Zimbabwe`s business community must find its voice and start confronting government on economy

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) President, Busisa Moyo

One wonders what exactly it would take for Zimbabwe`s business community to take a stand against the governing party`s handling of the economy. From bond notes, cash shortages, high unemployment, anemic growth, it seems not only has the wheels fallen off for Zimbabwe, but so too has the axle and the suspension. Consider this, the politburo will meet today, and on the agenda will obviously be its internal factional fights if the events of the last couple of weeks are anything to go by. Also featuring on the agenda, as a mere afterthought was the state of the economy. Yes, Zanu PF is allowed to sanitise its in-house affairs however it sees fit, but when attention on the economy is continuously relegated to the fringes, surely it must be a cause for concern.

Businesses are the backbone of the economy, and they have a vested interest in the state of the economy. Perhaps the country`s business community does not know how important it really is in the broader national context. No wonder the politicians continue to take business for granted. How can it be business as usual when the national pre-occupation is on petty party politics, while the economy continues to tank? Companies pay taxes to government, and with taxes, comes representation and participation in the democratic process. Instead of sucking up to government continuously, it is high time the business sector looks government eyeball-to-eyeball regarding its commitment, or lack thereof, to turn the economy around.

The truth is that there is a ‘crisis’ which can potentially develop into something much worse. Worryingly though, is the governing party`s flagrant neglect of the economy, as it continues to ‘major in the minors,’ so far as the overall economy is concerned.

What in the name of all that is good and holy, are local business lobby groups like the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) doing, holding countless consultative meetings, Indabas and workshops for months on end, yet they glaringly fail to raise their voices in holding government to account?  These are the same lobby groups representing some of the corporates which stumble upon each other, queuing up to buy ridiculously priced dinner tables at Zanu PF fundraising events, just to be seen as being supportive of the governing party, regardless of the fact that they are short of working capital to just keep their lights on.

It is no longer business as usual, and it would be abhorrent for the local business industry to let Zanu PF, or any political party running the country for that matter, to drive the economy over the cliff, while it haplessly looks on. Zimbabwe`s business sector must collectively show its economic clout, and challenge government constructively on business friendly policy making and also work closely with the suits in government to practically improve the economic climate.

It could be that, the business community does not quite know the power and influence it can potentially wield. Take South Africa for instance, when Jacob Zuma – as all politicians do from time to time – made a questionable, spur-of-the-moment decision to sack Finance minister Nhlanhla Nene, replacing him with an unknown David van Rooyen, the South African business community did not just simply take this lying down. The South African Chamber of Mines, the Black Business Council as well as the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which represent a substantial number of businesses between them called for President Zuma to explain the rationale behind his decision as a matter of priority. Subsequently, they made representations to Zuma explaining to him how catastrophic his decision was, ultimately prompting Zuma to reverse his decision. This illustrates how the business community can effectively hold politicians to account, and so influence priorities and decisions, particularly when it concerns the economy.

The current situation where Zanu PF as the government in power continues its internal mud-slinging and name-calling antics as opposed to focusing on repairing the economy is untenable. This just speaks to the rather unfortunate lack of accountability Zanu PF faces. In the absence of organized and well-oiled opposition parties to do so, it is imperative for the business community locally to stand up and challenge the current status quo. In fact, it is in their best interests to do so! After all, these are the same company executives bemoaning the poor macro-economic conditions for the unimpressive performances of their companies at every twist and turn. Messrs Chris Mugaga, Busisa Moyo and Toindepi Muganyi among a host of several other business leaders must wake up and start actively confronting government on the economy as the faces of corporate Zimbabwe.