The Sunday Mail
THE bout of negative reportage that often affects Zimbabwe gives the impression that the country has collapsed.
Usually, our challenges are used to paint the image of a country that is on the brink.
Teething problems almost always precede major breakthroughs in development.
In China, for example, the period between 1958 and 1961 was known as the Great Leap Forward.
According to some sources, the years of the Great Leap Forward actually saw economic regression, with 1958 through 1962 being the only period between 1953 and 1985 in which China’s economy shrank.
Political economist Dwight Perkins argues, “Enormous amounts of investment produced only modest increases in production or none at all . . . In short, the Great Leap was a very expensive disaster.”
It is estimated that during this period between 18 million to 32 million Chinese people died of famine.
This is just a small history which shows how bad China’s economy was.
Today in 2016, China is one of the best economies in the world.
Regardless of the challenges they faced as a country, they actually grew stronger and they continue to grow stronger by the year.
China never collapsed. Neither will Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe will never die – it can only grow stronger.
Government has had to constantly review its policies in order to adapt them to the changing circumstances on the global financial markets.
Weaknesses that have been identified in the system have always been used to develop stronger systems to deal with loopholes.
Good corporate governance will always take businesses and the country forward, while excellent policies will always steer the economic ship.
The Corporate Governance Bill that is meant to guide the local public sector and separate initiatives that are being pursued by the private sector definitely give the assurance that the country is heading in the right direction.
An interesting South African businessman Mr Gayton McKenzie will in April be visiting Zimbabwe.
He has an interesting story to tell that has the potential to inspire many people.
Mr McKenzie is a former bank robber and criminal, and has now turned into a serious businessman and a multimillionaire in South Africa.
He is the one who once said “A country never dies”.
Comparing his life story to that of a struggling business, or country, Mr McKenzie is an example of how possible it is to come from trying times to greatness.
He transitioned from being a criminal to becoming an inspiration to millions of people.
He came out of jail with only R6 in his pocket but he is now among the elite in South Africa.
His first visit to Zimbabwe can be nothing short of inspirational.
Currently, Zimbabwe is focussing on reviving local industry but there are both internal and external forces that continue to affect local businesses.
Internal forces include a major project failure, incompetent management or poor financial control then external forces include sanctions, economic recessions, the presence of low-cost competitors and natural disasters.
All these factors present significant headwinds for the local economy.
The dry weather conditions that are being precipitated by El Nino will have negative connotations on the economy.
There needs to be a serious re-evaluation programme and self assessment if the country is to make positive strides towards development.
This is the first step to recovery.
Strategy has to be seriously scrutinised. If current strategy is not working, then there is need for change.
The other issue is to check if we have the right people for the job and if they are competent enough.
Companies also need to check if customers are satisfied with their products and if the products are competitive.
Local dairy companies have been exemplary and are stepping up to the plate as their product seems to be up to scratch.
Other sectors also need to follow suit.
Often, failure in business is a result of either lacking clear direction or deviating from a set path.
It is important, therefore, to get back to basics and redefine strategy.
Purpose, vision, mission and values should always be revisited.
Zimbabwe’s economic strategies need to be constantly redefined in line with demands of the changing circumstances.
Furthermore, there is also need to constantly rebrand and market the country.
Over the years negative publicity has seriously dented the country’s image and reputation.
But we just need to prove to the world that Zimbabweans are still the best people to do business with.
The marketing of a country begins with its citizens.
As is alluded earlier in part of this installment, the life story of Mr Gayton McKenzie proves that there is no challenge that is too big to be solved.
Zimbabwe will never ever collapse as some media reports may say.
Even if the life of its citizens in short, Zimbabwe as a nation will always be intact; it will never collapse.
◆ Taurai Changwa is an articled accountant with vast experience in tax, accounting, audit and corporate governance issues. He is the MD of SAFIC Consultancy and writes in his personal capacity. Feeback: [email protected], Facebook page SAFIC Consultancy, and WhatsApp 0772374784.
