News / National
Sydney Malunga's son speaks on the economic crisis
20 Apr 2019 at 08:36hrs | Views
Siphosami Malunga the Open Society Initiatives of Southern Africa Director and son of the late veteran nationalist Sydney Malunga says President Emmerson Mnangagwa and MDC leader Nelson Chamisa should urgently convene a dialogue to resolve the economic challenges bedeviling the country.
"If ever there was a moment to show leadership for President Mnangagwa and opposition leaders including Nelson Chamisa, civil society leaders and all Zimbabweans, it is now. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate. But without dialogue it will happen.
"The economic crisis in Zimbabwe is unlikely to go away without any serious intervention on the political and civic front. This is because the crises has its roots in the political and governance crises the country faces. Unaddressed I have no doubt that it will ultimately implode."
Malunga said the dialogue should not be viewed as a way of giving power to the opposition MDC but it must be seen as a platform to create lasting solutions to Zimbabwe's problems.
"Zimbabwe needs an all-inclusive dialogue - right away. Dialogue is not a benevolent or gracious act to help opposition access power. Nor is it a way to save Zanu PF from complete demise. It is about agreeing on reconfiguring our political and economic system, addressing key and long outstanding national problems and equitably sharing power and resources across society. It is about giving ordinary Zimbabweans a chance to say how they want their future to be. It is about national interest.
"Dialogue provides the possibility for an orderly transition of the political and economic system. It pushes the radical and fringe elements in Zanu PF, MDC and elsewhere, who are benefitting from the economic and political crises out.
"Political, social and economic change is a constant in every context. The real stuff of leadership is steering and managing change. If leaders fail to manage change, it happens without them and they are often its casualty. At this rate, in Zimbabwe, nothing short of an inclusive dialogue will help us address our decades old political, human rights and economic crises. There are many ready to assist or facilitate this if the key political and civic actors are serious."
President Mnangagwa called for a national dialogue of all opposition political parties in January but Chamiss snubbed it saying it was not a genuine and credible platform.
"If ever there was a moment to show leadership for President Mnangagwa and opposition leaders including Nelson Chamisa, civil society leaders and all Zimbabweans, it is now. The alternative is too ghastly to contemplate. But without dialogue it will happen.
"The economic crisis in Zimbabwe is unlikely to go away without any serious intervention on the political and civic front. This is because the crises has its roots in the political and governance crises the country faces. Unaddressed I have no doubt that it will ultimately implode."
Malunga said the dialogue should not be viewed as a way of giving power to the opposition MDC but it must be seen as a platform to create lasting solutions to Zimbabwe's problems.
"Dialogue provides the possibility for an orderly transition of the political and economic system. It pushes the radical and fringe elements in Zanu PF, MDC and elsewhere, who are benefitting from the economic and political crises out.
"Political, social and economic change is a constant in every context. The real stuff of leadership is steering and managing change. If leaders fail to manage change, it happens without them and they are often its casualty. At this rate, in Zimbabwe, nothing short of an inclusive dialogue will help us address our decades old political, human rights and economic crises. There are many ready to assist or facilitate this if the key political and civic actors are serious."
President Mnangagwa called for a national dialogue of all opposition political parties in January but Chamiss snubbed it saying it was not a genuine and credible platform.
Source - Byo24News
