We Africans are beholden to our traditions and culture, which teach us to question the motives of outsiders who mourn more than the bereaved as they invariably harbour ulterior motives at variance with societal norms and values.
Kubatana, I think most of us, whether black or white who contribute to this forum, are either living in, have lived in,or just care about Zimbabwe. One does not have to have an ultra motive to care about someone or something. There is a lot of strife going on in most parts of Africa and other parts of the world and we deplore them.WE are voicing our opinions about Zimbabwe because finally the people here have had enough and for the first time have enough guts to say to Mugabe "Just go away" through a democratic way. Because in spite of it ,he continues holding onto power at all costs, we fear that this will be the straw that broke the camel's back. I am amazed at the amount of restraint Zimbabweans have. If Mugabe continues to force himself on the majority, then it's a given they will snap and like Kenya there will be greater numbers killed. One person killed is one too many no matter where. Lastly Kubatana,if you think Zimbabwe is doing so well,I would like to ask you just a few questions and please give me your honest answer without any frills, bias or evasion. 1.What is the inflation rate in Zimbabwe? 2.What is the cost of mealie meal per bag - any size? 3What is the cost of a loaf of bread? 4.What is the cost of sugar? 5.What salary does a regular citizen without a major degree earn? Everyone earns in Zimbabwean dollars therefore I would like the answers to my questions in ZIm. dollars. You will find that the ordinary citizen falls far short.
kjrs, i dont have to answer your questions because i believe the inflation rate and unemployment figures reported are true. What many people fail to understand is that Zimbabwe is at WAR! With war comes hardship. Zimbabwe will NEVER turn into a bloodbath because deep down even black MDC voters know that Mugabe is RIGHT! How can a country with a black government do very well for 20 years and then go so bad. That it'self does not make sense - Try to think about it before putting Mugabe on the same level with the Idi Amins of this world.
Shame on you Kuba for failing to recognize in Mugabe what has been the trait of all leaders who hang on to power for too long. Even the historic greats like Julias Ceasar couldn't hold on to power forever. Eventually the people rise up against a dictator.
Open your eyes and see the truth.
I cannot believe the clever way the Herald uses colonial history to try and sway people away from the reality of the world in Zimbabwe and the bigger global world we live in. The world has become truely interconnected and for that reason comments on unfair, dangerous and outrightly inhuman ways of dealing with countries and their people is open for comment and criticism. I think it is time for the Herald to realise Zimbabwe do not live in isolation from the rest of the world. If you want to continue the madness in Zimbabwe, time will overtake the insanity as it did in South Africa (prior to 1994) who also thought they could fight the world. Inhuman, undemocratic, unfair practices to only favouor a few (in government or only one sector) is absolutely not sustainable no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it in the jargon of "collonial threat speach". It is time for all dictatorships to realise that the game has changed. Even Thabo Mbeki had to realise that in a small way when Zuma ousted him. You cannot run a country by dividing it and try and rule as Mr Mugabe does by blaming his government's mistakes on others from outside, the oposition and the white farmers. Divide and rule does not serve the national interest and will result in a downfall even if it takes long. Wake up Herald and start talking sense!
Hey white South African, dont worry it's comming your way too. The blacks in South Africa need the land and they will get it. In fact your government is keeping very quiet about it but it has already started. You are next!
Kubatana. First time I can reply to your first comment on my comment I posted. That SA may do the same as Zimbabwe is possible. If they allow it they will just be as dumb, arrogant and ignorant as Mugabe. But that transformation and land transfer in SA needs to take place - absolutely so. Whether they come for me or not is irrelevant. The issue is more - will they be so dumb and arrogant to destroy a country just to line their pockets at the expense of their own people - like Mugabe did. Where is the wealth of the Zimbabweabn people. Most of it in the private bank of Mugabe and his chronies in Switserland. Have you asked yourself why his wife can shop at the most expensive places in the world while the ordinary Zimbabwean can hardly afford a bread. Open you eyes to reality around you! My hope is for Zimbabweans to solve their own issue but to do it to the benefit of all and not only to the benefit of old party hardliners. Stop playing rhetoric that stinks and make the country work and grow for all!!
Hey white S.A, Bush,his Cronies and families also shop in the best shops in the world and yet there is a very poor public health system, many blacks are living under cardboard boxes and there is a serious drug problem in the U.S. It happens in every country - you just cant see beyond Mugabe. Land transformation has got nothing to do with being dumb. The way you and your cronies want it done,no black will ever get land because you claim they dont know how to farm. Like i said before european's did not settle in Africa as experienced farmers - they learnt how to farm. So blacks can do that too.
Kubatana, White South African is not undermining Africans or Zimbabwe. He is stating facts and in fact you should be thanking him for his good wishes. Mrs Laura Bush certainly shops in incredibly expensive shops because her husband is wealthy in his own right.The Bush family has been wealthy for generations. Every country has very poor people. You speak of black people living in cardboard boxes in America - yes - but you fail to mention that many whites too live under those same conditions.Drugs play a major part. Many are drug addicts and alcoholics and their own families kick them out - hence being homeless. Some are Vietnam vets with many issues from the Vietnam war, drug use alcoholism and mental problems. There again their families kick them out and it becomes an enormous problem for the government and the organizations that try to help because there is no family support. Before criticizing others about their poor why not first look at your own front door.What did Mugabe do to the poor Zimbabweans that lived in shanty homes within the city limits? He bulldozed their homes and left them shivering in the cold - men, women and children.
I cannot believe the clever way the Herald uses colonial history to try and sway people away from the reality of the world in Zimbabwe and the bigger global world we live in. The world has become truely interconnected and for that reason comments on unfair, dangerous and outrightly inhuman ways of dealing with countries and their people is open for comment and criticism. I think it is time for the Herald to realise Zimbabwe do not live in isolation from the rest of the world. If you want to continue the madness in Zimbabwe, time will overtake the insanity as it did in South Africa (prior to 1994) who also thought they could fight the world. Inhuman, undemocratic, unfair practices to only favouor a few (in government or only one sector) is absolutely not sustainable no matter how much you want to sugarcoat it in the jargon of "collonial threat speach". It is time for all dictatorships to realise that the game has changed. Even Thabo Mbeki had to realise that in a small way when Zuma ousted him. You cannot run a country by dividing it and try and rule as Mr Mugabe does by blaming his government's mistakes on others from outside, the oposition and the white farmers. Divide and rule does not serve the national interest and will result in a downfall even if it takes long. Wake up Herald and start talking sense!