HARARE – In a scathing critique of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime, Clive Malunga, founder of the Jenaguru Arts Centre and a renowned Zimbabwean musician, has pointed a finger at the nation’s leadership as the primary impediment to development.
Malunga’s commentary, released in a statement titled “Leadership Crisis – Zimbabwe’s Main Impediment to Development”, paints a grim picture of a country riddled with poverty, corruption, and a ruling elite out of touch with the suffering of the masses.
He dismisses the introduction of a new national currency, the ZiG, as a superficial attempt at solving deep-seated problems.
“Zimbabwe has become a basket case. Many people are living in abject poverty and have lost hope that things will ever go back to normal.
“It is laughable and even inconceivable that the new ZiG currency will change anything on the ground. Our country needs more than just a change in currency: it needs a real shift in governance fundamentals.
“Currency viability and stability depend on people’s trust in the issuing authority. But how can people’s trust in the government be restored when evils such as corruption, cronyism and repression are getting more entrenched in government rather than showing any signs of abating.
“Those who should be at the forefront of fighting these vices are the worst perpetrators of the same. Regardless of any efforts by the government to tell the world otherwise, it is very clear for everyone to see that the country is sinking into a very deep hole. The propaganda we hear is very different from the reality of people’s lives.
“You don’t have to be an economist or a rocket scientist to see the economic mess in which our country is. The ruling elite are living in a bubble. The leaders are at sixes and sevens.
“They either have no clue what to do to dig the country out of the hole they have put us into, or they simply don’t care. Many Zimbabweans have excellent ideas about how to make the country rise again, but the leaders make no effort to tap into that vast reservoir of ideas.
“Those who volunteer their ideas unsolicited for the love of the motherland are vilified and antagonized. There is no effort whatsoever to build a broad national consensus by consulting the masses of Zimbabwe on any national issues.
“We are made to accept whatever is shoved down our throats,” Malunga says.
Malunga accuses the ruling elite of living in a “bubble,” completely detached from the harsh realities faced by ordinary Zimbabweans.
“The leaders are at sixes and sevens. They either have no clue how to fix the mess they’ve created, or simply don’t care,” he notes.
He criticises the lack of consultation with the public, stating, “We are not included in national discussions. We are simply expected to accept whatever is dictated to us.”
Taking aim at Mnangagwa, Malunga criticizes his communication skills and leadership qualities.
“I have in the past complained about the president’s poor communication skills. It seems he is getting worse while those around him are urging him on. As president, he is the face of the nation and he would do us well if he would enroll for a course in public speaking.
“It’s not too late at all. What he thinks are funny jokes are the worst insults to the citizens. His behaviour when speaking does not reflect well on the legal profession of which he is a member.
“In addition to the vitriol in his speech, his voice sounds as if he would be screaming or shouting or singing. The president must speak confidently and with dignity. That will inspire confidence in the masses,” he said.
Malunga adds: “Considering the dire situation we are in, it is a shame that the president and his loot- mates think he can rule Zimbabwe beyond 2030. That will be a total disaster for the nation. Haven’t we already suffered long enough now?
“I don’t know of any nation that has had such a long barren period as ours. He must accept his failure and quit when. his second term ends. He was never born a leader. He happens to be in that position by chance.
“Mnangagwa is no match for sober, intelligent people like Simba Makoni, Sydney Sekeramayi and the late Morgan Tsvangirai who could have provided true leadership in Zimbabwe.
“A chief executive of an organization is judged by the performance of his organisation on the market. A father in the house is judged by how he looks after his family.
“Many people are running away from Zimbabwe because of hunger, political victimization, and terror from city police and Zimbabwe Republic Police. That is a true sign of failure and why would a leader who has failed want to cling to power?”
The musician also criticises artists who accept handouts from the ruling party.
“These are not genuine gifts,” he warns. “They come with strings attached.” He praises musicians like Dr. Thomas Mapfumo and Winky D for refusing to be swayed by such tactics.
Malunga further pleads for unity and a rejection of the status quo.
“The majority must stand together in opposing the current oppressors and their bootlickers,” he asserts.
He expresses a deep sense of disillusionment with the current government, stating, “Like the majority of Zimbabweans, I have lost faith. It will take a lot of effort to convince me about the genuineness of anything they do.”
Malunga’s scathing critique comes a day before the launch of the ZiG notes. The new currency, which is backed by gold, has already lost a significant percentage of value since its introduction earlier this month.
Experts argue that, for the new currency to work, authorities must defend it in the open market by allowing it to buy everything, including fuel.
