Rather amusing really to see the MDC pushing for a Yes vote in the Referendum through full page adverts in the press. Amusing because, whilst a robust Constitution is a must have, I wonder where the MDC get off saying this draft is worth supporting. For example the new Constitution says that every Zimbabwean is entitled to free basic education. Hmmm … and where is the money for this? The MDC also trumpets that the elderly are entitled to reasonable care and assistance, health care, medical assistance, AND social security and welfare from the state. Hmmm … and where is the money for this? Then of course we have the war veterans who, according to the new constitution are entitled to pension and basic health care. Hmm … and where is the money for this? Gloriously triumphant the MDC excitedly says that the new constitution does not allow for members of the security services to be members of political parties – this is a real HA HA HA moment. Because as we all know the security services take their orders from ZPF and if (a real long shot) the MDC ever occupies real office in Zimbabwe, the security forces would take orders from them. Another part of the MDC’s why you should vote Yes advert says that aliens who were born in Zimbabwe but of parents from the SADC region are now Zimbabweans by birth and they can now vote … hmmm, why only SADC Mr T?

COPAC, ZPF and the MDC should clearly state that whilst the new Constitution promises a lot, the inclusive government is unable to deliver on those promises.

People are being asked to vote Yes for a lot of hot air.

Think about it – politicians will say anything for a vote.

There has been a massive failure on the part of the Inclusive Government in Zimbabwe to provide adequate supplies of clean water. There hasn’t been regular municipal water for several years in many suburbs in Harare – low and high density.

The mushrooming of “we sink wells” adverts in the medium-to high density suburbs indicates the lack of clean running water.

Photographs by Crispen Rateiwa

Interesting that, Temba Mliswa, the man who is on record solving differences with people whose politics he does not agree with through violence, and was arrested recently for bashing a female Zanu PF “colleague” has asked the courts to transfer the trial to Harare.

Mliswa claims that there are “political undercurrents” in the province where the trial is being heard that would compromise a fair trial.

This is according to ZBC news and you wonder if this is reported tongue-in-cheek!

Is that not curious coming from people who have always trumpeted the impartiality of Zimbabwean courts, especially when members from the other political divide are on the dock facing frivolous charges.

You have to feel no sorry for this guy and his theology that he can get away with anything as long as he invokes the name “Zanu PF!”

Recall when he trained hard punches on the heads of white commercial farmers whose land he expropriated? Where were the courts then? Clown.

Let him have it and perhaps it shall serve as an example to others from the same stock who think they can punch their way out of anything in the name of the “revolutionary party.”

Yeah, we are watching which way the table will turn.

Pictured above: uZanele at IWD 2012

Sistaz of the Open Mic celebrate International Women’s Day
Saturday 9 March 2013, Book Cafe, Harare

On Saturday 9 March, the lively SISTAZ OPEN MIC programme at the Book Cafe celebrates International Women’s Day from 3pm, with a vivid line-up of women artists ready to step out and express themselves freely in celebration of women everywhere.

The line-up includes mbira princess Hope Masike, recently returned from a quick trip to Europe; popular singer-songwriters Rute Mbangwa and Clare Nyakujara, guitarist Rudo Chasi, Zimbabwe-rocker Kessia Magosha recently returned from a Rock music programme in Johannesburg; the afrocentric M’Afriq featuring lead singer and front-lady Pauline Gundidza, and a special performance of ‘3 Generations’: afrojazz-istas Dudu Manhenga, the strongly up&coming ‘uZanele’ and Clare Nyakujara.  The spoken word will be carried by poets Roxy ‘Xapa’ Mathazia, Batsirai Chigama, Charity Hutete, and RuTendo DeNise, with Wadzanai Chiuriri as MC.

The Sistaz Open Mic ‘after-party’ continues from 5.30pm with the lady of love songs Plaxedes Wenyika and her backing band, until 7pm, featuring songs from her albums ‘Tisa Paradzane’, ‘Kamumhanzi’, ‘Sentiments’ ‘Full Circle’ and her very latest single ‘Kuva Newe’ (Being with you), hot from the studio and expected on the airwaves next week.

The Women’s Day commemoration by Pamberi Trust is supported in part by the Embassy of Canada for the second year running, giving vital support to initiatives for freedom of expression by women artists and gender advancement in general.

Other events to mark the week at Book Cafe include a free screening presented by Women Filmmakers of Zimbabwe on Wednesday 6 March of the film ‘CUT’ – a confrontation with the brutal practice of female genital mutilation; a delightful evening performance on Thursday 7 March by three of Zimbabwe’s popular women artists entitled ‘3Generations: Dudu, Uzanele and Clare’, and a networking session for women artists and organisations before the Sistaz Open Mic.

International Women’s Day around the world
The 2013 Theme for celebrations around the world is ‘The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum.  Each year International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 around the world, by individuals and organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women’s groups, corporations and the media.  Thousands of events occur not just on this day but throughout March to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women each year, and to draw attention to global and local gender issues.

Over time and distance, the equal rights of women have progressed.  In Zimbabwe, there is much to be celebrated, and the Sistaz Open Mic on Saturday 9 March will honour some of the women in the Arts in Zimbabwe, who have

Sistaz Open Mic falls under the gender project FLAME (Female Literary Arts & Music Enterprise) of Harare-based arts development organisation Pamberi Trust, which has worked with hundreds of women artists over the years and commemorated the 16 Days of activism every year since 2007, with women artists speaking out loud and proud in protest against violence in our society.

The Book Cafe celebrations this March follow on from a powerful programme in November-December 2012 with 16 events staged around the global campaign ’16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women’, which featured film, discussion, workshops and music and poetry performances, graced by US hiphop artist Akua Naru and over 80 women artists of Zimbabwe.

As always, Sistaz Open Mic promises to be a lively and highly entertaining affair, with a strong sense of purpose – it’s a time for women of Harare to come out to meet, learn more, and celebrate themselves against a backdrop of great music and poetry from sisters in the Arts.

Other aspects of the gender programme are supported by Hivos, the European Union and other partners.

- Press Release from the Book Cafe

The basic qualification for voting in the Referendum is stated in section 6 of the Referendums Act: “Any person who satisfies the presiding officer of a polling station that he or she is eighteen years or above and is eligible to be registered as a voter on the voter’s roll” is eligible to vote.

It is not necessary to be a registered voter. Eligibility to be registered as a voter is all that is required. Voters’ rolls will not be used in the Referendum.

Documents Needed to Vote in the Referendum
At the polling station a voter must be able to provide proof of eligibility to vote. The new regulations stipulate what documents are needed [Regulations, section 3]. All the voter needs to do is to produce one of the following documents, on which “it is legibly shown that that the person is a citizen of Zimbabwe of or over the age of eighteen [18] years”:

Zimbabwe national identity document [except IDs of non-citizens - see more below] issued in terms of the National Registration Act [metal or plastic]

OR

“Waiting pass” which includes a photograph of the holder. A waiting pass is the document that one gets when applying for a national ID and that serves as proof of registration until the ID itself is received.

OR

A valid Zimbabwean passport.

Source: Veritas