Dual citizenship, if it benefits Zimbabweans would be a benefit to Zimbabwe. The new constitution should be the beginning of ending the disconnect between the State and the People, placing people at the centre of the state rather than some nebulous concept of patriotism and independence.

People like one Nathaniel Manheru, who espouses love for Zimbabwe but does not love its people, are the ones responsible for this concept of state where state means State House or Mugabe House.

What is good for Zimbabwean people, the majority of them, is what is good for Zimbabwe. This is what the Constitution must correct - the disconnect between the state and the people, which has seen men in dark glasses terrorising innocent women and children in the name of the State, yet the State is supposed to serve the people.

In the case of a Zimbabwean having worked, lived in, and fulfilled the requirements of citizenship of another country, that means they become entitled to certain privileges, not least among them, entitlement to open a bank account, to start a business, health and welfare benefits, voting rights and access to bank loans – the list is endless.

Zimbabweans are well known for their attachment to their country, their homes, the land of their ancestry and their relatives. So whatever benefit they are able to acquire out of any acquired foreign citizenship, this benefit will obviously be extended to their relatives. These are benefits to Zimbabweans and therefore to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe plc gains.

With almost a quarter of Zimbabwe's population abroad, if half of them, say 2 million, have acquired citizenship of the foreign country and become dual citizens, and each one receives $1 000 worth of transferable benefits per year – it could be cash from working, cash from benefits or personal loans, this already translates to $2 billion a year to the Zimbabwean economy. So why should they be denied?

In terms of real visible economic benefits, a dual citizen would be able to, as a Zimbabwean citizen, to aquire land, easily, and as a citizen of the acquired country, say UK, be able to buy equipment and be able to service that land or set up an industry in Zimbabwe, and employ Zimbabweans who will be able to feed their families off that investment – meaning technology has transferred to Zimbabwe.

Those who say that Zimbabweans abroad should come how to work should be reminded that, despite improvements in the economy, there is still above 80 percent employment. The Zimbabwean who is wanted is one who is coming to create jobs, not just for himself or herself, but for other Zimbabweans. This is what Zimbabwe needs.

Some countries like India, who we understand the inclusive government has been studying, have even gone as far as providing special facilities for their dual citizens in the acquired country in order to allow India to capture the foreign currency that has made cities like Mumbai the Silicon Valley of the East.

India started in 2003 to allow dual citizenship as a step ahead to allow unhindered trade in services and free its eligible non-resident Indians – from Australia to Switzerland, to pursue opportunities wherever they arise. Its Parliament passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2003 under which those eligible to become citizens of India 53 years earlier (I.e1950), could apply for dual Indian citizenship.

Rules giving effect to this were notified in March 2004, making persons of Indian origin who were citizens of Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States eligible to apply for dual citizenship.

The State Bank of India is found in over 40 countries, from Gaborone (Botswana) to Handsworth (Birmingham) to allow Indian nationals to deposit their monies directly into to banks with local branches right in their hometowns and villages.

They can also deposit money directly for suppliers or just a relative or creditor in India. And as new frontiers for international business open up, they special facilities like one-stop investment centres were also made available in the acquired country for dual citizens use to fulfill all the requirements of their home countries for running businesses, without having to get on a plane to India.

We hope such facilities can also be developed once the dual citizenship is accepted in order to accommodate people who have taken up the citizenships of various diaspora countries and future citizens who become adventurous enough and take up citizenships of other countries in order to access subsidized education, the ability to work without restriction and other benefits usually reserved for citizens.

All that it takes is a dedicated person at the embassy who can service citizens and dual citizens wanting to take care of their business, whether is submitting submitting tax returns or applying for land, and if that does not keep him busy enough, he can also be going to trade fairs to promote trade and investment in Zimbabwe.

On the other hand, denying Zimbabwean-born people dual citizenship will only lead to a loss of those citizens who have already taken up citizenship of their acquired countries because of the benefits offered by them. They would obviously think twice before renouncing their acquired citizenship and revert back to their Zimbabwean citizenship, because for the foreseeable Zimbabwe is not going to be able to offer such benefits.

This has nothing to do with patriotism, but simple practical realities of living in a globalised world where one could conceivably work across the world, have a home in another, and be a citizen or resident of another, depending on what advantages are offered by each.

Countries that are forward thinking are actually in a competition to attract the best citizens, the best workers and professionals who will bring investment and technology to their shores.

Zimbabwe, where my grandfather was using technology more than 40 years ago which is, even now, more advanced than what most Zimbabweans have access to, should actually be joining this competition to attract its citizens who have potential to bring investment and technology, no matter how small, because the native is likely to stay in his country and continue growing that small investment, much more than the multinational who looking for a quick profit.

We therefore urge anyone who is participating in the Constitutional Outreach, no matter where they are, to include a provision for dual citizenship. It is a viable proposition, both from the perspective of birth-rights and from the perspective of economic development.