The Sunday Mail
A British academic who has long been highly critical of President Mugabe has made a U-turn from prophesying Zimbabwe’s demise under the current leadership to predicting an economic rebound for the country.
Speaking at a policy dialogue at Sapes Trust in Harare last week, University of London’s Professor Stephen Chan said the international community’s warming up to Zimbabwe was a sign of renewed confidence in the Government.
In July, the academic had predicted doom for the country — a position he has now recanted.
“Let me start broadly and then zero in on what I think has been going on from my very removed position in this country. I should start by apologising for some of the things I said some months ago in this room which have turned out to be wrong. The economic outlook which I thought was going to be very severe, has proved otherwise,” Prof Chan said.
“The first thing I should say is that the economic outlook that I had predicted may not now be quite as severe as I thought it was going to be.
‘‘My prediction of a major recession next year is not going to occur. I think there is going to be a minor recession.”
Prof Chan said Government through the Finance Ministry had done a lot to improve the economic situation although more still needed to be done.
“Our view in London is that Minister (Patrick) Chinamasa has done well as the Minister of Finance.
‘‘He has done everything correctly in terms of policies, re-engagement with the international community.
‘‘I think he has done everything he can in a very difficult portfolio considering the economic challenges,” he said.
Prof Chan said Britain government was committed to working with Zimbabwe.
“Recently, about two months ago, a high-powered delegation which was sponsored by the British foreign office was in (Zimbabwe) and they had very sensible talks on how to work together at a corporate level,” he said.
Prof Chan said the British businesspersons were interested in setting up major supermarkets that would boost agriculture.
“Major international players have indigenisation policies, but there is need for absolute clarity so that investors know what to expect, how to share the profits etcetera.
“If I invest in Nigeria or Malaysia, I know exactly what to get which is not the case in Zimbabwe, when I come to Zimbabwe I don’t know what to expect. This is a simple message and I think it’s important,” he said.
The academic said Britain’s foreign office was surprised by political developments in Zimbabwe.
Prof Chan said the British government, although surprised by the elevation of Vice-President Emmerson Mnangangwa, it did not dismay them.
He predicted a Zanu-PF win in the 2018 elections and said opposition forces were disjointed.
“The opposition has been defeated comprehensively and it’s not a credible force.
They are not going to resurrect any time soon; maybe after the next election, maybe in a different form and (with) different leaders,” he said.
