From yesterday’s editorial in the Zimbabwean:

Zimbabweans are renowned for choosing to skirt hurdles instead of removing them. But this need not be so. Faced with the injustices perpetrated by public service institutions like Zesa and municipalities, we need to organise ourselves into vibrant and uncompromising lobby groups that fight for our civil rights.

These groups, divorced from political affiliation-for there is no water or ZESA with a Zanu (PF) or MDC colour-should strive to confront the authorities.

Strange, I thought that was the purpose of the civic society organisations operating in Zimbabwe. The real issues, water, power, education, health and poverty seem to have been lost in the tug of war between MDC and ZANU PF. Where are the lobby groups who are in the so-called grassroots fighting these battles with our legislators? Instead we are all preoccupied with a constitution that may never see the light of day and elections that have already been stolen.

Clearly, we are not doing enough.

“What I know is that at times we move three steps forward and five steps backwards because of the nature of the inclusive government. It is very difficult because we are pulling in different directions and the results translate to nothing.” Morgan Tsvangirai, who was secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions before forming the MDC in 1999, speaking at Workers’ Day celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium.
Source: Daily News

Opening the Stockholm Internet Forum last week, the Swedish Foreign Minister stated that internet freedom was the frontline of freedom. The Forum was convened to deepen discussion on how freedom and openness on the Internet promote economic freedom and social development worldwide and bringing together policymakers, civil society, activists, business and technical community representatives.

Much of the discussion during the conference focussed on preserving Internet freedom and went so far as to suggest making Internet freedom a human right. The role of the private sector, namely ISPs was discussed in this context, with one person tweeting:

When private sector talks about Internet freedom it’s mostly the freedom of companies to do and control what they want.

Discussion moved to the roles and responsibilities of the private sector in protecting citizens right to freedom on the internet, especially in view of government ordered disconnections in times of civil crisis as has happened during the Arab Spring.  A discussion panel explored this theme further in a session titled “Enhancing Internet freedom and human rights through responsible business practice”. Panellists emphasized that corporations had a responsibility to preserve human rights, and that undemocratic governments and legal and regulatory environments, which were inconsistent with international best practices, made for challenging operating environments. It was generally agreed that working with industry peers to develop common approaches was crucial in overcoming this situation.

In a panel titled “Social media is fast, social change is slow”, Ms Alice Munyua a member of the Board of Communications Commission in Kenya, reminded the forum that access was still a major challenge in much of the world. Indeed, Africa’s Internet penetration stands at 13.9% representing 6.2% of the world’s users.  Developments such as the East African Under Sea cables have boosted the quality of access, but they have not necessarily increased it. Cost and Infrastructure remain major barriers to access, particularly in remote rural locations. Thus Internet access becomes the preserve of a privileged minority mainly located in large urban centres.

I think that before we can speak about preserving Internet freedom, let alone using social media for social change, the challenges of mediating universal access must be met. However, this was not as big a discussion point as I would have hoped. It is undeniable that the Internet is a medium through which governments; civil society and citizens may create the greatest social change in communities that have traditionally been marginalised and underserved, particularly in the areas of health and education. And conferences like the Stockholm internet forum have their place in global conversations about the internet, especially with the threats posed to Internet freedom by such legislation as SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act), PIPA (Protect IP Act) and more recently CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act). However the importance of access to the Internet cannot be overstated. In situations like Zimbabwe, which has 12% penetration, or Mozambique which has 4% penetration, access rather than freedom on the Internet is the more pressing issue.

Controversial and reckless statements have hounded the Zambian president ever since he came into office. Like his nickname ‘King Cobra” the president really spit venom especially when it comes to making informal speeches. After his inauguration Sata demanded an apology from Malawi for an incident which happened sometime back during a visit to that country when he was still in opposition. During that same time he once questioned the health of the former Zambian president Levi Mwanawasa arguing that the president should make public issues related to his health.

In a turn of events recently the Zambian leader was secretly flown out of the country on a private jet to India for a medical check and this has prompted a public outcry. Just like Zimbabwe, Zambia experienced an economic down turn a few years ago and many people left that country for a better living outside and some decided to settle in Botswana. In an address to Zambians living in Botswana the Zambian president was really blunt and venomous with his words at the same time insulting his fellow countrymen and Botswana.

Responding to questions from the people who attended the meeting Sata said, “All of you who are here with fake questions am very disappointed with you and embarrassed, are you not even ashamed of yourselves? You ran away from Zambia and thought we couldn’t find you and now today we have caught you. You are refugees in Botswana being exploited by the Botswana Government. You left Zambia to come and work here for an extra K1?” Maybe Sata had forgotten that he had mentioned that he was the first Zambian expatriate in United Kingdom in 1970. One wonders whether Michael Sata had already created jobs in this short space in office for these people he was insulting on the very day. And if Zambia had the best medical facilities and qualified personnel why would he sneak out of the country to seek help in foreign countries in the Far East? I guess power is sweet just like what his predecessor Fredrick Chiluba said after an election victory in 1991.

In the midst of their plushy government offices and state houses, most African politicians have a tendency to easily forget where they come from. Here in Zimbabwe parliamentarians promised people that they would develop communities once they were voted into office but years down the line we are now reading that some of them stand accused of gross mismanagement of public funds. Some went on to implement projects without even consulting the people. What is more surprising is that the legislators are complaining that the $50 000 allocated to each of the constituencies they represent is very little and they are lobbying for more, but at the same time they are abusing the same fund.

The news from Senegal – elections were held against the incumbent. He lost. And he has left office.

Try as he might to stay, the people want him gone, and he is gone.

He changed the Constitution to say no third term, and then stood for a third term. Which he was legally entitled to. His first term in office, when he changed the Constitution, did not count against the two term limit. So said his court. So he was quite correct, he could stand.

Understand; correct is a legal term. It means legal or illegal under the law. Things are correct or incorrect, according to what is written in the statutes. Right and wrong though, are moral terms. Some things are right, and some things are wrong. We know these things if we look inside ourselves. Things like murder, theft, adultery. They are wrong. We ‘know’ that. They are also against the law, which makes them incorrect, but we know they are wrong.

So, the sitting President of Senegal ran for election, which he was correct to do. However, he was wrong. And the people told him that. They had the ability, and they had the power, to say “no”. And they did. And he left. That is democracy.

Next door, in Mali, there is a coup. The army supplanted the elected government, in order to give themselves the power and resources to fight the Tuareg rebels (fellow Malians). However, it seems from reports that while the army was looting in Bamako, the capital, the rebels took some towns in the north! So you have to wonder, why did they really stage a coup? This army captain and his buddies. While they do not have the strength to fight the Tuareg, they also do not have the brains to keep themselves from stealing.

Either way it seems democracy is the best answer. While it certainly is not perfect, it certainly has it’s short-comings and faults, democracy is the best course. Even if it is only ‘least worst’. Even if the only reason is you cannot blame yourself for what went wrong. Under democracy you make the decisions, you make them work, and you live with the consequences. Under democracy, you cannot blame or find scapegoats amongst the political elite, the captains of industry, the securocrats, foreign capital, etc. It is you. You run your country.

Young Voices Network yesterday launched their “Seven Point Manifesto On Ending Homelessness” at their offices. In doing this Young Voices Network, hopes to enrich the public debate about Operation Restore Order with considered recommendations sourced from those Zimbabweans who were directly affected. Young Voices Network also hopes to engage with policy makers on the issues that affect you in Hatcliffe and Hatcliffe extension and influence the political and policy reform processes.

Speaking at the launch Young Voices Network Co-ordinator Tayiona Sanagurai said that the Manifesto was a culmination of a theatre for development dialogue. The process involved the youth in Hatcliffe creating a drama, which was performed for residents of their community, followed by an open discussion. Mr Sanangurai cautioned however, that the Manifesto was not a panacea for ending homelessness.

“We are trying to get people to look at homelessness” he said, “[the Manifesto] provides pointers to policymakers.”

Included in the presenting panel were two outspoken youths, Brave and Patience, from Hatcliffe extension. Amidst several contributions from members of the audience that the youths should ‘find projects to generate income and occupy their time’, Brave detailed why this was not possible. He recounted how he and a colleague had managed to start a potato cultivation project, but when they needed to acquire funding from CBZ to grow their business, they were rejected, as they were unable to supply proof of residence.

“There are no water or electricity services where we live. So we don’t have the bills.”

While Hatcliffe Extension residents have been issued lease agreements by the government, banks refuse to recognise these as legal documents. Thus youths in Hatcliffe are unable to open bank accounts or obtain loans.

Mr. Sanagurai elaborated on the difficult situation of Hatcliffe Extension residents, adding that several municipalities, including Harare City Council and Ministry of Local Government claimed jurisdiction of the area. This state of contention left residents without any proper representation of their interests. “Government uses uncoordinated and inconsistent policies, which leads to a lack of accountability,” he said.

The Manifesto asks the government to create a policy environment that guarantees the rights of citizens to housing, health services, and the benefits of full citizenship. It asks that policymakers commit to the goal of addressing the after effects of Operation Murambatsvina, and ensure that government departments at all levels work together effectively, and with the voluntary sector to prevent homelessness.