The Chronicle
By Nduduzo Tshuma and Mbongeni Ncube
1st January 2010
SENIOR politicians from Matabeleland and Bulawayo residents as well as the business community yesterday expressed hope that the New Year will usher in a new era, which will see people from the region working together.
They said Matabeleland was lagging behind in developmental projects because there was no clear agenda for the region.
They said people from Matabeleland were expending their energy on pulling down each other instead of working like what is happening in other parts of the country.
The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart said his vision was to see projects like the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport completed before the World Cup starts in South Africa in June.
“There is also the Bulawayo-Beitbridge, Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Kezi as well as Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads that need urgent attention to develop road networks in the region,†said Senator Coltart.
“In the long-term we wish to see a greater allocation of funds to the region in the National Budget. This is because our region Matabeleland has serious challenges such as the provision of water. The issue of water remains one of the greatest challenges in this part of the country.â€
He also said as the country moves towards the constitution-making process, he hoped the people of Matabeleland would see to it that the issue of devolution of power was realised.
“The constitution reform process has some particular hopes, especially for Matabeleland. The genuine and meaningful devolution of power to the provinces in particular Matabeleland has to come through during the drafting of the new constitution,†said Sen Coltart.
“The new constitution should also allow that all Zimbabweans who left for Botswana and South Africa are allowed to vote during the elections.â€
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu said he was looking to the end of political squabbles in the region, which he said were retarding development.
“My first resolution is to work hard to strengthen our party Zanu-PF. There is a need to do away with petty squabbles and find ways of working together to develop the region,†said Minister Mpofu.
“This coming year we should be one people and copy how other regions work together to develop themselves.â€
Minister Mpofu, who is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza, said he would like to see the improvement of water supplies in the region as well as completion of critical projects.
“There are a number of projects like the Lupane Dam construction and the Lupane State University which need completion. For those who got farms I urge them to fully utilise the pieces of land to bring the country back to its glory days,†said Minister Mpofu.
Former Bulawayo Mayor and disabled activist, Joshua Malinga also called for unity of purpose in Matabeleland. “I hope 2010 will usher in a new era where the political leadership will listen to the people more than they do to each other and stop haggling over tissues but concentrate on issues,” said Cde Malinga.
“There is a need to create an employment base for millions of school leavers that we churn out every year from our institutions of learning.”
He called for the full participation of the people in the constitution-making process to ensure the dream of devolving power to the provinces was realised.
“With Cde John Nkomo rising to the post of Vice President and his traceable relationship with disabled people, we hope that people living with disabilities will be able to lead a normal life and have access to all the country’s services,” said Cde Malinga.
The Minister of Water Resources and Development, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said his vision for 2010 was to see the Mtshabezi pipeline reaching Umzingwane Dam.
“That would be the first project I would like to see being fully implemented and at the same time I would like to see the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project taking off the ground,” said Minister Nkomo.
“Working together with other politicians from the region has always been a good thing. Yes we might come from different parties but projects and issues that concern the region can be solved if we co-operate.”
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo urged residents to gear themselves for new opportunities in the coming year.
“Let us set goals of rebuilding Bulawayo and the nation of Zimbabwe to its former glory,” he said.
“We see 2010 realising increased industrial and commercial activity. Bulawayo is an industrial hub and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Considerable strides must be made by all social and economic entities to ensure that we regain our former glory.
“Bulawayo’s success story depends on how we all, regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, work to develop our city. Let us embrace the spirit of unity and inclusivity that has been demonstrated by the political leadership in every area of our lives, so that we can conquer all obstacles. We must each commit ourselves to the prosperity of Bulawayo so that we can fully enjoy the blessings of 2010 that are in store for us.â€
As council, Clr Moyo said the council was committed to providing improved municipal services this year.
“I encourage the people of Bulawayo to continue to work as a formidable team that will be unstoppable,†he said.
“I wish the people of Bulawayo prosperity in the New Year. 2010 is a year of reaching our destiny.â€
Business mogul Mr Delma Lupepe urged the Government to speed up the indigenisation policy.
“We are hoping that the Government would speed up the process so that the country’s natural resources benefit citizens because most of the mines, especially platinum ones, are owned by foreigners,†said Mr Lupepe.
“I believe that although much has been done concerning the land question, there is still a lot when you look at issues such as mining where there has been talk but nothing concrete done.â€
He said it was also imperative that the country got credit lines from international financial institutions to help boost the economy.
Another city businessman, Mr Omega Sibanda, said he was positive that 2010 would be good for businesses.
“Things improved greatly over 2009 owing to the inclusive Government which has ushered in a new era and when I visited my rural home on Christmas Day you could easily tell that it was the best Christmas in 10 years,†said Mr Sibanda.
He said he hoped the manufacturing industry would continue to grow so as to create employment.
“For the country to develop we need our industries to function which in turn would create jobs and let me also call upon Zimbabweans to adjust to the culture of employment in 2010. As you have noticed that over the years many people were used to getting money daily and now that jobs are being steadily created some people are finding it hard to wait until the end of the month to get money,†said Mr Sibanda.
Ordinary residents also expressed hope that 2010 would bring more improvement in both economic and political spheres.
“”For a very long time we have been subjected to many challenges among them economic and you would know very well that 2008 was the worst, however I would like to pay tribute to our political leaders for finally realising that people were suffering and put aside their ideological and political differences for the betterment our lives as Zimbabweans,†said Mr Daniel Master who also runs a number of small-scale businesses.
Mrs Thokozile Ngwenya (53) of Magwegwe said she had high hopes for 2010.
“The country is going through a revolution which I believe we have not yet seen the fruits as some people think, 2010 would definitely be a year of plenty for every citizen,†she said.
A university student who declined to be named said winds of change were blowing.
“During wars of liberation Pan-Africanist and former Ghanaian president Nkrumah said winds of change were blowing and I believe that the assertion did not apply then only, it is still very much applicable as Zimbabwe, and indeed the rest of the continent, would see a lot of changes which would bring lasting peace and prosperity,†he said.