AFRICAN EYE

Millions of men, women and children have withstood repression,depression,suffering and death in uprisings, civil wars, boarder disputes and coups all in the name of nation building and developing African states in the image and likeness of the industrialized Northern nations. It’s too high a price to pay. The object of anti-imperialist nationalism and Pan-Africanism was not the nation –state but rather justice, equity, dignity, prosperity and freedom of domination (Bunting, 2000, pp87-88). This statement appears more poignant with each passing day especially when we look at the impact of the 2010 World Cup being hosted in South Africa. This is an African moment or chance that was supposed to “benefit” especially neighbouring countries to South Africa. The subtle herald for the world cup arose hope and life especially to our resurrecting economy amid rumour that most teams participating in the world cup were going to establish bases in Zimbabwe. This brought a fairytale experience esp

Zimbabwean Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of the presidential elections in 2008 citing political violence against his supporters. He won the first round of elections in March 2008 but failed to get the majority to be sworn into office. There has been talk or speculation in the media of elections next year in 2011.While it is a very good thing to wish for, one question that we must not ignore is whether or not the people of Zimbabwe are really ready for elections. There is truism that the people are not ready yet. I am forced to pose this question by events that unfolded on the 25th of March at a public debate hosted by the Mass Public Opinion Institute. The debate was hinged on the subject of sanctions that have continued to dog the performance of the inclusive government. The motion put in play was whether or not the sanctions debate among the political parties in the inclusive government was going to lead to the debacle of the government. Most of the parties in the i

As relieving as it is,the mediation of South African president Jacob Zuma has been the talk with many questioning if he is going to break the impasse that has continued to dog the inclusive government.The deadline fiasco has once again come to the fore.what many still question is whether this time the parties will meet the deadline.However be that as it may,both parties clearly know that failure to meet the deadline set by Zuma,will not result in any punitive action.Is this just another topical issue that people must frequently debate about or it is a fore sign that the final debacle of the inclusive government is imminent?.We just have to wait and see.

Imagine waking up one morning to find out that your mission or what you stand for has become irrelevant? No one is interested in hearing what you have to say or your business. It seems like no one cares about what you have to say or do. This is tragic and sad especially if one used to have some clout especially when it comes to influencing events. This is the sad story of the National Constitutional Assembly which disapproved the constitution making process citing irregularities such as that the process is being led by politicians. When they announced that they were not going to participate in the process they were harangued by many and accused of living in past glories especially the 2000 referendum when they campaigned for a “no” vote. Many questioned why the NCA had become more critical of the process. Many Zimbabweans thought that the opportunity to write a constitution had come especially at a time when there was an inclusive government in place. The NCA crossed swords with most

“DEAL SEALED” was the front headline in the Herald when the Global Political Agreement (GPA) was signed. I can still recall the day like it was yesterday. I remember that on that fateful day I was sitting on my college balcony when a close friend of mine, Charles Saki who had a copy of the Herald dashed in with the news. It so happened that on this day I had almost forgotten about any talks that had been taking place because I had lost track of the developments due to procrastination or should I say bickering over who should be what and with what executive power especially among the political parties. So as far as I was concerned, the so called talks were nothing to look forward to. I remember the furore as people took to the streets to celebrate what seemed like an escape from the claws of corruption, dictatorship and starvation of the ZANU PF regime into the “promised land”. The main prognosis of the Zimbabwean economy at the time was mismanagement of public funds compounded by a l

< WHO SHOULD WRITE A CONSTITUTION? By Rawlings Magede A Constitution is in simple terms and its most fundamental level, a society’s decision-making rule book which has some temporal continuity. But how do we decide who writes the book? If an elite group determines the fundamental rights which are an essential component of democracy, they face the charge of being undemocratic. If it’s left to the majority to determine these rights, the majority, might in its own self self-interest exclude a norm, such as that of equality, which by some international standards is regarded as an essential component of democracy. A Constitution provides a society with a vision for the future. It is a guiding document containing principles that limit the state power and protect people’s liberties and rights. It is a supreme law that provides for an open and free society bas

One of the most controversial questions being asked by many people today is can SADC find a lasting solution to the disagreements within the Inclusive government? Many stories especially on the role of SADC in Zimbabwe have been written and they will continue to be written, but what many people still question is when the “African solutions to African problems” are coming. The fulsome conclusion that SADC leaders are pressuring the three political parties in the inclusive government is very myopic and deceiving. The charade stance by SADC to make the world believe that it is doing everything in its power to bring to an end the disagreement or outstanding issues in the Zimbabwean scenario is very misleading. Since the inclusive government came into effect, several summits on Zimbabwe have been called and this has not brought any change whatsoever.SADC has continued to digress from its promises that it made to the world. Towards the end of 2010, they called a summit in Maputo to try and