The Sunday Mail
On June 10, several constituencies will go to by-elections to fill vacancies created by the recall of MPs by MDC-T. As a build-up to the polls, we introduce some of the candidates. This week we focus on Zanu-PF’s Cde Psychology Maziwisa, who will be contesting in Highfield West.
CDE MAZIWISA
Q: Who is Psychology Maziwisa, what is your background in politics?
A: I am a 32-year-old God-fearing young man who is a great follower and admirer of President Robert Mugabe and everything that he stands for.
I am the Zanu-PF deputy director of information and publicity and a devout member of the United Family International Church of Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa.
I was born into politics, into Zanu-PF really, because my father was a war veteran who spent the better part of his early years devoting his time to the liberation struggle of this country. So devoted was he that he was badly beaten up on many occasions by Ian Smith’s forces which caused him some sort of disability in his eyes and upper body.
When President Mugabe introduced the War Victims Compensation Fund in the early 2000s, he was amongst its chief beneficiaries.
So I grew up with politics as my driving force and when I attended the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa, I formed my own student organisation which contested SRC elections against the ANC and the South African Students Congress. I went on to become the first ever non-South African SRC deputy president at UKZN.
Q: What has been the inspiration to contest in Highfield West?
A: The desire to win back President Robert Mugabe’s constituency. He has a house there with a rich political history.
And let us never forget that Zanu-PF was formed in Highfield in 1963 and that President Mugabe votes in Highfield all the time.
Given what he has done for this country and how he has personally contributed to my own development both as a human being and as a politician, I felt it is the least I could do to appreciate his efforts.
Q: What do you promise the constituency in terms of development, welfare . . . ?
A: The time has come for the people of Highfield to lead better lives. The bulk of them live in terrible conditions – with as many as eight family members squashed in a single room. There is no dignity in that and it is about to change.
They have a myriad of problems including failure to access title deeds, water shortages, electricity and uncollected garbage.
Let’s put it this way: the people of Highfield are sitting on a health time bomb and it is all thanks to MDC-T which has dismally failed to show leadership there for 15 whole years.
Thank God, all of that is about to change as I will make sure we bring dignity to the people of Highfield through the provision of housing stands, better roads and the uninterrupted supply of water and electricity, among other things.
It can be done, it just needs the right person, from the right party and the with the right frame of mind. There is no question at all that Psychology Maziwisa is that person.
Q: Highfield has been a bedrock of nationalism, aren’t you intimidated to be taking on a constituency with such a legacy and history?
A: I am not intimidated at all. If anything, I am humbled. It is no small thing to represent such a hugely significant constituency. It is an honour.
Q: Some might argue that you are a political novice, and that Highfield West is too big a shoe, how would you answer them?
A: Well, if there was any truth in that at all – do you honestly think President Mugabe would have allowed me to stand as a candidate?
The party and the President have enormous confidence in my capabilities and that is all that matters to me.
Q: The emergence of youthful aspiring MPs, what would you attribute it to? Is the party undergoing self-renewal? Or is it youth are getting more interested in politics?
A: The party has always put young people at the forefront of our politics for as long as I can remember.
For example, how old do you think President Mugabe was when he joined politics? He was barely a teenager.
Let’s not forget that President Mugabe always says that young people are the future leaders of this country. And so what you are seeing is a clear demonstration that President Mugabe says what he means and means what he says.
Q: What is your prediction, come June 10?
A: A resounding victory for Zanu-PF of unprecedented proportions.
