The Sunday Mail
Editor’s Brief
Victoria Ruzvidzo
As we draw closer to the end of what has been a very eventful year on all fronts, we ought not to close shop, but in fact up the ante in terms of economic activity.
It is quite understandable and even logical that at year end many plan to take a long break to rest and spend quality time with their families, but this should not lead to factory closures.
The economy, billed to grow by 7,8 percent this year, remains delicate and needs nurturing. This means we cannot afford the usual December 15 to January 20 breaks. We need to remain engaged in churning out product and service to grow the GDP further. Indeed decades ago it was a given that the first or second week of December would see most industries winding up business for the year, only to reopen half way into January. But it is obvious that this can no longer be the case.
Of course throughout much of this year there have been forced stoppages or shorter working hours due to Covid-19 and these have evidently affected income statements and balance sheets. More hours need to be put in to recover lost time over the past two years while creating a buffer against potential challenges into the new year.
We can choose to make hay while the sun still shines literally, just in case the dark cloud of Covid-19 hangs above us yet again. It is already threatening to do such, but will overcome it if we adopt the right strategies.
Capacity utilisation currently average 45 percent and can rise further if we maximise on available resources instead of winding down to go home and sleep.
Already we have many in the informal sector who know no weekend and no holidays as they toil for their families. I used to wonder why they were so greedy as to remain open even on Christmas Day until I realised that it was actually a good business strategy.
We hope those in the formal sector will see reason in not closing shop entirely. Of course everyone needs a break, but company-specific systems can be deployed to ensure time off is taken in a manner that keeps the company open.
Much progress has been made since January 1 and all focus should be on consolidating the gains of positive economic activity accumulated during the course of the year.
During a time when most economies are shutting down for the festive season, it should not be the same with our own and we need to ensure that we keep our eyes on the ball.
Let us keep moving, let us keep the machines running. Such a move can only be beneficial to our economy and overall welfare and must be prioritised by all economic stakeholders.
Every day, every hour, every minute is very crucial and must be put to maximum use. The attainment of targets and vision for our economy calls obliges us to not let up, but to do all we can and leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of economic prosperity.
This year has proved, maybe more than any other, that if we come together and work for a common cause, we will exceed even our wildest expectations.
In just over two weeks we will see the beginning of a brand new year with its own experiences and now is the time to come up with strategies and roadmaps of how we will chart the course of 2022.
We have already come so far and achieved much, but we will still have a lot of work and more ground to cover. Growth should be incremental. Even as it does so, we must aim higher.
The projections of a 5,5 percent growth next year are positive, but we should aim higher. We are coming from the doldrums, we need to keep growing.
We look at agriculture, the late rains are not cause for concern. In fact, the meteorological department informs us that the dry spell ends this week. We recalibrate and build on the significant success of the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Climate Proof Agricultural Scheme and other programmes that have had a phenomenal impact on output. The 30 percent growth by the sector this year is no mean fit, but one that can be repeated and even surpassed if we redouble efforts.
We also look at manufacturing, which gets 65 percent of its inputs from the agricultural sector. It must keep going and achieve much more than it has this year. We have mentioned the increased capacity utilisation. It must continue on that upward trajectory. Obsolete machinery should be replaced, new technologies incorporated and more effective strategies deployed.
Mining also presents huge growth prospects. In this regard, deals need to be expeditiously concluded and value addition adopted in earnest as we optimise returns from this sector. We are mineral-rich and this should reflect in our earnings. A $12 billion mining sector is within reach. In this regard too, the small miners should get commensurate attention. We also close all loopholes and the regulatory authorities play their part. Smuggling and other forms of corruption have hindered growth but players have pledged to fight this.
Tourism is rebounding. We have multiple sites, we enjoy fantastic weather,we are a hospitable and warm people. We need to derive optimum benefits. Hotel occupancies should escalate as we earn the much needed foreign currency. Of course we are not blind to the effects of covid-19, lockdowns and travel bans but the sector must, of necessity, find its way round all this. Increased focus on domestic tourists could be a game changer.
Overall, we need to work as a team. We have different constituent elements in the economic matrix, each variously contributing its share. Team, as famously put forward, stands for Together Each Achieves More. This should be demonstrated philosophically and practically.
If we work collectively, coherently and consciously, we will achieve much. It is incumbent on every Zimbabwean to contribute toward the building of this great nation.
The task before us, the urgency of our situation and the expectations are high, but they are not insurmountable. We have the pedigree to obviate obstacles, to conquer seemingly impossible tasks, to rise above tides and emerge victorious. Of course this will not happen on its own, hence the clarion call to keep at it ,to realise it is not business as usual, or, for that matter holidays as usual.
We have made tremendous progress, we have roads being rehabilitated, we have assured food security, we have inflation dissipating, we have a relatively stable currency, we work on import substitution, we continue to harness innovation, we support the small businesses, for they will grow to be big, contributing to the fiscus, to employment, to poverty alleviation and to development and economic growth
We are globally known as a hard working people, with industry being our hallmark.
We are also an intelligent, creative and innovative people. This must show in our work.
The kind of future we envision does not allow us to sit on our laurels. It calls upon each and every one of us to unerringly apply ourselves and to sufficiently appreciate the work at hand. We will all be a happier people. All in good time.
In God I Trust.
Twitter handle: @VictoriaRuzvid2; Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; WhatsApp number: 0772 129 992.
