I AM not sure if the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa is aware that things are going out of hand.
At independence, the late Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere remarked that the incoming black rulers had inherited a “Jewel of Africa”, — a virgin Zimbabwe that was ready to compete on the continental map.
But almost 40 years under a not-so majority rule, Nyerere could be turning in his grave in anger as Zimbabwe has now been turned into a pale shadow of itself, where its healthcare system is in the intensive care unit.
At every forum, Mnangagwa is always assuring everyone who cares to listen that Zimbabwe is open for business and that the country is on course to achieving an upper-middle class economic status by 2030.
Zanu PF has been promising Zimbabweans heaven on earth, but everything is taking a negative turn, with those in positions of authority not even caring.
While I don’t know what an upper-middle class economy entails, at this rate, the literacy rate which stands above 90% would have plummeted to below 10% since teachers are demoralised as they are earning peanuts.
They have resorted to holding extra lessons to eke a living. COVID-19 has worsened the situation.
Universities and colleges across the country are churning out half-baked graduates who cannot even perform basic tasks of the professions they studied.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Child mortality rate is on the rise as most hospitals and clinics are manned by nurse aides, with most skilled health workers having crossed the borders in search of greener pastures.
The agricultural sector, which used to be the backbone of the economy, is virtually dead.
It is my humble submission that Mnangagwa should stop making empty promises as they do not bring food on our tables.
Since Mnangagwa “rigged” the July 30, 2018, elections, now is the time for him to rig the economy so that Zimbabwe can be an upper-middle class economy by 2030.
Mr President, it is time you roll your sleeves, otherwise you will go the Edgar Lungu way in 2023.
Mukunda Chitova
Mthuli Ncube lost in the wildernessFINANCE and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube looks like a man lost in the wilderness, where everything is in abundance, but without takers.
Firstly, the country is full of resources which could be sold to solve the problems we are facing currently. The minister seems very educated, but at the same time clueless on how to tackle problems head-on.
Recently, Ncube committed close to $270 million towards construction of a VVIP hospital at Manyame Airbase in Harare and the structure is almost complete.
Ncube made the revelations when presenting his mid-term budget review statement recently.
The facility is meant to benefit the country’s VVIPs and service chiefs, who have often been accused of blowing large sums of foreign currency seeking medical treatment in far-away countries like China and India while avoiding dilapidated medical facilities back home.
This comes at a time when public hospitals are in bad shape with reports of drug shortages and an incapacitated healthcare workforce owing to poor salaries and working conditions.
The government should set its priorities right. The money used to build the political elite’s state-of-the-art Manyame Hospital could have been channelled towards the refurbishment of public hospitals which are in a sorry state or at least buy essentials which are in short supply.
Going forward, we demand that Ncube revisits his budget review statement for the good of the people.
Disgusted
Mwonzora licking his woundsMDC-T leader Douglas Mwonzora has been left with egg on face and dealt the proverbial sucker punch by not getting attention from the Zambian President-elect Hakainde Hichilema.
It’s clear that he is not attending the inauguration. MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s political star is shining, not only in Zimbabwe, but across the Southern African Development Community region.
It has been boosted by the invitation to attend Zambian President-elect Hakainde Hichilema’s inauguration.
Chamisa’s politics has become so entrenched in genuine discourse with pure intentions and no hidden agendas.
While President Emmerson Mnangagwa is warming up to Mwonzora, recognising him as the official opposition leader in Zimbabwe, unfortunately he is not recognised regionally. He is a nobody.
If you see a politician fighting for a position or freebies instead of fighting for the people’s struggle then he/she does not deserve to be in a position of power.
Mwonzora has been expending his energy and resources fighting Chamisa as if he is the President of the country.
Leonard Koni
