Opinion / Columnist
Mr President, Zimbabweans don't eat promises
24 Aug 2021 at 01:34hrs | Views
I AM not sure if the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is aware that things are going out of hand.
At independence, the late Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere remarked that the incoming black rulers had inherited a "Jewel of Africa", — a virgin Zimbabwe that was ready to compete on the continental map.
But almost 40 years under a not-so majority rule, Nyerere could be turning in his grave in anger as Zimbabwe has now been turned into a pale shadow of itself, where its healthcare system is in the intensive care unit.
At every forum, Mnangagwa is always assuring everyone who cares to listen that Zimbabwe is open for business and that the country is on course to achieving an upper-middle class economic status by 2030.
Zanu-PF has been promising Zimbabweans heaven on earth, but everything is taking a negative turn, with those in positions of authority not even caring.
While I don't know what an upper-middle class economy entails, at this rate, the literacy rate which stands above 90% would have plummeted to below 10% since teachers are demoralised as they are earning peanuts.
They have resorted to holding extra lessons to eke a living. COVID-19 has worsened the situation.
Universities and colleges across the country are churning out half-baked graduates who cannot even perform basic tasks of the professions they studied.
Child mortality rate is on the rise as most hospitals and clinics are manned by nurse aides, with most skilled health workers having crossed the borders in search of greener pastures.
The agricultural sector, which used to be the backbone of the economy, is virtually dead.
It is my humble submission that Mnangagwa should stop making empty promises as they do not bring food on our tables.
Since Mnangagwa "rigged" the July 30, 2018, elections, now is the time for him to rig the economy so that Zimbabwe can be an upper-middle class economy by 2030.
Mr President, it is time you roll your sleeves, otherwise you will go the Edgar Lungu way in 2023.
At independence, the late Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere remarked that the incoming black rulers had inherited a "Jewel of Africa", — a virgin Zimbabwe that was ready to compete on the continental map.
But almost 40 years under a not-so majority rule, Nyerere could be turning in his grave in anger as Zimbabwe has now been turned into a pale shadow of itself, where its healthcare system is in the intensive care unit.
At every forum, Mnangagwa is always assuring everyone who cares to listen that Zimbabwe is open for business and that the country is on course to achieving an upper-middle class economic status by 2030.
Zanu-PF has been promising Zimbabweans heaven on earth, but everything is taking a negative turn, with those in positions of authority not even caring.
While I don't know what an upper-middle class economy entails, at this rate, the literacy rate which stands above 90% would have plummeted to below 10% since teachers are demoralised as they are earning peanuts.
Universities and colleges across the country are churning out half-baked graduates who cannot even perform basic tasks of the professions they studied.
Child mortality rate is on the rise as most hospitals and clinics are manned by nurse aides, with most skilled health workers having crossed the borders in search of greener pastures.
The agricultural sector, which used to be the backbone of the economy, is virtually dead.
It is my humble submission that Mnangagwa should stop making empty promises as they do not bring food on our tables.
Since Mnangagwa "rigged" the July 30, 2018, elections, now is the time for him to rig the economy so that Zimbabwe can be an upper-middle class economy by 2030.
Mr President, it is time you roll your sleeves, otherwise you will go the Edgar Lungu way in 2023.
Source - newsday
All articles and letters published on Bulawayo24 have been independently written by members of Bulawayo24's community. The views of users published on Bulawayo24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Bulawayo24. Bulawayo24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.
