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Benny Tsododo
One of the reverberating messages coming out of the ZANU-PF 14th Annual National Peoples’ Conference is that the revolutionary party has submitted and committed the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) blueprint into the capable hands of Zimbabweans. As the ruling party, ZANU-PF has presented Zim-Asset as the compass to guide the nation out of the current economic challenges.
The message was clear as delegates at the conference chanted; “Zim Asset: Iwe neni tine basa”. What is now left is for all Zimbabweans to unconditionally embrace Zim-Asset and actively contribute towards its implementation. But, is this be possible when some Zimbabweans are hooked on self-aggrandisement while others are bent on spreading pessimism?
Could someone who bigotedly and illegally sold 23 074 residential stands and prejudiced home-seekers of over US$20 million be part of the Zim-Asset crusade? No. The reported criminal conduct of Chitungwiza Ward 25 councillor and self-appointed chairman of United We Stand Multipurpose Co-operative, Frederick Mabamba, is nakedly antithetical to the spirit of Zim-Asset.
By illegally creating and selling stands on spaces reserved for clinics, churches, schools, wetlands and under high voltage power lines, Mabamba and other land barons breached all environmental, legal and other ethical considerations that are pivotal to achieving country’s economic goals. Such criminal conduct is not only anti-Zim-Asset but anti-Zimbabwe.
In the same vein, could a chief executive officer of a moribund state enterprise, who gets a salary of $40 000 a month positively contribute towards the realisation of the vital goals of Zim-Asset? No. The alleged conduct of ZBC chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere does not in any way contribute towards the attainment of national economic growth targets. To the contrary, it perfectly assists in bleeding the economy.
The same applies to cynicism and resistance towards Government’s efforts to correct these anomalies by ordinary citizens. How can you explain the shrill calls for a boycott of the payment of ZBC licence fees? At a time Government is trying to deal with the rot at ZBC, the Harare Residents’ Trust and the Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust are calling for residents to boycott paying licence fees to the national broadcaster that is saddled with a US$45 million debt.
The Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust was quoted in the media saying, “We call upon the residents of Chitungwiza and other areas to stop paying licence fees as disclosures that ZBC supremo Happison Muchechetere’s monthly salary and perks were pegged at over US$45 000 is an insult to the majority who are living from hand to mouth.”
Surprisingly, the media house that covered the story also supported the boycott with an editorial titled “ZBC licence boycott is justified” (NewsDay December 12, 2013). How does a licence boycott assist ZBC in settling its staggering debt? What will happen to the 1 000 ZBC workers and their families if people boycott paying licence fees that form a significant source of revenue for the national broadcaster? How does the boycott contribute to national economic development? Actually, there is no difference between Muchechetere who fleeced ZBC to its knees and those who seek to put the final nail on ZBC’s coffin by calling for a licence boycott.
In the same breath, we condemn the pessimistic ethos pervading the private media landscape. Why do the private media appear to be on a fault-finding mission against Government? Why are they reporting on possibilities of Government failing to pay civil servants their salaries and bonuses yet the exact opposite is true? Why report on the return of the Zimbabwe dollar when Government has dismissed such claims in the short-term? Why are they talking about the country possibly relapsing into the economic difficulties reminiscent of the 2008 economic malaise?
The same goes for the general populace. What is this rumour-mongering all about? Recently the teaching fraternity was full of rumour that they will not receive their annual bonuses. The rumour was so frightening and spiced up to the extent of claiming that teachers will not even receive monthly salaries but would be given grocery vouchers like what happened in 2009.
Despite the rumours, Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association (Zimta) chief executive, Sifiso Ndlovu, admitted that his union met the Minister of Labour, Public Service and Social Welfare and he confirmed that teachers would get their full salaries with bonuses. The rumours and media pessimism create a pernicious negative perception about the country that hurts the economy.
It cannot be ignored that perception matters in global economic issues. Zimbabwe has continued to receive negative global rankings fuelled by the negative perception we have projected to the world. Such negative rankings and perceptions have worked as a bulwark that scares away potential investors and raise the country’s risk perception in the eyes of international lenders. The Zim-Asset plan cannot flourish under such a toxic environment.
As such, Zimbabweans must shed off practices that fuel negative perceptions of the country or incite behaviour that is inimical to the economy. It is essential that all Zimbabweans subscribe to building a positive national psyche that will drive the country into the national bliss as projected in the Zim-Asset blueprint.
Everyone must see the glass as half full not as half empty. Nonetheless, not all hope is lost as there are discernible signs of willingness by some business entities to initiate programmes that support Government policies. Commendably, some corporate citizens have realised the importance of collective efforts and have timeously put their shoulders to the wheel.
Old Mutual has reportedly set aside $62 million to fund the initial phase of a project to build 15 000 housing units across the country in five years. The initial phase, which is already underway, would soon deliver 1 593 housing units in Budiriro in Harare. Similarly, FBC Holdings is reportedly targeting $5 million from its international financiers to expand its housing projects next year. The group is hoping to deliver 500 residential units in 2014. Such business initiatives dovetail with the Zim-Asset goal of drastically reducing the ever-soaring housing backlog.
Furthermore, there are concerted efforts by industry to work towards incorporating value addition and beneficiation into their operations in line with the vision of the Zim-Asset blue-print. Just a week ago, President Robert Mugabe commissioned a new ginnery plant for Sino-Zim Cotton Holdings in Harare. The spinning division of the ginnery promotes value addition through production of yarn for export and local consumption. In the same vein, the Zimbabwe Diamond Technology Centre, Beneficiation Association of Zimbabwe and the Jewellery Council of Zimbabwe launched a mining beneficiation programme aimed at promoting value addition in the mining sector. All these efforts to support Government policies are commendable.
Government should take advantage of this goodwill and seek to incorporate all Zimbabweans into a team, Team Zimbabwe, that will deliver the objectives of Zim-Asset. Team-Zimbabwe should consist of Government, individuals, private sector, civil society groups, political parties, municipalities and all other stakeholders in Zimbabwe who must coalesce to make Zim-Asset a reality.
Both ordinary and corporate citizens should urgently take strategic positions to work for the development of the country. No citizen should stand aloof or seek to dissociate him/herself from the implementation of the country’s economic blueprint. Government alone cannot deliver the promises contained in the Zim-Asset plan. Everyone should step up to the plate because “Iwe neni tine basa”. Such camaraderie would solidify Zimbabwe’s natural bid for economic revival.
To nurture the team spirit, individuals must shun self-serving practices like those witnessed at ZBC. The media must seek to promote nation-building rather than incite partisan practices that are at variance to economic growth. On its part, the general populace must shut down the rumour mill and nurture a positive national psyche that guides the nation into achieving goals set in the Zim-Asset blueprint.
Benny Tsododo is a philosopher and social commentator.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter