Zim has enough arsenal to overturn sanctions The University of Zimbabwe boasts one of the biggest innovation hubs on the continent

Saxon Zvina
Correspondent

Zimbabwe has been under US and EU sanctions since the turn of the millennium. The real reason why the country was placed under sanctions by US is the land reform programme.

Zimbabwe was also placed under sanctions following its intervention in Operation Sovereign Legitimacy in the DRC where the US was sponsoring the destabilisation of that country through aiding Rwanda and Uganda who were behind the Banyamulenge rebels.

The EU imposed sanctions after Pierre Schori was expelled for trying to impose himself as the referee for the 2002 Presidential elections.

Zimbabwe’s economy was strangled as most of the country’s sectors were dependent on the Western capitals. The West withdrew aid and the likes of former US senator Chester Crocker openly stated that the only way to cause regime change in Zimbabwe was to make the economy scream so that the ordinary citizens would turn against the Government.

The sanctions failed to achieve their objective of regime change and this has been the case in other nations like Cuba, DPRK, Venezuela, Iran, Syria etc.

It is a fact that the sanctions have failed to achieve their objectives — that of changing regimes — since the 1960s. They have in actual fact bolstered a sense of national development and patriotism in other nations like Iran and Cuba.

Zimbabwe needs to triumph against this evil scotched-earth policy, which has been deployed by the West to strangle smaller nations.

The country should anchor its sanction defeating strategy on key sectors such as agriculture, mining, science and technology, education and tourism.

We need to take a cue from Cuba which has been under sanctions, but when Western capitals were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, that country deployed its competent doctors in nations like Italy and Spain much to the chagrin of the US.

Zimbabwe needs to ensure food security by investing in agriculture. The country has 11 rivers that never dry up and these can be used to roll out irrigation programmes throughout the year in a sustainable manner.

New dams that are being constructed can also be used for irrigation to enhance food security. Programmes like conservative agriculture (Pfumvudza) should be enhanced and made to compliment Smart Agriculture, formerly Command Agriculture.

We need to restore the country’s bread-basket status, which we lost as a result of sanctions and persistent droughts we were subjected to.

Rearing of cattle, goats, sheep and pig programmes need to be spearheaded. Markets for these products are plenty as most people now prefer organic foods as compared to genetically modified organisms.

Tobacco farmers have surpassed records set by white former farmers. This proves that our own farmers have the capacity to generate force for this nation so long they are supported.

The recent improvements in wheat farming are a clear indication that Zimbabwe has the capacity to turn around its fortunes despite being under sanctions.

The reduction in the importation of food will go a long way in resuscitating the nation’s economy.

The recent land audit should also be used to ensure that those who shall get the land have the capacity to produce and feed the nation. The use-it-or-lose-it concept will go a long way in ensuring food security as serious people and those keen on farming will take up farming.

Banks should also finance agricultural based projects and we must not import food again. The only way to reduce the impact of sanctions is self-sustenance and reducing imports.

Zimbabwe has about 60 minerals of economic value. Given our geographical size we might be amongst the top five nations which have a higher mineral density in the world after DRC which has over 90 minerals of economic value and ranked the best in the world.

Zimbabwe has the third largest platinum reserves, fifth largest lithium reserves, and second largest chrome reserves etc. We have kimberlite diamonds which are still untapped. The nation recently discovered oil in the Zambezi Valley which is being explored by Invictus.

Zimbabwe needs to tap into its rich mineral reserve to triumph against sanctions. The country has gold in all its districts. Gold is now the store of value as most nations are moving away from the United States dollar given the way global politics is playing out. The world is no longer unipolar but multipolar.

We need to move towards mineral beneficiating processes to realise full value of our mineral wealth.

Nickel concentrates were exported but the gold contained within wasn’t paid for thus the nation lost plenty of money through lack of processing minerals locally.

The small-scale mining sector needs to be supported and mechanisms put in place to plug leakages so that most gold ends up at Fidelity, and other minerals accounted for at MMCZ. These proceeds must be used for developing source areas given that their environment was damaged thus needing reclamation.

The advent of electric cars should be a blessing to Zimbabwe as the demand for key minerals like lithium and copper shall surge.

Zimbabwe possesses such minerals in abundance.

The nation also possesses some of the raw earth minerals, which are key in semi-conductor businesses. The digital era presents Zimbabwe with a lucrative business opportunity.

The coming on board of Alrosa and Anjin in the diamond sector shall ensure the proper selling of our diamonds thus bringing much needed forex.

Coal reserves dotted around the nation must be explored as the country moves towards being a net exporter of power which is the key driver of each and every economy. Locals should secure mining claims as the process is one way of empowering generations.

The rich minerals the nation possesses remains the reason why white former farmers were angered by the land reform. Minerals are why we were placed under sanctions as the land reform exposed the illegal mining activities which the former farmers were carrying out.

Empowering locals is a sure way of triumphing over sanctions as they will invest their profits locally.

Our education sector can also play a critical role in reviving our economy and triumphing over sanctions. There is need to implement a national projects programme whereby all tertiary level students are compelled to write a national project which will be implemented for the benefit of the nation. The national projects concept will complement the innovation hubs that are being rolled out.

Zimbabwe needs to implement projects crafted locally and not rely on foreign inspired ones as they may not be ideal for our environment. There is also need to inculcate a culture of volunteering within our tertiary students to deal with skills redundancy problem. This will expose our graduates to the practical side of things. Most lack the practical aspect and innovative mindset.

China and India focused on decolonising their graduates and are poised to lead the world economically. Zimbabwe can do this as we have a high literacy rate, which must be used to bring about sustainable development that benefits the nation.

Our tourist destinations must be promoted.

Tourism, being a perception based sector, must be promoted through a positive image of the nation.

The enactment of the Cyber and Patriot Act will ensure that people promote their nation. Our tourism sector was battered as a result of negative news peddled by locals. The Cyber Act shall curtail spreading of news meant to tarnish the image of the nation. Our local cultures must also be promoted.

We should engage nations that respect us as a sovereign country. These must be given first preference as they are all-weather friends who can promote our quest to defeat the sanctions.

The current projects being undertaken by the Second Republic should be applauded as they are being done under a sanctioned environment.

Everyone must play his or her part in ensuring that we attain the upper middle income status before 2030 as we have the capacity to do so.

Saxon Zvina writes in his own capacity and can be contacted @ [email protected] /Twitter:saxonzvina2

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