via Zanu wants SADC to adopt indigenisation policy | The Zimbabwean 20 August 2014
President Robert Mugabe must use his one-year term as SADC chair to sell the message of indigenisation and black empowerment to the regional bloc’s member states, says Zanu (PF) spokesperson Rugare Gumbo.
Mugabe was on Sunday inaugurated as the new chair. He will hold the position for the next 12 months and takes over from Malawi’s newly elected Arthur Mutharika.
He fired the first salvo by rapping western governments for turning a blind eye to what he called Israeli brutality in Gaza where hundreds of people have been killed in interstate battles between Palestine and Israel.
Gumbo told The Zimbabwean: “It is an honour for President Robert Mugabe to be chosen as the chair of SADC and we hope that he will use his position to fight for indigenisation and empowerment, not only in Zimbabwe but throughout the region.”
He said the SADC’s choice of Mugabe was an indication that regional heads of government had realised the 90-year-old statesman had the capacity to lead the bloc.
Zanu (PF) has, over the years, pushed for the indigenisation of the economy through the empowerment of black citizens. It launched a land redistribution programme in 2000, which displaced close to 5,000 white commercial farmers purportedly to make way for thousands of landless blacks. Most of the prime farms went to the ruling elite.
The Zanu (PF) government also embarked on a business indigenisation programme that required foreign companies to cede a majority shareholding to blacks, even though it has now toned down its rhetoric.
President Robert Mugabe’s government has failed to compensate the displaced farmers for improvements on their farms.
Gumbo’s statements come shortly after the ANC’s secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, described Zimbabwe’s land reform programme as disastrous. “Zimbabwe was the bread basket of Africa but is a disaster today,” Mantashe said, after addressing a meeting about land reform and food security in Johannesburg last Wednesday.
“We will not expropriate land without compensation because that would be disastrous,” he said. “We are not going to grab your farms. If your land is sold, it will be for compensation.”
The hawkish indigenisation policy that Zanu (PF) has been pursuing to woo voters is being blamed for scaring away investors.
COMMENTS
Zanu is run by delusional people who cannot even see their nose right in front of them. Why would Zambia who have taken in foreign white farmers who have made them able to export maize to Zimbabwe for the first time in half a century all of a sudden decide “let us learn from Mugabe how to destroy our country?” Why would South Africa who already have a weakening Rand want to get it’s whole population to become Zillionaires and then change to US dollars because you need a wheelbarrow to transport your money to buy 2 loaves of bread? Why would Botswana decide to opt for power failures and potholes on their roads? Why would Malawi and Mozambique decide to make 90% of their population unemployed? Why would Namibia want to destroy it’s transport network. Zanu are just a joke for when the other members are by themselves will have a good laugh. Which SADEC country would like to be like how Zimbabwe is at the moment? NONE.
Hear hear
I look at your comment and wonder, even if all this were true, if I was running a country, why would I want a tiny minority with questionable allegiance to have so much influence over the economy, you are making a very good case for why maybe Mugabe is correct.
That’s the highest level of stupidity of Mugabe to think that other SADC countries will give an ear to that nonsense. Why listen to a loser like Mugabe. All SADC countries are now sick and tired of economic refuges from Zimbabwe. Where in the world would you not find a Zimbabwean fleeing from the madness of Mugabe.
Then you want to sell your failed policies, they will simply ignore you. If you can afford to run your own affairs how can you give advice to someone who is better placed than you, Mr Mugabe hunhu hunokosha, kurai imi sekuru, mukwane
Ah good. Given that the San are the only true indigenous people to Southern Africa – let’s give it all back. Send Mugabe and the Shona back to West Africa where they came from.
We dread a whole year of sadc drivel verbal diarheoa
SADC, I have a brilliant idea that hasn’t worked in my country…Wtf?
How can he sell a concept which has not worked in his own country? If the concept had worked there would be no need to sell it. Would there?The other countries would be tripping over themselves coming to Zimbabwe of their own free will to borrow the blue print.
As it is they are not . That alnone should tell Mr Fossil Mugabe that in its current form no one wants it. You can wrap a turd in any fancy wrapper it will stink right through
Mugabe needs to realise that he is on his own. He should keep his Zim & other leaders will keep theirs as Zim is a sovereign state.
The same western governments turned a blind eye to the massacres in Mataebeland, didn’t see him complaining then!
The biggest mistake ever made by leaders is on the side one takes about Israel. Read the bible again and you will realize that there are blessings and curses that are in waiting when you deal with Israel. The Jews are not an ordinary people,THEY ARE SIMPLY GODS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE PEOPLE. My simple advice is it’s wise for both nations and individuals to support Israel because the land they are in is theirs whether they are in it or not. Zimbabwe please support Israel…or choose to oppose God and His purposes.
What a terrible insult to those who lost their loved ones, as young as, babies. Your religious beliefs are stupit and devoid of any clear thinking. How can you praise people who brutalise others to a point of oblivion. Is it a right given by God? If so, for what benefit?
Hanzi itai hondo yeminda? It never worked and will never work
BRILLIANT IDEA, IT WORKED REALLY WELL IN ZIM.
Oh, great, great Leader show us all the way….to hell. You are a shining light and we adore you! Please die soon though.
Does anybody (other than complete morons) actually listen to this mental and moral cripple?
Hope his nappies dont leak on tghe Chairmans chair. Would be most embarresing!
Let’s hope the extra travel, work load ( if you can term robbery work) finish the old fart off.
DONT TALK OF GAZA, TALK OF ZIMBABWE WHICH IS WORSE THAN GAZA NOW. BETWEEN GAZA AND ISRAEEL WE HAVE EQUALS SHELLING EACH OTHER TO DEATH, BUT IN ZIMBABWE WE HAVE BULLY GOLIATH AND SMALL DAVID. HOW CAN A KETTLE CALL AND EGG BLACK. KKKKKK
Childish behavor by a destructive and implusive leader.