The only problem is that we do not know who listens
Thank you for this opportunity, as sharing your misery with someone does help in a way. Though of course I do not think that there would be some immediate tangible benefits, considering that our country has been on the spotlight for a long time, for this man-made disaster, whose horrible effects are so obvious for anyone, with heart, to imagine, even without a need to listen to stories from affected people.
With time and resources, I could write a best-selling book to give a real picture of the situation in our country, through what this government has done to our people.
As I write, my only home in Kuwadzana is surrounded by two rivulets caused by spews of sewage and the stench is unfathomable. Yet we have nowhere else to go with my family of seven, let alone dozens of those of my neighborhood who are also affected.
I seem to have been struck with unstoppable diarrhoea, yet I cannot even think of anywhere to go for medical check-up. I am traumatised with concern raised through stories circulating about the cholera outbreak.
Hospitals are closed for those without money, like myself, considering also that there is not even money to talk about, as I write, in Zimbabwe. Only for the privileged ones, who have the forex through their relatives from outside the country, or those with government connections. As for queuing for money at the bank, what money is there to talk about? Does anyone really understand that the maximum you can withdraw in Zimbabwe is not sufficient to buy bread and pay for bus-fare, after queuing for the rest of the day?
My school-going children are asking me questions that I cannot answer, as they haven’t received any reasonable lessons, since the March 2008 elections.
Our food reserves (I am talking about only maize-meal here) will be depleted at the end of this month.
Teachers are on strike, which I wouldn’t say is a strike as, certainly, how would any normal person expect them to come and work for nothing when they also have families to sustain?
There is no established government institutions to talk about anymore, for anyone to contemplate lodging a complaint.
The statistics about deaths, are obviously just a mockery of the reality, as not many people choose to go and die in so-called Health institutions where, perhaps, credible publishable stories could be captured by newsman.
The majority of people die silently in their homes. (We buried two of our neighborhood elderly people who died recently at home, without anyone knowing the cause of deaths).
The unanswerable question is, what is it that can prick the international community to act?
Why would any normal person even bank on the stupid deal, whose content is worthless to say the least, signed by the so-called government and the opposition that won the semblance of credible elections in March 2008? Even without referring to the failure to agree on cabinet ministries, it is an obvious thing that the deal that was signed does not present a workable solution to our problems. How can you have two executive powers with diametrically opposite philosophies in the same country and expect to see anything moving forward?
Why should people be punished, with the approval of the international community, for voting for the government of their choice? Where in the world do we have a precedence of this nature?
Thank you so much for at least trying to raise public awareness of what is happening in our country.
The only problem is that we do not know who listens.
October 15th, 2008 13:31
Please believe that there are people all over the world who are listening to you. People who are powerless to help but none the less thinking of you.
We realised right from the word go, and have been saying so, that any ‘agreement’ produced by Mbeki with the connivance of Mugabe was worthless. But what could the MDC do to alter things - nothing?
It is not the wider international community which should be ‘doing something’, it is SADC. The so called leaders of al the southern African countries should be shouting from the rooftops that Mugabe is illegitimate. But other than Ian Khama and the late President Mwanawasa, they have all been disgustingly silent.
Believe me when I say that the wider international community is only waiting for SADC to get rid of the scourge of Mugabe (and his cohorts). The day after that happens, more aid than you can possibly imagine will flow into Zimbabwe.
We are with you in mind and spirit every single day that passes by and Mugabe remains in power.
Go well as best you can.
October 15th, 2008 19:23
I would like to encourage you , despite I have no power to change the situation. But at least, you will feel that someone else is listenimg to you.. >.me, and the people that visit my blog, a single personal blog. And that is because I mentioned your blog in mi blog today, as part of Blog Action Day. This is all I can do right now, but, please, keep your smile, and your hope.
With my best wishes
Only,
from Spain
October 16th, 2008 01:20
Scandinavian media follow the situation closely and yesterday morning Danish national radio broadcasted interviews made undercover in Harare last week.
(Listen to part of the interview in English here:
http://dr.dk/Nyheder/Udland/2008/10/13/172200.htm - choose “Mike, en ung mand…” to the right)
The problem is - we are white. The minute we start to interfere, we are accused of colonialism, sadly not only by Mugabe & co, but also by many African leaders and even other African citizens who think we should mind our own business. We refuse. No matter colour, religion, faith, gender - nobody should have to suffer like this because of mismanagement from a corrupt (or even evil) government.
So again: We are listening - but unfortunately history shows that rebellion has to come from inside. Only then will help from outside be seen as help and not interference…
October 16th, 2008 23:17
I think it is time for the international community to say to the SADC and AU, “your time is running out, do the right thing (Get rid of Mugabe and his comrades ) or we act.”
Being accused of colonialism should not stop them from getting involved (and doing whatever it takes)in a preventable humanitarian disaster.
Perhaps instead of threatening other countries into doing something, they should offer them big incentives to bring about a very favourable solution to the problem?
December 9th, 2008 14:22
We have been watching for a year or so now and please know we grieve for Zim. Some suggest that Zim people are too warm hearted and will reluctantly rebel. I do not know. I do know that history tells us that faced with starvation people will rise up, if only to feed their children. We hope that with their reputation at stake the SADC steps in and takes over. But it won’t happen. They will talk forever and wring their hands and do as the SADC always does..nothing.
SA is to blame. It is the southern Africa lever for change but it is led by little men and women terrified of losing their perks. History will judge them as complicit in Mugabe’s despotism. Their names will be known in history as those who said “Mugabe’s fine. All’s well, it’s the UK’s fault.”
Zimbabwe is South Africa’s fault.