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The Committee of the People's Charter new year's statement
Committee
of the Peoples Charter (CPC)
December 29, 2011
As we have come
to the end of 2011, a year in which quite significant political
processes have taken place in our country, the region, the Arab
world and the world over, we in the Committee of the People Charter
(CPC) wish to congratulate those who genuinely pursued the cause
of peace, democracy, justice and a better life in the various struggles
waged by the masses of the world. Indeed an example to the youths
of this country was set by the young people of Tunisia and Egypt
that our struggles can be waged in a peaceful manner. Alas to say
the young people have been a target of abuse, arrests, detention
and persecution as the Harare administration pressed panic buttons
after the Arab revolution. We take this opportunity to express our
solidarity to Solomon Madzore and the Madzore family on the continued
detention of Solomon Madzore.
To Zimbabwe
2011 marked the third year of the existence of the inclusive
government. The year also marks the fourth year since the multitudes
of Zimbabweans from a diverse background met over two days, after
prior and intense consultation and a collective thought process,
to craft the Zimbabwe People's
Charter. During the course of the year, comrades noted that
the Zimbabwe People's Charter-an intensively expressive voice
of the people, a repository of the aspirations of the people of
Zimbabwe should only but be a durable statement about the kind of
Zimbabwe that we seek to build. The Committee of the People's
Charter, a coalition of organisations and individuals committed
to the kind of Zimbabwe enunciated in the Zimbabwe People's
Charter, came into being during the course of the year. The committee
continue to grow with individuals and organisational members committing
themselves, voluntarily to the work of the CPC.
As we approach
2012, we wish to raise within the mandate of the CPC concerns over
what transpired in our country during the course of the folding
year and reinforce our long held expectations for the forthcoming
year, based on the shared positions enunciated in the Zimbabwe People's
Charter:
On National
Economy and Social Welfare
We note improvements
in the economy anchored in particular by the Agricultural and Mining
Industries. Though this improvement is welcome, growth has not necessarily
resulted in new jobs for our unemployed young people and reduction
in poverty. Further, the cake from these sectors has not been shared
and spread among Zimbabweans. We therefore call upon the inclusive
government to ensure that:
- The proceeds
from these two main economic contributors is spread and shared
among the people of Zimbabwe, through increased royalties to the
state coffers. Further, we call for accountability in the utilisation
of proceeds from all the mining and agricultural activities in
our country.
- Such proceeds
from mining and agriculture must be channelled towards financing
the provision of basic services to our people. On Political Environment,
Constitutional Reform and National Elections The inclusive government,
a product of a disputed election has among its responsibilities,
the creation of an environment to ensure a credible, free and
fair election. This was to be ensured through the crafting of
a genuine democratic and people driven constitution and the creation
of a conducive electoral and political environment. We note, after
three years, the inclusive government has:
- Failed to
lead a credible constitution
making process
- Failed to
institute key political reforms, electoral necessary for the holding
of free and fair elections
- Failed to
tame political violence, in particular that instigated by the
political parties especially ZANU PF
- Been reluctant
to institute genuine institutional reforms i.e. the media and
security necessary for the free participation of the masses in
the political processes
In light of
the above mentioned, the Committee of the People's Charter
holds that:
- The people
will reject any constitution that does not promote a democratic
and just socio-political and economic system.
- The inclusive
government should put in place credible reforms in the media,
security and electoral before any future election or referendum.
- The national
healing process is central to the development of a tolerant and
democratic society. In this regard, we urge the government and
NGOs to put renewed energies in the world on the national
healing process. The process should however ensure that the
victims get the answers as to who committed the atrocities and
inflicted harm and pain on the people.
On Youth
The youth,
both female and male, represent the present and the future of our
country. We therefore reiterate our earlier stated position that:
- The government
must set up a inter-ministerial task-force (comprising the Ministries
of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment, Women's Affairs
and Gender, Small to Medium Enterprise development and Finance),
mandated to coordinate the administration of state as well as
private funds that have been promised for youth projects in the
forthcoming year so as to ensure that deserving young people including
females benefit from government's empowerment initiatives.
- That government
facilitates the setting up of an independent National Youth Development
Agency, with a special mandate of leading and championing all
youth development related initiative in a non-partisan and patriotic
manner.
We further reiterate
our call upon government to put in place an affirmative policy towards
ensuring that young people get a quota on all state contracts.
Conclusion
The challenges
that confront us are not insurmountable. Let us work individually
and collectively to ensure the renaissance of our motherland. As
we enter the New Year, let us put our energies towards positive
agendas. Let us make 2012 a better year for our beloved Zimbabwe.
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