Zimbabwe’s co-Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara has challenged the Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom to help create a prosperous Zimbabwe “from wherever” they are and not feel pressurised to “come home.”

Prof Mutambara was addressing Zimbabweans in London at a meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group (ZDFG), a coalition of UK based Zimbabwean organisations Saturday July 24th.

Prof Mutambara said, Zimbabwe’s coalition government was a rare opportunity for Zimbabweans to work together and create conditions for free and fair elections and a culture of “constitutionalism” where the rule of law and the constitution are respected by Government.

Prof Mutambara told the meeting that Zimbabweans need to: “Take the Zimbabwe agenda personally.

“Think outside the box and question conventional wisdom. Success speaks louder than words.

“You will never be respected as a person until Zimbabwe has done well as a country.”

When asked whether Zimbabwe was now a safe destination for returnees, Prof Mutambara acknowledged that although the principals of the Global political Agreement (GPA) were working well together there were still problems “happening under our watch.”

He said: “We have not allowed peace and tranquillity among our grassroots. There is still conflict and unnecessary competition.”

He also said: “The 3 parties in Government are being too active in the constitution making process. The 3 parties are not Zimbabwe. There are other parties like ZAPU that need to be part of the dialogue.”

He argued that the GPA was viewed as a necessity by AU, SADC and South Africa, all of whose positions, “we must respect.”

Prof Mutambara alluded to challenges in the coalition and cited that there were still three outstanding issues in the GPA that needed tackling and that the means of violence are still under the control of “our partners” in Government.

“It would be travesty if you all came home tomorrow. You do not need to be in Zimbabwe to make a contribution to the struggle.

“The only way we will build brand Zimbabwe is if some of you stay in the Diaspora where you can access knowledge, resources and networks that we need,” he said.

Prof Mutambara gave examples of other countries which benefited from their nationals who initiated development projects and facilitated investment while in the Diaspora.

“In order for this to work, we need to advocate for those Zimbabweans who are in the Diaspora to be allowed to work, so that they can be empowered enough to assist Zimbabwe,” Prof Mutambara said.

On the constitution, Prof Mutambara said: We must allow dual citizenship and allow voting rights for those in the Diaspora.”

Mutambara said devolution was a global best practice and would make sure that communities are involved in how they are governed and how resources in their area are utilised.

“Devolution is not a Matabeleland idea, but a national idea. It will benefit people in Dotito, in Marange with their diamonds and Hwange with coal.

 

“We must stop shooting down good ideas because of where they come from,” he said.

On sanctions, Prof Mutambara said: “We agreed in the GPA that we will all work to get the sanctions removed. They are not helping us.

“We will not be able to deliver on the economy as long as some people in Government and companies are on sanctions. How do we attract investment in a country where the head of state in under sanctions?”

He invited Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to shift their mindset from ownership to delivery and “collectivise your resources” and take the opportunities in the reconstruction of Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe is like a giant in a ditch. The Diaspora must be part of the definition of a viable framework and destination in tourism, trade, human capital, governance and culture.

“You do not have to come home. We will work with you from where-ever you are,” Prof Mutambara said.

Issued by the Zimbabwe Diaspora Focus Group Coalition (ZDFG)

Secretariat, in London

Chair: Lucia Dube

Below is the full audio recording of the Deputy Prime minister's speech and question and answer in London to Zimbabweans in Diaspora on 24/08/2010

Mutambara_address-.MP3

Mutambara_question_and_answer.MP3