SWOT Analysis of a Coalition of Zimbabwe Opposition Parties

Strengths

1. a) Brings together all Zimbabweans who are opposed to the current ZANU PF misrule
2. b) All Zimbabweans coming together to oppose ZANU PF have a greater impact
3. c) A united front instils confidence in the hearts and minds of the vast majority of people who had become disenchanted with the Opposition
4. d) A united front instills a sense of fear in ZANU PF, as it will finally see a formidable foe
5. e) Avoids the splitting of votes during the forthcoming 2018 General and Presidential elections
6. f) Fielding of a single Opposition candidate per constituency saves resources
7. g) Fielding of a single Opposition candidate per constituency enables more effective and efficient monitoring at polling stations

Weaknesses

1. a) Higher likelihood of squabbling for candidature amongst the various political parties
2. b) Resistance from position holders within the various political parties to a coalition due to the fear of losing their positions
3. c) In the event of an Opposition victory, higher chances of political parties squabbling over ministerial and other high ranking government positions
4. d) In the event of disagreements in selecting a candidate to field in a particular constituency, there is a likelihood of either the coalition splitting, or some candidates standing as ‘Independents’
5. e) In the event of an Opposition coalition victory in the 2018 elections, there a possibility of squabbling on the sharing of government funds allocated to political parties
6. f) If individual egos ate not dealt with, various political parties and their leaders will try to outdo each other, and even undermine each other, should they form the next government – rendering the new government ineffective – even witnessing accusations of certain parties favouring the allocation of resources to certain constituencies and ministries

Opportunities

1. a) ZANU PF has destroyed the economy of Zimbabwe, such that the majority of the people are suffering and very disgruntled with the party. These include, the millions that are unemployed, those who had to leave the country for the diaspora due to economic hardships, the thousands who are laid off employment every year, those who have been laid off employment but never received their salaries and terminal benefits, those still in employment but are not been paid their salaries in full or in time, pensioners who are receiving a paltry amount from social security, school and college graduates who can not find the work of their dreams, or can not fulfil their ambitions, but have to resort to other professions or menial labour to survive, and all those who can not feed their families and send their children to school are potential Opposition voters.
2. b) ZANU PF has mismanaged the food situation in the country, as such, over 4 million people face starvation, and these are potential Opposition voters
3. c) The majority of Zimbabweans are disgruntled by the ZANU PF government’s tolerance and promotion of rampant corruption
4. d) The majority of Zimbabweans are unhappy with the manner in which the ZANU PF government is arrogant and displays total disregard for their plight
5. e) The vast majority of Zimbabweans have been affected or have seen the gross human rights abuses and blatant disregard for human life by ZANU PF, and are very angry with this party
6. f) Many Zimbabweans residing in resource-rich regions of Zimbabwe have witnessed their resources being plundered by ZANU PF, whilst they have been left destitute
7. g) Regions such as, Matabeleland have been left virtually undeveloped by the ZANU PF government since 1980, and the people from that region will vote for the Opposition
8. h) ZANU PF is at its weakest, as it is currently fraught with infighting, divisions and expulsions
9. i) The increase of Zimbabwean’s access to social media, online newspapers, private radio stations, such as the Voice of America’s Studio 7, is a major opportunity for an Opposition coalition
10. j) Zimbabweans are becoming more and more bold in standing up against the ZANU PF government, however, this is being done in a disjointed manner, and this is an opportunity for an Opposition coalition

Threats

1. a) The Opposition does not have access to the resources that ZANU PF has, such as the provision of residential stands to desperate home-seekers, provision of state-sourced food aid, machinery, clothing, and so forth, to party faithfuls
2. b) The Opposition does not have access to the public media in order to get their message to all corners of the country
3. c) The Opposition is deeply divided, and disorganised
4. d) Zimbabweans have lost confidence in the Opposition’s ability to deliver, as they have witnessed the corruption and inefficiency in opposition-held towns
5. e) Due to the current warped electoral laws, Zimbabweans in the diaspora can not vote in the forthcoming elections from the countries they are currently based
6. f) The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is poorly funded and is not registering any new voters
7. g) ZANU PF’s intolerance of opposing voices, through abuse of power by law enforcement agents, party violence, abductions, and even killings , is a very potent threat to any Opposition efforts