What Now?

The decision by the MDC to stop cooperating with Zanu PF at Cabinet and Council of Ministers level has met with mixed reactions. There are those who think that the MDC has made a tactical error by backing themselves into a corner. They argue that if nothing happens then the MDC will be forced to go back into the Unity Government with tails between legs. On the other hand are those who feel that the MDC did the right thing by taking action and making a clear statement that things are not working. Those on this side feel that the time has come to stop hoping that things will get better and to start taking concrete steps.

What, however, is clear is that both those who disagree with the decision and those who agree with it are all agreed that walking away from the GNU will be catastrophic. Everyone seems to realise that this deal offers more hope for our nation than a situation where Mugabe and his lieutenants take over the running of the country again. I am not privy to Zanu PF thinking so I do not know what they think about the total collapse of this deal. However, judging from the power hunger that pervades people in this party it would not be farfetched to think that most of them would relish the chance to run (ruin) the country as they did in the last thirty years. Many in Zanu PF including Robert Mugabe believe that they have divine right to rule Zimbabwe even after losing the elections. This explains why Robert Mugabe is not doing anything even where issues have been resolved and agreed. The issue of provincial governors is a case in point. One senses that they are trying to push the MDC into walking away then they go back to the policies that made Mugabe and his cronies rich while the rest of the population starved. You can see that there is nostalgia in Zanu PF for those days when they could do what they want, when Gideon Gono expropriated foreign currency from organisations and individuals without regard for the law and when nobody asked questions. Even though now they still do not provide answers many in Zanu PF feel uncomfortable that these questions are being asked. Soon the land audit will start asking some uncomfortable questions. These may not result in people giving back land (Zanu does not do giving back) but it will expose the greed and corruption at the heart of the whole land reform programme. It is, therefore, in the interests of Zanu PF that this Unity Government collapses because then they can go back to blaming others for the problems bedevilling our nation.

Given this scenario it is imperative that the MDCs (Mutambara included) define a clear course of action. There are some uncomfortable questions that should be asked. These questions include having to decide when pulling out of the GNU will become an option as well as how much time they are going to give Zanu PF before escalating the crisis. There has to be some bench marks to determine when continued participation is no longer possible. The MDC does not have to make these public but it does need to start planning for two outcomes - the possibility of the contentious issues being resolved and the GNU continuing and the possibility that things come to a head and the GNU collapses. I am of the opinion that we need to keep this government going for as long as we can but that when it becomes unworkable then we should disengage fully. Those in the relationship are better placed to make this judgement call. What we, on the outside, can only say is that when the time to make this decision comes then they must be widespread consultation to ensure that the decision has the support of ordinary people as well as those in the leadership of the party.

I do not subscribe to the school of thought that says that the MDC will be the main loser if the GNU fails. Zanu PF will still be the government but only in name because there won’t be a country to rule over. If anything, it may end up being the tipping point for Zanu PF as the people’s anger may boil over. Who knows even the docile Zimbabweans may not be willing to go through any more suffering just to keep Zanu PF in power. Therefore, Zanu PF will do well to think of the possible consequences before sounding the death knell on the GNU. The people are now aware that Zanu PF was given a lifeline through the GNU. If they choose to squander it then they will face the consequences.

The GNU, with all its shortcomings, allows the MDCs some measure of influence and control with regard to the destiny of our nation. For example it has made it impossible for Gono to unilaterally dispense of the World Bank funds. It has given them access to government information as well as an opportunity to show the people that they can be a government. Everyone you speak to is talking about how the MDC has brought change to people’s lives. Everyone is also aware that the pace of change is being slowed down by Zanu PF. These are the benefits accruing from the MDC’s participation in the GNU.

I applaud the decision to make a statement through the partial withdrawal but I would counsel caution and serious thought before the MDC fully withdraws from the GNU.

Blackmailing the USA and EU…

The recent attempt by Zanu PF (ZPF) to focus only on the issue of targeted sanctions without addressing other issues around the sanctions reveals a party that is both morally and intellectually bankrupt. I listened to Minister Mutasa of ZPF speaking on VOA Studio 7 about the issue and was astonished at his naivety. He seems to believe that the targeted sanctions brought about by ZPF’s policy of intolerance should just be lifted because ZPF and MDC have formed a government together. While Mutasa is happy to put conditions for the MDC he does not seem to think that it is right for others to put conditions to be fulfilled before the targeted sanctions are removed. The targeted sanctions are a direct result of ZPF actions and their removal should be directly linked to ZPF actions. Just last week Minister Mutasa was quoted in the state media as having said that there was never any intention by ZPF to share power equally with the MDC. The plan from the beginning was always to use MDC as window dressing in order for Robert Mugabe to remain in power. Contrary to the terms of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) Mutasa claimed that Mugabe was both Head of State and Head of Government with power to do things without consulting the other principals in the Inclusive Government. Such warped thinking reveals the real intentions of ZPF in signing the GPA. The real intention was to allow the senior ZPF figures directly affected by targeted sanctions to travel to the West and enjoy their ill-gotten wealth. It exposes the duplicity of ZPF. It is, therefore, interesting that Minister Mutasa should be the one complaining the loudest about targeted sanctions. If anything he should be demonstrating that his party is committed to implementing the whole GPA instead of only those sections that give ZPF an advantage. The answer to the sanctions is simple. Implement all agreements and involve all parties in decision making. Another typical example of ZPF intransigence is the decision by Minister Chinamasa to withdraw Zimbabwe from the SADC Tribunal without Cabinet or Parliamentary approval. This clearly shows how ZPF has no respect for SADC and its leaders where they feel that their interests are under threat. It also shows how ZPF has no respect for its partners in the unity government. Any self respecting person can never take this kind of circus on the part of the ZPF half of the unity government seriously. If we are unable to follow our own laws in terms of making foreign policy decisions then why should we expect others to think that the Inclusive Government is working? The targeted sanctions will die a natural death once Zimbabwe is firmly on the path of democracy, good governance and respect for human and property rights. The evidence so far does not seem to suggest that we are there yet.

What one can read from the noises coming out of the ZPF camp is that they are trying to blackmail the US and EU into removing the sanctions. The plan is to stall all government business and the full implementation of the GPA in the hope that the EU and US will then give in and remove the targeted sanctions. ZPF will continue to refuse to deal with the unilateral appointment of the RBZ Governor and Attorney General. They will continue to drag feet on the issue of appointing Provincial Governors, the swearing in of Roy Bennett and the setting up of the various Constitutional Commissions. The hope is that this will stop government business and possibly turn the people against the MDC once the pace of change slows down. Once this begins to happen ZPF hopes that the US and EU will be forced to the table not wanting to see Zimbabwe return to the dark days of five or so months ago. ZPF hopes that this blackmail will force the US and EU to lift the sanctions in return for progress rather than as a reward for progress.

It is imperative, therefore, that the International Community starts real engagement of the government of Zimbabwe not only in terms of food and medicines but in terms of funding those social enterprises that allow ordinary Zimbabweans to experience the benefits of the new political dispensation. I would want the US and EU to start funding projects in the social ministries such as Energy, Water Resources, Education, Local Government, Health, etc. The current approach of sending aid through NGOs is not helping the economy to recover. While maintaining the targeted sanctions I would want the US and EU to start funding the government directly rather than through Aid Agencies. This is the only way to counter ZPF blackmail because when government business continues in spite of ZPF’s stalling then they will have no cards to play. Those in the International Community who care about Zimbabweans should realise that the current policy of not engaging the Zimbabwe government directly at all is not working. We need a new approach from both the US and EU. But for all their shouting ZPF should not blackmail the US and EU into lifting the targeted sanctions. Not until all the conditions have been met.

OF SANCTIONS AND THE BLAME GAME…

Ephraim Masawi of ZANU PF has recently been quoted saying because the targeted sanctions still remain so the MDCs have not kept their Global Political Agreement (GPA) commitments. It would appear that ZANU PF is trying to shift blame before the arrival of Zuma in Harare. This clearly shows that there is trepidation in the corridors of ZANU PF power as they are not sure of what Zuma stands for. This has left ZANU PF clutching at straws as they try to show that the other parties have also not kept their commitments.

There is no dispute amongst all commentators that ZANU PF has stalled the progress of the GNU by refusing to fully consummate the GPA. The examples of ZPF intransigence come thick and fast. Mugabe’s unilateral re-appointment of the RBZ governor and the Attorney General, The unilateral appointment of Permanent Secretaries (although later ratified by Tsvangirai and Mutambara), the refusal to install Roy Bennett, Failure to appoint the new Provincial Governors as agreed in the GPA, the list goes on. Faced with these real issues that show commitment or lack of on their part, ZANU PF has come up with its own list of complaint(s) made up of one issue – the targeted sanctions. They now claim that because the sanctions have not been removed therefore the MDCs have failed the GPA. It is instructive to note that most western governments have said that until there is concrete and irreversible change they will not be lifting these sanctions. The thinking in most western capitals is you can only reward people for success. No one calls the GNU a success yet, not even ZANU PF.

Tsvangirai and Mutambara have called for the sanctions to be removed risking the backlash from their own supporters who feel that they are selling out. There is nothing more that they can do but to wait for the various governments to make their own minds up. However, there is a lot ZANU PF can do to ensure that the sanctions go away. Mugabe and his party can ensure that all outstanding issues are resolved amicably. It is within their power to bring an end to the sanctions. ZANU PF should not continue to treat the MDCs as junior partners in the GNU. It should show that there is genuine power sharing. Mugabe’s henchmen should stop acting with impunity. The Attorney General and the police should start pursuing all those who were involved in violence regardless of political affiliation. We want to see Chinotimba and the senior army officers who terrorised people and burned homes around the country being tried for these crimes. We want to see ZANU PF accept that people can and should choose what party they belong to. A more recent example of ZANU PF shooting itself in the foot is the attempt by Chinamasa and Mangwana to derail the appointment of the new media commission because Mahoso and Mutsvangwa failed to make the final list. For the first time we have a parliament led process and ZANU PF are crying foul. If statements by George Charamba are anything to go by then Mugabe is likely to reverse the whole process in order to appoint his surrogates. Why then should the West remove the targeted sanctions?

In my last blog I urged President Zuma to bring an open mind and to look at the terms of the GPA and to make his judgments based only on the evidence before him. I still hope he will do if he does not allow Mugabe’s hospitality to cloud his judgment. I am still concerned that Zuma has chosen to leave the matter until he comes to Harare as a guest of the Zimbabwe government. His independence may be curtailed by his desire to show courtesy to his host. Zuma should tell Mugabe that the world is willing to move only if he moves. The evidence on the ground does not seem to suggest that ZANU PF has adjusted their approach to governing to take into account the new political dispensation. Zuma should not allow ZANU PF to shift the focus from the ‘weighty issues’ by talking about sanctions. Most donor nations have pledged to help Zimbabwe once signs of real change are there for all to see. Mugabe and his cronies do not need to travel to the West for aid and monetary support to come they just need to take the GNU seriously. Zimbabweans are pinning their hopes on Zuma ‘forcing’ the principals to deal with all outstanding issues. Sanctions will die a natural death once the GPA is fully consummated.

Zuma’s chance to break with the past

Having met with Prime Minister Tsvangirai to discuss the state of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) President Zuma has now been presented with a chance to break with the past. It is encouraging that he acknowledged that there are weighty issues holding back the full consummation of the GPA.

Under the presidency of Thabo Mbeki the South African government had adopted a ‘hear no evil; see no evil’ approach to Mugabe’s transgressions. Mbeki was always willing to openly criticise the MDC and its leadership while maintaining a policy of ‘quiet diplomacy’ for Zanu PF and Robert Mugabe. This approach allowed Mugabe to act with impunity and, among other things, allowed Zanu PF thugs to continue maiming and killing innocent people for daring to oppose their leader. Most Zimbabweans felt betrayed by Mbeki both as South African president and as the SADC mediator. It is for this reason that many will not be excited by the pronouncements of President Zuma that he will intervene to ensure the GPA is fully implemented. No one can blame us for being sceptical because for years we have been disappointed by those who wielded the power to change our desperate political situation.

President Zuma now has a chance to change our perception of the Presidency in South Africa. We have come to associate the South African Presidency with those who appease Robert Mugabe without the courage to confront him when the need arises. Zuma now has a chance to break with this past. President Zuma has the power to change the situation in Zimbabwe if he chooses to put his foot down. What Zimbabweans are asking of Zuma is not that he just criticises Mugabe without cause but that he attempts to get to the bottom of the problems bedevilling the GPA. If he is to break with the past he must make an honest assessment of the situation in Zimbabwe before deciding who is stalling the progress of the unity government. Zuma must be prepared to criticise both Zanu PF and MDC where there is evidence that they are prolonging the suffering of Zimbabweans by not keeping their commitments under the GPA. The basis of criticism should be the terms of the GPA not personal like or dislike of the signatories to the GPA. In the past Thabo Mbeki allowed his personal dislike of Morgan Tsvangirai to cloud his judgement and he also allowed his elitist mentality to influence his dealings with Tsvangirai and Mugabe. Personal relationships became more important than rescuing Zimbabweans from the political and economic abyss. Zuma is not cut from the same elitist stone that Mbeki and Mugabe are cut from. He has made a big issue of his ‘common’ roots and we hope that this time we have a South African President who is on the side of ordinary people.

As President Zuma goes to speak to Robert Mugabe about the ‘weighty’ issues threatening the GNU in Zimbabwe I hope that he will be objective, fair and firm with all the signatories to the GPA. I hope that he will not allow personalities and relationships to cloud his judgement. He should rely only on the letter and spirit of the GPA to determine who has not kept their side of the deal. This is a chance for Zuma to break with the past or to join Mbeki in defending Mugabe at all costs. We wait with baited breath!

None but ourselves

“The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.” Steve Biko

I have recently been thinking a lot about Biko’s statement in relation to Zimbabwe. What has been foremost in my mind is how as Zimbabweans we have allowed Mugabe to control the way we react to our political situation. In most Zimbabweans’ mind Mugabe cannot and will not be removed. A lot of reasons are proffered for this.

Most Zimbabweans you speak to hold Mugabe in awe. Some will say, “Mudhara uya akangwara zvekuti hapana anomugona.” Others will say, “Masoja ese arikusapota Mugabe saka vanaTsvangirai havana yavo.” It would appear that Mugabe’s critics are also his staunchest defenders. Mugabe has created this image of invincibility that Zimbabweans continue to feed to each other. He no longer needs to tell people or even to do anything to create fear and despondency. The fear created by stories of Mugabe’s ruthlessness and shrewdness has created an oppressed population so scared of the oppressor. Mugabe uses this weapon skilfully as it has ensured that people of Zimbabwe do not believe in their ability to change their lot.

Until we liberate our minds from the control of the tyrant we can never achieve the liberation that we yearn for. Zimbabweans hold the keys to their own liberation. We need to start believing in our ability to change our destiny if we are to confront Mugabe. The first step is for us to take away the ‘potent weapon’ from the hands of the oppressor by fighting the fear and despondency that our nervous condition has created in us as Zimbabweans. I believe that Zimbabweans suffer from mental slavery where we have come to believe that Mugabe is destined to rule ‘kusvika madhongi amera nyanga’. As Bob Marley counsels we need to emancipate ourselves from our mental slavery for none but ourselves can free our minds.

It is not going to be easy to deal with the myths and legends about Mugabe that are out there. The man is made up of stuff of urban legends but what shows me that he is human is the fact that, against his will, we have managed to corner him into accepting to share power. There may still be a remnant that believes he holds all the power but most of us have seen that Mugabe is just an owl. “Manhenga chete zizi harina nyanga” It is not impossible to continue to force Mugabe to accept people power. We need to take the initiative away from him and his friends.

Last week we witnessed Mugabe and his party try to turn back the hands of time by disrupting the Constitutional Convention. We need to stand firm and tell the rogue ‘war veterans’ that Zimbabwe belongs to all of us. As a way of taking away the weapon from the oppressor we need to participate fully in the process of crafting and revamping the Lancaster House constitution. Change in Zimbabwe can only be concretised by a new constitution. A new constitution on its own can never be the panacea to our political problems but it allows us to begin the process of cleaning up our politics. We need to make a strong statement to Mugabe that the time of impunity is gone and that we will demand accountability and participation in our governance. This requires that we believe in what numbers can do. Numbers gave the opposition a majority in parliament. Numbers forced Mugabe to a run off. Numbers will liberate us. We just need to believe in ourselves rather than Mugabe’s invincibility. None but ourselves can do this!

Signs of the times misread

Having watched the Prime Minister being heckled and jeered by exiles in the United Kingdom I realised that the problem was not his message but failure to read the signs of the times by both Tsvangirai and his audience. One appreciates that as the Prime Minister Tsvangirai has to ask professionals to come home to help in re-building the economy and the country. There is no argument among all right thinking Zimbabweans that for the country to move forward we need teachers, doctors, nurses, bankers, etc to go back to Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai rightly argues that change is a process not an event hence for people to sit here and wait for things to improve is to miss the crunch of the matter. Who will change things if those with both the financial resources and professional qualifications are only willing to sit and wait for others to drive the process?

However, Tsvangirai failed to realise that the majority of people in his audience were people who are either waiting for the finalisation of the asylum claims or are failed asylum seekers whose cases are still to be decided in the UK High Court. If Tsvangirai had factored this into his speech he may, perhaps, have chosen different words to use in urging Zimbabweans to come home. I am certain that those who were loudest in shouting down Tsvangirai were people who are afraid that when he starts talking about coming home it might give wrong ideas to the British government. Those who have been refused asylum felt that Tsvangirai’s call may allow the UK government to start deporting Zimbabweans. Faced with the prospect of being deported or being refused asylum, because the situation in Zimbabwe had improved, self interest kicked in. They decided that Tsvangirai was betraying them by calling on them to come home. Suddenly Tsvangirai became the people’s enemy. To be fair to Tsvangirai he was never given a chance to explain himself as a group of rowdy people in the crowd took it upon themselves to stop him speaking. What is disappointing is that the audience never got to hear Tsvangirai’s message because some people wanted to defend their personal interests. I would have wanted to hear his full remarks and then to judge him on the basis of what he actually said rather than what the audience thought he meant. It is worth noting that a question and answer session had been scheduled to allow those who had questions and comments to grill the Prime Minister. For people who claim to be activists fighting for democracy it was disappointing to see the audience not living up to the democratic principles of allowing people to have their say. The scenes were reminiscent of the scenes at the Zanu PF Primary elections.

I know that most people in the audience would have wanted Tsvangirai to address issues of investment opportunities and dual citizenship as part of the overall call to return home. It is unfortunate that many people in the audience were refused a chance to voice their concerns to the Prime Minister and to engage in a civilised debate with him by those who feel that if they disagree with someone then they should not listen to the person. Those who did not want the meeting to be only about the call to come home will feel cheated of an opportunity to explore the ‘nervous condition’ in Zimbabwe and to influence policy through giving their views to the Prime Minister and his delegation.

However, there is a lesson for the Prime Minister in all this. He should choose his words carefully. I am aware he is navigating a tight rope in that if he says there is virtually no progress then he might as well go home because nobody is going to listen to his pleas for help. However, he cannot say that change is complete and indeed he has not said this in all the interviews he has given during this trip. I have argued before that people in Zimbabwe do not want humanitarian assistance to be the be all and end all of the International community involvement in their country (See http://gabrielatlarge.blogspot.com/2009/05/international-community-is-failing.html ). All in Zimbabwe agree that it is time for targeted support that will allow industries, farms and commercial organisations to start working again. For the sake of those who have remained in Zimbabwe who have been at the frontline of Mugabe’s brutality time has come for the International community to engage Zimbabwe. While the interest of those in the audience in London seems to have been only to ensure that they are allowed to stay in the UK it is important that as a responsible leader of his people Tsvangirai should ask people to come home and help in re-building the country. What Tsvangirai did not see is that some in his London audience were people who thought it was an MDC rally. The tenor and tone of his remarks did not acknowledge this hence the anger in the audience. The audience had misread the signs of the times.

Mr Tsvangirai now needs to disabuse members of his own party who think that he was addressing the London meeting as MDC President rather than as Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. It would appear that most in the audience expected to hear Tsvangirai blasting Mugabe and Zanu PF as he has done when addressing party rallies. They failed to realise that he was addressing Zimbabweans from all political persuasions hence their feeling of betrayal. All of us in the MDC need to realise that Tsvangirai now speaks for Zimbabweans when speaking as Prime Minister. We all need to realise that we are at a delicate time in the democratisation of our nation where it may not be possible to satisfy all the interest groups in the democratic movement. Listening to Tsvangirai throughout this tour you can see a man who is trying to manage expectations but at the same time convince the world that there is progress. It is, therefore, disingenuous for people in London to claim that there is no progress in Zimbabwe. Things are not the same as four months ago. We can argue as to whether the progress is enough but we can never say there has been no movement even in the emotive issue of political violence. I am sure even those who jeered at Tsvangirai can acknowledge this.

At this critical time in the history of our country we all need to learn to watch out for the signs of the times!

TSVANGIRAI’S NIECE AND THE LAND REFORM PROGRAMME

The past week the media has been awash with stories about the American medical doctor who has been trying to take over a farm in Zimbabwe. The insinuation is that because Prime Minister Tsvangirai was seen with this woman at President Zuma’s inauguration then he knows about these things. Many people will remember that when the pictures first appeared there was the suggestion that this could be the Prime Minister’s lover and she was referred as the mystery woman. The Prime Minister’s spokesman then cleared the issue by telling the press that she is the Prime Minister’s niece and that apparently Mr Tsvangirai had no prior knowledge of her presence until they met at the ceremony. You can verify this on http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/primeminister42.19787.html .

However, the media has continued to insinuate that she is not related to Tsvangirai suggesting that the Prime Minister may actually have lied to the people of Zimbabwe. There is a concerted effort to cast shadows on the person of the Prime Minister because of these stories. The media stories are all based on an unnamed MDC source – Zimpapers style. Those who understand the way Zimbabwe’s extended family system works will know that there are no distant relatives because there is no distance in our family relations. The use of the English language to try and explain Zimbabwean relationships is fraught with difficulties. I am not interested in exploring whether Chihombori is related to Mr Tsvangirai or not because this misses the real point in this issue.

There are two outrageous things happening here. The first is that a business person who is living a comfortable and pampered life in America wants to benefit from freebies and to take away land that should, in all fairness, be given to people in Zimbabwe. The second is how a person who has lived outside Zimbabwe for thirty years can be allocated a farm when there are thousands of landless peasants waiting for land. What criteria did Zanu PF use in allocating land to someone who in all but name is essentially a foreigner? Who does this Chihombori know in the top echelons of Zanu PF? Although she may still be Zimbabwean on paper I believe that there are more deserving Zimbabweans than this ‘fat cat’ from USA. One would not be surprised if it emerges that Chihombori secretly holds dual citizenship which is against Zimbabwean law. I urge those in the media to investigate this. No one doubts that there has been need to redistribute land in Zimbabwe since independence. What has been in dispute has been the manner in which Zanu PF went about this. The Chihombori case is yet another example of how those who are well connected or those who can pay those who are well connected have benefited from Zanu PF’s land reform at the expense of those who genuinely needed land. Can Joseph Made and Didymus Mutasa explain how a woman who has not lived in Zimbabwe for thirty years was allocated land? Where is the Pan Africanist Robert Mugabe in all this? This exposes the lie that Zanu PF’s land reform benefited or was meant to benefit ordinary Zimbabweans.

There is a moral question in this whole saga. It is not whether Tsvangirai and Chihombori are related. It is not even whether Tsvangirai knew about the case. The question should be whether it is right that Chihombori was offered a farm in Zimbabwe. This case highlights the need for a Land Commission to look into the way the disastrous land reform was carried out. It is an outrage that those with money could buy their way into owning free land in Zimbabwe when those whose very survival depends on being able to work the land are still stuck in the old ‘Tribal Trust Lands’ of Chihota, Seke, Buhera, etc. Looking at the business portfolio of Dr Chihombori one cannot understand why she needs free land. She can afford to buy and run a farm but may be she shouldn’t. Her love for free things does not bode well for those who will be employed to work on the farm. I personally think that Chihombori is driven by pure greed more than the need to see the historical imbalance in land ownership being corrected. She is making all the right noises about the unfairness of the pre-2000 land ownership but only to disguise the unfairness of her owning land in Zimbabwe ahead of people like my parents or your parents. I sincerely hope that the offer letter to Dr Chihombori will be withdrawn and the land given to ‘real’ Zimbabweans.

Cremmer (the current farm owner) must also realise that he may need to give up part of his farm because Zimbabwe cannot afford to return to the status quo of the pre-2000 years. If it is true that he used words like ‘kaffir’ then he is on the wrong side of history. This sort of Rhodesian mentality does nothing to help the cause of the white farmers. It just gives Zanu PF ammunition to use against them. All Zimbabweans, black and white, deserve to a share of the land but land must not be given to opportunists like Dr Chihombori.

Let us not forget the victims

There has been a lot said about the failure or success of the Zimbabwean unity government. A lot of it has been based on what concessions Tsvangirai has been able to wring out of Mugabe. There is almost an obsession with who has scored more points than the other that a very important issue has fallen by the wayside. In August 2008 I wrote in The Zimbabwean about the need to help the victims of political violence find closure. While there has been a number of high profile cases highlighted in the media the same cannot be said of the ordinary villagers whose homes and families were destroyed by the actions of political thugs. In my letter I argued that “The victims of the Zanu PF violence risk being forgotten in our desire to get this country working again. Those who lost family members or those whose relatives were maimed and crippled risk just being cannon fodder if we do not put in place a system to keep this in the public domain”.
I believe that while there has been progress in other areas there has not been much in the direction of getting the people responsible for destroying families and homes to account for their actions. Peace without justice rings hollow and I think the people of Zimbabwe will feel hard done by if our political leaders do not pursue this matter with the vigour it requires. Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara owe it to the people to demand justice for the victims of violence. I am not advocating for retribution but it is essential that we investigate and prosecute those who killed and maimed political opponents. I do not believe that the perpetrators should be given amnesty without trial because then they will have received no more than a slap on the wrist. The thugs need to go through the courts and where there is evidence to convict then they should be convicted.
The politicians can then agree that the crimes were done at a time of political madness and grant amnesty but the convictions would be on record. I think we need justice for the men, women, and children who suffered greatly for choosing to oppose Mugabe and Zanu PF. As we seek to open a new chapter in the history of our nation I believe we need to proceed “with malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just, and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations” as Abraham Lincoln counselled in his second inaugural address as US President. We owe it to these courageous women, men and children to bring to justice the perpetrators of the violence that ravaged our nation.
While there may be relative peace now there is no guarantee that it will last if we continue to ignore those who suffered at the hands of the political thugs. One day the people will choose to take matters into their hands and we may have to deal with a much messier situation if we do not have the courage to face up to the past now. Let us give these families closure by ensuring that justice is done and is seen to be done. Let us give meaning to the shaky peace that has enveloped our nation by showing that we are willing to forgive and forget but only when justice has been done. Peace will have no meaning for the people because it will only be the absence of physical violence but the psychological wounds will continue to fester. As Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet says, “Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. It will not remove the pain of torture inflicted on a prisoner of conscience. It does not comfort those who have lost their loved ones…. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.” I can find no better way of putting across the argument for peace with justice. When I read this quote I was reminded of Albert Nyathi’s questions, “Peace! What peace? Justice! What justice? Whose justice?” Indeed what peace, what justice if we continue to ignore those who were killed and maimed for their belief in democracy. As we seek peace in our nation we must ensure that it has value for all the people otherwise we will have failed those who gave all for freedom. We must not waiver in our commitment to see those who committed crimes against our people brought to justice. Our desire for justice should not be driven by our need for vengeance but the need to close a horrible chapter of our history. In 1987 we agreed to peace without justice and the results are there for all to see. Let those with ears hear.

THIS IS NOT A TIME TO SCORE CHEAP POINTS

I find the current media exchanges between Gideon Gono and Tendai Biti unfortunate. At a time when we are trying to build investor confidence we seem to be going about it in the wrong way. The recent leaking of Gono’s letters to the media before they have been delivered to the intended recipients shows that Gono is playing politics. One can’t help but ask why if there was such compelling evidence against the Minister and his law firm it has taken this long to prosecute them? Why did Gono wait until Biti started questioning his suitability for the post of Central bank governor before coming out with this case? If the case has been there since 2004 or thereabouts why has it never come to court?
I am not in a position to say whether Biti is corrupt or not because that can only be proven by Biti himself but I believe I am in a position to critically analyse Gono’s actions. For a man who claims to do things openly I believe it is incumbent upon Gono to let the law take its course without trying and convicting Biti in the media. There is no doubt in my mind that Gono or those close to him deliberately leaked the letters to the media in an effort to humiliate or even smear Biti. Gono has been known to use smear tactics to silence his critics and to intimidate those who threaten his unfettered control of Zimbabwe’s fiscal and monetary policy. David Butau, former Guruve North MP, gave an insight into the workings of Gono and his cronies at the central bank. Although not entirely innocent Butau showed how Gono reacts to investigations into his conduct of central bank and government business since arriving at the RBZ. Everyone who has questioned him has had a case of forex externalisation pulled from somewhere and splashed in the media. For Butau’s full statement go to http://www.talkzimbabwe.com/news/117/ARTICLE/1354/2008-01-17.html . Here you will be able to read Butau’s side of the story. I cannot confirm the veracity of the allegations but these allegations are significant in that they are made by someone from inside Zanu PF with some knowledge of how the system works. Faced with indefinite remand prison the young MP ‘legged’ it to the UK. His innocence or otherwise is still a matter for debate.
Looking at this case between Gono and Biti one cannot help but see similarities between it and many others used by Zanu PF and the central bank to silence critics. Remember Chris Kuruneri, James Makamba, Mutumwa Mawere, etc? However, since there is a chance that Biti and his firm may have broken the ‘law’ it is important that they are brought to court to answer the charges that Gono makes in the media. It is also important that more than just deny the allegations Tendai Biti demands his day in court. The only way to restore his standing is to demand that the central bank take him and his firm to court where he will have a chance to prove his innocence or otherwise. Those of us in the court of public opinion await the outcome of this case with baited breath.
On a different level I believe that Gono should acknowledge that his actions led the country up the garden path into an uncertain and perilous future. Reading his letters one does not seem to see any acknowledgement that his actions accelerated the process of economic decline as more and more people took their forex out of the local banking system fearing that Gono would raid it to fund Zanu PF’s agenda. While he is quick to credit himself for the successes recorded by the new Unity Government and to accuse Biti of plagiarising STERP from him Gono makes no effort to highlight his failures. Reading his letters one would think that Zimbabwe is a successful economy. One, therefore, wonders why with all these successes the economy is in doldrums. It is also difficult to see the difference between Gono’s role as outlined in his letter and the duties of the Finance Minister. It is this quasi-fiscal role of the central governor in the last few years that, in my opinion, accelerated the pace of economic decline. Because Gono no longer had to answer to any politician he became a law unto to himself. This is what makes his position untenable because he is unlikely to remember that his remit is to run the country’s monetary policy not the fiscal policy. He has wielded too much power to an extent that he no longer understands his role as central bank governor. Given this the only solution that will allow this new government to move forward with its new agenda is for him to step aside. This is nothing personal but it is rooted in the idea that new thinking needs to permeate the central bank’s policies. Unfortunately Gono does not represent new thinking neither is he willing to adopt a new approach. Gono believes that he is the best thing ever to have happened to Zimbabwe’s central bank and the arrogance is very evident in his letters. In most democracies a new government appoints a new governor of the central bank and a new attorney general not because the incumbents are incompetent but because for change to happen there is need for new blood. In Zimbabwe’s case I think the tag of incompetence can also be attached to the current incumbent of the Central Bank governor’s post.
My advice for both Biti and Gono is that this is not a time for scoring cheap political points. Zimbabweans want their lives to get better and not to see people wasting time on non issues. Biti has the mandate to run our fiscal policy as well as to oversee the running of the monetary policy hence he needs to focus on this. Gono must realise that all good things come to an end and that his time has come to an end. All Zimbabweans educated or not, economists and layman are agreed that Gono has failed except of course those who have benefited from his largesse. It is time for the two protagonists to sit down and deal with their issues away from the media spotlight. While they are scoring cheap points in the media Zimbabwe continues to burn. No one man should be bigger than Zimbabwe. I feel that Gono has had his chance so it is now time to pass the baton.

This robot is in self destruct mode

It would appear that the conglomeration of individuals calling themselves MDC-M is in a crisis. The Professor of Law and his sidekick the Professor of Robotics are bent on destroying their robot. Reports indicate that there is disaffection among the rank and file MPs with the Executive and accusations of disloyalty have been made against five MPs and others. The five MPs and others now face disciplinary hearings and possible expulsion. For a party started by those who claimed to have left Morgan Tsvangirai’s formation because he had a kitchen cabinet it would appear that Mutambara and Ncube have now decided to run the ‘party’ like their personal business.
I wonder what is going on in David Coltart’s mind as the circus plays out in the media. I remember Coltart’s eloquent explanation as to why he chose to go with the Mutambara crowd instead of the larger formation. He accused Tsvangirai of being a dictator and negating the democratic principles that the MDC was fighting for. What sayeth the Honourable Coltart now? I know he acted out of his convictions and probably from the advice Welshman Ncube and others but I think he spoke too soon. He was naïve to trust people who were driven by a desire to grab power more than their belief in democracy. This should have been evident to Coltart if he had chosen to look carefully at the facts around him. Although there were many people at the meeting at which Tsvangirai and others decided to overturn the decision to participate in the senate elections Welshman Ncube and Gibson Sibanda targeted Tsvangirai and singled him out for expulsion from the party. This should have made all independent minds question the motive behind this action but Honourable Coltart in his wisdom chose to ignore these early signs of vindictiveness. It is the same vindictiveness that seems to have come back to haunt MDC-M. The leaders who sought to eliminate those who disagreed with them then seem to be at the centre of this effort to remove all dissenting voices from MDC-M.
The irony of this whole charade is that Welshman Ncube would have us believe that he stands for democracy and that he is better than those who stayed with Tsvangirai. In democracy people are allowed to hold views that are different to their leaders and to question the direction in which their organisation is going. I am not suggesting that these people are right but that they should have the right to question and to disagree with their leaders. For an organisation founded on opposition to the dictatorial tendencies of Tsvangirai one would have thought that they would be tolerant to dissent. One of the fiercest critics of Tsvangirai and a founder member of the formation, Job Sikhala, has since resigned from the ‘party’ citing the same allegations made against Tsvangirai in 2005.
MDC-M is in self destruct mode and unless the Robotics Professor can work his magic to stop the robot from self destructing then there may not be MDC-M to talk about in a few weeks. The analogy between this party and a robot is true on many levels. As a self contained organisation without roots in the masses it is like a machine which reacts only according to the instructions programmed in it. It would appear that the instructions programmed in the ‘mind’ of this robot are to get rid of those parts which do not agree with it. A robot acts without emotion or conscience. It would appear that the MDC-M executive is acting without regard to the implications of their actions. Here we have an organisation that has never had popular support with a leader who was elected at a kitchen cabinet dubbed a congress now threatening the people’s project because those in power in the organisation fear that they may be removed. The ten MPs that MDC-M has are part of the process driving change in Zimbabwe and the leadership is prepared to sacrifice the Zimbabwe project to save Mutambara, Ncube and Misihairibwi-Mushonga’s skins. Many people couldn’t care less whatever happens to this ‘party’ were it not for the ramifications for the New Zimbabwe project. The events of the past few days do not augur well for the people of Zimbabwe in general and for the people of Matebeleland in particular and there is need for the rational beings in MDC-M to reign in Mutambara and Ncube. Those in Matebeleland who voted for this party did so because they believed that it represented a major shift from what they perceived to be the weaknesses in Tsvangirai’s formation. They will feel ill used if the party destroyed itself in the process of getting rid of the ‘bad’ apples. Robert Mugabe must be thanking his demons for this sideshow as it will certainly distract MDC-M ministers and MPs from doing their jobs effectively. Like a hawk Mugabe is waiting in the air ready to swoop when the opportunity avails itself and it looks like the opportunity may not be far away if MDC-M does not hold their act together. I hope that the affable David Coltart and others will once again find their voices to criticise these ill advised actions of the top leaders of this party otherwise this robot will indeed self destruct…

Who is the real loser here?

I have watched with intrigue the drama surrounding Madonna’s attempt to adopt the Malawian girl Mercy. There have been very strong arguments for and against this idea. Those opposed, and it appears most of them in the media, have argued that Madonna is taking advantage of her pop star image to impose her demands on a poor African country. They have accused her of just wanting polish her ego and feeding the feel-good factor in her. We have been told that it is ‘wrong’ for westerners to take away children from their home countries and their natural environment. There has also been a morality twist to the whole thing. Is Madonna a good mother or role model? Madonna has not done herself any favours by getting divorced and then publicly flirting with her Brazilian Jesus (For those not in the know Jesus is the name of Madonna’s Brazilian toy boy) in front of the world’s media. Any self respecting person would find it hard not to judge her as unfit to adopt a child. My intention here is not to defend Madonna but to explore the intricacies surrounding this case and to determine who the real loser will be in the end.
For Malawians to turn round and say that Madonna is not resident in Malawi so she cannot adopt a child when they have allowed her to adopt before is ridiculous. One can almost see that the courts and the politicians have now decided to protect their tattered reputations by refusing Madonna this time. Having allowed Madonna’s controversial adoption of the first child they are now using Mercy to make a point. So while we are sitting on our high horses judging Madonna for polishing her ego we also need to start looking at how the courts and politicians are also polishing their egos. In fact one of Madonna’s lawyers has argued that this provision may be “…unconstitutional because it negates certain rights of the child.”
The other argument that it is wrong for a child to be removed from her home country and her natural environment is very persuasive. It is always good for a child to grow up among her own people and in her own culture. However, I do not believe any child’s natural environment is in an orphanage. This child has already been uprooted and removed from her natural environment. While change is upsetting to most children, for this child change is normal. I totally agree that it would more desirable for the child to be adopted by a Malawian family but what are the chances that this will happen? Malawi is a poor African country with most people living on less than one US dollar a day. The opportunities open to children, even those with families, are very limited so if there is a chance that this girl will have a good education which will provide a good foundation for her own future then maybe we need to be less judgemental. It is possible that this child may one day be able to help others who may be less fortunate if she is allowed this chance to start a new life.
I am sceptical about Madonna’s moral compass but I believe that she is able to provide for this girl better than any orphanage or Malawian family can ever do. Life will be way better for Mercy in Madonna’s home than in any other options on offer. I would hesitate if there was evidence that Madonna is failing as mother or that she is abusive but there is no suggestion this is the case. Those who oppose her seem to think that Madonna should not be allowed to have her way because it sets a dangerous precedent. If those campaigning against Madonna’s adoption had faced a dead end life in an orphanage and had been offered an opportunity of a lifetime would they pass it for morality? It is all too easy for us to make moral judgements from the comfort of our bases in the western capitals.
Madonna will be disappointed, maybe even angry if she cannot adopt this girl. She will walk away with nothing more than her image and ego bruised. But Mercy won’t have it easy. The real loser in this case is Mercy. It does not matter whether you are against Madonna as a matter of principle or because you think she stinks as a role model you still have to admit that when Madonna walks it will leave Mercy stuck in an orphanage with a man who claims to be her father but is not prepared or able to change her life for better.
We must stop focussing on Madonna's personality in this whole debacle and start focussing on Mercy. Some people have argued that Madonna should give money to the orphanage and leave Mercy to be cared for there. Do you really believe that life in the orphanage is better than life in a proper family home? I wouldn’t have picked Madonna for a mother for this girl but she is the best Mercy has and in that I believe it is right to allow this child a chance at better life in America. Mercy deserves this opportunity. Those campaigning against this adoption should realise that they are condemning Mercy to a life of poverty when a door of opportunity stands open in front of her. Maybe Madonna’s lawyer is right. Maybe we need to start looking at the needs and rights of Mercy more than we have to date because unfortunately the real loser in this whole saga will certainly be Mercy.

THE PEOPLE THAT WALKED IN DARKNESS HAVE SEEN A GREAT LIGHT…

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2


Today I received a post from Zvisinei Sandi, a friend and the editor of Help Zimbabwe Magazine in which Walter Mzembi; the ZANU PF Minister of Tourism is castigating Joseph Chinotimba for tarnishing the image of the country by leading demonstrations. For those not in the know Joseph Chinotimba (Cde Chinos) is the semi-literate leader of the veterans of the liberation struggle in Zimbabwe. What makes Mzembi’s comments significant is that Cde Chinos has acted with impunity in the past ten years with the encouragement of the ZANU PF top leadership. In fact he is the top dog among ZANU PF’s dogs of war who have terrorised, killed and maimed anyone who dared to oppose President Mugabe and ZANU PF. It is, therefore significant that a ZANU PF minister can stand in a public forum and tell Chinotimba (and by proxy war veterans) that his actions are damaging the country’s image abroad. One can choose to see this as the self preservation of a ZANU PF leadership that has been severely hurt by targeted sanctions. An attempt to show that there is change. After all Mzembi is a lightweight in the pecking order of ZANU PF! I choose to see this as the beginning of the seeing of the light by some in ZANU PF. For weeks now Mzembi has been vocal in criticising the actions of those leading new farm invasions and putting the wrong kind of spotlight on Zimbabwe so this is not just a one off comment. We need to look at this comment in the context of other recent comments by Mzembi. In my book he has become the champion of the Zimbabwean cause.
The fact that a lightweight has the temerity to challenge the mighty Joseph Chinotimba is a milestone because this proves that there are some in ZANU PF who want the country to turn a corner. The owl has been unmasked. As the Shona people say, ‘Manhenga chete zizi harina nyanga!’ Although Mzembi prefixed his comment by calling Chinotimba his brother his message to Chinotimba was loud and clear – Stop making silly noises! It remains debatable whether what Mzembi says will have an effect on Chinotimba but it certainly will give others the courage to challenge those bent on causing trouble. One hopes that this feeble effort will free others to speak out against the actions of the few who continue to threaten the unity agreement. I am not naïve. I know that this is a very small start which may or may not lead to anything. However, I am also cognisant of the fact that those who see the great light are likely to draw the attention of others to it. Mzembi has seen the great light and one hopes that he will lead others who are still in the land of darkness to the light. I know there are ‘good’ men and women in ZANU PF who want to see Zimbabwe working again but their voices are drowned by others who feel that their self interests are bigger than Zimbabwe. One hopes that this whisper from Walter Mzembi will become a rallying call from all who care about Zimbabwe. In the past I have had opportunities to meet and listen to Ministers Shamu and Murerwa in spheres outside politics and they came across as reasonable men who understand what needs to be done. I am hoping that they will join in trying to make the rogue elements in their party see the light. I am even told that the two ministers are local preachers of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe or are in the process of becoming local preachers. As ones called to share the good news of the gospel it is incumbent upon them to preach love and tolerance as well as to make others think about the weak, the poor, the widows and the orphans who are suffering due to the actions of men like Joseph Chinotimba. It will be neglecting their Christian duty if they let things continue as they are. Zimbabweans from all walks of life need to embrace the light and to move out of the darkness of hatred, terror and violence. Now that Mzembi has led the way it is time for others to follow suit and I hope sooner rather than later.

International community is failing Zimbabwe

A few weeks ago I wrote on the need for Zimbabwe’s coalition partners to act against Robert Mugabe’s intransigence. In it I said that if Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his deputy Arthur Mutambara are to be taken seriously they need to take decisive action. I still believe that these two gentlemen need to do more in ensuring that the terms of the Global Political Agreement are adhered to but I think the international community and the international financial institutions are letting Zimbabwe down. For the international community to demand comprehensive change without supporting the efforts of the fledgling government to make life better for ordinary Zimbabweans is unrealistic. Ordinary people need to see how this agreement is benefiting them not how it is benefiting the leaders.
The argument that the international community is helping Zimbabweans by giving them food aid is at best naïve and at worst condescending. Zimbabweans are a proud people who do not want to live on handouts and so to think that all they want is food aid is wrong. While there is a large part of the population that needs food aid there is another large part that wants the country to start working again. These people want to have reliable electricity, clean water, teachers in schools, doctors and nurses in hospitals as well as a functioning monetary system. One has to understand that while Zimbabweans are political and economic refugees around the world they have never relied on handouts. If anything, the complaint against Zimbabweans in South Africa and other parts of the world has been that they are taking local jobs both menial and professional. Zimbabweans have a culture of work and do not shy away from doing jobs that are below them in order to earn a living. Here in the UK I know professionals (ex accountants, teachers, bankers, etc) working in warehouses and in care because they do not want to be on social benefits. There are people in Zimbabwe who have continued to make the best of a bad situation by working hard and finding new and creative ways of fending for their families. These are the people who are not benefiting from the current support being given to Zimbabwe. They need support that drives economic growth rather than support that drives consumption without production. They want their industries, mines and farms to start producing again.
If Zimbabweans that are putting pressure on the South African social and economic infrastructure are to return home there is need for more than food handouts. They need the guarantee that they will be able to feed their families not from food handouts but from the sweat of their brow. I am not the first one to suggest the re-thinking of how support is given to Zimbabwe. It is important for the international community to keep pressure on Mugabe but at the same time relieve pressure on the economy. We need to adopt a double edged approach where on one side we maintain targeted sanctions while on the other hand we give targeted support to Zimbabwe’s economy. There is need for money to pay for public services such as education, health and infrastructural development. We need bilateral and multilateral agreements to provide support for these services even if the support is directly targeted. One way is to provide direct aid to institutions. The state hospitals, schools and universities would benefit from direct investment in equipment and infrastructure. Where possible, support could be given for the payment of salaries to critical public servants such as doctors, teachers, nurses, etc. This will ensure that the essential services are back on track. I am sure I speak for all Zimbabweans when I say the support that we need should be money that our country will pay back. We are one of the few countries in the world that has continued to make some sort of payments to IMF and World Bank despite there being no balance of payments support.
I understand that there are concerns that the money can be diverted to pay for Mugabe’s underhand activities hence the need to ensure that the agreements are water tight. I suggest that donors refuse to provide funds through traditional channels. I believe that Zimbabweans running these key public service ministries will use the funds correctly but if it will assuage the international community’s suspicion then they should be safeguards built into the agreements to ensure compliance. I am sure Minister Biti and others in government are willing to give up some control to ensure that the funds start flowing. Once the economy starts working and people start earning enough to buy from businesses then economic growth will be inevitable.
I also think that the demand that Zimbabwe, a country virtually on its knees, should pay what it owes before getting more aid funds from the Bretton Woods institutions is absurd. If the intention is to stimulate growth and to ensure that Zimbabwe can meet its international obligations then the IMF and World Bank are going about it in a wrong way. The best way to ensure that Zimbabwe pays what it owes is to help it to emerge from the economic abyss. Refusing to give aid will only make the Zimbabwe economy worse and reduce chances of Zimbabwe ever paying back what it owes. From a personal banking perspective I have known banks to offer people loans to pay off their credit card debts and to consolidate their debts. I think this is the approach the IMF and World Bank should adopt with Zimbabwe. It may not be the most prudent but it certainly is better than the current approach for both the lender and the debtor. Zimbabwe needs support now and the longer we take to support the country the higher the risk that some people will choose the war route.In my blog on the 11.4.09 (http://www.thoughts.com/GTNGidi/blog/it-is-now-time-to-act-268752/) I wrote about credibility being a finite commodity. The current situation is not helping anyone. In fact I think it is directly responsible for the hardening stance being adopted by Mugabe. Although this stance is clearly stupid it is an expected reaction. The international friends of the democratic movement in Zimbabwe are not doing the movement any favours by not giving the unity government financial aid. Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara are fast losing credibility because months into this agreement there is very little to show. The international community should not allow Tsvangirai and Mutambara to fail. Tsvangirai is on record for saying that Zimbabweans should not be punished for choosing to work with Mugabe when no other option, except for war, was available. The desire to get Mugabe should not cloud our vision for the future. The international community should deal with Zimbabwe and Zimbabwe is not Mugabe. For all his political troubles his children are not starving, they are not drinking unclean water or facing the possibility of not attending school because teachers are threatening to strike. The world should think about those children whose parents cannot afford to take them to private hospitals and schools; those children whose parents can never dream of leaving the country. It is for these people that the decisions by the international community and international institutions need to be reviewed. If Tsvangirai loses credibility then Zimbabwe will be back where we were before this agreement with two unpopular politicians leading Zimbabwe. While the western governments believe they are helping Zimbabweans by refusing aid to the new government the reverse is actually true. I hope Minister Biti is making this clear to the people he is meeting during his visit to the economic capitals of the world. He needs to make this message clear to America, Britain, EU and other world governments that the patience of Zimbabweans with their government has been severely tested and that it may actually break. Give us the money and you will see how creative Zimbabweans are. Zimbabwe has the skills and the technical know-how to drive economic growth but the engine of the economy needs to be helped to come to life through the injection of funds.

ZUMA OF SOUTH AFRICA

The elections in South Africa have come and gone leaving a man who is loved and loathed in equal measure at the helm of the rainbow nation. It is clear that those who love this man are more than those who hate him as evidenced by the re-sounding victory. Looking at his supporters as they celebrated one could not help see a people desperate for a hero who will lead them to the Promised Land. Men, women and children desperate for a government that will see their plight and do something to improve it. I must admit that I find Zuma difficult man to understand. The media has done much to portray him as a man surrounded by controversy. I, however, believe that despite his poor judgement he cannot be any worse than Thabo Mbeki. At least he believes that HIV causes AIDS even though he has this weird idea that if you take a shower after having sex with an infected person you will be okay. It would appear that his legal problems are over after the prosecutors decided not to continue pressing charges. Now the man is faced with leading arguably Africa’s biggest and most prosperous economy. There are many challenges that he will face as he navigates the choppy and treacherous waters of recession economics. Faced with a nation whose expectation has risen to feverish levels in the last fifteen years he needs to deal with issues of poverty, disproportionate land ownership and rising unemployment among the majority black population. The ANC has promised people paradise for fifteen years but all they have got to show for it is a rich black bourgeoisie that is growing even richer as more and more people are getting poor. Zuma has to manage the expectations but he also has to deliver some tangibles to the people of South Africa. It would be a mistake for Zuma to keep promising the people heaven when their lives are hell. The people will not give Zuma a lot of room and in all fairness he should not procrastinate. I am not urging him to do a Mugabe and act out of haste without planning. Although Jacob Zuma has been portrayed as a populist leader he comes across to me as a man who thinks things through carefully before acting. As leader of the ANC he could have stepped in to become the President of the Republic when Mbeki was ousted but he knew the implications so he allowed a transition by appointing Kgalema Mohlante instead. This has helped to stabilise the nation and hopefully will allow him to assume power legitimately after being popularly elected. I, therefore, think that he will try to balance the expectations with what can be done. However, Zuma must avoid doing a Zimbabwe. It took 20 years for Mugabe to act on the genuine demands of the majority in Zimbabwe. When he eventually acted it was as a cornered leader and without proper planning. The result is there for all to see.South Africa under Zuma needs to carefully plan the empowerment of ordinary people so that when they act it will be with a plan. I do not doubt that the poor are at the heart of Zuma’s political philosophy but I fear that he may leave it until it is late to address their concerns. At this point I wish to quote Dr Martin Luther King Jnr’s ‘I have a dream’ speech:“In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God's children. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination…” You could substitute America for any country in Southern Africa. You could substitute it with South Africa! When the people of South Africa voted in their millions for Zuma and the ANC they were hoping to cash the cheque that the ANC has promised to honour since 1994. If, however, the cheque turns out to be bad again for the third time then the people will lose faith. It is important for Zuma to realise that when he comes to Pretoria to take his place as the third President of the Republic of South Africa he takes with him a note promising ‘…that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ It will be up to him to make sure that his multitude of supporters can cash this cheque of prosperity. Having watched Mugabe destroy our wonderful country by not taking opportunities to correct the colonial wrongs early I hope Zuma does it early. Fifteen years is a long time for people to wait but any longer is pushing the patience of the people. I believe that it would be fatal for Zuma to ignore the urgency of the moment and to underestimate the determination of his own people. After 15 years it is time to take back the cheque marked ‘insufficient funds’ in order to give the people a cheque that they and their children can cash. I wish Zuma and South Africa well because when they succeed then there is hope for SADC in general and Zimbabwe in particular. Jacob Zuma portrays himself as a champion of the masses so now is the time to stand up and be counted. It is now up to the Zulu warrior to make the dreams of millions of South Africans finally come true.