Repairing economy to last decade: Makoni
Restoring inflation-ravaged Zimbabwe to its previous status as a model of economic prosperity could take more than a decade, presidential challenger Dr Simba Makoni said ahead of this weekend's elections.
In an interview late on Wednesday, Dr Makoni said he wanted to banish the climate of fear, which he said, now pervaded in the southern African nation.
He also wanted to embark on a process to restore confidence in the battered economy.
"We must deal with the crises that are gripping the country, the food crisis, the water and sanitation crisis, energy crisis," said Dr Makoni, who will be standing against Mugabe at presidential and legislative elections on Saturday.
"Those are important to deal with very early in the life of our government."
Once the region's breadbasket, Zimbabwe now experiences shortages of even the most basic foodstuffs such as cooking oil and bread.
Unemployment is running at over 80% while annual inflation has passed the 100 000% mark.
Dr Makoni, who left government in 2002 in a row with Mugabe about devaluation, said that a return to economic prosperity would not come about in a matter of months or even years.
"This is not about the first six months after March 29 or even the first five years ... it could range from 10 to 15 years," he said.
In the interview, Dr Makoni said reconciliation would be one of his priorities should he emerge winner in the March 29 elections.
He said: "We must begin to lay the foundation for the reconciliation, the national healing ... the removal of the fear that pervades our lives everyday, the restoration of trust, and mutual confidence among our people."
Dr Makoni, who left Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party last month after announcing his independent candidacy, said it was time Zimbabweans refused to be intimidated.
"In the cabinet, in the politburo, I was a thorn in some people's flesh because I kept asking awkward questions and suggesting things that they didn't believe in," Dr Makoni said.
"I don't think we should be too timid about our ambitions, we shouldn't be too apologetic, we shouldn't accept too much of the constraints of the status quo because that will take us back, I want us to break out."
"But reconciliation is necessary; reconciliation is part of national healing. It's long term, but beginning to lay down the framework and the foundation for genuine unity and reconciliation is important."