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The articles in question headlined “MDC agonises over Indigenisation” (published by the Zimbabwe Mail on April 12) and “Indigenisation: MDC-T Gropes for Response” (published by the Zimbabwe Independent on April 19) severely expose the lack of capacity and policy direction the British-born party has consistently shown since its formation in September 1999.
The reports that quoted sources mourning about the MDC-T’s failure to counter Zanu-PF were based on the MDC-T’s position paper titled “MDC-T’s Response to Kasukuwere’s Indigenisation”. The title is reflective of the MDC-T’s first misconception of the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme whereby they want to reduce such a monumental and path-breaking policy to a personal petty project of the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Cde Saviour Kasukuwere.
The indigenisation and economic empowerment programme is the signature policy of the entire Zanu-PF party and its organs from the Presidency, headed by Cde Robert Mugabe, the Politburo, the Central Committee, the Provincial Executive Committees, Party Districts, Branches, Cells, Women’s and Youth Leagues, and affiliate organisations encompassing war veterans, ex-detainees and political prisoners, war collaborators and student/youth organisations.
In fact, policy discussions and resolutions at Zanu-PF’s Annual National People’s Conferences over the past three years dwelt on the need to indigenise the national economy and empower citizens.
In 2010 the Conference theme was “Taking Total Control of Our Natural Resources”, 2011 it was “Defending National Sovereignty and Consolidating Indigenisation and Empowerment” while last year’s theme, whose implementation will cover the harmonised elections period, is “Indigenise, Empower, Develop and Create Employment”.
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Thus, indigenisation and economic empowerment is a firm policy with solid support across the party.
While, Minister Kasukuwere deserves accolades for driving the policy without equivocation, fear or favour, he is doing this as a loyal warrior and cadre on behalf of the Party and the nation.
Thus, trying to reduce the policy to a personal project of one man is an insult to Zanu-PF as a party and a slap in the face of thousands of Zimbabweans whose lives have changed for the better and millions others waiting in anticipation to benefit from the policy.
Coming back to the possible responses, the MDC-T is agonising over three options being considered by the party. The first option is outright opposition to the policy, secondly MDC-T is pondering engaging Zanu-PF in dialogue while the third option suggests ignoring the programme altogether.
I examine the futility of all three options exposing MDC-T’s ineptitude.
Outright Opposition to Indigenisation
This is what the MDC-T has tried to do since the conceptualisation of the programme but they failed to stop the passing of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act in 2007.
This is where the MDC-T lost its first battle in this war pitting Zanu-PF on behalf of Zimbabwean citizens and the MDC-T on behalf of foreign imperialist interests. Because the policy is directed by the law, the MDC-T representatives in Government have no option but to implement it unless they force a change in the law. Thus, Government arms under MDC-T control like the Zimbabwe Investment Authority have no alternative but to enforce the law, particularly the 51/49 requirement for all foreign investors.
In desperation the MDC-T brigade, fronted by its secretary-general Tendai Biti, supported by Obert Gutu, ironically lawyers, tried to portray the indigenisation programme particularly the Community Share Ownership Trusts through which mainly rural communities are enjoying the benefits of the programme as illegal.
Thus, there was a serious attempt to reduce entire communities like Zimunya-Marange, Chegutu-Mhondoro-Ngezi, Zvishavane and so forth to criminal communities that have benefited from an illegal programme. This attempt hit a brick-wall as Zimbabweans fully understand and embrace the legality of the programme meant for their benefit.
Thus, while its foreign handlers, according to reports, are charging that the MDC-T “ought to be more robust in resisting indigenisation” the party itself says “we are no longer totally opposed to the policy and we accept that indigenisation must be implemented”.
Engaging Zanu-PF in Dialogue
The Head of State and Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe, has time and again strongly highlighted that the 
indigenisation and economic empowerment programme is a fundamental policy that will never be reversed.
In his most recent big interview on the eve of his birthday the President categorically stated that the indigenisation programme is one such policy that he will never regret implementing.
Thus, in my considered view I do not see Zanu-PF ever engaging the MDC-T in any form of dialogue that will water down the implementation of the indigenisation programme, in the process compromising the aspirations of thousands of Zimbabweans eagerly anticipating to benefit from the returns on the country’s natural resources.
I can bet that any attempt in that direction will get a firm no from Zanu-PF and rebuffed with the contempt it deserves.
Ignoring the (Indigenisation) Policy (Altogether)
This is the dumbest of the three options considered by the MDC-T because how can you ignore the positive impact of the indigenisation juggernaut that has been rolling across the country over the past three years?
How can the people of Shurugwi be told to ignore Msasa and Banga Primary Schools, Chirume Dam, Zvamabande Clinic and Mortuary, all products of projects financed through the empowerment programme?
How can citizens in Gwanda and Bubi be incited to ignore the benefits of irrigation schemes, in the typically dry region, financed by empowerment funds?
How can youths in Nyanga be made to ignore the positive impact of their potato project funded by indigenisation, and what of thousands other youths who received project money from Cabs, Stanbic, CBZ and IDBZ? Therefore, it is absurd trying to close your eyes so that you will not see the obvious.
The telling thing in the MDC-T’s options is that there is no reference or any mention of their largely discredited JUICE policy they initially presented as an alternative to indigenisation.
This is an honest admission that policy wise MDC -T has no answer to Zanu PF’s superior policies.
However, with their funders breathing down their necks alleging that “MDC-T has not done enough to counter Zanu-PF”, they are now desperately seeking political mileage by promoting futile options.
In the final analysis, it has been proved time and time again that Morgan Tsvangirai is no match for President Mugabe and MDC-T can never counter Zanu-PF’s sustainable policies.
Zanu-PF policies come from the people and are implemented for the benefit of the people with indigenisation being the key policy at the moment.
Therefore, being anti-Mugabe or anti-Zanu-PF or anti-Indigenisation and empowerment is equivalent to being anti-people.
Any struggle against the people will never succeed.
Zimbabweans should thus rally behind the revolutionary party as we seek to “Indigenise” our economy putting it in the hands of local citizens, “Empower” the masses through opening opportunities, funding and skills development, in a way that will certainly “develop and create employment” for thousands of citizens across the country.
- Kurai Prosper Masenyama is the Zanu-PF Director for Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
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