Why is Zimbabwe so important in Africa?

Donald Kaberuka, the President of the African Development Bank, recently told Reuters in an interview that the rest of the world should not judge Africa on Zimbabwe. He is not the only person to have made such remarks in recent times but, just like everybody else who has made the same remarks, he does have a point.
Why do Zimbabwe’s economic and political woes deter foreign investors from responding to good news elsewhere in Africa? Or is it just a flawed perception. Why is the lack of progress on New Economic Partnership for African Development also blamed on Zimbabwe? Cannot the rest of Africa move forward without Zimbabwe if Zimbabwe does not intend to move forward with the rest of Africa.

International Monetary Fund Africa Director Abdoulaye Bio-Tchane suggested the same thing just this past week. He claims that Zimbabwe is not only holding the subregion back (SADC), but also holding back the whole African region. What’s all the fuss about?