Obert Nyandoro THERE is, of course, no such thing as “a shortage of foreign currency”. In open and disciplined markets, all that such a claim reflects is an over-valued local currency, whose managers resist the simple law of supply and demand, at that point in time. As Zimbabwe’s Treasury and its reserve-less Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe implement the new 2024 Q1 monetary policy statement (MPS), they both must be mindful of this truism and their respective mandates. Time is long over-due to accept reality, face the truth, and embrace good governance. The foreign currency denominated debt Zimbabwe defaulted on two decade or so ago, should focus minds. And so should the unacceptable levels of poverty, income and food insecurity, all prevailing in the country. Equally important to bear in mind is the high levels of joblessness and under-employment in the country, the root cause of the poverty. An over-valued and unstable local currency, and the fraudulent “shortage of foreign currency i...
Thomas mapfumo is a cross-generational hero of Zimbabwe, make no mistake about it. Mapfumo cannot be bribed by young and childish Wicknell Chivhayo with an offer of a Car and a House, just so that Mukanya renounces his long-held criticism of corruption, economic mismanagement, and extravagance of current and past government officials. If you honestly thought the living legend Thomas Mapfumo who was arrested by Ian Smith's regime and imprisoned for six months without trial at Chikurubi Maximum Prison for singing "Hokoyo", "Nyoka Musango’’, "Pamuromo Chete’’, ‘‘Chiruzevha Chapera’’, "Nhamo Yamakandiwa’’, ‘‘Zevezeve’’, and ‘‘Kuyaura Kwevasina Musha’’ where he sang; "VaChitepo varipi vatitungamirire? Chembere dzekuno dziripi dzitipe makona, kutipa makona tiwane kuuraya mhandu . . . N’anga dzekuno driripi dzitipe makona tiwane kuraya mhanu yanesta . . . Kuyaura kwevasina musha iwe . . .” They banned his music on Rhodesian radio. The same Tafirenyika wh...