By Tariro Gurure
When 2021 hit around November, we had just come out of a tough previous year. Of course, part of 2021 was a floating experience emotionally. Still, however, it hit me, as a young person who is an active citizen, that the electoral cycle had begun slowly. Still, there were signs of what we were meant to see and feel then.
Without hesitation, l had close people l knew who had never voted. However, they were in their late twenties, so l jump-started a conversation with each of them separately to pick their mind on why they had not bothered to exercise their constitutional right; laughable reasons, but for some, it was fatigue and voter apathy at its peak. They didn’t seem motivated enough even to register to vote. One answered, and l quote, “Vele ngivotelani kungasoke kubelendaba. The quote is loosely translated in English as why would l even vote when it won’t matter eventually. I took time to reflect on the conversations, and it hurt me that there was so much apathy and lack of urgency in participation.
Fast forward to January 2023 after some time off in December. Honestly, l thought this was a busy festive month, and l can’t be dropping electoral stuff now when my fellow youth are in a grooving mood, so l waited and began my mobilization of encouraging young people to register to vote. l explained in a way my peers would understand and ensured l didn’t undermine their decisions and choices regarding this issue. Surprisingly, the majority was willing; however, this didn’t come without heavy resistance and insults. However, this girl here was prepared with thick skin, patience, strategy, and prayer that this path may be as smooth as possible. For those that had agreed, l pushed an idea that at least if we become 10, have our water and walk to Famona at Windsor Park and back because l was clear l didn’t have funds, but it would be fun to do this. We did it the first time, and it was a success. I came home a changed woman. It’s possible by trial and error, though with transport available, life would have been much more accessible. This is when my notion of collaboration is a new competition. I approached some organizations, some women-led and some youth-led, for resources on transportation. They were forthcoming, and we did it together; better, young women came out and registered to vote.
Let me clearly say this was going well. However, numbers were low, then down, and we were facing the delimitation exercise that threatened Bulawayo with losing at least two constituencies from the point of being marginalized. Losing these constituencies meant the voices and numbers in Parliament would be lesser, which wasn’t a blessing for Bulawayo. I loved the drive in Bulawayo of door-to-door roadshows and social media campaigns to save the Magwegwe constituency because it had the lowest number. This meant new and first-time voters were the targets.
Time passed, l had to concentrate on my pregnancy, so ground activities were not my biggest fan, but l continued online, encouraging people to register to vote. l even did a video on TikTok, posting on Twitter. Well, X, fast forward. l am proud that my journey came with feedback on the 24th, how they voted for the first time, how they felt, and a sign of gratitude. My role as an active participant gave me a lifetime attitude that it is possible to influence positivity in your lifetime. Oh, by the way, my name is Tariro Gurure.