The Sunday News
Dumisani Sibanda
IF one of the founding fathers of this nation, Dr Joshua Nkomo, was alive today he would be celebrating his birthday. Last year on this day, a group of traditionalists led by the Joshua Nkomo National Cultural Foundation and Ematojeni Cultural Group celebrated this event at the site of Dr Nkomo’s statue in Bulawayo’s Central Business District. The birthday of Father Zimbabwe, as Dr Nkomo was affectionately referred to, is a precursor to the anniversary of the passing on of the icon which is on 1 July. As part of Sunday News’ celebration of the life of Dr Nkomo we will publish articles looking at various aspects of his life.
In this article Sunday News Correspondent, Dumisani Sibanda (DS) spoke to prominent Bulawayo businessman who is also a former Bulawayo councillor, Cde Mohammed Esat (ME) of Esats Stores firstly on Dr Nkomo, especially his unifying character and aversion for corruption. The interview also focuses on Cde Esat’s views on the manner in which business is conducted these days and the introduction of bond notes.
Below are the excerpts of the interview:
DS: Thank you for granting me this interview. I see you have a picture of President Mugabe and another one of Umdala, the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo and we are celebrating his legacy as we approach the anniversary of his death. Did Dr Nkomo inspire you in anyway?
ME: Oh, I miss my good old friend, Father Zimbabwe. I miss his wisdom and desire to see a better Zimbabwe. Qualities which most of us don’t have. I also miss my other comrades who are all late; Sydney Malunga, Norman Zikhali, Herbert Ushewokunze, Eddison Zvobgo, Edgar Tekere, Thenjiwe Lesabe and Alderman Charles Mpofu, who was young but fearless.
DS: But some of your friends were controversial characters. How is that so?
ME: Yes. They had to be understood to be able to realise their thought of mind.
DS: What exactly inspired you about Dr Nkomo?
ME: As a young man, I had heard a lot about Dr Nkomo during the struggle and one time met him at a filling station. The way he treated me caught my heart.
DS: How did he treat you?
ME: I had read so much about him in the newspapers and so at first I was scared to meet him. But I was shocked by his humility and warmth. He let me into his car and we spoke about the struggle at length. From there on I would visit him at his home on Sundays, when he was free to discuss politics.
DS: A young Indian man visiting Dr Nkomo at his home in the high-density suburbs?
ME: Yes, I was not afraid. It was during these meetings that he was able to bring out the fire in me against colonialism. I eventually joined Zapu in 1974.
DS: How exactly did you or your family business contribute to the liberation struggle?
ME: By helping especially with supply of clothes and money for those who were going outside the country to join the armed struggle, especially those who went through Botswana.
DS: What should we do to keep Dr Nkomo’s legacy alive?
ME: We should be following his way of life. We should follow his direction. He showed love for all Zimbabweans regardless of race or tribe. He wanted the best for his motherland. He wanted to see Zimbabwe develop and grow, which unfortunately has not happened at a rate at which he would have wanted.
DS: Explain.
ME: If you read the speech he made during the burial of hero, Lookout Masuku, you will realise that Dr Nkomo did not like tribalism, racism and also corruption. But you see a lot of corruption these days.
DS: So you are worried about the levels of corruption in our country and you are saying it is an ill that Dr Nkomo did not condone?
ME: There is corruption, which has become a cancer in our society. Corruption has become a tradition in this country that is also affecting all Zimbabweans and mostly the poor who cannot afford to pay the bribes. It’s heartening to note that the Government is taking some measures to deal with this problem of corruption. The $15 billion that was lost in the diamond sector would not have been lost if we had strict measures in place. At least the Government has taken a stand against corruption and we hope this campaign is real. Perpetrators must be brought to book. They must face the music. Zimbabweans are waiting to see action after all the negative forces and practices.
DS: Do you think we can eradicate corruption in this country?
ME: Surely, we can stop corruption. The solution lies with all of us. If you are clean in whatever station of life you are, if you condemn and don’t practice corruption yourself then collectively we will ensure that there is no corruption in our society. It’s not enough to blame the Government or other individuals without taking self-introspection. If everyone is clean the society will be clean, free of corruption. President Mugabe can change this whole situation, I am saying this not because I love him but it’s a fact.
DS: You think President Mugabe should spearhead a campaign to tighten controls especially in the area of business?
ME: Zimbabwe has become an open field for all sorts of outsiders milking our country. This field should be fenced and official activities should take place, that is, ensuring that all dues to the Government are paid and that once they are paid the money is not abused. If we do that, that will definitely help business to once again record profits at the end of each year.
DS: Interestingly, we are seeing some young businesspeople driving fancy, mint cars and building mansions at a time when the economy is down. What is happening?
ME: Those people have to be investigated. It is really surprising to see businesspeople driving fancy cars and building mansions in an economy that is suffering. I must add that to ensure growth in this country the gap between the rich and the poor must be closed and we should create a middle class because it is no longer there. There are examples of countries in the world where the gap between the rich and the poor has been narrowed and there is a large middle class, which has boosted the economy. We had a middle class in this country, teachers, journalists like yourself, nurses and so on who formed the level that could be called middle class but they do not qualify to be called the middle class anymore, businesspersons like myself are the ones who qualify to be regarded as middle class, can you imagine. And that is not good for the growth of the economy.
But what we need to do is to study how countries like India managed to have a large middle class.
DS: What is your take on the emerging business culture in this country?
ME: The business culture is changing rapidly. There are now very few businesses that are run on ethical lines. Ethics for many businesses are no more.
DS: Talking about business as a local businessperson, what is your reaction to news that Zimbabwe will soon introduce bond notes to deal with the challenges presented by the liquidity crisis facing the economy?
ME: It is clear that the introduction of bond money can either make or break us as a nation. It now depends on whether the authorities or the Government as it were can put in place strong measures to curb the black market. The black market is going to be enemy number one to this introduction of bond money. However, it is clear that bond money has to come into circulation as the country has no money at the moment.
DS: Why do you think we are facing this liquidity challenge?
ME: The United States dollar which we are using, due to its demand and nature of it being easy to be traded on the world market has been exploited by businesses, individuals and others who have externalised huge amounts using foreign accounts.
You must also understand that Zimbabwe has also been used by those dealing in dirty money where it has been laundered and returned to the launderers so that they receive clean money into their accounts. There have been reports of such a situation where some nationals from North African countries and Eastern part of the world are involved in this illegal business.
DS: So what must happen in this case?
ME: There has to be tight controls, accountability to curb illegal outflows of minerals and other resources for instance. We mine gold in this country for instance but some of it is sold on the black market instead of being sold at international prices so that the money goes into the economy for the benefit of all of us. We have to deal with all spheres of the black market. We need to introduce stiff penalties on perpetrators.
DS: You were also a Bulawayo City councillor, a Zanu-PF one in a Zanu-PF controlled local authority but there was still vibrant debate in the council chambers. How did you manage that and were you not whipped by your party to toe the line as we see happening these days?
ME: True, council was dominated by one party but we exercised our own minds when we attended council meetings as long as we did not go against the broad party ideals. In that area Zanu-PF was fair. It was as if we had different parties represented during debates in council even if there was one party dominating. I was a member of a group called the Arafat Group in council and we stood for the interests of the residents and the city in general. We would represent the interests of people right across the city. We respected opposing views.
DS: What does it take to be a good councillor?
ME: To be a good councillor you must have love for the city and the ward you represent first and be conversant with the problems and issues affecting the people you represent. You must be born with the desire to serve. You should put the good of the city and the people in your ward first and yourself last. During our time in council, there were no councillors who took advantage of their positions to secure benefits for personal gain. If they tried to do so fellow councillors would bring them down. At the time we had 30 councillors but 20 have gone to the other world. There are 10 who are still live. But I can tell you that my departed friends are resting well and are not ashamed of how they served as councillors. The conscience of each one of them is clear.
DS: Would you consider taking up public office now?
ME: If approached by many, but I am still a member of Zanu-PF.
DS: On a parting note, briefly explain how you came into business and the tradition of family businesses like Esats Stores.
ME: The Esats business is102 years old. My father came to this country in 1914 and in 1974 I was brought into the business as sort of an apprentice and I learnt the ropes of running the business practically, hands-on as it were.
DS: Are you grooming someone to take over from you?
ME: Yes, my son has been groomed and is actively handling most of the business. He has a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
But generally, the new generation these days want to do their own things, want to go into different professions.
DS: You are now strictly into business?
ME: Business and social work. People still come to this small cabin in my shop for advice and help and so on as you saw a beeline of people from all walks of life. I have not shied away from the public. My cabin has no door so I practice an open door policy (laughing).
DS: Thank you for the interview.
