Let’s Shun Dirty Politics

The Citizen (Dar es Salaam)

17 May 2011

editorial

The current mudsling by the functionaries and activists of the various parties just goes to confirm that politics is, indeed, a dirty game. The players have no scruples about resorting to underhand tactics to score some advantage.

Instead of engaging in constructive debate on issues of national importance, the politicians have in the recent past turned their public podiums into arenas for verbal warfare, savaging one another’s personalities and reputations.

In a more civilised society, such politicians would not qualify for audience from the public. They would also not be entrusted with national duties. Indeed, we have many political parties, but only a few seem to be serious about what they are supposed to doing. Instead of seeking answers to national challenges, now that the elections are over, and a new government is in place, they are engaging in trivial talk.

The majority of Tanzanians would like to hear from their leaders how solutions to their economic hardships, especially the rising inflation, skyrocketing food prices, poor infrastructure and lack of social services, can be tackled. Instead, they are being treated to public rallies marred by profanities.

We are calling upon all the politicians to focus on their party manifestos and deal with issues that concern the people such as how to rid this resource-rich country of abject poverty. The time to clean up our politics is now.

AllAfrica – All the Time