adminleadership, a trait uncommon in some people aspiring for the high office.
National food security matters are always addressed within the framework of Government policy for they involve the life’s of the people.
There is nowhere in the world where food security is left in the hands of the private sector and NGOs.
Only a Government or a political party without the interests of its people at heart, can propose or do such a thing.
On Thursday, Zimbabwe and Zambia sealed a government-to-government agreement for us to import 150 000 tonnes of maize from Zambia.
The deal was finalised at State House by President Mugabe and Zambian Vice President Mr Guy Scott despite spirited efforts by the likes of Finance Minister Tendai Biti to have the maize imported by private companies, for obvious reasons.
Such a show of co-operation and good neighbourliness should be encouraged in good and bad times and there is no better way of tackling food shortages than having the Government taking the lead.
The involvement of the Government will ensure the grain is distributed to all deserving people fairly without discrimination or political party lines.
Thursday’s finalisation of the deal testified to President Mugabe’s commitment to ensuring that no Zimbabwean starves, owing to drought-induced food shortages.
Only true leaders, in the mould of the President, who are not blinded by the fact that the maize will feed even political opponents, can go this far to avert starvation.
If private companies had gone ahead, with the support of Minister Biti, to import maize, then the poor would have been hard hit as they would not afford to buy the grain from firms that would obviously sell it to make a profit.
It is common knowledge that the involvement of private firms and NGOs was political, as MDC-T, through Minister Biti, sought to use the imported maize to drive their political agenda.
It is clear MDC-T wanted to use hunger as a campaign tool in harmonised elections expected before June 29.
Let political parties use their manifestos to campaign and leave matters to do with food security and related issues to the Government.
Now that it has been confirmed the maize would arrive in Zimbabwe soon, after Government made a down payment of about US$3 million, we remain optimistic the maize would be distributed fairly and that all affected people regardless of political affiliation will access the grain.
We plead with those who will be tasked with distributing the maize to shun corruption and any underhand dealings because it is the lives of the people that will be at stake.
They should not see it as an opportunity to make money but as a chance for them to serve their country and preserve their own integrity.
We also appeal to high ranking officials not to interfere with maize distribution but let those tasked to do so do their work.
There has been a tendency in the past by officials to intercept the grain for their selfish gain.
The Government must put up proper channels for distributing the maize to ensure the poor and those in deficit areas benefit.
Obviously there will always be those waiting in the wings to intercept the grain to resell for profit.
It is in everyone’s interest to guard against such elements in our midst who are always out to take advantage of a bad situation to line their pockets.
Online Reporter