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In an interview this week, Cde Msipa, who was Minister of State in the President’s Office Responsible for Indigenisation and Privatisation between 1995 and 2000, said it is a big challenge for Government to manage disgruntled and economically disadvantaged people.
He said Zimbabwe needed to adopt the indigenisation policy as a way of developing areas previously neglected by the colonial regime.
“The subject of indigenisation is very close to my heart. It is clear to me that without economic empowerment of indigenous people, there cannot be political stability. Indigenisation is a way of correcting the imbalances of the past. So it is essential to implement a deliberate policy on economic indigenisation. There may be problems with implementation here and there but there is no doubt that in a country like Zimbabwe, indigenisation of the economy is essential and necessary. Otherwise, political power without economic power is meaningless,” said Cde Msipa.
He said the Government’s economic policy is playing a big role in the development of the country, especially rural areas, through the Community Share Ownership Scheme/ Trust.
He said rural communities are now working on upgrading their road networks, schools, clinics and water sources through funds availed through the President Mugabe initiated project of CSOS/T.
“The Government is also eager to see workers owning shares in their places of employment. This brings in the spirit of ownership among the workers with their companies. They identify with their company. In rural areas, communities are beginning to share in the successes of mining companies in their locality as they are now drawing benefits from their existence,” said Cde Msipa.
Cde Msipa, however, said the indigenisation and empowerment programme should be implemented with care.
He said the Government and other economic players should engage each other in ways that encourage foreign investors to retain interest in Zimbabwe as an investment destination.
Online Reporter