Wendy New with Frances Charlton
PLUS
Supporting act Steve Rusznyak (Ex Nimbus member)
Saturday 1st July 8.30pm
Radium Beer Hall
Orange Grove
R40-00Cnr.
Louis Botha Ave & 9th Street
Call 728-3866 for bookings
Thursday, June 29, 2006
News
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
MWEB explains technical problems
HARARE - The following is a statement issued by the chief operating officer of MWEB Zimbabwe, Nikki Lear, in response to an article in The Zimbabwean last week: “MWEB Zimbabwe has asked The Zimbabwean to withdraw and apologise for a story published in its issue of June 22-28 headlined Cyberspace Blocked.
This story claims that MWEB has issued a statement inferring that the Government is interfering with its technology systems to monitor customer communications. This a complete misinterpretation of a statement to MWEB customers sent out last week in which an explanation was given for recent slow browsing speeds, attributing these to technical problems beyond its control. This original statement did not refer directly or indirectly to “interference” by the authorities and MWEB Zimbabwe is distressed and disappointed that its statement could be misinterpreted and that no comment or clarification was sought by the newspaper before the article was published.”
* We apologise unreservedly for the story, which had been received from one of our stringers inside Zimbabwe. - Editor
Walsall library group wins double award
WALSALL - The Black Reading Group which meets at Walsall Council’s Central library are in line for recognition after they published ‘Dis n Dat’ – a collection of their own work. Judges are to review the book for the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Both awards are given by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. The Kate Greenaway Medal, which carries a £5,000 prize, was established by The Library Association in 1955 for distinguished illustration in a book for children.
The Carnegie Medal, worth £500, is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children and was first awarded in 1936 and set up in memory of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie who also funded Walsall Central Library in Lichfield Street. –Staff reporter
NEDPP target a mirage as forex market slumps
HARARE - The stock market closed last week on a firm note as the market was driven by gains in Old Mutual and Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC). The rest of the market continued to experience mixed trading but the two counters masked the effect and this saw the industrial index putting on 7.2%.
The gain in the counters was driven by the 37% plunge in the parallel rate hardy a month after another 37% slump. With the NEDPP target of raising US$2.5 billion within the remaining 30 days fast becoming a mirage and this having been the barrier between the fair pricing of the currency in relation to developments on the inflation front over the last three months, the collapse was inevitable.
Speculative buying became rampant over the last month as the Greenback had effectively become cheap within Zimbabwe using purchasing power parity. The maturities on the money market had also released some funds into the market that would either find its way back on the money market or alternatives such as the stock market. With the performance of the stock market having been stifled this year the forex market became the only viable option. Other significant changes that occurred during the week were the scrapping of the 2-year treasury bills, the introduction of 30-day, 0% treasury bills and the reduction in statutory reserves.
The statutory reserves for banking institutions were reduced to 50% from 60%. The 10% however was not returned to the market but put into 1-year CPI-linked bonds. The punitive two-year Treasury bills closed at a rate of 375% before being scrapped. The form of penalising would become a 30-day Treasury bill at 0%.
The moves are unlikely to significantly improve the current liquidity position of the market but could indicate that the RBZ is becoming softer on its tight liquidity control measures as we approach the mid-term monetary and fiscal review statements due next month.
The top gain of the week was NMB, which gained 38% to $1800. The gain could be simply repricing or maybe the bank could have had some financial fortunes following the change in statutory reserves and the scrapping of the two-year paper. KINGDOM also put on 35% as the curtains came down on the rights offer. The results of the rights offer are to be published on Friday and they should be quite interesting. Also interesting to note is that the current CEO of KFHL will be reassigned into the regional operations.
COLCOM, which had stagnated over the last 5-months, gained 30% to $26,000. PPC put on 29% to $15.5 million while Old Mutual gained 28% to $900,000. The OM Implied Rate moved to $308,298.76/USD and thus there still is some upside.
FML put on 21% following the hotly disputed AGM and closed the week at the psychological level of $2000. TANGANDA advanced 21% to $40,000 following the publication of its interim results.
The top loss was PGI which was retracing back after a leap in the previous week. The stock shed 33% to $10,000. PIONEER also shed 33% to $1000. MEDTECH and BARCLAYS were quoted 21% weaker at $300 and $2300 respectively.
In minings, RIO ZIM held its 2 for 1 bonus issue. As anticipated given the inefficiency of the local market, the ex-bonus issue price was at a premium to the pre-bonus issue price. As a result the stock put on 30% to $475,000 ($1,425,000 pre-bonus issue). The movement carried the mining index as the other mining counters were either unchanged or quoted weaker.
Bus fares soar as fuel pumps run dry
BULAWAYO - Commuter omnibus operators are set to increase transport fares soon by 90 % to $150 000 a single trip following fuel price increases last week.
This is the second fare increase in less than a month after commuter operators raised fares from $50 000 to $80 000 citing high operational and fuel costs.
Since Friday most commuter operators have been charging $100 000 a single trip but indicated they would soon increase this to $150 000.
Garages in Bulawayo are selling a litre of petrol and diesel for $400 000-$450 000 a litre up from $300 000-$350 000 last Monday.
Despite the increase, most garages had virtually no fuel the whole week, leaving commuters stranded.
Bulawayo Transport Operators Association (BUTOWA) chairman, Francis Malunga said though they were yet to agree on new fares, $100 000 would see them operating at a loss.
“A trip for $100 000 only gives you $1.8 million yet 5 litres is more than $2.4 million. We do not know what to do as we are operating at a loss. The government is just quiet but arresting us for increasing fares yet everyone can see that the situation is bad…we have not met as an association to agree and finalise on new fares,” said Malunga.
Strike Ndlovu, Bulawayo Passenger Transport Association (BUPTA) chairman refused to talk to the press. He was once arrested for calling on operators to increase fares.
Cain Matema, the Governor and Resident Minister of Bulawayo Metropolitan province, who called for the arrest of operators charging $80 000, refused to comment. The latest fare increase comes at a time the government was yet to approve the $80 000 commuter fares. A fortnight ago, the Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) was granted permission by the police to stage demonstrations against $80 000 transport fares. But the demonstrations were flop. - CAJ News
Building boom for Byo
BULAWAYO – The City Council has approved building plans valued at $87.2 billion in April – more than the total it approved in the first quarter of 2006 ($72.8 billion).
Most of the development is concentrated in the low-density suburbs of Burnside, Matsheumhlope, Selborne Park and Suninghill where approved plans in totalled $29.5 billion, including a town house developed to be built in Matsheumhlope valued at $4.9 billion.
Plans valued at $26.4 billion were approved in Mahatshula, Killarney and Parklands.
Cowdray Park, which hosts Operation Hlalani Kuhle, dominated the building boom in the high density suburbs with plans valued at $5.7 billion being approved.
For the first time in years the approved plans also showed that developers were coming back into commerce and industry. Five industrial plans valued at $1.6 billion and seven commercial plans worth $8 billion were approved together with seven public works plans valued at $7.3 billion. – Staff reporter
US$20 million for farmers
MAPUTO – The World Bank is supporting Zimbabwe's white commercial farmers, who are now living in Mozambique after the Zanu (PF) government evicted them during the bloody 2000 land grab.
The Bank released a whopping US$20 million over the weekend to Mozambique for the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project in the Zambezi Valley aimed at boosting the country's food security, John Donaldson of the World Bank told CAJ News.
"Full debt cancellation approved for some of the world’s poorest countries has seen the Bank approve US$37 billion for multilateral debt relief," he said. - CAJ News
All roads lead to Sydenham
LONDON – Southern Africans will be heading to the 2006 Summer Fest this weekend, where CM Events has put together fun filled day, including a football tournament with teams from South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
There will also be a girls’ volleyball tournament and teams can be registered on the day. One of the highlights will be a Mini Market selling a wide range of products from the region.
There will be a special kids programme and Out Door Music will be provided by Joburg Project, WellyTee and Dj Paul (Deepbreath). – Venue Footsie Social Club next to Lower Sydenham Station, Adults £7 ; kids under 14 free.
Qabuka – focus on Zims in exile
LONDON - Qabuka - a unique Zimbabwean theatrical production at the Oval House Theatre - kicks off this Friday with a special premiere for Zimbabweans in the UK sponsored by The Zimbabwean.
Scheduled to run from 28 June – 15 July, Qabuka, by British playwright Ben Evans and his team at Full Frontal Theatre, features the personal stories of more than 100 Zimbabweans in exile.
The production is billed as: “A magical and exuberant look at the lives of Zimbabweans living in the UK. QABUKA is a timely and at times spontaneous show, made in response to current and changing events that affect those exiled.”- Box Office 020 7582 7680. For online booking and more information, check: www.ovalhouse.com
Jokonya dies
HARARE - Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya, 68, was found dead in his room at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare on Saturday morning, just a few hours before he was to meet with senior executives of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings to discuss major changes at the state broadcaster, including the consolidation of nine operating units.
Jokonya, a former envoy to the United Nations, was considered relatively moderate - despite his recent denunciation of locally-based foreign correspondents and private media. – Staff reporter.
Rioga remanded in custody
CAPE TOWN - Tinashe Rioga, appeared in a South African court last week on charges of attempted hijacking. The case was remanded in custody until July 26, when an application for bail will be heard.
Rioga was arrested when he allegedly tried to force his way into the cockpit of the aircraft on a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. He apparently wanted to divert the plane to Maputo in Mozambique. – Staff reported
Police launch Op ‘No going back’
HARARE – Desperate Zimbabwean police this week rounded up more than 100 foreign currency dealers as authorities battled to suppress a booming parallel market where the greenback hit an all-time high of Z$410 000 against the increasingly worthless Zimdollar.
Most of the arrests were made at the Roadport bus station in central Harare where buses from the region arrive and depart."We have been conducting raids on a daily basis on the spots that are prominent in foreign currency deals like Roadport and we have undercover officers that are stationed at these areas," police spokesperson Andrew Phiri said. "We can confirm that to date 134 arrests have been made."
Zimbabwean police recently launched a new blitz to enforce a ban on street vendors, touts and black marketeers in the city centre. Dubbed Operation No Going Back, this is a follow-up to Operation Murambatzvina, launched one year ago that also saw the demolition of houses, cottages and backyard shacks across the country and the arrest of tens of thousands of traders. The UN roundly condemned the operation. - CAJ News
Makwavarara takes control
HARARE - Sekesayi Makwavarara, the unelected chair of the Harare Commission is reportedly trying to oust the town clerk, Nomutsa Chideya, and has assumed executive control of the council.
With the full knowledge of the minister of local government, Ignatius Chombo and Harare Metropolitan Resident minister, David Karimanzira, Makwavarara has banned commission, committee and heads of department meetings and directed that all matters be sent to her office.
She has denied press reports that she wants to get rid of Chideya, who has apparently been accused of leaking information to the press. Makwavarara hit the headlines recently when she tried to sell herself a municipal dwelling at a fraction of its market price, and spent unauthorised billions of dollars of the cash-strapped council’s money to buy herself a satellite dish, furniture and personal groceries. – Staff reporter
Travel ban to stay
LONDON - The European Union and the United States pledged last week to maintain personal travel and monetary bans on President Robert Mugabe and his top Zanu (PF) officials in an effort to bring about the rule of law and respect for human rights and democracy.
The travel restrictions affect about 120 individuals who are banned from travelling in the EU and the US. Private assets in their names are supposed to be frozen, but up to now not one has had any assets found as they are hidden in the accounts of their children and other relatives.
Mugabe’s propaganda machinery persists in claiming that these restrictions are illegal ‘sanctions’ against Zimbabwe and are responsible for the economic collapse of the country.
His critics say that the alarming economic meltdown is solely due to poor governance, political repression and the corruption-riddled ‘land reform programme’ that destabilised agriculture, sending food production tumbling by about 60 percent.
However, the European leaders are not all united on this. According to diplomatic sources, some countries such as France, are putting pressure on the others to give the Mugabe regime an international platform. A few years ago, the French were criticised for inviting Mugabe to attend a Franco-African Summit in Paris in breach of the travel ban. – Staff reporter
Bredenkamp denies reports
HARARE – Zimbabwean business tycoon John Bredenkamp has denied reports he has fled Zimbabwe after government opened full-scale investigations into his business empire on allegations of economic crimes.
Bredenkamp, who has a wide range of mining and tobacco interests in Zimbabwe, is rumoured to be linked to top ruling party politicians, including former speaker of parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa. Unlike other prominent white businessmen he has been spared from scrutiny until now.
The tycoon, ranked the 33rd richest businessman in the UK did confirm that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had recently ‘made enquiries’ into his businesses.
Reports suggested he was being investigated by the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI), a little-known body that appears to be part of Zimbabwe's newly-launched drive against corruption. – CAJ News
Police disrupt funeral
BUHERA - Armed police disrupted the funeral of the MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai’s father here last week. About 1000 mourners had gathered to pay their last respects to Dzingai Tsvangirai (78), some of them sporting MDC t-shirts and bandanas.
During the funeral service, a truck-load of policemen, some of them carrying guns and tear-gas canisters, arrived and ordered the mourners to remove their party regalia and stop shouting party slogans.
Tsvangirai was in the process of thanking the people for sharing the loss of his father with him and his family. He carried on talking and said he did not know what business the police had coming there. However he welcomed them, as they were supposed to be "everybody's" police.
The police demanded to know why official permission to hold a “meeting” had not been sought.
An angry exchange took place between some members of parliament and the police, who eventually backed down when they could not explain which section of the Public Order and Security Act had been violated. Tsvangirai was visibly upset by the invasion of his family’s privacy. – Own correspondent
Studio 7 jammed in new assault on independent media
By a Correspondent
HARARE – Media monitors in the week June 12-18 were able to hear just one broadcast by the independent Studio 7. The rest were “suffocated by a steady droning sound similar to that used to jam SW Radio Africa and Radio Voice of the People frequencies last year,” the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) said.
Thus the Robert Mugabe regime stepped up its tactics of seeking to muzzle and intimidate independent media and restrict Zimbabweans to a stream of propaganda and distortions put out by the state-run media.
MMPZ said that while the authorities denied jamming Studio 7, independent broadcasting experts said the jamming signal came from Thornhill air base near Gweru using equipment of Chinese origin.
Condemning what it termed this “totalitarian tyranny of thought,” the media monitors said the latest jamming, combined with the proposed snoopers' charter allowing interference with private mail and internet communications, represented the “final steps in the total control of all information received by Zimbabweans”.
On top of all that, the authorities announced plans to reappoint the notorious chairman of the state's Media and Information Commission, Tafataona Mahoso, under whom five newspapers have been closed and no independent privately owned broadcasting stations have been allowed to operate. “He has government support,” said Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga.
Nothing new in that. Nor was there anything fresh about the state media's attempt to divert attention from the dire state of the economy by hyping alleged business deals, mostly with China, with no attempt to assess the value or differentiate between any actual signings and rhetoric. Thus a visit to China by Vice President Joyce Mujuru was covered with regurgitations of empty official pronouncements. These included Zimbabwe being poised for increased foreign investment “as the Look East policy begins to show results.”
First prize for the most meaningless pronouncement of the week must go to the state-run Herald. It quoted Mujuru as saying: “Within the next 60 days something must be done. We should be at it.” Another good one by The Herald was depicting a Mugabe visit to Beitbridge as part of the latest economic revival plan.
But the private press, MMPZ said, remained unimpressed both with the China visit and the management of the economy.
The Financial Gazette described the Mujuru visit as “ill-fated” and yielding a “pathetic US$6 million.” The Zimbabwe Independent said that a state plan to set up with Chinese help a coal-powered electricity generation plant in the Zambezi Valley would go the way of at least 10 other stalled schemes, including the Batoka Gorge hydro-electricity plant and the Sengwa thermal plant. The Sunday Mirror poured more cold water on the state media hype, saying Zimbabwean exports to China had declined drastically from over US$1 billion in 2003 to US$1.8 million in 2005.
On the land chaos, the state media recorded three incidents of farm evictions perpetrated by Zanu (PF) leaders against white commercial farmers or newly resettled black ones but, said MMPZ, “failed to view them as a reflection of the chaos bedevilling agriculture.”
The private papers, however, continued to blame the agricultural chaos squarely on the regime's policies.
“For example, The Financial Gazette castigated government for failing to put an end to corruption, multiple-farm ownership and illegal seizures of farms and equipment by senior government officials,” said MMPZ.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
MWEB explains technical problems
HARARE - The following is a statement issued by the chief operating officer of MWEB Zimbabwe, Nikki Lear, in response to an article in The Zimbabwean last week: “MWEB Zimbabwe has asked The Zimbabwean to withdraw and apologise for a story published in its issue of June 22-28 headlined Cyberspace Blocked.
This story claims that MWEB has issued a statement inferring that the Government is interfering with its technology systems to monitor customer communications. This a complete misinterpretation of a statement to MWEB customers sent out last week in which an explanation was given for recent slow browsing speeds, attributing these to technical problems beyond its control. This original statement did not refer directly or indirectly to “interference” by the authorities and MWEB Zimbabwe is distressed and disappointed that its statement could be misinterpreted and that no comment or clarification was sought by the newspaper before the article was published.”
* We apologise unreservedly for the story, which had been received from one of our stringers inside Zimbabwe. - Editor
Walsall library group wins double award
WALSALL - The Black Reading Group which meets at Walsall Council’s Central library are in line for recognition after they published ‘Dis n Dat’ – a collection of their own work. Judges are to review the book for the Carnegie Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal.
Both awards are given by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. The Kate Greenaway Medal, which carries a £5,000 prize, was established by The Library Association in 1955 for distinguished illustration in a book for children.
The Carnegie Medal, worth £500, is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children and was first awarded in 1936 and set up in memory of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie who also funded Walsall Central Library in Lichfield Street. –Staff reporter
NEDPP target a mirage as forex market slumps
HARARE - The stock market closed last week on a firm note as the market was driven by gains in Old Mutual and Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC). The rest of the market continued to experience mixed trading but the two counters masked the effect and this saw the industrial index putting on 7.2%.
The gain in the counters was driven by the 37% plunge in the parallel rate hardy a month after another 37% slump. With the NEDPP target of raising US$2.5 billion within the remaining 30 days fast becoming a mirage and this having been the barrier between the fair pricing of the currency in relation to developments on the inflation front over the last three months, the collapse was inevitable.
Speculative buying became rampant over the last month as the Greenback had effectively become cheap within Zimbabwe using purchasing power parity. The maturities on the money market had also released some funds into the market that would either find its way back on the money market or alternatives such as the stock market. With the performance of the stock market having been stifled this year the forex market became the only viable option. Other significant changes that occurred during the week were the scrapping of the 2-year treasury bills, the introduction of 30-day, 0% treasury bills and the reduction in statutory reserves.
The statutory reserves for banking institutions were reduced to 50% from 60%. The 10% however was not returned to the market but put into 1-year CPI-linked bonds. The punitive two-year Treasury bills closed at a rate of 375% before being scrapped. The form of penalising would become a 30-day Treasury bill at 0%.
The moves are unlikely to significantly improve the current liquidity position of the market but could indicate that the RBZ is becoming softer on its tight liquidity control measures as we approach the mid-term monetary and fiscal review statements due next month.
The top gain of the week was NMB, which gained 38% to $1800. The gain could be simply repricing or maybe the bank could have had some financial fortunes following the change in statutory reserves and the scrapping of the two-year paper. KINGDOM also put on 35% as the curtains came down on the rights offer. The results of the rights offer are to be published on Friday and they should be quite interesting. Also interesting to note is that the current CEO of KFHL will be reassigned into the regional operations.
COLCOM, which had stagnated over the last 5-months, gained 30% to $26,000. PPC put on 29% to $15.5 million while Old Mutual gained 28% to $900,000. The OM Implied Rate moved to $308,298.76/USD and thus there still is some upside.
FML put on 21% following the hotly disputed AGM and closed the week at the psychological level of $2000. TANGANDA advanced 21% to $40,000 following the publication of its interim results.
The top loss was PGI which was retracing back after a leap in the previous week. The stock shed 33% to $10,000. PIONEER also shed 33% to $1000. MEDTECH and BARCLAYS were quoted 21% weaker at $300 and $2300 respectively.
In minings, RIO ZIM held its 2 for 1 bonus issue. As anticipated given the inefficiency of the local market, the ex-bonus issue price was at a premium to the pre-bonus issue price. As a result the stock put on 30% to $475,000 ($1,425,000 pre-bonus issue). The movement carried the mining index as the other mining counters were either unchanged or quoted weaker.
Bus fares soar as fuel pumps run dry
BULAWAYO - Commuter omnibus operators are set to increase transport fares soon by 90 % to $150 000 a single trip following fuel price increases last week.
This is the second fare increase in less than a month after commuter operators raised fares from $50 000 to $80 000 citing high operational and fuel costs.
Since Friday most commuter operators have been charging $100 000 a single trip but indicated they would soon increase this to $150 000.
Garages in Bulawayo are selling a litre of petrol and diesel for $400 000-$450 000 a litre up from $300 000-$350 000 last Monday.
Despite the increase, most garages had virtually no fuel the whole week, leaving commuters stranded.
Bulawayo Transport Operators Association (BUTOWA) chairman, Francis Malunga said though they were yet to agree on new fares, $100 000 would see them operating at a loss.
“A trip for $100 000 only gives you $1.8 million yet 5 litres is more than $2.4 million. We do not know what to do as we are operating at a loss. The government is just quiet but arresting us for increasing fares yet everyone can see that the situation is bad…we have not met as an association to agree and finalise on new fares,” said Malunga.
Strike Ndlovu, Bulawayo Passenger Transport Association (BUPTA) chairman refused to talk to the press. He was once arrested for calling on operators to increase fares.
Cain Matema, the Governor and Resident Minister of Bulawayo Metropolitan province, who called for the arrest of operators charging $80 000, refused to comment. The latest fare increase comes at a time the government was yet to approve the $80 000 commuter fares. A fortnight ago, the Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA) was granted permission by the police to stage demonstrations against $80 000 transport fares. But the demonstrations were flop. - CAJ News
Building boom for Byo
BULAWAYO – The City Council has approved building plans valued at $87.2 billion in April – more than the total it approved in the first quarter of 2006 ($72.8 billion).
Most of the development is concentrated in the low-density suburbs of Burnside, Matsheumhlope, Selborne Park and Suninghill where approved plans in totalled $29.5 billion, including a town house developed to be built in Matsheumhlope valued at $4.9 billion.
Plans valued at $26.4 billion were approved in Mahatshula, Killarney and Parklands.
Cowdray Park, which hosts Operation Hlalani Kuhle, dominated the building boom in the high density suburbs with plans valued at $5.7 billion being approved.
For the first time in years the approved plans also showed that developers were coming back into commerce and industry. Five industrial plans valued at $1.6 billion and seven commercial plans worth $8 billion were approved together with seven public works plans valued at $7.3 billion. – Staff reporter
US$20 million for farmers
MAPUTO – The World Bank is supporting Zimbabwe's white commercial farmers, who are now living in Mozambique after the Zanu (PF) government evicted them during the bloody 2000 land grab.
The Bank released a whopping US$20 million over the weekend to Mozambique for the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project in the Zambezi Valley aimed at boosting the country's food security, John Donaldson of the World Bank told CAJ News.
"Full debt cancellation approved for some of the world’s poorest countries has seen the Bank approve US$37 billion for multilateral debt relief," he said. - CAJ News
All roads lead to Sydenham
LONDON – Southern Africans will be heading to the 2006 Summer Fest this weekend, where CM Events has put together fun filled day, including a football tournament with teams from South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.
There will also be a girls’ volleyball tournament and teams can be registered on the day. One of the highlights will be a Mini Market selling a wide range of products from the region.
There will be a special kids programme and Out Door Music will be provided by Joburg Project, WellyTee and Dj Paul (Deepbreath). – Venue Footsie Social Club next to Lower Sydenham Station, Adults £7 ; kids under 14 free.
Qabuka – focus on Zims in exile
LONDON - Qabuka - a unique Zimbabwean theatrical production at the Oval House Theatre - kicks off this Friday with a special premiere for Zimbabweans in the UK sponsored by The Zimbabwean.
Scheduled to run from 28 June – 15 July, Qabuka, by British playwright Ben Evans and his team at Full Frontal Theatre, features the personal stories of more than 100 Zimbabweans in exile.
The production is billed as: “A magical and exuberant look at the lives of Zimbabweans living in the UK. QABUKA is a timely and at times spontaneous show, made in response to current and changing events that affect those exiled.”- Box Office 020 7582 7680. For online booking and more information, check: www.ovalhouse.com
Jokonya dies
HARARE - Information Minister Tichaona Jokonya, 68, was found dead in his room at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare on Saturday morning, just a few hours before he was to meet with senior executives of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings to discuss major changes at the state broadcaster, including the consolidation of nine operating units.
Jokonya, a former envoy to the United Nations, was considered relatively moderate - despite his recent denunciation of locally-based foreign correspondents and private media. – Staff reporter.
Rioga remanded in custody
CAPE TOWN - Tinashe Rioga, appeared in a South African court last week on charges of attempted hijacking. The case was remanded in custody until July 26, when an application for bail will be heard.
Rioga was arrested when he allegedly tried to force his way into the cockpit of the aircraft on a flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg. He apparently wanted to divert the plane to Maputo in Mozambique. – Staff reported
Police launch Op ‘No going back’
HARARE – Desperate Zimbabwean police this week rounded up more than 100 foreign currency dealers as authorities battled to suppress a booming parallel market where the greenback hit an all-time high of Z$410 000 against the increasingly worthless Zimdollar.
Most of the arrests were made at the Roadport bus station in central Harare where buses from the region arrive and depart."We have been conducting raids on a daily basis on the spots that are prominent in foreign currency deals like Roadport and we have undercover officers that are stationed at these areas," police spokesperson Andrew Phiri said. "We can confirm that to date 134 arrests have been made."
Zimbabwean police recently launched a new blitz to enforce a ban on street vendors, touts and black marketeers in the city centre. Dubbed Operation No Going Back, this is a follow-up to Operation Murambatzvina, launched one year ago that also saw the demolition of houses, cottages and backyard shacks across the country and the arrest of tens of thousands of traders. The UN roundly condemned the operation. - CAJ News
Makwavarara takes control
HARARE - Sekesayi Makwavarara, the unelected chair of the Harare Commission is reportedly trying to oust the town clerk, Nomutsa Chideya, and has assumed executive control of the council.
With the full knowledge of the minister of local government, Ignatius Chombo and Harare Metropolitan Resident minister, David Karimanzira, Makwavarara has banned commission, committee and heads of department meetings and directed that all matters be sent to her office.
She has denied press reports that she wants to get rid of Chideya, who has apparently been accused of leaking information to the press. Makwavarara hit the headlines recently when she tried to sell herself a municipal dwelling at a fraction of its market price, and spent unauthorised billions of dollars of the cash-strapped council’s money to buy herself a satellite dish, furniture and personal groceries. – Staff reporter
Travel ban to stay
LONDON - The European Union and the United States pledged last week to maintain personal travel and monetary bans on President Robert Mugabe and his top Zanu (PF) officials in an effort to bring about the rule of law and respect for human rights and democracy.
The travel restrictions affect about 120 individuals who are banned from travelling in the EU and the US. Private assets in their names are supposed to be frozen, but up to now not one has had any assets found as they are hidden in the accounts of their children and other relatives.
Mugabe’s propaganda machinery persists in claiming that these restrictions are illegal ‘sanctions’ against Zimbabwe and are responsible for the economic collapse of the country.
His critics say that the alarming economic meltdown is solely due to poor governance, political repression and the corruption-riddled ‘land reform programme’ that destabilised agriculture, sending food production tumbling by about 60 percent.
However, the European leaders are not all united on this. According to diplomatic sources, some countries such as France, are putting pressure on the others to give the Mugabe regime an international platform. A few years ago, the French were criticised for inviting Mugabe to attend a Franco-African Summit in Paris in breach of the travel ban. – Staff reporter
Bredenkamp denies reports
HARARE – Zimbabwean business tycoon John Bredenkamp has denied reports he has fled Zimbabwe after government opened full-scale investigations into his business empire on allegations of economic crimes.
Bredenkamp, who has a wide range of mining and tobacco interests in Zimbabwe, is rumoured to be linked to top ruling party politicians, including former speaker of parliament Emmerson Mnangagwa. Unlike other prominent white businessmen he has been spared from scrutiny until now.
The tycoon, ranked the 33rd richest businessman in the UK did confirm that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had recently ‘made enquiries’ into his businesses.
Reports suggested he was being investigated by the National Economic Conduct Inspectorate (NECI), a little-known body that appears to be part of Zimbabwe's newly-launched drive against corruption. – CAJ News
Police disrupt funeral
BUHERA - Armed police disrupted the funeral of the MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai’s father here last week. About 1000 mourners had gathered to pay their last respects to Dzingai Tsvangirai (78), some of them sporting MDC t-shirts and bandanas.
During the funeral service, a truck-load of policemen, some of them carrying guns and tear-gas canisters, arrived and ordered the mourners to remove their party regalia and stop shouting party slogans.
Tsvangirai was in the process of thanking the people for sharing the loss of his father with him and his family. He carried on talking and said he did not know what business the police had coming there. However he welcomed them, as they were supposed to be "everybody's" police.
The police demanded to know why official permission to hold a “meeting” had not been sought.
An angry exchange took place between some members of parliament and the police, who eventually backed down when they could not explain which section of the Public Order and Security Act had been violated. Tsvangirai was visibly upset by the invasion of his family’s privacy. – Own correspondent
Studio 7 jammed in new assault on independent media
By a Correspondent
HARARE – Media monitors in the week June 12-18 were able to hear just one broadcast by the independent Studio 7. The rest were “suffocated by a steady droning sound similar to that used to jam SW Radio Africa and Radio Voice of the People frequencies last year,” the Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ) said.
Thus the Robert Mugabe regime stepped up its tactics of seeking to muzzle and intimidate independent media and restrict Zimbabweans to a stream of propaganda and distortions put out by the state-run media.
MMPZ said that while the authorities denied jamming Studio 7, independent broadcasting experts said the jamming signal came from Thornhill air base near Gweru using equipment of Chinese origin.
Condemning what it termed this “totalitarian tyranny of thought,” the media monitors said the latest jamming, combined with the proposed snoopers' charter allowing interference with private mail and internet communications, represented the “final steps in the total control of all information received by Zimbabweans”.
On top of all that, the authorities announced plans to reappoint the notorious chairman of the state's Media and Information Commission, Tafataona Mahoso, under whom five newspapers have been closed and no independent privately owned broadcasting stations have been allowed to operate. “He has government support,” said Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga.
Nothing new in that. Nor was there anything fresh about the state media's attempt to divert attention from the dire state of the economy by hyping alleged business deals, mostly with China, with no attempt to assess the value or differentiate between any actual signings and rhetoric. Thus a visit to China by Vice President Joyce Mujuru was covered with regurgitations of empty official pronouncements. These included Zimbabwe being poised for increased foreign investment “as the Look East policy begins to show results.”
First prize for the most meaningless pronouncement of the week must go to the state-run Herald. It quoted Mujuru as saying: “Within the next 60 days something must be done. We should be at it.” Another good one by The Herald was depicting a Mugabe visit to Beitbridge as part of the latest economic revival plan.
But the private press, MMPZ said, remained unimpressed both with the China visit and the management of the economy.
The Financial Gazette described the Mujuru visit as “ill-fated” and yielding a “pathetic US$6 million.” The Zimbabwe Independent said that a state plan to set up with Chinese help a coal-powered electricity generation plant in the Zambezi Valley would go the way of at least 10 other stalled schemes, including the Batoka Gorge hydro-electricity plant and the Sengwa thermal plant. The Sunday Mirror poured more cold water on the state media hype, saying Zimbabwean exports to China had declined drastically from over US$1 billion in 2003 to US$1.8 million in 2005.
On the land chaos, the state media recorded three incidents of farm evictions perpetrated by Zanu (PF) leaders against white commercial farmers or newly resettled black ones but, said MMPZ, “failed to view them as a reflection of the chaos bedevilling agriculture.”
The private papers, however, continued to blame the agricultural chaos squarely on the regime's policies.
“For example, The Financial Gazette castigated government for failing to put an end to corruption, multiple-farm ownership and illegal seizures of farms and equipment by senior government officials,” said MMPZ.
Sports
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Masomere selects Olympic squad
JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwe Under-23 Coach, Luke “Vahombe” Masomere is set to announce his 18-member squad for the 2008 Olympic Games scheduled for China, CAJ News established.
Masomere told CAJ News this week that he assessed quite a number of genuine under-23 players so that he prepares them ahead of the 2008 games.
“I will be announcing my squad shortly this week. I have a list of the young players whom I feel would represent the country quite well. I am not going to accept a situation where over-aged players are co-opted into my squad. I need to qualify for the games with the right players,” said Masomere.
The Masvingo United head coach said he was happy with the support he was getting from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and promised to do his level best to uplift the nation’s standard of football at the forthcoming Olympic Games in China.
“I have travelled around the country to identify talent, and I am pleased to say the right youngsters have been found,” he said.
Masomere, is rated as one of the best coaches in Zimbabwe after taking AmaZulu Football Club to their first ever premiership title in 2003, guiding Dynamos to three cup titles and Masdvingo United to four trophies respectively, a record the national team coach, Charles Mhlauri is yet to achieve. - CAJ News
Bosso to bolster squad
HARARE - Premier Soccer League giants, Highlanders, have gone on the market in a bid to buy at least four quality players to replace their stars who are set to join different South African clubs in July.Highlanders, who have been in devastating form this season, seem resigned to losing inform midfielders, Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni and goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.
The three have been solidly behind Highlanders’ lighting start to the season in which they won 10 matches in a row and lost just once.
Both Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibanda and coach Methembe Ndlovu have pointed out publicly that they will have to use the cheque book to strengthen their team.
A top Highlanders official, said Bosso had actually started persuading a number of players to join them.“We are busy in the market searching for players. What we have done is that the coach has identified a list of players he wants and if we get three of them we will be fine. So far we are happy with what we have done because a number of players are interested. What is left is for us to agree transfer fees with the clubs and also sort out personal terms with the players concerned,” said the official, without revealing names.
But ZimOnline understands that Highlanders are after Hwange midfielder, Carrington Gomba, Chapungu’s Phillip Marufu, Dynamos’ Evans Gwekwerere, CAPS United goalkeeper, Tsungi Mudzamiri and Monomotapa striker, Heavens Chinyama among a list of 10.
Sibanda, the Highlanders chairman has reportedly told his coaching staff that he has the resources for them to acquire any player in the country. Highlanders are after the championship, which has been won by CAPS over the past two seasons. - ZimOnline
Hick joins elite band
BY JOHN HUGHES LONDON -
Graeme Hick, the 40-year-old Zimbabwe legend, has joined an elite band of batsmen who have scored 100 first-class centuries for one English county. He became the eighth cricketer and only the second since World War 2 to achieve the feat when he scored 139 in Worcestershire's home Championship victory over Northants.
The other seven are Jack Hobbs (Surrey), Phil Mead (Hampshire), Walter Hammond (Gloucestershire), Patsy Hendren (Middlesex) and the Yorkshire trio of Herbert Sutcliffe, Frank Woolley and Geoff Boycott.
Harare-born Hick, now in his 23rd season with Worcestershire, launched a marathon top-class career with Zimbabwe in 1983--he represented his homeland for three seasons--and went on to play for England in 65 Tests and 120 one-day internationals. He totals just on 50,000 runs in all cricket.
Two other Zimbabwe stars have bounced back to run-scoring form. Murray Goodwin hit 235 in Sussex's demolition of Yorkshire at picturesque Arundel, while Andy Flower top-scored for Essex with 84 in an eight-wicket win at Derby. Dale Benkenstein played a key all-round role in Durham's surprise defeat of Hampshire at Southampton. The former South Africa limited-overs international from Harare was highest scorer with 61 in Durham's second innings, then took 3-16 as Hampshire collapsed from 71-1 to 104 all out.
Another top Zimbabwean, Sean Ervine, is out of Hampshire's Twenty20 Cup campaign that started this week. The all-rounder is troubled by the left knee, which was operated on at the end of last season. Michael Vaughan, the Yorkshire and England captain, has a similar problem and is back on the sidelines after scoring just 14 and 4 against Sussex and being unable to field.
Lancashire and Sussex will clash in the final of the C&G Trophy at Lord's on August 26.
Yohane quits Wits
JOHANNESBURG - Warriors defender-cum-linkman, Charles Yohane quits Wits University Football Club on Friday to join FC-AK, after guiding the university team back to the premiership.
In an interview with CAJ News, Yohane said his contract expired on 30 June, 2006.
“FC-AK, formerly Mabophane Football Club made me an offer I cannot resist,” he said.
FC-AK plays in division one of the Mvela Golden League.
“With FC-AK, I am happy and I have no complaints. I am leaving Wits FC a happy man because I guided them back to the premiership,” said Yohane.
The Wits Captain said he was hoping to guide FC-AK to the premiership next season.
Other Zimbabweans players in the South African premiership league include Peter Ndlovu, Zvenyika Makones, Edelbert Dinha, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Esrom Nyandoro, Edzayi Kasinauyo, Wilfreewd Mugeyi, William Mugeyi, Innocent Chikoya, Tinashe Nengomashe, Eddie Mashiri and Dumisani Mpofu. - CAJ News
TZ youths shine in Malawi
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Tennis (TZ) youths performed impressively in both the Under-13 boys and girls circuit tournament in Malawi over the weekend.
According to Tanya Chinamo, the Tennis Zimbabwe Press Liaison Officer, the boys and girls did well to lift the country’s flag high.
“Amanda won the first two tournaments beating Valerie Bhunu in the final on both occasions. The boys managed to reach the final of both tournaments in the singles and doubles. Tendai Tapfuma reached the semi finals of the singles in the first tournament and the second round in the second tourney. Matingo reached the quarter finals of the first tournament and the second round of the second tourney,” said Chinamo. - CAJ News
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Masomere selects Olympic squad
JOHANNESBURG - Zimbabwe Under-23 Coach, Luke “Vahombe” Masomere is set to announce his 18-member squad for the 2008 Olympic Games scheduled for China, CAJ News established.
Masomere told CAJ News this week that he assessed quite a number of genuine under-23 players so that he prepares them ahead of the 2008 games.
“I will be announcing my squad shortly this week. I have a list of the young players whom I feel would represent the country quite well. I am not going to accept a situation where over-aged players are co-opted into my squad. I need to qualify for the games with the right players,” said Masomere.
The Masvingo United head coach said he was happy with the support he was getting from the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and promised to do his level best to uplift the nation’s standard of football at the forthcoming Olympic Games in China.
“I have travelled around the country to identify talent, and I am pleased to say the right youngsters have been found,” he said.
Masomere, is rated as one of the best coaches in Zimbabwe after taking AmaZulu Football Club to their first ever premiership title in 2003, guiding Dynamos to three cup titles and Masdvingo United to four trophies respectively, a record the national team coach, Charles Mhlauri is yet to achieve. - CAJ News
Bosso to bolster squad
HARARE - Premier Soccer League giants, Highlanders, have gone on the market in a bid to buy at least four quality players to replace their stars who are set to join different South African clubs in July.Highlanders, who have been in devastating form this season, seem resigned to losing inform midfielders, Honour Gombami and Vusa Nyoni and goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini.
The three have been solidly behind Highlanders’ lighting start to the season in which they won 10 matches in a row and lost just once.
Both Highlanders chairman Ernest Sibanda and coach Methembe Ndlovu have pointed out publicly that they will have to use the cheque book to strengthen their team.
A top Highlanders official, said Bosso had actually started persuading a number of players to join them.“We are busy in the market searching for players. What we have done is that the coach has identified a list of players he wants and if we get three of them we will be fine. So far we are happy with what we have done because a number of players are interested. What is left is for us to agree transfer fees with the clubs and also sort out personal terms with the players concerned,” said the official, without revealing names.
But ZimOnline understands that Highlanders are after Hwange midfielder, Carrington Gomba, Chapungu’s Phillip Marufu, Dynamos’ Evans Gwekwerere, CAPS United goalkeeper, Tsungi Mudzamiri and Monomotapa striker, Heavens Chinyama among a list of 10.
Sibanda, the Highlanders chairman has reportedly told his coaching staff that he has the resources for them to acquire any player in the country. Highlanders are after the championship, which has been won by CAPS over the past two seasons. - ZimOnline
Hick joins elite band
BY JOHN HUGHES LONDON -
Graeme Hick, the 40-year-old Zimbabwe legend, has joined an elite band of batsmen who have scored 100 first-class centuries for one English county. He became the eighth cricketer and only the second since World War 2 to achieve the feat when he scored 139 in Worcestershire's home Championship victory over Northants.
The other seven are Jack Hobbs (Surrey), Phil Mead (Hampshire), Walter Hammond (Gloucestershire), Patsy Hendren (Middlesex) and the Yorkshire trio of Herbert Sutcliffe, Frank Woolley and Geoff Boycott.
Harare-born Hick, now in his 23rd season with Worcestershire, launched a marathon top-class career with Zimbabwe in 1983--he represented his homeland for three seasons--and went on to play for England in 65 Tests and 120 one-day internationals. He totals just on 50,000 runs in all cricket.
Two other Zimbabwe stars have bounced back to run-scoring form. Murray Goodwin hit 235 in Sussex's demolition of Yorkshire at picturesque Arundel, while Andy Flower top-scored for Essex with 84 in an eight-wicket win at Derby. Dale Benkenstein played a key all-round role in Durham's surprise defeat of Hampshire at Southampton. The former South Africa limited-overs international from Harare was highest scorer with 61 in Durham's second innings, then took 3-16 as Hampshire collapsed from 71-1 to 104 all out.
Another top Zimbabwean, Sean Ervine, is out of Hampshire's Twenty20 Cup campaign that started this week. The all-rounder is troubled by the left knee, which was operated on at the end of last season. Michael Vaughan, the Yorkshire and England captain, has a similar problem and is back on the sidelines after scoring just 14 and 4 against Sussex and being unable to field.
Lancashire and Sussex will clash in the final of the C&G Trophy at Lord's on August 26.
Yohane quits Wits
JOHANNESBURG - Warriors defender-cum-linkman, Charles Yohane quits Wits University Football Club on Friday to join FC-AK, after guiding the university team back to the premiership.
In an interview with CAJ News, Yohane said his contract expired on 30 June, 2006.
“FC-AK, formerly Mabophane Football Club made me an offer I cannot resist,” he said.
FC-AK plays in division one of the Mvela Golden League.
“With FC-AK, I am happy and I have no complaints. I am leaving Wits FC a happy man because I guided them back to the premiership,” said Yohane.
The Wits Captain said he was hoping to guide FC-AK to the premiership next season.
Other Zimbabweans players in the South African premiership league include Peter Ndlovu, Zvenyika Makones, Edelbert Dinha, Bekithemba Ndlovu, Esrom Nyandoro, Edzayi Kasinauyo, Wilfreewd Mugeyi, William Mugeyi, Innocent Chikoya, Tinashe Nengomashe, Eddie Mashiri and Dumisani Mpofu. - CAJ News
TZ youths shine in Malawi
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Tennis (TZ) youths performed impressively in both the Under-13 boys and girls circuit tournament in Malawi over the weekend.
According to Tanya Chinamo, the Tennis Zimbabwe Press Liaison Officer, the boys and girls did well to lift the country’s flag high.
“Amanda won the first two tournaments beating Valerie Bhunu in the final on both occasions. The boys managed to reach the final of both tournaments in the singles and doubles. Tendai Tapfuma reached the semi finals of the singles in the first tournament and the second round in the second tourney. Matingo reached the quarter finals of the first tournament and the second round of the second tourney,” said Chinamo. - CAJ News
Tourism
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Sundowners and Sunsets
The challenges facing the Zimbabwe tourism industry became quite apparent again following the last few weeks’ wrangle between the Zanu (PF) Chairperson and a Bulawayo businessman over a lodge that was on a formerly white-owned farm. Anyone following the debacle, that apparently saw four tourists being told to pack their bags by the ZRP, will be left wondering if lodges on such appropriated properties are now legitimately in the hands of their new owners, and whether or not it is safe to travel in Zimbabwe.
The answers to these questions we do not know. What is for certain is that there are long-suffering legitimate operators and venue owners who have endeavoured to keep going in the face of immense challenges. They really need the support of those in the Diaspora who go home on holiday in order to keep going. Failing this, they will not survive and it will not be long before there is no-one left to showcase what is arguably the most beautiful and diverse country in the region.
This week the Venues4Africa.com team has decided to focus on Lake Kariba and its majestic houseboats, which hopefully should not be in any danger of being declared a farm implement and thus being expropriated for redistribution. Kariba lake is dotted with islands and fringed by mountains and spans nearly 300 kilometres. Visitors to Kariba can enjoy the unique privilege of viewing the abundant wildlife not just a from tour bus, hotel or safari lodge, but from the tranquillity of a houseboat on the water itself. Elephant, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, duiker, leopard, jackal, impala, kudu, zebra and even the occasional rhino can all be seen from the extraordinary vantage point of a houseboat’s sundeck, where spectacular sunsets are also guaranteed.
While Zambia is fast realising the huge tourism potential the lake has to offer, Zimbabwe still remains the country of choice when planning a houseboat trip. At Venues4Africa.com we have over 60 boats available for charter with the majority conveniently moored at Marineland Harbour, which is central and easily accessible. Fuel is readily available and the only major concern, as any Zimbabwean will tell you, is whether or not there is sufficient ice! rian@venues4africa.com; Venues4Africa.com
Houseboat of the Month - Utopia is on Kariba!
Utopia is a well-maintained mono-hull vessel which has been cruising the waters of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe for the past 10 years. The boat comfortably takes 12 people and comes highly recommended for its neat finishes and friendly staff. There are four cabins situated below deck, all with portholes, and above deck there are four different levels. The closest deck to the water is the Bermuda Deck where the tender boats are secured and clients can fish from. There is also a cold water shower and basin where one can cool off during the hot lazy days on the water. Most of the meals are served on the next level, the Lounge Deck, where the scenery can also be appreciated. The next deck is the Middle Deck, which has two large cushioned seats running its length. This deck is usually used by clients to relax, read a book or magazine or just to admire the scenery and wildlife. The last and highest deck is the Sun Deck, a smaller look out point that can comfortably accommodate six to eight people. This area is great for spotting wildlife or just to relax and catch some of the glorious Kariba sunshine.
Utopia tows two tender boats ideal for fishing. The boats are well equipped with fishing gear to provide clients with an opportunity to try their hand at catching the famous Kariba Tiger Fish. The crew will also gladly assist with all aspects of fishing and their expertise will prove invaluable in finding good fishing spots.
For an unforgettable family holiday and to enquire about availability for Utopia or any other houseboats please email Amy at venues@yoafrica.co.zw.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Sundowners and Sunsets
The challenges facing the Zimbabwe tourism industry became quite apparent again following the last few weeks’ wrangle between the Zanu (PF) Chairperson and a Bulawayo businessman over a lodge that was on a formerly white-owned farm. Anyone following the debacle, that apparently saw four tourists being told to pack their bags by the ZRP, will be left wondering if lodges on such appropriated properties are now legitimately in the hands of their new owners, and whether or not it is safe to travel in Zimbabwe.
The answers to these questions we do not know. What is for certain is that there are long-suffering legitimate operators and venue owners who have endeavoured to keep going in the face of immense challenges. They really need the support of those in the Diaspora who go home on holiday in order to keep going. Failing this, they will not survive and it will not be long before there is no-one left to showcase what is arguably the most beautiful and diverse country in the region.
This week the Venues4Africa.com team has decided to focus on Lake Kariba and its majestic houseboats, which hopefully should not be in any danger of being declared a farm implement and thus being expropriated for redistribution. Kariba lake is dotted with islands and fringed by mountains and spans nearly 300 kilometres. Visitors to Kariba can enjoy the unique privilege of viewing the abundant wildlife not just a from tour bus, hotel or safari lodge, but from the tranquillity of a houseboat on the water itself. Elephant, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, duiker, leopard, jackal, impala, kudu, zebra and even the occasional rhino can all be seen from the extraordinary vantage point of a houseboat’s sundeck, where spectacular sunsets are also guaranteed.
While Zambia is fast realising the huge tourism potential the lake has to offer, Zimbabwe still remains the country of choice when planning a houseboat trip. At Venues4Africa.com we have over 60 boats available for charter with the majority conveniently moored at Marineland Harbour, which is central and easily accessible. Fuel is readily available and the only major concern, as any Zimbabwean will tell you, is whether or not there is sufficient ice! rian@venues4africa.com; Venues4Africa.com
Houseboat of the Month - Utopia is on Kariba!
Utopia is a well-maintained mono-hull vessel which has been cruising the waters of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe for the past 10 years. The boat comfortably takes 12 people and comes highly recommended for its neat finishes and friendly staff. There are four cabins situated below deck, all with portholes, and above deck there are four different levels. The closest deck to the water is the Bermuda Deck where the tender boats are secured and clients can fish from. There is also a cold water shower and basin where one can cool off during the hot lazy days on the water. Most of the meals are served on the next level, the Lounge Deck, where the scenery can also be appreciated. The next deck is the Middle Deck, which has two large cushioned seats running its length. This deck is usually used by clients to relax, read a book or magazine or just to admire the scenery and wildlife. The last and highest deck is the Sun Deck, a smaller look out point that can comfortably accommodate six to eight people. This area is great for spotting wildlife or just to relax and catch some of the glorious Kariba sunshine.
Utopia tows two tender boats ideal for fishing. The boats are well equipped with fishing gear to provide clients with an opportunity to try their hand at catching the famous Kariba Tiger Fish. The crew will also gladly assist with all aspects of fishing and their expertise will prove invaluable in finding good fishing spots.
For an unforgettable family holiday and to enquire about availability for Utopia or any other houseboats please email Amy at venues@yoafrica.co.zw.
News from Jozi
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Success for teachers
BY THUSO KHUMALO JOHANNESBURG -
Zimbabwean teachers in SA have scored their greatest victory of the century after their union, The Progressive Teachers of Zimbabwe in South Africa (PTZ-SA), successfully lobbied to have them registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE), regardless of their citizenship status. For any teacher to teach in South African schools, they must be registered with SACE - hence thousands of well-qualified Zimbabwean teachers had failed to do so because the majority are yet to be granted legal status in SA.
PTZ-SA Secretary General Bongani Nyathi told CAJ News that his organisation held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of SACE, Muavia Gallie, who gave an assurance that Zimbabwean teachers will now be registered with the council using documents such as their Zimbabwean Identity Documents, Passports and Asylum Permits. “This is great victory for Zimbabwean teachers who had failed to get recognition both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The main stumbling block for Zimbabwean teachers to work in public schools was the SACE certificate. Overqualified teachers who had been underpaid in private schools and some already working as security guards and domestic workers because of frustrations concerning SACE registration, have now had their dignity restored,” Nyathi said. Under this arrangements, teachers will first need to send certified copies of both academic and professional certificates to either the South African Ministry of Education or the South African Qualifications Authority for evaluation.
The evaluation certificate will then enable them to get registered with SACE a process that will see them able to teach in both private and public schools. – CAJ News
Mudhala Wethu Gala in Goli
BY ZAKEUS CHIBAYAJOHANNESBURG - Mthwakazi Forum, a network of Zimbabweans based in South Africa, is going to hold a public gala for the late Vice President and founder of the Zimbabwe Africa People’s Union, Joshua Nkomo on July 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein, to celebrate the illustrious life of ‘Father Zimbabwe’.
Organisers dismissed the annual Nkomo gala, organised by Zanu (PF) in Bulawayo as ‘propaganda’, as the government usually provided a one-sided story about Joshua Nkomo and his participation in ZAPU was omitted or twisted.
“We are holding this gala at a time when Zimbabwe is facing a lot of problems emanating from lack of leadership both in government and in the opposition,” said Mlamuli Mhlaba Nkomo, Director of Mthwakazi Forum.
“By holding this gala we wish to resurrect the revolutionary spirit of unselfishness in pursuit of national and democratic ideals. Nkomo was judged by tribal lenses that resulted in undeserving candidates like Robert Mugabe whose membership to the majority ethnic group proved to be his main political weapon.
The Forum urged the South African government to revise its relations with the Mugabe regime as they reflected the life of ‘Chibwe chitedza’. “Nkomo was an African leader not only a Zimbabwean leader. He formed alliances with the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK). It is on the basis of this relationship that we call upon the South African government to rethink its alliance with Mugabe which has brought more misery to Zimbabweans,” said
During early 1980s, Nkomo clashed with Mugabe and was expelled with his party ZAPU from the government. After the sacking, Mugabe unleashed Gukurahundi in Matebeleland and parts of Midlands in a bid to crush Nkomo. Thousands of people died in the civil war, led by Mugabe’s notorious Fifth Bridgade. Nkomo had to flee the country to seek refugee.In order to stop the massacre of his people he agreed that his party be assimilated into Zanu (PF) in what is known as the Unity Agreement in 1987.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Success for teachers
BY THUSO KHUMALO JOHANNESBURG -
Zimbabwean teachers in SA have scored their greatest victory of the century after their union, The Progressive Teachers of Zimbabwe in South Africa (PTZ-SA), successfully lobbied to have them registered with the South African Council of Educators (SACE), regardless of their citizenship status. For any teacher to teach in South African schools, they must be registered with SACE - hence thousands of well-qualified Zimbabwean teachers had failed to do so because the majority are yet to be granted legal status in SA.
PTZ-SA Secretary General Bongani Nyathi told CAJ News that his organisation held a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of SACE, Muavia Gallie, who gave an assurance that Zimbabwean teachers will now be registered with the council using documents such as their Zimbabwean Identity Documents, Passports and Asylum Permits. “This is great victory for Zimbabwean teachers who had failed to get recognition both in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The main stumbling block for Zimbabwean teachers to work in public schools was the SACE certificate. Overqualified teachers who had been underpaid in private schools and some already working as security guards and domestic workers because of frustrations concerning SACE registration, have now had their dignity restored,” Nyathi said. Under this arrangements, teachers will first need to send certified copies of both academic and professional certificates to either the South African Ministry of Education or the South African Qualifications Authority for evaluation.
The evaluation certificate will then enable them to get registered with SACE a process that will see them able to teach in both private and public schools. – CAJ News
Mudhala Wethu Gala in Goli
BY ZAKEUS CHIBAYAJOHANNESBURG - Mthwakazi Forum, a network of Zimbabweans based in South Africa, is going to hold a public gala for the late Vice President and founder of the Zimbabwe Africa People’s Union, Joshua Nkomo on July 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Braamfontein, to celebrate the illustrious life of ‘Father Zimbabwe’.
Organisers dismissed the annual Nkomo gala, organised by Zanu (PF) in Bulawayo as ‘propaganda’, as the government usually provided a one-sided story about Joshua Nkomo and his participation in ZAPU was omitted or twisted.
“We are holding this gala at a time when Zimbabwe is facing a lot of problems emanating from lack of leadership both in government and in the opposition,” said Mlamuli Mhlaba Nkomo, Director of Mthwakazi Forum.
“By holding this gala we wish to resurrect the revolutionary spirit of unselfishness in pursuit of national and democratic ideals. Nkomo was judged by tribal lenses that resulted in undeserving candidates like Robert Mugabe whose membership to the majority ethnic group proved to be his main political weapon.
The Forum urged the South African government to revise its relations with the Mugabe regime as they reflected the life of ‘Chibwe chitedza’. “Nkomo was an African leader not only a Zimbabwean leader. He formed alliances with the ANC and its military wing Umkhonto WeSizwe (MK). It is on the basis of this relationship that we call upon the South African government to rethink its alliance with Mugabe which has brought more misery to Zimbabweans,” said
During early 1980s, Nkomo clashed with Mugabe and was expelled with his party ZAPU from the government. After the sacking, Mugabe unleashed Gukurahundi in Matebeleland and parts of Midlands in a bid to crush Nkomo. Thousands of people died in the civil war, led by Mugabe’s notorious Fifth Bridgade. Nkomo had to flee the country to seek refugee.In order to stop the massacre of his people he agreed that his party be assimilated into Zanu (PF) in what is known as the Unity Agreement in 1987.
Matabeleland endorses MDC roadmap
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BULAWAYO – MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai spent much of last week interacting with the people of Matabeleland in the seven constituencies in the city as part of his national outreach programme to meet and consult lower level structures and hear the people’s concerns on the deteriorating political and economic crisis in the country.He was accompanied by the party’s vice President Thokozani Khupe, vice national chairman Lovemore Moyo, national youth chairman Thamsanqa Mahlangu and other senior party officials. “The team met thousands of enthusiastic supporters in Pelandaba, Makokoba, Bulawayo North East, Bulawayo South, Mpopoma, Luveve and Nkulumane and had serious deliberations on issues concerning the party and the nation,” said party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.Responding to calls that MPs who had joined the rival Mutambara faction should resign, Tsvangirai said the issue of the MPs was not of primary concern. He said the party’s main objective was to make a bold statement to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) that people were tired of the regime and want an urgent resolution of the crisis. “Zanu (PF) and Mugabe are the authors of the people’s misery through bad governance.
Therefore our efforts and resources must be directed towards terminating tyranny,” he said.Chamisa reported that the people enthusiastically received the roadmap, which entails a new Constitution and free and fair elections under international supervision followed by a robust reconstruction and stabilization programme in a new dispensation. Tsvangirai also held discussions with opinion leaders, civil society stakeholders and church leaders on how to resolve the problems affecting the nation. He called for unity of purpose among the democratic forces in dismantling the dictatorship.Tsvangirai reiterated his pledge to go ahead with mass democratic demonstrations if Mugabe refused to accede to the people’s demands. On the issue of the party’s name, he said it was obvious that there was only one MDC and all those who wanted to rejoin the party were free to do so. Officials were working hard to resolve the issue he said. “The Liberation team continues the nationwide consultative programmes in rural Matabeleland, the Midlands, and Mashonaland provinces in the coming weeks,” Chamisa added.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BULAWAYO – MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai spent much of last week interacting with the people of Matabeleland in the seven constituencies in the city as part of his national outreach programme to meet and consult lower level structures and hear the people’s concerns on the deteriorating political and economic crisis in the country.He was accompanied by the party’s vice President Thokozani Khupe, vice national chairman Lovemore Moyo, national youth chairman Thamsanqa Mahlangu and other senior party officials. “The team met thousands of enthusiastic supporters in Pelandaba, Makokoba, Bulawayo North East, Bulawayo South, Mpopoma, Luveve and Nkulumane and had serious deliberations on issues concerning the party and the nation,” said party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.Responding to calls that MPs who had joined the rival Mutambara faction should resign, Tsvangirai said the issue of the MPs was not of primary concern. He said the party’s main objective was to make a bold statement to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) that people were tired of the regime and want an urgent resolution of the crisis. “Zanu (PF) and Mugabe are the authors of the people’s misery through bad governance.
Therefore our efforts and resources must be directed towards terminating tyranny,” he said.Chamisa reported that the people enthusiastically received the roadmap, which entails a new Constitution and free and fair elections under international supervision followed by a robust reconstruction and stabilization programme in a new dispensation. Tsvangirai also held discussions with opinion leaders, civil society stakeholders and church leaders on how to resolve the problems affecting the nation. He called for unity of purpose among the democratic forces in dismantling the dictatorship.Tsvangirai reiterated his pledge to go ahead with mass democratic demonstrations if Mugabe refused to accede to the people’s demands. On the issue of the party’s name, he said it was obvious that there was only one MDC and all those who wanted to rejoin the party were free to do so. Officials were working hard to resolve the issue he said. “The Liberation team continues the nationwide consultative programmes in rural Matabeleland, the Midlands, and Mashonaland provinces in the coming weeks,” Chamisa added.
Detention Watch from Zimbabwe Association
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Amnesty. A word that gets everyone stirred up. Since the new Minister for Immigration, Liam Byrne, said at a Commons Home Affairs Select Committee that the option of an amnesty for illegal immigrants had not been ruled out, a wave of media reports have suggested that such an amnesty might be imminent. Don’t get caught up in the hype about things that may never happen. All he said was that the possibility of an amnesty in the future could not be ruled out, which is quite different from saying that it’s going to happen.
The Family Amnesty exercise review has just been completed. The main change is that a Conviction for non-recordable offences will not exclude applicants from the amnesty. (Non-recordable offences include speeding, not wearing a seat belt, parking offences etc.) However, applicants still must have applied for asylum before 2 October 2000 which excludes most Zimbabweans. Any applicant must also have had a dependant aged under 18 living with them in the UK before 24 October 2003.
For those who have been granted refugee status but are still having trouble getting work it might be an idea to look at a new website (http://www.refugeesintobusiness.org.uk/) which is aimed at helping refugees develop their own businesses.
A plea to all Zimbabweans who entered the UK on Malawi or South African passports and claimed asylum: Get your nationality issues sorted out before you end up being removed. We are getting more reports of such cases, and in some, removals haven’t followed conventional removal procedures. Take legal advice while you are in a position to do so. Don’t wait until it is too late.
This week there was a review of the Advice Line that the ZA has been hosting over the past few months. The lawyers who have been manning it felt so positive about the number of calls received, that it was decided to extend the Advice Line for another three months. It would be helpful to get some feedback from people who have made use of it. Did they find it useful? Can they suggest any improvements? Has the advice they have received helped improve their situation? Any comments or suggestions can be sent to the ZA office, by post or email, or left on the answer machine.
One member found herself in the unusual position of enjoying her appeal hearing recently. She witnessed an interesting display of confusion and incompetence from the HOPO dealing with her case. In contrast, the Immigration Judge found her, the appellant, totally credible. As she said later, if only she had known in advance how it was going to go she could have saved herself months of anxiety and sleepless nights. People need to understand that careful preparation through hard work plus a decent asylum claim and solicitor add up to a strong chance of success.
We can be contacted at the office on 020 7549 0355 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, messages may be left on the answer machine at other times, or by fax 020 7549 0356 or email: zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk.
ADVICE LINE: Wednesday 2 – 5 pm (probably from 5 July)Dates of forthcoming sessions will be confirmed in our next column.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Amnesty. A word that gets everyone stirred up. Since the new Minister for Immigration, Liam Byrne, said at a Commons Home Affairs Select Committee that the option of an amnesty for illegal immigrants had not been ruled out, a wave of media reports have suggested that such an amnesty might be imminent. Don’t get caught up in the hype about things that may never happen. All he said was that the possibility of an amnesty in the future could not be ruled out, which is quite different from saying that it’s going to happen.
The Family Amnesty exercise review has just been completed. The main change is that a Conviction for non-recordable offences will not exclude applicants from the amnesty. (Non-recordable offences include speeding, not wearing a seat belt, parking offences etc.) However, applicants still must have applied for asylum before 2 October 2000 which excludes most Zimbabweans. Any applicant must also have had a dependant aged under 18 living with them in the UK before 24 October 2003.
For those who have been granted refugee status but are still having trouble getting work it might be an idea to look at a new website (http://www.refugeesintobusiness.org.uk/) which is aimed at helping refugees develop their own businesses.
A plea to all Zimbabweans who entered the UK on Malawi or South African passports and claimed asylum: Get your nationality issues sorted out before you end up being removed. We are getting more reports of such cases, and in some, removals haven’t followed conventional removal procedures. Take legal advice while you are in a position to do so. Don’t wait until it is too late.
This week there was a review of the Advice Line that the ZA has been hosting over the past few months. The lawyers who have been manning it felt so positive about the number of calls received, that it was decided to extend the Advice Line for another three months. It would be helpful to get some feedback from people who have made use of it. Did they find it useful? Can they suggest any improvements? Has the advice they have received helped improve their situation? Any comments or suggestions can be sent to the ZA office, by post or email, or left on the answer machine.
One member found herself in the unusual position of enjoying her appeal hearing recently. She witnessed an interesting display of confusion and incompetence from the HOPO dealing with her case. In contrast, the Immigration Judge found her, the appellant, totally credible. As she said later, if only she had known in advance how it was going to go she could have saved herself months of anxiety and sleepless nights. People need to understand that careful preparation through hard work plus a decent asylum claim and solicitor add up to a strong chance of success.
We can be contacted at the office on 020 7549 0355 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, messages may be left on the answer machine at other times, or by fax 020 7549 0356 or email: zimbabweassociation@yahoo.co.uk.
ADVICE LINE: Wednesday 2 – 5 pm (probably from 5 July)Dates of forthcoming sessions will be confirmed in our next column.
At one with AIDS
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General: 07714736382
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‘They are the ones who count in my eyes. They are wonderfully heroic people.’ Fr. Michael Kelly, an Irish Jesuit and an internationally renowned expert on AIDS, is full of admiration for people infected by HIV. Based in Zambia, he travels the world to lobby for their rights, focusing his efforts on addressing AIDS through education.
As a professor of education, Fr Kelly realized the effect HIV and AIDS was having on the goal of universal primary education in Zambia. He followed up on this insight by studying the question deeply. He believes there must be more than just one response and calls for an integral approach involving education, the churches and issues of justice. ‘From about 1990, I included HIV and AIDS in (my course on education), and the attention given to the epidemic increased year by year until my retirement in 2001.’ His contributions have been honoured time and again and he recently received an award from the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Zambia (FAWEZA) for outstanding contributions to the promotion of girls' education in Zambia.
‘The body of Christ has AIDS’ is the conviction Fr Kelly puts to us, and ‘if the body of Christ has AIDS, then we all have AIDS.’ HIV/AIDS is our personal problem and responsibility, he says, and not the problem of other people 'out there.' Admitting this is crucial to overcome rampant stigma and discrimination.
Poverty and other social evils fuel the pandemic. Poor people are at greater risk of succumbing to HIV and AIDS. It is a disease that makes the poor poorer. And ‘AIDS is increasingly becoming a disease with the face of a woman or girl.’ Fr Kelly says we need hope and the Church cannot stand apart. ‘Only a Church which admits that she has AIDS can speak effectively and provide hope for a world with AIDS.’
‘It is someone else's problem’ could well be one of the most deeply engrained mindsets about HIV/AIDS. And on the international level it is labeled as a problem of the world’s poorest regions. This habit we have of passing on responsibility exposes our failure to understand the demands of justice. Fr Kelly speaks of the ‘strong synergy between AIDS and four basic root causes: a) poverty; b) gender disparities and power structures; c) stigma and discrimination; and d) exploitative global economic structures and practices.’
So it is imperative that HIV prevention efforts ‘be grounded in the broader struggle for social and economic rights for the poor.’ Abusive relationships also come under the spotlight. There must be a ‘just sexuality’ to combat the sexual behaviour which victimises girls and women.
Fr Kelly pays tribute to the courage and spirit of a Zambian AIDS activist, one of the many people with the virus who have inspired his work. Brigitte Syamalevwe was diagnosed with HIV about 1992 and from then on spoke openly about her status, a powerful and internationally acclaimed advocate and speaker who, as a fluent speaker of English and French, was able to reach audiences all over Africa.
She refused to take expensive ARVs, even though donors were willing to pay for them, because they were not available for her fellow-Zambians. Losing her husband to AIDS in October 2002, she almost immediately resumed her involvement with infected families near Ndola to ensure they had ploughed their fields in preparation for the oncoming rainy season and that they had the necessary seed and other inputs.
She went to London in mid-November when her youngest and most loved son was dangerously ill of cancer. In London, she heard about his death on the same evening that she addressed the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR). She also gave a long BBC interview on the same day. She would not allow her grief to interrupt what the young man had told her was her God-given mission - to speak fearlessly against the disease and to continue doing so even if she received bad news about him - and then she returned to Zambia for his funeral.
Finally in February 2003, so overwhelmed by grief and weariness that she did not send to collect the ARVs I had bought for her, she let her great spirit soar to God in a quiet and peaceful death.
It is impossible not to be inspired by a great woman like this, and she is representative of many great women in Zambia and throughout Africa and of many who carry the virus. I pray that the day will come when we will move towards canonizing the likes of Brigitte, to represent African women and to represent the wonderful people living with HIV.
This article is a summary of a description of Fr Michael Kelly’s work and is published by JCTR, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, in Zambia. See http://www.jesuitaids.net/
21 June 2006
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
‘They are the ones who count in my eyes. They are wonderfully heroic people.’ Fr. Michael Kelly, an Irish Jesuit and an internationally renowned expert on AIDS, is full of admiration for people infected by HIV. Based in Zambia, he travels the world to lobby for their rights, focusing his efforts on addressing AIDS through education.
As a professor of education, Fr Kelly realized the effect HIV and AIDS was having on the goal of universal primary education in Zambia. He followed up on this insight by studying the question deeply. He believes there must be more than just one response and calls for an integral approach involving education, the churches and issues of justice. ‘From about 1990, I included HIV and AIDS in (my course on education), and the attention given to the epidemic increased year by year until my retirement in 2001.’ His contributions have been honoured time and again and he recently received an award from the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Zambia (FAWEZA) for outstanding contributions to the promotion of girls' education in Zambia.
‘The body of Christ has AIDS’ is the conviction Fr Kelly puts to us, and ‘if the body of Christ has AIDS, then we all have AIDS.’ HIV/AIDS is our personal problem and responsibility, he says, and not the problem of other people 'out there.' Admitting this is crucial to overcome rampant stigma and discrimination.
Poverty and other social evils fuel the pandemic. Poor people are at greater risk of succumbing to HIV and AIDS. It is a disease that makes the poor poorer. And ‘AIDS is increasingly becoming a disease with the face of a woman or girl.’ Fr Kelly says we need hope and the Church cannot stand apart. ‘Only a Church which admits that she has AIDS can speak effectively and provide hope for a world with AIDS.’
‘It is someone else's problem’ could well be one of the most deeply engrained mindsets about HIV/AIDS. And on the international level it is labeled as a problem of the world’s poorest regions. This habit we have of passing on responsibility exposes our failure to understand the demands of justice. Fr Kelly speaks of the ‘strong synergy between AIDS and four basic root causes: a) poverty; b) gender disparities and power structures; c) stigma and discrimination; and d) exploitative global economic structures and practices.’
So it is imperative that HIV prevention efforts ‘be grounded in the broader struggle for social and economic rights for the poor.’ Abusive relationships also come under the spotlight. There must be a ‘just sexuality’ to combat the sexual behaviour which victimises girls and women.
Fr Kelly pays tribute to the courage and spirit of a Zambian AIDS activist, one of the many people with the virus who have inspired his work. Brigitte Syamalevwe was diagnosed with HIV about 1992 and from then on spoke openly about her status, a powerful and internationally acclaimed advocate and speaker who, as a fluent speaker of English and French, was able to reach audiences all over Africa.
She refused to take expensive ARVs, even though donors were willing to pay for them, because they were not available for her fellow-Zambians. Losing her husband to AIDS in October 2002, she almost immediately resumed her involvement with infected families near Ndola to ensure they had ploughed their fields in preparation for the oncoming rainy season and that they had the necessary seed and other inputs.
She went to London in mid-November when her youngest and most loved son was dangerously ill of cancer. In London, she heard about his death on the same evening that she addressed the Catholic Institute for International Relations (CIIR). She also gave a long BBC interview on the same day. She would not allow her grief to interrupt what the young man had told her was her God-given mission - to speak fearlessly against the disease and to continue doing so even if she received bad news about him - and then she returned to Zambia for his funeral.
Finally in February 2003, so overwhelmed by grief and weariness that she did not send to collect the ARVs I had bought for her, she let her great spirit soar to God in a quiet and peaceful death.
It is impossible not to be inspired by a great woman like this, and she is representative of many great women in Zambia and throughout Africa and of many who carry the virus. I pray that the day will come when we will move towards canonizing the likes of Brigitte, to represent African women and to represent the wonderful people living with HIV.
This article is a summary of a description of Fr Michael Kelly’s work and is published by JCTR, the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, in Zambia. See http://www.jesuitaids.net/
21 June 2006
BILL WATCH
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Parliament adjourns
We introduce a new column this week, to keep readers abreast of the bills coming before both houses of Parliament in Zimbabwe.
HARARE - Both the Senate and the House of Assembly have adjourned until August 1. The Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Bill has been gazetted [see summary below].
The Interception of Communications Bill has not yet had its first reading – it cannot now be introduced until August.The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill introduced in the Senate on May 9 is still under consideration by the Parliamentary Legal Committee, so will now have to be dealt with in August.
The Companies Amendment Act has been passed by Parliament.
The following Bills are being prepared for Parliament by the Government Printer, but have NOT yet been gazetted: Domestic Violence Bill, Petroleum Bill
July 1,2006 has been gazetted as the date of commencement of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act No. 23 of 2004. No new Acts have been gazetted. The next Acts to be gazetted, assuming the President’s assent, are the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Act, the National Biotechnology Authority Act and the Companies Amendment Act.
Bills In the Senate: Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill - still being considered by the Parliamentary Legal Committee following its First Reading on the 9th May (also being considered by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs). The PLC reporting deadline has been extended.
This Bill aims to provide for the suppression of foreign and international terrorism, including mercenary activities. The Bill provides for maximum (but not mandatory) punishment of life imprisonment for engaging in foreign or international terrorist activity; training as a foreign or international terrorist; recruiting or providing training to foreign or international terrorists; possessing weaponry for the purposes of foreign or international terrorist activity. Judicial Service Bill, Gazetted on June 9 2006. This Bill aims to set up the Judicial Service [under the control of the Judicial Service Commission] as a separate service outside the Public Service. The Service will include the judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, the Labour Court judges, the presidents of the Administrative Court, the office of the Ombudsman, all magistrates and the staff of the Judicial Service Commission.
Interception of Communications Bill, Gazetted on May 26 2006. The purpose of this Bill is to establish an interception of communications monitoring centre and for the appointment of persons to that centre whose function shall be to monitor and intercept certain communications in the course of their transmission through a telecommunication, postal or any other related service system.
Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Bill, Gazetted June 16 2006. The Bill aims to cater for certain problems that have arisen in the wake of section 16B of the Constitution, enacted last year by the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 17) Act. The Land Acquisition Act will be amended. The Rural Land Occupiers (Protection from Eviction) Act will be repealed. Two new terms, "Gazetted land" and "specially Gazetted land" will be adopted and defined. Occupation or use of gazetted land "without lawful authority" (offer letter, permit or lease granted by the State) will be prohibited on pain of criminal penalties. – With acknowledgments to Bill Watch.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Parliament adjourns
We introduce a new column this week, to keep readers abreast of the bills coming before both houses of Parliament in Zimbabwe.
HARARE - Both the Senate and the House of Assembly have adjourned until August 1. The Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Bill has been gazetted [see summary below].
The Interception of Communications Bill has not yet had its first reading – it cannot now be introduced until August.The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill introduced in the Senate on May 9 is still under consideration by the Parliamentary Legal Committee, so will now have to be dealt with in August.
The Companies Amendment Act has been passed by Parliament.
The following Bills are being prepared for Parliament by the Government Printer, but have NOT yet been gazetted: Domestic Violence Bill, Petroleum Bill
July 1,2006 has been gazetted as the date of commencement of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act No. 23 of 2004. No new Acts have been gazetted. The next Acts to be gazetted, assuming the President’s assent, are the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Act, the National Biotechnology Authority Act and the Companies Amendment Act.
Bills In the Senate: Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill - still being considered by the Parliamentary Legal Committee following its First Reading on the 9th May (also being considered by the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Home Affairs). The PLC reporting deadline has been extended.
This Bill aims to provide for the suppression of foreign and international terrorism, including mercenary activities. The Bill provides for maximum (but not mandatory) punishment of life imprisonment for engaging in foreign or international terrorist activity; training as a foreign or international terrorist; recruiting or providing training to foreign or international terrorists; possessing weaponry for the purposes of foreign or international terrorist activity. Judicial Service Bill, Gazetted on June 9 2006. This Bill aims to set up the Judicial Service [under the control of the Judicial Service Commission] as a separate service outside the Public Service. The Service will include the judges of the Supreme Court and High Court, the Labour Court judges, the presidents of the Administrative Court, the office of the Ombudsman, all magistrates and the staff of the Judicial Service Commission.
Interception of Communications Bill, Gazetted on May 26 2006. The purpose of this Bill is to establish an interception of communications monitoring centre and for the appointment of persons to that centre whose function shall be to monitor and intercept certain communications in the course of their transmission through a telecommunication, postal or any other related service system.
Gazetted Land (Consequential Provisions) Bill, Gazetted June 16 2006. The Bill aims to cater for certain problems that have arisen in the wake of section 16B of the Constitution, enacted last year by the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 17) Act. The Land Acquisition Act will be amended. The Rural Land Occupiers (Protection from Eviction) Act will be repealed. Two new terms, "Gazetted land" and "specially Gazetted land" will be adopted and defined. Occupation or use of gazetted land "without lawful authority" (offer letter, permit or lease granted by the State) will be prohibited on pain of criminal penalties. – With acknowledgments to Bill Watch.
Wake up Britain – it’s pay-back time
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General: 07714736382
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Part II of a three-part series in which PETI NYEMBA questions the extent of Britain’s past responsibility in the evolution of Zimbabwe and its present duty to its former colony.
A new political challenge developed. Ian Smith, a man of distinguished Air Force service in the Second World War, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1948 as a member of the Liberal Party. In 1953, he joined the United Federal Party from which he resigned in 1961 to form the RF, the Rhodesian Front. He boldly questioned Britain's right to rule over Rhodesia.
There was also a growing outcry against Britain's control of primary goods exported from Rhodesia. Their demands made no economic sense.
After failed attempts at talks with the British, Smith declared the UDI - Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965, a move that marked the beginning of a civil war that lasted for 15 years and cost many lives.
On the 28th April 1966 the Battle of Chinhoyi sparked the second Chimurenga. It lasted for 15 years and marked the end of the road for white rule.
In 1979 the Lancaster House agreement was signed and Independence quickly organised in 1980.The word spread across Bush Camps with the drums beating the name Mugabe. Who was this man? How had he risen from obscurity to leadership?
Mugabe had been involved with the NDP and ZAPU. After being arrested in 1963 he escaped to Tanzania where he helped to form ZANU. Returning home he was arrested and imprisoned for 10 years at Wha Wha Detention where he obtained a BSc, LLB, BA and a BEd. He was released in November 1974 and escaped to Mozambique to lead ZANU's armed struggle. While in Mozambique in Mugabe was elected President of ZANU and Commander in Chief of ZANLA forces.
Mugabe served as joint leader, with Joshua Nkomo, of the Patriotic Front at the Lancaster House Conference; he successfully negotiated Independence for Zimbabwe and an end to the Liberation War. It seemed Zimbabwe was inheriting a well-qualified man to run the country. What went wrong?
There is no single element that sparked off the ultimate failure of Mugabe's rule. However, it was marked by a number of irreversible danger signs; from the breakdown of the economy and senseless violence, to the unbelievable rise in inflation which stands today at 1500%.
“There will be no more talk of white and black, we are all Zimbabweans,” the president said at Independence. When did he change his mind? What went wrong? How can 26 years of violence, corruption and misuse of funding be justified? More significantly, why has Britain turned its back and refused to accept the responsibility of the colonial take-over of Rhodesia by Rhodes and the British Government in 1890? It is a question that has to be answered.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Part II of a three-part series in which PETI NYEMBA questions the extent of Britain’s past responsibility in the evolution of Zimbabwe and its present duty to its former colony.
A new political challenge developed. Ian Smith, a man of distinguished Air Force service in the Second World War, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1948 as a member of the Liberal Party. In 1953, he joined the United Federal Party from which he resigned in 1961 to form the RF, the Rhodesian Front. He boldly questioned Britain's right to rule over Rhodesia.
There was also a growing outcry against Britain's control of primary goods exported from Rhodesia. Their demands made no economic sense.
After failed attempts at talks with the British, Smith declared the UDI - Unilateral Declaration of Independence from Britain on 11 November 1965, a move that marked the beginning of a civil war that lasted for 15 years and cost many lives.
On the 28th April 1966 the Battle of Chinhoyi sparked the second Chimurenga. It lasted for 15 years and marked the end of the road for white rule.
In 1979 the Lancaster House agreement was signed and Independence quickly organised in 1980.The word spread across Bush Camps with the drums beating the name Mugabe. Who was this man? How had he risen from obscurity to leadership?
Mugabe had been involved with the NDP and ZAPU. After being arrested in 1963 he escaped to Tanzania where he helped to form ZANU. Returning home he was arrested and imprisoned for 10 years at Wha Wha Detention where he obtained a BSc, LLB, BA and a BEd. He was released in November 1974 and escaped to Mozambique to lead ZANU's armed struggle. While in Mozambique in Mugabe was elected President of ZANU and Commander in Chief of ZANLA forces.
Mugabe served as joint leader, with Joshua Nkomo, of the Patriotic Front at the Lancaster House Conference; he successfully negotiated Independence for Zimbabwe and an end to the Liberation War. It seemed Zimbabwe was inheriting a well-qualified man to run the country. What went wrong?
There is no single element that sparked off the ultimate failure of Mugabe's rule. However, it was marked by a number of irreversible danger signs; from the breakdown of the economy and senseless violence, to the unbelievable rise in inflation which stands today at 1500%.
“There will be no more talk of white and black, we are all Zimbabweans,” the president said at Independence. When did he change his mind? What went wrong? How can 26 years of violence, corruption and misuse of funding be justified? More significantly, why has Britain turned its back and refused to accept the responsibility of the colonial take-over of Rhodesia by Rhodes and the British Government in 1890? It is a question that has to be answered.
Letters to the editor
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Judge not!
EDITOR - I would like to reply to Helen Morly's letter .. As we 'sit' here in Zim and watch what's happening in South Africa, we see the same 'rot' starting there - will we one day say to you, you created the monster, now you get rid of it!? Judge not lest you be judged.ANON, Harare
Odilo touched many lives
EDITOR – I am sure many of your readers will remember Father Odilo Weeger, the former Roman Catholic Church Bulawayo provincial Superior of Mariannhill, who died at Mater Dei Hospital recently aged 94.
Fr Weeger had a passion for helping local people and he served them with love and zeal, opening many schools and hospitals in Matabeleland North Province with only a bicycle and a prayer book at his disposal.
Tributes have flooded in for him. I quote some of them for the benefit of those in the Diaspora who might be interested: He touched all of our lives with no thought of race, colour or creed. He remembered everyone, he remembered our names, our family members, our hobbies and our friends. He sought only to spread his love and the love of the Lord to each and every person in the Matabeleland community. His life spanned many decades, his strength, his devotion to Christ, his devotion to this City and this province, will be remembered by everyone who came in contact with this remarkable man. Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Baptists, the Jewish Community, every single person of every single religion, was encompassed by his extraordinary aura of love for his fellow man.
He was a wonderful man who committed his life fully to God, and to serving the many peoples of Zimbabwe. One of his sermons, especially at baptisms, was about living our lives like candles. He certainly did exactly that - giving light and warmth and consuming himself in the process. He had a genuine love for and interest in people, across a most surprising and wide range. He maintained contact personally with so many people whom he considered his personal friends and those of us fortunate to be included knew his concern and felt his prayers.
He had a deep reservoir of natural and acquired wisdom and human understanding and he appreciated God's loving provision for us all in the beauty and complexity of creation, the earth and all life on it and the stars and all of the ever-more revealed universe. He appreciated the finer things in life, like art, music and etiquette and supported many community presentations and efforts with his presence. His strong sense of justice suffered greatly from the absurd removal of his own rights as a Zimbabwean resident for over 65 years, as well as the growing culture of impunity and disregard for basic rights that has done so much in our country.
He was a man of great faith in God. He was a source of inspiration to many who knew him.
L MOLONEY, UK Looking for Sibanda, Rusere
EDITOR – I am trying to find the whereabouts of Mandla and Mehluli Sibanda and Reginald and Ronald Rusere. These gentlemen are originally from Bulawayo, Luveve. They used to stay in Slough, a few years ago. Mandla Sibanda used to work in Harare at Chikurubi. If anyone has their details or any information of their whereabouts please contact USA number 1-651-428-5856 or email ruserep@yahoo.comPR, USA
Putting Mutambara straight
EDITOR - Like Pauline Henson, I didn’t take lightly what Arthur Mutambara said about former Rhodesians. In trying to castigate a section of the electorate, he is actually doing himself more harm than good. I vividly remember that this unfortunate comment came up after reference had been made to Major Giles Mutsekwa.
As an educated man himself, I feel I should further educate him on our history and what was happening during the Smith era because I know he could have been too young to understand what led others into joining the Rhodesian Army, Police and Special Branch. Other employment opportunities were completely shut out from blacks, and even the education system denied blacks chances of excelling in fields of their choice. This led to some blacks joining the Rhodesian forces, not because they wanted to delay the liberation effort, but because they needed a professional career.
In my opinion, this must not be confined to whites alone, but to all who are now being referred to as having been 'firing from inside'. They are all referred to as Mapuruvheya, in Zimbabwe. Let me remind some, who share Mutambara's sentiments that there is no country in the world where a liberation war was fought, that did not include some indigenous people. As I write, right now, there are hundreds of these former forces still employed by the present government and some have been promoted to higher ranks in their professions. What do these people now think of such comments? They must start fearing for their future now, if Mutambara, as an aspiring future president starts uttering such irresponsible words in public.
These people are Zimbabweans like everyone else, and should not be treated differently. They will therefore feel more comfortable under Mugabe than his government, like some ex combatants. This is a very important constituency that he is now up against, that cannot be ignored. I am talking of many people, not Giles Mutsekwa alone. Even some of the most successful people in politics now were sent to school by their patents who were civil servants at that time. In trying to attack Mutsekwa, it looks like he has touched a raw nerve, that will cost him dearly in his quest for getting people to support his party. Mugabe knew it doesnt do anybody any good, that is why he decided to go for intergration of the three forces.
I want to assure him that once he becomes president and tries to play that card, sons and daughters of those former forces will rise against him, because had they not worked for their children's upbringing, the children would not be positions in which they are now in. Talk of irresponsibility and immaturity.BERNARD MATONGO, Harare
I still dream of returning
EDITOR - Just over two years ago, I left what I knew and ventured into a territory that was very unfamiliar. In doing so, I left friends, family and memories behind. This new territory was a downright nerve-racking experience. Suddenly in front of me appeared new faces, new names, new dress standards, new living arrangement, new education facilities and most importantly a new culture. It was incredibly overwhelming and a challenge which at the time seemed almost impossible to overcome. I believe the confusing factor was not knowing who or what to blame for my unhappiness.
I guess time gave me a second chance and my mind managed to work around the difficulties and deal with any issues that headed in my direction. Everyone you meet has an interesting story to tell, they also have sad stories and happy stories, sometimes they sound more dreadful than others. But no one can measure it because everything happens in perspective and we deal with events in our lives as we best see fit.
There will always be someone that gets hurt, and someone that ends up better off. The best you can do is try to learn something from where you went wrong, and take that lesson with you. I do not know where this life will lead me, and I do not know where this path will lead me in life. If you cannot do something with all your heart, then stop and ask yourself why are you doing it? Do not lie because it makes it appear to have improved, tell the truth so that it has improved. One day there is sunshine and the next might be a thunderstorm, we might lose faith, but it is not hard to find again. I have moved from one continent to another, coming from a land of turmoil to a land of law and equal opportunity. For that I must admit, I am truly grateful. But there lies a fault, in that it is too easy to forget the importance of truth and guidance. It is all too easy to step back into unhappiness. I have taken my time in moving forward, and even now I still dream of returning to my homeland. At least I have my fond memories of what I knew as Zimbabwe, and I will have those memories forever. Keep your faith and remain unchanged.JACKIE ROBINSON, (aged 14), Australia
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Judge not!
EDITOR - I would like to reply to Helen Morly's letter .. As we 'sit' here in Zim and watch what's happening in South Africa, we see the same 'rot' starting there - will we one day say to you, you created the monster, now you get rid of it!? Judge not lest you be judged.ANON, Harare
Odilo touched many lives
EDITOR – I am sure many of your readers will remember Father Odilo Weeger, the former Roman Catholic Church Bulawayo provincial Superior of Mariannhill, who died at Mater Dei Hospital recently aged 94.
Fr Weeger had a passion for helping local people and he served them with love and zeal, opening many schools and hospitals in Matabeleland North Province with only a bicycle and a prayer book at his disposal.
Tributes have flooded in for him. I quote some of them for the benefit of those in the Diaspora who might be interested: He touched all of our lives with no thought of race, colour or creed. He remembered everyone, he remembered our names, our family members, our hobbies and our friends. He sought only to spread his love and the love of the Lord to each and every person in the Matabeleland community. His life spanned many decades, his strength, his devotion to Christ, his devotion to this City and this province, will be remembered by everyone who came in contact with this remarkable man. Catholics, Anglicans, Protestants, Baptists, the Jewish Community, every single person of every single religion, was encompassed by his extraordinary aura of love for his fellow man.
He was a wonderful man who committed his life fully to God, and to serving the many peoples of Zimbabwe. One of his sermons, especially at baptisms, was about living our lives like candles. He certainly did exactly that - giving light and warmth and consuming himself in the process. He had a genuine love for and interest in people, across a most surprising and wide range. He maintained contact personally with so many people whom he considered his personal friends and those of us fortunate to be included knew his concern and felt his prayers.
He had a deep reservoir of natural and acquired wisdom and human understanding and he appreciated God's loving provision for us all in the beauty and complexity of creation, the earth and all life on it and the stars and all of the ever-more revealed universe. He appreciated the finer things in life, like art, music and etiquette and supported many community presentations and efforts with his presence. His strong sense of justice suffered greatly from the absurd removal of his own rights as a Zimbabwean resident for over 65 years, as well as the growing culture of impunity and disregard for basic rights that has done so much in our country.
He was a man of great faith in God. He was a source of inspiration to many who knew him.
L MOLONEY, UK Looking for Sibanda, Rusere
EDITOR – I am trying to find the whereabouts of Mandla and Mehluli Sibanda and Reginald and Ronald Rusere. These gentlemen are originally from Bulawayo, Luveve. They used to stay in Slough, a few years ago. Mandla Sibanda used to work in Harare at Chikurubi. If anyone has their details or any information of their whereabouts please contact USA number 1-651-428-5856 or email ruserep@yahoo.comPR, USA
Putting Mutambara straight
EDITOR - Like Pauline Henson, I didn’t take lightly what Arthur Mutambara said about former Rhodesians. In trying to castigate a section of the electorate, he is actually doing himself more harm than good. I vividly remember that this unfortunate comment came up after reference had been made to Major Giles Mutsekwa.
As an educated man himself, I feel I should further educate him on our history and what was happening during the Smith era because I know he could have been too young to understand what led others into joining the Rhodesian Army, Police and Special Branch. Other employment opportunities were completely shut out from blacks, and even the education system denied blacks chances of excelling in fields of their choice. This led to some blacks joining the Rhodesian forces, not because they wanted to delay the liberation effort, but because they needed a professional career.
In my opinion, this must not be confined to whites alone, but to all who are now being referred to as having been 'firing from inside'. They are all referred to as Mapuruvheya, in Zimbabwe. Let me remind some, who share Mutambara's sentiments that there is no country in the world where a liberation war was fought, that did not include some indigenous people. As I write, right now, there are hundreds of these former forces still employed by the present government and some have been promoted to higher ranks in their professions. What do these people now think of such comments? They must start fearing for their future now, if Mutambara, as an aspiring future president starts uttering such irresponsible words in public.
These people are Zimbabweans like everyone else, and should not be treated differently. They will therefore feel more comfortable under Mugabe than his government, like some ex combatants. This is a very important constituency that he is now up against, that cannot be ignored. I am talking of many people, not Giles Mutsekwa alone. Even some of the most successful people in politics now were sent to school by their patents who were civil servants at that time. In trying to attack Mutsekwa, it looks like he has touched a raw nerve, that will cost him dearly in his quest for getting people to support his party. Mugabe knew it doesnt do anybody any good, that is why he decided to go for intergration of the three forces.
I want to assure him that once he becomes president and tries to play that card, sons and daughters of those former forces will rise against him, because had they not worked for their children's upbringing, the children would not be positions in which they are now in. Talk of irresponsibility and immaturity.BERNARD MATONGO, Harare
I still dream of returning
EDITOR - Just over two years ago, I left what I knew and ventured into a territory that was very unfamiliar. In doing so, I left friends, family and memories behind. This new territory was a downright nerve-racking experience. Suddenly in front of me appeared new faces, new names, new dress standards, new living arrangement, new education facilities and most importantly a new culture. It was incredibly overwhelming and a challenge which at the time seemed almost impossible to overcome. I believe the confusing factor was not knowing who or what to blame for my unhappiness.
I guess time gave me a second chance and my mind managed to work around the difficulties and deal with any issues that headed in my direction. Everyone you meet has an interesting story to tell, they also have sad stories and happy stories, sometimes they sound more dreadful than others. But no one can measure it because everything happens in perspective and we deal with events in our lives as we best see fit.
There will always be someone that gets hurt, and someone that ends up better off. The best you can do is try to learn something from where you went wrong, and take that lesson with you. I do not know where this life will lead me, and I do not know where this path will lead me in life. If you cannot do something with all your heart, then stop and ask yourself why are you doing it? Do not lie because it makes it appear to have improved, tell the truth so that it has improved. One day there is sunshine and the next might be a thunderstorm, we might lose faith, but it is not hard to find again. I have moved from one continent to another, coming from a land of turmoil to a land of law and equal opportunity. For that I must admit, I am truly grateful. But there lies a fault, in that it is too easy to forget the importance of truth and guidance. It is all too easy to step back into unhappiness. I have taken my time in moving forward, and even now I still dream of returning to my homeland. At least I have my fond memories of what I knew as Zimbabwe, and I will have those memories forever. Keep your faith and remain unchanged.JACKIE ROBINSON, (aged 14), Australia
Latest WOZA news
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
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”.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
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”.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
News Briefs 3
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Tsvangirai’s father dies
BUHERA - Dzingirai Tsvangirai 78, the father of the MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, died at the weekend at Murambinda hospital in Buhera after a short illness and was buried on Wednesday at his rural home at Makuvise village.
He is survived by his wife, Lydia, nine children and several grandchildren.
Student hijacks plane
CAPE TOWN - A 21-year-old Zimbabwean student, Tinashe Rioga, has been remanded in custody here after an abortive attempt to hijack a South African Airways plane last week. The University of Cape Town business science student grabbed a female cabin crew member and threatened to kill her unless he was allowed into the cockpit. Apparently he wanted the Cape Town to Johannesburg flight diverted to Maputo.
Three passengers overpowered him but not before one of them was stabbed with a syringe Rioga was holding. It is not yet clear what was in the syringe. The plane flew back to Cape Town where a special unit of the South African Police stormed aboard. Some reports suggested that Rioga was suffering from mental illness, but this has not been confirmed yet.
Arrested for smuggling
BEIT BRIDGE - Two Home Affairs Immigrations Officers from South Africa and a Zimbabwean, who were arrested at Beitbridge border post for allegedly attempting to smuggle 100 pieces of ivory ornaments and 412 boxes of Zimbabwean cigarettes, valued at R30 000, have been sentenced to an effective eight months imprisonment.
The three are Jacob Martin Venter (34), Ndwamato Lukoto (49), both employed at the Home Affairs Department at Makhado and a Zimbabwean, Takawira Mahachi (29).
Luxury vehicles for army officers
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped government has ploughed US$144 000 into the purchase of vehicles for middle-ranking army and police officers, in a move likely to be seen as an attempt to buy the loyalty of security commanders as public discontent swells in the southern African country.
The money used to pay for the 16 Mazda 18000 series trucks is enough to buy 576 tonnes of maize at about US$250 per tonne. The maize is enough to feed close to 10,000 hungry families for a month. Food aid agencies estimate that an average family requires about 60 kg of maize per month. - ZimOnline
* Meanwhile Concerned Zimbabweans Abroad has apologised to South Africa for the incident saying “We are ashamed to be identified as Zimbabweans as a result of Mugabe’s tyranny, and now some silly kid is acting superman cartoons with people’s lives.”
Bus crash
PRETORIA – Forty Zimbabweans were seriously injured when a Pioneer Bus from Zimbabwe overturned near Pretoria after colliding with a private vehicle. Three people in the car died on the spot including two South African police officers. – CAJ News
White farmers snub land offer
KAROI – About 200 displaced white farmers from Mashonaland West province have turned down an offer of farms by the government, saying there was no guarantee the government would not in future turn back on the offer and evict them again.
Authoritative sources said Masonaland West provincial governor Nelson Samkange offered the farmers – among the close to 4 000 whites to lose land to the government over the past six years - new farms in the wheat-producing area of Tengwe which lies in his province about 260km north-west of Harare.
“In fact, we were instructed to make available fuel for the about 200 white farmers who were to be allocated farms in the area of Tengwe. The idea was that the farmers would move in, quickly revive the run-down farms and boost wheat production,” said a senior official with the government’s Agricultural Research and Extension (AREX) services department.
The plan to bring back whites to Tengwe collapsed after ruling party militants chased away white farmer, Justin Boddy, from his Elephants Farm near Tengwe just at the time Samkange’s office was trying to convince the farmers that it would be safe to return, according to our source.- ZimOnline
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
Tsvangirai’s father dies
BUHERA - Dzingirai Tsvangirai 78, the father of the MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai, died at the weekend at Murambinda hospital in Buhera after a short illness and was buried on Wednesday at his rural home at Makuvise village.
He is survived by his wife, Lydia, nine children and several grandchildren.
Student hijacks plane
CAPE TOWN - A 21-year-old Zimbabwean student, Tinashe Rioga, has been remanded in custody here after an abortive attempt to hijack a South African Airways plane last week. The University of Cape Town business science student grabbed a female cabin crew member and threatened to kill her unless he was allowed into the cockpit. Apparently he wanted the Cape Town to Johannesburg flight diverted to Maputo.
Three passengers overpowered him but not before one of them was stabbed with a syringe Rioga was holding. It is not yet clear what was in the syringe. The plane flew back to Cape Town where a special unit of the South African Police stormed aboard. Some reports suggested that Rioga was suffering from mental illness, but this has not been confirmed yet.
Arrested for smuggling
BEIT BRIDGE - Two Home Affairs Immigrations Officers from South Africa and a Zimbabwean, who were arrested at Beitbridge border post for allegedly attempting to smuggle 100 pieces of ivory ornaments and 412 boxes of Zimbabwean cigarettes, valued at R30 000, have been sentenced to an effective eight months imprisonment.
The three are Jacob Martin Venter (34), Ndwamato Lukoto (49), both employed at the Home Affairs Department at Makhado and a Zimbabwean, Takawira Mahachi (29).
Luxury vehicles for army officers
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s cash-strapped government has ploughed US$144 000 into the purchase of vehicles for middle-ranking army and police officers, in a move likely to be seen as an attempt to buy the loyalty of security commanders as public discontent swells in the southern African country.
The money used to pay for the 16 Mazda 18000 series trucks is enough to buy 576 tonnes of maize at about US$250 per tonne. The maize is enough to feed close to 10,000 hungry families for a month. Food aid agencies estimate that an average family requires about 60 kg of maize per month. - ZimOnline
* Meanwhile Concerned Zimbabweans Abroad has apologised to South Africa for the incident saying “We are ashamed to be identified as Zimbabweans as a result of Mugabe’s tyranny, and now some silly kid is acting superman cartoons with people’s lives.”
Bus crash
PRETORIA – Forty Zimbabweans were seriously injured when a Pioneer Bus from Zimbabwe overturned near Pretoria after colliding with a private vehicle. Three people in the car died on the spot including two South African police officers. – CAJ News
White farmers snub land offer
KAROI – About 200 displaced white farmers from Mashonaland West province have turned down an offer of farms by the government, saying there was no guarantee the government would not in future turn back on the offer and evict them again.
Authoritative sources said Masonaland West provincial governor Nelson Samkange offered the farmers – among the close to 4 000 whites to lose land to the government over the past six years - new farms in the wheat-producing area of Tengwe which lies in his province about 260km north-west of Harare.
“In fact, we were instructed to make available fuel for the about 200 white farmers who were to be allocated farms in the area of Tengwe. The idea was that the farmers would move in, quickly revive the run-down farms and boost wheat production,” said a senior official with the government’s Agricultural Research and Extension (AREX) services department.
The plan to bring back whites to Tengwe collapsed after ruling party militants chased away white farmer, Justin Boddy, from his Elephants Farm near Tengwe just at the time Samkange’s office was trying to convince the farmers that it would be safe to return, according to our source.- ZimOnline
Horrific torture stats raise concerns for future
http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
We are appalled at the revelations of the severe psychological trauma that now affects one in 10 Zimbabweans. This is a direct consequence of actions taken over the years by the Zanu (PF) regime. When is enough going to be enough?
As Amani Trust correctly points out, the long-term implications of mass trauma for an entire society are almost too ghastly to contemplate.
What is also disturbing is the fact that there is daily evidence that torture, in one form or another, continues unabated in Zimbabwe. In a country where the health system has collapsed for even the most basic, preventable, diseases, the specialised care required to treat victims of trauma and torture is totally beyond all reasonable hope.
The victims are thus condemned to continue in their suffering. Little wonder that irrational behaviour is on the increase as evidenced by the frustration of the young man in South Africa who, as reported elsewhere in this newspaper, attempted to hi-jack a South African Airways plane. Why he wanted to defect to Mozambique is beyond our comprehension.
Alarming as this incident was, in that the lives of a planeload of people were endangered, it comes as a timely warning to the rest of the world that no man is an island.
What happens in Zimbabwe affects the global community, to a lesser or greater extent – Britain and South Africa to a significant extent. Desperate people do desperate things. The international community simply cannot afford to stand by and watch an entire nation being traumatised without lifting a finger to help.
Yes we realise it is a complex problem. Yes we understand that there is no quick fix or easy solution. But these are no reasons to do nothing. A solution must be found, and the global community must play a responsible part in seeking and facilitating that solution as soon as possible.
As the late Prince Claus of the Netherlands famously said: “If we don’t bring it to them, they are going to come and take it from us.”
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We are appalled at the revelations of the severe psychological trauma that now affects one in 10 Zimbabweans. This is a direct consequence of actions taken over the years by the Zanu (PF) regime. When is enough going to be enough?
As Amani Trust correctly points out, the long-term implications of mass trauma for an entire society are almost too ghastly to contemplate.
What is also disturbing is the fact that there is daily evidence that torture, in one form or another, continues unabated in Zimbabwe. In a country where the health system has collapsed for even the most basic, preventable, diseases, the specialised care required to treat victims of trauma and torture is totally beyond all reasonable hope.
The victims are thus condemned to continue in their suffering. Little wonder that irrational behaviour is on the increase as evidenced by the frustration of the young man in South Africa who, as reported elsewhere in this newspaper, attempted to hi-jack a South African Airways plane. Why he wanted to defect to Mozambique is beyond our comprehension.
Alarming as this incident was, in that the lives of a planeload of people were endangered, it comes as a timely warning to the rest of the world that no man is an island.
What happens in Zimbabwe affects the global community, to a lesser or greater extent – Britain and South Africa to a significant extent. Desperate people do desperate things. The international community simply cannot afford to stand by and watch an entire nation being traumatised without lifting a finger to help.
Yes we realise it is a complex problem. Yes we understand that there is no quick fix or easy solution. But these are no reasons to do nothing. A solution must be found, and the global community must play a responsible part in seeking and facilitating that solution as soon as possible.
As the late Prince Claus of the Netherlands famously said: “If we don’t bring it to them, they are going to come and take it from us.”
Mugabe “playing games” with church leaders
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BY TERERAI KARIMAKWENDA
HARARE - Controversy has surrounded the Zimbabwean church group that met with Robert Mugabe last month. It all started when the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), which organizes the traditional National Day of Prayer, met Mugabe and appeared on state television immediately afterwards.
Many observers, particularly the Bulawayo based Christian Alliance, said they showed support for the ruling party and its policies. Then the Day of Prayer was cancelled, and this was viewed as further evidence the ZCC was playing into Mugabe’s hand. In an interview with SW Radio Africa on Monday Bishop Trevor Manhanga of the ZCC said the Day of Prayer was not cancelled but postponed in order to involve many other groups. As for supporting Mugabe, the Bishop said they have opened up a dialogue with Mugabe and will present a document with recommendations for the way forward. He said the ZCC did not support any political party, including the opposition.
But the Mbare-based Jesuit priest, Oskar Wermter, disagrees with the approach the ZCC has taken. “Deeds speak louder than words and we need to see a change of course first and justice for the people,” he said.
Wermter believes until there was some redeeming action by Mugabe there could be no meaningful dialogue. He also believes Mugabe is a very clever man playing games with the church leaders. “He should first show through his actions that he is serious and means well this time. Until then, there is no basis for dialogue,” he said.
We asked Bishop Manhanga whether Mugabe seemed repentant and concerned about the suffering of the people. Manhanga said his personal observation was that Mugabe understood the suffering of the people. But asked why they should trust Mugabe when more evictions and arrests had taken place since their meeting with him, the Bishop said this was a cause for concern and would be brought to Mugabe’s attention in the document they were preparing to submit to him. He said the ZCC would meet Morgan Tsvangirai and other officials from the MDC and would engage other stakeholders before completing the document.
As for the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, which opposed inviting Mugabe to the National Day of Prayer now scheduled for June 25th, Manhanga dismissed them as individual pastors who did not represent any constituency. He said there would be no politics on that Sunday and people would pray for the nation.
“Mugabe needs to be there to hear the prayers along with other key Zimbabweans, he said.
Wermter said the Bishop’s attitude toward the Christian Alliance showed the tactics of the regime were “bearing fruit.” He said it was sad to see Christians attacking Christians.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
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BY TERERAI KARIMAKWENDA
HARARE - Controversy has surrounded the Zimbabwean church group that met with Robert Mugabe last month. It all started when the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), which organizes the traditional National Day of Prayer, met Mugabe and appeared on state television immediately afterwards.
Many observers, particularly the Bulawayo based Christian Alliance, said they showed support for the ruling party and its policies. Then the Day of Prayer was cancelled, and this was viewed as further evidence the ZCC was playing into Mugabe’s hand. In an interview with SW Radio Africa on Monday Bishop Trevor Manhanga of the ZCC said the Day of Prayer was not cancelled but postponed in order to involve many other groups. As for supporting Mugabe, the Bishop said they have opened up a dialogue with Mugabe and will present a document with recommendations for the way forward. He said the ZCC did not support any political party, including the opposition.
But the Mbare-based Jesuit priest, Oskar Wermter, disagrees with the approach the ZCC has taken. “Deeds speak louder than words and we need to see a change of course first and justice for the people,” he said.
Wermter believes until there was some redeeming action by Mugabe there could be no meaningful dialogue. He also believes Mugabe is a very clever man playing games with the church leaders. “He should first show through his actions that he is serious and means well this time. Until then, there is no basis for dialogue,” he said.
We asked Bishop Manhanga whether Mugabe seemed repentant and concerned about the suffering of the people. Manhanga said his personal observation was that Mugabe understood the suffering of the people. But asked why they should trust Mugabe when more evictions and arrests had taken place since their meeting with him, the Bishop said this was a cause for concern and would be brought to Mugabe’s attention in the document they were preparing to submit to him. He said the ZCC would meet Morgan Tsvangirai and other officials from the MDC and would engage other stakeholders before completing the document.
As for the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance, which opposed inviting Mugabe to the National Day of Prayer now scheduled for June 25th, Manhanga dismissed them as individual pastors who did not represent any constituency. He said there would be no politics on that Sunday and people would pray for the nation.
“Mugabe needs to be there to hear the prayers along with other key Zimbabweans, he said.
Wermter said the Bishop’s attitude toward the Christian Alliance showed the tactics of the regime were “bearing fruit.” He said it was sad to see Christians attacking Christians.
News Briefs 2
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Zim student beaten
MOSCOW - A young Zimbabwean medical student was beaten up last Saturday night by three young men in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. His attackers were arrested as they tried to flee the scene. In their defence they claim that the Zimbabwean would not give up his seat on a bus for a young woman.
There have been several attacks on foreigners in Russia lately and Amnesty International has blamed the government for not doing enough to curb xenophobia. – Staff reporter
Zim in ACP-EU spotlight
VIENNA – Zimbabwean parliamentary and civic groups attending an ACP-EU joint parliamentary meeting here this week have attacked and EU commissioner for meeting minister Herbert Murerwa in violation of the targeted sanctions.
Louis Michel was at pains to defend himself, explaining that the meeting had been at Murerwa’s request and that he had used the occasion to point out the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
Delegates also raised the question of the former Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, who is being sheltered by Mugabe.
The Zimbabwean parliament is represented at the meeting by Nelson Chamisa (MDC) and Walter Mzembi (Zanu PF).
China’s friendly dealings with African dictators was also raised. – Staff reporter
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Zim student beaten
MOSCOW - A young Zimbabwean medical student was beaten up last Saturday night by three young men in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. His attackers were arrested as they tried to flee the scene. In their defence they claim that the Zimbabwean would not give up his seat on a bus for a young woman.
There have been several attacks on foreigners in Russia lately and Amnesty International has blamed the government for not doing enough to curb xenophobia. – Staff reporter
Zim in ACP-EU spotlight
VIENNA – Zimbabwean parliamentary and civic groups attending an ACP-EU joint parliamentary meeting here this week have attacked and EU commissioner for meeting minister Herbert Murerwa in violation of the targeted sanctions.
Louis Michel was at pains to defend himself, explaining that the meeting had been at Murerwa’s request and that he had used the occasion to point out the human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.
Delegates also raised the question of the former Ethiopian dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, who is being sheltered by Mugabe.
The Zimbabwean parliament is represented at the meeting by Nelson Chamisa (MDC) and Walter Mzembi (Zanu PF).
China’s friendly dealings with African dictators was also raised. – Staff reporter
News briefs
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New global consensus gives hope
BULAWAYO – The MDC leadership has expressed hope concerning the emergence of a new consensus about Zimbabwe in the international community.
“This replaces the assumed approach sculptured by Tony Blair at the G8 summit in mid 2005 when the G8 renewed its commitment to helping put the Zimbabwe economy back on its feet and its support for the approach proposed by the South Africans. After the Gleneagles summit, SA president Thabo Mbeki has had a go
at getting Mugabe to step aside and allow reform and recovery on three separate occasions and on each occasion he was frustrated by the local leadership,” said a political analyst.
“The MDC was never happy with the approach being adopted for the resolution of the crisis over the past year and is quite happy that the Blair/Mbeki approach has failed. In its place a much more principled and robust approach has now been crafted and seems to have suddenly gained acceptance across the globe,” he said.
It is four years since US President George Bush announced in Pretoria that Mbeki was the “point man” on the Zimbabwe crisis. It was a logical choice – he had the power to coerce the Zimbabwean leadership, and his own country had just been through a dramatic transition assisted by the global community. Mbeki accepted the role, but then tried to use his position to secure an outcome that would have left a so-called “sanitized Zanu PF government” in power. The reasons for this were purely domestic and had little to do with what was best for Zimbabwe.
“The country now lies in ruins. Mbeki has failed. But there are hopeful signs on the horizon,” said the analyst. – Staff reporter
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General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
New global consensus gives hope
BULAWAYO – The MDC leadership has expressed hope concerning the emergence of a new consensus about Zimbabwe in the international community.
“This replaces the assumed approach sculptured by Tony Blair at the G8 summit in mid 2005 when the G8 renewed its commitment to helping put the Zimbabwe economy back on its feet and its support for the approach proposed by the South Africans. After the Gleneagles summit, SA president Thabo Mbeki has had a go
at getting Mugabe to step aside and allow reform and recovery on three separate occasions and on each occasion he was frustrated by the local leadership,” said a political analyst.
“The MDC was never happy with the approach being adopted for the resolution of the crisis over the past year and is quite happy that the Blair/Mbeki approach has failed. In its place a much more principled and robust approach has now been crafted and seems to have suddenly gained acceptance across the globe,” he said.
It is four years since US President George Bush announced in Pretoria that Mbeki was the “point man” on the Zimbabwe crisis. It was a logical choice – he had the power to coerce the Zimbabwean leadership, and his own country had just been through a dramatic transition assisted by the global community. Mbeki accepted the role, but then tried to use his position to secure an outcome that would have left a so-called “sanitized Zanu PF government” in power. The reasons for this were purely domestic and had little to do with what was best for Zimbabwe.
“The country now lies in ruins. Mbeki has failed. But there are hopeful signs on the horizon,” said the analyst. – Staff reporter
Police watch as WOZA demonstrates
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BULAWAYO – Police stood by while over a thousand WOZA members, both female and male, marched through the streets of Bulawayo on Monday to protest against constant power cuts. For the first time in years of public demonstrations, no one was arrested.
“WOZA would like to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for joining in the protest by refusing to be used by the Mugabe regime and accepting that they are also refugees in their own country,” said a statement from the group.
WOZA has conducted over 35 protests in its three-year existence and over 1000 women have spent up to 48 hours in custody, some more than once. These women, front-line human rights defenders, have proved themselves willing to suffer beatings and unbearable conditions in prison cells to exercise their constitutional rights.
The peaceful procession began with a five-minute Toyi Toyi at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) offices and proceeded to the Department of Social Welfare offices along Fort Street where they left placards and newsletters for Nicholas Goche, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and National Security, before dispersing peacefully. Some police officers drove by monitoring unobtrusively and eventually went away. There have been no reports of arrests to date in Bulawayo.
“A significant factor was that the protest started at ZESA and there are very few Zimbabweans who do not agree that the electricity cuts are now unbearable,” said the statement.
WOZA marks World Refugee Day – 20th June. The UN theme this year is ‘Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive’. WOZA is marking this day because we are refugees in our own country. Our lives have been stolen but the flame of hope still burns. We demand the right to earn a living.
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
BULAWAYO – Police stood by while over a thousand WOZA members, both female and male, marched through the streets of Bulawayo on Monday to protest against constant power cuts. For the first time in years of public demonstrations, no one was arrested.
“WOZA would like to thank the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) for joining in the protest by refusing to be used by the Mugabe regime and accepting that they are also refugees in their own country,” said a statement from the group.
WOZA has conducted over 35 protests in its three-year existence and over 1000 women have spent up to 48 hours in custody, some more than once. These women, front-line human rights defenders, have proved themselves willing to suffer beatings and unbearable conditions in prison cells to exercise their constitutional rights.
The peaceful procession began with a five-minute Toyi Toyi at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) offices and proceeded to the Department of Social Welfare offices along Fort Street where they left placards and newsletters for Nicholas Goche, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and National Security, before dispersing peacefully. Some police officers drove by monitoring unobtrusively and eventually went away. There have been no reports of arrests to date in Bulawayo.
“A significant factor was that the protest started at ZESA and there are very few Zimbabweans who do not agree that the electricity cuts are now unbearable,” said the statement.
WOZA marks World Refugee Day – 20th June. The UN theme this year is ‘Keeping the Flame of Hope Alive’. WOZA is marking this day because we are refugees in our own country. Our lives have been stolen but the flame of hope still burns. We demand the right to earn a living.
Political miracle unfolds through Zimbabwe's "peace committees"
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HARARE - With portraits of President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai emblazoned on their respective T-shirts, Tazvizwa Mugovo and George Makaro, are strange bedfellows.
But the two have literally beaten their swords into plowshares in what can only be described as a later day "miracle" that is slowly unfolding at Tongogara Camp, a dusty settlement on the outskirts of the capital Harare.
Amid a cacophony of noises from patrons, the two appear happily at peace taking turns to quench their thirst as they share a mug of opaque beer at a run-down beer garden at the dusty camp.
"Political violence is now a thing of the past at this camp. We are now working for peace and co-existence," said Mugovo, a veteran of Zimbabwe's 1970s liberation war and fierce Mugabe supporter.
The 58-year old Mugovo once boasted of masterminding violent attacks on Tsvangirai's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters about six years ago.
Tongogara Camp is home to hundreds of war veterans who participated in the country's anti-settler liberation war, a section of society that also acquired notoriety for spearheading a violent campaign against MDC supporters.
However things appear to have changed here - thanks to an initiative by a local non-governmental organisation, the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET), that set up "peace committees" to foster tolerance among political groups in the country.
ZIMCET executive director David Chimhini says the peace committees were targeted at low ranking supporters of ZANU PF and the MDC as well as representatives of churches, war veterans and women's organisations to dissuade Zimbabweans from using violence to settle political scores.
"We started the concept in 2000 after we realised that youths were being used by selfish politicians to beat up supporters of rival parties. After six years of hard work, we are happy to say we are beginning to reap the fruits of our hard labour," said Chimhini.
Zimbabwe has been rocked by serious political violence over the past six years that left several hundreds dead with human rights groups accusing Mugabe of using violence against political opponents to hold on to power.
But Mugabe, who once boasted in 2000 that he "holds degrees in violence," has rejected the charge accusing the MDC of being cry babies who rush to complain after provoking his party's supporters.
Political violence particularly at election time, has left the country polarised with rural areas backing Mugabe while urban areas have thrown their support behind the opposition.
Several hundreds of MDC supporters have died in politically motivated violence since 2000 most of which was blamed on ZANU PF supporters.
A 2001 report by the internationally respected human rights organisation, Amnesty International, said more than 30 people mostly MDC supporters died as a result of political violence during the 2000 parliamentary election campaign alone.
Cecilia Mangoro, a ZANU PF district Committee inn Harare's Highfield low income suburb said the concept of peace committees had helped reduce tension between supporters of the ruling party and the MDC in the area.
"Things have changed now. We are now able to sit together as supporters of two different political parties and discuss issues that relate to the development of our community," Mangoro said.
"What is now needed is convince everyone in the neighbourhood that violence does not pay. We need to co-exist regardless of political affiliation," she added.
Chimhini said the organisation had already established 72 peace committees countrywide.
"Each committee has recorded its own successes but on the whole, politically-motivated violence has declined as a direct result of these efforts. Who would have thought MDC and ZANU PF supporters would one day sit together and share some beer," said Chimhini.
"Real physical violence has declined. What we are witnessing is subtle violence - the use of hate language and partly intimidation by politicians," Chimhini said.
But ZIMCET says while their goal is to reduce political violence, they are also involved in matters such as human rights, leadership and accountability.
"After achieving peace, we need development in these areas so we also teach them to be responsible citizens," added Chimhini.
While Machovo and Mugovo guzzle their beer at Tongogara, it still remains to be seen whether the concept of peace committees will be embraced by the top leaders from both sides of the political divide - a key requirement if political violence is to a thing of the past in Zimbabwe. - ZimOnline
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom
HARARE - With portraits of President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai emblazoned on their respective T-shirts, Tazvizwa Mugovo and George Makaro, are strange bedfellows.
But the two have literally beaten their swords into plowshares in what can only be described as a later day "miracle" that is slowly unfolding at Tongogara Camp, a dusty settlement on the outskirts of the capital Harare.
Amid a cacophony of noises from patrons, the two appear happily at peace taking turns to quench their thirst as they share a mug of opaque beer at a run-down beer garden at the dusty camp.
"Political violence is now a thing of the past at this camp. We are now working for peace and co-existence," said Mugovo, a veteran of Zimbabwe's 1970s liberation war and fierce Mugabe supporter.
The 58-year old Mugovo once boasted of masterminding violent attacks on Tsvangirai's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters about six years ago.
Tongogara Camp is home to hundreds of war veterans who participated in the country's anti-settler liberation war, a section of society that also acquired notoriety for spearheading a violent campaign against MDC supporters.
However things appear to have changed here - thanks to an initiative by a local non-governmental organisation, the Zimbabwe Civic Education Trust (ZIMCET), that set up "peace committees" to foster tolerance among political groups in the country.
ZIMCET executive director David Chimhini says the peace committees were targeted at low ranking supporters of ZANU PF and the MDC as well as representatives of churches, war veterans and women's organisations to dissuade Zimbabweans from using violence to settle political scores.
"We started the concept in 2000 after we realised that youths were being used by selfish politicians to beat up supporters of rival parties. After six years of hard work, we are happy to say we are beginning to reap the fruits of our hard labour," said Chimhini.
Zimbabwe has been rocked by serious political violence over the past six years that left several hundreds dead with human rights groups accusing Mugabe of using violence against political opponents to hold on to power.
But Mugabe, who once boasted in 2000 that he "holds degrees in violence," has rejected the charge accusing the MDC of being cry babies who rush to complain after provoking his party's supporters.
Political violence particularly at election time, has left the country polarised with rural areas backing Mugabe while urban areas have thrown their support behind the opposition.
Several hundreds of MDC supporters have died in politically motivated violence since 2000 most of which was blamed on ZANU PF supporters.
A 2001 report by the internationally respected human rights organisation, Amnesty International, said more than 30 people mostly MDC supporters died as a result of political violence during the 2000 parliamentary election campaign alone.
Cecilia Mangoro, a ZANU PF district Committee inn Harare's Highfield low income suburb said the concept of peace committees had helped reduce tension between supporters of the ruling party and the MDC in the area.
"Things have changed now. We are now able to sit together as supporters of two different political parties and discuss issues that relate to the development of our community," Mangoro said.
"What is now needed is convince everyone in the neighbourhood that violence does not pay. We need to co-exist regardless of political affiliation," she added.
Chimhini said the organisation had already established 72 peace committees countrywide.
"Each committee has recorded its own successes but on the whole, politically-motivated violence has declined as a direct result of these efforts. Who would have thought MDC and ZANU PF supporters would one day sit together and share some beer," said Chimhini.
"Real physical violence has declined. What we are witnessing is subtle violence - the use of hate language and partly intimidation by politicians," Chimhini said.
But ZIMCET says while their goal is to reduce political violence, they are also involved in matters such as human rights, leadership and accountability.
"After achieving peace, we need development in these areas so we also teach them to be responsible citizens," added Chimhini.
While Machovo and Mugovo guzzle their beer at Tongogara, it still remains to be seen whether the concept of peace committees will be embraced by the top leaders from both sides of the political divide - a key requirement if political violence is to a thing of the past in Zimbabwe. - ZimOnline
109 WOZA women arrested
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INSIZA – More than 100 women were arrested in Filabusi Town this week after after a peaceful protest against skyrocketing school fees and the chasing home of children whose parents cannot pay. Police hurriedly took the 109 women to Filabusi Magistrates court at 16:30 pm on Monday where they were charged under the Miscellaneous Offices Act (MOA) Section 7 - conduct likely to disturb the peace. Law and Order police officers had driven about 80 kilometres from Gwanda to ensure that the women were charged. The prosecutor at Filabusi advised them however to release the women as they had no case. All the women were released, including an extra 18 who had handed themselves over to police in solidarity. Many of the members were forced to walk over 50 kilometres home as by 5pm there was be no transport to take them home. Andrew Langa, MP for Insiza, drove past the procession in the morning and stooped low enough to insult the women, asking them “if their husbands had not performed well the night before to bring them out into the street”. He spent most of the day monitoring the police station and at one point went into the station and further insulted the women. They replied telling him that he should rather concentrate on lowering the school fees than on insulting them. Mugabe was in Insiza at Silalatshani Irrigation scheme to show off a bumper harvest grown by soldiers who appropriated the irrigation scheme. Some members of WOZA are former beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme. They were chased away some months ago by soldiers. - WOZA
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INSIZA – More than 100 women were arrested in Filabusi Town this week after after a peaceful protest against skyrocketing school fees and the chasing home of children whose parents cannot pay. Police hurriedly took the 109 women to Filabusi Magistrates court at 16:30 pm on Monday where they were charged under the Miscellaneous Offices Act (MOA) Section 7 - conduct likely to disturb the peace. Law and Order police officers had driven about 80 kilometres from Gwanda to ensure that the women were charged. The prosecutor at Filabusi advised them however to release the women as they had no case. All the women were released, including an extra 18 who had handed themselves over to police in solidarity. Many of the members were forced to walk over 50 kilometres home as by 5pm there was be no transport to take them home. Andrew Langa, MP for Insiza, drove past the procession in the morning and stooped low enough to insult the women, asking them “if their husbands had not performed well the night before to bring them out into the street”. He spent most of the day monitoring the police station and at one point went into the station and further insulted the women. They replied telling him that he should rather concentrate on lowering the school fees than on insulting them. Mugabe was in Insiza at Silalatshani Irrigation scheme to show off a bumper harvest grown by soldiers who appropriated the irrigation scheme. Some members of WOZA are former beneficiaries of the irrigation scheme. They were chased away some months ago by soldiers. - WOZA
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Radium Live!
Radium Live!
presents
laurie levine
original sa music at its best
DATE: Sat 17th june
TIME: 9:00
ENTRANCE: R40
plus!
every wednesday - Jacky Bond and Wayne Coughlan play the blues, 8-30, no cover
every thursday - Edith Klug and Sasha Sonnebichler play jazz, 8-30, no cover
every friday - The Radium Jazz Trio with Steve Kuny, 8-30, no cover
for more info go to www.theradium.co.za
ADDRESS: RADIUM BEER HALL, CNR 9TH STREET & LOUIS BOTHA AVE, ORANGE GROVE
For bookings call the Radium at 728-3866 thanks!
presents
laurie levine
original sa music at its best
DATE: Sat 17th june
TIME: 9:00
ENTRANCE: R40
plus!
every wednesday - Jacky Bond and Wayne Coughlan play the blues, 8-30, no cover
every thursday - Edith Klug and Sasha Sonnebichler play jazz, 8-30, no cover
every friday - The Radium Jazz Trio with Steve Kuny, 8-30, no cover
for more info go to www.theradium.co.za
ADDRESS: RADIUM BEER HALL, CNR 9TH STREET & LOUIS BOTHA AVE, ORANGE GROVE
For bookings call the Radium at 728-3866 thanks!
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Zimbabwe Rejects Downgraded Economic Status
POLITICS:
Zimbabwe Rejects Downgraded Economic Status
by Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 13 (IPS) - The government of Zimbabwe, a country in the throes of a major economic crisis, has rejected a recommendation by a U.N. committee that the cash-starved African nation be "downgraded" to the status of a least developed country (LDCs), the poorest of the world's poor.
The recommendation by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), comprising 22 U.N.-appointed experts, can be implemented only if the decision is acceptable to the country concerned.
In a letter to the CDP, the government of Zimbabwe said it "does not give its consent to be downgraded to LDC status".
An African diplomat told IPS that some countries view LDC status -- rightly or wrongly -- as "both a political and economic stigma". "I am not surprised that Zimbabwe has rejected the recommendation," he added.
Additionally, an LDC status is considered by some as an admission of failure of a country's economic policies. And in the case of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe has refused to accept failure.
Mugabe, who still commands respect in the African continent, has blamed his country's economic crisis on sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) -- and prompted by Britain -- in retaliation for his land reform policies which transferred white-owned farms to landless Zimbabweans.
The Zimbabwean president has defended his policy as necessary "to redress the gross imbalances" of British colonialism. The EU has also placed a travel ban barring him from visiting any of the 25 EU member countries.
Currently, there are 50 LDCs, of which 34 are from Africa. Since the General Assembly adopted a resolution creating the new category of LDCs in the 1970s, the number of countries has grown from about 22 to 50. So far, the only country that has graduated from an LDC to a "developing country" is Botswana.
Besides Zimbabwe, the CDP has recommended that Papua New Guinea also be downgraded to the status of LDC. A response from the government of the Pacific Island nation is pending.
As a result of significant economic improvements, however, four countries are now considered "eligible for graduation" from LDC to developing country status: Equatorial Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
In a report released last week, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) said that in April 2006, inflation officially topped 1,000 percent, helped by the decision to print 230 million dollars worth of Zimbabwean currency to pay international debts and sustain operations.
"Unemployment is over 85 percent, poverty over 90 percent, and foreign reserves are almost depleted. Over four million persons are in desperate need of food. HIV/AIDS and malnutrition kill thousands every month," the report said.
Agriculture, the major source of foreign currency earnings, has been particularly hard-hit. "There are severe shortages of basic consumer items, and the prices of fuel and food are beyond the reach of many," the report added.
Ralph Black of the Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad says the CDP recommendation to the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council to declare Zimbabwe a LDC signals a renewed effort by the international body to engage in reaching a resolution to the multilayered crisis that has crippled what was once "Africa's breadbasket".
"Finally the Zimbabwean crisis is firmly on the U.N. Agenda," Black told IPS. Most noticeable signs of this fact are the assessments of the U.N. Special Envoy on the affects of Operation Murambatstvina -- which involved the destruction of shanties -- and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's reported diplomatic involvement in seeking a political resolution to the current impasse.
Clearly, he said, the vulnerability of Zimbabwe relevant to its designation as a LDC is driven on three main fronts.
First, the nation's domestic national income has decreased rapidly over the past three years, mainly due to quadruple-digit inflation.
Second, the country's human assets have been adversely affected by the deterioration of educational standards and decreased enrollment and increased dropout rates, affecting literacy rates over the long term.
Further, Zimbabwe has experienced declining nutrition, adversely affecting mortality rates, especially amongst the most vulnerable segments of the population -- children and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Due to economic constraints, the health delivery sector has collapsed further, exacerbating the national hygiene and wellness and adversely affecting mortality, he noted.
Third, Zimbabwe's economic vulnerability has reached alarming proportions due to the disruption of the agricultural sector's output/production.
Prior to May 2005, he said, it was estimated that 200,000 people were internally displaced as a result of the farm invasions, a situation that was worsened by the Zimbabwe governments Operation Murambastvina, in which it is estimated that 2.4 million people were indirectly affected while 700,000 people were displaced.
An assessment of the facts clearly indicates that the inclusion of Zimbabwe on the list of least developed nations is warranted, he argued.
The challenge in designating Zimbabwe as a least developed nation (LDC) lies in the ability of the United Nations to remove the obstacles to development, by engaging the current government, which is resistant to this development, without upsetting the internal dynamics at play for democratic change, or marginalising the democratic forces within the country.
Asked what benefits would accrue to a country designated LDC, Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for LDCs, told IPS that the main benefits are duty-free, quota-free market access and special attention for official development assistance (ODA.)
In addition, he pointed out, the U.N. system as a whole, in particular its funds and programmes, provide increased support to LDCs in terms of resource allocation and technical assistance.
Black said that while the benefits of the proposed declaration are clear, including duty-free exports and increased inflow of international aid, the United Nations must also devise an approach that seeks to encourage the Zimbabwean government to commit to reform without emboldening its intransigence to engaging the democratic forces, nor weakening or undermining the political opposition's road map to reform.
Such a designation, he said, would enhance the profile and capacity of the suppressed Zimbabwean civil society to engage in reconstruction and development, increasing the threat to the current government's grip on power -- hence its reluctance to readily accept inclusion to this class of the poorest of the poor league, Black declared.
On the other hand, the opposition may view this move as undermining their efforts to internationally isolate the Mugabe government in a bid to force talks and broad-based reform. There does not seem to be an easy way out of this crisis.
Ultimately, the United Nations must act decisively to acquit its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and affected within Zimbabwe.
The elevation of the current economic crisis by designating Zimbabwe as an LDC should be viewed as an encouraging development, Black said. (END/2006)
Zimbabwe Rejects Downgraded Economic Status
by Thalif Deen
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 13 (IPS) - The government of Zimbabwe, a country in the throes of a major economic crisis, has rejected a recommendation by a U.N. committee that the cash-starved African nation be "downgraded" to the status of a least developed country (LDCs), the poorest of the world's poor.
The recommendation by the Committee for Development Policy (CDP), comprising 22 U.N.-appointed experts, can be implemented only if the decision is acceptable to the country concerned.
In a letter to the CDP, the government of Zimbabwe said it "does not give its consent to be downgraded to LDC status".
An African diplomat told IPS that some countries view LDC status -- rightly or wrongly -- as "both a political and economic stigma". "I am not surprised that Zimbabwe has rejected the recommendation," he added.
Additionally, an LDC status is considered by some as an admission of failure of a country's economic policies. And in the case of Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe has refused to accept failure.
Mugabe, who still commands respect in the African continent, has blamed his country's economic crisis on sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) -- and prompted by Britain -- in retaliation for his land reform policies which transferred white-owned farms to landless Zimbabweans.
The Zimbabwean president has defended his policy as necessary "to redress the gross imbalances" of British colonialism. The EU has also placed a travel ban barring him from visiting any of the 25 EU member countries.
Currently, there are 50 LDCs, of which 34 are from Africa. Since the General Assembly adopted a resolution creating the new category of LDCs in the 1970s, the number of countries has grown from about 22 to 50. So far, the only country that has graduated from an LDC to a "developing country" is Botswana.
Besides Zimbabwe, the CDP has recommended that Papua New Guinea also be downgraded to the status of LDC. A response from the government of the Pacific Island nation is pending.
As a result of significant economic improvements, however, four countries are now considered "eligible for graduation" from LDC to developing country status: Equatorial Guinea, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
In a report released last week, the Brussels-based International Crisis Group (ICG) said that in April 2006, inflation officially topped 1,000 percent, helped by the decision to print 230 million dollars worth of Zimbabwean currency to pay international debts and sustain operations.
"Unemployment is over 85 percent, poverty over 90 percent, and foreign reserves are almost depleted. Over four million persons are in desperate need of food. HIV/AIDS and malnutrition kill thousands every month," the report said.
Agriculture, the major source of foreign currency earnings, has been particularly hard-hit. "There are severe shortages of basic consumer items, and the prices of fuel and food are beyond the reach of many," the report added.
Ralph Black of the Association of Zimbabweans Based Abroad says the CDP recommendation to the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council to declare Zimbabwe a LDC signals a renewed effort by the international body to engage in reaching a resolution to the multilayered crisis that has crippled what was once "Africa's breadbasket".
"Finally the Zimbabwean crisis is firmly on the U.N. Agenda," Black told IPS. Most noticeable signs of this fact are the assessments of the U.N. Special Envoy on the affects of Operation Murambatstvina -- which involved the destruction of shanties -- and U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's reported diplomatic involvement in seeking a political resolution to the current impasse.
Clearly, he said, the vulnerability of Zimbabwe relevant to its designation as a LDC is driven on three main fronts.
First, the nation's domestic national income has decreased rapidly over the past three years, mainly due to quadruple-digit inflation.
Second, the country's human assets have been adversely affected by the deterioration of educational standards and decreased enrollment and increased dropout rates, affecting literacy rates over the long term.
Further, Zimbabwe has experienced declining nutrition, adversely affecting mortality rates, especially amongst the most vulnerable segments of the population -- children and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Due to economic constraints, the health delivery sector has collapsed further, exacerbating the national hygiene and wellness and adversely affecting mortality, he noted.
Third, Zimbabwe's economic vulnerability has reached alarming proportions due to the disruption of the agricultural sector's output/production.
Prior to May 2005, he said, it was estimated that 200,000 people were internally displaced as a result of the farm invasions, a situation that was worsened by the Zimbabwe governments Operation Murambastvina, in which it is estimated that 2.4 million people were indirectly affected while 700,000 people were displaced.
An assessment of the facts clearly indicates that the inclusion of Zimbabwe on the list of least developed nations is warranted, he argued.
The challenge in designating Zimbabwe as a least developed nation (LDC) lies in the ability of the United Nations to remove the obstacles to development, by engaging the current government, which is resistant to this development, without upsetting the internal dynamics at play for democratic change, or marginalising the democratic forces within the country.
Asked what benefits would accrue to a country designated LDC, Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, U.N. Under-Secretary-General for LDCs, told IPS that the main benefits are duty-free, quota-free market access and special attention for official development assistance (ODA.)
In addition, he pointed out, the U.N. system as a whole, in particular its funds and programmes, provide increased support to LDCs in terms of resource allocation and technical assistance.
Black said that while the benefits of the proposed declaration are clear, including duty-free exports and increased inflow of international aid, the United Nations must also devise an approach that seeks to encourage the Zimbabwean government to commit to reform without emboldening its intransigence to engaging the democratic forces, nor weakening or undermining the political opposition's road map to reform.
Such a designation, he said, would enhance the profile and capacity of the suppressed Zimbabwean civil society to engage in reconstruction and development, increasing the threat to the current government's grip on power -- hence its reluctance to readily accept inclusion to this class of the poorest of the poor league, Black declared.
On the other hand, the opposition may view this move as undermining their efforts to internationally isolate the Mugabe government in a bid to force talks and broad-based reform. There does not seem to be an easy way out of this crisis.
Ultimately, the United Nations must act decisively to acquit its responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and affected within Zimbabwe.
The elevation of the current economic crisis by designating Zimbabwe as an LDC should be viewed as an encouraging development, Black said. (END/2006)
Death Notice - Wrex Tarr
JUSTICE FOR AGRICULTURE DEATH NOTICE COMMUNIQUE - June 13, 2006
I have just received a call from Lisa Tarr, who told me the very sad news that Darryl's dad, Wrex Tarr, passed away last night in East London, South Africa.
I'm sure EVERY Zimbabwean would remember Wrex, who became somewhat of a household name in the Seventies with his own special brand of "Chilapalapa" humour. He later became a very professional, likeable and popular media personality in the then Rhodesia.
I am sure you will all want to join me in passing on very sincere condolences to Darryl, Lisa and the rest of the family. He certainly will be remembered by many of us for many years to come.
Once again, our very deepest and sincere sympathies, to the family. Our thoughts are with you.
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
I have just received a call from Lisa Tarr, who told me the very sad news that Darryl's dad, Wrex Tarr, passed away last night in East London, South Africa.
I'm sure EVERY Zimbabwean would remember Wrex, who became somewhat of a household name in the Seventies with his own special brand of "Chilapalapa" humour. He later became a very professional, likeable and popular media personality in the then Rhodesia.
I am sure you will all want to join me in passing on very sincere condolences to Darryl, Lisa and the rest of the family. He certainly will be remembered by many of us for many years to come.
Once again, our very deepest and sincere sympathies, to the family. Our thoughts are with you.
May His Soul Rest In Peace.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Zimbabwe hospitals operate without doctors
Fri 9 June 2006
MASVINGO - At least four hospitals in Zimbabwe's southern Masvingo province are operating without a single doctor in a vivid illustration of the collapse of the country's health delivery system.
Speaking at a belated World Tuberculosis Day in Masvingo yesterday, Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said four hospitals, Neshuro, Ndanga, Chivi and Silveira, were all operating without a single doctor due to a massive flight of skilled manpower.
"I am shocked to learn that these institutions do not have a single doctor. What is worrying is that the country is producing about 110 doctors per year from the University of Zimbabwe and yet there no doctors in the country," said Parirenyatwa. Parirenyatwa said the government was going to implement strict measures to bond doctors and nurses to halt the brain-drain. Hundreds of doctors and nurses, disgruntled by poor salaries and working conditions, have fled Zimbabwe over the past six years to work abroad, the majority of them in South Africa, Botswana and the United Kingdom.
Zimbabwe, which was one of the strongest economies in sub-Saharan Africa at independence from Britain 26 years ago, is in the grip of a severe six-year old economic crisis critics blame on President Robert Mugabe's mismanagement.
Mugabe last April conceded that the country was in a deep hole because of the massive brain-drain and appealed to Zimbabwean professionals in the diaspora to return home and rebuild the country, a call which has found very few takers. Zimbabwe's public health sector, once a shining example to the developing world, is in a state of advanced decay because of neglect and under-funding from the government. Many hospitals around the country are only able to prescribe nothing more than basic painkillers because there is no hard cash to import essential medicines.
Zimbabwe's public health sector, once a shining example to the developing world, is in a state of advanced decay because of neglect and under-funding from the government.
Many hospitals around the country are only able to prescribe nothing more than basic painkillers because there is no hard cash to import essential medicines. - ZimOnline
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