Please join us for a presentation on the preliminary results of a new poll of Zimbabwean public opinion sponsored by Freedom House and conducted by South African political analyst Susan Booysen and the Mass Public Opinion Institute in Harare. The interim report of this widely anticipated survey reveals evidence that Zimbabweans are anxiously undecided about the political future of their country. While expressing widespread optimism that the next elections expected in 2013 will bring more definite change, many continue to be fearful that new polls could usher in heightened levels of political violence. They praise economic improvements under the Inclusive Government, however, they clearly indicate that on other issues such as employment and local services, leaders across the political spectrum have not performed to their satisfaction. The survey report also analyses Zimbabweans’ shifting perspectives and reveals some surprising results concerning comparative support for the major political parties.
Following a presentation of the interim report on the survey’s findings by pollster Susan Booysen, a panel of leading Zimbabwe experts will join the discussion from South Africa to analyse and elaborate on the survey’s major findings and help explain what it might mean for the future of Zimbabwe.
Opening remarks by:
Aleks Dardeli, Vice President for Global Programs, Freedom House
Panel Discussion (via video) Featuring:
Susan Booysen, South African Pollster and Political Analyst
Rashweat Mukundu, Independent Journalist
Faith Zaba, Political Editor, Zimbabwe Independent
Stephen Ndoma, Research Manager, Mass Public Opinion Institute
Moderated by:
Karl Beck, Southern Africa Project Director, Freedom House
Light refreshments will be served.
Please RSVP to mcclure@freedomhouse.org by 6:00pm, Tuesday, August 21st, 2012