AS ZIMBABWE marks Unity Day, political parties say national dialogue is crucial in fostering a sense of unity and promoting nation-building.
In an interview with the Daily News on Sunday Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo, emphasized the importance of prioritizing nation-building over election-focused politics.
“At various phases of our national history, dialogue has taken us out of mutually assured destruction. “Presently, our country is trapped in an unhelpful vicious environment of election disputes inspired by intense conflict.
This conflict is almost singularly responsible for, not least, the economic collapse of the country. We have to break this cycle. We have to remove the cause of the conflict, that is, elections.
“To have a truly united people and country, our country has to get out of election mode. There should be no election within the context of conditions which will produce another disputed election. We should not have elections any time soon. But rather we should focus on nation building, “he said.
Mlilo stated that promoting national unity requires a collective effort from all political parties and civic society. “This is a national issue. All political parties and civic society should agree on a common road to national unity. It is not merely a partisan issue.
“There must be an all-inclusive dialogue between and amongst all sections of the Zimbabwean society, “he said. “Only through this dialogue can we build a truly united people and country.”
Similarly, United African National Congress (UANC) leader Gwinyai Muzorewa emphasized the need for political parties to work together towards a common cause.
“Political parties must recognize that the welfare of our nation surpasses personal ambitions and rivalries.
“To promote unity and national healing, parties can engage in the following mechanisms: first, establishing a formal dialogue platform where representatives can discuss common issues and demographics concerns; second, developing joint initiatives that tackle pressing national issues like poverty alleviation and education; and third, launching community-driven projects aimed at fostering interaction among citizens from diverse backgrounds, “he said.
“The UANC is dedicated to collaboration with other parties that share our vision for a united Zimbabwe, thus shifting focus from divisive politics to collective nation-building. “Economic development is a powerful tool for fostering unity and reducing inequalities.
The UANC envisions an economy that empowers all citizens, especially marginalized groups, including women. Promoting equitable access to resources and opportunities can help dismantle the barriers that prevent women from participating fully in politics and society,” Muzorewa added.
Muzorewa encouraged citizens to embrace unity day saying it goes beyond a one year celebration. “Zimbabwe faces several challenges in achieving true unity, including political polarization, socio-economic disparities, and historical grievances that hinder dialogue between various factions.
“We believe that when party members and communities collaborate, genuine unity can emerge. Our party will also advocate for inclusive policies that address disparities and create opportunities for all Zimbabweans, thereby nurturing an environment where unity can thrive,’ he said.
“The legacy of mistrust built over decades can complicate efforts for national healing. “To address these challenges, the UANC emphasizes grassroots engagement, focusing on the empowerment of ordinary citizens rather than solely on political leaders.’’
On her part, United Zimbabwe Alliance leader Elisabeth Valerio, who was the only female presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, stressed the need to empower women to boost their participation and leadership. She also emphasized the importance of unity amongst men and women in Zimbabwe for the economic development of the nation.
“The policies and framework for economic development must be inclusive and should ensure equitable distribution of resources. This idea is enshrined in the devolution and decentralisation framework. It ensures that resources and opportunities are made available to everyone including the marginalised.
“As an example, women in politics are usually resource limited. Economic development could promote the increase of women’s participation and improve their engagement in thought leadership and advocacy on economic issues affecting women, “she said.
“A bottom up approach to economic development will help Zimbabweans participate in nation building and will bring the citizens of Zimbabwe together as they jointly participate in the economy of the country.
“A poor society can only be a hive for disunity, economic inequality and corruption. It will manifest into a source of social disorder, intolerance and hatred. In contrast, well managed economic development will reduce injustice and inequality. Any nation in economic distress will be divided and demised. Valerio added that:”
“Political parties are formed and driven by members. We are here to represent the aspirations of the citizens whose mandate we serve. “Our members are diverse, coming from all provinces and all constituencies in Zimbabwe; hence we have a duty to promote peace and unity, reflective of our membership, “she said.
