By Correspondent
Beginning with President Mnangagwa at the National Sports Stadium various politicians have taken oaths this week.
From Councilors in Bulawayo, Ruwa, Harare to legislators all have been taking oaths.
What is an oath after all?
An oath is a public pledge that the politician understands the requirements of the position.
In it he expresses understanding to work to meet or exceed requirements.
Those taking the oath must fully consider the meaning of the oath and all of its important implications.
An oath is a formal promise which, traditionally invokes God, or something else which the taker of the oath considers sacred.
The divine or sacred acts as a witness to the oath taker’s sincere intention to fulfill that promise.
However, some politicians have been known to refuse to take it.
At Harare City Council ZANU-PF’s Clr Chanachimwe this week refused to take an oath using the Bible.
He cited religious reasons which are in conflict with using the Bible.
According to the Centre for Urban and Regional Analysis, “an oath was historically thought not only to bind the oath taker to the laws of man, but to a higher moral authority as well.
Thus oath takers can “affirm,” rather than “swear,” and omit reference to God.
History of Oaths
Oaths of office date back at least to the time of ancient Rome, and, since then oaths have become a staple of representative government.
They have been a requirement for public office from the nation’s inception.
The taking of an oath has thus become a requisite for holding nearly any public office.
However, what remains more important are the principles of the politician to abide by their oath and fulfil their duty.
Thus all the councilors who were sweared into office this week need to be principled enough for the oaths to have any meaning.