Investor interest in Zimbabwe still slow

* Pick-up in foreign investor inquiries about Zimbabwe
* Slow to translate into investment on the ground
Foreign investor interest in Zimbabwe has picked up since a power-sharing government was formed in February, but it is not yet translating into investment on the ground, Zimbabwean officials said on Saturday.
"Since February ... we've seen a significant increase in the level of investment inquiries and project approvals," said Richard Mbaiwa, head of the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, the government's investment promotion agency.

A Handsome Investment Opportunity

Washington's plan for a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe has been sketched out by Michelle D. Gavin, White House advisor and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council [1], while she was a research fellow at the influential Council on Foreign Relations. In Planning for Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe [2], a paper which spells out "a vision for (Zimbabwe's) future and a plan for how to get there," Gavin explains how the "existing roster of (Zimbabwe's) civil society leaders...lends itself to the U.S. desire" to put Zimbabwe's valuable natural resources, including its farmland, up for sale to U.S. investors. Gavin cautions that a populist and nationalist reaction against the U.S. plan could arise, and recommends three counter measures: a job creation program; co-opting the corps of Zimbabwe's middle-level military officers with training programs, exchanges and pay increases; and entrepreneurship programs to divert the energies and attention of politicized youth.

King Mzilikazi and his “mob” of thugs were more brutal than white settlers.

BULAWAYO — National Healing minister, Sekai Holland has met chiefs in Matabeleland to clarify her comments insinuating that the culture of violence in Zimbabwe started with Mzilikazi, the Ndebele King. Holland has been at the centre of a political storm since she allegedly told a regional dialogue on agriculture and the environment in Maputo early this month that King Mzilikazi and his “mob” of thugs were more brutal than white settlers. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s recent tour of Matabeleland to explain the operations of the unity government was overshadowed by calls for action to be taken against the minister. Last week, MDC-T officials said Holland met Ndebele paramount chief Khayisa Ndiweni at the weekend.

Constitutional Debate Leaves out Rural Folk

IN debating a new constitution it is important that we all understand what it means to its people. A constitution is about how a people want to live, share resources, respect their human rights, the path they wish to take in developing their communities, who should rule them and how. It is like a covenant that governs every citizen, regardless of their tribe, race, religion or physical appearance. Everyone should be able to see herself/himself in a constitution; they must own it, be part of it. To own something means that you have been part of the process that built or developed that item. It is something you can defend in case somebody wants to take it away from you. There are many arguments as to why people voted No in the 2000 constitutional referendum. We need to ask to what extent were the people of Zimbabwe involved in the processes of the making of that constitution. What ownership did the people have in the process of constitution-making? How were people organised to give their views and who organised them? The issue is not about whether the rejected constitution was better than the current one or not, but about the process used to develop it, hence its rejection. Today we ask the same question about how the people will be organised or are being organised and by whom, for the making of our new constitution. The how part of it is important. Parliamentarians and politicians need to understand that if we are to have a people’s constitution. The constitution-making debate has been a political, academic and intellectual debate thus far about who is best suited to drive the process. The larger part of the people have not been involved because the process is designed by parliament and not by the people for parliament. We have heard contradictory views from parliamentarians regarding the new constitution and the process of constitution-making. There has been mention of the Kariba draft that was crafted by the two MDCs and Zanu PF being used as a reference document to the new constitution. At a political rally MDC-T legislator Sam Sipepa Nkomo made mention that his party was pushing into the new constitution the devolution of power to the provinces and the division of the country into five regions. Nkomo’s statements were made following Zapu’s pronouncement of their party’s resolution to devolve power to the regions and the creation of five regions with elected premiers or governors. In the Kariba draft there is no mention of the devolution of power to the regions. There is mention of 10 provinces with governors appointed by the president. We read in the newspapers President Mugabe indicating that the Kariba draft will form the basis of the making of the new constitution. The MDC-T co-chairman for the parliamentary select committee said the constitution-making process will be people-driven. He did not tell us how the people will be empowered to lead this process. The debate on the new constitution has not cascaded to the lower levels of our communities. I frequently participate at various meetings including rural district council meetings. There has never been mention of a new constitution at these meetings. Last week I visited five rural district councils, and in all of them there were no debates around a new constitution. Based on these facts and the competition for “voter space” among political parties, it is best that the constitution-making process is led by people who are not affiliated to any political organisation. Parliament can play a monitoring role, ensuring that the process is done according to laid down rules and agreed principles. Parliament has not informed us as to how the various groups of women and young people living in the rural areas will be mobilised to participate and give their views. We have not heard mention of how persons with hearing impairments, visual impairments and other forms of physical disabilities will be catered for in the constitution-making process. Parliamentarians can rely on the experiences and expertise of various NGOs, civic organisations and faith-based bodies to lead the constitution-making process. The result will be such that all people, including those who sit in parliament, will be satisfied with the people’s contributions. Obadiah Moyo is a rural development activist. obbamoyo@gmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it