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

Chickenshed present …

The Rain That Washes

At Chickenshed

Tuesday 29th September 2011 – Saturday 8th October

An epic journey through Zimbabwe’s turbulent history. A true story that is poignant, political and personal, this beautifully realised one-man show brings to life the human drama behind the history and the headlines.

Following the dream of majority rule, one man sees Ian Smith’s Rhodesia become Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.

From refugee camps in Botswana to air strikes in Zambia via Marxism in Bulgaria, he returns to Zimbabwe, only to witness the greatest betrayal of all.

Age Recommendation: 12 plus
Running Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Tickets: £8 (£6 concs)

Venue: Chickenshed Theatre (Studio)
Address: Chase Side, Southgate,London, N14 4PE

Box Office: 020 8292 9222

Nearest Tube: Oakwood/Cockfosters.

More here

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!

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

From Comrade Fatso, one of Zimbabwe’s best spoken word poets:

Mdhara we ma Sweets/Mr Candyman

They call him Mr Candyman, Mdhara we ma Sweets
Trodding all over town with bags of tricks ‘n’ treats
His scream like seventy sirens silencing the streets
He’s known to break into dreams and steal your signature while you sleep
His feet are bandaged with the people’s hijacked hopes
His hands hard as dogma hanging like hanging ropes
His bag filled with al the sleepers souls he stole
His eyes murky and deep like puddle that’s pothole
His goal is to teach the children to undream
Exchanging hopes for sweets is his sugar-coated scheme
Hawking his goods in this land half-full, half-empty
Telling people that his sweets are their sovereignty

Mdhara keeps tricks for his enemies and treats for his friends
For friends read vendors who lick his boots with no end
But then again no vendor ever truly made it
As soon as they got close to him their goods would be confiscated
One hawker though comes to mind
He became really popular -  Blaz we Airtime
Who sold cellphone credit and dreams to the poor
Let the people talk and talk some more
Everyone was connected and the people were enthralled
They texted his name, spoke of him when they called
Insisting he was inspired to change their world
All across the land they spoke his name
Blaz we Airtime had brought the winds of change

Mdhara got the message and read the text
Realised this time of air could be the end of his sweet success
This new network could knock him to the pits
So he reached deep into his dark bag of tricks
Invited Blaz to join him at his stall
A rickety cardboard box called ‘The Sweet Juice Up Mall’
Blaz’s customers came hour after hour
But soon the deal became sickeningly sour
Mdhara kept eighty percent of all profits made
Decided the prices, made sure Blaz’s pay was delayed
Soon Blaz ran out of credit
The people couldn’t top up and they couldn’t get his messages
They sent him a please call me back hoping he hadn’t become a traitor
He replies “Your dreams are currently unavailable. Please try again later”
Finally Mdhara got him arrested for hawking hope without a licence
The police pounced and kicked him for his kindness
As Blaz is dragged away he screams “Mdhara, one thing. Where’s your name from?”
Mdhara replies “The people long ago asked me for change.  I gave them chocolates and chewing gum”