By a writer inside Zimbabwe who wishes to remain anonymous

Living in Harare is interesting. You are never entirely sure what is going to happen.

From the daily grind of going to shop after shop for basic food stuffs, to lining up for hours for fuel or to get money from the cashpoint, people are never sure what and when things will be available and for how long.

This has led to panic shopping. Right now my cupboard is full of enough ‘Handy Andy’ and baked beans to clean the Houses of Parliament from top to bottom and keep my son happy for the next 12 months.

This is the way it is in Zimbabwe and has been for a while now. There is very little you can rely on except for the stoical patience of your average Zimbabwean to wait in line for whatever item is in short supply right now.

The complete collapse of the economy here has also led to a massive brain drain of professionals and semi professionals, mostly to South Africa and the UK. The saying still circulates that there are more trained Zimbabwean nurses in Manchester than in Harare. The UK and South Africa may need these nurses to support the West’s ailing and ageing population, but what’s left for the young here in Zimbabwe?

In the rural areas where we work, people have to walk on average at least 30km to get to their nearest clinic. Try this in a place with no proper roads, and no fuel available even if there was some kind of transport, and it’s no wonder people don’t even attempt it.

They may try instead with a local traditional healer, who might deal out a combination of herbs and curses to cure malaria, pneumonia or HIV. But the fact that one in ten children will die here before they reach the age of five shows the stark reality of the results.

Nor is it any easier in the cities. Most hospitals demand a minimum of 10m Zimbabwean dollars just to get seen. Yet 80% of people here are unemployed and are scrabbling to afford the very basics – cooking oil, salt, bread when it’s available. Being asked to buy your own drip so you can get treated is just not an option for most people.

The life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe is now 34, the lowest in the world. Most of my friends back home have just had their first baby by the time they reach that age.

One of our social workers was telling me about Yemurai, a young girl of 14 who we are supporting. She lost both her parents to AIDS a few years ago, and has since been caring for her sick grandmother, clearing up vomit, bathing her and exercising her limbs, while looking after her younger brother and trying to keep the house clean. The stress many children here in Zimbabwe are suffering is enormous.

As soon as there’s a resolution to these elections, whoever is in power, there’s got to be a major push to help rebuild this country’s health system and to draw back many of the qualified minds who have been forced to earn a living elsewhere. Yemurai, like many other children in Zimbabwe, deserve this stability and hope for the future.

Comments

[Illa 15 May 2008 17:45:24]

Stop blaming the west why does not China give food instead of arms?! and Mugabes Bank account needs to opened probably hes spent alot on grace.

[Bugsy, Burley-in-Wharfedale 21 Apr 2008 11:31:40]

If it wasn't for Britain and the USA, Zimbabwe wouldn't be independent today, they placed extreme pressure on Bishop Abel Muzorewa and Mr Ian Smith, with the help of the South African government of the day to take part in elections which were won "fairly and squarely" by Muzorewa, the likes of Mugabe and ZANU-PF/ZAPU-PF (Nkomo) not getting a look in. As is happening now with the MDC, ZANU-PF wanted a re-run and stole those elections away from the people in 1980 by intimidation on a grand scale, I know I was there trying to keep the peace between the factions.

[Nelson, Surrey 18 Apr 2008 13:03:16]

A country held hostage by one men, or is it? Firstly we have someone that has lived past his sale by date. Then we have an international community that says we have targeted sanctions when these are sanctions on the whole nation. People are dying more from starvation because of non availability of forex and an economy that has been sabotaged by many from across the divide for their ulterior motives. If Brown dared to do the unthinkable, to extend a hand of conciliation to the Country all this will come to an end. We talk of Justice, whose justice? Justice should not be through one's eyes but should be all encompassing. I have spoken in riddles to separate the small mind from people who take their time and analyse situations. Untill that day we can only hope for Justice in Christ.

[Michael 18 Apr 2008 04:46:15]

The West needs to wake up, and fast.

A ship has arrived in Durban, South Africa with a consignment of arms for Zimbabwe, this has been confirmed by the South African Police Services unit stationed at the harbour. I have just heard via a radio news broadcast that the SA government department, Armscor, will be shipping the arms to Zimbabwe for ZANU-PF.
Brown, Bush and any other concerned, non-PC states need to do something, very soon as the violence in Zim that is to come will end up spilling into the region, no one realises the powderkeg that Southern Africa is.

[london 17 Apr 2008 22:51:18]

i can not belive that the countries in the west have just let the mugabes oppression continue for so long if it was somelse somthing would have been done.
SADAC whats the point of having such a body all they have proven is that they are just worthless.
i am so lost of words to say i can only hope that mugabe drops dead for all the pain and hardship he has caused to all the loyal pepole of the ZIMBA RE MABWE which he has DESTROYED SINGLE HANDLY how does he even look him self in the mirror everyday i could go on and on. what goes up must come down .

[Mike - England 17 Apr 2008 20:23:23]

What amazes me is the fact that some people did not think this would be the end result. I am sure there are still those to the South of Zimbabwe who believe they will not go through the same thing. The funny part is both groups will expect the West to do something about it! - Every been asked to fetch a longwait? I come from the country Bob has returned to Zimbabwe Ruins and lived to the South for 15 years so know both sides, but there is no one to compare to the people of Zimbabwe in terms of friendly, lovely people and I pray that their lives will return to the good time soon.

[purbeck, dorset 17 Apr 2008 18:34:20]

Now all the posturing with MR MUGABE is reaching silly proportions and Mr Mbecki is proving he is also toothless-- I wonder how they will comment on the 77 tons of weaponry, missiles, guns etc on board a ship in Durban, all provided by Africas' new money laden best friend ,China-- who never asks any questions and does not know the meaning of democracy and human rights

[Tony Zambia 17 Apr 2008 11:38:30]

Well done Mr.Brown for calling a spade a spade. It had to be done but there is a risk that African leaders who agree with you, and I do believe that there are some, will be seen to be the white mans lackey if they repeat the call, there again they should have the confidence and support of their people to do so. Political philosopher Edmund Burke said more than 200 years ago: “All that is required for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing.”

[witness from Harlow UK 17 Apr 2008 03:37:16]

Its sad to see such a beautiful country brought down to its knees by what i would call a handful of people, who pretend that they are doing best for zimbabweans. It is sad when Mbeki shows how week he is by saying that there is no crisis in zimbabwe, when a millions of zimbabweans have sort refuge in south africa. like many zimbabweans, i have been following the zimbabwe elections from day one and was quite hopeful that a new government was imminent. going back to the initial statements that were passed on by both zanu pf and the mdc, saying that the elections went well and that they were free and fair, and now zanu pf are contesting for a recount and a re-run yet the presidential election result haven't been released. mugabe and his cronies are not fighting the west as they make it, but rather are fighting they own people. i mean at this day and age people are educated enough to understand history. who ever believes that zimbabwe will ever be a colony again should think again. imagine how it will be to live in zimbabwe in the next 5 years if mugabe stays in power. believe me even my grandmother on a wheel chair will cross the border to south africa. i think its time the UN and the AN as well as SADC interven for the sake of zimbabwean people and to preserve what is left of it. i also think SADC should nominate someone else as the mediator rather than mbeki because he has proved himself to be incompetent.

[chris county durham 16 Apr 2008 23:08:09]

i think people to need to look deep down into the problems in zimbabwe. britain is at fault somewhere down the line as usual. maybes if we had given them money to buy back land like we promised all this trouble would not happen

[Lollipop 16 Apr 2008 13:38:41]

Cath, you can't save zim if you are sitting in another country...

[Lollipop 16 Apr 2008 13:23:37]

Dear Tony (Zambia)
We don't have to worry about the criticisms from the likes of Jeanette. South Africa is already experiencing what Zimbabwe began to experience in the mid 90's- it is only a matter of time before another beautiful country falls to its knees in Africa.As they say, "people in glass houses should not throw stones" - and I would still much rather drive through Harare at night than through Johannesburg where you have a gun shoved through your window and your life threatend by thieves constantly.

[cath ireland 16 Apr 2008 12:41:57]

im an ex-zimbo and what happened is such a terrible shame and i admit that i am quite peeved that the first world "leaders" could just sit back and watch the fall of a nation...

...the world is FULL of cowards...when will people learn to be brave and have courage of conviction.who wouldn't give their life for a glimmer of hope of change?
i trade mine if it would make zim rise from the ashes like a pheonix

[Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 16 Apr 2008 07:43:55]

Makes you think doesn't it, Mr Brown giving mosquito nets to Africa.
Mbeki is very happy with everything in Zimbabwe, he has stated there is no crisis.
The pair of them at at the UN today....I wonder if they are capable of actually doing something positive for Zimbabwe, don't hold your breath!

[Archie Brown, South Africa 15 Apr 2008 18:45:41]

This report appeared on an "alternative" news site in South Africa. Much like Zimbabwe the South African Media is not entirely truthful or reliable in its reporting so these "alternative" sites tend to give the real picture:

Update from Zimbabwe 12th April 2008. Have just returned from sauerstown prison lock-up( where John was incarcerated 5 years ago) having taken lunch to my beautiful friend of 34 years,Maggie Kriel. She was moved from central police station late last night.Maggie turns 60 this year and the initial charge was that she had been impersonating Emma Hurd!(Sky news fame) Maggie is slim and blonde and her maiden name happens to be Hardy! Realising that that charge won't stick they are now trying to charge her with running a news site without accreditation...the 'Morning Mirror' through which so many of you have kept faith with your Zim. home.

The cell Maggie shares with 21 other women(the maximum occupancy should be 5) is 5 x 4 metres and has a mosquito ridden hole in the floor as the only form of ablution/toilet facility. She is allowed only 2 items of clothes, no pillow and not even a piece of tissue paper to wipe herself with.She has a heart condition, was very pale and shaking.She whispered to me that there is one, pitifully thin and covered with sores lady, who keeps begging her to keep her warm as Maggie has a thick jacket.Earlier in the day her husband's lawyers had managed to arrange a bail hearing with a magistrate but after a 1.5 hours wait the prosecutor had still not pitched up so the magistrate went home! The next chance to get her out will be on Monday.Please pray for her.

[Tony Zambia 15 Apr 2008 18:43:26]

Hi Jeanette, your comment can not pass without challenge. Zimbabwe is not South Africa and there is absolutely no recourse from the law (I use this term figuratively)There is no justice and there is no respect for life or dignity. How do you dare suggest it is as simple as pie when there is little support from the region and the populace are beaten into submission and starved for supporting their right to democracy. Come up and live in Mbare for a week.

[jeanette, south africa 15 Apr 2008 13:29:13]

Hi there Anonymous writer from Zimbabwe

Well, down here in Southern Africa, we are told by Thabo Mbeki, there is no crisis in Zimbabwe following the non release of the results of the voting.

Well, if I understand the situation correctly, Zimbabwe will get no help from the West, if Bob Mugabe stays in power.

So I think you as a nation will have to do the inevitable and get rid of him yourselves.

Simple as Pie.

Kind regards
Jeanette

[Khalid 15 Apr 2008 12:37:12]

What I find ironic of all is that Presidents claim to be be independant, yet appear associated with a party, therby creating such pervers situations.
Zimbabwe, as was stated was once the bread basket of Africa, now reduced to its knees by failed policies and what can only be construed as a dictatorship.
recent events within the High Court further proving that justice will only be dleivered if Mr president himself allows, as one cannot but help to note that the judge himslef was scared of being harrassed and beaten.
World Presidents who act in this manner not only bring about shame upon themselves, but to that of their nation yet drivel on about self consious.
So, if any one thought the vote was not rigged, then there goes another flyng pig.
If Zimbabwe is to recover, it must be strong, and each and everyone must work together to get a President that cares for each and everyone of you and not just those who belong in his party.
So, as [Loves Comes Again] dont be scared and vote for change and survival rates will increase therafter [Dj Tiesto].