Zimbabwe: A New Hope

I have wanted to post this for a long time but I have been overtaken by events. For many in Zimbabwe, the inauguration of the Prime Minister, Mr. Tsvangirai and subsequent appointment of cabinet ministers had been long over due. The Global Political Agreement was signed in September 2008 but it took several meetings for the three political parties (ZANU PF, MDC T and MDC) to finally agree to effect the formation of the government of national unity.

A few days after the entry of the two MDC factions into government things started moving. A lot of people could agree to this. Civil servants got vouchers worth US$100 they were able to cash. This was indeed a big step for most civil servants who previously could not afford to buy basics with their salaries. Some corporate companies and parastatals have started pegging salaries in foreign currency. As little as it may be, For once Zimbabweans can at least be able to buy provisions (though little) to feed their families.

It’s such a pity for illegal foreign currency dealers who have to look for other means of survival as people are now trading in foreign currency.  This reminds me of what happened to me a few days back. I was walking along one of the busiest streets in town when some guy approached me. From his appearance and the way he started conversing in a whisper, I figured there was something really suspicious about him. And guess what, I was right. He asked if I could assist him for a small fee in carrying stocktaking in a building just around the corner. This is one of the old lines crooks in Harare used some years back to steal valuables like mobile phone and cash. Once someone agrees to do ‘stock taking’ they would ask you to put your possessions in an envelope to avoid mixing up the cash one would supposedly handle during ‘stock taking’. It would take one a few minutes before realizing that they have been cheated of their valuables.

Most companies who had stopped production have resumed though at a small scale.  Businesses in Harare are starting to pick up and some grocery stores are even cutting prices down.  The road to Zimbabwe’s full recovery may be long and painful but the formation of a government of national unity has given many Zimbabweans a new hope.