Given the state of our economy, the current model for Indigenisation cannot help but appear to be another political project that plays on the poverty and disenfranchisement of millions of Zimbabweans but in effect will only benefit a few.

Speaking in an interview with the state media Reserve Bank Governor, Dr Gono says
“It has to be realised that not everybody can fit or benefit from the equity-ownership model we are pursuing. Only a few will and that’s a fact.”

One has to wonder what exactly the agenda is behind the programme. It is no secret that the Minister responsible for the programme is a business man himself, neither is it a secret that our Ministers have used other such programmes to amass vast wealth at the expense of the ordinary Zimbabwean.

There are far too many young people with brilliant ideas who lack the capital to finance their enterprises. There are even more who are frustrated by unemployment and poverty. It is this generation that runs riotously through the streets demanding that foreign owned property and companies be given to Zimbabweans. While for now they might have been persuaded to riot in aid of the Minister of Indigenisation’s cause, it is only a matter of time before they turn on a government that is failing them.

If we are to carry out indigenisation then it must be transparent and it truly must benefit all Zimbabweans.  Indigenisation should not be limited to the expropriation of shares from the few companies that have survived the economic roller coaster of the last decade. Empowerment must be looked at holistically. Rather than simply dividing up an economic cake that is becoming smaller every day, let us consider ways in which we can add to it and create wealth. We cannot continue to brag about Zimbabwe’s vast mineral wealth and human capital without having Zimbabweans at the forefront of exploiting these resources for Zimbabwe’s gain.

We just got this article from Robert Tapfumaneyi who is clearly out of sorts about how the Diaspora has apparently liberated women. Here you go . . .

Women citizens of the adopted country

In the height of political and economic discord in Zimbabwe, from 2000, most Zimbabwean men allowed their women to retrace colonialism, by going to the United Kingdom, in search for greener pastures.

Men were left behind, looking after the kids, while their wives sent money for amenities. Little did husbands know that they had let their wives out of the noose?

The United Kingdom is a developed country, which champions democracy in the empowerment of either sex. Worse still, coming to Diaspora without the company of the usually oppressive gender, meant that they had the chance to experiment with challenges that came along. In fact, it toughened their resolve to be independent forever.

By the time their husbands trooped to join them, things had totally changed. Because of Zimbabwe’s publicity, that is when almost everyone in the Diaspora, especially in UK, took advantage and sought asylum or refugee status.

This also enhanced the women’s standing. For every man who was to follow, he was regarded as a dependant. Dependant in the sense that women were acknowledged as Citizens of that adopted country.

In the event of disagreements, the law would always protect the woman. If the woman felt otherwise, the man could be deported forthwith.

As I write, almost all men who followed their women to the United Kingdom fall under the umbrella of their wives because of VISA requirements.

In other words, it’s now easier for our dear wives to divorce husbands in the UK, than back home. It is because of this trauma that men especially in the UK, are secretly building their empires back home because they are not sure of what tomorrow has for them in Diaspora.

Recently, I went to the garage owned by a Zimbo (lingua for Zimbabweans). There I met guys from Zimbabwe, and whilst we were discussing the political situation back home, the issue of Zimbo women’s independence was brought to the fore.

As much as all men agreed that it was worthwhile to immigrate to UK, we all agreed that we made the worst blunder of letting our wives come earlier to achieve this independence.

The sad reality though is that having experienced the first world life experience, it’s pretty unthinkable that our women consider Zimbabwe as their home.

Don’t be mistaken to hear your wife referring to Zimbabwe as kuAfrica. To be honest, almost all men in the Diaspora are in a catch 22 situation. Of course I agree that the world is a global village, but the question to ask is whose village? Our situation is made worse because we have exposed our kids to this eccentric environment. They no longer regard themselves as part of the culture that we always strived to engrain in them.

Life in diaspora has a plethora of challenges that will leave every man in awe!

Robert Tapfumaneyi

Upcoming Lecture

‘A Shadow of Its Former Self? Robert Mugabe & Zimbabwe’s Education System’

by Peter Godwin, award winning foreign correspondent, author, documentary maker and screen writer

Chaired by Baroness Bonham Carter

on Thursday 9th June 2011 at 6pm, followed by a reception, 7.30-9pm at the New Academic Building, Lower Ground Floor (LG.09), London School of Economics

PLEASE RSVP TO: zimbabwe.cara [at] lsbu [dot] ac [dot] uk

Admission is FREE but donations welcome on the door, towards CARA’s work supporting Zimbabwean academics and the re-building of the country’s higher education system.

Raviro, a Kubatana member, recently shared her experience of having her first kiss:

Saturdays were always a girl’s day out. I had planned the day before with my friends that we would go out to Avondale to watch a movie and later get a quick snack at Nandos.  I woke up as usual on that Saturday and did the household chores because that was the only way my mother would give me pocket money and also permission to go out.

I finished my household chores and made a few phone calls with the landline on the logistics with my friends since cell phones weren’t a popular device back in 2002in Zimbabwe. I got ready for the outing and I dressed in my black paddle pushers and a spaghetti top as it was the fashionable clothing at that time.  I got a lift from my neighbour hood and dropped off at the Copacabana bus station to get another lift, which would take me to Avondale Shopping Complex. I dropped off at the Avondale bus stop. I met up with my other friends and went to the 7 Arts movie house and watched the Juwwanna Mann, a romantic comedy that was the talk of most high school students. During the movie one of my friends who had a cell phone at that time had made frequent calls to some of the boys that we were at school with. We were not aware of what she had told the other guys. But we enjoyed the movie and it ended in a very romantic way that even my feelings were aroused.

We went to Nandos food court and grabbed some snacks. Whilst we were eating one of the boys that I learnt with whom I had a deep crush on came and we chatted. Whilst we were chatting I realised that all my friends had given us space and I was left alone with him. He asked if I could escort him to his brother’s car to meet his brother. Little did I know that I had been fooled. The brother was nowhere in sight. We sat on the backseat of the car and continued with our chat. However we ran out of stories and within minutes we were cuddling. I couldn’t control myself however as my feelings had been aroused by the movie that I had been watching.  I just found myself on top of him kissing him. At first I thought I was dreaming. I pinched myself only to realise it was true. “I HAD MY FIRST KISS”. All my dreams had been shattered because I had always dreamt of giving my first kiss to the man who would marry me, and walk me down the aisle.

My crush with this boy ended that very day because I failed to trust him since he had lied to me that I was going to see his brother. Even though I put the blame on him I also failed to control my feelings.

Action for Southern Africa press release
3 June, 2011 [London, UK]
For immediate release

Albertina Sisulu: a tribute from Action for Southern Africa

Albertina Sisulu who has died aged 92 is one of the truly inspirational and heroic figures in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid, for democracy and rights. ACTSA joins with the people of South Africa in mourning her passing, remembering her qualities, achievements and celebrating her life.

Albertina Sisulu was selfless and steadfast. She was an activist who by her actions, values and example inspired others. The injustices of apartheid compelled her to take a stance for democracy and dignity. She was the rock that Walter Sisulu could rely on.

Albertina showed what a person could contribute as a leading part of a progressive and transformational movement for change. Her openness, integrity and decency shone through. She is rightly remembered as one who suffered greatly for her beliefs and actions but also transcended these to make an immense contribution to the democratic South Africa of today.

Albertina’s life and example should inspire us to renew our efforts to create a better, fairer, more just and sustainable world imbued with respect and dignity.

Statement from the Founding of the UDF

“We, the freedom-loving people of SA, say with one voice to the whole world that we cherish the vision of a united democratic South Africa based on the will of the people. We will strive for unity of all people through united action against the evils of apartheid … and in our march to a free and just South Africa we are guided by these noble ideals, we stand for the creation of a true democracy in which all South Africans will participate in the government of our country, stand for a single, non-racial, unfragmented South Africa, a South Africa free of Bantustans and Group Areas. We say that all forms of oppression and exploitation must end.”

Ends
Notes:

1.  Albertina Sisulu born 1918, died 2 June 2011

2. She was President of the United Democratic Front (UDF) formed in 1983 in South Africa as the ANC and other organisations were banned at that time.  The UDF brought together the trade unions, churches and civil society organisations which linked to the liberation movement and mobilised communities to overcome apartheid.

3.  Imprisoned many times Albertina was banned for longer than any other person by the apartheid regime.

4. She was married to Walter Sisulu, he died in 2003. Walter was mentor to Nelson Mandela and sentenced to life imprisonment alongside him in 1964 and released in 1989.

5. Action for Southern Africa is the successor to the Anti Apartheid Movement, it campaigns for justice, rights and development in solidarity with the people of southern Africa.

Uganda’s Walk2Work campaign, growing public consciousness in Kenya, Swaziland’s pro-democracy demonstrations, public sector protests in Botswana and the still invisible LGBTIQ movement feature in this week’s reflection on struggles for social justice across the continent, by Sokari Ekine. More here