Lovemore Madhuku
| Lovemore Madhuku | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Lovemore Madhuku July 20, 1966 Chipinge |
| Residence | Harare |
| Nationality | Zimbabwe |
| Education | University of Zimbabwe |
| Occupation |
|
| Known for | Founding & Leading NCA |
Lovemore Madhuku is a prominent law academic and politician. He is the current leader of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) and is also a political analyst.
Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor of Law, University of Zimbabwe, 1990
- Master of Law degree, University of Cambridge, 1994
- PhD Law, University of Cambridge, 1999[1]
Democracy Activism
Madhuku is a founding member of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in 1997. The NGO main thrust was to lobby for democracy reforms in the country. Through vigorous lobbying the organisation was able to stop the adoption of a new constitution through a referendum held in 2000. The success of the "vote no" campaign by the NCA ranks top among their achievements. During the tenure of the Government of National Unity, Madhuku was also against the adoption of the newly crafted constitution arguing that the process had been hijacked by politicians thereby shortchanging Zimbabweans who were apolitical. The campaign against the proposed constitution was however not successful, the constitution was voted for by a majority and eventually adopted. Despite Madhuku being criticised for intending to hold the nation at ransom, Madhuku has vowed to die for a new constitution which is done through proper channels.< ref name="dhuku"/>
Political career
After having focused more on lobbying and activism, Madhuku eventually formed his own political party in 2013 named NCA Party, a party which was largely inspired by the NGO with the same name which Madhuku was a founding member.[2] Lovemore Madhuku went on a number of campaign trails around Zimbabwe to get in touch with the people of Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, the political party failed dismally to establish a notable relationship with the electorate.[3] Madhuku's political project was also doomed by the desertions of key members with whom he had started the project with. Blessing Vava and Takura Zhangazha parted ways with Madhuku accusing the party’s leadership of subverting the members’ will and of operating without clear policies and structures.[4]
In June 2018, Madhuku was nominated to stand for the NCA as its presidential candidate in the Zimbabwe 2018 Harmonised Elections.
Events
Marriage Controversy
Madhuku's marriage was said to be on the rocks after he allegedly impregnated the younger sister of his wife. The issue was said to have spilled into church hands with Madhuku said to be have been on the brink of excommunication.[5]
Nomination Court June 2023
The nomination court on 21 June 2023 produced eleven presidential candidates for the August elections.[6] They are:
- Joseph Busha (Free Zim Congress),
- Nelson Chamisa (CCC),
- Trust Chikohora (ZCPD),
- Blessing Kasiyamhuru (ZIPP),
- Saviour Kasukuwere (Independent),
- Lovemore Madhuku (NCA),
- Emmerson Mnangagwa (ZANU PF),
- Wilbert Mubaiwa (NPC),
- Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa (UANC),
- Douglas Mwonzora (MDC),
- Harry Peter Wilson (DOP).
Elisabeth Valerio Duly Nominated
On 16 August 2023, ZEC chief elections officer, Utloile Silaigwana said: following an order of the Electoral Court sitting in Harare, issued on 19 July 2023, Ms. Elisabeth Isabel Valerio, a candidate sponsored by the United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party, is hereby declared a duly nominated Presidential candidate. The other aspiring presidential candidates, Saviour Kasukuwere and Linda Masarira’s appeals were rejected by the courts. Her nomination papers were rejected despite providing bank-stamped proof of her request to initiate a ZWL transfer of funds to the ZEC bank account for the required nomination fees equivalent to US$20 000. The other candidates are Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zanu PF, Joseph Makamba Busha of Free Zim Congress, Nelson Chamisa of CCC, Trust Chikohora of ZCPD, Blessing Kasiyamhuru of ZIPP, Lovemore Madhuku of NCA, Wilbert Mubaiwa of NPC, Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa of UANC, Douglas Mwonzora of MDC and Wilson Harry Peter of DOP. [7]
2023 Results
| Candidate (Party) | Number of Votes | % of votes |
|---|---|---|
| Joseph Makamba Busha (FreeZim Congress) | 18 816 | 0.4% |
| Nelson Chamisa (CCC) | 1 968 343 | 44.3% |
| Trust Chikohora (ZCPD) | 10 230 | 0.2% |
| Blessing Kasiyamhuru (ZIPP) | 13 060 | 0.3% |
| Lovemore Madhuku (NCA) | 5 323 | 0.1% |
| Emmerson Mnangagwa (Zanu PF) | 2 350 711 | 52.9% |
| Wilbert Mubaiwa (National People's Congress) (NPC) | 53 517 | 1.2% |
| Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa (UANC) | 7 053 | 0.1% |
| Elisabeth Valerio (UZA) | 6 989 | 0.15% |
| Harry Peter Wilson (Democratic Opposition Party) (DOP) | 6 743 | 0.15% |
Total votes: 4 440 449
References
- ↑ Lovemore Madhuku, Africa Confidential, Retrieved: July 15, 2014
- ↑ Madhuku needs to ‘grow up’: Sikhala, NewZimbabwe, Published: January 28, 2014, Retrieved: July 15, 2014
- ↑ Courage Shumba, Madhuku can be President, Nehanda Radio, Published: November 20, 2013, Retrieved: July 15, 2014
- ↑ Mthulisi Mathuthu, Key NCA members part ways with Madhuku, Shortwave Radio Africa, Published: January 27, 2013, Retrieved: July 15, 2014
- ↑ NCA Lovemore Madhuku impregnates wife’s younger sister, Zim Online, Published: January 8, 2012, Retrieved: July 15, 2014
- ↑ 11 candidates vie for Presidency, The Herald, Published: 23 June 2023, Retrieved: 23 June 2023
- ↑ ZEC Declares Elisabeth Valerio A Duly Nominated Presidential Candidate, Pindula, Published: 16 August 2023, Retrieved: 18 August 2023
