Zimbabwe: Inch Allah is not enough!
Living in a ghost city. That’s what you can experience in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. Affected by the air of nostalgic and visible relents of a recent glorious past, you will still be struck by an astonishingly beautiful city, but everywhere you turn, you can feel an expectation, as if life slowed down to resume one fine day, Inch Allah! Embassies have decreased in staff and luster, multinationals have fled out of the country when It all started.
1999. The beginning of the (end?) biggest leadership fuck-up in recent African history. The then 74 years old chief commander of the army forces, the police, the judiciary corps, chancellor of all universities, first sportsman, ruling party leader and head of state, facing an unexpected opposition decided to start a economic reform that meant nothing else than expropriating the main actors of Zimbabwe agriculture and key contributors of the economy. The reason invoked was a better social fairness and equality, but it was implemented as a massive and organized xenophobic movement that resulted in key segments of the economy being destroyed.
Facing criticism from the international community, dear bobby (nickname of the president) fought back by launching an anti-imperialist ideological movement targeting western European countries. As expected, the new land and business owners, merely illiterate and trained could not sustain the production, causing an economic collapse of a flourishing country.
All macro indicators went red. Inflation soared up to 1000%, beating the world record in peace time; legions of companies, investors and Zimbabweans fled abroad. The main sources of income abruptly dried up: once second world producer of tobacco, the country saw its production drastically drop. Tourism, the second income generating industry dropped from 3 millions to only 300,000 per year. Water supply became erratic. Unemployment exploded to 75%. For a total population of 12 millions sadza (national staple food) eaters, Zimbabwe has a Diaspora evaluated at 5 millions. Every year thousands of students fly abroad, legally or illegally.
Education had to suffer from massive cutbacks, jeopardizing the future of the nation. In the main university, 15000 students share an internet lab of 20 PC. Following some estimates, out of 2000 students going to study in South Africa, only 100 come back. HIV AIDS stroke mercilessly, affecting 17% of the population and 39% of the active population.
But the leader’s anti-imperialist propaganda goes on TV, where all evening programs are interrupted for short videos of the leader appealing the nation to unite against western imperialism are broadcasted. The population has no option be to accept it. Elections usually have more votes counted than voters. Within the ruling party, no free discussion is authorized. Last year the 83 years old president said people were free to think about succession scenarios. Six governors and several other party officials called a meeting to reflect on the future of the party. They were all sacked by the same head of state.
Where will change happen? Disillusioned, the youths apparently loose everyday their willingness and capacity to bring in a change. The former National President AIESEC in Zimbabwe decided not to organize elections to remain at a position he could not assume for availability and competence reasons. He refused to abide by basic knowledge management rules, too happy to be called “the database of AIESEC”. Whatever members or executives wanted has to pass through him. I’ve met a member who could not go to an internship in India, fully paid by the World Bank, because the almighty MCP was not available to sign his acceptance note. I.T items and funds transferred by AIESEC International or donated by local partners are reported missing. Apparently students are frequently accused of such practices, and ethical behavior is not common place within the youth.
Zimbabwean citizens feel their country is being held hostage, and eagerly expect 2010’s elections hoping the current head of state will not run for another mandate that will give him more than 30 years of presidency. A very prominent bishop in Harare even prays repeatedly, every Sunday, for the president to pass away. Everybody knows the story, including the president, who once replied publicly “Praying for my death is of no use, only God decides!”
Inch Allah! That’s the answer. As someone put it, everything depends on God! No use to go and vote. God is the only and true voter. He only will one day relieve the country from the tyrant. For AIESEC in Zimbabwe, Inch Allah was just not enough, as a new generation of leaders rose and took over the management of the country, persuaded it is in hard times that true leadership arises, as the Rockefellers, Ford and others have proven. Conscious of the crucial role they have to play in Zimbabwe, they created a long term plan to enable quality and quantity leadership generation in the country.
They are called Paul, Jalasi, Munya and Tatenda.
Inch Allah is not enough. It is up to you.
Just make it happen, guys!
1999. The beginning of the (end?) biggest leadership fuck-up in recent African history. The then 74 years old chief commander of the army forces, the police, the judiciary corps, chancellor of all universities, first sportsman, ruling party leader and head of state, facing an unexpected opposition decided to start a economic reform that meant nothing else than expropriating the main actors of Zimbabwe agriculture and key contributors of the economy. The reason invoked was a better social fairness and equality, but it was implemented as a massive and organized xenophobic movement that resulted in key segments of the economy being destroyed.
Facing criticism from the international community, dear bobby (nickname of the president) fought back by launching an anti-imperialist ideological movement targeting western European countries. As expected, the new land and business owners, merely illiterate and trained could not sustain the production, causing an economic collapse of a flourishing country.
All macro indicators went red. Inflation soared up to 1000%, beating the world record in peace time; legions of companies, investors and Zimbabweans fled abroad. The main sources of income abruptly dried up: once second world producer of tobacco, the country saw its production drastically drop. Tourism, the second income generating industry dropped from 3 millions to only 300,000 per year. Water supply became erratic. Unemployment exploded to 75%. For a total population of 12 millions sadza (national staple food) eaters, Zimbabwe has a Diaspora evaluated at 5 millions. Every year thousands of students fly abroad, legally or illegally.
Education had to suffer from massive cutbacks, jeopardizing the future of the nation. In the main university, 15000 students share an internet lab of 20 PC. Following some estimates, out of 2000 students going to study in South Africa, only 100 come back. HIV AIDS stroke mercilessly, affecting 17% of the population and 39% of the active population.
But the leader’s anti-imperialist propaganda goes on TV, where all evening programs are interrupted for short videos of the leader appealing the nation to unite against western imperialism are broadcasted. The population has no option be to accept it. Elections usually have more votes counted than voters. Within the ruling party, no free discussion is authorized. Last year the 83 years old president said people were free to think about succession scenarios. Six governors and several other party officials called a meeting to reflect on the future of the party. They were all sacked by the same head of state.
Where will change happen? Disillusioned, the youths apparently loose everyday their willingness and capacity to bring in a change. The former National President AIESEC in Zimbabwe decided not to organize elections to remain at a position he could not assume for availability and competence reasons. He refused to abide by basic knowledge management rules, too happy to be called “the database of AIESEC”. Whatever members or executives wanted has to pass through him. I’ve met a member who could not go to an internship in India, fully paid by the World Bank, because the almighty MCP was not available to sign his acceptance note. I.T items and funds transferred by AIESEC International or donated by local partners are reported missing. Apparently students are frequently accused of such practices, and ethical behavior is not common place within the youth.
Zimbabwean citizens feel their country is being held hostage, and eagerly expect 2010’s elections hoping the current head of state will not run for another mandate that will give him more than 30 years of presidency. A very prominent bishop in Harare even prays repeatedly, every Sunday, for the president to pass away. Everybody knows the story, including the president, who once replied publicly “Praying for my death is of no use, only God decides!”
Inch Allah! That’s the answer. As someone put it, everything depends on God! No use to go and vote. God is the only and true voter. He only will one day relieve the country from the tyrant. For AIESEC in Zimbabwe, Inch Allah was just not enough, as a new generation of leaders rose and took over the management of the country, persuaded it is in hard times that true leadership arises, as the Rockefellers, Ford and others have proven. Conscious of the crucial role they have to play in Zimbabwe, they created a long term plan to enable quality and quantity leadership generation in the country.
They are called Paul, Jalasi, Munya and Tatenda.
Inch Allah is not enough. It is up to you.
Just make it happen, guys!
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home