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Saturday, November 14, 2009

What will Santa bring Zimbabwe?

The sense of insecurity and uncertainty has never been more foreboding. Talk of the Reserve Bank printing a new currency behind closed doors and in great secrecy and the President saying last week that the local currency would be back by the end of the year. The sudden withdrawal of the MDC from the transitional government and the subsequent negotiations, have all thrown the Zimbabwean population into the slough of despond.

Whatever the truth, the community fears a return to the situation that prevailed in 2008. Businessmen fear that they will wake up one morning and find their hard currency accounts converted to a new local currency that is basically worthless at a rate set by the Reserve Bank. They fear the imposition of restrictions on prices and a return to the harsh regime of the recent past.

The slow recovery in the banking system has evaporated, a run on the banks has put severe strain on cash flows and this is not helped by information that the Reserve Bank has been misappropriating the reserves of the commercial Banks. People are suddenly reverting to a strictly cash system.

The revelation that the Ministry of Youth and Empowerment has clandestinely drafted new regulations that would expropriate, without compensation, 51 per cent of the shareholding of all foreign firms with a capital value of more than $500 000 has simply halted all FDI activity. Firms that are already invested in Zimbabwe have frozen their operations here and those thinking about new investments have stopped all preparations and plans.

Without FDI there will be no significant recovery in the economy and no growth in the mining and tourism sectors – the only sectors that are likely to lead the recovery in the economy. Billions of dollars of new investment in both these sectors are now frozen and will not be invested unless the government moves to remove this uncertainty and to clarify what our intentions really are. The damage is so severe that it will take more that a few statements to remedy the problems.

The El Nino factor has suddenly intensified with the news that temperatures in the Pacific have risen by 1,5 C. and this suggests that we must anticipate a below average wet season. The early signs are not encouraging and after a series of good seasons including a near perfect season last year, we must expect a rough season. Even without the problems of a dry season, this year is going to be another disaster. Commercial farm production will be down even on last year. We are distributing small quantities of seed and fertilizer to 600 000 families in rural areas but this is scratching the surface of their needs.

Worse, I sense that the international community is weary of the ongoing Zimbabwe crisis that seems to have no end. A needs survey is underway and I am sure the outcome is going to shock the authorities – people have no food stocks and the hunger season is about to start and resources have declined and the global situation no longer makes it easy to raise the funds needed to prevent starvation.

So what can we, as Zimbabweans expect for Christmas? Not much, I am afraid. Talks to end the crisis in government started on Friday, the deadline for their resolution looms and what then? Our experience tells us not to expect too much. But so much is required to alleviate our difficulties.

So long as we are forced to tread water by the grip that Zanu PF holds over the reform process, we run the threat of being drowned by the waves generated by the storm that rages above our heads. It is at times like these that faith counts.

When Christ began his long walk to the Cross He knew the odds and the likely outcome. His followers refused to accept the reality of that and at the end they tried to use force to defend the man when His freedom and life were threatened. Christ made no moves to defend Himself and went to the Cross without complaint or struggle.

What followed was in fact more than His disciples could have asked or imagined. His death was followed by a demonstration of God’s control over life and death and the final stamp of authenticity for Christ’s life and ministry. In weeks the ultimate defeat was turned into victory and in 300 years the World worshipped the one they had killed and who had then demonstrated absolute control.

Christ’s teaching that “in the world you will have tribulation” are more than true for the average Zimbabwean, but somehow the truth of the next sentence “but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” suddenly changes everything. The man who died at the hands of a corrupt Judge and on the whim of a cruel dictator, actually was in charge and has made it possible for us to do the impossible, including fighting on when all else seems to fail us.

So we turn to Christ at this season and suddenly find that He turns lemons into oranges and failure into victory, death into life. All that He asks is that “we walk by faith and not by sight”, He knew that if we kept our eyes on the storm, we would never see his hand inviting us into the safety and security of the boat.

The sceptics say this is just mumbo jumbo and pie in the sky, however those of us in the water, in the storm, know the reality is something else. It is real and tangible and can be relied upon and all who “call on the name of the Lord, will be saved” and if you read the bible carefully it is not talking about pie in the sky.

For those of you who are of the faith, remember Roy Bennett this week. Roy told me on Friday that he feared that no matter what the evidence was, the authorities were determined to find him guilty and to sentence him. The charges are serious but without foundation – the Judge is clearly under instruction and from confidential documents we have seen, the old regime is determined to press this case to a conclusion even if they have to fabricate the evidence.

It is a statement of great faith and courage as well as commitment to his country and our people that he remains here and goes to Court knowing that the authorities are trying to find him guilty. This is tough on Roy but also think of Heather, his wife, for whom the whole ordeal is so much worse.

Eddie Cross
Bulawayo, 14th November 2009

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Bulawayo Morning Mirror Extra

Funeral announcement 10/11/2009
Brian John Stock - Dearly beloved husband of Eve ( Bubbles), devoted father of Peter, Felicity, Sharon and Jenny, wonderful grandpa (pa pa) to Chris, Shauna, Mark, Katie, Alex and Olivia. Beloved Father in law to Josie, Mike and Crow. Passed away suddenly on Monday 9 November 2009. Will always be loved and remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He was such a proud & honorable man, who lived his life with dignity and compassion. His values and strengths will guide us through.The requiem mass will be held on Thursday November at 2pm at the EmeraldHill Children's Home Chapel HarareContact 263-4-33303 or cell 263-11400754 email tiger1@mweb.co.zw

Monday, November 9, 2009

PRESS STATEMENT

PRESS STATEMENT

The Commercial Farmers’ Union of Zimbabwe

ISSUED BY: President Deon Theron

6 November 2009

The Escalation of Violence on Commercial Farms

The Commercial Farmers Union is deeply concerned about the increased onslaught against its members, employees and livestock, and the catastrophic impact this will have on the ability of the nation to feed itself in the 2009/2010 season.

Many of our members and their employees have been assaulted, had their belongings seized and stolen, and been forced to watch as their homes and worker villages have been burnt to the ground. Police reaction has been limited, slow and frequently biased against our members. In the majority of cases there has been no response at all because the deliberately orchestrated violence has been classified as “political”. As I speak, another of our elderly members is fighting for his life in hospital after he and his wife were viciously attacked.

Farm employees are also under constant threat and, when the farmer is not present, the attorney general’s office frequently targets the employees. A significant number have been prosecuted and even imprisoned, resulting in their being unable to produce desperately needed food for a food-insecure nation heavily dependent for the last decade on food aid. For a country that prior to the land invasions was not only food secure but a producer of food for the region and a highly respected international exporter, the situation is shameful.

We currently have over 150 productive farmers targeted and prosecuted by the attorney general’s office for still being on their farms. We see dairy farmers, tobacco farmers, wheat farmers, maize farmers - in fact every category of farmer throughout the country being victimised and prosecuted currently in the magistrates’ courts.

In addition to these illegal prosecutions, we have beneficiaries of “offer letters” taking the law into their own hands and farming operations continue to be violently disrupted.

Animals too have not been spared. They are being stolen, slaughtered, snared, hamstrung and axed. Thousands have inhumanely been denied food and water for more than a week at a time, with many dying or eating their young in their desperate efforts to survive.

The difficulties faced by the SPCA and other concerned organisations have been significant and the fear factor remains high. Tragically, they have not been able to save many of the animals suffering appalling levels of abuse and neglect at the hands of the perpetrators. We have written to various ministries, including the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Lands, seeking dialogue to stabilise the situation and protect our livestock, but have not even received a reply.

The summer cropping season is upon us and the situation is extremely serious. As commercial farmers we are being prevented from producing crops, and the highly productive farms that have been acquired by the government are producing either very little or nothing.

Zimbabwe has been warned continuously that the beneficiaries of international food aid should be those that are most deserving, notably regions affected by severe drought conditions, floods, tornadoes, tsunamis, global warming and other natural disasters. Justifying massive shipments of food aid to countries whose governments destroy their population’s ability to feed themselves is proving to be increasingly difficult.

As a nation we are in turmoil. We have been operating under exceptionally difficult conditions: a divided government, no access to lines of credit, the selective application of the law, and non-compliance to High Court and SADC Tribunal Court rulings. We are uncertain of what the future holds for us as a nation, and to compound this we are facing a serious looming shortage of food as farmers continue to be prosecuted, persecuted and prevented from farming.

We welcome the news of the re-engagement of the partners in the transitional government.

On behalf of our members, our employees and the animals – which are totally dependent on us for their welfare - we once again call upon our government to resolve the current crisis.

Furthermore, we call for clarification on all of the issues we have raised and trust that we will not be victimised for expressing our concern.

As citizens of this country we seek peace, stability and a future for everyone and for our children who have suffered deeply as a result of the ongoing turmoil and trauma.


Deon Theron
President
Commercial Farmers Union

Thursday, November 5, 2009

ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE - PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT ROAD BLOCKS

Please make a copy of this and keep it in the glove compartment of your car, just in case.

A friend of mine was saved by this because she politely asked the police man if she could make a quick call and they said “ntsa just go”.
ZIMBABWE REPUBLIC POLICE - PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT ROAD BLOCKS
If you feel that while you are being questioned or searched at a roadblock, the details involved have harassed you, hinted for bribes, or been generally aggressive, you are advised to contact the ZRP Officers listed below.All ZRP details should have their rank, name and numbers on their uniforms. The Officers also stated that there was NO SUCH THING AS SPOT FINES, without RECEIPTS.
Insist on a Form 265 (Seven day Payment) at a Police Station.
Superintendent PHIRI
Public RelationsSuperintendent NCUBE 0912 719 730
Superintendent KANGWARE 011 415 491
Superintendent HODBO 0912 273 286
Spokesperson Traffic Inspector Chigome 0912 965 030,
24 HOUR Service (04) 703 631

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Bulawayo Notices

Paddy Wilson
Dearly loved wife of Viv Wilson of Chipangali Animal Orphanage.Deepest sympathy from the entire Bulawayo Community.++++++++
Paddy Wilson
An artist, a care giver, a friend, a companion and an inspiration to all. Always with a smile even through the toughest of times, a warm welcome to weary souls. Paddy you encouraged all to be the best we could be, to give of ourselves to beyond the limit, for this I thank you! You have gone to be with the Lord, where there is no more pain. It is hard to say good bye, but travel safe. To VJ, Kevin, Nicky and family my thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad time. Love Talana++++++
Issels, Mollie. Passed away peacefully in Plettenberg Bay on 27 October 2009, aged 100. Dearly beloved mother of Carole and Anthony, grandmother of Annabel, Louise, Juliet, Sarah, Emma and Gareth, great-grandmother of Katherine and Olivia.++++++
STEYN, Fred 1924, Died two years ago on 05 November 2007 (Loco. Inspector N.R.Z.) after a long illness in Ystradgynlais, Swansea, South Wales UK. Father of : Charl, Sanette & Dirk. Grandfather of : Anita, Adrian, Dougal & Aime . Great Grandfather of Jonathan. Still remembered.Charl-steyn@talktalk.net +++++++
CHARLES STIRLINGOne of the few true gentlemen gone to rest. Sincere condolences to the whole family.MHDSRIP. Carol MacKenzie.++++++
CondolencesJANSEN VAN VUUREN - Gielie (Mr Van) passed away peacefully on 26 October 2009.Beloved husband of Nellie for 46 years, father and oupie, we will miss you dearly. The Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday 3rd November, 10.00am at theDutch Reformed Church, cnr George Silundika Street/13 Avenue Bulawayo

Bulawayo Notices

Paddy Wilson
Dearly loved wife of Viv Wilson of Chipangali Animal Orphanage.Deepest sympathy from the entire Bulawayo Community.++++++++
Paddy Wilson
An artist, a care giver, a friend, a companion and an inspiration to all. Always with a smile even through the toughest of times, a warm welcome to weary souls. Paddy you encouraged all to be the best we could be, to give of ourselves to beyond the limit, for this I thank you! You have gone to be with the Lord, where there is no more pain. It is hard to say good bye, but travel safe. To VJ, Kevin, Nicky and family my thoughts and prayers are with you all in this sad time. Love Talana++++++
Issels, Mollie. Passed away peacefully in Plettenberg Bay on 27 October 2009, aged 100. Dearly beloved mother of Carole and Anthony, grandmother of Annabel, Louise, Juliet, Sarah, Emma and Gareth, great-grandmother of Katherine and Olivia.++++++
STEYN, Fred 1924, Died two years ago on 05 November 2007 (Loco. Inspector N.R.Z.) after a long illness in Ystradgynlais, Swansea, South Wales UK. Father of : Charl, Sanette & Dirk. Grandfather of : Anita, Adrian, Dougal & Aime . Great Grandfather of Jonathan. Still remembered.Charl-steyn@talktalk.net +++++++
CHARLES STIRLINGOne of the few true gentlemen gone to rest. Sincere condolences to the whole family.MHDSRIP. Carol MacKenzie.++++++
CondolencesJANSEN VAN VUUREN - Gielie (Mr Van) passed away peacefully on 26 October 2009.Beloved husband of Nellie for 46 years, father and oupie, we will miss you dearly. The Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday 3rd November, 10.00am at theDutch Reformed Church, cnr George Silundika Street/13 Avenue Bulawayo

The African Child

Iwas born, grew and flourished in a tawny golden bowl Of Africa, among ramparts of tumbled granite rocks,
Where antelope passed in painted frieze
Under a pale, bleached sky, eagles floating;
A sky that turned torrid and flaming at day's end,
Then filled with pinpricks of glacial light
The Southern Cross spread constant across the sky,
As the world turned childhood slow in the indigo night.
I tumbled breathless, tear-streaked and dusty
From rough-coat, bony bongolo/donkeys,
Feet stuck with paper thorns, devil thorns,
Arms scratched and bare - never thought to wear shoes.
Africa tripped me over, thumped me, loved me,
Washed me in warm brown flowing rivers,
Sandbars rising, sinking, slow windmill
Turning, clanking , tangling my heart,
Caught for all time in the wait-a-bit thorns.
I will never be free, though the grey loerie
Calls 'Go 'way, go 'way', and I did.
LIZ DAVIES - MANILA