Okay, so this is nothing like the Kenyan political graffiti we shared recently. But if this wall in Highlands, Harare is anything to go by, Zimbabwean youth are warming up their spray cans and getting ready to express themselves.

Spotted this on a walk the other day. Given that Labradors tend to be about the friendliest dogs you can imagine, no wonder they had to clarify!

Zimbabweans text in their thoughts

Following a PlusNews story about discussions to introduce door-to-door HIV testing in Zimbabwe, Kubatana asked our SMS subscribers what they thought of the door-to-door testing idea.

We received over 600 replies, and have mapped the 250 or so that we could associate with locations using Ushahidi’s Crowdmap here.

This gives an interesting visual of responses from around the country. About 60% of replies came from Harare and its immediate surrounding areas, with the rest coming from around the country, including Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare and more.

Responses were mixed, with 46.6% respondents thinking it was a good idea, particularly because of Zimbabwe’s high HIV prevalence and the fact that many Zimbabweans still do not know their HIV status. However, many Zimbabweans (38.2% of responses) expressed concerns about the idea, particularly because of issues of privacy and human rights. Others questioned whether the idea was the best use of government funds and public resources. Some worried that, without greater availability of HIV treatments and ARVs, the testing would not make the desired difference to peoples’ lives. A healthy portion (15%) of replies expressed mixed opinions of the idea, or believing that it would only work with certain preconditions.

Some of the responses included:

• Door to door HIV testing is a gross violation of one’s fundamental right, why not door to door distribution of food basics as this a drought year?
• The idea is good. It should good go a step further by making it mandatory not just voluntary for partners to disclose their HIV status to each other
• I think the rights of people must respected the cant force people the money to do the exercise should be used buy medicines 4 the sick
• Its not fair to test HIV door-to-door because suicide rate will increase
• The issue of door to door HIV testing is not bad but the problem is, does our government have enough funds to supply the drugs to the millions if not billion HIV victims.
• Door to door HIV testing, I wonder what they would have done with our legislation without room for compulsory testing & the confidentiality clause incorporated in it. They must think before embarking on this endeavour.
• People must not be forced to get tested, they must do that voluntarily
• Government plan of testing people door-to-door is unfair, it’s just like sleeping with woman who does not love you. They must go to well-wishers.
• This is a very noble idea. This idea has more privacy. And may cover those who were to go and get tested at centres.
• That’s bulls–t!! If they do then what? Government must concentrate on bread & butter issues only.
• There will be no more human rights at all
• The idea is good, but people should not be forced to undergo the H.I.V tests.
• This is a good initiative which will go a long way a long way in trying to mitigate the pandemic
• HIV/AIDS is a pandemic, it is reasonable to take measure in a bid to eradicate the disease. A door-to-door VTC is best for our nation.
• It is very positive for people to know their H.I.V. status but more importantly their attitude after knowing their status.
• Door to door HIV testing is good if proper counseling is done also if resources permit.
• I well come door-to-door HIV testing. Some people are denied and some avoided and again some in remote areas such that they lack chances of being informed accurately. Thus they will be rescued from dying due to ignorance. Please try to speed it up if chan
• I would suggest testing be done to all patients who seek health treatment in hospitals.
• It is a noble idea on the side of the government, but on the other side it’s an abuse to those unwilling.
• HIV testing should be voluntary not by coercion. Door to door testing is tantamount to testing by coercion. Instead of embarking on such a campaign, government. Should channel the money to educating the nation on the advantages of getting tested voluntarily
• Good idea but can only succeed with cooperation
• The government + NGOs must make some rigorous campaigns to educate people about the +tive aspects of being tested & its benefits otherwise no one would be found at home.
• If testing is by choice it is a good move. It is a good strategy to bring the programme to the people rather than people going to the programme. It is a violation of rights if it is mandatory.
• Yes its costly but good. We must know our status. Why should HIV be a secret? Diabetics wear a wrist plaque. It should apply so we live positively.
• Door-to-door testing is a good thing but it should start with ministers.
• Door-to-door HIV testing will cause havoc in our country because some of these government officials are not elected by the people I am saying this because the government is failing to feed its people, for example Masvingo governor banned NGOs from feeding
• I think they can go ahead since AIDS is a disease, which is just like malaria. So everyone should know his or her status.

View more and check out the map here

And add your two cents about the door-to-door testing idea in the comments section below!

In his comments at a Pass Out Parade earlier this year, Police Commissioner Augustine Chihuri expressed confidence that the Zimbabwe Republic Police was doing everything it could to bring road fatalities to a minimum in Zimbabwe.

When I heard the accident statistics for this past Easter weekend, I was shocked: 33 deaths and 332 serious injuries. Is this really the best we can do? Soberingly, on the same weekend last Easter, a total of 69 people died and 410 others were injured in road accidents, according to The Zimbabwean. So maybe, sadly, it is.

Tangentially, the whole Chihuri address is well worth a read – It’s like he’s living in some parallel universe.

AusAID, the Australian Government’s Agency for International Development, seeks an experienced and dynamic Office Manager to help oversee and implement the corporate functions of their Harare post. Based in the AusAID Office at the Australian Embassy Harare, the successful candidate will be engaged as a non-ongoing employee for two years, with the possibility of an extension.

The Harare Office Manager will be the only full-time corporate position in Harare and will undertake basic administrative, financial, human resources and IT tasks.

Key responsibilities include: implementation and coordination of the office administration function including management of assets, and properties, purchase of office supplies and payment of invoices; management of office budgets and finances; recruitment and contracting of new staff; travel support for all officers; record keeping; and drafting and management of small value contracts.

Selection criteria: ·Experience in an office management and administration role undertaking the tasks outlined in the position profile. ·Excellent standard of written and spoken English including negotiation and representation skills. ·Well developed people and team skills, including the ability to work effectively in a diverse team in dispersed locations (Zimbabwe, Kenya, offices across Africa and Australia); ·Sound judgement, problem solving skills and initiative to achieve results. ·Ability to adapt to change and be responsive to new challenges

An experienced-based salary package will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

How to apply: Further information about the selection process can be obtained from the Australian Embassy website

Applications close Thursday 5 April 2012

Please note that late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Applications will not be acknowledged and only short-listed applicants will be contacted. If you have not been contacted by 20 April 2012 for an interview, please consider your application unsuccessful. AusAID reserves the right not to make an appointment.

For further information about AusAID, please visit our website