The Sunday Mail
THE English idiom “sweeping dirt under the carpet” means to conceal something that is embarrassing that you don’t want other people to know about. It is like someone who lifts the corner of a rug and sweep dirt there simply because they are either too lazy or out of time to do the right thing.
And it is arguable that this aptly describes the local business environment. There is a lot of dirt that is being swept under the carpet and now the stink is coming out in the open.
Company closures and job losses are now the topic of the day. The cause of such happenings is certainly too much dirt that was swept under the carpet.
There are no short cuts in business. If one is not competent to run a business and does not have integrity to run a company, the company will surely collapse.
In Zimbabwe most companies are collapsing due to corruption and poor decision making. Strategies that worked in 1985 may not work in 2015.
A fortnight ago there was a worrying news clip on ZBC where a certain councillor claimed that he was entitled to purchase a US$70 000 vehicle even at a time when the council is struggling to find its financial footing.
Honestly, how do we progress if we have such kind of management? How can one prioritise personal gain instead of service delivery?
Far from being selfless and showing servant leadership, this clearly shows an attitude that is inimical to business development.
It is one of the major challenges facing the country today. But for how long will we continue to sweep issues under the rug?
This dirt may affect generations to come. It is time that we have to realise that as a nation, our economic circumstances are not where there are ideally supposed to be and we do not have the luxury of splurging on unnecessary expenditure.
Regardless of individual status, the current state of the economy does not warrant a flamboyant lifestyle, especially using public funds. Some locals are so used to the high life to the extent that for them adjusting is a tough thing to do.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in chief executive officers, managing directors and even ministers driving low-cost cars that consume relatively less fuel.
Luxuries have to be cut when times are hard.
With more than 13 million people and vast natural resources, it means the country’s natural resources per capita is very high.
There is, however, crucial need to sort out the inequalities in the distribution of wealth.
It is really unfair for one person to help himself or herself to resources that can benefit many people. The mega salaries saga, which at one time dominated news headlines, is another issue that seems to have been swept under the carpet.
There are executives that are still earning more than the capped US$6 000. While we have a lot of millionaires in Zimbabwe, there are a lot more people who struggle to make a dollar per day.
Poverty seems to be Africa’s greatest demon, but it can be eliminated if we stop sweeping dirt under the carpet.
Problems exist to be solved.
Zimbabweans in both the public and private sector need to revert to ethics and integrity.
Shortcuts will not solve problems. We may have made embarrassing mistakes as a nation by making wrong decisions, but it is very important to note what those mistakes are and correct them.
The NRZ and CSC were some or the very vibrant companies that used to employ many people. What happened to our parastatals? These parastatals are the cornerstone of the economy. If they are sorted, Zimbabwe will be back on its feet again.
Currently, the failure of parastatals is having a systemic effect on industry.
There are a lot of companies that are presently owed money by parastatals. But there are plans that have been developed before to remedy the situation at various parastatals and it is high time that these plans are followed.
Procrastination is not an option.
Though the country boasts of having more than 44 different mineral groups, the economy is still struggling to regain its footing. It cannot be denied that Government has been prejudiced of potential revenues streams by some diamond producing firms at Chiadzwa.
Corruption has become a huge impediment for business.
A clean-up campaign similarly modelled along the lines of the “Clean India” campaign can go a long way in restoring ethical business conduct.
Zimbabwe, it seems, is a very small country to sweep clean.
Zimbabwe is a very small country to sweep clean. It is also possible to the country to scale the heights that it has scaled before.
We simply need to sweep dirt and put it in the dustbin and stop sweeping dirt under the carpet.
Honesty and frank talk is necessary. We have learnt a lot as a nation and its time to make corrections.
Taurai Changwa is an articled accountant, ACCA finalist, and MD of SAFIC Consultancy. He writes in his personal capacity and can be contacted at [email protected], Facebook page SAFIC Consultancy and WhatsApp number 0772374784
