Polokwane City pledges to partner with Bulawayo!

Bulawayo, October 21, 2012, - South Africa’s Polokwane executive mayor, Freddy Greaver, has said Bulawayo has the potential to rise from the ashes of de-industrialisation, and with the right partnership, can reclaim its industrial-hub position in the SADC region.

 

Greaver was speaking at a function, held at the Bulawayo Large City Hall on Friday evening, where a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that laid the foundation for a twinning arrangement between Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, and Polokwane, South Africa’s Limpopo province capital city, was signed.

“From today onwards, the exchange between Polokwane and Bulawayo is going to mean that our people work together,” he said.

“Indeed many will argue that Zimbabwe and Bulawayo are going through trying times. We know too well what it means. We are here today because we believe in the resurrection of the giant called Zimbabwe, the resurrection of a giant called Bulawayo.

“We are here because we believe the day shall come when the people will look at this city as the heartbeat of the economy of Zimbabwe, the heartbeat of the economy of SADC.”

Bulawayo has over the years suffered de-industrialization with the ministry of industry and trade estimating that slightly over 100 industries closed down since the beginning of January this year.

Economist Eric Bloch told the gathering on Friday that while the closing down of industries was countrywide, it was most sad in Bulawayo, “because it has always been the industrial hub in the SADC region.”

Polokwane mayor Greaver said Polokwane will never turn its back on Zimbabwe because, “You (Zimbabweans) were there for us yesterday during our struggle for freedom. In this time of your difficult, it can’t be us, the people of South Africa; it can’t be us, the people of Polokwane, who turn our backs on you.”

Bulawayo mayor, Thaba Moyo, said the signing of the MoU emphasised, “the need to foster economic engagement among our people through the various sectors.”

“Talk of a global village is meaningless if we cannot as neighbours establish relationships between ourselves,” he said.

“It has to start from among us. Bulawayo has been on the decline for quite some time now. Many industries are operating below capacity. Our joining hands with Polokwane are but one intervention that we hope our business communities will take advantage of.” Online reports

Ubuntu! What goes around comes around.

Its been said that respect  older people as if they were you parents, and those younger that you as if they are your brother and sisters.  This is a common law among those of us brought up in the African villages. Those were the same villages that adhered to the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child" In short this is the very essence of "ubuntu". My own definition of ubuntu is plain simple. It is living in world where you acknowledge other people's existence and being considerate of their feelings by both your words and actions. Even the holy scriptures tell us to "Treat other people as we would like to be treated by them" Matt 7v7. Some have nick named this passage  as the golden rule of contact. I am not a big fan of the saying "What goes around comes around", but this is common saying too among many cultures.


One of  the hardest thing in life is to migrate.  Its one thing to migrate, but its another thing to migrate to halfway around the world. This means living your people, parents , relatives, child hood friends, culture, language. Quite often migration is because of  a reason, and there can be thousands of them. It only makes sense to the  migrant. Its been exactly twelve years since I left home today. I told some of my readers that, I had not travelled anywhere outside Zimbabwe up until twelve years ago headed to the great USA.

It so happens that as I go around meeting people in their home because of my demanding technical job, one thing never ceases to amaze me. It is the fact that some how as  human beings,  we are all the same in one way or anonther . I usually get to my customers and greet them professionally and get into business. I can imagine that in their minds they think I am robot. Just in there to fix what Iam suppose to fix and leave. Well I do, that but more than that, I try to strike a conversation to loosen them up. I ask than about their children. Where they were born and raised. I tell them about myself, if  ever they are curious. I tell them how long I have been here, and my experience with the job. I tell them about my kids. Some would ask me about my parents, and the state of my home country. If I miss it or not. I tell them that there is no place like "home". The most interesting part of the conversation is when they tell about their own families. I can see the light in their eyes. Some would tell me about their kids, grand kids, sisters, brothers, mother , father and so on. Each day is new experience  to me in as far as people that I am going to meet.

Well there are few instances that I regret having asked about their family. This is because they all look perfect until I know who is who and what.  For example one time I met these two old folks, probably in their late eighties, they looked perfect to me as a married couple. I thought they had been married for a long time. But when I asked the man. He said six years only. First I thought he said sixty years.  He then told me that, his first wife died after being with her for many years and the same thing had happened to her present wife. Her  first husband died. So these two meet in a fiftieth high school reunion as widow and a widower. Apparently they had previously been high school sweet hearts. So they hooked up again and got married after alsmost fifth years. I can not tell you how many families look perfect on the picture frames.  It kind of like our very own families. There are stories, some perfect and some not so perfect.

The most extra ordinary thing that I have found out is the fact that people do not always connect only in terms of blood. Sometimes its destiny. For example I have a lot of people who are my parents'  age who have kids, the same age is me, some older and some younger who give  me good advice and suppport. These come in form of church women, pastors, elders, sunday school teachers, neighbours and mere community people and some times customers. They sometimes do not have kids of their own. Some of them have kids who migrated half way around the world too. People who have kids in missions, in China , Europe  and Africa etc. Some got jobs in thousands of miles away in Los Angels. Denver, Portland Oregon, Houston Texas, Alaska etc.

Through out all this, I am amazed at the connections that God gives us despite the fact that we are from different cultures, only brought together by destiny. This often gives me comfort and I try to put myself in the shoes of my mother or father.  I was brought up knowing exactly that I should look after my parents at an old age. Long distance was unheard of. I do not know if what goes around comes around, but I am often amazed at the grace given to my mother by other people. When I went there couple years ago. I was amazed at how younger people of my age  respected her and honored her. She seems to have other children that we do not know.  Some do not even have their own biological parents, but they respect and honor her as their own.

 Recently I was struck as called my mother on the cell phone, she seems to have a hard time hearing me. I suspect its because of old age or network. While she was struggling  to hear me, a younger female voice took over the phone and took down the mgs for her. I could hear her tell my mom what I was saying.  I was amazed to see"'ubuntu" in operation even in such difficult times.They must have been in a church service.  Tell me if the spirit of ubuntu does nto exist anymore? I think it exist even beyond cultural boundaries of Africa. This is not a green card to negleting your parents! It rather a motivation to be the best you can under any cirmcustances.

Former Matopo high School teacher produces a movie!

WHILE most teachers spend the day dirtying their hands with chalk writing on the chalkboard, going through their student’s books, one tutor has been spending his time producing a movie — a movie about nurturing the youth.
Thobeka Msipha, a former teacher at Matopo High School is the writer, editor, director and producer behind the recently released 90-minute movie titled Fortify minds.
Fortify minds is a musical movie made of a 35-member cast and all of them are students from Matopo High School. The students are also part of a choir called Joy unspeakable.
Fortify minds is a movie whose rationale is to teach the youth to be on guard from forces that want to destroy their lives by influencing them to embrace a life of delinquency.

“This movie is about a young man who gets a musical calling in his life. It seeks to capture the youth who I feel do not realise the effects of saying, doing and hearing things that do not build on their lives,’’ said Msipha.
Msipha says the moral lesson of the movie is that people should know that the battle is in the mind, that if the enemy wants to achieve a desired goal he will deal with the mind and the rest will fill into place.

Msipha is optimistic that Fortify minds will be a success and harbours ambitions to turn the movie into a series.
“I have a big idea on this movie because I hope to make it a series, but I am short of a reputable producer. I am thus appealing to established producers to come and assist me,’’ he said
All the scenes of the movie were shot at Matopo High School, in the classrooms and teachers’ cottages.

Msipha is also the man behind Joy Unspeakable. He mentored the group when he was still a teacher and made it possible for it to come up with its ten-track debut album titled Ndinxwanelu thixo.
“The choir I was leading recorded its first album in 2006 and one of the songs Beautiful Zimbabwe got Matopo High School 10 computers and a laptop for me from President Robert Mugabe,’’ he said.
The success of Joy Unspeakable saw Msipha awarded the opportunity to compose a song for the National Coral Music Competitions for high schools in 2009. He named the song Bhekisizwe seZimbabwe. The song was sung in the country’s three official languages — English, Ndebele and Shona. (This article was written by Millicent Muthenjwa a leisure reporter for Bulawayo Sunday News.)Thank you sir!

Can Tsholotsho teach US a lesson about democracy?

A Zimbabwean man based in Washington DC, thinks that Tsholotsho can teach USA a thing or two about democracy. In his Ndebele poem Phithizela Ngcobo says Tsholotsho has voted for all individuals not the party. He say in 1980 Tsholotsho voted for PF Zapu. In 1995 the same constituency voted for ZANU PF, and in 2000 The voted for MDC. In 2005 they voted for an independent candidate. Reciting his poem that brought down the house in Mzilikazi celebration in Indianapolis last month, Phithi showed that he has a lot to offer as writer and public speaker.

Sizwa bathi ipolitiki yeMelika  ayinhlang’ ifun’ abazimiseleyo
Loba beth’ idemocracy yavela khona kodw’ esikuzwayo kwahlukileBath’ amavoti wonke kawaqakathekanga ngoba kulamanye amastates aqakathekiley’ ekuvoteni
Algo2000 lo olebizo lesiShona uAl Gore wathol’ amavot’ amanengi kuloGanga uBush
Kodwa uGanga nguye owacin’ ebe ngumongameli ngoba evotelwe ngama states aqakathekileyoSabamba owangaphansi thina sathi kwanzima bo kant’ asibuzanga elangeni!Kwaphinda futhi ngo2008 lapho iKhozisikazi likaClinton elavotelwa ngabanengiKodwa kwacina kube liKhalath’ elingu Obama umongameli loba wayevotelwe ngabalutshwanaHawu iph’ idemocracy yenu ke bantu beMelika?

  English translation of Ngcobo's Ndebele poem

"We hear that politics is interesting in America, it needs those who are born for it.
Even  as  we in Zimbabwe cherish American democracy, it is amazing that we hear that they do not count all the votes from all the voters. In 2000 there were thousands of votes that were not counted in Tallahassee Florida. This were from a poor constituency. A crazy female judge had to decide the outcome of the elections. This is how Bush won the Presidency against Al gore. There are also some important States and less important states when it come to voting for Presidents. Referring to blue and red states. Blues being Democratic Eastern states and red being Southern conservatives states. These do not normally change the way they vote. They are partisan. Also the two major political parties have  to use delegates system in case of a deadlock. That means at some point, ordinary people's votes do not matter. All that matters is how the  delegates vote.   As it was in the case of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2007. Delegates decided the outcome" claims Phithi.
 

Phithi is a rural Tsholotsho born and raised young man who has worked in book publishing as an editor in ZImbabwe and the UK but now training to be a teacher in Washington DC. Phithi holds a BA in ENglish and Ndebele from the University of Zimbabwe, an MA in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University UK and is currently studying for an MA in Education and Human Development at George Washington University, Washington DC.

Who said we don't have Ndebele intellectuals?

Ndebele names for kids/babies

I just thought to throw out a few Ndebele names for kids out there in case one needs a name for their  new baby. These are coming from my mind at random and no particular order. I will try to put the meaning where possible.

Andile = increased either boys or girls

Ayanda= Boys are increasing (For boys)

 Sibusisiwe  (Busi)= We are Blessed for girls

Thando= Love for boys

Ntando = Will for boys

Thabo= Happiness for boys (only)

Sizo = means  "help"  It  can be for both boys and girls

Zenzo = Action for boys

Thabani =  means "Be happy" normally for boys

Thulani = Be still or be quiet for Boys

Sithabile = means "We are happy" normally for girls only

Siphiwe = means "we are given"  normally for girls

Thandiwe= means "one who is beloved" normally for girls can be shortened as Thandi

Buhle= means "beauty" or one  who is beautiful"

Nomathemba = means "We have hope" for girls

Themba = means 'Hope /Faith/Trust" In Ndebele all theses three are translated as themba" Boys

Bekezela = means "be patient" both boys and girls

Sithembile = means 'we are hopeful" this one is for girls

Thando = means = "Love" for both boys and girls

Bhekithemba= have hope ( for boys)

 Bhekilizwe = "see the nation" (for boys)

Sibangilizwe= We are fight for our country) for boys

Nkosilathi = means "God is with us" Nkosi is equivalent to God or king in Ndebele but for name sake it refers to "God"

Mandlenkosi  or Mandla = means "Power of God" almost like the above in the literal sense. (for boys only please)

Thamsanqa =  means "Blessings or Lucky or even good fortune" for Boys

Lindiwe = means  "One who is guarded, this one if for girls"

Thokozile= means "We are happy, almost like "Sithabile" above check for Girls

Ndabezinhle=  or Ndaba (news)= means "Good news" News that makes one happy (Boys)

Dumisani=  means "Praise" Boys

Nkululeko= Freedom for boys

Nomusa = One with kindness ( for girls)

Nontando= one with strong will (for girls)

 Mehluli = One who defeats ( for boys)

Thubelihle= good opportunity (for Boys and girls)

Sithabisile = means  "We are made happy or we are very happy. girls

Sikhethiwe= means  'we are chosen" girls

Sikhangezile= means "We are received" or we are receiving" girls

Phumuzile= we are rested now " For girls)

Melusi =means "Sherpard" or one who tends to sheep/goats and cows. (boys)

Silibaziso= one to kill time with! (for girls)

Meluleki= One who give advise (for Boys)

Sipho =means "gift" both boys and girls

Ntombizodwa= or Zodwa means girls only ( for girls)

Sithabisile  or (Thabi )= One who makes us happy (for girls)

Thokozile= one who makes us happy ( for girls)

Zim PM angers Bulawayo Residents

Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) have lashed out at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’ s sentiments that the water problems facing Bulawayo should not be treated as a regional issue, alleging the inclusive government is downplaying the city’s water crisis.
The PM allegedly told a private CSOs meeting on Saturday in Bulawayo that the crisis is not peculiar to the city but is a national problem. Shalom Trust leader Anglistone Sibanda speaking to Radio Dialogue said Tsvangirai’s views that water problems should not be seen as a Matabeleland issue but a national crisis are a sign that the government is not committed to ending the city’s water problems.
“The PM came to the meeting ill prepared because what he said to us was shocking, he really didn’t want to give us solutions or hope regarding the water situation in Bulawayo,” Sibanda said.
“He tried to convince us to stop discussing regional issues but to focus on the national agenda which he kept referring to as removing Zanu PF from power but to us regional issues are what affect our daily lives.”
“In a way, the PM is not concerned about the issues that affect Bulawayo and Matebeleland and as civic society leaders and as Bulawayo residents we are worried about that,” he said.
Sibanda, also of the Matebeleland Civic Society Forum said the water crisis being experienced in the region is a sign of a leadership crisis.
“When you have national leaders of that level who will try to downplay issues affecting people, it is a clear sign of a central government that will not provide solutions, as it is at the moment we will have to be content with supporting local authority initiatives,” Sibanda said.
The MDC-T leader, addressing his supporters during the party’s 13^th anniversary at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo, accused Zanu-PF of failing to craft viable water policies before the formation of the inclusive government.
“The water crisis in Bulawayo is a deliberate policy executed for the last 30years to marginalise and disfranchise the people of this region,” Tsvangirai said.
“The water problems did not start because the MDC T is in coalition, these problems are a manifestation of a deliberate policy presided over by Zanu PF.”
Habakkuk Trust Chief Executive Officer and Matebeleland Civic Society Forum spokesperson Dumisani Nkomo said no urgent measures are being put in place by government to address the water crisis. Nkomo said it is sad that parties in the inclusive government have started trading blame over water crisis.