Zimbabwe is calling you

Some of our asylum seeking compatriots, and we must be clear that it is not all of them, are trying too hard to get their paperwork in order and are not prepared for any other agenda. The Prime Ministers call appears to be targeted to those who have something to offer Zimbabwe and that is the basis on which the Prime Minister expected a response. To censor the Prime minister who represents the majority of Zimbabweans was rather undemocratic, narrow minded and selfish.

The call for President Mugabe to go should be better made from Zimbabwe where he lives, and those on the ground who bear the brunt of economic hardships will not understand why a man they choose could be heckled for asking his fellow compatriots to return home and make Zimbabwe great again. The point is that, it is not the Prime minister who is wrong here but those that do know or understand the inclusive governments agenda and clearly removed from the real issues on the ground. Prime Minister launched the economic recovery plan; STERP document in March 2009 which clearly sets out the inclusive governments plans for the Diaspora.

Paragraph 290 of STERP clearly states that, The Inclusive Government, in cooperation with other development partners will, therefore, mount a targeted campaign complemented by an incentive structure to induce skilled non-resident nationals to return and serve their country.

Paragraph 291 and 292 further clarifies who will be targeted, Specific targeted strategic professionals include those in medicine, engineers, university lecturers and science teachers, financial and ICT experts, among others.

The campaign strategy will be supported by programmes inclusive of incentives, targeted at stemming further skills loss as well as tapping into the skills base of non resident nationals.

Of all the people who jeered the Prime Minister I hope that they fall in the category set out in STERP. Otherwise he was not talking to them because it would unimaginable for the Prime Minister to be bothering people outside his priority group with a message that does not apply to them. Of course like the Biblical seed, word will fell on different types of soil and its germination will say it all.

One way of option for Prime Minister to engage his priority Diaspora target groups would be to profile them and establish communication channels suitable to the target group of professionals. This can be done through workshops, and seminars. It is important to avoid mixing professionals with activists or special interest groups. It is also important to understand that Diaspora is a mixed bag and time should be taken to consult those groups who are already doing some hard work to organise Diaspora professionals.

The Prime Minister however appeared well briefed and he knew thta he had to be bold in his call. The Prime Minister is there to tell people only what they want to hear but harsh realities and home truths no matter how unpalatable. Only a weak Prime Minister would deliver populist messages to get people’s support. The Diaspora should hee the Prime Minister’s well meant. All he is saying is that Zimbabwe needs and it’s an individual choice. It is Zimbabwe calling you not the Prime Minister, we should not shoot the messanger.