One third of the children in America are facing diabetes
one in four children in UK are facing obesity
children in Sweden had a 20%  increase of ‘computer-game-addiction’ this summer holiday
children in Syria are being bombed and slaughtered every day
one third of the children in Zimbabwe are orphans

Children being born into our world today are facing an abandonment of global proportions
by parents, communities, governments

love and family and  support
lost to disease and death
or replaced by goodies, and bad food and computers

yesterday – driving through town, I opened my window
to the street kids
who stand smiling – eyes at window level – hands out
and tell me their names
when their mother died

What have these young eyes seen?
now left to survive on the streets alongside the litter and detritus of our urban waste

these are the children of the future – all of them
and we are failing them . . .

On a busy Thursday morning a police traffic officer tried to stop a commuter omnibus “kombi”. Two heavy strikes on the moving kombi windscreen by the over zealous officer left passengers sitting on the front seat in shock and with serious cuts.  Tempers boiled over when members of the public clashed with one of the police officers who uttered a statement claiming that, “the police have the right to smash windscreens to protect the public and there is nothing the public could do because the officer was carrying out his normal duties”.  What really angered the public is the fact that the kombi driver obeyed the instruction to stop and in the middle of negotiating his way out heavy traffic that’s when everyone was shocked to see glasses flying everywhere. The cheeky officer pounced on the driver and wasted no time in cuffing him turning a deaf ear to passengers’ pleas for help.

The wanton use of excessive force, usually physical, by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police is on the increase in the streets of Harare. From humans to cars, anything moving is now a victim of the police baton stick. Police misconduct usually goes unreported because the victim feels unsafe to report such cases when elements working in law enforcement have developed an attitude and sense of authority over society. Unfortunately nowadays the people who are supposed to protect us and help us when we are in need, can’t be trusted.

Members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police usually mount roadblocks at intersections in Harare to assist in directing traffic have increasingly targeted public transport operators which has resulted in high speed pursuits and the smashing of windscreens.

Dudu Manhenga … “Rites of Passage”

Venue: Reps Theatre
Dates: Friday 24 August
Time: 1900hrs
$6, $12, $15 (dependent on seat chosen)

Saturday 25 August
Time: 1430hrs
$6, $10, $12 (dependent on seat chosen)

Rite of Passage emphasizes an acknowledged crossing over. It speaks of the journeys, challenges and victories, which deserve recognition and must be celebrated. Join us in celebrating the Rites of Passage of our very own African Princess, Dudu Manhenga. This event is set to promote, inspire and give insight, by showcasing the young, dynamic, sister, wife, storyteller, artist and African who has transitioned to new stages of her career and ultimately life.

Guest performance by the COOL CROONERS, dancers. Award winning McIntosh Jerahuni,2010 nominee Maylene Chenjerai, Poet Batsi Chigama and Uza

Bookings at the Spotlight, Reps Theatre, for more information call Blessing on 0772 327 366

It’s not always that one gets to enjoy news details from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). Well, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing this on radio  last night: “Professor Authur Mutambara was denied audience with President Zuma…”

When will Mutambara learn to get off? In his crazy bald head he firmly sees himself as Zimbabwe’s future president and those who saw him “awaiting his turn” to meet President Zuma must have wondered whose constituency he was representing. I can imagine that, because President Mugabe has “allowed” him to bumrush the GPA, the garrulous fop must have pleaded with President Mugabe to let him meet Zuma! The ambitious fool forgot that Zuma would, as the courts decided already, meet his in-law, Welshman Ncube, the same man Mutambara would have liked President Zuma not to talk to! Talk about a useless bald head.

Just for kicks, I leave it to ZBC: “Professor Authur Mutambara was denied audince with President Zuma…” Dimwit.