The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE must reduce its import basket which has gobbled between $6 to $7 billion in the last six years and start prioritising the revival of the manufacturing sector through supporting the requirements of Statutory Instrument 64 which promotes the consumption of locally manufactured goods.
Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries president Mr Busisa Moyo said this while addressing delegates at a Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Commander Charities Dinner Dance held at a Bulawayo hotel on Friday evening. He said as it stands Zimbabwe has the highest cost of manufacturing in Africa.
“Zimbabwe is 45-55 percent more expensive than other countries around it in terms of manufacturing which is a high figure in terms of doing business. As a country we have then imported above US$6-US$7 billion worth of goods for the last six years and that alone has the potential to create two million jobs,” he said.
Mr Moyo said the country is facing massive corruption that is letting down efforts being made to revive the economy.
“Our country is plagued with corruption, we owe a lot of money to a lot of countries, institutions, and we have a high cost of doing business which is uncompetitive at all. We need a paradigm shift in order to succeed,” he said.
The dinner dance, an annual event, was attended by captains of industry who demonstrated their willingness to support army charities.
The commander ZNA Lieutenant-General Philip Valerio Sibanda said the annual charities dinner dance has grown from the previous ones as business people have continued to offer support.
“We have grown tremendously, we have people from Matabeleland, Midlands and some as far as Harare who have supported this event. It is a sign our work is being recognised indeed,” he said.
Lt-Gen Sibanda said the ZNA has five charities under its wings, the most vital one being the Tsanga Lodge Rehabilitation Centre in Inyanga.
“When our members are injured and are discharged from hospitals we take them to this place and they continue with recovery especially those that will have lost limbs. We rehabilitate them and redirect their area of employment for they cannot continue with their previous jobs. The ZNA funds this project through your assistance,” he said.
The ZNA has a benevolent fund which caters for troops that will be deployed at key points such as de-mining areas and other places of importance. A schools welfare trust is also in place which supports 19 ZNA schools including three high schools.
The commander said the schools were lacking in terms of science laboratories which need to be equipped to accommodate science subjects adequately. Another charity he mentioned is the ZNA Widows and Orphans Fund which pays schools fees for children of departed servicemen and women. The fund also bridges the gap when a member dies and his benefits are being processed.
The other charity is one for ZNA members who will be admitted to hospitals. The army sends fruit hampers and other necessities while the member is hospitalised.
