Police yesterday banned a public meeting in the MDC’s New Zimbabwe lecture series which was to have been addressed by South African economist Patrick Bond, the topic being “Global Financial and Ecological Crises, and Implications for Third World Countries.”

As one observer commented about the ban: “Hundreds had turned up for the meeting only to be greeted by baton wielding anti-riot police. Is this the state of the GNU we want?” The real question however is did we ever say we wanted any kind of GNU? The people of Zimbabwe didn’t vote for a compromise. The politicians decided to force one on us when none of them could get their own way.

Meanwhile, “The Principals” (Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara), signatories to the Global Political Agreement met for 2 ½ hours yesterday to “deliberate key issues affecting the country.”

Amongst other things, they discussed elections, media reforms the land audit, and sticky issues like the Attorney General’s Act and Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri. The gist of the statement after the meeting? Yes, these are issues. And something should happen about them.

Somehow, I wouldn’t have thought that “something” would have involved banning a public discussion. . .

A headline in today’s Herald reads: More typhoid outbreaks imminent. More than 1,000 cases of typhoid have already been reported in Harare, as the epidemic worsens this year.

Last week, we sent a text message to our subscribers asking how typhoid had affected their communities, and what they thought government should do. The map below shares those responses we received which we were able to locate geographically. Click once on a point to view the comment caption, then click on the right arrow to view the comment in detail. Double click to zoom in. Or select view larger map to more easily interact with the map.

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In their own words, here is some of what our subscribers say:

• Typhoid spread to the whole country. The help we receive was not good at all
• The government must ensure adequate safe water supplies throughout all the towns. Where some areas are not connected with pipelines of water supply, there is need for supply of chemicals to treaty their sources of water.
• No cases recorded yet here in Chipinge. Local authorities must ensure clean water, regular refuse collection, attend to sewage leaks.
• The government shld close the areas until they r sure that the areas r safe and clean
• The government should with immediate effect stop vending of foodstuffs and should partner the city council to ensure that residents receive safe drinking water and rubbish strewn everywhere be collected.
• “I live in a small community called Hatcliffe which is situated about 24km from the CBD just after the flamboyant suburb Borrowdale. Since year 2000 we have been experiencing water shortages, we only get water once per fortnight, backyard wells (migodhi) are common in most houses. For the past 11years we have never drank safe water, the city council even worsens the situation by not addressing our problem. Cholera came and went with a few cases reported, but now typhoid is affecting our way of life. Infection by typhoid is inevitable as the only sources of water the people have are contaminated.
• WHAT THE GOVERNMENT MUST DO? They should at least supply our small community with clean tap water twice or thrice a week.”
• The government must ensure that no vendors must sell food which is not packaged, hygiene should be maintained in every sector of our society.
• It is sad and alarming with the rate at which people are suffering and affected by typhoid. I feel scared to visit those areas affected by the disease or even to drink their water when I am thirst. We should educate each other on how to keep our environment clean by not littering and proper disposal of waste. Keeping our water safe for cooking and drinking and even remind each other to wash our hands before handling food and after visiting the toilet. Our government has to take measures to protect us by giving us clean treated water. Also to see that all refuse is collected.
• The government shld clear al the areas which r affected until they r sure that the areas r clean and ready
• Functional public toilets, proper collection of refuse, safe water to drink and people should eat warm food, wash hands before eating and wash fruits
• I’m affected by typhoid from illegal vendors who are operating at open places selling foods like fish contaminated with flies. However as one of the affected people I urge government, especially council workers to repair all the burst sewage pipes
• Any responsible gvt takes the health of its citizens seriously except for the Zim gvt. Ministers are busy enriching themselves when we have piles & piles of refuse in all our cities & raw sewage is being discharged into the main water sources. Pathetic.
• Just the thought of it is FRIGHTENING. Talk 2 family friends colleagues about the wrongs and rights of cleanliness when food water is around us. Govt should be out there educating vendors not just destroying their stands
• Typhoid has affected us in Harare because the water drinking is not safe. Refuse must be collected time to time. Burst pipes water or sewage must also be repaired.
• Our children are at risk at school in Kuwadzana.
• Electricity and water should always be there so that people should eat hot food and using water after visiting the toilet
• It affected me badly, after al there was no medication at the clinic near my place, gvt should establish adequate health facility
• The government must do something to keep the town clean.
• Disposal of refuse to correct place ,clean water no to water cuts, educate people & city councils should repair sewage in time ,market places for vendors.
• Government must abolish mushrooming Food outlets and improve water and sewer system.
• It has affected two my family members. We can help each by encouraging good housekeeping and hygiene. The government must see that all drinking water is being treated and jobs being created to reduce more vendors on the streets.
• Govt must source funds to address the problem it spreads to other cities. The problem is about sewage which is out of control.
• Government has 2 educate people
• Typhoid is real a scare people should make sure they drink clean water, and the government should set an awareness campaign
• Government should intervene and force council to provide us with clean water always councils is to make sure that our areas are clean from flies they should spray rubbish bins and rubbish are people should drink treated water, wash hands and use soap
• Stop corruption. Restore law and order and these problems will fall away as things would be properly run
• It affected us so much the movement should make sure that people are getting clean water plus make sure sewer is moving no leaks.
• Gvt must make tap-water and domestic waste must be collected regularly, further to make environment clean.
• Untimely deaths & unnecessary medical expenses. Government should take action not put blame on anyone or institution.
• The entire is in the local authorities. Our councils are too corrupt, awarding themselves heft salaries and wages and forget about water systems. The gvt has to back on the drawing board, get rid of politicians and install competent pple to municipalities.
• I cant believe Hwange is just  a few kilometres from the mighty Zambezi river but we don’t have water in our houses. ”Zimbabwe nyika yakanaka”
• Am a nurse in Kadoma. We had confirmed cases of cholera and plenty other diarrhoeal case that are keeping us rather busy. Most cases coming from Rimuka.
• I am typhoid free but the government should provide clean water to the public .
• Typhoid must be prevented starting by personal hygiene. Government must educate people & spray all contaminated areas cause its a waterborne disease.
• Raise the alarm quickly and ask the international community to help.
• Not affected yet all stakeholders to be involved clear garbage stop food selling fish water needs genuine treatment
• Typhoid hasn’t affected me. I must encourage each other to drink treated clean water. Gvt must work with NGOs to provide people with clean water.
• The government to allow donor intervention.

~ Paul Auster, City of Glass

The Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention Project, a Department of Community Medicine, University of Zimbabwe project has funding to conduct a PMTCT program in Mashonaland Central Province. The Program is aimed at strengthening health facilities as well as increasing ANC uptake through enhancing community level knowledge of PMTCT. PATH is funding the program through Population Council, South Africa.

We are therefore looking for candidates to fill in the position of Driver (Based in Mashonaland Central)

The successful candidate will have previous experience working as a driver for a project that required urban and rural driving experience.  Drivers will need to ensure that their vehicles are in proper working condition, are serviced according to schedule and should report any faults to the office administrator or project coordinator as they arise. Drivers will be responsible for logging all mileage and fuel usage. Drivers will be responsible for the safe passage/travel of the project staff.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Reporting to the Programme Coordinator the driver will be responsible for driving the project staff.
• Transporting specimens and equipment as per the standard operating procedures.
• Maintaining vehicle log books, recording mileage and fuel usage.
• Reporting vehicle defects to administration staff and keeping a schedule of vehicle maintenance.

Qualifications and Attributes:

• 5 Ordinary Level Subjects
• A clean class four driver’s license; a mature person, who is well organized;
• Ability to work independently but within a team framework.
• Fluent in English and Shona.
• Defensive driving certificate.
• GCP certificate an added advantage.

Please send your application including detailed CV, copies of qualifications to the  Zimbabwe Aids Prevention Project-University of Zimbabwe, by post, e-mail or hand delivery using the following contact details:

The Programme Coordinator (Arise Project)
ZAPP-UZ
92 Prince Edward Road
Milton Park
Harare

e-mail: hr [at] zappuz [dot] co [dot] zw

Applications to be submitted on or before 20 January 2012.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

If you are a committed, creative professional and are passionate about making a lasting difference for children, the world’s leading children’s rights organization would like to hear from you. For 60 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children’s survival, protection and development. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.

Vacancy Notice No.Zim/2011:42 – Human Resources Officer – NOA Level (Fixed Term Post)
Position being re-advertised and previous applicants will be considered, no need to reapply.

The successful candidate will be responsible for a variety of human resources activities within the Human Resources Unit, with particular focus on the staff welfare and development component of the human resource function in the country office.

• Participate in the identification of training needs, preparation of training proposals, arrangements for implementation and evaluation of impact on staff/office performance.
• Undertake the planning, implementation and administration of country office training activities e.g. workshops, seminars, group learning activities; making sure of the appropriateness of participants, determining objectives based on a training needs analysis and evaluation of training impact.
• Participate in the Local Learning Committee and ensure timely implementation of the annual training plan and   follow-up actions.  Maintain files and records on all learning activities and materials.
• Ensure that relevant materials and documentation on learning and career development are circulated to staff. Inform and update staff on policy changes and instructions related to learning and career development.
• Carry out the recruitment process of all categories of staff according to UN/UNICEF rules, regulations, procedures and policies.  Review appropriateness of job descriptions, arrange internal and/or external advertisement(s) and, in consultation with supervisors, undertake the short-listing of candidates for   reviews by appropriate bodies.
• Advise and inform all staff on the correct application and interpretation of UN/UNICEF personnel rules, regulations, procedures and policies.  Provide on-going counselling to all categories of staff in the office.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Advanced University degree in Business Administration, with specialization in Personnel Management or Training.
• Three years of professional work experience in the field of Human Resource or personnel administration.
• Work experience in an international organization is desirable.
• Good judgment, initiative, tact and discretion.
• Good analytical, negotiating, writing and communication skills.
• Fluency in English.  Knowledge of the local languages would be an asset

If you have experience of working in a similar capacity, meet the above profile and want to make an active and lasting contribution to build a better world for children, send your application letter and curriculum vitae quoting vacancy notice number to the following address.

HR Specialist
(Vacancy Notice: Zim-2011:42)
UNICEF, 6 Fairbridge Avenue,
P O Box 1250
Belgravia, Harare

or email: hararevacancies [at] gmail [dot] com

Applications should be received by 5 January 2012. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.