JAG Security Update July 1,
2003
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
On
the evening of 30 June 5 men broke into the farm house of and elderly
couple
in Mvurwi while they were watching TV. The thieves tied up the
farmer and his
wife and stole a significant amount of cash, clothing cell
phones, a revolver
and a motor vehicle. The motor vehicle and some of the
other stolen goods
including the revolver were recovered after the vehicle
ran out of petrol and
was abandoned on a nearby farm.
The thieves knew there was cash in the
house and it would seem that this
was their prime motive for the theft. The
farmer and his wife reacted very
calmly to the situation and responded
positively to the thieves requests
and were not harmed in the
incident.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE
JAG TEAM
Email: justice@telco.co.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet:
www.justiceforagriculture.com
JAG
Hotlines:
(011) 612 595 If you are in trouble or need advice,
(011)
205 374
(011) 863 354 please don't hesitate to contact us -
(091) 317 264
(011) 207 860 we're here to help!
(011) 431 068
JUSTICE FOR AGRICULTURE PR COMMUNIQUÉ - July 1, 2003
Email: justice@telco.co.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet:
www.justiceforagriculture.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PR
Communiqué No. 1
From The Cape Times (SA), 30 June
Pahad calls on
US to show its hand in financing a solution for the Zimbabwe
crisis
By
John Battersby
With nine days to go before United States President George
Bush arrives in
South Africa, the government has called on the Bush
administration to show
its hand on a US plan to bankroll an economic revival
in Zimbabwe once
President Robert Mugabe has stepped down. Deputy Foreign
Minister Aziz
Pahad said in an interview yesterday, that South Africa would
like to get
more information from the Americans about what they envisaged
with the
plan. "We would like to discuss it with them and find out what they
mean,"
said Pahad. He said that there were no figures attached to the
suggestion
by US Secretary of State Colin Powell in an article in the New
York Times
last week that the Bush administration would earmark substantial
funds for
Zimbabwe's economic revival once Mugabe had stepped down and
elections were
on the cards. "The US would be quick to pledge generous
assistance to the
restoration of Zimbabwe's political and economic
institutions even before
the election," Powell wrote. The European Union (EU)
has made similar
proposals and the British have earmarked £20 million. SA
government
officials have in the past called on Britain - (and by implication
the US)
which guaranteed British pledges for land reform at the 1980
Lancaster
House conference on Zimbabwean independence - to compensate
farmers
stripped of their land under Mugabe's land seizure programme. There
is an
expectation in government circles that some of the US funds could be
used
for compensating farmers who were unjustly robbed of their land in
a
process which subverted the rule of law.
At a media briefing earlier
in Pretoria yesterday, Pahad called on the US
to show its hand on Zimbabwe
and see if it could improve on the plan of
African leaders. "I hope that we
can reach a common approach on Zimbabwe,"
said Pahad, conceding that there
had been progress and setbacks in attempts
to resolve the crisis. "If there
is another route to go they (the
Americans) must put it on the table," he
said, in an apparent reference to
the US plan to help fund the reconstruction
of post-Mugabe Zimbabwe. Pahad
said that the Bush visit would afford an ideal
opportunity for the two
parties to have a thorough discussion on Zimbabwe and
for South Africa to
explain the African initiative. "If there are tactical
differences we will
discuss them," he said. Pahad said that there were no
fundamental
differences between South Africa and the US on either Zimbabwe or
America's
war against Iraq. Pahad's remarks followed Powell's criticism of
South
Africa and other countries in the region for not being
sufficiently
proactive in dealing with the Zimbabwean crisis. Pahad played
down Powell's
comments. "I don't want to make a judgment on one interview,"
he said.
"There were many positive aspects to what the US Secretary of State
had
said." Powell will not accompany Bush on his Africa visit. Instead he
will
be accompanied by Assistant Secretary of State for Africa,
Walter
Kansteiner.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
PR
Communique No. 2
LOSS DOCUMENT FACILITATORS
The matter of full
compensation to farmers for what they have lost as a
result of the fast track
resettlement programme is very clear. The farmer
has the right to claim
according to the law of Zimbabwe and International
law.
Before farmers
can initiate this process there are certain responsibilities
that they have
to be aware of. Farmers will only be compensated if they
submit a claim for
what they have lost.
Certain formats and procedures exist that have to
followed to document and
present the facts. The Valuation Certificate from
the Valuators Consortium
is vital and will form part of the final document
and will represent
approximately 40% of the total amount due to the
farmer.
To assist farmers to fill in their claims in the prescribed
format we have
trained 18 facilitators throughout the country that are ready
to assist you
from the 1st July 2003.
All farmers are urged to have
the process completed by the end of November
2003. This will assist us to
process the information and to initiate the
first step in the International
arena by the 1st February 2004. The sooner
negotiations take place the sooner
compensation will be received.
For the purpose of this exercise there is
no difference between farmers
that are still on the farm and those that have
had to leave their farms.
All farmers have suffered and have the right to
claim. At no stage will any
names or details of farmers be revealed. There
will be no discrimination as
a result of affiliation.
Farmers will be
charged on a cost recovery basis, according to a prescribed
format, by the
facilitators. On completion each farmer will have a
completed document in
hand that remains his personal property.
This document will contain
details of all losses suffered by the farmer and
will serve to represent him
during all future negotiations and legal
procedures.
The information
on the central database will be used during negotiations on
behalf of all
farmers but will not reveal any of your personal information.
Your
information will be treated as confidential and your rights will be
protected
and respected at all times.The following are a list of numbers
you can dial
in the various centres.
Bulawayo: 091 236 317
Chiredzi: 011 609 823,
011 425 056, 031 2675, 031 2638, 031 3337
Kadoma: 011 208 767, 068 245 74,
068 235 15
Harare: 04 499 783, 04 494 837, 04 883 399, 091 234 876, 04 735
217
Marondera: 011 611 298, 079 239 23
Mutare: 020 63651
JAG OPEN LETTER FORUM
Email: justice@telco.co.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet:
www.justiceforagriculture.com
Please
send any material for publication in the Open Letter Forum to
justice@telco.co.zw with "For Open Letter
Forum" in the subject line.
Letter 1: from Kerry Kay.
Last Sunday
morning 29th June 2003 we set out from Marondera at 0545 to a
nearby communal
farming area to visit an old widowed Ambuya (Grandmother)
friend of ours who
cares for her 11 orphaned grandchildren. Under normal
circumstances Ambuya
has always grown crops to feed her large family and
sell in town. She can no
longer afford the inputs, the grandchildren have
had to drop out of school
and she is unable to feed and clothe them. We
had with us some clothing,
blankets and food to tide her over the next
month.
When we arrived in
the freezing cold drizzle of the early morning Ambuya
walked towards us
barefoot, her face deeply etched with worry, but her arms
outstretched for
that big hug that I have come to cherish over the past few
years of turmoil
in all our lives. All she asked for was help to start an
income- generating
project so that she did not have to rely on us and could
once again be
self-sufficient. That will be the sentiment of millions of
proud Zimbabweans
from all walks of life today, disadvantaged and
dispossessed by the Zanu (PF)
regime.
En route back to Marondera we drove through our now unutilized
and derelict
farm. 54 years of development destroyed in 12 months. As we
crossed the
boundary fence Iain said "that Msasa tree is missing" - it was at
least 80
years old - felled. Later that day when I told David, our eldest
son, he
said "Mum I know exactly which tree you are talking about". The
lands lie
fallow, only remnants of scrappy subsistence maize plots, more
trees being
cut down, a few more huts being built, no evidence of any land
preparation.
Where the few plots of tobacco were grown, the stalks stand
proud in the
fields, a month after the regulated stalk destruction date!
Anguish
tightens my chest; no it's not a heart attack, just a broken heart.
For
the next fifty kilometers there were two small crops of wheat, one of
which
was fifty per cent weeds, (the other was "Air Vice Marshal" Perence
Shiri's
crop on his acquired Eirene Farm) and nothing other than hundreds of
little
bus stops, and roadside patches of tomatoes and rape. Is this going to
feed
the nation? Is this progress? The Land redistribution programme
is
complete says President Mugabe with smug satisfaction from his
opulent
surroundings? We, the true patriotic Zimbabweans of all ethnic
origins,
beg to differ. The Land Destruction, People Displacement,
Violence,
Torture and Retribution Programs have been carried out with
certain
success. It is not over! The wheels of state sponsored violence
and
destruction are moving in relentless motion towards their goal of
absolute
power and dominance at all costs.
Nelson Mandela said " What
challenges us is to ensure that none should
enjoy lesser rights; and none
tormented because they are born different,
hold contrary political views, or
pray to God in a different
manner".
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
2: Anne Philp
There has been so much controversy over this year's Farming
Oscar award. A
little while ago someone suggested to me that Meryl
Harrison's name should
be put forward. I fully endorse this suggestion and
so do so many other
farmers.
Meryl has saved so many farmers beloved
pets, horses, farm cats, birds,
livestock and precious wild life. On so many
occasions she has acted with
such bravery and incredible courage. It would
be difficult for anyone to
put into words the enormous relief from stress
that she has given not only
to so many poor helpless animals, but also their
owners when their animals
have been rescued. Please write in and support
this nomination.
Many people know Meryl is now very sick and requires
S.A. care. Anyone who
can possibly help with real money should contact
Bernice Dryer,
National Chairman ZNPCA,
P.O.Box 470,
Kadoma.
Email:
conroc@mweb.co.zw
Fax; 263 68
23443.
Phone; 263 68
24037
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter
3: To the Editor:
Re "Freeing a Nation From a Tyrant's Grip," by Colin L.
Powell (Op-Ed, June
24):
Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe,
is a well-known critic of the
Zimbabwean government. His right to oppose the
government will continue to
be respected.
The government has expressed
its willingness to enter into discussions with
all political groups at the
appropriate time.
The leaders of the government fought for democracy and
human rights against
British colonial oppression. It is an insult to accuse
President Robert
Mugabe or his government of human rights
violations.
Mr. Powell has no right to dictate to the people of Zimbabwe
who their
president should be. The leaders of Zimbabwe should be chosen only
by
Zimbabweans, through the ballot box.
Above all, Mr. Powell should
respect the rights of African people to
repossess their land. To us, that is
the No. 1 human right.
Zimbabwe welcomes any offer of economic assistance
but will not agree to
mortgage its sovereignty in the process.
S. V.
MUBAKO
Ambassador of Zimbabwe
Washington, June 25, 2003
Copyright 2003
The New York Times
Company
---------------------------------------------------------
To
The Editor
Referring to S.V Mubako, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, letter to the
New York
Times dated June 25, 2003.
The Ambassador knows the extent of
the genocide orchestrated and sanctioned
by the Mugabe government after
Independence on the 18th April 1980.
Predominantly against the Ndebele
speaking people where 20,000 to 30,000
people were systematically beaten,
tortured and massacred on orders from Mr
Mugabe.
The Zimbabwe
government is fraught with corruption. Which over the past 23
years has
sought to intimidate or manipulate any and all opposition during
it's violent
and forced period in office. There is no independent or
impartial judicial
system. The media is suppressed and muzzled. Some high
ranking officials of
the military, police and air force have either been
directly or indirectly
involved in the plunder of the Democratic Replubic
of Congo's natural
resources of which the United Nations has reported.
You emphasise it is
the leaders who fought for democracy and human rights
against British
colonial oppression. Your arrogant statement is proof and
precisely why
Zimbabwe is run and controlled by a dictator and henchmen
like yourself
today. It is the people of Zimbabwe who deserve freedom of
speech, movement
and association and it is they who fought for their
freedoms and continue to
do so under a draconian regime. The governments
political and economic
policies have failed dismally. Mass starvation of
the majority of the
population along with malnutrition have increased. The
so-called failed land
policy where 4500 commercial farmers were forced off
their land on 8th August
2002. I am sure you would tell the world has no
significance to the fact that
the formation of Zanu - Zimbabwe African
National Union (your party) was on
8th August 1963.
Sincerely
Albert Weidemann
1 Ambrose
Road
Ripon
North Yorkshire
HG4 1SH
England
Telephone 01765
607900
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
All
letters published on the open Letter Forum are the views and opinions
of the
submitters, and do not represent the official viewpoint of Justice
for
Agriculture.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES: Updated July 1, 2003
Please send any job opportunities
for publication in this newsletter to:
JAG Job Opportunities <justice@telco.co.zw>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 01 July 2003)
FUEL MANAGER WANTED
To control fuel depot
at the airport. Approximately 300 account holders
and cash sale customers,
and, in time, manage bulk fuel deliveries to
farms. To manage procurement of
fuel and oversee accounts.
Please contact:
Stacey at Kettex Grower
Services at Produco
04 575971/4 ext
237
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 22 June 2003)
Office on our small holding 14 km from Borrowdale
Village.
A secretary/girl Friday. An ex farmers wife would be
ideal.
Mornings only job to assist in the management of a small hunting
safari
company.
Duties to include purchasing, emails, National Parks
paperwork, basic
logistical organization of camps, communicating with camps
by HF radio.
Competitive US based salary.
Job available
immediately.
There is no accommodation available at the moment.
Own
transport will be needed to get to work.
Reply to Alex and Cath
Kirkman
email mopani@mweb.co.zw
or
Tel 011 214199
011208762
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(Ad
inserted 17 June 2003)
VACANCY ; BOOKKEEPER - ACCOUNTANT
LOCATION:
BRONTE HOTEL Avenues, Harare
DUTIES INCLUDE: Daily Revenue
Reconciliation
Banking
General Ledger using
Pastel
Debtors
Creditors
Stock Control
Monthly Financial and
Management Reports
Wages using Payplus
Preparing Statutory Returns: Sales
Tax, Tourism Levy, Zimdef, Standards
Development
REPLY TO:- Mr Graham
Dickens (General Manager)
Telephone: Harare 795555
Fax: Harare
707844
E-mail: britbit@mweb.co.zw
Address: 132 Baines
Avenue,
Harare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 06 June 2003)
The position of Director of BirdLife Zimbabwe (an
NGO) is vacant. The
organisation is situated in Eastlea and has a staff of
about 8 full and
part-time employees.
Interested persons should
possess a post-graduate degree (preferably in
biological sciences), have good
management skills and have an interest in
birds.
Please send CVs
either to e-mail address: dirushft@zambezi.net or post to:
P O
Box RV 100,
Runiville, Harare.
D Rushforth (Mrs)
Hon.
Secretary
BirdLife
Zimbabwe
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 29 May 2003)
CARETAKER WANTED.
Caretaker for upmarket
block of flats in the Avenues wanted. Will suit
either a lady or a gentleman
or a married couple who are retired. Duties
will include supervising staff
of six, managing the smooth running of the
premises, looking after the garden
surrounds. A knowledge of bookkeeping
will be an advantage, as the job will
include the writing up of the
cashbook, payment of bills, staff salary,
collection and banking of levies
etc.
The job comes with a free 2
bedroomed flat.
Replies to moss@primenet.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 14 May 2003)
TRIAL BALANCE BOOKKEEPER required by agricultural
engineering firm.
The company is sound and well established, with a young and
dynamic
management team.
This is a full time position requiring efficiency
and dedication.
Incumbents should be computer literate and should be able to
do profit and
loss accounts. Experience in Pastel, Exel and Word would be
beneficial.
Please send your applications to browneng@africaonline.co.zw
or
Box ST 311, Southerton,
Harare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEAR
HARARE
(ad inserted 20 June 2003)
A Small Transport company based just
outside of Harare looking for a
mornings only secretary.
Must be a
non-smoker.
Call Roxy Ellis on 091 363 987
roxellis@ecoweb.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEAR
HARARE
(ad inserted 15 May 2003)
Tobacco farm managers. Three needed
urgently for farms near Harare. 30 -
50 ha crop with irrigation. Great
opportunity for a good manager.
Contact Joe Pistorius @ agri.joe@hms.co.zw or phone
336722
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
Position
available for a Director of a registered welfare organization
operating in
Harare. Excellent trained staff of seven needs a strong and
enthusiastic
leader. Hours can be negotiated and a competitive salary will
be offered to
the right person.
Please email Hazel at hazelp@zol.co.zw for further
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
I
have 2 jobs available, which might be of interest to some
displaced
farmers:
Job # 1
Salesman, selling automotive chemicals.
Training will be provided,
applicant must have own car, remuneration will be
on commission. Hours will
be flexitime, and the opportunity to earn
significantly is there provided
the person has energy and is reliable. Start
immediately. Job#1 Applicants
should contact Mark Wilson @ 498745 or
011218006.
Job # 2
Security manager is required at Borrowdale Brooke
Estate. We have our own
security team but it needs management. Hours will be
flexible to a degree
and further details can be obtained from Brian Moorse,
the estate manager @
860370
Harare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
We
need a retired semi retired mechanic to assist in the daily running of
our
vehicle workshop behind Jaggers Harare.
Mornings only is preferred but we can
offer flexibility of time.
Job description: to assist and advise workers on
the floor. Undertake some
of the more complex work. Offer general
expertise.
Vehicles maintained are general light goods. Work covers all
aspects of
repair and maintenance.
Package subject to
discussion.
Please contact Kevin or Chris on Debonair@africaonline.co.zw
Sincerely,
Kevin
Smeda
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 1 April 2003)
WANTED: FARM TRIAL BALANCE BOOKKEEPER, computer
literate, based Harare.
Pleasant environment at Fife Ave/10th Street - hassle
free on site car
parking. Full time preferably, but part-time/flexi-time will
be considered.
Negotiable salary based on experience.
Contact Norma
Gordon Tel. 04-704949/email norma@zimcor.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Positions
Vacant
Highly capable farmers required to join a progressive
team.
Qualifiers will be men who have the ability to grow within themselves
and
to generate growth within a team. Experience and competence in one or
many
facets of agriculture will be of interest, in particular
irrigation,
horticulture, tobacco and cattle.
Please respond to
Carswell Group
email reg@icon.co.zw
Fax:
304415
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ad
inserted 10 April 2003)
Carswell Group is looking for experienced
Cattleman to run a ranch 60 km
from
Harare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ad
inserted 05 June 2003
I own a 40 Ha smallholding with 1.6 Ha roses (new
Meilland varieties) and
some field crops.
The project has an EPZ
Licence and is in the process of being developed to
4 Ha of rose
production.
The existing manger is, sadly, migrating to South Africa and
I am therefore
looking for a suitable replacement within the next 4-6 weeks.
Rose growing
experience is strongly preferred but not necessarily a
pre-requisite.
A partnership with the right manager would be considered
in the medium
term.
Could interested applicants please contact me on
091 61 62
63.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
(ad
inserted 19 June 2003)
General Manager required to develop and run a
cattle/pivot irrigation
scheme.
Setup/cattle buying teams and abattoir in
Masvingo.
Please Contact: Carswell Meats
Telephone number: 308844
339275
Fax number: 304415
Email: reg@icon.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ad
inserted 18 June 2003
Manager or managing partner for 2ha rose project.
Depending on the person,
development of more roses or export vegetables is
possible.
Excellent remuneration and an executive house is offered near a
town.
Reply to 246001@ecoweb.co.zw
"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHIMANIMANI
(ad
inserted 03 June 2003)
URGENT - CHIEF INSTRUCTOR required at Chimanimani
Zimbabwe.
Contact: The Director, Guy Carey, for details on Chimanimani (026)
2935/6
Fax: (026) 2937
P.O. Box 57,
Chimanimani
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BEIT
BRIDGE
(ad inserted 21 May 2003)
We are looking for a managerial
couple to join our team on an established
horticultural farm in Beit Bridge,
(Benfer Estate). Experience is not
essential but the couple should be dynamic
and keen to learn.
The husband will be responsible for all aspects of
management of the citrus
& field crops, as well as the export packshed.
Labour force of approx. 260.
Wife's' responsibilities are general farm
administration, paying accounts
and packshed assistance.
Usual farm
perks are on offer, a good package for the right couple.
Contact us on
Tel: 086-2612 / 2613 / 2582 / 2611(f)
email: benfer@mweb.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
BROMLEY
(ad
inserted 21 May 2003)
Farm Manager urgently required for mixed farming
operations in Bromley.
Must be highly motivated, progressive and hands
on.
Experience in Livestock. Poultry, Horticulture and Paprika would be
a
distinct advantage.
Accommodation, farm vehicle and the usual farm perks
are available.
Need to start 1 August 2003
Applicants reply, with CV, to:
simona@surrey.co.zw
or in writing
to:
The General Manager
Box
269
Marondera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
KWE
KWE
(ad inserted 20 June 2003)
Farm Manager wanted on a farm in Kwe
Kwe. Please phone 011 407097 or
055
20213.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
TENGWE
(ad
inserted 28 April 2003)
Caretaker required for a farm (2000 chickens) in
Tengwe. Please contact
011 204 454 for further
details.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tshabezi
Safaris - West Nicholson
Garage manager required for country workshop. Toyota
Landcruiser experience
would be an added advantage. This position would suit
a husband and wife
team - wife could help out either in safaris office or
accounts department.
She must be computer literate.
Please reply with
current CVs to:
Rogers Brothers & Son P/L (Garage Manager)
P O West
Nicholson
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHEGUTU
(ad
inserted 08 May 2003)
Opportunity to either manage/lease a farm in
Chegutu area. Irrigation
available for 40ha tobacco. Please contact JAG
offices for contact
number.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
VICTORIA
FALLS
(ad inserted 29 April 2003)
I am looking for a Lodge Operations
Manager for our up-market lodge outside
of Vic Falls. I am hoping to offer an
employment opportunity to somebody
who has been affected by the closure of
tourism facilities.
Here is a brief description of who we are looking
for:
Vacancy for a Lodge Operations Manager
We have a vacancy for a Lodge
Operations Manager / Deputy General manager
at our up-market 60 bed, 125
staff, Safari Lodge situated 30 km outside of
Victoria Falls.
He/she
should have the following qualifications & skills:
· Extensive knowledge
and previous experience in lodge /hotel management
· Management skills
·
Ability to co-ordinate the day to day lodge operations
· Good knowledge of
Zimbabwe labour laws
· Computer literate, XL, Windows, F&B service
systems
· Knowledge of food & beverage
· Drivers license & valid
passport
· Proven track record & traceable
references
Responsibilities:
· Front of house operation
· Control
of kitchen & kitchen supplies
· House-keeping
· Control of cellar
·
Guest hospitality & guest delight
· Groups co-ordination
· Liaison
with head-office
· Staff motivation
· Staff training
· Managing
relevant budgets
· Running of lodge in the General Managers absence
The
ideal candidate is a self-motivated all-rounder who is energetic and
has the
ability to work independently. He/she must be able to work under
pressure,
whilst monitoring standards and staff performance. The position
offers a
comprehensive package to the right candidate.
Please contact Mr. R. Steiner
at gm@telcovic.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 19 June 2003)
We are a well-established Land
Survey practice with offices in Durban and
Kokstad, South Africa. We are
presently seeking an experienced Land
Surveyor
to become part of our
team. Professional, articled surveyors and diploma
graduates may
apply.
Applicants may contact Mark Turnbull on 031-2662278 or email
on
button@iafrica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 29 April 2003)
I am currently looking for a farm
manager to manage a mixed farm on the
Transvaal highveldt. Please could you
circulate this advertisement to any
of your members who may be
interested?
Farm Manager
Duties
Day to day management of farm
activities
cropping (maize)
poultry management
beef herd
management
sheep flock management
pasture management
Full
responsibility for production and sales activity.
Farm
400 Ha situated
30km north east of Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
Mixed animal production farm
consisting of beef, broilers, sheep and
supporting pastures and maize
cropping.
Remuneration is open for negotiation and could include profit
share.
Accommodation, water, lights and use of company LDV is included in
package.
Ideal candidate will have animal husbandry experience and be able
to
operate independently.
My contact details are
Bruce Cook
e-mail:
bcc_consult@iafrica.com
telephone -
27-833256874 or -27-21-9753138
a/h
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 10 April 2003)
Drummond area of Natal....roughly
30 km from Durban on the way to
Pietermaritzburg.
Organic Veg farm manager
required. General farm management and tractor
skills, knowledge of organic
veg growing and Zulu.
We are looking for someone who is prepared to run the
farm as their own
business, what you put in you get out. Salary linked to
profit share and
house.
Phone/fax 031-783 4995 or e-mail gjtech@iafrica.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 09 April 2003)
My brother has asked me to put ads
in the local papers for a tractor
mechanic with Ford/New Holland, Massey
experience.
Contact details in RSA are: Dennis on email address
mailto:Cilla@futurest.co.za
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
Opportunity in Polokwane South Africa.
Mature person
required as maintenance and farm manager including wildlife
for a very
reputable hotel and game farm, (conservancy) outside Polokwane
(Pietersburg)
Limpopo Province.
Duties include.
Organizational ability, vehicle
maintenance, boreholes, electrical
maintenance at hotel and farm, good labour
relations etc.
Only hard working and sober persons need
apply.
Please contact, e-mail, vhbristow@hotmail.com Phone
0027836565729
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 23 May 2003)
ADVERT
ACTIVE OR RETIRED FARMING
COUPLE WANTED TO ASSIST NEWLY WIDOWED LADY TO
LOOK AFTER 500HA MIXED FARM,
MAINLY CATTLE, AT VAL, 50KM NORTH OF
STANDERTON IN THE TRANSVAAL.
ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE ON PROPERTY.
PLEASE CONTACT : DEREK SHIRLEY ON
+27-83-228-1414 OR +263 11- 600-155
email: ifmint@icon.co.za
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOZAMBIQUE
I
felt that there might be someone in your network that may be interested.
The
post could suit a person that is currently underemployed, and it falls
vacant
because the present incumbent has been employed by the World Bank.
ICC is
looking for an agricultural consultant to service our market in
Manica and
Tete provinces of Mozambique. The responsibilities include
selling to donor
agencies, helping to write proposals, and helping to
manage the resultant
consulting projects. The ideal person will have
extensive agriculture
experience, both commercial and small scale, will be
fluent in Portuguese and
English, will be familiar with the customs of
Mozambique, and preferably live
close to Mutare. We can teach them the
consulting skills.
ICC is a
Southern African consulting company with offices in Harare, Maputo
and
Lusaka. In Mozambique we are active in consultancy work in Micro
finance,
commercial and smallholder agricultural projects. Recent
projects
include:
Strategic plan for a Mozambiquan manufacturer of oils,
fats and soaps,
Market analysis and feasibility study for a new horticultural
project,
Assisting a major regional tea and coffee producer to prepare for
further
regional expansion,
Business plans and facilitated negotiations
for a major Zimbabwean agri
business to start a joint venture in
Mozambique,
Feasibility and business plans for greenfields tea project in
Espungabera.
roger.purcell@iccafrica.net
Tel:
+ 263 4 731555/7
Fax: + 263 4 731558
Cell: + 263 (0) 91 272 767
www.iccafrica.net
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZAMBIA
(ad
inserted 27 May 2003)
Mkushi, Zambia: position available for assistant
manager for 160 ha
tobacco, 400 ha commercial Maize. Must have Gwebi or
Blackfordby diploma or
experience in tobacco production. Preferably no
children of school going
age. Please reply: 04 497924 or 091 223 626 or 011
208 089 or e-mail:
eastwolds@zol.co.zw or write to The
advertiser, Box 241,
Mvurwi.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
TANZANIA
(ad
inserted 06 June 2003)
COFFEE ESTATE MANAGER
Our Company is one of
Tanzania's larger Coffee Producing Companies located
in Arusha, Tanzania. We
currently farm more than 500 HA of mature Arabica
coffee.
We seek to
recruit a dynamic person for our Coffee Production including
general Estate
matters. The position will report to the Managing Director
of the Company and
will be part of the senior management team. The ideal
candidate should be a
team player with good interpersonal relationship
skills.
KEY
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Full responsibility in all aspects of managing a
Coffee Estate
· Estate office administration including maintaining up to date
records and
reports
· General Personnel administration
· Overall
General Estate upkeep
· Staff welfare responsibilities
KEY STAFF REPOTING
TO THE POSITION:
· Assistant Managers
· Departmental Junior
Managers
· Activity Supervisors
· Estate Office staff
QUALIFICATIONS
AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
· Minimum qualification of bachelor degree in
agriculture related subject
from a recognized University
· Minimum 5 years
working experience at senior management level in a
commercial coffee
producing entity.
· Computer literate
· General understanding of basic
accounting techniques
We offer an attractive remuneration.
Kindly
send your application letter, with CV and a list of references, to
the
following email address: alex@burka-selian.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTSWANA
(ad
inserted 27 April 2003)
A very good friend of mine who lives in Gabarone
Botswana has asked me to
put out this piece of information so I thought your
organisation would be
ideal to do it for me.
His name is Snowy Du Toit
(ex Zimbo) and his details are as follows: -
Phone: 00 267 3971026 / 00
26771724810 ( cell )
Fax: 00 267 3909610
Email: snowjudy@global.bw
He has been offered a
certain piece of land near Gabarone, which would be
ideal for market
gardening or horticulture. It apparently has plenty of
water from the
municipal waste. He has indicated that he could probably
negotiate a loan on
anyone's behalf should they be interested as he is now
a citizen of Botswana.
All the technical details can be provided by Snowy
himself, so if anyone is
interested, please could they contact him direct.
I know time is of the
essence so if anyone is interested they must contact
him
ASAP.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTSWANA
(ad
inserted 22 April 2003)
Mr Johan Boshoff - Pontdrif, RSA is looking
urgently for a dynamic reliable
middle age couple to manage a farm in the
northwestern part of Botswana,
close to the Caprivi strip. Preferable no
young children still in the
house, due to the distance from
schools.
Experience: Farm management & general farm equipment
maintenance
Crops: Vegetables under irrigation - drip & Pivot
irrigation
Contact # Johan Boshoff
Tel (+27) 15-5751425
Fax (+27)
15-5751580
Cell (+27) 82 822 6310
e-mail Minds, ratho.pburg@minds.co.za
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTSWANA
PRIME
CATTLE FARMS FOR SALE IN BOTSWANA
Cattle farming business in Ghanzi District,
Northwest Botswana for sale.
(The owners moving for kids schooling.)
Comprises 2 well-developed freehold
farms, measuring 10 112,06 Morg (8 660
Ha) in total, 1050 head of cattle
(cross Santa-Sussex), all necessary farming
equipment, lighting-plants,
gensets, inverter equipment managers residence,
main farm residence, staff
accommodation, workshops and storerooms etc, etc
Walk-in / walk-out deal
BWP4 500 000-00 (Approx US$ 775 000-00). All serious
offers will be
considered.
Contact Mike on (267) 72290622 or e-mail airfield@it.bw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MALAWI
- TOBACCO MANAGERS
Tobacco managers wanted in Malawi: 2003/4
seasons
100ha Flue cured 100ha Maize African tobacco managers of
Malawian
extraction wanting to relocate with costs paid and paper work
facilities.
Malawian Passport Holders will obviously be given preference.
Respond to
JAG's email address and we will
forward.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MALAWI
(ad
inserted 17 April 2003)
We are looking for an ex farmer, with tobacco
experience, to oversee the
building of tobacco curing systems in Malawi.
This position will be for a
period of ten months, with the possibility of
extending the contract to two
years, either in Zimbabwe or elsewhere.
Accommodation and vehicle will be
provided. Contact browneng@africaonline.co.zw or
send your application to
Debbie Graham at Brown Engineering, Box ST 311,
Southerton,
Harare.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NIGERIA
(ad
inserted 27 May 2003)
My sister and her husband live in Nigeria and a
gentleman called John
Coumantaris who owns a few farms and ships there and
who has his base in
New York, has asked my family to advertise in Zimbabwe
for a farm manager
to run his farm in Kaduna, North Nigeria, doing mixed
farming.
His E Mail address is : jcoum@attglobal.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANGOLA
(ad
inserted 12 May 2003)
If you are interested I have an enquiry for someone
to supervise setting-up
of following in Angola:
1) PIG FARMS. I can
connect you with good contacts.
2) DAIRY FARMS.
3) BROILER FARMS??
4)
BEEF / FEED LOTS.
Most of the products will be required for the American
communities involved
with oilrigs etc, so I imagine a fairly high quality
wanted. I don't have
all the info/specs yet, just establishment of interest.
Also no idea where
in Angola, (but assume close to Luanda), or size of
outfits, money
available etc etc.
Let me know if you are interested.
Email: cehutchn@futurenet.co.za
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
KENYA
(ad
inserted 19 June 2003)
As a horticulture consultant in Kenya I know of
some jobs coming up which
might be of interest to your members:
1.
Family owned rose project about 30 kms north of Nairobi will shortly
be
seeking a general manager; flower production experience not a priority,
but
good administration and communicator/liaison skills essential.
2.
A company bidding for an Aid funded project in horticulture,
principally
aimed at helping small scale growers in rural areas, will be
looking for
staff, in particular senior (project no. 2) project manager,
book
keeper/accountant, logistics manager.
Contact D H Gray gray@form-net.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
KENYA
(ad
inserted 08 April 2003)
Farm Manager wanted for a coffee/tea estate in
Kenya. Please phone 091 233
852 for further
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO
(ad inserted 21 April 2003)
A 5000 hectare
concession in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, west of
Kasaï Province,
800 km to the south of Kinshasa, in the region of Kikwit.
This property was
farmed by a Belgian for more than 40 years and he had
nearly 4,000 head of
cattle!
There is a forest with nearly 150,000 trees, mostly eucalyptus and
pine. A
river flows on the domain's border. Agricultural plantations such as
corn,
manioc, groundnut as well as chicken farming are possible.
There is
a building in Kikwit with a commercial ground floor and living
quarters on
the 1st floor.
The whole complex is very pleasant and offers great
opportunities of
further economic development!
Asking price for the
transfer of the concession is 125,000 euros.
I sincerely believe this
project is well worth your attention so please do
not hesitate to ask should
you require additional information. If you like
I could for instance scan
some photos.
Contact: Rue des Chardons, 20/8 - 1030 Bruxelles -
Tél.
+32-2/644.17.73 - GSM
+32-496/87.11.66
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
(ad
inserted 02 April 2003)
There is a newspaper report this week of the dire
shortage of skilled
farmer workers to take up vacancies in the cropping areas
of Western
Australia. This is predominately seasonal, i.e. seeding time and
harvest
time but can also be on a long-term basis in many instances. I have
this
afternoon spoken to the President of the W.A. Farmers Federation,
Colin
Nicolle, based in Perth and he was very sympathetic and indicated that
his
office could be a source of contact at this end. Their E-mail address
is
waff@waff.org.au
I am sure
there might be some Zim. farmers who could benefit in this way,
but in some
cases the Aus. farmer would have to provide sponsorship to
assist the Visa
application. I am told that the Australian High
Commissioner in Harare would
look favourably at applications from
Zimbabwean farmers.
Hopefully
this letter might be a catalyst to assist some families to make
contact with
farmers in
Australia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
(ad
inserted 02 May 2003)
Nursing opportunities in Australia. For more
information please contact
Ginty Thomson on 237442@ecoweb.co.zw or 091 237 442 or 066
30555
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
(ad
inserted 22 April 2003)
email: richjude@tpgi.com.au
telephone: 61
0356832464
message: We have two beautiful farms in the South of Victoria,
Australia.
We would be interested in sponsoring a family to migrate with a
view to
help us. We can offer a package of a base of $50000 Australian plus
a 3
br.house. One farm is dairy, the other beef. We are in our late fifties
so
need someone in say mid 30's to late 40's
Please reply to Dick and Judy
Edwards richjude@tpgi.com.au
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AUSTRALIA
(ad
inserted 19 April 2003)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/australia/nt/metnt-19apr2003-4.htm
Foreign
teachers for NT jobs 'better late than never': CLP
The Northern Territory
Opposition is welcoming a move to recruit teachers
from overseas, but says
this should have been implemented months ago.
The Government has
announced it will try to attract teachers from regional
areas, as well as
from countries such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada.
The Government
says there are 25 permanent teaching vacancies in
the
Territory.
Shadow Education Minister Terry Mills says the Country
Liberal Party (CLP)
has been calling for this to happen since late last
year.
"To implement them now is an indication that they are in panic
mode, the
teacher shortage is in excess of what the Government currently
claims," Mr
Mills said.
"These initiatives will take an extended
period of time to actually bed in
and to produce the results, which is
teachers in the classroom for
students
now."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
For
the latest listings of accommodation available for farmers, contact
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
(updated 1 July 2003)
Daily News
MDC in diplomatic offensive over Mugabe
THE opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will
dispatch
high-powered teams to South Africa this week and another to attend
the
African Union (AU) summit in Mozambique next week in a fresh bid to
press
African leaders and the international community to pressure ZANU PF
into
dropping preconditions for a resumption of talks to resolve
Zimbabwe’s
political impasse.
According to party sources, the
MDC national executive last week
resolved to use the forthcoming AU summit in
Maputo and the visit to Africa
by United States President George W Bush next
week to step up international
pressure on President Robert Mugabe to drop his
preconditions for the talks
to resume.
MDC spokesman Paul
Themba-Nyathi confirmed yesterday his party had
already sent an advance team
to South Africa while another one would attend
the AU summit that will run in
Mozambique from 10 to 12 July.
Although Nyathi refused to shed
light on who the party’s delegation to
South Africa would meet, The Daily
News understands that the opposition
party has been making frantic efforts to
secure meetings with US top
officials who will accompany Bush on his first
ever African safari.
The MDC will also use the meetings with US
officials to clarify its
position on the country’s crisis and issues that are
thwarting a negotiated
settlement, the sources said.
Nyathi said
the Maputo delegation would meet several AU leaders,
including heads of
state, as the party intensifies its efforts to lobby
regional leaders to
impress upon Mugabe the need to resume unconditional
talks.
However, the MDC spokesman refused to specify which leaders the MDC
would
meet, saying "we have not yet agreed with them to go public about
the
meetings".
"Because of the nature of the gathering, we
thought it made sense for
us to bring more pressure to bear on other African
leaders to believe in the
MDC’s ideas on how the Zimbabwean crisis can be
resolved," Nyathi said.
"We have lined up high-profile meetings and
we hope to convince Mugabe
’s peers to put more pressure on him to see
sense."
The opposition spokesman said the party would be
represented in South
Africa by its shadow minister for home affairs Tendai
Biti, shadow foreign
affairs minister
Moses Mzila Ndlovu and
Nyathi himself while MDC deputy
secretary-general Gift Chimanikire would lead
a team attending the AU
summit.
Party activists would also take
advantage of the huge media presence
in South Africa to showcase the MDC’s
policies to the world.
"As far as we are concerned, the
preconditions that ZANU PF talks
about are a ploy to buy time and if the
African presidents elsewhere impress
on Mugabe that attempts to buy time will
not fly, then you will see the
negotiations taking place immediately," Nyathi
said.
"There is no doubt about that. That is our aim."
Several Africa leaders, particularly South African President Thabo
Mbeki and
his Nigerian counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo, have been leading
regional
efforts to convince the MDC and ZANU PF to resume talks that broke
down last
year.
But the ruling party has insisted it will only return to
the
negotiating table once the MDC recognises Mugabe’s legitimacy and drops
a
court application challenging his widely criticised re-election last
year.
The MDC says it will not recognise Mugabe’s legitimacy
because, it
argues, the President stole the ballot. Mugabe denies the
charge.
The US government, on the other hand, says it is ready to
bankroll
Zimbabwe’s economic recovery if the MDC and ZANU PF agree to form
a
transitional government that will organise a fresh and free
presidential
ballot.
Nyathi said: "We will obviously try to meet
those that are interested
in the Zimbabwe issue but our activists will also
use the opportunity to
showcase our ideas to the world."
But
ZANU PF’s secretary for external affairs Didymus Mutasa yesterday
reiterated
statements made by the party’s spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira last
week that
the ruling party was ready to talk to the MDC.
He, however, said it
was ill-advised for the MDC to seek the attention
of African and
international leaders to achieve peace in Zimbabwe.
"We know that
they (the MDC) have certain problems with our conditions
but why should they
go to South Africa or Mozambique? If they want us to do
anything, then they
should approach us," he said.
"The MDC should come to us about
these differences and we are ready to
talk to them.
"Our
differences are not going to be ironed out in foreign lands but
they will be
sorted out if we sit down as Zimbabweans and talk. Maybe they
first want to
seek permission from their American handlers," Mutasa said,
noting that his
party would not send a delegation to South Africa.
Shamuyarira told
The Daily News last week his party could be prepared
to form a government of
national unity with the MDC if the two parties
agreed to the terms and
conditions of such an arrangement, pointing out that
ZANU PF had had such
accords with the former opposition ZAPU party.
But Nyathi said ZANU
PF was not genuine in seeking dialogue, hence the
need for international
pressure to force the party to agree unconditional
and genuine
talks.
"ZANU PF knows that the status quo cannot continue if it
agrees to sit
around a negotiating table so the only way is to refuse to talk
and maintain
the status quo. But we hope increased international pressure
will yield
positive results,"
Nyathi
said.
Staff Reporter
Daily News
Threats against Bennet continue
SUSPECTED
war veterans have threatened opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC)
legislator for Chimanimani Roy Bennet with
unspecified action if he remains
on Bigtull farm, a property he is leasing
in Ruwa.
Bennet, whose
properties in Ruwa and Chimanimani have been under siege
from ruling ZANU PF
supporters, said the suspected war veterans had driven
to Bigtull farm and
threatened him on Monday.
Bennet said the war veterans made
threatening calls to his mobile
phone earlier on the same day, ordering him
to prepare for "more horrible
things" if he resisted their orders to vacate
the farm.
He said on Monday afternoon a Nissan Hardbody vehicle
with
registration number
699-293A was driven to the farm by a
woman who identified herself as
Mrs Maphosa. The car was also occupied by two
men who did not identify
themselves. The three told him to leave immediately
because they had plans
for the farm.
Bennet said: "These are war
veterans believed to be coming from
Hatfield, who are just interested in
carrying out thefts using ZANU PF.
"This has a lot to do with
thuggery and lawlessness than to do with
the land reform. It’s mere politics
by an overzealous sell-out calling
himself ‘Guerrilla.’"
Bennet
said before they left the property, the three occupants of the
vehicle left a
contact number, which they said belonged to Maphosa. However,
the number went
unanswered when he phoned it, Bennet said.
The number rang
continuously and was unanswered when The Daily News
attempted to speak to
Maphosa yesterday. Bennet said after the three left
his property, one of the
men, who identified himself as Guerrilla, called
the MP on his mobile phone
and demanded an immediate explanation on why he
continued to live on the Ruwa
farm. The Daily News yesterday phoned the
number said to belong to Guerrilla,
but was answered by a woman who refused
to identify herself.
However, a man who said he was Guerrilla eventually came to the phone
and
said: "You are not Bennet and there is nothing funny about you calling
me. If
l called Bennet, what is it to do with you?"
When contacted again
later, the man, who identified himself as Tendai
Gurira, confirmed visiting
Bennet’s farm but denied making any threats.
Gurira represented
ZANU PF in the 2002 urban councils elections for
Harare’s Hatfield suburb and
lost to an MDC candidate.
He said he went to Bigtull farm but
denied meeting the MP, insisting
he only saw a security guard and a foreman
identified as Brown and showed
them an offer letter issued by the government
indicating he had been
allocated the farm.
Most white-owned
farms have been taken over by the government, which
says it is allocating
them to landless peasants and aspiring black
commercial farmers.
"I only phoned Bennet to tell him that l had been allocated the farm
and l am
in possession of an offer letter from the Ministry of Lands,
Agriculture and
Rural Resettlement," Gurira said.
"I told Bennet to move out in two
months because l was allocated that
farm through Zimbabwe’s laws. It’s
straight forward. Zimbabwe’s laws clearly
state that one man one farm is the
norm."
Commenting on the alleged threats against Bennet, Gurira
said the
opposition legislator must immediately desist from using the media
to
tarnish both the image of Zimbabwe and President Robert
Mugabe.
He said: "That farm belongs to me. If he needs to
negotiate, he must
come to me because l am prepared to let him finish his
business in two
months’ time.
"If Bennet continues vilifying us
in the papers, we are moving into
that farm tomorrow (today) and force him
out. If he wants zvejambanja
(violence) and uses the papers, then it will be
more jambanja."
Asked who he was referring to as "we", Gurira said
these were ZANU PF
youths and war veterans supporting him.
Gurira said if Bennet wanted to continue farming, he should
immediately stop
tarnishing his image. He also said the MDC legislator
should stop the
international denigration of Zimbabwe as well as advise his
colleagues in the
MDC to stop "preaching the politics of hate" against
Mugabe.
Staff Reporter
Daily News
Resettled farmers selling fuel
allocations
MASVINGO – Farmers resettled under the land
resettlement programme
in Masvingo are selling their diesel allocations on
the black market, which
agricultural experts yesterday said could affect
the
government’s winter crop in the Chiredzi and Triangle
areas.
Industry officials said farmers resettled under the A1 and
A2 phases
of the land reform programme were selling the diesel they were
allocated by
the government to assist them in harvesting sugarcane and in
planting wheat.
The A1 model of the land reforms is for small-scale
subsistence
farmers and the A2 is for aspiring commercial
producers.
The Agricultural Research and Extension Services (AREX)
allocated 200
000 litres to 661 resettled farmers in Chiredzi and Triangle
two weeks ago,
in a bid to boost the controversial winter cropping
project.
Sources said many farmers had resorted to selling the fuel
on the
black market, where a litre of diesel is selling for $1 500. The
sources
said some of the farmers had decided that they would harvest very
little and
were selling their diesel.
Provincial AREX officer
Nyasha Pambirei said his department was
shocked to learn that farmers were
not using the diesel to plant or harvest
their crops.
He said:
"We were trying to help the land reform programme but, of
course, it is
difficult to monitor every farmer on how he uses his
allocation. However, our
department will work hand in hand with the police
to arrest those who are
abusing their allocations."
Of the 3 000 acres cleared for wheat
planting in Masvingo, less than 1
000 acres have been planted because the
diesel that was supposed to be used
was
allegedly diverted by
the cash-starved farmers.
There are fears that the 700 tonnes of
wheat expected to be harvested
this year might not be forthcoming if the
farmers continue to abuse their
allocations.
Last year, the
resettled farmers harvested less than 400 tonnes of
wheat and are expected to
harvest even less this year.
Own Correspondent
Daily News
Confrontation over pastures looms in
Marula
BULAWAYO – A confrontation over pastures is looming
between
resettled and communal farmers in the Marula and Figtree commercial
farming
areas, where resettled farmers are demanding cattle as payment for
allowing
communal farmers to use pastures, it was learnt
yesterday.
Bulilimamangwe South Member of Parliament Edward Mkhosi
yesterday
described the situation as "serious" and warned of a
physical fight between communal farmers in the area and farmers
resettled
under the government’s land reform programme.
Under the
controversial programme, the government seized white-owned
land for the
resettlement of landless black small-scale and aspiring
commercial
farmers.
Mkhosi, who told The Daily News that he had just returned
from an
assessment of the drought situation in his constituency, said
communal
farmers were angry with resettled farmers who had taken advantage of
the
drought to rent out their pastures at a rate of one heifer for every
ten
beasts taken in.
He said: "The situation is so bad that
there can be fighting between
the two groups any time over these charges. The
people who got plots in that
area do not have cattle but they are now
building their own herds out of the
desperation of drought-ravaged communal
farmers."
Mkhosi attributed the dispute to the shoddy
implementation of the
fast-track resettlement programme, under which people
without cattle were
resettled in the country’s prime commercial farming
areas.
The government has been accused of haphazardly resettling
people and
not providing them with the resources they need to farm
productively.
Resettled farmers have not only been hit by the lack of
livestock, they have
also been adversely affected by inadequate financing and
lack of farming
inputs.
Mkhosi said communal farmers who had
livestock or were farming for
subsistence in congested areas had however been
left out of the resettlement
programme.
The problems faced by
cattle producing communal farmers, who often
face shortages of grazing
pastures because of congestion and the arid nature
of the Matabeleland South
region, have been worsened by drought in the past
year.
The Jamaica Observer
Mbeki says he won't intervene in
Zimbabwe
Observer Reporter
Wednesday, July 02,
2003
SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki said yesterday he is
committed to a
peaceful resolution of Zimbabwe's political crisis, but won't
pressure the
country's embattled leader to hold elections.
Mbeki, in
Jamaica attending a summit of Caribbean leaders, was responding to
comments
made last week by US Secretary of State Colin Powell in a
newspaper
editorial. Powell had urged South Africa to be more active in
ending the
political stalemate in bordering Zimbabwe.
"It's incorrect
really to be saying that we should stand outside the borders
of Zimbabwe and
decide what the Zimbabweans should do about their own
country," Mbeki told
reporters at a press conference in Ocho Rios.
South Africa would continue
engaging Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's
government and the opposition
party to reach an agreement and provide some
assistance, but won't directly
intervene, he said.