NO SENSE BEING ACADEMIC ABOUT ZIM CRISIS!

Thank you Mhlanga and Mandhlazi for your articles. I
have a problem with the obtuseness of issues raised.
The articles touch on how the country was colonized,
how the British (read as the Labor and
Conservatives) failed to honor some deals and
agreements; how ZAPU Central comitte failed to
publicize the gukurahundi genocide, the land issue and
how Mugabe is 'right' in his destructive and primitive
politics founded on neurosis of victimhood. Mandhlazi
brings in the issue of Zimbabweans in South Africa,
blames Tsvangirai and his sponsors, raises the issue
of how Tsvangirai conducted his campaigns. My worry is
that in the attempt to be academic about genocide,
humanitarian crisis and leadership failure, we fall in
the trap of being apologetic for Mugabe's politics of
destruction and violence just like the ZAPU leadership
we are condemning. I don't see anything complex about
the history of Zimbabwe that justify genocide and
irresponsible leadership. Let us not overburden the
issue of Gukurahundi with other issues. It was a
genocide that was presided over by ZANU-PF and Mugabe.
Mugabe remains a culprit. I wonder whether Mugabe is
right on the land question? I doubt his sincerity even
on this fundamental issue. The 'revolutionary Mugabe'
is engaging in violence against citizens at home while
playing pan-Africanism in the region and
anti-colonizalism abroad. I am sad that this rhetoric
is making some of us see sense in a senseless politics
of destruction and violence.

Regards,
Sabelo J. Ndlovu-Gatsheni

SIGN OF TIMES!

Above a young boy struggling with a bunch of useless Zimbabwean dollar notes!

"IN GOD WE TRUST"
READS ZIMBABWE'S NEW CURRENCY!




Can someone tell me, is Zimbabwe a colony of $$$$? Most people who went to Zimbabwe for holiday were stunned to find out that Zimbabweans are now using $U.S. for their every day needs. What even surprised many was the fact that most local people have more money than people from overseas. It is said that things are so much overpriced, since everybody has their own price for goods they sale.

MUTAMBARA NEVER FORGOT MY WORDS! (2nd comment).

Comrade Marime,

Of cause there was a crisis in Zim 20yrs ago: the people of Matebeleland and Midlands regions were reeling from the brunt of Mugabe's self-proclaimed "moment of madness" having butchered some estimated 20,000 innocent Ndebele civilians in the well documented orgy of genocide by Mugabe's FifthBrigade crack unit. This was no different to the orgy of violence that has been perpetrated by Zanu pf in the Mashonaland, Manicaland and Midlands in the run-up to the presidential run-off elections last June, only that more people (almost exclusively Ndebeles) were killed and maimed 20 yrs ago.

Marime just because you are the unashamed rotten Shona tribalist that you are today, does not invalidate or minimize the tragic holocaust that occurred 20yrs ago when you were staunch Zanu pf supporter and as well as a mind-numbed Mugabe sycophant. The violent repression that the MDC has endured from Mugabe's regime in the past 8yrs is a microcosm of that which was perpetrated on the Ndebele people in the first 8yrs of Zimbabwe's political independence from the racist white minority regime.

When Mugabe was busy gouging out one 'eye' (i.e, innocent Ndebele civilians) in the 80's, the other eye (i.e, the likes of you Marime and the white farming community) looked the other way and 'saw nothing'. Now that you and the white farming community are the victims of Mugabe's blood-thirsty appetite you expect sympathy from the other 'eye' that was yesteryear's victim.

Furthermore, we need to interrogate the deafening silence of the international community (in addition to the convenient silence of the Mashonaland and Manicaland regions as well as that of the white farming community) when Mugabe committed similarly egregious crimes against humanity in the 80's. Why didn't anyone see the need for the West to intervene then? This does not necessarily imply that there's no need for&nb sp;intervention in the Zim crisis today by the international community.

This is the point that Mutambara and the writer below are making, and this is the moral equivalence argument that you seem to brazenly ignore in your myopic analysis and appreciation of the comprehensive nature of Zim's tragic political crisis.

Vele Ngeki iphele lindaba!

Mbuso

WHEN IT COMES TO THE MEDIA, MONEY TALKS!

There is no need to bother ourselves about the ethics of the news mediums we trust.Beside we we are merely recipients, who can neither add, nor subtract anything.The quality of the commercial news mediums is by and large determined by the business associates. They support the media institutions in form of advertisements, commercials, and infomercials. In media there is a saying that says" He who pays the piper calls the tune".It is normal for the business people to patronize their local mediums, be it newspaper, radios, or television. Given that scenario, the every people day might not the bosses. Depending on the type of news organization or its affiliates, it is dangerous to assume that these are civil servants.

The mouthpiece machinery on the news desk must be well oiled . The local people who tune in or buy the paper cannot pay as much as the business community. To have an objective analysis one would needs look at the media like any other business. They are there to make profit. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes, that directly, or indirectly affects the outcome of the news.Its not easy to take note of this, if there a media monopoly, as compared to when there is two or three competing news mediums.

There is nothing wrong with this kind of partnership except that sometimes the quality of the news is questionable . It is very hard, if not impossible to strike a good balance between the two.The integrity of the reporters, and newscasters is tested time and again. There are business interests.One will choose either to inform, misinform, or even turn a blind eye on other issues that might be touching their affiliates. There is a lot at stake. Business people might not like they things exposed. What is interesting is the fact that some business people will go to the extent of buying shares in the local newspaper. There are no laws that prohibit people from owning media outlets. Media is the most lucrative business one can possible venture into, and its role in the communities is very essential. The values and ethics of the media will be a thing of the past given the stakes and interests there of.

THE CHALLENGES THAT COMES WITH AGE.

(Above the old and young Mkwananaz! that was Dec in 2007)

EsiNdebeleni bathi ukukhula kulamanyala! This means that the older one gets, the more problem they encounter. Quite often being young, one is normally shielded from many issues of life. On the contrary its not only problems that are brought about aging. It is interesting to realize that one's perspective of life changes as time goes by. One will naturally be tested. One is given different situations and scenarios to juggle. Upon graduation the playing field is changed time and again. Its a vicious cycle.

The new year period, is one of the times I usually try to measure my maturity, and growth. There are times I have recorded some encouraging results on my self calibrated scale. Ye there are times when the meter does not move an inch. Times like that are not always fun. It is normal for human beings to evaluate themselves on their day to day lives. The same goes for business and private institutions. If for any reason that company did not make profit, or achieve its desired goal, the management will naturally make adjustments. Only dead wood managers, or leaders will not make necessary adjustment for the better when needed. For example Zimbabwe! That is a tragic, catastrophic and desolating sacrilege unfolding.

Its amazing how intelligent I became whenever the word Zimbabwe is mentioned. Without getting into much politics, I honest believe that there is no reason why the nation is going through such horror. We are not even a nation at war for God's sake. That would be acceptable for war tone places. Leaders must be in a position to sit down, and talk to make life better for their own people. Not even the least of Zimbabweans deserve to go through such trauma. I have always said that, no amount of education can save Zimbabwe, only when people are willing to use their common senses. Degrees upon degrees will not do anything to anybody. They will only decorate the walls. Those walls will be brought down by termites.

My challenges are doubled this year. United States is going through the harshest economic climate in many years. This is obviously not good news for some of us who are harboring here. Some things we take for granted might be lost. Many have lost their valuable things including their homes. Health care premiums will go up. Surveys are showing that a lot of people are now skipping doctor's appointments. Dental check up visits will be luxury. Companies are closing down. We have not seen the worst. Some of us who are raising young families might find the going tough. Diapers.(Izitshubo) Baby milk, wipes and things like that will not be affordable anymore. The young and the elderly will pay the price.

I am one person who has always managed to maintain a healthy lifestyle, physical wise. I have always been the envy of many. A lot of my work mates and friends thought I was ten years younger than my age. The past year saw me going off balance when it comes to weight issues. I can hardly fit into any of my only two suits. That is a cause for concern. In America obesity is the number one killer. Beside I can no longer afford buying any more suits being married and raising kids. Make no mistake, I am not about to be obese , but the alarm has gone off. I am headed the wrong way. On the other hand, I know that I never got this way willingly. Its the pressures of life and growing up. Juggling jobs, and changing diapers. Here there is neither man or woman!

Many times we are forced to eat fast foods. Whoever introduced the idea of drive through food ordering. In this country we are always on the run, and only come home too tired to cook, and ready for bed. That same thing is repeated next day, and so on. Most American foods contain a lot of fats, in the form of cheese. Sugar is also America's best ingredients. Unlike back home the food here is refined. This leads to diabetes, heart disease and other terminal diseases. Given the crazy schedules, we resort to the big Mac hamburgers. Quite frankly some of the food is addictive. Most of us are now drowning in the pool of oil, and carbohydrates. Its a time bomb.


My resolution this year is to take the challenge of leading a healthy lifestyle. Those of you who are struggling ngemikhaba ebanzi, must know that you not alone. A little walk around the neighborhood, goes a long way towards burning the extra calories. We must all stay active and drink water, instead of pops. Ikhokhakhola. If you have time to go to the gym do so. We can do this challenge as families. On a nice summer day, take your wife, spouse or girl friend, for a walk in the park. You can take the kids too. Ride a bike if you area has cycle tracks. Tell your friends to hold you accountable. I guarantee by the end of summer, you will fit in your old trousers which you bought from Gigas Boutique, way back when Zimbabwe was still Zimbabwe. If enough people sign up for this cause, I promise to show off my six peck in this page next summer.

WE ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR UPBRINGING! (part 2)

It is amazing how much of a difference the choices we make at a young tender age affects us for the rest of our lives. This is regardless whether they are good or bad. While I believe in fate and chance, I am also a strong believer in faith and prayer. On the previous article I ended by talking about the old fashioned values. These go hand in hand with the choices we make, or rather we do not make. Some people say that not planning is a planning to fail. The reverse is true. I grew up in neighborhood where there were not too many role models around. Every body's goals were just average and local. Being able to buy a new pair of shoes , trousers and a decent dress shirt was quite an achievement.

Its hard to imagine one's self rising above the set standards of their local heroes. One must have some inspiration. This is what the late American Civil Rights leader and champion Dr Martin Luther King calls a "Dream". One surely needs a dream. I have great respect for few of my fellow homeboys and girls, who by both grace, chance and determination, were able to rise above the local average standards. Some did it through sports, while some did it through the rough road of academics excellence. I can testify that these guys made tough choices. They worked hard and lived weired lives, in pursuit of their dreams and ambitions.

Where there is no vision.

Proverb 29;18 reads "Where there is no vision people perish, but he that keeps the law happy is he". Another translation says,"they cast off restrain". This is true for any family, community, and nation. Lacking a glimpse of purpose is dangerous. The young people who struggled, not being comfortable must have been driven by the glimpse of better life. I will never forget a friend and a neighbor of mine Nkosilathi Moyo. This guy devoted himself to books so faithfully. He lived in world of his own. Isolated and lonely. Nkose, as we use to call him, was the first child in the neighborhood to get University of Zimbabwe.

Former Zimbabwe national team kingpin and midfielder Ronald Gidiza Sibanda is also one of my biggest inspirations. From a very early age, anybody who knew this guy will tell you that he was a hard worker at his game.This is not to say that this guy was not naturally talented. He was naturally talented, yet at the same time he did not rely on his fancy footwork. There were many young boys in our area who could have gone places because of soccer, but it took a determined Gidiza to do that. I will always salute him. He defied the odds.

In that same area of area, I saw a lot of people messing their future because of temporary pleasure. Opaque beer and weed.(Imbanje, amasese legwayi) Everybody wants to be cool.We all want to fit in with our peers, and friends, but sadly some do it at a very high price. Some even catch some serious diseases that will send them to their grave prematurely. A lot of us are reaping from that seed that we sawed many years ago. The laws of sawing and reaping have not changed. (1) Reap more than you saw. (2) Reap later than you saw.(3) You reap what you saw. Some of these were sawed by our parents. Good or bad we reap them. "Those who plant in tears will harvest in great joy" Psalm 126v5.