David Kudakwashe Mnangagwa, a ZANU PF youth quota candidate and President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s nephew, is using sport as a campaign strategy in Zimbabwe’s Midlands region ahead of the August 23 elections.
Last week, David donated soccer kits to 60 teams in Gokwe District. He told NewsDay that he wants to develop sport in communities to promote healthy lifestyles and peace among youths who face problems like substance abuse.
“Sport is key in fostering mental and physical health, hence the move to promote it in the Midlands,” David said. He plans to promote sport at the grassroots level throughout the province.
While acknowledging his actions could be seen as a campaign gimmick, David stressed that problems like drug abuse cut across political lines. He also argued that sport can unite people regardless of their political affiliation.
“The sportsmanship we are cultivating in our communities should cascade to healthy political contestation among candidates,” he said. He wants communities to maintain peaceful co-existence and for “the best candidate and party to win.”
