Marginalisation of Matabeleland, a myth fueled by crybabies says Angeline Masuku

THE purported marginalisation of Matabeleland is a myth fueled by crybabies who expect the Government to do everything for them, Matabeleland South Governor Angeline Masuku, has said.

Speaking during the official opening of Coolland Spar at Maphisa Growth Point in Kezi on Sunday, Governor Masuku said the people of Matabeleland should not wait for the Government to do everything for them.

Governor Masuku gave Mr Mngane Ncube, the owner of Coolland, as an example of a son of Matabeleland who had refused to have his mind "imprisoned" by the so-called marginalisation.

Mr Ncube built his shopping complex, a double storey, the first in Maphisa. The building has a supermarket and an upmarket restaurant.

Mr Ncube, a prominent Bulawayo businessman, owns Hawkflight Construction Company.

"We have become used to saying the Government is not doing anything for us. Moaning about our plight will not help our situation. We should stop being crybabies where we wait for the Government to do things for us. The Government is you and if you do not realise that then you should just keep quiet," said Governor Masuku.

"Development is in the brain. If people fail to use their brains to develop the community or the country then they should be quiet and desist from using other people as an excuse to justify their failures.

"We should not expect other people to come and develop our area for us. Stop being crybabies. You want other people to come and develop this area so that they become your masters," she said.

Governor Masuku said she would not give her support to people who say Matabeleland is marginalised. Turning to injivas she urged them to invest in the country.

She said no one would develop the communities they left behind for them, hence they should come and build the type of luxury houses they own in South Africa back in Zimbabwe.

Governor Masuku also encouraged local authorities to support local investors by giving them land to utilise for their projects.

"Local authorities have a tendency of asking for more money from investors. Some times they may ask for $100 000 which is beyond the reach of many.
 
Investors should be given land so that from that land they can benefit from their activities and pay back the local authorities the money they owe," she said.

In an interview after the event, the risk and operations manager of Hawkflight, Mr Martin Moyo, said their aim was to develop the province.

"We wish our council would avail more land for industrial development. Our aim is to grow and increase our services to other parts of Matabeleland South like Gwanda, the provincial capital.

"We have been doing our business in Bulawayo where we were constructing houses and this time we have decided to help the community which nurtured the company. This is not the first time we have started an initiative like this. We have helped pupils at Zamanyoni Secondary School here in Kezi by paying examination and school fees for some of them," said Mr Moyo.

He said they would soon be constructing houses for lecturers at Gwanda State University.

The Senator for Matobo, Mrs Sithembile Mlotshwa, said she was happy to have such visionary people in the area because they had the potential to spearhead development.

"We appreciate such business minds because our area will also be recognised in the country for such exemplary development. I am happy because this will act as a benchmark for other people," she said.

Dignitaries who graced the occasion included former Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Mr Nicholas Ncube, Speaker of Parliament Mr Lovemore Moyo, MP for Matobo South Mr Gabriel Ndebele, Bulawayo businessman Mr Witness Socks and acting Provincial Administrator for Matabeleland South Mr Midard Khumalo.

The event ended with by a promotional competition where a car and consolation prizes which included television sets, bicycles and cell phones were won.

Mr Victor Ncube (40) a pastor of St Jones Apostolic Faith Mission, won the car, a Nissan March.