Load shedding during national budget a sobering moment for Zimbabwe

THE EDITOR, Madam:

On what was supposed to be a significant and solemn occasion for Zimbabwe, a moment where the government presents its national budget to outline the country’s fiscal plans and ambitions, the country was dealt a harsh, ironic blow. The electricity went out. The national load shedding, a dreaded phenomenon familiar to every Zimbabwean, had interrupted one of the most important speeches of the year.

The power failure underscored, with embarrassing clarity, the stark reality of Zimbabwe’s infrastructural and economic woes. The incident was more than just an inconvenience. It was a glaring symbol of Zimbabwe’s economic fragility at a time when the government was trying to convince the nation and the world that things were under control.

The irony could not have been sharper. As officials declared initiatives to stabilise the economy, to grow infrastructure, and improve public services, the room descended into literal darkness. How can a government promise economic growth and a path to recovery when it cannot even ensure the electricity stays on for the duration of its most important annual presentation? How could citizens be convinced that the nation’s infrastructure was on an upward trajectory when the very symbol of that infrastructure power failed so publicly?

The humiliation deepened with one particular aspect of the budget announcement: the introduction of a tax on basic food items like chicken and fries. For a country already struggling with rising inflation and the high cost of living, the decision to tax staple, everyday food items was a bitter pill to swallow. Many citizens were outraged by the idea of having to pay more for what is already an expensive treat for most families.

Perhaps the most telling part of the event was the president’s response to the situation. When the lights went out, so did he. The president leaving during such a key moment highlighted the widening gap between those in power and the people they are supposed to lead. For citizens, load shedding has become an unavoidable daily nuisance.

The moment speaks to a deeper problem within Zimbabwe’s governance and policymaking. While officials speak of grand plans for economic recovery, their inability to prevent load shedding during such a significant event points to the incompetence and mismanagement that still plagues the nation.

The load-shedding debacle during Zimbabwe’s national budget presentation was a microcosm of the larger problems the country faces. It was a moment of public humiliation, both at home and abroad, revealing the disconnect between political promises and the harsh realities of life in Zimbabwe. With load shedding becoming a symbol of the country’s dysfunction, the budget’s focus on taxing basic food items felt like salt in the wound for many. Until the government addresses these foundational issues, no budget speech, however well-crafted, will be enough to inspire confidence in the nation’s future.

NEWTON TAPIWA MPOFU

Political Activist