A Kubatana subscriber is convening meetings with residents in Avondale in Harare to discuss local problems and how to solve them. Here’s a small excerpt from his report illustrating the lack of vigour and interest on the part of our City Council to rectify water leaks while, when we turn on our taps, nothing comes Out.

Stan was there, and reported back on the ‘leak’ (flood) coming out of the Reps Theatre property since the beginning of October 2009. This is not a Reps leak, it is the city side of the meter, and is city pipes. It is a large flow (considering a major water main runs up East Road under them), somewhat reminiscent of a small stream. The count to date – Reps have made 147 phone calls to the City to repair and stop our water loss. The Director of Works went out to see it in November. However, now, mid January, the water still flows, unimpeded and without the benefit of pipes! And without benefiting anyone in Harare.

I’ve just read that war veterans in Zimbabwe are demanding a 20% share in Zimbabwe’s wealth. I wonder why they don’t start with demanding a percentage of Robert Mugabe’s wealth. Why is there no investigation of this man’s wealth and opulent life style? Transparency International Zimbabwe . . .  Do Something

From a Kubatana subscriber:

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA)’s bills are really worrying urban residents.  The rates being charged by ZESA are too far beyond resident’s earnings and too difficult to pay by the end of the month.  Can the responsible Ministry look into this issue and save the already suffering people of Zimbabwe. People are ailing to meet these bills and worse that there is no improvement in power supply in residential areas. Can the responsible people consider this and set charges that can be managed by people taking into consideration what people earn.

I am watching your chest rise and fall
like the tides of my life,
and the rest of it all
and your bones have been my bedframe
and your flesh has been my pillow
I am waiting for sleep
to offer up the deep
with both hands

- Ani Difranco

If only Zimbabwe had a free press and politicians who could handle some fun poked at them. Compare our media environment with South Africa’s where Nandos have just launched an ad campaign that focuses on South Africa’s “shameless ministerial gravy train“. Any chance of Wimpy doing the same here? Fat chance.

At Kubatana we get emails from people sharing their reflections on just about everything. Here’s some original writing about discovering the Harare of today. Thanks to Tendai for writing to us.

I did my primary level education down there in Zaka and I always had dreams to go to Harare. It was now my time to go to Harare. I never slept; I hated the night because it took long for me. All my imagination was happiness, everything flowing.

I came to Harare. I saw big buildings and I thought those are called Harare. When I was taken to our house I got worried because I felt that we were now out of Harare because the house was small. But it smelled of Harare. We used to eat what we used to call Christmas down in Zaka. We have electricity and I enjoyed watching television. I could bath as many times as I can because no-one was telling me that I was wasting water.

Harare today. 3/4 of the day there is no electricity if not for three days. Television is now just like a carpet that you just need to clean and then leave it. To get news you have to make sure that you meet someone who is lucky to have electricity that day to update you. Newspapers are too expensive.

If only it was possible to leave our noses in our rural areas when coming to Harare. It would be better because everywhere, even in the town, sewage is almost getting in the shops.

1/2 of the trees in Harare are now used for apostolic churches. You cannot even trust a tree because it is tied up with a red or black cloth and some bottle drinks are put there. So you cant even take a rest in Harare today.

If you do not look where you are putting your leg while walking in town today in Harare you will step on top of tomatoes because every single space is now a market for someone.