Prioritise development ahead selfish politics and interests

We have a big problem in Africa, we are behind interms of development because of our politics. Our day to day is characterised by under-development, selfish politics, and disputable elections. We have a big problem that needs to be resolved so that we can bring development in our respective capacities. If you look at America and Europe you will find that they have their nations at heart and they are ahead interms of development. Coming closer home we have a big problem interms of our politics, in our politics we don't find development, we have prioritised much on politics of the belly and selfish interests. The poverty levels of this country have reached unprecedented levels due to lack of priorities.

WARRIORS LOSS

We had a very good team comprising good players but because of lack of technical expertise we suffered a big blow. Lack of preparedness and resources contributed much to our failure to qualify. If you look at other countries they put so much resources in the development of the game, they make sure their national teams have everything ahead of national assignments. We have seen rampant looting in state parastatals, leakages in minerals when our youngsters can't even afford to develop their own talents. If you look at the Bikita West by-election resources that were poured in for that by-election by Zanu Pf it was not even necessary considering that we had crucial assignments ahead of us which would raise the national flag. Our national teams needs consistent sponsorships and smart partnerships. If you look at the national team jersey it was an embarrassment in all the three national games, considering that these were international games. One of the thing I took note on these games was that Zimbabweans s image is in bad taste, you even look at match officials they would always side with our opponents. Who likes Zimbabwe? No one cares about Zimbabwe because of our politics.

BIKITA WEST BY-ELECTION WAS NOT NECESSARY

Considering what this nation is going through, treasury have to put measures to curb leakages in financial management. If you go to other countries they know how to manage their resources, they prioritise development ahead of selfish politics and personal interests. If you look at the by election not less than $500 000 was used to run that election. ZEC needed resources to run the election, the election agents were supposed to be paid, there was need for money and resources to buy election material, food hand outs was also a cause of concern. If this money would be channelled towards building clinics and ensuring food security for Bikita constituency that would contribute positively towards development. We saw a number of ministers, MPs, and senior Government officials going to Bikita West constituency abandoning Government business was a wrong priority at the expense of the nation. Those trips were not necessary at a time when the Government through the ministry of health is failing to supply adequate drugs in hospitals.

POLITICAL TENSIONS ARE A CAUSE OF CONCERN

The continued succession wars in Zanu Pf has brought development to halt. There is need for the ruling Government to sit down and resolve this impasse before it spills into the public. If you look at Zambia there was nearly a civil war when Michael Sata died. Sata did not anoint a successor and this nearly brought the country down when supporters of Lungu clashed with a rival group. This should be a lesson to the ruling Government to resolve their internal politics on time so that development can be felt in many areas. Investors are afraid to put or commit their resources because of political bickering in the country. They are not sure whether their resources and properties will be safe in the post-Mugabe era. The recipients of Zanu Pf wars are the ordinary Zimbabweans who are on the receiving end.

DANGOTTE INVESTMENTS

Dangotte has invested in more than 18 countries excluding Zimbabwe, and there is need for us to ask ourselves a very simple question why Zimbabwe? We have a serious political question which needs urgent attention.in Zambia alone he has set up a cement plant which has created more than 2000 jobs and at the same time we have the reduction of cement price, and last week he indicated to Zambian President Edgar Lungu that he was willing to pour another 1 billion in Agriculture and mining activities. This is what Zimbabwe should be doing. We need to change our ways of doing business. We cannot pretend as if things are normal when in fact we have problems mounting on us. Dangotte promised to invest in Zimbabwe two years ago and up to now nothing has materialised. There are several reasons why Dangotte could be delaying to commit his resources on the ground. Following reasons could be a tactful delay on Dangotte and team:

- Our investment Laws are not in good shape

- Absence of good sound development policy

- We have corrupt elements in the Government including ministers who have looted Government coffers and nothing has happened to them

- Empowerment laws

- Human rights issues

- Property rights

- Social protection laws

- Political tensions in the country

- Succession issues in the ruling party

- Foreign policy

MY PERSONNAL ADVISE TO THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE

We need development in Zimbabwe, we should put partisan politics aside and commit ourselves on developmental issues. There is need for the Government to call for a stakeholder's conference and put it on straight record a good and sound development policy and clarity on policy matters so that we can attract (FDI) Foreign Direct Investment. It is the duty of all Zimbabweans to come together and bring development. If we look at the state of our roads and infrastructure it is a cause of concern for the citizenry.

Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo writes in his personal capacity as a development analyst. He is also the Director of Mentorship Institute of National Development and Sustainability (MINDS) which is responsible for Good governance and Policy research. He can be contacted at greatorminds@gmail.com