The naming of Mthuli Ncube as “Best African Finance Minister of the Year” has left many Zimbabweans astounded given the country’s economic challenges.
Critics on social media, including one on X (formerly Twitter), likened the award to praising a captain steering a ship into an iceberg, highlighting the irony of the recognition amidst economic turmoil.
Zimbabwe faces staggering unemployment rates, estimated at around 85%, and a lack of confidence in the local currency, with up to 80% of transactions conducted in US dollars.
Reputation Poll International bestowed the award on Ncube, leading to widespread disbelief among citizens.
Ncube, appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, expressed his delight at the honor, citing it as recognition of the Treasury team’s efforts in spearheading economic transformation.
However, activist Hopewell Chin’ono criticized the award as an insult to Zimbabweans, particularly following Ncube’s recent budget termed “the most anti-people national budget.”
Chin’ono highlighted the budget’s tax increases and the soaring passport fees, which will rise to $200, making it the priciest in the region.
He accused Ncube of overseeing misguided and corrupt policies, resulting in Zimbabwe enduring one of the world’s worst economies.
Zimbabwe’s economic challenges have persisted for years, with the Zimbabwean dollar abandoned in 2009 due to hyperinflation.
Critics attribute the country’s economic woes to mismanagement by the ruling Zanu-PF party, both during Robert Mugabe’s and Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenures, while the government blames Western sanctions for exacerbating the situation.
Amidst these economic struggles, Zimbabwe held controversial by-elections following the recall of MPs from the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
While Zanu-PF secured victories in seven of the nine by-elections, the party remains three seats short of the two-thirds parliamentary majority required to amend the constitution.
Source-BBC
