South Africa's newest province?
Robert MUGabe never ceases to amaze me. The last few weeks have seen a sadder picture unfold in Zim. Watching people suffer is something that most people cannot handle, it is soul destroying especially so close to home. Lets recap a few of the things I have heard over the last few weeks [I am sure there is way more but this is just what I have heard]. Zim government is attempting to control escalating prices and have arrested business people for not complying with price reductions. People have no food, work, petrol or basic amenities and in some cases government has kicked people out of their homes and smashed them to the ground. The reason? Who really knows but my money is on total control.
So how long can this human rights abuse last? Our South African government is supposed to be mediating some sort of resolution to the economic crisis [as well as the human one I am sure] and talks were supposed to take place in SA yesterday… guess what….the Zim government didn’t pitch! Taking the soft approach is clearly not working, somehow though we just don’t seem to get that. The real change may only come when the people stand up in vast, hungry numbers against the man that so many years ago promised them a liberated and free Zimbabwe. MUGabe seems to have ‘claimed’ Zimbabwe and its riches for himself, forgetting his first role, is not to fill his Swiss bank account, but rather to serve his people.
You cant help but feel sorry that Zim has no Mandela leading a surge against human rights violations. A lack of competitive leadership has really hindered any people driven change. Word on the ‘street’ is that some Zimbos are having a debate about becoming SA’s newest province! That would be pretty cool, but scary, as we have problems of our own that we are still trying to sort out after nearly 13 ys!
Well, over the coming months we will all have to sadly watch the situation getting worse [inevitable]. Sometimes a dire situation can end up being catalyst for a positive result, like flushing out old governments and welcoming new leaders. One thing is for sure... Zim can forget being ‘rescued’ but an oil seeking ‘knight in shining armor’ [a.k.a. George Bush], they simply don’t fit the oil profile [they qualify on the madman leader front though]. In the end they will have to fix their problems from within. Let’s hope SA can help somewhere though.
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South Africa
3 comments:
I agree. I do hope we can help them. The biggest problem is that it looks like the Zim goverment don't want our help or any help. Yes the Zimbo's are desperate for our help but their leaders are refusing to contribute to any action plan any other country bring to the table. MUG is a dangerous man and he will probably hurt or even kill anyone who tries to go over his head. Look what he's done already....!
So now the Zimbo's are all flocking to SA to begin a new life here. This can be good or bad. The unemployment rate will rise and so will the crime rates. On the good side of things we are hoping that Zimbo's who are skilled and well trained (most of the 'upper class' people studied abroad) will be able to start their own things here and create jobs.
Some people say that I am too positive about this situation and maybe I am. We can be negative and forget about Zim.....but where is that going to get us in the end? Trouble! And lots of it.
Situations like this always gets me thinking: 'What would I do if it happened to me or my family? And I struggle to come up with an answer.
Mugabe is no longer the problem - it's the legacy that he leaves that will wag the dog for years to come. As with Germany until Hitler, SA being snapped at by the Groot Krokodil, and Cambodia being crushed by Pol Pot this can no longer be seen as one man's fury or vengance. It has often been said that all that is required for evil to prosper is for good men to stand by and observe - for conveniece and time sake I paraphrase here. Likewise with our neighbour. The 'potential' beggar you see on the street corner in Sandton has fled the tyranny because they reacted too late. They didn't see or realise that power corruots until too late. But when Mad Bob goes then the challenge starts - who will take his place and will he be any different? Just because he has a different name and demeanour is that indicative of a new focus when all you know of power is vicarious and self centered? How did Bob exert this stranglehold in the first place - not by himself. There are and continue to be willing accomplices in postions of power who peddle in fear and terror for their own pathetic gain.What lessons would the Zimbabweans have learnt from this -wil they vote (given the chance) for what they know or what they want? More to the point what lessons would we at the foothold of Africa have learnt? Are we ready to accept that like Bosnia, Rwanda, Chechnya and Iraq (some may even factor the Texas Dribbler into this equation) you get what you ask for - or don't fight against. Our duty is to ensure that the next neighbour we have is as much a product of our making as is our next president and ruling party. Winston Churchill is credited with (amongst many others) this saying - It has been said that Democracy is the worst form of Government except for those other forms that have been tried from time to time.
Use it or lose it unfortunately
Thanks for your views... very interesting!
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