SWRA this weekend

wherever you are. 

Today on Hotseat, Violet speaks with Political Science Professor John Makumbe about the way forward for Zimbabwe. The MDC has rejected calls for a Government of National Unity in favour of a Transitional Authority. How likely is it that Mugabe would give up power that he obtained by force, to pave the way for a Transitional Authority? Which option is more likely and which one is better for national healing? Every weekday we bring an Appeal for Peace from a respected and well-known individual aimed at those who are guilty of perpetrating the ongoing acts of violence, intimidation and torture against the innocent people of Zimbabwe. The appeal also addresses members of the armed forces and reminds them of their mandate to protect and serve the people, a duty that so many of them seem to have forgotten. We desperately need peace in our country in order for democracy to take seed and grow. Today’s message comes from Simon Dreadman’ Mudekwa, President of the Zimbabwe Revolutionary Youth Movement. On today’s Callback John describes Mugabe’s arrogance and gives his reasons why he believes the AU continues to accept him; Miss Banda talks about the ever worsening economic hardships they are enduring, and Simon Mudekwa talks about their plans to blockade the Zimbabwe / South Africa border this weekend, along with COSATU. 

Saturday we have HEALTHbeat, where Mandisa talks to Tsitsi Singizi, Communications Officer with UNICEF Zimbabwe, about the tens of thousands of children who have been affected by the recent political violence. These are children who have witnessed acts of violence or have themselves been victims of violence and displacement. Stella Allberry, nursing sister and Secretary for Health with the MDC Mutambara, talks about political violence in the Bulawayo area and what she sees as a necessary process of healing for the nation. On Reporter’s Forum Lance is joined by Tererai Karimakwenda and political commentator Bekithemba Mhlanga. Will anything come out of the African Union Summit in Egypt? What are the options for action? Mhlanga contends that if North Korea with all its resources could be brought into talks by US pressure then Zimbabwe, a less powerful country, would easily buckle under similar pressure. Karimakwenda meanwhile argues that a government of national unity with murderers’ is out of the question. On The Road to Democracy Tererai talks to Alois Mbawara from the FreeZim Youth pressure group in London, about the resolution on Zimbabwe made by the African leaders at the A.U. Summit. Mbawara welcomed their criticism of the situation in Zimbabwe but said that violence had to stop before any negotiations can begin. Then in another edition of Callback, Max and Charamba, who are living as refugees in a church in South Africa, talk about their excitement after the March elections when they thought they would be going home to Zimbabwe. They also discuss the illegitimacy of the Mugabe government. Knowledge describes how the use of violence and intimidation helped secure Mugabe’s so-called win in this election, and Stewart tells how he was forced to vote, but he made sure that he spoiled his ballot paper.

This Sunday on Through the Valley, Richard looks at the sham elections through the lens of the New Testament. Where there appears to be desolation and endless darkness, there lives a hope that cannot be crushed, and Jesus promises rest to those with heavy burdens. The Rev Ray Pountney shares his sense of emptiness in the wake of the elections, and what he felt when watching Mugabe pick up a Bible and promise to serve his country to the best of his ability. Ray finds in Psalm 10 a way of seeing the problem in a fresh light. On Rebuilding Zimbabwe, political commentator Roderick Chipezeze believes that it’s time Zimbabweans woke up to face the reality that only they themselves have the power to change things in the country, using any means possible. On Democracy 101, the programme that gives a beginners guide to democracy and the democratic process, Professor Stan Mukasa and Willy join Mandisa to continue their discussion on the various forms of action that can be taken to influence the democratic process in Zimbabwe. What can Zimbabweans do in light of the fact that the regional leaders have let the democratic process down? 

Every weekday we bring you a Newsreel bulletin at both the opening and the closing of our weekday broadcasts with all the latest news concerning Zimbabwe, and on Saturday we have a News Roundup of the week’s events.

SW RADIO AFRICA – on line 24 hours a day at www.swradioafrica.com and daily broadcasts on 12035kHz in the 25m band; and 4880 kHz in the 60m band

between 7 – 9 pm Zimbabwe time.