AMERICANS FORCED TO ADJUST LIFESTYLES:

From the wall street to the main street, there is no doubt that America is going through a harsh economic period.The housing market has dropped by an alarming rate, forcing people to walk out of their homes. Hundreds of people are losing jobs everyday. The affected workforce ranges from airline to manufacturing industries. A lot of people who used take pride in driving their individual cars to work, are now abandoning them for public transport.

Food prices are high, and food banks are witness to that. Gleaners, a leading food bank in Indiana, the last two years has seen a staggering rise in families that rely on hand outs. A lot of people are forced to adjust from their luxury lifestyles. The fall of the US dollar has also contributed to the misery of the fun loving American people.

Most people are now shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill, and and other second hand clothes places. ( KoMpedzanamo) Pawns shops are also seeing a rise in both customers, and traders. Only few people are going to big stores for brand names goods like Lazarus and Mercies.

When I first came here about eight years ago I used to fill my car by just $10. And now that same tank needs something like $35.I never complained about gas prices, as a matter of fact I did not even bother to compare prices from different gas stations. Back then a gallon of gas was $1,80 and now its $4,15 .The meal mealies I used to buy for $1,35 is now $3,49 and that is just for 2 kg. After all the bills are paid I can hardly find change in my pockets.

The employers and the employees are feeling the pinch. Many companies are closing down for good. Can you imagine being greeted by a security guard at your company gate in the morning, telling you that the company is closed. The George Bush administration had to approve a tax rebate cash back system to help the struggling working families.

This is not only an effort to plough back into the economy, but also to boost the consumer confidence.Perhaps people will spend without holding back. Politicians and economists in Washington are struggling with terms, some are saying this a recession, while others think it's a depression .To me, it feels we are going through both.

AMAZULU CLEANS THE MIGHTY LIMPOPO.

This weekend saw the two Zimbabwean social soccer teams Amazulu and Limpopo clash. At first the two giants seemed tied neck to neck until halftime. The Limpopo FC is a Seventh Day Adventist Church social soccer team of Indianapolis. Clad in their traditional red jerseys struggled to put a fight for a while. Amazulu who were in white seemed well co ordinated than the visitors. Despite the threats shots by Nkuks Mahlangu, who chose to side his faith instead of pleasure. Limpopo did not fight the good fight. The current was low. It was like a drought year.

Amazulu's underdog and a regular bench warmer Proff Malvin proved his critics wrong. He unleashed two arrows past the Limpopo goalkeeper. The Limpopo goal minder Ndiweni was left standing as if he was a spectator. Also the Amazulu's import Julius from Nigeria was on the rampage. Being eager to impress the coaching department, Julius punished the visitors at least three times. The man has struggled a lot during this season in the league.

Brother Vince played very well as goalie. He denied the visitors a number of targeted shots. Stephen also proved himself as a an experienced defender. He blocked them from left right and center. Even brother Dickson as quick as he is, could not penetrate the Stephen and Max marshaled defence wall. The Seventh Day Adventists tried to to keep the spirit alive, but it was obvious that the flesh was weak. Bob and Khups aggressive defence was kept running up and down chasing shadows.

The stakes were high at the friendly memorial day weekend, since the two teams are rival. Each time they play its like a Cup final. It was the battle for supremacy. The poor refereeing standards did not make things any better. People were not cautioned for dirty play. In the end nature succumbed to man with spears. Amazulu are also formerly known as Zambezi. 8 -3 was the score board at the end of the game. (in favour of spears.)

At the end there was amawoso. Zimbabweans like meat so much especially the Ndebeles. One could tell most people are taking advantage of the low meat prices here. Badla baze bayitshiye besazi ukuthi le kithi kayibona yiliho lentwala. One could hear the loud music from home. You cannot help notice that people are homesick here.

POOR SOUTH AFRICANS DEMAND ATTENTION.

Anybody who think that the recent attacks on foreigners by the machete wielding mobs, is executed by thugs, must think again. Without warning South Africa, like Zimbabwe has suddenly found itself in a decisive moment in the post apartheid history. The demographic class layers of a free South Africa has finally came out of the closet. "A hungry man is an angry man," goes the English saying. First of all, for me as a Zimbabwean and a foreigner in other people's lands. I can easily identify with my brothers , uncles, cousins and friends in South Africa. I therefore condemn in the strongest terms, the brutality of the so called xenophobia.

I join the Mandelas, Bishop Desmond Tutus and the rest of the civilised community in pleading for peace and tranquility in the motherland. The tragedies and traumas experienced by those families is inexcusable. No one deserves such treatment, especially in the same land where the evil of apartheid was once manifested. This, however has proved that we as Africans, do not have respect for each other. We value other people more than we value ourselves. This is the mentality we derived from both colonialism and apartheid.

In all that, I cannot help but feel for both the victims and the perpetrators. These people have one thing in common. Poverty. Poor and hopeless people have no regard for one another. To them life is a "dog eat dog" way of survival. They have suffered too long such that in their minds, they think the only way out for them is getting rid of these (makwerekweres) foreigners. I don't like to think that they are really against foreigners. They are doing anything to get attention. They feel nobody is listening to them. They are trying to talk to their elected leaders who promised them heaven and earth.

South Africans have a dual problem right now. First, to solve these outrageous crimes that can potential, harm the country's image ahead of the of World Cup in 2010. Secondly, to try and possible maintain or control the immigration problem. This is important especially seeing the elections are scheduled next year. What ever they do, will have serious consequences and implications. To the majority of the people of South African voters, who recent have shown discontent in the present leadership.

There is no way which the ANC lead government will have it both ways. President Thabo Mbeki, in an effort to show seriousness in this issue has approved the use of the South African army. Army spokesman Sam Mkwanazi (not related to the writer) downplayed the employment of the army as a "normal procedure that is done to help the police."

Meanwhile the South African government has promised that they are not going to deport the displaced foreigners. The government has surprisingly proved sympathetic to the immigrants at such a time. One wonders how long they are remain hospitable to foreigners, and jailing their own local people who are looting, killing and raping women and children. I applaud the government for providing temporary solutions, and yet the need for permanent solution is crucial.

The deployment of soldiers by the ANC lead government mighty further complicate issues. This could trigger the old wounds between the IFP and ANC. The people who go around killing and torturing immigrants, call themselves Zulus. The last thing that country needs is the war between ANC and IFP. Some other South African local tribes have also been targeted in this outrageous and notorius campaign.

The only person who can unite the two is Jacob Zuma.The man Zuma is awaiting trial for corruption allegations. Zuma has so much support from Durban and other Zulu areas. Whatever the outcome of the trial, Zuma must be free. However, this does not mean that he can salvage the whole situation. It could even be the fact that some people are seeing him as a necessary evil against the ANC Xhosa lead govt. These are the people he needs, come elections next year. They are even singing his song, Awulethe umtshini wami.

The Zulus without regard to political affiliation are ready to welcome their own to the South African throne. Anything less than that could prove disastrous. This is not a small thing for them. The deployment of soldiers must accompany serious talks behind the scenes. There is a mixture of truth, lies , deception and perception.

COMING TO ZIMBABWE.

Zimbabwe is obviously undergoing a very much difficult time in many respects. I would not want to mix Zimbabwe's problems and South Africa's problems, but somehow they link. This is obviously because of the shared borders and cultures. To put it simple, Ndebele is a language taken from Zulu. Ndebele King Mzilkazi was a Zulu, who founded the modern day Ndebele nation in Zimbabwe.( across the river Limpopo). Without going deep into the historic cultural background. I would say the European styled way of leadership and government we inherited, undermines our cultural relations. UBUNTU BETHU.

I should not be misunderstood to say that only the Ndebele must have a right to go to South Africa and vice verse. NO. Such cultural relations would be a starting point and not limited. South Africa, like Zimbabwe is a multi cultural nation. I have to begin where I know. The failure or delay by the Zimbabwean government to allow Ndebeles to have their own ceremonial King is also to blame for this mess. If the Shona lead government of Zimbabwe, had good relations with Ndebele people, and the Zulu have a good relations with Ndebele, no one will fear another. The same could be said of Zambia and Malawi. These were also affected by the mfecane migration. Mefcane was the time of trouble in Zululand in the Mid 1800 century.

Many times the Ndebeles have sought ties with Zulu, the only thing lacking being the approval from Harare. We have more that unite us as south Africans( abantu abansundu) than what divide us. This is trtue even without regard to the languages.The diplomatic ties within the two countries must address the immigration problem. These two countries have a lot to gain from each other. Zimbabwean workers are driving the economy of South Africa. And also at stake is trade and tourism partnerships.

This does not mean that they should share the same political opinion.

Silent no more.

UDLAME LUQEDA ABANTU EZWENI.

Sekufe abantu abangafika amtshumi amathathu ngeviki eledluleyo ezitaladeni sase South Africa. Abantu a abanengi beZimbabwe le Mozambique le Zambia basukele kumbe baxotshwa alpho abakade behlala khona. Labo abaqhuba lo umkhankaso wodlame batshengise isichuku esikhulu esingazake sibonakale selokhu kwabusa u Mandela ngo 1994. Kubikwa lento iqale emalokitshini ase Alexander ngeviki edluleyo. Amapholisa abika ukuthi asebophe abantu abedlula amakhulu amathathu ababanjwe bephathekile kuloludlame.

Ngikhuluma lomzawami izolo, uthe lento uhlukuluze abantu bonke bezizweni. Imifanekiso eminengi eyathathwa ngeziboniboni itshengise ukuchitheka kwegazi okukhulu, omunye utshengise umuntu esitsha umzimba wonke amapholisa ezama ukumcitsha ngenhlabathi. Umngane wami uNick Sibanda uthe lo umkhanankaso wedlula esikubonayo lesikuzwayo emaphepheni aseSouth Africa. UMongameli uThabo Mbeki uthe uyadana ngokewenzakeleyo ezweni elikhululekileyo le South Africa. Uthe abantu absemzansi akumelanga bazibone bengcono kulabanye abantu bezwekazi le Africa, kodwa kumele bamanyane.

Abantu abanengi abse Africa bakhale kakhulu ngokubona abnsundu bephatha abanye ngocuku olungako. UBishop Desmond Tutu umfundisi odumileyo usole kakhulu leso senzo. Abantu abanengi abaxotshwe emsebenzini lase zindlini babonakale begcwele ebandleni lase Methodist e Jobeki. Iziphathamandla sase South Africa zisakhangela ukuthi zingawuphatha njani lo umumo. Ibandla le ANC liqale inkulumo lebandla le IFP ukuzama ukusindisa lo umumo. Kubikwa labo abamba bebulala abantu bezizweni bebadlova, bazibiza ngokuthi bangamaZulu. Lokhu kungahlupha ngoba nxa masotsha angabizwa ukuthi ahlenge lumumo, amabandla angaxabana kudilike ukthula konke elizweni.


The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

THOUSANDS DISPLACED IN SA.

JHB. SOUTH AFRICA. At least five thousands Zimbabweans and other foreigners are homeless after a wave of organised looting and violence. It is said that, the mayhem started on Sunday in Alexandra township, and then later spread to Dieploot. This "operation kill the wizard" is said to be conducted door to door. It's not clear how this wave began. The way it is conducted one would not doubt that this is a systematic operation. Nobody knows the number of people that have been killed as yet.
Women are raped and the property is looted. The South African government hasn't commented yet. Only the ANC, youth organisation, which called on the people of South Africa, "to desist from treating other human beings in that manner". Among those foreigners affected most are Zimbabweans, Mozambicans and Malawians.This move is obviously a blow to Zimbabweans who are taking political and economic refugee in that country. One South African newspaper estimated that over 1000 people seek refugee in South Africa every day.

I would like to thank my friend Nickson Mdawini for part of this report.

The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

WE CELEBRATE ONE YEAR TODAY.

Exactly a year ago today, I began this crazy business of blogging. Writing has always been my hobby and passion, but nothing could have prepared me for such an adventure. Through writing , I discovered myself. Anybody who dares to write, must come to terms with themselves . There are many skilled and talented writers out there, but few are at honest with themselves. Its one thing to win the whole world, but its another to win oneself. "Out of the abundance of the heart , the mouth speaks" says the scripture.

I would like to thank many friends and strangers, who have both criticised, and encouraged me over time. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. If for some reason I offended one person, I sincerely apologise. Not in any part of this blog did I go out to harm. I would like to thank my wife, for editing some of my articles. She commands the language far much better than I do. I hope that we all communicate at the end of the day. I would also like to thank all those who have taken their time to log in. I take any suggestions or constructive criticism.

Anyone who want to send me their family pictures must be at liberty to do so. It could even be your anniversary, graduation or birthday. We would love to celebrate your special moments.


The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. (Nelson Mandela.)