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01 March 2008
By Austin Chakaodza
ON March 29, Zimbabweans are going to the polls to choose a new president, new parliament and new municipalities. This article is intended to analyse the many challenges Zimbabwe will be facing in the aftermath of the elections.
Top of the list is the issue regarding the deterioration of the economic situation. This article will attempt to provide the possible way forward to solve some of the economic problems the country is facing.
First, it is instructive to note that during the election campaigns, we hear a lot about the promises, but not much about the process of solving Zimbabwe’s political, economic and social problems.
This is largely because most of the candidates are a bunch of fair-weather, Johnny-come–lately microwave politicians. People make their names in football or in gospel music and want to become Members of Parliament or Senators. There are some candidates who want instant gratification and if they do not get it, they either stand as independents or muddle through the primary election process hoping for a lucky strike at the polls. The game of politics is totally different from the game of football or gospel singing. Politics is about concepts, trends and practices.
The problem is not that Zimbabwe is not politically hungry, it is that the country has a tremendous lack of sold–out, unselfish politicians, committed to the salvation and deliverance of its people from poverty and degradation. Too many of the candidates seeking election have become pre–occupied with their financial and material well–being. Commitment to purpose is the substance of things hoped for but the things these candidates have in mind are material and temporal possessions, rather than the well being of the people.
The reason why this author feels strongly about the calibre and style of the incoming politicians is that the outgoing Parliamentarians and local government councillors were supposed to solve the country’s problems first and foremost during their term of office. Instead, they were willing to go into the greed-ridden highways of corporate and political society. Thus, what then will the outcome of the impending elections solve? Nothing!
There is a process one must go through to be effective, regardless of one’s level of faith in a political party.
There can be no shortcuts. One has got to pay the full price – it never goes on sale. Yet the Zimbabwe electorate is often unaware of how the political parties, the independents, and ZANU–PF independents are going to solve the economic problems besetting our country.
The questions now are: What are these economic problems bedevilling Zimbabwe? What are the possible solutions? What is the way forward?
Needless to say, most members of the cabinet are politically dead men and women walking and not fit for the purpose. They are failing to protect the economic and financial stability of the country due to their incompetence and ineptitude. The main danger facing the Zimbabwe economy is inflation, which is running amok like wild fire and yet the current government has proved incapable of solving this and many other problems. The central bank has tried to raise interest rates in order to control the level of money supply but to no avail. Ironically the Reserve Bank has been printing notes willy–nilly thereby fuelling inflation, which now officially at 100 000 percent.
Against this background, it is now crystal clear that solving the economic, political and social problems of Zimbabwe requires new thinking, new orientation, new policies and new strategies. The process of solving these problems is now beyond the capability of any new incoming government, parliament, or opposition parties. This author proposes yet another way forward. Assuming that there will be a government of national unity after the elections as was advocated by this author, there is a need to hold a three–day national people’s conference.
The main purpose of this conference should be to seek solutions to the country’s problems. The conference should be attended by major stakeholders namely; members of the new government, opposition members, representatives of business, trade unions, consumer organisations, civil society and above all, experts in the socio–economic and political fields.
The rationale behind this proposed project is based on the premise that there is need to carry out an audit of the country’s assets and liabilities in a more transparent manner. The first ingredient of a nation’s economic system is its natural resources.
Zimbabwe is rich in mineral resources and fertile farm soil and it is blessed with other numerous endowments as well. The current government has been secretive about the state of the natural resources, preferring to use patronage, cronyism, favouritism and nepotism in the conduct of state business. The classic example is the way the government is exercising extreme secrecy over the Marange diamonds. This is a treasure that has boosted the Botswana economy, leading that nation to enjoy a quality of life, personal happiness and security. The conference, if held, will want to know what is going on regarding the Marange diamonds.
The conference will also want to know from the governor of the Reserve Bank about the foreign currency situation. What about the gold reserves and gold bars kept in the Bank’s coffers; after all Zimbabwe has gold mines and many minerals. At the same time, the conference should find out from the Ministry of Agriculture, the state of the farming situation; what land is being utilised and what is lying idle. From an industry perspective, the conference should aim to discover how many factories are still functioning at full capacity, which ones have closed and which are experiencing difficulties.
From the above scenarios it is desirable that certain key stakeholders should put their heads and minds together. For example, the Ministry of Mines, the Chamber of Mines and the Minerals Marketing Corporation should work together and produce a balance sheet regarding the state of affairs in the mining sector. Similarly, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Commercial Farmers’ Union and the National Farmers’ Union should produce an audit regarding the state of agriculture in the country.
The Congress of Zimbabwe Industries, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Trade and Industry should also come up with a statement concerning the sate of affairs in the private sector.These balance sheets and audit statements could then be presented to this proposed conference. Open disclosure of the state of affairs should help the conference to measure and understand the ill-health of the economy. It would also assist in finding solutions.
Let us remember, there is no problem so big that we can’t tackle it. All countries have problems; it’s how you deal with them that separates success from failure. Let the people of Zimbabwe start a process of economic revival and democratic renewal. The process may take decades; however, success in any venture lies in holding on, even when others let go. Promises tend to be so awesome that they would blow people’s minds. Let us again remember that endurance is the price of achievement.
Austin Chakaodza is a Professor of International Relations at Regents College, London.
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