Call for teachers to return

ing to the exodus of trained teachers. Raymond Majongwe, who presided over the elections to appoint an executive committee for the South African chapter, called on the Zimbabwean government to take drastic measures to improve the conditions of teachers so that those in exile could go back home to uplift the standard of education. “Zimbabwe still needs these teachers who have left the country because of poor salaries, unpalatable working conditions as well as political harassment. Our organisation has never encouraged teachers to leave the country as alleged by some people,” Majongwe said. He said the call by President Mugabe for all the professionals who have left the country to return home and help to rebuild the country indicated a realisation by those in power that they cannot do without those they have caused to flee. Majongwe also called on the teachers to unite and fight the ill-treatment and exploitation they are facing in private colleges in South Africa. “You run away from Zimbabwe because of fear and you want again to live in fear. You should stand up for your rights and don’t let yourselves be exploited by these colleges.”
Many Zimbabwe teachers based in South Africa are being exploited by private colleges who pay them peanuts to work in harsh conditions. The outgoing PTZ-SA chairman, Bongani Nyathi said, most of the teachers were afraid to expose the exploitation in case they lost their jobs. Commenting on the recent increases awarded to teachers, which saw all salaries doubled, Majongwe said he was glad that at last the government had heard the demands put across by his organisation. Members elected to the executive committee include: Doctor Ncube (Chairman), S Limukani (Vice Chairman), Bongani Nyathi (Secretary General), Prosper Ndlovu (Treasurer), Salomi Dlamini (Women Affairs secretary), Thuso Khumalo, a teacher turned journalist (International Affairs), Thulisile Dube (Information and publicity), Khulumane Mutsamai and Esnathi Banda – committee members. – CAJ News

TALC offers care for elderly
HARARE – A new organisation has been started in Harare offering a personalised service to care for elderly relatives who have had to be left behind as families disperse throughout the world to escape political persecution and economic destitution in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Entitled TALC – Tender Antique Loving Care – the organisation offers a number of services including payment of monthly utility bills and medical aid, counselling, spring cleaning, basic home maintenance, regular visits, pet care and special birthday events. – For more info, call +263 91 315 323 or email chipesa@zol.co.zw