You deserve to rant indeed. Point of reality though, is the fact that bigotry, nostalgia and bitterness can take control of a man’s soul to unbelievable extremes.

Thanks for this platform of debate. To me and certainly to others in my situation, this has proved to be a source of debate and a way to vent our frustrations in a therapeutic manner than what our Comrade masango is doing.He has never debated with anyone but only dictated.

See the difference? I am a better person who is persuaded by different view points than a single minded bitter attitude towards a tribe or a race. By the way, I was born in 1964 I grew up reading the AFRICAN TIMES in Mzilikazi. I read the Chronicle before and after it got taken over by you know who.

As a Brit I see my role as being to do what I can to keep your struggle in the news at a time when there is potential for change – since the spotlight seems to be one thing that makes a difference.

I see the battle in terms of asserting liberal values everywhere (heaven knows we have a lot of little battles here too at the moment to stand for the same values in daily life – albeit not on a life and death scale).

I’ve been thinking about ways to remember those who have died, and I hope to be in touch later.

Even yesterday I didn’t believe G&D would stop delivering paper for Zim. I’m really surprised and happy but hoping the future worsening situation will not affect only the ordinary people.

We will stay with you. As bad as it is this is a positive community here with good ideas and moral support let’s keep it up..

The work you are doing is appreciated my many. This is one place I can count on daily for a reliable source of information and views on what is happening in my beloved country. The struggle continues

From an outsider in a free world, it is just incomprehensible and does not compute how you survive under those conditions.

The AU summit produced a meek & mild outcome. But Zimbabwe was hassled. Will the wrath of Frankenstein make things worse when he gets back?

The brutal regime will have their smug smile wiped of their faces very soon.

I get sick of hearing so called ‘analysts, ‘experts’ (x is the unknown quantity and spurt is a drip under pressure) et al talking about govt’s of national unity, negotiated exits for the desperate despot etc.

We all know that the only way the desperate despot is going is in a wooden box. Be it old age or a Kabila type exit, that is the only way he will give up power.

Thanks for your rant, it was timely and well put.

Arms embargo: China has already indicated it would not sign up to any embargo, not surprising as they are happily selling weapons of death and torture to the Mad Bob. With the Olympics looming and their paranoia about bad publicity, a well executed campaign revealing the extent of their ethical and moral bankruptcy in supporting probably the worlds most hated man might attract a lot of media attention.

I always objected to them getting the Olympics on human rights grounds, this just proves how low they will go. People should be aware of thier complicity with your oppressors. The Olympics would be an ideal platform to raise global awareness of their ongoing contribution to your violent and bloody oppression.

Years ago (decades?) I encountered someone who probably would be one of these “Rhodies” described upthread. He seemed a perfectly charming and rugged chap, full of interesting stories about life in Africa. But then one afternoon at backyard barbecue the discussion (which started out to be about camping out in the bush) turned into an extremely uncomfortable airing-out of some surprising prejudices. This was during the time when Mandela was still in prison, and my ignorance about the general area of southern Africa got me into trouble merely because I expressed admiration for the man.

I was given that look too – the one that says “You know nothing about these people, they are worse than…” some offensive simile or other.

I would much rather learn about the people of Zimbabwe by reading this blog, and how their fortitude, grace and cheeky humor help them cope with the many difficulties of life there.

You go right on doing what you can, Hope, and send those nay-saying emails right to the bit-bucket.

Hurray for Giesecke&Devrient! (Ahem I think they may still be the spawn of the devil but hey you takes what you gets)

Thanks for the news Zimbo!

They’ve responded to an official request from the German Government to halt.

They say:

“Our decision is a reaction to the political tension in Zimbabwe, which is mounting significantly rather than easing as expected, and takes account of the critical evaluation by the international community, German
government and general public,” explains Dr. Karsten Ottenberg, Chairman of
the Management Board and CEO of Giesecke & Devrient GmbH.

To revel in a bit of good news:

Giesecke & Devrient Halts Deliveries to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/07-01-2008/0004842387&EDATE=

Neu Aktuell, Switzerland: Giesecke & Devrient stoppt Lieferungen an die Zentralbank von Simbabwe
http://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100006218/100565108/giesecke_devrient_gmbh

Berliner Kurier, “Münchner Unternehmen liefert kein Banknotenpapier mehr an Simbabwe”
http://www.berlinonline.de/aktuelles/politik/detail_afp_183059-TX-PKJ47.php

There is still the matter of the remaining 50% of Zim banknotes. But that’s for another day.