My open letter for Coalition

OPEN LETTER TO THE CITIZENS OF ZIMBABWE, LEADERS OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL PARTIES, NERA ZIMBABWE AND CODE

Fellow Citizens,

The circumstances of the Norton By-Elections were an eye opener to all Zimbabweans at home and in the diaspora. A number of facts were laid bare by the elections. The first obvious point being that less than 50% of registered voters participated in the election. Second being that had the MDC-T or ZimPF fielded a candidate, Zanu PF would have won.

One area where elections are rigged is when registered voters fail to exercise their democratic right. If we have 50% voter apathy in a general election, there will be enough room for rigging to be effected. A split opposition also makes rigging easier as the computations become easy to those who add ballots in the middle of the night.

For a lot of Zimbabweans, there is only one desired outcome in 2018 elections. We would like to see, for the first time in 38 years, Zanu PF joining the ranks of opposition parties. We need a new order, a new vision, and a new government. This is the desired outcome for many, including a number of Zanu PF supporters, who are suffering today.

This outcome will not be achieved by a split opposition. All opposition political parties in Zimbabwe, large and small, must come together and form one front that will face Zanu PF in 2018. It is now time for us to reject partisan politics and become nationalists. It is now time to throw away our selfishness and act in the best interests of our families, friends and colleagues.

It is heartening to see that the debate for a coalition has gone up to various opposition party leaders. However the issue of who will lead the coalition is definitely going to make the whole dream a still-birth if parties and leaders continue on the current path. Selfish interests will take over, if they have not done so already, and will lead to partisan approach to this key national development.

It is my view that the coalition must be led by someone outside any of the current opposition political parties. Indeed we can all debate on the attributes of the candidate but broadly, we need someone who will only lead the coalition for one election cycle, from 2018 to 2023. The individual should be financially stable and a proven leader possibly in business or civic community.

The right candidate should have gravitas in the international community and a very strong moral code. This is so because after being elected into office as the President of the coalition in 2018, he/she will be responsible for economic revival and implementation of electoral reforms for the 2023 plebiscite. This is over and above working closely with all parties in the coalition in that period.

The right candidate will eliminate bickering amongst parties leading to the 2018 election. All parties will be able to work together seamlessly understanding the goal. The electorate will also not be split along partisan lines. Parties can allocate amongst themselves Senate, Member of Parliament and Councillors for the 2018 elections to their agreed criteria.

It is my view that Strive Masiyiwa and Dr Nkosana Moyo may be good characters to create a template for Coalition President. In fact, with luck, maybe one of them may agree to take this caretaker role for our democracy.

Notably, parties will go back to their true selves as the country moves towards 2023 elections. Parties should also try to give the Coalition President as much room as possible to nominate his/her team. Ideally, Presidents of parties should not be in the Presidium of the coalition. This will reduce bickering and accusations of partisan decisions within the coalition.

The citizens of Zimbabwe must demand a coalition along these conditions. We need a new order and a chance for our country to begin moving in a progressive direction. Opposition leaders must give this idea a chance and stop their grandstanding and partisan approach in matters affecting the welfare of Zimbabweans.

After all, it is for five years while we address key aspects of our budding democracy.

Fungai Chiposi, Mr.

Citizen

 

MY HEROES DAY MESSAGE TO YOU

Heroes are us

Today we celebrated Heroes Day. This is a day when we remember those who valiantly fought for equality of all men and women in Zimbabwe regardless of race, tribe, gender, age, creed nor social status. For that we thank them and are eternally grateful.

We are faced with new challenges in Zimbabwe today. Challenges that require a new set of heroes and different level of bravery. Challenges that demand us to be innovative as we interact with more technology, requiring higher emotional intelligence from each of us.

Today requires you and I to be our own brand of heroes. Heroes fighting against marginalisation of youths, women, communities and tribes. Heroes fighting poverty. Heroes fighting for clear national policies on key national resources like power, water, housing and infrastructure development. Heroes fighting for a brighter future for all.

Thus even as we remember, let us not rest. Let us stand more for Zimbabwe than for individuals. Let us stand more for development of the whole country and uplifting of every one of us. The battle is not won if you have what you need, it will be won when your neighbours, your community, your province and all people of Zimbabwe; have what they need to lead a decent comfortable life.

 Give of yourself to the needs of the country. Lift your hand when you can give. Give fully without measure. Find time for community and national issues. The Zimbabwe we all long for and desire requires that we all move together in spirit and person, singing one song. 

We are therefore I am.

Together We Can

My view on illegal vending in Harare CBD

My view on illegal vending in Harare CBD

By Fungai Chiposi, Mr.

Background

The arrival of Chinese goods and most importantly the opening of the first Chinese shops in Harare CBD around early 2012 worried me. Other than the smell of the goods, it was the new shop and marketing model that was introduced by the Chinese, as well as their oppressive behaviour towards their workforce, that I found repulsive. When the shops spread around the city, there was great consternation within the CBD as well industry with prominent shops going burst as they could not compete against the Chinese imports and trading habits.

The Chinese received favourable import duty on their trinkets. They discarded the traditional method of displaying wares and sold stuff out of baskets lined on the floor. They sold cheaply made rejects from China resulting in stories of 5 dollar 2 kilometre shoes.

This was a high class vendor that has led to the emergence of the current vendor in our CBD.

Harare CBD

The Harare Central Business District is both a seat of government and centre of commerce in Zimbabwe.  Most people coming into the country will drop off at the airport and proceed into the city before going to their destination. Foreign dignitaries will reside at such places as the Rainbow Towers and Monomatapa Hotel, deep in the heart of the city. Shoppers come into the city for superior products and possibly better prices. Meanwhile a lot of business are headquartered in the CBD and environs, utilising services hinged around the CBD.

This CBD is not a huge area. It is actually 33km of street within an approximate 15 square kilometres and a possible 3km diameter. In fact, a determined walker can walk the length of the CBD in less than 30 minutes from Kopje Post Office to Fourth Street bus terminus. Harare City itself does not do much better. It is an approximate 960 square kilometres of land.

Vendors in the CBD

Vending in the city started towards end of 2013. The vendors were mainly selling small items like belts and did not position themselves to any location. In fact they were known as HAWKERS. Behind these early pioneers came vegetable vendors. Initially they would sell from carts, stopping in high traffic areas especially early in the evening. End of 2014 saw the arrival of pavement vendors that literally spread their wares on the ground and sold mostly vegetables to the passing public.

Early 2015 saw the arrival of an assortment of vendors selling anything from cellphones to light FMCG items. The tide has since risen to what we have now; vendors on almost every major pavement selling all sorts of goods including second hand clothes donated by Europeans et all for handing over to troubled hotspots in Africa.

It is worth noting here that the City fathers had allocated a few places including Mupedzanhamo Market (about a kilometre from the south western end of the CBD) for selling of these clothes. The market itself proved so famous it extended towards the high density suburb of Mbare, mutating in terms of product range as it expanded almost to the doorstep of Mbare Msika.

Current Vending Product Range in the CBD

The items being sold by vendors on the streets of Harare vary in assortment. It is safe to say, whatever you can buy and carry with you on your person in the shop, is also being sold on the pavement outside that shop. Thus, electrical goods, groceries, toys, vegetables, clothes, etc are all being sold right in the CBD by people standing in front of the shops selling the very same products; albeit of a lower quality at times.

Who are the Vendors?

This is the golden question. Some of the products being sold on the street are products that can only be brought into the country illegally like the second hand clothes. Some of the groceries are being sold at absurd prices begging the question where did they come from? Geisha (a local bathing soap) normally sells for 89 cents in the shop but you can get it for 50 cents on the street. These anomalies make it difficult to answer the question clearly.

Also, it is not any person who can gather a few goods and have the courage to go and stand in front of a shop and sell the very same products in the shop. Indeed, desperation can cause someone to go to such lengths but there are signs that the vendors on the streets of Harare have a political leaning. Even more, there seems to be elements of relatives of ministers, city council officials, intelligence personnel, army and police; all intertwined in the enterprise.

Obviously, there are the ordinary people who have been forced by extremely harsh economic conditions to fend for themselves and craft a livelihood.

City of Harare Bylaws

The bylaws of the city prohibit vending within the city. There are a few spots around the city that have been specified as vendor zones. The bylaws are obviously intended to maintain order and civility in the CBD and greater Harare. The bylaws are also there to protect the public, commercial, and other interests of the people who rely on the city for various activities. These bylaws are enforced by the Municipal Police aided by Zimbabwe Republic Police. This is so mainly because the Municipal Police do not have arresting powers nor do they fine offenders without involving the ZRP.

Economic Climate

Zimbabwe is going through a debilitating economic crisis compounded by a hands-off approach from the country’s political leadership. In real terms, unemployment is around 90% around the country. Most people are dabbling in the informal sector or dealing or some such, which mostly does not register on the country’s tax radar. Even those in employment are going without salaries sometimes including civil servants.

MY VIEW

Pedestrians

Vendors have practically closed off pavements with makeshift stalls making it impossible for me to walk to and from my bus station. Most of the times, I have had to walk on the road, risking my life as there are combis and private cars ferrying the people on the roads. Those two in particular drive without care of pedestrians and/or other vehicles.

Noise Pollution

I am very particular about noise. Anywhere in the city, there are people shouting out prices. To counter the din, shop owners are trying to attract attention as well and have loud radios stuck in their doorways. Add traffic noises and the situation resembles a mini war zone in down town Harare.

Unfair Competition

It is my view that Zimbabweans have never known the true value of the US dollar. With a loaf of bread going for a dollar, I think most products are still overpriced as we continue to subsidise non-performing businesses or over-remunerated CEOs somewhere. It is however a self-evident fact that a shop owner cannot compete against someone standing in the street simply on the basis of overheads. Add staff and other costs and the shop owner will simply not win the argument.

The shop owner has two choices: close his business and join the vendor. This will further compound our unemployment figures and begin the scary process of creating a ghost city. Most of the office workers are already leaving town for leafy suburbs, a situation that has left the CBD with a low end supply of businesses renting office space. In fact Harare CBD is hovering around 50% occupancy rates at the moment.

Trash City

The window to our country, our very own sunshine city is turning into a trash city on our watch. The standard of goods and tenants has already fallen to due to the Chinese assault alluded to earlier. With a shrinking revenue base (vendors are not paying anything to the city council but to dubious space barons) the city council will struggle to maintain the city and provide services. As it is vendors have closed off some roads in the CBD as the law of the jungle takes hold.

Sanitary Hazard

The sanitary infrastructure in the CBD is intended for a mobile population not sedentary as is the situation with the vendors. The strain on toilets is visible for those who care to enter one or two. But even worse, some of the vendors cannot afford the rates for paid toilets. They are using discarded water bottles for urination and some unmentionables. They throw these anywhere in the full view of the public.

There is also the case of litter. Being in one place for a long time generates its own litter. This is very evident in the CBD in the evenings. Some of the bins in the city have been uprooted possibly for storage of wares by some of the vendors.

Drain on Foreign Currency

Most of the products being sold on the streets are illegally imported from neighbouring countries; expending a resource that the country is currently looking for. Zimbabwe has created employment around neighbouring countries to an extent of creating an industry in South Africa. Trucks ferrying Japanese vehicles from Durban to Beitbridge being case in point.

Conclusion

There are many other factors that I have left out above. In conclusion, everywhere else in the world cities where there is vending, proper structures have been put in place including apolitical organisations to self-regulate their activities. The integrity of Harare CBD must be preserved by removing these vendors cluttering the city. Vending must be constrained to specified vending spots and those requiring their products can go there.

Rufaro Stadium sits 35,000 people to watch a match. If that number goes in, the stadium is full. The City of Harare cannot single-handedly solve Zimbabwe’s employment crisis by accommodating two million vendors in the CBD.

Lastly, we cannot allow challenges to shape our development as a nation. We must rise above them and focus on creating sustainable industries for future generations. This bump in the road must and should not leave us without a capital city.

The #ZESApetition

PREAMBLE

Zimbabwe is experiencing acute power shortages with most residential areas spending a lot of hours in the dark. Production time in most manufacturing firms has suffered greatly due to load shedding. Small home entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens have lost stock and groceries while electrical gadgets are damaged by abrupt ONs and OFFs. Needless to say, the country’s GNHI (Gross National Happiness Index) is at an all-time low as people struggle with this national dilemma.

The successful implementation of Zimbabwe’s economic turnaround program depends greatly on availability of power in numerous production processes from small home industries, farming processes to industrial performance. ZimAsset, which underpins the development of the country in the next 4 years, is already lagging behind in many of its targets with a large part of that attributable to power shortages.

With these factors and many others in heart, We, the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe would like to offer solutions from our perspective and ensure the country experiences growth. We are convinced that this situation is a learning curve that will strengthen our bonds in all communities. We are ready to play our part.

 

THE PETITION

We, the People of the Republic of Zimbabwe, individually and collectively, hereby petition the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Dzikamai Mavhaire; ZESA Holdings Board Chairman Dr. Hebert Murerwa and all Directors; ZESA CEO Mr. Josh Chifamba, ZESA GPRM Mr. Fullard Gwasira and all Management and subsidiaries, TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EQUALITY OF ALL ZIMBABWEANS BY PROVIDING AN EQUAL AND QUALITY SERVICE to all. Specifically, we hereby petition ZESA Holdings through relevant subsidiaries to:

1. Deploy adequately trained FRONT OFFICE STAFF, who can be easily identified and are always furnished with up-to-date information on load shedding schedules and faults.
2. Draft, publicise and adhere to a REASONABLE AND EQUALLY SHARED LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE that will enable consumers both domestic and industrial to plan their routines with certainty.
3. Manage power distribution by suburb at domestic level and ensure complete separation of sensitive areas from residential clusters.
4. Draft, publicise and implement a CRISIS ENERGY SAVING POLICY that will ensure responsible maximum utilisation of available power across all sectors of the economy
5. Draft, publicise and implement a SMART 20-YEAR ENERGY POLICY that will see Zimbabwe well lit and being a net exporter of electrical energy among other aspirations.

 

END NOTE

It is our desire as patriotic citizens of a sovereign and independent Zimbabwe to send our children to school, go to work and rest in homes that are ensconced with modern day conveniences of our time. Even in these minute processes, we are actively involved in nation-building as we are raising future leaders, mothers and fathers while shouldering industry and commerce of today.

We want to raise future leaders that do not celebrate “kudzoka kwemagetsi” (ending of a load shedding period). We want to be more productive in workplaces while sending well fed and clothed children to school. On a national scale, we aspire to leave a culture of pride in nation and ability to rally to a national cause and act for the betterment of all.

We understand that the above comes with a great cost that goes beyond financial solution. Any nation that has grown has done so at some great cost at one time or the other. We believe this is one of our costs of growth as a nation and we must learn from it or we will not be worth the growth. We therefore require pro-active and participatory leadership from you on this issue.

We look to you for adoption of, and addition to, petition items here listed as you lead us on a path of conservation and responsible usage of this key national resource.

God bless Zimbabwe.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO SIGN PETITION http://t.co/WpEjQntm9P

SMARTPHONE PARASITES

Lets stop the abuse by network and software developers.

 

*For the record, this is my third time writing this article; the first two disappeared in my phone forcing me to conclude that certain forces do not want you to read this article.

 

The introduction of the smartphone sent all network providers worldwide into a frenzy of glee. The chink into bank accounts was so shiny and sweat-free so much so that executives turned to the bible to understand the verse of “manna from heaven” more. The reason was simple.

 

While the smartphone sits there silently doing nothing, little greedy gremlins with a bottomless thirst siphon credit for a purpose no human can easily explain. A simple test on my Samsung Galaxy Pocket revealed that a dollar had disappeared in a day and half while my buddy sat there doing absolutely nothing of value to me.

 

This is money that the networks are making while doing nothing for you nor me. More like glorified tax for having a smartphone. A friend told me the gremlins in iOS are even hungrier than those on Android.

 

So us, the battered users cottoned on quickly and set out to stop the gluttonous gremlins inside the phone. People disabled background data, removed applications and limited mobile data (in brackets credit). Yet no one can completely stop the gremlins. Somehow they still worm their way in and sip credit out in a formula that would have dumbfounded Einstein himself.

 

For countries such as Zimbabwe with very few free Wi-Fi hotspots (if any), a smartphone is truly a necessary white elephant to the ordinary person. A few employed individuals would get Wi-Fi at work though, until recently when most corporates are disabling Wi-Fi and/or putting complex passwords to prevent the employees from accessing the life-giving blue gel called Wi-Fi.

 

Most of these corporates are on unlimited packages which they can obviously afford. I am sure most of them do not consume even a tenth of this precious liquid. Yet they pay monthly for unlimited access while limiting access to employees. It is like hoarding sirloin steak while watching your neighbours eat veggies morning noon and night only to throw the sirloin away at the end of the month.

 

Thus slowly the number of people recharging credit into smartphones diminished. Indeed, the networks do not strive (hahaha) on selected high rolling users but on the masses from Budiriro, Mbare, Magwegwe, Sakubva, etc. If anything, the rich are already watching what they put into the smartphone and mostly carry “kambudzi” (your old Nokia 5110). They are rich because they watch the penny hey!

It was in this environment that some bright spark at Econet Wireless (Yazviita Zvakare) recently crafted and caused launching of Facebook and Whatsapp bundles. These two applications are the bread and butter of many ordinary people. And indeed they are also the staple food of networks not only in Zimbabwe but most of Africa.

 

For USD1.80 one can (or could) get subscription to both Facebook and Whatsapp for a whole week. Basically it means/meant one could be communicating merrily for USD2.00 for the whole week. No extra airtime required. We all know how calls in the traditional sense are dying a fast death. This compared to my previous usage of USD2.00 per day on average was absolute Nirvana.

 

Another added benefit was that I could finally give a finger to the gremlins. With my phone on full blast (background data enabled, etc.), the gremlins could not touch me! The past two weeks or so were sweet heaven for me and am sure for many in Zimbabwe who jumped onto this gravy train.

 

It however does not take a rocket scientist to calculate that there was immediate panic at Econet. This panic touched us the market a few days ago when suddenly it became impossible to send our precious pictures and voice and other (tehehe) on Whatsapp. Also, navigating Facebook suddenly required one to carry a Sainthood certificate as one could spend hours looking at that little circle going round and round waiting for something to happen on the phone.

 

As recently as yesterday, I discovered that accessing the bundles can actually cause callouses to one’s thumb. I dialled more than a zillion times and still could not get past the net. I tried every trick but I could not use activate my Whatsapp bundle. I have not given up, I shall keep sneaking in until I go past into heaven.

 

I am writing this note to tell my friends and frenemies across the country and in the diaspora that if you notice silence on my part, I am trying to get a bundle. I have disabled data. Should I fail, I shall investigate other networks for better options and move. I know now for sure that I do not have to spend more than USD2.00 per week on my phone. And it is not my duty to feed the gremlins created by Android with my precious credit.

 

If you want to join me in my quest, simply share/forward/RT this article.

 

Thank you.

 

RUN! The Zombies are coming…

Hahahaha.. Okay, I know it is not funny hey.

So a friend has been asking me to watch The Walking Dead. When I further heard that our very own Danai Gurira (her fame is refusing Cal Joshua Ncube an autograph at Avondale) is in the series, my interest piqued. I had to watch it. Even worse, recently I watched Brad Pitt’s World War Z and was left aflame by the drama and some of the theories.

Thus I purchased my bootlegged copy of season one and two of The Walking Dead. The story is very simple. Some sort of virus, God knows from where, infects humans (I am still wondering about patient zero). Continued infections happen if you are bitten or scrathed by the infected.

The infected kind of die and then wake up as slow moving zombies with gory features. When the series starts, the infection has decimated humanity save for a few surviving batches. How did the slow moving zombies get almost everyone? Hahaha, do not ask me. Very silly honestly. I can run away from 50 of them hogtied.

I felt my intelligence severely insulted by this moronic series with improbable theories. Most of the zombies are partly bitten yet they eat a horse to shreds. Why just bite people and eat the horse? How about pretending to be a zombie and walking like one and while at it chose a really difficult and slow gait? The Chinese (sorry he said he is Korean)  guy killed me. And animals are not infected?

Then it hit me in the face hard: this series can be talking about Africa. I mean for real, it is talking about Africa.

We know what is wrong and we know what needs to be done yet no one is doing anything. We are standing there patiently waiting to be bitten by what we can easily move away from. Now we have internalised poverty and become professional beggars running away to what is bad for us. Not so funny hey..

RUN! The Zombies are coming! Damn, Damn, Damn, some goofie just hid under a car.

Act on your beliefs

On the 18th of January, in the company of good friend Jazinda Machache, reporter and True African Woman Shanee and with technical support from Kudzayi Manyau, we walked from Town House in Harare to Makoni Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza. We walked the 27km distance in a time under 6 hours.

We had Shanee walking with us and chatting with me half of the way. Kudzayi provided logistical support; we had an amazing halfway stopover at the airport on Seke Road with a bit of dancing to some cool house music. It was indeed a fun trip all round.

For me, this walk was meant to assess my physical condition before embarking on the 1,000km Green Walkathon that will take me across Zimbabwe in 38 days. The speed pointers were great. At a very leisurely pace, I will cover 4km an hour and this can be improved to almost 6km per hour. Thus my projected 30km per day is a reasonable target.

Physically, I had a few aches in both feet partly due to freshly purchased takkies. My toes burned a bit and briefly the sole of my left foot wanted to flare up. My left knee niggled a bit but settled down. All in all, I am convinced I can cover the 1, 000km albeit with some serious physical challenges.

I am doing this because I am convinced Africans should stand and be counted in telling the story of their continent. I believe there is need for serious discussion on the waste management chain in Zimbabwe and only drastic action will bring about this discussion and eventual progress on this issue.

I am doing this to raise funds for BIN-it Zimbabwe so that we can eventually say there is no litter in Zimbabwe. And this program can achieve this goal. We will put up crowdfunding appeals with different perks starting with Indiegogo. For home, we will encourage people to support through Ecocash.

I am attempting this walk so that you can come with me. I am asking you to support me. This is our huge pride factor as a people. Let us let everyone know that this is what some of us in the homeland are committing to. Share this post to your wall and everywhere on social media. TOGETHER WE CAN.

Pickpockets? What is that? Traffic police?

While reflecting upon a few issues that worry me, I suddenly realised that I am a very old and possibly wise man. The fact that I do not feel old is probably due to my mind, which tells me that I have not done what I must do to become of age.

1980 was an amazing year pregnant with promise and possibilities. I remember watching Prime Minister Mugabe giving a speech at Rufaro stadium and I was truly galvanised and proud. We had it all here. The jewel of Africa according to Julius.

We lived through an era where corrupt Ministers actually committed suicide! It is difficult to envisage now but it happened; if only they knew… There were good roads in Mbare, notably Mhlanga was used by public transport easily going to the glens and back.

Zimbabwe was actually a communist country that spent a lot more on education and health. We had ZUM as an opposition political party before the boy wonder emerged from a mine and shook the political landscape to the core with MDC.

The TV used to come on at about 5pm in the evening and shutdown at 12 midnight. In 1997, people who voluntarily participated in the liberation war caused panic resulting in the President awarding 50, 000 dollar gratuities to war veterans, severely impacting the Zimbabwe dollar. The Black Friday November 14, 1997 put a nail in the Zimbabwe dollar coffin and today the dollar is buried quietly possibly at National Heroes Acre.

Before it was interred, the Zimbabwe dollar left one lasting legacy. It depreciated so badly, on the back of crazy government policies, one needed a plastic bag full of cash to buy a loaf of bread. The citizenry learnt new numbers then, suddenly becoming familiar with quadrillion and so forth.

For all its effects, none is more notable than the death of the pickpocket. Indeed, pickpockets died in a flash. Even after the US dollar came, it seems the pickpockets are not keen to come back. The absence of wallets on many persons does not help either.

In their place, we are celebrating a new breed; traffic police. I am yet to meet a more refined conman than those chaps. Their allegiance is first to their pocket and last to the country. I am not sure they have interests of law and order at all. In my view, never has a more glorified pickpocket existed in Zimbabwe. I have seen it all.

Tapinda tapinda mafera

Indeed we are in fellows. Into one more year given us by the almighty to exert our relevance on this earth. To leave a mark and be exalted by fellow humans as a person of worth. Yes, we are in.

The entrance into 2014 in Harare was rather hectic and colourful in contrast to the tepid 2013 we were leaving. Indeed there was money to be seen in the parties everywhere in the neighbourhoods. Popular joints rocked with bumper crowds drinking themselves into the New Year.

At exactly 0000CAT or 0200GMT, spontaneous fireworks displays erupted all over the city and I would like to imagine Zimbabwe as well as Africa. Not big fireworks but the small ones that still climbed up into the pitch black sky and exploded with aplomb and fanfare. Indeed, we are in people.

This is a time for being happy and speeding cars through neighbourhoods swollen with blaring music. It is also a time for introspection. What did you achieve in 2013? Did you leave a mark? What will you do in 2014?

We in Zimbabwe have oft wonder aimlessly in life here, waiting for the ticket to escape to some foreign land where we will arrive with purpose and passion. Some are too rich to be concerned about the unfortunate and have built their little Englands around Zimbabwe living as if in a bubble.

Either black and/or white, affairs of man are fast becoming cause for men. Thus my lack today is the rich man’s concern as I will be looking for means, legal or otherwise, to get a share of that wealth.

My appeal to you is simple, either at home or wherever, pick a cause. Stand for something. Be passionate about something broader than yourself. Live a life larger than you. Then you can claim a position in 2014, otherwise you are still in 1980.

Dear Proud Zimbabwean

Dear Proud Zimbabwean,  

We are inviting YOU to become a Msasa Network Partner of Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation.   We, Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation, are committed to sustainable development of our communities through people resident in or from those areas. We are convinced that every Zimbabwean either at home or in the diaspora has a part to play in realising local development.

Our pioneer program, BIN-it Zimbabwe is eradicating litter across the country and capacitating infrastructure in all CBDs. We have conducted clean-ups of CBDs and 2014 will see the program active in communities.  

Msasa Membership is our idea of getting ordinary people to be a factor of development and change. We are asking YOU to be a member. Your contribution is ONE DOLLAR PER MONTH payable YEARLY ($12.00), 2-YEARLY ($24.00) or 5-YEARLY ($60.00).  

The membership will be used to sustain the Foundation as well as fund some of programs and projects. 2014 particularly has a full calendar list of events that will move Zimbabwe towards clean communities and position our country as a tourist friendly destination.  

The biggest benefit to you will be knowing that you are participating in a program bigger than your immediate family and engineered to benefit the whole country. We will send you a membership badge & certificate that will carry a pledge (to development) for both YOU and the Foundation.  

We cannot do this alone. We need YOU. Become a member and change the  Zimbabwe narrative.  
You can send your desired membership amount to EcoCash Merchant Number 34567. We will contact you for more details and send you your certificate. You can also make a direct deposit into our account held with CBZ Bank.  

Alternatively you can come to office 225, 2nd Floor, Rainbow Towers, Harare (opening 6 January 2014) and pay your subscription in cash as well as meet the team.  

For the diaspora, we are in contact with progressive game changers in the UK who will champion the cause there. They will craft a contribution platform while putting in place a PayPal option that can be used worldwide.  

For more information, please contact us on 04-2913319, call/app/sms 0772867300 or email us on ProudlyZimbabwean@gmail.com  

Thank you.  
Fungai Chiposi, Mr.
Executive Trustee
Proudly Zimbabwean Foundation