This text message just came in from WOZA:

WOZA members from Chitungwiza amongst those wishing to attend COPAC consultation. All turned away by officials who told them they had not been given sufficient money to conduct the consultation.

Meanwhile, Veritas reports that the Chitungwiza outreach, which was scheduled to begin today, has been postponed indefinitely:

The Outreach to Harare Metropolitan Province (Chitungwiza) scheduled for June 23rd to 30th and that for Bulawayo over those dates have been cancelled and will now take place after July 12th, with dates still to fixed.  Two reasons have been cited – first, that town people will be too preoccupied with the World Cup to attend to constitution-making, and secondly, that there have been threats of organised disruptions.

World Cup, no money, or threats of violence? . . . Any way you look at it Constitution making seems low on Zimbabweans’ list of priorities right now.

We just sent a text message to our subscribers about recent Cabinet reshuffle.  So far opinion seems split as to whether this is the “real change” the MDC promises. Here are the first few replies:

Its absolutely okay.

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No change.

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Not bad

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Quite a change

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Real change will come with a truly free & fair election. I must admit i have been very disappointed with both ministries mentioned. Home affairs must also go to MDC alone.

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This is real change

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Wel lets c how it works.

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Yes! Real change looking 4ward 2 Electricity availebility.

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Real change

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REAL CHANGE

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thats a big split !a new mdc likely seeded

We’ve just received this announcement of a Cabinet reshuffle from the MDC. Their objective may well be real change. But unfortunately I don’t have a lot of confidence that the new office bearers will be that much more effective than their predecessors. Firstly, what relevant experience will they bear to their new posts? And more importantly, what hope would anyone ever really have in effecting real change in a compromised “inclusive” government with the former ruling party?

The Prime Minister himself lists the reasons why this reshuffle is necessary, including:

• The pace of reform has been painfully slow
• Abuses of power are still all too common
• Many people are still struggling to make a living wage, and provide for their families
• Infrastructure rehabilitation and energy supply continue to inhibit development

But shuffling a few Ministers around is the classic “lipstick on a frog” to a flawed, compromise government.

Read the full statement below.

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today to announce a ministerial reshuffle. This reshuffle is about the MDC delivering to the people of Zimbabwe. what they are looking for – real change.

Over the past 16 months, we have recorded definite success in certain areas.

• We have brought sanity and stability to the economy.
• We have revived the health sector, which had all but collapsed.
• We have got the schools back up and running, and textbooks distributed.
• We now have independent daily newspapers registered to operate.
• Basic services such as sewerage reticulation, refuse collection and water provision have been restored in many areas.

However, we still have many challenges; and these frankly overshadow our successes to-date.

• The pace of reform has been painfully slow
• Abuses of power are still all too common
• Many people are still struggling to make a living wage, and provide for their families.
• Infrastructure rehabilitation and energy supply continue to inhibit development.

I am acutely aware that these and other challenges have led to a loss of confidence in the new administration amongst the electorate. In response to this, as Prime Minister and President of the MDC, I have just completed a comprehensive review of the performance of the Government, and in particular of my Office and those Ministers who represent the MDC.

As a result, I have decided on a number of changes needed to strengthen the performance of the MDC in government and outside government, in order to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe. These changes, are being made with immediate effect, and the new ministers will be sworn in tomorrow, Thursday 24th June.

The changes that are being implemented are as follows:
The following Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers are being redeployed within the Party to strengthen and add momentum to Party programmes:

• Elias Mudzuri, formerly Minister of Energy and Power Development, and the Party’s National Organiser
• Fidelis Mhashu, formerly Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, and the Party’s National Executive Member for Chitungwiza
• Evelyn Masaiti, formerly Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender & Community Development, and the Party’s Secretary of the Women’s Assembly
• Thamasanqa Mhalangu, formerly Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation & Empowerment, and the Party’s National Youth Chairperson.

The following will become Cabinet Ministers:

• Jameson Timba, formerly Deputy Minister of Media, Information & Publicity, will become Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office
• Tapiwa Mashakada, will become Minister of Economic Planning & Investment Promotion

The following will become Deputy Ministers:

• Gift Chimanikire will become Deputy Minister of Mines & Mining Development
• Obert Gutu will become Deputy Minister of Justice & Legal Affairs.
• Tongai Matutu will become Deputy Minister of Youth, Indigenisation & Empowerment

The following Cabinet Ministers will change portfolios, as follows:

• Elton Mangoma formerly Minister of Economic Planning & Investment Promotion, will become Minister of Energy & Power Development
• Theresa Makone, formerly Minister of Public Works, will become Minister of Home Affairs
• Giles Mutsekwa, formerly Minister of Home Affairs, will become co-Minister of Housing & Social Amenities
• Gorden Moyo, formerly Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, will become Minister of State Enterprises & Parastatals
• Joel Gabuza, formerly Minister of State Enterprises & Parastatals, will become Minister of Public Works

The following Deputy Ministers will change portfolios, as follows:

• Murisi Zvizvai, formerly Deputy Minister of Mines & Mining Development, will become Deputy Minister of Media, Information & Publicity
• Jesse Majome, formerly Deputy Minister of Justice & Legal Affairs, will become Deputy Minister of Women’s Affairs, Gender & Community Development

Ladies and Gentlemen, the MDC agreed to form this inclusive Government as it represented the most practical means of moving Zimbabwe forward and halt the needless suffering of the people. In undertaking this task I have been humbled and encouraged by the commitment of all members of the MDC’s leadership, both within and outside of Government and I believe we are truly embodying the principles of a Party of Excellence.

I therefore wish to thank those Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are returning to the Party for their commitment and hard work and I call upon those remaining in the Government and our new Ministers and Deputy Ministers to join me in redoubling our efforts to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe.

- Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC President and Prime Minister of Zimbabwe

Living and studying in South Africa at the moment, I have realised that there is a huge problem with violence and especially violence of a sexual nature such as rape. Thousands of women are raped each year in South Africa and it is quite clear that something needs to be done.

About two months ago, my friend and I were running in Grahamstown South Africa. We run the same route every day; it is an 8km route around Grahamstown and is the prescribed running route for all the schools in Grahamstown. As it was Saturday my friend Jenna and I decided to run later and have a bit of a lie in. We started our run at 7am and were coming to the end of our run when we were attacked by a man with a knife. The man got on top of me with the knife and proceeded to rummage through my pockets for valuables.  It was clear that neither me nor my friend had any valuable possessions on us. But still this man continued to hold me down with the knife and that is when I seriously believed I was going to be raped or murdered. Eventually we were able to get  free and run away. This incident occurred less than a ten metres from a main road and less than a hundred metres from St Andrews school in an upper class residential area in broad daylight. When are you safe? Never.

I believe that the concept of the “female condom with teeth” does not solve the problem of rape. When do I wear this condom? I could be raped anywhere at any time. Every time I go out I would need to wear this condom, because to be quite frank there is a high chance of being raped in South Africa regardless of the time or place. The idea is good but it creates more problems for the victim because not only is she being raped by a man but she is stuck to him until the police or medical services remove the condom. She is completely at the mercy of a man who is likely to be extremely angry and as a result act in vengeance.

Also, this female condom with “teeth” does not address the issue that many women are in fact raped by lovers or potential lovers.

But at least someone is trying to find a solution to this problem. Since the incident I experienced I run with a taser and pepper spray, and this helps me feel not completely defenceless as I previously was. If the female condom with teeth helps to make some women feel safer, then let them wear it.

The players hate it, the fans love it. It’s the Jabulani ball!!! The Jabulani ball – the official match ball for the FIFA 2010 World Cup – has been a major attraction at the Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.

Fans from all over the world have been gathering at the Arch. I bumped into the ‘Messi’ twins from Argentina and a Fernando Torres look alike.

The 2010 mascot Zakumi is also an attraction amongst the visitors.

You can read more about Jabulani here

We just got this image and caption in from a subscriber. Given the loadshedding we’ve been experiencing lately, it seems entirely apt: “With these ZESA blackouts imagine what would happen if Zimbabwe was hosting the World Cup? I think the situation was going to be as above.”