Zimbabwean sanctions must end and Bob should do children's parties

While cabinet posts are being allocated and the constitutional amendments prepared, two additional issues of critical importance come to mind. The end of sanctions allied to whatever investment (is there anything left out there after the Lehman implosion?) can be made available and the rebuilding of the Zanu-PF as a credible party.

I do not agree with the EU and USA on a wait-and-see approach for a number of reasons; the situation is too dire to allow for this, it will impede the progress being made and put a brake on the momentum being achieved by the deal. Nor am I in agreement with the view put forward in the Mail & Guardian’s headline article covering Zimbabwe’s projected recovery:

Zim economic revival could take years

As the article says a lot will depend on the assistance from abroad.

Unlike those who are predicting doom and gloom for Zimbabwe, I believe that the country will bounce back and a lot sooner than people are predicting. Crucial to this has to be the ending of sanctions and whatever investment has been earmarked for them, but held back pending resolution of the political impasse, being made available immediately. While the country will undergo a transitional period with all its attendant mistakes and mishaps, a snowball-like momentum will gather pace as soon as people start showing faith.

Vital to the success of this “joint venture” has to be tangible improvement on the ground in terms of political stability, law and order, the economy and social upliftment. Without international and local assistance this might well fail where support could occasion a relatively speedy return to stability and later prosperity.

A prosperous Zimbabwe will lift the entire region and provide a boost for Southern Africa where up to now it has been a drain on the local economies as well as the source of much political instability. If countries in the region weigh up what it cost to prop up Zimbabwe and the benefit in assisting her recovery then it will make financial sense to jump in immediately.

What, for example, would South Africa save if just half of the exiles found it safe to return home? How much weight would this take off our poorer communities? We’ve seen the figures and a recovering Zimbabwe will be like winning the Lotto for South Africa.

In addition to investment it is crucial to the well-being of Zimbabwe that the Zanu-PF reverse the politics of survival and put together a set of mainstream policies, which will enable it to contest the elections as a credible alternative. At present they are the authors of the meltdown which has brought the country to its knees. With the advent of the power-sharing deal and the opportunity it brings to change course, they must set out to prove that not only are they back but have a better product for Zimbabwe than the MDC.

In terms of the election, the date of which will be set in 18 months time, this will give Zimbabweans real choice and afford all parties the opportunity to go out and canvas support with confidence rather than force. If the Zanu-PF is still playing the part of spoilers they will retard the progress of their party and the country.

As the world witnessed one of President Mugabe’s hysterical, in every sense of the word, tirades yesterday it must have dawned on the Zanu-PF that while the president has served the party for many years, the future has to be without him. He has had a long innings and it’s time to say goodbye and usher in a new and dynamic leadership. This is in the interests of the party, the MDC and the country as it seeks to re-establish its credibility and stability.

While I am acutely aware of the critics’ suggestions that the army in the hands of Mugabe is a recipe for disaster, I firmly believe that as more and more stability returns the army will become less and less of an issue. At present it guards an elitism which will become unnecessary if goodwill returns as the economy starts to restore itself.

Sanctions and doomsayers could occasion the exact opposite and a return to survival politics.

Regardless of the allocation of those cabinet seats and all the other political posturing we are about to witness, Zimbabweans know that the time has come to get back to business. The planet which has stood back powerless in the face of the meltdown of that country must now roll the dice in favour of this positive opportunity. The region has much to gain and very little to lose if they get this right.

By the way if anyone is going up to Harare, perhaps they might find out if the president does children’s parties and Bar Mitzvahs. The look on Morgan Tsvangirai’s face when Mugabe started lambasting the British beats anything Peter Kaye, Jeremy Clarkson and Seinfeld could have come up with.

Classic!