Maravi

(HERALD) Dialogue way forward on land

Dialogue way forward on land

FOR Zimbabwe, land remains one of the cornerstones of its political and economic independence as well as the very survival of the nation. Its importance is buttressed by the courage that saw sons and daughters of the soil taking up arms to fight colonial settlers. So anyone who resists land reform will — in essence — be fighting Zimbabweans and seeking to reverse the gains of the liberation struggle. This is precisely what white former commercial landholders who have taken their case to the Sadc Tribunal in Namibia are regrettably doing.

It is most unfortunate that they started a fight they cannot sustain to the end, as the path they have chosen is hugely confrontational and only serves to heighten the people’s agitation.

The law clearly states that once land is compulsorily acquired, that decision cannot be challenged in court.

By taking the matter to court, the white former farmers are seeking the reversal of land reform but more importantly are seeking to take us back to the colonial era.

President Mugabe has repeatedly made it crystal clear that land reform is irreversible and that no amount of pressure will force the Government to shift from that stance.

When we talk of land, we are talking about the economic well-being of the people, about food security, about employment creation and without land we become a nation of begging bowels. If the white former commercial farmers have genuine concerns, it is in their best interests to engage the Government to see how they can also benefit from land reform.

By going to the tribunal with unsubstantiated claims of violence and calling for peacekeepers to be sent to Zimbabwe, only goes to show that the farmers are still unrepentant and spoiling for a fight in order to continue benefiting from the spoils of colonialism.

Whatever the tribunal says will not reverse land reform. There is no way thousands of Zimbabweans settled on commercial farms will be kicked out to accommodate white former farmers.

Their hope for a return lies entirely in engaging the Government and taking advantage of the spirit of dialogue that President Mugabe has been preaching before and after the elections.

For the white former farmers to think the tribunal will return land to them is sheer wishful thinking.

The land question is purely internal and specifically a Zimbabwean issue, which only us can resolve the way that suits us.

Nothing will divert the Government from its goal to empower its people.

The white former farmers are just publicity seekers who need to quickly realise land reform was never about colour but about correcting the skewed land imbalances created by the colonial regime.

They need to realise that the quicker they stop confrontation with the Government and work towards an amicable solution to their problems, the better for them, given that the platform for dialogue and talks has been presented for them and others, of like mind.

The case against the Government will not deter it from its goal to empower indigenous Zimbabweans.

Labels: LAND REFORM

posted by MrK @ 10:41 PM