Rebuilding Africa ‘can’t be dependent on donors’ – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala: Nigerian finance minister, in Liberia as part of UN development panel, wants innovation, infrastructure and jobs for Africa. Via the Guardian

A Zimbabwean mother in the UK has made news on the Internet after New Zimbabwe published a story of her romping spree in front of her 3-year-old son. The reporter states that the aim of publishing the story is to name and shame the mystery woman. Also to get assistance for the child who is being sexually abused by being subjected to watching sexual scenes performed by his mother. The news site has been castigated by many for trying to play a police role. Many readers say the matter would have best been dealt had a police report been made. And if that isn’t strange enough, how about the fact that a 35-year-old mother in Britain introduced her daughter to alcohol at the age of 3. Her reason being she wanted her to grow up to be her ‘drinking buddie’.

It’s been merely thirty days into the New Year and a lot has happened in Zimbabwe from the bizarre stories to progress in constitution making process to death, police arrests and floods. The whole year seems to be highlighted in just a month and with eleven more months still to go one wonders what more is in store for Zimbabwe? An explosion occurred in Chitungwiza during a cleansing ceremony conducted by a traditional healer. The explosion killed people and destroyed houses. The parties to the GPA have agreed on the draft constitution by COPAC and it waits to pass through parliament. Though some slight changes have occurred in the draft constitution on matters such as presidential powers we still wonder if political parties that had made their stance on the second draft constitution, will continue to stand by their campaigns. The nation lost its vice president John Nkomo and well renowned academic and aspiring politician Professor John Makumbe. Okay Machisa director of the ZimRights was arrested on the 14th of January and was released on bail on the 28th. In some parts of the country heavy rains destroyed bridges and houses killing people. These are just a few highlights that have occurred in the space of 30 days.

This a painful and sad reality to hear the Minister of Finance Hon. Tendai Biti saying after paying last month’s civil servants wage bill only $217 is left in the Zimbabwe state account. Some may ask whether the Minister is washing the nation’s dirty linen in the public. Or he is giving a service to the nation by being accountable and sharing the status of our bank balance. But to whose sympathy since it is also his responsibility to manage the economy? Ever since the Minister assumed the role of Minister of Finance he has been preaching the gospel of “only eating what you kill” but in a situation like this the big question is, where will the next kill come from? Proclamations of the mineral richness of our country should show up at times like these not to be seen globe trotting with begging bowl all the time.

Some may argue that the Minister is politicking instead of doing the job he is being paid to do. In a country awash with minerals to report only $217 in the state account literally means the country has individuals richer than the country who may need to bail out the government.