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The poor rich gap widened by another law
Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA)
March 05, 2010

Comment

The poor rich gap widened by another law

The recent enactment of the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Bill 2007 that demands every company operating its businesses in Zimbabwe to have 51% of its shareholders as natives is the worst law that an independent government that is struggling to attract investors can come up with. Besides the fact that the law will scare away foreign investors who are capable of revitalizing our tattered economy, it is also a continuation of the marginalisation of the ordinary residents. Ordinary residents are wallowing in poverty and do not have resources to acquire shares from potential investors, hence the likelihood is that those same individuals who benefited from corrupt tendencies from the previous status quo are the same people who have resources to acquire shares from these potential investors. As a result, the very same individuals that have milked the national coffers to enrich themselves; the very same individuals that benefited from the fast-track land resettlement programmes; the very same petty bourgeoisie that are enriching themselves from the blood diamonds of Chiadzwa will become more empowered while the grassroots languish in poverty perpetually. These are the people who will be responsible for funding galas and birthdays at the expense of suffering residents.

International women's day . . . no cause for celebration for local women

While the world over, men and women are commemorating international Women's Day (8 March 2010) women in Bulawayo continue to face problems as a result of failed service delivery. The struggles of women continue as they still fetch firewood in fields where the torment of rape hangs. They still cook on wooden fires because of ZESA's ineptitude. They still carry water buckets due to BCC's disconnections. They still are not recognized officially as small-scale entrepreneurs inasmuch as they haven't been acknowledged as victims of Operation Murambatsvina. Some still die or watch their children die at Mpilo Hospital for a myriad of reasons. The women of Bulawayo still face the disgrace of welcoming back school children sent home for non-payment of fees. They fend for their families whose breadwinners have fled the country in search of greener pastures. Up to date nothing has been done to deal with women who lost their homes, husbands and children towards the June 2008 runoff.

Vendors take charge

As a response to the failure by the Bulwayo City Council to carry out its duties, traders selling their wares from the Basch Street market (Esigodini) in the Bulawayo city centre are renovating the market and conducting refuse collection activities. Bulawayo City Council has not been able to carry out renovations and refuse collection within the vicinity of the vending bays claiming that there are no resources. The traders have sought donations and also contributed funds towards the purchasing of equipment needed for the renovations. The exercise which started in June 2009 has seen the traders lay a slab in the market and repair some parts. Currently the traders are waiting for paint that will be used to partition 620 stalls. The stalls are expected to be occupied before the end of the year. The traders are also in the process of setting up shades that will protect their goods from the heat and the rain. The unavailability of proper stands has been a problem for the vendors especially during the rainy season when their goods are exposed to the rain.

The traders association is getting assistance from Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA), which is facilitating development between the city council, non-governmental organisations, government and other stakeholders for the benefit of the traders.

For more on the convention and results visit www.bprazim.org

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