Sunday, 29th October 2006
Howzit
When I redid the template for this blog and "Zimbabwe News Update Podcast", it was primarily best viewed in Mozilla Firefox. For those of you who do use Mozilla Firefox, in case you have not been informed, 2.0 is now available for dowload here. Enjoy it - I think it's great!
The contest, launched in London, will award winning leaders $5m (£2.7m) over 10 years when they leave office, plus $200,000 (£107,000) a year for life.
"We need to remove corruption and improve governance," Mr Ibrahim said."
The sponsor of the competition says that he hopes that the event will encourage leaders to be more democratic when it comes to succession and their stepping down from power.
"Suddenly all the mansions, cars, food, wine is withdrawn. Some find it difficult to rent a house in the capital. That incites corruption; it incites people to cling to power.
The prize will offer essentially good people, who may be wavering, the chance to opt for the good life after office," said Mr Ibrahim."
A cash incentive to those who act in a democratic manner, and do not engineer their own successor...But not everyone agrees.
Patrick Smith, of specialist publication Africa Confidential, said: "The people who know what to do and have done well are already doing it.
And the people who are doing badly and are killing their own people or stealing state resources are going to carry on doing that."
Africa has one of the world's richest concentrations of minerals precious metals, yet 300 million of its residents live on less than a dollar a day."
I really do hope that through this competition, the truth of politics, strength, power and tyranny gets through to those who are yet to learn.
I reckon that this would be more fun if it were a telephone vote like in "Strictly Come Dancing" or the "X-Factor" - at least that way the public would have their say, but then again, the telephone system in Zimbabwe doesn't work so good, so once again the populous would be denied the right to vote!
But, in reality, democracy IS X-factor - the person with the least votes goes - simplicity itself....
-o00o-
Typical ZANU PF efficiency - if at first you don't succeed, then play the delaying game and blame it on someone/something else...
"There was chaos at major polling stations across the country on Saturday as scheduled rural council elections failed to take off on time. According to Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman for the Tsvangirai MDC the polling stations were supposed to open at 7am but even around 11am some of them remained closed as they were waiting for ballot boxes.
Despite assurances by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission earlier in the week that preparations were on course for the elections Chamisa says thousands of people had to stand in queues waiting to vote. He says opposition strongholds have mainly been affected and this was a deliberate strategy to disadvantage the MDC."
When the results finally come through I feel that the numbers will belie the actual number of voters, as is the norm in Zimbabwe, and the ZANU PF/MDC balance will be inorinate - as usual.
Recent history shows that even if the results are disputed, in a court of law, the outcome will have no effect whatsoever on the politics on the ground.
According to Mugabe's government, it is not what the people want, it is what ZANU PF think that people want, and the ruling party takes what they want, without question or reserve.
-o00o-
It was reported that the fee was refundable and would be used to cover costs of repatriation should the need arise."
What this will do is force more Zimbabweans, intent on moving into South Africa on a permanent basis, to cross the border illegally, thereby keeping whatever money they have with their families remaining in Zimbabwe.
The fee would not be payable if the person crossing the border can provide proof of full time employment, but they have to have at least R1 000 in traveller's cheque before being allowed into South Africa.
This is the 'domino effect' as South Africa realise that the influx of the numbers of Zimbabweans entering South Africa is flooding the market. The first domino fell when Mugabe came to power some 26 years ago, and , whilst it has taken time, his tyranic rule has finally effected every person resident in Zimbabwe - and, may I say, a good few outside of that country...
And the most iritating thing about it, is that because the message has got as far as Zimbabwe before being 'blocked', I am charged for the transmission, even though it has not been received by the person to whom I have sent it!
"Mobile phone service provider NetOne has installed equipment worth US$7,5 million to upgrade its mobile switching centres and base stations countrywide.
The move is aimed at easing congestion and improving the quality of network service.
One of the switching centres, with a capacity of 760 000 lines, is in Bulawayo.
It is excepted to cater for that part of the country while the one in Harare is being upgraded.
A mobile switching centre is an intelligence system route that routes or switches a call to its intended destination.
In an interview with Herald Business yesterday, NetOne managing director Mr Reward Kangai said the company was also planning to establish and commission some base stations in Harare to avoid congestion.
"We are doing a number of things at the moment like exchange upgrade and our Easycall prepaid system is also being upgraded," he said."
If it works, then no one will mind, but if it doesn't, then there will no doubt be fur flying, but Zimbabweans just seem to take whatever is served to them."This brings greater convenience to subscribers as they receive messages just after making a call updating them on the duration of the call, the amount of airtime used and their balance."
I don't say that no one should travel to Zimbabwe - hell, I'd like to go back for a visit or to live - but travellers should at least be given the latest, up-to-datest information at the time of their departure.
"Some sections of European and Asian media have hailed Zimbabwe as a safe tourist destination that is set to regain its position as one of the major players in world tourism.
An Irish newspaper, The Cockman Daily, on Monday published an article saying Zimbabwe was set to become a growth area in years to come.
"When you consider that in just a few years, a country like Croatia has gone from having no tourism, to now being one of the world's most popular destinations. While the numbers travelling to Cape Town have also soured, Zimbabwe will definitely become a major player in the tourism industry," read part of the article.
The paper praised Zimbabwe's tourism facilities.
"Zimbabwe boasts of one of the best hotels in Africa, in Harare, the capital, while there are 15 golf clubs in Harare alone offering facilities to rival many of the world's top clubs."
There is no doubt in my mind that Zimbabwe is truly one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It's just a pity that it is run by a government that wants all the rewards for itself.
-o00o-
Take care today.
'debvhu
posted by Robb WJ Ellis at 5:24 PM
"Silent Night"
Union Jack (1963 - 64, 1998 - ??)
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