Donald Kamba Makoni Post Correspondent
There is a strong correlation between economic development and re-engagement.
Inasmuch as we have abundant local resources, international investors are also expected to bring in some capital.
The economy simply refers to the management of national wealth and resources. It is built through policies that ensure the orderly and efficient use of the resources.
On the other hand, engagement is akin to pledging oneself to undertaking to fulfil one’s side of the bargain.
Re-engagement thus denotes the revival and revitalisation of relationships that seized to work to our advantage, for whatever reason, but are deemed critical in resuscitating the economy.
The state of the economy is predicated on both tangible and intangible heritage ranging from material resources such as land, minerals, rivers, forests, wildlife, flora and fauna; as well as spiritual, cultural and intellectual capital.
We need to cultivate enviable levels of spiritual and cultural intuition to enjoy the correct levels of intellectual capital and stamina in order to work on the economy, using the re-engagement as our flagship.
To begin with, we need to establish what it is that we seek from the outside world. We need to identify what we do not have internally.
If our belief and knowledge systems are borrowed, to what extent are we able to drive a truly Zimbabwean agenda?
If our belief and knowledge systems are original, and thus directly influenced by our spiritual, cultural and intellectual capital, to what extent are we able to shape our future using truly Zimbabwean lenses and resources?
But first things first.
Notwithstanding a past that cannot be wished away, we need to usher in a new perspective built around nationhood and cohesion amongst Zimbabweans.
We need to pay homage to our country as a united people, thus allowing for the establishment of a national agenda, national consensus and ultimately the national interest.
Every individual should therefore be driven by the desire to see national development.
They should be well grounded in matters that unite the nation.
Zimbabweans also need to remember the need to select leaders that are not selfish and corrupt.
It is commendable that Government is rallying support from Sadc countries, the AU and the UN as well as the EU, in a bid to have the debilitating sanctions lifted.
It is very unfortunate though, that while patriotic Zimbabweans are calling for the removal of the sanctions, some opposition political parties are seeking to have the screws tightened.
In my view, the unilateral imposition of sanctions against Zimbabwe is a crime against humanity.
We need to start building a future that tomorrow’s generations will be proud of.
The lack of credit lines and limited foreign direct investment can all be traced back to the economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe prides herself in her abundant natural resources and human capital.
And we are stronger believing in ourselves than believing in outsiders.
We need to be less dependent on nations that are poorer than us.
But while we have spoken extensively about the state of the economy and how the sanctions and climate change have been unkind to us, about how re-engagement could help us out, we have done little, if anything at all, to recognise the importance of our spiritual, cultural and intellectual capital. This can drive economic development in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s economy will be thriving again as soon as we throw into the dustbin tendencies of greed, selfishness, corruption, ignorance, factionalism, polarisation, entitlement, regionalism and impunity.
Once the original Zimbabwean is recreated, the Zimbabwean that is happy to host overnight a complete stranger under distress, one who is a fellow Zimbabwean, everyone will pay homage to Zimbabwe.
With re-engagement well on course, the economy will grow in accordance with the long-term interests of the nation.
United we succeed in all we do, and divided we fall.
Zimbabweans unite in building the economy and removing the economic sanctions.