A full grown black mamba, rovambira, five or more metres long has enough venom to kill 400 men! It is cold comfort to hear that a juvenile black mamba has enough poison to kill just a handful of men, especially if you are the one facing those beady eyes!
Under this Mnangagwa Second Republic inflation has been creeping up and up it is Mount Everest 500 billion percent high of 2008 still it is already Mount Inyangeni high to cause serious economic hardships.
“ZIMBABWEAN retailers are struggling to restock locally produced goods using the local unit as manufacturers and wholesalers are turning them away in favour of those that pay in the United States dollar,” reported NewsDay.
“The failure by retailers to procure in local currency comes as the Zimdollar has experienced a sharp depreciation against the US$ amid calls for the full redollarisation of the economy.
“Retailers told NewsDay that they had gone for weeks without the supply of locally produced basic commodities and warned of critical shortages of some products such as sugar.”
We all know where this is going! Those is a position to demand payment for their goods or services in US$ and/or insist on payment is local currency, at the exchange rate of most favourable to them, will do so. And those without the economic muscle will find themselves being short changed at every turn.
“As of yesterday, the Zimdollar was trading at 1:17 830 against the United States dollar at the interbank market and 1:18 500 in supermarkets, while it stood at 1:20 000 on the parallel market,” continued the report.
“American economics professor Steve Hanke on Wednesday said Zimbabwe's year-on-year inflation stood at 1 630%, the world's highest.
“Yet authorities claim that they have ticked all the boxes to contain annual inflation, which according to official statistics was 47,62% in February.”
Some one in my social media WhatsApp group asked me: Why do you always talk about implementing democratic reforms, free and fair elections, Zanu PF rigging the elections and many other political issues but hardly ever comment on the bread and butter economic matters?
Simple, as long as Zanu PF is able to rig elections and stay in power nothing will change. By blatantly rigging the elections Zanu PF confirmed that Zimbabwe is a pariah state ruled by corrupt and incompetent thugs; there is criminal waste of human and material resources, as we can see, and it is naive to expect the economy survive much less thrive.
President Mnangagwa and his cronies keep wittering about Zimbabwe becoming an upper middle income nation by 2030, Vision 2030. This just propaganda, Zimbabwe’s economy is sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss, as the soaring inflation shows.
Even if we accept the regime’s own very conservative inflation rate of 47%, how many countries in human history have enjoyed economic growth whilst inflation remained high?
Zanu PF blatantly rigged the 2023 elections; SADC, AU and even our own ZHRC election observers all condemned the election as flawed and illegal. The regime got away with it because the country’s sellouts in main opposition party leaders, CCC led by Nelson Chamisa, conned the people into participating in the flawed elections to give the regime legitimacy. And once back in power the corruption and mismanagement have continued whilst selling us the vision 2030 mirage!
Like it or not we cannot stop the gross mismanagement and rampant corruption, the cancers killing the Zimbabwe economy without first addressing the issue of good governance. We must cure ourselves of the double curse of rigged elections and bad governance.
The present system gives ruling elite carte blanche powers to rig elections and after that, they do as they please. They completely ignore our suffering and pleas for meaningful change, we, the people, as helpless as a kitten chasing its own tail.
“Seek ye first the political kingdom and all other things shall be added unto you.” advised Independent Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah.
Simply put; We in Zimbabwe must seek a political system in which those in power are democratically accountable to the people only then can we hope for any meaningful economic recovery.
There cannot be meaningful economic change in Zimbabwe without meaningful political change. There cannot be economic recovery without political reforms to underwrite and guarantee free, fair and credible elections.
58 comments:
@ Tavstan
“So you blame opposition party's for their suffering.”
The MDC/CCC were elected to implement the democratic reforms and thus stop Zanu PF rigging the elections. After 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, these opposition leaders have not only failed to implement even one token reform but have been conning the people into participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed. And they knew what they were doing!
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
Of course, I blame Chamisa and company for selling out!
How anyone can still support Chamisa and company much less defend them given all the evidence of corruption and incompetence beggars belief. I know that Zimbabwe has more than her fair share of mentally challenged individuals, still I would have never believed anyone can be this shallow, thick and slow to be defending these sellouts even now with the benefit of hindsight. And yet here you are: a unique spacemen of modern man with the intellect of Neanderthal!
@ Trucking Technology
“It is so easy to criticize, vazhinji vanofunga kuti Chamisa is the problem when it is a common truth kuti everyone is the problem. Very intelligent fools everywhere. Muchinyepera kuziva imi musina kana 1 chamunoziva, kungo famba police ichirova vanhu vese mudzimba door to door tese tinopera kurohwa ipapa, vamwe vangotoenda kunohwanda musango vachimirira kuti mapurisa apedza kurova vanhu 😀😀😀😀😀 such is the level of our docility. If there are people we should compliment it is Nelson Chamisa against all odds.”
Compliment Chamisa for failing to implement even one reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU? Which part of MDC/CCC leaders failed to implement even one token reform in 23 years are you failing to understand? FCUK me!
No wonder we are a failed state, we really have some of the most stupid people on earth! Poor, poor Zimbabwe we are trying to build a health and functioning democracy with ignorant and naive voters; it is the equivalent of trying to build a ten storey building with mud bricks! IMPOSSIBLE!
@ Mai Tee
“But why you are blaming chamisa whilst zviri pachena kut ZANU nehutungamiriri hwayo yauraya nyika. Look at Chivhayo nhasi yave mbinga but mari akaiwanepi hmmm mukumupembedzaka iye akaba mari yemagetsi nhasi he is busy campaigning for ZANU munhu akarepa mwana opihwa mota nekuda kwekut akati Mnangagwa huchi guys.”
The trouble with people like you with such a myopic take is you are irrational.
i) Did Chamisa and company fail to implement even one token reform in 23 years, including 5 in the GNU? The answer is yes, they failed to implement even one reform in 23 years! (If you disagree, then name one reform they implemented.)
ii) Has Chamisa and company been conning people into participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed? The answer is, yes! (If you disagree then please explain David Coltart’s confession. “The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.)
iii) Do you understand that all those in public office MUST be democratically accountable for their commissions and omissions? This is not negotiable!
It is very sad that even now 43 years after independence in this day and age that one still has to explain that for a healthy and functioning democracy everyone in public office MUST be accountable to the people! If you ask for Chamisa to be above democratic accountability then Zanu PF supporters would want Mnangagwa to be above the law too! In the end no one will be accountable for anything. This should be common sense but clearly common sense is not so common!
@ Kays
How naive! Did any of these reforms deliver free, fair and credible elections? No. So what is the point of introducing change in one area only to open the door somewhere else!
None of these changes were brought during the GNU which was the opportune time to do so.
The very fact that you are still wittering about MDC delivered the reforms only goes to show you have no clue what we are talking about here. NONE!
Dear Lord You made us all in Your image but did You have to make so many idiots!
@ Chisa
Has he now? And yet he has not only failed to implement even one token reform and worse still has conned his gullible supporters to participate in flawed elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy. It is nice to be ignorant and naive, you are short changed, kicked in the teeth and you are blissfully happy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWDBHIZnMd8
To argue that Zimbabwe’s economy is not in as sorry a state as it was in 2008 when hyperinflation hit the Mount Everest record of 500 billion percent is to miss the point. The point being, the present inflation rate although nowhere near that of 2008 is nonetheless very high to being to causing serious economic disruption.
It is cold comfort to hear that a newly hatched black mamba only has enough poison to kill one or two people, especially when you are the one bitten by the snake.
The tragedy is we removed one dictator only to replace him with another. What we wanted to do was to end the dictatorship and replace it with a healthy and functioning democratic system of government where everyone has a meaningful say in the governance of the country. A quantum leap and one we will not be able to make even today because we learned nothing from the mistake of November 2017.
We still do not know what constitute free, fair and credible elections hence the reason why we participated in last year, 2023, flawed elections only to give Zanu PF legitimacy. We were conned by Chamisa into believing CCC would win the rigged elections because he had plugged all the vote rigging loop holes. We did not have something as basic as a verified voters' roll for Pete's sake!
Until we cure ourselves of the curse of rigged elections nothing of any substance will ever be accomplished! By failing to hold free, fair and credible elections we are showing that we are incapable of governing ourselves and thus condemning ourselves to this chaos of recycling thugs and murderers and the criminal waste of human and material resources and, most sacred of all, of human lives!
“Tough times do not last but tough people do!”
Correction, tough times not only last they get worse and worse! There is no denying Zimbabwe is a failed state and that Mnangagwa's so called upper middle income by 2030, Vision 2030, is just a mirage. Zimbabwe has been in economic decline ever since the country's independence in 1980 and things are getting worse not better!
It takes common sense to see something is not working and change it because no one wants to suffer; that is common sense.
However in life we sometimes meet up with tyrants whose greed for power and wealth is insatiable and will ruthless impose themselves on others. They only care about themselves and indifferent to the needs and suffering of others. Here is where the tough people come in to end the reign of terror of the tyrants without becoming the next tyrant themselves! The first bit is tough to achieve and the second is even tougher!
There are many lessons to be learned from the elections taking place in SA.
> Voters respond to nose and not substance
> ANC will want to rig the election but they will not
> There will be no violence let it run and learn the lesson
> ANC will not win the majority the people want punish the party.
.> ANC mobilise the resources to win elections so that can steal more - it that simple.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCjqasprTSM
ANC may well lose this year's election, South Africans are keen to punish the party for the 30 years of mismanagement and corruption. Since elections in SA are free, fair and credible, this would be the democratic wish of the people of SA!
The ultimate expression of the democratic will of the people is to remove those in public office, if the people so wish!
Whilst it is true that a significant proportion of SA voters respond to noise and not substance, this means the country will continue to get mediocre government until this is changed. A truly free and independent media will help educate the voters; as contrast to our Minister of Information cum propaganda brainwashing the voters!
Zimbabweans must follow SA elections with interest; there are many lessons to be learned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUNTIGrL6bc
Zimbabwe is a failed state and we are in this sorry state because we have not had the intellect to recognise our failure to govern ourselves and/or stop the rot! After 43 years of independence, in this day and age we are still failing to do something as basic as holding free, fair and credible elections. A damning testimonial to our failure to think!
Man is a creature of reason but not all man can reason and think; we have shown this!
@ Chirongezve
Are you saying if ANC was not going to win there would be violence and/or rigged elections? SA's state institutions are still independent and that is why the elections are going to be free, fair and credible, regardless of the result!
@ Mr Peter
"Muchasvinura : We are in deep shit, I mean deep shit, but muchasvinura. If you don't get rid of Emerson Mnangagwa and his family now. Muchasara makabata zita rekuti Zimbabwe without land. ED and his family are selling land in front of your eyes and no one is standing up to say this must stop."
True but this is only half the story. We should have stopped Zanu PF rigging elections by now, especially during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Why did we fail?
@ Chirongezve
How typical! You are attacking the messenger because you cannot deal with the message. He/she is raising the alarm, warning us all of the danger upon us. The danger is real and we should deal with it and not be wasting time asking who is giving the warning much less why he/she has not done nothing to stop the looting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oIUlecqPvM
Like it or not we are masters of our own destiny and, so far, we have been shooting ourselves in the foot. Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have failed to govern ourselves and it is nonsensical blaming the British or any one else. To blame God for our failures is the scapegoat mentality on steroids!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH82Yx38qt0
After 23 years, including 5 in the GNU, MDC/CCC have failed to implement even one democratic reform to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections.
So we find ourselves in this unenvious position in which Zanu PF continues to blatantly rig elections. And to add insult to injury these MDC/CCC clowns have been participating in these flawed elections only to give vote rigging Zanu PF political legitimacy out of greed - the same reason they failed to implement even one reform.
It is infuriating that one has to then these idiotic apologies from the likes of Mayor Mafume why the opposition cannot provide even the most basic services because of Zanu PF even though they are the ones are treasonously keeping the regime in power!
@ Sfb
“Elections in every capitalist country are rigged! That's how/why capitalists keep getting elected! The idea of "free and fair" elections is a western cultivated myth used to trap potential insurgents in capitalist bureaucracies that protect oligarchs!.”
What a sick joke! So Zanu PF has been rigging elections, insisting the elections were free and fair, to stop us being “trapped potential insurgents in capitalist bureaucracies that protect oligarchs”!
Zanu PF has been rigging elections and trapping us all in this nightmare of corrupt and tyrannical rule. The economy is in ruins and 49% of our people are living in abject poverty. And some village idiots even think Zanu PF is doing the nation a great favour. The sheer naivety of some people is astonishing!
No wonder Zimbabwe is a failed state, we have some of the most ignorant and stupid voters in the world. Why you are hiding your name, must be ashamed of wearing your stupidity on your sleeve like a badge of honour. Even a village idiot must have some inkling he is an arse and hence the shame!
@ Prezident
“Okay Elder Mukori, listened to your YouTube audio .. so let me get this right , are you saying MdcT , came CCC was Zanu-B ? And you saying for 23yrs they been doing this for Zanu and became worse during GNU when RG coxxed them into some cosy ministerial positions and lucrative packages… My question is where is Biti and his American friends in all this ?? If opposition was now Zanu , so how surely Will Americans still say we have a friend in Biti , whom yourself is saying was Zanu -B through CCC ???”
Tendai Biti was in the GNU, he was MDC-T Minister of Finance if you have forgotten. I do not need to remind you that not even one token democratic reform was implemented because ALL the MDC-T and MDC-N MPs, senators, Ministers, Deputy PM and PM had their snouts in the feeding trough and so forgot about reforms.
As for, Where is Biti and his American friends in all this? Why ask me?
@ Dzino
MDC/CCC participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy and thus perpetuating the dictatorship is not only the story but the challenge of our generation!
@ Poundmap
Zimbabwe has failed to hold free, fair and credible elections these last 43 years and that is water off a duck 's back. I have been calling for reforms so we can finally end this scourge and you are frothing you do not want to hear about reforms. Your stupidity is something else! Well reforms will remain on the national agenda untill we have free and fair elections. PERIOD!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za0hScnEjXc
Guess what ZEC was in Russia to observe that country's rigged elections. Putin rigged the Russian elections posting 88% of the votes and Chigumba was there to learn how it is done!
The Zimbabwe we, the ordinary people want, is one in which every citizen has a meaningful say in the governance of the country. The right to a free vote is more than just a right, it is the essence of good governance. Russia is nation with no history of good governance and therefore the last country whose example we would want to follow!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHz4io_1MjM
Zimbabwe is a failed state because we have failed to hold free and fair elections. Why some people have failed to see the sheer folly of participating in flawed elections especially when they have been warned do ing so would only give vote rigging Zanu PF legitimacy; beggars belief!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNCAfY-is8
Zimbabwean teachers are going on strike to demand more that the US$ 20 pay rise "mockery" offered by regime. The truth is day of going on strike to demand better pay are long gone, Zimbabwe is in economic ruins, there is no money. What Zimbabweans should be fighting for is reforms and free and fair elections.
We must cure ourselves of the curse of rigged elections and bad governance only then can we hope to rebuild the economy!
We have ignored the challenge of good governance for 43 years and the situation has only got worse not better. We cannot afford to ignore this any more!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORNCAfY-is8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyDVBz_BVgM
Chamisa & Co have not only failed to implement even one reform to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections but have been participating in flawed elections to give the regime legitimacy. The very fact that many still continue to trust him to deliver change shows they have no clue what the opposition is elected to do.
History punishes those who will not learn from the past and never bothers to ask why they have failed to learn, especially after 23 years of opposition and nothing to show for it and yer one gets rock star treatment.
True but they are demanding better pay is a country whose economy has completely collapsed.
ZIMBABWE Mining Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya has been arrested after allegedly duping Indian investors US$1.5 million in a botched mining transaction.
She is due to appear in court Wednesday after spending Tuesday night in police custody.
Rushwaya is accused of attempting to sell three mines she does not own to Dubai investors after flying there to meet the prospective buyers.
One of the mines reportedly owned by her uncle President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sold for US$1 million and for another, she allegedly received a deposit of US$500 000.
ZRP assistant commissioner confirmed her arrest, “Henrietta Rushwaya is assisting police with investigations following a report made by a certain complainant in relation to a purported mining transaction. So far investigations are in progress and these are the details we can release as of now”.
****
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last week allegedly confronted Local Government minister Winston Chitando over the cancellation of title deeds for an 8003sqm² land bought by her niece Farai Mashonganyika, and demanded that the deeds be restored.
Mashonganyika, a former member of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, allegedly bought the land for US$4000 in Carrick Creagh, Borrowdale, Harare, in 2011. This translates to about 49 cents per square metre.
Mashonganyika has approached the High Court over the cancellation of her title deeds by the minister, and has allegedly roped in her aunt, former First Lady, into the matter.
According to a reliable source, Grace called Chitando on Saturday trying to coerce him to withdraw his opposing affidavit against Mashonganyika's application against the cancellation of the title deed. The minister cancelled the title deed for Mashonganyika after the property developer advised that it was fraudulently acquired as the cost was far less than the market price of US$20 003.
In her application at the High Court challenging the cancellation, Mashonganyika cited the Ministry of Local Government as the respondent. She submitted that she purchased the land in 2011 for US$4000.
*********
President Mnangagwa has appointed Mr Michael Reza as the new Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson while former Deputy Minister Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome is now the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson.
The appointments were announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, in a statement yesterday and they are with immediate effect.
Mr Reza and Ms Majome were appointed in line with the dictates of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The former takes over from Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo who was last year appointed Prosecutor-General.
As long as Zanu PF ruling elite are able to rig elections and retain absolute political power nothing will change. They will continue to pay lip service to good governance.
ZIMBABWE Mining Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya has been arrested after allegedly duping Indian investors US$1.5 million in a botched mining transaction.
She is due to appear in court Wednesday after spending Tuesday night in police custody.
Rushwaya is accused of attempting to sell three mines she does not own to Dubai investors after flying there to meet the prospective buyers.
One of the mines reportedly owned by her uncle President Emmerson Mnangagwa was sold for US$1 million and for another, she allegedly received a deposit of US$500 000.
ZRP assistant commissioner confirmed her arrest, “Henrietta Rushwaya is assisting police with investigations following a report made by a certain complainant in relation to a purported mining transaction. So far investigations are in progress and these are the details we can release as of now”.
****
Former First Lady Grace Mugabe last week allegedly confronted Local Government minister Winston Chitando over the cancellation of title deeds for an 8003sqm² land bought by her niece Farai Mashonganyika, and demanded that the deeds be restored.
Mashonganyika, a former member of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, allegedly bought the land for US$4000 in Carrick Creagh, Borrowdale, Harare, in 2011. This translates to about 49 cents per square metre.
Mashonganyika has approached the High Court over the cancellation of her title deeds by the minister, and has allegedly roped in her aunt, former First Lady, into the matter.
According to a reliable source, Grace called Chitando on Saturday trying to coerce him to withdraw his opposing affidavit against Mashonganyika's application against the cancellation of the title deed. The minister cancelled the title deed for Mashonganyika after the property developer advised that it was fraudulently acquired as the cost was far less than the market price of US$20 003.
In her application at the High Court challenging the cancellation, Mashonganyika cited the Ministry of Local Government as the respondent. She submitted that she purchased the land in 2011 for US$4000.
*********
President Mnangagwa has appointed Mr Michael Reza as the new Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) chairperson while former Deputy Minister Ms Fungayi Jessie Majome is now the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission chairperson.
The appointments were announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya, in a statement yesterday and they are with immediate effect.
Mr Reza and Ms Majome were appointed in line with the dictates of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The former takes over from Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo who was last year appointed Prosecutor-General.
As long as Zanu PF ruling elite are able to rig elections and retain absolute political power nothing will change. They will continue to pay lip service to good governance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa48yTzhpmg
When Mnangagwa took over from Mugabe following the November 2017 military coup he promise two big things:
a) to hold free, fair and credible elections. He rigged the 2018 elections and in lke manner rigged the 2023 elections.
b) to stamp out corruption. Corruption is rampant now as before if not worse.
Stamping out corruption, reviving the economy, etc. will remain elusive as long as Zanu PF retains the carte blanche powers to rig elections.
Part 1/5
Mr Kudzai Mutisi, the German 'Economic wonder' after the WW2 had multiple favourable factors!
by Nomazulu Thata
I am writing this article as a reply to your article you wrote last week: My article is not in any way or form critiquing your own but including factors that must be known, but, however, adding to what you have already alluded eloquently. Implementation of your suggestions to Zimbabwe's economic recovery could be challenging, considering that Zimbabwe's historical, social, political, and cultural development has no relevance in relation to Germany historicity. It will not be possible to lift German social, political, economic, and cultural development past and present, and we model it to the economic recovery of Zimbabwe to replicate their success. By all account, you meant well. As someone who lived in East Germany for many years, I was one of them who were impressed by East German socialist economy that was inclusive, and pondered how we could replicate German socialist economic recovery to Zimbabwe's future development. I meant well too by dwelling into such ideals.
The defeat of Germany by allied forces and its recovery plans must be understood it its own context. To explain the "Miracle of the Rhein" it must be said that some sections of Western Allies never wanted Germany to rise to its former glories, but to subject it into an agrarian state, evidenced by a Morgenthau Plan. However, USA wanted to see a successful West Germany in contrast to East Germany: West Berlin as its window dresser. So, the Morgenthau Plan was dismissed and was replaced by a Marshall Plan. Because all western countries suffered from post WW2 effects, the Marshall Plan was extended to western countries, excluding East Germany.
The success of West German economy did not take place in a vacuum. It was powered by several factors that Zimbabwe does not have. To replicate a German success under the current economic conditions in Zimbabwe is a pipe dream: pie in the sky: Almost impossible. Let's draw comparisons between West Germany as from 1949 and its economic and social development after the WW2 and Zimbabwe as from 1980 after independence so that we can sincerely establish your hypotheses in a better perspective, Mr. Mutisi. Historicity's of these two countries are light years apart.
Part 2/5
Germany was defeated in WW2 and was split and shared between superpowers: USA, France, and "Great" Britain. The economic development of East and West Germany and their economic transformations were determined by the USSR on one hand and Western allies on the other hand. The German economic recovery started in 1923, before the WW2. Under Chancellor Stresemann, he chose powerful and fine-minded economists that planned and revived inflation by introducing a new currency called Rentenmark. That currency needed foreign direct investment that was to be pegged at gold value. This reform failed because countries that lost in WW1 demanded reparations that led to Germany government to start printing money to pay back their debtors.
However, this economic recovery punctuated by currency reforms was visited again after the WW2 when economists; Walter Eucken and Ludwig Erhard implemented ground taking reforms. Back then, the German government was not allowed to run its Reserve Bank, but by the USA and allies. They were not even allowed to produce military machines and weapons by the allies. They feared a Germany that would reindustrialize, overtake USA and Europe, and Germany will start another war again? However, the fear of Germany becoming a giant was evident in USA assistance to war-ravaged Germany. (This fear in USA government is still existent to this day: my opinion)
Yes, the Marshall Plan was a stroke of genius to the West German government back then given to it by the USA. It must be mentioned that Germany was given only 5% benevolence of the Marshall Plan revenues given to European countries. Germany was also not spared from the reparations despite the Marshall Plan by USA. The Marshall Plan enabled Germany to reconstruct its infrastructure, built houses, improved food securities, improved energy needs, and created employment opportunities. These developments were macro-managed by USA and the Western allies who wanted to see a new Germany as an economic unit and never beyond any form of industrial development that would surpass neighboring European countries, especially France and Great Britain. Germany had serious issues and challenging economic growth at the same time constrained in formidable development that would have quickly removed them from hunger and malnutrition and serious other social challenges.
Prt 3/5
Germany was to rebuild 98% of nation's destruction caused by the WW2. The Marshall Plan ignited the German economy because of several reasons:
- Good political leadership and business law: Pro-market reforms - creation of a Deutsch Mark; a currency that was stable and reliable, restoring confidence in the economy, and it facilitated the growth of a consumer market.
- Germany had already available qualified manpower such as engineers, scientists' researchers, agriculturalists, qualified civil servants that pushed the economy to dizzy heights - great success. They had first-class educational system, and apprenticeship programs for the skilled trades.
- The work ethic was good for German economic growth: punctuality, hard work, honesty in their financial dealings with USA, and a propensity to follow orders: These were factors that ignited and exponentiated the economy.
- When USA realized the success of the implementation of the Marshall Plan, they gave the German government a further 3 billion USD for further reconstruction of their infrastructure development, housing projects. In hindsight, USA's intention was more to outsmart the East German's slow development and reconstruction after the WW2. West Germany was a bulwark against communism.
- The Marshall Plan injection of financial cash flows provided industrial raw material that spurred production and enabled the German government to make economic reforms thus resulting in economic recovery and path to self-sustaining. The once upon a time, a stagnant economy was catapult to a fully-fledged western standard economy.
- The German government never spent much on defense as it was not, according to Potsdam agreement, allowed to produce or to build weaponry and machines of war. The fiscal cash flows were exclusively for economic recovery.
- The contribution of guest-workers in the German economy that was boosted by their cheap labour must be mentioned in the same breath. Millions of guest-workers from Italy, Turkey, Jugoslavia contributed immensely to the German "Wirtschaftswunder".
- Another key factor was the implementation of social market economy policies under the leadership of Ludwig Erhard, the Minister of Economics. Combine free-market capitalism with social policies to ensure a fair distribution of wealth: no lasses-faire capitalist economy, to ensure protection of workers from capitalist exploitation. The social market economy was modelled to promote competition and innovation, while also providing social security and welfare benefits to protect the most vulnerable in society. This approach was successful in creating a balance between economic growth and social stability, contributing significantly to the economic miracle.
- the Korean War in the early 1950s also played a role in West Germany's economic recovery. It led to an increased demand for goods from Europe & USA, and West Germany, thereby Germany boosting its chain reactions of export industrial products leading to its rapid economic growth, with a GDP increasing by 8% a year between 1950 and 1960.
It is for this reason, the success of German economy after the WW2 cannot be articulated in a single story, but by several & diverse factors that contributed to Wirtschaftswunder. When USA realized the German positive economic growth, It stashed reparations costs by 50%, a bonus in their already successful booming economy. German infrastructure was repaired. Big companies such as BASF regathered their workforce producing chemicals, industrial material, industrial solutions, nutrition care and agricultural solutions.
Part 4/5
Let's look at Zimbabwe's rise and fall and how it can replicate Germany's development after WW2. We should establish facts; whether it is possible for Zimbabwe to follow the path of West German economic growth since WW2 to get out of the economic deep end it finds itself in.
When Zanu PF and a highly educated President Robert Mugabe came into power in 1980, even President Nyerere of Tanzania commented highly about the jewel Zanu Pf had on its hands. "Don't lose it Bob". Nyerere advised. The Rhodesian dollar was stronger than the US$; they say. The national treasury was healthy; no domestic and foreign debt because Rhodesia was on international sanctions list back then.
Zimbabwe inherited from the colonialists an intact transport infrastructure; agriculture was producing surplus: a breadbasket of Africa. RR or Rhodesia Railways was good functional. The energy industry Risco, was powered by not only electricity from Kariba Dam, but was substituted by Bulawayo Power Station and other energy entities. The schools and hospitals that reached out to rural areas were first class maintained. Education was the cornerstone of development: However, African education was mostly to get administrative manpower that colonialists was comfortable to them to compliment the white administration of Rhodesia.
Zimbabwean government inherited government companies such as Risco, RDMB, RGMB Dunlop, Lomagundi Copper Smelting Plant, Lancashire Smelting Plant; a subsidy of Risco Steels. Cold Storage Commission, Air Rhodesia, and several other industries that generated national revenues. Bulawayo was a manufacturing town. All these national industries were good functional when Zanu PF took over the government, immediate drivers of Rhodesia robust economy. The supply chains of these government entities again generated surplus revenues to maintain the government afloat: Yes, it was a racist regime of Ian Douglas Smith.
In sharp contrast to Germany whereby, immediately after the WW2, German citizens experienced a worthless currency and extreme hunger and malnutrition; Zimbabwe, had strong food securities. Nobody back then was starving and suffering from food insecurities. Zanu PF government failed to appreciate the jewel they inherited: Instead: typical of some African governments, looting started with the President who demanded to replace humble car that Smith used, to a Rolls Royce, brand new from the United Kingdom. From the looting that was already a scourge in the nation was nepotism that was rampant. Comrades from the liberation war were given posts far beyond their paygrade as payback from participating in the liberation struggle.
To his credit, Mugabe invited a formidable group of educated luminaries to be ministers in his first government, some of whom had reputable services in international institutions. To name a few; Ministers Zvobgo a lawyer graduate at Harvard University, Christopher Ishewokunze, a professor from the University of Zambia, Chidzero from the World Bank, Callistus Ndlovu, from the UN, Simba Makoni, a chemist PHD holder, Naomi Nhiwatiwa, a PHD graduate educationist: these chosen ministers were well placed to take on Zimbabwe to higher levels. They were to kick start a synergic economy post colonialism. Painfully, they started dying of accident deaths, undisclosed deaths, or they drank themselves alcoholic.
Part 5a/ 5b
The early years after independence, Zimbabwe government was given financial assistance by the British government: according to the clause in the Lancaster agreement of 1979 that led to the independence of Zimbabwe, the British government of Margret Thatcher was to give millions in pound sterling yearly to Zimbabwean government as a corrective of land tenure act imbalances. Additionally, there were cash flows from international financial organisations, the World Bank, Paris Club, IMF, and separate western governments that signed bilateral fiscal agreements, injected large sums of money to Zimbabwe government. The outpouring of large sums of money to a government that did not know what to do with the jewel Zimbabwe, was meant to investing in social and economic development, instead, money was looted in millions by several ministers and civil servants in party and government of Zanu PF.
Press fast forward: Geo-politics changed. The Berlin Wall fell, Nelson Mandela came out of prison, leading to the independence of South Africa. Zimbabwe was no longer the focus of the west, but South Africa was then more interesting in its all-out transformations from apartheid to independence. The outpouring of money to Zimbabwe dwindled profoundly in the 1990s inviting the World Bank to introduce austerities to the Zimbabwean government: ESAP. The billions of cash given to Zimbabwean government had very little or nothing to show in terms of infrastructural development. Instead, Zimbabwe, unbeknown to knowledge of financial synergies, especially coming from international money lenders, they accrued staggering domestic and foreign debt impossible to manage it. Implementation of ESAP meant millions of workers became redundant, were out of employment.
To Mugabe's credit, the early years of independence, millions of young people received good education. However, the regression of Zimbabwean economy sent thousands and millions of young professionals and highly qualified Zimbabweans to the Diaspora. South Africa alone has 3 million migrants from Zimbabwe: registered and unregistered.
When the British government with Honorable Clare Short as Secretary for International Development 1997 - 2003 refused to make further payments to Zimbabwe in accordance with the Lancaster agreement of 1979, Mugabe's government was equal parts pick panic: the anger was larger than thunder and lightning. The British must be punished for refusing to pay their yearly dues, physical and expressively by taking away farms from white Zimbabwean population; an action that was self-destructive & self-defeating; Food securities were made possible by a white farming niche in the larger scheme of things. The Zimbabwe economy that was penned on agricultural production collapsed. Talk about cutting the nose to spite the face.
Part 5b
Zimbabwe never recovered from one economic malpractice to the next. The coup of 2017 made things worse. Mr. Mutisi, with this Zimbabwe economic historicity, how do we even envisage a Zimbabwe economy to transform using the German template of 1945 whose political, social, and economic transformation so light years apart? You mentioned a fine economist of the moulds of Ludwig Erhardt, a German minister; it is his ordo liberalism that transformed German economy from the ashes of WW2 to a today's German world class, one of the finest economies in the world.
Critique to African governments: me included, we seriously lack management skills and discipline. We do not respect national revenues meant to uplift the common good. President Mugabe was a graduated economist. Not Constantine Chiwenga, but Mugabe should have known what it means to symphony diamond cash revenues of a staggering US$15 billion to foreign banks. We have more than US$30 billion debt that must be paid. If it's not paid today, our children and children's children must pay it in full plus interests and interest's interests that will have accrued with time. In a nutshell, there are no favourable factors on the ground today in Zimbabwe that can replicate German economic transformation to match the German wonder economy.
I hasten to say something about German reparation debt, despite being the world's best economy in the EURO zone and beyond. So far, the German government has managed to pay survivors of Holocaust about US$80 billion dollars and is still paying US$1.20 billion a year to all survivors of holocaust wherever they might be, globally. Again Germany, signing the Versailles Treaty, demands that Germany must make reparations in the form of German coal proceeds to France, Belgium, and Luxembourg for 10 years for each country. I believe it is still being paid to date. I can see this coming in Africa: The International AID to Africa will be paid back somehow or other: that means even in kind. Zambia defaulted paying China its debt repayment scheme. They then asked the government of Zambia to give up the airport as repayment: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The TAZARA Railway line built in the 1970s, built by the Chinese has not been paid off.
Despite its reparation debts, Germany remains a huge economy today and the biggest one in the eurozone. Are you sure Zimbabwe can replicate this German's larger than life economic development?
Very interesting and informative! It is a great pity the buffoons in Shake-Shake House neither read nor have the inclination of doing so, much less digest anything of substance. They are too busy rigging the elections and looting!
What is happening in Gaza is an outrage that must be condemned by all who value rule of law and human lives!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gjGuKj-drI
Gutsa ruzhinji cum Vision 2030 is a mirage. Until we finally implement the necessary democratic reform to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections we will forever be chasing the mirage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkj5CEUo6yw
Corruption is rampant because The Honourable Minister believes looting is his reward for fighting in the war of independence and we the people have accepted this as a matter of cause.
@ Chamisa
“CONGRATULATIONS! We’re now a 1,3 million strong. And it’s organic! Thank you family for your enduring support. You are the wind in my sails. You are special! All Glory be to #Godisinit #OnePeople Blessed Friday!”
Here we go! We were told CCC would win big the 2023 elections. “God is in it!” came the heavenly assurance! Well, other than win a few gravy train seats to give Zanu PF legitimacy in was Zanu PF that won the parliamentary seats and the all important presidency.
Millions were conned into participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy.
Now we are being promised change and the same heavenly assurance: “God is in it!” The tragedy is the easily conned have once again been conned, 1.3 million of them and counting! Some people never learn!
@ Patience
“Ava baba dai Mwari angovatora nyaya dzavo ndedzaChamisa chete...muchamuka muromo uri padivi Chamisa anokurwadzai chenjerai bp.”
It is not about me you, this about Zimbabwe; you village idiot! Zanu PF blatantly rigged the elections with the help of Chamisa and company.
Zimbabwe is a failed state and all because we are stuck with this corrupt and tyrannical Zanu PF dictatorship for 43 years and counting. MDC/CCC leaders had the golden opportunity to end the dictatorship during the GNU but sold out, Mugabe bribed them with the trappings of hight office and they, in turn, forgot about the reforms. Ever since the GNU debacle Chamisa and company have participated in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy out of greed. Some of the MDC/CCC leaders have admitted this themselves.
“Look, you can't keep on participating in flawed electoral processes that serve to give big benefits to dictators such as Robert Mugabe. Mugabe has perfected the art of winning elections. So it will be very foolish for the opposition to continue legitimising these sham elections which don't deliver. This country will go through a serious economic crisis in 2020 caused by Zanu PF. And yet, this is the only country where a government doesn't perform, it is encouraged by a super majority in parliament,” said Tendai Biti in a 2015 interview with Isaac Mugabi.
“So you can't continue subjecting Zimbabweans to processes where their hopes just get crushed.”
David Coltart has gone one step further and admitted they have sold out of of greed.
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
It is shocking that even now with the benefit of hindsight village idiots like you continue to blindly follow corrupt and incompetent leaders like Chamisa dragging the whole nation deeper and deeper into the abyss. How is it possible that anyone can be so shallow, thick and slow; it beggars belief!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJHkphyMUg8
Those who will not learn from the past are destined to make the same mistakes over and over again. Supporting Chamisa is one such big mistake because he has already proven that he is corrupt and breathtakingly incompetent. He and his MDC/CCC friends have failed to implement even one token reform to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. If the penny has not dropped after 23 years, will it ever drop; that is now the question one must ask!
@ Blue Train
“It’s you because you're fighting Chamisa big time on behalf of that monster Zanu PF!”
So it is me who stopped Chamisa and company implementing even one token reform during the 2008 to 2013 GNU? And it is me who have forced them to participate in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy? And it is me who conned you into participating in the flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy? Your stupidity knows no bounds!
Universal suffrage should have been a blessing but now I know that it is a curse; giving village idiots like you the vote is like giving a monkey a loaded gun!
@ Chifedza
“Nhema dzine muzukuru wangu wokwa gutu uummm dzinotyisa uye haazonyariwo hake kuisa zita ramwari munhema imomo anenge arikuedza kuchepesa Zita ra Jehovah anotevera nezvituta.”
I totally agree with you. Chamisa and company have been participating in flawed elections knowing fully well that Zanu PF was rigging and that participating would give the regime legitimacy. They have soldiered on regardless out of greed. How any one can claim that God was is such a blatant scheme of greed and betrayal beggars belief.
The very fact that millions of Zimbabweans, including those with university qualifications and respectable professions are so easily conned by Chamisa has left me speechless. How can the country’s creme de la creme be so shallow, thick and slow! No wonder Zimbabwe is a failed nations, we have so dunderheads amongst us.
@ Chifedza
Here is a case of some one who sees but has never perceived, heard but never understood. I really feel sorry for some one like that being an idiot for life!
@ Nachi
“Amukori kungoitawo zvakaita UZA mongofoma yenyu party taxviona kuti munogona kuita president of the new opposition tikatobvisa zanu go on bro we will rally behind Yu mkutopedxa nguva chamisa dis chamisa dat pindai mutrack comrade.”
There were no fewer than 130 political parties in 2018 before Zanu PF introduced the astronomical nomination fees; that had no effect on the quality of voters and candidates. Proof that the number of political parties is not the solution. The solution is educating the voters.
As long as voters remain so dumb and stupid they believe such idiotic nonsense as Chamisa claiming he has plugged all vote rigging loop holes when the country does not even have a verified voters’ roll; there will be no competent government in Zimbabwe! Never!
This is just cheap politics, none of these western nations would have imposed the sanction because Chamisa asked them to. Indeed, during the GNU asked the West to lift the sanction and no one listened!
@ Tony Bindura
"So you blame him because ataura kuti oppositions hakuna leadership."
Read what I said, I criticise him for MDC leaders' failure to implement reforms during the GNU and for his failure to acknowledge this historic fact!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHIDhLdJwSo
Rich South Africans are buying off opposition parties. If this is happening in SA with its strong democratic institutions what more in Zimbabwe where there are no such institutions. Chamisa was right in complaining of Zanu PF infiltration of CCC when he resigned from the party in a huff.
CCC was Zanu PF team B in all but name, playing to give the process credibility and Zanu PF (team A) legitimacy. Zanu PF has increased the benefits in participating, Chamisa and company will participate in the elections NO MATTER HOW FLAWED THE PROCESS GET!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuClHgx8Rr4
MDC leaders sold out big time by failing to implement even one democratic reform to stop Zanu PF rigging the elections even when they have the golden opportunity to do so during the 2008 to 2013 GNU. Leaders like Eddie Cross must not spread the falsehood that Zimbabwe can ever hold free and fair elections without implementing the reforms. To claim that the 2018 Zimbabwe elections were free and fair is just nonsense!
@ General Evergreen
The guy has already proven that he is corrupt and incompetent and the very fact that is anyone who still continues to follow him let alone a million goes to show we have million mentally retarded individuals out there!
@ Munyaradzi
“ZEC is instituted in our Constitution. We need ZEC. Its the staffing of ZEC which captured. Chigumba is just an observer or figurehead.”
If we have ended up with a captured ZEC then the constitution and/or the appending reforms must have been weak and/or inadequate because they have clearly failed to stop the appointment of corrupt and incompetent ZEC staff.
When some one keeps wittering they do NOT eat pig but admit to eating beacon and ham; there is want of common sense.
Yesterday, I watched Eddie Cross being interviewed by Dhara Blessed Mhlanga, @bbmhlanga.
Very Intriguing & Fascinating insights from Eddie Cross & here are some few Takeaways:
1. President ED Mnangagwa took a huge risk in 2018 by liberalising the Electoral Playing field, which Mugabe was not willing to do for 17 years.
2. Chamisa Fairly lost 2018 elections & the EU & USA knows that.
3. Chamisa was Stupid to Reject the Electoral Outcome & the Official Opposition offer from President ED Mnangagwa in 2018.
4. For the 2nd time, Chamisa lost with even a bigger margin in the 2023 Elections to President ED Mnangagwa & the EU, UK & USA are aware of that.
5. Chamisa was even more Stupid this time around as he resigned from a party that he started, which got more than 2 million votes.
6. "Chamisa was supposed to handle Sengezo Tshabangu within 5 minutes, because Chamisa was the Boss".
7. If Chamisa thinks he will recover from the Stupidity he committed so far, then he must be joking.
8. Chamisa was supposed to do what Morgan Tsvangirai did in 2006, call for a Congress & this was after Tsvangirai had been chased away by Welshman Ncube & his colleagues in the then MDC. But what Chamisa do, he resigned from politics.
9. President ED Mnangagwa will resign from Politics after his 2nd term comes to an end in 2028.
10. ZANU-PF has undergone a serious Generational Mix, which will see youngsters with SKILLS, COMPETENCY & CAPABILITIES taking over the party soon & Chamisa will be History.
MY CONCLUSION:
CHAMISA HAS NO POLITICAL ADVISERS. HENCE, THE NUMEROUS POLITICAL OWN GOALS!!!!
Eddie Cross is one of those white liberals with the intellect of Ardipithecus or Australopithecus; the five star education given to all white Rhodesians had no effect on one such as he; for how else can one explain why he is so dumb!
The primary purpose of the 2008 to 2013 GNU was to implement the democratic changes, reforms, to stop Zanu PF rigging elections. Indeed, the party was named the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to underline that very purpose. And yet the party has not only failed to implement even one token reform but has been participating in flawed elections to give Zanu PF legitimacy.
Ape-man is telling us the 2013, 2018 and 2023 elections were free, fair and credible! Of course, it is an insult!
@ Chidawanyika
“You cannot expect a person that seizes power through a military coup to suddenly liberalise democratic processes and be ready to lose power in an election less than a year afterwards. It’s total madness meant to feed gullible Zanu pf minds. Emerson would rather go for a third term or install a family member as his successor. He is the one that stopped Mugabe from leaving office in 2008 after clearly losing the election and unleashed violence afterwards to retain power. Nothing has changed since then apart from the partial replacement of violence with brazen bribery, manipulation and corruption.”
Could not agree with you more! Eddie Cross was one of Tsvangirai’s top advisers and it is little wonder MDC failed to implement even one reform in the five years of the GNU - with such stupid advisers!
@ Big Fish
“Iwewe une mavato,u always praise Coltart then one you will wake up and blame him like Eddie Cross...une mavato…”
I have praised Coltart for telling the truth as regards why MDC/CCC leaders have been participating in flawed elections.
“The (2013) electoral process was so flawed, so illegal, that the only logical step was to withdraw, which would compel SADC to hold Zanu PF to account. But such was the distrust between the MDC-T and MDC-N that neither could withdraw for fear that the other would remain in the elections, winning seats and giving the process credibility,” confessed David Coltart in his Book, The Struggle Continues 50 years of Tyranny in Zimbabwe.
I have criticised him for failing to implement the reforms and for participating in flawed elections himself out of greed. I have been consistent and rational throughout!
@ S
"Eddie Cross is singing for his supper. The biography meant to be a 'true story' has all the elements of fiction, characters and setting. ED is potrayed as a 'saint' and we are meant to believe that."
I have read a few extracts of the book, enough to convince me the book is crap!
“The Mdc President is one of the man required to carry the struggle past this hour of troubles. Mwonzora never surrendered when huge temptation surrounded him. I think he thought of the legacy the party or the new generation.”
Was Mwonzora not a senior MDC leader throughout the the 2008 to 2013 GNU? Like everyone else he took his share of the generous salary and allowances Mugabe offered the MDC leaders; he in particular benefited from the generous allowances paid all those attend to the new constitution drafting outreach programmes.
“Mwonzora never surrendered when huge temptation surrounded him!” Really!! Then why did he, like the rest fail to submit even one democratic reform proposal in five years?
@ Blue Train
You have never named one lie I have peddled. Not one! This speaks volumes of which one of us is the liar. You do not want the truth to be said about Chamisa being corrupt and incompetent, much less for him to be held to account. I am here to speak the truth and to hold him to account!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD5wifeAHMs
Chamisa boasted that he was the one who asked the West to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe, that was just nonsense, the West would never base their foreign policy on the advice of a corrupt and incompetent leader like Chamisa. All the MDC leaders called for the lifting of the sanctions during the GNU and the West ignored them.
It is laughable that Zanu PF has dismissed MDC/CCC leaders as puppets of the West and yet, when it suited their propaganda needs, accused the opposition of getting the West to impose the sanctions. Since when has the puppet controlled the puppeteers!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvnBno5c354
Mnangagwa boast that Zimbabwe will regain her position as the bread-basket of the region in wheat from 2025 onwards. We lost that claim soon after the 2000 onward seizure of the white owned farms to give to Zanu PF ruling elite and their cronies. Command Agriculture has become a conduit to loot public funds and not to revive the agricultural sector.
Zimbabwe is not going to reclaim its bread-basket status no more than it will ever become the upper middle income nation in 2030, Vision 2030. As long as Zimbabwe remains a pariah state ruled by corrupt, incompetent and vote rigging thugs there will be no meaningful economic recovery; Vision 2030 will remain a mirage!
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