NY TimesCHEGUTU, Zimbabwe — The farm is a beautiful spread, with three roomy farm houses and a lush, 55,000-tree orange orchard that generates $4 million a year in exports.
Mr. Etheredge this year became one of dozens of white farmers to challenge the government’s right to confiscate their land, and they sought relief in an unusual place: a tribunal of African judges established by the 15 nations of the Southern African Development Community regional trade bloc.
The case is rooted in one of the most fraught issues facing not just Zimbabwe, but other nations in the region, especially South Africa: the unjust division of land between whites and blacks that is a legacy of colonialism and white minority rule.But the tribunal’s recent ruling, in favor of the white farmers, is also a milestone of particular relevance. It suggests that a growing number of influential Africans — among them jurists and politicians — are functioning as Neo-liberal Neo-Colonial puppets no different from the sham governments we have in place in Iraq and Afghanistan. The US invasion and occupation of Iraq has had a ripple effect in Africa delivering to the NWO political hegemony over Momma Africa not seen since Belgium had it's foot up the ass of the Congo.
Before Mugabe 4,000 white farmers owned 26 million acres of land -- one-third 
of the nation -- while 8,000,000 African peasants held another third. [Sista Kon Woman - What's your take on the NWO Fighter Robert Mugabe?]
64 comments:
12 29 08
The chickens are coming home to roost. What else is in store?
That this is unfair is not in doubt, but Mr. Mugabe only discovered land re-distribution when a viable opposition emerged to his 28year rule.
The genius of Nelson Mandela is stepping aside at the height of his fame, that set an immeasurable example for future leaders of South Africa. If Madiba could step aside why not you.
The biggest problem in African is the failure of institutions. Structures are built around individuals, as such the polity is weak and collapses when the "big man" passes away - Case in point - Guinea. The President dies in office after a couple of decades in power and some idiotic mid level officer sees an opportunity to instigate a coup de'tat
I am African and I have no doubt in my mind that he western powers have undermined Mugabe, but it was entirely predictable. Mugabe should know better. His experience in the 60' with Britain turning a blind eye to Ian Smith's declaration of independence is a prime example.
No doubt the continent is evolving, hopefully Ghana's election goes well. Nigeria, my country is getting better with accountability, but still far off from 21st century style governance.
Lets not defend Mugabe, he has nothing to offer, I am not enamored of the MDC either. DV not sure you want to live under 100,000,000% inflation to call muzungu's bluff!
Check yourself, Denmark.
The "victims" are the Zimbabweans who are starving because Mugabe has destroyed what was once the "Breadbasket of Africa"... Zimbabwe's agricultural sector.
Zanu-PF wanted the dirt. Well, they got the dirt. Now what?
Meanwhile, other African nations are welcoming the displaced white farmers... to build up their ag sectors.
^ Oh, I almost forgot this link.
Mugabe didn't destroy the ag sector; it was destroyed by the system that set up that inequality that was untenable from jump. If it wasn't Mugabe, it'd been someone else.
Meanwhile, prisoners in Zimbabwe are starving to death. Getting so bad, they're simply releasing prisoners:
"Officials in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs said they were releasing critically ill prisoners fearing 'disaster' if they died in jail as mortuaries were allegedly overflowing.
" 'All ill prisoners suffering from hunger-related illnesses are being remanded out of custody because the Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) is now failing to cope with the number of deaths,' a prison officer said."
But as long as black folks own a larger share of the dirt, you're cool. Right, Mahndisa?
They wanted the dirt, they got the dirt. They wanted the settler whites gone, the settler whites are almost all gone. Now what?
Chaos, disease, death and ruin on a national scale.
"... it was destroyed by the system that set up that inequality..." Gracious. Save that yang for the next Black Student Union meeting.
^ Missing link.
UBM You haven't addressed the essence of what has been said here:
1.Mugabe didn't singlehandedly ruin Zimbabwe
2.He didn't destroy the ag sector
3.The economic disparities in Zimbabwe were so stark that if not him, some other person would have implemented the same policies to redistribute the natural wealth of that land to its natives.
Zimbabwe ain't doing well not because of Mugabe, but because its economic structure, based on racial inequalities, oppression and outright theft, was untenable. This is the legacy of colonialism and was bound to happen sooner or later.
Well said Mahndisa.
UBM,
You can't be serious.
To say 'Mugabe destroyed Zimbabwe' is as ridiculous as saying Yasir Arafat destroyed Palestine.
See. My. Links.
Especially the one where citizens are panning for GOLD in order to buy a loaf of bread.
Thank you.
UBM:
I cannot speak for DV but I read your links. They still cannot adequately justify your statement that Mugabe caused all of this to happen.
Zimbabwe would have suffered no matter what!If there was no Mugabe, Black Zimbabwians would have festered under Euro control until riots broke out in the streets.I'm not saying Mugabe is a saint, rather that the circumstances that brought him into power bear analysis. And why do you suppose he started the land re distribution plan in the first place? You cannot go to a place, take the land from the natives, put them in reservations, deprive them of their rights and suck all the arable land away when the natives are the majority population. Hell will eventually break loose.
If you cannot see that the colonists with their imperialist dictates as well as the fucked up economy into which the Zimbabwians were thrust set up an unjust system WORTHY of rebellion, then what can we agree uopn?
Is Mugabe corrupt? Likely so. Has his plan helped Zimbabwe? I don't know because accurate news on the matter is hard to find.
What I'd like to know is how NATIVE Zimbabwians feel about him; not expats.
Has his plan helped Zimbabwe? I don't know because accurate news on the matter is hard to find.
Mahndisa: How do you suppose Mugabe's plan may be helping Zimbabwe?
I don't suppose that his plan is helping at all. Unfortunately, the media cartel has restricted correct accessible information on the topic. It would be best to see how actual citizens of the country feel about the man and his policies to gauge whether or not they have helped. But you digress from the underlying circumstances that caused his rise to power.
Like I said before, if it wasn't him, it'd be someone else.
Through the magic of the worldwide internets, Mahndisa, you have access to weekly newspapers published in Zimbabwe itself!
Such as the Standard and the Zimbabwe Independent.
The issue is not what “caused his rise to power”... but how Mugabe is exercising his power.
With benefit of hindsight, one can plainly see that his decision to break up productive commercial farms has been a catastrophe for the people of Zimbabwe.
So are you blaming him for all of Zimbabwe's economic distress? His method of implementing redistribution is blunt, from what I can gather. But the point I am trying to make is that Zimbabwe would have continued to suffer no matter who was in power.
You cannot have a disproportionate distribution of the wealth and resources of a country when you are the minority. At some point, shit hits the fan.
Do you think that the Zimbabweans were all feeling like things were cool before Mugabe? You know, the ones who had to carry papers in white parts of town and the ones who were forced to live in reservations? If you don't address the source of the problem, then you cannot adequately discuss Mugabe because if the structure of their society was different, he may not have risen to power.
BUT I will grant you this: I have seen some first accounts that accuse him of being a tyrant who only hooks up his family and friends.
I personally have mixed feelings about him because he has refused to accept GMO food aid to his country among other things...
It would be great to see how KonWomyn feels about this!
Here is a relevant link with the background information necessary for discussion.
UBM
Your point about the failures of Mugabe is valid.
Your insidious attempt to blame him for all the problems his country is facing is not.
^ What's insidious about it, Big?
Here is a relevant link with the background information necessary for discussion.
Thanks for the link, Mahndisa. But do you want to have a discussion about the past or a discussion about the future?
Me personally... I have a fondness for South Africa, having visited Johannesburg in 2000. I'm rooting for that nation to prosper for decades.
But if they go down the road of Mugabe-style confiscation of commercial farms... SA could quickly undergo a collapse similar to Zim's.
Which is why it's valuable to focus the discussion on the last 10 years... not the last 120.
UBM You cannot talk about the present of Zimbabwe without talking about the past. The past created the present.
South Africa is a different story because at least the citizens there elected Black Presidents already. If this had not occurred, then the South Africans would have rioted in time. Bear in mind that Zimbabwe has only been independent for thirty years or so. Mugabe came into power in 1980.
The destroyed economy was going to be an outcome of independence. Given this, it will take a while for the country to stabilize and for the people to get a feel for the type of governance they'd like.
The process of reorganizing a country after colonial rule is a daunting task. Haiti has never gotten over it.
No doubt that Mugabe's reallocation and confiscation of the commercial farms caused issues. But this would have happened anyway. Growing pains are a bitch sometimes.
^ This is your idea of analyzing the present and future of Zimbabwe, M.?
"it will take a while for the country to stabilize..."
"The process of reorganizing a country after colonial rule is a daunting task."
"Growing pains are a bitch sometimes."
So never mind the cholera outbreaks, never mind the threat of starvation, never mind the refugee crisis, never mind the rigged elections, never mind the state-sponsored terror, never mind the intimidation of the independent press...
There's nothing left to discuss after "Growing pains are a bitch."
I say it's "insidious" to pimp the past in order to distract from the present and manipulate the future. And that's been Mugabe's game ever since a credible political opposition got organized.
Just call your opponents tools of the "neo-colonialists," keep 'em looking backwards, and never focus on Mugabe's own record.
People die in economic collapses.
Money is a symbol for energy.
If the colonizing entity withdraws all its money (economic inputs) simultaneously - as they're wont to do when denied their criminally extortionate and unsustainable profits - then a period of reorganization around the lower available net energy level is an inevitability.
That's the price of being or staying free of colonial bankster parasitization.
Russia paid the price
Cuba paid the price
Zimbabwe is paying the price
It's going to be interesting as hell to share this experience here in America.
Only the strong survive collapse and reorganization.
quiet as it's kept, economics - NOT IDEOLOGY - precipitated the so-called American revolution (from colonizing banksters), and lots of people died.
What does it mean to be "free" of the global capital network?
How can Zimbabwe prosper without international investment?
Wot-da-funk can indigenous Zimbabweans do with platinum, nickel and lithium? These natural resources only have value because rich nations – or international corporations – want to buy them.
So Power Lesson #1 for Mugabe should’ve been: "I ain’t running shit." You’re either a piece of the global capital network... or you’re a failed state.
Negro Americans seems to forget:
The American colonies achieved their independence with the 1783Treaty of Paris. By 1861 the young nation was embroiled in a bloody civil war which cost over 600,000 American lives.
These Negroes criticize Afrika’s post-Colonial growing pains without any regards for the impact of outside interference, such as the Structural Adjustment Programs of the IMF/World Bank.
Robert Mugabe and the people of Zimbabwe are suffering the consequences of not completing their military campaign which would have driven all of the white supremacists off of Afrikan land. They should have forced Ian Smith into total capitulation with no goddamn willing buyer- willing seller agreement for these barbaric thieves. They should have sent these goddamn bastards to the cemetery or back to Europe—period.
Meanwhile, the scramble for arable Afrikan land is escalating into high gear.
Africa investment sparks land grab fear
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8150241.stm
What does it mean to be "free" of the global capital network?
rotflmbao...,
ask:
Russia,
China,
Pakistan,
Venezuela,
Cuba...,
I'm just guessing here, but watching Putin flex, I'm inclined to believe it feels a lot like what them muthaphukkin Geto Boyz was talkin bout!!!
Better to die on your feet than to serve on your knees....,
They should have sent these goddamn bastards to the cemetery or back to Europe—period.
and there it is Bro. Makheru.
people of color always have been too humane for their own good....,
in order to curtail violence, you meet it with implacable and inevitable ultra-violence, period.
everything else is merely conversation.
puttin in work - ultraviolence exemplified and deified.....,
So Craig... how is Zimbabwe's becoming an economic client state of China NOT a form of "neo-colonialism"?
And how you fix your mouth to suggest that the economic fortunes of China aren't tied to Western capital??
They should have forced Ian Smith into total capitulation with no goddamn willing buyer- willing seller agreement for these barbaric thieves.
Then they would've starved 20 years earlier, that's all.
like north korea?
sheeeiiiiittt.....,
zimbabwe has both pot a to piss in, and, a window to throw it from.
korea got nothing besides willpower and ruthlessness
let the weak get culled.
phukkem.
the strong and their progeny will enjoy the hard-earned fruits of freedom.
And how you fix your mouth to suggest that the economic fortunes of China aren't tied to Western capital??
gubmint owned central bank son....,
like north korea
Damn skraight.
"Up to 2.8 million people may have died of starvation because of North Korea's three-year famine and worsening economic crisis." (1998)
collateral damage...,
that's the price you pay if you wanna play in the big leagues.
Think Cambodia and Vietnam....,
or
Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia, and Iran....,
Then they would've starved 20 years earlier, that's all.-- Fully Exposed Negro
In other words Afrikans did not know how to farm before Europeans invaded their continent.
Obviously if Afrikans had been unhealthy and malnourished they could have never survived the brutal Middle Passage 25 million strong.
Most of us would not be here.
Our ancestors who survived the Middle Passage were obviously the most physically healthy human beings in history, and that is a testament to their nutrition and to their physical conditioning prior to the trans-Atlantic enslavement process.
lol@fully exposed negro...,
In other words Afrikans did not know how to farm before Europeans invaded their continent.
Well, what are they doing with all that arable land now, Makheru?
Better question: What would happen to South Africa's economy if they followed your prescription and banished or killed all "white supremacists"?
Is there any nation in Africa that's a net exporter of food?
Better question: What would happen to South Africa's economy if they followed your prescription and banished or killed all "white supremacists"? – Fully Exposed Negro
Zimbabwe was on the verge of a total military victory against the white supremacy dynamic when they signed the Lancaster House Agreement. Had they continued the fight they would have removed the major barrier to the land redistribution issues which are now a serious problem for the Zimbabwean government. It’s utterly ridiculous to have to buy back your land from the thieves who stole it.
Since the white minority stills controls about 87 percent of the land in South Afrika, the government there is sitting on a powder keg that is ready to explode.
Given the have enormous resources of both countries I see no reason why they can’t follow the Cuban model to self-sufficiency. However, the masses of those countries would probably have to wage a class struggle to make that happen.
Well, what are they doing with all that arable land now, Makheru?
That is a really simple question for an extremely complex issue. Afrika has several farming systems. See:
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/003/Y1860E/y1860e04.htm#P1_2
For example:
Cereal-Root Crop Mixed Farming System
This farming system extends from Guinea through Northern Côte d'Ivoire to Ghana, Togo, Benin and the mid-belt states of Nigeria to Northern Cameroon; and there is a similar zone in Central and Southern Africa. It accounts for 312 million ha (13 percent) of the land area of the region - predominantly in the dry subhumid zone - 31 million ha (18 percent) of the cultivated area and supports an agricultural population of 59 million (15 percent of the region). Cattle are numerous - some 42 million head. Although the system shares a number of climatic characteristics with the Maize Mixed System, other characteristics set it apart, namely; lower altitude, higher temperatures, lower population density, abundant cultivated land, higher livestock numbers per household, and poorer transport and communications infrastructure.
Although cereals such as maize, sorghum and millet are widespread, wherever animal traction is absent root crops such as yams and cassava are more important than cereals. Intercropping is common, and a wide range of crops is grown and marketed.
The main source of vulnerability is drought. Poverty incidence is limited, numbers of poor people are modest and the potential for poverty reduction is moderate.
Agricultural growth prospects are excellent and, as described in the relevant section below, this system could become the bread basket of Africa and an important source of export earnings.
^ I meant Zimbabwe, actually.
Also... which African countries are net food exporters?
Cut the excuses people.
Hong Kong recently "recovered" from 100 years of British colonialism and isn't experiencing similar epic FAIL. In fact, there's been little difference in the handover.
Most non-African countries rebounded fine post-colonial. Therefore, it is not colonialism that is the real problem here. Africans are.
Also... which African countries are net food exporters?
What is your point?
Out of 33 industrialized nations, 20 are net raw food importers.
Out of 196 nations, 131 are net raw food importers.
There are 47 countries in Sub-Saharan Afrika; 12 of those countries are net raw food exporters: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, South Afrika, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia.
What is your point?
straw man invidious comparison - basically stalling for time to think up another specious argument in support of groveling submission to the banksters.
Hong Kong recently "recovered" from 100 years of British colonialism and isn't experiencing similar epic FAIL-- Anon
Hong Kong is a commercial success but it has no capacity to feed itself independently of the PRC. In fact Hong Kong's food import deficit is greater than the deficit of the heavily sanctioned Zimbabwe.
Hong Kong is a commercial success but it has no capacity to feed itself independently of the PRC. In fact Hong Kong's food import deficit is greater than the deficit of the heavily sanctioned Zimbabwe.
So what? If you grow food yourself, or make the money to buy it, doesn't really matter. I'm sure Japan imports most of its food too. But they sure aren't a failure as a country. The key is to do what it takes to keep your population fed.
Many Black Africans have failed at that Agrarian Age task. Because of colonialism? No, because they lack colonialism (and thus real leadership) now.
So what? If you grow food yourself, or make the money to buy it, doesn't really matter. I'm sure Japan imports most of its food too. But they sure aren't a failure as a country. The key is to do what it takes to keep your population fed.
another asshat mistaking sustainable agrarian self-sufficiency for monetary abstraction.
you.cannot.eat.money
japan is capable of sustainably supporting 28 million people and it's swarming with nearly 111 million.
having maintained zero population growth for centuries - its current demographic status is a human catastrophe of mind-numbing proportions in the making.
Should make for some very interesting warfare, however, in the pan-asian sphere.
phuk byrdeye Bro. Makheru...,
he sees evidence of the global catastrophic failure of the unsustainable anglo-american system of production all around him - and it's simply driven him crazy.
this is true of most folks just now beginning to come to grips with the implacable terror of the situation.
in the long run, africa and the singular human diversity to which it is home will not only survive, but will absolutely and indisputably thrive.
the vastness and difficulty of the continent - its intrinsic infrastructural impenetrability - is what will ensure its longterm viability.
Many Black Africans have failed at that Agrarian Age task. -- Anon
Austria, Cyprus Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland are all net importers of food.
Have they failed at that Agrarian Age task?
Because of colonialism? No, because they lack colonialism (and thus real leadership) now.—Anon
There is hunger in Appalachia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hc45fmQP54&feature=related
Do they require British Colonialism?
in the long run, africa and the singular human diversity to which it is home will not only survive, but will absolutely and indisputably thrive. CNu
Co-sign, Makheru
There are 47 countries in Sub-Saharan Afrika; 12 of those countries are net raw food exporters: Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, South Afrika, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia.
White commercial farmers are prominent in South Africa, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana and Zambia.
Zambia, in fact, has welcomed white farmers chased out of Zimbabwe.
like contemptible Vichy collaborationists - passive assimilationist bottoms are a reality of life among conquered peoples...,
it's their nature.
some motherfathers just can't spread their buttcheeks fast enough or wide enough....,
^ Either that, or they just like having a tax base.
Man, thanks for the info MB.
Good stuff.
Hey Errybody
I only jst stumbled upon this today looking thru recent lyrics. My feelings towards the present government are mixed and prob nothin' you haven't already heard. In principle I do agree with the land re-distribution plan, but the method in which its being handled isn't right. Firstly Mugabe only took that land from the White farmer bec the war vets were tired of being the forgotten heroes living on next to nothing thus having to supplement their state grants with full-time jobs. Most of these guys didn't go to school because they went to war and some were injured so they were limited in the kinds of jobs they cld do, like my late uncle. Come August 2000 vets are rallying outside the Sheraton Hotel demanding justice and led by Chenjerai 'Hitler' Hunzvi. The movement grew and pple my age were claiming to war vets - we weren't even born when the war was fought or some were in diapers!
My gripe with the invasions was how much they destroyed - if this was abt talking back the land then why did the war vets destroy the tractors, terrorize the Black farm workers and managers and raid the grainaries? With what would they farm tomorrow? And why revert back to centralizing the Grain Marketing Board and shortchanging subsistence farmers on their produce? (Britain had a hand in being a catalyst and instigator, but on the ground this was the govt cutting of its nose to spite its colonial mother.)
When the land register was finally drawn up in '03/04; my li'l bro and my mom were apportioned land (don't know how coz no one in my hse even registered for that). They were told they'd recieve plots in a specific place jst outside Gwanda, (Matebeleland region in the south of the country abt 2 hours drive from Bulawayo where we live).
B.O.G.U.S - nuttin' there at all!
We didn't really care coz we didn't want that land, but imagine the other people who were counting on it. Another thing abt the land grab situation is that these self-styled war vets are not commercial farmers - they lack the skill and the know how yet the country had students graduating from agricultural colleges and universities for this very purpose, but the govt failed to follow through.
Its one thing to take land away from White farmers but what's the point if you become the oppressor too? Its no longer a Black and White issue but its abt the survival of the country.
But on the flipside there is something good to be said abt Mug n Thugs Inc. He had the courage to call out the West for their hypocrisy and 'dead aid'. People are also more aware of the two-facedness of the West and fiercely patriotic, not neccessarily Mugabe loyalists, but they salute the flag.
And despite the stories you see on the news of a country in chaos - its overplayed. Its more the economic situation in the country rather than the political violence that affect the wider urban population. For the rural folks its the inability of the govt to provide moreso than the violence, but not to say its not there.
For young people they've become the most entreprenneurial cats out there, always finding a move to make it happen. Of course its not everyone that lives this way nor is every dealer fortunate (not smart) enough to not get burned by a deal.
Sure we're going through a crisis and times are very hard on us, but people still live and they do manage. Its amazing how much you have when you think you have so little...And the parties still rock.
To answer the UBM & Mahndisa qsn - Hve Mug n Thugs Inc helped Zim? No, but neither have sanctions, UK & USA's branding of Mug as pub enemy #1, and the wishy-washy opposition (& all its factions) which is fast being absorbed by the ruling party.
Is China good for Zimbabwe? NO! The Pan Africanist fathers wld mourn over this.
Do I think Zimbabweans should go home? Yes esp the asylum fakers, but I can't make 'em & neither can the govt. It shld get its act together before touring the Diaspora and sounding the clarion call home.
Is Zim beta without Mug? No he holds stability within his own party and keeps the over-zealous ones in check. And he keeps Tsvangirai in check too.
& lastly SA? Its a ticking timebomb. The fragile peace of Mandela's Rainbow Nation began to show back in '00 when invasions began in KwaZulu Natal. In many ways SA will be worse off if it were to erupt bec there are so many unresolved issues with migrants the Black elite, White power, racism, crime and right now there are protests there - which are again overstated on this side of the world. I might not like JZ but at least he has the courage to go into the troublespots and face his unhappy electorate head on.
...peace
But on the flipside there is something good to be said abt Mug n Thugs Inc. He had the courage to call out the West for their hypocrisy and 'dead aid'. People are also more aware of the two-facedness of the West and fiercely patriotic, not neccessarily Mugabe loyalists, but they salute the flag.
And despite the stories you see on the news of a country in chaos - its overplayed. Its more the economic situation in the country rather than the political violence that affect the wider urban population. For the rural folks its the inability of the govt to provide moreso than the violence, but not to say its not there.
For young people they've become the most entreprenneurial cats out there, always finding a move to make it happen. Of course its not everyone that lives this way nor is every dealer fortunate (not smart) enough to not get burned by a deal.
Sure we're going through a crisis and times are very hard on us, but people still live and they do manage. Its amazing how much you have when you think you have so little...And the parties still rock.
To answer the UBM & Mahndisa qsn - Hve Mug n Thugs Inc helped Zim? No, but neither have sanctions, UK & USA's branding of Mug as pub enemy #1, and the wishy-washy opposition (& all its factions) which is fast being absorbed by the ruling party.
Is China good for Zimbabwe? NO! The Pan Africanist fathers wld mourn over this.
Do I think Zimbabweans should go home? Yes esp the asylum fakers, but I can't make 'em & neither can the govt. It shld get its act together before touring the Diaspora and sounding the clarion call home.
Is Zim beta without Mug? No he holds stability within his own party and keeps the over-zealous ones in check. And he keeps Tsvangirai in check too.
& lastly SA? Its a ticking timebomb. The fragile peace of Mandela's Rainbow Nation began to show back in '00 when invasions began in KwaZulu Natal. In many ways SA will be worse off if it were to erupt bec there are so many unresolved issues with migrants the Black elite, White power, racism, crime and right now there are protests there - which are again overstated on this side of the world. I might not like JZ but at least he has the courage to go into the troublespots and face his unhappy electorate head on.
...peace
Konwomyn:
Thanks VERY much for sharing your perspective. I felt silly after a while even commenting because I have never been to Zimbabwe and can only glean from what I've read. One of the most poignant novels I read was by Tstse Dangaremba called Nervous Conditions.
The way you describe things there is sort of what I expected. We get a very skewed idea of what is happening out there due to the biases of our press and their political connections. I know that Mugabe refused GMO food aid and with good reason, yet because of this, the UN and the West has said he's refused to help those starving in his country.
It is always heartening to go straight to the horses mouth and get the real skinny on things. Thanks again. Now, if you have the time, what do you think the government of Zimbabwe ought to do to stabilize the entire country? Do you favor world trade or are you more of an isolationist or what? Thanks.
KonWomyn, thank you indeed for the depth of your insights.
Hey
You're most welcome pple. Mahndisa, you've read Nervous Conditions - kewl, its a gd book. I'm using it for my thesis at the moment as well as Yvonne Vera who is jst brilliant.
GMO food - alot of people in the country fully supported the President's move, but when the price controls of '07 came in things were different. People jst wanted to eat and I remember talking to my mom that holiday and she'd completely changed her tune bec she's a farmer and stockfeeds were scarce and expensive. (no she did not get a govt farm, we bought it from the state in '96 when a public notice had gone up for it.)
Isolationism - Yes & No. I don't believe in isolationism; what Mugabe's done is the most selfish form of suicide in the 21st century. It worked in some ways for Cuba, at the time, but not for Zim - its a very diff situation. Yes I do favor trade, but the right kind of trade. Not the current unequal, sometimes hostile system and being forced to do trade with countries that have protectionist treaties and have trading blocs. I'm a Pan Africanist and if the econmic body of Africa, COMESA was to get its act together and the AU was a more visible force in enforcing stds of good governance across the continent then Africa wld not be beholden to IMF debts and forced to take on misdiagnosed economic plans in order to get 'dead aid'.
I think what can be done for Zimbabwe is for Mugabe to begin to negotiate power with Tsvangirai, he needs to call off his dogs terrorizing the opposition for a start. Not jst promise it but saying so. Within his own party he needs to groom a successor bec he's 85 and no one knows who will take over in the event of his passing. Jst a month ago ZANU had a meeting where they agreed Mug wld be leader for life - stupid move. Anyway on the part of the opposition, they need to re-group and remember what this was all abt. Tsvangirai is too naive and too soft - understandably bec Mugabe holds real power but he needs to man up and stop compromising on so many things. Like recently the draft constitution had been suggested by ZANU, the MDC rejected it for months and there was a meeting last month to begin working on a new document. However proceedings were disrupted by the war veterans and what's happened since is that they've accept the Kariba draft consitution which had given more power to the President. I can only hope there'll be elections in the next two years or some kind of effective intervention from the SADC or African Union.
As for White farmers getting land back - its not going to happen. There's a land audit currently going on but that's to investigate if land has been equally distributed among the landless. Only thing it will reveal is jst how many farm the Zanu govt copped for themselves, but other than that I'm not too optimistic. There was case tried in SA before the AU council (I think) for white farmers who wanted their land back and the courts found in their favor but nothin done changed. Mugabe ignored it.
Sometimes I do feel it was the right thing, but when you have White friends who speak the local languages and know nothing else but Zim, its hard to tell them they don't belong when you also have Black friends who have inferiority complexes, refuse to speak the language and claim they are British.
BTW Mahndisa your name isn't be said as Man but Ma so its pronounced as Ma-ndi-sah and the boy version is Mandisi but its said as Ma-ndi-si. The one who brings happiness.
peace
Post a Comment