ED political will to transform Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Nduduzo Tshuma, Political Editor

THE success of the Second Republic is largely demonstrated by the political will to transform the economy, which has been lacking in the previous dispensation but emphatically espoused by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, analysts have said.

The country has over the years crafted a number of sound policy interventions but always seemed to fail in the implementation phase due to lack of political will.

Addressing the 2019 pre-budget seminar in Bulawayo last week, economic advisor Professor Ashok Chakravarti said the country was on a path to a turnaround under the leadership of President Mnangagwa whom he described as a reformist.

“The difference between what I was saying three or four years ago and now is that the policy makers in the past did not bother to listen to practitioners like me. We are now in the Second Republic and we have a reformist leadership under President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“Most importantly we have the political will to reform. I must say in the past, political will was not there,” he said.

“Not only do we have political will but we have a very powerful implementer who will make sure that things happen. So, today I’m going to be very brutally truthful with you.”

Economic commentator and Affirmative Action Group executive Mr Reginald Shoko yesterday concurred with Prof Chakravati, arguing that the policy pronouncements under the Government’s Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) provide a window of quick solutions to a number of challenges that have crippled progress in the country as proof of political will to reform.

“Political will is the currency of a government programme or policy. Historically, Zimbabwe has produced brilliant economic policies but with minimum implementation, which led to failure to turnaround the fortunes. The current leadership’s commitment can be viewed in the 100 days implementation matrix management of ministries, which clearly demonstrates the political will of the leadership,” said Mr Shoko.

“A good example is the invoking of presidential powers to deal with the financial indiscipline in the economy and corruption. In the past it would not been heard of that a company like Hwange would be put under reconstruction by government because it’s failing. These are a few examples that come to mind to show the importance of political will in efforts to correct the wrongs in the country.”

Lupane State University lecturer, Mr Bukhosi Mpofu, said political will on the part of the leadership inspires a buy in from the people.

“Political will brings about a firm buy in from those led to develop some form of trust in the system and its policies. Economic development starts with having a people-centric Government which shows great political will,” he said.

“Political and governmental development is necessary to develop an ambitious nation. The responsibilities of governance have grown since the new dispensation. These responsibilities must continue to keep pace with the rising expectations of the new generation of citizens.”

Political analyst, Mr Richard Mahomva said the country has set the path towards prosperity.

“A candid retrospect of where we are is indicative of clear and strategic efforts to re-energise statecraft and systems of good governance so as to adequately enhance policy continuities with regards to realigning property rights, retooling industry and commerce, employment creation and resuscitation of Small to Medium Enterprises, infrastructure development, harnessing strategic synergies for local and Foreign Direct Investment, remodelling the social-welfare structure and promoting a peaceful and plural political culture, which recognises diverse citizen freedoms particularly academic freedom, the freedom of the media and the freedom of association.

“All these tenets of reform which have framed our political discourse indicate Zimbabwe’s rise to the occasion in setting the pace for posterity,” he said.

Fiscal consolidation, governance reforms and stimulating production and exports are at the heart of the country’s TSP (2018 to 2020) blue-print that draws policy thrust from Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy by 2030.

President Mnangagwa’s Government has noted with concern rising money supply in Zimbabwe, occasioned by a bloated public expenditure and budget deficit financing, coupled with foreign currency shortages. These have been blamed for the surge in prevailing inflationary pressures on the market and need to be tackled head on.

You Might Also Like

Comments