The Sunday Mail
Ministry of Truth with Cde Jason Zhuwao
It seemed, at the start of this millennium, that the cheerful daylight hours enjoyed by an Independent Zimbabwe were fast approaching their end and the forecast indicated an unusually long period of darkness.
President Mugabe took a bold stance on land reforms, which did not sit well at all with our colonial masters who enjoyed majority ownership of the fertile, commercial farmland in Zimbabwe. In response, the West waged a fully-fledged economic war on our nation with the goal of effecting regime change and reversing land redistribution.
As our leader remained resolute, measure after measure was implemented by Britain and America to frustrate the Zimbabwean populace.
Continuing with my circadian rhythm, I would say the late hours of Zimbabwe’s afternoon came in 1998 when we experienced an economic crisis marked by high interest rates and inflation.
Soon after came suspension of support to our nation by the World Bank and IMF over differences with Government on policies.
By 2001, darkness was surely over us and the nation suffered food shortages whilst several Western governments withdrew economic support over alleged and falsified rights.
Europe and America reviewed their policies towards Zimbabwe resulting in suspension from the Commonwealth and the imposition of harsh, illegal sanctions. All sectors of the economy were hard hit by the darkness, and when inflation sky-rocketed in 2007, things were really gloomy.
Except, there was hope.
What was required of Zimbabwe was to turn its head away from the West, where the sun sets, and focus its attention on the East, where it rises.
And look East we did!
Amidst much criticism from opposition parties, the Look East policy was launched with the aim of expanding bilateral and trade relations as well as offering priority to investors from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, India and Russia, among others.
Key focus was placed on China, with whom relations are as deep as they are rich. Ever the nitwit critics they are, the opposition objurgated the Look East policy, going as far as comparing it to the return of imperialism.
One can only wonder how China’s non-interference policy towards Africa draws any similarities to the condescending attitude of the West.
As young Zimbabweans, we applaud President Mugabe for his visionary leadership. I must point out that Zimbabwe was one of the first countries in the world to adopt a Look East policy and today it is difficult to find a government that has not looked East in one way or the other, the United States included.
Sure enough, the policy has paid off and the auspicious visit by the leader of the world’s second-largest economy to Zimbabwe last week is indicative of the success of our Head of State’s insistence on looking East.
Hunters will tell you: “My dinner is still in the woods.” Well, I believe President Mugabe stepped out to hunt and returned with a grand feast. One from which all sectors of the economy can feed off.
On the day of his arrival, President Xi Jinping signed 12 landmark agreements with Zimbabwe to fund programmes in key economy sectors like infrastructure, energy and telecommunications. This has come as a welcome boost to Zim-Asset at a time when it’s capitalisation is crucial. Two of these deals are private sector-driven, and they will add momentum to Government’s initiative to create 2,2 million jobs by 2018.
All of this comes barely a year after nine mega deals were signed between these two nations in China, which are currently at various stages of implementation.
In Harare, the 200-strong Chinese delegation put pen to paper on deals on double taxation, Hwange Thermal Power Station’s expansion and a TelOne Optic Fibre project.
Increased capacity at Hwange should see a significant reduction in our power woes. The global energy crisis has prompted investment in alternative energy and it was refreshing to learn that a deal was signed to develop methane gas mines.
As always, Government placed importance on the health sector, which received a major uplift in the form of a proposed pharmaceutical warehouse.
Another exciting agreement was that concerning construction of a new Parliament Building.
These, amongst other deals, have further strengthened the cordial relationship between China and Zimbabwe.
If you were wondering why there is a lot of noise over this visit by President Xi, it is because of the prospects it holds for our nation; prospects which rattle the West as they signify the dawn of a strengthened Zimbabwe.
When India’s President Pranab Mukherjee came into power, he extended India’s Look East policy to an Act East policy.
It is my recommendation that Zimbabwe emulates this position to broaden and progress its relations with the East.
Cde Jason Zhuwao is the CEO of Team Zanu-PF Live, the ruling party’s organ for mass dissemination of information, research networking and live updating of current affairs. Cde Zhuwao holds an Advanced Diploma in Criminology and Forensic Science, and is reading for a degree in Diplomacy and International Relations. He can be contacted at [email protected]
