When Zimbabwe was still colonial Rhodesia, ruled by settlers, the country was known for its food security. It produced enough to feed its people and even exported to other countries. Today, the story is completely different. Zimbabwe is struggling with food insecurity, and many people do not have enough to eat. This change is shocking, but the reasons behind it are clear. The government, led by the ZANU-PF party, is at the center of this issue. The party has been in power for more than four decades, and many believe it has caused the downfall of Zimbabwe’s food production.

ZANU-PF is often described as corrupt and failing. It has created a system where the country is no longer governed well. Instead of serving the people, the party seems more focused on staying in power and enriching itself. This has paralyzed Zimbabwe and is pushing the country towards becoming a failed state. If this continues, it could lead to instability, not just in Zimbabwe, but in the entire region of southern Africa.

Looking back at Rhodesia, it is clear that the country’s food security was strong. While it was not a democracy and did not respect the rights of the black majority, the economy was stable, and agriculture thrived. If Rhodesia had been a democracy that included the black majority in its decision-making, perhaps Zimbabwe would still be food secure today. But this did not happen. Instead, Zimbabwe is now in a dire state because of the ZANU-PF party, which has ruled the country without proper leadership and concern for the people.

One of the main problems with the ZANU-PF party is that it does not respect the law. The constitution, which is supposed to protect the rights of the people, is often violated. This is dangerous because when the law is not respected, people lose trust in the system. Property rights are ignored, and this affects farmers who own land. Without strong property rights, farmers are not encouraged to invest in their land or produce more food. This has led to the decline in food production and the rise of food insecurity in Zimbabwe.

Another issue is that people are appointed to public office not because of their skills or qualifications, but because of their loyalty to the ZANU-PF party. This means that many people in power are not capable of doing their jobs. These appointments are based on political loyalty, not merit, which creates a system where the government does not work for the people. Instead, it works to keep ZANU-PF in power, while the country continues to suffer.

Because the government is so focused on staying in power, it is difficult to hold anyone accountable. The people in power are protected by the system, and as long as ZANU-PF remains in control, they continue to benefit. This has created a situation where the leaders are not transparent, and the people have no way of ensuring that their government is doing the right thing. The result is a country in decline, where food production is low, and the people are suffering.

In conclusion, Zimbabwe’s food crisis is a direct result of the actions of the ZANU-PF government. The party’s corruption, lack of respect for the law, and focus on staying in power have caused the country to fall into a state of food insecurity. If things continue this way, Zimbabwe could become a failed state, causing problems not just within the country, but throughout southern Africa. The country needs real leadership that respects the law and puts the people first. Only then can Zimbabwe return to being food secure and begin to rebuild its future.