Comments on: Has Zimbabwe’s land reform actually been a success? A new book says yes. http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405 duncan green poverty to power oxfam development Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:17:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Summersell http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-488300 Summersell Wed, 29 May 2013 14:20:34 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-488300 Any research carried out by a person with a vested interest in that research is generally to be treated with suspicion, such as when pharmaceutical companies carry out research which reflects well on their medicines. "Zimbabwe takes back its land" unfortunately suffers from such a conflict of interest because of the presence of **** **** on the team. Although ***** is white, she is married to an ex military man who has been given land. They fall into the category of weekend farmers. Furthermore, *****'s status in Zimbabwe is precarious because, being white, she has always to prove that she is not like the other whites. Her position in a prominent Zimbabwean institution and her husbands ex military status both mean that she would be highly unlikely to present any critique of the government's land reform policy. Readers need to take her position into account when deciding on the credibility of the book. Any research carried out by a person with a vested interest in that research is generally to be treated with suspicion, such as when pharmaceutical companies carry out research which reflects well on their medicines. “Zimbabwe takes back its land” unfortunately suffers from such a conflict of interest because of the presence of **** **** on the team. Although ***** is white, she is married to an ex military man who has been given land. They fall into the category of weekend farmers. Furthermore, *****’s status in Zimbabwe is precarious because, being white, she has always to prove that she is not like the other whites. Her position in a prominent Zimbabwean institution and her husbands ex military status both mean that she would be highly unlikely to present any critique of the government’s land reform policy. Readers need to take her position into account when deciding on the credibility of the book.

]]> By: Summersell http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-487367 Summersell Mon, 27 May 2013 13:11:07 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-487367 I would like to add that a key point made by "Zimbabwe Takes Back its Land" is that it was the marginalised black people themselves who occupied the farms, against the will of the government. This is not true. Mugabe was very much behind the reform process. He said at the WSSD in 2002: "Economically, we are an occupied country, 22 years after our Independence. Accordingly, my Government has decided to do the only right and just thing by taking back land and giving it to its rightful indigenous, black owners who lost it in circumstances of colonial pillage. This process is being done in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in our national Constitution and laws." He also said in a speech in Namibia: "It is a simple solution…if they (the white commercial farmers) are ready to discuss with you and give land then there is no need for a fight. But in Zimbabwe the British are not ready and we are making them ready now." (Mugabe, BBC News, 26 May 2000). The authors of this book are naive to believe the state politicking that implied that ZANU PF had no involvement in the violent acquisition of the farms. They must also be wary of confusing instances of opposition to the government's wishes, based on the unfairness of their procedure, with the process being fully initiated by the people. The solidarity peace trust (2003) have described how ZANU PF use the tactic of getting the people to do their will, whilst pretending their lack of involvement. "It was about vandalism… We were used to do the things the State does not want to do themselves. Then they can just say ‘ it was just the youth, not us’…We are Zanu-PF’s ‘B’ team. The army is the ‘A’ team and we do the things the government does not want the ‘A’ team to do…We got a lot of power. Our source of power was this encouragement we were getting, particularly from the police and others... it was instilled in us that whenever we go out, we are free to do whatever we want and nobody was going to question that." (Solidarity Peace Trust, 2003) I would like to add that a key point made by “Zimbabwe Takes Back its Land” is that it was the marginalised black people themselves who occupied the farms, against the will of the government. This is not true. Mugabe was very much behind the reform process. He said at the WSSD in 2002: “Economically, we are an occupied country, 22 years after our Independence. Accordingly, my Government has decided to do the only right and just thing by taking back land and giving it to its rightful indigenous, black owners who lost it in circumstances of colonial pillage. This process is being done in accordance with the rule of law as enshrined in our national Constitution and laws.” He also said in a speech in Namibia: “It is a simple solution…if they (the white commercial farmers) are ready to discuss with you and give land then there is no need for a fight. But in Zimbabwe the British are not ready and we are making them ready now.”
(Mugabe, BBC News, 26 May 2000). The authors of this book are naive to believe the state politicking that implied that ZANU PF had no involvement in the violent acquisition of the farms. They must also be wary of confusing instances of opposition to the government’s wishes, based on the unfairness of their procedure, with the process being fully initiated by the people.

The solidarity peace trust (2003) have described how ZANU PF use the tactic of getting the people to do their will, whilst pretending their lack of involvement.
“It was about vandalism… We were used to do the things the State does not want to do themselves. Then they can just say ‘ it was just the youth, not us’…We are Zanu-PF’s ‘B’ team. The army is the ‘A’ team and we do the things the government does not want the ‘A’ team to do…We got a lot of power. Our source of power was this encouragement we were getting, particularly from the police and others… it was instilled in us that whenever we go out, we are free to do whatever we want and nobody was going to question that.”
(Solidarity Peace Trust, 2003)

]]> By: Summersell http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-486131 Summersell Fri, 24 May 2013 16:49:22 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-486131 If we judge Zimbabwe's land distribution as successful, based on the improved livelihoods of the new recipients of the land,then we must also judge as successful the transfer of Jewish businesses to the German nationals, who are now enjoying unprecedented economic well-being. However, I believe that the end does not justify the means. The question we must ask is HOW the process of improving the well-being of the new farmers came about. Was it non violent, was it ethical, was it fair? This question is important because irresponsibly up holding the Zimbabwe example as a case of good practice can spur other countries to follow suit, thus encouraging further human suffering on a large scale across Africa. If we judge Zimbabwe’s land distribution as successful, based on the improved livelihoods of the new recipients of the land,then we must also judge as successful the transfer of Jewish businesses to the German nationals, who are now enjoying unprecedented economic well-being. However, I believe that the end does not justify the means. The question we must ask is HOW the process of improving the well-being of the new farmers came about. Was it non violent, was it ethical, was it fair? This question is important because irresponsibly up holding the Zimbabwe example as a case of good practice can spur other countries to follow suit, thus encouraging further human suffering on a large scale across Africa.

]]> By: duzvi http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-482619 duzvi Sun, 19 May 2013 10:01:27 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-482619 Land reform in Zimbabwe is the greatest flop in the world but a success in the eyes of ZANU (Pfutseki).It has been very random and ethnic. It was used by the aging Mugabe to gain political mileage and grip which he was losing to MDC led Tsvanngirai. The distribution was unequal and gender insensitive. It was Zezurised and biased towards cousins and relatives of the top leadership. The likes of Rueben Barwe, Supa Mandiwanzira, Gideon Gono got the best farms along the A5 (Harare- Bulawayo road)reflects how rotten the distribution is. Zimbabwe was once a bread basket reduced to a bread-begger by war veteran like Chenjerai Duzvi who could not even take care of his rural home where a chopper could not land. Land reform in Zimbabwe is the greatest flop in the world but a success in the eyes of ZANU (Pfutseki).It has been very random and ethnic. It was used by the aging Mugabe to gain political mileage and grip which he was losing to MDC led Tsvanngirai. The distribution was unequal and gender insensitive. It was Zezurised and biased towards cousins and relatives of the top leadership.
The likes of Rueben Barwe, Supa Mandiwanzira, Gideon Gono got the best farms along the A5 (Harare- Bulawayo road)reflects how rotten the distribution is.
Zimbabwe was once a bread basket reduced to a bread-begger by war veteran like Chenjerai Duzvi who could not even take care of his rural home where a chopper could not land.

]]> By: Chiedza http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-476122 Chiedza Wed, 08 May 2013 14:45:36 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-476122 What hasn't really been touched on here is the hugely destructive effect the land grabs had on the culture. Black farmers who were allocated land legally continue to face invasion, threats, theft and intimidation from a slice of the population (often related to Zanu) who have learned that you can take anything you want with a bit of brute force in an environment where this is tolerated by those in power, and no-one in authority will defend you. The destabilising effect on all aspects of the country has been widespread. Of course land reform of a totally unjust system was essential, and long overdue, but just to reiterate the above mention of the detrimental effect the last 10 years has had on the 1 million plus individuals who benefited from the income from their labour and, on the whole, good conditions on the previously white-owned farms. What hasn’t really been touched on here is the hugely destructive effect the land grabs had on the culture. Black farmers who were allocated land legally continue to face invasion, threats, theft and intimidation from a slice of the population (often related to Zanu) who have learned that you can take anything you want with a bit of brute force in an environment where this is tolerated by those in power, and no-one in authority will defend you. The destabilising effect on all aspects of the country has been widespread. Of course land reform of a totally unjust system was essential, and long overdue, but just to reiterate the above mention of the detrimental effect the last 10 years has had on the 1 million plus individuals who benefited from the income from their labour and, on the whole, good conditions on the previously white-owned farms.

]]> By: sarah http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-464903 sarah Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:16:58 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-464903 Watch the DVD "Mugabe and the White African," and you will get a glimpse into the lives of a farming family who stood up for what they believed in. It was filmed as events took place and was not acted out so you will get an accurate account about what farmers had to face and endure during the land invasions.Noone should be treated like this!! It seems that we do not learn from History, the haulocast, the apartheid in SA, the land reforms in Zim........etc when will we stop being intolerant of other cultures/people. Why does everything always have to be about black/white! We have to change our attitude! The person from NO16 here on the comments page needs to be careful of such rash comments. It does no good whatsoever! Watch the DVD “Mugabe and the White African,” and you will get a glimpse into the lives of a farming family who stood up for what they believed in. It was filmed as events took place and was not acted out so you will get an accurate account about what farmers had to face and endure during the land invasions.Noone should be treated like this!! It seems that we do not learn from History, the haulocast, the apartheid in SA, the land reforms in Zim……..etc when will we stop being intolerant of other cultures/people. Why does everything always have to be about black/white! We have to change our attitude! The person from NO16 here on the comments page needs to be careful of such rash comments. It does no good whatsoever!

]]> By: sarah http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-464897 sarah Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:06:06 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-464897 One can never say that the land reform has been a success due to the production figures or anything else for that matter. How can you say that it has been a succes when thousands of families have been displaced, tortured, women raped, people abused, abducted and killed. I am speaking about all Zimbabweans, both white farmer and farm worker. Lives have been devastated! So, success - no ways! I am a Zimbabwean and I have personnally experienced the land invasions. What is man coming to? God help us all! One can never say that the land reform has been a success due to the production figures or anything else for that matter. How can you say that it has been a succes when thousands of families have been displaced, tortured, women raped, people abused, abducted and killed. I am speaking about all Zimbabweans, both white farmer and farm worker. Lives have been devastated! So, success – no ways! I am a Zimbabwean and I have personnally experienced the land invasions. What is man coming to? God help us all!

]]> By: Dumb Nigger http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-460445 Dumb Nigger Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:45:52 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-460445 I'd rather starve to death than let white people supply me food. I’d rather starve to death than let white people supply me food.

]]> By: Alice http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-459754 Alice Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:08:49 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-459754 William is the only one who tells the truth here. Shame on Oxfam to praise this book, as (dr) Joe Hanlon speaks the language of Mugabe. So Oxfam denies the right of white Zimbabweans to farm? Any country who steals the farms that produce food and give it to warvets or ministers or judges, is criminal. And Oxfam is promoting this. Zimbabwe never had hunger till 2000. They are now importing food grown by their ex-farmers in Zambia. William is the only one who tells the truth here. Shame on Oxfam to praise this book, as (dr) Joe Hanlon speaks the language of Mugabe. So Oxfam denies the right of white Zimbabweans to farm? Any country who steals the farms that produce food and give it to warvets or ministers or judges, is criminal. And Oxfam is promoting this. Zimbabwe never had hunger till 2000. They are now importing food grown by their ex-farmers in Zambia.

]]> By: MrK http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405&cpage=1#comment-449356 MrK Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:09:59 +0000 http://www.oxfamblogs.org/fp2p/?p=13405#comment-449356 I have one criticim of "Zimbabwe Takes It's Land Back", and that is that the writers have not appreciated the role the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 played in the destruction of the Zimbabwe Dollar in the year 2002. The Government didn't miraculously decide to start printing money 'because of failed policies', but because it was faced with a sudden foreign currency crisis in the year 2002. It was with the fall of the Zimbabwe Dollar that tobacco exports crashed. It was with the introduction of dollarisation that tobacco exports rebounded. So to dismiss the effect of economic sanctions is not taking into account all the evidence. :) Notice the significance of the year 2002. Tobacco Exports millions of US$: 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 548.8 594.1 434.6 321.3 226.7 203.8 Trade Deficit in millions of US$ 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 -295.6 -322.5 18.2 108.3 305.2 387.9 231.3 Source: Special Report FAO/WFP Crop And Food Supply Assessment Mission To Zimbabwe, 5 June 2007; Table 1: Zimbabwe - Key economic indicators, 2000-2007 http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/10127e/10127e00.HTM On the relevant text, the credit freeze the Zimbabwean government was put on from 2002 onwards, from the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (S.494 of the 107th US Congress, sponsored by Bill Frist, co-sponsored by Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Russ Feingold and Jesse Helms): " SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY. " (c) MULTILATERAL FINANCING RESTRICTION- ... the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against-- " (1) any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee to the Government of Zimbabwe; or " (2) any cancellation or reduction of indebtedness owed by the Government of Zimbabwe to the United States or any international financial institution. " Source: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/107/s494/text Notice that this law effects "The Government Of Zimbabwe", a phrase mentioned twice, not 'friends and cronies of Mugabe', not 'targeted individuals', although they too are mentioned in ZDERA. Notice now, the effect the introduction of this law had on the currency of Zimbabwe, referred to in the Wikileaks Cables as "slashing an already deflated tire" - a tire deflated by 5 years of the World Bank's ESAP, may I add. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V9UARaYsms4/S9jW6Vw91vI/AAAAAAAAADs/FPAO4s6ZRUk/s1600/ZimbabweCurrencyChart2.jpg Notice the rapid accelleration of the decline of the Zimbabwe Dollar on this chart, in the year 2002, the year ZDERA of 2001 came into effect. SUMMARY Land reform in Zimbabwe has been hobbled, attacked, demonised and villified - and it still continues on. This in itself shows the robustness of the process, and how right it has been. I have one criticim of “Zimbabwe Takes It’s Land Back”, and that is that the writers have not appreciated the role the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 played in the destruction of the Zimbabwe Dollar in the year 2002.

The Government didn’t miraculously decide to start printing money ‘because of failed policies’, but because it was faced with a sudden foreign currency crisis in the year 2002. It was with the fall of the Zimbabwe Dollar that tobacco exports crashed. It was with the introduction of dollarisation that tobacco exports rebounded.

So to dismiss the effect of economic sanctions is not taking into account all the evidence. :) Notice the significance of the year 2002.

Tobacco Exports millions of US$:

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
548.8 594.1 434.6 321.3 226.7 203.8

Trade Deficit in millions of US$

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-295.6 -322.5 18.2 108.3 305.2 387.9 231.3

Source: Special Report FAO/WFP Crop And Food Supply Assessment Mission To Zimbabwe, 5 June 2007; Table 1: Zimbabwe – Key economic indicators, 2000-2007
http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/10127e/10127e00.HTM

On the relevant text, the credit freeze the Zimbabwean government was put on from 2002 onwards, from the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 (S.494 of the 107th US Congress, sponsored by Bill Frist, co-sponsored by Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, Russ Feingold and Jesse Helms):

” SEC. 4. SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

” (c) MULTILATERAL FINANCING RESTRICTION- … the Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each international financial institution to oppose and vote against–

” (1) any extension by the respective institution of any loan, credit, or guarantee to the Government of Zimbabwe; or

” (2) any cancellation or reduction of indebtedness owed by the Government of Zimbabwe to the United States or any international financial institution. ”

Source: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/107/s494/text

Notice that this law effects “The Government Of Zimbabwe”, a phrase mentioned twice, not ‘friends and cronies of Mugabe’, not ‘targeted individuals’, although they too are mentioned in ZDERA.

Notice now, the effect the introduction of this law had on the currency of Zimbabwe, referred to in the Wikileaks Cables as “slashing an already deflated tire” – a tire deflated by 5 years of the World Bank’s ESAP, may I add.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_V9UARaYsms4/S9jW6Vw91vI/AAAAAAAAADs/FPAO4s6ZRUk/s1600/ZimbabweCurrencyChart2.jpg

Notice the rapid accelleration of the decline of the Zimbabwe Dollar on this chart, in the year 2002, the year ZDERA of 2001 came into effect.

SUMMARY

Land reform in Zimbabwe has been hobbled, attacked, demonised and villified – and it still continues on. This in itself shows the robustness of the process, and how right it has been.

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