LOVE it or hate it, the one undisputable fact about Zimbabwe is that it is simply irresistible. So far this year we have played host to numerous critical events.
We must celebrate and pat ourselves on the back.
All these great and critical events pinnacled with the visit of the Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Now we all know, all of us, including the West, that China means business in global affairs and has become a force to reckon with.
We all know that China is a superpower whose relations with the rest of the world are refreshing as this giant tramples upon no one in its dealings.
Indeed the world is too important to be left to Britain and America alone.
Indeed the next few decades are China’s decades and it is time the West woke up to the fact that the Asian powerhouse has become a leading player in the world and it is appreciated by those who are working with it for its respectful approach.
China has important lessons, especially for developing countries, for example Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is now one of the 10 most valuable companies in the world.
And Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi, which used to be looked down upon, has now captured the hearts and minds of Chinese consumers and those abroad, it is competing with Apple products among others.
But I digress, this week I am celebrating our wonderful hospitality that has seen us getting more nods to host important meetings.
We have hosted the 5th Climate Change and Development for Africa annual conference in Victoria Falls.
Climate change is not just a topical issue but one that has seriously affected nations, especially developing ones.
And early in the year we hosted the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit on industrialisation where issues to do with sustainable economic development and growth were discussed.
Such events are not held in a ‘burning’ country.
We have earned the right to host the events because we are qualified and have a leadership that is respected on the international fora.
Never mind the vitriol aimed at the country by our detractors.
When it comes to the crunch, when truth and facts matter, they all know Zimbabwe has set standards that the rest of Africa can emulate.
This is again evidenced by Zimbabwe’s successful bid to host the 18th International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA).
The conference that ends today was hosted in the country because our nation has achieved significant milestones in the fight against HIV and AIDS.
“Congratulations Zimbabwe for getting such an opportunity,” said UNAIDS in congratulating the country for winning the bid to host the international conference. “It is time to show the world what Zimbabwe has achieved and where it is headed in the next decade as concerning HIV and AIDS.”
The conference, which ran under the theme: ‘AIDS in Post 2015, Linking Leadership, Science and Human Rights’ brought together scientists, policy makers, activists, people living with HIV and some civil society representatives.
While the conference reviewed the HIV and AIDS response mechanisms adopted by countries as well as come up with ways of strengthening the partnership among governments and co-operating partners, I hope African participants came up with resolutions that will see us, in the future, not depending on the West for prevention and mitigation.
For instance, it is time that Africa work towards manufacturing the much needed anti-retroviral drugs.
Africa has vast resources it can leverage to become a producer of these drugs that will be created specifically for Africa by Africans.
Zimbabwe is definitely the place to be.