Exeter Express
Funeral woe for family of murder
victim
By Chris Mills
12:00 - 11 October
2003
The Devon family of a woman murdered in Zimbabwe may have to
wait
months to give her a proper funeral. Marjorie Eggleston, 66, and her
husband
Eric were killed in their home at Prospect, outside the Zimbabwean
capital
of Harare, by armed robbers two weeks ago.
She lived in
Heavitree and Exmouth as a youngster before leaving to
settle in Rhodesia,
now Zimbabwe, in 1962.
Since the murders, Mrs Eggleston's family,
including her sister
Valerie Clarke, who lives in Exmouth, have been battling
to arrange a proper
funeral service and cremation.
The bodies
have been released by the police following post mortems,
but Zimbabwe's
chronic fuel shortage means hardly any cremations are taking
place within the
country.
Mrs Eggleston's family are now investigating whether the
bodies can be
taken to neighbouring South Africa or Mozambique for cremation
and the
remains reinterred in Britain.
Mrs Clarke told the Echo:
"There has been a small service, but there
is a problem with the cremations
because of the dire fuel shortage.
"There is a two-month backlog of
bodies and my relatives are now
talking about trying to take the bodies to
South Africa or Mozambique and
hold the cremations there.
"There's no point in me going out there if we cannot have the
cremations and
bring back the ashes to Britain.
"The bodies are being stored and
it's costing our family thousands,
but there's no end in sight.
"We have been overwhelmed with condolences from people in Exeter and
around
Britain who knew Marjorie and we have also had messages of support
from many
people who have left Zimbabwe to come here.
"But the whole thing
has been so awful. I still cannot really believe
all this has
happened."
Two men suspected of involvement in the killing of the
couple have
been arrested by police in Zimbabwe.
One was caught
by a neighbour's gardener near the murder scene and the
other was detained by
police last week.
A gun, believed to have been the murder weapon,
has also been
recovered.
Post mortems have established that the
couple were severely beaten
during the robbery.
Mrs Eggleston
was shot in the back and lay dying for up to an hour
while the gang ransacked
the house.
When living in Exeter, Mrs Eggleston was known by her
maiden name of
Marjorie King.
She later lived in Exmouth and
worked for chemist Boots before
marrying and moving to Africa.
Mr Eggleston had been a catering manager at Air Zimbabwe and his wife
had
worked in airport security before retiring.
Both she and her
husband held British passports, but had wanted to
remain in strife-torn
Zimbabwe.
Critics of President Robert Mugabe's regime claim that
the country's
economic plight and his government's policy of taking land off
white farmers
to give to its supporters has led to a huge rise in violent
crime.
The murder of the Egglestons has been reported in the UK but
not so
far in Zimbabwe itself. Zimbabwe's main opposition paper was closed
down
last month on government orders and all foreign correspondents have left
the
former colony.
The Peace and Democracy Project
(PDP), a civil society organisation comprising members of
Zimbabwe’s exiled
youth in South
Africa, have today launched
an initiative aimed at pushing for an urgent resolution of the crisis in
Zimbabwe.
The launch took place at a
conference hosted by PDP in Johannesburg entitled,
“Zimbabwe:
Charting The Way Forward”.
Guest
Speakers Included:
- Chris Kabwato (SACOD) -
who spoke on issues relating to youth development
- Junior Ngulube (Zimbabwe
businessman) – who spoke on the future for business in
Zimbabwe
- Nic Boraine (HSBC) – who also spoke on the future of business in
Zimbabwe
- Professor
Tawana Kupe
(Wits
University) – who
spoke on media issues vis-à-vis
Zimbabwe
- Professor
Welshman Ncube, MDC Secretary
General – who set out the MDC’s position on
the way forward in Zimbabwe
PRESS STATEMENT
Zimbabwe Youth Launch SA initiative.
October 11,
2003
Johannesburg, South
Africa.
The Peace and Democracy Project (PDP) today
launched an initiative aimed at pushing
for an urgent resolution of the crisis in
Zimbabwe.
The Peace and Democracy Project (PDP) was
founded in January 2003 in South Africa by exiled youths from Zimbabwe. The
fundamental aim of PDP is to provide a platform and a voice to the thousands of
Zimbabwe youth who have fled, and continue to flee, the criminal failings and
violent excesses of the Mugabe regime and to raise awareness about their
suffering.
“The youth are the future of any country and
it is critical that we are able to play a role in shaping the future society in
which will live. In Mugabe’s Zimbabwe such opportunities do not exist. We have
been sidelined, coerced and exploited. Under Mugabe there is no hope for the
youth in Zimbabwe, only despair,” said Ashford Lusinga the coordinator of PDP.
This despair has manifested itself in the
form of thousands of young Zimbabweans facing no alternative but to migrate to
South Africa in search for a better life. This migration naturally comes at a
huge cost to the South Africa government who have to spend millions of rands
deporting desperate youth who simply turn around and come back. There is no
other choice. Until the crisis in Zimbabwe is effectively addressed the human
tide will continue to sweep across the Limpopo creating serious economic and
social problems for South Africa.
For many youths, however, South Africa is a
far cry from the promised land as on their arrival they are forced into
overcrowded detention camps, where conditions are often appalling, whilst
awaiting deportation. This is just one of the issues that the PDP intends to
raise awareness around.
Broadly, the PDP aims to:
· Align itself with democratic
principles as a means of laying a foundation to end the crisis in Zimbabwe
· Act as a forum for
mobilising the youth so that this crucial element of Zimbabwe society can play
an integral role in restoring democracy in Zimbabwe and building a peaceful and
sustainable future for our beloved country
· Host public forums to
stimulate debate on key issues relating to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic and
political crisis
· Facilitate leadership
workshops for youths and act as an interface between civil society organisations
and Zimbabweans
· Promote solidarity with
social movements and other like-minded organisations, in particular the youth in
South Africa and the broader SADC region, in the peaceful pursuit of a
resolution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.
Professor Welshman Ncube of the MDC welcomed the PDP initiative and said, “The
Zimbabwe crisis needs an urgent resolution which can only be achieved through a
process of principled and open dialogue between all stakeholders.”
Whilst the crisis in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate
the higher the number of youth who will flee the country in a desperate search
for a better life. Mugabe failures are driving his people out of their own
country and destroying their futures. We all have a morally duty to act and
bring a peaceful end to this madness. To our African brother and sisters we urge
you to help us in our hour of need and chart a peaceful path forward that will
enable us to return home and rebuild our shattered lives in a free, peaceful and
democratic environment.
END
JUSTICE FOR AGRICULTURE LEGAL COMMUNIQUE - October 3, 2003
Email: justice@telco.co.zw; justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet:
www.justiceforagriculture.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRELIMINARY
NOTICE TO COMPULSORILY ACQUIRE LAND
Lots 116 (15 farms) and 117 (66
farms) were repeated in the Herald of
Friday 10 October.
The Herald of
Friday 03 October 2003 contains new listings (Lot 118 - 17
farms and Lot 119
- 53 farms) as listed below:
Lot 118:
GWELO 5629/99 JEAN PAMELA
THOMPSON LOT 55A THE UMSUNGWE BLOCK 274.8139
GWELO 3620/98 FIVE STAR
ENTERPRISES P/L FARM 24 OF WEST GWELO BLOCK
1226.6937
GWELO 1626/71
KLAAS FOLKERTSEN REMAINDER OF OAKLANDS 244.0203
GWELO 340/48 HARRY ERNEST
BRANFIELD SMITH R/E OF S/D NUMBER 14 OF WEST
GWELO BLOCK (STANDHOPE)
1488.0000 MORGEN
GWELO 992/01 SOUTHERN WAVE ENTERTAINMENT P/L BIJOU
1284.1735
GWELO 2187/86 FELIX ENGINEERS P/L LOT 1A HEADWATERS
1560.0741
MAKONI 5128/74 DAGBREEK ESTATES P/L DAGBREEK
486.5422
QUE QUE 2573/71 RISDONIA RANCHING CO P/L HATCHLAND
2720.8281
QUE QUE 1433/98 INDEPENDENCE MINING P/L R/E OF GRAYDENE
1117.5905
QUE QUE 1100/81 RAMISH PRAG NARAN TRIANGLE 1131.8429
QUE
QUE 4262/00 DALE & DAUGHTERS P/L REMAINDER OF ZUTPHEN OF THE MAIN
BELT
BLOCK 865.3488
SALISBURY 5928/91 GWEBI DRIFT P/L R/E OF S/D A OF
ST MARNOCKS 632.4372
SALISBURY 267/95 AYLMERSFIELD PROPERTIES P/L
REMAINDER OF AYLMERSFIELD OF
ALDERLEY 364.1315
SHABANI 1967/76 ROLAND
JORDAN SWANNACK LOT 1 OF WOODLANDS 744.6523
SHABANI 1937/76 ROLAND JORDAN
SWANNACK ROSEDALE 1380.1089
SIPOLILO 8028/96 MAZOOMA P/L MAZOOMA
1344.4779
UMTALI 5960/90 UMWAOUKU ESTATE P/L S/D A OF UMWAOUKU
915.4983
Lot 119:
CHIPINGA 2954/92 DANDON P/L LOT 3 OF NEW CASTLE
122.1433
CHIPINGA 7254/80 D W SCOTT P/L R/E OF CHIPINGA
517.3760
CHIPINGA 8366/91 DANDON P/L R/E OF LAUGHING WATERS OF NEWCASTLE
320.6658
CHIPINGA 6846/87 LYDELL FARM P/L S/D A OF BUSI
202.3392
CHIPINGA 5290/80 WATERSHED ESTATES P/L KROOMKLOF OF KENILWORTH
259.8125
CHIPINGA 3194/92 LOWVELD AGENTS P/L CANTERBURY
685.5351
CHIPINGA 8600/71 CECILIA J HUNWICK HILDERSTROOM OF DHLENI OF
HEARTBEASTNEK
429.2900
CHIPINGA 1822/87 RANDFONTEIN ESTATES P/L
HEILRAND 1102.1517
CHIPINGA 143/81 F JOUBERT & J H JOUBERT KENILWORTH
752.7470
CHIPINGA 5523/80 REDSANDS P/L R/E OF CLEAR WATER
428.2403
CHIPINGA 2955/92 DANDON P/L LOT 2 OF NEWCASTLE
158.1572
GOROMONZI 5077/79 V & R FARMING P/L CHINYIKA A
942.1699
GOROMONZI 1611/69 JAMES ALEXANDER MURRAY LOT 1A OF MIDDLETON
307.9113
ACRES
GOROMONZI 11038/97 PROPKEPT INVESTMENTS P/L REMAINDER
OF S/D C OF LEARIG
370.5811
GOROMONZI 4975/97 DARNALL INVESTMENTS P/L
LOT 2 OF STUHM 412.1091
INYANGA 3480/93 GLEN HELEN INVESTMENTS P/L LOT
70A OF INYANGA DOWNS 80.7918
INYANGA 4596/85 PINECREST P/L REMAINDER OF
MWADIWA 41.5446
MAKONI 13493/01 MORIA FARM P/L LOT 2 OF MORIA
104.2906
MAKONI 2473/81 ARTHUR AUGUSTUS BARRY PINK ELEPHANTS OF ZURANGA
101.1845
LOMAGUNDI 4634/79 DUNCAN CAMPBELL P/L R/E OF SUTTON ESTATE
797.0475
LOMAGUNDI 3446/94 MVURACHENA ENTERPRISES P/L REMAINDER OF
MVURACHENA
ESTATE 711.2734
LOMAGUNDI 2382/69 STAFFORD ESTATES P/L
IKWANI 3043.5407 ACRES
MELSETTER 1021/87 CHIPUDZANA P/L WELTEVREDE OF
AVONTUUR EXTENSION 981.3334
MREWA 4480/72 CHIGORI FARMS P/L SPES BONA
RANCH 879.9283
SALISBURY 5587/83 RED DANE DAIRY P/L ZENGEA
1361.0072
SALISBURY 5103/56 DUNOLLY FARM P/L DUNOLLY FARM 756.0000
MORGEN
SALISBURY 342/57 BRECHIN ESTATES P/L BRECHIN A 2981.0617
MORGEN
SALISBURY 5207/55 HILL BROTHERS DOWNEND PORTION OF CHARFIELD A
725.9987
MORGEN
SALISBURY 4060/74 WELLESLY ESTATE P/L R/E OF WELLESLY
SOUTH 1293.2768
SALISBURY 1034/66 BELL IN P/L ARDEN ESTATE 1047.0449
ACRES
SALISBURY 1952/66 REDLOW INVESTMENTS CO P/L STAPLE FORD ESTATE
4295.5968
ACRES
SALISBURY 6931/88 M M PRETORIUS P/L CHARMAINE OF
DRAYTON 304.1502
SIPOLILO 4917/91 BEESQUARE P/L UNDER CRAGG
1546.7392
UMTALI 288/81 EASTLANDS P/L R/E OF S/D B OF EASTLANDS
148.1388
UMTALI 3663/86 ROBERT JOHN RICKARD AND JILL PENELOPE RICKARD
GLOBE ROCK OF
MONKFIELD OF NORSELAND 74.5303
UMTALI 2897/48 THE WATTLE
CO LTD BALGREGIE 1595.0000 MORGEN 593 SQUARE
ROODS
UMTALI 1241/73
GLENBURN INVESTMENTS P/L GLENBURN OF DUNMON OF LAURANCE
VILLE
102.6362
UMTALI 1865/46 THE WATTLE CO LTD MAPOFF 842.0000 MORGEN 25
SQUARE ROODS
UMTALI 288/81 EASTLANDS P/L R/E OF EASTLANDS
153.6801
UMTALI 2558/56 JOHANNES STEPHANUS VORSTER ELRADO OF GWINDINGWI
472.4622
MORGEN
UMTALI 1367/75 TERENCE JOSEPH GRANT CHINAKATORI OF
MAONZA 136.5111
UMTALI 1215/64 VUMBA COFFEE ESTATES P/L EGGARDON HILL
499.9917 ACRES
UMTALI 4940/71 NYAMENI P/L R/E OF CLOUDLANDS ESTATE
407.2163
UMTALI 3030/97 H J VORSTER P/L VALHALLA ESTATE A
561.2487
UMTALI 3479/93 FERNDALE INVESTMENTS P/L NAHOON ESTATE
444.2658
UMTALI 6180/94 CHALGROVE P/L CHALGROVE OF BURMA OF CLYESDALE
521.4907
UMTALI 6181/94 MANYERA FARM P/L MANYERA 809.3688
UMTALI
3207/88 ARDINGLY FARM P/L LOT 1 OF LOT 1 OF BROWN HILL ESTATE
A
240.9409
URUNGWE 2119/96 DENTROW FARM P/L DENTROW ESTATE
962.3647
URUNGWE 4560/85 KAPENA FARM P/L TENGWE 69
505.4835
URUNGWE 8595/99 ACREDELL SERVICES P/L LOT 1 OF DEERWOOD PARK
1406.2605
URUNGWE 5389/81 DENDERA ESTATE P/L KATENGWE
338.2053
URUNGWE 5314/68 STAN SHEPPARD P/L LOT 1 OF THE RIDGES 1499.9783
ACRES
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: Re Open Letters Forum No. 154 dated 30 September
Aha...we are all
waking up from our numbness and dumbness and getting our
emotions out. Good!
It's the first step to recovery, acceptance and
restoration of equilibrium to
focus on the real issues.
We are allowed to have different opinions based
on our individual
experience of this ongoing horror story. That is fine, it
is really OK.
Otherwise we display no more tolerance than the scared little
people who
closed down the Daily News. In history there has never been any
situation
exactly like Zimbabwe's recent history. It's one for the books- if
anyone
out there can actually comprehend it - the average South African
(bless
their cotton socks) still hasn't "got it". Yet we know every nuance of
it
in detail. Lets use this experience to our best advantage. We need
to
debate, discuss, suggest and act in a focused intelligent way through
broad
consensus! And above all, we need to fundamentally support each
other
whilst drawing upon the equally valid group experience of
others.
We need really good advice. Be wise enough to recognize it, no
matter how
emotive the content. Becoming personal with accusations toward
non-elected
private citizens (who make the effort to offer their opinion in
good faith
to an open forum) is destructive and pointless. Those few twisted,
sneaky,
greedy losers who manipulate this pathetic situation daily really
smirk and
rub their hands in glee when they read that. When I get hurt, you
are also
injured. Lets not injure each another and dissipate our precious
energy
with negativity. Scoring own goals in a side game that we cannot win
is
futile. The real game is out there, and it's the one we really need to
win.
Charges in writing are, however, completely justified toward the
publicly
elected petty despots who have criminalized public office in our
country.
This, to the point where the average citizen is now so thoroughly
abused
that the entire population would be gobsmacked by even the
tiniest
improvement.
Our wholesome, relaxed Zimbabwean lifestyle has
been rudely and crudely
yanked from beneath our feet. But however awful our
experience, somebody
in our country, black and white, has had it (is having
it) far worse. Spare
a thought for them daily, they are part of us. Make
allowances. We are
inter-connected in this thing together, feeling the
deepest communal pain.
Farmer, ex-farmer, townsfolk, whatever colour -
all 'sides of the fence'
here are simply an illusion. We all want THE SAME
THING. Government by the
people, for all the people - no more gross abuse of
power by a few vultures
for a few vultures. A chance to taste real freedom
just for once, without
fear, insecurity and discrimination of any
kind.
Together, we hold the key. We must decide to apply the group
pressure
required to turn that key - together. 'They' think they have won a
battle
but have already lost this war. The turnaround time is coming.
It
approaches as surely as day follows the darkest night.
No victim
talk. Focus. Be strong. Maintain your dignity, actively
empowering ourselves
and each another. All we have to fear is fear itself.
Be assured - we
shall survive. Watch this space.
Zambezi
Blonde
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Letter
2: Re Open Letters Forum No. 157 dated 04 September
Dear
Sirs/Mesdames
To Michael Chingoka - well said. Your letter was forthright
and well
thought out. All free and fair thinking Zimbabweans should unite in
the
face of the tragic consequences of one megalomaniac and his party
cohorts
[who are amongst the wealthiest men in Africa], letting the
so-called
"war-vets" [a lot of them look far too young to be veterans!!]
loose on
white commercial farmers and destroying a vital part of the economy.
My
heart goes out to all who have lost in this senseless onslaught
and
especially those farm-workers who have lost their homes, jobs and
education
for their kids and future.
Unemployment in Zim is now 70%.
Push those statistics up a little more and
it will be only the Civil Service,
Police, Army and Politicians who are
employed.
Merlynn Kageler - ex
Zim
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Letter
3: Re Open Letters Forum No. 159 dated 06 October
Stuart Brazier, Yes, I
wholeheartedly agree with what you have to say, the
more information that is
out there about the atrocities in this country the
better.....History does
have a way of repeating itself. May God Bless each
and everyone of us who are
left behind to sort out the mess...... another
displaced farmer's
wife.
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Letter
4: Re forgotten Brits - does anyone care out there?
Dear All,
This
is just a short note to say that there is in fact work being
undertaken to
assist the OAP's in Zimbabwe already. A fund has been set up
in the UK and
funds have begun to come in. Indeed, a journalist has been
out in Zim
examining the challenges faced by OAP's this last week and we
should, I hope,
see some good articles about their plight in the near
future.
We are
working closely with the Rotary 'Adopt a grandparent' team in Harare
who are
doing what they can to assist OAP's there. If you need any
information on the
work they are doing, please contact Ian Helby, his email
is helby@mweb.co.zw
James
Maberly
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Letter
5: Re Ben Freeth's letter to UN Rep
Hear, Hear to Ben Freeth's
comments.
Would he mind if it were turned into a petition - I would add
my signature.
Betty Ashton
Out of the country but coming back
soon.
Reply to bashton@freeuk.com
or bashton@mango.zw or bashton678@yahoo.co.uk
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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.
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:
Dear Sir,
OK, so I'm a townie. What do you think that means?
It certainly does not
identify me as a group.
I have followed the
hornet's nest stirred up by John Kinnaird's plain
speaking letter with
interest. Yes, the farmers have been through hell but
they certainly are not
the only Zimbabweans to have suffered. Personally,
I went through hell with
you, but not danger. It has been mental hell.
What could we do for you? How
could we stop the sleepless nights, worrying
about what was happening and
feeling that there was nothing we could do?
I have `friends' who stopped
reading the newspaper to `protect' themselves.
Denial is no
solution.
I adopted a farmer friend and have been there for him, at the
end of a
phone day and night, ever since. I have been to every political
meeting I
could and gained respect for the fine minds of the people who speak
for the
opposition. I helped them in small ways, whenever I could. I was one
of
many townies who did the same. Many affluent businesses made
donations.
Meanwhile some brave farmers faced their problems on the farms and
still
kept up the battle, working for the opposition or even gaining seats
in
parliament. Anyone who stood for Parliament and gained a seat or
who
canvassed risked their lives.
For me, it opened up totally new
horizons. I do not regret a moment of it.
For the first time in my life I
was accepted into black society. Not
without a little suspicion, but we
overcame this with a lot of laughter.
I was there to witness the injured
who came in from the districts during
the general election. I met
extraordinary people who have a hard won
education and who, ever since our
problems have started, made a choice
which put their jobs and their lives on
the line, just by sticking out
their necks.
I gained some courage from
the black lady, who I had witnessed being chased
by shady characters during
the election. "How do you do it?", I asked. She
thought for a moment, "You go
beyond fear". She is well-to-do, could live
anywhere in the world, but she
told me she and her husband reached a
decision, that they owed it to their
country to work for change. That was
a turning point for me. She is just
one of the people I know who continue
to fight for change. One man recently
beaten to a pulp has been jailed
seven times for his activism. Another was
tortured. All of them have
chosen this path despite the brutality meted out
to them. it has only
served to make them more determined. They made a choice
which they knew was
dangerous. They are awesome people.
I hate
statistics as much as I hate metaphors that group people and tell
the lie
that this group does this or that, but I wonder, when history is
told, who
will take the prize on suffering? The beaten and murdered in the
rural
districts, the savaged youths in the townships. How many homes lost?
The
imprisoned (some of them friends) and the tortured, the farmers,
the
hungry.... it goes on and on.
Through all this I and my family
were very aware that this was not a land
issue, it was a continuing pattern
of zanuisation. A plan to preserve a
mafia in power.
What to do?
Stay well informed. Recognise that Zimbabwe is a
battleground, a battle for
the control of people's minds. Do not play into
their hands. Examine your
own attitudes. There is much that everyone can
and I believe should be
doing.
Activists need help and shelter, prisoners need feeding. The poor
need
clothes and food. Those whose homes have been wrecked need new
belongings.
The jobless need training. People need to connect and to
network. Every
little bit of help, every bit of respect shown to your fellow
man will help
spread the message. Print out the news, give it away in the
streets. Carry
fruit in your car and give it to beggars. Talk to people in
queues and
you'll be surprised by how much love is shown to you. Small acts
lead to
larger things. This problem will not go away until all the people
of
Zimbabwe stand together as one (group!) and say NO.
Perhaps we need
to appreciate the meaning of the MDC motto "Chinja Maitero"
or Change the
Way. To me it means that we all have to put the past behind
us, recognise
that we are all faulty, see that change starts within each
and every one of
us and then resolve to build a new future for our beloved
country. It is not
up to "them", it is up to "us". You don't have to be a
politician, just a
compassionate human
being.
"Townie"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 October 11, 2003
Please send any job
opportunities for publication in this newsletter to:
JAG Job Opportunities
<justice@telco.co.zw>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 07 October 2003)
We have a vacancy coming up in at the end of
November for an Administrator
who will perform various BASIC functions in our
Harare office.
It is not too demanding and would suit a semi-retired
farmer.
Salary modest but has the use of a car to and from work, fuel
provided.
The primary role is to "keep and eye on" warehousing and
general office
situation. Please contact JAG offices for contact
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 02 October 2003)
The Trading Company in Msasa is looking for a
mornings only bookkeeper who
is able to work up to trial
balance.
Please contact 486596, 011 217 841 or email tradeco@icon.co.zw for
further
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 02 October 2003)
RESCUE Sheltered Workshop for 43 mentally and
physically disabled invite
application for the following posts:
1.
Administrator/Director
2. Workshop Manager
3. Bookkeeper
The
disabled persons have been trained to carry out various semi-skilled
work in
the manufacture of wheelchairs in a well-equipped and spacious
workshop in
Harare.
Applications with CV to be sent to Chairman Executive Committee,
P O Box
A381, Avondale, Harare.
Tel: (w) 304575, (h) 744478, cell 011 405
046
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 01 October 2003)
We are looking for someone to work on our till
in the Art Mart, please
contact Lindy Rowlands at 485514 for more
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 19 September 2003)
ONCE UPON A TIME NURSERY SCHOOL is looking
for a teacher to start in
January 2004.
Any ex-teachers, or qualified
Nursery School teachers, wanting to get back
into the teaching
environment?
Ex-teachers, farmers' wives looking for a satisfying job in a
happy
atmosphere?
Good package. Mornings only.
Please contact Rosy
van der Westhuizen on 776470 (school hours) or
091-216730 or e-mail rosyv@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 19 September 2003)
VACANCY FOR CLASS 2 DRIVER
Applicant, who
should be 30 years of age or over, would ideally have:
Minimum 5 years
experience
Good references
Competitive salary offered.
Contact: Ms
Bassett
KDB HOLDINGS (PVT) LIMITED, Harare
Telephone:
758921
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 19 September 2003)
Retired farmer/handyman required overseeing a
clothing and fabric factory
in Msasa. No special qualifications needed.
Work hours are from 7am - 5
pm on Mon-Thurs and 7am - 1pm on Friday. Please
contact 011 217 841 for
further
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
- Avondale area
(ad inserted 19 September 2003)
We are looking for
someone to work a 2-3-morning week. Must be computer
literate and have
knowledge of Data input, Excel and Graphs.
Please contact 04 794478 for
further
details.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 16 September 2003)
We have a vacancy for a
receptionist.
Applicant must be MS Word/ Excel/ e-mail literate and of a
cheerful manner.
Salary on application.
Phone Carol Livingston 305613/4
Harare
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(Glen Lorne)
(ad inserted 04 September 2003)
Position for a 5-day week
mornings only handyman at Imba Matombo Hotel will
be available from 14
September 2003. Please contact Julie Webb
499013.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
HARARE
(ad
inserted 21 August 2003)
PART TIME SHOP MANAGERS REQUIRED FOR ELEMENTS
HOME AND LINEN.
PLEASE CONTACT SIAN OR TARRYN 252710-3
OR EMAIL - elements@off2africa.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BULAWAYO
(ad
inserted 10 October 2003)
We are looking for someone who has:
1.
Loads of common sense
2. Patience
3. Sense of humour and an ability to
communicate at all levels
4. Self-motivation
5. Prepared to work hands on
(mostly feet on!)
6. Perseverance
7. A touch of stubbornness would be an
advantage
8. ENERGY (that should perhaps have been listed first!)
That
is the basic mindset.
Then:
Experience in sewing most important.
Designing and pattern making an
advantage but not essential.
The working
environment is in an export orientated clothing factory - we
are
unquestionably competitive in the world market and have
uncompromising
quality standards to support this.
The work is hard,
the job is rewarding. If you are interested, please
contact me on email: judepete@mweb.co.zw
Judith
Clark
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHEGUTU
(ad
inserted 02 September 2003)
Farm sitter urgently required from 16-30th
September 2003. Duties to
include looking after tobacco grading shed and
possible ridging to be done.
Please contact 091 321
406.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EASTERN
DISTRICT
(ad inserted 19 August 2003)
Position Vacant.
Estate
Manager for large company, Eastern Districts, to control fields,
office and
factory. Duties entail learning and enforcing all present
practices, maintain
and improve standards of production and quality. Good
prospects for the right
person seeking long-term commitment.
Qualifications: BSc Agriculture /
Horticulture; plus 8 years experience at
senior level; may consider Diploma
plus track record.
Conditions:
o Normal farm perks;
o Double-cab
with free fuel; may qualify car purchase scheme.
o Company share scheme.
o
Annual Commission on performance.
o Competitive Salary.
o Assistance with
school fees.
o Company pays 75% of CIMAS.
o Generous
Leave.
Appointment on probation for 4 months.
Submit CV to "The
Director" tangeao@samara.co.zw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
EASTERN
DISTRICT
(ad inserted 06 August 2003)
Position Vacant
A large
company in the eastern districts seeks to fill the post of Estate
Manager on
the following general terms. Appointment may be subject to a
satisfactory
report from an Industrial Psychologist.
Duties: To take control of the
estate, reporting to the overall
agricultural manager, being responsible for
field supervision, for office
control and planning, and for factory
production. These duties will entail
learning and enforcing all present
practices to maintain and improve
standards of production and quality. Later,
we would expect initiatives to
lead this enterprise to even greater
heights.
This post has good promotion prospects for the right person, as
the
incumbent gains experience and responsibilities. These duties require
a
high level of commitment and long hours of work at busy times. The
Company
works a 6-day week.
Qualifications: A BSc in Agriculture or
Horticulture; plus at least 8 years
of relevant experience, recently at a
senior management level; Capable of
commanding a large workforce through the
department managers and with
assistance from the service departments; Aged
between 32 and 45 years. A
Diploma plus excellent track record may be
considered, but demonstrable
technical and managerial expertise is
essential.
Conditions:
o Subsidised housing with lights and water, and
2 gardeners;
o A double-cab vehicle with free fuel within reason; may qualify
for the
car purchase scheme after the probation period.
o Company share
schemes allow participation in the company's fortunes.
o Annual Commission on
performance against targets of production, quality,
profitability, and
tasks.
o Competitive Salary, commensurate with qualifications and
experience.
o Pension Scheme. Employee contribution is 8%. Must meet medical
standards
in this respect.
o Schooling: assistance with school fees for up
to four children.
o Company pays 75% of CIMAS monthly rates on any scheme
level.
o Leave: 36 calendar days; plus 1 day per month `occasional'
leave.
Appointment would be on probation for 4 months, during which one
month's
notice applies. The company is looking for a long-term commitment by
a
professional seeking a career.
Suitable candidates should submit CVs
marked for attention "The Director",
to tangeao@samara.co.zw.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
GWERU
(ad
inserted 18 September 2003)
SITUATION VACANT / EMPLOYMENT
A very
exciting and challenging opportunity for a financial controller /
accountant
in the tourism industry
IDEALLY: We require: A couple who can both become
involved in the
business and who do not still have children at
school.
Either the husband or wife should have extensive accounting
experience and
be able to manage the accounting staff.
The company is
also involved in Christian mission and overseas student
tours throughout
Africa, conducting hunting safaris and has an export
orientated weavery
business.
The company offices, homesteads, extensive workshops and very
busy Safari
lodge/camp are based on a game park 10 kms out of
Gweru.
Enthusiastic and committed couples interested in joining us should
please
forward details to or phone me directly on 091-205956
The
position is available immediately and really is an exiting one.
We
offer:
· Company vehicle
· Company house on the game park
·
Competitive salary
· Lots of perks
ANDREW CONOLLY
ANTELOPE PARK /
AFRICAN ENCOUNTER SAFARIS
P O Box 1218, Gweru, Zimbabwe
Phone/Fax: +(263
54) 52172, 50919
E-Mail: antelope@mweb.co.zw
Web-site:
antelopepark.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
KARIBA
- TIGER BAY
(ad inserted 16 September 2003)
Lake Fresh Fisheries in
Kariba has a vacancy for the position of General
Manager with the core
business being Kapenta Fishing. Ideal for successful
farmer - minimum age 30
years. The company offers a very attractive Salary,
free vehicle for company
use, plus free house, lights and water, with 21
working days leave p/a.
Genuine applications only please
Phone 011 608 782 or 308960, or email conquest@mweb.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
KARIBA
(ad
inserted 09 September 2003)
A General Manager is wanted in Chalala,
Kariba to start work immediately.
Skills to include:
1. diesel
mechanic,
2. must be a hard worker,
3. is familiar with boats and
equipment,
4. good at labour relations,
5. preferably married as social
life is limited.
A 3-bedroomed cottage is offered for
accommodation.
Salary is substantial but negotiable.
Please
contact 061 2523 or 011 715 425 for further
information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
MASVINGO
(ad
inserted 16 September 2003)
Wanted:
A farm manager / assistant for
a horticultural project situated 25 km from
Masvingo.
Please contact Mr.
P. Buchan on Buflower@zol.co.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MUTORASHANGA
(ad
inserted 13 August 2003)
MATRON/NURSING SISTER FOR BARWICK
SCHOOL.
Barwick School is situated in the peaceful countryside of
Mutoroshanga
about 100km north of Harare. The school itself faces the
beautiful hills of
the Great Dyke and surrounded by the Caeser mining village
and Barwick
farming community.
We require the services of a matron, as
of the Third Term preferably
someone who has nursing experience and who has a
lot of drive, to look
after the Grade 5----7 and maintain law and order in
the top hostels.
Please contact the Headmaster on phone
no:066-8-285/091345352 or
e-mail-BarwickTrust@mango.zw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NKAI
(MATABELELAND NORTH)
(ad inserted 08 October 2003)
We have a job offer
as a manager of a large Timber Milling operation in
Nkai. We are looking
for:
1. A decision maker with good managerial skills, able to control
and
discipline a large work force. Integrity and honesty are
vital.
2. Because Nkai is in the middle of the bush and far away from
any towns,
it is important that the applicants are personalities that are
not
interested in social life or likely to turn to alcohol. A more
introverted
type of person would be more suitable. Preferably without
children at
school.
3. Duties will involve the running of a very
large hardwood sawmill, hire
and fire of labourers, maintenance of all
machinery and vehicles and
dealing with customers. Work will often take up
weekends. Any mechanical
knowledge will be greatly advantageous.
4.
Accommodation at the moment consists of a Bungalow. However when the
right
person is found for the position we intend building.
5. Salary although
not fully decided at this point will be very high. We
will work out a scheme
based on percentage of profits as well as a basic.
Salary although paid in
Zim Dollars will be based on the Rand.
Regards
Glen
Wiseman
Cell phone: 011 208
329
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOTSWANA
(ad
inserted 29 September 2003)
AMEECHI INVESTMENTS SEEK A SUITABLY QUALIFIED
MECHANIC FOR A RANCHING
OPERATION IN BOTSWANA. THE POST IS WITH IMMEDIATE
EFFECT. APPLICANTS WITH
EXPERIENCE WITH HEAVY EARTH-MOVING EQUIPMENT WILL
HAVE AN ADDED ADVANTAGE.
CONTACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS AND CONTACTABLE REFERENCES
ARE REQUIRED.
APPLICATIONS WITH CVs TO BE POSTED ASAP TO THE FARM MANAGER,
AMEECHI
INVESTMENTS, PO BOX 602195, GABERONE, BOTSWANA.
Please
contact: kok@zta.co.zw for further
details
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
MOZAMBIQUE
(ad
inserted 07 October 2003 - 28/10)
A challenging and exciting opportunity
exists for a horticultural manager
to take charge of a 10 Ha. rose project.
The position requires a
self-motivated and highly committed manager who must
be able to communicate
with a large labour force and have the necessary
experience to produce top
quality roses for the export market. Applicants
will be expected to possess
a high level of organisational skills and must be
prepared to work long
hours at peak periods. The opportunity also exists for
the spouse to be
employed in the office and assist in the pack
shed.
This position holds excellent prospects for a dedicated person
seeking a
long term commitment and offers:
Company house and
servant
Company vehicle
Medical aid assistance
Competitive US$
salary
Bonus based on production targets
e mail C.V. to : melara@zol.co.zw
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOUTH
AFRICA
(ad inserted 07 October 2003)
There is a vacancy for a
vegetable production manager in SA. The project is
involved in the production
of baby vegetables and peas (Mange Tout) for the
local market (Woolworths)
and the European markets.
The applicant must be able to work in SA. The
project is based in the
Southern Cape region of George.
Good
experience in all aspects of farming are essential - I am looking for
a
particularly dedicated person.
Please contact me - CHRIS CHARTER
info@1910fruitbox.co.za
+27 82
880-1351
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
UGANDA
(ad
inserted 09 October 2003)
Ugandan Forest Resource Management and
Conservation Programme
PLANTATION SPECIALIST: TERMS OF
REFERENCE
Qualifications:
Degree or Diploma in Forestry or Forest
Engineering
Essential Experience:
· Minimum 8 years practical
experience of establishing, management and
harvesting of large-scale,
commercial, tropical or sub-tropical timber
plantations - particularly pines
and eucalypts.
· Proven experience of modern weed control techniques -
including the safe
use of herbicides.
· A thorough understanding of modern
tree nursery techniques.
· Demonstrable experience of working with chain
saws.
· Experience with skidding logs using a 4WD tractor and double-drum
winch.
· Organising and supervising private Contractors to carry out
work.
· Drawing up and implementing fire protection plans for
forests.
Desirable Experience:
· Knowledge of Health and Safety issues
in forestry operations.
· Experience in training in various aspects of
plantation silviculture and
harvesting.
· Forest Certification
experience.
· Knowledge of marketing roundwood.
· Competence in computer
use - especially MS Office applications.
Duration:
A 12-month contract
initially but with a likelihood of extension
Location:
The successful
applicant will be based in Kampala. The work will involve
frequent travel
around Uganda which will necessitate frequent overnight
stays up-country.
Kampala is a thriving, cosmopolitan city with excellent
facilities for
shopping, schooling and general R&R.
Start Date:
ASAP from 1st
October 2003.
Support:
The post-holder will have the use of a good 4WD
vehicle to carry out his or
her duties and a driver will be assigned to the
vehicle.
Salary and Conditions:
To be discussed with Agrisystems Ltd.
(UK).
Background:
The activities of the FRMCP places considerable
emphasis on the development
of new plantations and the sustainable management
of the remaining mature
plantations.
Despite the excellent growth
conditions available for tree plantations in
Uganda, the forest plantation
sector still remains under developed and a
serious shortfall of timber is
predicted in the near future.
The FRMCP has already started establishing
some demonstration plantations
in Forest Reserves in strategic places around
the country and has also
recently launched a Sawlog Production Grant Scheme
to act as an incentive
to the private sector to plant commercial timber
crops.
The lack of practical skills (following years of poor management
and
general unrest in the country) is severely affecting the FRMCP's
plantation
development plans hence the need to recruit a suitable person who
can pass
skills to the Programme's management team, private sector &
other
stakeholders to meet its plantation development targets.
Other
Info:
The post-holder will join the Agrisystems Technical Advisory (TA) team
-
reporting directly to the FRMCP's Chief Technical Advisor.
Please
contact: david@agrisystems.co.ke
for further
information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
UGANDA
(ad
inserted 08 September 2003)
I have been in Uganda for the last six weeks.
Whilst there, I met a Ugandan
who is a lawyer by profession, who owns three
pieces of land and who is
looking for someone to run farming operations for
him. He has 800 acres
between Entebbe and Kampala, where he is doing maize
and cattle and two
other properties of 10 square miles and two square miles
respectively, both
with potential for irrigation if necessary.
Should
you know of anyone who might be interested, I would ask that they
send
responses to the Ugandan email address for more information:
marcr@spacenet.co.ug
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZAMBIA
(ad
inserted 01 October 2003)
HORTICULTURE MANAGER REQUIRED IN ZAMBIA ON THE
COPPERBELT
VEGETABLES AND FRUIT
Vegetable and fruit grower supplying large
supermarket chain from
developing irrigated Copperbelt Farm requires a
suitably qualified hands-on
Assistant. Married or single. Wife could assist
in office. Some
experience with seeding growing an advantage.
Excellent
free housing and services paid, and vehicle provided.
Salary
negotiable.
Please reply email simmonds@zamnet.zm
Fax: Zambia +260 2
210468
Tel: Zambia +260 96
990096
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZAMBIA
(ad
inserted 09 September 2003)
Mechanical Engineer required for a large
engineering firm in Lusaka. All
enquiries contact Diego Casilli in Lusaka on
dcasilli@amanita.com.zm
or
+2601286452.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
AMERICA
(ad
inserted 08 August 2003)
For Attn of Mr Richard Tigner
Dear Mr
Tigner,
I am contacting you in response to information given to me, and
subsequent
to a conversation with Mr John Hanley of the University of
Exeter.
We understand that you have a dairy scheme for which you are
looking for
farmers who may wish to participate, and that there have been
various trips
to Europe to recruit farmers to become engaged in the
project.
I understand also that you have been looking for people with the
funds to
invest in the opportunity as well.
You may also be aware that
there is a particularly difficult situation in
Zimbabwe (Southern Africa)
where the Govt of the day has forced 85% of the
former farmers off their land
and as a result has all but destroyed the
farming industry.
As a
charity, the Zimbabwe Agricultural Welfare Trust is well connected
with many
of those deposed farmers, and it may well be that some may be
interested in
opportunities you may offer. Some may have funds they could
invest, but
others would be looking for any kind of opportunity.
Please would you get
back to me with any details you may have that could be
of some interest to
these farmers.
I am copying this email to the Justice for Agriculture
Team in Zimbabwe and
I would ask that when you reply to me, you copy your
reply to them.
Thank you for your help.
Yours aye,
James
Maberly
Chairman, Zimbabwe Agricultural Welfare Trust
Dear Mr
Maberly,
I am a farm management specialist with Iowa State University, a
land grant
university established in the mid-1800's. Iowa is an important
part of the
US dairy industry, producing just under 3% of the total US milk,
number 9
in total milk processed and number 12 in milk produced per
cow.
New dairy farmers would find available feed and dairy
production
facilities. Some local crop farmers have also indicated they are
ready to
sell land for construction of a dairy facility, sell the dairy
producer
feed and use the manure produced on the dairy for crop production.
We have
begun working with some Dutch farmers in moving to the US since they
have
limited opportunities there, but for different reasons.
The most
difficult part of the process of developing a dairy here is the
immigration
process; at this time an exemption has been applied for to the
US
government's immigration service that may make immigration easier.
There are
some financial investment requirements for one visa type that may
be eased.
There is another visa type that does not put the immigrant on a
citizenship
track. An application for citizenship could take place at some
other time
however.
It is possible that we may assist the farmers you are in contact
with, but
additional information about there needs, financial resources,
skills and
goals than I currently have. Please respond to this email at
your
convenience. Thank
you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
For
the latest listings of accommodation available for farmers, contact
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
(updated 10 October 2003)
JUSTICE FOR AGRICULTURE
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - October 10,
2003
Email: justice@telco.co.zw;
justiceforagriculture@zol.co.zw
Internet:
www.justiceforagriculture.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To
my fellow countrymen......
The buildings crumble, neglected Rubbish lies
in the streets.
I stare through the window, dejected, While the cab driver
grumbles and
bleats.
The roads are pot-holed, a minefield. We zigzag
to save the car's shocks:
Only drunks would drive straight in this town! We
hit one - the vehicle
rocks!
I've come home this last time, a requiem
To pack up, and tell friends
goodbye.
I'm sure that my new life's a good
thing, So why do I just want to cry?
I can make far more money in Europe,
Buy things I have ne'er before seen.
But money's just money, gadgets, junk.
My heart lives back here, where it's
green.
In a land where Saturday's
braai day, When friends meet to burn meat and
drink.
To talk and solve all
the world's problems, Without even pausing to think.
Where children can
run in wide spaces, And shout, and carouse, and be free.
Where parents know
each other's faces, And don't worry who strangers might
be.
A land
where the people are friendly, Where you're met with a hand and
a
grin.
Where the doors to the houses are open, And "whenever you're
round, just
pull in!"
Where the people are friendly and caring, Where
they all stick together,
make a plan.
Where they do what they can for each
other, And will help anyone, if they
can.
A place of great natural
beauty: Hard granite, dry grasses, hot sun,
Waterfalls, dry river beds, dirt
roads, Bush tracks that go on and on.
To know that because of one
mad-man, Or two, and a bunch of their friends,
I must leave my homeland
forever, And my African idyll now ends.
So farewell to the land of my
childhood, As into exile I go.
Some that are staying deride me. Are they
right? I just don't know.REPLY
Farewell to our friends who a
leaving; Farewell, but never good-bye.
Don't ever be led to believing You'll
never return 'til you die.
The roads are pot-holed - a minefield; Once
they were pristine and straight.
Who says that the roads can't be filled And
returned to their great, former
state?
There are two things in life
that we're given: The one is the money we earn;
The other is standard of
living; Each must be thought of in turn.
If we choose to move, now or
later, The shape of our problems will vary
But will they get smaller or
greater? That is the issue to query.
At least here we know all the
issues; We know what is just down the line.
We can see the disasters
approaching, And move to 'plan B' just in time!
So what can we say to our
mates, As they get on the bus or the plane,
As they fight to control their
mind-states And struggle to hide all their
pain?
Let's wish them the
best for their journey. Let's see them away with a
crack!
Let's hope and
let's pray that, one day, We'll be here to welcome them back!
May they go
to the distant, blue hills. May they fill up their hearts with
new
schemes.
May they learn some new methods and skills To bring back to the land
of
their dreams.
The madman can't last, and will never Destroy our
dreams, present and past,
He cannot do damage forever; His destruction will
not always last.
History will look back and smile At the way that he
stumbled and failed.
They will say, "Well, he lasted a while - But good over
evil prevailed."
There are two things a country requires A system, and
hearts that are pure.
Our hearts are being strengthened by fires - Of
adversity - that's to be
sure
The system will come, be it known; The
Lord will prepare it in time.
So let's set our faces like stone And run with
the course that unwinds.
We're suffering now in the darkness, But the
dawn is not far out of sight.
The darkest of all of the hours - Is the hour
before it gets light.
So let's gird up our loins and be ready; Our
affairs are like rags - all in
tatters,
But it's just like a game; let's
keep steady: It's only the last point that
matters!
So whether we've
gone or we've stayed, We've suffered our fair share of
pain;
We'll weather
the storm and be bravely united in Zim once again.
So whether we've
stayed or we've gone Is really not where it is at.
Our characters all have
been worked on, And we can stand stronger for that.
So come back to the
land of your childhood; Come back to the land of your
birth.
We'll welcome
you home, well and good, And the land will be filled with
our
mirth.
We'll bask in the sunshine together, And laugh at
experience past.
We'll know it was all for our good, That the happiness
always will last.
But let's not forget all the warnings: The serious
dangers of sin.
In the fabulous days that are dawning, That corruption the
troubles let in.
So we'll live in the land of our fathers; Our Father
will care for us here,
Remembering love for our neighbours And all His
commandments with fear.
So here's to the land of Zimbabwe: Land full of
sunshine and smiles.
The warm, loving land of Zimbabwe, I guess we'll be here
for a while.
News24
'Leaders are appeasing Mugabe'
11/10/2003 20:36 -
(SA)
Johannesburg, South Africa - Zimbabwe's African neighbours are
appeasing the
country's increasingly authoritarian President Robert Mugabe
and prolonging
his rule by pursuing an approach of so-called quiet diplomacy,
a senior
Zimbabwean opposition official said Saturday.
Welshman Ncube,
general-secretary of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for
Democratic Change,
said it was hard to understand why African states were
taking a softer
approach on Mugabe than Western powers and people from
within the troubled
country itself.
"This is the bewildering part of the policy," Ncube told
a forum on
democracy and Zimbabwe at a Johannesburg hotel. "You might call it
quiet
diplomacy ... but what it is is appeasement."
Prolonging the
crisis
The approach, he said, "has had the unfortunate effect of
actually
prolonging the crisis."
President Thabo Mbeki has defended
South Africa's policy on Zimbabwe. He
says the best solution to the Zimbabwe
crisis would be to bring Mugabe's
ruling party and the opposition to the
negotiating table on the country's
deepening political and economic
crisis.
But negotiation efforts have floundered.
The opposition
blames Mugabe for plunging the southern African country into
its worst
economic crisis since independence in 1980, with 70 percent
unemployment and
acute shortages of food, gasoline and medicine.
A state programme to
seize thousands of white-owned farms for redistribution
to blacks has
crippled the agriculture-based economy in the past
three
years.
Inflation has soared to 420 percent.
Dangerous
profession
Mugabe's government has in recent years stepped up its
crackdown on the
opposition. Investment and foreign aid have dried up in
protest against
human rights abuses and last year's tainted presidential
elections.
Ncube and another senior opposition official were acquitted in
July of
treason. They had been charged along with the head of the opposition,
Morgan
Tsvangirai, of plotting to kill Mugabe.
Tsvangirai continues to
stand trial.
"Opposition politics in Zimbabwe," Ncube told the forum, "is
a very
dangerous profession."
iafrica.com
'Daily News closure was attack on MDC'
Posted Sat, 11 Oct
2003
The controversial closure of Zimbabwe's only private independent
daily last
month was a direct attack on the country's opposition, a senior
opposition
official said on Saturday.
Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC) Secretary General Welshman Ncube said
the closure had deprived the
party of reaching thousands of citizens in the
southern African
country.
"The attack on the Daily News is not an attack on the owners of
the paper to
prevent them from becoming rich and making money," Ncube told a
seminar run
by the Peace and Democracy Project (PDP) in Johannesburg, a
non-governmental
organisation founded by youths exiled from
Zimbabwe.
Voice of the masses silenced
"It is principally an
attack on the MDC, for the simple reason that if you
remove the Daily News as
a source of news, you have literally made it
impossible for the opposition's
voice to be heard by the mass of people."
The Daily News was forcibly
shut down by police on September 12, a day after
the Supreme Court ruled that
it was operating illegally because it was not
licenced by a government media
commission under the country's 18-month-old
media laws.
The paper had
gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the constitutional
validity of the
media laws compelling all media houses and journalists to
register, but the
court said it would not hear the case until the newspaper
was
registered.
Since the closure and seizure of its equipment, the paper
tried to register
but its application was rejected by the media
commission.
It has since been shuttling between the country's courts to
have the
commission's decision reviewed, and a hearing has now been set for
October
16.
Court order ended Daily News
Ncube, who also acts
as one of the MDC's principal lawmakers, said he was
saddened by the fact
that the paper had been closed by a court order.
"For me the tragedy of
the closure of the Daily News is that it was achieved
directly by an order of
the court of law.
"I think it is unprecedented in the 21st century that a
newspaper can be
closed by five learned lawyers, before they could hear its
application
before court, and demand it to stop publishing," he
said.
Ncube said even though aspects of Zimbabwe's poorly managed land
reform
programme — which has seen former white-owned commercial farms seized
and
handed to black farmers — were in breach of the law, they were approved
by
the country's courts.
"So you can come to court as the government
of Zimbabwe with very dirty
hands and be heard. This is the Supreme
Court.
"Come the Daily News and they (the court) forget all of that — now
they must
be in strict compliance of the law."
"What it teaches us is
that where you appoint political judges the internal
logic of reasoning, the
internal logic of the law is irrelevant in
decision-making.
"(They)
come to a conclusion first and justify it even it means they
are
contradicting themselves," he said.
AFP