rs who are playing monkey games with us. This entire talks debacle is a well-calculated thing aimed at destroying the real MDC.
Mtambara and Welsh know this. I pity people who have been hoodwinked into believing that MDC (PF) (Mutambara) is a real opposition splinter group exercising their democratic right. The truth is this is a Zanu (PF) grouping put in place only to destroy the real opposition force.
The MDC is the only opposition Zanu (PF) failed to destroy for seven years and is threatening a total destruction of Zanu (PF).
My opinion is that-
1. The MDC must go back to the strategising table and forget about the talks, which were a ploy to destrategise them.
2. Real people opposed to Zanu (PF) must join hands with Tsvangirai without any preconditions.
(3) If Zanu (PF) have already rejected a people-driven Constitution, and Thabo is trying to persuade MDC to accept the amendments put to the Constitution by Zanu (PF) alone, then there are no talks but just a political dirty game which doesn’t consider the suffering majority’s plight for the sake of one man, one vote.
LOVEMORE CHIKANDIWA, MDC Pretoria District Chairman, South Africa
Serve people’s interest
EDITOR – There are reports of an imminent breakthrough in the MDC/ Zanu (PF) talks in South Africa. There is talk of President Mbeki extracting concessions from both parties. I guess we should all be happy but I am still worried.
The secrecy surrounding the talks makes me uneasy because we may be in for a shock when the deal is announced. I, therefore, write to remind the MDC that they are in these talks to represent the people of Zimbabwe. Where Zanu (PF) is driven by the desire to retain power, they should be driven by the desire to liberate the people from economic and political problems.
Whatever concessions they make should be guided by the principles of the struggle to change our nation for the better. If reports coming out of South Africa are anything to go by, then it would appear that the MDC has given so much ground that the people should feel cheated.
We are told that they have now dropped the demand for a new Constitution and are pursuing the route of influencing the 18th Amendment to the Constitution. This is exactly what the people are afraid of. The people do not want the constitutional process to be the preserve of those in Parliament. In any case Zanu (PF) can push through whatever they want in Parliament. They do not need the MDC.
What makes the MDC believe that after seven years in Parliament they will be able to influence Zanu (PF) this time round? A new Constitution would have given a new legislative and legal framework whereas it would appear that the path chosen gives a temporary relief if at all.
We need reassurance from the MDC that they are not selling out the people’s aspirations for political gain in the short term. The talks in South Africa are not about Tendai Biti or Welshman Ncube. They are not even about Tsvangirai or Mutambara. They are about a new Zimbabwe. There is, therefore, need for all parties to ensure that the people’s aspirations remain at the centre of the negotiations and that the new Zimbabwe project remains on course. The people deserve better!
NYENGETERAI GIDI, United Kingdom
He’ll govern only grave
EDITOR – MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai now rubs shoulders with the likes of charismatic former South African President Nelson Mandela, now putting him as Zimbabwe’s world statesman, ahead of the current Zimbabwean dictator who has for the past 27 years destroyed his statesmanship due to his selfishness, both on the international and domestic scene.
Even the MDC rebel leaders such as Welshman Ncube and their Zanu (PF) alliance knows that – as is confirmed by the continued harassment on the opposition and the rightful President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mr Tsvangirai, on his return from Australia.
It’s only a lunatic who doesn’t notice that the dictator’s miscalculations will cost both him and his Matakadyakare party to his grave. And, anyway, he will occupy only a few inches at the national shrine, but the rest will be left for Tsvangirai to govern.
MR THUNDER (FT), Taliban Constituency, Chitubu, Zimbabwe
Zimfest disappointed
EDITOR – So Zimfest took place on Saturday. This was my second time, and although a great opportunity to meet old friends and fill up on sadza, I was disappointed once again, with the missed opportunity to really showcase Zimbabwean musical talent.
The music started a couple of hours later than expected. Sadly this had a domino effect, and by the time Water Ship Down started – one of my main reasons for making the trek to London – the organisers were running so far behind that they pulled the band off the stage after only three songs.
As far as my friends and I were concerned, they were the only rock band with the tunes to replace Mann Friday and really get the crowd going. As much as I enjoyed Thabani and the great Chiwoniso, the representation of different musical styles was completely slanted.
Another problem was that Sam Munro (‘Comrade Fatso’) was on the Main Stage. Now, he’s fantastic and very insightful and it was great to see him again after his performance at the Get Up Stand Up festival in July, but I had the impression he was going to be the main draw at a new Cultural Tent, which was unfortunately nowhere to be seen.
If there were dance workshops, storytelling and poetry, then it was woefully under-advertised and must have been tucked somewhere round the back of the main part of the festival.
Come on Hilton and the rest of the music team – give us something to be really proud of next year! Thanks to everyone who made Saturday such a special day, again, in the midst of all the troubles our family are going through at home.
ZIMBABWEAN MUSIC GROUPIE, United Kingdom
Samaritan cast out
EDITOR – I am a conservative parish councillor in Mirfield near Leeds, UK. Recently a gentleman moved into the area and in my Anglican church and diocese, who had just recently been put out of Zimbabwe (Harare, or nearby) by Mr Mugabe’s regime
This person, Mr Mike Neville, had been a headmaster in schools there, a lay reader in the Anglican or Methodist diocese, and had been a government minister for seven years and a part of Mr Mugabe’s delegation to the United Nations in New York and Rome. He has lost his house, savings, pension and many things.
How sad when a servant in the community is treated this way by this regime which he served. “We always throw away the hand that serves us”, Martin Luther King used to say. Sundry examples like this are a reproach to good people and should serve as an example and a warning to the international community of such oppressive regimes.
Clr. John D. Nottingham BA (Hons) OpHF, Mirfield Town Council, Conservative.
J & E HARDY, Southampton, UK
UK right on Georgias
EDITOR – Recent media reports suggest Senator Aguy Georgias has announced he is suing the British government for refusing him leave to enter or transit through Britain while en route to New York.
If he actually ever got to New York, he may have had even more humiliation, and could have encountered even more difficulties..
With his complaint there was silence about what self-serving or Zanu (PF) task he was undertaking for his alleged ‘travel-sanctions-busting’ trip abroad into the ‘evil’ Western, democratic world that he and his comrades envy and disdain so much?
As he and other listed comrades well know, the Senators’ name appears on a globally list of people banned from travelling to and via some nations, that include the US and EU states.
Has he ever wondered how he became a listed international pariah-state enabler and supporter?
Is he addicted to the Herald, ZTV, ZBC, Zanu (PF) and their lies and propaganda?
Has Supa Mandiwanzira’s biased and pretentious talk – locally and via Mugabe’s supportive comrades in Thabo Mbeki’s ‘Snuki Zikalala enabled’ SABC services – uplifted his delusion and spirit?
Senator Georgias’ claims he suffered inhumane treatment at the hands of British immigration officers.
One wonders why the ‘elected’ Senator does not wail about his other citizens in the oppressive Zanu (PF) culture.
The Senator overlooks that his hero has produced a list of banned visitors to Zimbabwe!
We will not hear more about the Senator’s legal challenges other that to record more diarised ‘mud in the face’ hilarity about another Zanu (PF) stooge whose future appears to be becoming more complicated.
LOOTER MPOFU, South Africa
Sankara’s words live on
EDITOR – As a student at the University of Zimbabwe in the ’80s, Thomas
Sankara made a lasting impression on my young life. His courage, vision and people- centred leadership were hallmarks that had began to influence and change a whole generation of young Africans. The enemies of real change in Africa took him away from us just as his leadership was beginning to take root.
Sankara Memorable Quotes: 1983-87
On Change:
You cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness. In this case, it comes from non-conformity, the ability to turn your back on old formulas, the courage to invent the future. It took the madmen of yesteryear for us to be able to act with extreme clarity today. I want to be one of those madmen. We must dare to
invent the future.”
On the African Woman:
“This human being, this vast and complex combination of joy and pain; solitary and forsaken, yet creator of all humanity; suffering, frustrated, and humiliated, and yet endless source of happiness for each one of us; this source of affection beyond compare, inspiring the most unexpected courage; this being called weak, but possessing untold ability to inspire us to take the road of honour; this being of flesh and blood and of spiritual conviction – this being, women, is you. You are our mothers and life companions in struggle, and because of this fact you should by rights assert yourselves as equal partners in Africa’s Renaissance and Development. It is in this
light that all of us, men and women, must define and affirm the role and place of women in society. Therefore, we must restore to man his true image by making the reign of freedom prevail over differentiations imposed by nature and by eliminating all kinds of hypocrisy that sustain the shameless exploitation of women.
Inequality was produced by our own minds and intelligence in order to develop a concrete form of domination and exploitation.”
His memory and words live on. R.I.P, Captain Sankara.
EJM, Zimbabwe
Let him do devil’s work
EDITOR – Today I am appealing to the police force, the militia and war veterans. Please stand firm and ridicule Robert Mugabe’s old tricks, you know him better
Use your own judgement and refuse instructions to oppress your own people. You and sniffer dogs are being abused by this man who wants to rule forever.
The police, militiamen, etc got instructions from Mugabe to invade someone’s privacy, like they did to Gift Phiri and many opposition activists for no apparent reason. When they are confronted to explain why, they admit not having any warrant to act that way. Shame on you Sergeant T.R.R
The nation is crying at the lawlessness where the police, the militia and war veterans are being abused but continue to allow this to happen.
Mugabe can do anything to remain in power, including destroying the livelihoods of the nation. I hope you read my message: Please leave Mugabe to deal with his devilsh deeds alone, leave him to do it alone!
There has been a continuous, systematic brutalisation of Zimbabweans motivated by the ruling party Zanu (PF) to intimidate all opposition groups.
I am appealing to these guys to please tell Robert Mugabe the truth and say ‘no’ when they have to and be thoughtful before carrying out evil acts.
Mugabe cannot do without the militia, police and war veterans but the militia, police and war veterans can do without Robert Mugabe and his ruling party.
Chimbovasiyayi vakadaro sekuru ava vafe vega, just leave the old man to
die alone, tshiyani ixegu leli lizifele lodwa. Together we will build a new
Zimbabwe and prove RG wrong.
KATE KAMANDA, MDC Milton Keynes Branch, UK