ZIMBABWE’S ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE: FROM HOPE TO DISAPPOINTMENT

The journey to Zimbabwe’s independence was full of sacrifice and hope. In 1980, when the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), led by Robert Mugabe, took control, people had big dreams. They hoped for a country that would be fair, rich, and independent. The new government promised to change the lives of the people for the better. But over time, things did not go as planned. Zimbabwe’s economy got worse, and many people believe corruption was to blame.

Before independence, during the time of the Rhodesian government, Zimbabwe was called Southern Rhodesia. Ian Smith was in charge during this time, and the economy was growing. The government focused on building roads, factories, and farms. Mining and agriculture became very strong. The Rhodesian dollar was also strong, even though the country faced sanctions. These sanctions were because Rhodesia declared independence from Britain without their permission in 1965. While the economy was growing, it is important to note that only the white population was getting rich. The black majority was poor, and there was a big gap between the rich and the poor.

When ZANU-PF took over in 1980, the new government promised to share the wealth equally among the people. They wanted to make sure the black majority could live better lives. Unfortunately, many of these promises have not been fulfilled. Corruption has been one of the biggest problems. Reports from Transparency International have shown that Zimbabwe is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

A well-known example of corruption is the Marange diamond scandal. In this case, billions of dollars from diamond sales were said to have disappeared. Corruption like this has made the economy worse. It led to hyperinflation, where prices rise too fast, and the Zimbabwean dollar lost its value. The country had to start using the US dollar instead. Because of the bad economy, many people have fallen into poverty. There are also fewer jobs, and many people have no work.

The situation now is very different from the Rhodesian era. Back then, there was strong economic growth because the country had a lot of factories and industries. There were many factories that made clothes, food, and steel. Today, many of these factories have closed down, and the number of jobs has gone down. The farming industry, which used to be very strong, is now weak because of bad decisions made by the government, such as the land reforms. Zimbabwe used to be known as the “breadbasket of Africa” because of its strong agriculture, but now it has to depend on other countries for food.

It’s important to remember that the comparison between the Rhodesian government and the ZANU-PF government is not just about the economy. During the Rhodesian times, the government was only good for the white minority, while the black majority was oppressed. The government treated people unfairly because of their race. On the other hand, ZANU-PF made sure there were improvements in education and healthcare, and there are more political freedoms today than during the Rhodesian era. People can now vote and express their opinions, which they could not do freely before independence.

In conclusion, while the Rhodesian government made the economy strong, it did so by keeping most of the people poor and treating them unfairly. The ZANU-PF government promised equality and a better life for everyone but failed because of corruption and poor management. Zimbabwe can learn from both of these periods. The country needs to bring back the strong economy it once had but without the unfair treatment of the past. It also needs to get rid of corruption to build a fair and strong country for everyone.