All the invitations had gone out and the preparations were well in hand. Ms Sheba Dube, founder and organizer of the Providence Orphan and Caregivers' Project, had put in an enormous amount of hard work into the Christmas party intended for orphans and poor villagers at Insiza in Matabeleland South province on December 23. Drawing on her wide range of contacts with Rotary and other local well-wishers in Bulawayo, she had sourced enough food to provide a really special meal of chickens and rice and other delicacies for the 300 or so orphaned children covered by her project, plus a number of poor local villagers. She had purchased dolls as gifts for the children and balloons to make it a festive occasion. She had also collected a large quantity of clothing to give away, plus 60 20 kg bags of mealie meal for the orphans and child-headed households in the area. And she had laid on a three tonne truck to transport all of this from Bulawayo to the remote Insiza.

Nor had the resourceful and capable Ms Dube neglected to inform all the local traditional and other leaders. In very good time she had sent out a letter politely informing all of the plans to hold this special event. Some time previously the Social Welfare Department had expressly, and in writing, approved her proposals to run a church-based welfare project in the area, providing humanitarian assistance and life skills training to AIDS orphans and a new home-based care giving facility for children at risk. The Department, along with the local political hierarchy, had been duly informed of the Christmas party and had raised no objections. Indeed the villagers were so looking forward to the event that it could hardly have crossed anyone's mind that an objection could be raised. Most of the villagers are very poor and malnourished. The Christmas party was going to be an event to remember.

It was on December 21 - two days before the party - that Ms Dube first learnt there was a "difficulty". The Social Welfare Department did not elaborate, but referred Ms Dube to the Provincial Administrator who advised that she was "in trouble" over her plans with the sitting ZANU PF member of parliament for the area, Andrew Langa. The latter claimed not to have been informed of the proposed party. He denied having seen the letter Ms Dube had written to all the local community leaders, the MP included. What is more, Ms Dube was to learn that Andrew Langa, who serves as the deputy Minister for Transport and Communications, was not willing to allow the party or the donation of food or clothing to proceed in his absence. (A consignment of medical supplies and books already transported to Insiza and intended to be donated to the community on the same occasion was similarly embargoed) Could Ms Dube do anything at this last hour to get Mr Langa to change his mind ? She was willing to supply whatever additional information he required. But no, Mr Langa had made up his mind. Neither the Christmas party nor the donation of food, clothing, medical supplies or books was to proceed. And though the MP spoke vaguely about complying with the new NGO Act (which has not yet been signed into law or gazetted), it became clear that his real concern was that he personally should receive a good deal of the credit for these charitable donations - which he had done nothing to secure, but was quite willing to deny to the community if his personal vanity was not satisfied. The only way to secure this recognition was for Andrew Langa to be present at the handing over ceremony - and no doubt to make a self-congratulatory speech. No recognition for Mr Langa and ZANU PF - no party and no gifts for the community.

Word started to go around Insiza that Mr Langa had vetoed the party, but not in time to prevent a crowd of 200 or so orphans and hopefuls from the village gathering on December 23. Their mood, when they were told the facts, was one of bitter disappointment and anger that a petty ZANU PF demagogue could effectively cancel their Christmas celebrations. As one said later, "we will meet Mr Langa in the election".

And Sheba Dube ? She is bitterly disappointed of course at the frustration of all her efforts on this occasion, but her love for the people and indomitable spirit will not allow her to give up. She may have lost this round, but the fight for social justice and for the right to help the disadvantaged goes on.

Day 12: 6 January 2005
Tomorrow is Epiphany Day. Our final article marks the end of our 12 Days of Christmas Campaign.