Opinion / Columnist
Nothing to show for it, 39 years on
18 Apr 2019 at 07:18hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE today marks 39 years of independence with little to show for the sacrifices made in liberating this country.
The only difference in today's celebrations is that former president Robert Mugabe was finally dislodged in November 2017. President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership traits seem no different from those of his former boss, Mugabe.
Sadly, today we celebrate our independence amid an escalating cost of living. Without our own currency in circulation, Zimbabwe has been found wanting as it trades using a multi-basket of currencies that continues to confuse the market.
As such, the cost of living has drastically gone up and government seems to be clueless on how to arrest the situation. Once regarded as Africa's breadbasket, today Zimbabwe is a basket case with our leaders globetrotting the universe, with begging bowl in hand.
Under the guise of land reform, top Zanu-PF officials parcelled out land to their cronies, paralysing agriculture through neglect of productive farms and stripping of equipment - irrigation and horticultural among others.
Since independence, Zanu-PF has continued to manipulate elections, hence its firm grip on power. Disputed election results are routine, brewing unnecessary political tension and endless crises.
The Constitution of 2013, which we thought would guide us in navigating our way out of the many social, economic and political problems, has not been aligned to our laws, rendering it ineffective.
Devolution of power to provinces still remains a pipe dream as politicians frustrate its implementation. On the other hand, the opposition has failed to wrestle power from Zanu-PF with the promotion of democracy suffering in the process. Within the MDC for instance, bloody clashes were witnessed among its supporters ahead of the party's May congress.
As for the youths, there hasn't been any joy as successive cabinets under the ruling Zanu-PF have failed to create the much-needed jobs. Companies and factories also continue to shut down in their hundreds as foreign currency scarcity continues to bite.
As a result, there has been a constant drift of skilled manpower from Zimbabwe to other countries. The country recently suffered the Cyclone Idai disaster, which swept away whole villages, killing people and destroying homes.
We hope the ruling Zanu-PF and indeed all Zimbabweans will - instead of concentrating on holding independence bashes - channel any such funds towards victims of the cyclone.
The only difference in today's celebrations is that former president Robert Mugabe was finally dislodged in November 2017. President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership traits seem no different from those of his former boss, Mugabe.
Sadly, today we celebrate our independence amid an escalating cost of living. Without our own currency in circulation, Zimbabwe has been found wanting as it trades using a multi-basket of currencies that continues to confuse the market.
As such, the cost of living has drastically gone up and government seems to be clueless on how to arrest the situation. Once regarded as Africa's breadbasket, today Zimbabwe is a basket case with our leaders globetrotting the universe, with begging bowl in hand.
Under the guise of land reform, top Zanu-PF officials parcelled out land to their cronies, paralysing agriculture through neglect of productive farms and stripping of equipment - irrigation and horticultural among others.
The Constitution of 2013, which we thought would guide us in navigating our way out of the many social, economic and political problems, has not been aligned to our laws, rendering it ineffective.
Devolution of power to provinces still remains a pipe dream as politicians frustrate its implementation. On the other hand, the opposition has failed to wrestle power from Zanu-PF with the promotion of democracy suffering in the process. Within the MDC for instance, bloody clashes were witnessed among its supporters ahead of the party's May congress.
As for the youths, there hasn't been any joy as successive cabinets under the ruling Zanu-PF have failed to create the much-needed jobs. Companies and factories also continue to shut down in their hundreds as foreign currency scarcity continues to bite.
As a result, there has been a constant drift of skilled manpower from Zimbabwe to other countries. The country recently suffered the Cyclone Idai disaster, which swept away whole villages, killing people and destroying homes.
We hope the ruling Zanu-PF and indeed all Zimbabweans will - instead of concentrating on holding independence bashes - channel any such funds towards victims of the cyclone.
Source - Daily nerws
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