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Vandudzai Zirebwa Buy Zimbabwe
AFTER months of being trapped in endless political campaigning and bickering all indications now point to a country which is shifting its focus to key economic concerns. Business conferences that had disappeared and replaced by rallies are now back in the fold. Economic analysts who had either been totally swept by the political tide or converted into pseudo politicians are now frantically trying to regain their space by coming up with endless dossiers on possible economic scenarios.
The business community has also begun to speak more of its commitment to realising a better Zimbabwe with Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries, Bankers Association of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe all issuing Press statements to that effect this past week alone.

The media too seems to have realised the futility of throwing caution to the wind and are fast retracing their steps in terms on how they package and present stories. Suddenly we no longer have screaming headlines that carry more sensation than substance.
Instead, measured editorials and a call to economically develop Zimbabwe have become dominant.

To cap it all important policy interventions are now being made even before the swearing in of legislators and the announcement of a new Cabinet.
The Chisumbanje ethanol plant which had been caught up in political mudslinging that characterised the inclusive Government has now been licensed and close to 4 000 direct employees are reported to be back at work.

Discussions also seem to be in full swing to ensure that New Zimsteel is reopened so that the people of Kwekwe and Redcliff as well as a number of factories, whose life depended on the company, have a new lease of life.

Zimbabweans also appear to be anxious over any further delay in announcing the new Cabinet.
Most hope the courts will not plunge us back into politics but will close the electoral season and ensure that our country moves forward and is ready to do business once again.

This all is as it should be and is a sign that Zimbabwe is now set on a firm path to economic recovery.
However, in all this excitement and drive to move forward we need to take stock of where we are and to appreciate the need to prioritise sectors that will                        jump-start our economy.

In his speech during the just ended Heroes’ Day commemorations President Mugabe repeated his call for the mining sector to lead in the economic revival of Zimbabwe.

He emphasised that the sector, which currently contributes over 50 percent of exports,at a time imports are dominating our economy, must be supported.
Mining has also been on a steady recovery path coupled with the discovery of new minerals such as diamonds that has resulted in Zimbabwe taking its place among the top most resource-endowed nations in the world.

Many though believe the growth in mining is still limited and falls behind countries such as Zambia and Mozambique.
In these countries, which for decades were much worse off economically than Zimbabwe, mining has seen a series of new downstream and upstream linkages such refineries, new infrastructural projects such as rail, road and sea ports coming up and new capital cascading to areas such as agriculture where progress is noticeable.

Of course, the effects of sanctions have played a role in our failure to be as competitive but it also appears the lack of a common vision and understanding on issues necessary to take the sector forward have had their fair share in stagnating our growth.

Most recently delegates were left baffled at the Chamber of Mines annual general meeting as mining executives and Government officials came close to blows over disagreements pertaining to grades of mining ores that exist in the country.

While experts presented figures that suggested that Zimbabwe had such and such grades, some Government officials were furious at what they perceived to be an attempt to present arguments that would lead to a particular conclusion.

Even more recently a National Economic Consultative meeting was left in a state of confusion when told that while most countries around the world including the Democratic Republic of Congo, had installed advanced information technologies to trace their mineral resources, allocation of licences and assessment of utilisation among others, our system was still by and large manual.

Buy Zimbabwe takes note of the President’s call but is concerned that unless various stakeholders that include policymakers, mining industry executives, manufacturing sector, service sector and industry come together to forge a common vision and approach, our country will continue carrying so much potential and failing to unlock opportunities.

Inasmuch as there is a general acceptance that mining can play a critical and strategic role in alleviating poverty in our country and creating wealth and jobs, without a full appreciation of the opportunities, challenges and obstacles that are faced by the industry we are unlikely to reap full rewards.

Issues that face and confront the mining sector need to be thoroughly understood and dissected to ensure that all interventions taken are not piecemeal but result in clear, measurable and impactful transformation. This can only happen if there is united action.

Inasmuch as the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme has been cited as a major deterrent to the growth of the mining sector, discussions with leading gurus in mining will reveal this to be false. Of major importance is the need to agree on facts that are beyond dispute. Issues such as the true value and potential of our mining should really be ones that a task force composed of both Government representatives and private sector players can clear in a short space of time.

From such an understanding it must be then easy for the two parties to agree on appropriate taxes and royalties that ensure that the sector continues to grow.
As it is, the industry argues that present royalties are too prohibitive and run the real risk of our minerals being sterilised and our country losing more than it is gaining through taxes.

Then, of course,we have Africa’s biggest concern over miners seeming reluctance to set up upstream linkages mostly in the form of refineries that not only result in more export revenues but ensure that that secondary industries are created.

For Zimbabwe, this argument has been heard ad infinitum. Strangely, public pronouncements by both industry and miners suggest there is very little dis- agreement. Yet practical application is at best hazy.

The same applies to the popular but still misunderstood and misinterpreted support by industry for local suppliers.
In this case, most miners claim to support local suppliers. In reality there are a few exceptions, most not-ably Mimosa Mining and Zimplats.

The import of this discussion is that the President’s clarion call is an important one. However, for us to move beyond the discussion on indigenisation whose momentum is now in full swing we need to examine ways and means of forging a common vision among stakeholders with an interest in mining.

Matters on the agenda are diverse and perhaps complex but with the acceptance that we all have role to play in changing fortunes of our country for the better, we surely can succeed.

That in turn requires proper appreciation of what it takes to grow this industry. Hopefully, the mining policy that was extensively discussed prior to the elections will seek to clarify a number of these issues.

Of course, there remains no substitute for regular dialogue between the mining industry and policymakers in particular.
Buy Zimbabwe is certain to play its part in ensuring that these discussions take place and are acted on.

Once again we remind all that Buying Zimbabwe begins with an acceptance that together we can make this country great.
To all those who perished on our roads during the Heroes holiday may your souls rest in peace.

To those that made it, work, live and play safe because Zero Harm is very possible on our roads, at work and all places of interaction.
God bless.

Email: [email protected]; cell 00 263 773 751 878