Could Zimbabwe become the most sustainable country in Africa?

Zimbabwe is a particularly interesting place right now because it is under a dictatorship with all sorts of sanctions, which means that a lot of outside influence and ‘development’ has not taken hold. But life is challenging because they don’t have basic working infrastructure (power, water, communication networks are all a mess, as are fuel and food shortages etc.). But, they also don’t have major international free trade economic influences. I see this as a prime opportunity and unique chance for creating a sustainable future for Zim… instead of wanting to develop like the rest of Africa (with international aid as a crutch and neoliberalism as fuel), they could create localized economic systems, food systems, appropriate technology, solar power etc.

But, the challenge of course is that people have to want to go this route… which will be difficult once Zim becomes stable and throws its doors open to the world. I wonder if there is a chance to build momentum for creating an alternative reality…

In another light, Zim’s situation can be compared to one possible scenario for the rest of world… we all need to prepare for fuel, food, and water shortages!!