Coming Soon: A Non-Partisan Website That Tracks President Mnangagwa’s Promises

Zimbabwean citizens have never had the means to keep tabs on Presidential promises. That may soon change thanks to the promise tracker website to be launched by Vusi Nyamazana, a Political Scientist, on the 7th of February 2018. No longer will politicians make promises that remain unfulfilled or remain forgotten in the depths of Google and recycled newspaper.

“President Mnangagwa made many promises since he came into office, and as citizens we need to study the promises and critically examine if they are a fusion of puffery and rhetoric or are credible undertakings,” says Nyamazana. “If we want a strong and responsive democracy in Zimbabwe, we need to develop a culture of monitorial citizenship, where we monitor these promises and challenge the government where it falls short. Civic engagement is too important to be something we do only at elections.” he adds.

“the non-partisan website is an informative space created to collate and publish the promises President Mnangagwa has made since his first day in office, and to evaluate his success in delivering on the promises.” explains Nyamazana. The website, true to its claim of being non-partisan, will provide a discussion forum that allow citizens to post comments on the Presidents performance. With this Nyamazana seek to provide information that empowers citizens in the exercise of their right to demand compliance with the promises made by the administration, strengthening their capacity for control and oversight of government.

The Promise Tracker will determine, over time, whether President Mnangagwa has met or failed at achieving his goals, according to four metrics: “Achieved”, “Adequate Progress”, “Inadequate Progress”, “Not Started”. However, the status of a particular promise is solely based on evidence - online news articles and official government websites. 

Nyamazana laid overwhelming emphasis on President Mnangagwa to publicly release the Ministerial targets for the first 100 days and beyond. “Armed with this information, the citizens can easily assess government’s progress and effectiveness in achieving promises.” he says

The media is a powerful actor in promoting a monitorial democracy, and as such the platform will partner with print and online media so that it maintains consistent pressure on the administration to keep its promises. Such influential opinion-shapers could help hold our leaders more accountable by consistently pointing their respective audiences to the website. 

“I realize it is important for Zimbabweans to recognize the achievements of President Mnangagwa, rather than merely dwell on his shortcomings. Yes we will criticize where the President fails to keep his promises, but we will also acknowledge achieved promises.” says Nyamazana.