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Morris Mpala, MoB Capital Ltd
THE Chinese new year (16 February), which talks about lifestyle and health, money, career, fortune, social justice, innovation, love relationships and family is a dog considered a symbol of intelligence and protection.

It calls upon the community to show tolerance and empathy towards each other as a way to preserve karmic balance to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

It’s projected to be an eventful year, marked by security concerns and activism in societies. It warns to guard against selfishness, greed and ignorance to mitigate inequalities. Allow me to corrupt the year along the Chinese philosophy and on a lighter note the coincidence of the “croc” at the helm of political power as it is also an animal just like the dog. I would like to advocate and challenge each and every one of us on the following:

Banking funding
We need longer, innovative and cost effective financial instruments for productive sector. A larger proportion of productive funding as compared to consumption funding is required.

Great rain season
Command initiatives have to be cost effective to realise a true import substitution inclination. Let’s have land back on the market to willing buyer willing seller and monetise all urban and rural land and unblock value. Compensation on land developments is recommended.

Of Government
Recurrent expenditure to be monitored religiously to avoid unnecessary expenditure, which is the source of our economic challenges. Treasury Bills use to be curtailed as it is inflationary and less on overcrowding of private sector on local funding.

Communities and farmers
We need to share resources equally, empower communities and nurture their abilities to the best of their abilities. Land is not a fashion statement, let’s till it like it’s a business. Let those capable own and lease the pieces of land. The use it or lose it principle should apply then modernise and increase productivity effectively and efficiently with global markets in mind.

Parallel market rates, production
The $7 billion balances on RTGS platform need to be curtailed through reduction of Government spending. These balances need to be matched with production to mitigate chasing too few dollars. With production all else stabilises. Relook the bond notes approach. The market needs confidence and trust to sterilise it. Nothing happens overnight it needs patience and hard work. Cost effective production. Excess production. Timely production. Religious production. Smart production with exporting in mind.

Of corruption, corruption, corruption
Lord may the year see commitment in every one in our communities to minimise corruption. Zero tolerance on corruption is needed. Strategic people lead the way and walk the talk. Deal with corruption at whatever level with the same verve and tenacity. No animals should be more equal than others. When we do stupid things we can’t get positive results. When we do the same things and expecting different outcomes then we are an unrepentant mad lot.

Priorities, infrastructure development
Getting our priorities right should be a priority in an arena of limited resources, limited time and stiff competition when we have limited comparative advantage over other countries. Invest more in community infrastructure to ignite revival of economic activities. Let’s increase our financial intelligence across the board so that we know what we are doing. Ignorance is blissful but it’s ruinous.

Inclusivity
Marginalised, youth, women, aged, informal sector, none or limited banking using people, financially illiterate, disabled etc let’s bring them up into mainstream economic participation. The more inclusive we are the better chances of growing as an economy.

We need integrity, integrity and integrity at all times. Above all economic fundamentals should and must be our guiding principle. Shape up or die. Let’s exude empathy and reduce the economic gap among the people. A people without anything to lose are cancerous to the community.

Internal devaluation, industry revival
The need to reduce our cost drivers in unison is long overdue. Let’s not ignore Bulawayo as a strategic industrial hub for the country and the region. Let it claim its status. None but Bulawayo can save itself.

Cancer, obesity & active lifestyle
Lifestyle change is necessary to achieve financial freedom and doing otherwise is a huge financial burden to us and the communities at large. Resources need to combat cancer. Let’s preserve our environment since we derive so much economic value from it. Replenish it.

Action, Action, Action
Action speaks louder than words and you shall see them by their deeds and judge them on their deeds not their words. 2018 is just a calendar year it could be 2070 for all we know but as an individual you have a role to play to make Zimbabwe great again. In 2018 may we get what we deserve as hoi polloi. I want to see the dog in you as Archie Griffin said “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” Here’s to an awesomely great year 2018, which has twelve months like the previous year and that is all we have to make a difference.

IF YOU LIVE IN BYO PLEASE CONSERVE WATER
IF YOU LIVE IN ZIMBABWE PLEASE USE ELECTRICITY SPARINGLY: SOS (SWITCH OFF SWITCHES)
IF YOU LIVE ON PLANET EARTH PLEASE PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENT

Morris Mpala is the managing director of MoB Capital Limited, a micro-finance institution with footprint across the country.