IN order to understand the current re-engagement overtures by the West, particularly the European Union (EU) as seen by their awarding of the country two prestigious tourism awards, one needs to read the Chatham House Report on the country.
The conferment of Zimbabwe as the 2014 Best Tourism Award and the World’s Most Preferred Cultural Destination by the European Council on Tourism and Trade (ECTT) must be understood in the context of the EU’s attempts to re-engage with the country after years of frosty relations.
A perusal of the Chatham House Report that was published a few months ago shows that despite its seemingly hard line stance on the country, the EU has no option but to solve its ‘issues’ with Zimbabwe especially on the back of pressure from China which has taken the lead in investing in the country.
“Many international actors want to bring closure to more than 17 years of political crisis in Zimbabwe,” reads the Chatham House Report in part.
“The invitation by the EU to President Robert Mugabe to attend the fourth EU–Africa summit in Brussels in April signalled both a response to African pressure and the desire to normalise relations.
“Given the results of the 2013 election, the lifting of most EU sanctions and the continued economic challenges facing the country, this report argues in favour of accelerating Western re-engagement with Zimbabwe now, rather than after presidential change.”
It should be understood that Chatham House is not one of those fly-by night organisations, it is key to the United Kingdom.
It forms their foreign policy.
It is their strategist in terms of their thinking.
For Zimbabweans it is key in their recent history.
This is because it was at the Chatham House that the MDC was formed in early 1999.
It was at this place that the strategy to isolate Zimbabwe was conceived.
So their advice that the EU and the West must speed re-engagement must be understood in terms of the ever changing political landscape in the country.
Zimbabwe is no longer one of those countries that can be bullied around by Western powers.
It is strategic in global political economics.
Its abundant natural resources make it a key actor in the scheme of things when it comes to the global economy.
Indeed, recent events are replete with examples of how the project to isolate Zimbabwe and present it as a pariah state run by one ‘dictator’ called Robert Mugabe has dismally failed to achieve its objectives.
In a space of two months we have conferences aimed at setting the platform for the West to re-engage with Zimbabwe.
We have also witnessed an increased number of Western diplomats embracing the country and acknowledging that it a vital component of global economic development.
In the same vein, there have been serious inquiries on the vast investment opportunities in the country.
Quietly the Government has been sealing lucrative investment deals with a number of international players.
With these awards and the admission by the Chatham House Report that there is need for the West to expedite re-engagement efforts with Zimbabwe, there is no doubt that the country must take this opportunity with both hands.
The awards were simply a tonic for what the country needs to do in order to reclaim its place in the top echelons of top economic and tourist destinations.
But as the saying goes, charity begins at home, President Mugabe’s words at the conferment ceremony must be embraced by all.
Speaking at the ceremony last week, President Mugabe called for the promotion of domestic tourism, saying many Zimbabweans lack knowledge on the many historic treasures and monuments in the country.
“Indeed, countrymen, the winning of this award should be a wake-up call to all of us to realise the many historical treasures that we own,” said President Mugabe.
“I wonder how many of us are aware of the many historical treasures that we own. How many of us are aware that our ZIWA National Monuments in Manicaland date back to the Stone Age period?
“Whilst all these natural and cultural sites, a number of which are now among UNESCO Human Heritage Sites, can and should be leveraged to attract visitors to Zimbabwe, I believe it is equally important for our own people, both adults and children to know and visit these sites.”
With these remarks by President Mugabe the onus is now on Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) Karikoga Kaseke to vigorously push the Zimbabwe agenda to both locals and the international community.
They have done well thus far with their recent success being the Carnival.
But their efforts will not only boost the country’s tourism but the economy in equal measure.
Now that the country has been recognised by the ECTT, it is time for us to rise above and shine as a country.
The tourism sector is our entry point to the thrust of boosting the economy.
Let those with ears listen.