𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦.

Mutumwa Mawere giving a speech

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗛 𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗘𝗟𝗙𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦.

He was once the richest black man in Zimbabwe, made by ZANU PF policies, indigenization, and preferential procurement alongside people like Nigel Chanakira, James Makamba, Strive Masiyiwa, and others.

At his zenith, he had 27 companies: 2 banks, 2 insurance companies, a number of mines, a pipe manufacturing company, and others, bought through vender finance and financial engineering, enabled by ZANU PF indigenization policies.

Under the illusion that he was self-made because he had worked at the World Bank, he was asked to give back to those who made him. He refused. Meanwhile, smart ones like Strive never forgot what made them, so they gave back to their masters, without thinking twice, despite playing to the gallery by speaking ill against the same ZANU PF that empowered them. You have heard Mutsvangwa saying we make all those who have money in Zimbabwe. That’s no joke.

As a result, Mawere lost all that had been given him. Mr World Bank, thinking that since he was “self-made” and a South African citizen, he would join the ANC, get tenders and empowerment deals again to make it. Sadly, in a country where blacks own nothing, he became broke and destitute, to a point of being embroiled in fraud of $250 000.

For the better part of his last 15 years, he was trying to convince people like me and many others to help him fight the government to get his wealth back, but it was to no avail because it was never his in the first place. As a result, he died of stress and frustration at the age of 66, unable to get the support and empowerment that once made him. Not even his fellow business people came to his rescue because this group of 90s elites, are selfish and individualistic.

If Nigel Chanakira and Kasukuwere do not humble themselves, I see them suffering the same fate. ZANU PF made them all, and without ZANU PF they won’t survive.

Don’t listen to these class of 1972-79 telling you that they are “self-made”. Most of them were made by ZANU PF, including THE telco billionaire. If you don’t believe me, let him refuse to kiss the ring and see if he won’t end up like Mawere.

James Makamba also made the same mistake of thinking he could survive outside Zimbabwe on a small fortune he had amassed from tenders and deals. This was after allegations were made that he had inappropriate relations with the former First Lady.

For some time, he lived the life of a playboy in the high streets of Joburg, paying homage to South African politicians while seducing their wives. So they sidelined him, until he ran out of money, and in 2018, his R63 million mansion was auctioned.

It's only fortunate that not too long after his financial problems, Mugabe was removed, and the current President threw Makamba a lifeline by allowing him to rejoin ZANU PF ranks again and returned some of his properties, lost under Mugabe. This was done despite him being recorded in his South African mansion, plotting against the very same forgiving Ngwena.

Never turn your back on your country or what made you, because it's the only thing that can make you again. Many of you diaspora citizens who are always bitter and denigrating your nation here on social media, you are already showing signs of similar misjudgment that will lead to frustration and heartbreak. It's not too late; learn from our elder. RIP Mawere.

PS: There's nothing I'm writing here that I didn't say to his face.

Written by Rutendo Matinyarare, Chairman of ZASM.