Zuma’s love letter

South Africa will he holding its elections on the 7th of May and the incumbent Jacob Zuma is facing allegations of corruption and a daming Nkandla report has left everyone in South Africa talking about it. Below is the letter Zuma wrote to the speaker of the National Assembly.

The contents of President Jacob Zuma’s response to the speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, regarding Madonsela’s report have been revealed. Click on the images to view the 3 pages submitted to Parliament. For more information clik here

I am not guilty: Jacob Zuma 

 

Sanctions on Russian: a non event

THERE are two important things that are taking place in the world.

Firstly, the world is still pondering on what could have happened to the Malaysian air line which has been missing for almost a month.

Secondly, Russia and Ukraine are at loggerheads following, Russia’s annexation of Crimea. Russia’s move has sparked an outcry with some western countries opposing the move and  United States openly declared sanctions on Russia.

Russian President: Vladimir Putin

Russia showed USA that they too have some balls and they don’t listen to any treat by the so called world super power.

After Russia became stone headed, USA responded angrily by imposing sanctions on Russia. Zimbabweans are well aware of the word sanction and they have tired of reading about in the press.

Zanu-PF has made to believe that westerns countries together with USA imposed sanctions on the country and this is the reason why the country is facing economic hardships.

Coming back to Russia, the country is now under sanctions. The billion dollar question is how these sanctions are going to affect Russia. Are we going to see the same scenario Russia where their economy will be nose diving. Are there going to experience hyper inflation?

The United States have turned it to become the world bully where all things on earth move according to their plans.  There is no peace in the world all because of State and its blue eyed boys in the western world.

Starting from Africa, Zimbabwe re distributed its land and she was punished for that. Even if the process was chaotic, why Britain together with her big sister USA and some western countries imposed sanctions in Zimbabwe?

United States President: Barack Obama

Recently, Uganda banned homosexuals and they were denied aid and also traded was terminated and the country could no longer access cash from the World Bank.

Of late, Gaddafi was killed by NATO forces where USA was too involved just because the African icon had refused to be their puppet. Libya was then turned to a stone aged era and Libyans are slowly realising that they made a mistake by working in cohorts with the selfish western countries.

The list is just endless, USA attacked Iraq claiming that there were weapons of mass destruction. The only weapon of mass destruction we came to see and realise that were weapons of mass destruction was oil which is still being siphoned to States.

In all these cases, Russia did not threaten western countries or USA neither did she impose sanctions on these countries. Developments in Ukraine do not affect USA and they have to let Russia and Ukraine solve their issue on their own.

USA thinks and believes that they have the mandate to dictate pace and let everyone dance according to their tune.

Enough is enough and these so called sanctions will not serve its purpose.

The sinking economy

EIGHT months after the watershed elections in July, the economy has not shown any signs of recovery.

After President Mugabe romped to victory with more than 60 percent of the votes, citizens were left speechless, as they wondered what his party, Zanu-PF were going to do, given the fact the for the past years, his party in the best used to pass policies which were not investor friendly.

President Robert Mugabe (R) is sworn in by Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku during his inauguration at the National Sports
Stadium in August last year.

Opposition parties still hold the view that Mugabe rigged an election, a chorus which these opposition parties have been singing for the past years. However, I cannot dispute their view as they might have the evidence to buttress their stand point.

Some citizens were hoping for change and they believed jobs, development and many other things were going to be improved by the new cabinet. Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for some, Mugabe won resoundingly leaving Tsvangirai astounded and his heart bleeding.

Soon after elections, the opposition parties vowed that Mugabe was not going to improve the economy, instead people are going to suffer. They believed that, Zanu-PF is clueless on how they can develop the economy.

As much as the opposition and many people who share the view with them that the Zanu-PF government is going to fail to steer up the economy were called labelled “losers” and “jealousy”, I believe they have a point.

Their argument is valid, the economy is not showing any signs of recovery. As the sun rises, people are just hoping for a change. We are now a country living on hope and if God was a human being like us, he should have been tired of listening to our daily problems.

Former Deputy Prime Minister: Ms Thokozani Khupe.

I remember one when I interviewed the former Deputy Prime Minister, Ms Thokozani Khupe, soon after elections she bitterly said “Zanu-PF can rig and election but they will not rig the economy.”

At first I thought she said so,as she was still bitter because her party an election and all she had to do was to defend her party by claiming that elections were rigged.

Without talking about rigging of elections which I do not even care talking about because it’s now water under the bridge. Concerning the economy, Ms Khupe pressed the correct button. The government is failing to put its house in order. The budget was a mere formality and instead of dealing with pressing issues, Minister of Finance, Patrick Chinamasa, presented policies.

during the 31 July campaigns, the party promised people that when voted into power, it is going to lead people to Canaan. Many believed them,  perhaps that is the reason why they won because their promises looked and sounded real. The real has now proved to be more like a fallacy.

The government has however tried to provide people with all sorts of diversion so that the state of the economy can not be seen as an important issue affecting people at the moment. Recently the salary gate took all our energy and anger yet real issue, Yes the real issue not a myth! The economy is not promising any chance of improving.

Zanu-PF should therefore begin fulfilling their promise. For how long shall we cry for employment? for how long shall we cry for better salaries?

Mzansi’s Youngest President

 

SOUTH Africa will in May go for a general election which many are eagerly waiting to see the fate of Julius Malema.

Malema, a former ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), youth leader was dismissed from the party for bad behavior.

Youngest Presidential candidate: Julius Malema

For many, Juju, as Malema is famously known by his supporters is representing the masses that are not taken into account by the ANC led government.

After being shown the exit door, Juju formed his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), which he said is aimed at giving the majority of South African power and control of their resources. His policies many have described as radically and they mimic the Zanu-PF ideologies.

During the launch of his manifesto, Juju promised people heaven on earth. The launch was indeed a red sea as thousands of people thronged Tembisa stadium to see their president. listen to their president. give support to their presidential candidate.

As election day draw nearer, I am eager to see whether thousands of people who attended the rally  will still be behind Juju. There are some people who usually attend rallies for the sake of attending and let alone do not vote.

At his address Malema said: “Now is the time for real freedom.” He addressed contentious issues in South Africa including land ownership, the nationalisation of mines, education and corruption and the local economy.

Thousands of EFF supporters who attended the manifesto launch rally.

However, many people have labeled the EFF a racist party as they are threatening to take land from whites. The party believes that whites are oppression black majority hence this is the time take what belong to them.

Clearly, EFF policies which were made crystal clear from their manifesto is that they are more like an extension of Zanu-PF. Zanu-PF is too singing on the same hymn book with Juju, as they took land and now they are taking over mines.

Behind Zanu-PF: Malema at one of the Zanu-PF’s meetings.

Recently, during the funeral of former South Africa President , Neslon Mandela, Mugabe received a thunderous applause in South Africa, this might be an indication that South Africans admire the oldest African leader, Mugabe. If Mugabe received such a warm welcome does this also imply that Malema has got a chance to win more votes since his policies and of those of Mugabe are the same?

Malema is addressing issues many South Africans have been complaining about for the past years. This might perhaps be the reason why he is commanding a large following at the moment.

If people who are attending rallies are to go and vote in their large numbers, surely Malema is going to cause problems in parliament.

For this election, Malema might not be able to get more votes but as years go by, people will certainly be tempted to follow the South Africa’s youngest Presidential candidate.

These coming general elections are meant to decide Malema’s future in the game of politics. I am one of those who wish Malema the best of lucky, i wish he can get some votes so that he can also be part of parliament under the system of proportional representation.

ROY BENNET DEPATURE MARKS THE DEMISE OF MDC-T

THE resignation of Mr Roy Bennett, the MDC-T treasurer-general, added salt to the MDC-T’s fresh wound, as it came a few days after the party had lost the 31 July elections dismally.

It was a significant resignation because Mr Bennett was one of the founding and influential figures in the  party. He was also one of the most vocal people within the MDC-T top brass. For many of us, his resignation came as a surprise, as it is like seeing Mr Tendai Biti, the party’s secretary-general, stepping down.  This justifies the old adage, “it never rains, but pours” for MDC-T.

Roy Bennet

Besides being vocal, Mr Bennett was said to be the link man between MDC-T and the donor community. Through him, the party was pampered with money to bankroll its activities in Zimbabwe, hoping that they were going to form the next government.
“It is going to be a heavy blow on MDC-T funding,” said Dr Charity Manyeruke, a University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, of Mr Bennett’s resignation.

“Bennett was the middleman and this is the reason why the party had many western backers. The MDC-T got backing because he (Bennett) is a white person and whites in the West were supporting MDC-T through Bennett. This shows that the party is a foreign project. When you rely on an individual just like MDC-T, it is suicidal. We are going to see the MDC-T dwindling in terms of its support base and now that there is going to be no more funding; it is going to be worse.”

For the party that is headquartered at Harvest House in Harare, one expected that there was going to be light at the end of the tunnel. Good things were going to come for them which was assuming power. Unfortunately for them, there was no harvest.

For the past 14 years that the party has been involved in local politics, it has always experienced poor yields. Perhaps what can pass for a harvest for Harvest House was its four-year stint in the inclusive Government because of the 100 seats it won in the Lower House in 2008.

Going gets tough:  MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai

After losing the 31 July elections, loyalists expect their party to go back to the drawing board and regroup, but unfortunately for them, the defeat was so demoralising that a come-back is unlikely.  Furthermore, rifts are opening up in the party’s rank and file. Crucially, the future of party leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, Mr MDC-T himself is uncertain.

Mr Bennett’s resignation is an eye-opener and an indication that the party is on its knees; on its last legs. In self-imposed exile in South Africa, Mr Bennett accused his party members of being in politics only to amass wealth, a well-known point that led to the party’s defeat in the last election.

A billion dollar question now is how is the party going to get funds since without money, there is nothing they are going to do. The grass root has proved that they cannot sustain any political party in Zimbabwe.

Surely, the MDC-T is now in the cold and this might worsen the troubled party which is at the moment is under serious house squabbles.

Wrong move Tsvangirai

AFTER the 31 July watershed elections, the opposition was left shocked, astounded and forced to go back to the drawing.

The MDC led by former Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai  suffered another blow when infighting rocked the party. In the MDC camp, battle lines have been drawn with some senior members calling for the ouster of Tsvangirai yet his blue eyed boys believes that he (Tsvangirai) has still more to offer. But, is that so?

In his move to consolidate his power, Tsvangirai once again visited his “ever red” province, Bulawayo, where he addressed a handful of supporters. It is well known that Bulawayo is the strong of MDC and since 2000 the party has been having a clean sweep. What is surprising is that in the run up of the 2013 July elections, Tsvangirai addressed thousands of supporters at White City Stadium. However, his support base is dwindling as evidenced by a few people who attended his rally at Stanley Square.

Siyabonga Malandu Ncube

A drop in the number of people who are attending rallies clearly shows that the party is still facing an uphill task to put its house in order.

While the MDC-T house is still burning, the party has decided to go on “shopping spree” and call its former members to rejoin the party. Some heeded the party calls and these include the outspoken, Job Sikhala who was the MDC-99 president, Edward Mkhosi and Siyabonga Malandu Ncube who were both with MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

The maverick Job Sikhala and Morgan Tsvangirai.

What boggles the mind is that how can Tsvangirai be going around bring people back into the party at this darkest hour.

Surely, people like Job Sikhala will certainly be looking for a post and a bigger post since he is one of the founder members of the party who are even more senior than Nelson Chamisa, the party’s organising secretary.

At the moment, the party is divided and people in both camps will not want “omafikizolo” to occupy top posts. So then the question is how are they going to handle the maverick Job Sikhala?

Above all, what is that these new members are going to bring to the table? Ncube lost popularity form his home area in Insiza South after losing the 31 July elections so then what is that of substance he is going to bring? Job was only visible on Facebook where he was busy making some funny statements which are typical of his character. He failed to lead his party, MDC-99, once again, what is that he is going to bring to the party?

Edward Mkhosi

It is only wise if Tsvangirai is to first make peace with people who are calling for his ouster. After that, when the storm is over, he can start calling for opposition parties to join hands and also that will be the time for him  start glob trotting so as to win hearts and souls of donors who have lost patience and faith in him.

What Tsvangirai is not seeing is that, by bringing in new people at this moment will fuel conflict and more problems are yet to come.

Those who are coming in who include Sikhala will want to be seen and heard as a way of paying back. by doing so, this will boil down to the issue of boot licking which is more about praising the person than developing the party.

Tsvangirai should therefore stop calling for people the rejoin the party at this moment because it is ill timed. Instead, he should first put his house in order and then call his prodigal sons and daughters.

The bleeding land

MARGINALISATION of Matabeleland has been or it is still a burning issue in the region.

People in the southern part of the country believe the Government is failing to represent them and most of the development projects are taking place in Mashonaland.

As much as I agree with people who hold the view that the region is marginalised, I somehow disagree with them. I strongly believe that Zanu-PF leaders in the region have failed to push for the Matabeleland agenda instead they enjoy sharing a hand shake with Mugabe.

From Matabeleland South: Zanu-PF national chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo.

Masvingo province is what it is because of the late Edson Zvogbo. Zvogbo was pushing for the Masvingo agenda, as he wanted his people to have a better life. I guess he realised that some people within the party were busy developing their areas.

Edson Zvobgo

For Matabeleland, it’s a sad story, very sad and so embarrassing to have such poor leaders in place. Zanu-PF has dismally lost elections in the region because of “dwarfs” who are representing the party and the party seems to be content. If someone has to analyse Zanu-PF provisional structure it going be interesting to note that, Bulawayo has the shameful structure which is composed of people who have failed to even lead burial society not let alone their families.

At the moment, people are calling for Zambezi water project to be complete but they (Zanu-PF leadership in the province) have not done anything about it. They are just mum!

The province should first make noise and call the government to address needs in the province.

Floods, as usually gave Tsholotsho villagers a problem and the leadership in Matabeleland was just mum when all the attention was given to Tokwe Mukosi villagers. Who then is to be blame for such a move? The father, mother, brother failed to report to the grandfather about the situation in the family (province).

Surprisingly, you will hear someone claiming that he is the “King of the Matabeleland.” Is that what the Kings do? Certainly, the leadership in Matabeleland has failed its people and should be blamed for that. I want to assume that when leaders from Matabeleland are to be serious about issues taking place in the province and push for development in the region, even those who are into tribalism or regionalist will too forced to support their views.

Zimbabwe Provinces

The region has powerful people but the problem with them is that they want to use their influential positions to enrich themselves. Some of them are said to be a having a “diamond touch” where they had to use the touch to “invest” in baking. People are not happy and whatever the “diamond touch” touches, it will strike and nothing fruitful will come out of it.

Leaders  must be people’s servant through representing them not using their signatures (votes) to fatten their bellies.

As people continue with the chorus of marginalisation, it’s time for the leadership in Matabeleland to direct government attention and ensure that Bulawayo is no longer a scrap yard, to ensure that livestock production in Matabeleland South can be what it used to be.

This is the time to act!

The worst government

RECENTLY the MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, called on Zanu-PF to engage his party so that they can form another inclusive government.

The call rather is shocking and a mockery taking into account that the inclusive government was about power instead of development. What is worrying is that Tsvangirai still believes that he has something to offer for the country yet he failed to do so during his tenure as the Prime Minister of the country.

Signing of the Inclusive Government in September 2009

Without taking anything from Tsvangirai, he has to focus in regrouping his party which is in tatters. The inclusive failed to serve its purpose as many people, those in government, concentrated in fattening their bellies instead of representing people.

 The salary gate, which once became topical in the country, was because of the irresponsible government which too benefited from those obscene salaries.   Soon after elections Tsvangirai said Zanu-PF should govern the country and his party will play the watch and see game. In a way, he saw simple saying they will wait for 2018, general elections, where they can dorm their own government.

There are several reasons why I am against forming an inclusive government. Chief among them is political squabbles. Instead of concentration in developing the country, politicians will be busy trying to gain support and under mining their rival’s contributions.

Morgan Tsvangirai

Such is the case when the Bulawayo residents were crying for water, Zanu-PF and MDC-T took turns to try and outpace each in claiming the responsibility of drawing water from Mtshabezi dam to Bulawayo. There was no need for doing that, so why do we still have to be in another inclusive government which is going act childish.

Most of the people, perhaps Tsvangirai is among them, want to form an inclusive government so that they again enjoy the company of board guards and benefits associated with diplomatic passports.

Unfortunately, as much as Zanu-PF has shown beyond reasonable doubt that they are clueless on how they revive the economy, the truth which might hurt to Tsvangirai is that they will not do anything even if they were to be part of the government.

The truth of the matter is that the inclusive government did not play its role as far reviving the economy. Patrick Chinamasa (Finance Minister) introduced the multicurrency system back in 2009 when he was named the acting finance minister. With that, the economy improved but as soon as the inclusive government was formed nothing much change to an extent that can clamor for it.

Political bickering is too another factor which was the order of the day under the inclusive government. There was too much of bureaucracy of which in most cases decisions were taking place to be reached. For example, the constitution which was supposed to take 18 months it dragged for four years, all because of political bickering.

Surely, the inclusive government was Canaan in Egypt, therefore we can go back again in that same era, rather we have to move on even though we  are yet to see the light the Zanu-PF government,

Zimbabwe parliament

THEY have to drive from as for as Beitbridge, Chiredzi and Binga to Harare to stand for about three hours. For some they drive for nearly 443, 581 or 713 kilometers and instead of being the active players, defenders or attackers, they are relegated to mere spectators.

Such is the scenario in the country’s parliament.

Zimbabwe MPs in parliament

The Parliament, the third arm of the Government, is deemed to be a very important organ. It makes most if not all the decision concerning the country.

The country’s constitution approved at a referendum in March increased the number of MPs by introducing a quota for women through proportional representation.  This move was applauded by gender activists as a huge step in the empowerment of women but it is beginning to show some detrimental effects.

Due to an increase of lawmakers from 210 to 270, it has resulted in scores of MPs following proceedings from the public gallery, outside or standing due to limited seating space in the chamber.

However, the parliament was designed to accommodate no more than 170 lawmakers. This has resulted in a lot of pressure and headaches to say the least to parliament to accommodate the extra 100.  The problem has been witnessed in the Lower house of assembly as the Upper house, the Senate, has 100 members but they are not affected by the lack of space as their chamber can accommodate more people.

In a situation where lawmakers have to follow proceedings from the public gallery, it then reduces them to mere spectators or followers yet they are supposed to be participants. In light of this, some lawmakers then attend parliamentary proceedings so that they can get their sitting allowances hence they turn parliament into a cash cow.

Furthermore, analysts say, the status and the dignity which is given to the Parliament is taken away when scores of lawmakers will be standing while debates are taking place.

“Given the dignity of that August house, the seriousness of the business in the house is taken away,” said Dr Lawton Hikwa, a political analyst.

He added: “They must consider making a shift to a conference place as long as it will be conducive, fit the parliamentarians and allow the carrying the parliament business with dignity.

“The Government has since independence indicated that they were going to build a new parliament which was to accommodate more parliamentarians. The project failed to materialise because of lack of funds.”

Analysts say parliamentarians are not restricted to discuss their business at the parliament building only. According to an elementary dictionary, a Parliament is as an assembly that is the highest legislative body of a country yet Parliament house or building is the meeting facility of the Parliament. This shows that a parliament is not defined or explained in relation to the building or where they meet.

Through these definitions, Bulawayo’s large city hall can be temporally a Parliament building or house so it is with a hall in Gweru or Chitungwiza. What matters is not where they will meet but what they will produce in a manner that brings or gives the Parliament dignity. In this case, analysts believe, the parliament is losing its dignity.

Chiefs, even headmen can discuss various issues under a tree in a situation where the meeting place, in many cases, a hall might not be appropriate. With that case, the parliament must indeed relocate and look for a better place than turning a parliament into a laughing stock.

For the past years, parliamentarians have been going to the resort town of Victoria Falls for a pre budget seminar. Therefore, there is no need for parliamentarians to meet at parliament building, which is not accommodating them all, as analyst believe, denigrates the status they have.

Professor Bhekimpilo Sibanda, a journalism lecturer at Nust too agreed that the business in the house in no longer being carried out effectively due to space constraint.

Prof Sibanda was however quick to point out that increasing the number of parliamentarians was not needed, as it is now costing the country thousands of dollars.

“Everybody knows that what is happening in parliament is bad. The fundamental problem is that we do not need those MPs,” he said, “the Zanu-PF Government should now ensure that the proportional representation is of quality not quantity. The number of our parliamentarians is too much as compared to the population of the country.

“When compared to other countries in the region you will realise that we may need about 100 parliamentarians. The issue is that parliament has been turned into a cash cow. If that is not the case, how can lawmakers be sitting at the public gallery when they are supposed take part in the debate,” he said.

The country’s population stands at 13million and its legislature appears to be bigger than usual.  For instance, South Africa’s population is said to be 52 million and has 400 legislators, Angola at 18 million people has 220 MPs, Mozambique at 24 million has 250 seats and Ghana at 25 million people has 275 legislators.

Sarcastically, he said, they should create a roster just like what most urban schools are doing.

“They must create a roster where some come in the afternoon or different days because they are too many. Some of them are now taking advantage of that by rushing to occupy the public gallery, as they have nothing to contribute.