Friday 19 July 2024

Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”

 Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken”


Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;


Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,


And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.


I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.


The courage to take a different path particularly when one knows this is the right path even when it is the least popular.

28 comments:

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp6zATEZYJo

    Zimbabweans calling on SADC to deny Mnangagwa political legitimacy now, a year since the rigged 2023 elections, is as wishful thinking as trying to solve a Calculus problem using simple arithmetic. For a start, these people should have asked themselves by now, why did Zimbabweans participate in the flawed elections in their millions?

    The problem of perpetuating the Zanu PF dictatorship is a problem of our own making and we must stop blaming SADC for our own leaders' incompetence and corruption and our own ignorance and naivety.

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  2. In his statement, Minister Muswere emphasized that Zimbabwe's elections were conducted in accordance with the Constitution, describing the process as transparent, fair, and democratic, leading to the re-election of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He asserted that the decision on Zimbabwe's leadership rests solely with its citizens and highlighted the country's robust and independent electoral system.

    Minister Muswere criticized the US for attempting to interfere in Zimbabwe's domestic affairs, reminding Ambassador Tremont of past contested US elections, including those between George W. Bush and Al Gore, and Joe Biden and Donald Trump. He suggested that the US should focus on its own pressing issues, such as rising political violence ahead of upcoming elections and the recent assassination attempt on former President Trump.

    Dr. Muswere stressed Zimbabwe's commitment to sovereignty and its rejection of external pressure. He also affirmed Zimbabwe's dedication to maintaining strong, respectful, and mutually beneficial relations with the US and other nations, advocating for constructive dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding.

    It was not only the American and the west who condemned last year’s elections. Both SADC and AU election observers condemned the 2023 Zimbabwe elections as a farce.
    “Conclusion 13.3

    The SEOM (SADC Election Observer Mission) noted that, as detailed in sections 6 and 7 of this report, some aspects of the Harmonised Elections fell short of the requirements of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Electoral Act, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021),” stated the SEOM report.

    Denying that the regime rigged the election and blaming the West as if they are the only one who have condemned the election comes as naturally to this tyrannical regime as breathing to a living thing. It is infuriating that the regime continues to ignore the cries for a meaningful say in the governance of the country from ordinary Zimbabweans. We might as well not exist. This is the same way the white colonial regime treated blacks; nothing has changed!

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  3. https://bulawayo24.com/index-id-news-sc-national-byo-243857.html


    Zanu PF must not pretend it was only the Americans and West who condemned 2023 elections. SADC, AU and ordinary Zimbabweans have all done the same. The regime continues to ignore the later just as the whites did before independence - nothing has changed!

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  4. One of the tragedies in Zimbabwe is that not only is Chamisa a liar but that there are millions of Zimbabweans out there who continue to believe in him even after they are presented the evidence of the lying.

    Nearly 2 million Zimbabweans voted for Chamisa in 2023 elections because they believed his oxymoronic lie that he had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. 3 to 4 million Zimbabweans in the diaspora cheered and applauded the elections because they too believed the lie.

    Like it or not, it was the millions of Zimbabweans who participated in the flawed elections who made impossible for SADC to deny Zanu PF legitimacy.

    Chamisa and company were hell bent on participating in the flawed elections out of greed and the lies about having winning in rigged elections strategies are to justify participating in flawed elections and to hide the real reason - greed. Denying opposition leaders sold out in failing to implement reforms and in participating in flawed elections is one of the lies Zimbabweans tell themselves and believe their own lie.

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  5. True that many of Chamisa’s tweets are “low-key childish”, that “his supporters love to hear” and that it “speaks volumes about his base”. What we should acknowledge is that millions of Zimbabweans are ignorant, naive and gullible and they constitute a lot of votes for both Zanu PF and Chamisa to exploit. And they have done so repeatedly.

    It is the millions who participated in last year’s flawed and illegal elections who made it easy for SADC to let Zanu PF off the hook although the regional body accepted the damning election report.

    Like it or not we are all suffering the consequences of the dumb Zanu PF and CCC supporters’ folly of participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and to perpetuate the dictatorship. And, if we do not do something to stop it, history will repeat itself in 2028!

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  6. @ Lee Roy

    You clearly did not listen to the video because the solution is give. If you listened but still failed to get the solution then there is nothing I can do for you. You have failed to understand what the reforms are much less how they are implemented. It is clear you have a problem!

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  7. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58jmAp4tu9Y


    Chamisa has lied about many things in the past; lied about meeting then President Trump, lied about plugging vote rigging loop holes, etc. What matters is that people believed him and participated in the flawed and illegal elections in their millions giving Zanu PF legitimacy.

    He is up to his usual tricks again posting the same messages of a brighter tomorrow prefixed with the trademark #Godisinit! The worst thing that can happen is for Zimbabweans to be conned into participating in flawed 2028 elections only to once again give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate the nation's suffering!

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  8. @ Bachipeneti

    “That's totally rubbish n hw much Zanu has lied to the country.”

    Chamisa lied that he had plugged the vote rigging loop holes to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. The very fact that you now admit this is significant progress given where you came from!

    Now that the truth of Chamisa is a lair has been hammered home the next step is to hammer in why he lied and the consequences of the lies.

    Chamisa lied about plugging the vote rigging loop holes because he want braindead people like you to participate in the flawed elections believing CCC would win big. He knew he was lying, Zanu PF was rigging the elections, and he also knew that participating would give Zanu PF legitimacy. And still he and his CCC friends soldiered on and participated out of greed.

    You do not believe me? Well here is what some MDC/CCC leaders have said on the subject.

    “Look, you can't keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimizing these sham elections which don't deliver. This country will go through a serious economic crisis in 2020 caused by Zanu PF. And yet, this is the only country where a government doesn't perform, it is encouraged by a super majority in parliament,” said Tendai Biti in a 2015 interview with Isaac Mugabi.

    “So you can't continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”

    “The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.

    The consequence of giving Zanu PF legitimacy is perpetuating the Zanu PF dictatorship and the heart breaking suffering of the masses. Of course, any one with half a brain would want this insanity to end!

    The idea that Chamisa should be allowed to con his brain dead followers and perpetuate the nation’s suffering because his braindead supporters don’t even know they are being exploited is nonsense particularly since it is not only them who are suffering but the whole nation.

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  9. @ Ngugs

    “Every sport person competing hopes to win. Is there anything wrong with that anticipation? Mukori?”

    How naive!

    The people of Zimbabwe have risked livelihoods, limbs and even lives (over 500 were murdered during the 2008 elections alone) to elect MDC/CCC leaders on the understanding they would implement the democratic reforms to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections. They have not only failed to implement even one token reform in 24 years, including 5 in the GNU, but have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed. They have been lying about the opposition having strategies to win RIGGED elections to con povo to participate in the flawed elections and hide the real reason for participating in greed.

    So you think it is ok for Chamisa and company to take advantage of the ignorant, naive and gullible povo promising they change and a better life knowing fully well that is a lie and perpetuating the nation’s suffering? How anyone can even say nauseating nonsense speaks volumes of his/her stupidity. With such stupid people it is little wonder Zimbabwe is a failed state.

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  10. @ John Munetsi

    Chamisa and company knew they would not win the majority in parliament nor the presidency. They were Zanu PF team B playing for team A to win and to give it legitimacy in return for a few gravy train seats. It is the ordinary Zimbabweans who lost. They believed Chamisa’s lies and participated in the flawed elections in their millions to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate their own suffering.

    Unless these ignorant, naive and gullible Zimbabweans open their eyes and minds; Chamisa is already gearing up to con them to participate in the 2028 elections to perpetuate the dictatorship. After 44 years of Zanu PF rigging elections, the last 24 years with the tacit connivance of MDC/CCC; it is incumbent on all THINKING Zimbabweans (I admit there are not many) to put an end to this insanity.

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  11. He, like millions of other rural folk, is no more than a medieval serf at the mercy of the over bearing Zanu PF proxies land lords. Characteristically rural people have been kept poor, denied the right to own land the one thing that would set them off on economic empowerment, by white colonialists and now by Zanu PF. MDC/CCC have done nothing, economically or politically, to free povo from Zanu PF’s tyrannical oppression.

    Only idiots with no clue of the tyrannical control and oppression of Zanu PF village heads, chiefs, war veterans, Zanu PF militia, Zanu PF leaders, Police and the rest of state machinery have over the rural people would ever suggest povo voted for Zanu PF because they received chicken and chips! The idiots have never lived in the rural areas and cannot even imagine what it means to be frogmarched to attend rallies and to vote.

    Zanu PF has increased the number of polling station from 10 or so in 2008 to 50 plus per parliamentary constituency, for example. One could vote in any of the polling station in the constituency, there was a constituency voters’ roll. Not any more, now there is a polling station voters’ roll. These measures are designed to dispel the notion that one’s vote is a secret. Zanu PF operatives will know the 500 or so voters on the polling station voters’ roll and within an hour of counting the votes will know how voted for Zanu PF and who did not!

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  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8VK9QE6Mos


    MDC/CCC have done nothing to free povo from Zanu PF oppression. Zanu PF has rigged elections for 44 years and the last 24 years of which with the active connivance of MDC/CCC who sold out on reforms and have participated in flawed elections out of greed.

    Chamisa lied about plugging vote rigging loop holes to con his Chamisa Chete Chete brigade to participate in the flawed elections to hide CCC greed and perpetuated the nation's suffering. This is not a CCC party affair but a national one and hence the reason why Chamisa must be held to account.

    Chamisa must not be allowed to con the nation into participating in 2028 elections and perpetuate the Zanu PF dictatorship.

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  13. @ Zhou

    “I think l told you kuti you are old enough to form your political party correct what Chamisa has failed as you are saying. It pointless to write about Chamasa failures here on the group chiitai muri imi zvaakatadza zvacho . I wonder if you have the capacity. It seems you are only good at criticizing others not correcting by doing it. Anoziva nekugona anoita basa racho ozotiudza kuti ndakati ngana aite akatadza chionai zvandakaita . Kwete kungoswero nyora zvausingagone kuita , saka usatiudze zvakare nezvake . Ndosaka tichiti makatumwa zvino hazvishande.”

    If the people were foolish enough to be conned into believing a blatant lie such as “I have plugged all the vote rigging loop holes.” How would forming another political party cure their folly?

    There were as many as 130 political parties in the 2018 elections that has not stopped the mob believing Chamisa’s lies and, one can add, it was not stopped idiots calling for more political parties as the solution!

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  14. @ G Ngwenya

    “If he doesn't give hope then we are doomed ,if i may ask a quick question ,let's say he just keeps quiet ,do you see any one who can give us hope so far ?”

    How any one can call participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship “hope” beggars belief. 44 years of rigged elections, the last 24 years of which with MDC/CCC connivance, and you call that hope! Fcuk me!

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  15. https://www.facebook.com/4415858595176450/videos/1020514212936134


    Neither Zanu PF nor MDC/CCC have any democratic credential worth a spit and therefore the more reason all the leaders must be held to democratic account - that is not negotiable!

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  16. @ Heatwave Midzi

    “In the Zimbabwean context, Nelson Chamisa, the opposition leader, is facing calls to account for his party's electoral defeats and perceived political miscalculations. To address these concerns, he might consider:

    1. Reflect on strategy: Reassess his party's approach to politics, elections, and governance.
    2. Listen to critics: Engage with supporters, critics, and other stakeholders to understand their concerns and ideas.
    3. Rebuild and reorganize: Strengthen party structures, revamp leadership, and inject new blood into the organization.
    4. Coalition building: Explore alliances with other opposition groups to enhance collective strength.
    5. Policy revitalization: Review and refine policy proposals to better resonate with Zimbabweans' needs.
    6. Grassroots engagement: Intensify connections with ordinary citizens, civil society, and community leaders.
    7. Leadership renewal: Consider succession planning, mentorship, or even stepping aside to allow new leadership.
    8. Dialogue with rivals: Seek constructive engagement with the ruling party to find common ground.

    By taking these steps, Chamisa can address the concerns of his supporters, revitalize his party, and reposition himself as a strong opposition leader in Zimbabwe's political landscape.”

    Chamisa has proven beyond all reasonable doubt that he is corrupt, incompetent and utterly useless and to prove it - he has not only failed to implement even a token reform in 24 years but to add insult to injury has been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy. But then the evidence is all water off the duck’s back for those without intellect to comprehend facts and much less appreciate it enormity.

    Your wish to recycle Chamisa is born out of the failure to accept he is corrupt and incompetent and beyond the pale. After 24 years of blundering from pillar to post, you still want more of the same! Fcuk me! And you surprised Zimbabwe is a failed state.

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  17. @ Washvvone

    “Why can't you just form your party and boycott the elections Mr mukori.”


    This is a knee-jerk reaction! Zimbabwe had as many as 130 political parties at one point and yet we are still a failed state - proof forming new political parties is not the solution.

    I have given you the solution: demand the implementation of the reforms and make it clear you will NOT participate in yet another flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy, give Chamisa and company a few gravy train seats and, most important of all, to perpetuate the nation’s suffering. You do not NEED a political party to do this!

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  18. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1lxOLIm0jY


    "Mnangagwa's bid for 3rd term will result in suffering and blood shed!" Tendai Biti. True!

    Still, I am sick and tired of Biti and company pontificating at how miserable we are under this Zanu PF dictatorship when the regime would be history if they had not connived to keep it in power these last 24 years.

    Mark my words Biti and company will participate in flawed 2028 elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed, 3rd term or not! Our greatest challenge is to make sure Zimbabweans are not conned into participating in the flawed elections to perpetuate our own suffering!

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  19. @ Koach

    “Balala balala. It's interesting that you criticize Biti, when yet we have not seen a single tangible contribution from you to ridding Zimbabwe of zanupf...I am sick and tired of cowards who mascrude as I know it all...when at best they are keyboard warriors.”

    What is wrong with being a keyboard warrior? The number one task here is to hold those in public office to democratic account and what better way to do so than to use the media. We are in the information age and we are now being told that we should not use IT to hold those in public office to account. What do you want us to use?

    The single most important contribution any one can make in the fight to end the Zanu PF dictatorship is educating the voters on hold both Zanu PF and MDC/CCC have short changed them. Zanu have rigged elections these last 44 years and the last 24 years of which with the connivance of MDC/CCC leaders whom the people have entrusted the task of delivering the democratic changes to end the dictatorship.

    You are just one of the braindead individuals who believe leaders like Tendai Biti are infallible demigods who must never be held to account. And typical of the demagogue you are, you attack the messenger to stifle debate when you should attack the message to promote debate and democratic accountability.

    Of course, you know I am right that Biti and company has been participating in these flawed elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging and that doing so would only give Zanu PF legitimacy. They have been doing it out of greed. Biti admits it himself as shown in the quotation shown in the video. You are just a nincompoop doing what nincompoops do best - defending the indefensible!

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  20. @ Chief Svosve

    “Wilbert you must one of the highest paid operatives. You are good at what you do .They should just give you Nick Mangwana’s job. This year you must get a hefty bonus - nobody has attacked the democratic alternative more than you. Not that I care about Biti but surely you have been relentless.

    Of course most of your utterances confirm u are a patient of dementia - you forget the election boycotts that you sing every day have been tried and done but we realised zero results.

    And for the umpteenth time I challenge you to provide solutions and be part of the solution.”

    MDC/CCC are Zanu PF team B in all but name; they have playing for team A to win and have legitimacy hence the reason why Chamisa and company have not implemented even one token reform in 24 years and have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy. All for a few gravy train seats reward.

    It is not only Tendai Biti who has admitted that MDC/CCC leaders are sell out, Coltart has done the same.

    “The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.

    You have been wittering about Chamisa “Change Champion in Chief”, MDC/CCC “democratic alternative”, etc. I have repeatedly asked you to name one change Chamisa has brought and have filed to do so because there is none. Events have shown that all your wittering is just bulls***t.

    Chamisa and his apologist, including you with your Change Radio, conned millions to participate in 2023 elections with oxymoronic lies like “I have plugged all vote rigging loop holes. #Godisinit!” He is gearing to repeat this in 2028. I am here to remind the people Chamisa is corrupt, incompetent and a liar and they should not be conned into participating in the flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate their own suffering.

    Let those with eyes to see, see and those with ears to hear, hear and judge for themselves whether Chamisa is the democratic alternative or just hot air!

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  21. @ Don’t forget to pray

    “People who can bring solutions are on the ground, not zvekuita Dr or gain respect over using strong words to confuse the youths.... Politics dze social media and pa ground its two different things…”

    Chamisa and company have not only been on the ground they have been on the political stage, holding elected positions 24 years including 5 in the GNU, name one democratic change they have brought. They have been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and perpetuate the dictatorship and the suffering of the people.

    Which part of “participating in flawed elections to perpetuate the dictatorship out of greed” are you failing to understand? How is it possible that anyone can be so shallow, thick and slow?

    No wonder Zimbabwe is a failed state, we really have more than our fair share of village idiots so stupid they don’t even know that perpetuating the Zanu PF dictatorship in NOT in their own interest!

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  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v91KTdIE7tM


    "Is Mnangagwa's heart made of stone, he cannot see the 90% unemployment and the suffering it has caused to follow Zimbabweans?" asked Professor Lumumba.

    It is the head he should be concerned with, Mnangagwa is a buffoon's head is full of mud!

    As long as Zimbabwe remains an authoritarian state, with a mere 2.92 democracy index, there will be no meaningful economic recovery. None!

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  23. President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania’s motorcade.

    No wonder once these leaders get into power they do not want to leave, absolute power is the most potent addictive drug guaranteed to turn brain cell into useless mud!

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  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z74RG9G88_s


    Why haven't Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi endorsed Kamala Harris? Let the people decide! Messy as this may be, it is the right decision. Those who try to short circuit the democratic process and deny the people a say will not be mudding the waters not clearing it!

    Two cheers for Democracy because it is sometimes messy but, as a system of government, it is the best there is!

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  25. @ Mahupete

    “Wiri, Proff Lumumba was at one time the Director of the Kenya Anti-Corription Commission. Vakamudzinga after one year. In that year haana kana conviction of note yaakaita. The reason is simple, corruption too embedded in the Kenyan system. However, his attacks on corruption are very vitriolic when it comes to countries like Zim. Never or hardly opens his mouth when it comes to his homeland. Hezvo ma demo kuKenya kwake on......wait a minute....CORRUPTION. Must be embarrassing and hence his rather nonsensical attempts at deflecting attention from Kenya.”

    The bottom line is Professor Lumumba should not talk about corruption in Zimbabwe because there is corruption in his own homeland in Kenya! Only an idiot would say that! Corruption in Zimbabwe is a serious problem and to do nothing about it because it is happening in other countries is a very foolish excuse!

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  26. @ Grace

    "On this one Wilbert ; you are out of line ; zvaari kutaura apo has absolutely nothing to do of the past . You stick Nema negativities pano ; haridi zvakadaro . Allow these young guys to work and be business guys for tomorrow . Apa I don’t agree with you at all."

    Zimbabwe’s economy has collapsed not because the people do not want prosperity but because the whole political system does not engender economic prosperity. Talent does not count for anything political connections do!

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  27. @ Changamire

    “Like I told you before, you are a political drama; that dilemma of poor thinking and write appropriate stuff at right time is letting you behind!”

    I never said Nancy Pelosi or Obama would never endorse Kamala Harris nor is Pelosi’s endorsement proof the people will not have their say. You should not read too much in any event. The point is even this late on the show, many would want the people to have a say in who will be the party’s presidential candidate and that is very healthy for democracy.

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  28. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACHHS6ajDLU


    "You have been claiming that MDC/CCC are Zanu PF team B in all but name, playing for team A to win and have legitimacy. Where is the evidence of that, the V11 forms?"

    a) MDC failed to implement even one token reform proposal in 5 years of the GNU, Patrick Chinamasa will testify to that.

    b) It was Chamisa - not ZEC, Mnangagwa or Constitutional Court Judges - who did not want the fictitious sealed ballot boxes in the 16 Polling Stations opened and thus prove beyond all doubt that the 2018 elections were rigged.

    c) Of course, Margaret Dongo was right to say CCC leaders should have refused to take up their gravy train seats after SADC and AU had condemned the 2023 Zimbabwe elections as a farce. They took up their seats to give Zanu PF team A legitimacy.

    SADC would have denied Zanu PF legitimacy if Zimbabweans had not participated in the flawed 2023 elections in their millions. We must NOT repeat the same foolish mistake in 2028! I AM WORKING OF THAT, EMPOWERING POVO. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!

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