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Keeping flame of hope aliveBY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
LONDON - We are often told that the solution to Zimbabwe`s crisis must come from Zimbabweans themselves but we are painfully aware that over a quarter of the population has fled the country and those who remain are the most vulnerable and ill-equipped to take on the might of a ruthless regime. In the diaspora we ring our hands at every gathering and ask what we can we do to help but other than raising funds to alleviate the suffering its hard to see how we can make a difference and its easy to loose hope. This month`s WOZA MOYA, the newsletter of campaigning group Women of Zimbabwe Arise carries a moving allegory on hope. It tells a story of how the candles, peace, faith and love have all been extinguished in Zimbabwe but hope still burns with a weak flame and if Zimbabweans would lift it up they could relight peace, faith and love to shine again.
Last week`s WOZA action in the tiny town of Filabusi is a significant pointer to how widely their cause is taken up and how much hope is left even in the most beleaguered corners of Zimbabwe.
When WOZA women were arrested on the recent school fees demonstrations in Bulawayo, UK supporters made phone calls to the police stations holding them. They urged the police to treat their captives with respect and asked them whether they had kids in school and were finding it difficult to cope with fees. The response was surprising. While some officers were brusque and dismissive the majority sounded quite sympathetic. They hastened to reassure callers that the women were receiving food from friends and that they would be released soon and some even intimated that WOZA was doing a good job because school fees were indeed too high and things were getting tough. Behind the stern face of the ruthless state a little humanity was detected and it gave us hope. Moreover, despite being thousands of miles away from home we were engaging directly with `the enemy` and helping to spread WOZA`s message on the ground in Zimbabwe.
In Zimbabwe now, WOZA is a powerful symbol of hope. `We have set ourselves up as a litmus test to prove that the power of love can conquer the love of power,` say the women, `Tough Love from the grassroots is the solution to the crisis of governance in Zimbabwe. Our rulers need some discipline; who better to dish it out than the women!` WOZA has staged more than 35 protests since they began campaigning in 2003 and over 1000 WOZA women have been arrested and imprisoned for their efforts. And still they keep going.

Reform or face Tough love – WOZA ultimatum to Mayor
BULAWAYO – Twenty members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) met The Mayor, Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube, last week as part of their ongoing campaign to defend their right to earn a living through informal trade.
They informed him that the women are unhappy with the Bulawayo City Council’s support for the oppressive Operation Murambatsvina “which is being conducted by a government at war with its own people”.
Members told the Mayor that council officials and police were harassing vendors, indiscriminately taking their goods and, in some instances, demanding bribes from the desperate vendors. A report was made by a woman from Njube who had her outside cooking area demolished by a council police officer some weeks ago. She had erected a temporary structure so as to cook outside during the frequent power cuts.
Members also asked for help as to how they could become legal vendors when the registration process had become politicised. Some have reported being asked to produce Zanu (PF) party cards before being processed for vending licences. “Although WOZA as an organisation deals with socio-economic issues rather than party political issues, in the current polarised climate in Zimbabwe, anyone perceived to criticise government policy is accused of being a member of an opposition party rather than a defender of rights,” explained a WOZA spokesman.
The Mayor made notes and promised to look into the issues raised by the women. He said the council had been a respondent in a successful High Court application wherein vendors were to be returned to their places of trade but Council was to erectstructures. He indicated that he had made a representation to Government requesting a temporary reprieve to allow trade whilst council seek funds to erect said structure. He was still hopeful of a sympathetic response from the Ministry as the High Court had ordered.
The meeting ended with the members of WOZA asking the Mayor to put an end to Council involvement in the activities of Operation Murambatsvina that are further burdening mothers who are hard pressed to educate and feed their children. The delegation delivered placards with messages sent by members. One read “Council officials you have tormented us enough! We are pushed to the limit!” Another said, “WOZA demand the right to earn a living – stop the looting by Council officials.”
The WOZA leadership has resolved to give the Mayor and Council one week to reform or face a dose of “Tough Love”.