“As CCC turns a year older…
Is it not truly amazing just how much time flies. Indeed, it’s been now a whole full year since that nerve-wracking announcement & address to the Nation by Nelson, on formal notifications to ZEC, announcing CCC’s entry onto the electoral field.
As the history is now been fully told, that announcement on January 24th, was a culmination of what Nelson termed “citizens engagements on the way forward.” Something which was to be key, if the new yellow movement was to have a strong foundation & identity.
Here is my personal reflection on the CCC one year anniversary.
Firstly, the Jan 24th, 2002 announcement of CCC, perhaps somewhat forced by that year’s impending by-election, was irregardless, a much awaited ‘signal’, showing an intent at reclaiming the democratic space. Months prior, Opposition politics as we know it, had turned into a sorry spectacle. The ugly fight for the “MDC” name, & subsequent overreaching hand of the judiciary (ZanuPF) in deciding MDC internal matters (leadership), left many disillusioned, demoralized & disengaged.
Strange & unidentifiable had become our politics, that MDC-A’s 2018 opponents had turned into its leadership. The circus resulted into a Harvest House coup, where individuals who had played little to no role in the election of MDC-A public representatives, could now recall them at will. To that end, CCC presented an opportunity for citizens to actually act on their claims. The politics of boardrooms & press conferences was eventually replaced by electoral contestation, with CCC offering a platform for citizens to potentially reclaim their voices & authority.
Secondly, the significance of CCC’s entry onto the political field was a confirmation of the claim that the fight for the democratization of Zimbabwe was a shared belief, bigger than names, colors & symbols. Much as those are important for identification, citizens are clear.
For more than years, the name “Tsvangirai”, colour “red” & “MDC” acronym, have all been key features of Opposition politics. Even when the MDC institution split, there was always a desperation to maintain association through those. Attempting to start all over, was a true test. And what became quite interesting about how the political market embraced the new CCC product, was the #YellowFriday spectacle. With no equivocation, citizens expressed unmistakable excitement around the new name, & the yellow color, slowly signaling death for the RED identity.
Thirdly, the existence of CCC has allowed for a total re-imagination of how citizens’ can actively contribute to their struggle. Nelson Chamisa on his part, always argues that if “gate-keeping” means closing space for new ideas & personalities, then its undesirable & counterproductive. It was thus amazing being part of twitter spaces, listening to citizens aligned to CCC, adding their voice in structuring the party.
Perhaps the most exciting part has been resource mobilization. Like no other party, CCC has created so much space for the diaspora community. It’s also fair to acknowledge the role of women & youths, in CCC. Again, CCC, like no other party, has given key roles to some of the most exciting & capable of our women. Youths & pro-youth groups have also taken a stand, primarily around voter education & registration. And ofcourse, it wasn’t going to be possible to main excitement around CCC, solely because of a new name and color. Citizens were inevitably going to demand “newness” in terms of substance & political offering & value propositions.
It has been exciting to watch this as well.
To this end, the “citizens at the center” philosophy has been disruptively exciting. Sometimes, it’s in the simple things, e.g. the departure from shef-rism culture where CCC officials now seat in the sun with wanachi at rallies.
The logic is refocusing attention to issues.
Ofcourse, it’ll take time before “citizens at the center” philosophy becomes our political culture. It’s resistance will always come from the politicians who enjoy being at the center themselves, much to the detriment of the citizens.
Even the citizens have a lot to unlearn.
And ofcourse, in terms of policy substance, CCC will inevitably have to formally present its: what, how, where & when, beyond threads & press conference. Alternative policy blueprints will need to be allowed to have a life of their own.
Such conversations are needed.
In the midst of all this excitement & hope that CCC has offered, it would be preposterous to claim that it has been all smooth sailing. Tragically, like many new entries in the wild serengeti, CCC has had to learn how to run, before learning how to walk.
Let’s face the facts, without CCC on the political table, our politics would’ve been very different.The capture of MDC almost eliminated opposition politics. ZanuPF wouldn’t be bothering about rigging because in all honest, no other party is showing any meaningful threat.
In these defining months, CCC now has to show more fight than flight. On their part, citizens have to continue making the uncomfortable demands & asking the difficult questions to Nelson & everyone.
If such a culture is normalized, then citizens will truly be at the center.
Lastly, I can’t help but admit how much I miss following CCC rally visuals.
When interested in something, Zimbabweans are an interesting bunch. Innovations around regalia, songs, were fun to watch.
Come June, may CCC deliver on the promise.
Happy Yellow birthday.
enkosi!”
