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- Written by: Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo
- Category: Zimbabwe
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Fellow Zimbabweans, on the occasion of our 45th independence annnivesary {see Original Press statement}, we are forced to mark the day on our calendars with nothing to celebrate in our lives. As Zimbabwe African People’s Union (ZAPU), we are dismayed by the one-party state ideology that was ushered into our political environment by ZANU PF since 1980. This agenda has been perfected into insidious dictatorship laced with corruption of unimaginable proportions, looting of resources at the expense of ordinary citizens, gross human rights abuses, weaponisation of the judiciary, primitive regionalism and tribalism. Zimbabwe has been caught in a weak institutional and violent trap since independence. Our 2013 national constitution, which was supposed to guide the nation towards a progressive horizon is being decimated by dictatorship and the appetite for a one-party state.
The hard-won independence our forebears and heroes sacrificed for has remained devoid of freedom, rendering it such a bitter pill to swallow. Fellow compatriots, today we mark 45 years of rampant corruption, mediocrity, currency instability, eroded savings, poor service delivery, hospitals without medicine, a dying educational system, delapidated road infrastructure, unemployment, poor electricity supply, an overtaxed citizenry, nepotism and a poorly paid civil service. These socio-economic factors have weakened opposition and divided us as Zimbabweans, making it easier for the ZANU PF-led government to continue ravaging the country with impunity. To this end, ZAPU has made a clearly informed deduction, that engaging a dictatorship while fragmented makes no impact but gives the oppressor enough ammunition to continue manipulating the citizenry, perpetuating our suffering. We therefore call for the establishment of a united front in the fight to dislodge the ZANU PF regime.
Our people are tired of draconian laws brought forward from colonialism to be used to fight their constitutional rights. This is an act of self-ruin steming from the ZANU PF regime’s inability to understand the futility of dictatorship. Having witnessed the collapse of many post-independence administrations in Africa, due to dictatorship and its attendant corruption, we are shocked by the foolishness of the rogue regime in Harare. How they believe their rudimentay brand of dictatorship will not collapse would be laughable if it were not so tragic. While we pity the fools, we cannot ignore the humanitarian crisis their misrule has wrought on Zimbabwe. Even our environment, flora and fauna have equally suffered under the plunder of primitive mining methods, state sponsored poaching and land degradation. Construction of buildings on wetlands and polution of water bodies have gone unabated. Money laundering stations, hidden in plain sight in the form of fuel outlets, have sprouted everywhere in urban areas, without following any clear town planning models.
As ZAPU,we strongly believe that independence can only be meaningful when it is coupled with freedom. The arbitrary arrests and protracted remand imprisonment of dissenting voices goes against all the tenets of a democratic society. Even worse is the arrest and indefinite detention of journalists for simply doing their jobs. The ongoing incarceration of Blessed Mhlanga, a fearless journalist, is an abomination on our globally ridiculed pariah state. We strongly condemn the muzzling of journalists and such brazzen attacks on media freedoms adopted by the Windhoek Declaration. We believe in a democratic nation state that respects human rights and freedoms of all its diverse citizens without regard to race, tribe, religious beliefs, or social status. We also respect the rule of law and the fearless prosecution of any violations of the law without regard to political or economic status. Corruption from whatever quarter – public or private – must never be tolerated. Above all, there should be respect for the separation of powers, unlike our untenable situation whereby the President usurps the right to unilateraly close parliament, for power retention in the echo of growing calls for his impeachment.
In conclusion, we reiterate our clarion call for unity of purpose. As an organization we are totally committed to the change desired by Zimbabweans. The convergence of our objective and subjective views confirms that time for change has come. Everyone in Zimbabwe including erstwhile members of ZANU PF now demands true freedom. We have been in bondage for a long time due to a myriad of factors characterised by a political environment of fear, violence and intimidation. The ruling party has fortified its grip on power using state resources and capture of all state institutions. Elections continue to be marred by glaring evidence of rigging, gerrymandering and voter intimidation. These acts of malpractice are insulated by the abuse of our security sector to defend the ruling party instead of the people. On this occasion of our 45th independence anniversary, we call upon all patriotic and progressive stakeholders to a national dialogue platform that will discuss our current challenges and map the way forward. It is time for all opposition parties and citizens in general to unite and unshackle ourselves from dictatorship and economic ruin through total freedom and genuine devolution of power.
Thank you
Ngiyabonga
Ndinotenda.
Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo, ZAPU President
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- Written by: Richard Gandari
- Category: Zimbabwe
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ZAPU Initiative: Rural Schools Donations
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ZAPU is pleased to unveil its Bright Futures Donation Drive, a socially powered campaign aimed at raising funds for underprivileged children from rural schools in Zimbabwe. See the posters for details on how you can make a difference. |
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ZAPU is also appealing for donations towards Dignity Bags, a critically needed facility to give rural girls access to sanitary wear and basic personal hygiene products. Various donation channels have been opened. See the posters for details on how you can make a difference. |
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- Written by: Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo
- Category: Zimbabwe
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Dear state actors and fellow Zimbabweans
I trust you are all gripped with apprehension considering current political developments in our troubled nation. As ZAPU it is our collective position that there are several considerations that need to be made particularly by state actors and all who wield the levers of power.
There is still opportunity to prevent our country from sliding into violent chaos and complete anarchy. We have summarized and listed these considerations as follows:
- President Mnangagwa must seriously take note that no amount of force can resolve the crisis already existing in Zimbabwe. Instead, this will be adding petrol to fire instead of being sincere and bringing leadership with solutions to the plight of weary Zimbabweans.
- The state might lose its control over the people and affairs of the nation of Zimbabwe.
- The Executive, led by President Mnangagwa, must take off its foot from the pedal because they seem to be speeding towards a cliff where everyone especially civilians might fall off and perish. From our point of view, President Mnangagwa and his executive have failed to manage the nation’s affairs to keep citizens safe from economic triggered chaos. By doing so, the President and his cabinet have become a threat to the state’s stability and national security.
- No amount of violence or use of mercenary-like payments to police, army or youth will remedy this situation. Instead, find lasting solutions to this dog-eat-dog, cut-throat and jungle law circumstances you have put nation into. Arrest the rot and not innocent people or it’s over.
- While it might seem easier for you to use repression on the masses in Central Business Districts or towns without addressing underlying causes of the crises, the outcome might end up being worse than South Africa’s xenophobic attacks or the Rwandan Genocide. Out of fear and suspicion, people in the same farms, villages, streets and communities might become uncontrollable enough to kill each other.
- You might lose control over national security and drive the country into unimaginable chaos and unnecessary deaths. We demand constitutionally protected human security for all Zimbabweans now. No amount of heavy boots and guns can deliver such security for our people.
Patriotically,
Michael Sibangilizwe Nkomo, ZAPU President
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- Written by: Sakhile Sibanda, political and social analyst
- Category: Zimbabwe
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A Pragmatic Vision for Zimbabwe's Future
[DISCLAIMER: STRICTLY A DISCUSSION PAPER]
A Revitalized Ideology for ZAPU
Crafting a Governance Framework for Zimbabwe's Progress
Introduction
ZAPU must define a clear ideological path forward that directly addresses the core needs and expectations of the Zimbabwean people. This requires a pragmatic vision of a thriving society where every citizen benefits from accountable governance, efficient resource allocation, and the purposeful utilization of national wealth to improve the lives of all.
Context
While Zimbabwe once strived to eliminate racial inequalities and discrimination, the nation is now hindered by concentrated power and escalating inequalities driven by corruption and self-serving agendas. The promise of a just society has been undermined by mismanagement and oppressive measures used to maintain control.
Compounding these challenges are external forces seeking to exploit our resources and undermine our sovereignty.
Why the Fair Society Ideology?
The Fair Society ideology provides a framework to overcome current political dysfunction. It offers a revitalized vision of progress rooted in practical principles of equity, justice, and inclusive governance, drawing inspiration from the liberation movement's original goals.
It is crucial to recognize that true threats come from external actors seeking to exploit our national wealth. We must stand united, focusing on our shared Zimbabwean identity and building stronger communities, rather than allowing divisive politics to weaken our resolve.
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- Written by: Ruth Memeza Ncube, ZAPU Deputy Secretary General
- Category: Zimbabwe
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The Impact of Electronic Payments on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwean government's efforts to promote a cashless economy have led to the introduction of electronic payments. Granted, this move aims to increase transparency, reduce corruption, and improve tax collection, yet it has significant implications for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This article examines the effects of electronic payments on MSMEs and proposes solutions to support small businesses that will struggle to adapt. While the proposed measures are a step in the right direction, they are likely to worsen the already significant challenges faced by MSMEs across Zimbabwe.
The Government should conduct a thorough needs assessment to better understand the challenges faced by MSMEs. It is crucial to engage with MSME stakeholders, including business owners and industry associations, to gather feedback and insights on the proposed measures.
Effects of Electronic Payments on MSMEs
- MSMEs, particularly those in the informal sector, may not have the financial resources to invest in electronic payment systems, such as point-of-sale machines or mobile payment platforms. The costs of acquiring and maintaining these systems can be prohibitive.
- Small businesses that cannot afford to adopt electronic payment systems may struggle to compete with larger enterprises that have already made the transition.
- Many MSMEs in Zimbabwe rely on informal financial systems, such as mobile money or cash-based transactions. Electronic payments may exclude these businesses from the formal financial system, limiting their access to credit, loans, and other financial services.
- MSMEs may struggle to comply with the regulatory requirements associated with electronic payments, such as data protection and anti-money laundering regulations.
To mitigate the negative effects of electronic payments on MSMEs, the government can:
- Provide subsidies or grants to help MSMEs acquire and maintain electronic payment systems.
- Simplify the regulatory requirements associated with electronic payments, making it easier for MSMEs to comply.
- Work with financial institutions to increase access to financial services for MSMEs, including affordable credit and loans.
- Provide training and support to help MSMEs adapt to electronic payment systems and navigate the associated regulatory requirements.
- Implement electronic payments gradually, allowing MSMEs time to adapt and adjust to the new requirements.
The adoption of electronic payments has significant implications for MSMEs in Zimbabwe. While the move aims to promote a cashless economy, it may exacerbate existing challenges faced by small businesses. By providing support and subsidies, simplifying regulatory requirements, increasing access to financial services, and providing training and support, the Zimbabwean government can help MSMEs adapt to the new requirements and thrive in a cashless economy.
