Political consciousness

“Why is politics everywhere in our lives? Could there be a politics-free public space at all?” Lloyd Takawira a.k.a Chigwede Waruma As l sipped my last glass of opaque beer my phone rang . It was a new number. Hesitant to answer l gathered my courage and answered . It was my cousin Orchard " Sekuru Chigwede Waruma ", he said Exhilarated to hear from a long time relative , we talked some blasts from the past . Of interest to our conversation was this part " mkoma vanhu vese kumusha varikuti makuita zve politics " to which l laughed my lungs out and assured my brother that politics is everywhere. We ended the conversation with him giving me a word of advice " politics dzourayisa mkoma , mucharangarira ana Zuda nana Baba Mhan'a 2008" My conversation with Orchard and many other interactions gave birth to this writing clearing the air on what is political and the political processes and who is a politician and and The processes of political and social consciousness that represents me Lloyd Takawira a.k.a "Chigwede Waruma" Firstly let me address and demystify how politics is "OMNIPRESENT" The reason that politics is everywhere is because everything is political. Everything. Now, whether or not you are willing to consider the politics behind things is entirely up to you. But there is a political issue to everything. Even the very act of attempting to establish a politics-free public space is political. For most, considering the politics behind everything isn’t feasible - nor is it interesting. But that doesn’t change the fact that every interaction, every purchase, the way you spend ends political. RELATED QUESTIONS (ANSWERS BELOW) Is politics everywhere? Where do politics stop? Or is everything political? What is a political analysis ? A political analysis aims at answering a given question concerning a certain political process, event, as well as at predicting future developments. ... Political Analysis simply means any systematic attempt to understand, examine, evaluate as well as explain any form ofpolitical phenomena by first breaking them down into conceptual parts in order to make sense of the interplay between its associated variables. How does politics affect society? Author Evan Lee in 2010 a former Professor at University of California, Hastings College of the Law (1989-2017) He said "To me, politics is simply the process by which humans order affairs amongst themselves. My favorite undergrad Political Science professor used to say that the most political unit in human affairs is the family. Forty years later, I’m inclined to think he was right. Yes, there can be, but it’s up to you to be the change that you want to see in the world. Every time that you choose to shape a situation by seeking to understand others more than to be understood, and by seeking to give more than to take, you’ve bypassed the competition and argumentation of politics - you’ve obviated politics by shifting things toward kindness and empathy". Author Alexander Wilson in 2018 opinined that politics is "everything and OMNIPRESENT" He said "We could have a “politics-free” space if, and only if, politics did not invade every aspect of our lives. When we can successfully name at least three things we see, touch, taste, feel, smell, or hear from the time we arise in the morning until we retire at night that are not regulated, registered, limited, curtailed, taxed, inspected, licensed, or forbidden by one government agency or another, we would have a chance at a politics-free space. As long as government is too big, too intrusive, too domineering, your dream world (one I and my family would gladly share) will remain noting more than ". What is political analysis(sts)? A political analysis (sts) is a type of political scientist. An analyst might research political systems or the relationships between the a particular government and foreign countries, advise national leaders about a foreign government's goals and their implication for the Gvnt and develop political theories based on analysis of historical documents and statistics. He or she may also analyze and report on election results and forecast political trends. The false equivalence between a politically conscious person and a politician is often confusing to many . There is a clear distinction between a politician and politically conscious person I Chigwede Waruma I'm not a politician but livid and conscious to the daily goings on This letter is for my brother Orchard and many who were inquiring about my political inclination

Covid-19 -Let's Stop Politicking for a Moment. By Lloyd Takawira Features Writer For long Zimbabweans had been reading about confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa, United Kingdom and Italy to mention a few but now reality has dawned on us. The country has recorded two confirmed cases of the deadly virus. Confirmed by the world health organization as deadliest pandemic so far with over 200 000 people infected across the globe while almost 10 000 have perished. Speaking to the media, Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights (ZDHR) secretary general, Dr Norman Matara said Zimbabwe lacks the gravitas to fight the deadly pandemic. He bemoaned our governments preparedness in the face of COVID -19 with revelation that we lack basic essentials such as protective clothing. “We do not have adequate personal protective equipment for health worker especially in the provinces and districts. Health workers are not confident of the safety and are sceptical to respond to suspected case. “We also need management protocols to taught to all the hospitals in Zimbabwe. From data from countries with high cas of Covid-19 we have learnt that about 2 of cases will require ICU admission. In Zimbabwe we have only four functional beds in Harare. The identified isolation centres do not have ICU capability.” WE CANNOT AFFORD CHEAP POLITICS Dementation and political dwarfism in the face of a crisis has became politicians way of operating, having the pleasure to score cheap political goals in the face of the pandemic. From Information deputy minister, Energy Mutodi jokingly saying that men should shun prostitutes as they are the biggest carriers of the coronavirus, a claim not medically and scientifically backed to Defence minister, Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri's claim the novel coronavirus to the United States and other Western world is punishment for the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe; while the Principal continues his globetrotting and galivanting; addressed a fully packed rally in Manicaland and flew to Namibia despite having announced lockdown. OF TWITTER THEATRICS AND HISTRIONICS In the age of information explosion and rapid information dissemination fears can be easily stoked using social media but alas our seeking to outwit each other on various social media platforms have gone on an overdrive on Twitter . Unconfirmed reports state that award winning journalist, Hopewell Chin'ono was flagged by facebook for dishing out what proved to be "FAKENEWS" about COVID-19 . Others such as Presidential spokesman, George Charamba ululate while insinuating that the ban on public gatherings is a huge blow to those who love demonstrations a dry jibe to the opposition while others such as Nelson Chamisa rush to announce new cases of coronavirus much to the protocols. Others like Linda Masarira not because they are orderly but because their enermy errors they resurrect not to offer solutions to the problem before us but to rebuke a fellow politician in a demeaning way evidently clear of her attention seeking. The question is can our politicians shove up their political fortunes in the face of a debilitating crisis such as COVID-19 . ZIMBABWEANS AND DARK HUMOUR Probably inherited from the first citizen President Mnangagwa, Zimbabweans on social media have not taken the pandemic seriously with uninspiring jokes doing the rounds . Question is ? Do we afford jokes in the face of a pandemic. SOBBERNESS AND REFLECTION As the war against COVID -19 intensifies there is need to mirror, acknowledge and reflect the numbers which are perishing each day while at the same time economies are screaming. From an economic view a negative GDP for Zimbabwe is now highly likely , while the economy is in turmoila projection of 0,8% growth is now nowhere near vicinity. Even the IMF has since revised the 2020 global economic growth forecasts to levels below last year . In the face of COVID -19 our energy should not be expedited on trivial things such as should "shake shake " building disseminate information on the virus or that" Morgan Tsvangirai House" should provide the information but our concern should be vigilante in the face of COVID -19, to pull in one direction as evidenced by South Africa. A sign of unity was exhibited where President Cyril Ramaphosa and EFF's leader, Julius Malema address the media with one voice. Why can't Zimbabwean leaders emulate that.

Immortalization .Scourge of the strongman politics .

By Lloyd Takawira

"Me me me me me me me me me " summed it all . That how one of the  South African dailies headlined the Zimbabwean  governments move to  renaming of major roads and buildings as an honor to "Luminaries".

One commentary from  my fellow brother and academic Eric Muzimando , were questioned the logic behind having a whole cabinet discussing about naming a road was also an eye opener.

When the news about the move was announced , social media was abuzz with mixed reactions .

While decolonializing our roads and buildings is a noble idea , of note is that the white did not just come here and started naming roads after themselves .

The whites build roads and infrastructure and named them after themselves which is what we expected from those who bagged nine out of ten , one commentator said

One of the interesting talk point from this harbinger is that we are entrenching a strongman narrative to the political and governance culture .

A whole cabinet to seat and discuss changing a street name or building is a very lowly rating for people who are failing to grapple with the economic and political doldrums bedeviling this country .

Polarization
Social media was awash with mixed reactions to the renaming of major roads .Mixed reactions , tempers flaring charactorised the move by government

Emerson Mnangagwa road
One of the most interesting talk point is Emerson Mnangagwa road . One would want to ask why of all the said luminaries , the persona of President Mnangagwa topped the debate .

Its a confirmation of the political polarization that has gripped the nation .

While naming a road after President Mnangagwa is noble idea because just like any liberation war fighter , the man is amongst them , no doubt about that .

However , the brickbats and vilification confirms that the government of today need to dialogue  with the people .  

We are the headmasters
While many can critique the move by goverment from a face value the move is purely a signal that we make decisions

Who controls Urban councils
While the urban councils act spells succinctly that councils by virtue of law are empowered to names and rename roads .

The move to bypass cpuncils most of them MDC run  is an indicator that you have no power .

While the MDC controls councils , the move to rename councils further confirms what local government analysts have always argued that , the failure by local authorities while partly corruption the continued state snooping is also affecting the smooth operations of councils .

The feel us mantra
The government has been grappling with dissent . The renaming of roads especially after President Mnangagwa whose rating in Urban areas is low is a ploy signaling cemented power .

Who is a  luminary
This is one of the most frequently asked question. People like Dumiso Dabengwa , Morgan Tsvangirai , Rugare Gumbo , Ndabaningi Sithole  , Dydmus Mutasa to mention a few are also luminaries .

The impact
While renamed  , history has taught us that people still call them by their old names .

In conclusion , the strongman political culture is at times entrenched by those around a leader . It is the duty of that leader to resist "Idaminazation"