JOHN DLUDLU: Ramaphosa should throw Zimbabwe a lifeline to avert an economic implosion
There have been alarming signs that Mnangagwa’s rule is another false start for what once was Africa’s second-most industrialised economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa will chair his two-day cabinet lekgotla on Wednesday to agree priorities for the next year or, more precisely, for between now and the May election. It’s a tricky time for politicians to take a foreign policy gamble on the eve of the elections, but he should bite the bullet and throw a lifeline to SA’s northern neighbour to stave off an economic implosion. Ramaphosa has managed to kick the can down the road. This is understandable, but not sustainable — he needs to act, and fast. A year ago there was much hope of a fresh start in Zimbabwe after the smart coup that ousted longtime leader Robert Mugabe. There have been alarming signs in 2019 that this could be another false start for what once was Africa’s second-most industrialised economy. Zimbabwe’s new leader Emmerson Mnangagwa started off on the right foot by opening the country to business and promising reforms, especially in the run-up to 2018’s hotly contested elections. It was only in the aftermath o...
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