The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
ALMOST everyone has been to a graveyard and they are familiar with the men and women whose life revolves around the dead.
These are the council workers who spend their day’s work among the dead, allocating graves and directing mourners coming to bury their relatives. Cemeteries are like their offices and for many people, this is one job they really fancy. But with democracy and a free Zimbabwe which was created by President Mnangagwa when he took over as leader of the country in November last year, everyone dared to dream.
Among them is Mr Lloyd Mukapiko who is a graveyard assistant at Redcliff and after last Monday’s harmonised elections is now MP for Redcliff under the MDC Alliance.
“I was employed at Redcliff Town Council as a pest controller in 2003 but was demoted to a graveyard assistant and today I am the MP for Redcliff,” he said, in short summarising his life which has seen him rising from such humble beginnings to become one of the people who is going to make laws for the country in the next five years.
Mr Mukapiko shrugged off the challenge of five other candidates including that of the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde July Moyo, whom he beat by about 200 votes. Such are the results of democracy. Mr Mukapiko said he grew up in the dusty suburb of Torwood, in Redcliff and never dreamt of being an MP although he joined the MDC when it was formed in 1999.
“I was just content that I had a job as a graveyard assistant, a position that I got as punishment after being demoted because my bosses thought I was inciting demonstrations,” he said.
Asked about his duties, Mr Mukapiko said, “I am the one who allocates graves and monitors the environment at the graveyard.”
He said the idea of representing the Alliance in the election came after it was revealed that the Mr Nelson Chamisa faction had reserved the Redcliff seat for the youths.
“I did not get any chance to contest because there were always better people ahead of me, but when the opportunity availed itself, I grabbed it with both hands and this is the result. I had no option after people nominated me to stand in the election by virtue of me being a provincial youth member for Midlands North. I am currently the Midlands North Youth organising secretary,” he said.
After joining the MDC in 1999, Mr Mukapiko became Ward 2 youth secretary before being elevated to ward chairperson. He then rose through the ranks until he became Midlands North Provincial organising secretary for the youth wing. He is married with four children. Mr Mukapiko, who has seven Ordinary Level subjects said his strength is in his background and strong roots within the Redcliff community.
“I was born and bred in Torwood, I am in touch with the people and I understand what the people want and that is exactly what I am going to do for them. I cannot promise roads or clean water, but I will listen to the people and I will do exactly that.”
With most MPs expecting to get loans to buy new cars, Mr Mukapiko said he does not even have a driver’s licence.
“I will be getting one soon, currently I will be using a driver just like what I have been doing in the campaign period. I received a vehicle from Dr Henry Madzorera for use during campaigns but he said I can keep it after he was impressed by the result.”
