Covid-19 raging wave, SA riots . . . still we rise

Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo

The ravaging third wave of the coronavirus and effects of the mayhem that has engulfed South Africa in the past week are circumstances that threaten to consume us as Zimbabweans, but we need to remain vigilant.

Reports of 102 deaths on Friday alone, probably the highest such since the pandemic visited us early last year, and more infections daily, remind us of the grim ripper that Covid-19 is. Scenes of unrest in some parts of South Africa (SA) are depressing to say the least. Zimbabwe, SA, the region and the continent at large do not need this. It complicates an already precarious situation brought about by the pandemic and other challenges we have had to contend with.

While these are realities that we cannot ignore or pretend they are not happening, we need not allow them to overwhelm us.

The spike in Covid-19 cases threatens our growth prospects, after the year began on a positive stance, with significant improvements in agriculture guaranteeing food security, a stellar achievement not attained in years. The country scored noteworthy successes on other key metrics such as taming inflation, foreign currency availability and stability, upward capacity utilisation, improved tobacco output and growth in exports and overall fiscal consolidation.

We can add the availability of fuel and electricity to the cocktail of improvements, without forgetting the substantive infrastructural developments. These are even more remarkable given the position we were coming from. Executives will tell you it is not easy to turn around a company, harder a country. By and large, the increasing euphoria found its roots in these phenomenal developments in a short space of time.

To all intense and purposes, the country was on a roll.

Even some of the dyed-in -wool critics had to take a bow and acknowledge these salient milestones. International players such as the IMF revised upward their economic growth prospects and the positive vibes among the populace was palpable. Who could blame them? Then suddenly, after having weathered the second wave of Covid-19 early this year, we find ourselves in the eye of a storm, yet again with a third one. Is this invisible and insidious enemy ever going to relent? This question plays on the mind of a despairing population. Indeed our pedigree is being tested to the hilt,  but then again Zimbabweans are universally known for their resilience and fortitude which we should summon to emerge triumphant yet again.

It is evidently a formidable enemy we face. But are the challenges intractable? Are they insurmountable? As alluded earlier, Zimbabweans are made of sterner stuff and this will see us through any situation. Nothing that is worth it ever comes on a silver platter and it is within us to obviate the challenges and emerge triumphant as we are destined. But there is need to quickly shed off the complacency that has befallen us and follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) protocols to the letter. We trust peace will be expeditiously restored in SA as we concurrently work on self-sufficiency.

Granted, the riots in SA could not have come at a worse time for Zimbabwe. There have been widespread reports of shortages of essential goods and raw materials desperately required by companies here hence this is bound to affect us in some way.

With South Africa being Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner, events down South have put a huge dent in our economy amid reports of potential losses in the region of US$25 million. The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce released a statement quantifying the losses that we could suffer and the overall negative impact these riots have on our economy.

Routes that are critical for trade between the two countries have been barricaded, cutting off the supply of much-needed goods, raw materials and services.

Over the past few days business and other stakeholders have spent sleepless nights deliberating on how we can cushion the local economy against the effects arising from the SA uprisings. Shops and wholesale outlets have been looted or closed, thereby heavily impacting economic activity here in Zimbabwe.

At a time when we are fighting
Covid-19 and already have our resources and our resilience stretched to the limit, we could do without the riots and the divided attention they create, as all current efforts should be directed towards fighting Covid-19, flattening the curve, growing our beloved economy and achieving our economic targets.

Be that as it may, now is the time to tighten the fight that we all find ourselves involved in and strengthen our resolve. Let us not lose sight of the fact that we can and we will come out of this phase victorious. There is no challenge we cannot surmount, particularly if we put a united front.

Our economic growth targets are still very much achievable if only we, first and foremost, adhere strictly to the extended level four lockdown measures to subdue the effect of Covid-19. It is quite unfortunate that many people have been ignoring the ban on intercity travel and this has resulted in a massive spike in cases. A lot of lives have been lost. The numbers would have been much lower if people stuck to the laid down measures.

The attainment of our economic goals, is of paramount importance, but success thereof, is heavily dependent on how we adhere and cut all intercity travel and unnecessary intra-city trips, with only those with proof of essential travel allowed to move between and within cities.

This will have the unintended effect of reducing economic activity too and may seem to be antagonising our efforts for economic growth but that is certainly not the case. As we strive for the attainment of goals and to maximise economic activity to get the desired results on the table, strict adherence to what the authorities have laid out in the
Covid-19 fight are the best measures to reduce the spread of the virus and flatten the curve.

In previous instalments, I have discussed points on how best we can circumvent or ameliorate challenges brought about by the pandemic to ensure we achieve growth regardless.

Our economy, will continue to grow as I  firmly believe in the efficacy of current efforts and the resilience of all those in the economic matrix. Efforts that are resulting in a highly commendable economic performance.

We have already achieved remarkable results thus far in sectors of the economy, under extremely challenging circumstances, but statistics will prove that the positive economic results we have achieved to date are as a result of how well we stuck to Covid-19 guidelines especially at the beginning of the pandemic.

This resulted in a massive reduction in infections and deaths and allowed the Government to ease some of the restrictions put in place during a time such as this. All this had a direct and constructive impact on economic activity hence the positive economic performance we are currently experiencing.

It is commonplace to note that any audacious journey entails challenges, some of which are unforeseen or unpredictable.

We will continue to grow our economy and reach all our targets, but we must be serious about our fight against the pandemic. We all need to do that which we ought to be doing in our respective spheres to win this battle and positively impact the economy.

We cannot afford to reverse the gains and strides we have made to stabilise the economy and set it on a growth trajectory. We must continue to grow the economy and achieve even better results. All these sacrifices we have to put in, are necessary for a season and for the greater good of our economy and nation at large.

A period and climate  like the one currently obtaining requires very high levels of resilience, resolve and a never-say-die spirit that will see us navigate dexterously the waves of the stormy seas we are faced with.

I find this scripture quite instructive:

“The Name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe” — Proverbs 18:10.

In God I Trust!

Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 972.