Why Mnangagwa’s farm must not be used as an example

First it was the Political Actors Dialogue delegation that visited President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s farm in Kwekwe to see how productive the President was as a farmer.

Next was a Chinese delegation from China Lesso Group which is reportedly interested in investing in agriculture in Zimbabwe.

Without taking away anything from Mnangagwa and his wife Auxillia, they may be good farmers, hardworking and all, but their farm must not be used as an example of how productive or innovative Zimbabwe farmers can be.

They have access to resources that most Zimbabweans do not have just because of who they are.

We saw it all before when former President Robert Mugabe and his wife Grace used Gushungo Holdings farm and dairy in Mazowe to show how enterprising Zimbabweans could be.

It became the first port of call for delegations that wanted to invest in the country.

Where is it now?

We saw it all with former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono.

Where is he now?

Zimbabwe must use examples of ordinary Zimbabwean farmers and business people who are struggling to make ends meet and are making it.

The problem with using politically connected people or senior government officials is that their success quickly evaporates once they are out of power or fall out of favour with the powers that be.

Less than six months after falling out you suddenly hear that they are broke, their property is being auctioned for one reason or another, they owe huge sums to parastatals and financial institutions.  The list goes on.

If the country is doing well, why use the President as an example?

If the nation is doing well, use the success of average people and the President will get credit.

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