The other morning I saw a fit-looking woman in her sports clothes at the shops: long sleeved sports top, running shoes, stretch pants, backpack. Nothing too unusual. But she wasn’t consuming a power bar or energy shake as she wandered between the cheeses and cold meats. Instead, I couldn’t help but notice the large, leafy, bright green head of lettuce clenched tight between both hands. From time to time, she’d bring it to her mouth, and take the largest, most enthusiastic bites out of it. Then she’d masticate furiously, her mouth wide open. Between gulps, her tongue and lips moved vigorously, trying to get all the bits of lettuce out from between her teeth. Other times, she’d tear a chunk of lettuce of the head with one hand, and shove it between her lips. Eventually she did a duck into the toilets – maybe to rinse her mouth out? – and left empty handed, still sucking her teeth.

No, that’s not iced tea. Or even really weak coffee. After 5 days, the water finally came back on at our office block. And this is what it looked like. Yikez.

On 10 February, The Herald published an insert of the 2012 Constitution – First Draft. As Veritas points out, COPAC has not confirmed whether this is the draft they are currently reviewing, and the document itself does still have some gaps and omissions. However, even if the Constitution is still in draft form, it is important that we begin to know what is in it, so that we can know what changes, if any, we want made to the draft.

I’m pleased to report the Kubatana team have put their fingers to the test and done quite a bit of work to tidy up – and fill in the gaps! – of the version of this draft published on The Herald website. You can download this more comprehensive version here.

Let us know what you think of the draft so far. Email info [at] kubatana [dot] net or share your thoughts with COPAC directly using their online contact forms: http://www.copac.org.zw/contact-us/copac-secretariat.html

It got me thinking that Zimbabweans really are a special breed. They are great survivors. And their stories tell just that.
- Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi writing in the Mail & Guardian

Check out more amazing under water dogs at plays photographs from Seth Casteel.

On a walk on one of Harare’s upmarket streets in Borrowdale Wednesday, I turned a corner and was struck by this perfect square patch of tall, lush mealies planted in the verge outside a house. It reminded me of an urban gardener in London, who plants tiny gardens in sidewalks.