General
Source: AllAfrica
Prospects of Zimbabwe's economic recovery will remain shaky until the country's political situation stabilises, a prominent South African-based human rights activist, Eleanor Sisulu has said.
Delivering an inaugural Hope/Fay lecture series hosted by the Women's University in Africa (WUA) on Friday, Sisulu who has worked closely with the Crisis Coalition in Zimbabwe, said the violent land reform programme was gratuitous and impacted negatively on women refugees in South Africa.
"As for the economic development of Zimbabwe, it is unpredictable. It might go very bad or get better and I hope it won't turnout for the worst," she said.
"And I commend the country for its agricultural production, though it has been immensely affected by HIV prevalence that has caused incalculable destruction in southern Africa, thereby destroying capacity to produce food for the people."
The lecture series, which is a partnership between Women's University in Africa and the United States embassy, seeks to address critical issues affecting women and transforming their lives around Africa.
US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Charles Ray, said he was proud to be part of the initiative that would see women and girls being transformed for the better.
"Women and girls, not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa, deserve more than what they are getting out of life and this initiative seeks to improve the lives of women, which will lead to greater economic growth," he said.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the WUA and these lectures are designed to empower and inspire more women in all spheres of life.
The university's vice chancellor, Hope Sadza, said WUA has come a long way to what it was today.
"For women, the issue of hunger is critical, as the woman has to contend with those issues in the home," she said.