- Zimbabweans condemn the exploitation of their mineral resources.
- Opposition parties say the government is failing to fight corruption.
- Emmerson Mnangagwa claims he has made significant progress in economic growth during his seven years in power.
In Zimbabwe, school starts for the second term on May 7, but students at Globe and Phoenix Primary School in the Midrand town of Kwekwe will be taught in tents or under trees during the winter.
The temporary classrooms are less than a kilometer from the school, which closed last year after some classroom blocks collapsed into underground tunnels left behind by illegal mining.
Kwekwe is a haven for artisanal gold miners, who sometimes conduct their mining operations by digging tunnels beneath roads and buildings in the central business district.
golden curse
Last week, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) announced Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), a currency that claims to be backed by gold.
Addressing the crowd at this year's independence celebrations in Murambinda, Buhera district, Manicaland province on Thursday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said ZiG was a game changer.
“Our ZiG currency is supported by God-given gold and other strategic mineral resources, as well as foreign exchange reserves. This development will increase our confidence and pride in our currency.” he said.
But in the gold-producing regions, people are falling into poverty and violence.
“Gold miners are connected to the ruling elite,” said Kwekwe resident Michael Fwell. “We are led to believe that gold is the backbone of the economy, but the areas where gold is mined remain in ruins. ” he said.
“Forty-four years after independence, my hometown is an example of a people cursed with resources.
Read | Zimbabwe ditches Jindol and introduces new gold-backed currency 'ZiG'
“The Grove and Phoenix Elementary Schools were on rich mineral deposits, but the fact that they were public school facilities meant nothing.”
Illegal mining can lead to violent clashes between mining militias known as Mashurgwi and al-Shabaab, which police often target because of their suspected ties to the ruling elite. I couldn't stop it.
Last year, Al Jazeera produced a four-part documentary titled “Gold Mafia.”
The investigation revealed how Zimbabwe's gold was used for money laundering by those close to power.
The government was outraged by the documentary, accusing its creators of having “government change agendas.”
There's little to celebrate
After 44 years of independence from Britain, some feel there is nothing to celebrate.
“Zimbabwe today is far from the utopian society it could easily have been with its vast mineral resources and economic strategy.
“Instead of prosperity, Zimbabwe is known for poverty and mass exodus of its people,” said Sivangilizwe Nkomo, leader of the opposition ZAPU.
Transparency International's 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Zimbabwe 149th out of 180 countries.
Read | Explosive Al Jazeera documentary on Zimbabwe's illicit gold trade is causing headaches for government
For Labor, Economy and African Democratic Party leader Linda Masalira, the fight against corruption has been futile.
“Why are we not coming together today to fight corruption, poverty and neo-colonialism? What we are failing is because most people are greedy, selfish and self-centered. They are selfish and power-hungry,” she said.
Opposition politician Nelson Chamisa said: “Independence is empty without dignity and happiness for the beneficiaries!”
independence celebration
At the time of independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was dubbed the “Jewel of Africa” by the late Tanzanian President Julius “Mwalimu” Nyerere.
Mr Mnangagwa was there at the time as a cabinet minister under Robert Mugabe.
Mr Mnangagwa, who was information minister at the time, took to the microphone for Mr Nyerere to address a packed Rufaro Stadium in Harare and advised Mr Mugabe not to squander the country's goodwill and wealth.
On Thursday, he oversaw his seventh independence celebrations as head of state, and claimed that under his rule gross domestic product had increased from US$16 billion in 2018 to US$47 billion this year.
He said Zimbabwe was moving forward united.
“From Plumtree to Mutare, from Zambezi to Limpopo, we are building our country and improving our quality of life.United, we will continue to love our country, cherish our freedoms and defend our independence with all our heart. Let the rain come, the sun will come,' and we will keep moving forward,'' he said.
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