Obert Hodzi thinks that the African Union @ 50 is a dream deferred and that the ‘old boys club’ needs a serious overhaul. Here you go:

The African Union has long been accused of being an ‘Old Boys Club’ with neither political will nor a genuine drive to see a reformed Africa. With virtually all African countries being members one would expect nothing short of a vibrant organization capable of stamping its authority when it comes to promoting good governance principles, human rights obligations and purging the scourge of impunity across the continent. 50 years on, Africa stills gruels under various forms of oppression and lack of accountability.

The recent stampede by African leaders to condemn the International Criminal Court (ICC) for ‘race hunting’ in Africa and the clamor to let go Kenyatta, Ruto and Al Bashir is just but one of the many barometers to gauge African Union’s commitment to good governance, transparency and rule of law. It is not just, Al Bashir and Kenyatta but also its response to the Zimbabwean, Swazi, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascan crises of governance and general disregard to good governance and human rights obligations that worries many. Mugabe, the President of Zimbabwe, after the much condemned June, 28, 2008 election in his country is on record for saying of African Union members: “We have never interfered in their domestic affairs. Never ever. And now we want a country which wants to point a finger at us and say ‘you have done wrong’. I want to see that finger and see whether it’s clean or dirty”. With the exception of a few leaders like Ian Khama of Botswana no one responded to Mugabe’s challenge. Who then can respond to Al Bashir or Kenyatta? Who among African leaders is clean enough to lay a finger on the two and many others, let alone execute the International Criminal Court’s warrant of arrest against them?

Truth be told, there seem to be no ‘African solution to African problems’ nor is the ‘African Renaissance’ rhetoric anything more than a dream. History proves it. Over a decade after its inception, the African Court on People’s and Human Rights has heard only a few cases; the African Peer Review Mechanism has only had a few volunteers while the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, which aimed at fostering good governance principles and economic liberalization in Africa was dismissed by many as a western initiative. Today, the ICC faces the same old demon; the African Union continues to urge its member states not to cooperate with the ICC first on Al Bashir’s case and now on Kenyatta’s. The enthusiasm with which African countries like South Africa have heeded that call begs a lot of questions: To what extent are African leaders willing to overlook grave human rights atrocities to protect their fellows? Can the AU be trusted with the mandate of ensuring and enforcing accountability, good governance and human rights across the continent? Could Africans afford a good night’s sleep unless the AU is transformed by the renewal of its member states’ leaders? Are any of the African leaders’ conscience clean enough to formulate policies to purge impunity enjoyed by most of them, and are their hands clean enough to execute those policies without fear or favor?

It is this multitude of questions that confronts us today. Possibly it is high time that African leaders are taken to task, both on a national and continental level. It is imperative that the civil society and dreamers of a better governed Africa take their governments to task regarding some of the decisions they make at the AU. It is high time Civil Society Organizations start campaigning for reforms in the AU bearing in mind that unless the AU transforms from an ‘old Boys’ Club’, Africans will continue to suffer at the hands of oppressive leaders who enjoy unquestioned impunity and no reprimand from the continental body.

Groupon Inc former CEO was fired on 1 March 2013 and he said, “After four and a half intense and wonderful years as CEO of Groupon, I’ve decided that I’d like to spend more time with my family. Just kidding – I was fired today. If you’re wondering why… you haven’t been paying attention, from controversial metrics in our S1 to our material weakness to two quarters of missing our own expectations and a stock price that’s hovering around one quarter of our listing price, the events of the last year and a half speak for themselves. As CEO, I am accountable.” This is what he wrote in a memo to the people of Groupon. What attracted me here is that he wrote in the most candid way that most of us struggle to do.

On 11 October 2010 Newsday published a story entitled ‘perpetrators apologise for political violence. In Matebeleland South, Zanu Pf member Makheyi Ncube lifted up his hands in front of the whole community and confessed his involvement in the 2008 election violence and the people were appeased by the humility he showed. Here is a man who did not choose the finger pointing solution but rather went head on with the problem in question. 2008 stands out as a very bad year in the history of Zimbabwe and I am surprised that there is no political party which has stood up to accept not even a single wrong.

Zimbabwe lost more than 300 hundred lives to political violence. Sometimes I get so angry to the extent that I feel that I have to be alone at a secluded place because some of the stories we had prior to the June 27 elections were so painful. Zimbabwean politics has in the past three decades lacked men of valour who not only think of today but uphold a quality of forecast and goal. If an honourable man apologises, he will only look stupid today but he knows the value of time and process of healing. In five years time when he starts preaching peace and campaigning again for re-election, it is easy for the people to see the sincerity in his talk because he is a man who sets a precedent of standing for the truth rather than justifying evil behaviour.

I am not a politician by profession myself but the bible that I read in John 8 vs 32 says to both me and the politicians that, ‘And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’. If a politician knows the overwhelming evidence that his supporter killed someone (truth), what more soothing (free) would he need in his campaign camp than this?

I think a man who does not accept his own failures is just but an ignorant liar and should never be taken seriously because if he falters, the next thing is that he wants to craft a patch to make it an excuse to cover his own junk. Only noble and patient men do the honourable thing to accept their flaws. In Shona people say, ‘munhu anomira patsvina dzake’ (a man stands with his own dirt). The moment you try to justify your wrong doings, you will force other innocent people to step in and deal with your dirt.

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

HIV Programme Officer – Zimbabwe Office: Trócaire
Deadline: 11 June 2013

Trócaire is the Development Agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland.  The Agency works in Zimbabwe under an MoU with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference.  A vacancy for a HIV Programme Officer has arisen within its Zimbabwe Office. The successful candidate will be managed by the Programme Manager and will work in close collaboration with the other Programme officers as well as with our finance team. Trócaire has supported partners working on HIV in Zimbabwe for the past nine years. The HIV programme was a small programme, consisting of 2 – 3 partners, until early 2009. At present, the programme includes five partners. The programme is focused on the Rights of People living with HIV and the current programme cycle will come to an end in late 2013 when a new 5-year HIV programme will be developed.

Key Duties and Responsibilities include the following core areas
-Programme Development, Management & Monitoring
-Programme Administration and Finance
-Partner Relationship & capacity building
-Participating in broader work of the programme and country teams
-External links
-Mainstreaming

The ideal candidate will have
-At least 3 years proven experience in implementing and managing HIV programmes in a developing country context
-Experience of the partnership model of development work
-In-depth experience of Results Based Programme Management
-Knowledge of HIV and gender context in Zimbabwe, the region and globally
-Experience in managing budgets for development projects and programmes
-A proven track record in financial management
-Strong experience of providing capacity building support to NGOs in the areas of RBM, mainstreaming and advocacy
-Proven skills in facilitation using participatory approaches
-Understanding of and commitment to implementing MIPA in programmes and advocacy work
-Proven experience in mainstreaming HIV
-Experience in the implementation of HIV Workplace Policies
-Very good interpersonal skills, including excellent communications skills
-Good IT skills, including word processing, Excel
-Commitment to Trócaire values
-A team player

In return we offer a competitive salary and package commensurate with education and experience.

Full job description available on request from: fshereni [at] trocairezw [dot] org

To apply
Email your cover letter and detailed CV to: fshereni [at] trocairezw [dot] org with “HIV Programme Officer” in the subject line.

Zimbabwe’s economy now ranked in the top 10 in Africa but hang on, how come there aren’t any jobs? Kenyan MPs, already among the highest paid in the world, vote to raise their salaries. Death toll of SA soldiers attacked in Central African Republic has risen to 15. Ngugi wa Thiong’o says that after 50 years, unity is still an African dream but a dream is better than nothing. Civil society exclusions dampen mood at AU summit.Russia gives anti-aircraft missiles to Syria; EU suspends arms embargo to rebels. Ashley Cole to captain England against Republic of Ireland tonight. Kolo Touré to become first Liverpool player from Côte d’Ivoire. The BBC’s DJ Edu says Daima by Eric Wainaina is one of the chart-toppers that’s kept Africa hot; what’s your top tune?

Hey! Need a job? Want to work in the NGO/development sector in Zimbabwe? Check out the job vacancies below and apply today. If you want to receive regular civic and human rights information, together with NGO job vacancies and other opportunities like scholarships by getting our regular email newsletter, please email join [at] kubatana [dot] net

Head of Programs: Catholic Relief Services
Deadline: 7 June 2013

Catholic Relief Services – Zimbabwe Program (PVO: 6/2002), an international humanitarian and development organization, seeks to fill the above named position.

CRS Zimbabwe seeks candidates for Head of Programs based in Harare, Zimbabwe. The main role of the Head of Programs (HoP) is to lead CRS/Zimbabwe’s programming department, to ensure the quality and growth of CRS programming and to support the development of CRS and partner programming staff. Vested with substantial decision-making authority, this individual will regularly undertake representational responsibilities with the local Church, government, and donors.

Requirements
-Master’s degree in international relations/development or a related field
-Five to seven years international management experience, including significant supervisory experience in complex development and relief programs in developing countries, with project management experience in one or more of the following areas: agriculture and/or livelihood recovery, WASH, nutrition, DRR, and conflict management
-Excellent personnel management and leadership abilities; effective team builder, facilitator & mentor; good networker; proactive & decisive thinker; both creative and analytical; consensus-builder
-Ability to manage interpersonal relationships facilitates meetings, build consensus within groups, manage interpersonal conflict, and juggle/prioritize multiple tasks
-Demonstrated strong ability with project grants management, including participatory project design, detailed planning, budget preparation, expenditure tracking, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
-Experience accompanying civil society development and organizational strengthening, especially experience with partner strengthening and cross-sector engagement
-Familiarity with the social development function of the Catholic Church and experience in working with Church partners
-Excellent English written and verbal skills for project proposals, reports, and other communications
-Computer proficiency in Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
-Requires approximately 40 percent travel within Zimbabwe, plus attendance at regional conferences and workshops when requested

Apply
Those who meet the above criteria are invited to submit their applications together with a cover letter and detailed Curriculum Vitae that includes the names and contact details (plus e-mails addresses) of three traceable references. Applications should be clearly marked “HEAD OF PROGRAMS”. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  Please submit by: Friday 7 June 2013 to: The Country Representative, 95 Park Lane, Harare or 33A Duncan Road Suburbs Bulawayo or P.O. Box CY 1111, Causeway, Harare, or to taurai.musakaruka [at] crs [dot] org

Country Director: Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ)
Deadline: 9 June 2013

Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ), an affiliate of Marie Stopes International (MSI), is a market focused and result oriented non-governmental organization. We develop the efficient, effective and sustainable family planning and reproductive health programmes, with particular emphasis on the lower and disadvantaged communities in Zimbabwe. PSZ’s goal is to meet the needs of underserved individuals and dramatically improve access to and use of family planning and other reproductive health services. PSZ is part of a Global Health Partnership, which operates in 40 countries providing over 5 million services worldwide annually.

PSZ are commencing a period of geographic and programmatic expansion and the Country Director (CD) is responsible for a successful and sustainable programme. S/he ensures the attainment of PSZ goals and objectives and provides leadership to the PSZ team to develop and implement and expand the national programme efficiently and effectively. The Country Director will provide professional, high-quality and effective strategic leadership in the continued development of PSZ. We are offering you the opportunity to take your career to the next level, whilst putting your skills to use assisting us to achieve our Mission of “Children by Choice, not Chance”.

Key Results Areas
1.The CD is expected to ensure excellent relationships are established and maintained with all key stakeholders and donors, while ensuring the integrity and effectiveness of PSZ’s distinct contribution to the attainment of these objectives.
2.External relations and resource development: To ensure PSZ is well regarded, well resourced and influential.
3.Strategic and Annual Planning: Ensure successful strategic development and national expansion of PSZ, in line with the values of the Global Partnership and the end goal of a sustainable organisation leading the way in the health sector.
4.Finance: Ensure PSZ has good financial health.
5.Programme implementation: Oversee the development and implementation of annual operational plans and working budgets, in conjunction with other team members, actively participating in meetings as needed.
6.Team Leadership: Provide overall leadership and strategic direction to the team and ensure existence of a motivated, productive and appropriately managed team.

Qualifications
-MBA/MBL
-Management/business qualification
-Have technical/clinical competence for Sexual Reproductive Health & FP services
-10-12 years of management experience in similar or allied roles in previous organization

Apply
Submit CV plus covering letter clearly marked “Country Director” to: populationserviceszimbabwe [at] gmail [dot] com

Only short listed candidates will be contacted

One of the tragedies that Zimbabweans living in places that have become extremely dangerous – that is assuming they were not dangerous all along – is living with the fear of death, while at the same time not seeing the return to the safety of your own country as a particularly welcome proposition.

It has become the story of poor working class Zimbabweans toiling in South Africa where all this xenophobic nonsense continues despite the staged euphoria of the African Union’s golden jubilee.

No wonder President Sata had unkind words for the dream of a “continental passport!”

Zimbabweans who still dream of returning home, if only they could get jobs, have become the classic example of being caught between a rock and hard place.

I read the other day a news feature which I felt had been repeated for the past 10+ years but (not) surprisingly continues to be reported even today.

It was about a woman deported from South Africa only to return the very same day.

And what she had to go through to make it back to her Johannesburg hovel is mind-blowing.

But there is no new story there, yet the pertinent issue is why this keeps happening, why young people who continue to lose colleagues to xenophobes will tell you they are not about to quit the not-so-bright lights of Jo’burg.

Why, they ask, return to the misery back home?

Yet I know some who have returned to the potholed streets of Bulawayo claiming they want to return to school after witnessing what opportunities education can open for them in South Africa.

It’s sad really, but this is a song that has played for so long it has numbed our sense of shock and shame.