The authorities in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, have decided to embark on a publicity campaign to promote cremation rather than burial as an acceptable way of disposing of the dead in the face of the worsening Aids epidemic.
The city cannot afford to expand its cemeteries, which are running out of space, and hopes to encourage cremation as a way of saving resources.
But there is deep rooted cultural opposition to the idea.
Aids has wrought havoc in Zimbabwe, as in many neighbouring countries, destroying the traditional extended family and contributing to the collapse of the economy.
The role of burial
An estimated 200 people are dying every day as a result of the disease nationwide.
One thing it has not yet changed, though, is the widely held aversion to cremation.
 The dead would simply not accept it [cremation]  |
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Traditional healer |
Necessity, though, has pushed Harare city council towards challenging this cultural norm.
Official figures say that of the 16,000 people who died in the capital last year, fewer than 800 were cremated and the cemeteries are almost full.
The local authority has considered various options, such as expanding the cemeteries, but does not have the money.
'Un-African'
As part of its efforts to promote cremation, the city council points out that it's both quicker and cheaper than burial.
But a spokesman for Zimbabwe's traditional healers' association has dismissed the idea as un-African.
"The dead", he said, "would simply not accept it".
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From the Daily News
Fanuel Jongwe Augustine Chihuri, the
Police Commissioner, yesterday threatened to crush the Movement for Democratic
Change (MDC) if they call for mass action to press President Mugabe to resign
before the next presidential election. “Some misguided elements
within our society may be contemplating to engage in criminal activities or to
disturb the peace, including the so-called mass action which is an uprising
against a legitimate government,” Chihuri told guests at a pass-out parade at
Morris Depot in Harare. __ From the Daily News
Staff Reporter SOLDIERS at the Zimbabwe
National Army barracks in Darwendale, Mashonaland West, are reportedly
organising farm invasions in the area, including in nearby Trelawney where they
allegedly harassed a farm manager on Saturday. The six soldiers, led by an
army sergeant identified only as Gwene, are ___ From the Daily News
Staff Reporter Hani Yamani, the owner
of Air Harbour Technologies (AHT), the company that won the controversial $5
billion tender to construct the new Harare International Airport yesterday made
fresh allegations of corruption against Cabinet Ministers. He alleged that President
Mugabe was fully informed of the deals involving some of his most trusted
ministers, including Emmerson Mnangagwa and Enos Chikowore, the former Minister
of Transport and Energy. ___ ‘Ensure majority’s land needs are satisfied’
He said this after a two and half hour meeting that dwelt extensively on the current land reform in Zimbabwe with South African President Thabo Mbeki and President Mugabe at a city hotel. Spirit It is in this spirit that the international community should come and support Zimbabwe’s ongoing land reform programme by making available financial and technical assistance. The high-level meeting, called for by Mr Obasanjo, was expected to send a clear message to the international community on the importance of Zimbabwe’s land reform. Mr Obasanjo said the reform programme had to be carried out in accordance with existing laws as the Government had been following. "The land reform in Zimbabwe is an issue that is not only current, it affects almost everyone’s life in this country and includes lives of others beyond. "One thing we all appreciate is that the struggle for independence in Zimbabwe was really a struggle for land reform which is essential and we should not lose sight of that," said Mr Obasanjo. The meeting came ahead of United Nations Development Programme administrator and UN special envoy Mr Mark Malloch Brown’s consultations in Zimbabwe on the land reform. Both Nigeria and South Africa have in their individual capacities been courting France, Norway and the United States to jump onto the land reform support bandwagon. It is hoped that this would ultimately help end the polarisation between Zimbabwe and Britain over compensation, since the latter was refusing to provide funding to rectify colonial ills. One diplomat was heard remarking to Cde Mugabe: "There is now light at the end of the tunnel, except for a few scattered British spots." The Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo, said the meeting of the three heads of state was an indication of the importance and seriousness of the subject. "It is a harbinger of good things in sight. The meeting shows beyond any doubt that the ill-considered campaign by the MDC and its foreign backers to isolate Zimbabwe has failed as it was destined to. Zimbabwe is a major regional and international player and will remain so because of its track record," said Prof Moyo. Delayed Meanwhile, Mr Obasanjo’s flight was delayed by about two hours following a technical fault that affected the runway and field lighting system. The lighting system had gone off and brought back on around 8.20 pm. Cde Mbeki left as scheduled around 6 pm. Besides the land issue, the meeting also discussed regional conflicts affecting Southern Africa and West Africa. __ From the Herald Beer price goes down today
In statement in Harare yesterday, National Breweries said the price of beer had been reduced by 11 percent with immediate effect. The reduction follows the reduction of excise duty from 80 percent to 60 percent. A 375 ml bottle of Castle, Lion and Pilsener would now cost $20,50, down from $23, while Bohlinger’s and Zambezi are now at $23, as opposed to the previous price of $26. Castle and Lion quarts, which previously cost $41, would now cost $36,50, while cans are now pegged at $27,50 compared to the previous $30. The reduction of the prices on beer comes at a time when National Breweries had already announced a reduction in sales because of a depressed market. These changes are expected to stimulate demand. For the soft drinks, a 175ml and 200ml bottle would cost $11,60, a 300ml kingsize $12 and one litre bottle is now pegged at $31. The slide in the prices follows adjustment of duty on carbonated soft drinks announced by Dr Makoni when he unveiled his 2001 budget in Parliament on November 16. The duty was reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent with effect from today. The reduction of prices on beer and soft drinks comes at a time when the economy has been going through its worst crisis, reflected in runaway inflation. __ From the Herald Council of Chiefs considers court action against CFU
The council agreed at a meeting held in Harare yesterday to consult their lawyers on how to proceed with the matter. President of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Jonathan Mangwende, said the CFU had erred by taking President Mugabe to court over the land issue as he was merely a custodian of the land. "The President does not own the land. The land belongs to the chiefs. The white settlers took the land from the chiefs and not the President. So any court action by the union should be directed at the chiefs,’’ said the chief. The chiefs would sue the CFU for grabbing the land and demand compensation for the loss of wealth and the land. Chief Mangwende said the Government made a mistake by extending the hand of reconciliation, which the whites mistook for weakness. "We will not rest until the land is given back to us. Even if it means war, we are prepared. I call upon people on the farms not to move off until the issue is resolved.’’ Chiefs have the prerogative to distribute land in their capacity as tra- ditional and spiritual leaders of the people of Zimbabwe. The chiefs said: "We will rightfully institute court action to stop the current judiciary system from presiding over the land issue as they are not qualified to adjudicate under traditional law.’’ The Minister of State for Information and Publicity, Professor Jonathan Moyo, said the development was healthy in that it empowers an important voice, which was hitherto silent. There was no doubt that the chiefs were dispossessed of the land on behalf of their people and that the colonial occupation of land targeted them. "Land is part of our heritage and there is no better spokesman for the heritage than the chiefs. The futility of the CFU going to the courts and thinking they have the monopoly of the courts and the lawyers is now being exposed. "It is unfortunate that the CFU had sought to weaken the courts by giving the impression that the courts were only for them,’’ said Prof Moyo. CFU president Mr Tim Henwood said he was pleased to see that traditional leaders had respect for the courts. The CFU is contesting the constitutionality of the compulsory land acquisition and the fast-track resettlement programme. The Supreme Court has since ordered occupiers to vacate the farms. __
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ARARE, Zimbabwe - President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria urged
President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe yesterday to follow existing laws strictly
as his government embarks on a program to seize white-owned farms for black
resettlement.