Chronicle EditorVandudzayi Zirebwa Buy Zimbabwe
I believe that as Zimbabweans we all hope for a better economy and as such we should be willing to embrace sentiments that give us hope. However, our reliance on the physical has limited our ability to see beyond our immediate circumstances and limited our faith to imagine a prosperous Zimbabwe different from the present reality.
This was evident when industry leaders were quick to dismiss Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s prophesy on the immediate rebounding of Zimbabwe’s economy.
A local daily quoted the CZI president Mr Charles Msipa, who while seemingly welcoming the prophesy was quick to suggest that the economy needed more than just prayer to rebound.
Going through the piece, one could not help but feel that the CZI president had missed a huge opportunity to see beyond the obvious and take Prophet Makandiwa’s declaration as a Godsend and timely message to rally millions of Christians to team up with our local industry and commerce in supporting initiatives aimed at beating imported goods and services in preference of our own.
History is full of examples of amazing turnarounds that were realised from situations that had looked dire but became possible due to efforts of individuals and persons who chose to rally a population to believe in its capabilities.
During World War Two, many believed England was no match to the mighty war machinery of Hitler’s Germany. Yet Churchill’s ability to motivate his country resulted in the triumph of the imperial army and demise of the feared Germans. In France, Napoleon overcame numerous obstacles to become the greatest ever leader that country has ever seen. In our own country, Ian Douglas Smith declared that “never in a thousand years would there be majority rule” but less than a decade later President Mugabe was inaugurated as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on April 18, 1980 after Zanla and Zipra armies that were roundly condemned as poorly equipped rag tag teams defeated the better equipped Smith regime.
Even in soccer, we have cases where teams that were staring relegation managed to turn the situation around and fought for survival. Such is life and its continuous revelation that the greatest asset of any people lies not so much in what they hold but in their mind and faith. Israel has only five million people and little else in terms of resources and yet it has emerged among the most industrialised countries on earth, with significant influence on the world’s leading economy, the United States.
The success of the country, whose people were nearly decimated by Hitler, is premised on Israel’s conviction and faith that their destiny lies within themselves.
In fact, who ever imagined that a preacher who was not known beyond his limited circles a few years ago could now fill a whole National Sports Stadium with believers drawn from across the country and Africa as a whole?
The first point in recovery efforts must thus be a mindset that thinks and speaks differently from its existing reality.
Right or wrong, Makwandiwa made a positive prophesy. Judging by the numbers that turned at the event, his message is one that many in our country would love to hear. By inference, it can be said Zimbabweans are now ready and willing to play their part to get this country moving forward. What may be a useful starting point is to challenge the church, which includes Makandiwa’s followers and many others to realise the effects of our own behaviour in killing our industry and commerce.
South Africa has done a good job of convincing its citizens that local is the best through the Proudly South African brand and that has helped to save and create jobs, sustaining the economy in the process. Churches in that country have also become a vanguard of creating employment. Nothing stops our local churches from doing the same.
On a weekly basis, the message should go right round the country that with faith and the right buying behaviour we can turn around our fortunes.
The many crusades that take place in our country could also become vehicles for showcasing local products.
Churches and industry can indeed turn around the economy. The starting point is to work together.
Churches can also be useful rallying points for buying local goods and services. With such unity, jobs and wealth creation become easy pickings.
Till we meet again, God Bless.
Feedback: [email protected], Cell, 00263773751878.
The beauty of our current times is that there is already some commitment by the church to utilise its influence in supporting Buy Zimbabwe in promoting preference for locally produced goods and services.
Just a month ago, the New Life Covenant Church led by Bishop Bismarck and Word of Life led by Dr Shana invited local companies to exhibit products at their conventions.
Feedback from all companies that took up the offer was that Christians easily understood their plight. Sales on both events were very pleasing.
Buy Zimbabwe believes that if synergies are established with civic society in general and churches in particular our country will begin to see a shift in mindset as our people move away from short-term gratification which is commonly associated with imports to buying local because they see the long-term benefits.
In any case, the Christian faith is fundamentally built upon enabling followers to delay the immediate pleasures in preference of long-term gains that only arise because one has chosen to sacrifice today for tomorrow.
The message to institutions such as CZI who command influence among policymakers and industry is to embrace the Christian denomination’s expression of hope in the revival of the local economy and create synergies that ensure that local products and services are supported.
Churches and industry can indeed turn around the economy. The starting point is to work together.
Churches can also be useful rallying points for buying local goods and services. With such unity, jobs and wealth creation become easy pickings.
Till we meet again, God Bless.
Feedback: [email protected], Cell, 00263773751878.
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