Yesterday the Herald headline read ‘ZANU PF popularity surges: Poll’.

I was shocked to see how the Herald, which is a state controlled paper, was quick to praise this survey titled “Change and ‘New’ Politics in Zimbabwe” done by a US based NGO Freedom House. The survey like any survey poses challenges to its findings due to its delimitations and as noted in the report it mostly concentrated in the rural areas. Honestly in Zimbabwe where freedom of speech is non-existent who would answer saying that they support or belong to opposition parties? According to the survey 47% of the respondents refused to indicate who they would vote for. Of the 53% who declared their preference 31% chose ZANU PF and 20 the MDC. My point of fear of disclosure is brought to light as shown that many people feared disclosing their political affiliation.

It’s so easy to say I support ZANU PF because you know you are not stepping on anyone’s toes. But when one publicly says they are for the MDC you are mostly likely to irk a few people and place your life at great risk in your community especially in rural communities. I was enlightened in the other findings of the survey, which somehow newspapers reporting on this story ignored.
-85% are ‘sure’ or ‘very sure’ that they will be casting their ballots in the next elections
-47% of those who said they would vote in the next elections stated ‘this is the election that will make the difference’.
-A total of 35% respondents in this survey (compared with 16% in 2010) now believe that the next round of elections will be free and fair.

These are among other findings summarised on the Freedom House website.

The last time such a report was published saying MDC was the most popular ZANU PF quickly rubbished this report and Herald did not even report on it. And because this year’s report shows ZANU PF as the most popular party, the Herald took the story to their front page and the MDC was quick to rubbish this report. I believe the ballot in a free and fair election will show who the most popular party is. May the best party win in the next elections!

Amid reports that Zanu PF has sent amendments to the draft Zimbabwe Constitution to the principals, that the MDC has rejected them, and that Zanu PF will be debating this further this weekend, here is a very sensible suggestion from a subscriber about the way forward:

Can we please push for a balanced panel on national television whenever there are issues concerning a discussion of the draft constitution. So far we are tired of Mahoso and Chivaura’s consistently negative views on the draft constitution. Is this to mean that everything about that constitution draft is bad. Also my reading of the same did not show any providing guaranteeing sexual orientation rights and yet it is being used to stir away people from liking the draft. National television is one of the most effective tools reaching even the most remote areas. Should we sit back and let these guys feed lies to the people? Its high time the correct information be disseminated and people be given an opportunity to make their choice.  Lets push for a balanced panel that does not praise-worship and boot-lick Mugabe at the expense of national interest causes. -    JC

While you’re at it, read the draft Constitution for yourself and decide what you think.

Also read this comprehensive interview with Studio 7 and Alex Magaisa about the provisions in the draft Constitution.

How quickly the MDC responds in fury over a survey indicating that its lost support among citizens of Zimbabwe. How slowly, or read … not all, do they issue a statement condemning the harassment and assault of GALZ members.  And people compare Tsvangirai to Mandela? You’ve got to be kidding.

Terms of reference: Website development – Church and Civil Society Forum (CCSF)
Deadline: 31 August 2012

The Church and Civil Society Forum (CCSF) is a coalition of both the Church and Civil Society Organizations working together to promote peace and violence prevention. The main aim of the CCSF is to ensure that violence prevention is achieved through lobbying and influencing policy decisions with regards to the establishment of a fully functional national healing framework.

Why have a website for the CCSF:

a) To promote and facilitate the interaction, consultations and exchange of information and experiences among member organizations and relevant institutions, including government
b) To promote the linking up of member organizations with any national, regional, international and bilateral bodies
c) To catalyze the members to speak on critical issues and to formulate consensus based pragmatic responses to the emerging issues
d) To create a central hub for information on Peace Building, National Reconciliation, Integration, Violence Prevention etc
e) Support existing visibility initiatives by member organizations
f) Build a database of member organizations and their varied activities

Administration and Management of the website

The CCSF secretariat shall have a focal person to be the overall administrator of the entire website.

The Church and Civil Society Forum (CCSF) is calling for reputable individuals or organizations to undertake the development of the Forum’s Website taking into consideration but not limited to the following:

a) The website should in essence have many interactive linkages hence user friendly.
b) To have a side bar links to CCSF partners and member websites, it should be linking to other peace building organizations
c) To have a membership database
d) To house an e-newsletter that will be sent out weekly and monthly to the CCSF members, partners etc with a link to specific pages on the website
e) To have a blog section

Application Process
Individuals or institutional applications are accepted. The lead designer must be in possession of relevant academic and professional qualifications and experience in Information Technology and Website Development and administration.

All interested individuals or organizations should send in their expression of interest to CCSF Secretariat (NANGO) 5 Meredith Drive, Eastlea, Harare, or email to noma [at] nango [dot] org [dot] zw  and copy machinda [at] nango [dot] org [dot] zw

The envelope or email subject line should be marked “Development of Website for the CCSF.” The application must demonstrate institutional capacity to develop the website and attach the Company Profile with CVs of lead designer(s) as well as proposed methodology, implementation plan and Budget, four samples of works done in the last two years and traceable references of three (3) reputable companies/organizations.

Read research from Freedom House on the popularity of the MDC / Zanu PF and the electoral environment in Zimbabwe:

Susan Booysen, author of the interim report Change and ‘New’ Politics in Zimbabwe for Freedom House, said she encountered complaints that the MDC had lost touch with grassroots constituencies, whereas Zanu-PF was still visible and fighting party political battles there.

“I’ve heard people saying MDC is just not doing work in the constituencies and is spending too much time in the palace,” Booysen added. “They’re taking for granted they’re the crown princes. They are not capturing the desire for change. And there is still a desire for change among people.”

The whole report is here

According to the Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2010-11 conducted by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency in June 2011 knowledge of HIV prevention methods has increased. Knowledge on condom use and limiting sexual partners in women has increased from 65% in 2005 to 77 % in 2011. The same sample also shows an increase from 71% in 2005 to 79% for men in the 2010-11 ZDHS. In order to curtail the spread of HIV infection the government has been working with civil society and international partners in the implementation of HIV prevention interventions.

The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare recorded a significant decline in both prevalence and incidences of HIV from a high of over 29% in 1999 to 14.2% in 2010. This decline has been attributed to a number of factors such as increased promotion and uptake of HIV prevention, treatment and management services. Some of these services have been provided to the people through funds from international donors and the government’s AIDS levy. Recently the United States government, through the President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has approved an additional $39 million to fund HIV/AIDS programs in Zimbabwe.

In order to share scientific and community perspectives on HIV prevention interventions, the US Embassy Public Affairs Section hosted Dr Peter Kilmarx, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC- Zim) and Chamunorwa Mashoko an HIV/AIDS activist.  The meeting was meant to share knowledge on the new and emerging HIV prevention strategies in Zimbabwe and how the community is responding to these interventions. Some of the emerging HIV prevention strategies discussed included male circumcision; PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis); PREP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and provision of ante-retroviral therapy. However Dr Kilmarx noted that post-exposure prophylaxis is currently being used mainly for occupational incidents. Interesting figures in the use of female condom in Zimbabwe have put the country on the pole position in the world and an increase in the number of women who now access HIV testing through antenatal care has helped reduce new infections. Recently a study on a new intervention of over the counter/self testing was conducted in Malawi and the results proved to be successful though it is still subject to debate. Zimbabwe hopes to achieve coverage of 80% in male circumcision by 2015 despite the negative media reports the campaign has received so far.

During the discussion Chamunorwa reiterated that no intervention works in isolation and scaling up HIV testing is vital since it is an entry to accessing treatment. The community was also urged to share these new interventions through advocacy. Drawing experiences from his work in HIV prevention interventions, he also commended female participation in taking up the emerging HIV prevention strategies.