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They certainly could not have ignored this lucrative market forever.
Each time I hear of any airline relaunching flights into and out of Zimbabwe I get so excited from the fact that the world has begun to realise that there is more to Zimbabwe than the half-truths and falsehoods peddled internationally about doing business here. However, in most instances the balloon of excitement is quickly deflated by the fact that our very own airline is grounded. The “tradition of caring” is a catchline that now sounds quite hollow.
All we see now in the hangar are shells of planes with the Zimbabwe flag, telling the story of an airline that once was. Its planes have lost their wings both literally and metaphorically over the past decade or so. This sad story needs to be changed.
Nothing good has come out of Air Zimbabwe for a long time and who would blame the other airlines now capitalising on a vibrant travel market. The fact that South African Airways has had to increase its daily flights to and from Johannesburg to four should tell you the potential in this market.
Air Zimbabwe could have been enjoying a significant portion of this market were things handled differently.
I have watched Government ministers and other officials smiling widely as they officially launch the take-off of one airline after the other and I have often wondered what goes through their minds as they do so, at a time Air Zimbabwe can only do the Harare-Bulawayo route?
The Harare-London or at least Harare-Johannesburg route has either become too long or too risky for an airline that was a champion in the skies not too long ago.
Not that the country should not celebrate the arrival of foreign airlines that have now included Zimbabwe as part of their travel network, but would it not be better if our own airline was also flying alongside these?
But the question that beckons is that with all this activity in our airspace, what is Government and other stakeholders planning for Air Zimbabwe? Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche or Air Zimbabwe board seem to have been overwhelmed by the situation. Are they working on something behind the scenes with the intention of just pulling a surprise on us one day soon? Do they consider Air Zimbabwe dead and buried? What hope is there for the national carrier?
The media has written acres and acres of articles on Air Zimbabwe but the powers-that-be seem unperturbed.
What exactly is required to see the airline back in the skies? Who is not doing what is required of them to resuscitate the airline? What are the major problems that have afflicted the airline over the years and how can they be resolved?
Only last week we carried a story that the International Air Transport Association had suspended Air Zimbabwe for failing to comply with global safety standards.
A grace period of up to November 30 has been given before the airline is banned from using international airports and airspace. It has failed to carry out a safety audit over the past six months.
“When the auditors came, there was no one (in the office) and nothing (planes) to audit,” Air Zimbabwe chief executive Innocent Mavhunga was quoted as saying in June.
Must the drama come to this?
Minister Goche has admitted that presently potential partners are shunning the airline due to its bad image and a poor debt position.
“That is what we are doing (searching for a partner), but it is difficult mainly because of the bad balance sheet and bad image.
“We are busy trying to correct the problems.”
Minister Sir, time is running out for Air Zimbabwe and it will take years before it recovers its lost market and maintaining the status quo a day longer will not be helpful at all.
What must be done needs to be done with haste. Time for strategic documents and endless but fruitless meetings is long gone.
If Government is taking over the debts, let this be done as soon as yesterday in a manner that will progressively bring the airline back to life. It’s been in the intensive care for too long and the tanks are running out of oxygen.
If we have experts and fundis out there, let’s share on how we can have the national carrier back in the skies. Let’s have emails rolling so that we can do the best we can for posterity sake.
In a few months we will be hosting the UNWTO General Assembly and we hope we will be telling a different story about the national airline.
My instalment a fortnight ago elicited a lot of interest and debate, particularly on the role  the church and men of God can play in              reviving the economy.
Below are some of the emails I received on the subject:
Wrote Alfred Chikosha:
Thank you so much for the exciting and encouraging piece of journalism. That’s good stuff, madam. You are the kind of journalist our highly polarised media needs. I am particularly impressed with your acknowledgement of the grace upon Prophet Makandiwa and your advice to politicians to take it upon themselves to start acknowledging the role of such spiritual leaders in shaping our nation because nothing is carnally determined in this world.
Most of your articles are so encouraging to the nation only if people could heed your advice. Detractors and sons of Belial will always be there, so do not be deterred.
Continue to acknowledge the man of God and you will remain a cut above the rest. Remember Matthew 10v41 and 2 Chronicles 20v20.
Dai mamwe mareporters adzidzawo kwamuri nyika ino yaitransformer faster because the media has power to kill or transform a nation. Stay blessed.
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Isaac Limbikani wrote:
Thank you for the article you wrote on  September 20, 2012. I think this is the area that we as Zimbabweans need to embrace as other countries do. God’s word is not being practised properly in our country. We are very good at hearing but poor in the implementation part of the story. The prophecies have been given, aired on TV, newspapers, Facebook, Google and many more. However, little heed has been given to such words which protrude from the mind of God towards His people. We have a big problem of waiting for somebody from somewhere to come and exploit the same resources. If it had been a prophecy of a certain shortage of a certain commodity you would see queues of people in outlets. We are perfect in spending and very poor in gathering. This is the time we should see queues of people registering for mining licences. When will we begin to take the risk?
More still needs to be done in developing our mentality otherwise we will be deceiving ourselves. Such forensic prophecies need people with action.
The same problem occurs in our education sector. It has produced the best think tanks and gurus but these gurus are waiting for someone to turn their fortunes. It pains me so much. When will we begin to act with what we have. I have resolved not to further any education until I put the little I have into practice. It’s high time we begin to conceive our dreams and come up with the fruits of our minds and hands.
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Edwin Tembedza had this to say:
Your article in the The Herald of September 20 made very interesting reading. I do not doubt prophecies neither do I despise prophets as long as all are in line with God’s word and satisfy Isaiah 8:20. However, I have two points I need to remind or bring to your attention, viz:
1) The entire Gospel tells us that one day this world will pass away when the Majestic Lord rises to judge the world. Jesus foretold the signs of the end and among those signs there is no prosperity to the children of God but rather the “world” would be eating and drinking. Jeremiah 14:13, also gives us a panoramic view of what would be happening in the times of the end.
Having said that, it is wrong to entice “prophets” to prophesy on economic issues and give guidance as they will be tempted to speak juicy news to world leaders yet 2 Timothy 3: 1-2 tells us of perilous times. Let’s rest in the blessed promise of John 14: 1-3 that Jesus is preparing mansions to come and take us home.
2) I liked the last phrase “In God I trust”. The Lord Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9, Our Father who art in heaven. All children of God should be proud of their home which is heaven. We can’t play second fiddle to all our countrymen from Masvingo who when a fellow talks about gwa, they call him wezhira. The identifying marks of all the children of God is doing His Will.
I hope I did not challenge you my sister but just wanted to share.
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Edmore Masenga said:
Thank you so much for today’s article: “The Zimbabwe we want!” Surely, God cannot do anything on earth unless He reveals it to His servants the prophets. Zimbabwe is what it is today because of Prophet Makandiwa.
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Another had this to say:
My name is Peter Hwengwere and I usually read your articles in the paper ,I found them to be interesting especially “The Zimbabwe we want”. I agree with you my sister and the Man of God Prophet Makandiwa on the future of this country.
I thank God for raising such a generation, The sons of Issachar, people who understand spiritual times,who hear from God.
Continue  the good work of speaking positive about Zimbabwe. I believe words can build a country or destroy it.
In 2008 people turned to God and prayed for the healing of our great nation. Let’s continue to encourage Zimbabweans to pray, we should not forget God after we get to the Promised Land. God warned the Israelites against  forgetting Him and follow other gods.
“If you believe and believe and together we pray, the holy spirit will come down and Zimbabwe shall be saved!”
Zimbabwe is destined for prosperity!
Keep well
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Said Zondi Kumwenda:
I have been thoroughly impressed by your article today and especially for bringing the Man of God to the forefront and as a very important person in the whole mix. Indeed the country needs to be aware of this and people like you who were given a gift of using your pen who can continue to push forward a Godly agenda in this nation.
Well done and may the God our Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa greatly bless you?

In God I Trust
Feedback:victoria,[email protected]