19 - 26 August 2015

1)    Ian Khama of Botswana takes over as SADC chairman from Mugabe

Independent Media

Zimbabwe Independent, August 21, 2015. “Khama’s call for democracy exposes Mugabe” by Elias Mambo

• Newly appointed SADC chairperson, Ian Khama, President of Botswana, has said that the region should be a “beacon for democracy.”
• At a press briefing, Khama also “blasted leaders who overstay in power” naming President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi.
•  Khama took over as head of the SADC from Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe at the 35^th summit of SADC heads of state in Botswana. Khama stressed the issue of presidential term limits, a point that Mugabe failed to raise during his tenure as chairman.
• Mugabe, now in his seventh term, recently said at an African Union gathering that there should be no term limits. Mugabe has been Zimbabwe’s only leader since independence in 1980.
• Khama has previously spoken out about Mugabe’s “autocratic tendencies” and the two leaders do not have a particularly warm relationship.
• Khama condemned the way that Zimbabwe’s elections were held in 2013 and called for an independent audit of the election results.
• During his tenure, Mugabe did not focus on ensuring a place for democracy in the SADC region.

State-controlled Media

The Herald, August 22, 2015. “Khama will not bring any Karma”

• Opposition in Zimbabwe has been trying to “get back” at Zanu PF which has been consistently victorious in elections. The opposition has placed hopes in Ian Khama, President of Botswana and new chairman of the SADC.
• Khama has been sympathetic to the cause of MDC-T in the past. Both Botswana and MDC-T are being supported by the United States.
• MDC wants Khama’s tenure of the SADC chairmanship to bring regime change to Zimbabwe. However, analysts say that there is little that Khama can do when it comes to instigating change in Zimbabwe.
• The MDC is responsible for the current economic crisis because they have supported sanctions which have ruined Zimbabwe’s economy.

The Herald, August 26, 2015 “SADC SUPPLEMENT: President Mugabe praised for industrialization agenda” by Tichaona Zindoga

• Last week, Robert Mugabe handed over chairmanship of the SADC to Ian Khama, President of Botswana. Mugabe had been driving an industrialization agenda throughout his chairmanship.
• Khama paid tribute to Mugabe and pledged to follow Mugabe’s initiatives. During his address in Gabarone, Mugabe reflected on his successful tenure which saw an “industrialization roadmap and the search for greater unity.” Mugabe commended the SADC region for its stability.
• He said that the region exhibits political maturity and is a “shining beacon of democracy on the [African] continent.
• In his acceptance speech, Ian Khama “heaped praise” on Mugabe. Khama said that it was imperative to continue to implement Mugabe’s industrialization initiatives. Khama called on the region to focus on peace and security, poverty alleviation, eradication of HIV and AIDS and climate change.

2)      Economic turmoil continues

Independent Media

Daily News, August 21, 2015. “Fear of mass protests rises” by Blessings Mashaya

• Some observers are indicating that the social anxiety caused by the economic uncertainty gripping Zimbabwe could soon lead to unrest.
• NKC African Economics has said that economic despair has reached 2008 levels, when violence broke out across the country.
• NKC said that mass protests responding to economic volatility could soon be commonplace in Zimbabwe. NKC said that the government could not foresee the consequences of a recent court ruling that has allowed companies to fire thousands of workers. The government has been too slow to react to the results of the ruling according to NKC.
• Adding to the discontent, Grace Mugabe has recently opened a new ice cream factory as many other companies around the country are collapsing. Many unions have been forbidden to react to the economic crisis. Most of the population of Zimbabwe currently lives on less than $2 per day.
• Analysts have said that the Zimbabwean economy is not expected to recover in the near term.
• Economist John Robertson said unemployment in Zimbabwe is much worse than it was in 2008.

State-controlled Media

The Herald, August 26, 2015 “10-point plan for economic growth” by Lloyd Gumbo

• Robert Mugabe has said that Zimbabwe’s economy is “ready for take-off.” There are “various mechanisms put in place to ensure the successful implementation of Zim-Asset” (Desk Officer’s note: “Zim-Asset or ZimAsset refers to Zanu PF’s economic action plan for Zimbabwe).
• During his State of the Nation address, Mugabe said that the government has a 10-point plan to deal with a dismal Zimbabwean economy.
• ZimAsset requires “massive capital injection and rapid implementation” according to Mugabe.
• Mugabe also said that the Zimbabwean government has signed “key projects” with China in the energy, roads, rail and telecommunications sectors, among others.
• There are plans to establish new “procurement” legislation as procurement issues are currently slowing down the economy.
• Mugabe concluded his speech by imploring Zimbabweans to “safeguard the prevailing peace and promote the unity and spirit of hard work.” His speech was also interrupted by MDC hecklers.

3) Mugabe’s State of the Nation address

Independent Media

Daily News, August 26, 2015. “Mugabe delivers hopeless State-of-the-Nation address” by John Kachembere and Mugove Tafirenyika

• Robert Mugabe’s State of the Nation address has been criticized as “hopeless” and “useless” by supporters and detractors alike.
• MDC legislators heckled Mugabe during his “uncharacteristically short” speech which lasted 30 minutes. The MDC legislators were reportedly hounding Mugabe about missing activist Itai Dzamara and a promise of 2.2 million jobs that Zanu PF failed to deliver on.