The ManicaPost
Muchadura Dube
WHEN Zimbabwe embarked on the now lucrative Look East Policy under the wise counsel of President Mugabe, few imagined the immense benefit which the country would derive from such phenomenal foresight. Talking of visionary leadership, this is a classic example. When almost the whole of Africa was looking to the West, the West itself was looking to the East. As it stands the geopolitical order has shifted in favour of the East with such roaring economic giants such as China and the Malaysian tiger being some of the influential players.
President Mugabe, through experience and his famed intellect, had seen through the deceit of the Western bloc which has demonstrated that theirs are permanent interests and never permanent friendship. The Chinese stood with the Zimbabweans during their trying times, when the rogue and devilish Smith regime callously murdered the masses for daring to demand their freedom.
The People’s Republic of China provided the much-needed material aid in form of arsenal to fight the viciously armed racist Rhodesians and even their spiritual support was in abundance. Their generosity saw the Chinese moulding fine military strategists such as the legendary liberation war hero, Cde Josiah Magama Tongogara, who attended the famed Nanking Academy.
In China, Zimbabwe has an eternal ally whom she can count on in difficult times. Even when the United Nations Security Council had been duped by the ever-cunning West to invoke sanctions, China together with Russia used their veto powers to block these inimical acts.
Recently when the West had sought to isolate Zimbabwe by excluding it in the United States-Africa Leaders Summit which was held in Washington DC from August 4-6, the Chinese government invited President Mugabe for a five-day State visit. China intends to help Zimbabwe in the implementation of its developmental strategy, the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) through partnering the country’s various parastatals in the revamping of its infrastructure.
The United States-Africa summit reminded many of the pervasive big brother mentality which still haunts the beleaguered American empire.
It is mind boggling that the American establishment views Africa as a monolithic entity and never as a continent of 54 nations with divergent growth drivers, political systems and policy priorities. African leaders were bunched together resembling kindergarten children who can hardly think on their own.
Obama had no direct contact with the African leaders, a sign of contempt for the continent, which ironically is his ancestral homeland. Contrast the scenario at the American summit with China’s Fifth Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (FOCAC) in 2012 which at least had 15 minutes of open interactions and discussions between the Chinese premier and the African leaders who attended the summit. Isn’t this true and genuine friendship which is bound to last?
Remember at the Chinese summit, leaders interacted as equals and never were they lectured on the so-called democracy and human rights which the Americans hypocritically claim to observe. Everyone is now aware of the Americans’ poor record on human rights as they have a lot of innocent people’s blood on their hands.
Then, in case you missed one comical moment at the American summit, when United States Vice-President Joe Biden and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, both ridiculously referred to Africa as the “nation of Africa”! This gaffe of monumental proportion clearly sums up the scepticism which Africans have always had for America.
That President Mugabe in the company of his Chinese counterpart, President Xi Jinping, received a 21-gun salute as they inspected a guard of honour typifies the close relations between the two nations. The various ministers who accompanied President Mugabe on the State visit signed trade agreements which will see Zimbabwe transitioning from an economic stable mode to real growth.
The agreements which were signed are anchored on the viability of the various joint economic projects which the two nations agreed upon. The agreements are not guaranteed by some imagined mineral located somewhere as has been speculated by the usual agents of doom.
These mercenary-minded prophets of doom had projected a trip which would yield an unprecedented failure. The whole populace waits with keen interest to hear their interpretation of this phenomenal success which the Zanu-PF led government has scored. President Xi’s reassuring message to the Zimbabwe leader exhibited the firm foundation of the relationship which exists between Harare and Beijing.
Certainly, Zimbabwe’s detractors are trembling at the realisation of the diplomatic triumph which Zimbabwe has scored whilst at the same time enhancing the livelihoods of its people whose faith in the Zanu-PF-led Government saw them resoundingly voting for it in the July 31 2013 harmonised elections. The thousands of unemployed youths will get employment as the projects get underway.
In the Zanu-PF election manifesto, employment creation was a key election promise which the revolutionary party made. It can only be a good omen to the whole economy as any activity which generates employment will have positive ripple effects on the entire economy.
The Chinese have a firm foothold on the African continent after the realisation that the continent is no longer at the margins of the global economy but increasingly at the heart of it. Zimbabwe is at the centre of the region hence a convenient launch pad of any fruitful collaboration with the region.
Currently, Zimbabwe chairs the Southern African Development Community (SADC), positioning it as a centre of influence to regional economic matters.
Now that the Chinese have partnered Zimbabwe and subsequently lent their economic support, Zim-Asset programmes will indeed be a reality, in the process fulfilling the people’s aspirations.
Muchadura Dube is a Nyanga-based farmer and political analyst
