- Dear Family and Friends,
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- As ridiculous as it may sound, little lights of hope
are flickering on all the time now in Zimbabwe. They are not practical
everyday lights of decreasing prices, increasing food and medical supplies
or improved services - quite the contrary in fact. The lights of hope that
I am talking about are those that are beginning to illuminate the future
direction. Some are from events across the border where it seems there
are actually things going on - although no one is saying what!
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- Other signs of hope are coming from within. One is the
blatantly obvious declining interest and support by people in rural areas
for overweight politicians in smart clothes and fancy cars who come only
at election time - and then shout and threaten people in their bid to garner
votes. A prime example is underway at the moment in the run up to a by
election about to be held in Zaka East. At last both sides of the MDC have
managed to stand together and say they will not contest the seat - what
is the point if conditions are not free and fair.
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- This leaves Zanu PF standing against two virtually unknown
parties, the UPP (United People's Party) and the UPDP (United People's
Democratic Party). Some of the earlier ZANU PF rallies were shown on ZBC
television and it was embarrassing to watch great obese men, shouting and
waving their fists at the painfully thin people, sitting barefoot in the
dust staring blankly ahead. The contrast between speaker and spectators
was so extreme it was a wonder it was shown on national TV at all.
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- A few days later, arriving to whip up support for the
ruling party candidate , a former soldier, disappointment was immediate
and the rally cancelled. Zanu PF Chairman, John Nkomo, said: "We have
to postpone this rally to Thursday next week because we cannot address
these few people." The days of Zanu PF being able to take support
for granted - even in remote dusty villages - are gone.
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- Other reasons for hope are coming from people in positions
of responsibility who are making courageous decisions and are standing
up to do the right thing - politics and propaganda aside.
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- This week High Court Judge Tedious Karwi granted bail
to Ian Makone - one of 32 leading opposition officials and activists arrested
in late March who have been held without trial for the past 2 months and
2 days. In making the bail ruling Judge Karwi stated a fact which of late
is not guaranteed and has been very elusive in Zimbabwe. The Judge said:"
Our law presumes people to be innocent until proven guilty."
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- Until next week, thanks for reading,
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- love cathy.
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- Copyright Cathy Buckle <http://africantears.netfirms.com>http://africantears.netfirms.com
My books: "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available
from: <mailto:orders@africabookcentre.com>orders@africabookcentre.com
To subscribe/unsubscribe to this letter, please write to: <mailto:cbuckle@mango.zw>cbuckle@mango.zw
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