Online Reporter
Edward Muchengeti
ZIMBABWE has undergone various phases of revolution: the First and Second Chimurenga, both political in nature, and the Third Chimurenga, which was both political and economic — centred on land reform.
Each of these revolutions has laid the groundwork for the next, whether by design or default.
This progression is a sign of a living, evolving society.
A lack of such progression signals stagnation, defeat, and the eventual decline of a nation.
Nations that have risen to prominence in the modern era — such as Great Britain, the United States, China, Japan, and Russia, not forgetting the European powerhouse Germany — did not develop by accident, but through deliberate intent.
These countries maintain national think tanks and long-term strategic planning mechanisms, projecting their developmental trajectories decades, even centuries, into the future. Notably, Africa — and Zimbabwe in particular — features in many of these plans. Recognising this reality, it is imperative that we move beyond merely studying political history.
We must integrate this with a study of the industrial revolutions of these nations, adopting and adapting what is applicable to our context with urgency, if we are to remain relevant in the global development discourse.
Ownership of the means of production alone is insufficient. What is required is the effective utilisation of resources to ensure that both current and future generations benefit. We cannot ignore the realities on the ground regarding who controls and uses capital, and who holds leverage.
It is crucial that we define the direction of our development. Without this, we risk being trapped in the cyclical instability of African democracy — garnering applause on international stages while achieving little more than superficial development that benefits only a select few.
The United Kingdom took approximately 200 years to industrialise.
The United States achieved this in about half the time, while China surged forward in just 30 years. Given this, it is vital that Zimbabwe sets shorter developmental timelines.
We have access to more information and resources than these nations did at their formative stages. Our universities and educated diaspora are rich sources of knowledge.
Harnessing this intellectual capital could propel Zimbabwe from the bottom of the global development ladder to a position of leadership. We need a strategy that aligns with our realities and our place in the global economy — one that fosters rapid industrial growth.
Development and economic advancement are inseparable.
As we pursue development, we must remember that we have only one homeland, gifted to us by the Creator.
What we extract from it must be used to build it, ensuring the continuity of our legacy.
Even with limited resources, we can spur development by establishing a system that recognises and rewards talent.
A meritocratic system will ensure sustained national growth. This must go hand-in-hand with rooting out corruption and implementing sustainable systems that promote hard work and reward genuine contribution.
We are not an island. We can attract our diaspora back by offering compelling incentives for them to contribute to national development.
We should also welcome skilled individuals from other countries, as their expertise can enrich our own systems. Japan, for instance, invested heavily in bringing in foreign engineers and industrialists to shape its industrial doctrine — offering generous compensation and even special citizenship.
Across Africa, there are professionals working in multinational companies who would embrace similar opportunities. Capital flows to where it is effectively utilised. The reason companies are flocking to Africa is because they see what many locals do not: abundant resources, affordable labour, and the potential of an emerging market.
Once a national development strategy is in place, we must implement specific actions to ensure our relevance in the industrial race. We already have entrepreneurs in trade who should be supported to evolve into industrial leaders.
Why shouldn’t Econet, for example, establish manufacturing plants for communication equipment? We have energy sector magnates who could provide innovative solutions to our power challenges.
Our chemists and pharmacists could address our chronic drug shortages.
We must eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks that have historically kept us dependent on foreign industrial powers.
We need to develop and adopt standards that reflect our time, stage, and global position.
Thousands of doctors, if given the right permissions and support, could transform our healthcare system.
Zimbabwe has all the ingredients for development — we simply need to write the recipe and empower the master chefs.
We are importing vast quantities of machinery that could be reverse-engineered, saving valuable foreign currency.
Japan and China used this strategy — copying, adopting, and adapting technology to suit their needs.
We can do the same, and do it swiftly. We can become leaders in innovation — whether in banking, construction, or other sectors.
This is achievable within a remarkably short timeframe.
As the saying goes, Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo, Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo. If we are determined, it will happen. Iwe neni tine basa.
λ Edward Mundete Muchengeti is an academic and industrialist. He can be contacted at [email protected]
