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The report in which the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has ranked Zimbabwe as having the fastest average growth in human development and the most improved quality of life in Africa is instructive in more ways than one. It is explained that the critical instrument to assess this is the Human Development Index (HDI), which is a “measure for assessing long-term progress in three basic dimensions of human development: a long and healthy life, access to knowledge and a decent standard of living.”
Experts explain that a long and healthy life is measured by life expectancy; knowledge level is measured by mean years of education among the adult population, which is the average number of years of education received in a life-time by people aged 25 years and older, while standard of living is measured by Gross National Income (GNI) per capita expressed in constant 2011 international dollars converted using purchasing power parity (PPP) rates.
Before naysayers, largely out of ignorance, can raise their opposition, it has to be pointed out that this is a scientific report based on credible methodology and comparable data on all countries under review, undertaken by a reputable organisation that is an agency of the United Nations.
The UNDP does not have, conceivably, any interest in misleading the world but use such like data for the benefit of individual countries, global leaders and other stakeholders to formulate and craft relevant policies and responses.
We know Zimbabwe’s detractors revel in dubious reports that put the country in bad light — like saying Zimbabwe is the worst place to live on earth — that seek to justify regime change in the country.
A look at the report and its encouraging conclusion must actually not come out as a huge surprise.
Zimbabwe has since 1980 been forward-looking in the provision of a good life for its citizens.
This is why the country has invested heavily in social services such as health and education.
In education for example, according to the latest statistics, the number of primary schools have increased from 2 401 in 1980, with an enrolment of 1 235 994 to 5 905 with an enrolment of 3 176 365 in 2015.
For secondary education, in 1980 there were only 177 secondary schools (Yes!) with an enrolment of 74 321 but as we speak there are 2 482 and a record 1 026 984 student enrolment.
All this has translated to the highest literacy rate in Africa that Zimbabwe boasts of and shall continue to enjoy as plans are afoot to have at least 2 000 more schools.
Tertiary education in Zimbabwe has also massively improved. Zimbabwe had only one national university at Independence but now has over 10 public and private with plans underway to have each of the country’s administrative provinces to have its own university and polytechnic.
In the health sector, whose services can be classified as primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary, Zimbabwe has again made strides from people having a clinic within five kilometres to specialised healthcare.
Most importantly, Zimbabwe has managed to contain the deadly HIV and AIDS from infection rates of up to 29 percent in the 1990s to about 15 percent to date.
Government has provided an environment in which the ordinary man and woman can thrive by providing basic services as well as means and access to resources such as land, mines and business.
This is not to mask the challenges that the country is facing.
Which essentially is the interpretation that should be given to the report.
Zimbabwe is not Africa’s heaven. No!
The report, and reality, is that it is in the right direction and given all the optimum conditions can shoot its way to the top considering, for example that its growth is almost four times the sub-Saharan average, and an increase in expected years of schooling.
As the report notes, the country’s gross national income per capita increased four percentage points faster than the sub-Saharan average, from $1,442 to $1,662, or a 12 percent jump.
Zimbabwe’s growth has in these past years been impeded by the illegal sanctions that were imposed on the country by the West following the implementation of the land reform programme.
This is the single most threat to the livelihoods of the Zimbabwean people and Government.
Take away the hideous and growth slowing sanctions, Zimbabwe can be a world beater.
But Zimbabweans are a resilient people and the fact that they are thriving even under the odious yoke of sanctions is testimony to this.
Online Reporter