ZIMBABWE’S JOURNEY: FROM HOPE TO DISAPPOINTMENT

Zimbabwe’s road to independence was built on hope and sacrifice. The people dreamed of a country where everyone would live freely and prosper. In 1980, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), led by Robert Mugabe, took control. They promised to bring big changes that would improve the lives of all Zimbabweans. However, their time in power has been marked by corruption, which has caused the country’s economy to suffer. This was different from the previous Rhodesian government, which also had its flaws.

Before independence, Zimbabwe was known as Southern Rhodesia, and it was under the rule of Ian Smith. During that time, the country experienced economic growth. The Rhodesian government focused on building infrastructure, mining, and agriculture, which made the economy strong. The Rhodesian Dollar remained valuable, even though the country was under international sanctions. This was because Rhodesia declared independence from Britain in 1965 without permission. But while the economy grew, most of the wealth was in the hands of the white minority, which left the black majority poor and struggling.

When Zimbabwe became independent, the ZANU-PF government promised to change the situation. They said they would share the country’s wealth and make life better for the black majority. Unfortunately, they did not live up to their promises. Corruption became the biggest problem, stopping any real progress from being made. According to Transparency International, Zimbabwe has been ranked poorly on the Corruption Perception Index, showing how deep the corruption problem runs in the country.

One of the worst examples of corruption was the Marange diamond scandal. The Marange diamond fields were supposed to bring in billions of dollars for the country. Instead, the money seemed to disappear, and no one knows where it went. Corruption like this has made the economy weaker, causing hyperinflation, which is when prices rise very quickly. The Zimbabwean Dollar lost so much value that the country eventually started using the US Dollar instead. All of these problems have made life very difficult for ordinary people. Many Zimbabweans are poor, have no jobs, and struggle to survive.

In contrast, during the Rhodesian era, economic growth was based on a strong industrial sector. There were factories producing textiles, steel, and food. People had jobs in these industries, and the economy was growing. But under ZANU-PF, the country’s industries have been in decline. Many factories have closed, and the manufacturing sector is much smaller than it used to be. The agricultural sector, once Zimbabwe’s pride, has also been damaged by poor land reform policies. Zimbabwe, which was once known as the breadbasket of Africa, can no longer produce enough food to feed itself.

However, comparing the two periods is not just about the economy. The Rhodesian era had many problems too. It was a time of racial discrimination and political repression. The black majority had very few rights, and the government was only for the white minority. In contrast, under ZANU-PF, some improvements have been made, especially in areas like education and healthcare. The people now also have more political freedoms, at least in theory, which were not available during the Rhodesian era.

In conclusion, the Rhodesian government brought economic stability, but it came at the cost of deep racial inequality and political oppression. On the other hand, ZANU-PF promised freedom and prosperity for all but has failed due to widespread corruption and economic mismanagement. Zimbabwe’s future depends on learning from both the good and bad of the past. The country needs to find a way to create an economy as strong as it was in the Rhodesian days, but without the division and inequality. At the same time, it must avoid the corruption that has plagued the ZANU-PF era to build a fair and prosperous society for all Zimbabweans.