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.

Yesterday Bulwayo24 published a story, which created some controversy on their site and some social networks. The article, Why it is risky to marry a Shona woman like Sheila Mutsenhu, was removed from the site after some few hours. I never got to read the article myself, though I wish I had. Here is a comment which was posted on the Bulawayo24 website by someone who had read the article.

I would like to complain about the tribalist hate speech that was published in the following article.

Why it is risky to marry a Shona woman like Sheila Mutsenhu (Article removed)

The author of this article chooses to parade his prejudices and ignorance and expose his own virulent tribalism rather than offer any meaningful discourse. Any responsible editor should not have allowed him a platform to air such irresponsible nonsense, or would have at the very least solicited counterpoints.

For the record women stripping in protest is not even part of Shona culture. Nor is it unique to Sheila Mutsenhu. I have witnessed several examples of it here in South Africa at service protests. Maybe the editor of Bulawayo 24 should look at the website (teealimodels.wordpress.com) or even this one (huffingtonpost.com) against the speaker of the United States congress.

Please understand that I am not advocating naked protest, but I am merely seeking to point out that Ryton Dzimiri’s views have absolutely nothing to do with his dislike for naked protest but everything to do with his tribal prejudices against the Shona. Naked protest has been happening all along including streaking at sporting matches but we have never heard even a whimper of protest from him.

The choice to make Bulawayo24 a site for the airing of tribalist hogwash is their editor’s choice. However they should not complain if others start making similar tribalist claims against one of their favoured tribes whichever that is.

Believe me such tribalist judgemental and prejudiced opinions do exist against all tribes in Zimbabwe. It is out of responsible consideration for others, that we often correct those who hold them.

Yours sincerely
Jupiter Punungwerecovery efforts.

Tendai Marengereke a blogger on TechZim lists 5 tech initiatives we would love to see in Zimbabwe in 2013. The list includes:

1. Establishment of an Open Data Portal
2. EcoCash getting smart
3. Multi Carrier IMEI database for stolen smartphones.
4. Growth in E-commerce
5. Better designed Websites and less Joomla

Read the full article on the TechZim website. Let’s help expand on this list!

A Zanu PF Chivi South legislator Irvine Dzingirai, has grabbed Renco Mine in Masvingo in what he alleges to be ‘indigenisation’. Dzingirai in the report by NewsDay, boasts of having a diploma in mining which equips him with the skills to run the gold mine. Earlier on in the week wives of the mineworkers held a strike demanding their better wages and working conditions. The acts of this legislator go further to show how indigenisation has gone wrong in Zimbabwe. The whole process has been politicised making it defy its purpose which could have been beneficial to local Zimbabweans had it been done in the right manner.

I believe in small acts and gestures to show my son I love him. And this too applies to the love we have for our country in the various cities we live in. I listened on Star FM’s breakfast show this week about an initiative by With Love Foundation in collaboration with the Proudly Zimbabwe Foundation of cleaning the City of Harare. To me citizens who avoid littering or take part in cleaning up the city, is an act of love for Zimbabwe. Speaking during the show, representatives of the two Foundations reminded us that we love to live in clean homes and we don’t find ourselves throwing litter in our own homes, why then throw litter on the streets? The Zim Clean Campaign is trying to attract 2400 volunteers.

According to the With Love Foundation:
“The aim of this drive is to keep our city clean. We intend to do this by mobilising the general public to keep their streets clean. The demise in street sweeping activity should motivate us not to sit back and complain but should mobilise us to act. We as responsible citizens of Zimbabwe should then be empowered to re-create our Zimbabwe.’

Details for the clean up campaign are as follows:

Date and Time: 26 January 2013 at 1330 hours in Harare CBD
Points of assembly:
Market Square Bus Terminus (0772867300)
Fourth Street Bus rank (0772264471)
Harare City Library (0736971414).
Dress in jeans, sneakers and white top; if you do not have do not worry. We just need YOU.
All volunteers will receive a Community Service Certificate.

Now you know, please share with all your friends.