Langton Towungana: the one who dared

Langton Towungana: the one who dared

MAN OF GOD: Langton Towungana

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HIS sketchy black and white campaign posters feature a Christian cross, hardly anyone has heard him speak and Langton Towungana says he would consider himself “lucky” if he were to win Zimbabwe’s presidential elections on Saturday.

The 41-year-old from Victoria Falls, the country's once-thriving western tourist resort, sprung a surprise on many locals in February when he managed to register as a presidential candidate.

He says he has had a “calling from God” to stand in the polls. His slogan, according to his campaign poster, is Unity of Purpose, something that sounds very close to the heart of Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu PF party.

And state media, traditionally the voice of Zanu PF, has treated Towungana well, giving him an interview in both the official Herald daily and on state ZBC television – perhaps itself an indication that he is considered such a rank outsider he poses no threat to President Robert Mugabe.

Towungana does not openly criticise Mugabe but says it's time for the 84-year old leader to “step aside for fresh ideas”, according to a recent interview in the British-based Zimbabwean newspaper.

He also believes it's important for Zimbabwe to re-engage the international community so that its battered economy can recover - a conviction not shared by the ruling party.

“I know that God will convince the democratic voters that I will protect the interests of the nation but I would consider it my personal luck if I won,” Towungana said.

“I can't call myself a politician as such. This is a calling from God and only [He] can deliver this nation from this quagmire.”

Zimbabwe's youngest presidential candidate – a teacher by profession -- is said to be involved in the retail business in Victoria Falls.

Towungana told state media soon after his candidacy was confirmed that if elected, he would be “flexible to work with anyone as long as you are not a criminal”.

Recent opinion polls though give him little chance of landing the top seat. He is estimated to carry just one per cent of Zimbabwe's vote, a poll out last week showed.

But then Towungana’s candidature is not an ordinary one, for one who believes in God and his supernatural ways.

“The most high God is the driver of this presidential race,” he said, firmly placing his fate in the hands of the Almighty.
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