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Newsletter / Commentary
And I won't say I told you so. SADC leaders back down to President Mugabe. Sunday 19, August 2007 By African Hope Lusaka, Zambia. Friday 17th, 2007 saw the end of yet another seemingly fruitless SADC meeting where Zimbabwe's neighbours treated President Mugabe to a softly-softly approach. This was much less a wrap over the knuckles than it was a tap on the shoulder to say "C'mon old boy, this is not very sporting of you." The concluding statement, which Mugabe was strangely absent for, "encouraged the parties to expedite the process of negotiations and conclude the work as soon as possible so that the next elections are held in an atmosphere of peace" Is this yet further confirmation that SADC leaders lack any semblance of motivation to change the situation in Southern Africa's collapsed state ? As I've indicated previously, Zimbabwe's neighbours perceive that they have gained far more than they have lost in the downfall of this once prosperous economy. "Who cares about the long term future (damage) for the region. That will be someone else's problem ! Let's keep the benefits that this brings us today !" Although the meeting recommended that SADC finance ministers, together with the Zimbabwe government, put together an "economic plan" to free the country from it's financial collapse, it seems that business as usual will be the most likely outcome. Meanwhile, back in Harare, a man stands accused of killing a co-worker for stealing his 40 pound bag of corn meal. Desperate times.
And the band plays on... Hero's welcome for Mugabe by SADC Leadership. Thursday 16th, August 2007 By African Hope
Today President Mugabe was treated to a standing ovation at the opening of the Southern African Developoment Community (SADC) meeting in Lusaka, Zambia. It's no wonder that the neighbouring countries cheer. Most, if not all of Zimbabwe's neighbours have benefitted from the demise of this once prosperous nation.
Zambia's tourism and farming are booming. Zimbabwe, once a net exporter of grain to the region, now imports grain from Malawi and others both formally and informally through cross border trade. Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia have attracted multi-skilled commercial farmers and their experienced workers. Even South Africa, on the receiving end of most of Zimbabwe's refugee's, has benefitted from this new source of cheap labour, willing to do just about anything to survive, and the new and growing trade in illicit Zimbabwean gold and diamonds. Don't expect the leaders of these countries to intervene in this situation. They stand to lose too much. As they stood cheering, a young boy and a guard died in Harare this week, during a food stampede. The people of Zimbabwe are desperate for food. But not even the leaders of other SADC countries are willing to tell the emperor about his invisible clothes. They just stand back and admire them.
Where are all the heroes ? Zimbabwe looks for a new kind of hero who can stand up and look for change. Monday 13th, August 2007 By African Hope
As Zimbabwe this week celebrates yet another Hero’s day marred with long lines standing for gas and for even the most basic commodities like food, many of those who fought so hard and gave so much for freedom from oppression and for their own hopes and dreams, now sense it is time for battle once again.
Not a battle of guns and war, but a new kind of battle to win the hearts and minds of neighbours, colleagues, friends, family that enough is enough. Not a battle where one loses and one wins, but one of engagement, of dialogue, of forgiveness and of rebuilding. A battle of togetherness, not separation and isolation. A battle for dignity and justice, not for name calling, mistrust and not an “eye for an eye”. The “blind” already rule in Zimbabwe.
It’s time to give the people back their sight, time to give them back their voice . It’s time to take back the country through democratic change, time to stand up and let the people be heard. Time to tell the truth in parliament, time to tell the emperor about his all too apparent missing clothes.
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