Maynard Manyowa Column: Social Thinker

In Defense Of Liberalism and Gay Rights

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 9 Jul 2015 15:37 GMT

Denigration of Gay Rights Point-blank Hypocritical & Condescending By Maynard Manyowa A huge chunk of disenchanted Zimbabweans carol perpetual melodies of the homeland's disgraceful human rights record. They lament, with some semblance of nous that for 35 years vital human dignities have been repeatedly violated, often with arrogance and brutality. Examples that easily come to mind are, the Gukurahundi massacres, extra-judicial killings, abductions, pre / post-election violence between 2000-2009, and if the MDC-T are to be believed, strategically impotent, skewed and 'Nikuved' voting systems and processes. It is easily acceptable that our civil rights repertoire is questionable to say the precious least, and this is a view I both lament, and sympathise with. But I somewhat find this overt criticism to be quite two-faced, especially considering many if not all sectors that lambast repression with regards to the right to decide, the right to life, and the right to freedoms readily support our government when it extends that disregard to the right to consensual sex. Whether the Zanu PF government has openly and repeatedly violated the rights of its citizens may be a matter of open debate, but it is documented fact that the President has compared gays to 'worse' than pigs and dogs, and he has downright condemned gays to something other. However the same people that finger him in accusations of tyranny, bullying, kidnappings and anarchy, atypically esteem him for the defilement of the rights of LGBT's. This is a double standard. I dare say. A few have argued that, should Zimbabwe go to a referendum on the matter of LGBTs, then the common people would overwhelmingly vote against gay rights. While this forecast may be audaciously accurate, it is very ignorant of liberalism and it represents a fundamentally flawed and hopelessly jaundiced approach to individual rights. Human rights cannot and can never be matters of public opinion, debate, or choice. In allowing the majority to choose the rights of minorities, we are in bold effect perpetuating inequality and prejudicing the rights of minorities. As one scholar put it across, asking the masses to vote on the rights of minorities is much like asking four wolves and one sheep to decide what is for dinner! We cannot as a liberal society force individual or majority preferences on minorities, and yet cry foul when one man decides to reverse the playing field and violate the rights of 'others', in favour of say, 'minority Zanu PF Big Wigs'. The society we have presently is one that allows heterosexual couples, and individuals, like me, to dictate what rights minority homosexual couples may and may not enjoy. Anyone who supports this, heterosexual or homosexual, and yet wakes up and accuses Mugabe of violating other human rights is a hypocrite that lacks knowledge and understanding of what civil liberties truly are. The same goes for capital punishment, which presents a serious infringement of absolute rights to life. Regardless of the crimes purported, or committed, another individual, or collective cannot be allowed to dictate what privileges one can and cannot enjoy anymore, especially the irreversible right to life. I am certain I have the support of Zimbabwe's periodical Acting President, Emmerson Mnangagwa on the death penalty. But, sadly and paradoxically I most probably attract his ultimate condemnation for my support of the entirety of citizens' rights especially gay rights. For a country that prides itself as the 'intellegisia of Africa' we are gloomily and impolitely uneducated on rights and condescendingly hypocritical. We collectively denounce the oppression, and ostracism of some interest groups like the Kalangas, nonetheless we readily embrace the depravation of rights of one particular minority; homosexuals. Someone please scream double standard! It makes little sense to countenance freedom of worship, yet adopt values of one or two religions and use those to dictate what people otherwise uninterested in that religion should and should not do. If one is neither a Christian, a Traditionalist, nor a Muslim, why then should he/she be forced to adhere to principles of a religion he is not a part of? We should advocate for a society that is devoid of lofty attitudes, and protects the rights of all its citizens. If one supports Zanu PF, they must not demand that their neighbour do the equivalent. If one marries a woman, and enjoys a fruitful heterosexual relationship, they must not mandate that their fellow citizen do alike. Every citizen of this beautiful country should be allowed to pursue happiness, in whatever shape of form he prefers. And if one allows his neighbour to the left to routinely steal from the neighbour adjacent to his house, and even supports the treachery, then one must not complain when the bandit visits his own garden to violate his rights to property. We ought to create a society which respects human rights, all of them. Once we allow one to be violated, once we allow certain people the liberty to decide what rights others may not enjoy, then we should not cry foul when we create super power minorities/majorities that decide what rights we may not enjoy either. We cannot be a truly democratic country that upholds the values of men, if we stand up against violation(s) of all but one human right. Enough said, This Is Africa! Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or by liking his FB page - Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa

Magaya Lacks Wisdom & His Reputation Casts Doubt on His Prophetic Title

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 9 Jul 2015 15:34 GMT

By Maynard Manyowa Wisdom is something which is very vital in Christianity, business, or life for that matter. When King Solomon was granted one wish, the bible states that he chose wisdom, and that because of that alone, he became the greatest men, and king to grace the times of his existence. Self-styled and self-proclaimed contemporary Prophet, Walter Magaya is by contrast a cult hero figure who divides opinion all across Zimbabwe's predominant Christian society. Largely because his meteoric rise into religious stardom has coincided with a never ending series of scandals. Magaya's popularity has been punctuated, if not fuelled by scandalous rumours, accusations of promiscuity and fraud, provocative attacks and battles with various organs of society like the media, tragedies that have resulted in loss of life, and monumental deception. The clamour around his person is probably warranted too. Right from the beginning, Magaya impishly sought attention through melodrama. Before Magaya's meteoric rise, he sought to ride on Prophet TB Joshua's attractiveness by naughtily juxtaposing himself right next to the revered Prophet and his brand. He shockingly tried to entice a potential following by imprinting signatures on his posters that read, "Recently back from SCOAN in Nigeria". This was plain gutter advertising and a hoax of all sorts since TB Joshua's SCOAN frowns upon this practise. The Synagogue Church of All Nations recurrently warns its viewers and devotees against men of cloth who claim to carry a special grace simply because they visited the church. Yet Magaya did it anyway, and in truth this particular action was disreputable, and almost rogue. Fast forward a few years later, Prophet Magaya's TB Joshua farce hit the headlines after he allegedly claimed that he would bring TB Joshua to Zimbabwe. A fictitious declaration peddled as fact, which Prophet TB Joshua embarrassingly refuted. His rebuttal, was striking. In his broadcast, Prophet TB Joshua even refused to acknowledge Magaya was a Prophet. He referred to him as 'Mr' Magaya. A spiritually incriminating indictment, that a man Prophet Magaya claims is his spiritual father refuses to acknowledge his own son's prophetic ability. Prophet TB Joshua also took a wise swipe at Magaya, by drawing the attention of his followers to the fact that his church did not have a single Prophetess! Yet Magaya's wife is considered a prophetess by Walter Magaya himself and his entire church. Following this incident, Walter Magaya was back in the headlines, for famously converting socialite and dirty dancer 'Bev Sibanda'. That 'marriage' catapulted Magaya into local stardom. Bev, a star, an erotic dancer of rare pedigree in a conservative nation, who upon Magaya's intervention was quitting the night life in favour of Jesus. People flooded Magaya's church after this 'miracle'. A Prophet who had turned a belly dancer into a saint was always going to command huge audience. That marriage did not last long nevertheless. In no time, Bev Sibanda turned on Walter and his church. The business Magaya opened for her flunked spectacularly, there was discontent among church members who questioned why the 'stripper' was afforded such high luxury and special attention. Bev quit Christianity, and 'divorced' the Prophet. She was back shaking her abdomen in Zimbabwe's night spots, and taking ironic digs at PHD Ministries at every chance, for long ensuring Magaya remained in the press, albeit for the wrong reasons. In the preceding months Magaya remained front-page news. He was accused of bedding a man's wife, and was subsequently sued. That saga in question only ended with a reported out of court settlement. This is not only ironic, but very telling. Innocent people do not negotiate with terrorists. Right? In preceding days, scandal after scandal followed Prophet Magaya. A stadium disaster claimed many lives, he was accused impregnating a girl in Botswana who was to later die in mysterious circumstances, and he allegedly bribed journalists to inflate figures of attendance at his all night prayer, among many other indignities. All the while Magaya engaged in shock tirades, attacking journalists, threatening them with unspecified actions, as his followers harassed, intimidated and beat up anyone who dared life a finger of criticism against the self-proclaimed leader. As you read, Magaya is engaged in a fierce battle with The Apostolic Sects of Zimbabwe. They have exchanged insults, allegations, and gut piercing blows. Although the Vapostori allegedly initially provoked Magaya, he sadly lacked the foresight to realise that they wanted a bitter brawl. Magaya's responses have only ignited the scuffle, and for the umpteenth time in 2 years, Walter Magaya finds himself caught in an avoidable storm and quoting controversy. Prophet W Magaya has disgracefully enjoyed the coverage of media in Zimbabwe for all the immoral reasons. His reputation, his own conduct, and the things he stands accused of, all point to the subject at hand, that he is afflicted by a serious deficiency in fundamental wisdom commensurate with the title of "prophet" and out of sync with the entire creed of Christianity. Jesus is a very wise man, so is the trio of Ezekiel Guti, Emmanuel Makandiwa, and TB Joshua. Suffice to say had all these enticements fallen to these men, these indignations would have been avoided. But because they fell to Magaya, they see the light of day. I am not saying Magaya is a very unscrupulous man, No. For all I know, he could just be a gullible man of mercy who has repeatedly trusted the wrong people. But either way, his wisdom would be subject to scrutiny, and as dusk approaches, Prophet Walter Magaya may yet again be involved in another scandal, or I could suffer some mysterious fate because of my point of view. But the realities will remain engraved in the minds of many. For a man who claims to be a Prophet, a man who claims to talk to Jesus himself, Walter Magaya surely has seen far too many otherwise avoidable scandals. If he is genuine prophet, he is a very impulsive prophet with a bad reputation, and that would be strange, because imprudence is not a quality that is consistent with the Kingdom of God. Enough said, This Is Africa! Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website - www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or by liking his FB page - Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa

Atrocious Murder: Is It a Lesser Crime If the Offender Is Female?

Posted by mkmanyowa — Wed, 1 Jul 2015 15:31 GMT

By Maynard Manyowa The republic of Zimbabwe is a somewhat unified nation with an innate propensity and facade of societal peace and civil civilisation. Though the nation has been regrettably afflicted by unpalatable combinations of periodical bouts of political violence, instability and displacement; perpetual reigns of hunger, food shortage and proliferating destitution; as well as tribalism, homophobia, and corruption, the land of the of bright flame lily commendably and against all remains one of Africa's safest destinations. Given that Zimbabwe is effectively a banana republic, its populace deserves compliment for not pursuing delinquency in the quest for miraculous survival. After all, as in most places, widespread poverty is appropriately a massive push factor for criminal predispositions Crime is fundamentally infrequent and rare. Infact two of the land's most dreaded serial killers were executed well over a decade ago, and the nation state has not seen grand crime of the levels of Chidumo & Masendeke again, let alone the ranks of Johannesburg, Rio, etc... While we remain no match for even the mildest of murders in Mzansi, over the last few years there has been a genuinely worrying rise in heinous domestic crime. The increase is not in frequency, but rather an escalation in the levels of violence characterised in each of the few circumstances. In 2012, the entire nation woke up to the horrific FrontPage cover of Monalisa Chinomona, murdered in her parents' home by a jilted lover. Her body had been stabbed 15 times and lay lifeless in a pool of chilling bright red blood. The penetrating knife was left stuck in her breast. It was especially painful for those of us who idolise peace, and who knew the couple personally. The reaction was spectacularly loud. I, like many, fiercely leapt in attack of the killer. All organs of society united in rage and condemnation. This was a heinous wasting, we would all have none of it, and we made everyone know. For ours is not a society that can tolerate the murder of defenceless women. In 2014, after spending a near three years in remand prison, the killer, Pritchard Zimondi was slapped with an effective 18 year jail term. No part of his sentence will be commuted and the man monster will leave prison in 2032, thereabouts. He will be 42. During the course of the lengthy trial, Zimbabweans condemned any attempt to afford Zimondi any respite. There was reverberating uproar when he was granted temporary bail, and even after his sentence, the public still felt he had been granted enormous clemency. Which is probably warranted, the man stabbed an innocent, beautiful and bright young woman a sure 15 times. That is vampire like, and he was monumentally lucky to escape the death sentence. Inversely, just few months after Zimondi was sentenced. A woman, Fortunate Nsoro, sick of her husband's promiscuity, cut off her husband's genitals. He died of the unimaginable wounds. The grisly pics of the man's privates in a plastic, and his lifeless body were stomach-turning, but, what was prodigiously appalling was the deafening silence of the nation. The vivacious civil organisations and outspoken social leaders who had led the 'justice for Monalisa campaign', and rejoiced in a conviction just a few weeks preceding the murder were now conspicuous in their muteness. Even as Fortune was awarded mere $50 bail, with very relaxed conditions, there was no justice for Petros (the victim) brigade, no fuss, no complaints. It is almost as if society had judged that, because the victim was a man, and promiscuous, he deserved to die, in a manner so cold. This past month, the nation is once again grappled by two similar murders. In Fortune Nsoro style, a few weeks ago, a callous Mutasa woman, Pamela Bhowa axed her husband Manners Bhowa in the face several times, ultimately condemning him to death. Nauseating pictures of the victim's gashed face are circulating on social media, amid the murderer's unfeeling blatant claims that she gave the man what he deserved. In Zimondi style, a Glen View man, Collen Jamu, killed his girlfriend Mitchell Chipere in her mother's house. He raped her, and murdered her by bludgeoning her head with a metal hoe handle. After Monalisa's murder, one would have never imagined beholding a homicide much more revolting. Collin, the killer, should never see the outside of a maximum prison again. He should only ever leave the state penitentiary in a body bag destined for a pauper burial. He frankly deserves nothing less. As expected, and rightly so, justifiable widespread outcry has followed these two murders. But, what is shocking is that, that there is little talk about the axe murderer. All the clamour is about how hoe the wielding bandit Collin Jamu must be handed a no nonsense death penalty. Observably there is a lot amiss with this. Fortunate Nsoro, and Pamela Bhowa, like Pritchard Zimondi, and Collin Jamu are all cold blooded killers. All of them, never mind the sex, gender, or circumstances must be rebuked in the most undulating manner. All the homicides were calculated, dreadful, upsetting and of the most disturbing order. It is grossly improper for the crimes to be seen as any different. It is deeply and regrettably ironic that society cares little when a man is raped, or killed by his significant other, but it unites in echoing rage if the victim is female. It is difficult to understand, how, or why, that is the case. Hence my question, is it a lesser crime when the perpetrator is female, and the fatality is male? Enough said. This is Africa! Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or by liking his FB page - Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa

Mujuru, Mutasa: The Legend of the Boy Who Cried WOLF!

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:28 GMT

By Maynard Manyowa It is said that many a time ago, a revered village shepherd fell ill, and hence could not render his service, which was so critical as to be sacrosanct in ancient animal rearing society. As ill fate would have it, all able men were either absent, unwell, or both. A young mischievous boy, the only alternative, was given the unenviable task of herding the village sheep. Dreadfully, the task predestined the young boy, lacking obvious stamina with a potential daunting task of fending off any stalking beasts which had intentions of devouring the treasured livestock and pride of the community. The elders, wisely mindful of this disequilibrium that pitted wild faunas against a pitiful boy, decided that it was best the sheep graze, and be herded in the hill just adjacent of the village. This was to allow the village inhabitants to intervene and fend off any beasts, should they approach the herd and the boy, because both were biologically lacking the necessary endowment to defend themselves. The mischievous boy was given implicit instruction to scream at the first sign of a 'wolf', and the village would swarm the hill and defend the boy, and the herd. The little toddler, sensing an opportunity to prank the populace engaged in a series of intentional false alarms that left the entire village incensed. It did happen, that, given his record of 'lies', when the wolf eventually came to sample the delights of the herd, and the boy, the community ignored the boy's yells, and yelps for relief. The legend has it that the wolf devoured the boy, and the entire herd. This is a story that most resonate with well. Hardly any child goes through any education system, no matter how bad, and escapes the legend of the boy who cried wolf. The moral of the story carries two stern messages. One, if you engrave lies, treachery, corruption and cunningness into your persona, you lose your credibility, and on the day that you have something of sense and value to say, people will not lend even their rabbits ear to you. In their eyes, you will be no more than a petty liar! That label will consume even your most sincere truths, and you will never enjoy the attentive attention, even of the most senile citizen. Secondly and metaphorically, the legend of the boy who cried wolf has become the custom label for a person, who, despite living with, and in abject peril, decides to scream 'horror' only at their immediate convenience. Following their expulsion from Zanu PF and for some government, Didymus Mutasa, Joice Mujuru, Rugare Gumbo, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Ray Kaukonde and many others have been quoted in various press in varying degrees of scathe directed at, and very critical of Zanu PF, and Zimbabwe's first citizen, Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Ex-Vice President Joice Mujuru and company have issued apologies to the Zimbabwean people for 35 years of misrule, and aiding Zanu PF in its destructive regulation that has created unfathomable levels of unemployment, a vendor economy, dead industry and zero commerce. Joice Mujuru apologises for her part in perpetuating tyranny, corruption, running down of state enterprises and parastatals, and violent crack downs on civil society and dissenting voices. A crumbling education system, an unproductive and unremittent agricultural sector, very poor and treacherous road infrastructure, deplorable standards of living, and almost 10 million living in near destitution. The atrocities don't end there, neither do the apologies. Didymus Mutasa expresses cunning innocence over his role in the Gukurahundi massacres that left a conservatively estimated 20,000 Ndebele people dead, murdered, maimed, and flung into mass graves. The list is near endless, yet insufficient, and lacking justice to the true gravity of the grave past Zimbabwe has been dragged through several years of bad governance, poor policy, and plain cruelty. Zimbabweans live in utter fear of the next violent crackdown. Even my very mildly critical but objective reproach of Zanu PF attracts incredibly worrying yet credible and warranted warnings from those who care about my welfare. For fear has become the center pin of the Zimbabwean psyche because in Zimbabwe, freedom of speech often breeds captivity after speech. The daily news was shelled several years ago, and a ruthless crackdown saw the paper shut down. MDC offices too were strategically bombed, and set ablaze in the years between 2000 and 2002. Several activists simply disappeared, and some died. Itai Dzamara is just but the latest addition to a trend, a worrying one that is. Zimbabwe's only globally reputable and profitable company, Econet Wireless would be a mere pipe dream had Joice Mujuru had her way in the 1990's. Strive Masiyiwa's account of the torment, protracted assault, and resistance he faced from a then cold, calculating, and unsympathetic Joice Mujuru led Ministry of Telecoms is a graphic description of Mujuru the Zanu PF warrior. From the early 80's, government ministers were involved in one corrupt binge after the other, with no consequence at all. Parastatals were run dry, and milked by greedy officials. Development funds and monies were channelled and used for personal businesses, while poor policies were generated at the speed of light. In the year 2008, an unprecedented splurge of violence was unleashed at the Zimbabwean people for their choice to vote overwhelmingly for Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC. Today the actual number of fatalities and casualties remains largely unaccounted, amid reports of people having their hands, fingers, and arms chopped off by Zanu PF youth militia. Certain sections of the country remain run by informal mafias with links to top ranked government officials. Taxi ranks, and bus stations are manned by 'strong men' who demand a none-government aligned tax / affiliation fee of $2 per trip. The mafias even have the audacity to assault police, and soldiers. For Joice, it is especially damning because she was a government minister for all of the 34 years preceding her axing. In those 34 years she was at times the conspicuous enemy of progress. The econet saga is just but one of the mildest accusations. Her husband's hand in illegal forex dealers that were counterproductive to Gideon Gono's efforts to delay the demise of the economy are another. Temba Mliswa is categorically quoted as saying that General Solomon Mujuru pointed a gun at the ex-Governor, after he had launched operation sunrise, with the intention to cull forex dealers. An initiative that provided temporary respite to Zimbabweans, but cost the Mujuru Empire of a good dubious revenue stream, at our obvious expense. In 2012-2013, media was awash with reports of Didymus Mutasa's hand in the burning of a primary going toddler in a hut. The baby's crimes was that he was the son of an MDC competitor. After 35 years of active participation, preservation, and support of Zimbabwe's never ending dark days, it is convenient at the very least, that the once comrades now notice Zanu PF's badness, especially after a change in personal fortune. The same group of purged officials were for such a long time the poster boys of Zanu PF's tenet. They campaigned and endorsed the very ethos they are all of sudden so critical of. Ironically, it has only taken this insincere crew a 5min taste of their own medicine to realise just how bad Zanu PF is, or was. With mafia monies gone, and the coldness of isolation outside the revolution Mujuru et al are all of a sudden the friends of the people, a people they exploited, tormented, and tortured. A people whose destinies they ruined, futures destroyed and livelihoods annihilated, at times without the consent and to the dismay of Mugabe. (See the disinformation campaign of 2008 when Mugabe was told all is well, while the purged officials unleashed hell on the people) It would be purely na ve to believe that Joice Mujuru, or Didymus Mutasa were either held at gun point and forced to endorse the madness, nor that for 35 years they were silently critical and disapproving of the reigns of terror, corruption, and bad governance. If anything they were at the forefront. Having accumulated huge personal fortunes that amass into near billions, at the expense of the general people and the nation. And while accused of many a many gross human rights violations, and abuse of office, the Gamatox is all of a sudden the vanguard of the people? Surely after 35 years of systematic exploitation, cruel administration, and institutional deception, the Zimbabwean people cannot, and will not lend even the proverbial rabbit's ear to Mujuru, Mutasa, and Gumbo et al. As noted earlier, even if what one has to say is credible, their own reputation will work against them. Mujuru and Mutasa are to some degree correct that Zanu PF has run down the country, albeit with their help. It is plain truth, but their own reputations of treachery imply that no one will ever listen. And in this case, the boy may even be the wolf personified, calling out the masses to the hill, so as to devour them, away from the protection of their huts and closed doors. Mujuru and co are weevils Zimbabweans know all too well, and a weevils they are not interested in. The people will not run to the hill to save the mischievous boy. Lying, deception, and stealing are the first nature of the boy, there probably is no wolf, and the boy is playing the people for his own gratification. It is a matter of the boy crying wolf, again! Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or by liking his FB page - Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa

Tito Mboweni vs Prof Moyo: Reflections on The Fight!

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:19 GMT

Zimbabwe's Information Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, and South Africa's first black central bank Governor Tito Mboweni were this week engaged in a bitter, fierce, no holds barred fight on twitter. I showed up a little bit late to assume my seat and enjoy Africa's equivalent / rendition of Mayweather - Pacquiao. By all means and yardsticks, never mind the vulgar protestations of some quarters, Prof Moyo and Mboweni are giants in Africa. Jonathan Moyo, sparing no reservation, is an immense figure in Africa's political dynamic. Hate him or love him, the Professor is the most uncredited cog in the infamous Zanu PF machine. History rudely pronounces that during the lengthy time of his unceremonious absence in Zanu PF's politburo and government, the machine lost elections spectacularly, to the point where alleged voter rigging could not help them. (i.e. 2005 Parliamentary elections, and 2008 harmonised elections) Tito Mboweni on the other hand is one of Africa's most celebrated economists, and a respected voice. The eighth governor of South Africa's central bank, Tito was the first black person to occupy that post. In a clash not foretold even by contemporary prophecy, the two giants of the south clashed on twitter. As the matter eventually meandered to its natural 'trend death', I could not help but reflect on the entire clash, and weigh in with a decree that I am well entitled to. While Tito Mboweni may have had the unequivocal support of the masses, and though I, like many, definitely differ with Professor Moyo on a lot of issues outside the bone of contention central to the subject at hand, it must be stated, from a basis of sense, intellect, and debate, that Professor Moyo stripped Mboweni bare to his knickers! The base of Mboweni's entire argument is daft. According to him, "young people =democracy & old people =dictatorship!" This is thorough rubbish! Mboweni's tweet easily implies and states as fact, that, democracy is correspondent to age. That young leadership under 50 is defining of egalitarianism, and absolute rule is synonymous with old age. I must say, such reasoning borders on unintelligent absurdity. Surely Mboweni is an educated economist, but if he believes being long-standing translates to despotism, then he is undoubtedly a hapless 'no-brain' in the political realm. The fact is, more than a few autocrats are under 50. North Korea's dictator is 32! A good 18 years below Mboweni's superficial timestamp by which leaders spontaneously become dictators. This means that, either Mboweni has somewhat lost his numerical prowess, or he views Kim Jong-un's Korea as a very democratic state. All of which does make him appear very dull! This has nothing to do with a certain nonagenarian who is repeatedly called a dictator in a certain land north of the Limpopo by the way. Educated and perceptive minds must discuss and debate fact as it is, and the plain fact here is that Mboweni's belief in age=democracy does not even rise to the levels where it can qualify as bull excretes! Tito's claim is as silly as they get! Professor Moyo was bang on the money in his factual rebuff. Deep down, a proud but defeated Mboweni knows this, hence he was very quick to drift away from arguing for his 'drunk' hypothesis, which is very deficient of reality I must add, and instead choose to draw on Moyo's poor conduct and record in other matters, which are outside of the initial argument. Put simply, Professor Moyo stands accused of 'gross things', and that is as polite as one can ever put it. But that does not disqualify him from reprimanding unsubstantiated and ignorant statements, even from a respected economist like Titus Mboweni. Look, even Mboweni himself stands faulted for perpetuating black impoverishment. Under his watch, poor blacks remain rooted in the slums of Khayelitsha and Diepsloot, while his imperialist 'white masters' lick the good honey off SA. Should this accusation then disqualify him from making comments about Jonathan Moyo's horrific inadequacies? Probably not, but I guess in a bare knuckle public fight, there are no rules and sense does not prevail. In a political fight, it is not a facts game, after the warm greetings, it quickly becomes about hitting where it hurts the most, and both brawlers held no punches. Though they were somewhat irrelevant, we cannot ignore the real matters that Tito Mboweni raised. Jonathan Moyo is in some way or another involved in the destruction of a once vibrant and growing Zimbabwe, and for that he deserves a 'talking to'. It is a fact that Zanu PF Big Wigs trot down to the rainbow to enjoy luxuries that they deny their own people, largely through bad governance and poor policy. In that regard, Mboweni is correct to call Moyo to order! Moyo cannot be highly critical of a government and a people who are doing so much better than him, and his (sic). It is also undebatable fact that at least 3 million Zimbabwean migrants in South Africa agree with Titus. The good life is in Mzansi, not in sovereign Zimbabwe! Look, even Professor Moyo's children have reportedly graduated from South African institutions of higher learning, despite his pride in Zimbabwe's education system. While he was enforcing 100% local content on state operated broadcasters, he lavishly enjoyed the extravagance of South African Satellite Broadcaster, DSTV. So I guess, even Professor Moyo too knows the good life is in Mzansi! Mboweni is spot on to lambast that 'educated' Zimbabweans are waiters all the way from Musina to Capetown. These are highly proficient and intelligent Zimbabweans, failed, not by a supreme education system, but a very corrupt government. Mboweni rightly stresses that his efforts to help Zimbabwean people while governor of SA's reserve bank during the crisis of 2008, were stifled and spurned by Moyo, though he does mean people like Moyo. In concluding scrutiny, Tito Mboweni is wide of the mark in his deliberation that age = democracy, but he is precise in his conjecture that Zimbabweans are suffering under the brunt of poor governance, from Jonathan Moyo, or people like him if you want to nit-pick! Professor Jonathan Moyo is dead-on to argue that Mboweni's age = democracy hypothesis is nonsensical, but he is in the wrong to argue that he, and all other Zimbabweans revel in a better lifestyle than South Africans. That is preposterous! The twar (twitter war) seems to have died down, and I will retreat to further thought. Enough said, this is Africa! .... Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or by liking his FB page - Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa

Mugabe A Remarkable Man, But Dreadful Leader

Posted by mkmanyowa — Mon, 8 Jun 2015 14:24 GMT

Comrade Robert Mugabe is highly intelligent, smart, entertaining, funny and revolutionary. I am a massive fan. His speeches are well articulated, and almost always laden with 'real issues'. The man possess unique qualities that even his own enemies by their own admission, admire and respect him for. His policies, though poorly applied, ludicrously self-serving at times and ultimately no more than mere useless tigers made of paper, are nonetheless still essentially very well thought out indices based on delectable Pan African tenets. ZIMPREST, and ZIMASSET, for example are by all accounts, on paper, impressive. Mugabe can just about charm anyone anywhere, anytime. He is a super being, with a super presence. A lot of people who despise Mugabe in public, are embarrassingly private fans of the comrade, even if that irks the living crap out of them. Nelson Chamisa was wooed and charmed in minutes, his once vivacious dislike for the citizen of Robert Mugabe replaced by an acquiescent chortling demeanour. So too have many 'white' journalists, and leaders who have stammered and smiled, breath taken by the immense personality of the man. Mugabe's leadership is now punctuated by his strong personality. Approbation of the nonagenarian is hinged upon, and driven by his unbelievable strength of temperament, charisma and resolve. While his personality is noticeably deserving of reverence, it is heartbreakingly sorry that it has taken centre stage. Lamentably, the populace's awe with Mugabe the man is overshadowing his unimpressive traits in governance. Charisma alone is not enough and does not excuse the other mischiefs. Robert Mugabe is a head of state, and a key entity in Zimbabwe's, and Africa's political dynamic. Valuation of the man should, and must include, by and large his performance and aptitude as a head of state and government. All the niceties aside, Robert Mugabe, as a leader, is all talk, no walk. He is dismally poor at implementing any of his impressive policies, ideologies and principles. He is what my partner calls, a "story teller". A man whose t te- -t te is more fantasy than reality, whose utterances are promises, yet conveyances are noughts. 2 million jobs of 2013, indigenisation, empowerment, agrarian reform, to mention all but a few, are classic paragons of Mugabe's artistry. The man is good at drawing tigers on paper. Someone once said, "It is inconceivable that Robert Mugabe knows the situation on the ground, surely those that update him, are lying to him". That could be true, his deputy did question the sanity of a vendor who sells produce on the streets, positing that the man should rather get a job. That is just how arrogantly and ignorantly out of touch with reality he is, that he believes a grown man would willingly sell tomatoes in the middle of the street, under the blazing sun, for less than a dollar a day, because he is too lazy to get a 'real job' A Job! Yes, you read that correctly! What a lame joke right? What job? Where? In Zimbabwe? Hilarious! There are more chances of finding a rabbit and a mouse in bed! Nonetheless if his informants are spreading falsities and convincing him that all is well in a country literally crumbling to pieces, and he has the audacity to believe them, then Baba Chatunga is dancing on the frills of blind fantasy and regrettable ignorance. If President Mugabe is aware of the dire state of the country, but convinced that the present state of affairs is acceptable and in the long term beneficial to the general inhabitants, then he is dancing on the frills of tyranny, zero foresight, and inhumane insensitivity, that is if he has not traversed them already. Whether Mugabe is unconcerned, or hopelessly misinformed or both, it is still a damning testament of his headship. You see, governance must, and ought to have deliverables, measurable outcomes. Yet despite the impressive rhetoric used by Bob, which leaves township youths dancing and village folk expectant, the statistics rudely display that he has overseen Zimbabwe's slump from sharing a GDP with Korea, and near that of China in the late 80's, early 90's, to having no GDP to talk of in 2008. When assessed through the barometer of governance, Mugabe's repertoire is found strenuously inadequate. Zimbabwe's economy is on auto-pilot with no currency of its own, unemployment is at a record high, and we are pumping forced migrants into other countries like a deranged machine gun on steroids. He has overseen the demise of almost all of Zimbabwe's industry. Companies close daily, millions still live in rural reserves, and Zimbabwe is now a net food importer. What a spectacular fall from grace, for a country that was a bread basket. I won't even touch the 'sacrosanct'; corruption. That minefield needs a part two. And then the unimpressive 'sanctions' trump card, which is continuously employed in defence of 'bad governance'. A father who makes excuses is in my book, no father at all. Cuba did well under stiffer sanctions, so too has Iran. If one is a leader, they ought to make solutions. I can never negotiate with my 2 year old son to sleep on an empty stomach because of the economy, he will throw a Zulu style tantrum. Yet we have been hoodwinked into accepting a sub-standard lifestyle by Robert Mugabe and his administration. Secondly, sanctions had nothing to do with Gukurahundi, or the duo of War Veteran pay outs and the war in DRC, which slaughtered the economic stability of Zimbabwe way before sanctions came around. Similarly Sanctions played no part in the decimation of the agriculture sector by angry war vets and thugs. They play no part in grand corruption in parastatals either. It is distasteful how the entire world is carried away by Mugabe's other abilities, and omits the significant. I refuse, and I will reiterate, Mugabe is a remarkable man, but his governance of Zimbabwe is just bad. And yes, I said it! An ambiguous indigenisation policy that puts off foreign direct investments is bad governance, so too is persecuting a widow and obsessing with factionalism when millions are hungry. No need for special diction there, it is just dreadful! Maynard Manyowa is a political & social analyst. You can reach him for feedback via his website www.maynardmanyowa.com , via email - mk@maynardmanyowa.com / mkmanyowa@gmail.com , on Twitter - @iAmKudaMaynard or his Facebook page

Bob & Madiba: Heroes With Blemished Records

Posted by mkmanyowa — Mon, 1 Jun 2015 07:32 GMT

AFRICA has been endowed with celebrated thinkers, philosophers and revolutionaries. Since the turn of the 19th century, Africa has hogged the protagonist birthing bosom. The likes of Samora Machel, Julius Njerere, Jomo Kenyatta, Col Gaddafi et al... the list is endless. Some famous for Pan African ideologies, and some for 'kissing white bum / promoting peace of equality', literally. For discussion purposes, I will evaluate the two global giants of the South, Madiba and Bob, I resonate with them better, having been resident in both countries, and having experienced first-hand, the tyranny and brilliance of the leaders. Robert Gabriel Mugabe is an African hero, a Pan African's epitome of true leadership. For decades he has fought imperialists, colonialists, with bravado, enthusiasm, and the tenacity of a fierce lion. He is a veteran of a two decade struggle against 'evil western mechanisms' that are repressive, and racist. To some degree, he has done well. In no other country is sovereignty so imprinted in the psyche of the citizens as in Mugabe's Zimbabwe. In no other place do black people enjoy the level of independence, enterprise, and destiny self-determination like Gushungo's nation. Volatile motor mouth student leaders like Mnqobi Dlamini (Suspended Wits University SRC President) adore Mugabe unapologetically, they revere him, and they almost worship him. To them, he is what Mandela should have been. The 'white imperialist community' (not limited to) that despise him secretly carry embarrassing admiration of his person, and they respect him. The man is after all a genius, an attractive, determined, certain, able, and eloquent convinced character. Even I like him too. Nelson 'Madiba' Mandela is an equal, but parallel figure, yet an unquestionable African hero none the less. He is a man of peace, a Nobel Prize winner, a unifying and iconic character that has held together a violent, disorderly and hateful concoction of ever conflicting races for just over two decades now. Respected political enthusiasts (Mmusi Maimane & co) cling on to his legacy for value, and all around the world his brand is venerated. Some of this adoration is warranted. Mandela successfully avoided South Africa descending into full blown civil war in the early 90's. He led the country briefly, and steadily. Advertisement Despite whirling in systematic abject paucity perpetuated by the unchanged institutions Mandela established, impoverished black South Africans hold him dear, while white people respect him. Robert Mugabe traversed the line of hero to pantomime villain several years ago. Under his watch Zimbabwe was transformed from the horn of Africa, into a banana republic, a failed state. The civil war of the late 80's, pre-election violence and intimidation in 2002, 2005, 2008, abductions, kidnappings, harassment, state sponsored crack downs on civil society, and the elephant in the room; corruption. Nelson Mandela did have the privilege of dying an 'unblemished' hero, because of a conscious concerted effort by 'western imperialists', whose interests he served, to preserve his heritage. Even so, with recent revelations that, under his watch, and probably with his consent, South Africa suborned FIFA officials about USD $10,000,000 (Ten Million) to win the rights to host Africa's first international soccer showpiece; The 2010 World Cup. And then there are revelations that the order to open fire on unarmed Zulu demonstrators outside ANC Headquaters in Johannesburg was given by Mandela; the stiff legacy of corruption whose effects are becoming more real than apparent, with Eskom drowning, public service delivery at a standstill, and the ANC in never-ending corruption exposes. South Africans are in total despair. But How? But Why? Mandela was meant to be a saint, by all accounts, a man who does not even fart! Ironically, he did fart, he was corrupt, and he was no champion leader. Look, Mandela was a great guy. He is still a hero, but a hero with a blemished record. Zimbabweans are not so much in despair. They have accepted their leader's short comings. Mugabe is a worthy academic, he is the world's most educated president, and his policies mirror the sharp mind that he is. But, it is under his watch that Zimbabwe has descended into paralysis, creating immigrant crisis in all of the country's neighbouring countries, more than two thirds of the country living in abject poverty, to mention just a few. His fellow comrades have milked the country dry, they reap the benefits of Mugabe' populist rhetoric 'empowerment, indigenisation, agrarian reform', all of which make his rich cadres richer, and the poor masses, poorer! Oh well, Mugabe is not an angel, and neither was Nelson Mandela. Their policies are dissimilar, and probably contrasting, yet their legacies almost bear the same offspring; corruption, Poverty, and Racism. That is the sad reality of African politics, and African icons, Heroes with blemished records. Maynard Manyowa is a political analyst, opinion writer. He can be reached for feedback through hi personal website www.maynardmanyowa.com, or on email mk@maynardmanyowa.com, or mkmanyowa@gmail.com. You can alternatively him on @iAmKudaMaynard or follow his Facebook page

Undermining Parliament Undermines Our Democracy

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 14 May 2015 16:38 GMT

The advent of human civilisation brought about greater liberty, and a universally acceptable system of governance called Democracy. On the surface, it is seemingly complex, yet democracy is a simple concept, premised on the simple notion of majority rule, and power to the people. The masses practise it by electing their own leaders, and holding them accountable. This is theoretically simple. Free and Fair elections, as well as accountability are the hinge pins upon which democracy is built upon, and operates on. For the reason that by enormity, resource, and implementation constraints, it is impossible for a head of state, or minister to stand questioned by 12 million Zimbabweans. It not feasible for The President or members of his cabinet to answer to the entirety of the Zimbabwean population, hence, members of the public elect representatives of their choice to help in policy formulation and implementation as well as hold leaders to account. Without parliament any democracy ultimately fails, and is nothing more than a glorified farce. Members of the assembly are meant to carry the view of the people, their contributions to the goals of the executive, as well ask important questions. By that interpretation, Parliament as a collective should be the highest and most respectable arm of the government. The Legislative body is the people. It is not a few hundred elected officials, No, it is every citizen of country. The house is the single most important arm in a democratic structure. It represents the society, it speaks for the populace, and it is the general public. The events of the preceding few months in South Africa, and Zimbabwe are unfortunate, and alarming. To begin with, in South Africa, a few lines into President Jacob Zuma's state of the nation address, Economic Freedom Fighters' members of parliament rose on a point of order, to ask when Zuma would pay back tax payer money which was used to build his private residence in Nkandla. Ignoring the details that followed, this gave birth to a chain of events that in due course resulted in police and armed forces being illegally called into the chambers to escort EFF members out. Violence erupted, MP's were assaulted, and Members of The Democratic Alliance walked out in protest. The chaos soon travelled north of the Limpopo. In Zimbabwe, government ministers did not attend a question and answer segment in parliament, allegedly choosing to attend a Zanu PF Politburo meeting. Opposition members were expectedly incensed, and protested. The result; chaos of most unimaginable order. The two confrontations are of a very dissimilar nature, the whys and wherefores of the melees are nowhere similar, but both events point a large problem within African politics; a sad propensity to undermine parliament, ultimately undermining our democracy. What happened in South Africa cannot be ignored. The President is meant to be accountable to parliament, and it becomes problematic when members of the police, who report to the president are called into the House of Commons to handle members of parliament. It presents a serious challenge to separation of powers, which is another important facet of democracy. Such actions intimidate MP's, and stifle all voices of reason, and egalitarianism. Police have no business in Parliament, and their grand entrance is a serious infringement on the people of South Africa, black and white. What transpired in Zimbabwe is also worth of note. Cabinet members are mandated by the constitution to attend parliament, to answer to MP's. Ministers cannot miss parliament, for any reason. And yes, that includes private party business. There is a distinction between Zanu PF and The Government of Zimbabwe. The ministers are surely aware that, their priority is the Republic, and its citizens. Parliament is meant to discuss serious issues that are affecting Zimbabweans all over. To abscond a session which is meant to help in the alleviation of these problems is rather insensitive. If it is true that they missed parliament to attend to party business, then their actions are frankly arrogant, insensitive, and rude. Zimbabwe has bigger problems than factionalism, or disciplinary hearings. The majority of Zimbabweans are working in the informal sector, and living beneath the poverty datum line. The country is faced with widespread poverty, unemployment, and a stagnant economy. The President is working his mind off to keep the country afloat, under a barrage of sanctions. These problems are bigger than any other commitments, and should come first before any other business. Whenever parliament as a collective is disrespected, the implication is devastating in its simplicity; contempt of the constitution, and a serious dent on our democracy. Leadership is not about power, it is about responsibility, and serving the people. The leadership in both Zimbabwe and South Africa failed its electorate, infringed the constitutions of the nations mentioned, and undermined all recent efforts to establish the nations as truly democratic states. Any undermine of parliament in any shape or form is a direct infringement of democracy. It is as simple as that. Maynard Manyowa is a political analyst, opinion writer and columnist for The Zimbabwe Mail, News 24 Zimbabwe, and New Zimbabwe.Com. He can be reached for feedback on mk@maynardmanyowa.com, or mkmanyowa@gmail.com. You can download his android application by visiting www.blackvibes.com/mkmanyowa on your mobile device, or visit his website www.maynardmanyowa.com.

Xenophobia Crisis: An Open Letter To President Mugabe

Posted by mkmanyowa — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 16:22 GMT

YOUR excellency, Cde President Robert Gabriel Mugabe. Your sons and daughters are being put to the sword across the Limpopo by a people you have called your friends. Mr President Sir, ordinarily and consistent with the values instilled in me, I would not call other African people "those people", I would simply say "we". But this distinction has been heavily handed down in the last few days. I have been informed that my belief that all Africans are one people is in error. There exists Africa, and South Africa; the latter wants nothing to do with the former. Your excellency, the people who now promote this self-hate, are the very people whose leaders, and delegates you aided, and housed during the late 80's and early 90's as they fled their country under siege from the white colonialists who wanted their heads on a platter. Mr President, you postponed the land reform programme in 1990 to prevent setting a precedence of nationalism and deterring the negotiations for a democratic transition in South Africa. Cde President, the likes of Mbeki, Hani, Zuma, and co were your distinguished guests for years. Your forces assisted them several times. Thabo Mbeki noted your contribution in the South African struggle for independence as stellar, momentous and significant. Your great friend and compatriot, of whom you have given the freedom of the city of Harare, Cde Samora Machel was murdered by Boer forces as he fought alongside yourself to make sure South Africa attain independence. Today his children are dragged naked in the streets. Mr President, you and I do not always agree in principle and on policy, but we both agree that a truly liberated Africa is united by pan-African values. We agree that freedom for one without freedom for all is no freedom at all. I have never criticized your decisions to assist South Africa attain independence; or assist Congo DR defend her democratic sovereignty in the late 90's. Those were selfless decisions borne out of your desire to see Africa as a unified sovereign continent. Our own country stutters under a barrage of sanctions today, some the result of your decisions to help South Africa, particularly the significant postponement of Land Reform. You are, in that regard, a selfless man Cde President; a true African hero. But, have you seen the news today Honourable President? They are hunting your citizens like wild animals; they are maiming, burning, mutilating and murdering them, right in the country whose freedom you sacrificed our own economic prosperity for. I will not demand that South Africa and her citizens engage their collective memory to remember the role we played in their independence. While we were their saviours in their gloomy days, today we have become cockroaches and dogs. We are foreigners, unwanted, unloved, unworthy to live. But that is well, too, your Excellency. You cannot demand that a people be appreciative of your efforts. It comes naturally; it has a lot to do with how one is raised. I do however wish to see you defend your own people. Mr President Sir, silent diplomacy can no longer work. I urge you to demand the audience of Goodwill Zwelithini, and Edward Zuma, along with the very same high power delegation that you protected and aided in the 90's. I urge your Excellency to demand that they put an end to the atrocious attacks on our people, including on those not of Zimbabwean roots. You are SADC chair, African Union chair. What is happening in South Africa is tantamount to Genocide! Murder, Arson, Assault, Rape, Malicious Damage to Property, Theft, and Robbery have become the order of the day. Foreigners are being served this raw dish, under the guise of Xenophobia. If this is not a humanitarian crisis, then I do not know what is. Mr President, I believe it is within your scope to pressure Jacob Zuma's government to put an end to this. Your Excellency, I posit that you seek the indictment of Zwelithini Zulu on crimes against humanity, and murder. I ask you all this in the name of your people, from Cairo to Beitbridge! Yes, I deliberately exclude the Cape because, I am told, Africa is for Africans, but South Africa is for South Africans. I cannot demand a piece of their country. It is theirs. But I can demand, as a citizen of your country, that you make efforts to make sure the sanctity of life is preserved. Maynard Manyowa is a political analyst, opinion writer and columnist for The Zimbabwe Mail, News 24 Zimbabwe, and New Zimbabwe.Com. He can be reached for feedback on mk@maynardmanyowa.com, or mkmanyowa@gmail.com (this letter was published in local and regional press) - http://www.newzimbabwe.com/columns-21910-Xenophobia+Open+letter+to+Mugabe/columns.aspx

Gumbura Is A Pervert, But Not A Rapist

Posted by mkmanyowa — Wed, 4 Mar 2015 05:42 GMT

There is arguably no contemporary figure that has unified opinion, and attracted universal condemnation like Robert Martin Gumbura; the leader of extremist Christian fellowship, End Time Message About a year ago Robert Gumbura was arrested and hauled before the courts, accused of raping two women married to the same man. The circumstances were that, the women's husband who lives in South Africa had sent money for them through the church leader, and when they went to collect it, he insisted on seeing them separately. He subsequently raped them. Gumbura quickly adopted the title of the 'Rapist Pastor'. This was just the start of his problems. The beleaguered clergyman would soon make more headlines, as one woman after the other began to approach the police with reports of alleged rape at his hands. At one point the women who were accusing him of forcibly tapping the cupcake reached a staggering 40. Infact, the number of women who have claimed rape, including those who have not pressed charges has since been reported to be over a 100. Wow! Zimbabwe has amalgamated as a nation to protect women from all forms of abuse, and sexual abuse is taken seriously in this conservative nation. The number of women distressed by Gumbura's poking stick is upsetting, and for that he deserved some form of punishment, by karma however, and not by law. You see, the circumstances around the entire cases(s) are less than convincing. Rape implies that a woman has been forced, and coerced into having sex. The characteristic of the sexual encounter being non-consensual is what constitutes Rape. In Gumbura's case however, it is nowhere near that. None of the women were forced at knife point, or drugged and date raped. Infact, they consented to the encounters, albeit after being lied to. But is this Rape? I don't think so. Gumbura lied to the women in question that he had some supernatural powers, and that those who refused to bed him would meet unfortunate and torrid ends. He basically deceived his way into their pants. But if lying your way into a woman's honeypot is rape, then I am afraid we are all guilty of it. All men do it repeatedly, or at least a handful of times in a lifetime. Men will claim to love a woman, just to get their way with her in bed. By the Gumbura precedence, then any woman who has ever been deceived by a man can, and should have the deceitful male who deflowered her commuted into a maximum prison for 40 years. In some cases, Gumbura lured his 'victims' with promises of money, wealth, amenities, and other material things. Promises he often delivered on, because he had the financial prowess to. A few victims narrated how he would pay for their school fees, and basic needs, and then demand sex in return. This is immoral, an unbecoming, but is regrettably not illegal. Rich men all over are known to use their financial muscle in exchange for sexual favours. It's a horrible order of society, but a real one, and definitely a prominent one. It is wicked, but does not qualify as rape, certainly not by definition. Robert Martin Gumbura is a horrible man, a glorified sugar daddy, a lying, conniving, and cunning sexual hunter. By all accounts he is a monstrous erotic beast, a man of very corrupt fibre. Gumbura was a leader in society, a man who people looked up to. He betrayed his followers, he betrayed Christian values. His church is entirely based on very alien values which are not biblical His mental psyche should be examined. It is alarming to note that he furthered decrees claiming that all women in his church were his. He claimed to have a biblical right to deflower every girl in his church, and to bed every girl before her wedding. He used his position to hoodwink girls into his bed. Gumbura tricked many women into bed. Some he threatened with aversive spiritual attacks of biblical proportions, some with bad luck. Some he pampered with goodies, and niceties, some he simply threatened to withdraw financial support. All this makes him a liar, a cheat, a sugar daddy, a horny grandfather with a twisted mind, and a disgusting man with a sexual appetite that can't be satisfied. But to say he is a rapist is misdirected and misinformed. These women chose to believe Gumbura's lies, some of them chose to accept his gifts, and ended up in awkward positions, needing his financial support. While this sounds insensitive, Gumbura's persecution smacks more of sour grapes than anything else. Robert Martin Gumbura is a bad man, an immoral man, but because his victims consented to sexual intercourse with him, he is, and cannot be called a Rapist, despite his conviction. He is a pervert, but only that.

Whore Lists A Damning Sign Of Decay In Zimbabwe

Posted by mkmanyowa — Wed, 4 Mar 2015 05:39 GMT

The tongues of Zimbabwe's rumour loving population were sent into perpetual wags this recent week after a set of 'lists' started circulating on Whatsapp! The lists are the work of 'morality vigilantes' and they apparently name and shame Zimbabwe's most promiscuous men and women. However savoring, and illuminating, many of noble sense would be unmoved. Primarily for the guileless reason that these disclosures are driven by malice, rather than honest journalistic appetites. The list creators are not inspired by an inherent predisposition to see good triumph over evil, or in this case, chastity over immorality. The authors are stirred by sinister motives of the malevolent assortment. The arrogant monograms at the end of the revelatory lists are a prodigious indicator. While unrepentantly gloating in the smugness of revealing the injurious lists, the draftspersons threaten to divulge more detrimental evidence against the individuals contained in them, unless the exposed persons undergo monumental sexual behaviour amendment. This is malicious diabolical blackmail of the most revolting order. Besides, there is a tangible likelihood that the lists are falsehoods. In actual fact, unless the architects have front row access into the private lives of at least all of the 100+ people mentioned in the lists, many of the accusations are unsubstantiated, and fallacious For instance, the substance of one of the lists is, "Tinashe a DJ at Star FM who claims to be a DJ at Supersport" The personality in question is a sports presenter at Star FM, and not a Disk Jockey. Secondly, it is improbable that he claims to be a DJ at Supersport. For the reason that Supersport is a Sports Television Network and does not employ a single Disc Jockey! Many of common knowledge are cognizant of these specifics, but disgracefully, the draftsmen are either unaware of these particulars, or chose to unkindly ignore them. That quickly arraigns many to the rude truth that these lists are hogwash! The psyche of the architects paints an unblemished picture of men gone mad. It is ludicrous that human beings of stable minds dedicated precious time and effort into an uncorroborated viral expos . It is common place that unremorseful malice and intent to injure another's reputation for amusement is psychotic. But the generators of this list are not isolated lunatics. They are archetypes of our society's thought collective. They are mere cogs in a scandal thirsty community vortex, and social media is the platform for humanity to quench its thirst by propelling malicious gossip into this swirl. There is a predominant preoccupation with generating hype on social media. We now live in a world where people rush to take pictures with smart phones, rather than render assistance to someone facing real danger. That is what has become of our civilization, and these lists imply all that is erroneous with it. The desire to be at the epicenter of expos s has overtaken virtues of decency, and humaneness in our culture. The infamous lists are an alarming sign of the valueless society which our country threatens to become. A society with misplaced priorities, and a propensity to delve into people's private lives for the sake of showbiz The damage preceding these malicious lies and sensational defamations is of biblical proportions. It is damning that our community seems not to care about the incredible carnage created by these lists. It is distressing that society appears to be actively participating in the spreading of these spiteful attacks. The degeneration of the values that once governed humane interaction is dreadful. To ignorantly attack the person of another individual is reckless and irresponsible. To call into question their morality in a viral depiction does not make us a morally upright people. It makes us people of questionable motive, upbringing and sense. To ignore the chaos wrecked in the lives of the men and women subject to the attacks in the lists is barbaric. To support the actions of these uncouth rumour mills is nauseating. Whether or not the motives behind the design of these lists were malicious, or driven by an incessant hate for immorality. This entire subject signals how our society, fuelled by misplaced morals, values and virtue is fast decaying, into one hungry for, and stimulated by rumours, and gossip. Zimbabwe is admirably a very conservative society which frowns upon promiscuity, but we ought to extend our desire and defense of chastity to character, decency and respect. Our obsession with morality as a people, is corroding our character as a nation. We need to embrace tolerance, and virtue. Our leanings towards viral gossip are eating away at our senses as a community. We need to denounce acts of malice, and reject invasions of privacy. Our society has lost respect for decency and privacy, and these lists illustrate a picture of a malignancy that is wearing down our personality as a population. Irretrievably.

Islam No Worse Than Christianity

Posted by mkmanyowa — Mon, 26 Jan 2015 16:02 GMT

For centuries on end, religion has been a recurring fundamental basis for human conflict and war. Religious fanaticism has directly led to the demise and destruction of several beings. Religious conflicts are implicated as the chief proponent of wars in the world of the past, and the world of today. They compete toe to toe with drug wars, violent crime, and wars fought to achieve or defend sovereignty. Somalia, Ethiopia, Liberia, and most recently Nigeria, have become by all accounts war zones. The former three have been ravaged to a pulp by war. Of course the reasons are not always as obvious, and religion is not always the most immediate and paramount cause of the conflict, but a closer analytical look will reveal that Islamic fanaticism, as it has been called, is in very worrying degrees involved in the birth and furthering of conflict. Terrorism, which in itself is another brand of war has been patented as an Islamic foundation. Famed by the 9-11 attacks in the USA, Islamic oriented movements like the Taliban, Al Qaeda, ISIS, and Boko Haram have achieved worldwide fame and scoundrel, in the process tainting Islam black. Terror profilers are very often drawn to suspicion by dutifully adherent Muslims. This kind of religious profiling is terribly misinformed, and could not be further from the truth. It is true that many wars are fought in the name of Islam, and Islamic oriented movements in Africa and the Middle East have threatened, terrorised, murdered, and abducted innocent men, women and children. This is supposedly done with the intention to either gain territory or create pure Islamic states, revenge attacks on Islam by Western Imperialists, defend the illicit sovereignty of Islamic fundamentals. But there are three very worrying falsehoods that are often implicated by this line of thinking. Firstly, the fundamentals of Islamic extremists are not a true reflection of the religion as a whole. It is very insolent to paint the entire religion black based on the actions of out of control villains. My direct knowledge of the Holy Quran maybe limited, but the little I am privy of indicates to strong condemnation of mindless rape, murder and torture. In actuality Prophet Mohammad condemns violence, or its use in furthering a religion's values. It is grossly unfair to blame Islam for terrorism, when the proponents of terror and their actions are rejected and condemned by the very book that defines Islam. It is grossly unfair to blame Islam for terrorism, when the proponents of terror and their actions are rejected and condemned by the very book that defines Islam. It is grossly unfair to blame Islam for terrorism, when the proponents of terror and their actions are rejected and condemned by the very book that defines Islam. Secondly, the people who are committing those crimes against humanity for any reasons, justifiable or not are not Muslims. They are criminals, and those are found in every religion. The one brush paints them all mantra is not only presumptuous, but erroneous. There is a very interesting analogy that defines this aptly. Car maker Toyota produces a thousand vehicles, for purchase. If one driver purchases one and goes on a drinking binge which ends up with him running over and killing 20 school children at a pedestrian crossing. Would we lay the blame on the car maker? You cannot hold an institution responsible for atrocities committed by vile elements loosely related or connected to it. That is the worst kind of religious profiling, the most dangerous one, that breeds hatred, and more terror. The third and most critical problem is that, even if we did choose to paint Muslims with one brush, it would still be largely inaccurate and terribly unjust to label them and their religion evil, especially when we further the Christian movement as a better option. Christian Jihads have killed more people than Islamic Jihads, and that is a fact. Israel continuously holds innocent Palestinians hostage in deplorable conditions in their own land. With no access to medicine, food, water, and all other amenities, thousands die each day in deplorable conditions in the Gaza strip. Is this not a worse brand of terrorism? A brief look in history, and one would be appalled by the involvement of the church in several murders and abductions. The church played a pivotal role in continuing and furthering tyranny in France before the French revolution. From the time of the Roman Empire, many people have been murdered and killed in the name of Christianity, by vile elements whose beliefs do not mirror those stipulated by God in the Holy Bible. In the contemporary times, Christian governments have often voted for the unconstitutional killing of people, especially in Africa. USA, UK, and Canada which are by and large Christian oriented countries have been at the forefront of wars all across the globe. In actuality, Islam is no more evil than Christianity. Terrorism and war are global problems of a human making, but it is unfair to even think of a pure religion like Islam as evil, especially when its direct challenger has a track record worse than it.... Maynard Kudakwashe Manyowa Maynard Manyowa is a Pretoria Based Column Writer for News 24 Zimbabwe Live. He writes in his own capacity, and his opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion(s) of this publication. You can reach him for feedback on mkmanyowa@gmail.com

Boko Haram & Charlie Hebdo: Echoes Of Western Hypocrisy

Posted by mkmanyowa — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 09:43 GMT

On the back of this piece, the world has been shaken by two incidents of remarkable dreadfulness and trepidation. This past week has witnessed terror campaigns of biblical proportions. It all began when Islamic extremist group Boko Haram killed 2,000 civilians in Nigeria; a little girl detonated bombs strapped around her body in the middle of a market. A few days ensuing the gloomy carnage in Nigeria, gunmen stormed French publication Charlie Hebdo, and killed employees of the weekly satire. 17 lives were lost directly and indirectly as a result of that particular occurrence. Happenings of this palate are depressing and paining. Acts of terrorism no matter where they occur are lamentable, and disastrous. People's lives are untimely terminated, as a means of pushing an agenda or an interest. The hurt, trauma and horror borne out this is unspeakable. Whatever the agenda maybe, human lives are being used as pawns, as bargaining chips in a greater political dynamic. People are being murdered, to make statements. The acts should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. But that seems not be the case, only one of those acts seems to be attracting loud disapproval. Yes, these are two dramatically different terrorist acts that point to larger problems with our entire existence, and global politics in its totality: free speech vs insensitive provocative remarks, and Freedom of religion. Nonetheless, they are still terror attacks, which are despicable. It is shocking that only one of those events has generated extensive upheaval. While Boko Haram is perceived to have murdered innocent lives in Africa, the killings in France were a direct response to derogatory cartoons of Prophet Mohamad done by the Charlie Hebdo publication. Boko Haram killings were unsolicited, while Charlie Hebdo intentionally incited reactions from Muslims by mocking their values. What is extremely telling is the West's treacherous reaction to terrorism. There was pin drop muted silence when 2,000 Nigerians were murdered, yet there has been widespread outrage and uproar over the killing of 17 French citizens? An international million man march in solidarity was organised in France, and there is strong army presence outside Charlie Hebdo offices, to allow them to continuously mock Prophet Mohamad, and likely incite more violence and terror. The naked truth is 17 French lives are much greater than 2,000 African lives. The silence of western media and international media regarding Boko Haram is testament, especially when you compare it with their reaction to Charlie Hebdo attacks. The hypocrisy is of unparalleled proportions. It is quite conceivable that the problems engulfing Africa are of a western derivation. The west's mute reaction to terrorism in Africa is two-faced. When you consider that NATO is continually at war in the Middle East, against organisations and governments they claim promote terror, yet, they blatantly ignore Boko Haram, and the terror reigns in Africa. This is not new though. The west is known to ignore African problems at will, and at times even sponsor them. Africans killing each other is big business for the allied forces, it serves their interests well. The more Boko Haram kills Nigerians and destabilises the country, the more oil prices in Nigeria are affected. And that stands to benefit them more. Not only that, the west is on record for sponsoring genocide in Africa for years. The British sponsored dissidents in Zimbabwe. They underwrote tribal terrorism, which almost destabilised Zimbabwe in the early 1980's. In Rwanda, the Belgians sponsored the Hutu army, while the French sponsored the Tutsi army. This led to the state army being less equipped than private tribal armies. In a matter of months, Rwanda fell into anarchy, civil war and pandemonium. 800,000 people died, while foreigners looted diamonds, and other precious minerals. In South Africa, just months before the 1994 elections, the British apparently sponsored the Inkatha Freedom Party with weapons, and arms to oppose democratic elections. The result -devastating widespread mass murders of quantities unprecedented in Africa. All these examples point to western propensities to sponsor terrorism in African countries, with the hope of destabilizing the entire continent. One would not put it past them, that Boko Haram is a western sponsored crusade. Their silence is an apt indication of that assertion. African lives matter little to the West, and white imperialists leaders have continuously demonstrated that. The west's silence on Boko Haram speaks volumes about their attitude towards Africa, and Africa's problems. They simply do not give a hoot about it. African problems need African solutions, the west simply do not care, and they never have, and never will. The terror spree of recent days maybe unfortunate, but the greatest reflection borne out of these near simultaneous attacks is the hypocrisy of the west.

The 'Holy Trinity' of Justice, Law and Mercy

Posted by mkmanyowa — Wed, 14 Jan 2015 11:36 GMT

Pritchard Kyle Zimondi was convicted of the atrocious, senseless, and cruel murder of Monalisa Chinomona at her parent's Chitungwiza home almost 3 year ago. The justice subsequently sentenced him to 18 years in prison. No part of the sentence will be commuted and there is no tangible prospect of early release. If Zimondi is still alive and rehabilitated, he will be 42 at the end of his incarceration. For a convicted murderer in Zimbabwe like Pritchard Zimondi, 18 years could so effortlessly mean life, literally. Living conditions in maximum prisons are purportedly deplorable and borderline inhuman and he may well commit another crime within the confines of the state penitentiary, further extending his stay. After all, it is commonplace for unfeeling murderers like Zimondi to carry on with their despicable conducts, even during confinement. Central to the subject at hand, the sentencing of Pritchard has brought the curtain down to a lengthy and gruelling journey for the Chinomona's. The family have nonetheless been unfulfilled. They craved for a lengthier custodial sentence or the death penalty. The family are not wide of the mark to feel this way. The murder was remarkably dreadful, atrocious and barbarous. The motive for the murder was even more appalling. Pritchard is undoubtedly an egocentric psychopath, a man incapable of maintaining socially acceptable thought patterns. He murdered a woman for refusing to sleep with him. Even in Stone Age times, that would have been intolerable. The man's demeanour during and after trial is disturbing. He wore a t-shirt during trial, with a picture of Monalisa on the front, and a heart pierced by a knife on the back. The pun was of a mocking, and gloating assortment. He may have meant his heart was broken, but at the same time, Monalisa was found dead in a pool of blood, with a knife stuck in her breast/heart. This did not escape the attention of the judge, who condemned the performance resolutely. For the family, it was still a bitter-sweet moment. Monalisa shall never again grace us with her divinely beautiful presence, or persona. Her budding dreams, career, and life were tragically ended by a calculating killer. His conviction and sentencing will not bring their daughter back. Had Zimondi been sentenced to death however, perhaps they would have felt a little restored. Zimondi got mercy from the judge, mercy that he dared not show to Lisa when he stabbed her 15 times. The family are correct in questioning this version of 'Justice'. However, the judge, just as the one in the famed Oscar Pistorius case chose to convey a punishment of sensible proportions, taking care to mix justice, law and mercy. This is conventional at law. Custodial sentences are meant to protect society at large from dangerous criminals, while at the same time providing a platform for the criminals to reform, and undergo rehabilitation, with the hope that someday they can re-join society. It is quite difficult, and morally questionable to argue for Pritchard's case, or to be seen as harbouring compassionate tendencies for his cause. The man is a monster, he is worse than Gumbura. But, a few facts are stubborn. Zimondi was 21 when he committed the crime. He has been languishing in remand prison since 2012. His behaviour while appalling also demonstrated just how disturbed his psyche was, and that perhaps help, and not condemnation is what he needed. The judge mentioned that this had saved him from a life sentence. The judge would have looked at all these 'special circumstances' before conveying judgement. The relationship between justice, law and mercy is a complex one. The entire model of this 'holy' trinity is intricate. A thoroughly just society, which neglects mercy is dangerous and will give birth to barbaric tyranny. As that seen among extremist groups in the Middle-East that employ a very violent version of the sharia law. A version often labelled as inhumane. A religiously lawful society would be too porous, and criminals like Zimondi and Gumbura would have walked Scott-free. After all, they were convicted on circumstantial evidence, and the law often requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt to facilitate convictions. A strictly merciful society would be the death of humanity in all ways we know it now. With no measures to cull delinquency, we would be uncivilised, ungoverned and ungovernable. By classification, a truly just civilization is one that is able to capture, and reprimand transgressors of law. A blameless justice system should be able to send a message which is strong enough to deter would be reprobates, while at the same time not necessarily condemning first offenders irretrievably. In a virtuous legal system, penances must be commensurate with crimes committed, but also contain a degree of mercy. In finality, despite all contestations, on what Zimondi really deserved, 18 years in a maximum prison was probably the most sensible sentence, mindful of the intricacy of Justice, Law and Mercy.

Zimbabwe Cricket Plummets Into Oblivion

Posted by mkmanyowa — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 12:11 GMT

Zimbabwe Cricket is in a sorry state of perpetual chaos and decline. The champion knight of black empowerment, idolized for romantic stories of little boys growing up in the slums of the "ghetto", rising to become national heroes that competent on an equal foot with the world's best is on its knees, dabbling in deep waters On the back of this piece, Zimbabwe has just been dominated, decimated and destroyed by Bangladesh. Zimbabwe was unpromising, wretched, and disorganized. Out of sorts, they were repeatedly clobbered into submission with savage ruthlessness. They looked nothing like the team solid fighters that beat Australia a few months ago, nor did they carry themselves as the efficient performers that took Pakistan to the guillotine in a home test series last year That has become the sad sequence of our cricket though. Zimbabwe flatter to deceive, they put in a spirited performance once every few dozen games. They wear the jacket of the fierce underdog, with the tenacity of a Tiger! When they feel like, they put on quite a show to just about keep the nation interested, before retreating into their more permanent attire of chokers. It would be unfair to go after the players so strongly alone, however. A very competent cricket analyst and colleague said, in the aftermath of the damning defeat, that we cannot simply continue to expect different results from the boys without observing the flawed process that produces the final product, that being the Zimbabwe Cricket Team that takes to the field. To a certain degree I agree with that assertion, cricket is a highly organised sport, and backroom problems will almost always lead to decline. See, England in the eye of the Kevin Piertesen storm, and in the aftermath: From number one in the world to being passively pummeled like sitting ducks in the Ashes Zimbabwe Cricket cannot escape the same, and as an institution ZC is a thoroughly flawed giant standing on feet of straw. In its entirety, ZC is a dysfunctional, disorganised, toxic concoction of ignorance, arrogance, and incompetence. You only need to look a few months back, when convenor of selectors Givemore Makoni unilaterally took over the roles and duties of ZC's PR officer, availing himself for questioning on the state of cricket in the country to the cricket loving public. This was just the latest demonstration of how ZC lacks organisational protocol, or respect of it, and how the organisation is run like a village beer brewery. Makoni is selector, not a trained PR officer, he does not possess the etiquette and intelligence required of the role, and as expected, he soon bundled it, launching a shock tirade against a former player. Makoni's utterances on social media painted a much dimer picture of gloom. He arrogantly, resorted to hanging an ex player's dirty linen on a social network with a billion followers, after being confronted with a series of honest questions to which he had no answer for. He behaved like a dirty brawler, a bare knuckle fighter, with no conscience. He exposed himself as lacking the very simple qualities that make a decent human being: decency, dignity and respect That Makoni escaped any form of disciplinary action, despite local and international uproar is testament to how ZC is run like a brotherhood, and not a corporate organisation The bark does not stop there, ZC has in the past postponed the start of local amateur leagues, which are meant to be the nation's breeding field. Players constantly strike, or threaten to and management is almost always at loggerheads with one player or the other, at any given point. Then there is the chopping and changing of player after player. Sean Williams, arguably one of Zimbabwe's best players at the moment missed the humiliating tour, because ex head coach, Steve Mangongo would not allow him to attend to family emergency. Since the famed player walk out, ZC has bred good cricketers, only to see them enter into exile at tender ages, opt to play for other countries. Kyle Jarvis, Tatenda Taibu, Gary Balance and the Higgins brothers...the list is long. These were Gems that threatened to take the game by storm. Talents that the nation just could not afford to lose The problems gripping the nation and the team are not complex. ZC is run in a Mafia kind of style, funds are reportedly misappropriated, and the team is managed by ruthless men of limited capacity Givemore Makoni, who rule with an Iron Fist. The entire system needs to be changed. If not, cricket in Zimbabwe, like Tennis Zimbabwe will slowly retreat into the wilderness. Society will reject it, and turn its face away, and the mill that once produced fairy-tale like accents from the ghetto into international stardom, will produce only the stuff of nightmares.

Sorry Morgan, you are the nonentity

Posted by mkmanyowa — Thu, 25 Dec 2014 12:09 GMT

Zimbabwe's former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai shocked all sound-minded people by claiming the ruling party, Zanu PF, was full of 'nonentities' beyond President Robert Mugabe and that nonentities would take over soon. What irony! This is would be funny, if it was not so sad. Tsvangirayi entered the political sphere with a bang, full of promises: Donor funding, and one million jobs. He failed, and exited governance with an inaudible thud. His era was characterised by an open zip, gallivanting from one paradise to the other on taxpayers' money, love triangles, and of course making outrageous comments that left an ugly taste in our mouths, for instance the "I am the main actor" mantra. We must give it to him though, for a while, Tsvangirai was the apex politician. He had an aura around him. He commanded respect and recognition from Zimbabweans and people the world over. He carried himself with confidence and he had a bravado never been seen before. He was the contemporary 'Jesus' of Zimbabwean politics. This was before he became Zimbabwe's chief minister, the most powerful government official outside the presidium. Once in office, Tsvangirai put a gallant effort to discredit himself and his political party. He tainted his person with the colour and smell of a doodle! The apex politician became the apex clown. The paragon of promiscuity, the epitome of a clueless leadership. He left government four years later, having desperately and hopelessly attempted to hold onto power. His only worthy achievement, well, surviving two more years in a unity government than what was expected and agreed on in 2009. He was rudely rejected and sent packing. His true colours revealed, the nation voted for the revolutionary leader Robert Mugabe, a man of principle, and untold aptitude. Morgan, the 19th century statesman in the 21st century world, was swept away brutally, but rightly so. His lifestyle, now lacking the donor backing he has always declined has taken a turn for the 'dustbin'. His mansion in Highlands has been poorly maintained and now looks like a deserted hostel. There is talk he will be evicted, soon. His MDC Party has seen yet another split, Tendai Biti, one of the MDC's most decorated and able individuals left, together with Elton Mangoma, Elias Mudzuri, Roy Benet, and Trudy Stevenson. They followed the path taken by the duo of professors Welshman Ncube and Arthur Mutambara At the time of writing, the MDC may just have four or five different versions, none different from the other. These are: MDC-M, MDC-T, MDC, MDC 99 and MDC renewal team. It is rumoured Chamisa will start his own MDC soon. There is a popular Shona idiom, "Kusimbirira Mhopo, iwe une ziso rine mbonje", which is translated to; "Do not mind the speck in your companion's eye, when there is a log in yours". That Tsvangirai chooses to laugh at the democratic processes at play in Zanu PF is deeply ironic, while he sits at the helm of a broke, rejected, and perpetually splitting party. Zanu PF reportedly has two factions, MDC officially has four ! The MDC(s) have become the biggest of all nonentities. Their thought collective is a dry joke at best. They offer no real alternative to Zimbabwe's political landscape, current and before, they never have, and never will. Central to the subject at hand must be a clear understanding of who the nonentity really is. Perhaps the ex PM meant something else, he perhaps wanted to impress journalists with a "big word", one with a meaning he does not know. After all, he is more popular as a Casanova, with a brain the size of a pea, than a politician with a sound mind The Oxford Dictionary defines nonentity as: (noun)-nonenity (plural)- nonentities -A person or thing with no special or interesting qualities; an unimportant person or thing :a political nonentity By that definition, they might as well replace that word in the dictionary with Tsvangirayi. He suits that explanation distinctly, his name could be an acronym for the word. Tsvangirayi has no special qualities, he has failed his claim to fame. He is no poster boy for change. That alone said, I am sorry Tsvangirai, but you are the nonentity. In your bedroom, in politics, and as a human being worthy of any attention. The nonentity is you! -Meynard Manyowa

Madiba Legacy Exploited In SA

Posted by mkmanyowa — Mon, 22 Dec 2014 12:03 GMT

This December, South Africans memorialised the death of their icon, Nelson 'Madiba' Mandela. Hailed as the paragon of contemporary knighthood, and the epitome of virtue, Mandela is an icon of the highest stature. This is hardly questionable. In each calendar year, South Africans, and most of the world, celebrate the day of Mandela's birth, they observe the day of his release from prison, they honour the day he was elected into office as the first democratically elected president of the republic and they commemorate the day of his death. However, there is a lot amiss with this. There is no intention here to insult Mandela's legacy, but it is of paramount importance to question the luxury to which it is afforded, often at the cost of his own people. The conspiracy theory that the 'original' Mandela was murdered and replaced with an imposter, while preposterous is warranted. Mandela went to prison a revolutionary, with a deep resentment for inequality. He left prison a man of self-annihilating peace, with a thorough propensity to further the ideals of the very people who incarcerated him. 20 years after independence, South Africa is still a much divided society. Racial tensions have increased, and black South Africans are still facing the same evils of apartheid: Marginalisation, discrimination and racism. It seems South Africans fought only for the right to walk on the same streets with whites and the liberty to move without a pass. Beyond that, the oppressive system that promoted white domination, granted opportunities to white minorities at the expense of a black majority still exists. If anything, it is much more structured, methodical, and diabolical than before. Regrettably, the brand of his person is worshiped across the entirety of the land, oblivious to the fact that he sold out. The reasons are devastating in their simplicity. Mandela allowed whites to consolidate the gains of apartheid, promised them protection, and they in turn made him an idol. Madiba cuddled the men who tortured him, he extended the hand of clemency to his racist persecutors. He gave them so much, and they gave him nothing. For that, the imperialists adore him unequivocally. Nelson heavily handed down concepts of truth and reconciliation, but he subdued the values that drove the ANC to fight for a democratic nation in the first place. Under his watch, accountability, restoration and equality played second fiddle to clemency, consolidation and peace. This is unfortunate. The system that existed in South Africa placed black people at a serious disadvantage. Apartheid relegated blacks to the periphery of the economy, to live in deplorable conditions. In its aftermath white people started from a position of benefit, while black people were disaster-prone from the start. After all black people emerged from apartheid with little resources, limited opportunities and strong institutional confines. It is not a mere coincidence that there are no white people in all of South Africa's dangerous, malnourished and impoverished communities, like Diepsloot and Khayelitsha. Largely by Nelson Mandela's hand, they remain rooted there. Today, a black man in the rainbow nation has to work twice as hard as his white counterpart, just to achieve the same gains of his sweat. That is the deranged social order Mandela created, one where everyone is equal, but some people are more equal than others. White people adore him for this. He created for them, a civilisation where they are hypothetically equal to black men, but the gains of their repressive regime put them head and shoulders above any other race. North of the Limpopo, white people despise Robert Mugabe, the true African hero. A man who fought not only for freedom, but reversed the illicit gains of a colonialist system akin to apartheid. Mugabe's ideology is toxic to white imperialists' interests. They prefer Mandela's dogma, because it created a heaven for them, a racist one. Even in death, Mandela remains the black man's worst nightmare. The legacy of Mandela is celebrated at the expense of the people whose plight was his shot to fame, whom he regrettably let down. Functions held to honour Madiba cost the black tax payer in South Africa millions of rand a year, while masses of black children are relegated to public schools, some to no schools at all, poor health care and laughable rehabilitation initiatives. That money can be put to better use. It can be used to assist disadvantaged South Africans of colour achieve some form of tangible emancipation. Mandela is worshiped like some form of a 'god' and his legacy is a religion, but that is undue and misallocated. Nelson Madiba Mandela is not a collective hero, he is a subjective hero, a white man's hero. Mandela is the imperialist's contemporary tool for continued tyranny and exploitation. The white man colonised South Africa with a bible, and now he has colonised it with Mandela.

Mujuru: End of an 'Error'

Posted by mkmanyowa — Sun, 21 Dec 2014 11:59 GMT

Dr Joice Mujuru was relieved of her duties as Zimbabwe's Vice President. It connoted the end of an 'Error' and not an 'Era'. There is no mistake there. That double entendre is fully intended. Mujuru's arrival into the country's presidium was lauded as the beginning of an "Era". That era never materialised, and her axing is widely extolled as the end of an "Error". Joice Mujuru's appointment was met with anticipation, excitement, and joy. Her reign as the Republic's Vice President was remarkably enigmatic. Her dismissal has been received with the same level of exhilaration, keenness, and elation as had her nomination. Principal among those that bemoan her period of influence are women, feminists, and gender activists. It was their plight that shot Mujuru to fame. She was intended to champion their cause(s), to be their opinion in a patriarchal government. There was profound ululation from that sector of citizens when the former VP faced the axe, as when it befell her in guillotine style. Mujuru, the predestined woman's hero was ejected from office as the pantomime woman's villain. In the lengthy period of Dr Mujuru's unfathomable rule, it was notably the first lady, Dr Amai Mugabe who became the redeemer of the plight of the Zimbabwean woman. Remarkably Amai Mugabe did so much with limited influence on policy as she was not in government or Zanu PF leadership. While Mujuru reportedly went on one corrupt binge after the other, Dr Grace Mugabe tirelessly furthered interests of the girl child through initiatives that promote better education and greater protection by the law. She did so often on her own resources and at her own expense. A few will reason that Joice was the Vice President of the state, and she was obligated to put the nation first. And that includes both men and women, without any bias. Hence the foundation of this yelp is unwarranted and disrespectful to the Dr's sweats while in government. This claim is sensible and noble, but ignores the circumstances of her nomination to begin with. Joice Mujuru's selection was premised on an intention to address the anomaly of unequal gender representation in Zimbabwe's leadership. She was not meant to be a ceremonial Vice President. She was challenged to represent women and further their plight in the highest bureaus of the land. The environments of her appointment are the yardstick by which we measure the effectiveness of her governance. By that yardstick, Mai Mujuru failed dismally. Her achievements and efforts, in addressing the quandary of women, and stamping out corruption are depressing. There is precious little that catches the eye, nothing that easily comes to mind. That is the popular theme consistent with her reign: so little done, so little achieved. Joice has been reproached for monumental corruption. Accusations which she has fervently denied. Nevertheless, despite the refutation, allegations levelled against her are difficult to disregard. When our principled leader, President Robert Mugabe condemned corruption and venality. Joice Mujuru chose to deflect the agenda. Earlier this year, the country was rocked by revelations that parastatal bosses were earning into the hundred thousands of dollars, while the institutions they directed were failing to pay workers a single month's salary, or settle basic bills. Zimbabweans from all walks of life united in criticism of this 'salary-gate'. The ex-VP contrariwise was conspicuous in her silence. It is quite conceivable that the benefactors of 'salary gate' 'got away with murder' because of the fortification they were afforded by the ex- Vice President. A leader who is sympathetic to conmen percolating the country of millions of dollars while populations starve does not deserve the responsibility of leadership. Mugabe did the noblest thing in appointing Joice Mujuru to the office of VP. She was the champion of the cause of women, she was the vanguard of gender equality. The decision to go with Mujuru was made with the people at heart, with women in mind. For that the president deserves astronomical credit. However, once in office, Mujuru's reign, which was meant to be an Era, fast became an Error. Her time in power often punctuated by self-serving interests was disastrous. She betrayed the circumstances of her appointment, she apparently sympathised with the fraudulent, she purportedly engaged in corrupt acts of the most contemptible variety. The woman in question supposedly plotted to remove President Robert Mugabe from office. A feat which is treasonous. Joice is now awarded fierce defence by the MDC-T, a party driven by western imperialists keen on regime change. She commiserated with organs that are anti the establishment: Corruption, MDC's and their sanctions, and agents of treasonous regime change. Dr Joice Mujuru's axing is yet another masterstroke from President Mugabe. The Zimbabwean revolution has no domicile for eras or errors like that of the times of Mujuru. The revolution has swept her brutally, but justly aside. Now that she has been sacked, and rightfully so. The deliberation will enjoy the wrath of protracted analysis and critique for years to come. But the realities are more tangible than ostensible. The beleaguered former VP's reign was an "Error", not an "Era"

Monster Maids: A Devil of Our Own Making

Posted by mkmanyowa — Mon, 1 Dec 2014 12:05 GMT

Social media was abuzz this past week. An entire billion people were shocked into a pulp, sickened to the deepest part of their gut, left infuriated, violated, underwhelmed and heart broken. A Ugandan maid, filmed by closed circuit television (Hidden Cameras) delivered a hell fury beating to a little girl of not more than 3 years of age. Her crime, regurgitating unpalatable food that had been rammed down her throat only a few moments before. The helpless little girl is smacked with open palms, hurled off a couch like a boomerang! She hits the ground with a huge thud, tummy and face first. She does not flinch, a disturbing sign that she was well on the way to familiarising with the assaults. The attack continues, she is kicked, and slapped, while lying in her own vomit. Then in an ultimate show of ruthlessness, the woman, probably weighing around 65-70kg stands, with both feet on the back of the toddler who struggles to breathe. Gasping for air, lying almost lifeless on the floor, her assailant, the weevil pummels her with a torch handle, repeatedly... The savageness of the attack, the ferocity of the ambush, left the child horribly traumatised and fighting for her life. In hours the video went viral on Facebook and Whatsapp, infuriating almost all the 7 billion humane inhabitants of this planet Many failed to conceive that woman, a motherly figure, a person with the heart of a human could inflict annihilation of such barbaric proportions to a little girl? That a person entrusted with the welfare of a toddler could relentlessly dispense a crude thumping of that nature, going against the very ideals of her occupation and much more, much of what makes humanity, human. Devastatingly, this is not the only video doing the circles on social media. Earlier, in February 2014, a Thai maid was also filmed delivering a heartless, senseless and chilling attack to a tiny infant. Whilst her barbarism does not match that of her Ugandan counterpart, the insensitivity, the cruelty, the stone numbness is equally sickening The incident altogether leaves a bitter taste in our mouths, it is a dagger to the hearts of all. Yet, it perhaps points to a greater problem in our society. In the quest to chase success, to make a living, we entrust our most precious in the hands of those we deem not to have the same level of ambition as us, those lacking the opportunity, skill, and drive to aim for the stellar star we aim for. It is the goal of every person to succeed. Stratification is a very significant paradigm in sociological realms. The definition of success from this perspective is imperative to the understanding of the different phenomena at play here. All of educational achievement, academic prowess, rich economic statue that follows, are what society has laid down as pilgrims of actualisation. These are the yardsticks of success. Sociologists posit that society is structured, by and in financial capacity(s), opportunities to self-actualise, and achieve success. However, the marker set, the blue torch paper lit, the inconsistences that follow trigger a chain of events that can only end up in disaster, like these shocking inhumane violent attacks on children. Here is why. All the subjects, the participants of life's ultimate race to actualisation do not begin from an equal footing. Many individuals, with all avenues to success blocked, resort to redefine success in their own means and terms. Some delve into crime, and many other despicable activities, all in the goal of reaching actualisation. And that is the problem with our society today. Without offering explanation for, or condoning these acts, it is quite conceivable from a perspective of social science that this problem is of our making. We have structured society along economic and social gains so distinctly, we have created classes, while simultaneously creating barriers that prevent less than exceptional people from migrating between classes. This is a complex analogy of a simple problem. The son of a security guard who lives $200-$300 in the negative of the poverty datum line does not share an equal opportunity to self-actualise with the daughter of a Minister. That his father cannot afford to send him to the best training facilities deems him doomed to scrap for that which is available to his class alone. The next question is obviously, how does this result in the creation of monster maids? Well, we assume, especially those that live slightly above that line, that those lower down the stratification table do not harbour the same level of ambition as us. Which is diabolical and false. Those that do end up working for us, the 'elite', are often frustrated, and angry, maybe not at us, but at 'stratification' and what it has brought for them. These, 'lower classes', victims of unforgiving capitalism are the ones we end up entrusting with our beloved seeds, and in some instances with tragic consequences. It is important to note that all these recorded incidences have happened only in 3rd world societies, where maids rank as lowest in the social strata, yet are endowed with the weighting responsibility of being guardians, and custodians of the welfare of our children. Well paid maids, who are able to compete on an almost equal footing with accountants, teachers, are less fallible to becoming savage baby basher The attacks of this recent year are regrettable, and have left a trail of tears everywhere. But, we ought to look twice at the society we have created, because with it, we have created mechanisms that promote the creation of vile elements, like these monster maids