For the past eight years, the ruling Zanu PF, which has ruled the former British colony since independence and the biggest opposition party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have been the major players in the political landscape. But with less than 50 days left before the combined presidential, legislative and local government election, political observers are struggling to come up with predictions amid fast moving developments in the political scene.
A fortnight ago, veteran President Robert Mugabe who turns 84 next month had looked poised for a landslide victory, after factions of the MDC failed to agree on an electoral pact. The electoral pact would have seen the two MDC factions fielding one candidate in the presidential race and avoid fielding more that one MDC candidates in parliamentary, senatorial and local government elections. However, all the predictions are now being revised thanks to the unpredictable shifts in Zimbabwe 's political landscape. Last week, in a development that shook the foundations of the ruling party, a senior member of Zanu PF and former Finance Minister, Dr Simba Makoni announced that he will be challenging Mugabe for the presidency. His bold stance against Mugabe, who is known for not tolerating opposing views, has raised optimism among millions of Zimbabweans who have lost faith in the bickering MDC that there will be a 'Third Way' to fight Zanu PF. "I won't be in this campaign alone," Dr Makoni told journalists last week. "There will be many of us, a great many of us.
