Chigwedere's late arrival at Gutu function riles envoy
By
Rutendo Mawere GUTU - The Canadian Ambassador to
Zimbabwe John Schram almost abandoned commissioning an educational project in
Gutu in protest against delays in holding the function recently. The
function that was scheduled to commence at 10:00AM at Mushayavanhu Secondary
School, about 20 km from Gutu but was delayed to around 1PM because Aeneas
Chigwedere the Minister of Education, Sport and Culture had not arrived.
Schram, who had other commitments elsewhere arrived at the school at 9:20 AM
and informed the organisers that he hoped to leave shortly after 1:00PM to
attend to other pressing commitments.
However, school authorities insisted that he wait for Chigwedere's arrival
for him to handover school equipment worth over $141 million, meant for the
Mutapa cluster in Gutu district.
When he turned up in the afternoon, Chigwedere went into a meeting with the
Zanu PF local leadership, Chiefs, Councillors and school heads further delaying
the handing over ceremony.
Chigwedere told the people that since he had never been to the school this
was their perfect opportunity to air their grievances.
"Handiti munoziva kuti handisati ndambosvika pano, saka zvandasvika nhasi
mototaura zvinokunetsai."
It was only after the Canadian Ambassador threatened to leave without
officially handing over the donations that Chigwedere disbanded the meeting with
the local leadership.
Schram later commissioned the project, which will assist Mushayavanhu and
surrounding schools.
Among the equipment donated by the Canadians were a heavy duty photocopier,
computers and one printer that will benefit study groups, community members,
teachers and more than 4 000 pupils in the Gutu District.
The donation was part of the Better Schools Programme started in 1992 as an
initiative to support the School Development Associations (SDAs) in raising the
quality and relevance of educational provisions in schools within the area.
"This Canadian contribution will give the Mupata cluster the boost it needs
to make the Mushayavanhu Secondary School a centre of excellence. It is a
schools programme that has already made immense strides in introducing new
ideas, the challenging extra curricular activities, better education and pass
rates," Schram said.
In his vote of thanks to the Embassy, Chigwedere said: "We want to thank the
Ambassador because he who has helped a school has helped me and with rural
electrification we hope for better results from rural schools."
Not to be outdone, Chigwedere also donated Z$10million for the roofing of
Mushayavanhu's A level block. He also promised $2 million each to three
different schools in the area.
HIV/Aids fighters honoured By our own Staff
INDIVIDUALS, groups and organisations that contributed
towards fighting HIV and Aids were honoured last week during the presentation of
the Auxillia Chimusoro awards, named after the first Zimbabwean woman who openly
declared her HIV positive status 15 years ago. Auxillia Chimusoro,
who throughout her illness was an outspoken advocate for the anti- HIV/Aids
campaign, is widely acknowledged as a heroine in the struggle against the stigma
associated with the pandemic.
The purpose of the awards is to recognise and reward individuals and
organisations that have demonstrated commitment and courage in breaking the
silence, reducing stigma and discrimination and caring for the infected and
affected people.
The first category, the Media/Communications which honours media personnel
who effectively captured the essence of a major issue around HIV and Aids
sensitively as well as accurately conveying the message to a broader audience
was won by Sophie Dilmitis.
Dilmitis is an advocate who disclosed her HIV status and has written a series
of articles on how to cope with HIV in The Daily Mirror. She pocketed $10
million.
Mathew Takaona, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) President and former
news editor for The Sunday Mail received $5 million after being specially
honoured and recognised for his outstanding contribution in mobilising the media
to proactively highlight issues relating to HIV/Aids.
Trevor Matambudziko, a 17-year-old orphan who has raised his brothers and
sisters with dignity and courage was honoured for having the most innovative and
committed intervention involving disadvantaged people in the community. His
efforts earned him $10 million.
Parliamentarians in the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Welfare, who
underwent public HIV counselling and testing, emerged the best nominees in the
Leadership category while Finhold was voted the best for putting in place
comprehensive and effective HIV/Aids policies and programmes for their
employees.
The awards were established by USAID in 2000, to honour individuals, groups
or organisations that have had a major and lasting contribution in HIV/Aids
prevention, care and support as well as outstanding efforts to break the silence
on stigma and discrimination.
Past winners of the Auxillia Chimusoro awards include journalist Andrew
Mutandwa, Southern African Dissemination Service (SAFAids), popular musician
Oliver Mutukudzi and the New Start Centre.
Incarceration of Roy Bennett is a travesty of justice
ANY true and right thinking Christian in Zimbabwe must be
fully aware that the incarceration of Roy Bennett is a travesty of justice.
I am staggered at the fact that members of Cabinet who call
themselves born again believers voted for this unjust action by Parliament. In
this letter I am appealing to those Christians, for whom Bennett is a brother in
Christ, to take heed of what they have done.
Bennett has been the victim of threats, has been beaten up and hounded off
his extemely productive agricultural farm to satisfy the greed of people who
probably have done little for the financial and agricultural enterprise of
Zimbabwe. What has been his crime?
He is a Zimbabwean without racial prejudice and is now the victim of cruel
injustice. He was judged maliciously and cruelly by the very man who provoked
his response in Parliament. His mother was insulted and thereby he was
deliberately provoked to respond either in verbally or physically.
I ask those born again believers, among who are the new Vice President, Mrs
Joyce Mujuru, and Olivia Muchena and any other Chrisitains in Cabinet and
Parliament, this question: "Had your Christian brother, Roy Bennett accused your
mothers of being thieves, what would have been your response?"
I have no doubt he would have been incarcerated for a longer sentence!
Had he called Patrick Chinamasa's mother a thief, he would have attacked
Bennett with impunity and the Cabinet would have applauded him. What hypocrisy!
Had Bennett received even a one-day sentence it would have been unjust.
Remember, my brothers and sisters in the Cabinet and Parliament, the Father has
seen the injustice, the racialistic attack and the cruel nature of his
incarceration. It spoke loudly of Zanu PF's revenge for his being in the MDC and
greatly loved and trusted by people, both black and white.
Hear what God said to Pharoah when His people were being mistreated. For this
reason He called Moses to hear His heart: "And the Lord said, I have surely seen
the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because
to their taskmasters and oppressors; for I know their sorrows and sufferings and
trials. I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the power of the
Egyptians and to bring them to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk
and honey."
I believe this incarceratrion is the equivalent of what happened to Steve
Biko.
I truly fear for Bennett's life. If you regard him as a brother in Christ,
remember, you are your brother's keeper and God will hold you accountable,
together with all the members of Government.
Bennett apologised to Chinamasa for his reaction. That is what a Christian
does. I notice that the Attorney General was not called upon to apologize for
insulting Bennett. Neither was Didymus Mutasa called upon to apologise to
Bennett for striking him! What hypocrisy is this?
There is no doubt that Bennett did what was necessary to clear up the issue.
You will remember when Peter asked Jesus, "How many times must I forgive my
brother if he sins against me, until seven times?" Jesus answered him and said,
"Not seven times but seventy times seven". Bennett was the innocent party in
this debacle.
If you voted for his incarceration you had not understood the meaning of that
kind of forgiveness which creates an atmosphere for reconciliation. In fact, you
exacerbated the problem to such a degree that you encouraged this cruel, unjust,
political and racial crime. "You have treated your brother as if he were a
common criminal along with thieves and murderers"
Perhaps you must hear the question that God asked of Cain, while you are in
the midst of your family fesitivies: "Where is your brother, Roy?"
I appeal to you, as your brother in Christ, to stand for justice and truth
and work to have this brother set free so that he can make his valuable
contribution to our nation and enjoy his family as you will yours.
Rev Gary Strong
Harare
Why Mugabe fears a Matabele take-over
FEARING that if a former Zapu official takes
over as president of Zimbabwe, he/she will give in to pressure from the people
of Matebeleland who want action taken against those involved in the Gukurahundi
attrocities, President Robert Mugabe had already identified the next party
president from the old Zanu PF camp to replace him. As publicised by
the State media, Mugabe recently advised Joyce Mujuru to "aim higher" after her
elevation to the post of vice-president, and aiming higher for Mujuru means
becoming the party's next president.
With Msika just as old as Mugabe, the two are likely to retire at the same
time. This leaves Mujuru as the most senior person to take over as president.
This suits Mugabe because he is afraid if someone from the old Zapu takes
over, he or she is likely to at least compensate the victims of the Gukurahundi
attrocities committed by Mugabe and his gang of geriatrics in government.
The people of Matebeleland whose relatives, some of them sole bread winners,
perished under Gukurahundi massacre have been completely ignored by Mugabe.
In identifying Mujuru as the next president, Mugabe knows very well that he
has put in that position someone who has not endeared herself to the former Zapu
cadres, and the people of Matebeleland at large. Zimbabweans will remember how
she treated the founding father of the Zimbabwean struggle for independence, the
late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo for his efforts to assist Econet Wireless
boss Strive Masiyiwa win the licence to operate in Zimbabwe.
Mujuru, just like Mugabe, may pretend that she likes the former Zapu
comrades, but the truth, as exposed by her treatment of the late vice-president,
Dr. Joshua Nkomo, and her bungling with water projects in Matebeleland, reveals
otherwise.
Benjamin Chitate
Harare
MDC, stick to your guns over poll
ALLOW me space to voice my concern with
regards the participation of the MDC in general elections next year.
The MDC should simply stay away if what it has asked to be done is
not fulfilled. Taking part in this race is tantamount to legitimising Robert
Mugabe's brutal regime. The people who are urging the MDC to take part and risk
becoming irrelevant are not being sincere because surely, there is no way MDC
can win an election in the current environment.
Why is Zanu PF afraid of implementing the Sadc Mauritius agreement right to
the letter? Zanu PF can not be the referee, goalkeeper, match commissioner,
player and spectator at the same time and expect the opponent to score let alone
win.
I don't think the Thabo Mbeki way of finding a solution to this predicament
will ever see the light of day so the MDC must help the suffering masses by not
taking part until the playing field has been levelled. That is the only
effective weapon that we have at our disposal for the regime won't be recognised
anywhere if it goes into the election all by itself.
One other thing that puzzles me is the call by President Mugabe for the MDC
to campaign locally ? Since when did the MDC solicit Mugabe's advice? Let the
MDC do its campaigns anywhere it feels there is an audience and do yours
wherever you like, Mr President. After all you don't allow it room to hold
campaigns here in Zimbabwe.
On the issue of international monitors and observers I see nothing wrong in
inviting every Jack and Jill to come and witness the plebiscite for as long as
they don't interfere or give directions in their conduct unless we have
something to hide.
Invite even Tony Blair and George W Bush to come and monitor and see what
happens. The Bushes and Blairs are not eligible to cast their votes in Zimbabwe
so why worry?.
Lastly to Jonathan Moyo, I would like to ask if what happened to him is the
democracy in Zanu PF that he always makes noise about. You are not allowed to
make your choice in Zanu PF but to follow Sabuku's.
Mudhara we Norton
Norton
Stocks flat as 'strange year' closes
marketmovers with Rangarirai Mberi SHARES
will trade flat through this week as most market players begin their annual
shutdown for Christmas on Saturday, brokers forecast. Wednesday's
Unity Day will also shorten a week in which no big deals are likely to be made
on the market, which has been in slowdown mode for the past fortnight.
"We certainly won't be trading much this week - in fact we will shut down
Tuesday and open immediately after New Year's day. Except for a few workaholics,
most will be slipping out of town to spend some money," a clearly relieved fund
manager told StandardBusiness Thursday.
"It has been a strange year, nothing close to the heady 2003 when you could
buy and sell any junk for profit. But this month has certainly been better than
the last months of last year."
However, a few players said they would keep watch over the coming week, still
hunting for what one called "Christmas bargains" on what many believe to be a
cheap, oversold market.
Money market rates looked set to soften last week as the deficits narrowed
from around $800 billion to $300 billion, but the Christmas spirit apparently
blinded traders to this, as the market continued to be led sideways.
Last week, the key industrial index opened flat, failing to hold on to the
previous week's gains. Stocks across the board turned mostly lower as investors
either held their positions or sold to cash out on the brief perk.
The market opened the week up 0,25%, helped up by confidence in retail
counters, which are looking to roll in the cash this week as the festive season
finally gets into full stride.
Financials once again came in for close inspection after financial services
group CFX said in a cautionary that its commercial banking arm would report
results that lag expectations. CFX said: "Shareholders are advised that the
profitability of the commercial bank will be significantly below expectations. A
plan has been put in place to ensure that losses will be curtailed and that the
profits for the coming year will be enhanced."
The news drove CFX down $5 to $35, and returned some worry over banks, weeks
ahead of the launch of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's amalgamated bank project,
the Zimbabwe Allied Banking Group (ZABG).
PG Industries was $2,90 lower at $29,90 after the country's largest maker of
building materials hinted at a possible sale of a key subsidiary. PGI said,
"negotiations are at an advanced stage which, if successfully concluded, will
result in the restructure of a subsidiary that will have a significant effect on
the company".
PGI is seeking a solution for its manufacturing arm, which bled the company
to a $46,7 billion loss in the half-year to end September 30. PGI is planning a
fire-sale of its assets in order to relieve debt, and is also seeking a
strategic partner to help it return to profit.
Willdale opened the week down 20 cents to $6,70 after the brick
manufacturer's maiden results as a separately listed firm caused no excitement
on the market. Willdale's volumes were below budget, as competition from cheap
imports and continued decline in the construction sector knocked profitability.
