Waiting to exhale
During the past few weeks I have endless calls from friends and family who live in our surrounding countries and abroad. Everyone asks the same thing, “how are you?”
The past two weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for us all and Saturday will mark the second anniversary since we went to the polls. The passing of time feels much longer.
In the run up to elections there was an electricity in the air. Everyone was positive… our chance for change was coming and was imminent. D-day came and there was a happy vibe… the world kept telling us that the solution was in our own hands. This was OUR day to bring about change and we will show the world.
And then the waiting begun.
It took a few days for everyone to absorb the fact that the dictator was trying to steal another election.
A joke did the rounds saying ‘zanu pf would like to inform its followers that the rigging machine was temporarily down but not to worry as the techs were working on it and they would restore order soon’.
In those early days we were still laughing. It was unthinkable that he was actually going to do it again. The votes were counted and posted on polling stations. We sat glued to our televisions, sat radios, computers, cell phones – anything that may give us a bit of information. As the days rolled on our excitement turned to anger.
World leaders make appeals to the dictator and his regime that they follow the law and release the election results. Zimbabweans know too well that you cannot reason with the dictator.
In an act of usual defiance he ignores everyone around him and immediately turns against defenceless citizens with a campaign of violence and intimidation.
We watch in hope as appeals are made to the UN for assistance and then in utter shock as Thabo Mbeki stands against us.
Someone please, please explain that one to me…!
Exactly what part of what’s happening in Zimbabwe is ‘manageable’ and who is doing the ‘managing?’ Is it that the highly experienced, vicious dictator is manageable? I think not! Maybe the food crisis? The medical crisis? The influx of Zimbabweans across his own borders? I don’t know.
Now election officials are arrested (because he has lost, he thinks we cannot count) and the high court ruling seems suspended (in fear of his retribution?) but we still await the results that seem to be causing him so much strife! This, I do know why.
So as I sit and write this the dictator’s revenge is building momentum. The electric feeling is still in the air but it’s become one of fear.
Fear not OF him (he can beat, but cannot break us), but fear that he will get away with it again. Fear that the leaders of SADC will not find a solution. Fear that we will be forgotten and the horrors of the dictator will continue. Fear that the world will turn their backs and tell us that the solution is in our hands.
We need your help!
April 10th, 2008 20:04
Zimbos have done the right thing and peacefully voted the old man out. The nosepicking leaders in SADC must demand that the results be released. If a run-off is needed, then they must insist on a flood of peacekeepers and election observers.
When that does not happen, and the craven Mbeki and the rest of the SADC leaders stand by as Bob beats and rigs his way to another “victory,” then will be the time to go to the streets. It is only then when we will find out whether the securocrats can get their minions to not only point the gun, but once again to pull the trigger.
April 10th, 2008 20:47
Your change will come there is no doubt about it you have to keep positive and continue to believe and to try to hold on you will all win this time we all really feel this is the right time for Zimbabwe and i for one will look forward to writing a note to say congratulations on your freedom and a chance to get all your lives back to normal and a future to look forward to
April 10th, 2008 21:11
If anyone would like to extend the letter, phone and fax campaign to South Africa, here is a list of numbers in the office of the Presidency.
Union Buildings (Pretoria)
Telephone: +27 (0)12 300 5200
Fax: +27 (0)12 323 8246
Tuynhuys (Cape Town)
Telephone: +27 (0)21 464 2100
Fax: +27 (0)21 462 2838
Head of Communications
Vacant
Telephone: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5431
Telephone: (Tuynhuys) +27 (0)21 464 2216
Fax: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5775
E-mail: sandra@po.gov.za
Communications
Presidential Spokesperson
Mr Mukoni Ratshitanga
Telephone: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5436
Mobile: +27 (0)82 300 3447
Fax: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 323 6080
E-mail: mukoni@po.gov.za
Postal Address: Private Bag X1000
Private Bag X1000
Postal Code: 0001
Communications
Director-General
Reverend Frank Chikane
Telephone: (Union Buildings) 012 300 5351
Telephone: (Tuynhuys) 021 464 2110
Fax: (Union Buildings) 012 300 5755
E-mail: thandi@po.gov.za
April 10th, 2008 21:36
http://zimbabwemetro.com/2008/04/08/government-takes-over-from-zec/
Wondering if you have seen this?
April 10th, 2008 22:08
Always remember, that it has been done before: The orange revolution in Ukraine, where the people ousted a similar dictator after a rigged election just three years ago. The dictator was supported by neighbouring Russia, but the people protested and won. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_Revolution
You ask for help from the world. But it seems that you need a lot of televised violence like in Kenya to get any kind of help from outside - and even then, it will not be “the world” but mostly your own continent that helps.
What happened, when the UN intervened in Somalia? The Somalis suddenly got a common enemy to fight - and they did. So I see no solution in the EU, UK, or USA trying to interfere, since this will only support Mugabe’s propaganda about the evil white western world trying to make Zimbabwe a colony again. It has to come from your “someone like you”.
In the EU, the other countries decided to boycot Austria, when they elected what was seen to be an un-democratic government. But if African countries had tried to interfere in the Austria-situation, it wouldn’t have mattered - they would just be ignored.
Same here: It needs to be neighbouring countries that protest or boycot - if European countries interfere, it will just be ignored or used as a propaganda tool.
The UN cannot really do anything - they respect sovereignty of all countries, even the un-democratic ones like China and Zimbabwe.
In other words: It is up to you: The opposition must unite, you must use all ties to neighbouring countries and you must be willing to mobilize.
From outside we can only provide you with media attention, sanctions against your leaders’ travel plans, and financial support.
April 10th, 2008 23:32
Glad that you have finally noticed that the EU countries cant do anything unless a neighbouring African country lets them into Zim.
And also that your major problem is Mbeki, who has been letting the Zim population starve to death protecting Mugabe for his own political purposes.
Because he is that much of a sadistic hypocrite with regard to the treatment of the poor black people.
April 10th, 2008 23:58
Expand the e-mail/phone and letter campaign to all of SADC ahead of the “extraordinary” meeting. Please copy and paste this contact list (long) into e-mails and send to all. Many of the addresses are for the US Embassies of the nations where I could not find a proper government site, or simply to supplement other addresses. Please note that at the end of the list there is a grouping of all the e-mail addresses into one place for bulk mailing.Please feel free to add to the list or amend where appropriate. If all the countries are overwhelmed before the meeting then maybe, just maybe, they will do something. Draft a leeter/e-mail and send it to all on the bulk e-mail list - then forward it to all your friends for them to send it to everyone one the list.
SADC Contact List (Bulk e-mail list at the end)
Botswana
Embassy of the Republic of Botswana
1531-3 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington DC 20036
Telephone: (202) 244-4990
Fax: (202) 244-4164
H.E. Mr. Lapologang Caesar Lekoa
Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana to the US
Email: llekoa@gov.bw
Ms. Sophie Heidi Mautle
Counsellor & Deputy Head of Mission
Email: smautle@gov.bw
Other Staff from the US Embassy (names may be found at http://www.botswanaembassy.org/staff.html): jtherego@gov.bw; ekuhlmann@gov.bw; mmoleleke@gov.bw; gchebanne@gov.bw; hluke@gov.bw; lsebogiso@gov.bw; cratsiripe@gov.bw;
Note: Judging from the formula for the gov.bw e-mails, you should be able to reach any official with the first letter of the first name plus the entire last name@gov.bw if this is true then the new president should be ikhama@gov.bw
Zambia:
State House Press and Public Relations
Independence Avenue
Woodlands
Lusaka
Zambia
1 0101
+260 1 266147/262094
+260 1 266092
P.O Box 30135
E-mail form can be sent from the following web page: http://www.statehouse.gov.zm/index.php?option=com_contact&Itemid=3
The U.S. Embassy of the Republic of Zambia
2419 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20008
Telephone: +1 (202) 265-9717
Fax: +1 (202) 265- 9718
Email: embzambia@aol.com
Tanzania
E-mail: tnwinfo@plancom.go.tz
Tanzania US Embassy:
2139 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: +1 (202) 939 6125/7
+1 (202) 884 1080
Fax: +1 (202) 797 7408
Email: Ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org
Malawi
E-mail: webmaster@malawi.gov.mw
Malawi - US Embassy
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW #1000
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: +1 (202) 721-0274
Angola
Angola US Embassy: angola@angola.org
Mozambique:
E-mail: webmaster@uem.mz
Mozambique - US Embassy:
1525 New Hampshire Avenue, NW,
Washington, DC 20036
phone: +1 (202) 293-7146
fax: +1 (202) 835-0245
e-mail: embamoc@aol.com
Swaziland
US Embassy of the Kingdom of Swaziland
International Dr. NW.
Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: +1 (202)362-6683 or 6685
FAX +1 (202)244-8059
Lesotho
THE LESOTHO MORNACHY CONTACT DETAILS
His Majesty King Letsie III
Her Majesty Queen’Masenate Mohato Seeiso
Senior Private Secretary : Lerotholi Mabotse
Address: The Royal Palace Secretariat
P. 0. Box 527
Maseru
Lesotho
Phone: (+266) 22 322170 / 22 312776
Fax:
Email: sps@palace.org.ls
Namibia
Office of the President
Hon. President: Hon. Hifikepunye Pohamba
Postal Address: Private Bag 13339,
Windhoek
Telephone Number: (061) 270 7111
Fax Number: (061) 245989
E-mail Address: hpohamba@op.gov.na
Office of the Founding President
Hon. President: Hon. Dr. Sam Nujoma
Postal Address: Private Bag 13220,
Windhoek
Telephone Number: (061) 377700
Fax Number: (061) 253098
E-mail Address: snujoma@op.gov.na
Namibia: Office of the Prime Minister
Hon. Prime Minister: Hon. Nahas Angula
Hon. Deputy Prime Minister: Hon. Dr Libertina Amathila
Permanent Secretary: Adv. Nangula Mbako
Postal Address: Private Bag 13338,
Windhoek
Telephone Number: (061) 287 9111
Fax Number: (061) 230648
E-mail Address: nangula@opm.gov.na
lamathila@opm.gov.na
Namibia US Embassy
1605 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
telephone.: +1 202.986.0540
facsimile.: +1 202.986.0443
info@namibianembassyusa.org
Mauritius
Dr The Honourable Navinchandra Ramgoolam
Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius
Prime Minister’s Office
New Treasury Building
Intendance Street`
Port Louis
E-mail primeminister@mail.gov.mu
Contact Us: Thru’ Confidential Secretary Tel. No 207-9400 / 207-2576
US Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius
4301 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 441
Washington DC 20008, USA
Tel.: (202) 244 1491/1492
Fax : (202) 966-0983
EMAIL: MAURITIUS.EMBASSY@prodigy.net
Democratic Republic of Congo
Permanent Mission to the United Nations
866 United Nations Plaza
Suite 511
New York, NY 10017
Tel.: +1 (212) 319-8061
Fax : +1 (212) 319-8232
E-mail: acpresse@gmail.com
Madagascar
U.S. Embassy
H.E. Ambassador Jocelyn Radifera
Embassy of the Republic of Madagascar
2374 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20008 USA
Tel: +1 202-265-5525
Fax: +1 202 265 3034
E-Mail: malagasy@embassy.org
UN Diplomatic Mission
H.E. Ambassador Zina Andrianarivelo
Permanent Representative to the United Nations
820 Second Avenue, Suite 800
New York, NY 10017 USA
Tel: +1 212-986-9491
Fax: +1 212-599-5021
List of worldwide embassies: http://www.madagascar-consulate.org/embassies-world.html
Government Website (was not working when I checked): http://www.assemblee-nationale.mg/mg/accueil.php
Seychelles
Government website: http://www.gov.sc
Department of Information Communications Technology
P.O Box 737
3rd Floor
Caravelle House
Manglier Street
Victoria
Telephone Number: +248-286600
Telefax Number: +248-324643
E Mail: webmaster@ict.gov.sc or fill in form at http://www.gov.sc/GeneralInfo/Home/feedback.aspx
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Website: http://www.mfa.gov.sc/government.html
Seychelles Consulate , United States
309th Street, Federal Way
Seattle, WA 98023
Phone:+1-253-8744-579
Fax: +1-253-8382-787
Email: churchl@tegris.com
Seychelles Embassy , United States
Suite 400C, 4th floor, 800 Second Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Phone: +1-212-972-1785
Fax: +1-212-972-1786
Email: seychelles@un.int
Seychelles Consulate , United States
P.O.Box 111909
Anchorage, Alaska 99511
Phone: +1-907-244-5375
Fax: +1-907-345-5607
Email: hwgreen@msn.com
South Africa
US Embassy
3051 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Tel: +1 (202) 232-4400
Fax: +1 (202) 265-1607
E-mail: info@saembassy.org
Union Buildings (Pretoria)
Telephone: +27 (0)12 300 5200
Fax: +27 (0)12 323 8246
Tuynhuys (Cape Town)
Telephone: +27 (0)21 464 2100
Fax: +27 (0)21 462 2838
Head of Communications
Vacant
Telephone: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5431
Telephone: (Tuynhuys) +27 (0)21 464 2216
Fax: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5775
E-mail: sandra@po.gov.za
Communications
Presidential Spokesperson
Mr Mukoni Ratshitanga
Telephone: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 300 5436
Mobile: +27 (0)82 300 3447
Fax: (Union Buildings) +27 (0)12 323 6080
E-mail: mukoni@po.gov.za
Postal Address: Private Bag X1000
Private Bag X1000
Postal Code: 0001
Communications
Director-General
Reverend Frank Chikane
Telephone: (Union Buildings) 012 300 5351
Telephone: (Tuynhuys) 021 464 2110
Fax: (Union Buildings) 012 300 5755
E-mail: thandi@po.gov.za
SADC Bulk E-Mail List (just copy and paste)
thandi@po.gov.za; mukoni@po.gov.za; embzambia@aol.com; tnwinfo@plancom.go.tz; Ubalozi@tanzaniaembassy-us.org; webmaster@malawi.gov.mw; angola@angola.org; webmaster@uem.mz; embamoc@aol.com; sps@palace.org.ls; hpohamba@op.gov.na; snujoma@op.gov.na; nangula@opm.gov.na; lamathila@opm.gov.na; info@namibianembassyusa.org; primeminister@mail.gov.mu; MAURITIUS.EMBASSY@prodigy.net; acpresse@gmail.com; malagasy@embassy.org; webmaster@ict.gov.sc; churchl@tegris.com; seychelles@un.int; hwgreen@msn.com; info@saembassy.org; sandra@po.gov.za; mukoni@po.gov.za; thandi@po.gov.za; llekoa@gov.bw; smautle@gov.bw; http://www.botswanaembassy.org/staff.html): jtherego@gov.bw; ekuhlmann@gov.bw; mmoleleke@gov.bw; gchebanne@gov.bw; hluke@gov.bw; lsebogiso@gov.bw; cratsiripe@gov.bw; ikhama@gov.bw
April 11th, 2008 00:06
*sigh* Im actually not suprised on how Mbeki has reacted to this atrocity,indeed, i was holding out hope that for once, he would grow a spine but it seems, it was not to be. In any how, im sure you guys are very aware about the injustices your very own people suffer here in Cape Town when trying to get their refugee status. The treatment of refugees and the indignity they suffer is horrendous, at the hands of our very own government! If Mbeki shows not an ounce of compassion for immigrants literally on his doorstep, I really dont see him putting his neck out for an entire nation!
Peace to you all and still holding thumbs there is a peaceful resolution soon!
Shirl
April 11th, 2008 01:30
Dear Friends and People of Zimbabwe -
Remember the words of another great friend of your country, Bishop Desmond Tutu, who said recently: “We hope the transition will be a peaceful one…” but he also has said: “the quiet diplomacy pursued by the SADC has not worked at all.” Also: “Enough is enough”. He has also warned the world that there would be “consequences” if firm deadlines for action were not met.
I fear that those ‘consequences’ may now prove inevitable if the SADC do not act responsibly very soon. It is five minutes to midnight. Democracy, as the whole world understands it, will not be achievable in Zimbabwe whilst Robert Mugabe still tries to hold on to power. Either diplomacy rules and a peace-keeping force is dispatched, or, ultimately and inevitably, the people, you, dear people, will have to seize your freedom by other means.
April 11th, 2008 11:51
Another day of waiting. I was glad to read Henrik’s reasoned argument about the need for clear communication and collaborative strategies involving neighbouring countries. I agree that opposition from Europe and USA just fuels the dictator’s fire and vindicates the blame he lays at the door of imperialism past and present. Today’s comments give us a wealth of information and practical, immediate actions to engage other African states in the debate. Thank you to those of you who have worked to compile these lists and instructions. I’m encouraged by Henrik’s reminder of the Orange revolution in the Ukraine,I also remembered the bringing down of the Berlin Wall. In 1994 when elections were held in SA, I was overjoyed because I had almost given up hope that it would happen in my lifetime. There is Hope but Hope needs hands and feet.