Kubatana.net ~ an online community of Zimbabwean activists

Where are the women at the Worldwide Developers Conference?

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Posted on June 12th, 2013 by Elizabeth Nyamuda. Filed in Uncategorized, Women's issues.
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This story discusses how male dominated the technology industry is.

It looks like an alternate universe: Ridiculously long queues outside the men’s restroom while there’s not a single person waiting for the women’s. But while the image of men impatiently hopping from one foot to the other may make women across the nation giggle – it also reveals an issue that is no laughing matter. The image was taken at the Worldwide Developers Conference in San Francisco on Tuesday by CNET editor Dan Ackerman, who captioned it: ‘WWDC explained in one photo.’ The picture highlights how male-dominated the technology industry remains – and is just one of many similar photos taken at recent gadget conferences.

Read more and see images here

Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters like a mini Mugabe state?

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Posted on June 12th, 2013 by Elizabeth Nyamuda. Filed in Uncategorized.
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Julius Malema, an expelled former leader of the ANC Youth League in South Africa has launched a political party platform, Economic Freedom Fighters. Malema says it’s a platform for garnering support from the masses to demand economic freedom from the ANC. Analysts however say Malema is preparing to launch a party and is testing the waters with such moves. Some have likened his move to that done earlier this year by Agang leader, Ramphele, who set up a platform prior to applying to register the political party.

Malema in his launch speech outlines principles that will govern the consultations they will carry out around South Africa. The first two being expropriation of South Africa’s land without compensation for equal redistribution and nationalisation of mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy. This has seen some readers likening Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters to a mini Mugabe state.

It’s a privilege to be a Member of Parliament or a Senator

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Posted on June 12th, 2013 by Lenard Kamwendo. Filed in Constitution Referendum 2013, Elections 2013, Governance, Zimbabwe News.
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Dear Harare Westerners

I just got my “marching orders” from the Clerk of Parliament Mr. A. M. Zvoma who reminded me that my time is up as my term of office as Member of the House of Assembly for Harare West constituency will expire at midnight on 29 June 2013 when Parliament shall stand dissolved by operation of Section 63 of the Constitution which states that:

“63 Prorogation or dissolution

(2)Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may at any time dissolve Parliament.
(4)Parliament, unless sooner dissolved, shall last for five years, which period shall be deemed to commence on the day the person elected as President enters office in terms of section 28(5) after an election referred to in section 28(3)(a), and shall stand dissolved:”

It’s funny how 5 years fly so fast, it seems like yesterday when I was sworn in on 27 August 2008, to serve you Harare West. It is a privilege and honour that I enjoyed.

A message of appreciation from Hon Jessie Majome’s Facebook page should be a reminder to all those Zimbabwean legislators who have been thinking that it is by their birthright to be in Parliament. Such privileges have been abused by so many to an extent that they think that being a Member of Parliament or Senator is somehow related to chieftainship. Well as noted by Hon Majome after Parliament has been dissolved she will be jobless and it is the people who would bestow that privilege back on her so that she can have another term in office. The reality of being jobless to many MPs is still in the cloud, which is why some are still dreaming of an extension of the inclusive government. Its hard to leave an all expenses, paid hotel life and the unproductive time spent heckling in Parliament at the expense of the electorate and facing the daunting task of convincing these same people to grant you another opportunity to represent them again. The realities of being reduced to be another ordinary member of society will make some develop health complications as fear of rejection builds up.

Well suck it up and understand that what goes up really comes down and give others a chance in the next elections.

We don’t care what the world thinks of us

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Posted on June 12th, 2013 by Marko Phiri. Filed in Elections 2013, Governance, Zimbabwe News.
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I laughed the other day when I read that the Zambian Home Affairs Edgar Lungu who reportedly acts as president when Sata is away said “We don’t care what rest of world thinks of us.”

He is quoted as having said “people saying the PF government is denting the country’s image to the outside world do not understand facts.”

What facts, I mused, recalling President Sata’s performance at the AU summit.

The Zambianwatchdog.com reports that “Mr. Lungu added that government is not bothered by the perception of outsiders as long as it has the support of the Zambian people.” The story attracted 160 reader responses.

One reader commented: “A time is certainly coming, probably very soon when they will care what the world says about them.”

The reader was obviously referring to elections and I couldn’t help but draw parallels with our Zimbabwean circumstances.

That’ll teach them!

Zimbabwe, Turkey, similar demands

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Posted on June 11th, 2013 by Bev Clark. Filed in Activism, Governance, Media, Zimbabwe News.
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turkey zimbabwe

Source: http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/full-page-ad-for-turkish-democracy-in-action

Research consultant: ActionAid

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Posted on June 11th, 2013 by Bev Clark. Filed in Job vacancies, Uncategorized.
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Research consultant: ActionAid
Deadline: 12 June 2013 (4pm)

ActionAid is an international non-governmental organisation working with people living in poverty in 40 countries to end poverty and injustice in the world.

The Assignment
AAIZ requires the services of experienced Researchers/ Consultants to carry out research on the capacity of selected rural and urban Local Authorities to supply or deliver quality basic services to their residents in a gender responsive manner.

Background
To date AAI Zimbabwe works with eight (8) Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in selected Community development programmes called Local Rights Programmes (LRPs). AAIZ has set up LRP partnership structures in selected poor rural and urban communities

Purpose
To generate evidence to inform program and policy initiatives aimed at increasing women’s and youth’s influence in the decision-making processes that affect the delivery of basic services that address their rights and needs. This would be based on an in-depth study of selected local authorities i.e. 4 rural district councils and 2 urban councils.

Objectives
The objectives of this Research are:
1. To assess and document the levels of awareness of women in the planning, budget formulation and monitoring processes of local authorities
3. To analyse the effectiveness of communication platforms used by selected local authorities
4. To assess the perceptions of residents on the quality and gender responsiveness of services being delivered by the selected local authorities
5. To carry out an analysis of key underlying factors and constraints affecting local authority service delivery
6. Map stakeholder’s involvement and responsibility in local governance at local, national, regional and global levels

Research Approach
The research approach and tools to be used in the consultancy should be participatory and Consultant should ensure that the analysis in the final report reflect the perspectives of women, youth, residents associations and other key stakeholders involved local governance.

The consultant is expected to have the following qualifications and experience
1. Technical expertise in Gender and/or Social accountability and/or Citizen’s Empowerment
2. A minimum of 5 years research or consultancy experience in local governance related work that reflects an in-depth and practical knowledge of the ways in which local authorities function
3. Proven experience in facilitating similar processes with a traceable strong record in designing and leading researchers and ensuring timely submission of deliverables
4. Well-developed qualitative and quantitative data analysis skills with a track record of translating complex data into effective, strategic and well-written reports
5. Research team should be fluent in Shona, Ndebele and English.

Duration
The assignment should completed in twenty days

Applications
Interested Researchers/ Consultants should submit proposals showing:
- Understanding of the purpose and objectives of the assignment
- Proposed research approach and tools
- Estimated cost of the proposed Research

The proposals should be accompanied by detailed CVs of the principal Researchers/ Consultants.

Completed proposals must be submitted to:
The Human Resources Department, ActionAid International, 16 York Avenue, Newlands, Harare

Or emailed to: Jobs.Zimbabwe [at] actionaid [dot] org

Actionaid International Zimbabwe values all applications but unfortunately is only able to respond to short listed candidates. Whilst all applicants will be assessed strictly on their individual merits, qualified women are especially encouraged to apply.