If the people of Zimbabwe do not allow Robert Mugabe and his cronies to steal yet another election from them, the new leadership will have its work cut out to end the economic turmoil in the country and the suffering and hardships of its people.
The international community has indicated that it is ready to step in to support a new Zimbabwean leadership with an economic aid package. But, while shelves can be filled and factories and infrastructure rebuilt with time, innovation and investment, the priority must be the restoration of the rule of law and respect for property rights.
As we point out in Business Times this week, a new government must put in place economic policies that will put an end to the hyper-inflation that is ravaging the country, has led to the collapse of industry, made the Zimbabwean dollar worthless, and brought about shortages of food, fuel and everything else.
Zimbabweans are going to have to endure their country’s economic pain a bit longer, while their new government stops printing money to pay for salaries and political favours it can’t afford.
However, if any economic recovery effort is underpinned by a return to the rule of law and respect for property rights, local and international entrepreneurs and investors will quickly move to set up in a country that holds much promise. Zimbabwe is a rich country, with significant agricultural and mineral resources, and the remnants of an educated workforce.
But, unless Zimbabwean, South African and international businesses know that contracts will be enforced and their property protected, they will not invest in the country. No one, including Zimbabweans, is going to put time and money into the development of the country, unless they are confident that they will be able to hold onto the rewards of their efforts. And it is unlikely that those skilled Zimbabweans who fled to avoid the economic collapse will consider returning to help rebuild the economy. Many did not have the guts or interest to return to vote in an election that may have ended the rule of Zanu-PF.
But, if it is confident that its investments will be rewarded, business will put money into rebuilding the commercial agriculture, mining and retail industries. Some economists and analysts suggest that these are the industries that can be revived fastest and provide the country with basic essentials, new jobs and foreign exchange.
Whatever economic rescue plan finally emerges for Zimbabwe, South Africans must make sure they are a part of it. An economically strong Zimbabwe will benefit South Africa and the whole of the region. If Zimbabwe stabilises, South Africa will be relieved of some of the social, economic and political burdens brought by the millions of Zimbabweans who have made their way across our borders illegally. At the very least, the flood will slow.
Without the festering sore that is Zimbabwe today, there will be increased international investor confidence in Southern Africa, to the benefit of all its countries. And, an economically viable Zimbabwe would be a valuable trading partner for South Africa.
This is why the South African government must not allow Mugabe to subvert democracy again. No matter what Pretoria’s spin doctors say, South Africa’s strategy of quiet diplomacy has done little more than to cosset Mugabe while he raped his country.
Mugabe has over the past eight years shown that he has no respect for Thabo Mbeki and has made South Africa’s president the laughing stock of the diplomatic world. Mbeki, for reasons only he understands, was yesterday insisting that there was no need for international action and that the situation was under control.
Mugabe has made it clear that he will not be persuaded to step down  even though it is clearly the will of his people. Mbeki must now lead an effort by the countries of Southern Africa to get the Mugabe regime to accept democratic outcomes, rather than continue to buy him more time while he tries to steal another election.
And, the people of Zimbabwe must end their docile participation in their own repression and finally show enough guts to defend democracy. Appealing to the world for help does not constitute courage.
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Post published in: Uncategorized