By Abel Dzobo
The paltry Z$100 billion withdrawal bank limit imposed by the Central Bank Governor, Gideon Gono, has relegated Zimbabweans, among them University students, to the tortuous train ride instead of buses as one cannot amass the Z$1 trillion that most of the conventional public transport are charging as fares.
Midlands State University students, who spoke to this reporter, said that though they had wanted to use road transport, they would now settle for the train as they had failed to raise the bus fare.
“I get Z$100 billion from the bank a day and bus fare from Gweru to Harare is Z$800 billion. How can I realistically come up with such an amount,” a student who had just finished writing exams said.
Another student said that commuting to and from town now cost $Z40 billion, hence one could only carry home Z$60 billion.
“With Z$60 billion a day, I must go to the bank for 10 days for me to come up with $600 billion, which is barely enough for the train,” he said.
The train fare has surged from Z$65 billion to Z$400 billion, a rise of about 615 percent that has compounded woes of the students and ordinary Zimbabweans.
The bank withdrawal limit cannot buy any commodity of great significance in the home, except green vegetables. Currently, a loaf of bread is going for between Z$150 to Z$200 billion, thus the withdrawal limit can only buy half a loaf. Airtime now ranges from $200 billion, especially for Econet Wireless (Buddie and Libertie).
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Zim Varsity students eye Diaspora window
Zimbabwean immigrants wait to be deported from the Lindela Repatriation Centre outside Johannesburg in this August 22, 2007 file photo.By Abel Dzobo
While Zimbabwe is reeling from a massive brain drain that has almost crippled he engineering, medical and teaching sectors, among others, the tide is set to increase as University students are set to leave in droves.
They said that even the xenophobia attacks that once ravaged South Africa will not deter them from seeking their Eldorado as they want to maximise on their four years of grueling study by finding employment where they would afford high living standards. A survey by the writer of this story of students in their fourth year and final semester at Midlands University in Gweru revealed that 90 percent of them have set their sights on lush pastures across the border. Of the 50 students studied in this survey, 45 of them, that is, 90 percent, said that they are definitely going into the Diaspora. 6 percent said that they would not be going anywhere due to family commitments (members of child-headed families) while 4 percent said they believed Zimbabwe still had a lot to offer for entrepreneurs.
“Ten years ago one could buy a bed, stove and a televison set using one salary, but now if you work in Zimbabwe you may never buy all that for the rest of your life. You find that commuting to work costs more than your salary,” an Accounting student said.
A Media and Society studies student said that she was leaving such that she could make up for the torture of her four year degree period.
“It was four years of suffering, characterised by hunger, lack of money, queues for mealie-meal and other basic commodities. I also want an enabling environment where I can pursue my career and advance my studies,” she said.
A male student, giggling shyly, noted that he wanted to marry in a year’s time and wanted to raise money, thus had to cross the border.
“I want to marry next year, my fiancé and I have been in love for the past four years. If I stay here, I will never amass the money needed to pay lobola and also wedding expenses,” he said.
High inflation, unemployment rate over 70 percent and an unprecedented market distortion that has seen teachers, nurses and most of formal employees living like paupers are reasons that have solidified the resolve in the youngsters to jump ship.
Those in informal employment have become rich overnight, a list that includes black market basic goods peddlers, street forex dealers and illegal miners (makorokoza), while their “highbrow” counterparts are bonded in a vicious circle of poverty. Although talks are underway to thaw MDC-ZANU PF stalemate, the respondents are of the view that it would still take more time for Zimbabwe to canter on an even keel. Possible destinations cited during the interview are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, UK and Australia.
A study undertaken by the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in 2003 found out that 479,348 skilled personnel had left the country. SIRDC further pointed out that most Zimbabweans who had left the country since 1990 had gone to the United Kingdom (36.8 percent), Botswana (34.5 percent) and South Africa. South African government minister recently said there were two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa - Joyce Dube of the South African Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs estimates the figure to be even higher, around three million.
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Civic Society Organisations (CSO) Forum, a coalition of about 40 Diaspora based Zimbabwean civil society organisations in South Africa, whose chairperson is Daniel Molokele, has been formed to represent Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
While Zimbabwe is reeling from a massive brain drain that has almost crippled he engineering, medical and teaching sectors, among others, the tide is set to increase as University students are set to leave in droves.
They said that even the xenophobia attacks that once ravaged South Africa will not deter them from seeking their Eldorado as they want to maximise on their four years of grueling study by finding employment where they would afford high living standards. A survey by the writer of this story of students in their fourth year and final semester at Midlands University in Gweru revealed that 90 percent of them have set their sights on lush pastures across the border. Of the 50 students studied in this survey, 45 of them, that is, 90 percent, said that they are definitely going into the Diaspora. 6 percent said that they would not be going anywhere due to family commitments (members of child-headed families) while 4 percent said they believed Zimbabwe still had a lot to offer for entrepreneurs.
“Ten years ago one could buy a bed, stove and a televison set using one salary, but now if you work in Zimbabwe you may never buy all that for the rest of your life. You find that commuting to work costs more than your salary,” an Accounting student said.
A Media and Society studies student said that she was leaving such that she could make up for the torture of her four year degree period.
“It was four years of suffering, characterised by hunger, lack of money, queues for mealie-meal and other basic commodities. I also want an enabling environment where I can pursue my career and advance my studies,” she said.
A male student, giggling shyly, noted that he wanted to marry in a year’s time and wanted to raise money, thus had to cross the border.
“I want to marry next year, my fiancé and I have been in love for the past four years. If I stay here, I will never amass the money needed to pay lobola and also wedding expenses,” he said.
High inflation, unemployment rate over 70 percent and an unprecedented market distortion that has seen teachers, nurses and most of formal employees living like paupers are reasons that have solidified the resolve in the youngsters to jump ship.
Those in informal employment have become rich overnight, a list that includes black market basic goods peddlers, street forex dealers and illegal miners (makorokoza), while their “highbrow” counterparts are bonded in a vicious circle of poverty. Although talks are underway to thaw MDC-ZANU PF stalemate, the respondents are of the view that it would still take more time for Zimbabwe to canter on an even keel. Possible destinations cited during the interview are Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, UK and Australia.
A study undertaken by the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC) in 2003 found out that 479,348 skilled personnel had left the country. SIRDC further pointed out that most Zimbabweans who had left the country since 1990 had gone to the United Kingdom (36.8 percent), Botswana (34.5 percent) and South Africa. South African government minister recently said there were two million Zimbabweans living in South Africa - Joyce Dube of the South African Women’s Institute for Migration Affairs estimates the figure to be even higher, around three million.
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Civic Society Organisations (CSO) Forum, a coalition of about 40 Diaspora based Zimbabwean civil society organisations in South Africa, whose chairperson is Daniel Molokele, has been formed to represent Zimbabweans in the Diaspora.
University ladies drooling for Batista
By Abel Dzobo
While the “sexy” charts have been dominated by soccer superstar David Beckham, a survey by this writer at Midlands State University in Gweru, Zimbabwe, has revealed that Dave Batista, “The Animal”, has worked his way into the soft cleft of ladies’ hearts. The three time World Heavyweight Champion’s liking by ladies stems from his commanding physique, the sheer brute ton of, muscle and his rugged looks. A fourth year Media and Society Studies student said that she would not hesitate if he were to ever ask her out.
“I woudn’t even think twice. If he were to ask me out, I would rush to his side. He is so handsome,” she said.
“He is especially captivating when he is sweating in the ring, his big chest glistening, it gives him such a sexy look,” said a second year Human Resources Management female student. It also emerged that Batista’s ‘machine gun” entrance has not gone unnoticed by the feminine world. Another female student, recently married, said that she finds herself on her feet every time he performs that antic.
“Whenever he ‘fires’ that machine gun on entering the ring, I get up on my feet and imitate the act. He is so sexy,” she gushed.
She added that she has posters of the superstar all over her house. Trailing a distant second on the ladies’ rankings is Jeff Hardy and on third, Randy Orton “The legend Killer”. Soccer came in the form of Ivory Coast and Chelsea international striker, Didier Drogba, anchored fourth and his eyes were cited as gorgeous, though the ladies pointed out that his hairstyle is not flattering to them at all. Batista won his first World Heavyweight Championshipship on April 03 2005 when he turned the act on his mentor, Triple H “The Game”. The second came on November 26 2006 when he nailed King Booker for the gold. His next victim was the Great Khali whom he defeated on September 16 2007. However, he lost it to Edge in December 2007 and has been denied by the Undertaker “The Phenom”. Now that The Dead Man is out of WWE, it will be very difficult to stop The Animal.
While the “sexy” charts have been dominated by soccer superstar David Beckham, a survey by this writer at Midlands State University in Gweru, Zimbabwe, has revealed that Dave Batista, “The Animal”, has worked his way into the soft cleft of ladies’ hearts. The three time World Heavyweight Champion’s liking by ladies stems from his commanding physique, the sheer brute ton of, muscle and his rugged looks. A fourth year Media and Society Studies student said that she would not hesitate if he were to ever ask her out.
“I woudn’t even think twice. If he were to ask me out, I would rush to his side. He is so handsome,” she said.
“He is especially captivating when he is sweating in the ring, his big chest glistening, it gives him such a sexy look,” said a second year Human Resources Management female student. It also emerged that Batista’s ‘machine gun” entrance has not gone unnoticed by the feminine world. Another female student, recently married, said that she finds herself on her feet every time he performs that antic.
“Whenever he ‘fires’ that machine gun on entering the ring, I get up on my feet and imitate the act. He is so sexy,” she gushed.
She added that she has posters of the superstar all over her house. Trailing a distant second on the ladies’ rankings is Jeff Hardy and on third, Randy Orton “The legend Killer”. Soccer came in the form of Ivory Coast and Chelsea international striker, Didier Drogba, anchored fourth and his eyes were cited as gorgeous, though the ladies pointed out that his hairstyle is not flattering to them at all. Batista won his first World Heavyweight Championshipship on April 03 2005 when he turned the act on his mentor, Triple H “The Game”. The second came on November 26 2006 when he nailed King Booker for the gold. His next victim was the Great Khali whom he defeated on September 16 2007. However, he lost it to Edge in December 2007 and has been denied by the Undertaker “The Phenom”. Now that The Dead Man is out of WWE, it will be very difficult to stop The Animal.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Kill, kill, kill and rule
After their summit, the AU have decided, unashamedly, that GNU is the way forward for Zimbabwe. How can African leaders fold their hands while the death toll in Zimbabwe keeps its upward surge? Does it mean that the rogues of this world should have their way? What lessons are we leaving for Africa? What doctrine are we extolling? Mugabe lost his elections on March 29. And then from there to June 27, the socio-economic and political scene in Zimbabwe further receded into the grotto. No way that man could have won. According to Independent MP, Prof Jonathan Moyo, defending Mugabe is like defending a dead donkey.
Then there was a reign of terror, confirmed by civic society leaders and the MDC. Death squads were, and are on rampage, killing, burning, maiming, at will. Over 90 MDC supporters have been killed. NGOs that extended humanitarian aid to an economically emaciated populace were banned from executing their works of charity. So when African Union leaders congregate to talk about unity, what do they mean? How far should hypocrisy go before it is rapped?
An election that took over a month before results were announced was lauded within 48 hours. A miracle, eh, Thabo Mbeki? A political resurrection, aha? So Mugabe deserves to be in a government of national unity (GNU) because he coerced the rural populace into voting for him? Is it because he traded the vote for the bullet? So democracy my leg! If you are voted out of power, kill people and you will be restored back to office. Because we all have to be accountable to society.
So by 2013, how many Zimbabweans will still be alive? During the 2013 elections how many more will be killed? Numbers, numbers, numbers and numbers.
Kill for power. Beat, maim, and instil terror? What a shame!
By Abel Dzobo (edzaidzobo@yahoo.com)
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bullet, Ballot or Belly?
Bullet, ballot or belly?
By Abel Dzobo
Is it the post election blood bath in Kenya? Or is it the callous partisan, government-sanctioned murders in Zimbabwe, that is vote or bullet? Or maybe, the stomach politics, full belly first?
Perhaps that is the way of explaining poverty in Africa. Isn't poverty a political motor force in Africa, a mechanism of social control that is brandished by politicians to incite the hungry into the most unimaginable stooges? Whereby the starving become a political powder keg, very volatile and ready to explode? While democracy extols the sanctity of the vote, in Africa it has been adulterated, the vote buys a morsel of food.
Is Mother Nature in acquiescence with greedy politicians, who capitalise on such catastrophes to reward supporters and punish foes with empty bellies? During the run up to the Presidential run-off in Zimbabwe in 2008, Robert Mugabe banned non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that were distributing food to he famine-besieged rural populace as the despotic leader believed it was responsible for his shabby showing on March 29 when he lost to Morgan Tsvangirai. On a grand scale, Robert Mugabe and President Ahmadinejad of Iran were excluded from the dinner banquet in Italy thrown by Silvio Berlusconi as a symbol of rejection on the international fora at the just-ended 2008 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) meeting.
But I strongly feel there is need for poverty eradication first if ever democracy is to set foot on Africa. Otherwise, it's a mere prostituting exercise, whereby it surfaces and gets submerged in the scramble for resources, something typical of Man Booker Award Prize winner, Chinua Achebe's A man of the people. Corruption with a capital letter C has become a legal resident on this continent.
Is it time to say goodbye to democracy? Are we agreed as world, that good should overcome evil?
Caption: TWO FSH AND FIVE LOAVES OF BREAD . . . Can the miracle be relieved? 100kg of mealie meal for 10 families?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Zim graduands: Hawkers or professionals?
DELICATE BALANCE . . .This student at Midlands State Univerity reads books and sells maputi and lollipops at the Hunger Square, an open space where students sit and talk as diversion from gnawing hunger.
University students, who have been exposed to the full wrath of the prevailing harsh economic environment, have been forced to use implement serious fire-fighting measures to keep the wolf at bay.
Parents and guardians’ disposable incomes have been rudely trimmed, consequently shortening “the hand that giveth” Hence students are at the wrong side of the bank account. While maputi, lollipops, roasted ground nuts and other foodstuffs enjoyed copyright at Mbare Musika and other like areas, hawking has become a major source of income for students at Midlands State University in Gweru, and other institutions of higher learning.
So the question is on the caliber of graduates that Universities are churning out. These are graduates who have survived on selling maputi. Can they formulate any meaningful company growth objectives? Can these starved, hand-to-mouth-is-my-business graduates become real corporate players who can be trusted with shareholders’ money? Because most of them are peddlers first and academicians second.
Maybe it was time serious mitigation maneuvers were chore-graphed such that we stem the downturn in our education sector.
By Abel Dzobo (edzaidzobo@yahoo.com
Parents and guardians’ disposable incomes have been rudely trimmed, consequently shortening “the hand that giveth” Hence students are at the wrong side of the bank account. While maputi, lollipops, roasted ground nuts and other foodstuffs enjoyed copyright at Mbare Musika and other like areas, hawking has become a major source of income for students at Midlands State University in Gweru, and other institutions of higher learning.
So the question is on the caliber of graduates that Universities are churning out. These are graduates who have survived on selling maputi. Can they formulate any meaningful company growth objectives? Can these starved, hand-to-mouth-is-my-business graduates become real corporate players who can be trusted with shareholders’ money? Because most of them are peddlers first and academicians second.
Maybe it was time serious mitigation maneuvers were chore-graphed such that we stem the downturn in our education sector.
By Abel Dzobo (edzaidzobo@yahoo.com
MSU students pray for peace, calm
Students going to the MSU library. . . Fourht year students are afraid all the years of education were wasted.Midlands State University (MSU) Undergraduate students who are now on their fourth and final year of degree programs are worried about the volatile political landscape, as they are afraid they may have to abandon studies, the Varsity Voice has learnt.
The first semester of the year, which usually begins in March, only started in April so as to accommodate the March 29 Harmonised Parliamentary, Presidential, Senatorial and Council elections. But it is the run-off that has raised concern among students, as they are afraid the results may be delayed again, as happened with the Presidential election polls in the first round whereby the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) took about a month to announce Presidential vote ballot result, citing the overwhelming task of vote collation and verification. The University, which has seven faculties, which are Arts, Commerce, Education, Law, Natural Resources Management and Agriculture, Science and Technology and Social Sciences, had offered a lifeline by announcing that the exam timetable, which indicated that exams would start on July 7 to 24, would not be altered.
But it is the recent bombshell by Movement for Democratic Change President, Morgan Tsvangirai to withdraw his candidature that has threatened to render insolvent all the four years of academic toil. This has brewed uncertainty in the students, who are starting to see their dreams of prosperity being attacked by weevils. Incidences of political violence have been reported countrywide and it is the students’ wish that the political and socio-economic fabric is not shredded in orgies of politically motivated violence.
A fourth-year Music and Musicology student, who asked not to be named, said that, “I thought by June 30 I would have completed my degree, but now maybe I will have to wait a bit longer, or maybe not even finish it” he said. This view was echoed by a Media and Society Studies student, who said that she only wished the runoff, had been penciled a month later, that is July 27, such that elections would have been conducted while she would have finished her degree.
“I have been doing media monitoring and the latest developments on the political field are disturbing. But all we can do is to be optimistic that this political impasse ebbs soon such that we can finish our degrees. It has been a painful four years,” she said.
Most of the students were enviously eyeing the first week of October, when they graduate and the constant temptation of the 2010 South Africa Word Cup soccer jamboree. The runoff, pitting Mr Robert Mugabe of the Zimbabwe African Natonal Union (ZANU PF) and MDC was necessitated by the fact that in the first election no candidate attained the 51 percent that is needed for one to assume the President’s post.
By Abel Dzobo (edzaidzobo@yahoo.com)
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Musicology band wows MSU
Top Left: Enchore! Enchore! -part of spectators at the MSU Lunh Time Mbira Concert
Top Right-Jeff Warara, organiser of the event.
Bottom Right: HEADS DOWN, THUMBS UP. . . Strictly mbira Business- from left: Chimukuyu, Jeff, Watida and Tendai.
Bottom left-Get Down . . . Godfrey Simango goes through his act
The Hunger Square, notorious for its empty stomach tag, assumed the status of The Book Café as the Midlands State University (MSU) Music and Musicology band put up an electrifying and enthralling performance, belting out gems that had a natural flair during the Mbira Lunch Concert held recently.
The band, starring, unplugged, the likes of Jeff “Vhirirengoro” Warara, Phillip Chimukuyu and Watida Chikondo, among others, was a powder keg of vibes as they thumped the mbira (thumb piano). The mbira beat soothed strained senses, massaged tense muscles as it bored into the tedium of books, impending assignment deadlines and tensions of everyday college life, pummeling all the vestiges of monotony into submission. As the mbira vibrated under the coaxing of skillful fingers, twanging in its meek, but decisive metallic sound, students flocked to the summons of its decibels, a priceless melody that even birds would take time to listen to.
The concert, which was for free, the lush green grass, the open airs setting, coupled with the conspicuous absence of the Public Address System (PA System), beautifully connived to bestow a rare, rustic elegance upon the event. This was a cultural product in its uncommodified nature, whereby all partake because of real enjoyment, without the interfering and artificial pleasure motivated by the resolve to unlock monetary value. A crowd of around two hundred students who had come to witness the event, clapped hands to the beat, enjoying every second of the performance.
But it is the antics of lead vocalist and performer, Godfrey Simango that will be talked about for years to come. While some would point at master of the “Snake secretary dance”, Hosea “Kwachu Kwachu” Chipanga as the best sole singer and dancer, Simango merely needs to contend with a couple of rungs for him to attain such prowess. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27802508@N02/?saved=1 Wielding a knobkerrie, and lithely alternating between dance and vocals, he sang Nhemamusasa. Nhemamusasa is a powerful vibe by mbira legend, Chiwoniso “Sister Chi” Maraire, and when she performed the song at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) 2007, she had even the white audience members chanting “Nhemamusasa” after her, and they literally refused her permission to leave the stage. With backing vocals equal to the task, featuring the likes of Lindsay Mhlanga, Chiedza Makowe, Sthabile Mahubaba, Tendai Mlambo and Rumbi Rundazha, among others, the band stitched up a memorable act.
Then came the song folk song Chemutengure. The band executed a virtuoso perfomance that would have reminded one of Chimurenga music and mbira icon, Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, who is dubbed “Lion of Southern Africa”, which attracted audience members to take to the dance floor with reckless abandon. Slideshow, check http://www.flickr.com/photos/27802508@N02/show/ Next was the drum and mbira rendition of the song “Kumasowe” by Cephas “Motomuzhinji” Mashakada, which, in the name of justice, Mashakada should be let to choose his preference between the former and his own guitar version. This song had one of the senior members of the library staff, Mrs Faith Munyama, on her feet and she later acknowledged that “the mbira beat was irresistible”.
As emotions lightened, spectators turned actors as audience members also took to the dance floor, exhibiting such rare energy and grace, which stamped the notion that the country is still in touch with its tradition, especially with undergraduate populace, who will soon occupy higher echelons in the socio-economic and political spheres of the country. And this reporter, in trying to capture the event on camera, faced formidable competition as he had to jostle with students wielding mobile phones with inbuilt cameras as they ensured that the precious event would attain immortality.
Mawere Kongonya, Musango Ndodzungaira and Taireva followed in quick succession, and Simango turned villain at announcing that the lunch session was over as many would have wanted it to go into the night. Organiser of the event, Jeffinias Warara, a fourth year student, hailed the event as a success.
“What you have just witnessed is the true mbira vibe in its natural element, no PA System. Turnout was good, and as the Music and Musicology Department at MSU, we will always strive to keep the University community well entertained,” the prolific mbira player said, flashing one of his bright smiles.
By Abel Dzobo
edzaidzobo@yahoo.com
The band, starring, unplugged, the likes of Jeff “Vhirirengoro” Warara, Phillip Chimukuyu and Watida Chikondo, among others, was a powder keg of vibes as they thumped the mbira (thumb piano). The mbira beat soothed strained senses, massaged tense muscles as it bored into the tedium of books, impending assignment deadlines and tensions of everyday college life, pummeling all the vestiges of monotony into submission. As the mbira vibrated under the coaxing of skillful fingers, twanging in its meek, but decisive metallic sound, students flocked to the summons of its decibels, a priceless melody that even birds would take time to listen to.
The concert, which was for free, the lush green grass, the open airs setting, coupled with the conspicuous absence of the Public Address System (PA System), beautifully connived to bestow a rare, rustic elegance upon the event. This was a cultural product in its uncommodified nature, whereby all partake because of real enjoyment, without the interfering and artificial pleasure motivated by the resolve to unlock monetary value. A crowd of around two hundred students who had come to witness the event, clapped hands to the beat, enjoying every second of the performance.
But it is the antics of lead vocalist and performer, Godfrey Simango that will be talked about for years to come. While some would point at master of the “Snake secretary dance”, Hosea “Kwachu Kwachu” Chipanga as the best sole singer and dancer, Simango merely needs to contend with a couple of rungs for him to attain such prowess. http://www.flickr.com/photos/27802508@N02/?saved=1 Wielding a knobkerrie, and lithely alternating between dance and vocals, he sang Nhemamusasa. Nhemamusasa is a powerful vibe by mbira legend, Chiwoniso “Sister Chi” Maraire, and when she performed the song at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) 2007, she had even the white audience members chanting “Nhemamusasa” after her, and they literally refused her permission to leave the stage. With backing vocals equal to the task, featuring the likes of Lindsay Mhlanga, Chiedza Makowe, Sthabile Mahubaba, Tendai Mlambo and Rumbi Rundazha, among others, the band stitched up a memorable act.
Then came the song folk song Chemutengure. The band executed a virtuoso perfomance that would have reminded one of Chimurenga music and mbira icon, Thomas “Mukanya” Mapfumo, who is dubbed “Lion of Southern Africa”, which attracted audience members to take to the dance floor with reckless abandon. Slideshow, check http://www.flickr.com/photos/27802508@N02/show/ Next was the drum and mbira rendition of the song “Kumasowe” by Cephas “Motomuzhinji” Mashakada, which, in the name of justice, Mashakada should be let to choose his preference between the former and his own guitar version. This song had one of the senior members of the library staff, Mrs Faith Munyama, on her feet and she later acknowledged that “the mbira beat was irresistible”.
As emotions lightened, spectators turned actors as audience members also took to the dance floor, exhibiting such rare energy and grace, which stamped the notion that the country is still in touch with its tradition, especially with undergraduate populace, who will soon occupy higher echelons in the socio-economic and political spheres of the country. And this reporter, in trying to capture the event on camera, faced formidable competition as he had to jostle with students wielding mobile phones with inbuilt cameras as they ensured that the precious event would attain immortality.
Mawere Kongonya, Musango Ndodzungaira and Taireva followed in quick succession, and Simango turned villain at announcing that the lunch session was over as many would have wanted it to go into the night. Organiser of the event, Jeffinias Warara, a fourth year student, hailed the event as a success.
“What you have just witnessed is the true mbira vibe in its natural element, no PA System. Turnout was good, and as the Music and Musicology Department at MSU, we will always strive to keep the University community well entertained,” the prolific mbira player said, flashing one of his bright smiles.
By Abel Dzobo
edzaidzobo@yahoo.com
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Unmasking ‘Operation Dzikisai Madhishi’
Unmasking ‘Operation Dzikisai Madhishi’By Abel Dzobo
13/06/08
ZANU PF’s determination to strangle and streamline the communicative spaces in Zimbabwe has allegedly taken a new twist through the deplorable “Operation Dzikisai Madhishi”, a purge aimed at satellite dishes such that in the run-up to this month’s Presidential run-off election, government-controlled ZBC TV can enjoy monopoly in news coverage.
This move is believed to be a ploy to ensure that all Zimbabweans watch ZBC TV, where ZANU PF is confident that the combative Happison Muchechetere, who has been put at the helm, will broadcast programmes that forward its cause, unlike the era under the recently dismissed Henry Muradzikwa.
Muchechetere is a trusted ZANU PF lieutenant who succeeded former ZBC boss Henry Muradzikwa who was fired last month for allegedly failing to use the state broadcaster to successfully campaign for President Robert Mugabe, who lost to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the March 29 presidential election.
But it is the blitz on satellite dishes that has raised the ire of the populace and civic groups as evidence that the party will go to great lengths, despite how crooked, to win the June 27 election.
Satellite dishes, such as DSTV, Wiztech and Fortec Star, among others, mushroomed in the country as the fairly affluent citizens sought to evade the ZANU PF propaganda clout, championed by ZBC TV.
Nonetheless, like with the print media, where online and foreign newspapers have flourished, satellite dishes were bought such that citizens could have the other side of the story.
Foreign news stations, among them BBC and CNN, were banned from ZBC TV in 2000, during Professor Jonathan Moyo’s tenure as Information Minister, a development which was extolled as a noble move to consolidate communicative sovereignty.
Ironically, that communicative sovereignty has been ceded as propounded by ZUJ President Matthew Takaona in his May 3 2008 Press Freedom Day speech in which he heralded Zimbabwean media’s spectacular fall from grace.
“For those who are so much concerned with sovereignty; we want to say the Zimbabwean media scenario is a grand example of the loss of it. Thanks to the work of the restrictive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).
“For any self-respecting nation, it must be a big shame that when independent Zimbabweans think of news, they keep the bulletin times of Studio 7, an American radio station broadcasting thousands of miles away from home, they cuddle small radios to listen to the Voice of the People, another radio station that is based outside the continent, they tune in to their cell-phones for tit-bits of news from SW Radio based in the United Kingdom.
“It must also be a shame that Zimbabweans must hear or watch events that have happened in their backyards from BBC, Botswana Television, E Television, SABC and many others,” Takaona said.
Muchehetere has already claimed the scalps of “errant” ZBC TV, following the dismissal of eight members, including Business reporter Brian Paradza, a move roundly criticized by media representative bodies.
“ZUJ condemns the suspension of journalists from ZBC by the new management,” said Matthew Takaona.
Takura Zhangazha, the national director of MISA-Zimbabwe, was quoted in the media said,
“It is a chilling message to those remaining that if they fail to toe the line they will be hounded out of the institution. It is really a worrying trend, especially in the context of the presidential run-off.”
This move is believed to be a ploy to ensure that all Zimbabweans watch ZBC TV, where ZANU PF is confident that the combative Happison Muchechetere, who has been put at the helm, will broadcast programmes that forward its cause, unlike the era under the recently dismissed Henry Muradzikwa.
Muchechetere is a trusted ZANU PF lieutenant who succeeded former ZBC boss Henry Muradzikwa who was fired last month for allegedly failing to use the state broadcaster to successfully campaign for President Robert Mugabe, who lost to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the March 29 presidential election.
But it is the blitz on satellite dishes that has raised the ire of the populace and civic groups as evidence that the party will go to great lengths, despite how crooked, to win the June 27 election.
Satellite dishes, such as DSTV, Wiztech and Fortec Star, among others, mushroomed in the country as the fairly affluent citizens sought to evade the ZANU PF propaganda clout, championed by ZBC TV.
Nonetheless, like with the print media, where online and foreign newspapers have flourished, satellite dishes were bought such that citizens could have the other side of the story.
Foreign news stations, among them BBC and CNN, were banned from ZBC TV in 2000, during Professor Jonathan Moyo’s tenure as Information Minister, a development which was extolled as a noble move to consolidate communicative sovereignty.
Ironically, that communicative sovereignty has been ceded as propounded by ZUJ President Matthew Takaona in his May 3 2008 Press Freedom Day speech in which he heralded Zimbabwean media’s spectacular fall from grace.
“For those who are so much concerned with sovereignty; we want to say the Zimbabwean media scenario is a grand example of the loss of it. Thanks to the work of the restrictive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) and the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA).
“For any self-respecting nation, it must be a big shame that when independent Zimbabweans think of news, they keep the bulletin times of Studio 7, an American radio station broadcasting thousands of miles away from home, they cuddle small radios to listen to the Voice of the People, another radio station that is based outside the continent, they tune in to their cell-phones for tit-bits of news from SW Radio based in the United Kingdom.
“It must also be a shame that Zimbabweans must hear or watch events that have happened in their backyards from BBC, Botswana Television, E Television, SABC and many others,” Takaona said.
Muchehetere has already claimed the scalps of “errant” ZBC TV, following the dismissal of eight members, including Business reporter Brian Paradza, a move roundly criticized by media representative bodies.
“ZUJ condemns the suspension of journalists from ZBC by the new management,” said Matthew Takaona.
Takura Zhangazha, the national director of MISA-Zimbabwe, was quoted in the media said,
“It is a chilling message to those remaining that if they fail to toe the line they will be hounded out of the institution. It is really a worrying trend, especially in the context of the presidential run-off.”
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