admin
National Congress secretary-general Cde Gwede Mantashe has said.
Speaking during a tour of farms in Mashonaland East province yesterday, Cde Mantashe said the ANC government as a young democracy was learning from mistakes that older governments had made.
“We obviously would want to avoid the mistakes you committed, especially when you took money from the International Monetary Fund in 1991, which was the turn of your economy,” Cde Mantashe said. “From 1980 up to 1990 Zimbabwe’s economy was the best but the IMF project was the turning point. They told you to cut on social programmes like health and education and that was a disaster.
“I always tell people in South Africa that in 1980, the Zimbabwean dollar was equivalent to R1,50 but now it’s less than a cent. Something has definitely gone wrong and it is for Zanu-PF to look where you have gone wrong.”
DISCUSS THIS STORY ON FACEBOOK
Cde Mantashe said the willing-buyer, willing-seller policy had failed to address the land imbalances but insisted that South Africa would first research on how other countries have done it.
“At some point Zambia rushed to nationalise mines but they had to go back and beg the capitalists to come back after they had failed,” he said.
Speaking at Gorejena Farm, owned by Mr Claudy Nyakonda, Cde Mantashe said: “I am impressed by what I have seen today and this is a success story of the land reform especially where there are extension services to help the new farmers who might not have the expertise. However, we would have also wanted to see where you have failed so that we can learn what not to do so that we won’t fail.”
Mr Nyakonda, who moved onto the farm in 2003, has planted 175 hectares of tobacco and 30 hectares of wheat.
He also has 150 herd of cattle, 300 pigs, 100 goats and 50 sheep.
Cde Mantashe also toured Gresham farm owned by Mr Kelvin Shekede.
Speaking at the Harare International Airport on his way back to South Africa last night, Cde Mantashe said his delegation’s visit and discussions with Zanu-PF had been a success. “As revolutionary parties we are there to construct and de-construct, influence and de-influence each other. We had a candid discussion on party to party issues and we have had positive lessons from each other,” he said.
Online Reporter