100 Days of the Government of National Unity – an analysis of priorities

10 months have passed since the Global Political Agreement was signed. They promised to “build a democratic and just, inclusive society free of fear, violence, patronage, corruption and to ensure a better life for all Zimbabweans”. They promised to “arrest the fall in living standards and reverse the decline of our economy”, and “an end to violence, respect for human rights and freedoms of expression and assembly, economic and social justice, security sector reform, constitutional reforms and national healing.”

On 11 February this year, Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister and a few days’ later ministers and deputy ministers were sworn in. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said in his speech, “For too long our people’s hopes for a bright and prosperous future have been betrayed. Instead of hope their days have been filled with starvation, disease and fear. A culture of entitlement and impunity has brought our nation to the brink of a dark abyss. This must end today.” He promised “jobs for those who wish to work, food is available for those who are hungry, and where we are united by our respect for the rights and dignity of our fellow citizens. This is the debt we owe to our liberation heroes and our democratic movement heroes who paid the ultimate price so we could all live together free from fear, hunger, and poverty.” He said he would restore a free media, the rule of law and Zimbabwe’s devastated agricultural sector. He promised to open a “new chapter for our country” and told us he had three priorities: 1.Democratisation 2. Ending the humanitarian crisis 3. Stabilising the economy

SO WHERE ARE WE NOW? WOZA heard them talk and reminded each other that – actions speak louder than words. We continued to encourage each other to Qhubeka/ Take the Step /Yendera Mberi. We continued to demand respect for human rights and social justice through non-violent protest. We waited to see what they would do during the first 100 days. We know that our country has been destroyed and cannot be fixed overnight BUT we also cannot just sit and watch and do nothing. The 100 days has come and gone. Now we have to remind politicians we are impatient for a better life – we deserved it yesterday and want it TODAY. We march today to demand concrete progress on the promises made.

WOZA consulted members in Bulawayo on what they thought the power-sharing government should have prioritised in their first 100 days in office. They responded to this question:
If you were President or Prime Minister or even Minister of Finance or Education and you had 20 days left what 20 things would you concentrate on first?
We then selected the top five answers out of 20 and compiled this list of priorities. 6,520 members completed the petition and below is a summary of contributions.

1. Fix the education system:
•    We want free or affordable better quality education, with resources for our children and teachers who are motivated by descent salaries.
•    Teachers still look at parents as their employer while the real employer, government, looks on helplessly.
2. Urgent reforms to stabilize the economy:
•    Reintroduce local currency as soon as possible because not everyone can access foreign currency and afford to use it. Find a way to bring back a stable Zimbabwe dollar currency.
•    Audit finances at RBZ and Gono should be investigated for corruption and either be fired or resign.
3. Restore the healthcare system:
•    We need affordable fees for clinics and hospitals and enough affordable medicines.
•    Pregnancy no longer means celebrating a birth but pain and suffering due to high costs; demands for bribes and bad service. Nurses and doctors must be told to treat patients with respect. They must also earn a living wage that dignifies them.
•    Please allow people a dignified death – buy more storage fridges and clean up mortuaries.
4. Better quality, affordable and efficient service delivery from ZESA, City Councils and Tel One:
•    They keep increasing their tariffs but at the same time they decrease their service. Make sure people are getting a clean supply of water. Reduce telephone tariffs and improve service.
5. Create employment and opportunities:
•    We want jobs for all and those with jobs require a living wage that enables them to afford to get to work and eat three meals a day.
•    Offer civil servants a decent salary.
•    Allow people to get trading licenses and tell police to stop treating vendors like criminals.
•    Encourage informal and cross-border trading by capacitating ordinary people with self-help projects and training so that they will be able to create more business on a small scale, which will automatically boost industry.
6. Restore the rule of law:
•    Enforce the rule of law and respect for property rights.
•    Police corruption is steadily increasing; weed out corrupt police officers. We demand an end to the public looting of vendors’ goods by police. Citizens need to be protected against indiscriminate harassment. Implement the deal points about training of police.
•    End the violence by police on citizens. There is too much police brutality.
•    Withdraw trumped up charges against prisoners.
•    Repeal the sections in law (POSA sections) that violates civil rights immediately.
7. Basic commodities – food for all:
•    Food needs to be affordable and available. Reduce prices on a par with regional prices to stop profiteering
•    Free and unhindered access to food aid for those who cannot feed themselves.
•    Adequate food for prisoners.
8. Fix transport infrastructure:
•    Repair roads. Improve transport for the easier movement of goods and passengers.
•    Make fuel more affordable and accessible.
9. Housing:
•    There needs to be affordable housing for all – make rents reasonable and build more houses.
•    A special compensation programme of housing for Murambatsvina victims.
10. Resuscitation of industry:
•    Inject funds into industry.
•    Encourage investment to get our economy back on its feet.
11. Provide social welfare:
•    A decent pension for elderly, care and support for orphans and the disabled must be catered for.
12. Start a national healing process:
•    Make the President apologise to the nation.
•    There should be an investigation into human rights abuses and crimes against humanity and those guilty should be removed.
•    We need peace and an immediate end to violence. We need to feel safe in our own country and own homes.
13. Have media freedom:
•    Fair and equal coverage of all government officials. We want to hear them speak on ZBC and not have voice-overs telling us what they are saying. We want the truth from our media.
•    We want more independent media – newspapers, radio and television.
14. Write a new constitution followed by elections:
•    Speed up the process for a new people-driven constitution. No president can hold more than 2 terms of office.
15. Equality for all:
•    Stop discrimination. Equal allocation of resources to all provinces and people.
•    Support gender equality programmes to gain women’s participation in all aspects of life – business, leadership.
16. Improve international relations:
•    Restore international relations – not only East or West, but all. Make sure that we have good (and equitable) trade relationships with regional and international countries.
•    We would like to thank our neighbours and the international community for helping us in our time of need. Please keep it up.
17. Re-establish agriculture and initiate a genuine land-reform programme:
•    Stop selective distribution of land. Stop illegal invasions. Be serious about agriculture because our country depends on farming. Give land to productive people.
•    Fair distribution of inputs. Biased distribution means starvation.
•    Compensation for those who had their farms taken.
If I was the Minister of Home Affairs:
•    Remove Police Commissioner Chihuri who allows officers to abuse peoples’ rights and loot their goods.
•    Reduce the cost of passports.
•    Allow people to get birth certificates and identity documents at regional offices and make it easy for them.

Some of the 83 members who were arrested on Monday

The 83 members arrested on Monday for a peaceful protest about community safety appeared in Harare Magistrate’s Court this morning charged under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 46, as read with Section 2(v) of the Third Schedule to the Criminal Code – ‘criminal nuisance’. It transpires that police decided to go with these charges instead of obstructing traffic. They were granted free bail and remanded out of custody to 6 October.

The state had tried to get bail set at US $ 50 each and for each of the 83 to report to Harare Central Police Station every Friday but the magistrate refused these conditions, saying that they were too severe for the nature of the charges.

Having been dismissed from court, WOZA leaders were speaking to the group across the road from court, trying to ascertain which of the recently released members needed medical attention when police officers insisted that Jenni Williams, WOZA’s National Coordinator, accompany them to the police post inside Harare Magistrate’s Court for addressing the group. They accused her of ‘addressing a gathering’ and tried to get her to sign a caution admitting that she had addressed a gathering at court. When she attempted to explain that she was merely attempting to provide assistance to those that had been recently released, Inspector Majuru insisted that she be placed under arrest and taken to Law and Order at Harare Central. She is currently being held at Harare Magistrate’s Court until police can provide transport to Harare Central.

WOZA condemns this harassment of its members by police.

The two members that were arrested yesterday at Mpumelelo Primary School in Mpopoma have been released. They were taken to court this morning but the prosecutor dismissed the case against them.

Meanwhile, members visited another seven schools in Bulawayo, bringing the total to 23 schools visited in the past few days.

At Ingwengwe and Babamberi Primary Schools in Pumula, the authorities welcomed the representatives and encouraged parents with grievances to continue to engage the school through parents meetings. Both headmasters promised to look into the complaints. At Amhlophe Secondary School, also in Pumula, the authorities were unavailable to engage the representatives but the Teacher In Charge took the protests and flyers and emphasized that no pupils were being sent home for failure to pay fees.

At Mtshede Primary School in Njube and Sikhulile High School in Lobengula, members were again welcomed by both authorities who empathised with the parents and promised to look into the issues raised. This was repeated at Lotshe Primary School in Makokoba and Sobukhazi High School in Mzilikazi. Mr. Hlabangene of Lotshe Primary School even went outside to address the other members who were waiting outside the gate. He said the community need to be involved in the development of the school. A sentiment repeated by the headmaster at Sobukhazi who encouraged parents to engage with school authorities about any concerns they may have and not to keep quiet about ideas on ideas of developing the school.

WOZA would like to commend all the school authorities who took the time to listen to the concerns raised by parents at their schools. We hope that they will investigate the complaints made and respond positively. Meanwhile, we continue to urge all parents to engage with schools about any concerns they may have and to speak out about issues affecting their children.

Two WOZA members, Patricia Ndlovu, aged 53, and Georgina Muzaza, aged 84, were arrested yesterday whilst trying to engage the Headmistress of Mpumelelo Primary School. They spent the night at Bulawayo Central Police Station last night. They are still in custody. They have been charged under Section 37 1 (b) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act – ‘participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry’.

Members had gathered outside Mpumelelo Primary School in Mpopoma as part of the ongoing engagement with school authorities over unreasonable demands on parents from schools. The headmistress, Mrs Chibelu, kept the representatives waiting in her office whilst she called the police. The two women, both of whom have grandchildren attending Mpumelelo, were arrested outside the gates.

The arrested members were taken to Western Commonage Police Station where they were detained for two hours before being taken to Bulawayo Central Police. Attempts by defence lawyer, Kossam Ncube to get them released into his custody because of their age were denied by Detective Chief Inspector Mpofu of Law and Order Unit and they were detained overnight.

Meanwhile, WOZA parents met with school authorities at Godlwayo and Dumezweni Primary Schools in Pumula where they were assured that they will not send children away for non-payment. At Mahlabi Primary in Tshabalala, the representatives were also promised by the headmaster that no pupils would be sent home for failure to pay fees or civvies days.

In Mabutweni, the headmistresses at Ingubo and Insukamini Primary Schools welcomed the representative groups, listened to their concerns and received their petitions. Both authorities emphasized that they were not chasing any pupils for failure to pay fees as this was a directive from the Ministry of Education. The headmistress at Insukamini said they have civvies day once in a while and she would not chase any pupils if they did not have the money to pay. She highlighted that pupils in her school are not asked to purchase toiletries, stationery or sundries for the school. She commended the way members had gathered around the school in silence and sent in their representatives. She invited members who have children in the school to attend a parents meeting on 25 March.

Meanwhile, headmasters of two schools in Pumula that had been visited yesterday, Malindela and Amaswazi Primary Schools, called a meeting of all parents that had signed the petition and assured them that children would not be sent away from school for not bringing groceries or stationery.

WOZA is deeply concerned by the actions of the headmistress of Mpumelelo Primary School in calling the police when parents at her school merely wished to raise concerns with the school authorities. The arrest and detention of two women, one aged 84 years old, for wanting to discuss their concerns as parents with the headmaster of the school that their grandchildren attend is further evidence that very little has changed on the ground for ordinary Zimbabweans and is an outrage.

Please phone Bulawayo Central Police Station and ask Detective Chief Inspector Mpofu of Law and Order Unit why it is necessary to detain elderly women and demand their immediate release. +263 9 72515/61706/63061/68078

WOZA members outside Msiteli School, Bulawayo

Members directly engaged schools in Bulawayo today on issues of education today as part of an ongoing campaign to demand affordable education for all children. Community-based demonstrations were held at five schools in Bulawayo whilst representative groups met with school heads at another five schools to outline the concerns of parents. Today’s activities will be duplicated across Bulawayo at other schools in coming days.

At all schools, members were protesting against the extra demands placed on parents by schools, in particular the demand for stationery and cleaning materials. In most schools, each child is instructed to bring several items of stationery for the teacher and also several items of cleaning materials or groceries for the school. Many children have been chased away from schools for not bringing these items, even if school fees have been paid. Teachers at some schools are also demanding extra money for lunch or transport from each child in their class. All of these demands are on top of the gazetted school fees and stationery and uniform needs of each child.

The five schools targeted in today’s protest were selected because of the high number of complaints by parents about the demands from that particular school.

At Pumula High School, approximately 70 parents met at the school gates to peacefully protest the outrageously high demands placed upon them by the school. Five representatives of the group were welcomed by the headmistress who accepted the petitions and flyers and promised not to send home any pupils who had not paid school fees.

In Nkulumane, nearly 100 parents protested at Nkulumane High School whilst three representatives were sent to deliver the petitions and flyers. Those left outside the school carried on singing “umtwana uyakhala, ukhalela imfudo” (the child is crying, crying for an education.) The representatives were well received. The headmaster promised that no pupils would be sent home for non-payment of school fees although he stressed that parents should see the relevant authorities if they are unable to pay. He also mentioned that the City Council is now demanding 20 litres of fuel to cut grass and as much as he would like school fees to be affordable to all, headmasters were just implementers, not policy makers.

In Pelindaba, 120 members marched to Induba Primary School amidst encouragement from bystanders. Five representatives were sent in to deliver the petition and flyers which were wrapped like a gift. Only three could see the headmistress as there was a shortage of chairs in her office. The headmistress addressed them promising not to send any pupils home if the fees are not paid but encouraged parents to buy exercise books for their children.

In Mpopoma, the two schools selected as targets, Mpopoma High School and Gampu Primary School, were compromised as around 20 riot police were seen waiting within the vicinity. Members decided to reconvene at Lukanyiso Primary School and Msitheli Secondary School where both authorities welcomed and addressed the representatives who presented them with petitions and flyers. Both authorities commended WOZA for the good work it is doing. The headmaster at Msitheli Secondary School explained that the ‘civvies’ day money was to kick start the school facilities and buy sundries for the running of the school. He explained that they did not have permanent staff as they had left without any notice. He also addressed members who were singing and chanting slogans outside the school, promising that their children would no longer be sent home because parents failed to pay fees.

In addition to the peaceful protests, representative groups of parents also engaged with the heads of schools at other schools in their area, delivering the petitions and flyers and outlining the concerns of parents. In Pumula, the reception was not very cordial at Amaswazi and Malindela Primary Schools for the representative groups. At Malindela, the headmaster refused to meet with the five parents selected (although they were able to leave the petitions and flyers in his office). At Amaswazi, the headmaster insisted that he did not understand the petitions or what the members were demanding. He asked them to return at another time to explain it to him. He has since called a meeting of all parents that signed the petition for tomorrow morning (Tuesday).

Headmasters were more receptive in Nkulumane with heads at both Ihlathi High School and Maphisa Primary School welcoming the representative groups cordially and listening to their concerns. As with the headmaster at Nkulumane High School, the heads at Ihlathi and Maphisa promised that no children would be sent away for non-payment of fees. The headmaster of Ihlathi also commended WOZA for doing a great job in fighting for human rights.

In Mabutweni, representatives visited Nsukamini Primary School despite the fact that plain-clothed police officers were observed entering the school premises. The headmaster received the group cordially and explained that he was open to engagement with parents but he did not want a demonstration at the gates of his school that is why he called the police. There was no incident and the parents dispersed peacefully.

These protests follow a meeting between Minister of Education David Coltart and nearly 300 WOZA members last week where members again outlined their concerns to the Minister. The Minister took pains to explain to the parents present what fees and levies should cover and also explained some of difficulties facing his ministry. He listened attentively to the concerns raised by those present and asked for patience from parents.

Please see below a copy of the text of the petition being handed in at schools, copies of which have also been handed in to Minister Coltart.

To: Minister of Education, Arts, Sports and Culture – Honourable David Coltart

Copy to: School Head and Chairperson of SDA

PROTEST NOTE

Honourable Minister Coltart,

On 24th February 2009, leader of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) met with you to advise you that members of WOZA are unhappy with the state of education in our country. We feel that parents have carried the education system on their heads for several years now. They are not receiving their right to an education because there have been not enough or no teachers present or proper lessons given. Our children have suffered as a result of adult hatred and intolerance. We feel that this new government must put our children’s education first.

We thank you for advertising the school fees in the newspaper. Unfortunately many of us cannot afford to pay the advertised fees. The fees are also just a small part of the total amount being demanded of parents of their children’s education. The demands from school are not torture for us. Parents are being asked for additional amounts of money in the form of levies, as well as stationary, cleaning materials and teaching aids; even money for teachers’ transport and lunch. Below is a list of concerns our leaders have already raised with you. Please you cannot suck blood out of a stone.

– We ask school officials if they genuine about teaching our children because all they seem to be doing is chasing them away. Children are being chased away from school for no clear reason including no school uniforms or school shoes.

– The demands by schools for EACH CHILD in class to provide teachers with stationery are also unreasonable. These include pens, 196-page counter books, reams of newsprint and bond paper, dustless chalk, receipt books, ink for stamp pads, manila for charts, text books and exercise books. Children are chased away from school if they do not bring these items.

– Also unreasonable is for EACH CHILD to have to bring floor polish, harpic, jik, handy andy, washing powder, six rolls of toilet paper and bars of soap. It is not clear what is happening to all these cleaning materials , as the schools remain dirty.

– We are also not happy that teachers demand bus fare or ‘entrance fee’ into the classroom from every child in the class. Some teachers demand money for lunch – 50 Rand per month from each child in the class. Children are chased if they do not bring these items.

– On top of all of this, parents are expected to pay for civvies days and other ‘days’ without knowing what the money is being used for.

– All of these extra demands, on top of the stationery and uniform needs of our own children, means most parents cannot afford to send their children to school, regardless of what the fees are.

We ask you to do the following as a matter of urgency:
1. Be honest with what schools can deliver and tell us what cannot be done.
2. Give instructions that no child must be chased away from school.
3. Stop the civvies and any other fundraising days.
4. Make a policy statement about levies and other charges so both school officials and parents know what is allowed and what is not permitted. Government education is now becoming privatised and commercialised by school officials.
5. Make a policy statement about what the fee announced by government covers. It is only teacher’s salaries or is it everything?
6. We demand a new education assistance module urgently – we cannot afford to educate our children.
7. Without some clarity of policy and discipline among school officials, 2009 is going to be another wasted year and will be the end of the road for many children’s education.

Please take our request seriously; millions of children’s lives are in your hands. We have sacrificed to bring our children to this stage and sometimes even starve them today so that they can go to school for a better tomorrow. Enough is enough!

The Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) defines violence against women as ‘any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, force or denial of freedom, whether happening in public or in private life.’

Women of Zimbabwe Arise and Men of Zimbabwe Arise invite all Zimbabweans to join in this year’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, from 25 November to 10 December. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international movement, which began in 1991. The dates 25 November (International Day Against Violence Against Women) and 10 December (International Human Rights Day) were chosen in order to link violence against women and human rights and to show that such violence is an abuse of human rights.

This year, Zimbabwe will join the rest of the world in recognising 29 November, which is International Women Human Rights Defenders Day. OUR SPECIAL DAY!

WHY?
It is a step forward to have the promises of the Domestic Violence Bill delivered and put an end to state-sponsored violence so that we can concentrate on rebuilding our country and saving lives…

edical News Today reports: “The life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe is 34 years, the lowest in the world, according to the World Health Organization‘s World Health Report 2006. Men in Zimbabwe have a life expectancy of 37, according to the report.”

Gender Violence in Zimbabwe
Women form 56% of the population in Zimbabwe and usually it is the mother who must provide food despite the tight budget. We women bear the burden of the economic hardship. A government official said recently that 60 per cent of all murders in Zimbabwe were a result of domestic violence, with the majority of them being women.

The campaign also comes after the passing of the Domestic Violence Bill in Zimbabwe. The Bill makes domestic violence a crime and covers areas like economic and mental abuse, threats and pestering. Cultural practices that shame women, such virginity testing, female genital damage, wife inheritance and the custom of offering young girls as payment in disputes between families, will become illegal.

Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS
According to international studies, violence against women, especially forced sex, increases women’s exposure to HIV infection. Violence and fear of violence limits a woman’s ability to discuss safe sexual behaviour, even in agreement. Women who are infected with HIV, or who are suspected to be infected, may also face violence and/or dumped. Fear of violence and shame can discourage women from seeking information on HIV/AIDS, getting tested for HIV, disclosing their HIV status and seeking treatment and counselling. Since violence can affect women’s willingness to be tested, it can also have a negative result on larger HIV control, treatment and prevention programmes.

There are three kinds of violence, including state-sponsored violence, that are causing Zimbabweans to die young: Violence of the FIST, Violence of the TONGUE and Violence of the HEART.

Help us to expose this violence and hold those who practice it accountable.

Advancing Human Rights
When WOZA was formed in 2003, the founders recognised that it is mothers who have to find a way to feed their children or to raise the morale in the home so that the family can be peaceful and happy. So they mobilised and prepared each other for the burden of state-sponsored violence and continue to demonstrate against the shortage of basic foods, as well as poor governance and our children’s right to education. Instead of addressing our issues, the government of Zimbabwe arrests us, beats us up and harasses us. All the defenders of WOZA and MOZA require are to fully exercise their right to Freedom of Expression, to Criticise, to Protest and to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly.

The majority of Zimbabweans fought the liberation war for equality and freedom of expression. Now state newspapers, television and radio are only for the tongues of the politically correct. While we know that there is a need for such a law as the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), it is the selective application of the law that we object to. Where are the Daily News, The Tribune and other independent newspapers? Why is Radio Africa and Studio 7 jammed? Even Smith did not stoop so low as to jam Radio Chokwadi/Qiniso, broadcast from Mozambique during the liberation war. What is wrong with our views now – why can we not also hear Radio Africa and Studio 7? We demand our freedom of expression and we chose to bang pots at 8pm on purpose – to ‘jam’ propaganda news of this regime that does not want us to hear the truth.

Advancing – despite the risks
Although the Domestic Violence Bill could bring some relief to the many beaten and abused women and men, WOZA, as women human rights defenders in Zimbabwe, do not have much protection outside their homes. Harsh laws such as the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act continue to hound them. The passing of these unjust laws, even though most nationalists in government were arrested under the Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA), shows a bad heart on their part.

Through POSA and AIPPA, government thinks it has silenced the people. But some, like the defenders in WOZA and MOZA, are prepared to disobey what they see as unjust laws and speak out. Despite POSA, they continue to ACT. Despite harsh conditions in police cells and ill treatment by cruel officers, both uniformed and non-uniformed, they continue to SPEAK OUT.

We quote a sister, Rhoda Mashavave, in her an article titled, ‘Women pin hopes on domestic violence bill’, from zimbabwejournalists.com, “It is rather unfortunate, however, that the Bill will not cover state-sponsored violence which continues to follow women. Take a look at the case of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), the resilient women’s pressure group. These women have been on the front position, protesting against high food prices and human rights abuses in the country. As a result, these women have become jailbirds as they continue to be arrested each time they hold peaceful demonstrations. They have been harassed and beaten up by the police in the process”.

No matter what they do to us, WOZA and MOZA will continue to speak out and act against violence against all Zimbabweans – women, men and children. We will not suffer in silence. We need you to join us – in the words of one of WOZA’s founders, the late Sheba Dube, “Stand up, unite and call a spade a spade.”

As the world, including Zimbabwe, commemorates International Women’s Day, members of WOZA find little to celebrate.

As organisations, both local and international, take the opportunity afforded by International Women’s Day to speak out about the need for gender equality, respect for women’s right and an end to violence, WOZA joins the chorus. Yet we understand that women in Zimbabwe, and Africa as a whole, need much more than rhetoric – they need action. And actions speak louder than words.

The current situation of the ordinary woman in Zimbabwe is heartbreaking.

She only lives until the age of 34 because the Mugabe regime killed a perfectly good health system. She can hardly access antiretroviral treatment and even if she does, the three meals a day she needs to take them with is impossible. She cannot put a full nutritious meal on the table for her family because Zimbabwe is no longer the breadbasket of Africa but its basket case. She cannot afford to buy food even if it is available because the Mugabe regime put the economy in intensive care and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono put a bullet to its head when he started to remove zeros without comprehensive reforms.

A mother is always preoccupied with a better future for her children so that she can dream about sitting in the shade and being looked after for a change. But the prospects for this have been thrown out of the window by the destruction of the education system by the Mugabe regime. Educating children was already a challenge previously but in 2008 it became a form of torture for parents. Teachers left, school buildings deteriorated, text and exercise books disappeared to be sold on the streets for exorbitant prices. Government did not even bother to buy chalk, and this burden, along with that of paying teachers, fell on the parents’ shoulders.

Zimbabwe, in the throes of a political and governance crisis, failed to safeguard the rights of children to an education and their right to a better future. The untold story of Zimbabwe is the impact of the crisis on the lives of our children – how these innocent souls will bear the terrible burden of our adult hatred and intolerance.

In Zimbabwe there is now an ‘inclusive’ government but whilst it includes opposing political parties it falls far short of including women who take the time to speak out for women’s equality. WOZA does not feel represented by the mere fact that there are some women in political office. We want women to use their position to engage and consult women and further our combined interests.  If one takes the time to study the 15th September 2008 Global Political Agreement, rhetoric about women’s representation abounds but they appear to be words without meaning.

Three weeks after the inauguration of this government and 29 years after so-called Independence, women are still not fairly represented in most spheres in Zimbabwe. Peaceful protest is broken up by men armed with baton sticks and women who are simply demanding their constitutional rights are beaten, arrested and detained.

On 9th March 2009, two WOZA leaders will be in the dock in Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court facing a possible five years in prison for demanding political leaders allow free access to food aid for starving Zimbabweans. In the words of a police officer, this was a crime of ‘exciting people’. In a justice system backlogged for years, with thousands of Zimbabweans in prison and unable to be fed or brought to court, the fact that this case has been prioritised is further proof that women human rights defenders continue to be harassed and intimidated merely for speaking out on behalf of their families.

So a year after WOZA members were beaten and arrested in Bulawayo whilst commemorating International Women’s Day, we still do not find anything in our hearts to celebrate. Instead we use this occasion to remind our leaders that actions speak louder than words. And to light a candle against the darkness so as to guide our steps on the road to a socially just Zimbabwe. WOZA will continue to demand bread and roses, a full enjoyment of all our social, economic, cultural and political rights and the social justice that will restore our dignity as women. By continuing to take the step forward, perhaps by the next International Women’s Day, we will have something to celebrate.

Mrs Susan Tsvangirai – WOZA mourns the loss of a mother to the nation

Our troubled hearts are further burdened and saddened by the untimely death of Mrs Susan Tsvangirai.  WOZA was looking forward to Susan being the mother to the nation that we have long waited for. We witnessed her dignity and strength in standing by the side of her husband during their 31 years of marriage and understand the unexpressed pain she must have endured watching her husband suffer at the hands of a brutal regime. We had hoped and prayed that she would enjoy a semblance of peace at his side as a mother of the nation. The loss of this mother of six and tower of strength to her husband is a shocking blow to the nation and all Zimbabwean women. We offer our heartfelt condolences to the Prime Minister, their children who have lost their mother and rest of their family. May her soul rest in blessed peace at last.

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Dreaming of a New Zimbabwe
The People’s Charter

Zimbabweans, united and resolute, announce:

• That after 26 years of independence, the freedoms and equal opportunities we were promised have not been fulfilled;
• The dreams we had of a good life – of dignity, comfort and security – have become nightmares. Zimbabweans must dream once again and turn their dreams into a living reality.
• We must keep in mind, however, that we deserve better and we must not be afraid to believe that we have the right to a brighter future and we have the right to contribute to building it.
• And therefore, we, the people of Zimbabwe, women, men and children, of all races, tribes and religions, come together with respect for each other and as equals to adopt this Charter, knowing that united we can deliver its possibilities;
• And we undertake to work together with strength, courage and hope, until all Zimbabweans can live in a genuinely democratic country in peace and with dignity.

We shall all be Free and Equal

• All Zimbabweans shall be equal, regardless of gender, physical ability, colour, national origin or tribe. Women’s and children’s rights shall be promoted and protected;
• We shall be educated about the rights and freedoms guaranteed to us by our Constitution and by international law, both regional and universal; and shall enjoy them freely;
• We shall be free to meet, organise and speak our minds without fear or intimidation.

People Participating in Governance

• People shall be informed of and encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of how the country is managed and run, fully exercising their rights as citizens;
• Any person born in Zimbabwe shall be allowed to become a citizen of the country. Birth certificates, national identity documents and passports shall be easily available for all citizens;
• People shall be free to choose the leaders they want, without fear and intimidation. Leaders at all levels shall be chosen through free and fair elections, without rigging;
• Women must also be encouraged to take up leadership positions to ensure gender balance;
• There shall be an independent electoral supervisory commission to oversee the conduct of elections and elections shall be monitored by neutral observers, both local and international;
• People shall be free to belong to the political party of their choice and shall not be discriminated against because of the party they support;
• All other arms of government, especially civil servants, police and army, shall be non-partisan and shall effectively serve the interests of the people.

The Leaders We Want

• All leaders shall be responsible, care for the people they serve and take their issues and problems to heart, taking action to develop their communities;
• Leaders at all levels shall respect all people equally, listen to their concerns, consult them when making decisions and feedback to them;
• Leaders shall understand that they will be held accountable and accept that the people who elected them have the right to criticise policy;
• Leaders at all levels shall publicly renounce corruption and nepotism;
• Traditional leaders (chiefs and headmen) shall not be chosen by politicians but by traditional methods. They shall be non-partisan and stay in the communities they serve, rather than sit in Parliament.

Justice in the Law

• There shall be a new constitution – written by the people of Zimbabwe for the people of Zimbabwe;
• All unjust laws that deny basic freedoms shall be repealed;
• There shall be rule of law and no single person will be above the law of the land and everyone shall have equal access to fair and just treatment under the legal system. Law breakers will be pursued, prosecuted and punished without regard to their political affiliation;
• The judiciary shall be independent and non-partisan, committed to upholding the law and promoting a culture of justice;
• Prisoners shall be treated with dignity, kept in humane conditions and given access to rehabilitation. Juveniles will not be treated as adults by the police, the courts or the prisons.

This Land is our Land

• The Land Redistribution Programme needs to start again and land be distributed fairly to any Zimbabwean – of any colour or gender – who will use it properly for the benefit of the country;
• There shall be respect for property rights;
• Farmers shall be helped with loans and inputs, so that they can develop the land productively;
• Farmers shall receive a fair price for their produce and shall be allowed to trade freely.

Wealth and Prosperity

• Government shall make every effort to bring development, infrastructure and prosperity to all parts of the country, both rural and urban, equally;
• Government shall encourage investment in commerce and industry that shall create employment and promote prosperity for all Zimbabweans;
• Government shall make every effort to control inflation by promoting production;
• Zimbabweans require a transparent and fair system of taxation with feedback on how their taxes have been spent;
• Government shall genuinely act to stamp out corruption and not let it continue to destroy our economy;
• Real currency shall return and our money shall have real value once again.

The Right to Earn a Living

• All people shall have the right to earn a living so that they can be dignified and do not need to rely on handouts to survive;
• There shall be enough employment, with decent working conditions and a liveable wage; equal pay for equal work.
• There shall be access to resources to start self-help projects, especially for youth and widows;
• People should also be allowed to trade; licenses and stands shall be fairly distributed.

Good Living

• There will be enough food for everyone;
• All basic commodities shall be available and affordable. If necessary, there shall be price controls to make sure that everyone has access to them;
• Every person shall have access to decent, affordable housing. Rents shall be lowered and there shall be respect for property rights;
• All areas, both urban and rural, shall have affordable access to the services necessary for safe, healthy living – clean water, proper sewerage and sanitation systems and refuse collection;
• All areas, both urban and rural, shall have affordable, regular access to electricity;
• There shall be a regular, affordable public transport system that provides adequate coverage of all areas of Zimbabwe. The elderly should be allowed free local travel;
• The vulnerable in our society shall be protected; the elderly, widows, people living with HIV/AIDS, orphans and the disabled shall be properly cared for by the state;
• All people shall have the right to rest, sports and recreation.

Educating the Nation

• Every child shall have equal access to an education without any form of discrimination. Those who cannot afford it shall have access to financial assistance;
• Primary education shall be free and secondary education affordable as we were promised in 1980;
• All students shall have a good quality education, taught in classrooms with enough resources – books, desks and equipment.
• There shall be enough qualified teachers committed to educating the next generation. We must respect their contribution enough to give them a living wage.

We Want to be Healthy

• There shall be adequate access to good healthcare, which shall be affordable for all Zimbabweans;
• Hospitals and clinics shall have enough medicines and equipment;
• Those living with HIV/AIDS shall have adequate access to Anti-Retroviral medication; those who cannot afford to pay shall be given the medicine and, if necessary, food aid for free;
• The elderly shall not have to pay for medical treatment or medicines.
• There shall be enough qualified medical staff committed to treating people with dignity and care. We must respect their contribution enough to give them a living wage.
• People shall be allowed to die with dignity; burial charges must be affordable.

Access to Information

• There shall be independent radio stations, newspapers and television stations that shall provide accurate, independent information
• News reporting shall be balanced, unbiased and all political parties shall receive equal coverage.

Righting the Wrongs

• There should be a meaningful apology made by those responsible for Gukurahundi and a truthful explanation of why it happened;
• Survivors of Gukurahundi and family members of the ‘disappeared’ should receive compensation;
• The pots taken from the Njelele shrine in Matobo, Matabeleland, must be returned and the desecration reversed with a full apology.
• Those affected by Murambatsvina should receive the housing that they were promised; they should also receive compensation;
• Leaders who have looted our wealth through corruption should be brought to justice.

Respect for Culture

• All people shall have equal right to use their own language and to observe their own culture and customs.
• Zimbabweans, especially the youth, should be taught their own and other traditions, so that there can be respect for all different cultures.

Peace and Friendship

• Zimbabweans are by nature friendly people – we must once again extend a hand of friendship to our neighbours, regionally and internationally, so that they can help us rebuild our beloved Zimbabwe.

Let all those who love Zimbabwe join hands to turn our dream of social justice into a reality.

This evening the two WOZA leaders, Jenni williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, were released from Mlondolozi Prison, after being granted bail by a High Court judge earlier in the day.  Both are in high spirits.

The release on bail does demonstrate that there are some vestiges of rationality within the Zimbabwean justice system in spite of widespread miscarriage of justice.  It is our wish that these pockets of respect for the rule of law will gradually expand to take over the whole system so that all citizens may enjoy the rights to which they are entitled. 

Meanwhile we welcome Jennni and Magondonga back to liberty and thank them for their courage and commitment and the sacrifice they have made for the benefitof us all.

Ends