wonder whether you will do anything that you didn’t do by the time I was shaking that area with MDC messages. Otherwise you want to intimidate MDC followers in my area not to immitate or keep on preaching the message, now I am telling them loudly to shun your threats and liberate themselves, because they don’t eat your threats, and neither do they eat from the CIO nor Zanu coffers. To the people of Chiredzi south may I advise you that you will not do any better by listening to their threats because they will do nothing to avert your poverty as even their own close relatives are starving, they can’t do anything to help them out of their starvation.
ONWARDS EVER BACKWARDS NEVER, Chiredzi
Compliments to Esrom
EDITOR – I just want to compliment Esrom, ‘the yellowman’, Nyandoro for flying the nation’s flag high in South Africa. Barring any surprises, Nyandoro will be crowned the South African footballer of the year. His discipline both on and off the field is inspirational to other youngsters. I hope Esrom gets the award he deserves in order to brighten his prospects of getting a place at a prestigious club in Europe. Well done Esrom, your excelling is not only good for yourself and Sundowns, but the nation as a whole. Continue with your fine form and always remember to keep your feet on the ground. WITNESS ROYA, Harare
Youths must speak out
EDITOR – The designation of 2001-2010 by the United Nations as the “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World” is a clear indication in itself that young people will immensely benefit from this global movement. It is for this reason that I strongly believe that as young people we should be empowered to take a leading role in the creation of peaceful and non-violent societies. Of worth to note is that our contribution can only be meaningful and comprehensive if we actively participate in the creation of a society that has respect for human rights, good governance and democracy. As young people there is an imperative need to show the world that we are really committed to promoting the dignity of the human person. This should in part be exuded through joining civil society organisations in the areas mentioned above. As for civil society organisations, your role here is to educate us because we really need your services. These should not be restricted to urban areas but there is also need to put the last first so to speak. Young people, we are today the last in the line, the hard to find and the most difficult to learn from. Why should we continue to be inconspicuous, inarticulate and unorganised? Our voices are seldom heard at public meetings where it is customary for only the big men to put their views. Let us refuse to be the cooking pot that just cooks but never tastes the food. I for one would want to believe that we are the heirs of the Zimbabwean kingdom by our virtue of being the earth’s future generation and as a consequence we should be more often than not be seen to be doing something rather than being armchair observers. Being reticent and taciturn gets us nowhere. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Above all else, remember that one may die only once and it is better to die in pursuit of what is right. MUTSA, Randburg
Zimbabwe was never free
EDITOR – Zimbabwe was never a free country. Our constitution never reflected a true democratic nation, even before Prof Jonathan Moyo introduced the draconian laws, AIPPA and POSA. It is sometimes difficult to separate legend from truth. I grew up in Binga, a remote district, secluded and almost forgotten from the outside world.
We are forced to learn Ndebele language at school. Our Tonga counterparts falling under Mashonaland are taught Shona. Our own traditions are being obliterated by man and time. The history of the minority groups of Zimbabwe is not taught in schools, not even in their districts of origin. The knowledge of our country’s past is one important incentives to patriotic behaviour. We seek a balanced interpretation of our country’s history, not just biased personal judgements based on false research, and lacking authenticity. Besides providing a window on the past history can broaden our understanding of the present human condition. Our government has constantly thwarted our efforts to get our voices heard across the spectrum. The past is littered with bloodshed, false promises and unfair distribution of public wealth. We need a government that unites all the people of Zimbabwe, not the one that throws minority groups to political graveyard. AMOS MUTALE, South Africa