Check out how Kubatana has been using Freedom Fone in Zimbabwe.

Perhaps you connect to the Internet using Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), you own a Cisco Systems router, or Netfirms is your web hosting company. According to a new report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), these companies and many other technology heavyweights are collaborating with dictatorships that jail bloggers and censor the Internet – and they deserve to be sanctioned. More from IFEX

Watch, Be Inspired and Learn: a series of short films to inspire and entertain

Kubatana.net has compiled a series of short clips and interviews with change makers from around the world. This DVD includes motivating ideas and stories that will encourage you to think, act and help shake things up!

Amongst others we bring you:

* Wael Ghonim on how Facebook helped the revolution in Egypt
* Patrick Awuah on educating a new generation of African leaders
* Chris Abani tells stories of shared humanity
* Joseph Lekuton tells a parable from Kenya

and … at home

* Comrade Fatso & Chakvondoka ft. Outspoken share their feelings about trying to make a living in MaStreets
* Amanda Atwood shaves her head illustrating a personal act of solidarity
* Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) show how street action can be necessary to draw attention to what’s wrong

ACTION: If you would like a copy of this free DVD email your name and postal address to products [at] kubatana [dot] net with Watch and Learn in the subject line.

Please note, if you’ve already requested this DVD via SMS, thank you for your request! We’ve made a note of your address and your DVD is on its way to you.

Either way, once you’ve received it, please remember to Share It.

Thanks

The Kubatana team

In the office there are so many thing that we throw away everyday, without batting an eyelash. Lots of paper, boxes and other office waste are tossed in the trash without an attempt to reuse or recycle. I want to put an end to this mindless wastage and challenge you all!

Maybe you’re an environmental warrior, green artist, engineer or an artist in a creative rut, struggling for inspiration for you next masterpiece? Whoever you are I challenge you to find a creative, innovative and lasting use for these empty CD cases.

I have taken some of the plastic lids home in a bid to reduce the waste. I made a few small holes in the bottom of the lids, turned them over, and am now using them as seedbeds for my flower and vegetable seedlings in the garden. My 3-year-old son – with a little inspiration from his mum – has also started his own mini-garden using the lids. But this is just me … an “unartistic”, “uncreative” person. I’m sure all the colourful, creative-geniuses in our local artistic community will come up with something even better, and more interesting.

So go on … get creative … go green. I DARE YOU!

Colleagues at OSISA recently  shared this news with us:

Well done sisters in  Mozambique!!

Last week, the advert above (of a local milk stout beer) sparked a furor in Mozambique and managed to galvanize the women’s movement (across the spectrum), to rally together against it.

They claimed successfully that this advert was insulting, discriminatory, sexist and against women’s dignity.

After a press conference where a campaign against the brewer (Cervejas de Mocambique) was launched, the brewer bowed to the pressure and decided to unconditionally withdraw the advert.

Fórum Mulher (Women Forum) and the Mozambican Human Rights League led the protest.

Well done to everyone who signed a petition, wrote a blog, submitted a letter to the editor, or otherwise complained about Luxurygate – The purchase of government vehicles.

Public discussion and pressure around this issue has prompted the statement below from the Prime Minister’s office – It’s a real shame that it takes people getting outraged about an issue before government finds the need to explain its actions. But steps like this will hopefully lead to the policy changes outlined below for accountability and transparency in government salaries and expenditure.

Cars for Ministers: The facts

There have been reports in the press of late about unjustified expenditure of motor vehicles for Cabinet Ministers and senior government officials.

Indeed it is the duty of the press in a democratic society to oversee the State and excesses of government.

A vibrant media that is not indebted to any political organisation is the cornerstone of any democracy.

However, to the extent that the Press is the Fourth Estate which plays a critical role in any society, it has an obligation to be fair, impartial, objective and accurate. That is why every journalist is taught the value of public interest, privilege and truth.

Public interest is key but it is not best served by mistruths and sensationalism.

In 2010, the Government of Zimbabwe set aside $1,5 million for the purchase of off-road vehicles for Cabinet Ministers and other senior Government officials. The money was disbursed to the Ministry of Transport in December 2010. CMED, a private company, has proceeded to acquire the vehicles which are a condition of service for Cabinet Ministers.

Since January 2011, the Ministry of Finance has been gazetting accounts following the procurement of vehicles for education officers, health officials and other key departments in line with allocations in the 2011 budget. There has been no allocation for Cabinet ministers in 2011 and the off-road vehicles, procured this year from the allocation in 2010, are for outreach duties.

Like all civil servants, whose plight everyone concedes must be improved, Cabinet Ministers are not on meaningful salary. Their salary does not include any allowances such as housing and education because of the limited fiscal space.

However, the so-called Luxurygate teaches all of us important lessons.

Firstly, that there must be transparency in the conditions of service, remuneration and other perks for all senior officers. While the current law says only the President’s salary should be gazetted, perhaps we need greater transparency where all remuneration and benefits for everyone in Government are made public so that there is no room for speculation.

Secondly, it is important for everyone in public service, including cabinet Ministers, to declare their assets and for the Government to have a comprehensive and vehicle policy.

The bottom line is that civil servants and Cabinet Ministers must be well remunerated so that they are able to buy vehicles from their own salary.

In the face of accusations of profligacy, the Prime Minister, as the head of Government charged with the responsibility of formulating and implementing Government policy, has sought to clarify the cost and the context of the procurement of the alleged vehicles.

The Government should not operate as a secretive enclave. In the public interest, the Ministry of Transport should state the full facts, the number of vehicles procured and the total cost to the taxpayer.

Luke Tamborinyoka
Spokesperson
Office of the Prime Minister