Politicians calling for dialogue are only doing so to strategically locate themselves closer to positions of authority and access to wealth accumulation, Mr. Joseph Makamba Busha, the President of FreeZim Congress party has said.
“The calls for political dialogue to come up with a government of national unity or transitional authority are not genuine. These politicians are making noise in order to force a government of national unity so that they get positions in government. They are doing so for personal aggrandisement not for the good of the generality of citizens,” Mr. Makamba told journalists.
With Zimbabwe facing a plethora of challenges ranging from the high rate of unemployment to a general dearth of service delivery, there are calls for a government of national unity or transitional authority to extricate the country from the quagmire that finds itself in.
Mr. Makamba was speaking on the sidelines of his party’s policy conference held in Harare today.
The conference also discussed conflict and its different forms where it emerged that the price of conflict is life. The maverick politician said that peace is priceless and should be sustainable.
FreeZim Congress said Zimbabweans fight to be free from colonial, racist, and poverty bondage.
“The liberation struggle sought to bring peace into the country right from the First Chimurenga during the time of Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi. Our heroes fought for justice and humanity.
“Zimbabwe fought for sovereignty and territorial independence including the right to freedom of expression, basic life, and to assemble, among others, for all the people,” Mr. Busha said.
He added that FreeZim Congress is a progressive, social party that seeks to make freedom indivisible. In that vein, it follows that everyone else will experience the suffering of one directly or indirectly. A free, open, and united society are ideal for peace and advancement of mankind, he said.
Renowned academic, Mr. Simon Kayereka, said conflict is inevitable but should not be allowed to degenerate into disputes. He said there is a need to use abundant resources to create wealth.
“Peace is not only the absence of conflict but should come with freedom, responsibility and liberty. Thus, peace precedes love and cares for everyone.
The youths constitute the majority at 60% of the population. Thus there is need for more women representatives at the government level. We need to resuscitate our mines to increase our GDP per capita. Zimbabwe does not have good quality industrial products. There is a need to move from a reliance on natural resources to the production of new, finished products,” Mr. Kayereka said
FreeZim Congress has a domestic policy that seeks to advance peace, harmony and unity. The peace should be free. It calls on respect of self and others. It also emphasises on respect of property rights.
It has an environmental policy to protect the environment for sustainability since the economy is anchored on primary industry. Thus there is need to preserve the ecosystem for sustainability.
Its land policy says land should be used constructively for livelihoods as it is the engine for economic development.
Free Zim Congress relies on the agricultural-based industrialisation and mechanisation, exploitation of the natural resources as well as the need to prioritize rural areas for development. It recognises that small-scale farmers produce more food and said its government will also focus on tourism development.
Coupled with this, the party said there is a need to focus on the knowledge economy. This is critical for Zimbabwe. The party said it also has a social services policy to provide free education, and health for children, senior citizens, and the unemployed.
“We emphasise on rule of law, property, and human rights. FreeZim congress will have a lean government. The party will reduce the number of provinces to five to eliminate corruption, patronage, and executive excess. It will invest heavily in research and development.
“There will be economic hubs with functional in-country development projects. Corporate tax will be reduced to 7%. There should be sustainable pension schemes. Territorial, socio-political and economic independence are key ingredients for success. Thus there is a need for employment creation,” Mr Makamba emphasised.
