I have been bugging over the past few days, imagining and re-imagining the olive leaf Tsvangirai says he will extend to Zanu PF “moderates” when he assumes power. It appears to be a given that he will saunter into State House in the coming polls, never mind the doomsayers in the form of Freedom House.

But then Zanu PF does not think it is about to hand over the keys to anyone: Mugabe and his curious motley of Afro-optimists who nevertheless many say double as inveterate political misanthropes are firmly convinced Zanu PF will win.

It strikes me as kowtowing to the politics of meaningless appeasement when Tsvangirai says he will not hesitate to co-opt favoured Zanu PF officials into his perceived government. What is he saying about the men and women within the MDC-T who have dedicated their lives to unseating Zanu PF?  Are they less skilled in “statecraft,” to borrow from his own secretary general? And he would still have to be answerable to Zimbabweans who sprung him to power having these Zanuoids in his cabinet, that is if his own lieutenants allow it to happen.

If MT is surely sincere about this thing, I call it a thing because that’s what it is, he only pays into the hands of critics who say, he along with his top officials, remain Zanu PF at heart despite all pretence to the contrary, and we know such critics only have to point to what they see as his fabulous spending habits that only seeks to keep up with Zanu PF profligacy.

There is no one to appease in Zanu PF period. The only appeasing is the one he mentioned about appeasing the gods over the blood of pro-democracy activists!

The masses trust the MDC-T with their vote because of the promise of re-birth, of restoring Zimbabwe’s UDI economic juggernaut the same MDC-T policy czars love referring to but was decimated by Zanu PF.

Come on, this is politics, appointing Zanu PF officials into an MDC government is not only political folly of the highest order considering the fact that we know how the same people have plundered state resources to finance their political party activities, but we already know Zanu PF will never respond in like magnanimity in the event Mugabe beats Tsvangirai!

This is African politics for fuck’s sake where there has been cyclical abysmal failure to transplant “the US model of democracy” on the continent despite all evidence of parallel governments being run by the frivolous coalitions that defeat the whole concept of a truly bipartisan regime.

Perhaps MT has been misquoted, perhaps like Gabriel Shumba on the formation of his political party a few years ago, he was only joking, but this ain’t no laughing matter as he seems too eager to win over some Zanu PF folks, perhaps as his own political strategy that if he has them on their side, the military and other Zanu PF spoilers are kept in check?

Perhaps he needs to re-read the history of African politics and he will find that this fantasy will turn out to be a petard that will blow up on his already perforated face.

Conclusions from the Youth Agenda’s First Time Voters Training Camp.

1. The young people of Zimbabwe will tirelessly work towards resisting any machinations by the state machinery to subvert the will of the youths and the broader Zimbabwean society through the state sponsored technical and political frustration of young people to register as eligible voters. A declaration was made that with immediate effect youths will go back to their provinces and forthwith engage in a mass identification, recruitment and mobilisation of young voters in endeavors to chat a democratic dispensation for the country

2. Youths are fully aware of the political risks they will be exposed to as they execute their constitutional mandate of encouraging the broader societies to proclaim their right to vote and choose political leaders through popular participation and a democratic process. Youth Agenda Trust was mandated to set up networks with relevant institutions that offer social solidarity, legal aid, medical aid and psychosocial counseling to affected young people.

3. The state media remains partisan, unprofessional and irrelevant in disseminating crucial information to young people on the voting process. It was noted that the state media continues to be the epicentre of hate speech, indoctrination, intolerance and the instigation of political violence amongst young Zimbabweans. The youths resolved to set up a parallel political information programme that will flood the social media, mobile networks, print media, electronic media and community information centres that will act as the hub of informing and educating Zimbabweans on the electoral process and peaceful conduct during and after elections.

4. The camp resolved that young people will participate in the forthcoming elections  as candidates, election observers, to monitor the tabulation and transmission of election results and to mobilize Zimbabweans to a  peaceful action program that rejects any 2013 electoral outcome that is against the democratic will of Zimbabweans as expressed through the electoral process.

TOR for Consultant for the Revision of the Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association Financial Procedures Manual
Deadline: 23 November 2012

Background
ZWLA is a registered non- governmental organization of  women lawyers which was established in 1996. The organization has grown since its establishment and it now runs  a number of  programs  which are managed by different officers. ZWLA also has a regional office in Bulawayo. ZWLA had an accounting manual which was last reviewed in 2003. Due to  the  rapid change in our economy and the  change in currency and unprecented levels of inflation world over  there is  need to review and update our financial policies , so that we are in compliance with International accounting standards. There is also need to ensure that throughout ZWLA there are adequate financial management systems in place both at Head Office and the regional office.

Objective
To review the existing financial policies and procedures manual of ZWLA and develop improved processes to ensure that the overall financial management system of ZWLA is clearly documented, strengthened and robust.

ZWLA  will contract the services of a consultant with proven experience in reviewing the Financial procedures manual.

Scope of work
Carry out an assessment of the existing financial management system, procedures and practices and identify gaps and areas which may require improvement and strengthening.

The following steps have to be carried out consequent to this:
- Familiarize themselves with current ZWLA Financial Policies & ZWLA  programmes
- Liase with ZWLA  , auditors, members, staff , Finance and Audit committee  Board
- Ensure a participatory process in coming up with the revised policies and procedures
- Put in place the necessary procedures, practices and training to fill capacity gaps and strengthen the Financial systems
- Facilitate the training of staff members and or board on the new policies and procedures

Duration and Placement
The contract period is from   22 November  2012 to  29 November 2012

Payment Terms
The consultant will be remunerated by ZWLA  and will work a total of 7 days

Deliverables
- An Inception report
- A revised Financial Policies & Procedures Manual
- Training workshop for staff on the new policies and procedures manual and report of the same

Supervision
The consultant will report to the Chairperson of the Finance and Audit Committee but work closely with the Finance Officer who will be their contact person within the organization

Qualifications & Experience required
- An Accounting Degree/Professional Qualification in Accounting/Finance
- A minimum of  five  (5) years of relevant work experience
- Previous experience in the setup/review of Financial Systems for NGOs

Disclaimer
The material arising from the contract shall be the property of ZWLA  and cannot be used without expressed written consent by ZWLA.

Applications
Please email: emilia@zwla.co.zw or laizam@zwla.co.zw or deliver hard copies to ZWLA, 17 Fife Avenue, Harare.

The Paris Review: Raymond Carver’s OkCupid profile, as edited by Gordon Lish.

I’ve just come across some shocking statistics on Zimbabwe’s road traffic safety – or lack thereof. According to Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche:

In Zimbabwe there are 28 deaths per every 10 000 registered vehicles and there is a traffic collision every 15 minutes with an average of 45 people getting injured per day while on average five people are killed per day.

That’s right. An average of five people are killed per day on Zimbabwe’s roads. If 5 people per day were dying in political violence, there would be an outcry. SADC would be sending negotiators, the media would be covering events, and the responsible parties would be facing international censure.

But when it’s all of us, on our own roads, driving badly, it’s acceptable?