Sir Nigel's Journey…

Whilst I don’t proclaim to be an ‘expert’ on South Africa and/or its foreign policy, I feel I must say something in light on the recent rant by our beloved Archbishop Desmond Tutu. I don’t want to necessarily comment on the Dalai Lama’s visa application as I feel this is a matter for the South African Government to address. I’m sure that this will occur in due course.

However, I would like to note that this particular statement: ‘Our government is worse than the apartheid government because at least you would expect it with the apartheid government’ is very unfortunate to say the least.In light of what happened yesterday, I believe our beloved Archbishop Tutu owes an apology to the victims and the many families whose lives were unfortunately affected in any way possible by the actions of the apartheid government and that subsequent era. How dare he trivialise the lives of those who died by comparing his 80th birthday party to that struggle? Let us not forget how dark those days were for the people of South Africa. Let us never forget!

It’s official!! I am now obsessed with Zambia more so now post elections. I firmly believe our beloved Zimbabwe could learn a thing or two from their recent experiences. Once again, why go so far away to learn from our distant cousins across the oceans when we can learn from our brothers and sisters just across the border? 

I spoke to various people when the final Zambian Election result was announced. Some of those same people conveyed their fears especially because of Michael Sata and his ‘fondness’ for Mugabe. As if Sata had overheard our conversation, he threw a curve ball and announced Dr Guy Scott as his Vice President. By the way, in case you didn’t know – Dr Scott is white. Those same people are now wondering who this Dr Guy Scott chap is. Here’s some information on Dr Scott right here and here.

Finally here’s President Michael Sata Inauguration Speech

Aluta continua…

The Hatfield Action Plan Launch will be taking place this Thursday (29 September 2011) at the Hatfield Hall Basketball Courts.

Zambia voted last week and the people’s voices were heard loud and clear. They have since elected a new leader, the fourth president – Michael Sata. I will blog about him in the near future as I discover more about this man. His thoughts especially those linked to our beloved Zimbabwe continue to intrigue not only me but others as well.

I have often stated that Zimbabweans shouldn’t have to go too far to learn these kinds of lessons. This time, we can learn from our brothers and sisters across the border.

Below is a copy of Rupiah Banda’s farewell speech delivered on the 23^rd September 2011: -

Farewell speech by his Excellency, Mr. Rupiah Bwezani Banda, fourth president of the republic of Zambia, on Friday, 23rd September, 2011

“I have called this press conference to say a few words. The election campaign of 2011 is over. The people of Zambia have spoken and we must all listen. Some will be happy with what they have heard, others will not.

The time now is for maturity, for composure and for compassion. To the victors, I say this: you have the right to celebrate but do so with a magnanimous heart. Enjoy the hour but remember that a term of government is for years.

Remember that the next election will judge you also. Treat those who you have vanquished with the respect and humility that you would expect in your own hour of defeat.

I know that all Zambians will expect such behaviour and I hope it will be delivered. Speaking for myself and my party, we will accept the results. We are a democratic party and we know no other way.

It is not for us to deny the Zambian people. We never rigged, we never cheated, we never knowingly abused state funds. We simply did what we thought was best for Zambia. I hope the next government will act likewise in years to come.

Zambia deserves a decent democratic process. Indeed, Zambia must build on her past victories. Our independence was hard won, our democracy secured with blood.

Zambia must not go backwards, we must all face the future and go forward as one nation. Not to do so would dishonour our history.

To my party, to the MMD candidates who did not win, the lesson is simple. Next time we must try harder. We fought a good campaign. It was disciplined. I still believe we had a good message and we reached every part of the country.

We travelled to all nine provinces and we spoke to all Zambians. To those who worked every hour of the day, I say ‘thank you’. You have done your best. But, sadly, sometimes our best is not good enough.

Do not be disheartened. The MMD will be back. We must all face the reality that sometimes it is time for change. Since 1991, the MMD has been in power. I believe we have done a good job on behalf of all Zambians.

Frederick chiluba led us to a genuine multi-party state and introduced the private sector to our key industries. Zambia was liberated by an MMD ideal but maybe we became complacent with our ideals. Maybe we did not listen, maybe we did not hear.

Did we become grey and lacking in ideas? Did we lose momentum? Our duty now is to go away and reflect on any mistakes we may have made and learn from them. If we do not, we do not deserve to contest power again.

The Zambia we know today was built by an MMD government. We know our place in history and we know that we can come back to lead again in the future. A new leadership will be chosen, and that leadership will be from the younger generation.

My generation… the generation of the independence struggle– must now give way to new ideas; ideas for the 21st century. From this defeat, a new, younger MMD will be re-born. If I can serve that re-building, then I will.

I must thank my cabinet for delivering on our promises. We did a lot of good for Zambia. Many of our projects will blossom into bright flowers. Some of you will be back to serve Zambia again – I know you will do your best for your party and for your country.

To the civil servants and government officials, it has been a privilege to serve with you. We have worked many long hours together. We did it not for ourselves but for Zambia. Serve your next masters as you did me, and Zambia will be in good hands.

I must thank my family and my wife. They have stood by me and I cannot ask for more loyalty than that which they have displayed. I love you all dearly and I will always be in your debt.

Being president is hard work, it takes long hours of work. And because of it, I have not always been there for you. Yet, still you were there for me.

Words cannot express the depth of my love for you all. All I ask is that my family continues to serve Zambia as I have sought to do.

But my greatest thanks must go to the Zambian people. We may be a small country on the middle of Africa but we are a great nation. Serving you has been a pleasure and an honour. I wish I could have done more, I wish I had more time to give.

Our potential is great. Our resources are impressive. I urge you all now to rally behind your new president. Yes, we may have different ideas but we both want the same thing – a better Zambia.

Now is not the time for violence and retribution. Now is the time to unite and build tomorrow’s Zambia together. Only by working together can we achieve a more prosperous Zambia.

In my years of retirement, I hope to watch Zambia grow. I genuinely want Zambia to flourish. We should all want Zambia to flourish. So, I congratulate Michael Sata on his victory.

I have no ill feeling in my heart, there is no malice in my words. I wish him well in his years as president. I pray his policies will bear fruit.

But now it is time for me to step aside. Now is the time for a new leader. My time is done. It is time for me to say ‘good bye’.

May god watch over the Zambian people and may he bless our beautiful nation.

I thank you.”

Source: - http://www.mmdzam.org/

I was fortunate enough to get tickets to attend the very first BarCamp in Harare Zimbabwe. I wasn’t disappointed in fact, quite the opposite. There were many people from various backgrounds including students, ICT entrepreneurs, media and even bloggers like little me. The main focus on the day was of course the Startup Challenge. I wasn’t involved although I must admit that I do have a project that I am working on that could easily qualify for the competition. I was particularly intrigued by fellow ICT enthusiasts who spoke about changing and adding value to the sector in their own respective way. I also witnessed a variety of Zimbabweans – White, Indian, Mixed Race and Blacks ‘vibing in the same room’ whilst contributing and sharing their various thoughts and ideas on the industry. Call me the nostalgic blogger but I couldn’t help but smile from within that day. Here we were a bunch of us Zimbabweans trying to make a difference in our own way. Yet another example that things can and do work without any political influence or intervention. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, not everything in Zimbabwe is politically related and BarCampZim was yet again a very good example of this.

What did I get out of the day?

I learnt that I wasn’t the only one with a Zimbabwean based ICT related project. I learnt that there are many people working hard in their homes and businesses on some project with the potential to change the industry in Zimbabwe and beyond in some way. To say I was inspired is a massive understatement.  Every time I go to South Africa or pass through Nairobi enroute to some other destination, I can’t help but think about the ‘potential’ that Zimbabwe has within the region. It’s massive! With a well educated and entrepreneurial minded population I see a bright future ahead of us. If we could just make and follow through with the ‘necessary investment’ in the various areas, I predict that Zimbabwe could challenge the likes of Kenya and also become a massive Tech Hub on the continent.

Some Keys Points: -

A few people raised some issues about Econet and their lack of support for the ‘small guy’ within the industry. In fact people weren’t happy at all with their conduct especially those who had approached them to collaborate on a specific project. At this junction, I stood up and spoke about Econet and my thoughts on their interaction with the various parties. It has been noted via several media sources recently that Econet is not or rather has ‘forgotten its roots’. Sadly this is not the first time I’ve heard this. I pointed out that tackling a company that supposedly deposits several millions of dollars per day and has almost 6 million subscribers was ‘probably not the wisest thing to do’. Instead disgruntled stakeholders should focus on the current ICT laws and tackle this issue from that angle.

What do I mean by ‘necessary investment’?

I’ll touch on a 2 key points here: -

• It has been widely noted that certain reforms are necessary to ensure that there is a level playing field in the ICT sector. We need a more open and fair system that ensures that the small guy with a brilliant idea is protected against the big guys with big lawyers and that seemingly endless bank account. Essentially we need more up-to-date and relevant laws in general. For example we require immediate focus on issues like intellectual property and so forth
• We desperately require institutions that financially support the various entrepreneurs we have in Zimbabwe and believe me – we have many! I stumbled across an example of the financial support I’m referring to this a few months ago – www.matambaanonaka.com. Recently I went back to my trusted Twitter account and asked whether we had other angel investors in Zimbabwe. I didn’t get many responses to this question but I know that we need more angel investors if we are to move forward in any meaningful way. 

Overall I was thoroughly impressed with the manner in which BarCampZim was organised – congratulations to the organisers!! I met some of the interesting characters from Twitter and I have every confidence that there will be more BarCamps in Zimbabwe. I look forward to a time when I shift my busy schedule to attend similar events in Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare and even Chinhoyi. Till then…

 Aluta Continua

A few months ago, I was interviewed by a local journalist. I guess she wanted to pick my brain about a few things. I’m in business so naturally time is critical to me. Before we met I asked her how long the interview would take. She informed me that it wouldn’t take slightly longer than others because I was the ‘chatty type’ and that I should make allowances for this. I laughed at this of course. I obviously haven’t developed a complex from this comment but this seemingly innocent comment has had a positive effect on various other areas of my life. This blog is yet again another example of this.

You see, my journalist friend was right. I am the chatty type. I like to discuss, share ideas, engage with others and hence why I blog. I am convinced that Zimbabwe needs to address some of our issues as a nation – because like any family we do have issues! I firmly believe that at this very junction Zimbabwe needs a Juju type of person. The kind of person who will play this crucial role in helping us a nation debate some key issues openly without fear of retaliation or retribution. Zimbabwe doesn’t need Juju himself as he is affectionately known in some quarters, but we need our own version. I haven’t met Juju yet but what I see from the various media sources is that this is a man who gets people from various backgrounds talking – and there’s nothing wrong with talking! You often hear the white man from that AWB background calling him all sorts of names under the sun. You’ll hear the ‘nouveau riche’ black female dissecting his various statements, agreeing with him on some valid points but also criticising him because of these alleged corruption charges for example. The point is: from where I’m standing right now, I believe the man gets people talking about what is happening in South Africa in some small way. 

Recently on Twitter I asked the question ‘what is it about Juju that makes people hate him so much’? One of my Twitter friends responded with this ‘With Juju its not so much hatred as it is fear. He represents the most radical and unstable elements of black society’.  Does he really? I thought that response was very interesting. I had a meeting with a white South African business associate sometime in May this year. Like anyone I meet from South Africa these days, I typically ask them what they think of Julius Malema’s influence in South Africa right now. Many business associates I ask often choose not to answer this question but in this case, he (Mr Whingefotein – not his real name) went on about Juju’s R10 million house and his various other assets. He mentioned the infamous government tenders awarded and how unfair life was in the ‘new South Africa’ for the white population. Essentially Mr Whingefotein didn’t really answer the question in my opinion. He did however concede that Juju was having an impact on society especially amongst the youth, and how he could possibly be a South African president in the future.

Why am I advocating for our own Juju? Firstly, at this stage in our history, I firmly believe that Zimbabwe needs another political face to appeal specifically to the youth. I have heard many a government minister speaking about the importance of the youth in Zimbabwe and I agree. I think the majority of politically conscious citizens would like to see a fresh face within Zimbabwe’s political circles. Mugabe, Tsvangirai, Mutambara and now Ncube’s views are all plastered across the various daily newspaper headlines for example, but I believe that we have come to the crossroads in a way. I believe we need something new and fresh. Could you imagine if we had a fresh face to enter the fray especially at this very junction? Can you imagine the impact this might have on politics going forward?

I wouldn’t necessarily call Juju a conversationalist but he does spark various debates across the broad South African spectrum it seems. A conversation based on some of our most painful past must take place in order for Zimbabwe to move forward in any meaningful way I believe. What really happened in Matabeleland between 1982 and 1984? Why must Gukurahundi be discussed behind closed doors? Like any controversial family issue that hasn’t been discussed openly, why shouldn’t it form part of the national debate or conversation? Most can relate to this but these sensitive issues always find some way of re-surfacing especially when heated discussions take place between family members. Why should we wait for that explosive moment to take place for us to deal with our issues when we know that they exist right now? Let us all discuss the election process in Zimbabwe so we know what to expect but more importantly dispel the various rumours that have plagued the election process in the past. Let us all discuss the proposed indigenisation and empowerment laws openly whilst taking into account the various races and social classes in Zimbabwe? Let us discuss the Zimbabwean identity because a time has come for us to address this pertinent issue I feel. You see, like any growing family that discusses grandmother’s funeral and the subsequent arrangements, we as a nation need to openly discuss these things now. I can see how our own Juju could appeal to the various elements across the political landscape while most importantly engaging the youth in Zimbabwe.

In the wake of the proposed indigenisation and empowerment laws last year, I wrote a blog in which I asked a somewhat similar question to the one I’m probably asking right now? Who is this indigenous person really? I heard a few murmurs in the room but no one really answered that question for me IF we’re being totally honest here. Today however, I want to know or perhaps discuss this Zimbabwean identity. Call it an oxymoron of some sort if you will but I feel that this is the same and yet different question. You see, I now have examples of a variety of people who I either know or have actually spoken to. What I have gathered is that this particular question isn’t always that easy to answer. At times just asking this very question often rubs people the wrong way or makes others slightly uncomfortable.

Let’s use Yvonne as an example. Yvonne works in the medical fraternity and has been now for close to 60 years. In fact for 52 of those 60 odd years, she has spent that entire time in Zimbabwe working and assisting this very country within the health sector. She has a wealth of knowledge about the real challenges facing the health sector and has a great sense of appreciation of where we as a nation came from and perhaps where we are headed. If you probe, as I often do, she will tell you that things are getting slightly better in her sector but, more work needs to be done and that many NGOs and their respective programmes don’t often have this country at heart in real terms. What I find really interesting about all this is that Yvonne is European and has remained European on paper throughout the 50 odd years. I didn’t want to ask her why however I did ask her if she would ever return ‘home’. An emphatic ‘no’ was her answer. Just talking to her I felt that Zimbabwe is and has been ‘home’ to her for many years. I also got the sense that she still holds onto her passport despite this seemingly emotional attachment to her adopted ‘home’. However I also understand that one’s passport does not always indicate that one in fact considers that country as ‘home’. I have found that more often than not, people have these ‘other passports’ to find a way around the system. If this is the case, would you consider Yvonne to be a Zimbabwean I wonder?

I know this other gentleman. In fact some can relate to this particular case. Let’s call this gentleman Alfred. You see Alfred came to Zimbabwe many years ago. He says he arrived in Zimbabwe from Mozambique when he was less than 10 years old. He tells me that his mother simply got up and left her husband and the rest of her family in search of work. She came across the border and settled somewhere between Harare and Mutare. Alfred now has 2 children who were born in Zimbabwe to a Zimbabwean woman. I have often asked Alfred if he would ever return back ‘home’. Once again, his answer is an emphatic ‘no’. He says Zimbabwe is the only home he knows. If this is the case, would one not consider Alfred to be a Zimbabwean?

I spoke to some immigration officer on my way into Zimbabwe earlier this year. It’s very typical of me to use opportunities like this to ask various questions about the immigration system and this lady’s experiences. The main reason I was talking to her that day was for this blog I intend to write about the Chinese in Zimbabwe and naturally I was making small talk as she stamped my passport whilst I entered the country again. We started talking about numbers and she told me that there were approximately 20,000 Chinese people now living in Zimbabwe. That number surprised me a little to be honest but I’ve been thinking more about the next generation of what I refer to as the ‘ZBC’ (Zimbabwean Born Chinese). That generation has Chinese born parents who willingly (or otherwise) left China in search of a better future in Zimbabwe. They now have children, some born in China and others born in Zimbabwe. Assuming that the immigration laws are straight forward (i.e. if one is born in Zimbabwe one is then automatically considered a Zimbabwean), but wouldn’t ZBCs be considered Zimbabweans? As they grew up, they might learn the local languages, attend the local schools and Zimbabwe becomes their home. Are they not Zimbabwean I wonder?

These are just examples of situations occurring daily in and around Zimbabwe. Alfred might be the gardener whose parents originally came from Zambia or Malawi in the early 60s. Yvonne could be some technically skilled employee who thought out of the box and decided that Zimbabwe or Rhodesia as it was then was the place for her. What about the new wave of ZBCs? How can we exclude them or disregard them as Zimbabweans? How do we or how can we simply disregard their Zimbabwean-ness IF they feel some connection to this land? This might after all be the only ‘home’ they know. In these interesting times that we are now living in, I ask you once again, who is this Zimbabwean identity anyway?

A few weeks ago I was at a fuel station filling up the car with as much fuel as my twenty dollar bill could get me when I overheard 2 young men speaking about our beloved – Zimbabwe. I was intrigued initially because of the passionate way they were both expressing themselves, but also because of the actual content and their openness. In my mind, these 2 guys were no more than say 20 years of age and yet their conversation centred on Zimbabwe Now versus Zimbabwe Pre – Independence. They both discussed the hardships they were facing in firstly securing employment which they both had achieved and secondly managing the frequently tight household budget. They were also complaining that even though Zimbabwe was independent, they still faced the uphill struggle of purchasing products and services in shops along First Street in Harare. They continued to point out that their salaries only confined them to making purchases downtown where the masses shopped (literal translation). Bearing all these things in mind, one of the guys finally concluded that ‘life under Smith was much better’ (literal translation) than it is now. They argued that even ‘getting married was too expensive these days’ (literal translation) and that their lives would not improve in the near future.

I’ve been thinking about that conversation ever since then.

Aluta Continua…

I just received this PDF file and figured it might be wiser to share with others -  Preventing Electoral Fraud report SAIRR May 11

Curious to hear what people think….

This is the first series in this ongoing Lobola discussion. I desperately wanted to write about this pertinent issue after various and often heated discussions both on and off Twitter & Facebook. For too long, there has been a massive grey cloud over this tradition especially amongst those living beyond the borders but more importantly amongst young men and women in my own generation. The current practice has left many confused, frustrated and upset with the typical lobola practices that are currently going on. I have also gathered that part of the misconception about this practice has resulted from situations that probably turned sour during and/or after the actual ceremony.  I leave it here for now but will detail below an example of a recent Lobola checklist used earlier this year.

A Typical Shona Lobola Checklist

A)     Roora

-          Ndiro

-          Kupinda mumusha

-          Vhura muromo

-          Sunungura homwe

-          Dare

-          Matekenya ndebvu

-          Chiuchiro

-          Makandidzwanani

B)      Zvamai

-          Mafukidza dumbu

-          Hotamiro

-          Mbariro

-          Bvuri

-          Mwenje

-          Kunhonga musikana

C)      Pasuru

D)     Rusambo

E)      Dangarababa

-           X(insert a figure) live beasts (dzemunongedzo)

F)      Majasi  -

-          baba (1 x suit) (1 x shoes) (1x shirt) (1 x hat) (1 x umbrella) (1 x overcoat)

-          Amai TBA

G)     Masungiro

-          Mudya

-          Mbudzi  a) yamai b) yemusha c) yababa

-          Mombe yechishava

-          Mombe yemusungiro

If applicable: Mhosva (Damage)

Please note that the information detailed above is only guide. There are variations depending on tribe and/or region.