Mr President

GOOD day President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Your Excellency, as you are quite aware, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) symbolises the antiquity of State-owned public institutions. It is grounded, rundown and gathering dust and rust.

It has been reduced to a shell. It faces a daunting task to be able to return to its former glory. It is a dilapidated version of the one inherited at independence. Sorely missed is the rail network that used to be the pride of the nation.

Nostalgia haunts me as I reminisce about the convenience that we were accustomed to. It ran intercity services admirably, contributing positively to the economy.

Together with the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company, they had a reputation for reliability. My generation used to tell time not by looking at the wrist watch, but by the routines of trains and Zupco buses as they punctually plied their routes.

Your Excellency, your appointment of Tshinga Dube to the NRZ board on a threeyear contract does not inspire confidence.

As I see it, it accentuates your ineptitude and dearth of conceptual skills requisite for efficient management of State affairs.

It is standard procedure in appointments to judiciously match the competencies of the prospective appointee with the complexities of the job.

Essentially, NRZ is in dire need of insightful leadership. An octogenarian does not have a place in an organisation that is crying out for revival.

Considering the need for the modernisation of the railways, it is imperative that all board members ought to be acutely insightful.

Board members must of necessity be well acquainted with the latest technology like bullet trains. It boggles the mind that you appointed an ageing board