Edison Zvobgo Jr. had earned the reputation of a perennial political underdog due to his long history of unsuccessful attempts to secure a parliamentary seat in Masvingo, often losing in Zanu-PF primaries. As a lawyer and hotel owner, Zvobgo Jr. had faced defeat for 15 years.
His initial attempts in 2008 and 2013 in Masvingo South were unsuccessful, losing to fellow businessman Edmund Mhere. In 2018, he made his third consecutive bid in Masvingo Urban but lost again, this time to Bernard Mazarire, a retired army major.
Critics of his political journey argued that Zvobgo Jr. had struggled to fill the shoes of his late father, Edison Zvobgo Sr., a national hero and Harvard University-trained lawyer known for his political acumen. Zvobgo Sr. was celebrated for openly criticizing President Robert Mugabe during a time when such dissent was rare within Zanu-PF.
Zvobgo Sr. was one of the founders of Zanu and played a significant role as spokesperson for the Patriotic Front during the Lancaster House negotiations in 1979. He won a parliamentary seat in Masvingo in the 1980 elections, serving until his death in 2004. He held various cabinet positions, including Local Government and Housing, Justice, Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs, and Mines.
Despite the rich political legacy of his late father, many wondered why Zvobgo Jr. was struggling to make a mark in politics. However, he eventually emerged as a political fighter and won the Zanu-PF primaries earlier this year to become the party’s parliamentary candidate for Masvingo Central.
In the August 23 harmonized elections, Zvobgo Jr. secured victory in the constituency. He expressed his commitment to unifying Masvingo, emphasizing that Zanu-PF members should work together to improve the province’s image and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Source Bulawayo24
