The New Constitution must include Zimbabwe Diaspora Community

The Zimbabwe Diaspora community is permanent .There is need to realize this ,plan and act accordingly .Immigration pattern since Roman times up to the Shaka Mfecane - “The Scattering “ times show that once people migrate they hardly ever return from where they originally came from enmasse .There are three key issues that must be addressed for the Zimbabwe Diaspora community , voting rights, dual citizenship and non resident Members of Parliament .

Zimbabwe Diaspora remits at least US$ 550 million per year to the Zimbabwe Economy. More than a quarter of Zimbabwe’s GDP and budget .This makes the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community a key component of the Zimbabwe Economy . Obviously Zimbabwe’s Economy requires permanent cash and other resource remittance from the Diaspora. Measures are needed to formalize this relationship and secure this continued contribution by ensuring Diaspora Zimbabweans are allowed to vote, dual nationality and have direct Parliamentary representation .

Whilst Zimbabwe’s Economy remains depressed and in need of huge cash injections there is need to secure those reliable sources of hard currency .One such source is the Diaspora community whose contribution in the Zimbabwe Economy continues to grow. A significant number of Zimbabweans abroad have bought real estate property in Zimbabwe. This is a considerable investment. They pay property tax and other related rates which serve to develop the social infrastructure .

Whilst the first generation Zimbabwean Diaspora “exports” remain loyal and committed to Zimbabwe there is need to cement this relationship and grant them opportunity for Dual Citizenship in case of those who may have acquired other citizenship. This will ensure Zimbabwe does not totally lose these individuals who can still contribute in terms of Economic development of the country .

Zimbabwe’s Diaspora Community played a critical role in keeping the economy going when there were no credit lines .This is an important constituency which must be represented in the proposed New Constitution . It deserves direct Parliamentary Representation along the Italian Overseas constituency model .

After many years of petitioning and fierce debate, the Italian government, in late 2001, passed a law that allows Italian citizens living abroad to vote in elections in Italy by postal ballot. Italians wishing to excise this right must first register their residence abroad with their relevant consulate.

The Italian Parliamentary model is one of the few legislatures in the world to reserve seats for its Diaspora citizens . There are twelve such seats in the Chamber of Deputies and six in the Senate. This is a model that Zimbabwe should closely look at and adopt or a modified version thereof .

The Overseas Constituency consists of four electoral zones, each of which elect at least one Deputy and one Senator: Zimbabwe can follow the same model in the proposed constitution . The following countries which have significant Zimbabwean population can have both a Senator and an Assembly Member ; UK, USA, CANADA, South Africa , Australia, New Zealand and Botswana . The rest can be represented by continent or depending on actual numbers of Zimbabweans based there .

These overseas Parliamentarians can play a leading role in mobilizing investment and tourists desperately needed by Zimbabwe .This is in addition to the lobbying they can do in the Countries they are based in to ensure Zimbabwe gets favorable terms of trade with their host countries .

For the Zimbabwe Diaspora Community the need to be an organized community is paramount . The Cubans in Miami are a true example .The Tamil in Greater Toronto area of Canada. These Communities are well Organized and as such well represented both in their home country in in their new adopted home nations .The Zimbabwe Diaspora Community needs to be organized along similar lines for them to get fair representation .Without such organization taxation without representation will continue .

There is an estimated more than 5 million Zimbabweans in the Diaspora represent a potential 5 million tourists which the country can rely on to boost tourism revenue . There is a general need to shift the way the Diaspora Zimbabweans are viewed as temporary non-residents. Historical trends show that a majority of people who migrate never return to their original home even if the factors that led to their initial departure have long ceased to exist. For this reason there is need to the New Constitution to acknowledge this trend and accommodate non-resident Zimbabweans .

Gilbert Muponda is a Co-Founder of 3MG Media . He can be reached at; Zimface

Email: gilbert@3mgmedia.ca . Skype ID: gilbert.Muponda

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