Business Day (Johannesburg)
2 April 2008
ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe lost the weekend's closely contested presidential election and is desperately looking for a "safe exit", say sources close to the election process.
[ See Article ]
I appreciate the efforts by the international community for calling Mugabe to release the results. Zimbawe does not live in isolation. The Ziom crises has affetced all these countries, they have many Zimbabweans who are fleeing to their countries and they have a stake on the Zimbabwean elections. Who are you to determine who should talk abt Zimbabwe. Do you know how much we are suffering in foreign countries, have you ever experienced what it feels like to be in Zimbabwe. Do you know how it feels to know that you canot have dreams all because of one man an his allies. I can speak on behalf of Zimbabweans.We would appreciate the intervention by the international community to make sure Mugabe does not steal our vote. I went to Zim and voted, I sacrificed my hard earned money in anticipation of a Change. Only Mugabe's exit will be necessary for me to live a normal life again. If Mugabe wins, it is like a death sentence to Zimbabweans.
sonyroll donot insul;t the suffering Zimbabweans like me by saying tha rubish!
use your brains mate..the EU contrys just want to help you and your destroyed country to come out of all this..you chud be happy to know that european countrys still loock after you other wise you'll b dead by nom..lol
Mr. Otto, dont forget what 300 years of slaving Africans contributed to Europe. And you also never forget what over 100 years of colonialism did to present day Africa. Please for the sake of peace on earth dont open up old woulds! Eu has much to blame as Africa itself over its state of affairs. Please find a book by Michela Wrong on Congo DR, you will understand what I mean. Over Zimbabwe, Mugabe's main problem is overstaying in power! But it is good that he gave the opposition a good run! It wouldnt have been good democracy to just give the country to them on a silver plate. What has happened in Zim is a very good lesson to all Africans. Let us have political Scholars to study it and come up with credible lessons.
Mugabe's only mistake was overstaying in power otherwise he did some great things in Zimbabwe. After Independence Zimbabwe became one of the countries in Africa with the most educated population, thanks to Bob. He is and remains the only African leader with the courage to take on the selfish white minority in Zimbabwe who controlled about 80% of the arable land leaving 20% to the black majority who constituted 80% of the the population. After this courageous move in 2000 the Western world came together to punish Zimbabwe by imposing economic sanctions so that no other African Leader follows suit. Dont get me wrong it's high time he calls it quits because of his age and the odds against him but don't belittle his contribution.
thanks to Mugabe Zimbabwe has had successful education. He fights those from the western morld because hes the only African leader who realises that the reason Africa is destitute and will continue to be destitute is because of them(the western world). They use all our resources leaving us with nothing, then give us aid and pretend to care. they are thieves because the money they give to us rightfully belongs to us. if African leaders wre more like Bob the western world would be in trouble. We would not be dictated to and we would not be giving away valuable resources. stay Mugabe, stay. Africa needs you
Your obviously one of his cronies, or you have been severely brainwashed by Mugabe's propoganda. please explain to the whole world why Mugabe fights the Western world? the only battle he should be having is on the political front with Morgan. But first he turned the people of Zim against him, then he had to fill all the heads of the suckers claims to look after with propaganda. that propaganda just happened to be the slagging of the western world. you have quite obviously got your head stuck up your ass or Mugabe's ass that far, that it has made you blind to the fact that your F****** doomed until he is out of power. Although in your case, i think your doomed no matter what happens!
and who sold those slaves? who captured them? competing tribes did. No-one denies the trade in slaves was and IS disgusting, But acknowledge your own part in that evil. Colonialism ended years ago, what have you done since? Instead of fighting each other and blaming the West, get on with building peace and freedom yourselves. Instead of blaming the West get rid of tyrants like Mugabe who bleed you dry and cripple your economy. You want the West to provide aid when you have famine yet you blame the West for all your ills. Well I for one want Africa free.. free of evil tyrants who kill, enslave bully murder, and cripple their countries whilst blaming everyone but themselves for their failings. You say don't open up old wounds, what on Earth then are YOU doing by stating this nonsense about slavery and colonialism? Heal the open sores that blight africa first, do it yourselves and stop looking to the past and the West.
Colonialism never put the country in this position. do your homework before you spread lies. Zimbabwe was prospering when Mugabe took over and still was until about 10 years ago. thats 18 years of prosperity in my book. Now your the one bringing up old wounds by saying that. please don't be hypocritical anymore.
Hey Aussie, you gone very quiet about the damage whites have done in Australia with your cats,pigs,goats,cane toads ect. I knew you would avoid that one. It's cut and run time for you
What surprises me is those that want to protect the sovereignty of independent states. What about the rights of those in those states that are killed tortured detained and disappear simply because they have a different opinion religion or colour? How many European countries do this to their citizens? I believe we have a collective responsibility to those who are abused by governments. I believe 28years was to long. I believe if we act collectively against tyrants we will not have what happened in countries like Rwanda. Did our friend object to intervention then? Should the world respect what is happening in Dhafur? A time comes when all will be accountable and we need to ask what were we doing when millions were killed, tortured raped, imprisoned. I trust those that were sleeping slept well ate well and enjoyed the privileges of democracy whom others long ago died for. Every country needs to stand up for the people of ZIM and Southern Africa.I hope all in Zim wake up to a new well deserved future.
You are a very stupid man indeed. You are an old-fashioned fellow who still think all our problems emanate from the West. The West has a voice--it's the West to shoulder the burden of refugees as a result of conflicts and bad governance. Like Gaddaffi, you're father of dictatorship and bad governance. Shut up if you've nothing to say!
Sonyroll
Grow up!! yep a country should be respected but what is important that an institution of country should respect the wishes of the people in that country!! all we want as Zimbo's is a quick release of the results... Isnt it what they mean by a "Government for the people by the people".. the people who stood in the line to vote, just want an account of their collective action. Europe, China, America are not the focus here and dont stand as the primary need area for the results. Zimbabweans want them ASAP!!!
Common people.it has been more than a week that the entire efor the result. talking about being a sovereign yes zimbabwe is but but mugabe was elected for the people he cannot defy the voice of his people. When would some of our leaders stop shaming our continent? First at the biginning we heard the ruling party saying that the election was fair and that result wsa suppose to be given at least the next day then suddenly because thanks god the oposition learn their lessons well collcted their own results from the polling station and knew that they have won the election,since then Zanu pf has been doing everything to maintain Mugabe in power.Mr mugabe what have you not get or earned in the past years that you are striving for another mandate.Do he want to die in power so that god can say 'yea he was indeed a good fellow! Come on people stop destrying our people,our nation and our continent. We keep saying blaming the western world for our misfortune what are we doing for ourself. I call upon all the people of the world and zimbabew to join together for the sake of their childerns future to tell mugabe 'NO MORE'.
An african sister who cares
mugabe must just leave zim in peace nobody will do anything to him because nobody want to see him around here.what a selfish man he is. children suffer in the country and he does not care. people suffer in hospitals he does not care. as long as he is in luxury he does not bother to care about anyone. please let tsvangirai show you how to run the country . that's why i'm always proud of the former president of botwsana he had heart for other people. we live in other people's countries being laughed at because of mugabe. he must leave now . i mean right now . please leave our country.
I think a time has come for a new political dispensation in Zimbabwe and he should realise that a time for new leadership has come. The era of "we brought independence" is over and what Zimbabweans want is upgrading their living standards and development. This time round he is cornered and the most honourable thing he can do for Zimbabweans is to step down.
Yes, I agree with you. People say all sorts of things about us because we are in their countries. We long to be home and unite with our families. Mugabe must go, whatever they do with him does not really matter to me as long as he goes.
dont worry mudhara ayenda lts pray kuti nothing will happen when the results are released ,we know that ZEC is a proffessional body and they are taking their time to release the results coz thy want Mugabe to undestand that everything has got it's beginning and an ending 28 years is not a joke BYE CDE MUGABE
Yes, it has benn long overdue. Mugabe should just leave. We have suffered enough. we want to unite with our families. We miss home. I went to vote on Sartuday, sacrificed my hard earned money to put an end to our missery. I am struggling. we need to be in Zim and develop our own country. Mugabe and his allies should just go, they made too much money at our expense. The least he can do is just leave, step down. If Mugabe continues to be the president, it would be a death sentence to most of us. We are just prayin gthat he leaves so our lives can make sense. We beg you Mugabe, please just go for the sake of our future as a nttion. Unoda kuti zviome kusvikepi?
I hope that Zim is blessed to achieve stability and success. I hope that the leaders and citizens of Zim Rely more on The Higher Spirit of The Universe to guide them. Be also careful of demo-cracy. Rersearch the word. I live in America and it aint all gravy. Freedom comes at a cost.
Brother Sonyroll,
your views about the international communitybeing hasty about the release of result is unfortunate. Ask the Kenyans? Who solved their problem after their elections. If you need an answer, I will tell you. Its the International Commnunity and they are presently trying to resettle the displaced. Lets don't live in the past. no african country or any thierd world country for that matter will survive the challenges of our times without the International Community. By the way I am a Sierra Leonean working in the great lakes region. Mugabe is a disgrace to the African race. Or my dear brother, do you want to tell me that Mugabe is the only Zimbabwean qualified to govern your country? I am very much sure there are lots and lots. Mugabe should be reminded that some of his colleagues who also fought for the independence or liberation of their countries have left the scene of power with respect and honour like Mandela. Its time for the Youth!!!!!!!!!!!
SILL
Some people need to keep their noses out of Zims business. SOme of you talking about Mugabe need to check your own countries as some of the biggest mass murders and back-door criminals are in power where you are. Did all of you go running to defend the people when Pol pot was in power?. Why don't you complain about Chinas leadership?. I think behind all of this is the absolute shock that 1 man could have defied you all (like Castro) and survived this long. He has some bad qualities, yes, none of you in this blog is perfect. What Morgan did was plain wrong too. He petitioned for sanctions knowing that the people that sanctions would hurt were not the leaders but the average Zimbabwean. He was hoping for them to be so fed up that they would vote for him. It worked. I personally wouldn't want him as an alternative. Let the Zimbabweans work out their problems. You all go clean your own house.. and drop the sanctions while you are at it.
Some people wont keep their nose out of Zims business, you know why? It's because even though their countries have murders and corrupt leaders but they do look after the people who vote them to power. Woke up Mr Zanu can't you see your boat is sinking?
Well said there brother. No body is saying much or doing much about the Sudan crisis and what about the close to a million people that died in Ruanda. Mugabe is the only Africa with enough guts to challenge the west. One day these fools will see that Mugabe was RIGHT!
Mugabe a disgrace? YOU are the disgrace fool. Which other African has stood up to the Western world? Your problem is that you still see the white man as God. Africa is going nowhere if we have to be so dependent on the west. Africa is still being ripped off by the west and Mugabe is the only one with enough guts to resist. Mugabe is a Champion - it's a pity fools like you will only see that in ten years time when Africa is owned by the U.S.A and U.K. Wake up you damn idiot!
People have spoken, now let's hear what Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC) has to say without any hinderancies by any political influence.The delay by the ZEC to announce the results swiftly is not doing them any good and is making them lose credibility.An as South Africans more specifically the media should be urging our president(as Gordon Brown has done) to engage Mugabe not to hold up results.
Sonyroll, those members of the European Union are part and parcel of the free world. And they wish Zimbabwe to be part of it, period.
The European Union have no business in Zimbabwe. The African Union, and SADC countries are already there in Zimbabwe. The EU have their own agenda and are not a major contributor to better elections in Africa. EU has been talking about Darfur for ever and what have they achieved? Nothing. The EU had intelligency information about Rwanda, and what did they do? Nothing. Do not kid yourselves, Europeans have never been real friends of Africans. The colonial mentality by some commentors amazes me.
Who gave the Western world the right to decide what is considered free and fair? if they hadn't come in their ships and taken what does not belong to them Africa would be far better off than it currently is. Robert Mugabe deserves to govern Zimbabwe he has a vision that many do not understand. Leting that weak Tsvangira take over is asking for trouble he will let the western world dictate to him how to rule Zimbabwe destroying everthing Mugabe has worked so hard for. So i say to Mugabe FIGHT! FIGHT AGAINST THE RAGING OF THE LIGHT!
all you guys need to realise this one thing, it is only Zimbabweans that can decide their denstiny as once said by RG, and they have decided, they want Tsvangirayi to lead them. so what you are theorising about British conspirancy and so forth is gabbage. we want change, and we hope it will bring bread to our tables, stop theorising from the comfort of your desks. enough respect for RG, I adore that guy`s independant thinking, but he had overstayed, he should have quit at the last congress and fielded Makoni, then Zanu would have wiped the opposition. But everyone makes mistakes....
I think some of you guys should stop blurring your vision with overzealousness that is also characterized by fallacy. My brothers and Sisters open your eyes! to see that the European Union and the United States in particular are responsible for the suffering of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans. Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a Zimbabwean. He is neither a British nor an American Who the hell are people in the west to dictate who should rule Zimbabwe? The West seized all Zimbabwes assets in their Country and sanctioned them because of their own land. Is that not an advantage? They put up a bloody opportunist and trouble shooter to demonize Zimbabweans and present the Mugabe Government as a monster. And yet some of you are refusing to understand. instead you keep demonizing the Zanu PF. Now the Western Countries are dissapointed because their vision did not materialize.the puppet of MDC did not win a landslide victory as they were made to understand after spending millions of tax payers money.
By the way let me say here that the United States has no moral standing to speak a word on elections. Britain and and the recent post conflict West African Sierra Leone and other democratic countries should speak. Why didn't the white House speak out, when George Bush rigged the elections Al gore actually won? Bush never won the elections by vote.He won Algore in Courts. So from where are you ranting Mr. America? And for you men of little faith, integrity matters in all you do.
Well said. What they want to happen is that the MDC get into power and invite the white farmers back. They will then get all the aid needed to enslave blacks on farms again. Now that is going backwards. I was born in Zimbabwe and this Myth that the white farmers feed the nation is nonsense. I have never bought fruit and veg from a shop - almost every Black and Coloured Zimbabwean has a veg garden in the back yard. They say 100 000% inflation,85% unemployment so how on earth can anyone live? The truth is that Zimbabweans are feeding themselves during these tough times. I dont think any other nation could do that.
Every country deserves the government that it gets, what are you all complaining about.......the white farmers are gone, the white tourists are gone, white bussiness is now state owned.............the blacks in Zim has won...whohoooooo!!!! Maybe freedom is just another word for nothing left to loose. Put a fence around Zim, and all you guys can just live as happy as "Pigs in sh*t" - no pun intended. Oh yeah, and another thing, not giving loans is not the same as sanctions............it's called "sound bussiness sense"
Bushie, you say all the whites are gone so why do you keep saying your two cents worth? No body needs your stupid coments - just go in peace like the rest of them instead of having sour grapes. Zimbabwe doesn't need you.
See, the problem with many of us is shallow-mindedness. The elections have never been and never wil be about land, the West, UK, USA or the EU. The elections are about people wanting change. We are tired of Mugabe and his group of murderous bullies. See the attrocities they have performed over the years. It's right to say that Africa needs to stand on it's own two but why do people have to be bullied into situations by ZANU? I am a Zimbabwean, I am proud to be African but I still think that Bob has to move on. 28 years!! Talk about narrow vision. All toi, toi! Mugabe is very clever and strategic I hand it to him. It's 'dog's' like you who chase after prey they haven't seen I worry about. Supporting things you don't understand because of lack of information. I don't intend to slander you but change is an attribute of reality. Hopefully change for the better. Forget about MDC, Zanu PF briefly and just consider change. That's why Mugabe has got to go; even if he wins we still want change!!
your right no one gave the Western world the right to decide what was free and fair. It was the person who invented a democracy. Zimbabwe is a so called democracy which gives the western world or any other democracy every right to say what is free and fair. STOP TRYING TO HIDE YOUR COUNTRY"S F*** UP"S BY BLAMING SOMEONE ELSE. WAKE UP!
Hey Aussie look at your own country stupid - it also has it's fair share of problems. If you read my other reply to you on this site iv'e highlighted some of the 'wonderful' ways you have stuffed up Australia.
please elaborate on the Human rights problems that our country has. I have replied to you on Your 'Highlighted' ways. But your comments still don't explain what human right problems our country has RIGHT NOW or IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. Before you rant on about the aboriginal people in this country read my replies then maybe do a bit more research or stop trying to compare Zim with Australia.
Hey Aussie, you gone very quiet about the damage whites have done in Australia with your cats,pigs,goats,cane toads ect. I knew you would avoid that one. It's cut and run time for you
They may have no business in Zim but It doesn't mean that the EU doesn't want Zimbabwe to be part of the free world which is what pmugabo2 was saying. Don't Kid yourself by trying to blame anyone else or comparing Zim to any other countries.
LMAO........BeFree, don't you know it's govt policy to blame everyone else. Give it another couple of days and it will be Australia's fault that Zim is in the state that it is. I haven't heard much from Kubatana's side about the mess in Zim, which is what this forum is all about, but I know all about Oz now...........strange times indeed........well, I guess Kubatana's been iving in NZ for so long, and he obviously has no idea what's happening in Zim, it would make sense for him to talk of something he knows.forget about Kubatana.......he's just a sad case. I guess it's true "never argue with fools, they would pull you down to their level and beat you with experience" (-:
Bushie , there must be four or five of you on this site that just keep comming back for more. I am the one that feels sorry for you - i mean you guys are getting so hot and bothered. Hey not everybody shares your views man. It is very important to see things from both sided. You are the ones that hold Mandella in high esteam and yet a few years ago you said he was the leader of the band terrorist group ANC. So how does a man go from being labelled a terrorist to become a world hero? I wont be surprised if that happens to Bin Laden too. It's called use when it suits you.
Wow..... really have a way of putting your foot in it you bloody idiot. Yes, you have it pefectly right, we saw Mandela as the leader of a terorist organisation, which he was, same as old Bob was in the Rhodesia days............now....to answer your question, Mandela came into power in 94, denounced racism in all it's forms, ruled the country wisely for 5 years, and then stepped down, a hero to all, black and white.........now surely even one as dense and racist as you can see the diference here
bushie, Mugabe and black Zimbabwean's tried to reconcile but like i stated in another post rhodie's will NEVER change.You saw blacks as sub-human back then and you see them as sub-human now. I say go in peace and dont come back because Africa does not need your kind. Go and do it down under where you out- number blacks.
LMAO Kubatana.......I am in Africa, you are living in OMO land where the whiteys outnumber the blacks you fucking idiot, (nicer there eh?)
Calm down bushie. No need to get sooo upset - Feeling a bit lonely now that your Aussie mate has abandond you. Dont worry just take a deep breath before you type your post and you may even have something of value to say.
Hahaha abandoned Bushie, I don't think So Kub you twat. Just been working hard in my FREE country earning cash that is worth something so i haven't had a chance to get on. How is NZ? you go on how you know exactly what goes on in Zim yet you haven't lived their for 15 years by your own admission? I really don't need to explain that you talk a lot of shit do I? Then when you know your wrong you just cant admit it so you turn to your Racists taunts and personal attacks. What a joke. I definitely don't know half of what is going on in Zim but what i do know SHOULD NOT be happening. Please wake yourself up. each time you say anything you look even more stupid than you did before.
Bushie, keep fighting hey. i will always back you and your fellow countrymen who want change for the better.
Are those members of the European Union more African or Zimbabwean than the people of Zimbabwe themselves? Who gave them the moral standing to be urging the swift release of results in an independent country? Are they sure that all votes have been properly counted or are they just so eager to see Mugabe out? When has an African government ever forced the release of elections in a European country? Let us learn to respect the sovereignty of other countries, please!