Don't Believe The Hype

That was the title of a popular rap and hip hop song by the then militant group, Public Enemy. The songs basically say to ignore the media, marketing, buzz, or rumors around a story, object or person – it’s nothing special. From the 1988 Public Enemy single “Don’t Believe The Hype”, which fought back against negative press about the band. And that is he feeling I got about Harare Zimbabwe after spending three nights there.

With the negative headlines about Zimbabwe's leader, Robert Mugabe's over 35 years in power and the attendant corruption, state violence against the opposition, not to mention massive rigging of last election, most international media outlets painted Zimbabwe as a wasteland.

So I was surprised when we landed in Harare. The airport is second fastest I have been through in my recent travels. Travels that took to me to some six Countries in the Southern African Development Council (SADC) area. The Immigration Officer was polite and made effort to return the change. In one country a while ago, the Immigration Agent said there was to change from the visa fee. When we protested he calmly said, "you can go back".

The drive from the hotel to my clients’ office was through double lane roads with trees that provided overhead shade. Wide tree lined roads with street lights. My client was quick to add that not all was rosy with Zimbabwe. With unemployment estimated at 73% and a currency that had a trillion dollar note a while ago, Zimbabwe is in deep economic crisis. One of the people I met said if what happened to Zimbabwe had happened to a business, it would have "packed up".

We stayed at Meikels Hotel, built in 1915 and is a leading hotel of the world. Beautifully furnished with timeless pieces of furniture and adorned with sculptures made from Stones - art that I discovered Zimbabwe is famous for. The service was remarkable with housekeeping, restaurant and other Food and Beverage staff, who took time to offer help and deliver room service in record time. The voice on the phone offered the customary "we will deliver your food in 20-30 minutes". But the food actually came unless time. In one occasion, when I ordered the traditional maize meal called Sadza, it arrived in 12 minutes or so. Sadza in Shona or phaletšhe in Botswana, is a cooked cornmeal that is the staple food in Zimbabwe and other parts of Southern Africa. Sadza is made with finely ground dry maize/corn maize (Mealie-Meal).

It is hard to tell that Zimbabwe is in the midst of one of the worst economic crisis. Dinner was at restaurant called Victoria 12. Tucked in a stately compound and ran by what appeared to be a husband and wife team. The food was a culinary delight accompanied by a Waterford Chardonnay.

I know beneath all these are the deep issues that come with sit tight political leaders who will rather die in office than leave a legacy of peaceful transition and economic prosperity. Of the five leaders in the world with records of the longest serving leaders, Africa has 4 with President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe at number 4 with 37 years in power. The top five account for a total of 187 years as Heads of state. Africa alone account for 152 of the 187 years. The leaders are from Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Zimbabwe. And these countries rank amongst the poorest countries by all major economic indicators.

However, I choose to remember Zimbabwe for what it was and could be. Despite having 40% of its population in economic exile, Zimbabwe struck me like a land that will rebound in a significant way. The resilience of the people and a nation with most of its infrastructure intact, Zimbabwe will rebound, its a matter of when. For now, please don't believe the hype of some of the international media.