On the one year anniversary of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, artists from the U.K. activist group, Liberate Tate, staged an intervention they titled “Human Cost” at the Tate Britain.
- Source: art-for-a-change.com

“Why hire a lawyer, if you can buy a judge?” Read John Githongo’s article on corruption and how the West will deal with it.

Below is an email we got from a Kubatana subscriber.

My dream this year is to see a democratic transition in Zimbabwe. I believe as an individual I can contribute towards the realisation of this goal without expecting personal rewards. I want to develop the habit of volunteering towards bettering my family, church and immediate community and society. – Ittai

I’m in full support of Minister Biti’s ban on second hand underwear. I just don’t support his logic for it. Biti is variously quoted as saying

“I am told we are now even importing women’s underwear in this country. How does that happen? If you are a husband and you see your wife buying underwear from the flea market, you would have failed”

I’m not certain how many men have an intimate knowledge of the details of their partner’s under garments, but I would wager very few. Be it La Senza or Mupedzanhamo, barring stains and large gaping holes, I quite doubt the ability of the average Zimbabwean man to be able to tell the difference. The only time men really seem to notice is when it is unattractive. And how many really care? More importantly, are we as women willing to let them? It seems to me that millions of women all over the world, including Zimbabwe, have struggled for sole custody of their bodies and the right to clothe them as they see fit. In other words, except for the obvious health and safety issues which are the government’s and particularly the Minister of Health’s concern, it is neither the government’s nor the Minister of Finance’s business where women buy their underwear.

It’s a new year and it’s that period when people say all kinds of silly things and expect to be taken seriously. From ordinary Jacks to extraordinary Dicks, you hear them mouthing crap and you wonder what inspires this specialisation in crapology. Then you think, maybe they are exhibiting unbound elation that they made into the New Year when other people were not so fortunate. But then, is being alive reason to say silly things? So, imagine the response to the question, “Why are you being silly,” “Because I’m alive!” I am not just talking about the so-called resolutions for the fresh year which history has shown have become fashionable empty proclamations of nonexistent faith, but perhaps importantly I am inevitably referencing the political.

I heard the other day a Zanu PF (who else?) mandarin going on and on about how his party would open up the primary election contests where every Jack and Dick would throw in their hat. He obviously did not include himself, for if he did, it would mean he would also be welcoming challengers within the party to vie for the representation of the rural folk where voters have been taken for granted for 30 something years. But knowing these people and their history of violence where they have indeed become career politicians through means nefarious, the sincerity is suspect as rejection in primary polls automatically means “ABCya” to being part of that plutocracy that knows no shame. So why dice with “economic death” as it were if you can afford not to?

A spook or former spook, whatever his “official” title is, was reported to be challenging a scion of Zimbabwe politics, alleging the nephew of the president had done jack for the people. Predictably, the dreadlocked one struck back with the usual foul language, betraying his aversion for popular democracy. It would be interesting then if the guy fingered for “invading” Kuimba Shiri last year was rejected by the people during the primaries. Would he blame the MDC-T for his loss? He would he blame sanctions? I strongly suspect he would blame it on vote buying, himself knowing only too well of course how this works!

Then I also read the other day another day the MDC-N national organising secretary claiming the MDC-T was bent on turning the city of Bulawayo into some kind of Gehenna, citing policy proclamations by the MDC-T leadership in the city. He proffered all kinds of silly case examples, and I wondered why he was vesting the MDC-T with so much powers, the omnipotency of the gods. It was as if the MDC-T says jump and the people merely ask how high? Surely, does the MDC-T wield that much power over the people of Bulawayo that at the behest of Tabitha Khumalo and others, the city risks being turned into a sinner’s paradise? In any case, all Zimbabwean cities are faced with the same bloody issues whose authors are already known. Yet we have a chap who should know better seeing that he himself has no constituency he represents going on with the crappy political rhetoric “made popular” by such compatriots as Gabriel Chaibva, Jonathan Moyo, Chris Mutsvangwa, Godwin Nguni and many others who have made very self-righteous comments about the PM when they themselves have failed to call Mugabe’s bluff about extra-marital affairs and living with HIV within Zanu PF apparatchiks.

And you can bet your butt that as elections approach, we shall be subjected to even more silly crap from educated men and women in politics. But then hey, politics is by its nature elitist, excluding the voices of the ordinary folks, that’s why we have these petite bourgeoisie intellectuals saying all this kind of nonsense and expecting to be taken seriously.

If you’re a young Zimbabwean looking for work experience here are some opportunities for you …

Finance Assistant Intern: Progressio Zimbabwe
Deadline: 12 January 2012

Full time twelve-month placement, based in Harare

Job Purpose: The Finance Assistant will assist the operationalisation of proper finance and administration procedures that are in line with organizational guidelines and internationally recognized standards of accountability in the country office and between Progressio and its partners.  The Finance Assistant will also support in managing the Country Office and project budgets and ensuring compliance with finance related donor requirements.

Job responsibilities include
-Assisting in ensuring proper financial admin procedures in the Country Office
-Assisting in providing support to the Finance and Administration Officer in budget preparation and budget management
-Assist in ensuring that Progressio Zimbabwe complies with all financial requirements of donors on all grant funded projects
-Participating in purchasing for goods and services and processing of payments in line with procedures

Person specifications
-Currently studying for a degree or holder of a first degree in accountancy
-Computer literate, especially working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet applications) and ability to learn other software packages
-Excellent command of written and spoken English
-Highly adaptable and a fast learner

All those interested are to send through their application letters and detailed CVs to sandra [at] progressio [dot] org [dot] zw

Interviews: Week of 15 January 2012 (in Harare)

Programme Assistant Intern: Progressio Zimbabwe
Deadline: 12 January 2012

Full time twelve-month placement, based in Harare

Job purpose : The Programme Assistant will assist in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Country Office and its programme processes, facilitating smooth interaction with the organisation’s stakeholders and managing Progressio Zimbabwe’s communications activities.

Job responsibilities include
-Assist in providing support to Country programme development and management processes
-Assist in maintaining programme management information and communication systems in the Country Office
-Assist in ensuring that the Country office runs smoothly

Person specifications
-Currently studying for a degree or holder of a first degree in social sciences
-Knowledge of SPSS a must
-Excellent command of written and spoken English
-Highly adaptable and a fast learner

All those interested are to send through their application letters and detailed CVs to sandra [at] progressio [dot] org [dot] zw

Interviews: Week of 15 January 2012 (in Harare)

Intern: Finance
Deadline: 13 January 2012

A Church based organisation in Harare is seeking the services of an Intern for a period of 12 months commencing January 2012. The position is only available to students undergoing degree programmes in related fields.

Job purpose: Strengthens the operations of the Finance Unit to deliver its mandate in the most effective and efficient manner at Diocesan and National levels.

Academic qualifications: Studying towards a University degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration, Audit or related fields.

Work Experience
At least one year experience in Finance, Accounting, Audit or Business Administration in a Church or NGO field.
Ability to prepare analytical financial and management reports.
Having worked with donor funded programmes.

Required Competencies
Analytical skills, ability to link faith and justice
Communication skills – writing, presentation and facilitation
Creativity in programme design and management
Ability to combine office and field work
Ability to work in a team and also provide leadership at own level
Self supervision
Commitment to the Christian values of the organisation on and off work.

Essential job results
Student currently enrolled for a degree programme in Accounting, Finance or Business Studies
Experience in cashbook and bank reconciliation preparation
Excellent skills in Microsoft Office package (Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, Access)
Knowledge in Pastel Accounting Software will be an added advantage
Ability to work under pressure and meet cut-off dates or deadlines.

Duties
Assisting in financial reporting processes.
Assisting in field audit visits.
Assist in administrative record keeping.
Any other assigned duties.

Application procedure
All interested interns candidates who meet the requirements listed above are to send in their applications enclosing the following:

Motivation Letter
Candidate’s Curriculum Vitae
Certified copies of current educational and any professional certificates
Details and contact numbers of two referees
Dates of availability to commence work if offered position
Letter of recommendation from your university, stating that you are currently enrolled and your expected date of graduation.

The full remuneration package and other conditions of service will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates only. Due to the large numbers of applications communication will only be made to shortlisted candidates. Applications should be sent to: ahr54 [at] ymail [dot] com