Can Zimbabwe ever hold peaceful elections?

 

 

Any  Zimbabwean who is his/her right mind must know by now  that the country can never hold free and fair elections. It is in the blood stream of the ruling party to seek to intimidate and worse still kill during an election campaigns. This is a party that prides itself for having "a track record of pondering the enemy" ZANU PF candidate are not fair players, they demonize  their opponents. Ever since the talk about general  elections, I could not help but fear for ordinary people's. Zimbabwe as a country is still trying to heal from the wounds inflicted during the last harmonised election of 2008.Thanks to former South African President Thabo Mbeki, the Government of National Unity was created. This created two ceremonial positions for  opposition leaders, Mutambara and Tswangirayi.

We all new that was a temporary solution. As a matter of fact it did work at some time, because for the first time in a long time there was not functioning government office except the army, police and other security organs. To cut the long story short, Zimbabwe is only thirty three years old. The country got Independence when I was eight years old, in all those years there has never been peaceful elections. So anybody who is in his senses to think that these people will change  overnight is nothing more than being absurd. Unless and until there are separation between the government and the ruling party organs, we will always have problems. The Army and Police must belong to the State, and not the party .They might be card holding members of party of choice but that must not compromise their stand as employees of the government of the people of Zimbabwe. They must be accountable to the people of Zimbabwe, not just the Executive!

 

The problem is not just the individuals, but its the system that is in place. There should be not provision for partisanship when it comes to civil servants. The term "elections" in Zimbabwe means that some people will be killed for their party of choice. That is what we call democracy in Zimbabwe! The sad thing is that this culture of violence is now being emulated by the MDC.T in some other parts of the country. This makes it easy for ZANU PF to find somebody to blame.  As a matter of fact MDC. T has now adopted the ways of their number  opponents all the way to the top. Which ever way one looks at it we are headed for trouble. The people of Zimbabwe are losers, the only winners are the Party leaders. They say one thing on Monday morning  meetings and do another during the night. The culture of violence is so strong in Zimbabwe, and is increasing like wild fire.

 The new United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe has already had his honey moon. He came with new approach and strategy that was too good to be true. He probably wanted to start a clean page considering the history of  sour relations that his predecessors encountered. Lo and behold it did not take much long for him to call a spade a spade. Hardly a month after trying to play along, he recently blamed ZANU PF for killing a 12 yr old boy died in a hut that was engulfed in fire. This was no doubt a politically motivated murder. Both MDC.T And ZANU PF are  blame each other!

ZAPU open to coaltion only on principle condtions:

 

ZAPU is willing to enter into an election coalition but this will be on its terms and conditions, a senior party official has said. Addressing a poorly attended rally at Chinotimba Community Hall in Victoria Falls on Saturday, Zapu vice-president, Ms Emilia Mukaratirwa said her party was open to negotiations over a possible united front with other political parties ahead of the harmonised elections expected later this year.
"This is one of the questions being asked by our party members. They want to know if we can unite with other political parties and contest the elections. Yes, we have considered a united front project and it is not a bad idea. As Zapu we are on record saying that all those (political parties) who want to come and work with us, they should come forth," she said.
Ms Mukaratirwa, however, said any coalition would be on Zapu terms and conditions.
“So we are saying for as long as they want a united front, Zapu's name will not be done away with because we don't want to lose identity. We have our own beliefs and values which we abide by. For example as Zapu we are on record advocating for the issue of devolution of power and if we do not share that vision, sorry we can't make a compromise," she said.
Ms Mukaratirwa said her party welcomed the draft constitution.
"The draft constitution is what we call a better 'devil' since it is better than the Lancaster House constitution. Although a lot of the people's contributions were thrown aside we are happy that finally it is there and we are moving towards the elections," she said.
As the elections draw close, Ms Mukaratirwa urged youths from her party to be wary of politicians whom she accused of using them for their own personal gains.
She said, "Youths don't be used by politicians for their own personal gains. Don't be given money to buy Zed or spirits and drugs so that you go about beating up people. Zapu youths are disciplined. Unfortunately that discipline is mistaken for dullness. If intimidated please go and report to the police instead of retaliating."
Ms Mukaratirwa said politicians should lead by example by desisting from preaching hate speech.
“Leaders you have a problem. You preach hate speech and that is wrong. From your slogans to your songs, some say ‘pasi nanhingi, mudenga, pasi, pwaa’. What is that? It is wrong. As Zapu we recognise human rights and therefore we don't want hate speech. We are one people as Zimbabweans and the spirit of ubuntu should always prevail. We must tolerate one another for the benefit of our country. That is what we wish for as Zapu," she said.
Ms Mukaratirwa also urged the electorate to take time to reflect on any positives and negatives of the incumbent office bearers before voting back into office failures.
Also in attendance was Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Mr John Dlamini among other Zapu leaders from the province.Victoria Falls Reporter This story first appeared on the Bulawayo Chronicle

Harare writer apologises for doubting Byo's ability to host NAMA

A Harare based Herald entertainment writer Fred Zindi music has apologised for his previous article that dismissed Bulawayo as a successfully venue to host for the Nama Awards.
Below is article in his own words.

"My apologies to Bulawayo folks"
My article of February 5, 2013 entitled “Moving Nama to Bulawayo is a farce!” seemed to have stirred a hornets’ nest as a lot of vitriol was poured by some members of the public against that
view. Comments about the article transcended unnecessarily into a political orgy which distracted attention from the real issues involved.

Some people began to take my views personally and began calling me all sorts of names. As I have always emphasised in my writings, I know more about music than politics. I still stand by this statement today.
Many journalists tell me that the secret of successful journalism is to make your readers so angry that they will write half your next column for you. That was not my intention.

However, as it turned out, this became the case in view of the amount of vitriol poured on me. Here are some of the comments that came from the readers before Nama took place which I will quote verbatim:
Joel Mulungisi says: “You people in Harare are arrogant, what makes you think that Harare is more special than Bulawayo? That is really stupid.”
Silenkosi Ndlovu thinks: “Ha ha ha, typical Shonas. Good thing the Matabeleland water project did not take off, because if it had, the water would have been diverted to Harare as soon as it reached Hwange.”
Another punter, Edward Mabhena, said: “That is stupid thinking, you should give Bulawayo a chance and see what we can do for you. You cannot let everything happen in Harare. Very soon you are going to want ZITF moved to Harare. Harare is a disaster, I tell you.”
Yet another one from John Mha-mbi: “Fred, I have always respected you and enjoyed reading your articles but this time you have written nonsense.”

Someone who calls himself Umkhonto 99 had this to say: “This is precisely the attitude we will not tolerate. Bulawayo was once a vibrant city and a live centre of arts. This Hararenisation of Zimbabwe is by no means economic. Stop hiding behind a finger.

“Currently, you have all of your six so-called national radio stations based in Harare with all of them seeming to agree that Ndebele news comes after other news. Sadly, even pirate radio stations like Studio 7 have also adopted such unfortunate approaches. Let the awards come to Bulawayo if you agree that Bulawayo is part of Zimbabwe. Ongafuniyo kayekele.”
And another one from Douglas Mkhize: “I used to have lots of respect for Professor Zindi, but this article brings into question how he became a professor in the first place? I bet my last dollar that his papers were obtained from some fake American online university in three months - Jokes aside (I notice he has a good sense of humour!) The issues you have raised answer one question why the Republic of Mthwakazi should be a neighbouring state to the Republic of Zimbabwe - in your very own words you say nothing much is happening outside Harare and Harare is national.

Your mindset seems to be saying that things become national only if they are in Harare, and if outside Harare then it’s small town affair! It’s a pity and shame upon you, maybe you should take a leaf from other genuine professors like Jonathan Moyo, Welshman Ncube, Mthuli Ncube and Ngwabi Bhebhe, just to name a few - l hope you are not poisoning kids at the UZ with your rubbish attitude!”
I take this criticism wholeheartedly. I will not bother to print the positive comments as they will only insense those who were offended by my article further.
A free Press can, of course, be good or bad, but certainly without the freedom to express one’s opinion, it can never be anything but bad. Differences in opinion must therefore be respected.
Indeed, I was sceptical about Nama happening in Bulawayo, not for political reasons, but mainly for financial reasons. Over the years the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe has been bombarding the public about their inability to do anything for the artistes due to lack of resources.
I therefore did not see any scope in moving the event to Bulawayo without resources as it meant paying extra for transportation and accommodation for the majority of Nama nominees and winners who were coming from Harare.
However, as it turned out, the event in Bulawayo was a success. Artistes such as Oliver Mtukudzi, who was the guest of honour on the awards night, helped to raise funds for the event. A number of Bulawayo-based corporate institutions also assisted in making the event a success story.
Large City Hall was filled to the brim and several people had to watch the event from outside as it was being beamed on the large screens which were erected outside the hall.

“However, I was pleased to rub shoulders with the likes of Ministers David Coltart and Lazarus Dokora from the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture. David Coltart has such an infectious smile.”
The 12th Nama Awards ceremony in Bulawayo a.k.a the City of Kings, will be remembered as a story of eventful and glorious moments. The event was professionally executed. (This article first on the Herald entertainment column by Fred Zindi Music)

What happened to Imbovane Pressure Group?

“I have since closed that chapter, but, I will give you a brief as I recall our grueling time during Imbovane time. As far as I know, there were six people who spearheaded the formation of Imbovane Yamahlabezulu. That name was derived from the youth wing of vukani mahlabezulu and the name was proposed by Mr Mqondobanzi Magonya (also living in Britain),” said Mr Nkomazana.
“Imbovane Yemahlabezulu was formed in 1997 and the meeting was conducted in the boardroom of the Rainbow hotel in Bulawayo,” he said.

“This was to be a radical pressure group which was aimed at opening up the debates on issues affecting Matabeleland inter alia; the Gukurahundi atrocities, the marginalisation of Matabeleland, the importation of labour from Mashonaland,” said Mr Nkomazana.
“This was to be achieved through public debates/meetings, rallies where people like Enos Nkala and Joseph Msika were invited to explain to the people as to who gave the instruction to commit the attrocities. We also had meetings with Thenjiwe Lesabe and the then South African Ambassador Mamabolo,” he said.
Mr Nkomazana added: We sought to concietise our people their right to demand answers on many questions affecting Matabeleland and our meetings were always a full house. You are aware that every struggle has some people who do not stick to the objectives of the organisation, we had such people, and that led to Lovemore Moyo being removed from his position at a meeting held at Speciss College”.

“There were incidences of suspicious connections with the ruling Zanu-PF among some of our members such as Themba Ngwenyama and Bekithemba Sibindi. We got exposed to state agents and our lives were at risk. I was working for the bank then and I got a number of visits from state agents some of them masquerading as bank customers. It was really bad until I was forced to leave my job that I went back to university. We did our own investigations and we discovered that some of our executive members had sold out,” said Nkomozana.

Contacted for comment, Mr Magonya also former ZAPU-UK treasurer said: Francis Nkomazana was an important member of Imbovane Yemahlabezulu. He was always there when it was crucial for him to be there”.
“Nkomazana is one of our members who went through persecution like most of us,” he said.
Liqhwa Gama told The ZimDiaspora that: "We were summoned to the CIO Bulawayo Head Office, Magnet House and told that abadala are not happy with our organisation". This story first appeard in ZimDiaspora.com

Joshua Nkomo would not have allowed relocation of companies

 

THE closure and relocation of companies from Bulawayo to Harare has become political as the people of Bulawayo are convinced that if the late Vice- President Dr Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo was still alive today, unemployment would be low in the city
as Father Zimbabwe would not have allowed companies, that include quasi-Government companies, to move their businesses to the capital city.

VP Nkomo used to use his political clout to stop companies that were considering leaving Bulawayo from relocating. Companies that were blocked from moving by VP Nkomo include PG Industries and Hunyani Holdings Limited.
VP Nkomo would take the owners of the companies to task and blast them for coming up with unsatisfactory reasons to relocate. He would even threaten the companies with a Government takeover.
As a result of VP Nkomo’s hands-on and political approach to the eco-industrial problems of Bulawayo there was virtual no de-industrialisation.
However, since VP Nkomo died there has been no successful political intervention to stop companies from relocating.

This has seen residents of Bulawayo accusing the current political leadership of being spineless by standing and watching companies closing shop or moving to another city, rendering the sons and daughters of the city jobless.
So far the political leadership has been holding talks with the companies that have shut down pleading that they reopen but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The failure to stop the large-scale shutting down of industries through negotiations has seen people concluding that the leadership is not doing enough.

The people interviewed urged the political leadership in Bulawayo to approach the owners of the companies that have shut down and are in the process of shutting down and demand that they reopen the closed companies and stop the planned closures forthwith.
The chairperson of Bulawayo Residents Association (BURA), Mr Winos Dube, said unlike VP Nkomo the remaining political leadership in Bulawayo was not doing much to stop de-industrialisation.
“As much as we have a political leadership in the region they are no match to VP Nkomo. VP Nkomo used to go down to the industries and reason with them, he would stop companies from relocating. We would have wanted our current leadership to do the same. We have always said the leadership must do much. If they had the spirit of the Vice-President (Joshua Nkomo) the relocation of companies would have been stopped right when it began. There is still room for improvement, our leaders must search their souls,” said Mr Dube.

Zanu-PF Bulawayo Provincial chairperson Cde Killian Sibanda dismissed the accusation that the Zanu-PF leadership in Bulawayo does not have a firm position on what should be done to address the de-industrialisation affecting the city.
“We are doing a lot to stop the companies from shutting down and leaving. We have communicated with Harare for intervention and we are already getting a positive response. That is why we had a rally at Stanley Square weeks ago which was addressed by high ranking Zanu-PF and Government officials. The process of not only stopping but reversing the de-industrialisation of Bulawayo has started,” said Cde Sibanda.

On 26 January this year, Zanu-PF held a rally at Stanley Square with the main agenda being the revival of industries in Bulawayo. The rally was attended by Zanu-PF bigwigs who included Cde Ignatius Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development, Cde Lazarus Dokora, the Deputy Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Cde Saviour Kasukuwere, the Minister of Indigenisation, Youth Development and Empowerment and Cde Absalom Sikhosana, Zanu-PF’s National Youth Secretary.
Cde Sibanda believes that the reasons the relocated companies have given for moving to Harare do not make sense. “We have questioned some of the companies and tell us that they are moving to cut the costs of transporting raw materials. They say they want to be closer to the raw materials because the bad performance of the economy is making it difficult for them to make profits. To me that doesn’t make sense. For 50 years those companies have been operating in Bulawayo and they have never complained about raw materials even during the hyperinflation period. We are now using the United States dollar, a stable currency, if they didn’t move when we were using our unstable currency, why are they moving now? What has changed? Some say they want to be close to ministers who make decisions but that is nonsense. The communication gap which used to make communication difficult has been closed by technology. They can communicate with ministers from Bulawayo, what they are doing is just sabotage,” Cde Sibanda said.

MDC-T Bulawayo provincial Chairperson Mr Gorden Moyo said his party is going to start turning around the fortunes of the economy of Bulawayo after winning elections in three months time.
“Right now in the inclusive Government we believe that Dimaf is the best way to revive industries in Bulawayo. We are working with the ministry of Industry and Commerce. We are not going to watch Bulawayo go down. We are not pleased at all to see companies relocating to Harare.
“As a party we have come up with an economic blueprint called Juice. We are clear on what we are going to do as soon as we take over Zimbabwe in three months time. We are going to have access to lines of credit from the international community. The investors who have shunned Zimbabwe will come in droves. This nonsense of companies relocating to Harare or shutting down will be stopped,” Mr Moyo said.
MDC Bulawayo provincial chairperson Mr Oscar Ncube believes that there is a hidden hand behind the relocation and closure of companies in the province.
“There is more to the de-industrialisation of Bulawayo than economics. The MDC thinks it’s a deliberate ploy to destroy Bulawayo for reasons we are not privy to yet. But without a doubt we know that it’s not an accident, it’s intentional. This is meant to discourage the people of Bulawayo. What other reason can we find? All these years the economy has been struggling but companies were not relocating. When Bulawayo was doing well, you never heard of Harare companies coming to Bulawayo but now that it’s Bulawayo they want to relocate,” said Mr Ncube.
Mr Ncube said it was difficult to halt the de-industrialisation of Bulawayo because the owners of the companies were unreachable.

“The shutting down of companies must stop forthwith. The people of Bulawayo are bitter, they are very angry. We have tried and we are trying to stop it. Professor Welshman Ncube (Minister of Industry and Commerce and MDC president) is working hard to reverse the trend. As a party we have approached the managers who run the companies but there is nothing they can do because they are just working under instructions. We want to talk to the owners but they are unavailable. We believe in talking to find a solution but our cries are falling on deaf ears,” he said

This article first appeared on  Bulawayo Sunday News compliled by  Stanford Chiwanga

Mama Africa Film comes to St Louis Missouri

Africa World Documentary Film Fest returns for year six

Mama Africa

Mama Africa, directed by Mika Kaurismaki, will screen at the Missouri History Museum as part of the Africa World Documentary Film Festival 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2.
 

“I never sing politics,” South African musical icon Miriam Makeba said. “Only the truth.”The late singer’s soul-stirring life lessons, tragedies and triumphs over the course of her career and life’s journey are shown through director Mika Kaurismaki’s Mama Africa. The documentary will serve as a focal point for the 6^th Annual Africa World Documentary Film Festival next weekend at the Missouri History Museum.
 What started as a modest initiative from E. Desmond Lee endowed professor Niyi Coker has grown into a truly global phenomenon. Forty-six films submitted by filmmakers representing countries from Australia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Israel, Japan, Mali, Egypt, France, Spain, The United Kingdom, Namibia, The United States and everywhere in between.

Variations of the festival will travel around the world – from Kansas to Cameroon – and spread the unique and varied experiences of the myriad of those with roots in the Diaspora.
“Through the art of documentary film making, the Africa World Documentary Film Festival is committed to the promotion of knowledge, life and culture of the people of Africa worldwide,” Coker said.
“We celebrate and congratulate the extraordinary group of talented filmmakers who have employed their craft and skills in the exploration of African subjects. Some of the major subjects covered in these documentary films are culture, socioeconomic, environment, history, gender, legal, music and performing arts, religion, politics, sport as well as human rights issues.”

This year, the festival kicks off where it all began – St. Louis. The Missouri History Museum will serve as host as they present nearly a dozen films – most notably Mama Africa.
Makeba remains an icon in her native South Africa and her entire home continent five years after her death. Sadly, her outspoken views and battle against apartheid had to be fought from beyond the border because of her 30-year banishment.

Mama Africa displays Makeba’s loves, her life and her fight for the freedom of her people and a right to return home. The film creates a colorful and insightful portrait of a woman brave enough to sacrifice popularity and personal safety for the sake of lending her voice to a political movement.
For more than half a century Makeba bravely shared her message of freedom, equality, justice and peace as her native South Africa practiced overt and brutal form of racial segregation that rivaled the slavery and Jim Crow segregation tactics of the United States.

After being introduced to the world, she found herself without a homeland in 1959 as a result of her involvement in the documentary indictment of the apartheid system in South Africa.
Fellow singer and social justice/civil rights activist Harry Belafonte catapulted Makeba onto the world’s stage in the early 1960s. And she went on to shine her own light on injustices against people of color – particular her own experiences with Apartheid.

She found herself in the sights of the FBI following her marriage to Black Panther leader and black activist Stokely Carmichael in 1968. She decided to live and settle in Guinea, West Africa where she continued to fight the minority white apartheid regime in her native land.
Mama Africa is a beautifully woven collection of archives and post scripts that showcases her unyielding passion for music, freedom and equality – both in her native South Africa and around the world – and illustrates her continuing legacy.

Audiences will be introduced to her unique artistic style and how she used her gift for music as a catalyst to do her part to change the world.
Mama Africa will screen as part of the festival on Saturday, March 2 at 4:30 p.m. A Q&A with the film’s director, Mika Kaurismaki, and Miriam Makeba’s grandson Nelson Lumumba Lee will take place immediately following the screening at 6 p.m
The 6^th Annual Africa World Documentary Film Festival will take place on Friday, March 1 – Sun. March 3 at the Missouri History Museum, 5700 Lindell Blvd in Forest Park. For more information and a full schedule of this year’s documentary selections, visit
http://www.africaworldfilmfestival.com/ or www.mohistory.org
 This article is an an extract from a Missouri local online paper written by  Kenya VaughnSt. Louis American.

 

My thoughts and prayer for Peter Ndlovu!

 

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Peter Ndlovu family, especially after losing a big brother Adam. Adam Ndlovu was a great soccer darling for both Highlanders and Zimbabwe national soccer team. He will always be remembered whenever we talk about Zimbabwe's greatest players. I also pray that Peter and his family will reach out to the Tshili family, as they are also mourning the loss of their dearly departed daughter Nomqhele! I would like to believe that she was their shining star too in her own way.

 



The next coming days, and months will be tough for the Peter , and the  entire Ndlovu family. It will be essential that as Peter gets better, he seriously engages the Tshili family. This will help them at least cope with their irreplaceable loss. Like any bereaved family they will go through series of emotions till it sinks in that she is real gone. Peter being the last person to see her alive, will at least help put some kind of closure in a certain way, since he was the last one to see he alive. If I were to advice the Zimbabwe's greatest player of all time Nsukuzonke. I would strongly tell him not to neglect the Tshilis. Dealing with the matter quick and confidentially under closed doors will be paramount. Madinda and the other elder brother have already done a tremendous job laying the ground work. Soon it will be time for Peter to act on his won. Anything less than that will get the media/ lawyers and other opportunists meddling and polluting the waters.

 

The Ndlovus do not need that situation by any chance.That will be long after Adamski big send off. Fame and popularity can be a double aged sword. It is also my hope that Ndlovu will be truthful throughout, because failure to do so will squander the public trust and goodwill. Lastly, I want to wish Ndlovu a speedy recover, and pray that the Almighty God may comfort Adams immediate family at such a difficult time in their lives. May God bless the whole community of Zimbabwe for showing kindness and support. We pray that the same spirit may be extended even to other people going through loss of loved ones during this festive season.

 

(This is an extract from one of my f/b statuses in December soon after the tragic incident/accident that took the life of Adam Ndlovu and Nomqhele Tshili!)

MDC not in coalition talks with MDC-T

 

 PRESS STATEMENT

 Movement For Democratic Change (MDC)

 We wish to state unequivocally and with finality that the MDC is not engaged with MDC -T in any talks to do with coalition, pact or unification now or in the near future and no amount of lies, coercion or fabrication of the truth will make that happen.
It is our hope that this final clarification will put to rest the often annoying and pushy attempts through public pontification for a coalition of any shape, form or type by those who want an MDC -T success at our and the people’s expense.

This for us is a critical time in our pursuit of electoral success and those who think they can distract our impetus in working diligently towards a successful election outcome should now know that the game is up, our determination to succeed on the basis of principle, truth and non-prostitutio n of our cardinal values of democratic change where the masses are free to choose from a multiple of political parties their own leader remains unflinching and undeterred. This for us is the very cornerstone of democracy.

It has become crystal clear that due to feelings of inadequacy in some quarters, certain elements have switched to panic mode and are thus agitating for the so called coalition, which will never happen. History knows that we have tried this route before, history also records that we went on a limb in attempting to find common ground with the MDC -T in 2008, history further remembers that we came out of that attempt the worse for wear, hence to us that was a lesson well learnt.

We stand guided by the resolutions made at our last elective party congress that we will not we will visit every village, homestead, growth point, farm, town, climb every mountain and cross every river to explain our policies to Zimbabweans and seek their vote and mandate. We have grown from being part of a political party to THE political party. We are emboldened by the reality that since the last elections, we have grown bigger and better and meaner.

Nhlanhla Dube

MDC Spokesperson

Dumiso Dabengwa responds on alleged ZIPRA atrocities

 

Dumiso Dabengwa, ZIPRA’s former commander, stormed on Sunday: “When it happened, it was war time.

“We are very curious... they should come in the open and say exactly what they want.”

Dabengwa said worse atrocities were committed by Rhodesian forces, and that the new government in independent Zimbabwe had declared amnesty for all war crimes.
“They [former colonisers] suggested the issue of amnesty and it was taken on board. The amnesty was to make no-one responsible for crimes committed during war time.
“For them it was a way of protecting Ian Smith and company from the atrocities they committed. Since they have moved a motion, shall we go back and mention numerous occasions that they massacred our people?

“They want to start a condemnation war and we will take them on because we have the evidence where British racists and special forces did horrible things to us. Let them start the issue and we will not keep quiet.”

Hoey’s motion – which is unlikely to be debated in the Commons but aims to draw attention to the two incidents – coincides with Tuesday’s 34th anniversary of the shooting down of Flight RH827.

The motion, tabled on February 5 and titled ‘Viscount Massacres’, proposes:

“That this House notes that 12 February 2013 will mark the 34th anniversary of the shooting down of Air Rhodesia Viscount Flight RH827 (the Umniati) by members of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA) in the former Rhodesia resulting in the death of all on board; further notes that this was the second such shooting down of civilian airliners by ZIPRA and followed the shooting down of Air Rhodesia Flight RH825 (the Hunyani) by the same means on 3 September 1978; further notes that the 107 victims comprised civilian men, women and children, some of whom survived the crash of the Hunyani and were subsequently murdered on the ground by bayoneting and shooting; further notes that the victims included citizens from Switzerland, Scotland, Belgium, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa; recalls that the failure to officially condemn these atrocities, as articulated in the sermon by the late Very Reverend John da Costa known as The Deafening Silence, was an act of moral cowardice and deplores such failure; and commends the work done by Keith Nell and his Viscount Down Team to ensure that these atrocities are not forgotten and their ongoing efforts to alleviate suffering amongst the pensioner community of Zimbabwe. This motion has been signed by a total of 6 MPs.”

Mthwakazi groups demands a census recount!

Local lobbyist group, Mthwakazi Youth Leaders Joint Resolution has revealed that it may be forced to carry out its own enumeration exercise in Bulawayo following the release of preliminary results which have since been disputed by Bulawayo residents.
...
Resolution officials recently told Radio Dialogue that they have made an urgent court application against the official 2012 census results released by the Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (Zimstats) demanding a recount of the citizens of Bulawayo, Matebeleland and Midlands.

The statistical agency has given official preliminary figures at 655 675 for the province of Bulawayo which according to the Bulawayo City Council are in contrast with the final figures of 2002 and 1992 population statistics which were at 676 650 and 620 436 respectively.

“In the event that we do not get a favourable response from the courts, we will embark on our own enumeration exercise,” said Resolution chairperson Busani Sibindi.

“It is not difficult, all we have to do is engage volunteers who are willing to do an exercise that will give a true reflection of the local population.”

Sibindi said the inaccurate figures are likely to negatively affect city plans.

“We have evidence that prove beyond doubt that the recent population figures by Zimstats are not reflective of the figures conducted by the Bulawayo City Council in 1992 and 2002 after an alternative population census was done using the number of housing units in Bulawayo,” he said.

“Statistical information plays an important role in budget and resource allocation, constituency delimitation and proper service planning. Hence for the past twenty years, the nation of Mthwakazi has undergone severe acute marginalisation and consequently underdevelopment. The stem root for all the structural marginalisation of our people has been such important organs like statistics.”

The local authority has also raised concern over the preliminary results saying the total population of Bulawayo has gone beyond 1.5million people.

Zimstats in 2012 released preliminary results showing that the country’s population has grown to 12.9 million with Bulawayo accounting 5% of the total population while the capital Harare had 2 084 592.See More

Why the British have not forgiven ZIPRA!

 The plane (the Umniati) flying between Kariba and Salisbury (now Harare) was shot down on the 12th of February 1979 using a Strela 2 heat seeking missile soon after take-off. All 59 holidaymakers and crew on board were killed.

The circumstances were very similar to the downing of Air Rhodesia Flight 825 (the Hunyani) five months earlier when the guerrillas used a SAM 7 missile, causing the deaths of 48 passengers and crew including 10 crash site survivors who were shot and bayoneted to death.

Last week Hoey, who is the chairperson of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Zimbabwe, moved the motion to have the shooting condemned and the commemoration of it given official recognition. Hoey’s motion noted that “this was the second such shooting down of civilian airliners by ZIPRA.”

“The 107 victims comprised civilian men, women and children, some of whom survived the crash of the Hunyani and were subsequently murdered on the ground by bayoneting and shooting,” she said. The victims were from countries like Switzerland, Scotland, Belgium, New Zealand, the UK and South Africa.

The motion already signed by six MP’s has not gone down well with the UK chapter of Zimbabwe’s opposition Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn party led by former Zanu PF politburo member and finance minister Dr Simba Makoni. UK spokesperson Tendai Kwari accused Hoey of opening old wounds.

Kwari told Nehanda Radio the motion is opening healing wounds, especially amongst black Zimbabweans. “Thousands of poor Zimbabwean refugees were massacred by the Rhodesians at Tembue and Chimoio. These two camps had schools and clinics and thousands of children were butchered,” he said.

Kwari said he hoped Hoey had not been “forced to present this motion by former Rhodesians, who can still not accept that a black man in Zimbabwe should be the master of that land.” He also demanded that relatives of those killed in Chimoio and Nyadzonia be compensated by the British government.

“Where was God? Part 2

Yesterday I shared with my friends on face book  how five year  old Themba son asked me a stunning question when I was reading a book to him about President Barack Obama life. I was in the middle of telling him about the race relations of black and white people in America when Barack Obama was born. I  told him that black people were not even allowed to be with people those days. And that was when he fired me with a sobering question “ Where was God? After hesitating for a few seconds to answer him, a revelation came to me that it was God who told “the Good man” Martin Luther King Jr to preach the message of hope and love to everybody. That is how I answered him, but somehow I feel that was just part of the answer to the question.

My son's question is not an isolated, millions of people around the world are face this question everyday regardless of religion race and creed. They are confronted by this great and fundamental question in the middle of such overwhelming calamities such as wars, famine, hunger, deaths and diseases and sickness  of all kinds. There are some who's religion does not allow them to question God. I do not even know that if that is is considered  questioning God. In their hearts and minds this great question comes over and over again, probably without any answer at all. This question has not only haunted individuals but nations as well.

Most recently here in America we have seen communities shattered by the evil of  gun violence madness wrath at an alarming rate. We have seen kids as young  as five old brutally murdered in  elementary schools and kinder gar ten. We have seen young and old innocent lives taken suddenly in an instant of madness alike without discrimination to gender , race and creed. No day passes without a single gun victim in the United States alone. Cities like Chicago, New york, Oakland CA, Detroit and Memphis are among the leading murder capital of the world. Most of these case are drug and poverty related crimes. I dare to say that some of them are mere hate. Strangely enough some of them confound even the experts when it come to motives.

We have seen mother nature wipe out the civilizations.  In the form of Tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanoes and floods just to mention a few. We have seen villages in Africa ravaged by  civil wars, malaria and malnutrition. Generations have been wiping out generations. In this decade alone we have seen almost every form of curse and misfortune unleashed to human kind if you will. Time will not allow me to talk about the the world most infamous and notorious man, Adolf Hitler. He is known for orchestrating  all kinds of evil ways of killing and eliminating Jews.

What I am going to say about black people  from Africa who were enslaved against their will for over four hundred years in America?  Where was God? When Africans were colonized in their homelands  moved by force from fertile and productive lands to lands infested with mosquitoes and animals at gun point? There are many examples of situations that makes us question God, when we do not have clear answers.  On September eleven about 10 years ago two planes hit the twin towers of  the World Trade centre in New York killing thousands of passengers and workers in those buildings.
 Where was God?

Perhaps to try and best answer this question, let us put it this way. Where is God right now? In order for us to know where God is in the near future when we are confounded by something big and unimaginable situation and calamity. We might need to know where God is right now at this very moment! God forbids that something like that happens again forcing asks us as both nations and families to ask ourselves that question. Isaiah 6v I -6 reads The year that king Uzziah died I saw the Lord! he was sitting on a lofty throne, and the temple was filled with his glory. 2 Hovering about him were mighty, six winged seraphs. With two of tier wings they covered their faces, with  other two they covered their feet, and with two they flew.3 In a great antiphonal chorus they sang, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts; the whole earth is filled with his glory" Living Bible.

It is not known if the writer of this passage I Isaiah was referring to the time frame, when he said in the year that King Uzziah died I saw the lord and so. He goes on to describe the splendour and majestic of the vision that he saw. Point here is that God was on his throne whether Uzziah was a good King  or not
Is God always on his throne?

  Rev 1 v 8 -12 Reads " I am the A and the Z, the Beginning and the End of all things"says God, who is the Lord, the All powerful One who is and was and is coming again! (9) It is I, your brother John, a fellow sufferer for the Lord's sake, who am writing this letter to you. I, too, have shared the patience Jesus gives, and we shall share his kingdom!I was in the island of Patmos, exiled there for preaching  of the word, and for telling what I knew about Jesus Christ. (10)It was the Lord's day and I was worshipping, when suddenly I heard a  loud voice behind me that sounded like a  trumpet blast,(11a)saying "I am A and Z, the First and the Last"

That was John who they call "John the revelator" describing his encounter with God during his time of persecution. It is said that he had not physical eyes, they had cut them off because of preaching the word of God. From verse 12 to 20 in chapter one, he is still describing the  majestic and power of the presence of God. This is a man who is suffering for the God if you will! Time will not allow me to talk about Stephen who was stoned to death, yet in his death he saw God sited on the throne in heaven.

 Apostle Paul could not have put it much better, he  said in Rom 8v31(b) If God is on our side who can be against us? 35 Who then can ever keep Christ's love from us? When we have trouble or calamity, when we are hunted down or destroyed, is it because he doesn't love us anymore? And if we are hungry, or penniless, or in danger, or threatened with death, has God deserted us? 36 No, for the scripture tell us that for his sake we must be ready to face death at every moment of the day- we are like sheep awaiting slaughter, 37 but despite all this overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us. 38 For I am convinced that nothing can ever  separate us from his love. Death and life can't.  In other words whether we live or die we cannot be separated from the love of God. Else where he says, for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain.  The scripture even say that "you who were baptized to his death". You are in union with Christ through his death. I want to submit that whether we are having good or bad times. God is always God sited on the throne.

Did the British help ZANU steal 1980 elections?

 

 

Zanu and the British stole 1980 elections: Dabengwa

Written by NewsDay
Sunday, 03 February 2013

HARARE - Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa has blamed the British government and apartheid ruled South Africa for rigging the first ever elections under universal suffrage in 1980 to favour President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF.
 Dabengwa said the British Conservative party connived with other Western countries and the South Africans to award poll victory to Zanu PF as a strategy to reward a party they viewed as able to safeguard their interests.
 Zapu won 20 seats against Zanu PF’s 57 in the maiden polls supervised by the British government.
 “Those elections were rigged in Zanu PF’s favour and were not free or fair. They were marred by violence and threats because Zanu PF created no-go areas where no other party could campaign.

“The British taught Zanu PF that if the party was to win any elections they have to resort to violence. That has now become the party’s culture since then,” Dabengwa told journalists at a press meeting in Bulawayo on Friday.
 Dabengwa said Zapu could have created its own no-go area in a vast swathe of land it dominated during the war for independence but the late Joshua Nkomo’s magnanimity in persuading his Zapu colleagues to accept the poll results saved Zimbabwe from plunging into civil war on the basis of rigged elections.

He said two decades of intransigence by Mugabe and his ruling elite compelled him to quit the party

and respond to his former Zapu colleagues’ pleas to revive Zapu as its leader.