Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
ZIMBABWE has been described as a pacesetter in Africa as it is the only country that has moved  from shackles of neo-colonialism to post-colonialism by harnessing its resources and empowering  its people. Political analyst and lecturer at the Midlands State University (MSU) Dr Nhamo Mhiripiri, said this yesterday during a Back to Pan-Africanism conference held in Bulawayo under the theme “defining democracy and patriotism in the Pan African context.”

The conference was organised by a Pan-African group — Network of African Leaders.

Dr Mhiripiri said the country was the only nation on the continent to have moved to empower its people.

“It’s about systems of production; who owns what. Through land reform the government tried to give back power to the blacks. It has continued to do this through giving opportunities to the blacks even in industry and commerce by cutting ties with western dominance,” said Dr Mhiripiri.

He said some countries especially Francophone colonies still had their economies in the hands of their former colonisers.

Dr Mhiripi said Zimbabwe had challenged western ideologies of controlling the world’s economy and writing a new chapter for Africa.

He said western countries were afraid to see it succeed.

“They know that if Zimbabwe succeeds, other countries will also follow. The Zimbabwean language is playing itself in Africa and challenging the western patterns, that’s why the land issue is being topical in South Africa,” said Dr Mhiripiri.

He said in a bid to stifle the success of the Zimbabwean story, western countries had ceased to do business with the country.

“They’re now resisting our products, the country struggles in selling its tobacco, beef and diamonds. We used to sell beef to the European Union but because of the land issue they’re no longer trading with us,” he said.

Dr Mhiripiri said new farmers may not be failing in producing but were hindered by trade barriers as goods were  not sold on how they were produced but who produced them.

He said Zimbabwe remained a project that continued to redefine itself and Africa as a whole and added that the country should continue telling its story.

Organisers of the conference, Network of African Leaders founding member and coordinator Richard Mahomva said the seeds of regime change were sown all over the country and meant to divides the nation.

“Regime change agendas are scattered and financed to divert us from issues affecting us as a country. Such an event gives us an opportunity to hear alternating views while providing us an opportunity to interact and network,” said Mahomva.

 

You Might Also Like

Comments