WE ARE A PRODUCT OF OUR UPBRINGING!

"I have no power to come into your living rooms and shut off the television, and demand that your child should read" Those words came out of American president elect Barack Obama's mouth during one of his campaign rallies last fall. The man who has made history by becoming the first African American President of united States, was implying that the government cannot do it all when it comes to family values and education. It is amazing how one is adversely affected by the lack of a well balanced life. Most of us who grew up tending goats and cows had an early encounter with the responsibilities of life. Many times its a life we regret, and yet many times that life, though not as comfortable gave us some life long lessons. The live stocks we did not even own, gave us a sense of responsibility. It would not be fair to say that people who did not tend cows and goats like I did, cannot juggle the responsibilities of life, either.

In my life I have seen both sides. I have experienced poverty. I have seen the haves, and the have not. I know what it is not to have a pair of shoes, and I know what it is to have a huge selection of shoes. I know people who have a problem with what they are going to wear because of failing to make up their mind on a huge wardrobe selection. I also know people who hardly have any linen covering their bodies. Coming from poverty is often humbling. Not everybody who is poor must be poor.Not everybody who look rich is rich. Whichever way one looks at it, material values define who we are. For example, the friends you have. The relatives who visit you. The neighborhood you live in, and the school you may attend. The same applies to one's children.

These do not chose the circumstances under which they are brought up. If they find you poor, they live in poverty, if they find you in abundance, thank God. Life is easy for them. In many respects we are all products of our upbringing. What worries me the most is when children are buried in material. Some years ago I witnessed a close relative of mine committing this crime. It happened that during a birthday/ Christmas occasion one of their beloved children still had gifts not opened from the previous year. These precious gifts were rotting in the garage. Need less to say that they were now too small for her. I see this trend a lot. Some just wear clothes just one time, and that is all. I know parents who work hard, and some even work two jobs or double shifts just to make their children comfortable. Many of this loving parents do not even have a life of their own. The opposite is equally true.

They want to make sure their off springs get the best. To be honest some have their priorities wrong. Those of us who live here in the States must have heard Billy Cosby's lamenting about such things. The former television show host and comedian has earned himself critics and friends from both sides. Renowned philanthropist and humanitarian Oprah Winfrey was criticized for starting a school in South Africa, when there are need people "here". There is a lot of wastage going on in our own homes, yet its easy to see it from a television box else where. Growing up in city of Bulawayo, in New Lobengula suburb. I was taught to help around the house. As a teenager, I could clean the house, that includes bending down my knees and polishing the two bedroom house. Sometimes it took hours.

Not one of those rooms was my own. I slept in the kitchen, under the table. That meant that one needed to wake up early before everybody else did to clean and reorganize the kitchen as if nobody used it for the bedroom. Gardening and landscaping was my personal duty. I was responsible to produce vegetables for the family daily needs. There is no need for me to mention that given resources we had, greens and cornmeal mix (isithwala lemibhida) were the main dish, almost Monday to Friday. Lacto (sour milk) was a good supplement. Meat was rare. My aunt who was a single mother of three of her own children, must be credited for having a big heart despite little resources. I had to learn to do things I did not like. That to me was a way to survive. Nothing would come on a silver plate. Nothing was guaranteed. Not even the education that I thought I deserved.

These days we have problems with kids failing to clean they own bedrooms. They cannot even vac cum the carpet house. For one to do their dishes would mean that their parents call the police if they can. Sadly there is no Law enforcement organization for that .The American system have the most efficient and trouble free system one has ever seen. The kids are taken by a bus just on their door step to school. They are dropped in the same place. I know people who enjoyed those privileges in Zimbabwe too. Parents must provide for their children by all means possible and there is no excuse for doing otherwise. Providing for them is different from spoiling them. This is not only true to people of west, but also people for Africans immigrants residing abroad. Young people are not given challenges anymore.

That is why young people getting into crime and drugs. They are not used to the idea of hard work. Its  foreign to them, yet that is exactly how the system of this world works. I quoted Barack Obama when I began, I must quote  him again as I end. He said that {the absence of his father shaped his life more than his presence}. He spoke about the values that his mother and grandmother instilled in him. Hard work, faith, honest, respect and determination. Once these things are instilled in a child, they are a treasure that money cannot buy.

A LETTER FROM ZIMBABWE.

WHAT CAN WE DO?


We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy
next........I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar
houses and one family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging
anything when 100 riot police came in with AK47's and bulldozers and
demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings -
because it was 'too close to the airport', so we are feeling
extremely
insecure right now.
You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep
at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put
us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to
be with us - that is a help -but I feel so cut off from you all
knowing I cannot tell you what's going on here simply because you will

feel uncomfortable. There is no ways we can leave here so that is not
an option.

I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know
how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out
positive vibes... that's all. You can't just be in denial and
pretend/believe it's not going on.

To be frank with you, it's genocide in the making and if

you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty
International which says we are - IN level
7 - (level 8 is after it's happened and everyone is in denial).

If you don't want me to tell you these things-how bad it

is-then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does
not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We
need you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully
dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say -
oh well, that's what happens in Africa

This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us
publicize our plight---or how can we be rescued?
It's a reality! The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all

around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people
sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding
are a reality. Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener's

wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will
have to sleep outside. We already support 8 adult people and a child
on this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is
water.

How can I take on another family of 4 -----and yet how
can I turn them away to sleep out in the open?

I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here -
I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible
danger and want you please to pass on our news and pictures. So PLEASE
don't just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know

how.

Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us
SEND OUT THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance
we have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don't ignore
or deny what's happening.
Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then,
if we are eliminated, how would you feel? 'If only we knew how bad it
really was we could have helped in some way'.

[I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we
deserve what's coming to us]

For now,--- we ourselves have food, shelter, a little
fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to
happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to
belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of
you because if they get a hold of those, I can't fight for my rights.

Censorship!----We no longer have SW radio [which told us
everything that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of
existence - we don't have any reporters, and no one is allowed to
photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute
field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people are
shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton
destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be
'illegal'
but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses.

Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending
out the articles and personal reports so that something can/may be
done.

'I am one. I cannot do everything, ---but I can do
something.. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to
do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I
should do, by the grace of God,
I will do.'


Please send this on to everyone in your address book. We
send jokes out
without blinking an eyelid.. We don't get told this on
the news in South Africa , we only get told what they want us to hear.
We all have a chance to do something, even though the something is by
pressing forward to as many people as possible. Let's stop talking and

let's start doing! There is power in prayer, there is also power in
more people knowing about this than you in my address book. This is
going to America , Dubai , Australia , France , South Africans all
over South Africa ,the UK. By forwarding this to all in my address
book I have done something. The world needs to know what is going on.

GUKURAHUNDU SILLENCE?

Ndabikhona I enjoyed reading your opinion of what you think drove Cde
Mugabe to the point where he is today; his anger against the British and
the Americans. I want to respond to your analysis that points a finger at
what you call the hypocrisy of the West to remain silent over the
Gukurahundi killings because they befriended Cde Mugabe then and now speak
out ‘human rights Mugabe must go’ because he has killed a ‘few’ White
farmers and MDC activists in comparison to the numbers he killed in
Matebeleland and the Midlands in the eighties.

It is on the regional and global silence on Gukurahundi operations in
Matebeleland and the Midlands in the eighties that I want to contribute
on; but before I say my mind on that issue let me make a quick long point
on the current relation ship between Cde Mugabe and the British.

Zanu PF vs Labour

Cde Mugabe’s claims that his differences with what he refers to as the
British; stems from the land issue is correct. Both sides may have valid
reasons to their arguments. Let us unpack this group called The British in
this conflict. Cde Mugabe is in fact at war with the Labour Party
leadership and not just any ‘British.’ This is only natural because he was
friends and made several agreements, deals and packs with the Conservative
Party leadership and not just the ‘British’ For reasons best known to
Labour when they came to power in Britain they decided they were not going
to follow through with the Conservative deals and agreements with Zanu PF
in the light that the Conservatives had agreed to them. Until we know the
details of the agreements, deals and packs and what Labour did not like
about them we will not be in the best position to make informed judgments
in our debates as to who is wrong or right between Zanu PF and the Labour.

It is how ever a fact that the stand off between these two Parties and
their behind the scenes maneuvers to outclass each other have brought
Zimbabwe politically to where it is today. The result of this political
stalemate is a now very critical humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe that Zanu
PF can never handle single handed. Suffer and die the ordinary people!

It is only sad that Zanu PF, Labour and The Conservatives are not coming
together behind closed doors and picking the pieces and putting them
together from where things went wrong with what ever agreements, deals and
packs that Labour inherited from the Conservatives in the presence of Zanu
PF and some critical Zimbabwean Political Parties and Civil Society
Stakeholders. They have all chosen to play out their egos at government to
government level first before creating some common understanding at
political parties level completely ignoring the historical implications
and processes that preceded their two current governments in regards to
Zimbabwe. May be they did meet but if they did and there were still thorny
differences between the three I guess they should be making those
deliberations public through one spokesperson so that the world can make
informed contributions on assisting Zimbabwe.

It is also my humble opinion that this is where the team of ‘Elders led by
Kofi Anan should have started in creating a dialogue between Zanu PF,
Labour and the Conservatives who played a part in what ever agreements
that were born after the Lancaster Conference that brought about the
independence of Zimbabwe. I guess it is for this reason that Cde Mugabe
refers to this conflict as from just the British by the British! And on
this ground he remains right and correct in my opinion. These British that
he refers to have not only messed up on this land agreement as Cde Mugabe
states but on other issues too in this country that are yet to explode in
the face of the world.

Lets take this simple plot; ….on behalf of Queen Victoria and her Empire,
Cecil Rhodes comes to Africa and finds two separate nations coexisting
next to each other; the Mthwakazi Empire and Munumutapa Empire; he settles
himself with no resistance in the Munumutapa Empire and turns every one to
his subject; trains the locals into his police force and pays them to go
and fight along side his men to military topple the Mthwakazi Empire. He
joins the two Empires with no concent from the locals to make his own
dream country that he calls by his sweet name Rhodesia and all people and
resources of these forcefully emerged Empires work for the growth and
development of the Queens Empire. A liberation war is fought by two
separate liberation groups each coming from the historical background of
the two forced to emerge Empires. Years and generations later the matter
finally goes before the British Lancaster House Conference. The British
take the country Rhodesia created by their ancestor Rhodes and give it to
the descendants of the Munumutapa Empire completely ignoring the
historical events that took place on how this Rhodesia was created. At
once from this careless decision the modern politics based on the
historical background of the then Mthwakazi and Munumutapa Empires that
was ignored and taken for granted at the Lancaster Conference start
playing out into a new civil war conflict in the making…..

Now you have cries from the descendants of the Mthwakazi Empire that the
descendants of the Munumutapa Empire are marginalizing them and stealing
their local resources to empower their own and turning their off spring to
perpetual economic refugees in other countries.And this claim is a fact
and not an exaggeration!The have started to ask 'Why and for how long?'
This is a recipe for a very explosive civil war in not so far a distant
future created by the British. So you see that Cde Mugabe is not totally
insane when he squares up with his British!

Actually this plot that I have just narrated above motivated Cde Mugabe to
ruthlessly implement the Gukurahundi killings with no remorse at all
allowing him self to play into the British mistakes and give a runway push
to the civil war to take off. It has taken off but it has just not landed
and I can only suggest that the UN should be proactive for once and handle
such national security risky issues before they explode rather than
waiting until local people kill each other then moving in with piece
keeping forces! I am for a peaceful secure world but peace and security
cannot exist where there is injustice and human rights violations!

Silence over Gukurahundi

The Gukurahundi atrocities and genocide remain the highest human rights
violations by any sitting President in the SADC region today yet no one
even in the then Front Line States let alone the rest of the world raised
their voice. I how ever square the blame for the silence on the then Zapu
Central Committee led by the late Dr Joshua Nkomo and the Zipra High
Command led by Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and Cde Lookout Masuku for the silence.
Every member of the then Zapu Central Committee are equally accountable
and responsible for the cloud of silence during and after the operations!
They actually made and shaped Cde Mugabe to be the heartless person who
does not care for human rights violations that he is today.

Even when the Catholics worked hard and tirelessly to break that silence
it was members of the Zapu Central Committee that were on the fore front
in attacking that initiative protecting Cde Mugabe all the way. Even to
this day there are some former Zapu Central Committee members who are
still working on making sure that they protect Cde Mugabe on the
Gukurahundi saga and violations all the way to his final resting place
that little village they call The Heroes Acre!

If the people and the leaders of those people whose rights are violated
stand up in defense of the perpetrators what else can the rest of the
world do? Even when Dabengwa and Masuku and others were eventually framed,
arrested, acquitted but still kept in prison no one from the then Zapu
Central Committee raised a voice let alone go outside the country and
launch the ‘ Free Dabengwa and Masuku Campaign’

They knew very well that Cde Mugabe and his Fifth Brigade were targeting
at wiping out all the Zapu leadership structures from Dr Joshua Nkomo
himself to the chairperson of the cells and all their relatives as long as
they were Ndebele because Cde Mugabe did not want any party to be in
opposition with his own. Cde Mugabe hates opposition parties. Simple. They
all chose to remain silent and for some, even attack those that dared to
raise their voices on behalf of those that are packed in unidentified mass
graves to this day. These people in these mass graves were their members!
Many of them died with their party’s cards in their pockets and some with
pins of Dr Joshua Nkomo on their chests and hats, yet he was on the fore
front to put and press the lid on the violations just to protect Cde
Mugabe. Puzzling!

No one can convince me that the training, and the intelligence
capabilities of the Zipra Soldier could fail to get out of Zimbabwe and
start a protest voice sensitizing the world of what Cde Mugabe was doing
and had done at that time. But no one did. Puzzling!

Even then many members of the Zapu Central Committee and several members
of Zipra managed to run away and find safe homes in other countries yet
when they settled out there they decided that they will not do anything
about the Gukurahundi silence. Dr Nkomo himself managed to get to London
but all he did when he got there was write a nice book that most of his
party members could not even access or be able to buy. He had all the
reasons and the opportunity to create a voice that would have broken the
silence and Cde Mugabe and his allies would have been brought to book for
gross human rights violations sooner than later.

Even after the Unity Accord signing and after having joined Cde Mugabe’s
government Dr Joshua Nkomo and his Zapu Central Committee had all the
opportunities within their means to take on Cde Mugabe face to face on his
human rights record and send him to the gallows but they did not.
Puzzling! They decided that they will promote the silence and of course
the world took their queue.

Today 22 December is Unity Day in Zimbabwe. But if you conceder the events
that brought about this holiday carefully you will agree with me that this
is a holiday to celebrate the bad human rights record that Cde Mugabe
scored after killing thousands of unarmed civilians some of them pregnant
women who where being skinned alive just because the baby in their
stomachs would be born to be a supporter of Dr Nkomo and Zapu and hence
that baby had to be killed. Guess who is there lifting Cde Mugabe’s hand
to the air to help him celebrate this achievement and cover up for him-
its Dr Joshua Nkomo surrounded by his members of the Zapu Central
Committee. In my opinion this holiday must be put into the right context
and should be moved to coincide with the World Human Rights Day in memory
of the thousands that were killed for being members of the opposition
party to Cde Mugabe and those that continue to die for that reason to this
day.


How ever, finally things are changing. Now the persecuted people are
speaking out, the world is slowly getting sensitized and even Cde Mugabe
once found himself responding to the voices saying his actions were a
result of ….a time of madness on his part… but some members of the Zapu
Central Committee were quick to cover up and even be at pains to explain
what he Cde Mugabe meant by that and encouraged affected citizens to take
the opening of public dialogue on the matter as tribalism and opening of
old wounds as if those wounds were justified or ever healed.

So before we point our fingers at the rest of the world on this issue
questioning them on what they should have done or failed to do, lets look
at the members of the then Zapu Central Committee first. Our own leaders
in the region wanted the Gukurahundi silence to exist for what ever reason
only them know. Cde Mugabe cannot bring himself before the international
courts for prosecution! It is also very difficult for an outsider to take
him to the courts if those who were wronged protect him!

I think I have made my point Ndabikhona.

Cont Mhlanga
Monday, December 22, 2008

BACK TO MY DESK!

Its a great feeling to be back at my desk.For a while I was away on leave.This business of writing can be depressing sometimes. While I was away from the desk, I gave myself a lot of options. I am one person who does not do something for the sake of it.Whatever I do I do it with all my heart, especially if its voluntary.Its good sometimes to take a break and relax, just to breath in some fresh air. This is the time to get some fresh ideas on your work.

I remember a few years back when I used to preach almost everyday of the week.After a while , I would feel exhausted.The same thing happened when I used to play football or soccer as they call it here, in the States.One need to take time evaluate themselves as well as their job. Some companies do what they call refresher courses.The everyday things you do eventually become monotonous. One problem with this blog site is that I am not on anybody's payroll. In other, I do whats on my mind.Simple put, its my diary.

So whatever happens around me must be chronicled here. This means that my family, faith,job, and the news and opinions about social and political issues within my two countries, Zimbabwe and USA.My family is still in Zimbabwe.I also have cousins in South Africa too. I am blessed that my mother and father are still alive. I know a lot of nice and good people who's parents have long gone. I know people who could do anything in the world to be in my position. Life in Zimbabwe is completely difficult. People are suffering from right left and center.


Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe now a have to use foreign currency for their everyday needs.There are no hospitals functioning.No fresh water, no electricity.Thinking about the situation back home is sad.However we keep hoping and praying that life will be normal. That is where we derive our strength from.That hope. Nobody living or dead would have predicted that things were going to be this bad in our lifetime in Zimbabwe.We are now worse than people in war tone places like Rwanda, Congo and all those troubled countries in the east Africa.

The economy here in the United States has not been as good either. Experts are saying the country is going through the worst depression since 1929. United States is a developed country, and no matter how bad things a get economically, its still going to be far much better than a country in Africa.These are things that troubles me and these are things I write about.

Its winter here again. In north America, about have of the year is spent in freezing ice cold weather.This is what fate and destiny chose for us. December is here too.We all know that December is traditional a happy month everywhere. This one would be an exception. We pray that our relatives in Zimbabwe survive the hunger, cholera and the political abductions.

I forgot to mention Face book.A friend of mine had for along time been inviting me to the face book forums, without success. About a month ago I decided to check it out. I am sad to say that I am now an addict of face book. I saw a lot of my child friends and classmates that I have not seen in over twenty years. I met a lot of interesting people who are concerned about Zimbabwe. Among those I discovered was Noreen Welsh.She was one of the first Zimbabwe journalist, I saw when I first opened my eyes to the television way back in 1980.I was only eight years old God knows how old she is right now.

She now lives in Europe somewhere and is a contributor on matters that affect Zimbabwe. Her love for the country is challenging.There are many other Zimbabweans who have the same spirit.

AMERICA MAKES HISTORY!

The world most popular nation, United States of America has made history by electing its first black President. Barack Obama beat rival John McCain, to become the 44 th President of United States of America. He first made history by becoming the only African American in the senate four years ago. Obama did not stop there , he went on to aim for a higher office. Obama has not only defied the odds, but raised expectations for the American people. Millions of people witnessed the historic day all over the world, thanks to the magic of satellite and television.

This is the same country which forbade black people from voting only half a century ago. It is unbelievable how far the nation of has travelled to get to this stage. Many could not believe ears as the news was announced. We will always remember this a day. I told my wife that she was born in a great country, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. No recounts, no runoffs, No talks, No deals, No power sharing.

The picture above was taken my me personally during a campaign rally about two weeks ago.

INDIANA IS READY TO TURN BLUE.

Above, Presidential hopeful Barack Obama greets people as the secret service man looks on. An estimated 35000 people braved the chill weather to listen to Obama in Indianapolis. The general elections are just 12 days away. Independent polls show that Obama is leading by 6 or 7 points lead. Indiana is expected to be one of the deciding states. Experts say Indiana has never voted for a Democrat in 40 yrs.

A GLIMPSE OF THE MAN.

An unidentified man holding a baby stretches his neck just to catch a glimpse of the future US Commander in Chief.

YES WE CAN!

"A CHANGE WE CAN BELIVE IN"

OBAMA IS A QUALIFIED! PERIOD.

Above Max stands shoulder to shoulder with a potrait of Barack Obama. I would like to thank Max for this picture. (The picture above has nothing to do with the comments below)

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It is always refreshing to see one of our own standing up for what is truly the right principles of leadership. You need to be extraordinary in this day and age to even think of standing for such an office as a black man and moreso to stand to this point and be looked upon as the ultimate solution to the worldwide leadership crisis we find ourselves in. He is truly a hero not only for blacks but for humanity as a whole.

The time is now! Let God be praised!

Bukhosi.

OBAMA BRINGS HOPE.

This is just historic no matter what or who says what or whatever happens history has been made. Some of us should accept the fact that God give the world one special individually one out of many. This guy is just one of those you like it or not. He is one after Mandela I mean a world leader.

I personally Iam moved to to thinking hard as to what direction we as UMtwakazi should take. This world political situation is presenting us an open opportunity to regroup and declare ourselves as a Nation. There is nothing tribal about it but it is our right and our oppotune time to seize it and move forward. All we need is a correct calm state of mind to move our people that direction. What is wrong with becomming a Nation. Honestly Iam 55 years old I have never been to Mutare Chirundu Kariba let alone Zwimba. So what have I to claim as my Nation. Ask me about my Nation I have been there everywhere I identify with everything. I dont need permission or passport to go Zwimba but I have never been there and I do not see myself going there anywhere because I have no interest no root no nothing there.

I know what most of you are thinking and saying right now before I even finish.You are dismissing me and calling me names okay. This is exactly what motivated Obama He
viewed this thing as impossible and every one wrote him off. He had the vision and hope he is 3 wks from turning the white house to black house first ever the unthinkable.He makes me see Bulawayo as booming capital of uMtwakazi with a small manageable efficient/effective government of the people.

Democratic State peaceful and prosperous place to live at.Wealth being shared from the government to the people,development in the rural areas with great schools/colleges/universties with manageable health system for all. This should be your motivator especially you young ones.This can come true you know we are capable as a Nation to service our population we have the people to run the government clean of corruption.

Inkonindaba Go Obama.

Rev Mthombeni. in Texas.

NOTHING IS TOO SMALL FOR GOD.

I love to wake up in the morning and look full into the beautiful sun. I love the way it makes me feel alive and I can feel its energy coursing through my core. The mild breeze that brings all kinds of scents and aromas my way, reminds me of God’s love as I lean into it. The ground beneath me is coolest in the morning, along with the dew that seems to nourish me from the bottom to the top. As the day turns from morning to afternoon, I begin to pray to God to thank him for letting me be alive for another glorious day, even as the heat begins to dehydrate me. But God and his seemingly infinite mercy hears my prayers and brings evening with all its coolness. I listen as my family enjoys their evening tradition of playing in the yard after dinner. Oh, how my God loves me and takes care of me. Everything is important to God. Nothing is too small. As evening turns to night, I bow my head in prayer, and dream of what tomorrow will bring.

By Mrs. Mkwananzi (the editor's wife)


Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

ZIM REPRESENTED AT THE AFRICA CUTURAL FESTIVAL.

Its all smiles. Young ladies and one young man posing for a photo at the Taste of Africa Cultural festival at the Indiana University last week. Most if not all of these young ladies attend Forward in Faith Ministries lead by Pastor Mashushire. Apart form the attire, there were different kinds of dishes from many African countries. I would like to thank deacon J. Choga for this colorful photo. Please click on the picture for a better view.

INDIANA WEATHER

60 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Indiana plant gardens.

50 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in South Bend sunbathe.

40 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Indiana drive with the windows down.

32 above zero:
Distilled water freezes.
The water in Indianapolis gets thicker.

20 above zero:
Floridians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves,wool hats and socks.
People in Indiana throw on a flannel shirt.

15 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Indiana have the last cookout before itgets cold.

Zero:
People in Miami all die.
Hoosiers close the windows.

10 below zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico.
People in Indiana get out their winter coats.

25 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Indiana are selling cookiesdoor to door.

40 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Indiana let the dogs sleep indoors.

100 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Hoosiers get upset because they can't start theMini-Van.

460 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale).
People in Indiana start saying...'Cold 'nuff ferya?'

500 below zero:
Hell freezes over.
Indiana public schools will open 2 hours late.

SWAZI PEOPLE ANGERED BY THE KING 'S WIVES.

Nine of King Mswati's wives left last week to go shopping
Hundreds of Swazi women have marched through the streets of the capital to protest about a shopping trip taken by nine of the king's 13 wives.
They chartered a plane last week to go to Europe and the Middle East.
The BBC's Thulani Mthethwa says the protesters handed in a petition to the finance ministry saying the money could have been better spent.
"We can't afford a shopping trip when a quarter of the nation lives on food aid," they chanted.
Swaziland, Africa's last absolute monarchy, is one of the poorest countries in the world and more than 40% of the population is believed to be infected with HIV.
We need to keep that money for ARVs Protest slogan.
The march was organised by Positive Living, a non-governmental organisation for women with Aids.
Our correspondent says there was a cross-section of women on the march from professionals to rural representatives.
"We need to keep that money for ARVs [anti-retrovirals]," was another slogan shouted by the women.
King Mswati III, 40, has been criticised in the past for requesting public money to pay for new palaces, a personal jet and luxury cars.
News of his wives' trip broke in the local press a day after they left, our reporter says.
Earlier this week, senior princes warned the women not to march, saying it defied Swazi tradition.

Originally published by the BBC news.

OUR POSITION ABOUT TALKS.

While it is important that our political party leaders are on the verge of signing a power deal, we are however concerned that the people of Zimbabwe are not consulted. There can be no permanent solutions to the county's problems if the average Zimbabwean people are left out. Zimbabwe does not belong to Mugabe, Tsvangairayi and Mutambara, no. It is us the people who give leaders the mandate to represent us. The magnitude of the problems requires serious dialogue and that is not only limited to the political parties. These are known for serving their own interest at the expense of the masses.

There are human rights violations. The restoration of law and order. The strategic distribution and development of land. The liberalisation of the media airwaves. The revamping of the education system, the economy and tourism. These can only be achieved through people who share common goals and values. Without accountability and inclusion of a diversified spectrum of people that cut and taps on a wide variety of ideas we will end up with more of the same. We need a local leadership with a global outlook. Power corrupts people, talks must not only be centred on power sharing but also on challenges that our nation is facing.

The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

ZIM NEEDS ALL ITS SKILLED PEOPLE.

By Heidi Holland.
Now that a concerned world has recovered from the euphoric though disconcerting sight of Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe shaking hands with his challenger Morgan Tsvangirai, albeit reluctantly - and seeing they have indeed talked to each other - we are perhaps free to focus fresh optimism on what the two might usefully talk about.Although Mugabe is unlikely to be committed to real power sharing (as opposed to the view that he has it all but wouldn't mind sharing a bit with his opposition) a creative, even breathtaking, option is now open to Comrade Bob - namely, a best-person interim government. Not only would it stun the world and help to rescue Mugabe's lost legacy, but a government of all the talents (as the concept was quaintly called in the 19th century) is something Zimbabwe's president understands very well.

When he first swept to power in 1980 on a tsunami of adulation, Mugabe's inaugural administration was a best-person government which included British-born, talented farmer Denis Norman in the agriculture portfolio and canny former Rhodesian finance minister David Smith, a Scot, as head of the new treasury. Mugabe had absolutely all the power in those days but he sincerely wanted the country to prosper under his leadership. So, recognising the need to reassure former white Rhodesians - who possessed most of the country's capital, intellectual and otherwise - and acknowledging the painful fact that he had little relevant talent in his own ranks, Zimbabwe's first black ruler put aside the undoubtedly pressing loyalty issues inherent in liberation politics to act in the best interests of all Zimbabweans.Could this intensely complicated man make a similarly magnanimous decision so late in his much-vilified premiership?

It is an audacious idea, and an uncharacteristically constructive one in the face of the sustained destruction Mugabe has unleashed on Zimbabwe over the past decade. But it is within his power to opt for the greater good rather than continued tyranny. He did it once before when he was expected to wreak havoc, and to great effect for his first five years in office. He knows as well as anyone anywhere that a carefully chosen best-person interim government could get Zimbabwe back on its feet faster than any known alternative.Wartime Britain adopted a coalition cabinet of its most talented individuals in order to manage the damage wrought by years of conflict in the '40s. So did Norway. "We put the best people in an all-party government during and after the war," says May-Elin Stener, Minister Counsellor of the Norwegian Embassy in Pretoria. "That was what we did when we had to rebuild our own countries.

"In Zimbabwe's case, it was in consultation with the British that newly elected Robert Mugabe chose a similarly pragmatic solution to the country's woes following the catastrophic 15-year-long bush war in 1980. Britain's last governor in Rhodesia, Lord Soames, and Mugabe had struck up an unexpected friendship when Zimbabwe's adored black prime minister told the avuncular English aristocrat that there was nobody in his party with the skills to run a government. It was a poignant moment, the governor's widow Lady Soames recalled when I interviewed her in London in 2006. "He was quite frank about having nobody trained in anything except guerrilla warfare," she said.In those days, Mugabe had the good judgment, moral courage and sense of duty to put aside his political preferences in favour of Zimbabwe's best interests. Why? Because Lord Soames respected the new premier and he was therefore able to appeal to Mugabe's better instincts.

Could "Mad Bob" defy the direst of predictions to act against the odds once more? It is at least possible. It might appeal to him as a swan song to what he sees as his life-long "sacrifice and suffering". It is certainly worth a try, especially if it comes as a suggestion from Britain, endorsed by rich western reconstruction packages.A mediated deal on its own, by contrast, may not have the moral credentials to attract the international funds earmarked for Zimbabwe and critical for its economic recovery. Africa will doubtless have resources to commit to the beleaguered country, but not on the same scale.

Back in 1980, Mugabe's aim in appointing a best-person government despite the discord it caused in his own ranks was to retain white skills in the interests of the country's economy. Today, its purpose might be to attract back to Zimbabwe those many exiled citizens who have gained invaluable experience of modern economic endeavour elsewhere. It would be from among Zimbabwe's own people, albeit many supporting the MDC and some entirely devoid of political ambition, that Mugabe and Tsvangirai could select an interim government of all the talents.The boldest and most statesman-like gesture imaginable in the circumstances, such a best-person government would restore confidence to Zimbabweans at home and abroad like no other move ever could. Not without precedent - even the US has from time to time brought in experts to help the national cause - a government of all the talents in Zimbabwe has the potential to save the country in an inclusive and admirable way.

The rationale for such a solution is already apparent in the cautious optimism with which the Mbeki-brokered talks have been greeted at home and abroad. It is true nobody won the March election outright, say the pundits of compromise, noting that the much-vaunted Kenyan solution reflected a widespread desire for peace at any price once violence had threatened to spiral out of control.As we watch the situation unfold, violence in Zimbabwe's rural areas is continuing long after the electoral process has ended - for reasons that are far from clear. Is it now out of control due to the growing dominance of war lords?

Is Mugabe showing who is boss while power-sharing talks are under way? Is he, perhaps, hell-bent on eliminating his opposition? Or is Zanu-PF creating the conditions for the concept of peace at any price to gain momentum? Whatever the reason, the international community dare not turn its back on rural Zimbabweans - who are currently dying from hunger as well as torture - in anticipation of a time when the suffering country may finally be deemed to require peace at any price.

Heidi Holland is the author of the bestselling book, Dinner With Mugabe.
This article was originally published on page 6 of The Pretoria News on August 2 /2008.

OBAMA OPPOSES REPARATIONS APOLOGY ACT.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama opposes offering reparations to the descendants of slaves, putting him at odds with some black groups and leaders.

The man with a serious chance to become the nation's first black president argues that government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all.
"I have said in the past — and I'll repeat again — that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed," the Illinois Democrat said recently.
Some two dozen members of Congress are co-sponsors of legislation to create a commission that would study reparations — that is, payments and programs to make up for the damage done by slavery.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People supports the legislation, too. Cities around the country, including Obama's home of Chicago, have endorsed the idea, and so has a major union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Obama has worked to be seen as someone who will bring people together, not divide them into various interest groups with checklists of demands. Supporting reparations could undermine that image and make him appear to be pandering to black voters.
"Let's not be naive. Sen. Obama is running for president of the United States, and so he is in a constant battle to save his political life," said Kibibi Tyehimba, co-chair of the National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America. "In light of the demographics of this country, I don't think it's realistic to expect him to do anything other than what he's done."
But this is not a position Obama adopted just for the presidential campaign. He voiced the same concerns about reparations during his successful run for the Senate in 2004.
There's enough flexibility in the term "reparations" that Obama can oppose them and still have plenty of common ground with supporters.
The NAACP says reparations could take the form of government programs to help struggling people of all races. Efforts to improve schools in the inner city could also aid students in the mountains of West Virginia, said Hilary Shelton, director of the NAACP's Washington bureau.
"The solution could be broad and sweeping," Shelton said.
The National Urban League — a group Obama is to address Saturday — avoids the word "reparations" as too vague and highly charged. But the group advocates government action to close the gaps between white America and black America.
Urban League President Marc Morial said he expects his members to press Obama on how he intends to close those gaps and what action he would take in the first 100 days of his presidency.
"What steps should we take as a nation to alleviate the effects of racial exclusion and racial discrimination?" Morial asked.
The House voted this week to apologize for slavery. The resolution, which was approved on a voice vote, does not mention reparations, but past opponents have argued that an apology would increase pressure for concrete action.
Obama says an apology would be appropriate but not particularly helpful in improving the lives of black Americans. Reparations could also be a distraction, he said.
In a 2004 questionnaire, he told the NAACP, "I fear that reparations would be an excuse for some to say, 'We've paid our debt,' and to avoid the much harder work."
Taking questions Sunday at a conference of minority journalists, Obama said he would be willing to talk to American Indian leaders about an apology for the nation's treatment of their people.
Pressed for his position on apologizing to blacks or offering reparations, Obama said he was more interested in taking action to help people struggling to get by. Because many of them are minorities, he said, that would help the same people who would stand to benefit from reparations.
"If we have a program, for example, of universal health care, that will disproportionately affect people of color, because they're disproportionately uninsured," Obama said. "If we've got an agenda that says every child in America should get — should be able to go to college, regardless of income, that will disproportionately affect people of color, because it's oftentimes our children who can't afford to go to college."
One reparations advocate, Vernellia Randall, a law professor at the University of Dayton, bluntly responded: "I think he's dead wrong."
She said aid to the poor in general won't close the gaps — poor blacks would still trail poor whites, and middle-class blacks would still lag behind middle-class whites. Instead, assistance must be aimed directly at the people facing the after-effects of slavery and Jim Crow laws, she said.
"People say he can't run and get elected if he says those kinds of things," Randall said. "I'm like, well does that mean we're really not ready for a black president?"

HERO MUGABE LOOKING FOR A HONORABLE EXIT.

Whichever direction the Zimbabwean talks are hearded, the man Robert Mugabe is the winner. Forget about the land. Forget about colonialism. Robert Mugabe, the self declared Pan African soldier and champion is giving up the fight. This is the man who defied the whole world's logic. How is it that he is suddenly is giving in to other views? Was his victory on the 27 of June not enough? Did he not win with an overwhelming margin?

There is a Ndebele saying that says, "Akuqili lazikhotha emhlane". Simple put you cannot cheat them all. This man having managed to play "macho man and fool the whole world", but has failed to fool himself. Why is he sitting down and shaking hands with sellouts and agents of imperialism? Has he forgotten that Zimbabwe is not for sale. He must know something. His time is up. The man is trying hard to leave a good legacy. This is the same man that has always envisioned himself as a champion of the people. His loss to MDC in March sent a clear message to him that people no longer regard him that way.

Part of him has always known the truth , yet another part of him was successful in misleading the the world. All his tricks, all his brutality that he unleashed on the people in the name of power is haunting him. It has suddenly hit him that he will not live forever. Politics aside the plight of the ordinary Zimbabweans has suddenly became evident to him. The Zimbabwe he once bragged about has become the laughing stock of the world.

The thousands of people that used to sing praises of him all day long have vanished. The Western world that he once impressed is trashing him. Even the so called African leaders are not behind him anymore. He only relies to a few power hungry men who are not telling him the truth. His kids are now in their late teens, and are asking him tough questions. The memorable pictures hanging on the wall of State house with the world leaders no longer mean anything. He had pictured himself among the best. Zimbabwe's first elected leader. He wishes he could turn back the time. How did he end up among those doomed for perdition?

Rumour has it that after losing the March elections, he wanted to go public on television and concede defeat. Only to be blocked by the security agents who are fearing for their lives after he is goes. They know their sins. He is their only way out. This opportunity called Talks that has suddenly presented itself is his second chance, and he must make the most of it. He must redeem his name. At This age nothing matters. Tough luck to security agents. "He must to good for the for benefit of ordinary Zimbabwean". After all, the elections are gone, who cares about these guys in uniform anymore.

Mugabe can and will do anything for power, but now he has seen it all. He is taping into the human side of himself. He is praying to the almighty gods to save his soul. The gods of Zimbabwe. The God of the universe. The supreme being, as well as the ancestors to forgive him. He recently declared that it was God who put him in power, and its him who will take him out. The writting is on the wall. Soon he will answer to him. This is by no means a prophecy but a law of nature.

by Chief N. Gagisa

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Daniel wrote.

Hey wethu

this is a very interesting and insightful analysis

great stuff!

Mr. Daniel MolokeleGeneva

SwitzerlandCell : +41 78 906 3896

Email: zimvirtualnation@yahoo.comSkype:

daniel.molokeleFacebook: daniel molokele

US LAWMAKERS APOLOGISES TO AFRICAN AMERICAN FOR SLAVERY.

U.S. House of Representatives apologizes for slavery, segregation Washington, July 30 .

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws. "Today represents a milestone in our nation's efforts to remedy the ills of our past," said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.
The resolution, passed by voice vote, was the work of Tennessee Democrat Steve Cohen, the only white lawmaker to represent a majority black district. Cohen faces a formidable black challenger in a primary face-off next week.Congress has issued apologies before — to Japanese-Americans for their internment during World War II and to native Hawaiians for the overthrow of the Hawaiian kingdom in 1893. In 2005, the Senate apologized for failing to pass anti-lynching laws.

Five states have issued apologies for slavery, but past proposals in Congress have stalled, partly over concerns that an apology would lead to demands for reparations — payment for damages.The Cohen resolution does not mention reparations. It does commit the House to rectifying "the lingering consequences of the misdeeds committed against African-Americans under slavery and Jim Crow."It says that Africans forced into slavery "were brutalized, humiliated, dehumanized and subjected to the indignity of being stripped of their names and heritage" and that black Americans today continue to suffer from the consequences of slavery and Jim Crow laws that fostered discrimination and segregation.

The House "apologizes to African-Americans on behalf of the people of the United States, for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow."
Slavery and Jim Crow are stains upon what is the greatest nation on the face of the earth," Cohen said.
Part of forming a more perfect union, he said, "is such a resolution as we have before us today where we face up to our mistakes and apologize as anyone should apologize for things that were done in the past that were wrong.
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MANDELA FINALLY TAKEN OFF FROM US TERROR LIST.

US President George W Bush has signed a bill removing Nelson Mandela and South African leaders from the US terror watch list, officials say.
Mr Mandela and ANC party members will now be able to visit the US without a waiver from the secretary of state.
The African National Congress (ANC) was designated as a terrorist organisation by South Africa's old apartheid regime.
A US senator said the new legislation was a step towards removing the "shame of dishonouring this great leader".
'Rather embarrassing'
Under the legislation, members of the ANC could travel to the United Nations headquarters in New York but not to Washington DC or other parts of the United States.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had called the restrictions a "rather embarrassing matter that I still have to waive in my own counterpart, the foreign minister of South Africa, not to mention the great leader Nelson Mandela."
South Africa's apartheid government banned the ANC in 1960, imprisoning or forcing into exile its leaders.
Mr Mandela, who turns 90 this month, was released in 1990 after spending 27 years in prison.
He then became the country's first post-apartheid-era president, before retiring after serving one term in office.

PUBLIC URGED TO ENDORSE THE OUTCOME OF TALKS.

The Global Zimbabwe Forum (GZF) welcomes the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on 21st July 2008.

The GZF calls upon the mediation process to be broadened to include all key stakeholders in and outside the country especially the Civil Society Organizations and the Diaspora Community
The GZF is specifically concerned that the talks will result in the unilateral amendments of some key provisions of the national Constitution without adequate consultation with the various stakeholders.

The GZF insists that any new national constitution must fully address the concerns of the Diaspora community over such critical issues as dual citizenship and electoral enfranchisement of the Diaspora, among others.

Any amendments to the national Constitution must not be fast-tracked through Parliament without a public debate process since the Constitution is not a preserve of the political party elite but belongs to all of us Zimbabweans whether at home or in the Diaspora.

The GZF commits to work in partnership with the rest of the key stakeholders of the Zimbabwean community especially the CSOs movement in promoting an all inclusive mediation process.

The GZF also strongly recommends that if the negotiations agree to a settlement then an all-inclusive national conference be held in Zimbabwe that will allow for a public discussion and endorsement process of all the concerned stakeholders from all the various community sectors in Zimbabwe .

Issued in Geneva on Monday 28th July 2008 by

Mr. Daniel Molokele Geneva
Switzerland Cell : +41 78 906 3896
Email: zimvirtualnation@yahoo.com

ZIM CRISIS TALKS UNCERTAIN .

Power-sharing talks to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis were deadlocked last night after four days, with the opposition unhappy about President Robert Mugabe's proposal to make their leader Morgan Tsvangirai the third vice-president instead of prime minister.
The two vice-presidents Mr Mugabe has at the moment are largely ceremonial, with all executive power in the hands of the only president Zimbabwe has ever known. The proposal to make Mr Tsvangirai a third vice-president was regarded as an insult by his Movement for Democratic Change party. "It's a joke ... we won't go anywhere near that," said an opposition official. "When they floated that proposal ... we decided there was no point in proceeding with the talks."
Mr Tsvangirai, who won most votes in the first round of elections in March before pulling out of a June run-off, arrived in Johannesburg yesterday and was consulting with his negotiators. It was reported that Mr Mugabe's two top men at the talks had left the table to consult him in Harare.
Zimbabwe's security chiefs, led by Constantine Chiwenga, are believed to be stumbling blocks to a speedy solution to the crisis. They oppose plans to name Mr Tsvangirai prime minister, even without powers, fearing it would elevate his stature and disrupt Zanu-PF's succession plans.
"It would be handing over power on a silver platter. There are Zanu people seriously opposed to such an arrangement. These are not Mickey Mouse characters," said a Zanu politician.
It is hoped the South African President and official mediator Thabo Mbeki can get negotiations moving.

STATEMENT FROM MPC.

GOVERNMENTS OF NATIONAL UNITY

A government of National Unity will exist anywhere in the world except in societies like Zimbabwe.

Who are we UNITING when we call for a government of National Unity?

As we speak, there is no government in Zimbabwe. The MDC, which claims to have a majority of parliamentarians has failed to form a government, WHY? The reason is simple, you can not form a government in a non-existent State. Growing up as a children, we would be shown a practical lesson by our elders. When a piece of burning amber is thrown to a chicken, the chicken would run for it, pick it up and get burned. Immediately, throw another piece of hot amber, and the chicken will pick it up and get burned again. It does not matter how many times you do that, the chicken will still pick the red-hot amber and get burned.

WHY?

The answer is to each one of us. We seem not to learn from History. In 1963 ZANU was formed as a breakaway from ZAPU because of Shona nationalism. Brutal force was eventually used on its own Shona people in order for ZANU to establish its power. In 1976 ZIPA and the Patriotic Front were created in order to try and UNITE the “people”. The marriage was short lived, WHY? Again it was recognized not by us but by ZANU that the marriage would dilute their nationalism. Brutal force was again used to enforce that nationalism. Some of us witnessed the burials of brutally murdered people in Zambia as a result of that nationalism.

In 1979 the ailing Patriotic Front was again dealt a severe below-the-belt sucker punch by ZANU and the attempt to UNITE the “people” for the 1980 independence failed dismally. WHY? Again nationalism dictated that only one nation could enjoy the fruit of independence. The worst form of brutality was used in an attempt to eliminate one of those nations.

In 1987 a “shame unity” was signed without the consent of the stakeholders. The world over applauded the “unity”, which in reality was the signing off of the freedom of the people of Mthwakazi. It was meant to silence us for ever. Since we were now ZANU, why would we complain if there was injustice perpetrated on us? We were meant to be “silenced” by those supposed to speak for us.

These individuals capitulated and they thereafter regretted this to their graves. That unity has since failed. WHY? Because that element of Nationalism was the foundation of that shame unity. ZAPU did not go into a unity, it surrendered to ZANU. Some in the ZAPU leadership were dragged into that “separate-bedroom” marriage. Dumiso Dabengwa has said that openly himself. When you join criminals, or you surrender to their power, do not hope that they will transform and be good people like you. Instead they will give you their good lesson and in no time you will be following their brutal instructions.

Living examples are Jonathan Moyo and Jabulani Sibanda. As if the chicken’s tongue has not cooked well enough, we have with us a real time example of capitulation by Mthwakazi gurus into this Makoni alliance. We have with us a real time example of this Muntambara alliance. In both cases these leading Mthwakazi citizens have surrendered our birth right. It is clear these gurus have accepted the ZANU nationalism that they are not Zimbabwean and thus may only support a Zimbabwean but can not lead that society.

The reasons given in Johannesburg by both advocates of national surrender were that the Shona people would not support anything led by a Ndebele. If that is the case and you are a Ndebele, then why waste your time calling for UNITY with them. United to be humiliated and reminded you are a second rate citizen?

IN ALL THOSE THREE CASES, THERE IS NO UNITY BUT A FIGMENT OF INCLUSSION. This is a clear cut case of lack of strength.

Unity is a process if negotiations. Even marital unity is a long process of negotiations and willful compromises. If your partner simply says YES, then something is not right. Also, when you unite with criminals, you legitimize their existence. You become an accomplice. The question still remains, “WHO ARE WE UNITING?” Some adventures are doomed to fail even as they are conceived. They only exist in the minds of their creators merely as an excuse by those who place hope in that by SITTING AND DOING NOTHING, all wrong things shall eventually right themselves.

To demonstrate the frustration of the past attempts at uniting the “people”, the State of Rhodesia failed because the “white” nationalism did not accommodate the other two nations, namely the Shona nation and the nation of Mthwakazi. The State of Zimbabwe is failing now because the Shona nationalism can not accommodate the other nation, that of Mthwakazi.

The Oxford Dictionary defines a State in part as: “An organized political community or area forming part of a federal republic.” It goes on to define a Nation as: “A large aggregate of people united by COMMON DESCENT, HISTORY, CULTURE, or LANGUAGE, inhabiting a particular country or territory.”

States can be organized and they can break down. Nations and Nationality live forever. Before you can call for governments of National Unity, you must be able to identify those nations. Identify compatibility etc. Each Nation must be able to articulate its separate governance.

Uniting WISHES has failed many times before and it will always fail. Let the people of Manicaland form a government of their choice. So should it be with the Maswingo and the Zezuru. When you sit down to hammer a constitution, it must encompass the autonomy of all these people. Each must make independent decisions on how to run their territories. Unity must be honest.

How can one be united and still hold grudges? Grudges exist because people cover crimes with the illusionary blanket of “unity”. Such “unity” is easily destroyed by the smallest speck of trouble. Before any unity, sit down and thrash out any factors that may cause the unity to fail. If crimes were committed, let them be investigated openly and solved by the common law. Everything must be done to make the population confident of the partaking. Leave no stone unturned in laying the TRUE FOUNDATION FOR UNITY. Do not rush things just because you want your name on record that you achieved something.

That “achievement” may be erased by future generations who will be suffering under the mistake you will have left behind. If it will take three generations to thrash out a LASTING UNITY, so be it. Do not surrender your people’s freedom because you are getting tired of raising issues. If you tire, pass the button. Do not fast trek the discussions because you are running out of time. The future of a nation is more important than a negotiation.

An example of things that need thrashing are:

Right now the Ndebele people are being falsely accused of a lot of things they did not do thereby legitimizing the Evil System of Zimbabwe. Clear ALL false accusations before you unite, to remove any suspicions on both sides. Correct the History no matter how embarrassing and painful it will be to you. We wish to direct the following to our Mthwakazi citizens.

* Do we still have pride?
* Do we still hold our heads high and say YEBO?
* Do we have any national identity before being drawn into any unity?
* Can we be able to fall back on our National Identity when that unity fails, or we have placed our hope on Mugabe, Makoni, Mutambara, and Tswangirayi? Are these messiahs not themselves failing to unite???
* Vuka Mthwakazi. As for the Shona people, if they wish the people of Mthwakazi well, then they should not hold any grudges on our quest to free ourselves from the UNJUST RULE by Zimbabwe.
* If they are NOT AWARE of what is happening in Mthwakazi today, then they have never wished us well. There will not be any use discussing anything with them.
* If they are aware of what is happening to our people, then we expect them to voice with us for the legitimate cause of Mthwakazi. they should not sit back silently and be observers.

LET NOT YOURS BE THE SILENT OF CONSENT.

Even at the attainment of the independence of Mthwakazi, Zimbabwe will always be a neighbour. Even as we strive for the true unity of the African Nations, Zimbabwe shall be with us in that UNITY. This is the true unity we believe in. The voluntary and willing unity of independent NATIONS into a United Afrika.

MPC - Mthwakazi Peoples Convention

THE INDIANAPOLIS DREAM TEAM 03.

THE WINNERS. (SUMMER 2003)

Click on the picture to enlarge.

From left to right Mandla, Sbali Duma, Toots, Nsimbi, Hadebe, Muzi, D.Dube,

Sitting down is goalkeeper, Sukson,Mayor,Bango, Zi, Chola.

ARE WE ALL ZENOPHOBES?

A discussion and perspective

All of us have a certain pride and Mother Nature has it that we have a certain level of xenophobia and ethnocentrism to survive and to preserve our cultures. We all feel threatened when our way of life is being changed by outsiders. The ‘us and them’ mentality has always been here and we will leave it here. Whites against blacks, northerners against southerners, Ndebeles against Shonas, my family against their family, our team against their team, west afrikans against southern afrikans. We all have expandable and deflatable and interchangeable cliques. Xenophobia comes about when there are perceived threats and order gives way to disorder.

I remember when I was working in Bulawayo in the late 80s and early 90s. The Shonas were filling our city and during the Gugurawundi were telling us that they had come back to take their ancestors’ land – rightfully theirs and dispossessed by our forefathers. It also didn’t help that Umkonto WeSizwe was operating and training together with Zipra forces.

It was an open secret that Shonas had it against Ndebeles, whatwith the Zanu secret document detailing the Zanu plan and Shona domination of Zimbabwe. All the time us Ndebeles were being told, ‘go back to South Afrika, go back to South Afrika’. I went for several job interviews and was interviewed in Shona; in Bulawayo for that matter. Everywhere, customer service positions and all job openings were being filled by people from Harare or Mashonaland; all non-Ndebele speaking people. We already had lots of Shona people living in Bulawayo; I was fluent in Shona without having to leave Matebeleland and the Shona people that we knew were all Ndebele-speaking. Now Shona recolonisation was being effected in an adverse manner.

How time changes things. The situation is reversed now. The Shonas are not telling us to go back to South Afrika, in fact, they are beating us to the border. Zimbabwe is now held and defended by Ndebeles, the Philip Sibandas, the Jonathan Moyos, the Sikhanyiso Ndlovus. Meanwhile, the Shonas are butchering each other in Mashonaland. On the other hand, the Ndebele speakers do not have as many problems in South Afrika, hardly any. If there are three million Zimbabweans in SA, then every bit of two million are Shonas. The Ndebele people have always gone Egoli to work and our population has never been allowed to grow at home i.e. Gugurawundi, opportunity. We also have always come back home. When the Shona or Zanla were amassing wealth and getting jobs and education after independence, our Zipra brothers were being chased down and killed or persecuted and our culture was being suppressed. Zimbabwe has always been this same miserable Zimbabwe of today for us Ndebeles, minus the shortages.

Xenophobia has always been a problem for Afrika. Fortunately, in southern Afrika we have never had violent divisions in times of peace, at least not civilian against civilian. Only Gugurawundi, Ovambundu (Savimbi’s people) in Angola and the Caprivians have suffered govt sponsored brutality. This occurrence in South Afrika is a first. This is what quiet diplomacy gives, this is what denial of crises begets. Mbeki himself is a xenophobe, Mugabe an even bigger one. It is impossible to imagine that Mugabe would be educated in South Afrika all those years and not speak any Zulu or Xhosa. It is hard to believe that Mugabe would teach at Hope Fountain/Mthombothemba south of Bulawayo and not speak Ndebele; especially after living in SA for so long, they are one and the same Nguni dialects after all. It is inconceivable that Mugabe with all those degrees would be unable to learn Ndebele – we know he is no dummy. It is all by design. The man speaks and understands Nguni languages, yet chooses to be a xenophobe and not speak them.

Now his people are embarrassed and exposed. Not to say that there are no Ndebeles that are suffering violence, but most Ndebeles have been able to merge and assimilate much more easily. The Shona that were encouraged to hold out are paying for the ugly haterisms and xenophobia that they were taught and are now suffering down south.

We remember the slogans and the things the Gugurawundi used to say to the children of Mzilikazi. Now Mugabe, the great equalizer, has made us all the same. Now the Shonas all have to trek south like we always have, to find economy and for us, to enjoy our culture which was being suppressed back home.

Let us learn the great lesson of the greatest leader Zimbabwe has ever had, King Mzilikazi. He grew his nation out of every tribe and every nation. As he moved up north from KwaZulu, he amassed every tribe, every type and made everyone assimilate. Only ‘amadoda sibili’ survived. From that, he grew a great, vibrant nation that was the envy of all those that learned about it. Even the Shona people that he brutalized in his raids, he let them live in peace among the Ndebeles. Those were times of raiding for riches, but, by including everyone, Mzilikazi made the Ndebele nation a nation for all. Kalangas, Vendas, Tshanganes, Zulus, Tongas, Xhosas, Tswanas, Suthus, Amahole (former Shonas some of who after independence changed their Ndebele names back to their Shona names and joined in the xenophobia) – all made up the Ndebele kingdom; they also kept their original identity and languages but above all, they were all considered Ndebeles.

The problem was then solved, no-one could oppress anyone anymore. All were equal and all respected each other. That tradition and manner of living together with other people remained. Malawians in Zimbabwe came and went as they pleased. People from Mashonaland came to Matebeleland and still went back and it was okay. The Ndebeles have always been are uniters and have no animosity toward other groups. Zapu and Zipra the original formations, were diverse as we know. Bar ethnocentrism, (which is not a bad thing) there is a great lesson to be learned and adopted from these people – as we say, ‘induku enhle iganyulwa ezizweni’.

Muthwa Diliza Ndlovu.

THE WEST RESPONDS.

Author: John Renard.

I am an ordinary man living in the UK. I just want everyone reading this in Zimbabwe to know that we in the west are aware of your plight, of the horrors you have suffered and continue to suffer at the hands of the power-crazed madman Mugabe.

We continually urge our government to take whatever action is possible to relieve your suffering. You may not know that enormous amounts of money are sent in aid, but as we understand it much of this money never reaches the deserving people. It seems that western governments are reluctant to take too much action because of the stupid old "colonialist" hang up.What we do not understand is why African nations continue to treat this corrupt, murdering dictator with respect.

It is they, through the ANC in particular, who could do so much to bring about true democracy in Zimbabwe.That they refuse to do so brings shame on Africa. In particular, that man Mbeki seems particularly odious, with his sham "quiet diplomacy".
I pray that your once-great country, once the bread basket of Africa, can be freed from the tyrant Mugabe and his evil crew - and that they receive true justice, as did that other monster, Saddam Hussein of Iraq.

God bless Zimbabwe and her poor, suffering people.

CRIES FOR OUR COUNTRY.

Hie everyonel need your help.
l don't follow politics too much, but when a leader has gone too far mistreating his own people, or just plain delirious l know it.Any ideas on what we can do to put pressure in other African governments to put heat on Mugabe to step down. l'm frustrated just like most people. Would a peaceful demonstration in front of the African embassies in Washington DC do something. Maybe calling them, faxing them???? l mean doing something that would show we also want to see things change for the better. Please let us put our heads together, so share your ideas. l know some of you would think l'm crazy, but l think we need to step up. l have cried enough, and it's not helping me, l think it will be better crying in front of these embassies, and it will be better if we are many.
What do you think? Please suggest something we can do.We can choose to be silent, and stay at our homes and enjoy the peace we have here in America. But l think, if we sit down and put our heads together, we can come up with a peaceful way of showing our support to our fellow Zimbabweans, who are suffering back home.
l have seen many communities stand up, demonstrate if need be when there is a serious issue at hand, and l think our situation back home needs us to take some action and talk to people who can be a link in pressuring the Mugabe regime to step down.

Well, if you have any ideas or thoughts, l welcome them, email me or call me.

Thanks and God bless

Sick and tired. shlabangana@yahoo.com

Chicago Illinois.

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TO BE OR NOT TO BE ZIM'S RESCUE GENERATION.


Dear Compatriots,

I write to you after a long while of inaction. My heart is bleeding as is our nation. This has been a long while characterized by some inexplicable confusion , evident lack of commitment, mind ,heart , soul and character on our part; and the now familiar nearly-men approach to our crisis as a nation. Admittedly, some of you I might have met and talked to as lately as last weekend at church or at the soccer field or at the grocery store. I also know that I probably have not made one-on-one discussions with a few of you. If you will allow me we sure can arrange for that in the near future.

To those that I have never met and or discussed with the matter referred to hereunder, I apologize for invading your space and privacy. Please, bear with me for I believe, the troubles of our nation cannot be resolved without your direct participation. I ,therefore, invite you to read ahead.

To those that were expecting, but never received any periodic updates from the team that communicated with you earlier in the year, of which I was and am still a part, I also apologize. That is a weakness ..ineffectiveness and weak performances which only you all and us can resolve, and as a community we can move the agenda of our nation forward.

You all know about the tragic situation in Zimbabwe. It is not ending soon, right? You all anguish and experience sadness and excessive pain regarding everything Zimbabwe right now. Yes, you are right! Zimbabwe is not only where most of us were born, our parents and ancestors were born there too. Our dear brothers and sisters, and oh yes , even our friends live there too! In those terrible and extremely difficult conditions that is where they are everyday. Sad. And, Yes, the pain is real and genuine.

You and I have a choice in this life regarding the unfolding events in Zimbabwe. We can continue to sit back ,watch and feel the pain and talk about it. We can decide to close our pain sensitivities and just imagine it is not happening , and that all is normal in our country .This choice is a fickle as it is fake because we like to enjoy, to be happy, to talk about and identify with good names, good things and good times. In our lives we can never be happy when our character and dignity as a nation is under severe assault. Never. Or we can decide to take a different albeit costly route, and that is, ACT upon this painful situation and rescue our nation. The last option is not cheap, neither is it easy. It requires your dedication, commitment and selflessness; and it requires your compassion to this once-great nation of Zimbabwe and its peoples.

Which one of these is your choice, my friend?

We cannot let the evil decimate our nation while we watch. It is wrong and unacceptable. Our generation can and has to do something concrete to reverse the decadence, death , dictatorship and disease that have set our country on fire. We are each other's keeper. We are the custodians of Zimbabwe, and we owe our nation and its peoples unending love, loyalty and allegiance even now when the dictatorship has scorched much of what we called home to the ground. Can you hear the crying voice? I cry because I have to appeal to you to recognize that alone, you or I, cannot do much. But, together we can achieve all that we set and agree to do . Zimbabwe is waiting for its own sons and daughters to come to its rescue. Yes, God, is waiting for us to obey him regarding the condition of this great people of Zimbabwe! We have an abiding responsibility regarding this matter.

Should Zimbabwe count on you? Yes. We can stop fearing our own shadows and do something positive. We can also stop attending to ridiculous, low-class and divisive gossip; and recognize that the enemy of Zimbabwe wants us divided for him to continue to prosper. We can choose to be the generation that can restore Zimbabwe to it former glory. We can chose to stop winging and whinning about our nation's poverty death and destruction, and boldly go where noone has gone before and ACT in Zimbabwe's rescue mission.Yes We can. I know We can do it.

Please respond to this message as soon as you can. We need to arrange a meeting of all committed Zimbabweans to discuss the way forward..soon. Talking from the American backyard has not brought any meaningful results for Zimbabwe, and it sure is time to set the living strategy for our nation .

Thank you for your attention.

Allen Bako
MDC Indiana

--John 9: 35-36; Walk in the light while you still can!


The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

MY SECOND FATHERS DAY.

The thought and privileged of being a father, is always a special one. Last Sunday was the father's appreciation day. No one enjoyed the day like myself. My wife Angie took me out for lunch in a very nice restaurant. We eat one of the best prepared chicken I have ever had.

As if that was not enough my wife bought me some new soccer shoes. She had seen that the last time I played soccer, my toes got blisters. I had endured the red Lotto soccer shoes that my friend Biya gave me, couple of years back. My wife drove to a prominent sport shop and only to surprise me with some new Diadora soccer shoes.

Part of me thought that was too much for a man of my age. If shoes can make one a good soccer player, I mighty as well head for Europe. The next time I play soccer I will try to show some fancy footwork. I Hope my guys will notice my new shoes and put me on the first eleven line up. I do not care even if that is just for five minutes.

I would like to thank my wife Angie for such a good treat. Also many thanks to friends and relatives who texted me a "Happy fathers' day message".

ELAKHO LIKHONA.

Abantu abanengi base Zimbabwe abasemazweni bamangele ukuthola amagama abo kuvoters roll yokhetho oludluleyo. Kusobala ukuthi i voter's roll yeZimbabwe ayimanga kuhle. Lokhu kubangela ukuthi amanani abavotayo abe manengi, kanti hatshi abanye sebafa kumbe baphetsheya kozitshebo ziyatshebana.

Lami mselufu ngimangele ukuthola elami iagama litshenisa ukuthi ngavota kuconstituency ethile. Nxa ufuna ubona elakho igama yana ku www.zimvoter.com

Uzamangala imihlolo. Akwaziwa ukuthi savotela bani.

BARACK OBAMA MAKES HISTORY.

Barack Obama is now the official Democratic nominee for the President of USA. Speaking on television from Minneapolis Minnesota, the man could hardly contain his joy. Barack was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His parents met when they were both students at the University of Hawaii. His father was a Kenyan who had come to America to further his education. His mother was a Kansas native.

The couple got married. In those days there were few marriages between whites and blacks. History has it that the two later got divorced. Barack stayed with his mother while is father went back to Kenya. Young Barack would be taken care of by his grandparents, who made sure that he gets a good education. Obama graduated from Harvard and Colombia Universities respectively. These are America's leading universities.

His grandmother from his father's side is still in Kisumu village in Kenya. Obama has visited Kenya at least three times. His victory is good news for Democrats in America, but also for the people of Kenya. Obama spent many years as trial lawyer helping the underprivileged families in Chicago, long before getting into active politics.

America was first introduced to Barack Obama in 2004 at the annual Democratic Convention. He was the keynote speaker at the Convention. John Kerry was the nominee for the Democratic party. He was seeking to unseat the incumbent George. W Bush. Since then Barack Obama has been in demand like hot buns. He has became more popular than rock stars. He is a voice of hope. Anybody who heard him speak, either through the radio, or television has been inspired by his message . His message is fresh and is rooted in the American dream. Many have compared him to both Martin Luther King Jr and John F Kennedy.

The young senator for Illinois called on people to, "not only believe in his ability to bring change but also in theirs". Having been on the road, campaigning for the past two years, Barack Obama has matured right in the eyes of the American people. In one of Americas most contested Democratic primaries, Barack Obama emerged the winner. He beat Hillary Rodam Clinton a party's heavy weight and a wife of a former President.

Clinton who apart from having the advantage of connections and money, would also employ many tactics to ensure her childhood dream.The wife of a former President fought tooth to nail on the campaign trail. She she exhausted the campaign funds. Obama relied on the small donations from the everyday people. Surprisingly he managed to raise more funds than her.

He stands on the brink of making history as the first black President of United States of America. His only challenge is to beat Senator John McCain in November.

The brave man is not he one who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Nelson Mandela.

BOSSO CANADA SHINES AT ZIM CUP 08.

Alberta Canada: Bossolona defied all the odds, and defeated Calgary's Afro Sharks, Calgary’s FC Pirates and Edmonton's ZimStars to lift the Calgary-Zim Soccer Tournament 2008 Trophy.
It was an inspired performance by Bossolona led by their ageless JB, *coach* who scooped the Top Goalscorer award. Bossolona started off on a high note when they thrashed FC Pirates from Calgary 5-1. In this game Bossolona opened the floodgates when Thembani *Mthimbani* Ncube threaded a defiance spliting pass which was drilled home by JB. JB came back to haunt the Pirates defence when he scored from an seemingly impossible angle, with a cheeky lob that left the Pirates keeper clutching thin air. Kwanele Nyathi,Thembani and Muzi completed the rout.

The second Bossolona match was against Calgary's Afro Sharks. With revenge on their minds Afro Sharks started the game at a cracking pace. They pinned Bossolona in their half, on the very beginning of the game. Bossolona midfielders started to string beautiful passes together with Cooper running circles around his opponents, ably supported by Muzi,Vusani and Kwanele*Mr Kwan*. It came as no suprise when Bossolona took the lead through their ageless JB who took advantage of a spilled cross by the usually sure footed Themba for the Sharks. Sharks undoing was putting their best player Themba in goals and assign recently signed Thuba and Starch the assignment of man marking JB who gave the youngsters a torrid time, whenever he possessed the ball.

The second half pace intensified with the Sharks looking for an equaliser but Dingie ran a lone battle in midfield and with their utility player Nothani missing from their line up it was not going to be their day.Bossolona killed off the game when Thembani rose above the entire defence to nod home a telling cross from Kwanele.It was game over ,then came the third and deciding game against Zimstars.

Zimstars led by their array of stars in Lawrence,Abdul,Mehluli just to mention a few found the going tough against the Bossolona defence well marshalled by Moore.Zimstars started on a high note when they were awarded a rather controversial penalty kick.Up stepped Lawrence to take the kick which was well saved by Mthoko *Short Cat* Ngozo who dived full length to produce a spectacular save.Sensing danger Bossolona began to string neat passes together and in one of their moves the ball ended in the Zimstars net in a rather offside position by Cooper but the ref ignored the cries.

Zimstars kept piling all the pressure but they found the defence unyielding ,,when they beat the defence they could not get past Mthoko who had his best game of the tournament. Bossolona could have doubled the lead when Cooper left Mkhululi for dead and with the keeper at his mercy only blasted the ball over the bar. Bossolona doubled their lead when Thembani finished off a good move involving Cooper.

Cooper put the final nail on the coffin when he beat a badly positioned Zimstars goalkeeper from a well taken free kick. Bossolona had announced their arrival on the big stage. Special mention should however go to Bossolona 's defence especially Moor, Mpilo, Butho, Mgcini and Ntokozo ably supported by Ngozo in goals.There was another *New kid on the Block* for Bossolona , Simba Mangwiro. Mangwiro covered almost every blade of grass, was instrumental in initiating most moves for Zimstars, offence.

It was a beautiful tournament played under good sportsmanship.This time Lodza, and Mpilo did not get to argue as they normally do. Hats off to Calgary for organising a good tournament. See you in Edmonton.To cap a fine afternoon Bossolona 's captain Cooper was voted best player of the tournament. The Bossolona team manager Amandla Qman Ngwenya commended his players for playing well as a team.

Thanks to M. Mzila in Alberta Canada for this report.

AMERICANS FORCED TO ADJUST LIFESTYLES:

From the wall street to the main street, there is no doubt that America is going through a harsh economic period.The housing market has dropped by an alarming rate, forcing people to walk out of their homes. Hundreds of people are losing jobs everyday. The affected workforce ranges from airline to manufacturing industries. A lot of people who used take pride in driving their individual cars to work, are now abandoning them for public transport.

Food prices are high, and food banks are witness to that. Gleaners, a leading food bank in Indiana, the last two years has seen a staggering rise in families that rely on hand outs. A lot of people are forced to adjust from their luxury lifestyles. The fall of the US dollar has also contributed to the misery of the fun loving American people.

Most people are now shopping at thrift stores like Goodwill, and and other second hand clothes places. ( KoMpedzanamo) Pawns shops are also seeing a rise in both customers, and traders. Only few people are going to big stores for brand names goods like Lazarus and Mercies.

When I first came here about eight years ago I used to fill my car by just $10. And now that same tank needs something like $35.I never complained about gas prices, as a matter of fact I did not even bother to compare prices from different gas stations. Back then a gallon of gas was $1,80 and now its $4,15 .The meal mealies I used to buy for $1,35 is now $3,49 and that is just for 2 kg. After all the bills are paid I can hardly find change in my pockets.

The employers and the employees are feeling the pinch. Many companies are closing down for good. Can you imagine being greeted by a security guard at your company gate in the morning, telling you that the company is closed. The George Bush administration had to approve a tax rebate cash back system to help the struggling working families.

This is not only an effort to plough back into the economy, but also to boost the consumer confidence.Perhaps people will spend without holding back. Politicians and economists in Washington are struggling with terms, some are saying this a recession, while others think it's a depression .To me, it feels we are going through both.