Of course it’s unfortunate that Kirsty Coventry was attacked on her way home from the airport the other night. Her story got some press because she’s a celebrity. Meanwhile hundreds of Zimbabwean run the gauntlet between Harare International Airport and whatever suburb they live in on a daily basis. It is entirely shocking and unacceptable that the Zimbabwe Republic Police place two police person details on completely arbitrary roads (like Kingsmead on Tuesday morning) laying in wait to bump motorists $20 for not having something – that something all depends on the mood of the policeman at the given time. Yet, the police know (unless they really are quite, quite stupid) that the road from the airport into town is one of the most dangerous in the city. How do they respond to this? Are there any police patrol cars out on that road at night? No. Just well positioned police ATMs on the airport road during the day to reel in fines from motorists. Welcome to Zimbabwe; hang on to your cash, your bags and your life until you reach your hotel, or your home.

I’ve been wondering why there have been so few reviews of HIFA’s opening show. Even the official HIFA web site is bereft of photographs, video footage or reviews – its as if it didn’t happen. Three Men On a Boat published a short piece that described the show as a catalogue of 60 years of American pop culture and that it was “OK”. On the plus side it was visually appealing. Three Men On a Boat were pleased that the opening show had been depoliticised. Meanwhile Zimbo Jam got to grips with what seems to be a central reflection: where was the story, what was the message of the opening show? But do we have to have one? Many would say yes because its a chance to tell a story, or stories of national significance; a chance to provoke conversation and draw on the experience of Zimbabweans; what are we seeing, doing, dreaming about … It seems like the HIFA organisers don’t believe that it’s possible to do this without being POLITICAL. That awful P word that will either get you into trouble, or prompt you to create art that that doesn’t fall on the side of safety. Tafadzwa Simba, the Festival spokesman said that the “arts indaba simply tried to capture the aspirations of the people, in an apolitical way, as well as to stimulate debate and dialogue.” Usually adopting a protected stand does little to stimulate meaningful debate. Nomalanga Moyo on SW Radio Africa reflected that with Workers Day falling in the middle of the Festival, and in a country with 90% unemployment, HIFA’s theme of progress and optimism could be regarded as being a little far-fetched. And maybe the bottom line: “HIFA should be more than just about singing and dancing, we can see that anywhere else. We come to HIFA because it always has that something special and different,” says Tawanda on Zimbo Jam, otherwise you can just turn on VH1.

Consultant: Livestock Project Baseline / ActionAid
Deadline: 1 May 2013 at 1700 hours

Location: Harare/Mbire
To Start: 6 May 2013
Contract: 1 – 2 weeks

Purpose of the Position
To carryout baseline for proposed livestock development project in Mbire district

Key Strategic Performance Areas
-Quantitative and qualitative benchmarks for the    indicators outlined in the log frame.
-Provide business plans for sale pens, abattoir and the tannery.
-Review current practices that contribute to livestock production and marketing looking at the policy/legal framework governing this sector.

A detailed Terms of Reference will be made available to shortlisted candidates.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications
Minimum MSC in the following areas Social science , Agriculture, Veterinary science, with experience in livestock and social science research.

Other Essential Requirements
-Substantial experience in livestock issues, policy analysis and development programming in Southern Africa. .
-Experience working in rural areas in areas of livelihoods.
-Proven experience in livestock business, development, policy analysis and value addition initiatives.
-Experience in conducting reviews employing participatory methodologies
-At least 5 years relevant experience in livestock development issues
-Research companies and organizations that might be interested should have the required personnel with requisite skills.

Applications
To apply submit your updated CVs, work plan and detailed budget and at least three referees to The Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager, Action Aid International, 16 York Avenue, Newlands, Harare

Or email: jobs.zimbabwe [at] actionaid [dot] org

NB: Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.

Please note: Although we value all applications, we can only respond to short listed candidates.

The ‘war’ between kombi drivers and police officers has been going on for so long and because there is nobody to police the police, the ordinary citizens are suffering. Over the recent years police have been using forceful means to deal with public transport drivers in the country. From smashing of windscreens to Hollywood movie style chases this has been the order of the day. These forceful means have fallen short as citizens are harmed or lose their lives. There are reports of incidents of police smashing windscreens and injuring passengers. I have witnessed such incidents. Just when we thought this was bad enough the kombi operator-police war has yielded the unbearable – death. As kombi drivers try to escape from police officers they do so at full speed and in so doing go against road rules and place the life of other motorists and pedestrians at risk. In the past two months two people lost their lives in such scenarios at the Copacabana rank alone. The most recent was of an old lady who was dragged under a kombi for more than 100 metres leading to her death. The kombi was running away from a police officer.

Death is something never prepared for, but for anyone to die in this manner is more painful than the word painful itself. Even if the driver gets a life sentence or a death penalty the root cause of the problem will not have been addressed. For kombi operators and the police officers it’s now  ‘a mice sees cat game’ at the risk of passengers, pedestrians and other motorists. On one hand, the mice don’t care how they will run away from the cat, as long as they don’t get caught. On the other hand, the cat will use all the powers vested in him to chase the mice. But then again at the centre of all this fight, is a mother on her way to work, a boy on his way to school, an old lady on her way to her rural home crossing the street unaware that a mouse is on the run and that their life might end. For how long will we watch lives being lost at the hands of this cat-mice fight?

Caretaker: Christian Aid
Deadline: 16:00 hours, Sunday 21 April 2013

Based: Zimbabwe, Harare

Poverty is an outrage against humanity.  It robs people of dignity, freedom and hope, of power over their own lives. Christian Aid has a vision – an end to poverty – and we believe that vision can become a reality.  We are striving to bring lasting change to the lives of the poorest communities.  We work wherever there is great need, helping people to find their own solutions to the problems they face, irrespective of their religion, race or creed.  If you’re passionate about positive change across the world, then this job might be for you.

The Job
As Caretaker, you will provide a safe work environment for staff, visitors and Christian Aid property (including vehicles and equipment) by guarding and managing entry and exit of all people, packages and vehicles to the office of Christian Aid.  You will ensure that any potential entry points are locked and alarmed appropriately and that any threats to security are raised with management for action and recorded appropriately. This job also exists to maintain a clean, hygienic and safe work environment by keeping offices and garden tidy and presentable.

Essential skills and experience
Elementary level of education is required with a general aptitude for basic manual work. You should have ability to apply logical thinking and common sense to routine tasks and find solutions to day to day issues.  You should have ability to take initiative.  Cleaning and gardening experience is desirable.

Benefits
We value the contribution each person makes to the success of our organisation.  That’s why you can expect a wide range of rewards and benefits, including generous leave days and flexibility that will ensure you enjoy a good work/life balance.

Apply
To apply for this position, you need to submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV) to:
zimbabwerecruit [at] christian-aid [dot] org

or by post to:
P.O. Box CY 1629, Causeway, Harare quoting reference number for the post.

Job reference: ZIM/CT-413/NR

Interview date: Week commencing 22 April 2013

Christian Aid values diversity and aspires to reflect this in its workforce.  We welcome applications from people from all sections of the community, irrespective of race, colour, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief.