Zimbabwe: 'Indigenization' and the Economy

A law went into effect March 1 requiring all Zimbabwean companies with assets worth more than $500,000 to be at least 51 percent owned by "indigenous" Zimbabweans, meaning blacks. The law aims to help give Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's party an even tighter grasp on the country's economy, and thus is opposed by his coalition partner and rival, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. While it is not clear how far the government will go to enforce the law, it is clear that, given his age, someone other than Mugabe will have to see the process through.