Min attacks Mphoko’s rain prayers

via Min attacks Mphoko’s rain prayers – NewZimbabwe 11/01/2016

TOURISM minister Walter Mzembi has said poor agricultural and economic planning is to blame for Zimbabwe’s problems, adding it is these missing links the leadership must address instead to blaming the rains and calling for national prayers.

Last week, then acting President, Phelekezela Mphoko, called Zimbabweans to a week of prayers for the rains as the country is hit by another drought.

Mphoko said the country should turn to the “Almighty God the Creator and the Sustainer of life to heal our land”.

But outlining the national tourism master plan his ministry is developing in Harare Monday, Mzembi said in as much as the country should turn to God for divine intervention, there was need for “creativity” if the economy is to recover.

“There has been a clarion call for national prayers for the rains but rain alone cannot be the only solution to the problems this country is facing,” said Mzembi.

He said Zimbabwe was not making use of its dams and the vast tracts of land it acquired from white former commercial farmers.

“We have 10,800 dams, 11 million hectares of irrigable land.

“We should be the last nation to premise rain as the critical success factor for a viable agricultural season; the missing link is the power of creativity.”

He added: “Let us not cry and cry because there is no one listening.

“God is saying that I already gave you the solution. Yes, let’s pray but he has told me in my prayers that I gave you the solution long back and it is the power of creativity.”

Mzembi said the tourism sector if taken seriously by the government could leverage the troubled economy.

“We have already started providing that leadership in this country even in the midst of adversity of no rain of pessimism.

“This sector now leads mining, agriculture and manufacturing but if you look at where it is placed in terms of fiscal appropriation we are the least resourced sector in this country, but we lead in terms of paying the bills to the treasury.”