Zimbabweans expressed shock and disbelief as Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube was bestowed the title of “Best African Finance Minister of the Year,” a recognition that sharply contrasts with the country’s ongoing economic crisis.
Amidst the country’s economic turmoil, reactions poured in with incredulity over the award, equating it to praising a captain for steering a ship directly into an iceberg, as expressed by one user on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Another individual referred to it as “the greatest joke of the decade.”
Zimbabwe faces severe economic challenges with an unemployment rate soaring as high as 85%, as highlighted by economists. The lack of confidence in the local currency is evident, with approximately 80% of transactions being conducted in US dollars, according to media reports.
The award was presented to Mr. Ncube by Reputation Poll International, an organization specializing in managing reputations. Delighted by the honor, Mr. Ncube, appointed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2018, attributed the recognition to the efforts of the Treasury team in leading the economic transformation.
However, activist Hopewell Chin’ono said on X that the award was an “insult” to Zimbabweans. He expressed incredulity especially after Mr Ncube’s recent budget, that Mr Chin’ono dubbed “the most anti-people national budget that Zimbabwe has ever had”.
Chin’ono accused Mr. Ncube of overseeing the country’s descent into economic distress due to what he termed “misguided and corrupt policies.”
Zimbabwe’s economy has struggled for years, marked by the withdrawal of the Zimbabwe dollar in 2009 when hyperinflation reached an astounding 231 million per cent, leading to hourly price changes.
Critics attribute the economic turmoil to mismanagement by the ruling Zanu-PF party, first under Robert Mugabe and then under Mr. Mnangagwa. The government, however, blames Western sanctions for exacerbating the situation.
Amidst these challenges, Zimbabwe recently held controversial by-elections following the recall of MPs from the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
While Zanu-PF secured seven of the nine by-elections, it still falls short of the two-thirds parliamentary majority required to alter the constitution by three seats.
