18 April 2020

For Immediate release

LEAD 2020 INDEPENDENCE STATEMENT

The year 1980 was special year for every Zimbabwean dead or alive, born or not yet born, black or white. It was a year that not only saw the beginning of black self-rule but also marked a new dispensation of Zimbabwean domestic and international politics.

It was a year that saw the beginning of a true democratic dispensation at the hands of the majority and based on universal suffrage. It was a year that marked a departure from the politics of apartheid and racial discrimination.

A glimpse at the new inclusive government that was established showed some sense of seriousness and urgency on the part of the new government outfit in pursuit of a new Zimbabwean political, social and political order.

Now we reflect on 40 years of the Zimbabwean democratic experiment and are all surprised at what we have been able to or been forced to carve out. The question we all ask ourselves is what has become of our shot at democracy?

As we celebrate 40 years of independence, it is important to reflect on the achievements we have had and challenges we have encountered as a nation. If we are to recall, the Mugabe government during the early years of its tenure used to pursue five year development plans.

That was a time when government focused on national development and not on political survival. The confrontation between Zanu and Zapu of the eighties derailed the Zimbabwean political and developmental train. Political survival overtook genuine developmental engagement and national governmental agenda.

At the end of the 1980s government began to battle with the cancer of corruption as exposed by the Sandura commission. Of note was the Toyota Cressida scandal. It is unfortunate that government never managed to wake up from that scandal.

Today the culture of corruption has become a norm in both public and private economic engagements. The 1990s saw the imposition on Zimbabwe of the economic policy popularly known as ESAP.

This policy had been tried in many third world economies and the result was always catastrophic, resulting in increased unemployment levels. Since that time the Zimbabwean workers continue to be disenfranchised.

In celebrating 40 years of independence, over 90% of the Zimbabwean workforce is not only unemployed and unproductive but overly destitute.

The year 2000 saw the ambitious land reform programme by government which succeeded not only in displacing the white farmers but also in destroying both the farming and manufacturing sectors of our economy. Government did a good thing in repossessing our land but unfortunately it failed to come up with a plan to make the land productive. The failure of agriculture coupled with the sanctions imposed by the West on our motherland resulted in a progressive economic deterioration in our country.

Today the only form of production and economic activity in the country is the informal sector whose economic returns cannot sustain the growing Zimbabwean population.

In response to sanctions the Mugabe regime took the route of affirmative action centered on black empowerment. This also was a disaster as it succeeded in scaring away investors and reducing FDIs.

On the political front our nation continues to suffer from the effects of confrontational politics which began in the 1980s. Our people are polarized on party lines.

This problem was compounded by the political engagements between Zanu pf and MDC and is unfortunately standing in the way of meaningful national engagement and dialogue.

While we welcome the POLAD initiatives, it unfortunately has been firing blanks ever since its inception. Real and productive national dialogue should embrace all voices including mainline politics, civic society and industry.

If the nation has to move forward those in charge of ruling and opposition politics should put the national agenda ahead of party interests.

Finally, it’s sad that we celebrate independence this year in the background of the COVID 19 pandemic.

This is not only a national but an international crisis which poses a serious threat on population and economies of nations. As we speak we are about to end the first phase of the national lockdown response strategy.

While the lockdown is an effective method to deal with an infectious disease it will not yield results if it’s not followed by strict population control measures. It will also not yield results if it is not coupled with intensive testing of all people.

We urge government to embrace all the components of an effective national lockdown including food relief and assistance for business.

Happy Independence Day Zimbabwe!

Linda Tsungirirai Masarira
LEAD President