Zimbabwean

Written by Chief Reporter

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

With the attention of the international community firmly fixed on the fall-out of the North African revolution, the plight of Zimbabwe, once “Africa’s Breadbasket”, has been largely ignored.

Many Zimbabweans fear the country is hurtling towards another disaster of catastrophic proportions in the forthcoming elections.

“I fear for myself, my family and for my country” Mike Bhemba, an MDC activist said. “Surely Zimbabwe cannot go on like this we ask incredulously. But day after day we do.”

Stacey Moyo, a mother of three says the prospect of an election on its own is scary. Such are the messages coming from many ordinary people whose lives have, in the last two years, been infused with some modicum of stability after being  thrown into chaos and uncertainty in the late 1990s by an increasingly tyrannical leader desperately clinging to power.

In recent months, while the world’s gaze has been captivated by the on-going Libyan war and by a Western crusade to unseat, in the words of Nicholas Sarkozsky, “one of the most revolting regimes in history”, Zimbabwe has descended further to a level at which daily life is characterised by, at best, serious water, electricity and currency shortages, and at worst, starvation, torture and death.

Zimbabwe, once celebrated as the “breadbasket of Africa”, was hailed as the post-colonial success story. Robert Mugabe, a committed socialist and leader of the ruling Zanu (PF) party was hailed for his policy of racial reconciliation and his plans to improve the health, living standards and education of black Zimbabweans.

Stranglehold

A little over 30 years later, and Mugabe’s grip on the nation has become a stranglehold. The economy lies stagnant and state repression is the order of the day.

The harassment of journalists is spiralling out of control. A statutory body regulating the media has announced plans to set up a Media Council to handle complaints against the Press and sanction errant journalists. This comes against a backdrop of escalating repression of the media. There was a suspicious a break-in at the offices of leading independent daily NewsDay just last month, in which computer hard drives of senior editorial staff were “stolen.”

Intruders took NewsDay Editor Brian Mangwende’s laptop and stole the hard drives of the computers belonging to 11 senior editorial staffers in the paper’s newsroom in Harare. Mangwende, who writes a critical column on current affairs, said the computers contained sensitive information on stories journalists were working on. Two of the journalists whose computers were targeted were Assistant Editor Wisdom Mdzungairi and Senior Parliamentary Reporter Veneranda Langa.

Both were summoned for interrogation by the military on April 19. They were questioned about their sources for a story on the health of Zimbabwe Defence Forces Commander Gen. Constantine Chiwenga.

Repression

Meanwhile, several human rights reports describe increasing acts of rape, torture and “the repression of the opposition” by the regime ahead of the election.

The horrors do not stop there. Human rights campaigners cite that there have been resurgent cases of abductions of MDC supporters in the past few weeks, a chilling reminder of 2008.

Draconian and repressive legislation such as the 2001 Broadcasting Services Act, which gives ministers the authority to interfere with the content of broadcasting programming, has given the regime the tools to silence critics. And silence it does.

The Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe has remarked that the state media is little less than a propaganda arm of  Zanu (PF). It continues to insult the MDC and black out its activities, sowing fear of the unknown if Mugabe loses elections.

If fear of the national police and the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation does not sufficiently paralyse the opposition, then the daily hunt for that extra dollar amid record high unemployment preoccupies most.

Unemployment stands at 90 per cent and more than10 per cent of the adult population are living with HIV or AIDS with scant access to treatment or medication.

A debate last weekend’s debate at a local hotel attempted to address this very question, and to identify to whom the blame should be attributed and the way forward in light of threats by Mugabe to call elections this year.

Hopes in SADC

David Coltart, a human rights campaigner, legislator and minister in the GNU, said he firmly believed that the present regime was responsible, saying Mugabe has failed to fulfil his end of the GPA bargain.

Coltart belives SADC will ultimately call Mugabe to order despite his remonstrations.

“SADC has various processes that it has put in place to be implemented by all member states,” Coltart said. “These include and are not limited to principles and guidelines governing democratic elections. Whether we like it or not, these are rules that SADC has put in place and it shall not entertain any member state that tries to subvert them.”

Coltart said Zimbabwe needed to sober up to the fact that the GPA was crafted according to SADC guidelines.

“If our GPA and roadmap, which are still being negotiated, do not fall in line, the region shall keep us on our toes until we follow its dictates. Until SADC feels that it has had its way, the region will not accept any proposals that allow Zimbabwe to hold polls anytime this year or in 2012. Any planned polls prior to the full implementation of the GPA will be in violation of SADC dictates and SADC will not sit by and watch its protocols being violated.”

George Mheza, who fought for Zanu (PF) in the war of liberation, is now an outspoken critic of Mugabe. He acknowledged that the President had used his power in the past for good ends, but said his objectives became “appalling” around a decade ago when Mugabe began to use the “issue of land reform as a useful alibi” to disguise the steps he was taking to consolidate his own power. “He is doing the same right now with the Indigenisation issue – now targeting mines and banks,” said Mheza

“Mugabe is the linchpin – if he goes, the system will crumble,” he added. But it seems Mugabe not going anywhere.

Herald

31st May 2011

By Collin Matiza

KIRSTY COVENTRY said Stephen Muzhingi made her proud to be a Zimbabwean while Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart described his Comrades Marathon success story as a remarkable tale.

Muzhingi powered to an historic achievement of winning the Comrades Marathon for three years in a row in South Africa on Sunday.

Muzhingi (33) became the first man in 23 years to win the Comrades Marathon for three years on the trot with a convincing victory in the 86th edition of the race in Pietermaritzburg. The Zimbabwean runners stole clear with 14km remaining to win the 87km ultra-marathon in 5 hours 32 minutes 45 seconds.
Zimbabwe’s swimming sensation, Olympic Games champion Kirsty Coventry also took her hat off to Muzhingi after Sunday’s race in Pietermaritzburg.
Coventry, who was at the finish line, said on Twitter: “Congratulations Stephen Muzhingi. Hat-trick! You make me proud to be a Zimbabwean!”
Sports Minister David Coltart led the plaudits, describing Muzhingi’s treble as “truly remarkable”.
Coltart is reported to have watched Sunday’s Comrades Marathon on television and posted several Twitter updates during the race.  “Very few people seem to appreciate what a truly remarkable win Stephen Muzhingi has had today,” Coltart said.  “He is a humble man from a poor background who has achieved this magnificent hat-trick without much of the backing that athletes receive elsewhere in the world. “We need to turn out in force when Muzhingi returns so he knows that Zimbabwe is proud and mightily impressed with his achievements.”
On Sunday, Muzhingi once again showed that he was made of steel when he beat South African Fanie Matshipa, who had done a lot of the hard work, pushing the pace in the second half, into second place.
Muzhingi’s countryman, Point Chaza, had broken away early and held a lead of more than seven minutes at the halfway mark, which he crossed in 2:36.19, on record pace.
Chaza, however, faded soon after with Muzhingi and Matshipa storming past with 30km to go. Muzhingi admitted after the race that Chaza had been ordered to set the pace for the rest of the Formula One Bluffs Meat team.
“We sent Point to the front as a ploy, to help set the pace for us,” Muzhingi told reporters after the race on Sunday. “He did a good job, even though it was tough out there.”
Matshipa looked to be in control, but Muzhingi’s experience showed and he pulled clear with 14km remaining to win the 87km ultra-marathon in 5:32.45.
The Zimbabwean had predicted before the race that he would improve Shvetsov’s record for the “up” run, but he realised going up Polly Shortts, with eight kilometres to go, that he would miss the mark.
“I was aiming to run 5:24 and I was working at it,” Muzhingi said. “After halfway I was trying to break away from that guy (Matshipa) but I was in pain.

Muzhingi, who won the “down” run the last two years, secured his maiden victory in the “up” run to become the first athlete to win three titles in succession since South Africa’s Bruce Fordyce bagged his eighth straight win in 1988. Matshipa, who was fifth last year, struggled over Polly Shortts, the last of the race’s five big hills, but held on to cross the line in 5:34.29.
He said he had fallen ill before the race, which affected his performance in the latter stages.
“I tried to catch him (Muzhingi) but I had flu before the race and I had no energy left,” Matshipa said.  “I was determined to push the pace, which I did until just before Polly Shortts, but then I had nothing left.”
Muzhingi said he would have another crack at the record, and was confident he could improve the mark in the next ‘up’ run in 2013.  “When I come here next time I will have a different strategy, perhaps one that will help me break 5:24,” Muzhingi said.  “I know I have it in me to break the record. I want the record and I will get it. I know it.”

http://www.skillsportal.co.za/

Mon, 30 May 2011

By Sylvia Hammond

The UCT Law Faculty and the States in Transition Observatory of IDASA, played host to David Coltart, Zimbabwean Minister for Education, Sport, Arts, and Culture when he addressed the topic Zimbabwe: prospects for and challenges to the Transition.

An international audience of academics, students and invited guests listened to the difficulties faced by an MDC representative in the Zimbabwe cabinet, and the possibilites open to a changing nation.

Coltart stated that the SADC and the three principles were seeking consensus on a “road map” for fresh elections. He expressed the view that all Zimbabwe’s close neighbours had realised the implications of a failed state on their doorstep, and warned that future refugees would not be the same as those who had arrived during the last decade but would come from the poorest section of the population.

He was very complimentary about President Jacob Zuma whom he described as: “a breath of fresh air” stating that he (Zuma) had done everything right, and that the ANC in general were really trying to do the right thing.

Speaking about his portfolio, he explained how he had managed to move from a collapsed education system, with 80,000 teachers on strike, 7,000 schools closed, and textbooks at a ratio of 1:15 pupils, to the present. An amnesty brought 15,000 teachers back and they reached a textbook ratio of 1:1 in 4 areas for primary schools, and by the end of the year they were aiming for 1:1 in 6 core areas for secondary schools.

Although ZANU PF continues to control electronic media, active print media has been established, which releases two independent newspapers daily. He stated that the Constitution-developing process was about half way along its path. Other positive transformations included the opening of health clinics which have enabled the control of cholera.

Mining has grown and the tobacco industry has started to recover, indications that MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti had managed to stabilise the economy.

The discovery of diamonds however, although it had contributed significantly to state coffers was a mixed blessing as contracts were not drawn up well enough to effectively compensate the state, and the enormous riches were open to exploitation and personal enrichment.

Despite these positives, Coltart identified three major areas of concern: firstly, there were hardliners within the Cabinet, who stand to lose if there is meaningful change, as they will be brought to account for past violence – it is agreed that any investigation of violence should go back to 1965.

Secondly, he noted Western indifference and a lack of finesse in their dealings with Zimbabwe, highlighting the way South Africa had benefitted during its transition, from the financial and moral support of the UK and USA, but both these countries remain sceptical of the Zimbabwean process.

What he has achieved in education through the provision of textbooks had been funded by Germany who provided $18m compared to the US $1m and the UK 1 million pound contributions. He claimed that sanctions were beyond their sell-by date, and he regretted that the UK had not agreed to allow a cricket tour to continue – recalling the South African test team who toured the West Indies in 1991.

Thirdly, SADC weakness was evident, and despite the good works of the South African government, there were other countries that were not representative democracies.

While in South Africa, Coltart will meet with education officials to discuss curriculum revision, and has already received considerable support from teachers and principals. Although the history curriculum is contentious, there is agreement on civic education to reconcile the nation.

When questioned on how he ensured that the German funding was not diverted into private hands, he explained that he set up an Education Transformation Fund, which he chairs, but is managed by UNICEF. It was agreed that the bulk of the funding was to go to textbooks.

A tender process was used through which Zimbabwean and South African publishers benefitted as well as a Zimbabwean distribution company.

Finally, given the amount of work that has to be done on the new Constitution, and a referendum to decide the form of representation (proportion representation or a Westminster system) he does not foresee that an election will take place before 2012, the longer the delay before the election, the greater the benefit for the MDC.

New Zimbabwe.com

30th May 2011

At the finish line … Olympic champion Kirsty Coventry  was with Muzhingi’s son, and the runner’s wife and brother at the race finish line on Sunday

Zimbabwe’s Stephen Muzhingi won the Comrades Marathon for a third time on the trot on Sunday – one of the greatest sporting achievements ever.

Sports Minister David Coltart led the plaudits, describing Muzhingi’s treble as “truly remarkable”.

Olympic champion swimmer Kirsty Coventry, who was at the finishing line, said on Twitter: “Congratulations Stephen Muzhingi. Hat-trick! You make me proud to be a Zimbabwean!”

Muzhingi, 33, became the first man in 23 years to win the world’s oldest and toughest endurance races three successive times with a convincing victory in the 86th edition of the race in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on Sunday.

Muzhingi’s compatriot Point Chaza had broken away early and held a lead of more than seven minutes at the halfway mark, which he crossed in 2:36.19, on record pace.

But Chaza faded soon after with Muzhingi and South Africa’s Fanie Matshipa storming past with 30km to go.

Matshipa looked to be in control, but Muzhingi’s experience showed and he stole clear with 14km remaining to win the 90km ultra-marathon in 5:32.45.

Muzhingi, who won the ‘down’ run the last two years, secured his maiden victory in the ‘up’ run to become the first athlete to win three titles in succession since Bruce Fordyce bagged his eighth straight win in 1988.

Sports Minister David Coltart watched the race on television and posted several Twitter updates during the race.

“Very few people seem to appreciate what a truly remarkable win Stephen Muzhingi has had today,” Coltart said. “He is a humble man from a poor background who has achieved this magnificent hat-trick without much of the backing that athletes receive elsewhere in the world.

“We need to turn out in force when Muzhingi returns so he knows that Zimbabwe is proud and mightily impressed with his achievements.”

Daily News (edited to correct mistakes)

http://www.dailynews.co.zw

By Xolisani Ncube

30 May 2011

A cabinet minister has likened the unilateral push of  hardliners in President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF to have elections this year to ruthless colonial leader Ian Smith’s unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) in 1965.

David Coltart, the education minister, said Mugabe and his military backers’ election rally could return Zimbabwe into a pariah state in the same manner Smith did when he broke ranks with Britain under his UDI call.

“If the hardliners’ call for elections this year against the wishes of Sadc and the rest of the world, they will be just acting like Ian Smith who thought that he could declare Zimbabwe an independent country without the consent of other partners,” he said.

Coltart, a top ranking official of Welshman Ncube’s MDC party represented several liberation war heroes who were detained during the 1980s.

He told a public meeting on elections on Thursday night that it was “foolish” and “premature” to talk about elections now because the process of holding free and fair elections was yet to be achieved.

“We have at least ten steps which are outlined in the Global Political Agreement talking about the roadmap to hold free and fair elections and it is unfortunate that we have only completed three of them. So I don’t see any sense in us talking about elections at this time,” he said.

Political analyst Trevor Maisiri told the same meeting that Mugabe’s Zanu PF party was creating its own crisis by attempting to call for elections against the wishes of the region, who were the overseers of the power sharing agreement reached by the three main political parties.

The African Union in June 2008 mandated Sadc with overseeing the formation of a coalition government and creation of conditions for a fresh fre election after rejecting a violent presidential election runoff held the same year.

“Sadc is likely to hold on its stance because they would like to avoid the challenge it faced in 2008,” said Maisiri.

He said that Sadc was likely to take a tough stance against Mugabe if he went ahead with a unilateral call for elections before the adoption of a clear roadmap being supervised by regionally-appointed mediator, South African President Jacob Zuma.

“More so, Sadc is South Africa and in this case South Africa is fighting its legacy in conflict resolution and its glory and position in mediation considering that they have not done much in other missions in Africa,” said Maisiri.

Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC spokesperson said it was “suicidal” for Mugabe to go it alone.

“It is not about fearing Zuma as other people in Zanu PF would by listening to what he advices but it is about respecting him and his position in our case as a guarantor to this GPA. We should not fight against other heads of states,”

“If Mugabe tries to go it alone it will be suicidal and the consequences are so huge such that it will not affect not only Zimbabwe but even other countries close to us,” said Mwonzora.

Maisiri said Zanu PF had realised that South Africa held sway within Sadc hence the moves to frustrate Zuma.

• Celtic win Scottish Cup! Great end to the weekend. http://goo.gl/DO2Nb #
• On the 30th June 1949 then Rhodesia drew with the All Blacks in rugby. Tomorrow Zim's Young Sables take on Japan – long road back begins #
• Excited by the prospect of such a strong Australia A side coming to play cricket in Zim next month – good on ya Aus! http://mcaf.ee/a2i1r #
• Speaking tonight on topic "Elections road map – hopes and fears" New Ambassador Hotel Harare 5.30pm #
• All good wishes to Stephen Muzhingi as he prepares to defend his Comrades Marathon title in South Africa on 29 May 2011 #
• Ratko Mladic's arrest is a reminder to all those guilty of war crimes throughout the world that ultimately past catches up with future #
• Launching Zimbabwe's first national sign language dictionary this morning in Harare. Congrats to the folks at KG VI who made it possible #
• Time that all Zimbabweans rallied around Stephen Muzhingi as he prepares to defend his Comrades Marathon title on the 29th May 2011 #
• Come on Stephen Muzhingi. Last stretch of the Comreades Marathon – Zimbabwe is right behind you rooting you every meter! Go Stephen go. #
• We are hoping that Zimbabwean Stephen Muzhingi not only wins his 3rd Comrades Marathon in a row but also breaks the record. #
• Very frustrating – power cut in Zimbabwe at the crucial stage of the Comrades Marathon so could not watch the final stages Go Stephen! #
• Stephen Muzhingi wins his hat trick – 3 Comrades Marathons in a row!! Well doen Stephen – magnificent result – now one of Zim's greatest!!! #
• Very few people seem to appreciate what a truly remarkable win Stephen Muzhingi has had today. He is a humble man from a poor background #
• Stephen Muzhingi has achieved this magnificent hattrick without much of the backing that athletes receive elsewhere in the world. Makorokoto #
• Zimbabwe Stephen Muzhingi wins Comrades hattrick – first in 23 years – one of Zim's greatest athletes? http://goo.gl/Gf29O #
• We need to turn out in force when Stephen Muzhingi returns so he knows that Zimbabwe is proud and mightily impressed with his achievements #

Standard

Sunday, 29 May 2011

By Jennifer Dube

Visually impaired pupils will soon have improved supply of textbooks just like their sighted counterparts, thanks to the work of a Harare-based Catholic nun.

When many local publishers were jostling over a government printing contract to supply school textbooks under the US$70 million government-Unicef Education Transition Fund (ETF), not many remembered blind pupils.

“I went to Education minister (David) Coltart and asked him if they had plans to also address the appalling levels of learning materials for visually impaired pupils,” Sister Catherine of the Dorothy Duncan Braille Library and Transcription Service said.

“He told me of the various problems the government was facing in trying to cater for the children and we offered our assistance which they accepted.”

The centre, which offers a library service to blind children from all over Zimbabwe, is in the process of printing 3 200 Braille textbooks for four core subjects for use in over 60 schools with visually impaired pupils.

Coltart said government’s National Braille Press in Mt Pleasant had no capacity to print the books as its equipment broke down and there was no money to buy spare parts.

He said while the supply of textbooks to schools deteriorated over the past 10 to 15 years, there was nothing done for blind students.

Many schools resorted to the Dorothy Duncan library where they are allowed to borrow books on a term basis free of charge.

For a Braille book to be produced, a conventional copy for the sighted has to be produced first.

The hard copies are scanned or typed from cover to cover. The text is then put on a compact disc.

Some software programmes are then used to transcribe the text to Braille.

Sister Catherine said the process to print the ETF textbooks was progressing well despite various technical faults and lack of funds.

A former teacher in Zambia and Zimbabwe, Sister Catherine founded the library 20 years ago after partially losing her sight.

Among others to benefit from the library’s service is Nozipho Khanda who can now speak six languages, is a graduate of Melbourne University, a senior Christian counsellor and represents the World Blind Union for training courses around Africa.

“She is one of our unsung heroes who go unmentioned when politicians get all the praise,” said Coltart about Sister Catherine.

Standard

Sunday, 29 May 2011

By Nqaba Matshazi

SADDLED with various court cases and a potentially strength sapping wrangle over the deputy premiership, Welshman Ncube, leader of an MDC faction, has refused to back down, rolling out an elaborate campaign plan.

Since being elected to lead his party, Ncube was frustrated by President Robert Mugabe, who declined to swear him in on the basis of a court action taken by former party leader, Arthur Mutambara and his supporters.

Now there are reports that Mutambara has allegedly tried to get party members to ditch the law professor by offering positions in cabinet.

Reports filtering in are that Mutambara offered Siyabonga Ncube, an Insiza legislator, the ministerial position to take over either Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s position as Regional Intergration minister, or the Industry and Trade Ministry held by Ncube. The offer was turned down.

Thandeko Mnkandla from Gwanda was reportedly offered David Coltart’s position as Education minister, while it was not clear which position Maxwell Dube of Tsholotsho South had been offered.

“Mutambara cannot do that,” an insider said. “If he does he will be in contravention of a court order.”

The MDC sought a court order barring Mutambara from acting as the party’s president.

But secretary general, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said Mutambara and his supporters were looking for relevance.

“They have lost relevance; they think the only way they can be relevant is when they comment about us or when we say something about them,” she said.

She said that Mutambara had no locus standi to hire or fire anyone and any decision he took would be in contempt of court.

So far MDC has held about 19 rallies, as the party seeks to woo supporters ahead of an election, whose date remains a mystery to the country.

“We are showing our supporters that our attention has not been diverted by these issues,” she said. “We want to show that we are different from other parties and we are the best alternative.”

The Regional and Integration minister said there were attempts to destroy the party, which started as the party was about to hold its congress in January, saying these attacks were still ongoing.

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the attacks on her party were red herrings meant to distract them and destroy MDC.

Without naming anyone, she said there were some individuals within the party who, six months ago, did not have a penny to their names, but all of a sudden could now afford to institute lawsuits.

“We are still alive and that’s the message we are taking to our supporters,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.

But critics of the party accuse it of being a regional project since most of its rallies have been held in Matabeleland, an accusation which Misihairabwi-Mushonga curtly dismisses.

Rallies have been held mainly in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South, while others have been held in Midlands and another in Chitungwiza.

“This is where most of our MPs (Members of Parliament) are, so we start there going to other places,” she said.

The MDC secretary general said Mugabe held most of his rallies and meetings in Mashonaland but no one had ever accused him of being a regional leader, the same with Tsvangirai.

A party member revealed that some of their rallies in Mutoko and Chikomba had been cancelled amid claims that all community halls in those areas had been booked in advance by Zanu PF.

Times Live

28th May 2011

Zimbabwe”s return to Test cricket in early August faces a major examination next month against powerful teams from Australia and South Africa.

Australia are due to send two A-team squads, one for a series of four-day Test games and another for a limited-overs triangular tournament also involving South Africa.

The Australian four-day squad contains six Test players in skipper Tim Paine, spinners Michael Beer and Jason Krejza, fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus and batsmen Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes.

The one-day squad includes several players with international experience, among them big-hitting opener David Warner.

Zimbabwe”s return to the international Test fold follows intense lobbying by Zimbabwean cricket officials and a softening of attitudes by Australia and New Zealand towards the country.

The matches against South Africa and Australia will be followed by a single Test in August against Bangladesh and five one-day internationals against the same team. It will be Zimbabwe”s first Test match since 2005.

David Coltart, the Zimbabwe Sports Minister, visited Australia and New Zealand some time ago and pleaded with their cricket authorities to renew ties with Zimbabwe. However, not everyone agrees that Zimbabwe should be allowed back into international cricket.

Norman Arendse, a former president of Cricket South Africa, said recently that lifting the boycott was not yet warranted. Under Arendse”s administration, South Africa broke ties with Zimbabwe cricket following violence by the President Robert Mugabe regime against political opponents during the last general elections in 2008.

Arendse said: “When Cricket SA decided to suspend relations, we were witnessing people being beaten in the streets of Harare. Given South Africa”s history, to continue playing cricket seemed hypocritical. And being an informed person on human rights issues I doubt anything has changed.”

But Coltart said the upcoming tours would build political bridges and help national pride “as done by South Africa post-1994”.

New Zealand made an unofficial A-team tour to Zimbabwe in October last year. It was the first contact on the field between the two countries since 2005.

Cricket Australia has helped Zimbabwean cricketers over the years despite the political blackout, taking several members of the team to the high-performance centre in Melbourne for skills development.

During the troubled 2003 World Cup, following the warnings of then Australian Prime Minister John Howard, the Aussies reluctantly went ahead with a match in Bulawayo after a request to move the group-stage clash was denied. There have been no matches between Australia and Zimbabwe since.

English cricket”s boycott of Zimbabwe is still in place.

For Australia, the tour to Zimbabwe offers Hilfenhaus the chance to reassert his Test credentials ahead of a tour to Sri Lanka. Hilfenhaus faces a challenge from rising fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa”s team, to be captained by veteran Jacques Rudolph, includes stars Vernon Philander, Dean Elgar, Loots Bosman, Ryan McLaren, Rusty Theron and Roelof van der Merwe.

Zimbabwe are expected to name their team this week after two weeks of intensive training in Harare and Bulawayo with a provisional team of 40 players.

Some of the players in Bulawayo have been working with bowling coach Heath Streak, and those in Harare with batting coach Grant Flower and coaches Robin Brown, Andy Waller and Kevin Curran.

Zimbabwe”s coach Alan Butcher has emphasised the need for pace bowlers in the team. “We are working with about 14 fast and medium-fast bowlers, hoping that they will be fine-tuned to get them ready for the Test matches. In the limited-over games we would get away with playing three or four spinners and one fast bowler, but for the Tests we will need more fast bowlers.

“We have a number of young bowlers whom we have brought in and we will have to fast-track some of them so that they are ready for our first Test against Bangladesh.

“It is a big challenge and Test matches are more challenging, but we are confident we can get them ready well in time.”

TOURING SIDES:

South Africa A: Jacques Rudolph (capt), Craig Alexander, Farhaan Behardien, Loots Bosman, Dean Elgar, Rory Kleinveldt, Heino Kuhn, Ethy Mbhalati, Ryan McLaren, David Miller, Vernon Philander, Rusty Theron, Roelof van der Merwe, Jonathan Vandiar and Morne van Wyk.

Australia A one-day squad: Tim Paine (capt), Callum Ferguson, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Chris Lynn, Nic Maddinson, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc, Stephen O”Keefe and David Warner.

Australia four-day squad: Tim Paine (capt), Callum Ferguson, Michael Beer, Luke Butterworth, Trent Copeland, James Faulkner, Ben Hilfenhaus, Usman Khawaja, Jason Krejza, Nic Maddinson, Phillip Hughes, Mitch Marsh, Mitch Starc and David Warner.

Herald

28 May 2011

Normalcy has returned to Cold Comfort Junior School following the intervention of Government, Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Coltart said yesterday.

Minister Coltart said he had met representatives from the school on Tuesday evening and resolved that property ownership wrangles should not disadvantage pupils.

“I met the School Development Committee representatives who also had met with education directors in the ministry and ordered that there should be no lesson disruptions as they end up disadvantaging students.

“Of course the matter is before the courts but for progress’ sake we agreed that things should continue as they were before the dispute.

“We realised that both parties should act in the interests of the children because some of them are candidates who are writing this year,” he said.

Minister Coltart said there should be no fee increases at the school.

“Most parents are having difficulties in paying fees and I see no reason why a college should come and add a burden on top of what they are struggling to pay.

“Education is a basic right and should be accessible to all children,” he said.

Cold Comfort Junior School was charging US$50 per term while Herentals is asking for US$140, an amount which parents say is beyond their reach.

A visit by The Herald to the school yesterday showed that lessons had commenced with teachers and pupils confirming classes were in progress.

However, the lessons were being conducted concurrently.

“We met with parents after Government intervention and agreed that we should teach them.

“Of course it’s for the benefit of the children but as you can see there are two schools operating under the same roof.

“Herentals are doing their business and we are carrying ours but it’s an improper arrangement,” said one Cold Comfort Junior School teacher, who preferred anonymity for professional reasons.

A Herentals official said parents were free to join them.

“There have never been any problem in the first place. As you can see business is going on as usual and we are having our classes.

“We are not forcing anyone to join us,” said the official.

The school is embroiled in an ownership wrangle with the two companies (Uni-time Investments and Release Power Investment) involved claiming ownership of the property.

Release Power Investments runs the school.

Investigations have revealed that the two warring parties have separate title deeds to the same property.