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Walter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
BORN into a politically active family with well-defined activism which dates back to the 1960s, Zanu-PF candidate for Bikita West constituency by-election slated for tomorrow, Cde Beauty Chabaya is not a novice in the game.

For her, the by-election is an opportunity to demonstrate that she is capable of making a difference in her area of birth.

A businesswoman of note and mother of two, Cde Chabaya (41) will contest for the seat left vacant by the incarcerated Munyaradzi Kereke against five other candidates.

Kereke was sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping his 11-year-old niece in July last year.

Being the only female candidate vying for the seat, Cde Chabaya is determined to prove she is the iron lady of politics in Bikita.

Her first real experience in politics was during the 2008 Senatorial elections when she served as her mother’s campaign manager.  Her mother, Cde Cecilia Chabaya, who served in the Masvingo provincial women’s league executive for 22 years, however lost the election to MDC-T’s Dr Kokerai Rugara.  Cde Chabaya believes the time has come for the pendulum to shift in her favour.

“It took me by surprise when my mother lost in 2008 but that has motivated me to contest for the Bikita West by-election. Victory is certain, I have nothing to fear as I am capable to steer our ship to stardom. I have all it takes to change the lives of the electorate in my constituency,” said Cde Chabaya.

She said being not a novice in politics gives her the zeal and hunger to be a political leader who would ensure total emancipation of women in Bikita and beyond, adding that it is incumbent on her to change the face of the district.

“I am not an alien in politics as some prophets of doom may choose to believe. I have a rich history of political activism through my father and mother. My late father Adam Chabaya and my 72-year-old surviving mother were actively involved in the liberation struggle since the 1960 as they helped in waging a stiff resistance against the [Ian] Smith regime in Bikita District,” she said.

A member of the ruling party provincial women’s league in Masvingo, Cde Chabaya said she acceded to requests to contest in the Zanu-PF primary elections and won convincingly.

“I was nurtured into a politician by my mother and wish to pay back by having a political office through becoming an MP for Bikita West. I did not think twice when I was asked to contest in the primaries and members in my constituency supported my candidature and I beat other five male contestants to become Zanu- PF’s sole candidate.

“As if that is not enough I have been secretary for economic affairs in Masvingo women’s league provincial executive since 2012. That speaks volumes on me as a tried and tested party cadre,” she said.

Cde Chibaya said her inspiration is derived from First Secretary and President of the party President Mugabe whose vision for the country is unparalleled.

She described him as a highly principled statesman whose policies are spot-on and promote the emancipation of women in business and Zimbabwean populace at large.

Many black people now own companies, a feat which Cde Chibaya said was rarely achieved during colonial rule and that could be attributed to President Mugabe’s policies which promote local businesses.

She also declared her commitment to finish all the projects left unfinished by her former senior at high school and predecessor, Kereke,  and also come up with new initiatives so that Bikita West can be counted among developed constituencies in the district and country at large.

She, however, called for all party members to unite as the battle to achieve total emancipation and development cannot be won single-handedly, adding that she would be the electorate’s servant and not their “boss”.

“I would like to be a good and active listener to the electorate. If the people of Bikita West demonstrate their trust in me by voting resoundingly for my candidature on Saturday I promise that I will be their servant and prepared to listen to their grievances and advice.

“Together we will develop this constituency. I also promise that I won’t stray from the party line under whatever circumstance as I believe, when we do the party work, it is the party that is important and not us as individuals,” she said.

Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko have addressed star rallies in the constituency ahead of the by-election.

“This is a rare honour to have two Vice Presidents visiting my constituency, drumming support for me. I feel humbled by the gesture from two senior members in the party. I hope people of Bikita West will not fail me as we endeavour to repay our allegiance to the party in a great way by winning resoundingly. The other candidates from NCA, ZimPF can hardly match our standards as Zanu-PF,” said former Silveira High School pupil.

Cde Chabaya said if she wins the right to represent the constituency, she will work on the rehabilitation of Jaravaza Irrigation Scheme presently facing water shortages, de-siltation of Chiverevere Dam in Mupamaonde area and the drilling of more boreholes in each ward to improve access to water by villagers.

Other contestants are Messrs Heya Shoko (independent), Madock Chivasa (National Constitutional Assembly), Innocent Muzvimbiri (independent), Mr Terence Makumbo of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe and ZimPF’s Mr Kudakwashe Goko who is also former Zanu-PF national youth executive member.

— @walterbmswazie2