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Matabeleland and some parts of the Midlands witnessed political disturbances a few years after independence which claimed many lives and destroyed properties running into millions of dollars. Stability in the region was only restored after the signing of the unity accord between Zanu-PF and PF-Zapu in December 1987. President Mugabe has described the disturbances as a moment of madness which should not be repeated.
It is a fact that the region during the years of the disturbances lagged behind in terms of development as some of the infrastructure such as roads and bridges was destroyed. Government was at times forced to suspend implementing some development projects. Everybody is agreed that the disturbances were an unfortunate episode in the history of an independent Zimbabwe and nobody wishes to witness a repeat of this dark period.
Apportioning blame now as some political opportunists are attempting to do does not help us as a nation. What is important is to acknowledge that indeed there were such disturbances and as a nation we should draw some lessons so that we avoid a repeat of such unfortunate developments. We totally agree with Zanu–PF provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu that as people from Matabeleland and the Midlands, we should disabuse ourselves of this “victims of past” mentality.
Dr Ndlovu, who was addressing hundreds of people during the ongoing commemorations of the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo in Bulawayo on Tuesday, said Matabeleland would continue lagging behind unless people from the region appreciate the fact that it is their responsibility to develop the region. He said the political leadership from the region should learn from Dr Nkomo who broke many barriers resulting in him achieving a lot during his lifetime.
He said Dr Nkomo, affectionately known as Father Zimbabwe, was committed to serving his people despite the many challenges he faced especially before independence. “Dr Nkomo was a leader full of hope who despite efforts to silence him continued to fight for the emancipation of his people,” said Professor Ndlovu. He said people from the region should therefore emulate Dr Nkomo and stop being victims of the past. Matabeleland, like many regions in Zimbabwe, is endowed with natural resources which include minerals such as gold and coal.
The region also boasts of the best game in the country and also has timber. There is also methane gas yet to be exploited. There is therefore no reason why Matabeleland should not be leading when it comes to development. What is critical, as observed by Professor Ndlovu, is for the people to discard this mentality of regarding themselves as victims of the past. The political leadership should initiate and direct development. The vast resources in the region should be exploited for the benefit of the region and its people. Matabeleland region given its resources should be leading in the establishment of community ownership share schemes.
The community ownership share schemes enable communities to benefit directly from the exploitation of their natural resources such as minerals or timber. Under the schemes initiated by Government to empower communities, companies exploiting resources cede 10 percent of their shares to communities which then use proceeds from the shares to fund development projects. Matabeleland South has already started enjoying the benefits of these schemes and we hope it will not be long before Matabeleland North also starts benefiting.
People from the region should stop mourning but should instead organise so that they start sharing the benefits of their natural resources with companies that are exploiting these resources. We want to once again remind people from the region that we are our own economic liberators and we should therefore not expect outsiders to come and spearhead development of our region.
Online Reporter