Prophets of Doom vs economic growth

Panganayi Kahuni
The maxims of all religions and moralities which men must apply in their lives must conform to telling the truth, loving their neighbour as oneself, succouring the poor and wasting not the bounty which nature and science have provided. The recent budget announcement by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa has been described by progressive Zimbabweans as a budget that demands productive execution, policy consistence, commitment by all Zimbabweans in fighting corruption, and corporate product beneficiation.

However, some voices seem to be heard from hilltops rubbishing the otherwise fair budget statement in Zimbabwe’s current economic circumstance which was illegally imported for political convenience by the same treasonous voices.

The economic problems of Zimbabwe are typical of Africa.  The wealth of the country, the avoidance of  aping of Europe…the explicit recognition of needs and responsibilities; these make Zimbabwe a test case of Africa — if she succeeds, there is hope for all, if she fails, who else can succeed?

Yes, we have our economic problems, but which country, if I may ask, is entirely free of problems?  Indeed, we can number ourselves among the more fortunate countries of the world that control the clevers of their economy.

Let the ZCTU and the prophets of doom in the MDC-T camp know that the problem of efficiency in production only became an issue when Zimbabwe made progress with its land reform and indigenisation policy.

But it must also be noted here that efficiency became a problem only because we had made progress in wrestling the control of our domestic trade from foreign firms and white settlers who formerly dominated this vital field of our national economy.

However, the challenges are not problems of stagnation or of decay, but challenges of slow growth synonymous with an emerging economy.

Zimbabweans are not in the habit of shying away from our difficulties or shirking our responsibilities. The liberation struggle taught us to be confident people who are courageous, dedicated and devoted to face our challenges head on. And Zimbabweans are determined to surmount these challenges as exemplified by the resounding vote of July 31 2013.

However, it must be noted that as the majority fight to restore our dignity, there will be some few reactionaries such as those in MDC formations who, like the traitors of the revolution such as Dzino and Nyathi, believe in selling out our heritage.

President Mugabe has clearly said, “The greater single problem facing us as a nation is that of economic administration synonymous with a young emerging economy”.

He has implored Zimbabweans to be innovative and creative, think outside the box, use our skills and competencies to grow this emerging economy to greater heights. Europe and America did not start as developed economies but went through the same process of development; emerging and later becoming developed nations.

The point to be emphasised is that Zimbabwe’s current economic problems have arisen because we are moving forward.
As we solve these challenges so shall we move into the realms of economic independence for our great nation and personal prosperity for ourselves as individuals.

In line with Zim-Asset, Cde Chinamasa during his budget presentation raised an interesting economic theory.  He posits that “For a seed to germinate it must dry first”. People must understand this new economic theory that was espoused by Cde Chinamasa.

Take, for example, a maize seed that dries and later germinates, yielding to the farmer a cob of maize that contributes to the farmer’s harvested tonnage.

What the seed would have done is to localise to the farmer the yield of maize which is indigenisation.  The yield empowers the farmer as he gets money out of the sales of the maize which is empowerment. The farmer then uses the money to increase hectarage which is “development”.

This development results in the farmer diversifying and employing more people which is the employment part of Zanu-PF’s development agenda.

This is how Europe developed.  This is how China economically grew to the present economic status.  Like it or hate it, Zim-Asset is the way to grow our economy.

MDC formations and ZCTU as labour institutions must instead take pride in Zim-Asset and be seen to encourage workers to be productive in order to earn a better salary and living.

The media, too, must encourage every business stakeholder to be productive in order to grow the economy which results in creating wealth.

There is no need for the MDC formations and trade unions to fight an economic blueprint that is capable of creating wealth for the country.

It was surprising to see the private media attack the budget and chronicling the positions of MDC-T and ZCTU that many observers view as treasonous, inciting economic death.

The utterances by Mr Japhet Moyo that workers should demonstrate in their thousands against productivity should be regarded as cheap union politics that dangerously aim at destroying the remaining industrial production capacities. It is a suicidal dream to ask a patient to drink poison so as to shame a poor medical policy.

Such thinking should be condemned with the contempt it deserves.  The trade unions must realise that they now have a different role from that of trade unions in a colonial state.

Whilst the desires and wishes of our working people, farmer and peasants form the basis of our social and economic policies, trade unions in a country waging an economic war, must never encourage activities that set ablaze the foundations of the economic struggle.

They must spearhead the effort to raise production and productivity and cease to be impeccable advocates for out-moded conditions.
Japhet Moyo must understand that trade unions should not limit their activities to the education of workers only as regards to their rights, but also regarding their duties and responsibilities.

The trade unions should inculcate in all workers the love for labour and increased productivity which results in better earnings.
If Government is pursuing productive policies such as Zim-Asset which will ultimately benefit workers, trade unions must assist in explaining such measures and policies to the rank and file, instead of becoming more agitators to rights already protected and guaranteed by law and the state.

Without national stability, economic ownership, wealth creation, peace and security where would be the rights of workers and better standards of living that Tsvangirai and Moyo are clamouring for?

Trade unions and workers are advised to close ranks with government in fighting corruption, enhancing productivity and ensuring that Zim Asset succeeds in creating wealth for Zimbabwe.

Zim Asset needs the support of every Zimbabwean for it to succeed.  Negative politics destroy our economy.

Panganai Kahuni is a political socio-economic commentator.