Open Letter to Bill Gates
Today Bill Gates told the people attending the ICTD 2009 Conference in Qatar that Zimbabwe was not worth spending resources on as it is too far gone.
I disagree with his remarks and find them unfortunate. They have far reaching consequences for the people of Zimbabwe.
Below is an open letter to Mr. Gates explaining my thoughts. This letter just scratches the surface. I ask all Zimbabweans to contribute to this letter below by leaving constructive comments as to why he should change his mind.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation does some amazing work around the world. This is not an attack on them, rather an effort to engage positively.
18 April 2009
Dear Mr. Gates
I have been following updates of your keynote speech at the ICTD 2009 in Qatar.
I would like, with respect, to disagree with your assertion that “Zimbabwe is not worth spending resources on as it is too far gone”.
If ever there was a chance to rebuild an African country so that it can become sustainable and a model for other countries to follow, this is it. Here is an opportunity to engage with the people of Zimbabwe to ensure the restructuring of the country is relevant, sustainable and meets the needs of the people.
I agree that there are still challenges Zimbabwe has to face with regard to the political climate, but real progress is being made in the country. The majority of people in the new government have a positive and enlightened attitude towards reconstruction and recovery. The government contains capable, intelligent and dedicated people. The main challenges are the negative perceptions of the West and the unwillingness of some people/institutions, internally and externally who can effect real change in the country to commit to this task.
Here are a few reasons why Zimbabwe cannot be discounted:
- Zimbabwe still has an infrastructure that can be quickly turned around using relevant technologies, processes and new thinking.
- Zimbabwe has many capable, educated people with the skills and the dedication needed to rebuild the country. Zimbabwe’s productive years were not so long ago that we have forgotten how to produce.
- There is willingness and an understanding from the top that Zimbabwe needs to allow conditions for private enterprise to grow on a micro and macro level.
- Zimbabwe has the natural resources and capacity to ensure continual growth and solvency with the right investment.
- Change in Zimbabwe has come about through an opposition’s commitment to democracy. Sacrifices have been made and are still being made for these ideals. However, the commitment to these principles stands the country in good stead.
You talk about the need for strategies, the need for process and the adoption of best practices. You understand that profitability is one on the most fundamental cornerstones of building sustainable communities. You ask: “If someone knows how to take philanthropic money and create good governance in Zimbabwe I’d love to hear it”. You have already provided the answers.
Zimbabwe needs a robust recovery plan. It needs to integrate and align all internal and external efforts and direct them towards a Zimbabwean solution. Most of all, it needs genuine assistance from foundations, institutions and governments with no hidden agendas and no “prefabricated” solutions. Zimbabwe does not need disparate efforts and good intentions; it needs a collective, collaborative and communicated strategy. It needs the leadership and skills that a foundation like yours can provide to work with Zimbabwe’s leaders, businesses and stakeholders to bring all the relevant players together. This will ensure that the resulting strategy is relevant, aligned to available resources and executable. Zimbabwe needs partnerships and dialogue, not handouts.
I share your view that an empowered population will be less dependent on government. They will have choices and options. They will have the resources to educate their children, pay for medicines and to feed themselves. A population that does not rely on the state ensures the state is answerable to its citizens.
I am saddened by your remarks in Qatar. You have the power to do so much good for the country, and you have the influence and the right approach to make a real difference. So many Zimbabweans have sacrificed so much to get to where they are today. To hear you say this on the eve of our rebirth is devastating and counterproductive. I ask you to reconsider your remarks, and I challenge you to reach out and engage with Zimbabwe in an effort to understand what we need and then decide whether you still feel it is too late for Zimbabwe.
Sincerely
Alasdair Munn
Zimbabwean.
Alasdair,
This is great. I hope Bill gets a chance to see it. You are right, walking away from Zim after how hard you have all fought for new governance would be devastating not only for Zim but for the whole region.
Thank you very much for writing this letter. It is vital that the African and wider global communities engage with Zimbabwe’s new leadership, business and civil stakeholders to begin to re-build our nation. It has been such a long, hard struggle for those who desire a better life for their fellow Zimbabweans to get this far through peaceful, democratic action. I too am saddened that Bill Gates – a man I admire greatly – who is so obviously a world-influencer has made such negative public comments about Zimbabwe.
Seems strange that the people of country that is using peaceful means to overcome terrible governance should be written off just at the time when they need support.
[...] ajmunn added an interesting post today on Connect Collaborate Communicate » Open Letter to Bill GatesHere’s a small readingOpen Letter to Bill Gates. zimflag1 Today Bill Gates told the people attending the ICTD 2009 Conference in Qatar that Zimbabwe was not worth spending resources on as it is too far gone. I disagree with his remarks and find them … [...]
Dear Mr Gates
Zimbabwe is a great country with great people. The countries natural resources are massives, its human resources and skills base massive. Please give Zimbabwe a chance and consider. Let not the history and possibilities of this great nation be forgotten in the shadow of some unruly elements. Please reconsider your stance towards this great nation.
This is brilliant, Alasdair. Thank you. I, too, hope it goes viral and he gets to see it- so am forwarding it to lots of people.
I hope for Mr. Gates’, his respected Foundation and indeed the whole world sakes, that Mr Gates realizes the enormity of this challenge, put forward by Alasdair about Zimbabwe. This challenge must be brought to his attention.
As an African, born and bred, I can often identify with the frustrations that African leaders face, when certain Western powers appear to them to speak with ambiguous tongues, or seemingly camouflage charitable hand-outs, with ulterior intent.
Africans are mostly gentle people, but they are proud of their heritage and their culture.
If Western leaders of all persuasions just took some time to stop and learn something of these deep philosophies, maybe they would communicate more productively with their African counterparts and yes, even learn from them.
Africa and African ideals are not about charity, they are about life, work, kindness, opportunity, sharing, ambition and growth. Profit and loss accounts are essential to the ultimate objective, but they rate long after these.
Learn to truly understand Africa and the Africans Mr. Gates and you and your amazing work will be even better for it.
Dear Alasdair,
I must admit I was also taken aback when I saw reports of Bill Gates’ remarks. However, I would like a chance to see a transcript of the entire speech before jumping on the condemnation bandwagon.
Whatever the context, we can be pretty sure that Gates’ comments were not directed at the the dedicated, educated and motivated citizens of Zimbabwe in general, but rather at certain individuals and certain policies.
Sean Murphy
Thanks Sean.
Absolutely, however it is amazing how much damage a throw away remark can do to global perceptions about a country. There is very little real understanding of the issues within Zimbabwe. To some it is just news, and depressing news at that. Zimbabwe is not going to recover without real engagement. Good governance comes from, amongst other things, empowering the positive to act against the negative. The effective members of government are so busy trying to pull Zimbabwe out of this mess they cannot deal with the threat of hard-liners.
This is not about condemnation. The foundation does amazing work. This is about re-addressing the perceptions people have about Zimbabwe, and a call for dialogue and partnerships.
This is so well said, that I don’t really have much to add.
I really hope that he has been to Zimbabwe before, and is at the least speaking based on some experience. However, I don’t know how anyone who’s been to other African countries as well as Zimbabwe can say that about Zimbabwe.
I always thought that the West is so interested in Zimbabwe particularly because of the points you make about it’s potential and the fact that it’s NOT too far gone. I’d like to think that interest was not because people like to rubberneck when driving by an accident.
Mr Gates’ statement may be a sign of the sentiment that is starting to be prevalent in the general public’s perception of Zimbabwe. It’s sad that we will probably have to overcome that as well as all the other things we’ve had to contend with.
Well Bill Gates should find facts before he talks. No matter what he said, Zimbabwe, with or without him, will rise. l used to respect him but he has now lost my respect. lf all could happen, the people of Zimbabwe would rise against his products in the world. Shame on you Bill.
I dont know if I can really blame Bill Gates. My observations in the diaspora of the average person(BG is surely not average) is that they tend to think Africans can not do much. Its another discussion for another day. It is a pity that the actions of a few individuals will affect the lives of millions. From what BG is saying then he is redefining philantrophy in a negative way. I could name 100 Zimbabweans who would be quite at home in any business anywhere in the world,not because they went to university for what they do but because they had the mental aptitude to be able to adapt and do what needs doing. We will rise out of these ashes and take our rightful place where we belong.
Thanks for your comments, Alisdair. I completely agree with your sentiments and it would be great if the world shared the same point of view. Zimbabwe has been through an extremely rough patch and should not be discounted – especially just at the moment it’s getting ready to turn the corner. Mr Gate’s comments are unfortunate – given that Zimbabwe has been recently praised by none other that the current US Sec. of State for their recent efforts at turning over a new page.
I do not think Bill Gates´ remarks should be taken that seriously. We must remember who he is. He most probably sees the Zimbabwe situation more like a computer game. Option A or B. He is simply chosing option B.
Gates reveals a surprising lack of empathy for the real Africa.
Nicolaas Smith
Alasdair,
I concur that Gates’ assertion is unhelpful in the extreme. However, as Sean Murphy pointed out above, Gates’ remarks should be seen in context. Could you post the transcript of his ICTD speech on your site? ( I have searched the ICTD site and news sources and cannot find the full transcript on the net.)
All your open letter is accomplishing at present… is attracting response to YOUR reaction to what Gates said….
First, and foremost, I’m Zimbabwean. Unfortunately for those who posted above, I have to mostly agree with Mr. Gates. I say ‘mostly’ because I do not believe Zimbabwe’s a complete write-off. There’s hope for recovery, but this whole gnu thing’s a sham. Mugabe’s still the HNIC, and all he did was make Tsvangrai his puppet, instead of the Brits’, or who ever else mugabe’s ever claimed tsvangirai’s a puppet of. I’m disappointed that Zimbabweans don’t realize that all that’s really changed are names and titles. Hate to say it, but I don’t think this set-up can ever work, sincerely wish it the best, but I’m not following blindly, and I think that’s all Mr. Gates is saying.
Alasdair, I am not Mr. Gates, but myself reading this post I feel it’s all sadza and no muriwo. What you say may be true, but it just sounds like some canned up appeal of desperation and to me lacks any real details or convincing evidence of your great claims of Zimbabwe. If you don’t mind, please tell us how you know that “Zimbabwe’s productive years were not so long ago that we have forgotten how to produce.” It makes great poetry, but not much else unfortunately.
In the U.S., where Mr. Gates is from, you have to prove beyond reasonable doubt my friend, and unfortunately doubt still exists. As deadly, unorganized invasions continue as we enthusiastically type away, virtually uncontested, who can blame billy for thinking that change has actually not yet come about in Zimbabwe?
Let’s be realistic, and not optimistic for a bit, if y’all don’t mind. If u had billy gates charity money (mission statement: The primary aims of the foundation are, globally, to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, and in America, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology), would u: 1) invest it in assisting educational needs of your own at need Americans, 2) enhance agricultural science and small-farm productivity in African countries that still preserve their commercial farms, or 3) invest it in Zimbabwe where the people are too scared/intimidated to fight for themselves and don’t know how to get what is rightfully theirs without destroying their economy at the same time?
I love Zimbabwe and it hurts me to say this, but somebody has to. The opposition won, but they allowed themselves to be stripped of their title. Don’t act like you don’t remember that.
p.s. I personally know a Zimbabwean who was put through college by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, so they do care, but they won’t be suckered into helping, and I respect that.
Well said Allan, Was in shock reading Bill Gates comments. There is a tangible feeling of hope amongst Zimbabweans emerging since the formation of the GNU. Whilst it is a far from perfect arrangement, it is a step forward and has given hope to millions of Zimbabweans who just one year ago were a nation in a collective state of depression! It is a tragedy that Mr Gates has this opinion of a nation desperate to recover her National Pride and at the mercy of the world insofar as aid is concerned.
I sincerly hope that Mr Gates will reconsider his remarks and engage with Zimbabweans at the highest echelons and continue his good works to this hard working most enduring of nations.
Lastly, you understand this is money that he has worked hard for, and rightfully, will not just throw out. Even if you have billions, you should never just “blow” it, if your smart of course. I love Zimbabwe.
Dear Mr Gates
while your comments are true vis a vis the political climate obtaining PRIOR to the GNU, the situation in zimbabwe must not be dismissed in this fashion. the parties to the GNU are genuinely making effort to address the economic malaise in our country. various young leaders are now emerging with a different thinking and a new vision of the future. while you may not support the current leadership, such blanket statements as these from a person of your eminence will lead to funding being witheld at every level.
not all solutions to a country must be political. we as a young organisation, Proudly Zimbabwean, seek to found change from a social angle. and we cannot achieve this alone. we will need your efforts to start programs that effectively change and empower societies beyong manipulation by government. while the leadership created untold suffering for the general masses, they have also given us a strength. all the zimbabweans in the disapora are resources that we will harness to effect community owned change programs here.
we urge you to reconsider your statement.
fungai chiposi
Proudly Zimbabwean
Thanks for posting Just Lyphe.
There is no disputing that there are still issues to be dealt with in Zimbabwe. Yes there are still individuals within the government that wield too much destructive power. They are relying on the chaos and instability to keep that power.
If the world does not engage with Zimbabwe, if they continue to make assumptions and withhold dialogue it will be very difficult for change to occur. How can the real agents of change within Zimbabwe hope to do their job if they are not empowered to do so? Trouble shooting with no resources, while people are driving cars at you and putting walls in your way is not easy.
My issue here is that Mr. Gates wields considerable influence. If we allow influential people to make these blanket statements and we do not challenge them then the prevailing world consciousness around Zimbabwe will be negative and destructive.
The less people depend on their government the more that government is accountable to its people. If we try to bring a Western Solution to an African problem without taking into consideration culture, society, norms and values it will not work.
We are judging Zimbabwe by Western standards. There is no excuse for bad governance, torture, murder and rape. There is no chance that the previous regimes actions can be condoned, but we need to see this through Zimbabwean eyes. Can we really subject a whole nation to extreme poverty and disease because a few important people say Zimbabwe is not worth the resource?
You are right, I do not have the answers, however is that the right approach? Do we start with the answers or do we start with the questions? Do we spend 6 months doing a dissertation or do we start a dialogue where people can participate, share their views and add value to the discussion? In order to achieve the right solution for Zimbabwe there needs to be dialogue with all stakeholders. There needs to be an understanding of what is needed. There needs to be collaboration, partnerships and integration. Let’s start with sadza and add the meat when we know we are not feeding vegetarians.
Hi Alan. I have not found the entire transcript.
Of course there is context to this, there always is. The comments were actually made during the Q&A. I cannot find a transcript for the Q & A. I am sure it was just a throw away comment. The point here is not to attack Mr. Gates. He does great things, he understands how to ensure his foundation does relevant projects. My concern is that this highlights the prevailing attitude towards Zimbabwe. Enabling Zimbabweans a voice to help change that perspective can only be a good thing.
i find it really hard to understand the way some of our fellow human beings feel they can just brush the pains and hurts and wrong doings to a nation aside.I used to admire BG and his achievements in his life.Maybe he should go into Zimbabwe and see the cleaned bones of our peoples scattered in the bush and adress them with such silly comments.So very sad.But we will strive ahead with or without the likes of BG.
Here is a link to some of Bill Gates speech concerning Zimbabwe. The bit that is missing is the Q&A where he spoke of Zimbabwe not being worth spending resources on. http://pdgoodman.posterous.com/
Zimbabweans we are too scared to tell it like it is. Mugabe lost and he should go period. This has nothing to do with Billy Gates that w allowed and still allow chaos, murderers and rapists to lead and run our country. Now we have MDC guys accepting Benzes when most Hospitals and Schools are non operational. Why not refuse the cars and ask for most ones to be bought and channel the money to those areas of need.
We can say Mr Gates this and Mr Gates that, but we get a leadership we deserve and that is a Zanu leadership. Mr Tsvangirai is just but a figurehead to pacify those who voted Mugabe out and the international community. None of you are condemning Mugabe for killing, rape, stealing, farm invasions and making our country a police and military state. Condemn him and ask Mr Gates to help us get rid of Mugabe and his murderers. Then fault Bill when Mugabe is gone for not helping or sending out the wrong vibe.
With or without Gates comments there is no FDI and people continue to languish in jail with no trial. Come on speak for those political prisoners or other prisoners who are dying of hunger in prison. Why incarcerate when you have no means to feed and dress then. Bill please call for the ouster of Mugabe and we can then rebuild our lovely country.
Alasdair,
If it was a throw away comment, there is opportunity here.
It is realistic to assert that Zimbabwe, under its current (mis)management, is not capable of wise utilisation of external goodwill resources. Perhaps Gates will take the position, if he can be brought to comment on the matter, that Zimbabwe does not currently merit support. However, if rule of law and honest governance are returned to the country, his foundation and others would reassess and stand ready to assist….
Direct or implied condemnation (by Gates) of the Mugabe and ZanuPF modus operandi would be welcome ammunition for prudent Zimbabwe reformists.
I have no interest in defending Bill Gates’ ideas or thoughts, but I have to confess that I was in the crowd at the ICTD conference and heard nothing that would point to Bill Gates advocating for an end to investment or donor support in Zimbabwe. He made one reference to the country during his speech and another during the Q&A session. I have the audio of the presentation and will post it as soon as I am able. In the meantime, I have transcribed a relevant section here: http://pdgoodman.posterous.com/ .
Best regards.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has a Global Libraries support programme. However, funding is by invitation only. . The least the Foundation could do is invite us to submit an application so that we can resuscitate our library and information services, bring them into the 21st century, and use them to develop an educated and informed society. ZANU(PF) has spent the last 29 years making sure that Zimbabweans remain ignorant and uninformed by controlling the media, restricting freedom of expression, and removing access to information.
I do not agree with the reason that Bill Gates gave for his unwillingness to help. If he said he is not helping Zimbabwe because the regime has not changed, that the same people who ran down the country are still in power and that he did not want his money to be squandered the same way i would respect his decision. But Zimbabwe still have suffering children and a lot of resources and brilliant people and needs help to recover and it is not too late. Bill Gates must remember too that Zimbabweans either in the diaspora or at home are and have contributed to who he is. We are consumers of microsoft products and deserve to be helped. Because of the reason you gave Mr Gates, i challenge you to step up to the plate and help the children and nurture their techo intelligence and help them live a life!
Surely, an astute business man, as he is, would have researched and assessed the situation before passing comment? Perhaps Mr Gates has an agenda in Africa which does not include Zimbabwe, but isn’t saying so? People in these situations tend to use language to disguise their true intentions.
Good letter Alisdair, I will do what I can to spread it. Gates needs to realise you cannot, even in a throw away remark, make statements like that. I believe he needs to clarify his meaning, and, if he meant something less damaging, he must show this. He must also do what he can through his foundation to promote food security, health, and education for all in Zimbabwe, as a basis for the growth of a new democratic state.
Thanks Paul. I have already posted our link. It will be interesting to see his comments in the Q & A. Gaining clarity around this would be excellent. The point of this letter is to challenge peoples preconceived ideas around Zimbabwe. Africa deserves to be looked at through an African understanding.
Tom Nyandoro, you are the only one who has called a spade a spade. The single biggest problem in Zimbabwe right now is Robert Mugabe. How come someone who lost an election is still leading the country?? The fact that the election results were not released until after weeks shows that he has no regard for Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans.
Chido, Bill Gates does not owe anyone anything. Its not his fault that we buy his products.
thank you for taking the time to rally our hearts and minds around this. most people sit and stir. you sit and write and help make a difference…
It is very interesting reading comments about how Zimbabwe is still worth the trouble, in fact most sentiments mirror the thinking of the current regime in Zimbabwe it is hostile to capital whether intellectual,financial and other sorts of capital. Every country in the world does its best to attract capital and investment even the most developed ones like the UK and the US, Zimbabwe does its best to repel it.What will happen if he sets up an operation there and 2 months down the line the government demands him to sell 51% of his company what will you people say.The world does not owe Zim a living it has to show its worth the investment not vague statements like infrastructure when the ICT sector is still fraught with government restrictions and control, what happened to Chamisa and his ministry how about Tele-Access and its troubles with the government or Econet when it applied for it. When Zimbabwe is ready for investments it will make the appropriate changes not cosmetic political agreements that yield a cabinet 3 times the size of a typical developing country
Thanks for your input DB.
I think you missed the point a little. This is not about Bill Gates setting up a company in Zimbabwe, but saying that development aid and resources would be wasted on Zimbabwe.
Indeed the points you raise are of concern. I think we are all agreed that elements of the previous government who are still holding onto power are not acting in the interests of Zimbabwe, nor are they helping Zimbabwe’s image abroad.
There are challenges but many of those challenges are being tackled with Western solutions or judged with western eyes. Engagement is key. Empowering the right people will effect change.
I endorse all that was said by Alisdair Munn and would like to thank him for his well written letter. I hope Mr Gates gets to see it and all the fpllowing comments. Zimbabwe must never be written off. It still has great potential if given the right help.
Zimbabwe has bright and intelligent people that will make any company’s investment worthwhile.Zimbabweans should not take this comment lying down. Law enforcement is needed to assure investors’ security. No Mr. Gates Zimbabwe is not a lost cause.Not yet, do not discount us, not so fast.
ajmunn, credibility sometimes is like virginity once you lose it , it never comes back and no one will take us seriously when we assume that we can present ourselves to the world with the present arrangement.Many countries across Africa have potential not just Zimbabwe we are competing with a lot of countries on the continent who appear more worthwhile to help than us.How embarasing is it when you read that Global Funds for TB patients are diverted for some other use or Mutambara saying we are diverting aid for cholera to pay salaries. Bill Gates may have been wrong in his assertion but i havent seen anything done by Zimbabwe to convince the world that that view is wrong simply having a political agreement cannot be seen as sign that things have changed. Your other points about educated people seem to discount that many of those people are outside the country and whether they come back cannot be guaranteed.As for private enterprise , you wont get a more anti-business group of people than the current set up the taxes are high property rights are taken as some form of colonial conspiracy. Zimbabwe needs to show the world its worth it by actions not just words and stop assuming it is worth it because it is Zimbabwe that is a very arrogant self -righteous approach that wont get us anywhere. It may sound overly negative and harsh but to get the change we desire we must be brutally honest with ourselves and tackle the big elephants in the room not partake in half measures
It is wrong and by no means the nature of true philanthropy to take away ‘hope’ from people. The reason one can make plans, about education, medication or even entertainment is hope rather than certainty. What has happened in Zimbabwe is not new beneath the sun.
Bill Gates himself was not always a billionaire, but he dreamed, planned and hoped for this empire MS to come to be. Can one man’s hope and dreams be greater than that of an entire nation? How can Mugabe alone be the downfall of the whole of Zimbabwe? Are we just scratching the surface of what truly underlines the problems that Afrika faces? Entertainment films such as Blood Diamond and The Lord Of War show some of the filth that is happening beyond the limelight.
Bill Gates is incorrect to suggest that further assistance may be futile. That simply discourages the hopeful. If the United Kingdom and USA are facing finacial crises at the moment how about Afrikan Nations who had not stood firmly yet? We have seen the poverty in many American States especially where non-white majorities reside and there are marginally better than some parts of the third world countries. Are we being blinded or distracted by some opinions and are neglecting to go to the crux of the matters at hand?
Mugabe is wrong for being a dictator who has washed away the nations hope
Bill Gates is wrong for suggesting that there isn’t a hope. It’s pointless to plan or discuss any matter concerning anyone if there isn’t a hope. If there isn’t a hope let us see how much, therefore, it will cost to buy coffins and bury the 14million hopeless people that are left. That is the more sensible thing to do when all is left to doom.
Unless the Lord build the house, they that labour do so in vain! – It’s in God’s hand so therefore there is HOPE.
You can all skirt around the issues but the problem is Mugabe and Zanu PF period. Zimbabweans this Zimbabweans that will not change anything. Who does not know that any country has educated and experienced workforce nothing special about us Zimbos. Bad politics equals bad country. Fix that first.
Like someone said Zanu and Mugabe do their best to chase away any type of investment be it local or foreign and u want to tell us its worth investing in Zim.
DB. You are looking at Zimbabwe through the eyes of the Mugabe era. No one is disputing that there are problems. (I need to copy and paste this) No one is suggesting that there have not been some questionable actions in the past.
This is about changing our perceptions. This is about the understanding that any process to create a sustainable Zimbabwe has to be honest, has to address the issues and has to be a solution that is relevant to Zimbabwe. Are you suggesting that the government of Zimbabwe is not addressing these issues? Do you think you are the only person who can see how high taxes and unsecure property rights can damage a country’s ability to gain investment?
I am not advocating that funds be diverted from another African country. I am not suggesting Zimbabwe is any more deserving than any other country, but I would like to say I do not think it is any less deserving.
Take a holistic view. Mutambara might be taking cholera aid money to pay for salaries but if he did not, what then? The refuse would not be collected, the water pipes will not be fixed, electricity will go off again, sewage will once again seep into the streets. Children would not be taught, nurses will not be able to treat the sick. Imagine how hard you would be pointing your fingers then.
You have not given the government a chance. You are making the assumption that the people making the decisions in government are incapable. You are expecting the new government to deliver when they are operating under extreme conditions.
Great lets be brutal. Lets stop all aid and investment destined for Zimbabwe. Sorry Zimbabwe, a couple of chaps at the top are annoying us so we are just going to let you starve. It’s for your own good.
This is a process.
Zimbabweans created the monster and unless the monster goes which is up to Zimbabweans the issue is not about Bill Gates.
Come on investing in Zimbabwe is risky and thats a fact, Gono stole funds meant for retro viral drugs a documented issue where is Bill Gates in this,Gono is still there under the GNU,
A Munn, proud Zimbabwean, where were you all before the land grab, when there was a disproportionate land distribution amongst Zimbabweans which ultimately led to the current nonsense, please spare Bill Gates your foolish posturing he is not the author of this country’s disaster, neither is it Mbeki’s or South Africa!!!
Tom Nyandoro has the right approach and so are others who posted their comments about Bill Gate’s nagative attitude on Zimbabwe. Unproductive as it may sound but Mr Gate’s comment is not without truth in it. To me to say Zimbabwe is far too gone is really an understatement. Zimbabwe is beyond reproach. Zimbabweans were beaten, killed, raped and tortured and forced to reverse a resounding verdict of a defeated Mugabe to form a disfunctional GPA at the behest of a partisan SADC that has turned victors into puppets. Zimbabwe is far too gone because nothing will ever change for the better while Mugabe and his Generals are still in power incarcerating Gandhi Mudzingwa and others on dubious charges while Tsvangirai looks on like its just another good day in church. MDC has prioritised self aggrandisement at the expense of health and education not to mention prisoners who are left to die of starvation and disease while Mugabe who knows the truth looks on with a cynical smile in his face. Yes, Zimbabwe is far too gone.
Alasdair, i’m so proud of you. You are an inspiration that you have not just sat back, but started this process. Hope is not lost in Zimbabwe yet. Nothing is ever too far gone for a miracle to happen. When there is alignment and aggreement of people with global influence and vision, nothing is too far from moving forward. It will take people of great influence & favour. You are making a difference, bringing the main point that africa needs to be accessed with an African understanding.
Thanks for the comments Ish
There is an understandable and justifiable anger towards the Zanu-PF government. Yes they are still part of the GNU and there are many issues that need to be addressed in this regard.
This is about looking for solutions, about creating a new Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans have not just sat back and watched this happen. Can we disregard all the sacrifices that many Zimbabweans have gone through to get the country back on the road to recovery? Can we disrespect the people who have been tortured, raped and killed by allowing the world to think it was all for nothing?
This is about the consciousness about Zimbabwe, and Africa as a whole. Through concentrating on the negative and instances of bad governance we are perpetuating the myth that Africans cannot govern themselves, that all Africans lack the ability to make the right choices. Will the world really respect Africa? Will their engagements with Africa be based upon mutual understanding and relevance?
How is Zimbabwe going to rise out of this if we allow prominent people to say Zimbabwe is too far gone to bother about?
We have been through the land grab, we have lost businesses and livelihoods, many now live away from their families and friends and communities.
I am not asking Bill Gates to put money into Zimbabwe, he knows what he wants to achieve. His foundation has its own mission and objectives. I do not presume to tell him where his foundation should or should not provide assistance. What I am asking for is a shift in the perceptions people have about Africa and its people.
truely, when passing remarks carelessness distorts the right intention and lead to misinterpretations. as zimanweans working hard to restore, build and build zim our heritage and hoping to seeing it prosper amist negative reflections.
such messages disorient us, we need to be empowered with information and knowledge and supported to gain necessary skills if one thinks we lack them.
positive criticisms heal the wound|! we are already wounded and on the road to recovery.
as an empowered proudly zim, time is over for us just to ignorantly do a yes sir to the other creation of whom we are created aso in the same image.
forward with proudly zim
No one is going to invest in Zimbabwe while mugabe and zanu are still involved in the government.These zanoids have since day one enriched themselves from international and western aid.They will not change and any further aid will not reach its intended destination.Africa is corrupt and no one can change that.The billions that have been poured into this country have been squandered and any further assisstance will go the same way.If you want countries to help with any form of investment then you need to get rid of the problem that is preventing them from helping.The problem is mugabe and zanu pf.Get rid of them and Zimbabwe will once again thrive.No sane thinking human being will invest their hard earned money with a thief and with no assurance of a good return.I believe Bill Gates is spot on untill this evil dictator and his corrupt zanu party can be totally removed from power.Only then will people be willing to help this once beautiful country to try and get back on its feet.
I am not a Zimbabwean, but lost my wife and daughter there in a tragic accident just two years ago, so this beautiful and oh-so-sad country has a very special and poignant place in my life now.
Since that loss, and in memory of those two beautiful people who believed in the power of individuals to change their own destiny, a group of family friends helped me establish The CharChar Trust, a no-cost educational trust that believes in the power of education to help Africans help themselves. To this end, we help distribute textbooks, exercise books and other educational materials to southern African countries. We achieve this at no cost by asking the more established local schools, religious and/or social organisations to help us with local coordination – to identify the most needy schools, draw up wish-lists for the schools and then, once we have decided what we can afford, help with purchasing and distribution – locals helping locals. And it works. Even in Zimbabwe, and that always astonishes people who have not been there.
They need not to have been there, though, because if you have been to Zimbabwe, met its friendly, industrious, articulate people (the only exceptions being some of those who represent the repressive regime of the government), then it would come as no surprise that we can find such help, and find it easily, despite the currency problems, the bread and ATM queues, and the stress of living in a country with little food, electricity or infrastructure. Zimbabweans care about their culture, their country and their kids and, unlike Bill Gates, they’ve yet to give up on it.
The standard of English in Zimbabwe is perhaps the best on the continent – and I include South Africa, where I lived for five years with my family – the power of education is recognised and valued highly, and the ghosts of infrastructure that you see today, of medical and educational systems, industry and agriculture, speak volumes for the determination and ingenuity of the people who established them and could do so again, given the chance.
Bill Gates’ comments are unfortunate, not because they will discourage aid, but because they undermine the confidence of Zimbabweans to take a fresh hold of their own futures. They are being written off, put in the same hold as basket cases like the Congo. But this is simply not fair and it adds yet another nail in the coffin of a very viable and independent country.
Why? Because when the Old Man does go, and assuming there is an internationally acceptable replacement (big assumption), there is every reason to believe that the aid will pour in. From the West, from the East, and from all interested points and parties in between. Zimbabwe will become the NGO flavour of the month, and there’s a very serious risk that the poor recipients will grow fat and drown in the in-flows. At the very least, the cohesiveness of the community and new government would be threatened by these disparate and competing inflows. Some of the aid could even be divisive of a multiracial community that presently has unity in adversity – fast cash grants to white farmers might do this. But the biggest concern for anyone who loves this country is that a rapid influx of aid will undermine the new government’s control, authority and confidence, as well as turn many of the country’s people into aid-recipient junkies. Being told by the international community that they can no longer function on their own, what should they do but accept the free lunch? Wouldn’t we?
So my personal take on this is that Zimbabweans need to be encouraged to believe in themselves, in their own power to restore the infrastructure that time and bad-governance have destroyed, and it is in the undermining of this confidence that Bill Gates’ comments do most damage. Given books for their schools, medicine for their hospitals, grain for their fields, Zimbabwe could recover on its own. Slowly, of course, but then if the history of Africa teaches us anything, it is that we outsiders never really understand that pace, and that our impatience can often have catastrophic results.
So confidence and aid-restraint. Sounds simple. And unlikely. But all who love the country can still hope.
Kevin
Thanks for sharing. What a great response.
Mr Gates
YOU are in a powerful postion …..PLEASE do NOT turn your back on this wonderful country!!