Thanks to Dakarayi Matanga for sharing these signs, snapped in Zimbabwe.

Gents toilet in a petrol station in Masvingo

In a building in George Silundika Ave, Harare

Media Roundtable Discussion
The Media Against Gender-Based Violence

Date: 30 November 2012-11-27
Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue: The Book Café, 139 Samora Machel Avenue cnr 6th Street

On November 30, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), in partnership with Pamberi Trust, presents a media roundtable discussion entitled: The Media Against Gender-Based Violence. The public is invited to attend this stimulating discussion, which will also be attended by significant, print, digital and broadcast media. The media have often been criticized for their erratic coverage of gender-based violence, and their focus on these issues has the potential to have a huge impact. The responsibility of the media in addressing these issues is encouraged to go beyond the 16 Days of November activism period. The goal for this event is to discuss the media’s role in shaping the discourse around this issue.

This discussion will be moderated by Pamberi Trust Information and Communications Projects Officer, Extra-Blessings Kuchera.

Driving home from work on Monday evening I see a young woman being harassed by two guys. I reverse back down the road and ask her if she’d like a ride. But she says she ok.

Get a phone call at work. A woman asks for advice. She’s come across a mentally unstable woman walking around. She had no clothes on. So the good Samaritan took her home for a shower, some food and a set of clothes. But now what, she asks me?

A student from Bindura emails us about intimidation. The last line of his email reads: I am a classmate to Collen doing Masters of Peace and Governance degree and we feel insecure already.

Work in and for Zimbabwe. Help grow our nation. Check out the vacancies below. If you’d like to receive this sort of information, as well as civic and human rights updates, by email each week drop us a note saying “subscribe” to info [at] kubatana [dot] net

Please note that the job vacancies we carry are related to the NGO and civil society sectors only.

National Project Doctor: MSF
Deadline: 5 December 2012

Based in Tsholotsho

Qualifications and skills
-Medical Degree essential: MBChB or equivalent (e.g. MD)
-Post graduate qualification in Public Health (e.g. MPH/MSc Clini Epi) is an added advantage
-Holder of current practicing certificate
-Excellent knowledge of: PMTCT as well as Adult and Paediatric HIV/AIDS Management including of Priority Opportunistic Infections like TB/HIV co-infection
-Essential: Working experience of at least two years in medical activities related jobs (direct patients care)
-Desirable: Working experience with MSF or other NGOs in developing countries
-Fluent writing, speaking and reading English and Ndebele. Shona skills are an added advantage
-Computer literate (MS Word, MS Excel, PowerPoint)

Responsibilities
-Defines, implements and follows up medical activities at Tsholotsho District Hospital (TDH)
-Ensure case management of patients according to National Treatment Guidelines
-Is responsible for the case management of all patients requiring the services of a doctor at TDH (OPD, IPD including maternity)
-Involved in providing training to other Health Workers including on the job training, Mentorship, Support and Supervision
-Involved in analysis of medical statistics and reports regularly to the Medical Team Leader (MTL)
-Is responsible for national staff health in the project be delegation of the MTL
-Participates in management of any emergencies and disasters
-Ensure clear link with Tsholotsho District Hospital
-Report writing of all activities

Applications are invited from genuinely qualified and experienced individuals to fill the above post to: The Administrator MSFE-Tsholotsho, Lusinga Complex, P.O. Box 209, Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe.

Email: msfe-tsholotsho-hr [at] barcelona [dot] msf [dot] org

Research and ICT Assistant: Silveira House
Deadline: 9 December 2012

Silveira House seeks to recruit an experienced and qualified research and ICT assistant to carry out economic and social research and analysis as well as maintain all information, communication and technology machines and assets for Silveira House. The successful candidate will start work on 7th January 1013.

Success in promoting justice, peace and development in Zimbabwe calls for understanding how tomorrow will differ from today and yesterday! From such insights comes opportunity. This is what Silveira House has always tried to do since 1964; and we want to continue this tradition.

The applicants must
-Be able to carry out field research and gather raw information about burning political, social, economic and cultural issues in Zimbabwe
-Be able to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of research and analysis
-Have a detailed understanding of the economics and politics of Zimbabwe
-Have strong appreciation of social policy, research methods, research data analysis
-Have good communication and writing skills
-Able to demonstrate knowledge of information, communication and technology (both software and hardware)
-Be fluent in English (fluency in either Shona and Ndebele and other Zimbabwean indigenous languages is an added advantage for understanding grassroots research information)

Qualifications and Experience
-BSc in Economics and Social Policy or equivalent which includes research as one of the modules/courses covered
-Diploma or first degree in ICT (necessary)
-Experience in economic, social and political analysis
-Experience in journalism will be an added advantage
-Experience in ICT repairs and maintenance.

Main Responsibilities
The successful applicant will assist to initiate research to track economic, social and political issues specifically affecting the lives of the people of Zimbabwe and provide us with thorough, in-depth analysis and forecasting. He/she will occasionally travel to the different provinces of the country and have regular contact with both local and national government, non-governmental organisations, business communities, media and most important of all, the ordinary citizens at grassroots level. The successful applicant will also maintain Silveira House ICT system (hardware and software), maintaining the website and ICT asset register for the Centre.

We offer the opportunity to work in a challenging, fast-paced environment where enthusiasm and creativity from the subject are the norm.

Salary is dependent on experience and qualification, and you will enjoy some excellent benefits.

Please send in your CV with a covering letter and details of current salary and employment to the Director at director [at] sliveirahouse [dot] org or by post to: Box 545, Harare.

Time for the MDC to catch a wake up call
When we voted for the Councils and mayors we had faith that we would at long last get a go ahead Mayor and councillors; who would be honest and practise fiscal restraint. In many instances this has not been so. I am totally disgusted that Mayor Masunda and Chombo and others defend the purchasing of two luxury vehicles valued at $350,000. This is utterly ridiculous for a country that puts out a budget half the size of that of Pick and Pay, South Africa and in a country where millions are mired in poverty. This penchant for expensive vehicles is tantamount to looting and stealing from tax and ratepayers. Is there no wisdom at all anywhere? Is there no restraint at all? I and my company are long standing tax payers and rate payers and I am rapidly reaching that stage where I feel that someone should start a campaign to withhold all taxes and rates until government in all forms catches a wake up and decides to use our money wisely. Most of what we see is absolute greed and selfishness. Personally I say zvakwana, zvakwana. Have you all forgotten that slogan? We need a law that puts a cap on ALL motor vehicles purchased for ALL public officials. When everyone has a home and a job and when every child goes to school and when every sick person can be treated only then will we be happy to treat you to luxury vehicles! – NM, Harare

Buy Zimbabwean
The fact that the majority of goods consumed in the country are imported has created a crisis in Zimbabwe. Make sure at least half of what you buy is a local product and you will CREATE a job or jobs. You will help save my job and I will help to save your job and the government will collect taxes and sort out the water and power issues (hopefully).  We have the power to help each other. Let’s create jobs here and not in South Africa or China by buying Zimbabwean products. Before we blame others for our state, let’s do our bit by buying Zimbabwean products. – SC, Harare

Post-independence Zimbabwe
Believe it or not, the challenge of mind-set change is still a facade and far outcry in post-independence Zimbabwe! Grotesque levels of corruption, poor health service delivery, hatred, policy shelving, duplicity of politicians, violence, citizens’ apathy and absence of rule of law continue to spell a bleak future for our country. Statesmen and policy makers where are you? – RM, Harare