July 17, 2008

Zimbabweans have a huge appetite to see the economy on a sound footing again and many believe the solution does not lie with someone out there but that we, as a nation have the solution to our challenges and that if we are serious enough to tackle them earnestly, the economy will soon be back on track.

A fortnight ago I asked readers to respond with their suggestions and views as to how they felt the current situation could be redressed.

Generally, the responses I received through emails and telephone calls were that Zimbabwe is not a lost cause but is a sleeping giant that has just overslept for one reason or the other.

Many readers lamented challenges such as the daily increases in the prices of basic goods, transport costs, hospital fees and a generally challenging environment.

Many concluded that corruption and greediness were Zimbabwe's greatest undoing.

These had put paid to many noble initiatives to resuscitate the economy.

Fredrick Makore wrote: "Madam Business Editor, the sense of eternal optimism that pervade your articles is truly infectious. It is this attitude, more than anything else, which will see us through. Business Focus is a must read for me every Thursday.

"We need to collectively work for this country. It is in this vein that the unity pronouncement by President Mugabe is laudable. At present Zimbabwe's populace is deeply polarised and we know all too well that a divided house will not stand.

"We cannot have people pulling in different direction. The magnitude of our problems demand nothing less than collective and concerted effort.

"We should focus on our present challenges and how we can overcome them. The propensity to look back and cry over spilt milk is only retrogressive and dilutes our focus. We can only learn from the past without necessarily fixating on it.

"Victoria, we need to ultimately examine the causes of the economic meltdown and not concentrate on the symptoms. Remember Oliver Mtukudzi singing "Wongorora chikonzero chaita musoro uteme" -- treat the cause not the symptom. How instructive!

"The stability or lack thereof of the Zimbabwean dollar is largely attributable to the chronic shortage of foreign currency. What is causing this? Well, drastically low production levels madam Business Editor in both agriculture and industry.

"In short we need to export and we are falling dreadfully short. Production simply has to go up and we should pull all stops, period! Agriculture is and has always been our forte. Let us concentrate more and work this strength.

"Land has to be optimally utilised, implements maximally used and planning prudently done. Anyone found wanting should be made to pay!

Our current situation demands a level of professionalism and competence never seen before. Sister we have not experienced these problems before.

"I humbly submit that we should engage the international community, with due respect to sovereignty. No economy is an island. Looking forward to more stimulating articles, my sister.

Tineyi had this to say: "I have a few suggestions in response to your article in the Herald of the 3rd of July 2008.

"1. Zimbabweans need to get rid of the corruption menace that Dr Gono estimated to be costing the country close to US$2 billion per year. Such corruption is far too great for the country to bear especially given that the country only needs about US$400 million to buy enough grain to feed the nation for a year!

"Some of the economic crimes allegedly involve smuggling seed, fertilizer and other vital inputs meant to boost the country's food security!

"Actions that are a direct threat to a people's survival peace and stability. In addition such actions have made the President look bad as they have tarnished the country's noble land reform exercise.

"It is acknowledged that dealing with the problem of corruption is easier said than done given the extent to which it is alleged to have crept high up the echelons of politics and power. Nevertheless, the President could grant a special one week amnesty for crimes committed from the time the declaration is made for people to come clean.

"From that point onward legislation has to be toughened to ensure that anyone who commits an economic crime can be said to be waging a war against the people of Zimbabwe, in some countries like China such crimes are punishable by execution.

"Although executions may be a punishment in the extreme, Zimbabweans have to be serious about dealing with this evil if the country is to prosper. The Anti-corruption commission should be given the necessary support and power to enable it to function effectively.

"The President should not allow a few people to punish the entire nation because they are somehow they connected. Those people (chefs) are fewer than the over two million voters who supported the President in the runoff and he should get comfort in knowing that they that be for him are greater than they that be against him!

"2. The issue of food security needs to be dealt with decisively. Significant effort has gone into agriculture by way of inputs support, however, we have witnessed the diversion of resources meant for farming such as fuel.

"Equipment acquired to mechanise agriculture is lying idle at some farms. The reason is that farming does not appear to be a viable business for most Zimbabweans and they see more profitability in selling the inputs that in selling the final product because of poor market prices.

"The country is importing grain at more than US$300 per tonne and yet is paying its farmers money that is enough to only buy a copy of the Herald! Why do we prefer to reward foreigners at the expense of the indigenous people we want to empower?

"Land reform should not be simply for one to look at vast tracts of land without enjoying the economic benefits arising. We need to make agriculture a worthwhile business that will be self-sustaining with minimal intervention from the Monetary authorities in the medium to long-term.

Dennis Chadenga wrote: "First and foremost, I would like to highlight and accept that the life of Zimbabwe's economy is hanged on a thread. There is a vehement need for those responsible for attending to restoring order to Zimbabwe's economy to start now and without delay. They should also note and understand that the ball is in their court.

"Only that I have very limited space but I would like to reveal that the other important reason why we are facing this economic crisis is because we have so many economic players, who are playing like football players in a volleyball match, yet the current turbulent economic environment requires people who can be able to devise defensive remedies to the challenges.

"There is a proverb that says, knowing the problem is halfway to solving it. There is a need for analysing what exactly is the problem and after diagnosing the problem that's when we can try to find solutions. A doctor can not issue a prescription without knowing the disease.

"So many are just saying this and that as solutions but this will be like a doctor trying to issue measles medicine for someone suffering from tuberculosis. Precise economic problems should be identified so that when we look for policies we will be looking for solutions for problem that we know about and not just at random.

"Furthermore, the policies that we put in place need serious and competent people to expedite and ensure that they are being adhered to.

"Again, we must know that the business environment comprises a number of factors, whoever is willing to implement policies should not consider one factor ignoring the others. This will be like providing pesticides for a plant forgetting that there is also need for fertilizer and other requirements for high yield.

"Finally, most people who are responsible for taking corrective measures are interested parties who have a bias in decision making knowing that if corruption is dealt with this will negatively impact them.

"For this is reason aborting corruption in Zimbabwe is seemingly a non-starter. Most people are violating the law on a daily basis fueling corruption but no action can be taken against them because of various grounds.

Another reader had this to say: "I just have a few recommendations below which I think could be useful concerning Government's publicity campaigns.

"I honestly would like to congratulate the team that worked on the President's campaign material on a job well done. However, I think it is time we moved forward to showing more the merits of the 100 percent Empowerment theme and providing the Zimbabwean people on what it will mean in practical terms to their lives. We now need to educate the nation at large about the Indigenisation Bill for example, what are its contents, its merits etc...

And also encourage Zimbabweans to participate in a forum where they can exchange ideas on the best way forward, for instance the internet could be used to facilitate such initiatives.

"Finally, I think the Department of Information or Foreign Affairs should get into the Internet war and start blogging to prevent the unabated onslaught on the country and the President.

"Having three or so guys dedicated (informally!) to going through the various information sites daily and defending the country's position particularly South African and British based newspaper sites like the ones below would go some way in changing the perception of those who rely on these sites for information. Some just join in attacking the country because there is no one telling them the facts as they stand."

More views will be published in subsequent columns.

In God I trust!