TEHRAN, March 6-New president's efforts to stimulate economy, attract foreign investment and curb corruption elicit mixed reviews.
TEHRAN,Young Journalists Club (YJC) -New president's efforts to stimulate economy, attract foreign investment and curb corruption elicit mixed reviews.
Zimbabwean PresidentEmmerson Mnangagwa took office 100 days ago, promising change and progressive steps towards a more democratic future, after 37 years of Robert Mugabe's iron-fisted rule.
However, his 100-day plan of action to stimulate the economy, attract foreign investment, curb corruption and promote human rights has received mixed reviews in the country.
Since Mnangagwa took power, free, state medical care for children and the elderly and a temporary reduction in fuel prices have been introduced.
The government has also removed police roadblocks and spot fines for traffic offences, which many see as having a positive effect on society.
The proposed establishment of special anti-corruption courts and the arrests of several high-profile figures on allegations of corruption have also been welcomed by the public, but some, including Ida Sibanda, a 57-year-old former school teacher, say more must be done to root out corruption.
"He has done a good job so far in getting rid of roadblocks and arresting corrupt people," Sibanda told Al Jazeera.
"But there are some in his own cabinet who must go behind bars."
In his crackdown on corruption, Mnangagwa issued a three-month amnesty in December to return looted money.
According to the new president, at least $250m out of an estimated $1.3bn of externalised funds have been repatriated since the amnesty began.
In an effort to re-engage with the world with the aim of reviving Zimbabwe's economy, Mnangagwa has cut new deals with Belarus, Russia and China.
He also recently commissioned a South African company to supply hundreds of train wagons and locomotives for $400m to the National Railways of Zimbabwe, a struggling, state-owned enterprise once hailed as Southern Africa's transport beacon.
Government efforts to revive industry, which currently operates at less than 50 percent capacity, have some hoping a better future might be possible.
Job creation hopes
Gilbert Nyoni, a 48-year-old self-employed panel beater, said the $20m lifeline recently given to the Cold Storage Company (CSC) shows some sign that one of the country's largest meat abattoirs could soon operate at full capacity.
Nyoni, who currently works at a car scrapyard behind the giant slaughterhouse, said he hopes that efforts to support CSC would translate into job creation.
"I can feel some change even though it's small. Things may not be where we want them to be, but I think if this government continues working, we'll get there," Nyoni told Al Jazeera.
"If industries like CSC and others are reopened as they [the government] promise then there will be real jobs for people."
Source:Aljazeera