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Zindonga: Development not necessarily from West
2006-04-17 09:30:25
By Bilham Kimati
As Zimbabwe marks her 26th independence anniversary tomorrow, the adoption of ’’ Look East Policy’’ to revive the economy, has started to pay off, through sustainable and bilateral exchange of technology.
In an interview with The Guardian, Zimbabwean Ambassador to Tanzania Chippo Zindonga gave a clear foresight of the ruling ZANU-PF on the country’s destination, irrespective of the continued criticism from the West.
The bilateral relations currently under creation between Zimbabwe, China and India are expected to sideline the western countries as Zimbabwe development partners, said the ambassador.
She said prior to year 2000, when the issue of land expropriation came to implementation, those criticising Zimbabwe today, classified her as the most democratic country in Africa, adding: ’’They did so, as long as their vested interests remained untouched.’’
’’Since many politicians in Britain had large shares in settlers’ farming in Zimbabwe, to them land redistribution was a greatest sin Zimbabwe had ever committed and therefore made all efforts to smear the leadership of President Robert Mugabe,’’ said the envoy.
Lashing out at the West, The ambassador said Land relocation in Zimbabwe was and is still a trans-ideological issue in Britain, forcing MPs from different political parties to stand together to defame the government of President Mugabe.
’’In 1820s settlers forced the natives out of their land, confiscating their cattle, women and daughters were separated from their parents. The ’champions’ of democracy (the West) did not talk about the property rights, violation of human rights or condemning it as undemocratic. But when it comes to giving back the land to the majority blacks, the situation turns sour,’’ she said.
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