The World Bank has recently removed Zimbabwe from their list of vulnerable economies, citizens and children.
This decision was based on the GDP growth figures released by the Minister of Finance.
I was quite amazed. Reading a recent blog post at www.cathybuckle.co.zw contradicted this information and brought back many memories.
Foremost in my mind was why I wrote THE DICE ARE LOADED, a story of political intrigue and hope for the land of my birth. A new breed of politicians emerges, unfettered by dogma and untainted by corruption. They have a plan to save the country from economic meltdown, poverty and starvation, but must sell it to the Central Committee.
Pure fantasy of course. No such thing will happen. Firstly because they don’t admit failure, and secondly, no donor will pour funds into a corrupt, bottomless pit.
I recall my last visit to Harare. Youths gathered around my car when they saw my South African number plates.
“Please Boss, give me a letter to say you have a job for me. Then I can come to South Africa.”
“There are no jobs in South Africa and our people don’t want you. Why do you want to go there? Your government says things are going much better here now. I heard it in the news.”
“Where Boss, not here? Maybe somewhere else.”
“Okay, here’s what you do. You go to your father and you ask him why he voted for the government. Ask him to list all the promises they have made and kept. If there is another election, you must remind your candidate of all these promises and ask him when they will be met. Got that?”
“Aibo. We will not live for another day.”
“Why not? You have the vote. You have freedom.” ”
“Where Boss, not here? Maybe somewhere else.”