SW Radio Africa (London)
Alex Bell
30 June 2009
The unity government has this week been urged to initiate moves to compensate tens of thousands of farm workers, who have lost their jobs as a direct result of Robert Mugabe's 'land reform' scheme.
The visiting Netherlands President of the Trade Union Confederation, Agnes Jongerius, told reporters at the end of a five-day trip to Zimbabwe that thousands of former farm workers had been left struggling to survive as a result of the land-grab. The Trade Union Confederation chief and a delegation were in Zimbabwe since last week, assessing trade union and workers rights. Her visit was also meant to assess the political and socio economic conditions of workers and see if they were consistent with internationally recognised standards.
During her visit, she met workers from both the formal and informal sectors, NGOs, and some workers who lost their jobs for various reasons. She described to reporters the 'horrible' cases of unemployed former farm workers camping by the roadside and 'in needless suffering.'
"The land reform programme which took place in the name of addressing the historical injustices, has made hundreds of thousands of farm workers unemployed and homeless," Jongerius said.
She added: "Farm invasions have intensified since the inclusive government was formed and thousands of workers lost their income and have no roofs above their heads."
"The land audit, which is mentioned in the GPA, has not yet started," Jongerius continued. "The compensations, which should be paid to former workers of expropriated farms, have not been paid."
The plight of Zimbabwe's farm workers has been largely overlooked, as the campaign to remove the remaining commercial farmers from their land continues. Hundreds of farm workers have lost their jobs this year alone, adding to the already staggering unemployment rate of 94%.
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INDEPENDENT FARMERS’ UNION IDEA
I'm an entrepreneurial sort of person and I got an idea along those lines that I believe many of us who are grassroots thinkers have been overlooking.
So here goes my idea :
a) We have all kinds of Farmers and Farms that are struggling to make a profit. I believe that they are struggling because they are farming under a kind of Third World system that advantages the persons who convert what farmers produce.
b) In most Third World countries , the First & Second World countries will only build enough infrastructure to allow shipment of RAW MATERIALS from their source(s) to the modes of shipping transportation used to transport the RAW MATERIALS to those First & Second World countries that will turn the RAW MATERIALS into processed goods.
* For example - They will build a railroad line of tracks from some Third World country's gold and diamond mines ( e.g. Zaire ) to the Giant Ships docked and waiting to carry them to processors and sellers such as De Beers, Coca-Cola , Cadbury's etc..
c) What kinds of RAW MATERIALS do Farmers produce and/or have access to :
* Gold - Rice , Cocoa ,Mangos, etc…
d) Major Problems stopping small farmers from taking advantage of the possibility of turning your products into a profitable business : LACK OF TIME
e) Solution - My Idea : Form an Independent Union Of Farmers . Having a Coop is great, but it’s only a way of further enriching the processors of our RAW MATERIALS.
* How would this work ?
1) Each Region would represent a chapter of this Independent Farmers Union
2) Generally speaking, each farmer would retain all of their rights ; just as they had before they joined the Independent Farmers Union .
3) The Independent Farmers Union would be finance collectively by individual members paying dues.
4) These dues which would be used to set-up business ventures in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
Some Examples Of Businesses That could be set up
* Chicken Processing Plant, and restaurants that would sell the chickens could be supplied right their in each Independent Farmers Union's Region.
* Produce Markets
* Dairies
* Ice Cream Parlors (using fresh milk)
* Fast Food and/or Restaurants - featuring meat from various farm animals
* Supermarkets
* Chocolate Processors – instead of giving your cocoa to companies like Cadbury’s. What do companies like DeBeers, Coca Cola,Cadbury’s and others have that entitles them to get rich off of our Natural wealth ? NOTHING.. We empower them by our economic laziness !!!
5) The Independent Farmers Union's would need persons with expertise in areas concerning the setting up and running of these businesses on behalf of the Independent Farmers Union's.
WE ARE MAKING HUNDREDS WHILE GIVING AWAY BILLIONS TO OUR ECONOMIC SLAVE MASTERS !!!
THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE CAN'T TAKE CONTROL OF OUR OWN COUNTRY !
- FEED YOURSELVES SUGGESTION -
NEIGHBORHOOD COOP GREENHOUSES
ANOTHER SUGGESTION IS FOR THOSE LIVING IN THE CITY TO POOL
THEIR RESOURCES TOGETHER AND MAKE NEIGHBORHOOD COOP
GREENHOUSES . HERE YOU CAN GROW SOME KIND OF FOODS AND NOT
BE TOTALLY DEPENDENT ON GROCERY STORES.
HERE’S SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT BLACK AFRICANS HAVE DONE :
BLACK AFRICAN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS
The type of Invention is capitalized (e.g. TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MOTOR, etc..)
We Black Africans Can Be Self-Sufficient . Here are some major Black Africans who have had an impact on the world With their initiative These are INVENTORS .
This Listing includes The Inventor’s Name, Their Invention and in some cases the date the invention was recognized and the invention’s U.S. patent number.
* Sarah Boone - IRONING BOARD - April 26, 1892
* John A. Burr - LAWN MOWER
* Marie V. Brittan Brown - HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Dec 2, 1969
* Buridge & Marshman - TYPEWRITER
* George Carruthers - X-RAY MACHINE
* George Washington Carver - PEANUT BUTTER - PAINTS – PAINT STAINS – ETC
* John Clark - TRACK ATHLETE TRAINER
* W.A. Dietz - SHOE
* Joseph Dickinson - PLAYER PIANO - ARM FOR RECORD PLAYER
* P.B. Downing - POSTAL LETTER BOX
* Charles R. Drew - BLOOD PLASMA STORAGE SYSTEM
* T. Elkins - TOILET (COMMODE)
* Robert Flemming Jr. - GUITAR
* Cathleen McCoy Garrett SIREN - HORN LIGHT INDICATOR
* George F. Grant - GOLF TEE
* J. Gregory - MOTOR
* Joanna Hardin - KEYBOARD STAND - Feb 23, 1993
* Michael Harney - LANTERN
* Solomon Harper - THERMO(HEATED) HAIR CURLERS
* Augustus Jackson - ICE CREAM
* B.F. Jackson - GAS BURNER
* H.A. Jackson - KITCHEN TABLE
* Ruane Jeter - DIGITAL TOASTER - April 14, 1987
* Isaac R. Johnson - BICYCLE FRAME
* John A. Johnson - WRENCH
* Lonnie Johnson - SUPER SOAKER WATERGUN
* P. Johnson - EYE PROTECTOR (GOGGLES)
* W. Johnson - EGG BEATER
* Frederick M. Jones - DEFROSTER - REFRIGERATION CONTROLS – AIR CONDITIONER
* Jones & Long - BOTTLE CAPS
* John H. Jordan - CLOTHES DRESSER
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (TAMPONS) - May 15, 1956
* Mary B. Kenner - SANITARY BELT (WATERPROOF) - April 14, 1959
* Mary B. Kenner - BATHROOM TISSUE HOLDER - Nov 19, 1982
* Mary B. Kenner - BACKWASHER ( BATHTUB OR SHOWER MOUNTED) - July 29,1987
* Lewis Latimer & Nichols - ELECTIC LAMP
* W.A. Lavalette - PRINTING PRESS
* F.W. Leslie - ENVELOPE SEAL
* Maurice W. Lee PRESSURE COOKER
* A.L. Lewis - WINDOW CLEANER
* John L. Love - PENCIL SHARPENER
* Tony J. Marshall - FIRE EXTINGUISHER
* Alexander Miles - ELEVATOR
* Jan E. Matzeliger - SHOE LASTING MACHINE
* W.A. Martin - LOCK
* Garrett A. Morgan - GAS MASK - Traffic Signal
* Lydia Newman - HAIR BRUSH - Nov 15, 1898
* Alice H. Parker - HEATING FURNACE - Dec 23, 1919
* J.F. Pickering - AIR SHIP (BLIMP)
* Purdy & Sadgwar - FOLDING CHAIR
* W.B. Purvis - FOUNTAIN PEN
* L.P. Ray - DUST PAN
* W.H. Richardson - BABY BUGGY
* Walter Sammons - PRESSING COMB
* G.T. Sampson - CLOTHES DRYER
* Dewey Sanderson - URINALYSIS MACHINE
* Ralph Sanderson - HYDRAULIC SHOCK ABSORBER
* S.R. Scottron - CURTAIN ROD
* Adolph Shamms - MULTI -STAGE ROCKET
* .W. Smith - LAWN SPRINKLER
* Richard B. Spikes - AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT
* J. Standard - REFRIGERATOR
* T.W. Stewart - MOP
* Maxine Snowden - RAIN HAT - 1983
* Theora Stephens - PRESSING & CURLING IRON
* Rufus J. Weaver - STAIR -CLIMBING WHEELCHAIR
* Paul E. Williams - HELICOPTER
* J.B. Winters - FIRE ESCAPE LADDER
* Granville T. Woods - Telephone System Apparatus Oct 11, 1887 – Patent # 371, 241
* Granville T. Woods - Roller Coaster
* Granville T. Woods - Auto Air Brake - June 10, 1902 - Patent # 701, 98
* Granville T. Woods - Telegraph Transmission Devices - Dec 2, 1884 Patents # - 308, 816 (7)
* Thanks to The Black Inventors Museum *
* Address : P.O. Box 76128 - Los Angeles , Calif. (90076)
* Phone (310) 859-4602)
* Director : Ghanaian Mr. Hamza Salifa
* Major Contributor of Information : SEESTAH Imahkus Nzinga Okofo
[This inspiring poem was featuring in the movie “Coach Carter ”]
Our Deepest Fear Is Not That We Are Inadequate, Our Deepest Fear Is That We Are Powerful Beyond Measure. It Is Our Light , Not Our Darkness That Most Frightens Us.
We Ask Ourselves, Who Am I To Be Brilliant, Gorgeous, Talented, And Fabulous ?
Actually Who Are We Not To Be ? You Are A Child Of God.
Your Playing Small Doesn’t Serve The World.
There Is Nothing Enlightened About Shrinking So That Other People Won’t Feel Insecure Around You.
We Are All Meant To Shine, As Children Do.
We Were Born To Make Manifest The Glory Of God That Is Within Us.
It’s Not Just In Some Of Us; It’s In Everyone.
And When We Let Our Own Light Shine We Unconsciously Give Other People Permission To Do The Same.
And As We Are Liberated From Our Own Fear, Our Presence Automatically Liberates Others
- Marianne Williamson -
[NOTE – BEING AFRAID AND REFUSING TO GET INVOLVED WON’T STOP US FROM DYING. BUT BEING AFRAID CAN PREVENT US FROM LIVING]
(Nkosi Sikeleli Africa )
God bless Africa May her glory be lifted high Hear our petitions .
God bless us, Your children God we ask You to protect our nation Intervene and end all conflicts Protect us, protect our nation, our nation.
From the blue of our heaven, From the depths of our sea, Over our eternal mountain ranges, Where the cliffs give answer.
Sounds the call to come together, And united we shall stand, Let us live and strive for freedom, In South Africa our land.
[Enoch Mankayi Sontonga]
WAKE UP !!! STAY UP !!!
TRUTHSEEKERS MOUNT UP !
[http://www.infowars.com/infowars.asx] / [gcnlive.com]
Life Is A Game. Have Fun . Luke 18:17 - Isaiah 11:6
"Uplift".........it's on!
Since Mr. "Upliftdarace" likes to cut-&-paste, please allow me to respond in kind...........
Mr. Uplift:
I grew tired of your cut-&-paste doggerel, so I decided to fact-check your claims that Black Africans actually “invented” the things you have claimed they did (courtesy of the Black Inventors Museum in Los Angeles, California). Most of your claims are out and out WRONG or complete fabrications! Maybe you’ve heard of this “invention” called Wikipedia?
I have put counter-claims to your assertions that Black Africans “invented” many of the things you claim they have. As a matter of FACT it is somewhat disingenuous of you NOT to mention that most of these “inventors” were people of African descent living in the United States (coincidence? I think not)! I have placed contrary evidence to your assertions in parentheses directly underneath each of your fallacious assertions:
(You said:)
“HERE’S SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT BLACK AFRICANS HAVE DONE : BLACK AFRICAN INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS” The type of Invention is capitalized (e.g. TRAFFIC SIGNAL, MOTOR, etc..) Here are some major Black Africans who have had an impact on the world With their initiative These are INVENTORS . This Listing includes The Inventor’s Name, Their Invention and in some cases the date the invention was recognized and the invention’s U.S. patent number.
(Following this, you began with the following "examples" to prove your hypothesis:)
- Sarah Boone - IRONING BOARD - April 26, 1892
(Ironing Board - On 16 February 1858 W. Vandenburg and J. Harvey patented an ironing table that made pressing sleeves and pant legs easier.[4] A truly portable folding ironing board was first patented in Canada in 1875 by John B. Porter of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The invention also included a removable press board used for sleeves.)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ironing_board
Ms. Boone actually “invented” an “improved” ironing board but did not, in fact, “invent” the ironing board:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_American_inventors_and_scienti sts
• John A. Burr - LAWN MOWER
(The first lawn mower was invented by Edwin Budding in 1827 in Stroud, Gloucestershire. Budding's mower was designed primarily to cut the lawn on sports grounds and expensive gardens as a superior alternative to the scythe and was patented in 1830.)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_mower
Mr. Burr did actually receive a patent for a “rotary” lawn mower, but did NOT “invent” the lawn mower.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_American_inventors_and_scienti sts
• Marie V. Brittan Brown - HOME SECURITY SYSTEM - Dec 2, 1969
Ms. Brown actually invented the VIDEO home security system, NOT the HOME SECURITY SYSTEM.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_American_inventors_and_scienti sts
• Buridge & Marshman – TYPEWRITER
(Per Wikipedia: “No single person invented the typewriter. As with the automobile, telephone, and telegraph, a number of people contributed insights and inventions that eventually resulted in commercially successful instruments. In fact, historians have estimated that some form of typewriter was invented 52 times as tinkerers tried to come up with a workable design.[1]
In 1714, Henry Mill obtained a patent in Britain for a machine that, from the patent, appears to have been similar to a typewriter, but nothing further is known.Other early developers of typewriting machines include Pellegrino Turri, who also invented carbon paper. Many of these early machines, including Turri's, were developed to enable the blind to write.)
- A Black guy (Burridge or Marshman) might’ve designed a “better” typewriter, but they definitely did NOT “invent” the typewriter.
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typewriter
• George Carruthers - X-RAY MACHINE
(Shay M. Anderson and Ryan W. Preuninger formulated mathematical equations for X-rays. Physicist Johann Hittorf observed tubes with energy rays extending from a negative electrode. William Crookes investigated the effects of energy discharges on rare gases. Heinrich Hertz began experimenting and demonstrated that cathode rays could penetrate very thin metal foil (such as aluminium). In 1887, Nikola Tesla began to investigate X-rays and produced the bremsstrahlung process. In 1895, Wilhelm Röntgen began observing and further documenting X-rays while experimenting with vacuum tubes.
One of the first X-ray photographs was made of the hand of Röntgen's wife. The image displayed both her wedding ring and bones. as the new scientific wonder and seized upon by entertainers. Circus patrons viewed their own skeletons and were given pictures of their own bony hands wearing silhouetted jewelry.)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-ray_machine
Again, Mr. Carruthers may actually have designed a “better” x-ray machine, but it is dishonest to suggest he “invented” the x-ray machine.
• George Washington Carver - PEANUT BUTTER - PAINTS – PAINT STAINS – ETC
NO ONE should ever question the genius of George Washington Carver! (my words)
• John Clark - TRACK ATHLETE TRAINER
(Who? If you’re going to mention athlete’s, then why not Michael Jordan? Why not Pele? Why not Tiger Woods? What about Jackie Robinson or Jesse Owens? And who the hell is John Clark? Is he a footballer?)
• W.A. Dietz – SHOE
(The earliest known shoes date from about 8000 to 7000 BCE and were found in Oregon, USA in 1938.[1] However, the materials used for making shoes (typically tanned leather) do not normally last for thousands of years, so shoes were probably in use long before this. Physical anthropologist Erik Trinkaus believes he has found evidence that the use of shoes began in the period between about 40,000 and 26,000 years ago……)
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoe
Again, Mr. Dietz may have designed a “better” shoe, but come on! You really expect us to believe this guy “invented” SHOES?
• Joseph Dickinson - PLAYER PIANO - ARM FOR RECORD PLAYER
Who? The explanation it too long to paste, but there's no mention of Mr. Dickinson, here’s the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_piano
• P.B. Downing - POSTAL LETTER BOX
(you’re f*&%’in kidding me, right? – Someone “invented” the mailbox? Hooray!)
• Charles R. Drew - BLOOD PLASMA STORAGE SYSTEM
(Another brilliant mind, but was born & raised in the U.S.!)
• T. Elkins - TOILET (COMMODE)
Another great example! I don’t think there was anyone named ELKINS alive when the toilet was “invented”), too long an explanation, except there’s no mention of any Black “ELKINS” in India in this time period!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet
• Robert Flemming Jr. – GUITAR
DUDE! The Guitar is a 2,000 year-old instrument! How many Black men lived in Greece 2000 years ago!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guitar
• Cathleen McCoy Garrett SIREN - HORN LIGHT INDICATOR
I won’t even bother explaining why you are wrong, simply because the next one is a perfect example of your dishonest posts!
• George F. Grant - GOLF TEE
(Let me ask you one question on this one? How many Black guys were in Scotland in the 19th century? Mr. Grant clearly did not “invent” the Tee……. He received a patent for a design that was never actually manufactured.
“In 1899, an African-American dentist, Dr. George Franklin Grant obtaned a patent for an "improved golf tee".[3] This tee consisted of a wood cone with a rubber sleeve to support the ball, but it is not known to have ever been marketed.”)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golf_tee
I was going to look at more of your “examples” of great African “inventors” (and I did!), but your “interpretation” of what an “invention” actually IS, is somewhat suspect. Most of these “great innovators” were just adding improvements to devices or concepts that pre-existed their work – THAT IS NOT AN INVENTION!
That’s sort of like me asking what white people (the West) have done with things we actually KNOW black people invented – like fire! Scientists generally agree that mankind originated in Africa (so can we ALL agree that fire is an African “invention?) I mean, who didn’t see “Quest for Fire”?), they probably figured out fire before many of them left for better locations and turned into white people.
Or maybe……….. It’s like asking what Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF henchmen have done with Zimbabwe since they inherited it from the racist regime of Ian Smith! Most of the people you mentioned in your encyclopedic diarrhea merely improved on something “invented” by others who happen NOT to be Black! Has Robert Mugabe actually "improved" anything that the racist white man Ian Smith "invented" in ZImbabwe? Maybe the CIO or the Green Bombers.......
Anyway, my original intent was to just tell you to STFU, I knew your “cut-&-paste” posts were factually incorrect, but I wanted others here to know it and to be able to fact-check it themselves so you couldn’t accuse me of lying.
So from now on, STOP with the intellectually dishonest claims that Black people invented THIS or THAT! Besides, I’m not claiming white people are better either, most important stuff was invented by the Chinese 2000 years ago anyway, everything else has just been an evolutionary improvement cycle over something the Chinese “invented” anyway!
Anyway,, if you have anything constructive to the conversation on these boards, then feel free to post them. But don't give us a cut-&-paste serving of sh*te that can't even hold up to a minimum fact-check. You got something to say - say it - just don't post lies, exaggerations and fabrications as some retarded bibliography for your incoherent rantings..........
By the way, I think white people (the West) have done pretty good with fire since it was “invented” by Africans………. What do you think?
Oh my God! I think I’m turning into J-hollow!
“Total Empowerment!”
Oh......... I don't know..............
How about restoring the land to those people who managed it and made the land productive, AND employed MILLIONS of Zimbabweans and paid them a regular wage?
It's amazing what a country's economy will do when when there are jobs and people are working, earning wages and spending money! Zimbabwe should try it.........
How about rescinding the repressive policy of "invading" farms in favor of letting the people who actually produce and employ millions of Zimbabweans make their farms grow?
How much do the First Shopper's "farms" produce? How much of the land that has been "re-distributed" under ZANU-PF is still productive agricultural land? How much did those same farms produce before they were "re-distributed"? How well have those who have received "re-distributed" land maintained their "offers"?
Let's compare how many "workers" were earning a regular wage working on farms before "land-reform" to how many are earning a regular wage now? Let's compare the agricultural output of the farms "re-distributed" to their "pre-re-distribution" output?
Simple math will tell you that Zimbabwe has fared much worse as the tenure of ZANU-PF lengthened. However "empowered" one is, it is better to be well fed and "empowered".
Genuine land reform will eventually be needed, but for the time being, could the government of Zimbabwe at least implement policies that feed the people of Zimbabwe? Is that too low a bar of achievement to set for ANY government? Didn't ZANU-PF promise "self-sufficiency" in the lead-up to the March '08 "elections"?
Can't we worry about feeding the people first and THEN worrying over who owns what farm? If people weren't starving or in danger of starving, many of us here wouldn't be on this forum! If you feed your own people and provide basic medical care and educate your children, no one in the larger world (like me) really cares about your country.
When you muck up things as bad as ZANU-PF/Mugabe has, it's tough to be sympathetic. Zimbabwe is blessed with it's land, it's resources and it's people - yet ZANU-PF has managed to turn what was Africa's promise into Africa's warning................. "do what we have done and watch what the same policies do to your country"..................
"Total Empowerment!"