Will 2012 end with hope?

But, while all this is happening, there is disappoint­ment elsewhere. The constitution-making process is far from concluding on a successful and happy note.
Surely, everywhere in the world, the year 2012 has seen politics being conducted in a give and take atti­tude. In the United States of America, they are negoti­ating towards a resolution of what they call a Fiscal Cliff. If unresolved, it will affect not only the American economy, but also the global economy.
The fact of the matter is that politics requires a give and take attitude, more so, the politics in Zimbabwe. No idea is written in stone. The spirit of compromise must be the guiding light for our politicians. The con­stitution-mak­ing exercise must be concluded soon and the electorate going to a referendum to either endorse it or reject it.

Failure to produce a constitution should never be an option. Our very well being depends on it. If one takes the on-going referendum in Egypt as an example, politi­cal compromise is a serious issue. Despite their differ­ences in that country, the referendum to vote on a draft constitution is still going on with protesters on the streets.
Zimbabwe cannot fail to produce a system of Gov­ernment which we can all be proud of. The year 2012 has had its challenges, not only in trying to come up with an agreed constitution, but also the lack of service delivery to the residents of cities and towns.

The out­breaks of cholera and typhoid emanated from the dis­regard by local government authorities to address the perennial issues of lack of water infrastructure and that of the sewerage systems.

Many people are asking the same question as to why the residents voted these councillors into office in 2008? Four years later a lot of people are saying that this shall never happen again if elections are held in 2013.
The year 2012 has been a trying period for the civil ser­vants, who went out to their work beyond the call of duty on their meagre salaries. As the roads are full of vehicles of every shape and size, so are our roadsides occupied by so many people trying to eke out a living from selling whatever they can lay their hands on in order to survive this harsh economic environment.

The flea market business has brought so much relief to many people to enable them to earn a living. It is not far fetched to report that in some flea markets, second hand trousers are being sold for a dollar for two. Can anyone go naked? It is impossible. What makes it difficult to understand is the lack of foresight by local authorities that fail to provide water and sew­erage systems for these enterprising traders.

For example, here in Harare, the Magaba area and so called Siyaso area lack ablution facilities. Sewerage just flows freely. It is painful to walk around the area and then watch highly suited city officials doing their office work as though everything is normal around the city they manage. Of course, the year 2012 will be remembered for the political stability that the country has enjoyed while the rest of Africa is in turmoil, especially, North Africa, West Africa and the Great Lakes region. Sadc has been asked to contribute troops to keep the peace in DRC.

It is a region that has never known political sta­bility like we enjoy in Zimbabwe.
There is no doubt that Zimbabwe, vilified by arm­chair critics, will contribute troops to help keep the peace in that region. The irony is that some countries are so afraid of Zimbabwe to the extent of imposing punitive sanc­tions on the country which can teach the rest of Africa on what political stability should be.

Zimbabweans all over the Diaspora are very proud of their country. One can read what they say on Face­book or comments on online publications. Some can never believe it when they see the latest cars being driven on our roads.

This is a sign of confidence in the country. It has been reported that there are thousands of applications for resi­dent permits. The applications for passports has risen considerably due to the fact that Zimbabweans want to engage in business around the world.

With the advent of Christmas season, many people are jetting out as far as China to buy goods to sell in their shops. Many buildings are going up especially those being built by the Chinese. This gives economic confi­dence to investors.

One can never leave out the battle that was won to sell our diamonds and trade freely with those who want to do business with us. As evidenced by the suc­cess of the dia­mond conference, held in the national holiday resort of Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe is now a major player in the diamond industry.

What then do we look forward to in the future? It was one political scientist who said that the past is your her­itage and the future is your challenge. Some want to rub­bish Zimbabwean past and promise people change for its own sake. Without acknowledging your past heritage, and accepting that the future is more challenging, you are just living a false paradise.

Our politicians, who are worth their salt, must chal­lenge the people of this country to work harder next year and beyond. Zimbabweans are industrious people. Let us just get our politics right and face the future challenges together as a nation.