Online Reporter
Dr Obert Moses Mpofu
ZIMBABWE has perhaps the most diversified economy on the African continent.
The ZANU PF-led Government has managed to turn around the economy in a profound way that has forced those who imposed sanctions on us to grudgingly acknowledge and begin rolling back their coercive measures.
Zimbabwe can now export to the European union duty-free, while London has begun warming up to Harare.
The United States Congress has also since tabled a Bill to repeal illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe.
The coercive measures did not isolate Zimbabwe, as initially thought, but actually drew it closer to other cooperating partners.
The ZANU PF Government has managed to not only promote the country’s interest but also respond to the needs of our people.
Politics is big business.
The same rules that apply to corporations also apply to political parties.
People are customers, and they should be treated as such.
Politics is so consequential that the country’s future is determined by the type of politics we practise.
The customer-centric approach to politics is what has sustained ZANU PF.
We have ensured that our client base, which is the true ZANU PF cadres across all our structures, get the most from their party.
It is such an approach that has resulted in ZANU PF being the party of choice.
The ruling party’s revolutionary ethos, which put emphasis on responsibility, discipline and integrity in the management of resources and general administration of our country, has been key.
So, ZANU PF has a business approach to politics.
We mean business.
Our business is Zimbabwe and its people.
We will ensure that this business succeeds.
As Zimbabwe’s political and economic landscape continues to evolve, so have ZANU PF’s internal mechanisms for responding to the socio-political and economic changes in our environment.
ZANU PF has always moved with the times.
It has been able to create a stable, predictable and investor-friendly business environment in Zimbabwe.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of businesses that are coming up.
Similarly, the country has also seen an influx of foreign companies and investors coming to set up shop.
This has positively impacted economic growth, job creation and poverty alleviation.
We are ushering our economy, people and nation into a new age.
Businesses operating in our country should align with the nation’s development goals, as well as social responsibility.
All the initiatives being implemented should leave our people better off.
ZANU PF also recognises the importance of supporting local entrepreneurs, as well as small and medium enterprises.
There is no doubt that the Second Republic has created wealth for the ordinary Zimbabwean at a rate never seen before.
We have achieved what was initially thought to be impossible for the majority.
There now exist opportunities for training, mentorship and access to finance for local entrepreneurs, particularly the youth and women.
Our empowerment drive is now stronger than before.
However, in our quest to truly take care of business, we must ensure that we combat corruption and red tape.
Focus should be on clean and efficient business practices to attract even more investment.
We should also ensure that we improve regulatory processes whilst, at the same time, maintaining accountability.
Our businesses, particularly locally owned ones, must adopt modern technology, innovation and value addition to enhance competitiveness, in line with His Excellency President ED Mnangagwa’s clarion call.
In politics, there are no guarantees, and this requires one to have the foresight and wisdom to navigate this treacherous terrain.
ZANU PF is making deliberate efforts to promote national pride and patriotism.
Our citizens and businesses must also play their part in promoting domestic industries.
National pride is central to strengthening resilience and self-sufficiency in the quest for economic emancipation.
All the same, Zimbabweans should trust in ZANU PF to always take care of business.
* Dr Obert Moses Mpofu is an academic and the Secretary-General of ZANU PF. He writes in his own capacity.
Dr. Mpofu, there is a potentially dangerous trend that is slowly creeping into the fabric of our society. It appears some of the areas in Zimbabwe are gravitating towards tendencies that depict tribalism. I will note two examples; there was a celebration of the Ndebele Kingdom under Mzilikazi in Bulawayo recently . It was designed as a culture heritage commemorative celebration. We all know it was dear to the hearts of a certain tribe. Then following that event, another event similar to the one done in Bulawayo took place in Zvishavane. This time the legacy of Mwenemutapa was being celebrated. History tells us who the two Mzilikazi and Mwenemutapa were. I don’t have to explain. Poignant to this was a perceived rivalry between the two events. They were explicitly held along very distinct tribal lines. And recently we hear that ZANU-PF in the western and southwestern sides of Zimbabwe passed a resolution to ask government to declare July 1 national holiday in commemoration of one of the icons of our liberation struggle Dr. JMN Nkomo. Dr. Nkomo died on July 1 1999. Again one cannot be faulted to think that ZANU-PF leadership is advancing a tribal narrative here. Looking at how economic development is panning out in this country, it appears this section of the country is indeed receiving a lot of development. So it is not about shouting for recognition for development. It gives an impression that we are still very much into tribal rivalry. This could spell a high security risk for the country if it remains unchecked. And it would be very sad if this conflict surfaces from within ZANU-PF.