Back to Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Survey Report
During the first week of March 2008 the Center for Research and Development (CRD) conducted a survey in four colleges located in Mutare to investigate whether college students in Mutare are ready to participate in the March 29 harmonized elections. College students were chosen because they represent a section of society that will be affected the most by the outcome of the forth-coming election. Students represent youths, a generation that is worst affected by the current unemployment crisis, HIV & Aids and general economic decline. The CRD wanted to investigate whether youths have put their hope in the coming election or they have resigned their future to fate. This survey was also part of a broader program designed by the CRD to find ways in which Zimbabwe's youths can participate in making national decisions that affect their future.

The survey targeted students from four colleges in Mutare, namely Africa University, Marymount Teachers College, Mutare Polytechnic and Mutare Teachers College. A total of 708 students filled the questionnaire.

Distribution of respondents by college:

Although 396 (56%) of the respondents said they were registered to vote only 312 (44%) said they were going to vote. Registered voters who are not going to vote gave varied reasons why they are not going to vote. Most of them said there is no point in voting in an election whose result is predetermined. Some said voting will not change anything in their lives so they would rather spend the day doing something useful, eg studying or doing something that generates income.

312 (44%) of the respondents are not registered to vote in the forth coming elections. Some students said they wanted to vote but the registration exercise was carried out clandestinely or they were told to produce proof of residence in order to register, which they failed to produce. Majority of unregistered students said they just didn't want to vote so there wasn't any point wasting their time registering as voters. One respondent said they don't feel candidates in the March 29 election represent the interests of the youths, promising to participate in future elections when youths shall take active role in politics.

105 female students (14.8%) and 291 male students (41.1%) are registered to vote whilst 105 females (14.8%) and 207 males (29.2%) are not registered.

A total of 441 respondents (62.3%) got electoral information through ZTV whilst 267 respondents (37.7%) said they didn't receive electoral information from ZTV due to daily power cuts they have been experiencing for the past two years.

Only 336 respondents (47.5%) have attended political rallies during the run-up to the March 29 election. 372 respondents (52.5%) said they have not attended any political rallies during the past twelve months. They cited several reasons. Most of the students who did not attend any political rally said they feared political violence. Some said it was a waste of time and money because they are tired of hearing the same old lies. On the same questions some students said they were busy with their college work and so they could not find time for politics.

216 respondents (30.5%) said they were aware of their new constituency boundaries whilst 492 (69.5) said they were confused by the recent change of boundaries. They were also confused by the difference in geographical size for senate and house of assembly constituencies. 531 respondents (75%) said they knew all the contesting presidential candidates whilst 177 (25%) confessed ignorance. 198 respondents (28%) said they knew their senatorial candidates whilst 510 (72%) didn't know. 207 respondents (29.2%) said they were aware of their House of Assembly candidates whilst 501 (70.8) said they were not aware of the parliamentary candidates. 204 respondents (28.8%) said they knew their council candidates whilst 504 (71.2) confessed ignorance.

General comment and analysis
There is a general feeling among college students that elections in Zimbabwe are a big sham, something that is done routinely but with no positive significance to the common man. The 2000 general and 2002 presidential elections were carried out in the mood of great perseverance and sacrifice as majority of the people felt it was a turning point in the history of the country. Political violence that left scores of people dead in both elections could not deter people from casting their ballots. However, after both elections majority of Zimbabweans were left complaining that the election results were not a true reflection of peoples' will. Consequently the percentage of the people who cast their vote in the next general election in 2005 had drastically gone down. The lowest point was the November 2005 senatorial election where only 21% of eligible voters turned up to cast their votes. Many among youths feel that their votes will not count for anything since, according to their statements, the election results are predetermined.
The general economic meltdown has affected the youths drastically. Away from the comfort of their homes and the care of their parents, college students are left to soldier on for most of their college needs. Their hard-pressed parents can't meet these needs during this hyperinflationary period. Students are thus enduring double roles of studying and generating income for themselves. Stressed, tired and angry, these students often responded harshly, saying what voting has to do with their lives. Students feel betrayed and there is no doubt they would like to vote if only the vote will cause the general economic situation to improve and make their college life more bearable.

Contact Details:
Center for Research and Development
Fifth Floor, Tel One Pension Building
Mutare, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 11 750028 or +263 91 2311307 Email: cadego08@yahoo.com

Download full document 

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP