Economic collapse looms – Vince Musewe

via Economic collapse looms | The Zimbabwean by Vince Musewe 02.10.13

A nation with reducing disposable incomes is only headed for one thing; economic collapse.

If Zimbabwe continues on its current political and economic track, it will not develop into a modern economy in our lifetime. That is the sad reality. The question is; what can we do about that?

Ours is the only country that I know of that continues to rely on the same political leadership since independence – despite having a highly talented and educated middle class. This has resulted in our country being retarded in all senses of the word.

As I write, 2, 2 million people must be fed through food hand-outs imported from Zambia, a country that we used to feed in the early 1980’s.

The rate of regression of our economy is actually increasing while the rest of Africa works hard to attract investment and develop its infrastructure. Critical economic sectors such as mining, energy and information technology are progressing rapidly all around us – but all we seem to do is shout at the British and their allies.

As this happens, we remain “victims” who continue to blame the British and Americans for our problems. This narrative is a 33-year-old story that is now tired has actually becoming boring.

There is nothing much happening here. Cash is tight as usual and ordinary citizens are surviving from day to day, hoping for the best. I have never seen a people so despondent but prepared to do nothing about it except complain. Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die.

Our economy will continue to be constrained simply because we do not have the caliber of politicians with a grand vision for the country. We do not have leadership to take us out of this rut, created by years of negative conditioning of the masses by Zanu (PF)’s defeatist propaganda.

I was shocked recently, to hear some new minister of Harare provincial affairs saying that all MDC councilors must implement the Zanu (PF) economic programmes. What a cheek! I guess she has to be seen to say something to earn her new salary. If that is the type of talent we are relying to take us into the next century, we are indeed doomed.

I always say that Zanu (PF)’s brand of liberation politics will not deliver our economic emancipation. Zimbabwe can only change and put itself on a new growth path if we change political leadership. It appears that Zanu (PF) is continuing to entrench itself in power and yet they have failed to deliver.

Zimbabwe will only change when those in the Diaspora, in partnerships with local progressive forces, begin to actively participate in programmes of change at home. Facebook and twitter will not help us at all. We need a new brand of politics that is based on community awareness of responsibility to develop our homeland and not wait for the politicians. We need NGO’s to become more active to fund communities directly so that they can liberate themselves from being dependent on politicians – who do not deliver anyway.

We do not need more political parties – this platform continues to fail as a change agent. Elections are not useful to us at all – especially when the ruling party continues to bully its way into power while using national resources to maintain its advantage. Even worse is that the rest of Africa accepts this as fair.

If we continue to sit by the sideline and express our frustrations through social media but do nothing on the ground, we might as well accept that Zimbabwe will never be a developed state.

You are all aware out there of the economic challenges we face. Most people are unable to be productive simply because of lack of capital. The political arrogance we are seeing is more a defense mechanism against the reality that any country whose fundamental principles and values are based on lies will never prevail.

I am therefore encouraging those in the Diaspora who really care about their country to get together and establish a platform for a socio-economic revolution for the people by the people, that is the only way out.

If we do not do that now mark my words, the Chinese will own Zimbabwe as they continue to pour in their technology and people at the expense of local development and incomes. The sad reality is that our politicians are urging them on.

Any expectations of a modern Zimbabwe you and me imagined at Independence 34 years ago can never be met without risk. Let us now begin to create “our Zimbabwe” and not “their Zimbabwe”. This is because “their Zimbabwe” excludes the majority and creates poverty; none of us want that..

Vince Musewe is an economist based in Harare. You may contact him on vtmusewe@gmail.com

 

COMMENTS

WORDPRESS: 24
  • comment-avatar
    Tiger Shona 11 years ago

    And here the author is showing the way.
    A brave man.

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    MikeH 11 years ago

    An excellent article. Whilst there are people such as the author then there is still hope for the future.

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    George Sebedebe 11 years ago

    MDC is holding several meetings with the British and other imperialists on how best to destroy the economy so that there can be wider discontent in the country so that MDC fortunes can be revived. This is how the MDC servives and its very existence is based on the suffering of the people at their instigation – sanctions, and now this. The economy is actually on a rebound. Investors are coming because there is nowhere else to go. Remember MDC talked of economic collapse in 2000. We will never be fooled by such storries. MDC must be destroyed and the sooner the better for the country.

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      nesbert majoni 11 years ago

      Mr George it shows you are Zanu pf through and through but dont fool the pple. MDC helped to arrest a galloping inflation of 2008 and before so please dont lie to the nation.The British are never bend on destroying the economy but that is a zanu pf propaganda to cling on power.The British even helped us to facilitate the political independence imposing sanctions on the Smith regime and calling for the Lancaster House conference.In that light I dont think they are as bad as you want us to believe. Zanu pf rigged the elections but they have no clue what so ever to turn around the economy. SIMPLE

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      Themba Mlangeni 11 years ago

      George Sebedebe, are you taking any chronic medication for your severe deficiency of intellect?

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      masvukupete 11 years ago

      Mr George. The world has a lot of opportunities my brother. Everyone has alternatives Zimbabwe is not the only place.
      “FDI inflows totalled US$55 billion in 2010, of which 30 percent went to North Africa and another 27.5 percent flowed into southern Africa. According to the World Investment Report 2011, the extent of intra-regional FDI in Africa is limited. Judging from data on FDI projects, intra-regional FDI accounts for only five percent of the total in terms of value and 12 percent in terms of number.”
      FDI Nigeria in 2011 $9 billion, 2012 $7 billion. Moza 2011 5 bil, 2012 2.8bil. SA 2011 $6bil, 2012 $4.5 bil. DRC 2011 $1.8 bil, 2012 3.2bil. Ghana 2011 $3 bil, 2012 $3.1bil. Zimbabwe 2011 $387million, 2012 $400million.

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      Tiger Shona 11 years ago

      George, you an idiot.

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      Mwanawevhu 11 years ago

      With all due respect that is rubbish.MDC warned you of the obvious. Since mid 90s everyone including the rural folks could see that everything was going downhill. Blame it on poor leadership

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    Macon Pane 11 years ago

    George, the economic recovery is in the hands of ZANUPF. Now, get off your lazy bottom, quit lining your pockets, and fix the mess you created. While you’re at it, fix the infrastructure you’ve neglected by pocketing the money instead of providing maintenance and expanding services. Oh yeah, there is the issue of electrical shortages. And those are just for starters. You got a lot of work, so get off the gravy train and get to work. You wanted the job… go do it.

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      I agree with you Macon and it may be in Georges interests to go to primary school and start developing what little brain he may have…I just cannot believe a man can be so stupid???

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    Russell 11 years ago

    The author writes facts, it’s people like this George idiot that wants to throw blame.
    In any country you will find a political oppersition party that’s just the way it is,stop blaming MDC they are out of the way let Zunupf deliver if they can

  • comment-avatar
    Chirandu Chegono 11 years ago

    George, George, George, you brainwashed idiot. Wake up and get a life.

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    Sekuru Mapenga 11 years ago

    The money for the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Mutare road was spent on the elections.
    We must spend money on infrastructure and not politics.
    We must have pro-business policies.

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    Di whole world is crying for new investors , but Zanu ‘s economic policies are meant to scare dem away . Zanu leader is very popularly knwn for insulting di western powers but dis will not help the suffering Zim pple . Mozambique and Botswana are far much better dan Zim economically, but Zimbos claim to be more n better educated dan dem.

  • comment-avatar
    Mahlaba 11 years ago

    You have said it brother, let those ears hear. Action begins with me and you.

  • comment-avatar
    Pablo 11 years ago

    Vince you are one in a lot. Given a chance at political leadership, we will reach the promised land.

  • comment-avatar
    gukurahundi 11 years ago

    shame shame shame shame shame ZANU IDIOTS

  • comment-avatar
    munzwa 11 years ago

    take the advice George, go back to school, if you can find one not infiltrated by your goons.

  • comment-avatar
    Changamire Leo 11 years ago

    I salute you my brother and am prepared to work with such progressive brains.God bless you.

  • comment-avatar
    Morris 11 years ago

    And what exactly are we supposed to do? I mean there is not action verb in Vince’s installment. We all agree elections can’t help so what next.

  • comment-avatar
    Guvnor 11 years ago

    Zimbabwe is a dream deffered by bumbling zanu muppets.

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    Garikai 11 years ago

    George hahah I am sure have learnt…next time don’t expose your stupidity to the world!!!!

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    Charles Chamunorwa 11 years ago

    Mugabe does not care about Zimbabwe’s development as long as he is in power. Very soon we are going to have blair toilets in townships if they are not there already. Himself and his kith and kin will not be affected. They will go to malaysia and singapore for medical treatment, shopping and education for their children and for povo it is rambai makashinga.

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    Rejoice 11 years ago

    In the article Vince calls for Zimbabweans to start a platform.

    “I am therefore encouraging those in the Diaspora who really care about their country to get together and establish a platform for a socio-economic revolution for the people by the people, that is the only way out.”

    He has put together a few definition papers for such a platform called “ZIMBABWE FIRST”. Those interested can get in touch with Vince on his email and he will share the articles.

    Join the “ZIMBABWE FIRST” platform.