strive to create a 200 billion dollars economy by 2040 and a creation of over a million jobs within the next five years. On the other hand, ZANU PF whose manifesto is soon to be launched, says they are going to be promising voters more in the areas of indigenization, empowerment and development. I think both parties really need to come up with well laid plans of how they shall accomplish what they are saying to be for. Given the little time there is before the deciding days, it is imperative that every voter demands to know and let it be known that whoever shall be elected, they will be held accountable and failure to produce results, nothing personal, but the elected people shall be removed without having to think twice. I believe that it would be a strong line to run by if leaders tell people that if they fail them, they will leave room for others to try out, after all, the president's job is not designed to accommodate only one person per thirty years.