By Ashley Kondo
Zimbabwe continues to contend with a number of challenges, but these cannot blindly overshadow numerous strides and achievements the country has registered under the new dispensation which was ushered in by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017.
While it is in the interest of critics to hold the national administration of the day accountable for its actions and inaction, they should do so objectively.
Claims on Twitter by journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, that there was nothing positive to celebrate about the new dispensation are not only misrepresentation of facts, but misguided attempt to paint a non-existent picture of a gloomy Zimbabwe.
It may be recalled that when President Mnangagwa took over the office of Presidency, the country was in a state of socio-economic and political comatose.
Since its inception, the Mnangagwa administration orchestrated various measures to take the country’s economy, among other sectors, on a recovery path.
On the political arena, the opening up of democratic space is a reason worth celebrating. The existence of over 100 political parties in the country is testimony to democracy which is now being enjoyed by Zimbabweans. During the last election season MDC leader held over 70 campaign rallies the majority of them in rural areas thanks to the new dispensation which opened up the democratic space. The former MDC leader, the late Morgan Tsvangirai, despite being at the helm of that party for 17 years, never held so many rallies in one election season.
There has been a massive drive to re-engage with the international community as the country seeks to establish and revive strategic and mutually beneficial diplomatic relations and partnerships in various sectors of the country’s economy.
To that end, the President has visited several countries where he has signed several bilateral agreements. Efforts for the country to re-join the Commonwealth, which were set in motion in 2017 when Zimbabwe submitted her application for re-admission into the largely former British colonies group, are still underway.
Following re-engagement efforts, some of President Mnangagwa’s counterparts now have a clear and shared understanding of the country’s vison.
This shared vision has culminated into, among other things, repeated calls for removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe whose adverse impact on the livelihoods of citizens is undisputed by his counterparts who include; South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa; Rwandan President Paul Kagame, as well as Zimbabwean telecommunications magnate, Strive Masiyiwa.
Indeed, the international community ought to be supportive of Zimbabwe’s economic reform agenda leading to national development and prosperity.
The new dispensation has also displayed commitment to develop the country’s infrastructural collage including improving the country’s road network and the procurement of the equipment and machinery needed to boost industrial production.
In terms of reviving the economy, Government has come up with a number of measures espoused in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) blueprint.
It is unfortunate that some quarters of the society have failed to comprehend and interpret the gist of the TSP.
The TSP is expected to run for three years, hence there will be short term and long term benefits.
Some of the short-term results have since started to show, one year into President Mnangagwa’s five year mandate.
For instance the establishment of Private Public Partnerships is one area where progress has been noted.
Through austerity measures Government has managed to cut down on its expenditures resulting in a budget surplus for the first time in the history of Zimbabwe.
The concept of austerity has drawn a lot of criticism as it has come about with painful cost of living adjustment for many, but is critical in obtaining prerequisite conditions or fundamentals needed for the economy to kick off afresh.
Steps have also been taken towards the fight against corruption as relevant bodies such as the reconstituted and strengthened Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission (ZACC) have been set up and constituted.
The issue of reforms is one other area with which Government has been and remains seized. A bill to replace the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) is already before law makers.
Recently, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Sibusiso Moyo indicated that Government would move to complete electoral reforms by mid-2020.
The issue of devolution for long topped Zimbabwe’s structural reforms agenda, among other issues.
Previously, central Government has been overseeing the implementation of all development projects across the nation.
However, there was an outcry from Provinces and Districts over alleged marginalising of local communities in the implementation of national development programmes.
On the other hand, complains have also been raised that people from resource-rich areas have failed to benefit from the wealth bestowed upon their environment as well as economic activities conducted in these areas.
Although the issue of devolution was captured in the Constitution, but since 2013, little was done by the previous administration to re-align enact the relevant statutes necessary for the operationalisation of the concept.
However, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube, in his 2019 National Budget Presentation, set aside US$310 million to support Provincial Councils to pursue devolution in 2019.
The narrative alleging that the new dispensation has not achieved anything is totally born out of a nefarious agenda being driven by those who wish they were not rejected by electorate so that they could enjoy the political capital which accompanies being in charge of the levers of State power .
Critics of the Government ought to be objective and balanced enough for progress to take shape if Zimbabwe is to move forward.
