Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwe: State of the nation
04 Sep 2012 at 12:00hrs | Views
We have to dismiss ZANU (PF) and if we do not, Zimbabwe will never achieve its full potential.
It is rather shocking that ZANU (PF) "will not move an inch" with regard to their views on what the new constitution should include. This is after putting together a team that was mandated to come up with the draft. There is now the ridiculous suggestion that maybe we should hold a referendum on two sets of documents; one created by ZANU (PF) and the other being the COPAC draft. If that is the case, we might as well have the original MDC one against the ZANU (PF) one. This of course, will result in a de facto election.
I think that we made a huge blunder as a country in agreeing that a constitution must be in place first before we hold elections. The process has become a political process and not a civil one as intended. This has given ZANU (PF) an opportunity to stall the process by insisting that their views are included in a new constitution.
What we should have done instead, is to insist on free and fair elections first, underpinned by a new voters roll and a free media. From then on, we would have then proceeded to establish a new constitution unfettered by political pressure, expediency and delays by those who feel threatened by democracy.
There is no doubt in my mind that as long as ZANU (PF) remains in power and involved in any way in determining our future, Zimbabwe will not progress. They have no viable plans for the future, no new ideas and merely want to keep our country backward as it is now. There is just no respect of alternative views on moving the county forwards, especially those views that benefit Zimbabweans at large.
Coming into the country from outside and getting to understand what is going on can easily lead one to become depressed. There just is no hope for us as long as ZANU (PF) exists because they remain in the 1980's in their thinking. All one has to do is to watch the ZBC or to engage any ZANU (PF) minister on developmental issue or projects. In the case of any new project, they first want to know which individuals will benefit regardless of the economic benefits to the community.
I have had a lot of opportunity to talk to people here in various sectors of the population and the economy and from my conversations with them, it is clear that the MDC will achieve victory in a free and fair election. Zimbabweans in general, are tired of lack of progress and the lack of progressive thinking in managing the economy. There are tired of being bullied by ZANU (PF) and its apologists.
Our business sector is sick and tired of the uncertainty and the daily struggles they must face to remain viable. It is stressful and unnecessary. The country needs new investments but each utterance by ZANU (PF) postpones any likely recovery.
Our educated and unemployed youth are frustrated as they cannot get jobs nor can they access the so called youth empowerment funds especially if they are not ZANU (PF) supporters. Housewives continue to struggle from day to day to feed their families, while those who seek to make a living through trading must first confess their allegiance to ZANU (PF) before they can get a stall at the market. The monster rears its head in all sectors.
The economy is not performing as expected with only mining and agriculture being the source of income for the majority of citizens. There is just not enough cash circulating in the economy and this continues to stifle new economic activity. Indigenization is a political scam that adds no value to the economy.
On the political side, there seems to be some comfort with the status quo. What continues to surprise me is the arrogance and sheer audacity of some of the views expressed by ZANU (PF) ministers and party leaders. The amelioration of the condition of most Zimbabweans is not on their agenda and none of us should be fooled.
In my opinion the Zimbabwe state of affairs can only move in the right direction when we have a new and progressive government in place. A government that actually believes in serving the interest of all Zimbabweans as enumerated by the MDC in its policy documents. We have to help the MDC to achieve political power.
I therefore urge every Zimbabwean who can vote to do so when the opportunity comes. We have to dismiss ZANU (PF) and if we do not, Zimbabwe will never achieve its full potential.
Vince Musewe is an independent economist and you may contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com
Source - Vince Musewe
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