Thursday, October 25, 2007

Peterson meets the African community.

It was a spectacle for the Mayor of Indianapolis to be welcomed by the African Community. Mr Bart Peterson was greeted by 34 different African languages or nationalities. About 150 to 200 people managed to attend the town hall meeting organised by the Africa Community Center.
Dr Shola the Chief Executive of the center, went on to break it down for the Mayor on how much Africa is contributing to the State. The learned Dr stressed the importance of African workforce here in the City. He further pointed out that the African people are law abiding people. It goes without saying that in Indianapolis one cannot mention the word Africa without mentioning the man Shola. Originally Shola is from Nigeria. He founded the Africa Center about ten years.

Among the African are professional from all walks of life and business making a mark on the and future of Indiana. There was a mention of our Pastors being fishers of man but with no facilities to work from. The Mayor was briefed on the challenges facing Africans.

Some of which include discrimination, language barrier,academic accreditation of Degrees, high academic fees for foreign students, predatory home loan lenders to name but a few. In response the Mayor thanked everyone for coming and above all for the eye opening nature of the meeting, and for the contribution made by all. Peterson is also running for reelection the third term is a highly favoured Democrat. A son of a former Mayor and a business man the guy is respected across party lines by both Republicans and Democrats alike. Come November Peterson is expected to retain his position. A very successful business man and a great scholar Bart Peterson has raised over 1 million dollars for his re election campaign outclassing his opponents by hundereds of thousands dollars.

His dream and greatest challenge as Mayor is to make Indy the most welcoming city and to work with the African Community to solve the challenges facing them. He proposed a monthly meeting with a group of representatives to address and chart way forward. Question time was limited but there were question written and given to the Mayor's office. The meeting was a success given the challenges that we encounter on our day to day living in Indianapolis. About 20 or more Zimbabweans attended the Saturday town hall meeting.

Thanks to Mr Thiso M. who compiled this story.

Democracy?

Too many people expect wonders from democracy, when the most wonderful thing of all is just having it.” — Walter Winchell

“In free countries, every man is entitled to express his opinions and every other man is entitled not to listen.” — G. Norman Collie

“Democracy is the form of government that gives every man the right to be his own oppressor.” — James Russell Lowell

“You can never have a revolution in order to establish a democracy. You must have a democracy in order to have a revolution.” — Gilbert K. Chesterton

“Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities in ordinary people.”— Harry Emerson Forsdick

“Democracy is the government of the people, by the people, for the people.” — Abraham Lincoln

“Democracy is good. I say this because other systems are worse.” — Jawaharlal Nehru

“Democracy ... is a system of self-determination. It’s the right to make the wrong choice.” — John Patrick

“In a democracy, the individual enjoys not only the ultimate power but carries the ultimate responsibility.” — Norman Cousins

“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination to injustice makes democracy necessary.” —Reinhold Niebuhr

“A
free government is a complicated piece of machinery, the nice and exact adjustment of whose springs, wheels, and weights, is not yet well comprehended by the artists of the age, and still less by the people. John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, May 19, 1821

It is much easier to pull down a government, in such a conjuncture of affairs as we have seen, than to build up, at such a season as the present.”— John Adams letter to James Warren, 1789.

Thanks David for these observations.

To a simply man like me Democracy is an idea without money. Mandla M

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Somebody once said, "before I had children I had seven principles of raising children, but now I am married and have six children but no principle" This might sound like a apologetic attitude by any parent, yet in practice a lot of us have surrendered our principles silently. The worst thing you can do to any parent, is to try suggest to them in any way how they can discipline their child. Someone might say " wait a minute who told you that you are a perfect parent yourself? For some reason almost all of us think we know a thing or two about parenting , discipline and raising kids well. To be honest at one point or another we all have seen kids misbehaving directly under the nose of their parents. Even if you cannot say anything, but deep down you will be yearning to say , If only they can lend me their child for a month or two.

Lets face it we live in a community environment where either by fate or design children have to meet or play or interact to say the least, unless if yours are Prince Charles's. Some things we can't avoid noticing even from a distance. We see kids or people's behaviours when we are visiting, in buses , schools, church or even in the stores while we are shopping our groceries. Fences and wall have done a good job for protecting us as neighbours from seeing what is going on next door. While I acknowledged that parenting or raising kids or disciplining them is not easy I must also acknowledge that there is no school for "good parenting." Most people have good education and are specialist in various fields but none posses a certificate of parenting from any known institution.

Or perhaps in the first place no one undergoes a test to see if they are stable minded or at least old enough to have children apart from our biological bodies. "There is a saying that says being a parent does not make you an adult."At this point I think, "I am a library of sayings". The adulthood or maturity issue, also adds to the complication of the matter. No matter how old we can be as parents we do not share the same parenting skills or principles. Our schools of parenting and discipline usually collide. For those who are fortunate to receive counselling and advice from the church or places like that either, before or during the period of parenting are at a better position. These too are not exempted from the tests. Children at any age seem to enjoy testing their parents integrity and flexibility. Here they may find a willing or weaker parent or even more flexible one. Sadly they might even divide the parents themselves.

Remember the story of Jacob and Esau in the bible. The father loved Esau while the mother loved Jacob. Tricks were done. Talk about a house divided. As I write this article, I am also looking after my son who is now almost seven months old. Themba. My wife is at work. I love her. Angie. He keeps demanding my attention each and every second. I wish he knew how important this thing is to me. To provoke people to open up about parenting and discipline. Quite often we are also caught up in the important things of this life that we neglect our children. Be it our careers, jobs or callings or even simple habits and hobbies. We have more important business to take care of. This is a problem mainly in the black or African Community. Our roles are somehow upside down. Raising children is for women and so does disciplining. For every rule there is an exception, my friend David usually say.

Whichever way we look at the issue, its clear that we have a problem. Some of these problems are created by the social and economic values. The role of parents are changing. Some of us are raising children "far from the madding crowd." There is no Gogo or Khulu, no uncle no aunt. It used to be that, It takes a village to raise a child but not anymore. The cultural laws laws are different. Most of us would never have thought of " talking back to our parents", but today kids do. State and federal laws can intervene in case they think one is not parenting the right way. Spare the road and spoilt the kid. The rulers of these lands do not subscribe to that. Sometime back in 2002 a black church in Indianapolis church was taken to court because their members practised discipline. This is the way most of us were raised. At home and at schools. There were consequences for bad judgment. I must admit some were severe and harsh but one needed to adhere to discipline. Most white people worship thier children, they cannot even pinch little Mike when he misbehaves. That too is a tragedy, being too nice.

One problem that we have especially as both blacks and Africans is that we subscribe to the idea that "we should give or children what we did not have." This is a good idea but many times we have created another problem and one which we do not know how to deal with. We bury our children in things , toys , toys and fancy clothes. Most do not know the value of things. They take things for granted. There is a disconnection. In the process we deny them thier heritage. For them to know where we are going they must know where we are coming from. Its inside out. We can blame the media and all day long, but if we do not apply our beliefs and principles we reap the same. We should never confuse good for right. (Thanks to Dr Myles Monroe) "What is good is not always right," he said.

Saturday, October 20, 2007

BICC summer camp at Glance.

This was part of the delegation that attended the summer camp in July in Indianapolis. About 100 people attended the camp. Most of the people were from out of state. Rev Ndlovu the senior Pastor of New Lobengula Church was the evangelist. The meeting was more like a reunion for brethren in the diaspora. The fellowship is not official affiliated to the main Church here in the USA. The fellowship came up with ways and means to raise funds to help in projects back home.

Topics discussed varied from Family, Faith, immigration, education, charity and ministry works as well as stocks investments.The meeting was an overall success, even though we needed to learn a few lessons for next time. The next meeting will be held in Dallas next year.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Tribute to the legend.

No artist,s voice identified with the young poor African people than the man Lucky Dube. Most of us will remember when he first released the album Slave way back in late 1980s. His title "Remember me" was going to be a hit in the homes and streets of Bulawayo. Whenever I hear this song tears come out of my eyes to this very day. Dube a social activists and an entertainer was gunned down in Jorburg, soon after dropping his son at school.

Sources say he was gunned down by carjackers. Dube won a lot awards including the Grammys.He was the first African to record an album with the Motown Studio records. We celebrate his life even though we are saddened by his sudden and untimely death. Dube was 43 at the time of his death.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Here and There.

Today I decided to just touch on a variety of issues since I have not had the chance to update this forum for over a week now.A lot of things have happened along the way both here and at home. Laws have been changed some for better others for the worst. Just this week the supreme court of Zimbabwe allowed school kids to have any hair style of choice. This is a first in Zimbabwe. It seems to me that the fact that person who contested this case was rich made all the difference. Really I do not know if that is victory or not.

Most of us will remember the law of identity cards. Not until a White lawyer who was jogging in the morning was asked to produce an identity card did we know that there was no such a law. If took a rich white man who knew his rights to enlighten us all. The bible is right that money answers all things. Like I said i do not know if the dreadlocks law is victory or not because i have nothing to gain myself. And really the question I have always had is, "What is the really African hair style for men? In that regard then its victory because obviously its one area we were still oppressed as African or Zimbabweans. Its not a big issue but if it needs the muscle of the supreme court then it is a big issue.

As for me I love dread locks to a certain extent, (not all) Some people look good on them but unfortunately for me my hair is too soft to be twisted for a long time, even though for few hours I once did it hence the picture bellow. My wife would like me to have them if possible as a matter of fact she had twisted me last time.

Highlanders is behind even though they are now showing serious intentions to defend the Champion ship title. The log leaders Dynamos or Dembare are clinging to the top and are in good form these days. Its a fierce battle for supremacy and none is trying to falter at this point and time. We fear that the officials might decide the outcome at this stage. Bosso are not in a good position. Second best will not be good enough madoda. However soccer is not as predictable, the ball can roll anywhere like the late great commentator Evans Mambara used to say.

Politics , there is no good news either, the ruling part is divided in three or more groups. The division is so serious its threatening the Unity Accord. The man Bob has done it again divide and rule. The war vets are at it again, history seems to repeat it self. The former PF ZAPU comrades are not going down without a fight this time. They are clear the do no support the nomination of Bob. Its a mess. The City Council gave up the fight for water to ZINWA, a govt organisation that deals with water. Whatever the case Bulawayo residents do not have water. Can you imagine a week without water. In this case its been months. The importance of water cannot be over emphasised. Indeed water is life. Dabengwa and Msika the two former ZAPU stalwarts have both expressed concerns about the declining water situation in Bulawayo.

These guys are desperate to gain some political mileage by echoing the needs and the plight of the ordinary people, so the water crisis presents itself as a fine opportunity for them to connect with the people of Matabeleland after a long time. One wonders if these former heavy weights will come up with something new at the sunset of their careers.
All this is happening ahead of the ZANU PF congress in Dec. Something must happen MDC is not in good position either, The Mujuru faction might be the winner. Politics is a dirty game no permanent friends or enemies, like the Professor Jonathan Moyo would say.

The technocrats are talking about the Third way. Good idea but little too late. The third way must be infused to save Zimbabwe in the long run. Many high profiled names including Trevor Ncube, Jonathan Moyo, Jethro Mpofu strongly support this idea. Its remains to be seen if its gonna break from the ground.

Friday, October 5, 2007

Men of Progress.

They meet every first Saturday of the month at Ponderosa steakhouse for breakfast at 10am. (West 38/Mollar Rd) These are men of Integrity or simple Christian men.The group Men of Integrity has been going on for over a year and a half now. Its membership comprises of most African men of which 90% are Zimbabweans at the moment. People form various denominational backgrounds gather to fellowship , prayer and equip one another other. Anyone who has attended the men's breakfast at any one time will agree with me that its a refreshing time for guys away for the church.

We have heard teaching from various topics such as Successful family living, Marriage Communication ,Business investments, Creation and fixing of credits, dealing with our past, Leading Godly lives, Helping your community and the extended families. And finally reaching others for Christ.

The group is a brain child of Forward In Faith Ministries in Indianapolis. The Pastor Mr C Mashushire is a patron of the Men's meeting. The fellowship is not restricted to certain denomination but is open. Its currently lead by the committee which is chaired by Mr Chinyadza. I am also in the sub committee. The aim is to build better men among our community through information, prayer, fellowship and networking.
On the last meeting we had a realtor Mr Malvin Nyoni explain to us the pros and cons of the housing markets. Mr Nyoni who has established himself as the community realtor took the time to clarify the subject of Property Taxes and Foreclosures. We had the opportunity to see some model homes thanks to C.P Morgan. A licenced and experienced realtor with Tucker,the man Professor as we call him was endorsed by the Patron of the fellowship as both "a good and honest man to work with". The man is not only a realtor but also an anointed Music minister.

I would like to thank br Muzi for the above picture.
The next meeting is on the 11/ 03 /07 at the same venue.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Soccer star on a Mission.

Zenzo Ndlovu a Nguboyenja man who came to United States on Soccer scholarship is now on Great Commission. Ndlovu who grew up like any other boy in Mzilikazi, Nguboyenja area playing street soccer, speaks so passionate about his encounter with the lord almost five years ago. The man who is also a graduate form a college in Mobile, Alabama is a living testimony for the grace of God.

Almost every year Zenzo goes back to Zimbabwe to give back to his community in Nguboyenja one of forgotten suburbs in Bulawayo. Nguboyenja is also one of the oldest townships in Zimbabwe. Ndlovu and his friends has given soccer balls and soccer uniforms and boots to children in the area. He also conducts summer camps around the States, training basic soccer to kids. No doubt the man has not forgotten where he came from.

The man who won a lot of Championships during his college days in Alabama is also part of the Pastoral team in his congregation. Speaking to Ndlovu one cannot help feel the deep spiritual maturity and hunger for the things of God.for more you can visit his website www.soccer4life.com

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

News from the diaspora:

PHILADELPHIA
After working hard illegal in the United States for two years.He had shipped all his goods and all he needed was a free ticket home. The West African man turned himself to the Police in downtown Philadelphia. When asked what the problem was the man said, "Officer, officer I am an illegal immigrant" he said pointing to himself.The officer looked at the man and pointed straight at a crowd at the bus stop. "Sir you see all those people at the bus stop they are all illegal immigrants, so stay here and relax"

SEEN ON A CHURCH SIGN POST
You don't need four strong man to drag you to church.


A Nigerian immigrant man had his name changed, and when friends at work asked him about this, the man replied "man I got married"


A certain T.V station was conducting a random interview about racism in America. One young African American lady had this advice, "People must live together in peace and harmony, whether you are white , black ,brown ,yellow , Asian , European, African or Zimbabwean I don,t care". she said.

Bulawayo
During a church revival the evangelist was preaching on the Topic, "If you have faith you will move mountains" On the congregation was an old lady who had problems with a mountain. In winter she could not get much sunshine as the mountain was on the eastern side of her house just a few metres away. So when the lady heard this sermon she could not wait to tell the mountain to move.
For a few days she prayed that the mt would move and did not even go outside to check. After sabout a week of praying the lady finally decided to go outside and check. On discovering that the mountains was still there the woman was disappointed saying "A Yonale isuke bengivele ngingazisa"

Monday, October 1, 2007

Forces of goodwill.

I am amazed how God touches people to help others who are disadvantaged than they especially from different geographic origins. Most of us from Africa seems to want to posses stuff for power and superiority. Perhaps the same could be said about the people from the West, but I am not really sure. Its been said that Americans are the most generous people in the world, this is a claim which I also believe. Few of our own know how to give back to the society or at least those in need. We seem to have succumbed to the grab all idea.(bambazonke). This kind of self gratification has sered our bowels of compassion.

This past few weeks I have been touched as I watch the television to see the former United States President Bill Clinton doing works of charity around the world. The man who is said to be the smartest President of United States has dedicated his last years to helping the hurting human kind. Among his major achievements was to use his skill and profession as an attorney to negotiate the price of drugs to make them available to third world countries of Africa and Asia. This he did and was successful. Few tears back he teamed up with his former political adversary also the former President of United States to help raise funds for people who were affected by Tsunami in Southeast Asia. The man whom his presidency was always followed with controversy said he is now more effective after leaving the White House.

When a man who was once the most powerful man in the world looks down the lowest ends of the earth one cannot help being touched. The President turned philanthropist is now teaming with the renowned and famous South African Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu to tackle the Du fur crisis. There are a lot of man and woman of goodwill, people like Bill Gates the richest man in the world. Perhaps it goes with the name Bill. (joke)
Seriously this man also one the is the greatest persons of our times. Leaving his comfort zone to go to war tone places, drought prone places, extreme poverty stricken areas like Mozambique and so on to extend a hand of help. Bono the the greatest rock star also having teamed up with all forces of goodwill to eradicate poverty in Africa. Off course I cannot talk about Africa and giving without mentioning Oprah Winfrey the talk show host turned humanitarian.

Recently Jenna Bush the Daughter of The President of Bush embarked on a mission to help Aids victims in the Latin America and Africa. I can go on and on talking about Madonna, Brady Pitt, Angelina Jolie, George Clooney. there are many more ordinary people who may never be known yet they are great forces of goodwill towards fellow human beings.At least today I did not mention Nelson Mandela. People like that make me feel like I can fly dip down in my spirit. They makes the world a better and hopeful place to inhabit. Let us therefore not ask what Africa will do for us but what we will do for Africa.