The Sunday Mail
Chamu Chiwanza
Zimbabwe has been experiencing sustained economic pressures brought to bear by our deteriorating balance of trade situation informed by the reality of an economy under siege.
As a responsible and critical business stakeholder, the Affirmative Action Group cannot remain quiet in the face of this impasse.
Like in other economies, the Government of Zimbabwe is the predominant economic player in our production order, accounting for 67 percent of the activity slice.
When our Government experiences increased economic pressure from a dwindling tax base, decreased external investment inflows and lack of adequate balance of payments support, the natural result is an economic order under assault.
No one questions the legitimacy of the economic challenges we face and the grim reality of the peculiar living circumstances that it has woven into the generality of our citizenship.
These challenges include United States dollar cash shortages, Government’s inability to meet its big wage bill on time, failure to service domestic debt and the resultant fiscal capacity decrease to meet the State’s broad statutory duties that collectively affect living standards.
When protest groups rail against corruption, the cash crisis, bond notes, unnecessary roadblocks, unemployment, import restrictions, and assault on informal business, no one questions the legitimacy of those complaints.
What we differ on is the nature of protestation. Remember that we are dealing with a legitimately-constituted Government; not some occupation force presiding over our forces.
That only calls for some restraint and dialogue rather than bring more suffering to an already fragile economy.
The last thing we need is to further emasculate the already limited economic activity that is purposely in the hands of the indigenous majority.
Zimbabwe is already under economic sanctions, and cannot take in domestic sanctions imposed by irresponsible calls for mass stay-aways and “shutdowns”.
Both mass actions foment political instability, an enemy that militates against international multi-lateral institutional framework re-engagement.
Not to take away the general desire to have domestic challenges adequately addressed, the AAG believes in the responsible pathway of dialogue involving the civil sector, all political parties and the legitimately-constituted Government of the day.
Certainly we cannot subvert our paramount desire for enduring national peace and stability with fleeting needs brought about by economic challenges best resolved through dialogue.
The AAG is an empowerment group that champions the rights and activities of our gallant entrepreneurs, who, through thick and thin, still choose to keep their investment interests in a productive Zimbabwe, and declares that we cannot afford to sustain the irreparable harm that “shutdowns” cause to our operations.
We cannot claim neutrality when our investment interests and unyielding loyalty to our people and Government are threatened.
The AAG is stridently aware of the not-so hidden hand of foreign interference.
Zimbabwe’s Constitution guarantees the right of protest, but that is not a carte blanche invitation to orgies of mayhem and destructive violence that can easily be instigated by a few on social media and only cause pain and scars to those on the streets.
Surely, Zimbabwe has come of age as a nation to understand the power of dialogue. As a Republic, we have always risen to the challenge of the day.
Zimbabweans are an educated people whose literacy remains in pole position in Africa.
Strife is not second nature to us, and no differences are larger than our collective interests in enduring peace and black economic empowerment.
We are, therefore, calling for a dialogue platform. Our clear trust is in each other’s need for continued peace and dialogue necessary for growing our economy and offering employment and enterprise opportunities for all.
In our unity we trust!
- Mr Chamu Chiwanza is the president of the Affirmative Action Group, and he wrote this article for The Sunday Mail
