European Knight
05-13-2015, 06:42 PM
http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/letters/2015/05/13/letter-not-so-rosy-zimbabwe
IN HIS commentary on Zimbabwe (China sows seeds of African stability, May 7), Kai Xue from China tries to paint a rosy picture of the future there based on the increasing tobacco crop. It will take more than a revival of that crop to turn that troubled nation around.
Western countries rightfully imposed sanctions on the Mugabe regime after rigged elections, the violent and illegal seizure of white-owned farms and severe human rights violations. This situation has not changed. Policies forcing businesses to hand over half of their assets to black people approved by the government has stopped foreign investment.
The president turned to China in the face of western hostility. It has provided him with funds to carry on and turn a blind eye to rights abuses, as its own record in this field is very poor. China wants Africa’s natural resources so it is a trade of convenience. Zimbabwe has been flooded with cheap Chinese products so what is left of the local manufacturing industry has been diminished. There is extremely high unemployment.
Until Zimbabwe returns to democracy, rule of law and sound fiscal policies, there is no hope of improvement. To turn a thriving agricultural and industrial economy exporting to other African nations into ruins for greedy and racist reasons has condemned Zimbabweans to an uncertain future
IN HIS commentary on Zimbabwe (China sows seeds of African stability, May 7), Kai Xue from China tries to paint a rosy picture of the future there based on the increasing tobacco crop. It will take more than a revival of that crop to turn that troubled nation around.
Western countries rightfully imposed sanctions on the Mugabe regime after rigged elections, the violent and illegal seizure of white-owned farms and severe human rights violations. This situation has not changed. Policies forcing businesses to hand over half of their assets to black people approved by the government has stopped foreign investment.
The president turned to China in the face of western hostility. It has provided him with funds to carry on and turn a blind eye to rights abuses, as its own record in this field is very poor. China wants Africa’s natural resources so it is a trade of convenience. Zimbabwe has been flooded with cheap Chinese products so what is left of the local manufacturing industry has been diminished. There is extremely high unemployment.
Until Zimbabwe returns to democracy, rule of law and sound fiscal policies, there is no hope of improvement. To turn a thriving agricultural and industrial economy exporting to other African nations into ruins for greedy and racist reasons has condemned Zimbabweans to an uncertain future