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?

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

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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.

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Ask Gono to print some for you?

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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.

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

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

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

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

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The Morgan should be declared the winner

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

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Peaceful non violent social action!

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Appeal for donor funds with MDC conditions to end atrocities

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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

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

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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

Slowly, the public discourse is being laced with radical tones and themes; they talk rebellion; they talk about someone being taught a lesson; they talk about an impoverished uniformed man in the neighbourhood; in a commuter omnibus they take to task a lone uniformed female; why are thing this bad, tell us; why are your colleagues this corrupt; when is HE going; show us your payslip; we know you are not going to pay any fare; a billion dollars from Harare to Bulawayo; 100 million for quart of beer; do you drink?; this is as daring as it gets; no response from the hapless uniformed one; other passengers laugh; the uniformed one fails to see the joke and stares blankly ahead: “if only the earth could swallow me, damn these daredevils;” it is the politics of the stomach; the devil is dared; noone cares about “suffering the consequences;” signs of worse things to come? sticks and stones, do they still break bones; they sure do not break the spirit; batons and barrels, do they triumph over people power; pens and swords . . . ah well; sit up and listen.

Work! The one great sacrament of humanity from which all other things flow – security, leisure, joy, art, literature, even divinity itself. – Sean O’Casey (1884-1964)

Traditionally May Day has been left to the labour unions to commemorate in Zimbabwe. This year we ALL need to use this opportunity to protest the state of our nation post-election.

Our society is blessed with a diversity of skills and opinion – we need now more than ever to harness our efforts and ideas to bring peace and prosperity to our nation. To this end we need to be able to share information and ideas in a way that mobilises us to act positively. The weeks post-election have been filled with violence, intimidation and propaganda. We need to frame these dark realities in a motivational way, for if we don’t, we will instead spread fear, alarm and anxiety.

We would like to encourage you and your organisation/business/family/church to prepare for International Workers’ Day. Let us convert our outrage at the government’s attempts to subvert the electoral process into positive peaceful action.

Some ideas:

• hold a special church service that celebrates our right to work
• publish adverts that demand our right to a democratically elected government
• circulate fliers that remind our communities that we cannot rest until our labour for change is done
• invite friends to your home to celebrate friendship and discuss how we can continue to work for change
• organise a gathering of women to discuss how women labour for love and a better future for our families
• host a music concert that integrates messages of solidarity for those targeted by the regime’s agents of violence
• participate in a sporting event that dedicates its efforts to democracy in Zimbabwe
• hold a sponsored walk/talk/kiss-in – anything – to raise funds to assist the victims of post-election violence

Most important of all – do something that inspires you and those around you.

ZINASU reports the following . . .

There was mayhem in Bindura yesterday the 22nd of April 2008 when Bindura University of Science Education BUSE students joined other students at tertiary institutions countrywide in protesting against the illegal regime’s efforts to cling onto power despite losing the March 29 harmonised elections. The angry students stormed the streets at around 10am and marched from the new  to the old campus site chanting protest songs. The march was disrupted by ruthless and brutal armed soldiers who forced the students to stop the protest and assaulted several students in the melee. This led to the arrest of three student leaders who were quickly whisked away and are to appear in court today charged under the notorious Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

Last week saw the opening of tertiary institutions nationwide mounted by massive protests by aggrieved students who could not take lightly the exorbitant fee hikes and the illegal delay in releasing the just ended Presidential poll results. The students vowed to continue protesting until the illegal Government of Robert Mugabe swallows its pride, accept defeat and leave office. It is the hope of the Union that if there is to be a change of Government to one that is people centered that is only when the goal of “Education to all” becomes a reality.

Meanwhile…

Great Zimbabwe University students  peacefully demonstrated on Monday 21 April 2008 against the continued illegal stay in office by military junta Robert Mugabe, and the exorbitant tuition fees being charged by the University. The peaceful protest started in the college dining hall where students were chanting “PLEASE GO, YOU ARE FINISHED” prompting the security personnel on campus with the help of riot police officers to violently thwart the peaceful demonstration. ZINASU secretary for Legal Affairs Courage Ngwarai was arrested and is due to appear in Masvingo Magistrate Courts today. Students vowed not to rest until the country retains to its legitimate leaders elected by the people, that is, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Jamela posted an impassioned comment on Amanda’s recent blog. Jamela makes a really good point and then falls short on a couple of others. First, and most importantly, Radox can do wonders to keep one’s activism at a high level. If you’re in Zimbabwe Jamela, maybe you’d like to have a Radox bath with me and we can talk this through? Clearly you have no understanding of the degree of advocacy and activism in Zimbabwe at this time.

Bubble up your nose on that one Jamela.

Zimbabweans are described as cowards on many discussion forums. This is where I also disagree with Jamela. There are a variety of expressions of bravery, and Zimbabweans are well versed in just about all of them. If your measurement of brave is a protest in Unity Square, well then you need to think again.

As far as expecting Kirsty Coventry to make a stand and boycott the Olympic Games . . . I’d give her great kudos for having the fins to do that. It would be a very powerful statement. But I disagree with the writer Amanda’s quotes when she says that “every other Zimbabwean has taken a stand“. Not true, especially within the business community.

On relying on international support to sort our crisis out, I’m with Jamela. It’s unfathomable to me that we don’t see the need for a multi-faceted approach to dealing with this dictatorship. Elections and the international community need to be complemented with strong internal pressure.

There’s more than one way to pluck a jongwe.

As I’ve mentioned before one of the most invigorating aspects of working in an organization like Kubatana.net is getting to hear and read the remarkable information and ideas created by our subscribers.

We are also privileged to be able to receive information from far flung corners of the country, and share it further.

A farmer down in Chiredzi sent this through yesterday:

Dangerously unhappy – I am getting many SMS messages from the MDC youth now desperately looking for guns, saying that they are tired of been chased and beaten by Mugabe’s youth, obviously I do not have arms to give them and so tell them that Morgan wants all his people to stay calm and peaceful. My and many others question is, when the people have obviously won an election but the losers do not intend to hand over, how do the people force the losers out peacefully? If somebody has an answer to this question, please let me know so that I can pass it on and so give hope to our people and help to prevent a blood bath.

Some people have responded to our various blogs saying that we must be patient and that Morgan’s diplomatic shuffle, and the international community, will put the situation right in Zimbabwe. But like all complicated issues, there is never just one solution, and right now people in Zimbabwe are crying out for leadership. With Tsvangirai and Biti out of the country, who do we look to for direction and strategy?

Many of us are looking inwards and invoking our individual leadership and helping others. But there is a need for the MDC to get active again.

Here are some useful tips sent to us by a passionate man committed to Zimbabwe’s restoration. More than take note – take some of them on!

We need to counter Zanu PF tactics

Communication
Fliers, newspapers, rallies, SMS, emails, international media

Violence and Intimidation
Build while they burn
Support teams of activists to stand up to the bullies
We must document the violence, get it into the media and expose the perpetrators

Civil Disobedience
Create doubt among Zanu PF
Name and Shame
Expose them, assets, deals etc.

In the event of a Run-off
Pre-election Strategies
Election Day Strategies

The ordinary person can – at no personal exposure

* Forward SMS messages of encouragement to friends and colleagues every day
* Drive with their headlights on and encourage others to do the same
* Give people lifts – especially the police and army personnel – let them do the talking
* Talk to friends about the situation – keeping positive, encouraging and creating awareness

The next steps (as people become braver) could be:

* Open palm salutes to everyone throughout the day
* More open discussion and encouragement
* The distribution of newspaper articles and fliers

From most of you we expect a lot more – we expect you to take charge, LEAD