Major stakeholders in our quest to rebuild Zim are the citizens

Rescuing this nation requires commitment, dedication and discipline and thus the need for Zimbabweans to enter this new era with a self-reliance mentality in order to fully realise the opportunities that are coming.

THE change in leadership which seemed long overdue has ushered in a new era pregnant with endless possibilities. President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inaugural speech last Friday set the tone for the monumental task of rebuilding Zimbabwe that lies ahead.

However, as the nation picks itself up in preparation to embark on a long and unpredictable rebuilding journey, it is imperative that an all-hands on the deck approach be adopted if genuine transformation is to be realised.

The major stakeholder in this quest is the citizen. Both immediate and long-term solutions to be implemented must be born out of dialogue between the leadership and citizens.

Even though the President spoke about everything people wanted to hear, from strengthening pillars of democracy, creation of jobs (jobs, jobs, jobs), growing the economy and provision of various social services, it should be known from onset that the new government will not be able to bring about the anticipated results on its own. It is only through the contribution of each individual to this economy that the much awaited Zimbabwean dream will become a reality.

Rescuing this nation requires commitment, dedication and discipline and thus the need for Zimbabweans to enter this new era with a self-reliance mentality in order to fully realise the opportunities that are coming.

However, there must be a launch point to this journey. Where do we start? Firstly, Zimbabwe must develop a culture of separating economic and developmental issues from the antagonistic and toxic political affairs.

This has been the greatest undoing of the previous administration.

This made noble economic policies meaningless. Secondly, there is need to draft and implement a short-term economic policy as soon as possible.

The aim of this “cardiopulmonary resuscitation” programme should be to address micro-economic stability.

The informal sector, a self-made backbone that has sustained the livelihood of millions unemployed people, must be immediately given a shot in the arm. Conditions necessary for new business to thrive should be created immediately. The economy will heavily depend on start-ups and entrepreneurs with a drive to create global giants like Google, Uber, Apple and Microsoft.

Thirdly, in his address, President Mnangagwa reiterated the importance of creating gateways for foreign direct investment.

The country has a bad reputation with investors. Many felt it was too risky to invest in Zimbabwe.

A combination of corruption and other unethical behaviours drove away potential investment leading to billions going under the bridge.

The new administration needs to address the high risk perception associated with the country to create a better business environment that attracts foreign investment.

This includes guaranteeing investment security and offering incentives to investors. Above all, both domestic and foreign investment policies need to be revisited immediately, aligning the two in line with the economic recovery agenda. The market has to be liberalised and Zimbabwe must aim to become a global epicentre of international trade.

The internet alone has turned the world into one global market. Zimbabwe can borrow lessons from this, and give access to all legitimate explorers and prospectors alike.

This is of paramount importance if Zimbabwe is to experience the desperately needed jump-starter shift.

Fourth, there is need to look into taxation rates, government-related expenditure and operational regulations, that is redrafting all these to create room for economic players to participate and offering them lucrative bargains that boost infrastructure development and employment creation. The rules must be lenient but not loopholed as to leave room for looting. Then there is infrastructure, a key economic growth enabler.

Economic growth on outdated infrastructure will definitely be slow.

Doors must be opened for public-private partnerships to support this cash-strapped Government in areas of infrastructure development.