Former ICT Minister and ZIFM founder Supa Mandiwanzira has questioned the agenda of civil society organizations that focus on societal issues that are not very important in terms of eradicating generational poverty in Africa. In a talk show on the Denny J Show, the former minister touched on various subjects, including controversies surrounding his terms as Deputy Minister of Information and Minister of ICT, his active roles in Zanu PF, his marriage, and the formation of ZIFM.
Supa said he started his journey in media at Manica Post soon after his O-levels, and ever since then, it has provided a breeding ground for the man he was to become. When asked about why Africa is very poor, he attributed this to the education curriculum and what the imperialists have always intended to achieve. He said Zimbabwe has many mineral resources, ranging from diamonds, gold, lithium, iron, and chrome, among others, but our education is centered on speaking English well, religious studies, and many historical theories, with less emphasis on education that applies to our current needs.
He also pointed out that civil society organizations are majoring on issues such as circumcision, equal rights, and other gender issues, which are good, but to eradicate generational poverty in Africa, we need industrial aid. There is a need for civil society to play a major role in assisting with industrial skills that will benefit the country. He said the Western agenda is well-crafted to ensure that there is no help in these areas so that Africa remains poor.
Joshua Maponga, a pan-Africanist, also supported this view in one of his podcasts, citing that there is no need to spend 10 years in school learning about Queen Elizabeth, John Moffat, and other irrelevant topics while we have no idea how to mine the minerals we have. Mandiwanzira also commented on the gold mafia, questioning the real beneficiaries of the whole trade, a view that Joshua Maponga also shared in his podcast with Zigo. The two share the worldview that black people are designed to be inferior and hate each other while the white man benefits and loots.
Mandiwanzira also talked about nationalism and the national pride that Zimbabweans ought to speak well about their country whenever they get a platform. He gave an example of how South Africans will embrace their rand anywhere, but Zimbabweans will shun their ZIG. He also gave an example of opposition players in politics who are always speaking badly about the ZBC and the government but expect to get media coverage from the same players. His overall message was to unite as Zimbabweans and do things that make the country move forward
