CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE | WEEKLY NEWS
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Zambia |
ECONOMY
39 years after independence,
Zambia is still entangled in an economic mess
following several years of mismanagementAt Independence (24 October 1964), Zambia gave the impression of inherited a flourishing, growing and strong economy, thanks to the copper boom in the 1960s. The economist, Danny Kafuli, says that this almost total dependence on copper, convinced Zambians that their economy was stable, notwithstanding the fact that one day the nation’s copper deposits would be exhausted.
However, warning voices are being heard. True, Zambia is a very large country, endowed with a good climate, agricultural land, water, and is blessed with an enviable political stability. But Agriculture Minister Mundia Sikatana says that while Zambia has more than 50 million hectares of arable land, only 6 million hectares are currently under cultivation. «Zambians are too dependent on handouts. They should provide for themselves and not depend on donor-aid in the midst of plenty».
Zambia’s economists agree that people must work hard on the land because the country doesn’t have any worthwhile manufacturing industry. The World Bank’s representative in Zambia, Owusu Nyanin, says his bank is ready to fund Zambia’s agricultural programme provided the government works with clear strategies in mind. «The World Bank is prepared to provide resources for Zambia to diversify its economy, currently dependent on copper».
Twenty-six years ago, Zambia’s founding father, Kenneth Kaunda, insisted on the importance of Zambians working hard as the only way to free themselves from the yoke of poverty. Yet, Zambians are still crying poverty and want to be paid more than they produce.
National Forum
An example — In September, the nation’s civil servants went on strike. They were calling for huge housing allowances. However, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank made it clear they would not release money to pay unproductive civil servants. (Zambia was scheduled to have its external debt reduced by US $3.8 billion if the country fulfilled the set and agreed benchmarks, including a wage freeze, by 31 December 2003). Zambia’s President, Levy Mwanawasa, then called for a National Forum to be attended by all the opposition political parties, civil society, labour leaders and government officials, in order to iron out and resolve the contentious issues, so that development programmes can be positively pursued.
Mwanawasa reminded his fellow citizens: «Zambians must depart from the culture of destructive media statements and instead contribute positively to national development. We have only Zambia. Nobody else will build Zambia and lift it from the current shackles of poverty».
Mwanawasa has much to do in order to bring Zambia to a degree of economic sense. He can only achieve this with the cooperation of all Zambians irrespective of their political affiliation.
On 24 October 2003, Zambia will celebrate 39 years of independence but the country is still entangled in an economic mess of several years of mismanagement. The question now is, will Zambians make a conscious effort to solve the nation’s troubling economic, political and social problems?
That’s a matter for conjecture!
- Fred Chela, Zambia, September 2003 — © Reproduction authorised, with usual acknowledgment