Is Zimbabwe now a one party state again?

Zimbabwe’s current transitional phase requires a clearly defined national vision and plan on how to get the country back on its feet. Any country’s most valuable resource is its people. This explains why some countries which lack natural resources such as oil, minerals and land have managed to rapidly develop and become leaders in many areas. It is because of the human capital which was properly harnessed and put to national use. Japan rose out of ashes of world war to become the second biggest economy. There is no reason why Zimbabwe can not rapidly recover as long as there are proper plans and vision in addition to national will. The key is respect of the peoples will and aspirations.

Those in Government of National Unity (GNU) must be reminded of 22 December 1987 when ZANU swallowed ZAPU and the Zimbabwean dream vanished just like that. Being in government of a national unity which resembles a one party state is not a license to ruin and loot the country. Even up to this day 22 December is a National holiday to celebrate the death of democracy .

A Government cant just be about “ power sharing”. The political parties and leaders have a duty to protect national democratic space .And obviously you cant do that by colluding to share power with an election loser . Its just unbelievable that the election loser gets to remain President with added powers of “appointing” and “firing” a Prime Minister.

Whilst the GNU may avoid total collapse of state institutions its whole implementation is scandalous in that the election winner is being co-opted into government by the loser. This sends a wrong message about elections ,normally the Loser must sit out and get time to re-organize whilst the winner is given a chance to fail or succeed by being allowed to implement its policies.

The law of unintended consequences comes into effect under such circumstances. The intentions are noble and in the people’s name. However the most likely outcome is that the political rivals cozy up to each other and become partners in protecting self interest as defined by the term sharing power and not sharing responsibility to deliver a better Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe needs a general culture shift on the purpose and conduct on how citizens are treated. Obviously people didn’t vote for a GNU. But that’s what they are getting.
Who is going to keep the GNU accountable to the people since rival politicians are now on the same train?

Taxation without representation must end. The Zimbabweans in the Diaspora have played a critical role in sustaining the Economy under difficult conditions. There is need to formally acknowledge this role by allowing them full rights and privileges as those Zimbabweans based in Zimbabwe .This means a new constitution which allows dual citizenship and allows those in the Diaspora to vote must be developed.

As a supporting measure there is an urgent need to review and amend Zimbabwe's immigration regulations especially with regards to dual citizenship .A significant number of Zimbabwean Non Resident Citizens (NRCs) are now settled in foreign lands and may be less attracted to going back to Zimbabwe despite their skills being needed back home. The Indian government recently introduced the "Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI)" scheme in order to allow a limited form of dual citizenship to Indians.

This is a model that Zimbabwe could adopt with the necessary adjustments. This can open channels to allow NRC to vote and possibly have exclusive members of parliament representing non-resident Zimbabweans who are in the Diaspora. This measure will go a long way in showing commitment on the part of the authorities to incorporate policies which serve all Zimbabweans, not just those in Zimbabwe .This will also address the current scenario which appears to be taxation without representation whereby the NRCs have kept the Zimbabwe economy going yet they cant vote.

One must also remember that the ability to have mobility with regards to where people want to move and work is a part of their human capital. Being able to move from one area to the next is an ability and a benefit of having human capital which Zimbabwe may miss if not proper measures are taken to address how non-resident Zimbabweans are treated. Restricting people from being mobile would be to inherently lower their human capital.

It is clear that a quick make-over of the shock therapy ad-hoc policy implementation will not deliver the Economic prosperity that Zimbabweans seek .There is need for more comprehensive policy changes to usher a modern, progressive, more tolerant democracy to build a just, prosperous, peaceful society where people's human and property rights respected. This is critical to build confidence among the NRC and encourage investments by the NRCs.

Individual capital, also known as human capital, comprises inalienable or personal traits of persons, tied to their bodies and available only through their own free will, such as skill, creativity, enterprise, courage, capacity for moral example, non-communicable wisdom, invention or empathy, non-transferable personal trust and leadership.


Educated individuals, who often migrate from poor countries to rich countries seeking opportunity. This movement has positive effects for both countries: capital-rich countries gain an influx in labor, and labor rich countries receive capital when migrants remit money home. This has been the case in Zimbabwe and there is a clear need to formally recognize this by putting in place incentives to encourage more remittances and investments back home.

When workers migrate, their early care and education generally benefit the country where they move to work. And when the environment starts improving workers are normally expected to go back and use newly acquired skills and experience in developing their home country. This does not happen by accident or hap-hazardly. It requires a national effort and proper co-ordination.

The "brain drain" or "human capital flight" occurs when the most talented individuals (those with the most individual capital) depart for education or opportunity to the colonizing or historically related country (historically, Britain and France and the U.S.). Zimbabwe has been going through such a drain over the last 10 or so years. It will take a serious effort on the part of the New Government to lure back all those skilled doctors, nurses ,teachers, engineers, architects etc. Patriotism alone is not enough to draw back a majority of these skilled professionals. There is need for proper co-ordination and deliberate effort to make this reality.

Zimbabweans have a right to ask whether what they voted is what they are getting . If the people voted for MDC and they get a GNU what does that say about respecting the people’s wishes and aspirations? It remains to be seen whose interests the GNU will be serving as Zimbabweans seek a normal life. However one thing that’s clear the GNU has just proven that rigging elections ,will be rewarded by a seat in a resultant Government.

Gilbert Muponda is an Entrepreneur based in Canada. He is CEO and Co-Founder of 3MG MEDIA Limited. He can be reached at;
Email: gilbert@gilbertmuponda.com
Skype ID: gilbert.muponda
Phone: 1-416-841-5542