Apologies. The media.co.zw has been down all day. It appears there has been a malfuntion with the setup on the box and the ISP staff are sorting it out.
Hopefully, it will be up later today.
Sorry about that!
tm
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
WOZA NEWS UPDATE Wednesday 24th May 4.30pm
From: Woza Zimbabwe [mailto:wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com]
Sent: 24 May 2006 15:44
To: wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com
Subject: NEWS UPDATE Wednesday 24th May 4.30pm
Bulawayo women released but harassment continues...
After spending a night in the cells at Njube police station, the fivewomen arrested yesterday in Bulawayo have finally been released. Police will proceed by way of summons.
In a separate incident however, another member of WOZA was picked up by police today in Tshabalala. She had not participated in yesterday'sdemo. She went to pay school fees at Mahlabezulu School and upon her arrival the administration staff noticing her WOZA scarf asked her to step into their office. Police were called and she was told she was under arrest for participating in yesterday's demo. She apparently showed them a cheque that she had queued in a bank to obtain yesterday but they ignored this alibi. An illegal search of her home was conducted. At her home they found a WOZA t-shirt - written 'stop violence against women'. She was assaulted by a police officer until she named the person who had given her the t-shirt.
This member of WOZA was then also arrested despite the fact that she has recently suffered a stroke and is visibly ill. Lawyers attended, warn and caution statements were signed and both women were released.
Aluta Continua!!!
Sent: 24 May 2006 15:44
To: wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com
Subject: NEWS UPDATE Wednesday 24th May 4.30pm
Bulawayo women released but harassment continues...
After spending a night in the cells at Njube police station, the fivewomen arrested yesterday in Bulawayo have finally been released. Police will proceed by way of summons.
In a separate incident however, another member of WOZA was picked up by police today in Tshabalala. She had not participated in yesterday'sdemo. She went to pay school fees at Mahlabezulu School and upon her arrival the administration staff noticing her WOZA scarf asked her to step into their office. Police were called and she was told she was under arrest for participating in yesterday's demo. She apparently showed them a cheque that she had queued in a bank to obtain yesterday but they ignored this alibi. An illegal search of her home was conducted. At her home they found a WOZA t-shirt - written 'stop violence against women'. She was assaulted by a police officer until she named the person who had given her the t-shirt.
This member of WOZA was then also arrested despite the fact that she has recently suffered a stroke and is visibly ill. Lawyers attended, warn and caution statements were signed and both women were released.
Aluta Continua!!!
Monday, May 15, 2006
AFDA Student Film Scoops The 2006 Toronto Based ReelWorld Festival's Award
If you plan to use the information in this media release, Mediaweb would be most grateful if you could reply this email saying where and when you intend to use this information so we can keep a note for our records. Thank you from all of us at Mediaweb.co.za.
Release Date: May 15, 2006
Embargo Date: None
Contact Details:
Name: Sibusiso Molefe
Company: AFDA
Phone: 0114828345
Email: sibusisom@filmdramaschool.co.za
Url: www.filmdramaschool.co.za
AFDA Student Film Scoops The 2006 Toronto Based ReelWorld Festival's Award
Johannesburg - The AFDA student produced film "SA/X" has walked away with ReelWorld's Award for Outstanding International Short Film. The ReelWorld Film Festival was founded by actress, Tonya Lee Williams (Hill Street Blues, Matlock), in Toronto, Canada. This award honours a director from the international community who has demonstrated filmmaking excellence.
SA/X is a comic mock-documentary, set in Johannesburg. It follows a fair-skinned African girl who dares to look outside of her burglar-proof suburban world. What she finds is a city both tattered and triumphant and generation come-of-age in a post-apartheid reality. SA/X profiles a truly contemporary slice of urban youth culture. The film inter-cuts an absorbing, simple narrative with (staged) documentary-style interview clips of random South African 20-somethings exploring their concerns and values. The interviews bring a universal element to the story, as our heroine breaks free from her controlling prejudiced family and boyfriend. She befriends a multiracial punk band, and ventures into a part of the city long considered being a no-go zone by most whites. Ten years on, amid a landscape rife with urban and social blight.
The film was completed in January 2005 and has traveled around the world - to Cannes, Holland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Canada. Some of the accolades the film has achieved so far; it was a winner of Best Picture in 2004 at the AFDA Awards and again winner of the prestigious Silver Leopard of Tomorrow Award at Locarno in Switzerland.
The team that made the film is Meril Rasmussen (Producer/Writer), Gilli Apter (Director/Writer), Stuart Rae (DOP), Jasyn Marais (Producer),Shaz Shapurje (Production Designer), Melissa Parry (Editor) starring Kerry Childs and Nandi Dlepu as lead actors.
Meril Rasmussen, the Producer/Writer says: "The humour in SA/X is intimate and local. It's brutally honest and quite self-deprecating, but in a liberating sort of way. I'm actually surprised that people overseas seem to like it so much. I'm sure they miss half the jokes."
Garth Holmes, AFDA Chairperson, said "We are once again proud of our students and their achievements. The film was always a winner in our eyes; it won Best Picture in the 2004 AFDA Awards evening."
Comments or Questions?
CONTACT Garth Holmes on garth@filmdramaschool.co.za OR CALL 084 256 7155
Or
Bata Passchier on bata@filmdramaschool.co.za OR CALL 084 850 0108
Meril Rasmussen (Producer/Writer) Cell: 082 921 9587 OR Gilli Apter (Director/Writer) 083-326-7235
Thank you for supporting great films! For more on AFDA visit http://www.filmdramaschool.co.za
AFDA is at: JHB CAMPUS -TEL: (011) 482 8345 FAX: (011) 482 8347, PO BOX 277, MELVILLE 2109, 1 FROST AVE, AUCKLAND PARK 2092 AND CPT CAMPUS TEL: (021) 448 7600, FAX: (021) 448 7610, PO BOX 53572 KENILWORTH 7745, 18 LOWER SCOTT RD, OBSERVATORY 7925
Date of this press release 15/05/2006
Release Date: May 15, 2006
Embargo Date: None
Contact Details:
Name: Sibusiso Molefe
Company: AFDA
Phone: 0114828345
Email: sibusisom@filmdramaschool.co
Url: www.filmdramaschool.co.za
AFDA Student Film Scoops The 2006 Toronto Based ReelWorld Festival's Award
Johannesburg - The AFDA student produced film "SA/X" has walked away with ReelWorld's Award for Outstanding International Short Film. The ReelWorld Film Festival was founded by actress, Tonya Lee Williams (Hill Street Blues, Matlock), in Toronto, Canada. This award honours a director from the international community who has demonstrated filmmaking excellence.
SA/X is a comic mock-documentary, set in Johannesburg. It follows a fair-skinned African girl who dares to look outside of her burglar-proof suburban world. What she finds is a city both tattered and triumphant and generation come-of-age in a post-apartheid reality. SA/X profiles a truly contemporary slice of urban youth culture. The film inter-cuts an absorbing, simple narrative with (staged) documentary-style interview clips of random South African 20-somethings exploring their concerns and values. The interviews bring a universal element to the story, as our heroine breaks free from her controlling prejudiced family and boyfriend. She befriends a multiracial punk band, and ventures into a part of the city long considered being a no-go zone by most whites. Ten years on, amid a landscape rife with urban and social blight.
The film was completed in January 2005 and has traveled around the world - to Cannes, Holland, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Canada. Some of the accolades the film has achieved so far; it was a winner of Best Picture in 2004 at the AFDA Awards and again winner of the prestigious Silver Leopard of Tomorrow Award at Locarno in Switzerland.
The team that made the film is Meril Rasmussen (Producer/Writer), Gilli Apter (Director/Writer), Stuart Rae (DOP), Jasyn Marais (Producer),Shaz Shapurje (Production Designer), Melissa Parry (Editor) starring Kerry Childs and Nandi Dlepu as lead actors.
Meril Rasmussen, the Producer/Writer says: "The humour in SA/X is intimate and local. It's brutally honest and quite self-deprecating, but in a liberating sort of way. I'm actually surprised that people overseas seem to like it so much. I'm sure they miss half the jokes."
Garth Holmes, AFDA Chairperson, said "We are once again proud of our students and their achievements. The film was always a winner in our eyes; it won Best Picture in the 2004 AFDA Awards evening."
Comments or Questions?
CONTACT Garth Holmes on garth@filmdramaschool.co.za OR CALL 084 256 7155
Or
Bata Passchier on bata@filmdramaschool.co.za OR CALL 084 850 0108
Meril Rasmussen (Producer/Writer) Cell: 082 921 9587 OR Gilli Apter (Director/Writer) 083-326-7235
Thank you for supporting great films! For more on AFDA visit http://www.filmdramaschool.co
AFDA is at: JHB CAMPUS -TEL: (011) 482 8345 FAX: (011) 482 8347, PO BOX 277, MELVILLE 2109, 1 FROST AVE, AUCKLAND PARK 2092 AND CPT CAMPUS TEL: (021) 448 7600, FAX: (021) 448 7610, PO BOX 53572 KENILWORTH 7745, 18 LOWER SCOTT RD, OBSERVATORY 7925
Date of this press release 15/05/2006
Revolving door agric policy makes my head spin
BY MAGAISA IBENZI
WARD 12, PARIRENYATWA HOSPITAL, HARARE - I am not well again this week, my dear readers. My head is spinning all the time. I am so dizzy. It must be from watching all this revolving door activity in the agricultural industry in this country. I am really battling to understand the convoluted land reform programme of our illustrious president and his cowboy ministers.
Let me go back to the beginning. We were told the white farmers had stolen the land from our ancestors and therefore they had to go. The fact that they had given money to Tsvangirai and lent their tractors to transport people to vote No in the 2000 referendum had nothing to do with this ancient theft that now needed to be put right.
So the war vets and the landless peasants were told to invade these farms and take what rightly belonged to them. Tormented, beaten and even killed, the white farmers were driven off their lands. Certain choice properties were set aside for the chefs who lined their pockets by harvesting existing crops and selling off valuable machinery and equipment.
After a year or so, these obedient invaders were once again made landless. They were told to go back where they had come from. Everybody in Zimbabwe has a rural home, they were told. The reason? They were not farming successfully. Those who resisted these instructions from above had their homes torched, their dogs shot and their goats stolen by the security forces.
Zanu (PF) chefs, cronies, and a coterie of army and police chiefs were now the new farmers. These ‘new farmers’ proceeded to make a small fortune selling firewood, hunting concessions and meat.
During the following few years, agricultural production declined dramatically. Six years later, with the country on its knees, even Zanu (PF) has got it into its thick head that these guys are not farmers. They might be party faithfuls – but that does not make them successful farmers. What to do? It’s a crisis.
Minister Didymus Mutasa comes up with a brainwave. Conduct a survey and find out who is a really farmer and who is not. (By the way, he himself is not. He is a trader of agricultural equipment. He has made a fortune stealing and selling equipment from invaded farms.) But anyway …
Next thing we heard was that consultations between Mutasa and the CFU had led to a change of heart and 200 white farmers were being invited back to farm the land on a 99-year lease so that we could all eat again. “They are Zimbabweans like everybody else,” the state media reported Mutasa as saying, to everyone’s great amazement and profound relief.
Meanwhile, some other white farmers – who had managed to cling on to their land through all this by one means or another – were that same week evicted by Zanu (PF) mobs acting on instructions from above.
No sooner had the 200 white farmers begun to make plans to move back, than Mutasa appeared in the press again – this time denying any deal with white farmers. They are not Zimbabweans after all, we were told. No wonder I am feeling so dizzy!
Even MuJubheki is not his usual self. What has really confused him is all these new plans which Zanu (PF) has dreamt up and announced with great fanfare: we have MERP- Millennium Economic Recovery Plan; NERP- New Economic Recovery Plan; a Ten-point Plan; NERP 2, a TNF - Tripartite Negotiating Forum; and now a NERC (National Economic Recovery Council). He says they forgot to mention the TWERP, the guy running the country, and the NERD (National Economic Run Down). I worry about him.
WARD 12, PARIRENYATWA HOSPITAL, HARARE - I am not well again this week, my dear readers. My head is spinning all the time. I am so dizzy. It must be from watching all this revolving door activity in the agricultural industry in this country. I am really battling to understand the convoluted land reform programme of our illustrious president and his cowboy ministers.
Let me go back to the beginning. We were told the white farmers had stolen the land from our ancestors and therefore they had to go. The fact that they had given money to Tsvangirai and lent their tractors to transport people to vote No in the 2000 referendum had nothing to do with this ancient theft that now needed to be put right.
So the war vets and the landless peasants were told to invade these farms and take what rightly belonged to them. Tormented, beaten and even killed, the white farmers were driven off their lands. Certain choice properties were set aside for the chefs who lined their pockets by harvesting existing crops and selling off valuable machinery and equipment.
After a year or so, these obedient invaders were once again made landless. They were told to go back where they had come from. Everybody in Zimbabwe has a rural home, they were told. The reason? They were not farming successfully. Those who resisted these instructions from above had their homes torched, their dogs shot and their goats stolen by the security forces.
Zanu (PF) chefs, cronies, and a coterie of army and police chiefs were now the new farmers. These ‘new farmers’ proceeded to make a small fortune selling firewood, hunting concessions and meat.
During the following few years, agricultural production declined dramatically. Six years later, with the country on its knees, even Zanu (PF) has got it into its thick head that these guys are not farmers. They might be party faithfuls – but that does not make them successful farmers. What to do? It’s a crisis.
Minister Didymus Mutasa comes up with a brainwave. Conduct a survey and find out who is a really farmer and who is not. (By the way, he himself is not. He is a trader of agricultural equipment. He has made a fortune stealing and selling equipment from invaded farms.) But anyway …
Next thing we heard was that consultations between Mutasa and the CFU had led to a change of heart and 200 white farmers were being invited back to farm the land on a 99-year lease so that we could all eat again. “They are Zimbabweans like everybody else,” the state media reported Mutasa as saying, to everyone’s great amazement and profound relief.
Meanwhile, some other white farmers – who had managed to cling on to their land through all this by one means or another – were that same week evicted by Zanu (PF) mobs acting on instructions from above.
No sooner had the 200 white farmers begun to make plans to move back, than Mutasa appeared in the press again – this time denying any deal with white farmers. They are not Zimbabweans after all, we were told. No wonder I am feeling so dizzy!
Even MuJubheki is not his usual self. What has really confused him is all these new plans which Zanu (PF) has dreamt up and announced with great fanfare: we have MERP- Millennium Economic Recovery Plan; NERP- New Economic Recovery Plan; a Ten-point Plan; NERP 2, a TNF - Tripartite Negotiating Forum; and now a NERC (National Economic Recovery Council). He says they forgot to mention the TWERP, the guy running the country, and the NERD (National Economic Run Down). I worry about him.
Sports news from The Zimbabwean
Women’s league fails to kick off
BULAWAYO - The proposed women’s soccer premier league has failed to kick-off due to lack of sponsorship. The revelations come at a time when the men’s premiership has also failed to attract sponsors as companies are in financial dire straits due to the economic decline in the country.
This also comes against unconfirmed reports that the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is holding on to a US$25,000 grant from FIFA meant for the development of local women’s soccer.
Eucebia Nleya-Maseko, the secretary general of the national women’s soccer league, yesterday confirmed that their league has failed to take off owing to lack of sponsorship.
Nleya-Maseko said, currently, their division one regional and provincial division two leagues are running without sponsors.
“We had planned to set up a women’s national premier soccer league at the beginning of this year but the league failed to take-off due to lack sponsorship from the corporate world,” said Nleya-Maseko.
According to Nleya-Maseko, “some teams in these leagues are currently failing to fulfil their fixtures due to lack of transport funds.”
The regional division one league comprises of the northern, southern and eastern region while the provincial division two league comprises of all the country’s provinces.
On the FIFA grant meant for the development of women’s soccer, it is understood that the ZIFA executive told the women’s leagues to put structures first and to submit their budget for approval before the release of the grant.
Contacted for comment, ZIFA chairman, Wellington Nyatanga refused to comment saying he is out of the office.
“Who told you that, I am not in the office right now, I am on the farm. You can talk to the CEO,” Nyatanga said.
He later referred all questions to the chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, who was however not reachable at the time of going to press. - CAJ News
Harare, Gunners draw as Lengthens win and close in!
HARARE - Harare United and Gunners maintained their unbeaten run in as many weeks as possible when they drew with their respective opponents over the weekend, but still Harare maintains their pole position on the log.
First to draw were Gunners who were held to a nil all draw by newcomers Grain Tigers at Gwanzura Stadium. Harare were held to a two all draw by Black Mambas at Morris Depot Grounds. They still separate each other by five points. In the third place Lengthens are still in the chase for the pole position with a win, 2-1, at Pfupajena to Lulu Rovers who haven’t won a single match from their last nine outings.
Another team which is causing some sleepless nights to the top three is fourth placed new boys, Blue Jets, who haven’t been beaten from their 10 games. Neither have Harare United, but they haven’t managed to win more games – most of which endedin a draw. The top team have won 8, drawn 2 and lost 0. They drew nil all in a home dubby against Chegutu Pirates at Pfupajena Stadium.
Turnall, another new team in the league, have caused some upsets since the beginning of the season. They won their fifth game over the weekend by beating former PSL team Kambuzuma 3-2 to move up the ladder to the fifth position.
Elsewhere across the country Douglas Warriors drew one all with Golden Kopje, and Felfar Stars were beaten one nil by another newcomer Kurai United at DZ Stadium. Shamva lost their 2nd game in a row 1-2 to Karoi United and ZPC Kariba managed to smile after their away massacre to 2nd placed Lengthens last weekend by beating another struggling team Eiffel Flats 3 nil.
Generally there were no surprises to write home about, except that Harare and Gunners are starting to loose a grip on their pole positions by continuously drawing weekend in weekend out, and also conceding goals. Usually at the end of the season goals do count, so if Harare continues to concede goals the way they are doing now they will live to regret it at the end of the season. – Sports reporter
Heartbreak for underdogs
BY JOHN HUGHES
LONDON - Underdogs West Ham and Gretna suffered heartbreak in the English and Scottish FA Cup Finals respectively, losing in penalty shoot-outs.
Midfield ace Steven Gerrard scored two sensational equalisers as Liverpool came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 with West Ham in the English clash and then go on to win 3-1 on penalties. Gretna, from the third tier of Scottish football, forced a 1-1 draw with Hearts through Ryan McGuffie's equaliser and then hung on in extra-time to force a 1-1 draw before losing 4-2 in a spot-kick lottery.
Leeds and Watford come face-to-face in the Championship play-off final in Cardiff this Sunday to decide who goes up into the Premiership along with Reading and Sheffield United who gained the two automatic promotion places.
* ZambiaN striker Collins Mbesuma, 20, has been released by Portsmouth a year after signing from Kaiser Chiefs. A prolific goal scorer in South Africa, Mbesuma made just four appearances for Portsmouth--all as a substitute--and never scored.
Dave Houghton’s men win again
LONDON - Derbyshire, coached by one-time Zimbabwe star Dave Houghton, kept up their flying start to the season with an exciting nine-run win over Warwickshire in a C&G Trophy match in Birmingham. Harare-born Dale Benkenstein was out for 0 as his side Durham crashed to a 125-run defeat by Lancashire in Manchester.
Zimbabwean veteran Graeme Hick made just 12 for Worcestershire in their 61-run win at Leicester and ex-Zimbabwe ace Murray Goodwin scored 44 to help Sussex to a 97-run victory over Glamorgan in Cardiff. – John Hughes
PSL Weekend Results
Buymore 1-0 Lancashire; Monomotapa 0-0 Mwana Africa; Motor-action 1-0 Shabanie; Black Rhinos 1-3 Highlanders; Zimbabwe Saints 1-3 Chapungu; CAPS United 3-0 Hwange; Dynamos 2-2 Masvingo
PSL log Standings
TEAM Played Won Drew Lost G/F G/A Points
Highlanders 8 8 0 0 22 7 24
Chapungu 8 6 0 2 20 10 18
Monomotapa 8 4 3 1 10 5 15
Caps United 8 4 2 2 12 8 14
Mwana Africa 8 4 2 2 9 5 14
Masvingo United 8 4 2 2 12 9 14
Motor Action 8 4 1 3 8 9 13
Dynamos 8 3 3 2 11 8 12
Black Rhinos 8 3 2 3 10 12 11
Hwange 8 3 1 4 11 13 10
Lancashire Steel 7 2 3 2 8 5 9
Buymore 8 2 3 3 3 6 9
Shooting Stars 8 2 0 6 9 16 6
Shabanie Mine 8 1 2 5 6 11 5
Railstars 8 0 1 7 5 20 1
Zimbabwe Saints 7 0 0 7 3 15 0
Highlanders subdue battling Rhinos
HARARE - Pacesetters Highlanders subdued battling Black Rhinos 3-1 at Rufaro Stadium yesterday to maintain their 100 percent winning streak since the star of the season.
Rhinos had vowed to stop the Bosso, but failed as the championship favourites made it eight wins out of eight away from home. Dynamos gave in to a second-half onslaught by Masvingo that wiped their first-half lead in a grudge Premier Soccer League match at Mucheke Stadium that ended in a stalemate yesterday.
With sensation Evans Gwekwerere out through injury, his replacement Sebastian Mutizirwa did not disappoint as he scored a brace that gave Dynamos the lead in the first half.
However, Luke Masomere’s charges returned from the break a rejuvenated side as they scored twice to level the scores against the team that denied them the chance to claim the league championship on the last day of last season.
In Harare, defending champions CAPS United heaved a sigh of relief when they clobbered visiting Hwange 3-0 to ease their in-house troubles that have been blamed for their poor form this season.
CAPS, whose players are unhappy over their remuneration, had lost their two previous encounters.
Across town, new boys Shooting Stars finally found the winning formula when they overwhelmed struggling Railstars 3-1.
Chapungu enjoyed the same scoreline against basement side Zimbabwe Saints as they recovered from their setback last week when they lost to Motor Action 2-3.
Masvingo 2, Dynamos 2
Caps United 3, Hwange 0
Black Rhinos 1, Highlanders 3
Chapungu 3, Zimbabwe Saints 1
Shooting Stars 3, Railstars 1 - ZimOnline
BULAWAYO - The proposed women’s soccer premier league has failed to kick-off due to lack of sponsorship. The revelations come at a time when the men’s premiership has also failed to attract sponsors as companies are in financial dire straits due to the economic decline in the country.
This also comes against unconfirmed reports that the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is holding on to a US$25,000 grant from FIFA meant for the development of local women’s soccer.
Eucebia Nleya-Maseko, the secretary general of the national women’s soccer league, yesterday confirmed that their league has failed to take off owing to lack of sponsorship.
Nleya-Maseko said, currently, their division one regional and provincial division two leagues are running without sponsors.
“We had planned to set up a women’s national premier soccer league at the beginning of this year but the league failed to take-off due to lack sponsorship from the corporate world,” said Nleya-Maseko.
According to Nleya-Maseko, “some teams in these leagues are currently failing to fulfil their fixtures due to lack of transport funds.”
The regional division one league comprises of the northern, southern and eastern region while the provincial division two league comprises of all the country’s provinces.
On the FIFA grant meant for the development of women’s soccer, it is understood that the ZIFA executive told the women’s leagues to put structures first and to submit their budget for approval before the release of the grant.
Contacted for comment, ZIFA chairman, Wellington Nyatanga refused to comment saying he is out of the office.
“Who told you that, I am not in the office right now, I am on the farm. You can talk to the CEO,” Nyatanga said.
He later referred all questions to the chief executive officer, Jonathan Mashingaidze, who was however not reachable at the time of going to press. - CAJ News
Harare, Gunners draw as Lengthens win and close in!
HARARE - Harare United and Gunners maintained their unbeaten run in as many weeks as possible when they drew with their respective opponents over the weekend, but still Harare maintains their pole position on the log.
First to draw were Gunners who were held to a nil all draw by newcomers Grain Tigers at Gwanzura Stadium. Harare were held to a two all draw by Black Mambas at Morris Depot Grounds. They still separate each other by five points. In the third place Lengthens are still in the chase for the pole position with a win, 2-1, at Pfupajena to Lulu Rovers who haven’t won a single match from their last nine outings.
Another team which is causing some sleepless nights to the top three is fourth placed new boys, Blue Jets, who haven’t been beaten from their 10 games. Neither have Harare United, but they haven’t managed to win more games – most of which endedin a draw. The top team have won 8, drawn 2 and lost 0. They drew nil all in a home dubby against Chegutu Pirates at Pfupajena Stadium.
Turnall, another new team in the league, have caused some upsets since the beginning of the season. They won their fifth game over the weekend by beating former PSL team Kambuzuma 3-2 to move up the ladder to the fifth position.
Elsewhere across the country Douglas Warriors drew one all with Golden Kopje, and Felfar Stars were beaten one nil by another newcomer Kurai United at DZ Stadium. Shamva lost their 2nd game in a row 1-2 to Karoi United and ZPC Kariba managed to smile after their away massacre to 2nd placed Lengthens last weekend by beating another struggling team Eiffel Flats 3 nil.
Generally there were no surprises to write home about, except that Harare and Gunners are starting to loose a grip on their pole positions by continuously drawing weekend in weekend out, and also conceding goals. Usually at the end of the season goals do count, so if Harare continues to concede goals the way they are doing now they will live to regret it at the end of the season. – Sports reporter
Heartbreak for underdogs
BY JOHN HUGHES
LONDON - Underdogs West Ham and Gretna suffered heartbreak in the English and Scottish FA Cup Finals respectively, losing in penalty shoot-outs.
Midfield ace Steven Gerrard scored two sensational equalisers as Liverpool came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to draw 3-3 with West Ham in the English clash and then go on to win 3-1 on penalties. Gretna, from the third tier of Scottish football, forced a 1-1 draw with Hearts through Ryan McGuffie's equaliser and then hung on in extra-time to force a 1-1 draw before losing 4-2 in a spot-kick lottery.
Leeds and Watford come face-to-face in the Championship play-off final in Cardiff this Sunday to decide who goes up into the Premiership along with Reading and Sheffield United who gained the two automatic promotion places.
* ZambiaN striker Collins Mbesuma, 20, has been released by Portsmouth a year after signing from Kaiser Chiefs. A prolific goal scorer in South Africa, Mbesuma made just four appearances for Portsmouth--all as a substitute--and never scored.
Dave Houghton’s men win again
LONDON - Derbyshire, coached by one-time Zimbabwe star Dave Houghton, kept up their flying start to the season with an exciting nine-run win over Warwickshire in a C&G Trophy match in Birmingham. Harare-born Dale Benkenstein was out for 0 as his side Durham crashed to a 125-run defeat by Lancashire in Manchester.
Zimbabwean veteran Graeme Hick made just 12 for Worcestershire in their 61-run win at Leicester and ex-Zimbabwe ace Murray Goodwin scored 44 to help Sussex to a 97-run victory over Glamorgan in Cardiff. – John Hughes
PSL Weekend Results
Buymore 1-0 Lancashire; Monomotapa 0-0 Mwana Africa; Motor-action 1-0 Shabanie; Black Rhinos 1-3 Highlanders; Zimbabwe Saints 1-3 Chapungu; CAPS United 3-0 Hwange; Dynamos 2-2 Masvingo
PSL log Standings
TEAM Played Won Drew Lost G/F G/A Points
Highlanders 8 8 0 0 22 7 24
Chapungu 8 6 0 2 20 10 18
Monomotapa 8 4 3 1 10 5 15
Caps United 8 4 2 2 12 8 14
Mwana Africa 8 4 2 2 9 5 14
Masvingo United 8 4 2 2 12 9 14
Motor Action 8 4 1 3 8 9 13
Dynamos 8 3 3 2 11 8 12
Black Rhinos 8 3 2 3 10 12 11
Hwange 8 3 1 4 11 13 10
Lancashire Steel 7 2 3 2 8 5 9
Buymore 8 2 3 3 3 6 9
Shooting Stars 8 2 0 6 9 16 6
Shabanie Mine 8 1 2 5 6 11 5
Railstars 8 0 1 7 5 20 1
Zimbabwe Saints 7 0 0 7 3 15 0
Highlanders subdue battling Rhinos
HARARE - Pacesetters Highlanders subdued battling Black Rhinos 3-1 at Rufaro Stadium yesterday to maintain their 100 percent winning streak since the star of the season.
Rhinos had vowed to stop the Bosso, but failed as the championship favourites made it eight wins out of eight away from home. Dynamos gave in to a second-half onslaught by Masvingo that wiped their first-half lead in a grudge Premier Soccer League match at Mucheke Stadium that ended in a stalemate yesterday.
With sensation Evans Gwekwerere out through injury, his replacement Sebastian Mutizirwa did not disappoint as he scored a brace that gave Dynamos the lead in the first half.
However, Luke Masomere’s charges returned from the break a rejuvenated side as they scored twice to level the scores against the team that denied them the chance to claim the league championship on the last day of last season.
In Harare, defending champions CAPS United heaved a sigh of relief when they clobbered visiting Hwange 3-0 to ease their in-house troubles that have been blamed for their poor form this season.
CAPS, whose players are unhappy over their remuneration, had lost their two previous encounters.
Across town, new boys Shooting Stars finally found the winning formula when they overwhelmed struggling Railstars 3-1.
Chapungu enjoyed the same scoreline against basement side Zimbabwe Saints as they recovered from their setback last week when they lost to Motor Action 2-3.
Masvingo 2, Dynamos 2
Caps United 3, Hwange 0
Black Rhinos 1, Highlanders 3
Chapungu 3, Zimbabwe Saints 1
Shooting Stars 3, Railstars 1 - ZimOnline
Winstonians Association launches website
HARARE - The Winstonians Association, representing former pupils of Churchill Boys High School in Harare, has launched a members’ website - www.winstonians.org.zw
Last year, The Zimbabwean reported that former pupils of one of the country’s most influential schools in terms of development of sporting talent had formed an old boys’ fraternity, to pursue a number of programmes to benefit to its membership, whilst at the same time promoting the welfare of the school, particularly in the sporting and academic fields.
“Since we announced the establishment of the association last year, we have been able to successfully launch a website. The Interim Committee is still working on modalities to formally register the Association as a Trust, and we have since received expressions of interest from a number of influential people, who would like to participate as Trustees,” said interim chairman Blessing Chiutare recently.
However, the association failed to hold its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM), slated for the end of July 2005, due to resource constraints.
“In view of these challenges, we decided to begin with a membership recruitment exercise first, whilst we worked out the modalities of holding the AGM. A website is a useful tool to enable us to interact with our membership, whilst we work on institutionalising our programmes. We are still confident of harnessing the goodwill of all former pupils, to make this association a success,” he said.
The association’s website includes an online membership database to enable members from all parts of the globe to join and participate in discussion forums, and upload information such as pictures and profiles. - For more information contact Blessed Chiutare +263-11210181 or Lloyd Katiza +263-91402488
Last year, The Zimbabwean reported that former pupils of one of the country’s most influential schools in terms of development of sporting talent had formed an old boys’ fraternity, to pursue a number of programmes to benefit to its membership, whilst at the same time promoting the welfare of the school, particularly in the sporting and academic fields.
“Since we announced the establishment of the association last year, we have been able to successfully launch a website. The Interim Committee is still working on modalities to formally register the Association as a Trust, and we have since received expressions of interest from a number of influential people, who would like to participate as Trustees,” said interim chairman Blessing Chiutare recently.
However, the association failed to hold its inaugural Annual General Meeting (AGM), slated for the end of July 2005, due to resource constraints.
“In view of these challenges, we decided to begin with a membership recruitment exercise first, whilst we worked out the modalities of holding the AGM. A website is a useful tool to enable us to interact with our membership, whilst we work on institutionalising our programmes. We are still confident of harnessing the goodwill of all former pupils, to make this association a success,” he said.
The association’s website includes an online membership database to enable members from all parts of the globe to join and participate in discussion forums, and upload information such as pictures and profiles. - For more information contact Blessed Chiutare +263-11210181 or Lloyd Katiza +263-91402488
Daily Mirror legal battle intensifies
HARARE – Dr. Ibbo Mandaza, former the chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe Mirror Newspapers Group (ZMNG), has filed a High Court application for the company’s directors to be found in contempt of court, charging they have defied a court order to reinstate him.
The ZMNG newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mirror and the Sunday Mirror, have lost their independent voice and generally sound like other state-run newspapers since being taken over by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) last year.
In December, Judge Bharet Patel ordered that Mandaza be reinstated as Editor-in-Chief and CEO. But the publishing group slapped Mandaza with a fresh suspension letter outside the court.
In his application to court, Mandaza says directors Jonathan Kadzura, John Marangwanda, Charm Makuwane, Alexander Kanengoni and Thomas Meke, should be imprisoned “until such a time that they comply with the order of this honourable court”.
“There can be no question that all the respondents disobeyed a lawful order of this court. I understand that in law, this proves their wilful disobedience and inherent mala fides,” he added, MISA-Zimbabwe reported.- Own Correspondent
The ZMNG newspapers, publishers of the Daily Mirror and the Sunday Mirror, have lost their independent voice and generally sound like other state-run newspapers since being taken over by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) last year.
In December, Judge Bharet Patel ordered that Mandaza be reinstated as Editor-in-Chief and CEO. But the publishing group slapped Mandaza with a fresh suspension letter outside the court.
In his application to court, Mandaza says directors Jonathan Kadzura, John Marangwanda, Charm Makuwane, Alexander Kanengoni and Thomas Meke, should be imprisoned “until such a time that they comply with the order of this honourable court”.
“There can be no question that all the respondents disobeyed a lawful order of this court. I understand that in law, this proves their wilful disobedience and inherent mala fides,” he added, MISA-Zimbabwe reported.- Own Correspondent
Govt. will not repeal tough media law
BULAWAYO – Zimbabwe will not repeal a tough media law, which it has used over the last three years to arrest more than a hundred journalists and close down four newspapers, Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga has said.
Matonga said the government sees “nothing wrong” with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) under which journalists must register with the state’s Media and Information Commission (MIC) with those caught practising without being registered facing up to two years in jail.
Newspapers must also register with the MIC or face closure and seizure of their equipment if convicted of publishing without a registration certificate.
“There is nothing wrong with AIPPA and we are happy with the law. Some of the journalists who are clamouring for the repeal of the Act have never even read it,” said Matonga, who was addressing journalists in Bulawayo city last week during a belated celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.
Matonga said although his department has welcomed efforts by journalists to set up a voluntary self-regulating body for the Press, this did not mean the government would withdraw AIPPA or suspend the tough rules and regulations prescribed by the Act, considered one of the harshest Press laws in the world.
Defending government Press laws, Matonga said the AIPPA actually empowered journalists to access public information but said reporters were not aware of the rights and privileges given them by the Act.
“The problem is that some journalists have never read AIPPA and they do not know for instance that there are clauses in the Act which empower them to access public information,” said Matonga.
Zimbabwe, which also has a law imposing a maximum 20-year jail term on journalists for denigrating President Robert Mugabe in their stories, is classified by the World Association of Newspapers as one of the most dangerous places for the media in the world.
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which last year condemned violation of human and media rights in Zimbabwe, has called on Harare to repeal AIPPA among a raft other repressive laws.
But the government, which has heavily relied on tough security and Press laws to suppress dissension in a country grappling its seventh year of acute economic recession, is moving to enact more repressive legislation with a new Interception of Communications Bill set to be passed this year. The new law will empower the state to spy on private telephone and internet communication.
The government has since 2003 used the AIPPA to close down five newspapers including Zimbabwe’s largest circulating and only non-government owned daily paper, the Daily News, which was shut down because it was not registered with the state media commission. - ZimOnline
Matonga said the government sees “nothing wrong” with the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) under which journalists must register with the state’s Media and Information Commission (MIC) with those caught practising without being registered facing up to two years in jail.
Newspapers must also register with the MIC or face closure and seizure of their equipment if convicted of publishing without a registration certificate.
“There is nothing wrong with AIPPA and we are happy with the law. Some of the journalists who are clamouring for the repeal of the Act have never even read it,” said Matonga, who was addressing journalists in Bulawayo city last week during a belated celebration of the World Press Freedom Day.
Matonga said although his department has welcomed efforts by journalists to set up a voluntary self-regulating body for the Press, this did not mean the government would withdraw AIPPA or suspend the tough rules and regulations prescribed by the Act, considered one of the harshest Press laws in the world.
Defending government Press laws, Matonga said the AIPPA actually empowered journalists to access public information but said reporters were not aware of the rights and privileges given them by the Act.
“The problem is that some journalists have never read AIPPA and they do not know for instance that there are clauses in the Act which empower them to access public information,” said Matonga.
Zimbabwe, which also has a law imposing a maximum 20-year jail term on journalists for denigrating President Robert Mugabe in their stories, is classified by the World Association of Newspapers as one of the most dangerous places for the media in the world.
The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, which last year condemned violation of human and media rights in Zimbabwe, has called on Harare to repeal AIPPA among a raft other repressive laws.
But the government, which has heavily relied on tough security and Press laws to suppress dissension in a country grappling its seventh year of acute economic recession, is moving to enact more repressive legislation with a new Interception of Communications Bill set to be passed this year. The new law will empower the state to spy on private telephone and internet communication.
The government has since 2003 used the AIPPA to close down five newspapers including Zimbabwe’s largest circulating and only non-government owned daily paper, the Daily News, which was shut down because it was not registered with the state media commission. - ZimOnline
May Day “celebrated” by printing money
BY A CORRESPONDENT
HARARE – The state-run media’s coverage of how Zimbabwe “celebrated” workers’ May Day was marked by farcical praise of the Zanu (PF)-supporting labour union body, downplaying the rival Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and, as usual, failing to blame massive unemployment on the authorities.
Perhaps the most telling moment was an interview featuring Economic Development Minister Rugare Gumbo on ZTV’s Face the Nation in which he announced that the authorities would “print money” to fund pay hikes for state employees. “What did you want us to do?” Gumbo said.
Indeed. “It (ZTV) did not query the economic prudence of the move or how the poor performing private sector was then expected to pay their workers ‘decent’ wages when they had no similar access to money printing machines,” commented the media watchdog, the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), in its report covering May 1-7.
“Neither did ZBH interpret the agricultural chaos as symptomatic of the authorities’ chaotic land reforms or show curiosity at revelations by Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Davison Mugabe that tobacco output had dropped from 230 million tonnes in 1999 to a mere 16 million tonnes in the last season,” added MMPZ.
The regime’s ally, the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), was portrayed in the state media, along of course with the authorities themselves, as committed to alleviating the workers’ distress. There was no mention of hyperinflation, fuelled by money-priinting, collapsing agriculture and all the rest that have led to Zimbabwe beng ranked recently by the US magazine Foreign Policy as 5th among “failed states.” Zimbabwe had moved up 10 places, but is still behind – though working on it - Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast and Iraq.
Apart from, as usual, the Mirror group, the private media in its May Day coverage mostly traced the economic decline and deterioration in the living conditions of the minority with jobs to poor policies. “They also highlighted how these poor policies had led to acute shortages, accelerated militarisation of the economy and a bad international image of the country,” said the media monitors.
In the Zimbabwe Independent, for example, the Muckraker columnist pointed out that the private sector could hardly heed exhortations from the ZFTU to follow the regime’s pay hikes for the simply reason that commercial firms don’t have their own money-printing machines.
Highly critical remarks by US Ambassador Christopher Dell about Zimbabwe’s poor human rights record and muzzling of free speech naturally got short shrift in the state media. But privately owned Standard carried the full text of Dell’s remarks to students at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. The Financial Gazette and other private media also gave it coverage.
“Typically, the government media either censored his statement or carried articles that dismissed outright his observations,” said MMPZ.
The dreadful human cost Zimbabwe’s woes was reflected in figures of malnutrition-related deaths in January released by the Bulawayo city health authorities: 34 adults and 29 children.
HARARE – The state-run media’s coverage of how Zimbabwe “celebrated” workers’ May Day was marked by farcical praise of the Zanu (PF)-supporting labour union body, downplaying the rival Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) and, as usual, failing to blame massive unemployment on the authorities.
Perhaps the most telling moment was an interview featuring Economic Development Minister Rugare Gumbo on ZTV’s Face the Nation in which he announced that the authorities would “print money” to fund pay hikes for state employees. “What did you want us to do?” Gumbo said.
Indeed. “It (ZTV) did not query the economic prudence of the move or how the poor performing private sector was then expected to pay their workers ‘decent’ wages when they had no similar access to money printing machines,” commented the media watchdog, the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), in its report covering May 1-7.
“Neither did ZBH interpret the agricultural chaos as symptomatic of the authorities’ chaotic land reforms or show curiosity at revelations by Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers’ Union president Davison Mugabe that tobacco output had dropped from 230 million tonnes in 1999 to a mere 16 million tonnes in the last season,” added MMPZ.
The regime’s ally, the Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU), was portrayed in the state media, along of course with the authorities themselves, as committed to alleviating the workers’ distress. There was no mention of hyperinflation, fuelled by money-priinting, collapsing agriculture and all the rest that have led to Zimbabwe beng ranked recently by the US magazine Foreign Policy as 5th among “failed states.” Zimbabwe had moved up 10 places, but is still behind – though working on it - Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory Coast and Iraq.
Apart from, as usual, the Mirror group, the private media in its May Day coverage mostly traced the economic decline and deterioration in the living conditions of the minority with jobs to poor policies. “They also highlighted how these poor policies had led to acute shortages, accelerated militarisation of the economy and a bad international image of the country,” said the media monitors.
In the Zimbabwe Independent, for example, the Muckraker columnist pointed out that the private sector could hardly heed exhortations from the ZFTU to follow the regime’s pay hikes for the simply reason that commercial firms don’t have their own money-printing machines.
Highly critical remarks by US Ambassador Christopher Dell about Zimbabwe’s poor human rights record and muzzling of free speech naturally got short shrift in the state media. But privately owned Standard carried the full text of Dell’s remarks to students at the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo. The Financial Gazette and other private media also gave it coverage.
“Typically, the government media either censored his statement or carried articles that dismissed outright his observations,” said MMPZ.
The dreadful human cost Zimbabwe’s woes was reflected in figures of malnutrition-related deaths in January released by the Bulawayo city health authorities: 34 adults and 29 children.
Smallest tobacco crop since 1972
HARARE – Zimbabwean Agriculture Minister Joseph Made has told tobacco farmers unhappy with low prices and government exchange controls to stop growing the crop that, together with mining, generates the bulk of the country’s hard cash earnings.
Growers have withheld tobacco from the auction floors that opened for trade last week, saying low prices ranging from US$0.60 to US$2.65 per kilogram would push them out of business. This season’s crop is the smallest in 34 years – the result of government-backed farm seizures that have seen the destruction of once-thriving commercial agriculture.
Last year Zimbabwe, once the world's second-largest tobacco exporter after Brazil, sold 74 million kilograms of the crop compared with a record 234 million kilograms in 2000.
The farmers say an order by the government that they receive payment from foreign buyers in local currency at the interbank rate - which hovers around Z$100,000 to the American dollar - would plunge them into bankruptcy. They had to source hard cash to import chemicals and other inputs on the black market where the greenback fetches well above Z$200,000.
Made said: “We have told (tobacco) farmers that they can try another crop if they are not happy with what is being offered. The prices that are being offered are good and the central bank has also given a 35 percent early delivery bonus (for farmers sending their crop to the market early).”
Made’s statement echoes comments by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono who was quoted by state media at the weekend as having accused tobacco farmers of being “perpetual cry babies” always demanding unsustainable subsidies from the government.
The government is banking on the sale of nearly 50 million kilogrammes of tobacco produced this year to help ease an acute hard cash crisis gripping the southern African country since the International Monetary Fund withdrew balance of payments support eight years ago.
But activity at tobacco auction floors has remained slow with farmers withholding their crop until prices firm up. The fall in tobacco production, compounded by the government's introduction of a system whereby farmers can bypass the auctions by growing the crop under contract, has also threatened the viability of auction floors.
"Over the past couple of years we have had to tailor our employee numbers due to the fall-off in the volumes," said David Mashingaidze, managing director of Harare's Tobacco Sales Floors, which runs what was six years ago the world's biggest tobacco auction floor.
Recent announcements by the government that it is inviting white farmers back to the land are seen as an attempt to revive food production as well as tobacco output and end a foreign currency shortage that is responsible for acute shortages of fuel, electricity essential medical drugs and other basic commodities because there is no hard cash to pay foreign suppliers. - ZimOnline
Growers have withheld tobacco from the auction floors that opened for trade last week, saying low prices ranging from US$0.60 to US$2.65 per kilogram would push them out of business. This season’s crop is the smallest in 34 years – the result of government-backed farm seizures that have seen the destruction of once-thriving commercial agriculture.
Last year Zimbabwe, once the world's second-largest tobacco exporter after Brazil, sold 74 million kilograms of the crop compared with a record 234 million kilograms in 2000.
The farmers say an order by the government that they receive payment from foreign buyers in local currency at the interbank rate - which hovers around Z$100,000 to the American dollar - would plunge them into bankruptcy. They had to source hard cash to import chemicals and other inputs on the black market where the greenback fetches well above Z$200,000.
Made said: “We have told (tobacco) farmers that they can try another crop if they are not happy with what is being offered. The prices that are being offered are good and the central bank has also given a 35 percent early delivery bonus (for farmers sending their crop to the market early).”
Made’s statement echoes comments by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono who was quoted by state media at the weekend as having accused tobacco farmers of being “perpetual cry babies” always demanding unsustainable subsidies from the government.
The government is banking on the sale of nearly 50 million kilogrammes of tobacco produced this year to help ease an acute hard cash crisis gripping the southern African country since the International Monetary Fund withdrew balance of payments support eight years ago.
But activity at tobacco auction floors has remained slow with farmers withholding their crop until prices firm up. The fall in tobacco production, compounded by the government's introduction of a system whereby farmers can bypass the auctions by growing the crop under contract, has also threatened the viability of auction floors.
"Over the past couple of years we have had to tailor our employee numbers due to the fall-off in the volumes," said David Mashingaidze, managing director of Harare's Tobacco Sales Floors, which runs what was six years ago the world's biggest tobacco auction floor.
Recent announcements by the government that it is inviting white farmers back to the land are seen as an attempt to revive food production as well as tobacco output and end a foreign currency shortage that is responsible for acute shortages of fuel, electricity essential medical drugs and other basic commodities because there is no hard cash to pay foreign suppliers. - ZimOnline
Donors snub appeals for food aid
HARARE - The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (Nango) has issued a stark warning that the country is headed for a catastrophe if the food situation doesn't urgently improve.
With an estimated three million people facing severe food shortages Nango advocacy and communications manager, Fambai Ngirande, recently told Parliament that appeals for food aid from the international community had received a 'very poor' response.
Giving evidence before a parliamentary portfolio committee on Labour and Social welfare, Ngirande blamed the country's appalling human rights record for the snub by the donors.
“The level of funding into Zimbabwe is devastatingly low. Out of US$276m requested only a paltry US$9m has so far made its way into our coffers,” Ngirande said. His warning comes in the wake of a similar one by retired Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Vitalis Zvinavashe who last week called for openness about food shortages affecting the country.
In a thinly veiled attack on Robert Mugabe and his Cabinet, who in the past have claimed that the country had enough food when it did not, Zvinavashe said: “We have to be open about the food situation. We have heard people saying I have so many tonnes of food but if you go to the Grain Marketing Board there is nothing.”
The government is sensitive and highly secretive on issues regarding food security in the country. Last week they barred the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) from making an independent assessment of food requirements in the country which once again is expected to harvest less food this year. - SW Radio Africa
Open letter to Headmasters from WOZA
WOMEN OF ZIMBABWE ARISE (WOZA)
Write: Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo
Email: wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com
Last week WOZA conducted peaceful demonstrations against school fee increases. 73 children and 112 parents were arrested. We spent 5 days in filthy police cells. We did not do this for nothing - we did it to defend our children’s right to education! We will NOT remain SILENT. We will not sit back and watch you sending our innocent children home. WE WILL ACT!
Chigwedere said Headmasters are responsible. So Headmasters, this letter is a peaceful word of advice from WOZA. Help us educate our children don’t frustrate our efforts.
MOTHERS DEMAND THEIR CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO EDUCATION!
OMAMA BAFUNA AMALUNGELO ABANTWANA KWEZEMFUNDO!
VANAMAI VANODA KUTI KODZERO YEVANA VOSE YEKUWANA DZIDZO IDZOSERWE UYE IREMEKENZWE.
Ayiphele impi kubantwabethu! Stop this war against our children! Tinoti hondo nevana vedu vari muzvikoro ngaipere!
In 1980 Zanu PF promised free primary education to the children of Zimbabwe. Within ten years, this had become an empty promise. They blame ESAP and the IMF but the truth is that they chose to spend money on weapons and war in other countries instead of giving us education and health.
This Mothers’ Day, mothers are saying to the government:
NO more buying weapons to oppress us - YES to educating our children
NO to a Government that makes children suffer - YES to educated and healthy children
NO more lies and empty promises - YES to leaders who care and tell us the truth
NO more massive school fee increases - YES to affordable education for all
As mothers of the nation, we call on the government and Headmasters to stop the fee increases. We also call on schools not to turn away our children because their parents are not free to earn a living honestly and pay these high fees.
Ngaleli ilanga lokunanza omama, omama bathi kuHulumende:
PHANSI ngokuthenga izikhali zokusincidezela – PHAMBILI ngokufundisa abantwana
PHANSI ngohulumende owenza abantwana baswele – PHAMBILI ngabantwana abafundileyo labalempilakahle
PHANSI ngezithembiso zamanga – PHAMBILI ngabakhokheli abanakekelayo labaleqiniso
PHANSI ngokukhweza intengo yezikolo njalonje - PHAMBILI ngemfundo eyaneliswa ngozulu.
NHASI izuva ravana amai. Madzima anoti kuhurumende:
KWETE kutenga zvombo zvekutidzwanyirira - PAMBERI nekudzidzisa vana vedu
KWETE nehurombo pamwe nekuziya nenzara kuvana vedu - PAMBERI nedzidzo nehutano kuvana
KWETE manyepo nevimbiso dzisingazadziswi - PAMBERI nevatungamiri vane rudo neku taura chokwadi
KWETE mukukwidza mari dzezvikoro kusina tsarukano - PAMBERI nekuripisa vana mari yakakodzere.
Write: Box FM 701, Famona, Bulawayo
Email: wozazimbabwe@yahoo.com
Last week WOZA conducted peaceful demonstrations against school fee increases. 73 children and 112 parents were arrested. We spent 5 days in filthy police cells. We did not do this for nothing - we did it to defend our children’s right to education! We will NOT remain SILENT. We will not sit back and watch you sending our innocent children home. WE WILL ACT!
Chigwedere said Headmasters are responsible. So Headmasters, this letter is a peaceful word of advice from WOZA. Help us educate our children don’t frustrate our efforts.
MOTHERS DEMAND THEIR CHILDREN’S RIGHT TO EDUCATION!
OMAMA BAFUNA AMALUNGELO ABANTWANA KWEZEMFUNDO!
VANAMAI VANODA KUTI KODZERO YEVANA VOSE YEKUWANA DZIDZO IDZOSERWE UYE IREMEKENZWE.
Ayiphele impi kubantwabethu! Stop this war against our children! Tinoti hondo nevana vedu vari muzvikoro ngaipere!
In 1980 Zanu PF promised free primary education to the children of Zimbabwe. Within ten years, this had become an empty promise. They blame ESAP and the IMF but the truth is that they chose to spend money on weapons and war in other countries instead of giving us education and health.
This Mothers’ Day, mothers are saying to the government:
NO more buying weapons to oppress us - YES to educating our children
NO to a Government that makes children suffer - YES to educated and healthy children
NO more lies and empty promises - YES to leaders who care and tell us the truth
NO more massive school fee increases - YES to affordable education for all
As mothers of the nation, we call on the government and Headmasters to stop the fee increases. We also call on schools not to turn away our children because their parents are not free to earn a living honestly and pay these high fees.
Ngaleli ilanga lokunanza omama, omama bathi kuHulumende:
PHANSI ngokuthenga izikhali zokusincidezela – PHAMBILI ngokufundisa abantwana
PHANSI ngohulumende owenza abantwana baswele – PHAMBILI ngabantwana abafundileyo labalempilakahle
PHANSI ngezithembiso zamanga – PHAMBILI ngabakhokheli abanakekelayo labaleqiniso
PHANSI ngokukhweza intengo yezikolo njalonje - PHAMBILI ngemfundo eyaneliswa ngozulu.
NHASI izuva ravana amai. Madzima anoti kuhurumende:
KWETE kutenga zvombo zvekutidzwanyirira - PAMBERI nekudzidzisa vana vedu
KWETE nehurombo pamwe nekuziya nenzara kuvana vedu - PAMBERI nedzidzo nehutano kuvana
KWETE manyepo nevimbiso dzisingazadziswi - PAMBERI nevatungamiri vane rudo neku taura chokwadi
KWETE mukukwidza mari dzezvikoro kusina tsarukano - PAMBERI nekuripisa vana mari yakakodzere.
Zimbabwe has most repressive media laws in SADC
‘The state mouthpieces continue to vilify independent journalists as clowns and sell-outs’
BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), which has its headquarters in
Zimbabwe is a country with “weapons of mass destruction against the media,” in the form of the infamous so-called protection of privacy (AIPPA) and Public Order and Security (POSA) acts reinforced by new laws proscribing even harsher penalties, said MISA. The report, titled “So This is Democracy? 2005: State of Media Freedom in Southern Africa,” was released April 27.’
This overt strategy to silence the independent media has been backed by what MISA called “another nail in the coffin,” an insidious scheme to effect ultimate control over the media with secret buy-ups by Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Agency of the previously independent Mirror group.
But MISA appeared uncertain whether the Financial Gazette has been bought by the CIO, as reported by the Zimbabwe Independent last year. MISA said that all that was now left as truly privately-owned publications were the Financial Gazette, Zimbabwe Standard and Zimbabwe Independent.
The number of cases of harassment, arrest, vilification and assault of journalists working for the private media in Zimbabwe has declined since the 2000 and 2002 elections, largely because of the “absence of the critically informative Daily News and other newspapers such as The Tribune,” said MISA.
The report outlined how, ignoring international outcries about banning The Daily News and other independent publications, the Mugabe regime pressed on in 2005 with even more restrictive anti-media laws, meaning journalists now risk jail sentences of up to 20 years.
The authorities’ assaults were not confined to the private media, said MISA, recalling how scores of experienced journalists and broadcasters were retrenched at the then Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corp. and replaced by juniors hand-picked by former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo. “As a result, the country’s sole public broadcaster is manned by inexperienced personnel, as evidenced by the poor quality of news and programme control.”
The state mouthpieces continue to vilify independent journalists, including those in exile, as “clowns and sell-outs.”
“This extreme intolerance has resulted in at least 90 Zimbabwean journalists, including several of the nation’s prominent media professionals, being exiled in South Africa, Namibia, the United Kingdom and the USA,” said the report.
“The enactment of additional repressive anti-media freedom laws can only be indicative of worse times ahead for media freedom and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe,” added MISA. “That, coupled with the state-controlled ZBH monopoly of the airwaves, adds top a skewed and fast shrinking media landscape.”
MISA noted that many Zimbabweans now tune into foreign-based stations manned by their exiled compatriots such as SW Radio Africa, Voice of the People Radio and Voice of America. Several websites, namely ZWNews, ZimOnline and NewZimbabwe.Com seek to fill the void created by the banning of independent newspapers.
Among other SADC nations, MISA said that Botswana was “no longer a shining example,” following the deportation last year of Professor Kenneth Good, an Australian academic who criticised the ruling party; two Zimbabwean journalists, Roderick Mukumbira, editor of Ngani Times, and Charles Chirinda, correspondent of the state-owned BTV, were also ordered out. And a plan by the government, on grounds the independent press opposes it, to produce a daily paper did not bode well.
Mozambique is credited with a free media, although two cases of aggression against journalists were reported. Lesotho is also relatively free press and protects citizens’ rights to freedom of expression. In South Africa, too, the press is free, but the media “must remain vigilant” to protect this, said MISA.
However, while things on the surface have improved – except of course in Zimbabwe – MISA said that courts, not governments, had become the leading oppressors of media freedoms, sometimes awarding huge damages against private papers.
State media celebrates Independence – but nobody else does
However, the private media – except, as usual, the Mirror group - took a robust line. The Financial Gazette, for example, pulled no punches, saying the struggle for economic survival in the country is “too real, brutal, unrelenting to be masked by any amount of propaganda” on the virtues of independence.
The media watchdog, Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ), noted in its report covering April 17-23, that Studio 7 said the independence celebration was actually “a painful reminder of what life used to be like in the aftermath of the national liberation.” The private radio station also placed an advertisement in the Zimbabwe Independent with 19 people citing the fruits of independence for them as hunger, shortages, high living costs and oppression.
Compare that with ZTV reporting “jubilation in all provinces” as people came to hear Robert Mugabe’s speech read out by the local governor; or thousands thronging the National Sports Stadium “ululating and cheering as President Mugabe, the first lady and the first family entered.”
Not to be outdone, the state-run Herald said Zimbabwe was “evidently a success story in Africa” despite “sustained attacks on all fronts by Westerners and their lackeys opposed to the land reform programme.” In what MMPZ called a childish attempt to misinform readers, the paper even claimed that the country’s near 1 000% inflation rate, as reported by the Central Statistical Office, was wrong.
“No attempt was made to reconcile the purported achievements of independence with the country’s sorry state of the economy, characterised by untold widespread suffering of the majority,” noted the media monitors.
The state media, naturally, could not question the regime’s so-called National Economic Development Priority Programme (NEDPP), which is supposed to perform the reality-defying feat of turning an economy which has contracted by over one-third since the seizures of white-owned farms into registering growth in 6-9 months.
Nor, of course, did any of the state mouthpieces ask what happened to at least five other programmes with similar strings of initials, such as ZIMPREST or NERP.
Mindlessly, the state-run media also carried inflammatory threats by Mugabe to against anyone who dared demonstrate.
“These media allowed such crude threats to pass as normal without interpreting them as autocratic and typical of a police state afraid of dissent,” said MMPZ, adding this made the state media “accomplices in the repression of the Zimbabwean population.”
Letters to t
Invest in education
EDITOR - I am a student of the University of Zimbabwe and I am becoming increasingly worried about the proceedings taking place at the so-called highest institution of learning. After the sudden turn of events which saw students being forced to pay exorbitant fees to get educated, it is surprising to hear government officials claim that education is a basic right for any Zimbabwean when in fact the educational system is now used to ostracise people from poor backgrounds.
The VC seems to have discovered that it is now an offence to get educated and so one should pay exorbitant fees. One thing that is frustrating is that the very people who are charging exorbitant education fees are themselves products of free education.
If President Mugabe could obtain a degree from free education during the so-called “notorious Smith regime”, what’s the logic behind boasting that we are free when in fact it was a change from bad to worse?
Dr Murerwa has the guts to say the government cannot invest in education because it does not generate income, but it is the same education that enables him to define income. Our plea is can the government please come back to its senses and invest in education. The country has a shortage of skilled personnel due to the brain drain. What will happen if the number of people learning falls due to unaffordable education? We need help.
WEMADOGS, Mbare
MDC belongs to us
EDITOR - MDC rebels are now busy fighting Tsvangirai, which makes them Zanu (PF) and Tsvangirai is still fighting Zanu (PF) which makes him MDC leader. MDC rebels said they don’t follow the crowd. Instead they have decided to follow Thabo Mbeki who happens to be Mugabe’s close friend.
MDC belongs to millions of Zimbabweans, not a few power-hungry money launderers. Tsvangirai’s well-attended rallies have shaken both the rebels and their sponsors who have resorted to death threats. Defections by some MDC rebels back to the party means that they (rebels) have seen the light after being taken for a ride.
I salute you Tsvangirai for saving MDC from being hijacked by some Zanu (PF) spies who imported a student to lead them which means that they (rebels) are not capable of being leaders. Student politics and national politics are two different things and Mutambara has since realised that, but it’s too late for him to recover.
ZVICHAPERA, Harare
We need a new Zimbabwe
EDITOR - Thank you for a free forum in which concerned Zimbabweans can express pertinent views about issues relating to our country.
I feel that Robert Mugabe has effectively bottled Zimbabweans into a small jar and excluded us from the rest of the world.
He has encircled himself with those who believe that, by numbers alone, they have a more legitimate stake in the country. Everyone else then strives to belong to this grouping or to have a contact within it in order to survive. That is why people carry a secret Zanu (PF) membership card - to produce it conveniently when seeking certain favours.
The character of our country right now reflects the personal views of Mugabe. It is a piece of land owned and protected by one man. His views are sacrosanct. Only those sanctioned by him or who do not materially differ from him can be tolerated. You cannot succeed in anything through personal effort unless the Godfather is behind you somehow. Otherwise, there must be a white enemy behind your success. No Zimbabwean is capable of success alone.
Let those who have intellectual capacity draw up a new constitution and new laws, etc. to which people can aspire. In this new Zimbabwe:
Let us build roads, dams, schools, dip tanks and factories. Let us carry out progressive farming projects and set up grain silos, canning factories and engineering firms, according to the potential our country has. Let us establish cultural and contemporary arts centres for the eventual explosion of this great talent our country already has.
Let us build hospitals and staff them with qualified and professional men and women who will care for their people. Let us stock these hospitals and clinics with massive medical supplies, etc. Imagine our schools with all the equipment and qualified teachers!
Let us change our independence day to a new date, say, the 17th or 19th of April just to be different from Mugabe’s day. Let us exclude these people from our new Zimbabwe so that they do not hold us at ransom ever again.
Let our children and future generations aspire to develop this ideal Zimbabwe and not only to try and change Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. This will require not only financial resources, but a total mind-set that may take generations to transform.
I am not a Political Scientist but I believe together with such skills among progressive Zimbabweans, a new country can be born. Remember, you can either repair a car engine, re-condition it or replace it with a new one. Let us make our choice. I suggest a new Zimbabwe would be better.
POLOZIM, Harare
Which is the real MDC?
EDITOR - How nice of you to give us two independence celebration messages from two opposition parties leaders who incidentally are in opposite camps!
What it simply shows is your non-partisan approach in as far as the so-called MDC split is concerned. You leave it to the reader to analyze and decide which is the real MDC.
Fortunately the two leaders clearly showed where they stand! Both gentlemen did recognize that Zimbabwe was won through struggle and they indeed should give credit where it is deserved. Both gentlemen allude to the terrible state that the country is in. Mr Mutambara even goes on to give figures to show how things were and how bad they are today. On his part, Mr Tsvangirai, just mentions that the economy is not doing well without further proof. Kudos to Mr Mutambara!!
Unfortunately he loses the whole presentation by failing to identify who he is or represents. In his message, nowhere does he mentions MDC or any other opposition political party for that matter! Does it mean that he does not identify with the party? Who is “WE” that he mentions? Does it mean that his faction is now going to have a new name and save Zimbabwe from further confusion?
Of course he knows better, but inadvertently, Mr Mutambara just let the cat out the bag!! He is not for MDC, was never for MDC and will never be. He always knew but thanks to you and his message, now we all know as well. Once again, thank you for being open-minded. You saved Zimbabwe.
CHICHAKHUUKA, Mutare
We must ALL demonstrate
EDITOR - Following the strong and powerful message of hope from the leader of the main faction of the MDC Party in Zimbabwe, we had a two days meeting as the leadership of the CONCERNED ZIMBABWEANS ABROAD. A lot of issues were discussed but of paramount importance, all the delegates unanimously agreed that WE should mobilize ourselves and show solidarity with whatever the opposition has in store to demand Zimbabweans’ freedom back.
As the peaceful demonstrations start, we expect some vicious retaliation by government machinery. We even expect a lot of casualties and funerals. Therefore as the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe take to the streets throughout the country, we shall picket at the borders, at all the Zimbabwean embassies and consulate offices in the neighbouring countries.
We have already been in touch with our Batswana and Zambian counterparts and they have agreed to take action.
We are, however, having problems with our members in Mozambique who seem to be afraid of the Mozambican government.
If the people in Zimbabwe have decided that enough is enough, let’s give them all the support we can, both morally and financially.
The MDC headquarters have agreed to keep us informed of the dates and activities that they have lined up. We request all Zimbabweans in the diaspora to get ready for action. We shall keep everybody posted of any developments.
We encourage the soldiers and police not to shoot their own brothers and sisters.
Also in the meeting, everybody agreed that the people of Malawi should be applauded for their stance against Mugabe’s visit. They have joined South Africans in condemning bad governance by a regional leader. Remember when COSATU was at the border and at the embassy!
JAY JAY SIBANDA, South Africa
The law as a weapon
EDITOR - President Robert Mugabe recently stated that ‘Anyone who dares to embark on a campaign of violence and terrorist activities to remover government from power will be inviting the full wrath of the law to descend mercilessly on him.’ Statistically the people of Zimbabwe are now shorter-lived, and worse off in almost every respect than they were under a pre-independent regime, but of course we have our ‘freedom’.
It is, however, an odd kind of freedom when the president of the country defines the opposition an enemy, uses the language of war and, as his statement above reveals, does not see the law as an informed impartial neutral arm of justice but a weapon that will be used to defend his regime to the bitter end.
LZ, South Africa
EDITOR - I am a student of the University of Zimbabwe and I am becoming increasingly worried about the proceedings taking place at the so-called highest institution of learning. After the sudden turn of events which saw students being forced to pay exorbitant fees to get educated, it is surprising to hear government officials claim that education is a basic right for any Zimbabwean when in fact the educational system is now used to ostracise people from poor backgrounds.
The VC seems to have discovered that it is now an offence to get educated and so one should pay exorbitant fees. One thing that is frustrating is that the very people who are charging exorbitant education fees are themselves products of free education.
If President Mugabe could obtain a degree from free education during the so-called “notorious Smith regime”, what’s the logic behind boasting that we are free when in fact it was a change from bad to worse?
Dr Murerwa has the guts to say the government cannot invest in education because it does not generate income, but it is the same education that enables him to define income. Our plea is can the government please come back to its senses and invest in education. The country has a shortage of skilled personnel due to the brain drain. What will happen if the number of people learning falls due to unaffordable education? We need help.
WEMADOGS, Mbare
MDC belongs to us
EDITOR - MDC rebels are now busy fighting Tsvangirai, which makes them Zanu (PF) and Tsvangirai is still fighting Zanu (PF) which makes him MDC leader. MDC rebels said they don’t follow the crowd. Instead they have decided to follow Thabo Mbeki who happens to be Mugabe’s close friend.
MDC belongs to millions of Zimbabweans, not a few power-hungry money launderers. Tsvangirai’s well-attended rallies have shaken both the rebels and their sponsors who have resorted to death threats. Defections by some MDC rebels back to the party means that they (rebels) have seen the light after being taken for a ride.
I salute you Tsvangirai for saving MDC from being hijacked by some Zanu (PF) spies who imported a student to lead them which means that they (rebels) are not capable of being leaders. Student politics and national politics are two different things and Mutambara has since realised that, but it’s too late for him to recover.
ZVICHAPERA, Harare
We need a new Zimbabwe
EDITOR - Thank you for a free forum in which concerned Zimbabweans can express pertinent views about issues relating to our country.
I feel that Robert Mugabe has effectively bottled Zimbabweans into a small jar and excluded us from the rest of the world.
He has encircled himself with those who believe that, by numbers alone, they have a more legitimate stake in the country. Everyone else then strives to belong to this grouping or to have a contact within it in order to survive. That is why people carry a secret Zanu (PF) membership card - to produce it conveniently when seeking certain favours.
The character of our country right now reflects the personal views of Mugabe. It is a piece of land owned and protected by one man. His views are sacrosanct. Only those sanctioned by him or who do not materially differ from him can be tolerated. You cannot succeed in anything through personal effort unless the Godfather is behind you somehow. Otherwise, there must be a white enemy behind your success. No Zimbabwean is capable of success alone.
Let those who have intellectual capacity draw up a new constitution and new laws, etc. to which people can aspire. In this new Zimbabwe:
Let us build roads, dams, schools, dip tanks and factories. Let us carry out progressive farming projects and set up grain silos, canning factories and engineering firms, according to the potential our country has. Let us establish cultural and contemporary arts centres for the eventual explosion of this great talent our country already has.
Let us build hospitals and staff them with qualified and professional men and women who will care for their people. Let us stock these hospitals and clinics with massive medical supplies, etc. Imagine our schools with all the equipment and qualified teachers!
Let us change our independence day to a new date, say, the 17th or 19th of April just to be different from Mugabe’s day. Let us exclude these people from our new Zimbabwe so that they do not hold us at ransom ever again.
Let our children and future generations aspire to develop this ideal Zimbabwe and not only to try and change Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. This will require not only financial resources, but a total mind-set that may take generations to transform.
I am not a Political Scientist but I believe together with such skills among progressive Zimbabweans, a new country can be born. Remember, you can either repair a car engine, re-condition it or replace it with a new one. Let us make our choice. I suggest a new Zimbabwe would be better.
POLOZIM, Harare
Which is the real MDC?
EDITOR - How nice of you to give us two independence celebration messages from two opposition parties leaders who incidentally are in opposite camps!
What it simply shows is your non-partisan approach in as far as the so-called MDC split is concerned. You leave it to the reader to analyze and decide which is the real MDC.
Fortunately the two leaders clearly showed where they stand! Both gentlemen did recognize that Zimbabwe was won through struggle and they indeed should give credit where it is deserved. Both gentlemen allude to the terrible state that the country is in. Mr Mutambara even goes on to give figures to show how things were and how bad they are today. On his part, Mr Tsvangirai, just mentions that the economy is not doing well without further proof. Kudos to Mr Mutambara!!
Unfortunately he loses the whole presentation by failing to identify who he is or represents. In his message, nowhere does he mentions MDC or any other opposition political party for that matter! Does it mean that he does not identify with the party? Who is “WE” that he mentions? Does it mean that his faction is now going to have a new name and save Zimbabwe from further confusion?
Of course he knows better, but inadvertently, Mr Mutambara just let the cat out the bag!! He is not for MDC, was never for MDC and will never be. He always knew but thanks to you and his message, now we all know as well. Once again, thank you for being open-minded. You saved Zimbabwe.
CHICHAKHUUKA, Mutare
We must ALL demonstrate
EDITOR - Following the strong and powerful message of hope from the leader of the main faction of the MDC Party in Zimbabwe, we had a two days meeting as the leadership of the CONCERNED ZIMBABWEANS ABROAD. A lot of issues were discussed but of paramount importance, all the delegates unanimously agreed that WE should mobilize ourselves and show solidarity with whatever the opposition has in store to demand Zimbabweans’ freedom back.
As the peaceful demonstrations start, we expect some vicious retaliation by government machinery. We even expect a lot of casualties and funerals. Therefore as the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe in Zimbabwe take to the streets throughout the country, we shall picket at the borders, at all the Zimbabwean embassies and consulate offices in the neighbouring countries.
We have already been in touch with our Batswana and Zambian counterparts and they have agreed to take action.
We are, however, having problems with our members in Mozambique who seem to be afraid of the Mozambican government.
If the people in Zimbabwe have decided that enough is enough, let’s give them all the support we can, both morally and financially.
The MDC headquarters have agreed to keep us informed of the dates and activities that they have lined up. We request all Zimbabweans in the diaspora to get ready for action. We shall keep everybody posted of any developments.
We encourage the soldiers and police not to shoot their own brothers and sisters.
Also in the meeting, everybody agreed that the people of Malawi should be applauded for their stance against Mugabe’s visit. They have joined South Africans in condemning bad governance by a regional leader. Remember when COSATU was at the border and at the embassy!
JAY JAY SIBANDA, South Africa
The law as a weapon
EDITOR - President Robert Mugabe recently stated that ‘Anyone who dares to embark on a campaign of violence and terrorist activities to remover government from power will be inviting the full wrath of the law to descend mercilessly on him.’ Statistically the people of Zimbabwe are now shorter-lived, and worse off in almost every respect than they were under a pre-independent regime, but of course we have our ‘freedom’.
It is, however, an odd kind of freedom when the president of the country defines the opposition an enemy, uses the language of war and, as his statement above reveals, does not see the law as an informed impartial neutral arm of justice but a weapon that will be used to defend his regime to the bitter end.
LZ, South Africa
Madzimai echiTonga svondo rakapera achiratidza mutungamiri weMDC VaMorgan Tsvangirai maputirwo echikwepa kuBinga.
HARARE - Kwava nemakore makumi maviri nematanhatu apfuura kubva patakawana kuzvitonga, asi mamwe magamba makuru ehondo yeChimurenga anenge ava kutodzimwa muzvinyorwa zverusununguko zvichiita sepane munhu ari kutoita basa iri.
VaJosiah Magama Tongogara vaive mutungamiri hweChimurenga kunze kwenyika. Pari zvino vaongorori vezvematongerwo enyika vanoti VaMugabe vave kuda kuti zvose zvakaitwa navaTongogara semutungamiri wechiwuto cherusununguko zvisatombotaurwa nezvazvo.
VaTongogara vakafa zuva rechina kubva musi wakanyoreranwa chibvumirano chekupedza hondo cheLancaster House, uri musi weKisimusi gore ra1979, vaine makore makumi mana nerimwe (41) ekuberekwa. VaMugabe vanoti vakafa pakabheuka motokari yavo, asi hapana kuwongororwa kwakamboitwa chitunha chavo nemadhokotera kana mifananidzo yakatorwa yekuti vakafa sei.
Kudzimwa kwezvakaitwa naVaTongogara muzvinyorwa kwakatanga kuwonekwa munaKubvumbi gore rakapera, apo vakasiiwa navaMugabe paipiwa menduru kuvanhu vakaratidza hunyanzvi muhondo yechimurenga, kuri kucherechedza makore makumi maviri nemashanu ekuzvitonga.
VaChitepo ndemumwewo wemagamba, akasiyiwa, zvichiratidza kuti vaMugabe havatomboda vamwe vanhu, vapenyu kana vakafa, kuti vaonekerewo, pamwe chete navo munyaya dzekusunungura Zimbabwe.
VaChitepo vakapondwa nekuisirwa chimbambaira mumotokari yavo kuZambia mugore ra1975.
Pavakange vari kuLanchaster House, kuchiitwa hurukuro dzekupedza hondo, VaTongogara vanonzi vakaita dzimwe hurukuro muchihwande dzezvekuzobatsirana kutonga neveZAPU iyo yaitungamirwa navaJoshua Nkomo.
Kushaya hanya negamba iri kunowonekwazve nekusabatsira mhuri yakasara yavaTongogara. Chirikadzi iyi yakati vaingoshupikawo kurera vana vavo sechirikadzi dzose, vachipiwa rubatsiro nevesvondo yeRoma, asi ruzhinji rweZanu(pf) rwakapiwa mapurazi akatorerwa varungu.
Apo Mai Tongogara vakaita mutambo wokucherechedza murume wavo, hapana vatungamiriri veZanu (PF) vakauya, uye iyo Zanu yacho haina kumboita mutambo wayowo wekucherechedza VaTongo.
Pavakabvunzwa kuti sei vasina kushevedza veZanu (PF) kumutambo wavo Mai Tongo vakati vaingoda mhuri yavo chete.
kana Kuifira Zimbabwe yacho Zvinoita!
JOHANNESBURG - Chimwe chikwata chakazvipira kubvisa vaMugabe pahutongi Zimbabwe Popular Resistance (ZPR), chawonesa vachengetedzi verunyararo nemapurisa pfumvu.
Chikwata ichi chiri kutowedzera mabasa acho ekuda kubvisa vaMugabe zvisina zvombo mukati, asi iyo hurumende yakavaudza kuti vanhu vose vanoda kuita zvekuratidzira vachaurayiwa.
Chikwata ichi chiri kuita mabasa acho muchihwande muZimbabwe nekunze, uye chine hurongwa hwekutanga kurwisa nzvimbo kana mabhizimusi evatungamiri veZanu (PF). MaCIO anonziwo ari pabishi rekuvatsvaga kuti vazive hutungamiri hwacho vagopinda mavari kuti vavaparadze.
"Nhengo dzedu, zvikwata zvedu zvebasa nevateedzeri vedu ngavasamboteerera zvekunzi kuchaitwa masarudzo kana kutevedzera zvinoda kupatsanura vanhu, asi ngavachengetedze simba ravo kuitira hondo iri mberi. Muchashevedzwa kwese kwamuri, kunze nemuZimbabwe kuti muzobatsira," vakadaro veZPR muzvinyorwa zvavakatumira kupepanhau renyu reThe Zimbabwean.
Vakati ivo vanoda kuti pave neimwe hurumende yakatarisana nekushandura zvinhu nekugadzirira sarudzo inozotungamirirwa neUnited Nations. "Hatisi kurwisa kuti tigopa nyika kuvanhu vanongotaura chete," akadaro mumwe wavo.
Akatizve, “Takatotanga kugadzirira mabasa aya, uye hatisi kuzoburitsa kuti chatiri kuita chaicho chii nokuti tingangwadze muvengi. Mamiriro akaita zvinhu ave kutoda kushinga nekuzvipira. Isu takatozvipira kufira nyika yacho."
Akati kuchava nevanhu vakazvipira vachanoita mabasa ekuratidzira nekusatevedzera zvinodiwa nehurumende. Ndokuendererazve achiti, "Ticharova pamabhizimusi avo, pamapurazi nepadzimba dzavo kuti vatye, vasiyane nezvekuuraya nyika nehupambi hwavo hwehupfumi hwenyika. Tatanga hondo yacho yevanhu, vasina zvehumbimbindoga kana hukuru. Chedu kuda kukanda chombo chinotyisa kumuvengi uyo anofunga kuti haabatiki."– NaZakeus Chibaya
Hurumende Yoda Kuvhara Miromo Yevaimbi
JOHANNESBURG – Hurumende yeZimbabwe, iyo iri kutya kutsutsumwa kwemhomho yeZimbabwe kuri kuda kuzoratidzirwa yave kutsvaga kuvhara chero vaimbi zvavo, zvichisanganisira vose vanoimba nezvekuparara kwaita nyika.
Svondo rino Hosea Chipanga uyo akanga achitarisirwa kuridza pagungano guru reZimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, akatoramba kuridza nekuti akatyityidzirwa zvichinzi achazvionera pamhuno sefodya kana angoridza pamusangano uyu.
Mumwezve muimbi ndiDJ Cleopas Monyepeao wokuSouth Africa uyo akarambidzwa kuzoridza muZimbabwe shure kwekunge apomerwa mhosva yekunyomba vaMugabe.
Chipanga akaudza mutungamiri weZCTU vaWellington Chibebe kuti zvematongerwo enyika zvemuZimbabwe zvotonetsa.
“Chipanga akatanga achitumirwa mazwi parunhare ndokuzosvikirwa pamba pake chaipo achiudzwa kuti akangonoridza pamutambo wedu chete aizoona moto. Chihurumende chehudzvinyiriri ichi chave kunyadzisa, uye chinofanirwa kushorwa nokuti Chipanga ndemumwe wevaimbi vanoimbira vanhu vanotadza kuzvitaura zviri kuitika munyika. VaMugabe vari kuvhara Chipanga kuti asasvitsa shoko kuvanhu vakarimirira," vakadaro VaChibebe.
Iye Chipanga anoti aifanirwa kunoridza kuGwanzura pazuva revashandi (May Day) asi haana kuzonoridza nokuti vanhu vatatu vakasiyana vakange vamuridzira runhare vachimutyisidzira.
"Handizivi kuti ndivanaani, as ndakanzwa mazwi matatu akasiyana ese achingondiyambira nekundityisidzira kuti ndisayende," akadaro
Chipanga akawedzera achiti pamutambo aiziva kuti hapana chaizoitika asi kana mutambo wapera. Uye zvaimukatyamadza ndezvekuti hakasi kekutanga kuridza pamutambo weZCTU, as gore rino raiva rokutanga kuti aitirwe zvakadai.
Chipanga anoimba nziyo dzeShona dzinoburitsa kuti vanhu vawongorore nezvemagariro avo, asi zvakambomupinza mutsekwende nemaCIO mushure mekunge aimba nechibhende achiti vaMugabe vanotobva pachigaro nekufa.
VaChibebe vakati havaizodzokera shure, asi gore rino waisava mutambo wokufara asi kungocherechedza chete zuva revashandi.
"Hapana chekufarira hupenyu hwevashandi huri pakaipa kudai nekukwira kwezvinhu."
DJ Cleo akarambidzwawo kuzoimba mushure mekunge anzi ataura zvinhu zvakashata neveNational Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) avo vane simba rekumutorera magwaro ake ekushanda muZimbabwe. - NaMagugu Nyathi
Mwana waMafa Osungirwa Yekupandukira Nyika
HARARE - VaFelix Mafa, mutungamiri wePost Independence Survivors Trust (PIST) vanoti hurumende yavaMugabe yave kutevera vana vevanopikisa ichivatsvagira mhosva kuti varwadzise vabereki.
Hurumende inonzi yakaburitsa gwaro rekusunga mwana wavo uyo ari kuAmerica vachimupa mhosva yekutengesa nyika kuBritain neAmerica.
"Mwana wangu haaiti basa rekutapa mashoko achitengesa semhosva yaari kupomerwa. Ndezvemanyepo, uye handisi kuzovarega vachitora mwana wangu kana wemumwe munhu zveke," vakadaro VaMafa, avo vane mumwe mwana akaurayiwa neZanu (PF) paGukurahundi.
Mutumbi wemwana wavo unonzi wakakandwa mudhamu reKariba nemasoja eFive Brigade hausati wamboonekwa.
VaMafa, avo vanova mumwe wevanhu vakatanga MDC vari kuda kuti hurumende ibhadhare vanhu vakafa kana kukuvadzwa paGukurahundi.
Mumwedzi waKurume (March ) gore rino ivo vakatombosungwawo pamwe chete nevamwe vebato rinopikisa reMDC vakazoburitswa gungano guru reMDC (Congress) ratotanga. Mapurisa akavati vaida kubvisa President Mugabe vachibatsirwa nemwana wavo. Mapepa avo nemakombiyuta zvakatorwa nemapurisa nemaCIO.
VeMDC vakati veCIO varikuedza kuvhara vanhu vanoda kuratidzira kutsutsumwa kwavo nezvekudzinyirirwa kwavo. MaCIO aya akapamba vatungamiri vese vechidiki veMDC, nemhuri dzavo, ndokuvarova nekuvatyisidzira kuti vasaite zvekuratidzira nokuti vangangourayiwa.. – Nemumwe Munyori Wedu
Zanu (PF) Yotadza Kubhadhara Vemagaraji
BULAWAYO - Mamwe magaraji haachadi kuisa peturo kana kugadzira motokari dzeZanu (PF) nenyaya yekusabhadhara, asi iyo Zanu (PF) ichinzi iri kuda kutenga zana redzimwe motokari.
Magwaro emuCentral Committee akawanikwa nesu anoratidza kuti gore ra2005 ndiro rakava rakanyanya kuipisisa pamakore ose ebato riri kutonga iri.
“Pari zvino magaraji ava nezvikwereti zvedu zvakakurisisa. Dai bato ratoita magaraji aro kuti motokari dzemusangano dzigonwa nekugadzirwa ipapo.
"Izvi zvingaita kuti mari yatinobvisa idzikire pasi," rakadaro gwaro rakanyorwa neZanu. (PF).
Gwaro iri rakaendererawo richiti magaraji akange achibhadharisa mari yakawandisa uye dzimwe nguva vasina basa ravaita..- CAJ News
Indodana kaMafa kathiwa isiyinhloli
UMafa uthi uhulumende usekhuphe incwadi yokuthi kubotshwe indodana yakhe eseMelika, ngomlandu wokuba yinhloli yalelo kanye le Bilithani.
”Indodana yami kayisiyo nhloli. Konke lokhonje ngamanga aluhlaza ngakho kangisoke ngibavumele bathinte indodana yami,” uchaze kanjalo uMafa.
Indodana kaMafa enye yabulawa ngamasotsha kaMugabe ngesikhathi seGukurahundi, njalo isidumbu sakhe kasizange sibonakale.
UMafa, ongumunye wabasungula iMDC, usenze inkuthazo yokuthi labo abalahlekelwa yizihlobo zabo labalimala ngesikhathi seGukurahundi bahlawulwe.
NgoMarch lonyaka uke wabotshwa lezinye inkokheli zeMDC besetheswa umlandu wokuqoqa ukuhluthula umbuso kaMugabe.
Iziphathamandla zeMDC sezikugcizelele ukuthi inhloli zikahulumende sezike zathumba inkokheli zebandla ezabelweni, zatshaywa lokwethuselwa ngelokubulalwa nxa
zingakhokhela umvikela.
Government tries to silence musicians
Izembe likahulumende seliphezu kwabaculi
HARARE - Imizamo kahulumende yokuhlasela labo abakhonona ngempilo esilukhuni ngenxa yokuwa kwenotho yelizwe isibhekiswe kubaculi abacula ngodaba olufanayo.
Abaqeda kubhekana lalelo zembe okwamanje ngumculi wakuleli uHosiah Chipanga lowe South Africa uDJ Cleopas Monyepeao. UChipanga obekufuze ayecula emkhosini wokuthakazelela ilanga lezisebenzi obuqoqwe yinhlanganiso yeZCTU, ucine engasayanga ngemva kokwethuselwa okwesabekayo.
Kubikwa uChipanga ethole lokhu kwethuselwa kumakhalekhukhwini wakhe kukanti abanye bacine besiza kuye mathupha bemxwayisa ukuthi angalokothi ukuyacula kulowo mkhosi. Kusenjalo unobhala wenhlanganiso yeZCTU umnumzana Wellington Chibhebhe uthi isenzo sikahulumende weZimbabwe lesi sokuba nguntando kayiphikiswa kufuze sigxekwe ngendlela zonke. Wengeze ngokuthi inhlanganiso yakhe kayisoke yethesa uChipanga umlandu wokwehluleka ukugcwalisa isivumelwano abesenze labo.
UChipanga laye ugcizelele ukuthi wethuselwe kabi yikhonje ecine engasayanga ukuyacula emkhosini weZCTU.Wengeze wathi lobanje esazi ukuthi uzabevikelekile ngesikhathi ecula, kodwa wesabela impilo yakhe ngemva kwalowo mkhosi. UChibhebhe yena ukubeke kwacaca ukuthi ngeke izisebenzi zikhululeke nxa zihleli zisevalweni ngenxa yokwethuselwa.
Kusenjalo umculi wakwele South Africa uDJ Cleo laye uwelwe lizembe elifanayo ngemva kokwalelwa ukuyacula eZimbabwe ngoba kuthiwa wakhuluma kubi ngesikhathi eselizweni nyakenye. UCleo bekufuze ayecula koBulawayo emkhosini we- UMthwakazi Arts Festival kodwa inhlanganiso ye National Arts Council yaxwayisa ababona ngokungena kwabantu elizweni ukuthi bangamuphi imvumo yokungena eZimbabwe. - Magugu Nyathi
Prepared to perish for democracy
Sizimisele ukufela inkululeko
JOHANNESBURG - Iqula lomtshetshaphansi, ele Zimbabwe Popular Resistance (ZPR), elijonge ukwethula umbuso kamongameli Mugabe esihlalweni lisebenzisa umvukela kazulu, kubikwa selithwalise inhloli zikahulumende amagabha avuzayo.
Iqula leli kubikwa liqhubekela phambili ngomsebenzi walo kungakhathalekile ukuthi uhulumende usephe isixwayiso esiqatha kulabo abafuna ukuvusa umvukela.
Iqula leli okubikwa lisebenzela eZimbabwe langaphandle kwelizwe, lihjlela ukuhlasela amabhizimusi lezakhiwo zeziphathamandla zeZanu pf. Kukhanya inhloli zikahulumende sezilonde umzila walaba bantu zaze zakhathala njengoba zingakatholi lapho abagxile khona.
“Amalunga ethu wonke, abezomvikela labasekeli bakhuthazwa ukuthi bengadlali ngethuba labo bezihlupha ngokhetho lwamalunga edale lephalamende. Sibakhuthaza ukuthi balondoloze amandla abazawadinga kumvukela omkhulu ozabakhona maduzenje phakathi laphandle kwelizwe,” ichaze kanjalo iZPR egwalweni olubhalelwe amalunga.
Iqula leli lithi lifuna ukupha intambo zombuso kuhulumende wesikhatshana ozabusa kusaqoqwa ukhetho oluzakhokhelwa yinhlanganiso yezizwe zomhlaba.
Esinye isiphathamandla sale inhlanganiso esiseJohannesburg sibike ukuthi sekulamanyathelo abanzi asethethwe ngakho basebenzela enzitha ngoba inhloli zikahulumende zibahlezi ezithende. Wengeze ngelithi umumo eZimbabwe udinga isibindi ngakho bazimisele ukufela inkululeko yelizwe.
Uthe umvukela wabo uzaqhutshwa ngabalesibindi abazimisele ukubangela ukungahlaliseki kwezinto elizweni.
“Sifuna ukubhidliza amabhizimusi eZanu pf, imizi yabo, amapulazi lokunye njengoba sebebhidlize umnotho welizwe bezinothisa ngawo. Wengeze wathi sekuyisikhathi sokuvukela umbuso woncindezelo olenkokheli ezingakhathali ngamuntu ngaphandle kwazo kuphela. – Zakeus Chibaya
UTongogara lo Chitepo sebesusiwe embalini
HARARE - NGEMVA kweminyaka engamatshumi amabili lesithupha ilizwe lithole uzibuse, kukhanya kulabanye ababeyinsika kunkululeko yelizwe asebesusiwe embalini yeZimbabwe.
UJosiah Magama Tongogara lo Robert Mugabe babe bkeke sikhundla sinye ngesikhathi bephandle kwelizwe ngempi yenkululeko ngabo 1970.
Abasiki bebunda bathi kuyacala ukuthi uMugabe izimisele ukwesula embalini yakuleli uJosiah Tongogara, kukati nguye owakhokhela ibutho leZANU PF ngesikhathi sempi yenkululeko.
UTongogara wabhubha ngeKhisimusi ka1979, eseleminyaka engamasthumi amane lanye, kukant, kwkusele isnuku ezine nkuthi kwenziwe isivumelwano esaletha iZimbabwe entsha, eLancaster kwele Ngilandi.
Nomanje uMugabe wabika ukuthi uTongogara ufele engozini yemota, impumela yokuhlolwa kwesidumbu sakhe loba imifanekiso yaso kakuzange kuvele.
Inhloso kaMugabe yokungandzi ighaza elabanjwa nguTongogara kunkululekoyakuleli yaqala ukuvela obala ngo April nyenye ngeseikhathi igama likaTongogara lingekulawe amaqhawe ahlonitshwa ngomvuzo weZimbabwe’s Silver vubile.
Omunye owayengekho kuluhlu iwalamaga liqhawe elazewayo uHerbert Chitepo, owabulawa libhomba eZambia ngo1975.Lokhu kuveza sobala umkhuba kaMongameli Mugabe wokwesula bonke abaphilayo labafileyo abona sengathi bangahle bamthathele isikhundla.
Ngesikhathi sempi yenkululeko, kubikwa uTongogara wenza imihlangano yensitha leZAPU, phezu kokuba kungabiwa njani izihlalo nxa sekutholakele uzibuse.
Kusithatshana esisanda kwedlula inkosikazi kamuyi uAngeline Tongogara ubike ukuthi impilo isilukhuni kanti kakalasekelo alutholayo kuZANU PF.
Emkhosini wokukhumbula umnyi ngo December, kakula siphathamandla seZANU PF esanxaswayezi.
Let exiles vote - Mutambara
MANCHESTER – Zimbabweans in the diaspora should be allowed to vote, says the leader of the pro-Senate faction of the MDC, Arthur Mutambara.
Speaking to supporters in Manchester at his first meeting in the UK at the weekend, he said the denial of voting rights to millions of Zimbabweans around the world was ‘a travesty that needs generational intervention’.
According to an eye-witness, Mutambara, secretary general Welshman Ncube and his deputy Priscilla Misahairabwi Mushonga were accompanied by an official entourage of about 20. The meeting itself was attended by 35 people. Two Zimbabwean websites described the meeting as a ‘rally’ and said it was a ‘resounding success’.
“It seems strange that the group did not address a meeting in London, where the majority of Zimbabweans live,” said the witness.
Mutambara left the UK for Norway on Monday as part of a diplomatic offensive to garner support for his faction in several European countries.
He also spoke about his attempts to re-brand the MDC, saying the party needed a make-over to rid it of what he called a ‘jacket of puppetry’ in reference to allegations that it was too closely supported by Britain and the United States.
“We are trying to build a principled, patriotic political party,” he said. “We will not accept any (foreign) assistance that compromises our dignity and sovereignty. Zanu (PF) will soon discover that they can no longer win elections simply by claiming credit for the liberation struggle. We have pulled the rug from under their feet.”
Speaking to supporters in Manchester at his first meeting in the UK at the weekend, he said the denial of voting rights to millions of Zimbabweans around the world was ‘a travesty that needs generational intervention’.
According to an eye-witness, Mutambara, secretary general Welshman Ncube and his deputy Priscilla Misahairabwi Mushonga were accompanied by an official entourage of about 20. The meeting itself was attended by 35 people. Two Zimbabwean websites described the meeting as a ‘rally’ and said it was a ‘resounding success’.
“It seems strange that the group did not address a meeting in London, where the majority of Zimbabweans live,” said the witness.
Mutambara left the UK for Norway on Monday as part of a diplomatic offensive to garner support for his faction in several European countries.
He also spoke about his attempts to re-brand the MDC, saying the party needed a make-over to rid it of what he called a ‘jacket of puppetry’ in reference to allegations that it was too closely supported by Britain and the United States.
“We are trying to build a principled, patriotic political party,” he said. “We will not accept any (foreign) assistance that compromises our dignity and sovereignty. Zanu (PF) will soon discover that they can no longer win elections simply by claiming credit for the liberation struggle. We have pulled the rug from under their feet.”
CAF dismisses Zim’s African Cup bid
The minister and his entourage flew to Egypt in a vain attempt to impress the committee.
The world body received eight bids at its headquarters in
Observers were amazed that Zimbabwe even bothered to make a bid at a time when it is widely known that the country has the world’s highest inflation rate, lowest life expectancy, highest unemployment rate and is battling massive fuel, food and power shortages. “They never had a chance! Why waste CAF’s time like this – in addition to the scarce foreign currency in flying a delegation all the way to Cairo?” asked the observer.
This is the third time in five years that Zimbabwe has tried unsuccessfully to host the event. – Sports reporter
Letter from home: Our worst winter
BY LITANY BIRD
Dear Family and Friends,
Everywhere you go, everyone is talking about the dramatic increases in the prices of food, medicines and services and undoubtedly this winter 2006 will be the worst any of us can ever remember.
Going shopping has become a nightmare and budgeting impossible as the prices keep changing. A dozen eggs marked on the shelf at Z$260,000 this week, was actually Z$290,000 at the till. “It’s up,” the woman at the checkout announced when I asked why there was a Z$30,000 difference in the three metres from shelf to till.
Every week more and more things get crossed off the shopping list as they become unaffordable. Cheese, fruit, eggs and cereals, all have become luxuries now, bought rarely and used sparingly - for a treat. They join goods crossed off the list a year ago when they also became too expensive; things like yoghurt, sausages, bacon, coffee, nuts, fruit juice and fish. These in turn join the things we gave up three or four years ago, things that were bad for us anyway like fizzy drinks, chocolates, cigarettes and alcohol.
913% inflation is so frightening that most people literally do not know how they will make it from one month to the next. Food prices are just the tip of the iceberg as hyperinflation rages into bills and services, swamps medical and dental costs and makes clothes and shoes a complete impossibility.
School fees are now due for the winter term and they have so many digits that they look like long distance international telephone numbers. Talking about telephones, at the top of this month’s phone bill is a statement that reads: “Tariffs were increased from $1400 to $8609 per unit with effect from 3 Feb 2006.” The statement doesn’t mention that this is an increase of over 500%, it doesn’t offer a reason, excuse or apology - its just a case of pay or be disconnected.
But, for as long as we can, we cling on to the routines of life, trying to be “normal”, trying to hold our homes and families together, trying to keep our children reasonably fed, clothed and in school. Until next week, ndini Shamwari Yenyu
Our Joyce on how to deal with a bed-hopping husband
WARD 12,
According to the state-controlled media there was jubilation in all provinces on Independence Day as multitudes flocked to national stadia to hear Mugabe’s celebratory speech being read by the local governors.
Those in
Whatever those Herald and ZBC reporters are smoking, I would REALLY like to get my hands on some of it.
Everybody I know, even those of us on the Zhing Zhong tablets in here (where some days things are certainly rather far removed from reality – whatever that is), is suffering.
Inflation, unemployment, no fuel, no food, no drugs, exorbitant school fees, potholes, no rubbish collection, rotten water, broken sewerage pipes, empty shelves, draconian legislation to suppress popular dissent, murder and torture of political opponents with impunity, corrupt policeman and judges, daylight looting by politicians of state assets and personal property – the list is unending. That is the reality for Zimbabweans.
The fact that the state propaganda machine refuses to see this is bad enough. The fact that they continue trying to persuade us that we are all wrong and they are right is downright insulting.
What we would have wanted to read, instead of all this hallucinating, is the reality of the practical advice given to members of the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce in Mutare last week by our Joyce (aka vice president Mujuru). She allegedly told the gathering a remarkable thing (I say allegedly because what you are about to read is truly stranger than fiction). Anyway the second most important/powerful person in our country gave this gathering advice on how to deal with a bed-hopping husband.
(Perhaps she should be invited to the UK to teach Mrs Prescott and others a thing or two.) Anyway, Mr Editor, perhaps you could pass on this advice to our former colonial masters: “My husband used to come home with addresses of girlfriends in his jackets. I used to be furious and could be mad about it but I realised it would not work. The other day he brought an address in his jacket. I just took the piece of paper and placed it next to where he sleeps and I prepared his supper and treated him very nicely. Since then, my husband has never behaved in a manner that suggests he is flirting with other women.” Words fail me …
Fence fails to stop search for survival
PLUMTREE - Fifty-four year old Nomathemba Dube trudges cautiously towards an undesignated crossing point along the Zimbabwe-Botswana border.
With a black rucksack strapped to her back, the elderly woman constantly checks behind her shoulders in case
“I sell each clay pot for Pula10 (about US$1.60). I also have some dried traditional vegetables in this bag that go for a similar price. People here like traditional stuff and they are very friendly,” says Dube with a grin on her face.
Dube, of Mangubo village in Zimbabwe’s poverty-stricken Matabeleland South province, is among thousands of villagers who have been driven by hunger to make daring trips across the border into Botswana to sell clay pots and dried vegetables, which for some reason appear plentiful in one of Zimbabwe’s most arid regions.
Faced with failed crops and lack of income, Dube who is a widow, says she has had to play cat-and-mouse with Botswana’s police officers who are notorious for their brutal treatment of Zimbabweans, to fend for her six children.
“I no longer have any food provisions remaining at my homestead. The situation is so bad I accept things like maize-meal and tinned fish in exchange for these clay pots and dried vegetables. “I have a tiny field at home but the harvest will not be enough, so I really have to be in this business for quite some time,” says Dube carefully checking that her merchandise has not been damaged. And the scene not far from where we stood with Dube was probably all the confirmation one could need that the widow will not be alone “in this business”.
There, a group of three young men could be seen assisting each other scale the fence on the portion where it is not electrified. Unlike Dube, the men said their “illegal mission” to Botswana was not to sell merchandise but their labour doing menial jobs at farms and in factories.
“What else can we do? We are starving here,” said Mandla, who appeared the older of the three men. They all refused to give their full names, apparently disbelieving our promises that we would not tell on them to the border authorities.
Community leaders in Mangubo say while harvests appeared to have improved this year due to the good rains, a lot of villagers are still facing hunger after they failed to harvest enough as a result of lack of draught power and inputs.
More of their youths and widows will have to keep jumping the border into Botswana in search of survival, headman Ndabeni Maseko said.
He said: “The situation has definitely improved from what we experienced last year, but there are still some people who are going for days without food. As a result, some of them cross the border to villages like Nkange and Dagwi to sell clay pots or look for menial jobs that will give them quick money. “While it is illegal, there is nothing they can do because they have to survive. The situation is really bad here.”
Zimbabwe is in the grip of a severe food and economic crisis which critics blame on repression and wrong policies by President Robert Mugabe such as his seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to landless blacks six years ago.
The farm disturbances slashed food production by about 60 percent leaving Zimbabwe, once a regional breadbasket, dependent on food handouts from international donors.
With inflation pegged at 913.6 percent and still rising, life has become a real grind for these villagers forcing most of them to trek into Botswana for survival.
But a trip into Botswana is no stroll in the park as the Gaborone authorities crack down on illegal Zimbabwean immigrants whom they accuse of fanning crime in that country. The exodus of hungry Zimbabweans into Botswana has strained relations between the two neighbours with Harare accusing Gaborone of targeting its citizens visiting that country for ill-treatment.
Zimbabwe often cites an electric fence Botswana has erected between the two countries, which it says is a Gaza-style barrier that could see hundreds of Zimbabweans trying to jump the frontier being electrocuted. Harare, which publicly insists relations with Botswana are cordial, also says the electric fence mirrors Gaborone’s xenophobic treatment of Zimbabwean immigrants.
Botswana, almost alone among Zimbabwe’s southern African neighbours to have voiced concern over Mugabe’s controversial rule, denies ill-treating immigrants from its northern neighbour and says the electric fence is meant to block free movement of wild animals and livestock across the frontier in order to curb the spread of animal diseases.
But whatever the true purpose of the deadly electric fence, Dube and hundreds of other villagers along the frontier here say it will not halt them from doing what they have to do to survive and that is, regularly and illegally skipping the border to trade their handmade wares or labour in return for food. - ZimOnline
Breakfast with Mugabe – it’s true
The satirical comedy, Breakfast with Mugabe, opens in the West End this week. The following statement on the reality of life in Zimbabwe under Mugabe, by Glenys Kinnock MEP, Co-President of the ACP EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, has been included in the programme, ensuring that incredulous theatre-goers understand that the play is not just a figment of someone’s imagination:
“The tension and intensity of ‘Breakfast with Mugabe’ reveals and reinforces the truth. The swaggering tyrant, brilliantly portrayed by Joseph Mydell in the play, has actually declared himself to be an admirer of Hitler. As all evidence shows, he models himself on ruthless autocrats who have governed through repression, intimidation and political violence.
“Zimbabwe’s economy is in tatters. The regime has driven away many foreign investors and the country’s commercial, farming, mining and manufacturing sectors have been ruined.
“Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) Government has dragged Zimbabwe into bankruptcy, fixed elections, tried to terrorise the judiciary, the press, the unions and the people. In his rantings, he claims heroic stature and absolves himself of any responsibility for the tragedy and suffering he has caused.
“The land which he misrules once had one of the best standards of living in Africa. It has now fallen to the bottom of the pile. Since 1996, GDP has almost halved and income per capita slashed by 60%. Life expectancy for women now stands at just 34 years making it the lowest in the world. For men, it is 37. Zimbabwe’s unemployment currently stands at 80% and inflation at 913%. About 4.6 million people rely on food aid and 3.5 million Zimbabweans have fled - mainly to South Africa, Botswana and the UK.
“Political opposition is growing more audacious in Zimbabwe. Now, their efforts to restore democracy need and deserve to be backed by their neighbours and by the international community.
“In the last 10 years, the liberation that offered so much hope has been perverted into terrible tyranny. Zimbabwe’s leaders exploit memories of the past with posturing and political symbolism whilst multiplying the agonies that - naturally - inflict the worst harm on the poorest and the powerless.
“Against this background, the staging of Breakfast with Mugabe is indeed timely. The continuing slide to disaster demands urgent action. The Mugabe regime - those who implement its policies and those who benefit from its corrupt despotism - may think that the international community will stand back. They must be proved wrong.
“We must not tire of supporting the suffering people and the courageous efforts of Zimbabweans who strive for democratic change without resorting to violence. Breakfast with Mugabe tells us why.”
‘Save our country’ - Morgan
HARARE - MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai’s juggernaut rolled in to Binga and Victoria Falls at the weekend to rally support for his new ‘Save our Country’ campaign, which aims to unify the nation.
The campaign seeks to bring together all progressive forces, students, workers, civil society, rural and urban dwellers and people of all tribes and races, to engage in effective mass action to force change in Zimbabwe.
On Saturday he addressed meetings at Manjolo and Siachilaba growth points in Binga each attended by about 6 000 people. On Sunday an estimated 10 000 people gathered at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls to pledge their support for mass resistance.
“The President emphasised that there is only one MDC, which is stronger after Congress. He told them about the leadership renewal, which is energetic, and explained the congress resolutions,” said party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
Tsvangirai told the people that elections would not be the main focus for the MDC until such time as the electoral process in Zimbabwe was transparent and internationally monitored.
He encouraged people to question the role of their chiefs, who are being forced to misuse their traditional authority to frighten the people and prop up Zanu (PF).
Tsvangirai also outlined the party’s road map for a new Zimbabwe, which involved a new constitution and the setting up of a multi-party transitional administration to oversee the transformation of national institutions that had been hi-jacked by Zanu (PF). These included the CIO, the police, the army and others.
“The positive reception of our message by these rural folk, many of them elderly and ailing, who have suffered so much, was humbling,” said Chamisa. Many in the crowds had walked for hours to attend the meetings. – Own correspondent
We did not meet Mbeki - MDC
HARARE – The MDC has denied reports in South African newspapers and posted on several Zimbabwean websites of a recent meeting between SA president Thabo Mbeki and Morgan Tsvangirai.
“He was in South Africa on party business that had nothing to do with Mbeki,” said spokesman Nelson Chamisa this week. “The reports are merely speculative and baseless.”
Asked about Mbeki’s reported attempts to bring together the warring factions of the MDC, Chamisa said he was unaware of any such attempt.
“In any case it is unnecessary. We are now stronger in terms of both leadership and membership than before,” he said. “Reports of such attempts come from those who want to legitimise themselves by making it seem as if they are on a par with the main MDC.”
The campaign seeks to bring together all progressive forces, students, workers, civil society, rural and urban dwellers and people of all tribes and races, to engage in effective mass action to force change in Zimbabwe.
On Saturday he addressed meetings at Manjolo and Siachilaba growth points in Binga each attended by about 6 000 people. On Sunday an estimated 10 000 people gathered at Chinotimba Stadium in Victoria Falls to pledge their support for mass resistance.
“The President emphasised that there is only one MDC, which is stronger after Congress. He told them about the leadership renewal, which is energetic, and explained the congress resolutions,” said party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.
Tsvangirai told the people that elections would not be the main focus for the MDC until such time as the electoral process in Zimbabwe was transparent and internationally monitored.
He encouraged people to question the role of their chiefs, who are being forced to misuse their traditional authority to frighten the people and prop up Zanu (PF).
Tsvangirai also outlined the party’s road map for a new Zimbabwe, which involved a new constitution and the setting up of a multi-party transitional administration to oversee the transformation of national institutions that had been hi-jacked by Zanu (PF). These included the CIO, the police, the army and others.
“The positive reception of our message by these rural folk, many of them elderly and ailing, who have suffered so much, was humbling,” said Chamisa. Many in the crowds had walked for hours to attend the meetings. – Own correspondent
We did not meet Mbeki - MDC
HARARE – The MDC has denied reports in South African newspapers and posted on several Zimbabwean websites of a recent meeting between SA president Thabo Mbeki and Morgan Tsvangirai.
“He was in South Africa on party business that had nothing to do with Mbeki,” said spokesman Nelson Chamisa this week. “The reports are merely speculative and baseless.”
Asked about Mbeki’s reported attempts to bring together the warring factions of the MDC, Chamisa said he was unaware of any such attempt.
“In any case it is unnecessary. We are now stronger in terms of both leadership and membership than before,” he said. “Reports of such attempts come from those who want to legitimise themselves by making it seem as if they are on a par with the main MDC.”
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