ZANU PF’s repressive attitude remains

Activists continue to be beaten and arrested; the regime continues to use repressive laws to block journalists from working, and the MDC itself is still being blocked from feeding starving orphans. This week we look at whether it is really possible for a dictator to share power and to what extent is the fractured MDC ready to take on the role of government? The Appeal for Peace addresses those who are guilty of perpetrating violence, intimidation and torture in our country and comes from Zimbabweans from all walks of life. Today’s message is from Freeman Chari, Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Youth Movement. On Friday’s Callback Chishanu describes the food shortages and the exorbitant costs of transport; Martin Luther, a teacher who recently moved to South Africa, says that the day he realised his salary wouldn’t pay for the next days bus journey to work was the day when he realised he had to leave Zimbabwe, then Data says how people are now working just to keep themselves busy,’ because salaries are now worthless. Cathy Buckle’s Letter from Zimbabwe focuses on this critical time in Zimbabwe when almost half the population needs food aid,’ but there is no seed maize to buy, not in Zim Dollars or American dollars and we are just a couple of weeks away from the main planting season.’ 

Saturday we have HEALTHbeat, which takes a holistic view of issues of health and well-being. Recent disturbing reports have described the terrible food crisis, and the increase in child labour. Nokholo Mhluzani from the information department of Bulawayo Agenda talks about the food crisis in Nkayi and how people living with HIV and AIDS have been affected. Then Shamiah Nyaude, Information and Communications Officer with the Child Protection Society, speaks about child labour and the effects of the lack of food on children. Then it’s time for Reporter’s Forum where Pedzisai Ruhanya, a former News Editor with the banned Daily News, and SW Radio Africa correspondent Lionel Saungweme, join Lance to discuss the unilateral allocation of powerful cabinet ministries by Mugabe to his ZANU PF party. And are street protests still a viable option for Zimbabwe’s pro-democracy movement, given developments so far? Then it’s The Heart of the Matter where well-known journalist and broadcaster Tanonoka Whande shares his unique thoughts and insights on current events. On the programme Tanonoka focuses on the lack of progress in resolving the deadlock, Mugabe’s stubbornness in refusing to share power, and Mbeki’s waning enthusiasm. On Callback Chamondo describes how they have given up hope that the deal will work and that Tsvangirai should pull out, and Mutsa shares his thoughts on the deal and the current deadlock. 

This Sunday on Through the Valley, Richard interviews the director of Jesuit Missions, Father Tim Curtis, on the urgent food appeal they have made for Zimbabwe, as they are trying to raise £180,000 to fund a container of mealie meal to go to the country from South Africa. Tichaona presents the programme Rebuilding Zimbabwe where the MDC MP for Lobengula in Bulawayo, Sam Sipepa Nkomo, is the guest. He says that Robert Mugabe’s regime has never been interested in allowing the country to prosper economically to better the lives of millions of Zimbabweans, and says the regime is self centred, corrupt and bent on enriching itself at the expense of the suffering millions. Democracy 101 is the programme that gives a beginners guide to democracy and the democratic process. Dominic and Willy stay on the subject of the interplay between culture and democracy and how that influences the younger generation. They also discuss how Zimbabweans in the Diaspora are affected by this.