Opinion: Going “Commando” or “Pantyless” on Election Day, doesn’t make sense to me!

When I think of not wearing panties, I think of Sharon Stone and Basic Instinct from 1990s. Not Elections.

One of the speakers, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga challenged women to unite and put their political differences aside as they fight against discrimination. “It is high time we show men that we can do it in style and support each other. On election day, we are all going to be pantyless just in case that demon of not voting for a female candidate catches up with you while in the ballot box. You can always lift up your dress and remember that you are a woman,” declared Misihairabwi to ululations from the crowd who showed full support for the move” (Bulawayo 24 News – ‘Zimbabwean women to go ‘pantyless’ on election day’ 06.04.2018).

This is the newest idea from the Movement for Democratic Change MP from Matabeleland South Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, what I am wondering about, what is the purpose of the exercise? Because, going “commando” or pantyless is usually for other reasons, which has nothing do to with the gender equality and neither a feminist stance. It is more lust driven and sexified. My own personal experience, it the times my girlfriends has gone without, they have been ready to make-out. But that is just what I know from my own experience. That is not the sort of drive, I expect woman or men to have when their voting.

It is okay to be excited and be energized for an election, that you pick the leadership and try to get the right person to represent you. That is why we have elections, so the right leadership and government officials can be there to represent us all. That’s across the board.

Part of me is sure that the woman who votes, know their gender and know it very well. Without looking down on their own genitalia. I have a hard time to believe in demons within it too, because than we men have to wonder if deliver demons from our penises. The demons has to come from somewhere and the politician here is closer to some rare religious leaders. The one I am first thinking of is Prophet Mboro, who has said this:

He said “an invisible man” visits people in their sleep, sometimes rapes them, and then they contract sexual diseases or develop disorders. This is due to spiritual forces, claims Mboro, who speaks to “those underwears” as he anoints them. “The power of God will get in,” he says” (News 24 – ‘Holy underpants! Prophet Mboro explains blessing panties’ 19.04.2016). So the MDC MP is sounding more like Mboro, than a serious politician. That is not a good look, because she is evidently believing the same.

Cosmopolitan described reasons for going pantyless like this: “Skipping your undies has practical advantages. First, you eliminate that dreaded wardrobe woe, visible panty lines. Second, you’ll never do an emergency load of laundry because you’ve run out of clean underwear. Plus, briefs and thongs can be icky sweat magnets. But it’s also about reveling in your sexy side. “Not wearing panties is risqué; you get a naughty rush knowing you’re so exposed,” explains Los Angeles clinical sexologist Ava Cadell, PhD. Removing the barrier that shields your intimate anatomy makes you more in touch with your innate sensuality, she adds” (Sara Bodnar – ‘Why It Pays to Ditch Your Panties’ 19.10.2012, Cosmopolitan).

So if the MP wants the woman to have a rush or a show their sexy side while voting, that is fine by all means. But there would be other ways to empower and to offer more for woman during elections. Than, just themselves taking of their panties. Unless, they want to entice men to vote in the same way. That would be using their sexuality in favor of political parties, but then they automatically objectified and that is clearly not progress in gender equality.

To go commando, should have nothing to do with Election Day. The MP should instead try to educate and show how the process is, even give possible reasons for voting for her party. This is not empowerment, not as I can see, unless you want to make elections sexy. I don’t know if that is a good idea. Because policy and governance, should be key in that. To make the government work better, both locally and the central government. Cannot see wearing panties or not will make a difference while voting. Unless, the woman want to make-out with returning officers and the electoral personnel from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

But that is just me… Maybe I am wrong, but then again, I am not commando. I am wearing my boxers. And see politics differently, I suppose. If am wrong, please enlighten me. Peace.

South Sudan: Twic East Youth & Students Association (TEVSA) – “Subject: Decree for the relieve of TESVA Chief Advisor, Title and Commencement (31.03.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM-IO Letter to Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali – “Subject: Protest on the Conditionss Imposed on the Release of Dr. Riek Machar as Stated in the Communique of the 61st Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan, Addis Ababa, March 26, 2018” (26.03.2018)

CTSAMM is deeply concerned regarding ongoing reports and allegations of hostilities in southern Central Equatoria and areas of Upper Nile (29.03.2018)

Juba, 29 March, 2018, The CTSAMM is deeply concerned regarding ongoing reports and allegations of hostilities in the southern area of Central Equatoria and areas of Upper Nile.

The CTSAMM would like to remind the Parties of their obligations to cease all hostilities and adhere to the provisions of the Agreement of the Cessation of Hostilities (ACOH), including freezing of forces and military movements without prior authority of CTSAMM. All parties committed to implement the agreement “in full and in good faith”. The 61st Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers underscored its resolve to bring any violators of ACOH and spoilers of the peace process to account.

The CTSAMM reiterates its mandate to freely monitor the implementation of the ACOH as outlined in the agreement. The CTSAMM continues to monitor these developments and will send Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs) to the areas affected as soon as is possible in order to ascertain whether any violation of the ACOH has taken place.

The CTSAMM stresses that any violation is unacceptable and will be referred to the IGAD Council of Ministers and JMEC. The CTSAMM calls on all parties to immediately cease all hostilities, and to investigate and ensure accountability of any breach of the ACOH. Where MVTs are required to conduct investigations, parties are reminded of their obligation to guarantee free movement and unhindered access.

South Sudan: Vivacell – “Status of Airtime and Simcard Stock in Your Possesion” (28.03.2018)

South Sudan: SPLM/SPLA-(IO) – “On the Communique of the 61 Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan (27.03.2018)

Opinion: I want to wish Chamisa all well, but worried still!

Well, I wasn’t born yesterday and the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) with the new President and former Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will not give-up easy. The state and the regime will not give-in and give away power. No matter who it is and now that finally the 75 year old man taste power directly, he will not delegate it. As he got it through the support and need for the military in Zimbabwe.

The systemic problems are still there, the issues are still there. Some freedoms and liberties has arrived, but so many unanswered questions are there. The ZANU-PF grip of all power and institutions give little leeway for someone else grabbing them. The cronyism and the military involvement in politics, will surely secure the elections in the favor of the ruling regime. There is little to show that this will suddenly change.

Because, even if the people and army got rid of Mugabe in November 2017, the same machinery, his henchmen and his waterboys are still walking about doing their thing. Parts of his loyalists in the G-40 has formed their own political party the National (New?) Patriotic Movement (NPM), but they we’re be a bag of donuts and just mere ploy in the scheme of things. There are previous deflectors of ZANU-PF that has massed much ado about nothing. So we can anticipate the same, even with the support and standing by both Grace and Robert. They still cannot fight the beast they have created.

It is in this vain I am worried about Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance, Presidential Candidate Nelson Chamisa. The youngster and long-term politician who has taken over the biggest opposition party, that gotten a huge following because of the hard work of Morgan Tsvangirai and others, who has fought the dictatorship of Mugabe.

There are something that has to change and right now I don’t see it. Not because I want the ZANU-PF to continue with their business as usual. Misusing funds, spending on cronies and buying off loyalty, while needing the pledges and tokens of trust from the army. That is not how to make it better. Chamisa might have the organization and the support, he might be able to gain the popularity of the people. However, that hasn’t mattered for Tsvangirai, because he was rigged away from power if not only once, but at least twice.

I don’t wish that for Chamisa and the MDC Alliance. No, I don’t want that, it would be fresh air with someone else, than cronies and the kingpins of the ruling party. There is a need for something else. It is a need for a free and fair elections, with a transition and actual change power. Not the use of the military or use of rigging.

Chamisa deserves a free and fair election, then there would be chance for the MDC flagbearer. However, with the things set in motion and the state of affairs. I have doubts. Not because of Chamisa work capacity, because of his message or even his age. No, I have doubt, because the ZANU-PF are preparing for procedure as usual. To make sure the Mnangagwa presidency continues in full steam at all cost. Nothing will topple that. Peace.

Commmunique of the 61st Extra-Ordinary Session of IGAD-Council of Ministers on the Situation in South Sudan (26.03.2018)

South Sudan: Firing Letter to Consultant Aminu Riasi Atekuru – “Sub: Termination of Consultancy Service” (26.03.2018)

South Sudan: Statement of the SSCSF on the Special Envoy’s Report on the HLRF (26.03.2018)