AS Zimbabweans and the rest of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) participants headed back to their respective homes and countries from the oversubscribed and resoundingly successful 64th edition of the annual trade showcase, there was no escaping the pervasive fact that the country had scored yet another major milestone in its ongoing economic revival agenda.
The main purpose of the ZITF is to showcase technological innovations designed to drive industrial growth and encourage entrepreneurship by providing a platform for new businesses to connect with new customers and investors.
This year witnessed the participation of an Australian delegation — for the first time in 23 years — as the ‘Zimbabwe is Open for Business’ mantra and ‘engagement and re-engagement’ thrust continues to bear fruit.
ZITF has since bounced back to attract more investors and new exhibitors as the country continues to battle Western-imposed illegal economic sanctions that sought — but failed — to achieve their ‘intended objectives’ of removing the ZANU PF Government from power.
The country has not only survived two decades of a relentless economic embargo by the West, but it
has managed to quell the devastation of that war by harnessing local resources to usher in the much-needed economic development to the masses. All this in fulfilment of the objectives of the protracted war of liberation.
The massive infrastructure projects, mining activities and development in the agricultural sector, among others, are visible to all and sundry.
These projects continue to keep the country on an even keel, despite claims to the contrary by our detractors.
The masses in those sectors are reaping the fruits of the country’s people-oriented policies.
They are basking in the glory of Zimbabwe’s numerous economic empowerment initiatives.
And the just-ended ZITF provided an excellent platform for the local business community to showcase their products and prowess.
The West has waged a relentless economic war on Zimbabwe, but so far it has come to naught. The gains of the liberation struggle are not negotiable, neither are they for sale to the highest bidder, whatever their colour or political dispensation.
Western countries have since realised the futility of their project and are now slowly warming up to Zimbabwe.
They are now reluctantly trooping back to the ‘land of milk of honey’ and duly ignoring the vile machinations of their inane cohorts in the opposition who claim to have been fighting for what they call ‘democracy’.
The same democracy that was brought about by the barrel of an AK-47 rifle!
Zimbabwe is ample testimony that Western imperialism is on its way out.
It does not take rocket science to understand that there is a seismic shift in global power politics as the Chinese and Russian presidents, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, respectively, systematically go about dismantling Western hegemonic control of the world’s political economy.
Zimbabwe also provides ample proof that any attempts to reverse people-oriented projects through such infantile antics typified by the so-called regime change agenda will not succeed.
This, too, is another battle from which we have emerged bloodied but victorious.
And we will continue to raise our flag high on other battle fronts.
This leaves the country with only one choice — to continue on its current trajectory.
There is simply no going back for Zimbabwe.
The world is watching, waiting and warming up to the country’s two decades-long defiance of Western-sponsored imperialistic as well as neo-colonial machinations.
Zimbabwe, said the ZITF guest of honour, Kenyan President William Ruto, at the official opening ceremony of the annual trade showcase, is on its way back to the apex of the global economy.
Its economic policies, he predicted, would catapult the country to prosperity.
Bold decisions taken in mining, agriculture and infrastructure and the recent introduction of the ZiG, the country’s gold and other strategic minerals-backed currency, are the tonic needed for the country to enter into an era of prosperity, said President Ruto.
“One thing that has been difficult to ignore from the moment we stepped on Zimbabwean soil is the unmistakable energy of a country going places, a people facing forward and a nation entering a new chapter in its development history,” observed President Ruto.
“Upon observation and reflection, I have a good idea about the source of this infectious air of optimistic expectation that fills up every space in this country. We all know that Zimbabwe has waged its share of struggles, faced its share of challenges and undergone a great deal of setbacks and pressures.
“It has been inspiring to witness the resilience and fortitude of the Zimbabwean nation and the people, who, though not authors of their country’s tribulations, refused to be victims of it, and did not give up, slow down or lament in despair.”
Indeed, despair has never been part of our DNA as a country or as a people.
We have dug deep into our resilience to take the enemy head-on and dismiss him with the contempt he deserves.
Today, we stand tall in the face of adversity as the enemy refuses to back down.
We, too, will never back down but will continue to defend and develop our motherland until final victory. And, in the words of our former freedom fighters, that victory is certain.
What is disappointing, however, is that, while the enemy has taken heed of that compelling message, its local lackeys continue to burn the midnight oil to no avail.
That, too, is going to fail dismally.
Let those with ears listen.
