Categories: uncategorized
Date: 15 February 2006 11:30:02
Thanks to Aswad for today's title. This was a song they released in support of the South African majority during the Apartheid struggles. I've chosen it today in recognition of a similar struggle in one of its neighbours. This time it is a black government repressing its own people, yet blaming the White world for the troubles.
Zimbabwe is a dictatorship that is getting worse and worse every year. When we look at the fight to Make Poverty History we sometimes forget the damage that is done by a people's own rulers. This is espacially true throughout Africa.
Robert Mugabe has been in power since the country won independence from white rule in 1980. He has beaten off all his rivals, whether they were from ZanuPF, his own party, or from outside.
Monday and Tuesday saw attempts by WOZA, Women of Zimbabwe Awake, to mount protests against high food prices in Bulawayo and Harare. 181 were arrested in Bulawayo on Monday and a further 192-233 in Harare on Tuesday.
Zimbabwe has a regime that exists purely to fund he lifestyles of the leaders. If you don't agree with their policies then you can be denied work, your home and food. One of their great policies is to only provide food to party supporters. The government cotrols all food distribution and your secret ballot at elections is used to aportion your entitlement to food.
At present inflation is running at 623% and unemployment at 80%. The middle classes have been hounded out of business. The agricultural sector has been devastated by failed land reforms. The farms that once provided Zimbabwe's food and export income have been destroyed as land reclaimed for veterans has been passed onto party leaders who never visit, or work, the land.
Land redistribution has also failed as the new owners have no money to purchase tools, seed and livestock. As the government sets the price it purchases food for they have little profit.
This is the other side of poverty in Africa. Yes, the colonial rulers did cause problems that are still being felt today. Yes, western and Soviet political rivalry has also had an effect on daily life. Yet, while there are people like Mugabe using oppression to stay in power, there is still much blame to lay at the feet of African rulers.
But the big question is: what can we do to help them?