The A to Z of programming this weekend beginning on SW Radio Africa

As usual, Violet presents the weeks Hotseat. Her guest this week is political commentator Professor Stanford Mukasa with his analysis on the progress of the power sharing government. Mukasa likens the GNU to a chicken and egg sacrifice where one chicken gives eggs and survives, while the other gives pork and dies. The discussion also looks into the arrests of MDC MPs and asks if the arrests are merely persecution, or is it more a case of recklessness on the part of some of the MPs, complicated by the unequal application of law by the State? On Callback we hear from well known performance poet Outspoken who is making a big name for himself in the Southern African region. He speaks about his craft and his message, and he recites a couple of his powerful poems. In Cathy Buckles Letter from Zimbabwe she describes how recently her friend was faced with, what would be a problem, even an emergency in the “normal world, that was destined to be a nightmare in our broken country.

On Saturday we have HEALTHbeat, which takes an holistic view of issues concerning health and well-being. We hear from Professor James Hakim, a lecturer with the University of Zimbabwes Department of Medicine who was also one of the Investigators in a recent study looking at the Development of Antiretroviral Therapy in Africa (DART). The 3 300 patient six year study was a randomised trial to monitor approaches to managing antiretroviral therapy (ARV) in adults with HIV in Uganda and Zimbabwe. The findings of the study were very interesting, namely that lab tests of how ARVs work and their resultant side effects do little to prolong life, meaning that more HIV patients could be treated if funds were switched from expensive laboratory testing to local care in villages. And SWRA correspondent Lionel Saungweme talks about corruption that is leading to the procurement of cheap and fake drugs, especially ARVs, and the purchasing of faulty equipment by dishonest healthcare employees. Then, Tichaona presents the programme Rebuilding Zimbabwe. The MDC-UK national executive is organising an investment workshop in October to try and gauge the mood of potential investors. Organising Secretary Jaison Matewu believes that investors in the UK will be forthcoming once there is clear evidence of real change within the shattered country. Join us for The Heart of the Matter where well-known journalist and broadcaster Tanonoka Whande shares his unique thoughts and insights on current events. Tanonoka reports on how the 3 leaders of the GNU last week embarked on an attempt to coax Zimbabweans into national healing while their government agents continue to abuse and harm the people for their political beliefs. He goes on to say, There cannot be any shortcut to reconciliation and forgiveness. The issue must be approached with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves, and not be used to cover up as Mugabe is clearly trying to do. On Callback Kazembe says ZANU PF doesnt want the situation to change because they are benefiting from their own corruption, Deejay asks how we can have national healing when the perpetrators of violence are still walking free, and Mdala says ZANU PF is using trumped up charges against MDC MPs to jail them and reduce their numbers in Parliament.

This week on Through the Valley, Richard reflects on the astounding news the Judge Ben Hlatshwayo has awarded the Anglican Churchs property to ousted Bishop Norbert Kunonga, and stopped the consecration of Canon Chad Gandiya as the next bishop of Harare. Join Alex for Africa News Focus, the programme that brings you some of the weeks leading news from across the African continent. This week, Alex looks at the weeks violent clashes in Nigeria that left about 600 people dead, including the leader of an Islamist extremist group, supposedly while in police custody. Alex also examines the chaotic week long municipal workers strike in South Africa that has crippled public services in the country, and the attacks on several journalists in Zambia by ruling party supporters. Sunday night were On the Pulse, with Lance. He speaks to the organisers of the ZimFest festival in the United Kingdom, Sylvester Mutsigwa and Hilton Mendelsohn who talk about what they have planned for this year. Music played is from Kudakwashe Musasiwa and the DKR crew, including hits DKR Anthem, Back in the Day, Misodzi, Shumba Musango and King Pinns I salute you.

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 weeks events.

SW RADIO AFRICA on line 24 hours a day at www.swradioafrica.com and daily broadcasts on 4880 kHz in the 60m band between 7 – 9 pm Zimbabwe time.