Only trade, not political ties

they are also being denied a chance to grow up and have a life of their own.
Where does Zimbabwe fit in all this mayhem?

Zimbabwe has become the most stable country in the Comesa region.
All it wants is not political affiliation, but trade in goods and assist in regional economic development.
Surely, it does not deserve to be under punitive sanctions.

All it wants is peaceful co-existence with other countries in the region.
No wonder why the President is welcomed by crowds in countries he visits for most summits in the region.

Zimbabwe now plays host to many nationalities in Africa. There are now West Africans and East Africans coming to Zimbabwe to set up shops.

Some of the political upheavals in Africa are just unacceptable.
Of course, Zimbabwe does not dictate to other countries how they should conduct their political systems.

Western countries must spend more time resolving the turmoil in those countries that are disintegrating rather than lecture Zimbabwe on how it should conduct its political system.
What the country wants is just to trade in peace with the rest of the world.

Why deny Zimbabwe the right to develop itself in peace and stability?
We have young Zimbabweans leaving the country to look for a better life elsewhere, not because of political instability, but because the country is being denied the right to trade with other countries.

Reports that the country’s diamonds and some companies still face European and American sanctions are very disheartening.

Every month we witness foreign envoys presenting their credentials to the President, a sign that they want normal relations based on trade not politics.

Why then do those that are sending envoys here want to deny Zimbabwe the right to trade in minerals or any other goods?

They surely see tranquility in the country rather than political upheavals elsewhere in Africa especially in North Africa and West and East Africa.

There are some envoys that have decided to settle in Zimbabwe or to maintain a home here at the end of their call of duty.

This is most welcome. I used to play tennis with some of these envoys and discuss how peaceful Zimbabwe is compared to some countries they previously had been posted to.

But the fact of the matter is that economics and trade should guide our country rather than political association.

Each country must develop its own political system according to the dictates of the composition of its ethnic and cultural bearing.

This is why the Constitution-making process is so crucial in defining the future of the country.
At the core, our country’s values should be to engage freely with other nations in trade and other economic development strategies.

This is why our relations with China are very beneficial.
China and Zimbabwe have separate political systems, but the two countries are forging an economic relationship for the benefit of the two country’s people.

Unlike Western countries that are keen to lure the most educated people from Africa for its selfish ends and retard Africa’s development, China welcomes Africa’s educated people and trains them but to work in their own countries.

Many Chinese experts also come to Africa to develop the economies of African countries to engage in trade with their country.

This is true as beneficial economic ties driven by a sense of responsibility to uplift the lives of the people through genuine economic development have been formed. There has been talk in Sadc about a single currency for the countries in the region.

What we have seen in Europe where one country dominates the rest is not good for our region. Sadc countries will be indebted to one country which causes political upheavals like what has been happening in Europe.

Political affiliation will be a disaster which will be brought by a single currency regime. There are some countries in the region which are still being dominated by forces that are against African development. Each country must develop its political system without interference from any other retrogressive forces.

Zimbabwe should stand alone in its political development but must encompass the system of free trade with other countries in the region and beyond.

Any economic relations must be based on respect of each country’s sovereign right to develop its political and economic systems.

There are many of those in the country that emulate the economic development of other countries but do nothing to add value to their own country’s economy. So much money is being spent on imports for consumer goods instead of the money being channeled into manufacturing of local goods for domestic use and for exports.

One Israeli industrialist remarked a few years ago that Zimbabwe is a Switzerland of Africa. It has the most wonderful natural resources and resourceful people.

There is need to harness this potential and trade with the rest of the world to bring economic prosperity to its wonderful people.