After securing a victory in last month’s elections in Zimbabwe, ac. The program was first announced in 2007.
The indigenization plan calls for $1.8 trillion in idle mining assets and $7.3 billion in foreign-owned assets to be handed over to the people of Zimbabwe. The seizure of these funds will enable ZANU-PF to better meet the “23 goals of the people” listed in its 2013 Election Manifesto. These goals include: providing housing and education for all Zimbabweans, fighting for gender equality, strengthening the country’s sovereignty following centuries of colonial exploitation, and economic growth and development.
In an attempt to “create dignified employment especially for the youth, distribute wealth amongst citizens more equitably, cause a general improvement in the quality of life of every Zimbabwean and bring about sustainable national development which is homegrown,” ZANU-PF has called for all foreign-owned businesses to give majority stakes of their operations in the country to black Zimbabweans.
This follows large and successful land redistribution reforms. These reforms expropriated land belonging to white settlers. The 7 million hectares were then distributed to black Zimbabweans.
ZANU-PF has also proposed transition from the existing stock market to the Harare Stock Exchange, which will give preference to women, youth and people with disabilities seeking ownership of shares.
Zimbabwe, along with much of Africa, is a resource-rich region. The wealth produced by extraction of those natural resources belongs to the Zimbabwean people, not foreign investors. Zimbabwean ownership of these resources and the means of production are crucial elements in the democratic struggle to roll back the injustices of colonialism.
It should be noted that ZANU-PF is not seeking to convert these mining operation into state-run ventures. The indigenization program, while keeping wealth within Zimbabwe, is not seeking to undermine capitalism. In the context of Zimbabwe, the program is important principally for its contribution to the struggle for national sovereignty.
Indigenization is an important first step to creating the conditions necessary for working-class liberation in Zimbabwe. Keeping the wealth of Zimbabwe within its borders will stimulate economic and infrastructure development, enable the country to operate as a truly independent nation and create a barrier between the Zimbabwean economy and foreign investors seeking to exploit the country’s resources and labor force.
