I’ve had the lyrics of a typically heavy and raucous Rage Against the Machine song in my head – Take the Power Back.

The rage is relentless
We need a movement with a quickness
You are the witness of change
And to counteract
We gotta take the power back
Yeah, we gotta take the power back

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has extended until 31 July the date by when the Presidential run off must be held. However, given the timings of other outstanding by-elections, it is anticipated that they could be announcing the date of the runoff soon – and that it might well be in late June.

Regardless of the date of the runoff, it will be just one more stolen election unless we figure out how to stop election fraud and thieving. While the MDC is planning its runoff campaign, it should also be planning its take power campaign – how does it not just declare victory, but convert that election victory into taking power.

As Zimbabweans, we also have to start taking our power – from the politicians and unelected ministers and military authorities who are running the country instead of the democratically elected parliament.

A subscriber recently sent us this suggestion for a symbolic action people could do to stand up for ourselves and reclaim our power – and our country.

I suggest that people start being proud of the Zimbabwean flag, I bought five small flags in the form of a brooch for myself and my friends. I am wearing it everyday. The ZANU PF politicians monopolise the flag and other national symbols. Lets have the flags on our desks and be proud of OUR COUNTRY Zimbabwe.

A Stand Up (for) Zimbabwe Campaign has been formed, and is calling for an International Day of Action on 25 May. They are encouraging people to hold local actions to show solidarity for those affected by post-election violence.

It is envisaged that on this day there would, for example, be protests and assemblies outside offices of the Zimbabwean government, like embassies; outside offices of SADC, the AU and the UN calling for stronger action; outside offices of those individual governments which have roles to play in resolving the crisis (specifically southern African governments). All such protests and assemblies might be marked, for example, by a few minutes silence in which all those assembled stand in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. But the campaign can also be carried out through other activities: through asking congregations assembled at places of worship to rise and stand in solidarity with those beaten, tortured and killed in the post-election violence in Zimbabwe; by asking those gathered to watch sporting events to do the same.

Find out more about how to make sure your local action is part of this campaign here

Email us your ideas taking our power back to info [at] kubatana [dot] org [dot] zw or SMS +263 912 452 201

Tapiwa, Tairos, Gomwe and Bright. Moses and Tatenda. Shamva, Chiweshe, Chipinge, Uzumba, Dzivarasekwa, Warren Park, Mudzi, Masvingo.

The names, places, pictures and stories of post-election murder and violence have been swirling in my head.

A few weeks ago, the domestic worker at the house where I rent told me his 15 year old nephew had been among those assaulted in Rusape. The perpetrators broke both his arms and gouged out his eye.

And then there’s Tondi. CHRA and MDC activist Tonderai Ndira, who has been arrested 35 times – and tortured in custody on many of those occasions – was abducted from his home in the middle of the night and has not been located for days.

Then yesterday, I learnt about Better Chokururama, whom I’ve known since 2002. In February and March, he could often be spotted in an MDC campaign vehicle plastered with posters, Chinja jingles blaring loud, confident, exuberant, and full of promise.

Three weeks ago, he was beaten so badly he was on crutches. Earlier this week, he was abducted, shot, stabbed, and left for dead on the side of the road.

Lately I find I’m spending a lot of time with my heart in my mouth and my head in my hands. Trying to hold my brain in. Trying to make sense of the brutality.

But, of course, it is completely and utterly senseless.

I’m reminded of the words of a woman who has spent much of the past weeks working directly with victims of this violence:

Yesterday I was physically ill having presented a briefing on the post election political violence. Over the past ten years I have seen the results of, and personally witnessed, a lot of brutality. However, the events of the past five weeks have left me shell-shocked. The calculated, evil state sponsored and perpetrated violence against, and beating to death, anyone construed to be opposition, as well as MDC office bearers is to say the least barbaric. A doctor friend who is involved in human rights abuses almost 24/7, told me yesterday that she was felt the same. We are living in a dark tunnel that is close to overwhelming those closely involved with the tragedy unfolding in our beloved Zimbabwe.

I hear people asking how someone could so lose touch with their humanity they could beat another person to death. But I look around Zimbabwe – and I think about our contemporary and historic parallels of violence and brutality – and I’m questioning instead how any of us manages to hold on to our humanity in the face of atrocity, and wondering how to stop this violence peacefully and put some sense of sanity back into things.

The MDC has decided to participate in a presidential run off. Many of our subscribers would support them in this decision. However, many of these same subscribers want to see the run off happen only if certain conditions are met. These are similar to the MDC’s own conditions, including:

• Run-off to take place within two weeks, not later than 23rd May
• Cessation of violence
• Unfettered access for international observers
• SADC peacekeeping force on the ground
• Re-constitution of ZEC
• Free press – local and international

But the deadline for when the run off should have been (no later than three weeks after the presidential results were announced – namely 23 May) is fast approaching, and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission can only say it will announce the date “later.” It also says it’s broke – and has no money to hold a run off. Never mind that it knew a run off was a possibility, and should have budgeted accordingly.

True, a run off would be costly, and would put this already bankrupt country even further in debt. But a run off is what is required by law. And lack of funds didn’t stop the government from paying off war veterans, or financing a war in the DRC, or buying bakkies for chiefs and tractors for new farmers in blatant vote buying schemes . . .

So clearly lack of funds isn’t the real reason this run off isn’t happening.

It isn’t happening because Mugabe doesn’t want it to happen. He’s got no interest in pursuing anything that even vaguely resembles genuine democracy. And now that he’s afraid he could lose even his rigged elections, he’s lost interest in them as well.

A run off isn’t going to happen unless we – the MDC, civil society, and all Zimbabweans – make it happen.

To that end, we sought advice from our mobile subscribers and asked them this question:

We got some interesting responses, including:

Can’t we ask for financial assistance from the international community to enable the runoff to go ahead?

–

ZEC shld look for money outside e country or they just declare the winner

–

Zim pple who want a better future need 2 be united now more than ever and conduct an indefinite national strike so as 2 cripple the junta.

–

Ask Gono to print some for you?

–

If ZEC does not have money to conduct a run off why don’t they appeal to the int community so that we have a leader once and for all.

–

I think we as Zimbabweans should take it 2 the streets with protests showing that we want the runoff 2 take place ASAP!

–

Patience pays though we’ve to pressurise the regional & international communities to intervene despite refusal by ZANU PF.

–

Where is Gono? Where did ZEC get the first money?

–

National unity gvt the leading candidate be the leader & the run up deputise!

–

The Morgan should be declared the winner

–

The most popular leader should run the country until ZEC has resources

–

Peaceful non violent social action!

–

Appeal for donor funds with MDC conditions to end atrocities

–

ZEC can recommend zanu 2 get a refund from china 4 the goods in the ship of death and use the money 4 elections. Tamirira kuvhota isu vari kutinonokera

–

Get Round one winner to form an interim govt and the losers to hand ova power

–

MDC’s decision to contest in the run-off is a brilliant step to democracy. The only way to protect our democracy is to restore our faith in MDC. It is nonsense for ZEC to say they have inadequate money. ZEC is state owned so GONO must simply inject more funding for the run-off . Akambogadzira mari yeMurambatsvina saka chingamutadzisa kuprinta mari yerun off chii? ZEC is now bankrupt becoz mari yese yakaperera kumarecounts that yield nothing. Shame on ZEC

What do you think? How do we for once stand up for ourselves and make this run off happen – and make the regime respect the result once it does?

Text your ideas to +263 912 452 201

The MDC has announced that it will contest in the presidential run off. This will relieve many of our Kubatana subscribers, who have been adamant that they contest.

Last week, when the MDC was still debating whether to participate in a run off, we sent our subscribers this text message:

Kubatana! Runoff date not yet set. ZLHR say date should be on or b4 May 24. MDC says will decide to contest or not once date set. What do u think MDC should do?

The response was an overwhelming Participate. The vast majority of responses indicated that people thought the MDC should participate in a runoff. However, many also recognised the needs for improved conditions on the ground, so that the election would be democratic.

These are some of their submissions:

Participate to avoid giving the regime of ZPF a blank cheque. A serious political party should always remain relevant and workout counter strategies to remain popular.

–

MDC must contest coz it will beat ZPF hands down. People are angry with ZPF and will b angrier with the MDC if it boycotts. MDC will have betrayed the masses.

–

MDC should contest the election but should demand UN observer to be posted in all parts of the country

–

Morgi should participate in e run off. We’re more than ready-agitated rather-to dispatch old man to political dustbin. Violence wont change our vote and choice

–

I think MDC must be a principled party. Deciding to contest is out of question. Are they accepting the results? If yes then they are very confused!

–

MDC should do what must be done not what they feel like doing. The electorate has had enough of Tsvangirai threatening to pull out of election he has no right whatsoever to decide anything he must go on with the contest

–

Should contest when international Observers come in to observe

–

MDC must stop globe-trotting & begin to vigorously campaign. They’ve to contest the run-off

–

MDC should insist on a level playing field. If the conditions are not right it is pointless to participate

–

MDC shld stop the outdated game of shifting goalposts. It shld participate even tho the playing field is not even. By not participating it wld have betrayed e revolution

–

MDC should take part on 2 conditions: no voters roll, only IDs to be needed & international observers a must

–

MDC should contest in the run off because MDC will give Bob automatic victory & they would have betrayed the people

In recent discussions with several colleagues, we floated the idea of organizing a conference in Harare on sexualities. I would emphasize the full stop. Not reproductive and sexual health. Not HIV/AIDS, gender, and sexuality. Not violence against women and sexuality. Those are topics worthy of attention as well as a conference. Yet, conversations have had a slightly different focus, more an interest in exploring sexuality itself by examining, for example: How Zimbabweans understand and negotiate their own sexual selves. The rich histories of sexual practices and meanings in Zimbabwe. The ways discourses around sexuality make their way into projects of nation-building. The blending of Western and African ideas and categories in expressions of sexual rights and sexual liberation. Such a conference would continue to open up discussions about sexualities. Additionally, a meeting of the minds might lend insights into the ways sexuality relates to how day-to-day life happens, and is interwoven into economic, political, and social issues informing advocacy and challenges to the status quo.

The play Loupe, by Mandisi Gobodi, which ran during HIFA, is a good example of the ways sexuality can be an entry point to examine the landscapes and dynamics of the environments we live in. Or in this case a loupe, which is a type of magnifying glass. In the play, two brothers are at odds. One brother (Kilem) is a party commissar; he’s a comrade who likes beer, women, and power. Kilem’s younger brother (Sizwe) reveals he’s gay. In part, the play is about family bonds, while portraying a possible reaction to a family member acknowledging same-sex attraction. But the play is much, much more than a play with a “homosexual” theme. To a degree, the fact that Sizwe wants an intimate relationship another man is irrelevant. The overarching message of the play could have worked if Kilem was reacting to Sizwe having any goal he (Kilem) perceived as wrong. The play astutely unpacks, through Kilem and through sexuality, a mindset that seems present in Zimbabwe, and all over the world. It’s a mind-set driven by the desire to hold extreme and forceful power over people, ideas, and behavior. To manipulate facts, diminish individual rights, and selectively control what is acceptable. All the while building a power base to pressure others to conform. It’s a mindset that might be described as masculine, but not necessarily practiced by men only.

Gobodi’s writing is nothing short of amazingly masterful, particularly in capturing the complicated nuances of life in Zimbabwe. The play is extremely well directed and produced. And the acting . . . the performances were so powerful that when I saw the young man who played Kilem wandering around HIFA I was scared of him. Scared of the ways desire for power is exerted. The play will live on beyond HIFA as the British Council is currently working out plans for another run. It’s a must see for anyone interested in the economic, political, and social dynamics of Zimbabwe.

Run-off. That is in the in-word. Confusion reigns as the people try to decide and dictate the verdict that fits their circumstances. That is to say what “they” say they voted for in the past election. Not just that, but also what they believe they deserve. And then what after THE election? What election? And then the people, the so-called masses, get the little pleasures from their already wretched existence after THE election. They know what they want. Feed the kids, send them to school. Have a job. Have access to ARVs. The other day a toothless grannie said: why this stubbornness? She should know. She is from that generation that hid the present oppressors from the other oppressors. And then what? No one knows anymore. A good man gone bad? Ask the Jesuits perhaps? A freedom fighter gone anonymous? Ask Twoboy? Once upon a time a “people person?” A toothless old man said: “Is this old man still in charge?” He spoke b’coz he knew. Questions. Questions. Questions. But when the old people start cursing, perhaps someone should pay attention.