What do you think the top priorities are for Zimbabwe’s leaders, and why?
The unity deal was signed today, heralding the beginning of a new governance period that Zimbabweans hope will result in the end of years of economic hardship and human rights abuses. The challenges now facing leaders of our country are massive; which key challenges do you think are the most pressing, and why?
Is the immediate problem the economy? Should the leaders be setting about restoring investor confidence in Zimbabwe as their first big issue to deal with - how do they do this? How do they resuscitate dying sectors of the economy? How do they help small businesses keep going?
Or maybe its health and education and feeding our people that you think need to be looked at first? Who do they call on to help with this? What needs to be done and where do they start?
Perhaps you think they be focussing first and foremost on the restoration of law and order? How do they tackle the fact that Zimbabwe’s judicial system has been shot to pieces? Is repealing repressive legislation like POSA and AIPPA top priority. Maybe you think not?
Or is it all about the human rights abuses, stopping the violence and healing the nation: should leaders be focussing on the question of political amnesty (or not) as a top concern? What about the police, the armed forces, the youth militia?
How do Zimbabwe’s leaders restore confidence in the Zimbabwean people: how do they convince us that democracy in our country is not simply a pipe-dream, but that it is something that we can believe in and that we can trust the people elected to govern? Is this critical to the future of our country? Is it so critical that they need to start thinking about it right now?
Or maybe you think its all about new elections as soon as possible?
This is a short list of only a few of the problems that need to addressed on the long road ahead. Where on earth should our leaders start, and why?
We’re asking YOU what you think. Please leave your comments below.
September 15th, 2008 14:32
My first thought was a free press but on reflection I think a distinct separation of the Judiciary from the Executive is much more important. More important even than revitalizing the economy. It would ensure that future laws were enforced impartially and the preservation of the Democratic ideals professed by MT.
Farming inputs and Food distribution would be next but these require a oversight that is not possible without enforcing the law on corruption and graft so we fall back on my first priority. An Independent Judiciary.
September 15th, 2008 14:53
I think the biggest priority is to get food to the people. I think AID organisations need to be allowed to function fully and without any restrictions and laws need to be passed making sure the government can’t ever meddle with NGO affairs again.
I think it needs the international community involved to work because they will need to fund food etc but this also worries me because it could be what Mugabe is doing this all for….? I can imagine money being donated to this new ‘unity government’ and the Mugabe falls back to his old tricks and reneges on everything, and uses the money to beat people or feed his own supporters again or pay the army to do one last violent murder spress?
The way forward maybe is for money to go to NGOs directly. Is our fragile Zimbabwe able to do that without government meddling?
The easy part of the question for me is the priority because starving people must eat. The HOW to do it, knowing Mugabe and his gang of theives still involved, is much harder to answer.
September 15th, 2008 15:17
1. Remove all restrictions on aid organisations. People are starving right now.
It may be necessary to provide armed escorts in some areas.
2. Remove all restrictions on the use of foreign currency.
September 15th, 2008 15:37
1. Disband JOC immediately
2. Feed the Nation
3. Get rid of POSA, freedom to peaceful protest and free media.
4. Fresh Elections
Then start the re-building
September 15th, 2008 15:37
I read this and thought YES, that’s how it could work. Then I thought NO!!!!!!!!!!!.
Mugabe’s army escorting the food and JOC deciding where it goes ……???? Thats disaster for sure!
September 15th, 2008 15:52
Obviously the first priority is to deal with the humanitarian crisis, this entails food and provisions, leading speedily on to medicines, hospital facilities, nursing staff and doctors, and other welfare. Then get the schools works properly and the means of transport for schoolchildren and then tackle the infrastructure.
And then on the seventh day Morgan and his team can have a rest! LOL!
September 15th, 2008 16:17
food, food, food, food
September 15th, 2008 17:04
Many tasks have to be tackled simultaneously. What is in my mind are
1.Getting food aid to a lot of people - by NGOs. This requires freedom for ALL NGOs to operate without restriction or prior approval
2. Repealing oppresive laws - POSA, AIPPA,(etc?)
3. removing registration requirements for media and NGO’s - maybe some appropriate registration later
And also the problematic issues:
4. stop violence by militia - and possible retribution by victims - how?
5. stabilize a usable currency and bank system - how?
6. get a professional justice and police system….
well - the wish list can go on and on….
Repealing laws is simple if Mugabe agrees…
Registration requirements are ministerial decisions, or simple new acts….
September 15th, 2008 19:20
Bread and Roses.
Get the food and medicine to the people and at the same time tell everyone the news: things are changing, for good. It’s safe for them to say what they really think of Mugabe, or soon will be. Those cowards who beat up villagers and raped grandmothers won’t be seen for dust if they know they’ll be held accountable.
Let ZANU-PF hear what people really think of them: journalists, get out there and do your stuff. Make sure the rank-and-file in the police and military get the message too.
Let everyone know there will never be another rigged election. That smells like a rose to me.
People of Zimbabwe, unite - we have nothing to lose but our fears.
September 15th, 2008 20:29
Remove the existing economic impediments that have been compounded by restrictions instituted by the imperialist-run World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the British Commonwealth of Nations. They are trying to reimpose the colonial stranglehold of the past through economic means.
The U.S. and various European Union governments did everything possible to isolate Zimbabwe economically, nurturing and working with opposition forces such as the MDC to disrupt the economy. These activities caused an acute economic and social crisis inside the country. This, combined with corruption and economic mismanagement by a number of ZANU-PF individuals, meant conditions in the country continued to spiral down
Since 2000, Washington and London have hypocritically accused the Mugabe government of human rights violations and election fraud. Western powers reserve their criticism for those countries that seek a path independent of imperialist domination.
As western imperialist powers ratcheted up attacks on Mugabe, including the imposition of sanctions, the capitalist media (i.e. BBC, CNN, etc) in those countries followed suit.
September 15th, 2008 23:39
I believe what needs to be done first is to see to demonstrate that our leaders mean it (having a cup of coffee together?). Investers are awaiting to check whether this is workable. Once this is done, all things will fall into place (drugs, food, democracy, information, justice). By the way, all these are out of place simply because what has happened today was not in place. All parties were correct in some ways and were in a battle fighting something they perceivd to be out of place and they used ways that brought the sufferings that we went through. Lets have unity of purpose and all things will be in place.
September 15th, 2008 23:42
There are enough committed Zimbabweans who are willing and ready to work together simultaneously, nationally and locally, to ensure communication, cohesion and clarity in the rebuilding of the nation.
Whilst aid is being distributed through trusted and established local systems, parliament needs to work closely, day and night with a legal and independent judiciary; to bring to justice, people convicted of human rights abuse; to disband the structures, powers and privileges of the JOC; to set up an initial rescue package for currency and economy; to ban independent criminal militias, eliminating their impunity; to re-open schools and pay teachers a salary that enables them to travel to school and to maintain their own households; to make schooling free for 5-18 year olds, using funding from international aid; to revive and restock local clinics, pharmacies and hospitals; to encourage and acknowledge, local initiatives aimed at re-establising the language and behaviour of unity;to devise a plan to increase sustainable agricultural production for home consumption and export; to begin employment training programmes for 18-25 year old apprentices aimed at developing a sense of responsibility, skills and qualifications, and using experienced members of the workforce.
September 15th, 2008 23:48
@longtimer at UZ
Simultaneously is the key word; there can be no list of priorities -
September 16th, 2008 00:18
1. A change of attitude towards those expected to rescue Zimbabwe with nasty imperial US and British taxpayer’s money might be a good start. It doesn’t take much to do, believe it or not.
2. Remove idiots Mugabe brainwashed Thomases.
September 16th, 2008 00:20
Sorry, forget item 2 - some cannot change.
September 16th, 2008 01:04
(1) Food To the starving people
(2) Importation of electricity
(3) No duty to returning citizens for their cars, goods etc
(4)Return to rule of Law
September 16th, 2008 14:21
Funny reading these convoluted ideas - the thing that devastated the country - being primarily agri-based - was the devastating rape of agriculture by Mugabe for a few votes. Period.
In my more optimistic moments I know the answer…
Cut the b—s—! Get farmers back with funding. It takes only $$$ to get water out of disused pipes, dams, pumps and boreholes. It only takes $$$ to prepare land, and fertilise it. We do not have to rebuild dams, or sink boreholes. Presumably the power lines still exist. The infrastructure is still there - no long term development is required. Gee, just some $$$ in the hands of the people who can deliver - hey presto. No apprentices allowed.
A matter of weeks!
Yes, maybe some help with food - although most people seem to be coping by some miracle. At least 2/3rds of the population would have a job opportunity again & an income - if agriculture got going.
ONE SEASON, 6 months from now - that’s all it takes to get crops off the ground - if there is goodwill, property rights, responsible governance and finance to restart. Loans even, not just handouts. This is a business deal
Every food handout Zim accepts is yet another invisible psychological shackle - although it takes a mature attitude to recognise that. Rather create an incentive to grow only food crops for a couple of seasons - surely that would be more cost effective for donors than PROVIDING FOOD to the whole country for another yr? And after that? What then?
Don’t ever forget that agriculture made Zim, and breaking agriculture broke Zim. Politics cannot fix it alone! Aid won’t! Do-gooders can’t! Neither will industry. All of those are nothing without farming in Zim - the last six years are testament enough!
It is a simple mature decision!
September 16th, 2008 15:04
As long as the ghost of the dictator hovers around the statehouse nothing changes after all a leopard`s spots will always characterise it as a leopard.The proporsed GNU is too blooted and too large for economic efficiency. We still cling to the ancient idea of a land revolutuion then expect the very same people (white farmers) who are now at the IMF, WB ect to give us money for our own benefit, we are joking. We seem to forget that we will never ever get anything from G7 especially with no credible democracy. What caused us to get to a basket case from a bread basket what a circus we are all drunks in Zimbabwe. any proper business plan on the table nothing and even protection of property rights, mining rights etc. Even if the UK pays the white farmers who will give us some more hard cash to kickstart agriculture lets wake up!!
September 16th, 2008 19:45
“Get farmers back with funding. It takes only $$$ to get water out of disused pipes, dams, pumps and boreholes. ”
Most of the white farmers have left the country, and I don’t think they will come back, ever.
It takes more than dollars to run a large farm in a dry climate, it takes skill and experience too.
Small farms, smallholdings or patches of ground for subsistance farming are not profitable. They simply result in people being stuck forever at peasant level. Developed countries have large farms operated by a small number of people - often just one family.
Climate change may well mean that Zimbabwe will be drier in the future than in the past.
I think it is unlikely that there will be a real recovery of agriculture until a new generation has been trained in agriculture colleges. Are there any teachers still there?
Zimbabwe’s only real resource now is its mines. That is what the Chinese are interested in.
September 16th, 2008 20:09
• De-militirise the country immediately, i.e. disband JOC now and confine army, youth militia, etc. to barracks.
• Immediately relieve Chihuri and assistants of their duties, pending their resignation/dismissal.
• Immediately relieve Gono of duties, pending his resignation/dismissal.
• Full food and humanitarian aid to resume a.s.a.p.
• Immediately allow freedom of speech and media freedom.
• Immediately put in place a vehicle for debate in order that the broader masses can immediately contribute their thoughts and ideas. The leadership need not necessarily be forced to take action on such advice, but for too long has any input from the ground been ignored… in other words, the leadership need to avoid putting on blinkers and LISTEN, especially at this time!!! Zimbabwe needs open debate like yesterday… AND FOR ONCE MUGABE NEEDS TO HEAR CRITICISM, EVEN IF IT IS FROM A STREET KID!
September 17th, 2008 07:16
@Don Cox - Sadly, you’re right about farmers - hence my comment “In my more optimistic moments I know the answer…”.
Zim does not have untold mineral resources - nothing like South Africa - so that will just be a flash in the pan also. Not enough to create a vibrant economy.
There was a bumper sticker “No farmers, no future”. That’s what it comes down to.
Gloomy outlook, but very likely.
September 17th, 2008 10:11
Food distribution to the populace - immediately and unhindered.
100% legalize foreign currency - can SA provide enough Rand temporarily? Freeze the zim dollar at whatever ridiculously low value it has and re-denominate all accounts in a new currency pegged to the Rand.
Get the electricity turned back on.
This next one is tough - the “war veterans” sense of entitlement is ridiculous. Their crimes should be punished. Same with crimes committed by the police.
I’m not sure the rest of the world is going to immediately “trust” this new government that still includes Mugabe - and with good reason. The crimes committed by the “war veterans” and the police were incited, I believe in some cases directly by Mugabe. I didn’t read the deal but I’m sure he got immunity from prosecution - the world needs to know what a criminal this man was/is.
Tax holiday on imports from SA especially from returning exiles. Clean house employee-wise in the Customs House.
Pray that it all comes together and that this beleaguered country can return to normalcy as soon as possible.
October 20th, 2008 18:15
1. Disband re-education camps with immediate effect with those ’soldiers’ being given counselling and managed appropriately back into everyday life. They will need to be reprogrammed and reducated to normal behaviour and their past activities need to be documented and dealt with so it is never ever repeated in Zimbabwe’s history. It is a shameful and horrific part of our history but needs to be acknowledged.
2. Monitor and provide easy access for NGO’s to operate immediately. Collate statistics on health situation and set up mobile clinics immediately. Encourage all donor aid to start operating as soon as possible with support from special medical and administration staff.
3. Set up an Anti Corrpution and Anti Violent and Anti Racist task force. All corrupt, racist and violent behaviour ceases immediately. An anticorruption team must be set up to address all abuse of public funds and violence used for political reasons. This includes separating the police from government so they report independently. All unlawful and violent cases to be dealt with immediately.
4. Invite and entice the white Zimbabwean farmers back onto the farms. Lease them back their farms until the land situation is resolved. Involve them in the solution, lets work together for everyone’s benefit.
5. Invite and entice all Zimbabweans back from SA, UK, Canada, Australia, etc. Most of these individuals are all doing well, so they need incentives to return. Don’t make their lives difficult. Allow them to have dual nationality, import cars, furniture, etc FREE as returning residents.
6. Get buiness generating - cease charging exhorbitant importation taxes and encourage foreign investment.
7. Bring back respect to the Zimbabwean people. Sort out the water situation with immediate effect and obviously electricity.
8. Get rid of Zanu PF. They must be tried for all atrocities and they have to acknowledge and account for their sins. Do not let all those people death (who died standing up for whats right) be in vain . We owe it to them to give them the justice they and their families deserve. They are the true heroes! The children of Zanu PF also need to learn how their families abused their people and that it is not acceptable. This has to happen if we are to breed a nation with respect for human life.
Do all of the above and the country will move out of the dark abyss and dark ages its led itself into.
We need a miracle but miracles are possible and we can make the change. Unite together and unite in our efforts to end all evil.