Today I want to submit the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe which I have heard them say over a long time. Friends I have often said and still do say that we have an obligation to the people and the land that brought us. Growing up in Bulawayo the second capital city of Zimbabwe, a city which prides itself with people from all walks of life. If ever Zimbabweans needs to learn diversity, they must pay a visit to this great city. Let me make it clear that I went to school with a lot of Shona speaking friends. Let me specify that from as long as I can remember we have always had Nyanja , Shona, Kalanga, Tonga and other unique neighbours from different tribes.
Let the reader understand that I played, worked and prayed with Shona speaking people. These are people who love and cherish the culture of the City of Kings. While Bulawayo has always been the Ndebele capital, history has it that the city has always been home to many tribes and races. In Ndebele tribes there are Nguni, Xhosa, Zulu, Shangani, Kalanga and Sotho . More than ninety percent of Zimbabwean do not speak English at home. This is the reason why I took time to mention various tribes above .Matabeleland has honestly cast a vote of change for many decades now.tnew comwers rn around.
Given that background I must safely say that I know better about Zimbabweans than my most of my Harare counterparts who only think Zimbabweans speak one language, Shona. Shame! These are the people who say Zimbabwe is Harare and vice verse. Sadly this is where our "national leaders" are suppose to come from. Today I am not willing spend my time on the pathetic and ignorant. Let me be clear that I know the difference between the Zezuru, Manyika, Vitori and Karanga. I understand a few Zimbabwean languages even though I cannot speak all of them. I testify that in my lifetime I have heard Zimbabweans speak. I heard them talk in buses and emergency taxis. In churches and synagogues. On the streets and on bicycles. On trains stations and bus stops. In the town hall meetings at the Bulawayo Large City hall. During my job as a waiter at the Bulawayo Service Station restaurant. During the Matabeleland Water Project fund raising's. In 1999 during the Constitution Referendum days. Reading and contributing to various newspapers both govt and independent. One cannot be more Zimbabwean than that.
Let us face it, the Harare culture of promoting instant riches has killed the economy of the country. Tell me if a forty five year old man could be so rich that he can "host the world cup" when he has no history of working. We saw the rise and fall of Boker Auction floors empire.We saw the emergency of the money clubs. We saw the Willogate scandal. Corruption at the Harare City council. This is just to mention a few known instances. We have seen tenders given to briefcase companies in the name of Black empowerment. Nepotism is rampant. You have know somebody. You have to buy beer for the boss. Corruption in the government is sickening. If we are to organize Zimbabwe we surely need to clean Harare.
For as long as I can remember the average working people of Zimbabwe have longed for leadership that listens to them. People have lamented the lack of leadership among our own black government. The peace loving Zimbabwean who fought for the liberation of the country have often been heard lamenting the deterioration of standards in public places. Talk about beer gardens, parks, public transport, ranks and roads. All the development that was left for us at Independence. The quality of life. The abuse of the taxpayer's funds .The poor workmanship in public services. We all witnessed the corruption of the country we loved. Despite three or four presidential candidates Zimbabwe still needs a different type of leadership. For a long time we have been led by people who takes us for granted. Our elected officials cannot handle criticism. They are the type who know it all. I have heard people say they are ashamed of having fought for this country. By the way its a sin to criticize a black government. You become an agent of the colonialist.
We cannot put new wine into the old wine skins . We need to restore the federal government. Restoring accountability to the public system. We need to have non partisan officials who will run the cities professionally. True leadership is by the people and for the people. Running a country does not take a rocket scientist even though we can always use one. A government with a broad national and international outlook is long overdue. Changing the face of the government will equally do us no good. We need to purge or overhaul the whole system.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
FORTUNE SEEKERS FLOODING THE EMAILS.
What was commonly known as a West African scam is now spreading all the way to the Southern African. These talented calculating fortune seeking opportunist will leave no stone unturned on their pursuit to the jackpot. This is a lucrative multi million dollar industry that plays on both the feelings and the greediness of the person on the other side. The email system has made the job easier for these lazy, ruthless thieves who's conscience is obviously been sered. One can only underestimate them to their own peril. They have a wide randomly selected target area of people. For example you will receive a business like email letter informing you that you have a chance to inherit some fortune from some bank or financial institution in Africa. Normally the person who write the letter is the Bank Manager. They want to use a convincing name like the, National Bank Of Nigeria or Bank of West Africa, Bank of South Africa or any selected country.
There is usually a story behind, either the owner of the fortune died on a plane crush or something like that. The other catch is the amount of money in question. " Hundreds of thousands of United States dollars or even millions". The other thing is that the transaction has to be confidential and also that the two of you will share the spoils. Before you know how to respond, you are told to fill all your details name, address, business or cell phone even your bank accounts. You are told to do the transaction as fast as you can and he also give you his cellphone number which apparently is the only true detail. As the talks go on, it will turn out that all you have to do is pay for the legal costs in order to inherit the money. Most American have fallen pray for the scam. The fortune seekers have robbed even the churches and some other charitable organisations.
In the past few months almost every week I receive an email from these "bank managers." What amazes me is that these bank managers are now having familiar names. Some are South African Zulu names. Most are trying to capitalize on the coming of the WORLD CUP in South Africa in 2010. One can only imagine how much crime awaits the visitors. What most do not know is the fact the the FBI is pursuing this schemers. We have seen them rounded up in places like Nigeria which is the capital of corruption. The ABC television exposed them last summer, in an effort to alert the public.
There is usually a story behind, either the owner of the fortune died on a plane crush or something like that. The other catch is the amount of money in question. " Hundreds of thousands of United States dollars or even millions". The other thing is that the transaction has to be confidential and also that the two of you will share the spoils. Before you know how to respond, you are told to fill all your details name, address, business or cell phone even your bank accounts. You are told to do the transaction as fast as you can and he also give you his cellphone number which apparently is the only true detail. As the talks go on, it will turn out that all you have to do is pay for the legal costs in order to inherit the money. Most American have fallen pray for the scam. The fortune seekers have robbed even the churches and some other charitable organisations.
In the past few months almost every week I receive an email from these "bank managers." What amazes me is that these bank managers are now having familiar names. Some are South African Zulu names. Most are trying to capitalize on the coming of the WORLD CUP in South Africa in 2010. One can only imagine how much crime awaits the visitors. What most do not know is the fact the the FBI is pursuing this schemers. We have seen them rounded up in places like Nigeria which is the capital of corruption. The ABC television exposed them last summer, in an effort to alert the public.
Friday, February 8, 2008
WILL THE REAL SIMBA MAKONI STAND UP PLEASE!
The news that Zimbabwe's former finance minister Dr Simba Makoni is entering the the Presidential race was received with both shock and suspicion. It is interesting to note that both sides were confused by his move. Needles to say that the rumor has been going on for a while so much that the President of Zimbabwe had to call the man Makoni to his discuss this issue. While nobody knows what they discussed, many thought Makoni distanced himself from this rumour because soon after that, he went and submitted his papers to contest as a member of parliament somewhere in Manicaland on a ZANU PF ticket. This this move was seen as both of solidarity and submission to the party he so dearly loved. However when it happened that his papers were not accepted because he is allegedly sent them late, the next thing we heard was that the man is contesting for the Presidential elections in March 29.
While doing all this Makoni is a full member of ZANU PF. How can all this happen within a space of one week? The man might be have good intentions but I also believe that he is making things worse. Timing is important in politics .ZANU PF calls him a traitor, somebody who is being used by the British and Americans to destroy the party from inside. The opposition thinks he is sent to divide votes among them so that Mugabe's victory become legitimate. Politics is a game of numbers, its either he is for or against. This happens soon after the collapse of the MDC unity talks. The other problem here is Makoni was there in the ZANU PF convention in December when the party official endorsed President Mugabe as its confidant and he never said a word. I personal do not think that he is sent by the British and Americans, but he contradict himself when he claims to be a member of the ruling party. The ruling party is the wrong party that is why we are here .What suffering of the people of Zimbabwe has he seen in a space of one week that is new?
People have always been suffering while he was playing hid and seek with his party and boss. Nothing wrong with contending for the president but it raises questions if one is just doing it for the sake of personal pride and ambitions. What is so special about him that he can contest for the president in a space of a month and win. Better are the two MDC factions which have made their intentions and principles clear to the people of Zimbabwe. Dr Simba Makoni who is 57 years old must stand up and tell if he did not see anything wrong with ZANU PF and Mugabe all along. He must tell me if he did not see the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe in the past two decades. Had he managed to contest for the MP in Manicaland he would not have turned against his party and boss. He could not have seen the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.
Makoni ranks among the late Dr Edison Zvobgo who helped change the constitution seventeen times but later became outspoken against the president. Prof Jonathan Moyo one of Zimbabwe's finest minds who was Mugabe's spokesman and not only that he went out of his way silence opposition he left the party in the same manner. Dr Nkosana Moyo resigned thousands of miles above the sea level on his was to South Africa. Thanks to the email system. Zimbabwe has never lacked educated people but Zimbabwe has lacked courageous people. Thank God at least Makoni is tired of being one of Mugabe's wives.
While doing all this Makoni is a full member of ZANU PF. How can all this happen within a space of one week? The man might be have good intentions but I also believe that he is making things worse. Timing is important in politics .ZANU PF calls him a traitor, somebody who is being used by the British and Americans to destroy the party from inside. The opposition thinks he is sent to divide votes among them so that Mugabe's victory become legitimate. Politics is a game of numbers, its either he is for or against. This happens soon after the collapse of the MDC unity talks. The other problem here is Makoni was there in the ZANU PF convention in December when the party official endorsed President Mugabe as its confidant and he never said a word. I personal do not think that he is sent by the British and Americans, but he contradict himself when he claims to be a member of the ruling party. The ruling party is the wrong party that is why we are here .What suffering of the people of Zimbabwe has he seen in a space of one week that is new?
People have always been suffering while he was playing hid and seek with his party and boss. Nothing wrong with contending for the president but it raises questions if one is just doing it for the sake of personal pride and ambitions. What is so special about him that he can contest for the president in a space of a month and win. Better are the two MDC factions which have made their intentions and principles clear to the people of Zimbabwe. Dr Simba Makoni who is 57 years old must stand up and tell if he did not see anything wrong with ZANU PF and Mugabe all along. He must tell me if he did not see the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe in the past two decades. Had he managed to contest for the MP in Manicaland he would not have turned against his party and boss. He could not have seen the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.
Makoni ranks among the late Dr Edison Zvobgo who helped change the constitution seventeen times but later became outspoken against the president. Prof Jonathan Moyo one of Zimbabwe's finest minds who was Mugabe's spokesman and not only that he went out of his way silence opposition he left the party in the same manner. Dr Nkosana Moyo resigned thousands of miles above the sea level on his was to South Africa. Thanks to the email system. Zimbabwe has never lacked educated people but Zimbabwe has lacked courageous people. Thank God at least Makoni is tired of being one of Mugabe's wives.
Monday, February 4, 2008
ZIMBABWE'S DEEP DIVIDES.
Most politicaly correct people want to potray Zimbabwe as a united nation that does not care about one's background. These prophets of doom are usually quick to say Zimbabweans are above tribe and race and things like that. While that is a good wish the truth is that Zimbabweans a very divided people. For example an average South African can speak up to five languages, Sotho ,Zulu , Xhosa, Venda or even Shangani. This is the reason why they can identify foreigners because it is impossible to learn all these languages within a short period. The point here is most Zimbabwean would only speak their own tribal language. There is nothing wrong with that. However the tribal differences have been used to divide people over a long time.
If I am not mistaken there are about seven or eight official languages spoken in Zimbabwe.These would range from the majority to the minority. Having grown up in the Midlands myself I can testify that politics have divided people by their langauge or tribe. It is so sickening to note how much your language will determine one's fate in Zimbabwe. For example it is a known fact that "No Ndebele supposed to rule Zimbabwe no matter how brilliant". While we have been successful in down playing our deep divisions we must take off the mask and face the reality on the ground. It is known fact that the Mutambara faction of the MDC needed him because they risked being branded a Ndebele party. I have no doubt of the man Mutambara's credentials at the same time I also do not believe that they needed to elevet him to the top position. Those guys had already done enough work on their own hence they managed to get the few Parlimentary seats in Matabeleland. The Sibanda and Welshman faction did not want to risk national status.
Fears like that are not unfounded. The late Dr Joshua Nkomo the man who was nicknamed father Zimbabwe was branded a Ndebele leader yet everybody knew that he was a national leader above tribal and racial divides. Those lies worked pretty well for those who wanted to achieve what they wanted to achieve. All this was done at the expense of political diversity and a multi cultural society. When the man Cde Robert Mugabe had done that he was assured that the majority of the Shona people would be on his side. To this day most Shona people in the rural areas still support him regardless. The man Mugabe has so much support that even if he dose not rig elections he can beat each of the MDC factions. Iam not going to mention the million men march or war vetarans. There is no one thing that brings Zimbabweans together as sons and daugters of one nation.
The work of the militia and the other party agents was so effective that people do not trust one another to this very day. In his effort to stay in power forever Mugabe greatly rewarded the people of Mashonaland in many respects. They bennefitted from scholarships and many government and non govermental projects. They were recipents of things like black empowerment and so no. He built Harare into a world class city and even the sorrounding areas. Some were appointed in many influential positions like the Police , Army , Education and the entire public service. This took many years of deliberate planning and planting. The stronghold of the opposition is the poor people of Matabeleland and the educated people of Harare. The division is deep that even the opposition is divided. Shona dominates Zimbabwe's media. That is why most Ndebeles resorted to cross the border a long time ago, when the Shona were singing praises of ZANU.PF and its leader.
If I am not mistaken there are about seven or eight official languages spoken in Zimbabwe.These would range from the majority to the minority. Having grown up in the Midlands myself I can testify that politics have divided people by their langauge or tribe. It is so sickening to note how much your language will determine one's fate in Zimbabwe. For example it is a known fact that "No Ndebele supposed to rule Zimbabwe no matter how brilliant". While we have been successful in down playing our deep divisions we must take off the mask and face the reality on the ground. It is known fact that the Mutambara faction of the MDC needed him because they risked being branded a Ndebele party. I have no doubt of the man Mutambara's credentials at the same time I also do not believe that they needed to elevet him to the top position. Those guys had already done enough work on their own hence they managed to get the few Parlimentary seats in Matabeleland. The Sibanda and Welshman faction did not want to risk national status.
Fears like that are not unfounded. The late Dr Joshua Nkomo the man who was nicknamed father Zimbabwe was branded a Ndebele leader yet everybody knew that he was a national leader above tribal and racial divides. Those lies worked pretty well for those who wanted to achieve what they wanted to achieve. All this was done at the expense of political diversity and a multi cultural society. When the man Cde Robert Mugabe had done that he was assured that the majority of the Shona people would be on his side. To this day most Shona people in the rural areas still support him regardless. The man Mugabe has so much support that even if he dose not rig elections he can beat each of the MDC factions. Iam not going to mention the million men march or war vetarans. There is no one thing that brings Zimbabweans together as sons and daugters of one nation.
The work of the militia and the other party agents was so effective that people do not trust one another to this very day. In his effort to stay in power forever Mugabe greatly rewarded the people of Mashonaland in many respects. They bennefitted from scholarships and many government and non govermental projects. They were recipents of things like black empowerment and so no. He built Harare into a world class city and even the sorrounding areas. Some were appointed in many influential positions like the Police , Army , Education and the entire public service. This took many years of deliberate planning and planting. The stronghold of the opposition is the poor people of Matabeleland and the educated people of Harare. The division is deep that even the opposition is divided. Shona dominates Zimbabwe's media. That is why most Ndebeles resorted to cross the border a long time ago, when the Shona were singing praises of ZANU.PF and its leader.
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