Maravi

Trusts should address the needs of the people

COMMENT - Community Trusts are one excellent way of making local communities benefit from their natural resources.

Trusts should address the needs of the people
Sunday, 16 October 2011 01:20 Opinion
By Kuda Bwititi

THE historic launch of the Chegutu-Mhondoro-Ngezi-Zvimba Community Trust last week was full of pomp and pleasurable moments.

Perhaps only one statement stood out among the many speeches that were delivered.
President Mugabe, always one to locate the crux of the matter, said: “When you think of our natural resources, they are like the bowels in our stomach. If anyone takes these bowels out of our stomach, they will never be returned.

“They will be gone for good and they will never come back.”
True to the President’s words, communities living in Zimbabwe’s resource-rich areas were disembowelled when colonialists invaded the country, aggressively searching for its riches. Their wealthy intestines continued to be devoured by foreign companies, some of which have left communities in aggravated agony by grabbing every opportunity to loot their resources.

Sadly, the trend continued for so long, as communities remained disadvantaged while foreign entities benefited.

President Mugabe clearly spelt out the plight of locals, saying they have virtually been treated like slaves who work tirelessly for little reward.

“Taneta nekufoshora, dikita richichururuka, guruva rakati dutu, kana pasi pasi ( We are tired of toiling for a pittance ) . . . calamities have happened,” he said.

The community share trusts herald the dawn of a new era for Zimbabwe. They will certainly tackle the colonial injustices that have endured. Cde Mugabe said the trusts seek to redress pre-independence vices.

“Government’s indigenisation and economic empowerment policy is a focused response to the previous exclusion of our people from mainstream economic activity by the settlers.

“The policy seeks to broaden the economic base by involving the majority of indigenous Zimbabweans in meaningful and gainful economic activity, thus giving greater meaning to our independence and self-determination.”

He said it was improper that communities in mineral-rich areas continued to rely on Government and donor support, yet they failed to accrue benefits from the natural endowments in their respective areas.

“The minerals, forests, tourist facilities and wildlife were reaping huge profits for the foreigners while the local communities, in whose areas the resources are located, benefit merely as labourers.

“No meaningful revenue accrued to the local authorities responsible for development in these areas, let alone to the vast majority who fall under the traditional leadership in the communal and resettlement areas.

“Consequently, communities have largely been dependent on Government and donor-funding for their much-needed social and economic infrastructure development.”

Far from being just a launch for communities in Mashonaland West, the unveiling of the initiative reverberated across the province, signalling the start of prosperity for communities in resource-rich areas.

It was no surprise, therefore, that infinite smiles, spasms of delirium and an atmosphere of hope engulfed Selous as President Mugabe launched the historic Chegutu-Mhondoro-Ngezi-Zvimba Com-munity Share Trust last Thursday.

Analysts believe Zimbabwe has begun a trail-blazing journey of transformation that should see it become a pacesetter on the continent. National University of Science and Technology Dean of Communication and Information Science Dr Lawton Hikwa said the country has, once again, positioned itself at the apex of championing empowerment in Africa.

This follows the successful implementation of the historic land reform programme.

“Zimbabwe has, once again, positioned itself at the summit of championing development in Africa. It has set an example that should be emulated by the continent,” he said.

“This is a socio-economic milestone. This is a historic achievement and we have made significant headway in empowerment. It will take other African countries many years to reach where we are.”

For economic analyst Mr Brains Muchemwa, the community trusts stand as tools to address income inequalities.

“One of the major anomalies in our society is that there are people that are considered poor because of low income. They always struggle to get the start they need to be prosperous,” he said.

“However, the community trusts provide the platform for those that have been previously advantaged to get equal opportunities with the affluent. It, therefore, addresses income disparities from an inter-generational perspective.

“It allows for broad-based empowerment that gives a chance for everyone in the community to benefit.” Mr Muchemwa said a formula should be drawn to ensure the previously disadvantaged become the first beneficiaries of the fund.

“The logical thing is that the poor or the previously disadvantaged will be the first beneficiaries of this initiative. This will not only benefit them but also benefit generations to come.”

He said the launch of the trust debunks misconceptions that only the affluent would benefit from the empowerment drive.

Chief Zvimba urged traditional leaders to hold wide-ranging consultations with their people to ensure the trust benefits the majority.

“I want to urge all the chiefs to consult with their headmen and all their subjects so the trust addresses the needs of everyone,” he said.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu said the mining sector has continued to grow. This growth has, however, become mythical because it does not translate into direct benefits for the people, he said.

“Through the ministry’s endeavours and those of the private sector, the mining industry is experiencing unparalleled growth. As confirmed by the Zimbabwe Investment Authority, it is expected to reach a 44 percent growth rate in 2011 and an annualised average growth rate of 19 percent in the next three years,” he said.

“Despite the fact that the sector is growing, mining has remained the preserve of foreigners. There is, however, growing concern that this growth is mythical as it has failed to translate into meaningful development for local communities countrywide.”

Minister Mpofu said although companies have corporate social responsibility programmes, the indigenisation drive was a more effective remedy in addressing the needs of the people.

“As the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, we are concerned that the proceeds-distributive-mechanism employed by these mining entities does not support the development of our communities.

“While we have encouraged corporate social responsibility, the indigenisation framework offers a more effective solution.”

Speaking at the same occasion, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere said the community trusts fulfil a large aspect of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

“The trusts are an instrument for the reduction and eradication of poverty from our midst, consistent with one of the objectives of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals,” he said.

Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo said the trusts herald a turning point in the country’s history.

“We have reached a turning point in Zimbabwe’s history. There is no doubt that there is going to be massive transformation and wide-ranging socio- economic benefits and the local government sector will be the biggest beneficiary of this programme.”

After a long wait that transcended generations, the people of Mashonaland West have finally found a chance to benefit from the vast platinum resources in the area.

The trust, which will be overseen by all the chiefs from the four districts in the province, marked the beginning of the implementation of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act. Mhondoro-Ngezi legislator Cde Bright Matonga said the initiative was partly based on a South African model.

“On February 3 2011, we visited the North West Province in South Africa with Minister Kasukuwere and the chairperson of the National Indigenisation and Empowerment Board, Cde David Chapfika.

“We had first-hand experience of the community share initiatives and we visited Royal Bafokeng, Royal Bakubung and met Chief Ezekiel Kgosi Monnakgotla and Chief Ezekiel Motshubela.

“We discovered that 300 000 people are benefiting from the trusts. Over 20 000 children are getting free education as a result of the trust.

“ Our own trusts will be modelled in a similar manner. They will, however, seek to address the unique needs of our people.”

Labels: INDIGENIZATION AND EMPOWERMENT ACT (ZIMBABWE), OBERT MPOFU

posted by MrK @ 4:13 PM