Independence Day Competition: Make your mark!

Kubatana is offering a prize of $100 for the most creative submission commenting on Independence Day. Submissions can include poetry, prose, a very short film, original art, a design for a sticker that we might take further, a photograph . . . you get the idea. We encourage you to think outside of the box! Don’t be shy, let it all out. A delivery of 33 cupcakes with Zimbabwean flags stuck in them might win our hearts but not The Money – hmmm, you choose!

How?
You can email your submission to: info [at] kubatana [dot] net
If your submission is an unusual shape or size and is impossible to submit over the Interweb, then get in touch on the same email address and we’ll work something out.

Deadline: 26 April, 3pm Kubatana time
Please include your name, and phone number

I read a Herald headline that said, “Manicaland: Be decisive, Zanu PF urged” and imagined it could have easily read: “Manicaland: Be divisive, Zanu PF urged,” because that is exactly what is happening.

Perhaps the “stalwarts” behind the Manicaland divisions are staring reality in the eye that there really isn’t much to be done about their impending confinement to the much loved “dustbin of history” metaphor. You can only browbeat the peasantry to an extent, that constituency of course being the favourite of Zanu PF’s claim of popularity in the rural areas, yet we know from the violence of March 2008 that this is very much thanks to cudgels and sjamboks as the party’s preferred tools of political persuasion.

After all, some political theorists long noted that divisions that emerge within African political parties are their ultimate Achilles heel that author their attrition and thus harbinger or point to their loss of relevance to the national political ethos, Jonathan Moyo should have told them!

But then here we are dealing with a cabal that seeks to defy all laws, from gravity to commonsense, yet we do get solace in knowing that when the big guns fight for the control of the party, it gives other political parties ample time to regroup, set up their own Praetorian guard for the new political dispensation project and invest their energies in the most pressing matter at hand, that is winning the election. It could indeed be yet another lost opportunity if Zanu PF opponents do take advantage of the party’s squabbles. Else, not just history, nay, none but ourselves shall judge hashly the political strategists of these parties.

Sarah Norman, reader, reviewer and all round cool gal has just reviewed a book I’ve enjoyed quite a bit. This is how you lose her by Junot Diaz. Sarah quotes a line from one of Junot’s short stories that is both funny and true: “Show me a beautiful girl and I’ll show you someone who is tired of fucking her.”

A short film written and directed by Zimbabwean Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein – Nhamo – has been nominated for the 2013 Best Short Film at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Nominees were announced in Malawi at an event graced by the Malawian President, Joyce Banda. The awards founded in 2005 will be held in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Last year the award for the Best Short Film went to Braids On Bald Head from Nigeria. In 2012 a Zimbabwean, Kudzai Sevenzo was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role as Nyarai in Playing Warriors.

Econet SMS spam has driven me crazy for a while. Like, do I really need multiple messages from them advertising their products? No. And I also don’t really need messages via them advertising others’ products. I know that I’m not the only one that finds this irritating.

But I just got a text message from Econet reading:

Advertise your products, services or events to registered Econet subscribers through bulk SMS in your chosen areas. Up to 2cents per SMS 0778-915177-9.

A few things came up for me:

1. Who is a registered subscriber? Surely Econet can’t mean anyone who has a registered Econet line (thanks to the Interception of Communications Act, anyone with an Econet line has to register it).
2. If this is some sort of “registered to receive advertisements” subscriber, where is Econet’s opt-in message, where they tell their subscribers about the service and invite them to opt-in?
3. Unsolicited text messages from advertisers to Econet subscribers cost up to two cents – but text messages between friends, colleagues, and relatives who actually know each other, and actually want to hear from one another cost up to 9 cents per SMS. Where’s the customer service in that?

Particularly given the attention customer service got on a recent 263chat, the fact that Econet came up there (and we know they were listening . . .), and their recent data use overcharging blunder, is this really the service Econet should be introducing now?

Personally, I don’t think it’s one they should ever introduce. Unsolicited messages are annoying. When we get them via email, we delete them as spam. Why should our mobile phones be treated any differently – And why should companies be given discounts to send out spam?

I’m Tweeting this to Econet now and inviting them to respond. Others’ comments / responses also very welcome.

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.