PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION AGAINST OLD MUTUAL'S INVESTMENTS IN MUGABE PROPAGANDA MACHINE

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Zimbabwe (“House of Stone”) is located in southern Africa and is bordered by South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, and Zambia. Its population of approximately 13 million people is comprised primarily of two ethnic groups – the Shona (~80%) and the Ndebele (~20%).

Zimbabwe was not always the country it is today. Rather, after gaining independence from Britain in 1980, it became one of the shining lights of Africa. Known for its thriving economy, its well-respected educational system, and its well-run health system, Zimbabwe was a country that others strived to emulate. Nicknamed the Breadbasket of Africa, it exported tobacco, wheat, and corn to Africa and beyond. Home to Victoria Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world, it was also a popular tourist destination.

However, it began its decline in the late 1990s. Its causes and consequences are lengthy so we will only serve to set out the current situation below.

Zimbabwe has two dominant political parties, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), which is led by President Robert Mugabe, and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), of which there are two factions. One is headed by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai while the other, smaller faction is led by Arthur Mutambara.

The history between the three bodies is extensive. To summarise it briefly, there has been ongoing conflict between the three parties, which culminated in the political violence surrounding the elections in 2008. Though winning the majority of the vote in the first election in March, Tsvangirai did not garner enough votes to win outright, instead forcing a run-off election in June. Citing the political violence and human rights abuses his supporters were facing, Tsvangirai withdrew from the elections, effectively allowing Mugabe to retain the presidency.

After much mediation and fierce negotiation, a power sharing government came into being in February after the three men signed the Global Political Agreement on 15th September 2008. However, there are concerns that President Mugabe is still not complying fully with this agreement, as he has reportedly told Mr. Tsvangirai and Mutambara that he is in charge and can make decisions without consulting them.

The economy in Zimbabwe remains very weak, though it has improved in 2009. There was a 40% decline in GDP between 2000 and 2007, indicative of the number of industries leaving the country, as well as the hyper-inflation that consumed the country. Due to various economic policies, the official inflation rate reached 231 million per cent, though the true figure was actually likely in the billions. Because of the inflation, it was impossible to find products, including basic food supplies, in stores. Many people then found it nearly impossible to survive in Zimbabwe as there were no medicines in the clinics or hospitals, no food or basic supplies to buy, few functioning schools, and very few industries that remained. The impact of these circumstances was worsened when, in 2008, an outbreak of cholera occurred, killing over 4 000 people.

Since the formation of the new government in February, circumstances have improved, though problems remain. The country adopted the US$ as its official currency, reviving the economy, at least in part. Schools, hospitals and clinics are functioning, and the government is paying its workers (US$100/month).

Despite these improvements, challenges remain in Zimbabwe. Human rights abuses have not ended, with members of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) or other opponents of President Mugabe and ZANU-PF still facing political violence. Additionally, the introduction of the US dollar, despite its stablising effects, has increased the cost of basic goods in Zimbabwe, making it more difficult for people to survive on the meagre salaries that they earn.

Because of the deterioriating conditions in Zimbabwe, as well as the political violence, many working-age Zimbabweans fled the country - at least those that had the resources to do so. This has led to a 'brain drain' from Zimbabwe. Thus, many people that provide invaluable services in Zimbabwe have left, including teachers and nurses. These departures have left those who remain in Zimbabwe without the people and services they need to thrive.

There are several organisations working in Zimbabwe that have been influential throughout this time period. PASSOP works with or supports the work of the following organisations.

The Zimbabwean

The Zimbabwean is produced by several Zimbabwean journalists from around the world. It was created as a newspaper for Zimbabweans in exile. The paper is edited by Wilf Mbanaga, who is the founder and first Chief Executive of Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe. The newspaper includes stories both about life in exile and life within the country. Its main focus is Zimbabwean politics, but it also includes stories about the arts, culture, business, sports, gender and health, among other things. Letters to the editor are also a focus as are classified advertisements. The online version of the newspaper is updated on a daily basis, and it is also distributed in print every day (in various locations).

Message from the editors of The Zimbabwean:

“Send us your stories, your news, your letters, your classified advertisements, your ideas, your photographs and your comments. And please buy the paper.”

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/

National Constitutional Assembly

NCA stands for the NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL ASSEMBLY. The NCA is a Non-governmental organisation formed in 1997 as a grouping of individual Zimbabwean citizens and civic organisations including, labour movements, student and youth groups, women groups, churches, business groups and human rights organisations. It also includes political parties. These individuals and groups formed the NCA to campaign for constitutional reform after realising that the political, social and economic problems affecting Zimbabwe are mainly a result of the defective Lancaster House Constitution and can only be resolved through a new and democratic constitution.

Vision of NCA

The vision of the NCA is a peaceful, prosperous, democratic and united country founded on human dignity and social justice

Mission/Goal

The goal of the NCA is for Zimbabwe to have a new, democratic and people driven constitution. To achieve this goal, the NCA seeks to:

1. initiate and engage in a process of enlightening the general public on the current constitution of Zimbabwe;

2. identify shortcomings of the current constitution and to organise debate on possible constitutional reform;

3. facilitate constitutional debates in a way which allows broad-based participation

4. subject the constitution making process in Zimbabwe to popular scrutiny with a view to entrenching the principle that constitutions are made by and for the people;

5. promote ,discuss and debate questions of good governance in Zimbabwe;

6. promote , discuss and debate important economic , political and social issue in Zimbabwe;

7. promote debate and fight to establish a tolerant , just , and transparent political order in Zimbabwe;

8. generally encourage a culture of popular participation in decision making.

Other information about Zimbabwe can be found at the following websites:

Kubatana - www.kubatana.net

Save Zimbabwe Now - www.savezimbabwenow.com

Free Zimbabwe - http://freezimbabwe.org/

New Zimbabwe - www.newzimbabwe.com

ZimOnline - www.zimonline.co.za

Sokwanele - www.sokwanele.com

The Zimbabwe Guardian - www.talkzimbabwe.com

The Zimbabwe Telegraph - www.zimtelegraph.com