Governance of our own resources

Governance relates to consistent management in our own resources. It also relates to cohesive policies, processes and decision making. Rights for a given area of responsibility. Proper oversight and accountability. Accountability if fundamental of good governance. Zimbabwe is a blessed country with so many natural resources which can benefit Zimbabweans, but a number of factors have made this to fail most probably because of bad governance and mismanagement of our own resources. We had more than 60 billion worthy of alluvial diamonds in Marange but up to now no explanation was given pertaining to the disappearance of these precious germs. There is need for proper governance and institutional framework to be put in place to avoid leakages. As we relate natural resources to entrepreneurship it is important to note that we have all what it takes in Zimbabwe to afford a decent meal on a daily basis if proper reforms and policies are put in place which are broad based and pro – poor to benefit many. How do we define Governance of our own resources when most institutions have been staffed with inexperienced people, relatives, friends, spouses leaving out the experienced and qualified, replacing them with cadres who have the knowledge of patriotism and loyalty at the expense of the beautiful nation? We are the second platinum producer in Africa if not in the world, but do our communities resemble that? What shows that we have those resources? Who benefitted from the land reform? Was it the majority or it was only the political elite? Was the land put into proper use? Did we resolve the housing problem? Was the land question positive? Did it adhere to the development question? Who benefitted? Was it the masses or it was the political elite? Where is the problem? Do the public have a right to demand public governance?

Concept of Governance

When we define governance, we are dealing with the issue of establishment of policies and continuous monitoring of resources f their proper implementation by members of the governing body of an organization. My question is do we have proper governance structures in Zimbabwe? If yes then why are we ranked as the second poorest country in the world with so many precious minerals? If not what is the root problem of governance in our institutions? It includes mechanism required to balance the powers of members and their primary duty of enhancing the prosperity and viability of the organization. We have so many policies at board but have they been implemented? We have JUICE, ZIM ASSET and BUILD, so what is the problem? Within a short space of time we have 10 point plan. We now have command economy. Do we have practicality in all these documents? Were the previous documents implemented? Do we have consistency in our policies or we have a guess work platform. Do we do feasibility studies before we carry operations? We just give away. It is very painful that we have lost so many precious minerals and natural resources to thieves who come purporting to be investors robbing our nation of resources. There is need for serious cleansing exercise in Zimbabwe.

Accountability of Public Resources

The concept of accountability in the public sector primarily evolves from stewardship functions for public resources entrusted to the executives. We have the judiciary, the executive and the parliament and all these three arms of Government are expected to uphold the rule of Law and have transparency in all their operations. We have a land question which was not resolved. We have the issue of diamonds which was not addressed properly. Many people enriched themselves without implementing pro – poor based policies which benefitted the masses. Figures with the treasury could not tally or reconcile with what was on the ground. Do we need foreign funding? Do we need aid? We have ZISCO STEEL during the time of Welshman Ncube who was running the Industry Ministry nearly handed over ZISCO STEEL to Indians on a silver platter. What was the problem? We have a problem of rushing to sign deals and give it away without engaging experts in those areas who can have feasibility studies. Some they purported to be investors and then fraudulently got away with minerals and wealth from our beautiful nation just because they are no proper mechanism to avoid leakages in public institutions. What is the other problem? Giving positions to cadres, loyalists, inexperienced, relatives without considering the damage and repercussions on our wealth. Look at all state companies in Zimbabwe, they have been run down by few individuals who have staffed those institutions with girlfriends and cadres and what do you expect next? We are sitting on a time bomb. There is need for accountability and proper governance in our institutions. We have had of fake PHDs all over, people purporting to have knowledge to deal with situations but they get aboard they mess up because of lack of knowledge and understanding of how things are done. So what should be done? There is need to put proper institutions and establish independent audits to deal with such matters.

Are Our People Empowered?

We have a new economy that is emerging in Zimbabwe. The new economy is called entrepreneurship. We have a group of potential entrepreneurs in this country, if given the opportunity they can deliver the best results. His excellency Cde R.G Mugabe introduced the black empowerment scheme in the 80s and 90s and it benefitted some black majority such Nigel Chanakira ( Kingdom Bank Mogul), Strive Masiyiwa ( Econet Boss), we have Phillip Chiyangwa ( Former AAG Vice President), We have James Makamba ( Telecel Boss), Tawanda Nyambirai etc. so many others. These are just few people comparing to the black majority we have in Zimbabwe. today we have over 86% of people not working in Zimbabwe, most of them they have dependants whom they look after, so instead of looking for jobs there is need to empower the majority not along partisan lines but policies and other measures should be broad based covering the pro – poor majority who are languishing in poverty. We have people who cannot afford a meal in Zimbabwe, we have so many children on the streets, we have so many vendors, and we have so many jobless people. How then do we solve this equation? The best is to repossess assets of those who looted in this country, starting with life style audits. So many Government projects have been availed but who has benefitted? We have big projects in Zimbabwe but still the issue of poverty is not yet addressed. How then do we solve this issue?

Areas of Governance That Are Critical

There is need to ensure that there is sanity in all public institutions. We cannot have a same institution being run by someone for 30-40 years there is need for new ideas and leadership. There are processes that are designed to ensure accountability, rule of Law, stability, equity, inclusiveness, empowerment and broad based participation in all governance of our own resources. We have a cancer of corruption in all state entities and the private sector. It is difficult to attract meaningful Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) because of safety of public investments. We have areas such as public affairs management, institutional frameworks, reforms and development policy. We have a bloated cabinet with about 33 ministries with an average age of 75 years which clearly violates labour laws of any given normal country. How then do we govern our own resources using that criteria of selection of human resource?

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo is the Director of Southern Institute of Policy Analysis and Research (SIPAR) which is responsible for Policy analysis and Research. He is an academic and researcher. He can be contacted at tinamuzala@gmail.com