Zimbabwe Times
January 5, 2010
By Clapperton Mavhunga

After 1949, when the Chinese Communist Party defeated Chiang Kai-shek and banished him to Taiwan, Mao’s regime was in the habit of establishing and promoting these ‘mushroom’ parties that created the facade that China tolerated dissent.

In reality, these were ‘dummies’ that operated via leash under handlers in the Chinese Communist Party. The idea was to flush out those members of the public who might be gullible and uncooperative with the CCP and eliminate them.

So what is the connection of this with Zimbabwe? The first cadres to go abroad and train from ZAPU (before ZANU’s formation) were sent to China in 1961-2 thereabouts. (Of course, it is a matter of conjecture whether they really trained militarily). The trend at that time was that African states and anti-colonial movements were sending their cadres to China to imbibe education that was alternative to western (imperialist) education. The Chinese used them as instruments for Communist indoctrination of Africa. These human vehicles returned with ideologies of state that had already started entrenching under Kwame Nkrumah and Julius Nyerere.

The Zanu-PF government in particular took pages from the Chinese, North Koreans, and Soviets and perfected them. When you trace Zimbabwean history, you will notice that the first seven years were spent on liquidating ZAPU. Afterwards we became a de facto one party state. But to window-dress our system as a ‘democratic state’ and thereby curry favor with western donors and aid-giving countries, we needed the Chinese model of ‘dummy parties’ – the Forum first, ZUM, NAGG, the Egypt Dzinemunhenzva parties, and the countless independents, then the Mavambos. And ZAPU?

From the start, the ZAPU revival had all the hallmarks of a dog under its master’s leash. The trend is that these ‘franchise parties’ will be in media circulation awhile, and then as they fail or succeed in their purpose they degenerate into well-publicized internecine squabbles and then become extinct. Their purpose in the specific case of Zimbabwe is to act as ‘credible alibis’ for taking votes from the main opposition and putting them in their box, or simply as substitute candidates against who Zanu-PF can run if the MDC decides to boycott, or simply a hoodwink on the public.

One quality of an alibi is that, first and foremost, it must be credible beyond any reasonable doubt. The calculus is that it must be capable of pulling a specific electoral demographic with it – urban intellectual formations in Forum’s case, urban workers in the case of ZUM, and the Ndebele people in the case of ZAPU.

Anticipating that ZAPU will deny this, I would say that the re-formation of this party suffers from a serious credibility deficit already because of its very tribal nature. The names of officials in its executive speak for themselves. It is just one of those parties designed for Ndebele people, full-stop. It has no 21st Century outlook; it is trapped in the sort of schisms that bedeviled the old ZAPU, a failure to realize that what is necessary for Matabeleland to be treated equally with Mashonaland is a coalition of people who think of themselves as humans first, Zimbabweans second, and locate themselves as Zimbabweans who happen to speak Ndebele last.

If Barack Obama has run a Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton-style election campaign targeting only blacks and preaching a message to “make the whites uncomfortable”, he would not even have made it past the primary. Zimbabweans who care for Matabeleland as part of Zimbabwe – and I am one of them – would be better served to learn from this Obama moment.

For as long as there are Ndebele people who strongly think that they can be listened to as a Ndebele party, Matabeleland will never develop. What the region needs is a coalition of Zimbabweans across the ethnic and racial and even transnational divide who can marshal their conscience to the realization of the region’s economic and infrastructural status.

As far as I can see, ZAPU is not the forum for that agenda.

People will say whatever they feel about Jonathan Moyo, but of one thing Tsholotsho will always beware: while he was a minister this politician drew the maps of government and Zanu-PF patronage to converge economically in Tsholotsho. Moyo knows that politics is a game of trickery: the mathematics of it is that one can be a puppet outside, even as his subservience to a system that caused Gukurahundi is engineering material rewards for him and his constituency. Granted, whether he used these riches wisely is another thing. But by hook or crook he saw to the development of his constituency by some margin.

My point is not to encourage politicians to loot government coffers surreptitiously in order to develop their constituencies and assure votes at the election. Rather, it is to say that even in America where democracy is reputed to thrive, key Democrats held out their vote on the Senate version of the health bill until certain earmarks had been given to benefit their constituencies. Right! If you can’t get my vote the bill doesn’t pass; we can avoid that by inserting in this bill a sub-section authorizing funds for road development ‘in the least developed and most arid regions’ of the country.

That eliminates most of Mashonaland, so that allocation goes to Matabeleland.

That means that Matabeleland has to get its agenda right also. Given the pain of Gukurahundi, the question is how best to articulate justice to make the point. Right now there are two choices, the third one, ZAPU, being just an unnecessary distraction that will make noise, but won’t yield much. People like Obert Mpofu, Khaya Moyo, and Jonathan Moyo have chosen – as politicians from the region – to articulate the region from Zanu-PF. Others like Sam Sipepa Nkomo, Lovemore Moyo, and David Coltart have chosen to speak through the MDC.

Sometimes we often see things in black and white terms, or as Zanu-PF vs MDC. Yet in the calculus of these people, this is a good time to go to Harare and use the party as a platform to articulate the issues of the region.

Party affiliation only sugar-coats the tone and provides the linguistic register within which to articulate, but the issue for these politicians should be Matabeleland’s development. That of course does not make them any lesser nationalists or Zimbabweans. Quite to the contrary, I may be more inclined to respect them as visionaries who realize the dangers of historical regional imbalances to torpedo the future of one-Zimbabwe under one flag.

For them to elect to articulate such an agenda under a national party, as opposed to a tribal one, in a national institution (Parliament) and through central government as a vehicle is, to me at least, the ultimate embodiment of true nationalists.

Of course, our criticism of Jonathan Moyo is based upon the extent to which he was willing to go to buy favors for his constituency. That critique does not necessarily hail from his constituency, where a borehole is a borehole no matter who sank it. It may be a good thing that a new code of ethical journalism will soon arise where the media does not bamboozle us with the national wrong- or right-doings of politicians and the enchantment of their rhetoric, but writes the substance of their conduct and suitability for higher office not from Samora Machel Avenue, London, or Washington DC, but from the mouths and stomachs of constituents they serve, giving testimony to their great works.

As currently constituted, our journalism has not yet reached that stage. We are still enchanted by a centrist critique of these politicians.

The Herald
5 January 2010

Harare — The Government is not increasing tuition fees this term, which begins next Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart, said yesterday.

Minister Coltart said pupils in primary schools in high-density suburbs would continue paying US$5 while those in secondary schools would part with US$10.

Parents with children attending primary schools in low-density suburbs will continue forking out US$10 and those at secondary schools will pay US$20.

Minister Coltart said the decision to maintain the fees structure came after a realisation that most parents were failing to pay fees.

“The position is that school fees at Government schools will remain the same. From our experience last year it seems that parents are not able to pay any more than what we asked,” he said.

He expressed hope that the move would boost enrolment at schools compared to last year where the enrolment dropped because most parents could not afford fees while some sent their children abroad for learning. Minister Coltart however said private schools with intentions of raising their fees should approach his Ministry first.

“Private schools should send their requests to the Permanent Secretary in my Ministry for approval,” he said.

Although the Government came up with a fee structure, parents last year were forced to fork more as schools demanded incentives for teachers and levies.

Meanwhile, private schools such as Christian Brothers College made slight additions to the fees they were charging during the third term.

Parents with children attending CBC said the school is demanding US$1 090 up from the third term’s fees of US$900.

Dominican Convent added US$100 to last year’s fee of US$500 for pupils between Form One and Four and US$50 to US$600 for Advanced Level pupils.

Afriquejet.com
1st January 2010

For most Zimbabweans, the re-opening of schools and health facilities, after several years of closure due to the country’s turbulent politics, were the main social highlights of 2009.

As politicians aggressively tussled for power in the last 10 years, Zimbabwe’s economy tumbled, and with it many social services.

Over 20,000 teachers, and 15,000 nurses and doctors, among millions of professional Zimbabweans, fled the country to neighbouring and far-flung countries as the economy sank and political instability took root.

In the last decade, hundreds – possibly thousands – of Zimbabweans died in political violence between supporters of the then government of President Robert Mugabe and the opposition as the two vied for power.

As a result, an estimated three million Zimbabweans emigrated to escape the violence and establish new livelihoods in saner climes. Most of the emigrants were professionals, particularly teachers and medical staff, the two main wings of the civil service.

As a result, thousands of schools as well as clinics and hospitals, particularly in rural areas, were forced to close down, due to staff shortage.

In the health sector, the crisis was made worse by shortages of drugs in both public and private hospitals due to under-funding and lack of foreign currency to import medicines.

Most local manufacturers of drugs, like producers in other sectors, were either swept under by the economic crisis, or they elected to close down.

As a result, enterprising merchants took advantage and started street dispensaries, with all the dangers that this posed. Authorities, unable to provide alternative service, turned a blind eye to this.

But the public paid a heavy price for widespread wrong diagnosis and treatment, and for the crisis in the health sector as a whole.

For example, a cholera outbreak in 2008 killed more than 4,000 people and infected over 100,000 others.

Tariro Gwenzi, a mother of two, is still traumatised by the loss of her twin sister due to a nurses’ strike in 2008. “She died on the bench at the hospital (Harare Hospital in the capital) while doctors and nurses watched,” she said.

The sister had malaria, but this was not picked up by the street ‘pharmacist’ until it developed into celebral malaria.

Gwenzi’s case is far too common in Zimbabwe. And the country’s high AIDS prevailence made the situation even worse.

In the education sector, the impact of Zimbabwe’s long political and economic crisis was devastating, to say the least. Thousands of schools, from primary to universities, closed because teachers had left and due to lack of learning materials.

In rural areas, the situation was made was worse by the food crisis which engulfed the country, forcing hungry children to give up schooling.

But it was the flight of teachers to neighbouring countries which affected the education sector most. Zimbabwean teachers are spread throughout southern Africa, in particular Botswana and South Africa, where they are highly sought after.

However, when the country formed a coalition government in February 2009, and both the political and economic crisis began to ease, both teachers and medical staff started to come back to the country to re-join the services.

In fact, the new government through Education Minister Senator David Coltart made a special appeal, including in neighbouring countries, for Zimbabwean teachers and medical staff to return home with a promise to pay them comparable salaries.

Indeed, thousands took up the call and came back, and teachers and nurses at home who had quit and taken up other better paying jobs also re-joined their professions.

The government further enlisted the help of international relief agencies, such as the United Nations Childrens’ Fund, World Health Organisation and the World Food Programme, to offer incentives to teachers and medical staff.

Donors came up with salary top-ups for both teachers and medical staff, and have given them material asistance such as teaching and learning materials in schools, and drugs and equipment in hospitals.

The result is that virtually all schools and health centres that had closed in the past decade re-opened in 2009, much to the relief of Zimbabweans as a whole, so much so that Gwenzi, though still traumatised by the death of her twin sister, is confid ent of a safe delivery of her third child at Harare
Hospital in February.

“I think it will go well. I feel God is on my side. They (doctors and nurses) are now committed to their work,” she said.

The Chronicle
By Nduduzo Tshuma and Mbongeni Ncube
1st January 2010

SENIOR politicians from Matabeleland and Bulawayo residents as well as the business community yesterday expressed hope that the New Year will usher in a new era, which will see people from the region working together.

They said Matabeleland was lagging behind in developmental projects because there was no clear agenda for the region.

They said people from Matabeleland were expending their energy on pulling down each other instead of working like what is happening in other parts of the country.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart said his vision was to see projects like the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport completed before the World Cup starts in South Africa in June.

“There is also the Bulawayo-Beitbridge, Bulawayo-Nkayi and Bulawayo-Kezi as well as Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads that need urgent attention to develop road networks in the region,” said Senator Coltart.

“In the long-term we wish to see a greater allocation of funds to the region in the National Budget. This is because our region Matabeleland has serious challenges such as the provision of water. The issue of water remains one of the greatest challenges in this part of the country.”

He also said as the country moves towards the constitution-making process, he hoped the people of Matabeleland would see to it that the issue of devolution of power was realised.

“The constitution reform process has some particular hopes, especially for Matabeleland. The genuine and meaningful devolution of power to the provinces in particular Matabeleland has to come through during the drafting of the new constitution,” said Sen Coltart.

“The new constitution should also allow that all Zimbabweans who left for Botswana and South Africa are allowed to vote during the elections.”

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu said he was looking to the end of political squabbles in the region, which he said were retarding development.

“My first resolution is to work hard to strengthen our party Zanu-PF. There is a need to do away with petty squabbles and find ways of working together to develop the region,” said Minister Mpofu.
“This coming year we should be one people and copy how other regions work together to develop themselves.”

Minister Mpofu, who is also the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza, said he would like to see the improvement of water supplies in the region as well as completion of critical projects.

“There are a number of projects like the Lupane Dam construction and the Lupane State University which need completion. For those who got farms I urge them to fully utilise the pieces of land to bring the country back to its glory days,” said Minister Mpofu.

Former Bulawayo Mayor and disabled activist, Joshua Malinga also called for unity of purpose in Matabeleland. “I hope 2010 will usher in a new era where the political leadership will listen to the people more than they do to each other and stop haggling over tissues but concentrate on issues,” said Cde Malinga.

“There is a need to create an employment base for millions of school leavers that we churn out every year from our institutions of learning.”

He called for the full participation of the people in the constitution-making process to ensure the dream of devolving power to the provinces was realised.

“With Cde John Nkomo rising to the post of Vice President and his traceable relationship with disabled people, we hope that people living with disabilities will be able to lead a normal life and have access to all the country’s services,” said Cde Malinga.

The Minister of Water Resources and Development, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said his vision for 2010 was to see the Mtshabezi pipeline reaching Umzingwane Dam.

“That would be the first project I would like to see being fully implemented and at the same time I would like to see the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project taking off the ground,” said Minister Nkomo.
“Working together with other politicians from the region has always been a good thing. Yes we might come from different parties but projects and issues that concern the region can be solved if we co-operate.”

Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo urged residents to gear themselves for new opportunities in the coming year.

“Let us set goals of rebuilding Bulawayo and the nation of Zimbabwe to its former glory,” he said.
“We see 2010 realising increased industrial and commercial activity. Bulawayo is an industrial hub and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Considerable strides must be made by all social and economic entities to ensure that we regain our former glory.

“Bulawayo’s success story depends on how we all, regardless of race, colour, ethnic origin, work to develop our city. Let us embrace the spirit of unity and inclusivity that has been demonstrated by the political leadership in every area of our lives, so that we can conquer all obstacles. We must each commit ourselves to the prosperity of Bulawayo so that we can fully enjoy the blessings of 2010 that are in store for us.”

As council, Clr Moyo said the council was committed to providing improved municipal services this year.
“I encourage the people of Bulawayo to continue to work as a formidable team that will be unstoppable,” he said.

“I wish the people of Bulawayo prosperity in the New Year. 2010 is a year of reaching our destiny.”
Business mogul Mr Delma Lupepe urged the Government to speed up the indigenisation policy.
“We are hoping that the Government would speed up the process so that the country’s natural resources benefit citizens because most of the mines, especially platinum ones, are owned by foreigners,” said Mr Lupepe.

“I believe that although much has been done concerning the land question, there is still a lot when you look at issues such as mining where there has been talk but nothing concrete done.”

He said it was also imperative that the country got credit lines from international financial institutions to help boost the economy.

Another city businessman, Mr Omega Sibanda, said he was positive that 2010 would be good for businesses.

“Things improved greatly over 2009 owing to the inclusive Government which has ushered in a new era and when I visited my rural home on Christmas Day you could easily tell that it was the best Christmas in 10 years,” said Mr Sibanda.

He said he hoped the manufacturing industry would continue to grow so as to create employment.
“For the country to develop we need our industries to function which in turn would create jobs and let me also call upon Zimbabweans to adjust to the culture of employment in 2010. As you have noticed that over the years many people were used to getting money daily and now that jobs are being steadily created some people are finding it hard to wait until the end of the month to get money,” said Mr Sibanda.

Ordinary residents also expressed hope that 2010 would bring more improvement in both economic and political spheres.

“”For a very long time we have been subjected to many challenges among them economic and you would know very well that 2008 was the worst, however I would like to pay tribute to our political leaders for finally realising that people were suffering and put aside their ideological and political differences for the betterment our lives as Zimbabweans,” said Mr Daniel Master who also runs a number of small-scale businesses.

Mrs Thokozile Ngwenya (53) of Magwegwe said she had high hopes for 2010.

“The country is going through a revolution which I believe we have not yet seen the fruits as some people think, 2010 would definitely be a year of plenty for every citizen,” she said.

A university student who declined to be named said winds of change were blowing.

“During wars of liberation Pan-Africanist and former Ghanaian president Nkrumah said winds of change were blowing and I believe that the assertion did not apply then only, it is still very much applicable as Zimbabwe, and indeed the rest of the continent, would see a lot of changes which would bring lasting peace and prosperity,” he said.

New Zimbabwe.com
30 December 2009

2009 was an historic year for Zimbabwe with the formation of a power sharing government – ending almost three decades of President Robert Mugabe’s uninterrupted rule. Predictably, politicians had a lot to say. Here is a selection of some of the year’s Quotable Quotes:

“Citizens by colonisation; seizing land from the original people, indigenous people of the country … You approve of that?” – President Mugabe when challenged by CNN’s Christiane Amanpour to explain why Zimbabwe was “hounding” white farmer “citizens” from their land

“It is better to own 10% of an elephant than 100% of a rat.” – Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara explaining the importance of government divesting from parastatals to allow private partnerships in order to save them from collapse.

“I am not going to quit because I knew that I was going to swim in sewage.” – Finance Minister Tendai Biti vows to stay the course in the power sharing government

“When you recover your stolen property you do not necessarily have to compensate the thief.” – Zanu-PF Chivi Central legislator and Co-chairman of the Constitutional Select Committee responding to questions by the BBC 5 Live’s Victoria Derbyshire on why the Zimbabwe government is not paying compensation for farms acquired under its land reforms.

“Obama is not in any way historically different from the many African chiefs and kings who facilitated slavery as agents of imperialism. Yes they had African blood, but they were also sell-outs.” – Tsholotsho North MP Jonathan Moyo (Zanu PF) attacks Obama for his criticism of the Zimbabwe government

“When people are determined to commit suicide, no matter how much you try to help them they will always try to find a way of killing themselves.” -MDC-T spokesman and ICT minister Nelson Chamisa on Zanu PF’s congress resolution not to negotiate with the MDC on the appointment of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and central bank governor Gideon Gono

“I pity those who accuse me of opportunism for they do not understand that anyone who cannot take opportunities that come their way is a dodo. Ask any economist and they will tell you that the real cost that matters the most is the opportunity cost.
“Lose an opportunity and you have lost everything. That is why there is nothing as expensive as a foregone opportunity. So I do not believe for a moment that opportunism is a sin, crime or moral weakness. In fact, opportunism is the essence of politics; if you do not know that, read Machiavelli’s the Prince and the Discourses.” – Jonathan Moyo parries accusations of “opportunism” after rejoining Zanu PF.

“When people are determined to commit suicide, no matter how much you try to help them they will always try to find a way of killing themselves.” -MDC-T spokesman and ICT minister Nelson Chamisa on Zanu PF’s congress resolution not to negotiate with the MDC on the appointment of Attorney-General Johannes Tomana and central bank governor Gideon Gono

“I pity those who accuse me of opportunism for they do not understand that anyone who cannot take opportunities that come their way is a dodo. Ask any economist and they will tell you that the real cost that matters the most is the opportunity cost.

“Lose an opportunity and you have lost everything. That is why there is nothing as expensive as a foregone opportunity. So I do not believe for a moment that opportunism is a sin, crime or moral weakness. In fact, opportunism is the essence of politics; if you do not know that, read Machiavelli’s the Prince and the Discourses.” – Jonathan Moyo parries accusations of “opportunism” after rejoining Zanu PF.

“Those who describe me as a political prostitute simply because I have refused to join the MDC-T or to be part of it in anyway or simply because I have rejoined Zanu PF which is the only party I have ever belonged to are deranged political pimps who are so depraved as to think or believe that anyone who rejects them is a political prostitute.” -Jonathan Moyo goes toe-to-toe with his critics.

“This business of blowing vuvuzelas of insanity should stop. But no matter how loud the noise becomes, a vuvuzela will never play the Mozart or Beethoven sound, and we will never dance to those decibels.” – Finance Minister Tendai Biti responding to accusations by Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono that he was blocking urgently needed loans from international financial institutions.

“I went to Oxford –– I taught at MIT, I’m a Rhodes Scholar. I think it’s fair to say that I know better than Obama what is good for Zimbabwe, that I know better than Hillary (Clinton) what is good for Zimbabwe. So it is very arrogant and patronising for Hillary or Obama to prescribe what is best for Zimbabwe without talking to me first.” – Mutambara attacking the United States for alleged interference in the country’s political affairs.

“Taka kiya-kiya (we have used hook and crook).” – Biti’s reply to reporters when asked how the government got money to pay civil servants.

“Mugabe is not the only person who’s head of state who is that old. The Queen of England is much older than our President and nobody had ever referred to her as an old lady. You all respect her very much. You people are racists aren’t you?” – Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Didymus Mutasa responding to a question on President Mugabe’s plans to step down in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

“There was discipline in parliament. Last year, MPs were still raw, they are polished now, they are dignified and they can be called honourable. Last year they were dishonourable.” – President Mugabe commending MDC-T parliamentarians for not heckling him during his speech in the House of Assembly like they did last year.

“When these capitalist gods of carbon burp and belch their dangerous emissions, it is we, the lesser mortals of the developing sphere who gasp, starve, sink and eventually die.” – President Mugabe at the UN climate change summit in Copenhagen.

“Late believers and late comers cannot be dictators at this conference, besides they happen to be among the guiltiest on this matter.” – President Mugabe calls for the fulfilment of the Kyoto Protocol commitments

“It has not been easy for me. I was asking for oranges to make orange juice but some people were giving me lemons.” – Jubilant Premier League winning Gunners coach, Moses Chunga, on why it took him almost a decade to win the league championship.

“Now, make no mistake: History is on the side of these brave Africans, not with those who use coups or change constitutions to stay in power. Africa doesn’t need strongmen, it needs strong institutions.” -Obama addressing the Ghanaian parliament during his first presidential visit to Africa.

“The principle issue is you cannot disagree with Tsvangirai and his party. All of us exist to serve them, if you don’t serve them … if you jump at the top of the highest mountain and say Tsvangirai is God, you will be worshipped by the media and civil society – that is the bottom line and indeed you should be worried if you are a true democrat.” -MDC-M secretary general Welshman Ncube gets impatient with criticism of his party.

“You have a bunch of people who have behaved for a long time like spoilt brats and think the whole world must stand and salute them every time they utter their nonsense. We will not worship them now, tomorrow or ever and they can go to hell a 1000 times.” – Ncube hits back at MDSC-T statement claiming that his party and Zanu PF were deliberately delaying talks to resolve outstanding issues in the unity government.

“It remains a reality that the vast majority of Zimbabweans do not have Ndebele as their mother tongue and will gravitate towards a Shona-speaking leader. That is a political reality that we simply cannot ignore.” – Education Minister David Coltart offers a possible reason why his MDC-M party picked Arthur Mutambara as its leader

“Mutambara’s tenure in the inclusive government has been a catalogue of outbursts that have raised questions about his political sanity.” -Jonathan Moyo criticises Mutambara for saying the March 29, 2008, general election and the June 27, 2008, Presidential run-off election were “fraudulent and nullities”.

Zimbabwe Independent
By Paul Nyakazeya and Faith Zaba
18 December 2009

THE Zimbabwe Independent looks at how ministers fared during the year while operating on shoestring budgets, among other negative factors. Below is our assessment of the performances of some of the ministers.

Tendai Biti — Minister of Finance

Will be remembered for his wars of attrition with Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono. Arguably the hardest working minister, he produced results this year. Government revenue has increased from as low as US$4 million in February to over US$110 million and has introduced financial discipline in government. He however failed to fully finance Sterp. His stance to hold on to the US$510 SDR funds advanced by the International Monetary Fund was unacceptable; he should have used the money to prop up the economy for rapid recovery
Recommendation: He is in the right direction; less talk and more action next year would make him even more popular.

Score: 7/10

Nicholas Goche — Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development

Little attention paid to the country’s roads. Introduced tollgates, which have raised more than US$5,3 million but the money is being collected by Zimra, yet there is no mechanism for the Zimbabwe National Roads Authority to monitor and control the fees inflows. Goche has done little to resolve this issue while the country’s roads are continuing to turn into death traps. His decision to discontinue pre-testing for learner drivers was commendable.
Recommendation: Needs to solve the dispute between Zimra and Zinara and ensure the money raised is ploughed back into road maintenance.

Score: 2/10

Welshman Ncube — Minister of Industry and Commerce

Industry’s capacity utilisation has increased under him and is still increasing. His immediate tasks were to ensure adequate supply of fertiliser for winter cropping by end of May, identify recipients’ lines of credit for key strategic sectors, develop a pricing model with regional countries and to work towards establishment of a commodity exchange to ensure the farmers get competitive prices. He didn’t deliver on many of these.
Recommendation: Should work harder to achieve the targeted industry utilisation next year.

Score 4/10

Emmerson Mnangagwa — Minister of Defence

Indiscipline is said to be on the rise in the army due to alleged hunger, low salaries and nepotism. Despite Mnangagwa’s feared personality and character, on his watch guns were stolen at Pomona and there are several reports of absenteeism. What else is happening at the barracks, one may ask?
Recommendation: Put your house in order before things get out of hand.

Score 2/10

Elton Mangoma — Minister of Economic Planning and Investment Planning

Some notable achievements, eg the investors’ conference in July. Some foreign investment deals have been negotiated but Mangoma has been accused of failing to ensure parastatals operate efficiently. A lot is still expected of him to kick-start a lot of sectors that have not been performing over the past five years. Mangoma seems to know what is expected of him and his success depends on Zimbabwe improving its diplomatic relations with other countries.
Recommendation: More action and less workshops and so-called strategic meetings.

Score 5/10

Samuel Sipepa Nkomo — Minister of Water Resources Development and Management

Lots of stumbling blocks (political, resources and financial) in Nkomo’s way. Has done little to improve water supply. Another cholera outbreak looms but he has done nothing to avert it. Situation still as bad as it was in August last year when the epidemic broke. He should also stop picking unnecessary fights with local authorities.
Recommendation: Should be transferred to another ministry or return to the backbenches.

Score 1/10

Walter Mzembi — Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry

Overrated because of a sprinkling of charisma and colourful attire. No feasible plans on how Zimbabwe stands to benefit from the Fifa World Cup in South Africa next year.
Recommendation: Lots expected of him in the face of the World Cup; he should extensively market the country and avoid fawning over certain individuals, especially the President. Tourists and investors are not interested in that.

Score 3/10

Webster Shamu — Minister of Media Information and Publicity

Shamu seems reluctant to ensure fundamental legislative reforms are put in place to allow for a pluralistic media. The struggle for the opening up of airwaves and the transformation of the state-controlled ZBC continues with no immediate solution in sight. This is despite the fact that the GPA and Constitutional Amendment 19 contain provisions that recognise the importance of freedom of expression and the role of the media in a multi-party democracy and calls for the issuance of licences to broadcasters other than ZBC. Lack of political will to allow for more broadcasters was displayed by the minister’s appointment of the Tafataona Mahoso-led Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. However threats to journalists seem to have lessened — there are fewer arrests and physical abuse. But he has recommendations from the stakeholders indaba in May which he has up to now not made public.
Recommendation
Sincerity required: people want more newspapers and broadcasters and undemocratic media laws repealed.

Score 2/10

Henry Madzorera — Minister of Health and Child Welfare

A slight improvement in the health delivery system but it still falls far short of the pre-2000 levels. Recruitment in the majority of departments has improved to 50%, with that of nurses and junior doctors going up to as high as 70% but some specialist services are still at 0%. Lack of funding has hampered Madzorera’s goals of ensuring that 60% of infrastructure at all central hospitals is functional. Local production of drugs is next to zero and government has to rely on imports. Drug supply at government health institutions is below 60% and people have to rely on the private sector to buy vital drugs.
Recommendation: Keep on trying.

Score 5/10

David Coltart — Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture

To Coltart’s credit, most of the schools opened and most of the teachers resumed work. Examinations were marked. Unlike in 2008 when there was very little education because of prolonged strikes by teachers, 2009 went by with very few work stoppages. However, the education sector is still very fragile with shocking pupil-textbook ratios and infrastructure in a poor state. His gains were however almost wiped out by the chaos that surrounded registration of Ordinary and Advanced Level examinations when close to 70% of students failed to meet the deadline to pay examination fees because they were beyond the reach of many parents. On the sports side he seemed to be still in a shell.
Recommendation: No to privatisation of education; and please address the quality of education in the rural areas. Overhaul the way football is run; facilitate Test cricket return; restructure sporting associations’ constitutions.

Score: 5/10

Herbert Murerwa — Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement

In perpetual reverse gear, spineless and powerless, Murerwa has failed to secure the farming environment. Conflicts and disputes on the land have been on the increase over the past few months; has failed to ensure security for farmers, their workers and assets while continuing to pander to the whims of securocrats who seem to be running the ministry for him. Recommendation: A comprehensive, transparent and non-partisan land audit needed soonest, and you need to deal effectively with the new invaders or resign.

Score 0/10

Joseph Made — Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development

Lack of preparedness has always been Made’s weakness and it seems he never learns from past mistakes. Once again Zimbabwe is facing a disastrous agriculture season. For some strange reason Mugabe seems to adore him.
Recommendation: He should leave and let others run this ministry.

Score 2/10

Francis Nhema — Minister of Environment and Natural Resources

Invisible the whole year. Cities and the countryside are an environmental disaster. No policy in place to clean up. Very likeable, he has been allowed to get away with murder.
Recommendation: Face reality and make yourself useful. Move around and sees the level of litter around CBDs, industrial and residential areas.

Score 3/10

Minister of Foreign Affairs Simbarashe Mumbengegwi

He was rather aloof the whole year only visible when President Mugabe was globetrotting. He is however credited with re-engaging Zimbabwe with the European Union and is trying to do so with the rest of the world.
Recommendation: Much of the country’s turnaround depends on Zimbabwe’s diplomatic relations with other countries. Professional diplomatic relations more aligned to a “win-win situation” not based on politics needed. Probably the right person for this ministry but should wake up.

Score 3/10

Minister of State Enterprise and Parastatals Gabuza Joel Gabbuza

A lot was expected of him. What has happened to the state enterprises and parastatals he identified for restructuring? Has he set up a performance monitoring system for these? When will he carry out mandate and legislative review of state enterprises and parastatals?
Recommendation: Yet to behave like a minister; has not read the riot act yet when dealing with state enterprises and parastatals.

Score 3/10

Minister of Labour and Social Services Paurina Mpariwa

Has met most of the goals she set out for 2009: signed a social contract under the Tripartite Negotiating Forum, is in the process of drafting a social protection strategic framework to improve existing social protection schemes which include paying tuition for orphans and vulnerable children and cash transfers which provide free cash assistance to the elderly, chronically ill and disabled persons. But has not dealt sufficiently with a demoralized, undocumented and deregulated workforce.
Recommendation: Strengthen resource mobilisation from donors and give us more results.

Score: 5/10

Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere

Kasukuwere was actively involved in party politics more than his ministry. Seems to have brilliant ideas about his ministry, if only he could put them into practice. The national youth service will always be a blot on his personality. His name pops up wherever something underhand has occurred.
Recommendation: Should clean himself up.

Score: 4/10

Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa

Has been in the same ministry for far too long — 10 years. Has continued to sing for his supper. Needs to move away from party stunts especially regarding the GNU. One wonders when he will meet the needs of prisoners, operationalise the judicial services commission and meet the minimum standards, best practice and needs for a sound justice delivery institutions.
Recommendation: Is it possible for a hawk to turn into a dove? Too much darkness and hate dog him.

Score 4/10

Minister of Public Service Eliphas Mukonoweshuro

Still waiting for the audit on the civil service, a review of salaries and conditions of services and to the harmonisation of the Public Service Act with the Labour Act. Yet to implement the personnel performance system for public servants.
Recommendation: Run your ministry like a listed company. Civil servants want to be updated regularly.

Score 5/10

Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Ignatious Chombo

In Zimbabwe there are ministers, then controversial ministers, then there is Ignatious Chombo. He always has a sly way of doing things. If he was an actor he would not need a script. He enjoys too much free rein.
Recommendation: If only there could be someone who could take a good look at this guy! Being one of the richest guys in the land shouldn’t he be excused so he could run his Babylonisque empire?

Score 3/10

Minister of Energy and Power Development Elias Mudzuri

When Mudzuri took over in February, he ordered Zesa to stop disconnections until March when new tariff charges were expected. He was commended by many but to everyone’s shock, Zimbabweans were hit by unjustified bills, in some instances exceeding US$1 600. This was despite the fact that the country was facing worsening power outages, with some suburbs going for weeks or even months without electricity. Recommendation: Prioritise refurbishment and rehabilitation of infrastructure.

Score 4/10

Higher and Tertiary Education Stan Mudenge

Mudenge has privatised public tertiary institutions through fees beyond the reach of the majority of students. He has failed to improve the living, working and learning conditions at the University of Zimbabwe, which was one of the best in Africa. The university has been forced to close the halls of residence because of the state of dilapidation, forcing students from outside Harare to be squatters. Some students have been forced into prostitution and criminal activities to raise money for accommodation and fees. Recommendation: Needs to be more visible and show he still has the energy to clog on?

Score 0/10

Minister of Mines and Mining Development Obert Mpofu

Mpofu was one of the most visible ministers because of the controversy surrounding the Chiadzwa diamonds. The mining sector is showing signs of recovery. Despite the positive achievements, Mpofu lost the plot when he did not float a tender to select prospective investors to partner government in diamond extraction in Marange, overlooking better equipped and experienced diamond partners.
Recommendation: Should be transparent especially in the awarding of contracts.
Score 5/10

The Zimbabwean
By Cathy Buckle
15 December 2009

One youngster, whose education I have been helping with since she was five years old, has just written her O Level’s and looking back on her schooling is a horrible nightmare and something no child should have to go through.

In 2000 when she was 7 years old and learning to read and write, *Tsitsi found herself on the roadside with her parents when we were all evicted from our homes on a commercial farm by a bunch of Zanu (PF) thugs.

In 2003, when she was 10 and practising her spelling and learning about grammar, Tsisti changed schools and went back to live in a rural village. Her Aunt and Uncle had both just died of Aids and there were two young cousins who had to be taken care of. Every cent was needed and every pair of hands too.
Back in a rural school in 2005, a 12-year-old learning about geography and science, Tsisti suddenly found she had to share her desk and then sit on the floor as scores of new children arrived. Their homes in towns had been destroyed by government bulldozers in what was called Operation Murambatsvina and the school and village were suddenly full of strangers who had lost everything.

That same year she missed many days of learning when teachers were forced to go to Zanu (PF) rallies, or when the school was closed for elections and the teachers went away to do polling duty. At the end of that year she wrote her Grade 7 examinations marking the end of junior school. It would be two years before she got the results and she hadn’t done very well.

For the whole of 2008, a 15-year-old teenager, Tsitsi only spent 32 days at school. The rest of the time the school was not operating.

When Tsitsi went to pay exam fees to write 7 subjects at O level in November 2009, she was told she also had to pay for paper to write the tests on and she sacrificed one subject because she didn’t have enough money. She dropped another subject in order to pay the 10 US cents per student per day being demanded by teachers in order to teach this last term. This is on top of school fees, school association levies and a raft of other charges that arise almost every week for one miscellany or another.

Tsitsi has just finished writing her 5 O level exams and left school. At the end of her school life she has only ever done her homework by candlelight; she has never learnt how to even switch on a computer; she missed the entire first year of her O level syllabus and has only been allowed to take a text book home after school three or four times in her entire school life.

Tsitsi has done almost her entire schooling wearing second hand uniforms, no shoes or second hand ones that were not the right size and carrying her books in a plastic bag. In her O level year she dug weeds from a field for two weeks in exchange for a second hand school dress.

Thirty years ago Mr Mugabe and Zanu (PF) promised education for all by the year 2000 but Tsitsi is the reality of what they gave us. No one really knows how Education Minister David Coltart managed to get Zimbabwe’s schools open again this year or how he persuaded teachers to work for a pittance, but he did. All credit to him and to thousands of teachers and hundreds of thousands of students for enduring, suffering and sacrificing. Until next time, thanks for reading, Ndini shamwari yenyu.

SW Radio Africa
By Lance Guma
14 December 2009

Education Minister David Coltart this weekend broke new ground by engaging Zimbabweans in the diaspora via a teleconference call. The teleconference was organized by the Council for Zimbabwe, a United States based group working to ‘serve the humanitarian and development needs of Zimbabwe by leveraging the expertise and resources of the Diaspora.’

Zimbabweans from such diverse countries as Denmark, Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom and others were invited to call a particular number which put them in the teleconference with the Minister, who was in South Africa at the time.

Dominic Muntanga, a founder member of the Council for Zimbabwe, said Saturday’s teleconference was a non-political platform that allowed the Minister to lay out his vision for education in the country while allowing the diaspora to ask how they can help achieve that vision.

It began with Muntanga laying out what his organization does and then Coltart spoke about the key issues around developing the education sector. He spoke about curriculum development and the setting up of Academies of Excellence in each of the country’s provinces.

Callers from the diaspora then asked questions about how they could help achieve some of these goals and what the education ministry’s budget was. One caller pointed out that when Coltart took over the ministry the budget for 3 million children was about US$2 million, only 66 cents per child. Coltart was also asked if he could facilitate legislation that would make imported educational products duty free.

Coltart responded by saying there was no need to introduce such legislation, as it was already in place. He said under the Private Voluntary Organizations Act it was possible for groups outside the country to send books and other equipment into the country on charitable grounds. He explained that the Ministry of Education could also help groups clear their donations with the customs authority.

With the Mugabe regime maintaining a stranglehold on the media, the use of new media technologies are already beginning to make their mark in Zimbabwe, opening up new frontiers for communication.

ZimEye.org
By Moses Muchemwa
December 13, 2009

Harare – The Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture David Coltart is set to restructure the Zimsec Board to improve its functionality.

Coltart said the move was aimed at improving the functional viability of the examination body characterised by numerous shortcomings and challenges that crippled the smooth running of examinations in the country.

He however did not highlight on the names of candidates who were likely to occupy the new board arguing that his ministry was still making consultations.

“My ministry is currently working on a new Zimsec board as stipulated by the law. What is important is that we are in the process of putting our house in order as you are aware that there has been so much criticism on our examination body for its failure to ensure smooth execution of examinations and this has compromised our education status in the entire southern region,” said Coltart.

Coltart added that the main aim of setting up a new board was to ensure efficiency within Zimsec, which was slowly becoming unfashionable to most parents and pupils.

“We acknowledge that parents have lost faith in Zimsec thus as ministry we are focusing on restoring confidence and this could be done by total revamping operations of the examination body.

“We hope that by putting up a new board the functions and operations of Zimsec would improve to restore trust and confidence among stakeholders,” he said.

Happy Ndanga who is the director heads the current body.

Zimsec spokesperson Ezekiel Pasipamire confirmed the development stating that it was the Minister’s prerogative to appoint the board.

“The term of office for the current board expired last year hence it is a necessity for the minister to name and appoint the new board. The other thing is that there hasn’t been a full Zimsec Board for quite sometime,” he said.

BBC
12 December 2009

So after eight days of preparation in East London, England’s cricketers head back to Johannesburg ready for Wednesday’s eagerly anticipated opening Test at nearby Centurion Park.

Although the quality of practice in the warm-up games was debatable, playing a moderate South African Invitational side on a slow pitch, to be honest England were probably pleased just to get out on the field following a hugely frustrating period which saw them play only three days cricket in three weeks due to bad weather across the country.

When we arrived on the south coast, the prospects did not look great with a mixed weather forecast and a sodden Buffalo Park. When you looked down the East London Esplanade it looked more like a scene from John Carpenter’s “The Fog” than a holiday destination with the sea mist enveloping the hotels by the edge of the beach.
Heavy rain at the start of the week left the players seeking out alternative forms of amusing themselves. East London was described to us by one local as a “nine to five kind of place, where nothing is more than 10 minutes away”. One British journalist was rather more harsh, labelling the city as “grim”… which earned a rebuke in the local paper the Daily Dispatch.

But the players seemed to find things to do as the rain fell. Several made their way to the cinema where the disaster movie “2012” was a favourite , the nearby indoor gym was in regular use and we would often catch up with a member of the squad topping up supplies in the local supermarket.

However I don’t think many sought out East London’s most famous attractions which are housed in the Natural History Museum. A stuffed fish and an old egg may not seem very exciting, but the fish concerned is the famous “coelacanth” caught off the waters here in 1938 which evolutionists believe provided the missing link between water and land animals, while the egg is the only surviving dodo egg believed to exist in the world.

I also believe the players managed to resist the temptation to see the East London pantomime which opened this week… “Snow White and the Seven Dofs” at the Guild Theatre. According to the shows publicity, “keeping you in stitches playing Dame Dolla the Palace Nanny is Byron Mountford”. I assume Byron is no relation of mine but to be honest I never went along to the Guild Theatre to find out.

Fortunately the weather improved by the middle of the week and we could all concentrate on matters on the field. Obviously practice at altitude ahead of a Highveld Test would have been better than down on the coast… although coach Andy Flower and wicketkeeping coach Bruce French did manage to reach the heights on the final day in East London when they scaled one of the floodlight pylons at Buffalo Park, much to the amusement of the players as they walked off the field at lunch. The former Nottinghamshire keeper is a massive climbing enthusiast.

In terms of lessons learned from the week of practice, it has just fuelled the speculation about the make-up of England’s team for the first Test, with as many questions as answers.

Has James Anderson proved his fitness ahead of the Test? Do the five wickets for Ryan Sidebottom put him in contention for a recall? Has Luke Wright got a genuine chance of making his Test debut in Pretoria? Will Ian Bell keep his place with all six specialist batsman included?

As you would expect the England captain and management are keeping the final XI for Centurion close to their chest – and it will be fascinating to find out the line-up on Wednesday.

As for our line-up for the first Test – Jonathan Agnew will be joined by Simon Mann and popular South African broadcaster Gerald De Kock, with expert analysis from Michael Vaughan, Geoff Boycott and Vic Marks.

Vaughan, England’s most successful captain of all time, is making his TMS debut in the game. He of course made his Test debut here in South Africa 10 years ago, led England to a series win on their last tour here in 2004/05 and played his final Test against South Africa before his tearful resignation as captain last summer. We will also hear regularly from former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock throughout the series.

During the lunch interval on Wednesday at 1030 GMT, we will be trying to cut through the jargon to explain how the controversial new umpire referral systemworks, including hearing from one of the boffins who helped develop the Hawk-Eyesystem which is being used to help make decisions. As always if you have any questions or observations then you can contact us via the TMS blog, e-mail tms@bbc.co.uk or text us on 84040.

Also during the Test we’ll be focusing on the latest situation over in Zimbabwe and discuss if cricket is recovering enough for them to return to playing Tests. Guests will include Zimbabwe’s Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart and former Zimbabwe player Pommie Mbangwa.

With Makhaya Ntini expected to play his 100th Test in Pretoria we will be assessing his contribution to South Africa cricket. We’ll hear from TMS summariser turned England batting coach Graham Gooch, from selector Ashley Giles who also played in England’s victory here five years ago and from England cricket’s managing director Hugh Morris.

We will also begin a series looking at “Cricket’s Decade”, focusing at how the game has changed over the last 10 years with themes including match-fixing, the rise of Twenty20 cricket and the strength of the English game a decade after they plummeted to the bottom of the ICC Test rankings table. And we’ll be catching up with Oli Broom who is “Cycling to the Ashes” to help raise money for the Lord’s Taverners. Oli has got as far as Istanbul on his incredible quest to ride to Brisbane in time for next year’s series with Australia.

It all gets underway on Wednesday morning with BBC Radio 5 live Sports Extra on air from 0815 GMT. For the first couple of days BBC Radio 4’s Long Wave listeners will join the commentary just before 0900 following “Yesterday in Parliament”, but you will also be able to listen online – details at bbc.co.uk/cricket.
Kevin Howells will provide updates every 15 minutes on BBC Radio 5 live, and Jonathan Agnew will round up all the day’s play with Geoff Boycott in the TMS Podcast.