Zimbabwe 2013: Lessons for Africa?

The Zimbabwe elections came and went.

The ruling Zanu PF won again, for the 5th time, and this time with a 61% majority.

The opposition MDC cries foul.

The AU calls the elections free and competent

The US and UK are disapprove of the outcome.

China and South Africa congratulate Mugabe.

Life goes on...

How many people actually went to the polls?

What do the Zimbabweans living in South Africa say?

What is really going on in Zimbabwe?

What is really going on in Africa?

Will the leaders of a New Africa please stand up!

Leadership, Languages, and Africa

You are an African liberation leader fighting for the liberation of Africans... in English, French, and Portuguese! Ngempela? Picture Europe liberating itself in Swahili.

You are an African president, serving your country's people in English, French, or Portuguese! Ruri? Picture the Chinese president serving his people in isiZulu.

You are Robert Mugabe: you tell Zimbabweans... Britain for the British, and Zimbabwe for Zimbabweans...in English! Really? Picture Blair addressing the British in Shona.

You are a radical Africanist, preaching Africa for Africans... in English, French, and Portuguese! Really?

You are the African Union, and the official languages of the union are English, French, and Portuguese! Really? Picture the European Union being run in Sesotho, Hausa, and seSwati.

Le disorta bashimane ting! Lulang fatse!!

Ba kae baetelli-pele basebele?

Re ea le hloka!!!

On Transparency, Finances, and Accountability

Mamphela Ramphele disclosed her personal finances to the South African public in an effort to show her party's commitment to promoting transparency and accountability. 

She urged all South African political leaders to do the same, saying it is important for the public to know how much wealth public officials had and how they got it. 

• The South African presidency responded by saying that the president discloses his net worth to cabinet each year, and that further disclosure was unnecessary.
• The media missed the point of her disclosure completely, and made a meal of the actual amount she claimed to be worth.
• ‘Sponsored’ media commentary blasted her for her move, accusing her being insensitive to the poor by parading her riches in their faces.   

The ruling party smiled…

"It’s no holds barred.… If you put yourself out there like a toffee, expect to be chewed." - Jessie Duarte (ANC deputy secretary-general)

SA Politics and the Rule of Law

In South Africa Today,

If you can make noise to the effect that there is a political conspiracy against you; it seems, you are then automatically absolved of any legal, moral, or political crimes you may have committed.

African Languages

None are official in the African Union.

African leaders prefer their colonial mother tongues.

Africa's intelligentsia is educated in colonial mother tongues.

African languages are oppressed, therefore African cultures are oppressed, and remain stagnant.

More and more, it seems, being African refers to nothing more than the geographical location in which one is born.

South Africa, Cellphone Cameras Citizens, and a New Age of Governance

Violence in South Africa is endemic. This is is not a new phenomenon. Extreme violence has been part of the national culture for many years. The nation has yet to present a unified voice against it.

Each time it occurs -

• The public expresses complete horror and shock, at its occurrence, and then goes about its daily business. 
• The government declares, "these are isolated instances", and then goes about its daily business.      

Every day, on the South African news, there is a report of extreme violence. South Africa cannot look away any longer, we have to face it head on; with all the peaceful means at our disposal.

We need to confront the epidemic with all our might. Peace and love are good for business and family.

Citizens with cellphone cameras seem to be talking a lead in confronting this scourge. These extremely violent crimes against humanity are being exposed as they happen.  They can no longer be denied. We remember:

Andries Tatane (13 April 2011),

The Marikana Miners (16 August 2012),

and Emidio Macia (26 February 2013).

These are only a few of 'these isolated instances', by those where are sworn to protect the public. There are many more, all over South Africa; on farms, beaches, and estates; in the suburbs, townships, and villages by those who were not sworn to protect the public.

Violence in South Africa should be prevented everywhere, in all it's forms.

The cellphone generation are leading the way, to changing the country. Let us confront and end violence in South Africa in our lifetime.

Citizens for a new age of African governance.

On Politicans, Policies, Public Facilities, and Action

" ... And can you imagine the example it would have set if all public representatives were only allowed to use public facilities, such as schools, hospital and transport?

The policies of political parties are often meaningless because they are mere words without any real intention to back them up with action." - Ryland Fisher Daily Maverick 20130325