Comments for Justzimbabwe http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com Are you getting the whole story? Sat, 17 May 2008 22:14:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU Comment on About by Dace Willmott (New Yorker Films) http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/about/#comment-53 Dace Willmott (New Yorker Films) Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:04:01 +0000 #comment-53 Mr. Bomba, Hello, my name's Dace Willmott and I'm writing on behalf of New Yorker Films. I see that you're going to participate in a panel discussion tomorrow evening following a screening of Bamako here in New York City. The film was released earlier this week on DVD through us. We feel as though we have an important film and would like to get the word out about the movie and the issues it addresses. We were wondering if it would it be possible to include a brief mention regarding the film in one of your future blog entries? I can forward you any information, as well as artwork and images pertaining to the film. Also, if you have any suggestions with regards to interested organizations or people who could send out emails to a list serve regarding the film, please let us know. Thank You. Best, Dace Willmott dace.willmott@newyorkerfilms.com Mr. Bomba,

Hello, my name’s Dace Willmott and I’m writing on behalf of New Yorker Films. I see that you’re going to participate in a panel discussion tomorrow evening following a screening of Bamako here in New York City. The film was released earlier this week on DVD through us.

We feel as though we have an important film and would like to get the word out about the movie and the issues it addresses. We were wondering if it would it be possible to include a brief mention regarding the film in one of your future blog entries? I can forward you any information, as well as artwork and images pertaining to the film. Also, if you have any suggestions with regards to interested organizations or people who could send out emails to a list serve regarding the film, please let us know.

Thank You.

Best,
Dace Willmott
dace.willmott@newyorkerfilms.com

]]> Comment on A BRIEF STOP OVER IN SOUTH AFRICA! by TG http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-21 TG Wed, 02 Apr 2008 09:49:26 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-21 I personally attended the whole meeting. Well, you know how it goes, some people are so busy hearing what they expect to hear that they don't hear what is actually said .... But never mind hearsay, below is the full text of the resolution tabled by Keep Left. It's very obvious that it does not argue to support Zuma (for example "If we are going to expose Zuma...") but argues about methods of building a struggle when some of the people who are ready to fight are looking to a problematic leader. The other resolution on the table presented Zuma's victory as a clear defeat for the working class. This resolution aimed to remind people that things are not so clear cut and simple - there are contrary tensions emerging from the Polokwane conference which can at the same time encourage and suppress grass-roots action. "South Africa after Polokwane. Proposed by Keep Left We note that: • It was above all the strikes and delivery protests, which grew since 2005, that created the crisis inside the ANC and the alliance over the effects of neoliberalism on the poor and the working class in general • Jacob Zuma’s election as the new ANC president is a double-edged sword for the working class. On one hand, it represented a decisive defeat for Thabo Mbeki, the president of neo-liberalism. This raises the confidence of all those who were opposed to Mbeki. On the other hand, people will now be invited to fold their arms and leave change up to powerful people in government who are believed to be on the side of the working class. • Mbeki remains president and is continuing with neo-liberal policies such as the tax breaks to big business in the recent budget. • So we should expect a mixed picture in the coming months – on the one hand struggles like Samwu in PE occupying the 2010 stadium, on the other hand many tensions being deferred until after the 2009 elections. • Those who look to Zuma do so not only with illusion but also with expectation for jobs, houses and comfort. If we are going to expose Zuma we must do it by holding him to the reforms that he promised and that people expect from him out the defeat of Mbeki. We therefore resolve: • To repeat again and again: ‘Fight for it now- we can’t wait til 2009 for free education’ etc. • We must look for ways to engage in joint campaigns with Cosatu members, civics, SACP members, for example over Eskom and the threatened job losses, or to involve ourselves in such campaigns when initiated by Cosatu etc. • We can’t make support for Zuma the main dividing line within the working class movement but rather aim to be with people when Zuma’s true colours start to show to everyone • We should be putting forward socialism as the real alternative to Mbeki’s neo-liberalism • We should continue to argue that the working class needs its own independent organization. I personally attended the whole meeting. Well, you know how it goes, some people are so busy hearing what they expect to hear that they don’t hear what is actually said ….

But never mind hearsay, below is the full text of the resolution tabled by Keep Left. It’s very obvious that it does not argue to support Zuma (for example “If we are going to expose Zuma…” ;) but argues about methods of building a struggle when some of the people who are ready to fight are looking to a problematic leader. The other resolution on the table presented Zuma’s victory as a clear defeat for the working class. This resolution aimed to remind people that things are not so clear cut and simple - there are contrary tensions emerging from the Polokwane conference which can at the same time encourage and suppress grass-roots action.

“South Africa after Polokwane. Proposed by Keep Left

We note that:
• It was above all the strikes and delivery protests, which grew since 2005, that created the crisis inside the ANC and the alliance over the effects of neoliberalism on the poor and the working class in general
• Jacob Zuma’s election as the new ANC president is a double-edged sword for the working class. On one hand, it represented a decisive defeat for Thabo Mbeki, the president of neo-liberalism. This raises the confidence of all those who were opposed to Mbeki. On the other hand, people will now be invited to fold their arms and leave change up to powerful people in government who are believed to be on the side of the working class.
• Mbeki remains president and is continuing with neo-liberal policies such as the tax breaks to big business in the recent budget.
• So we should expect a mixed picture in the coming months – on the one hand struggles like Samwu in PE occupying the 2010 stadium, on the other hand many tensions being deferred until after the 2009 elections.
• Those who look to Zuma do so not only with illusion but also with expectation for jobs, houses and comfort. If we are going to expose Zuma we must do it by holding him to the reforms that he promised and that people expect from him out the defeat of Mbeki.

We therefore resolve:
• To repeat again and again: ‘Fight for it now- we can’t wait til 2009 for free education’ etc.
• We must look for ways to engage in joint campaigns with Cosatu members, civics, SACP members, for example over Eskom and the threatened job losses, or to involve ourselves in such campaigns when initiated by Cosatu etc.
• We can’t make support for Zuma the main dividing line within the working class movement but rather aim to be with people when Zuma’s true colours start to show to everyone
• We should be putting forward socialism as the real alternative to Mbeki’s neo-liberalism
• We should continue to argue that the working class needs its own independent organization.

]]> Comment on Briggs en route; Catch Gerald on Democracy Now by Om http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/briggs-en-route-catch-gerald-on-democracy-now/#comment-19 Om Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:52 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/?p=17#comment-19 Michael, do you think Gerald can bring up the topic I wrote about in my blog on Democracy Now! I know Ms. Goodman is very at exposing media bias/b.s. on her program. It's time for the BBC to be exposed for who they really are in their relentless propaganda campaign against Zimbabwe since 2000. Unless we, the African bloggers/media, start to voice our concerns of the BBC's Zimbabwe misinformation campaign, they will continue to propagate and spread the British government's policies towards the people of Zimbabwe, and as such continue to be their mouthpiece. Please spread the word in anyway you can! Btw, you made an excellent point in your comments about the IMF/World Bank "Structural Adjustment" b.s. that really is a tool to keep developing countries always stay poor and dependent on foreign hand-outs. Michael, do you think Gerald can bring up the topic I wrote about in my blog on Democracy Now! I know Ms. Goodman is very at exposing media bias/b.s. on her program. It’s time for the BBC to be exposed for who they really are in their relentless propaganda campaign against Zimbabwe since 2000. Unless we, the African bloggers/media, start to voice our concerns of the BBC’s Zimbabwe misinformation campaign, they will continue to propagate and spread the British government’s policies towards the people of Zimbabwe, and as such continue to be their mouthpiece.

Please spread the word in anyway you can! Btw, you made an excellent point in your comments about the IMF/World Bank “Structural Adjustment” b.s. that really is a tool to keep developing countries always stay poor and dependent on foreign hand-outs.

]]> Comment on AWAITING THE RESULTS… by cduckwo1 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/awaiting-the-results/#comment-13 cduckwo1 Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:53:38 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/?p=16#comment-13 Briggs, Hello and thanks to your colleague and my good friend Marie for connecting us. I've been following your postings eagerly, as I served in the Peace Corps in Zimbabwe (98-99). In fact, we ended up pulling out as the situation deteriorated and we were disinvited by the regime. I await further news. I was surprised to read the observer's description of the election as "free, fair and credible" given what I've heard about ballot boxes missing and open threats from security forces on the BBC. Anyway, thanks much for the news and I'll be returning soon. Briggs,

Hello and thanks to your colleague and my good friend Marie for connecting us. I’ve been following your postings eagerly, as I served in the Peace Corps in Zimbabwe (98-99). In fact, we ended up pulling out as the situation deteriorated and we were disinvited by the regime. I await further news. I was surprised to read the observer’s description of the election as “free, fair and credible” given what I’ve heard about ballot boxes missing and open threats from security forces on the BBC. Anyway, thanks much for the news and I’ll be returning soon.

]]> Comment on ZIMBABWE ELECTIONS: AND THE WINNER IS… by John Trimble http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/zimbabwe-elections-and-the-winner-is/#comment-12 John Trimble Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:48:33 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-12 Briggs; What would a MDC victory really mean? A move to right! a cozy relationship with Britain, a rebuilding of relations with IMF and World bank, paying compensations to former British farmers, a canceling of efforts toward 51% Zimbabwe ownership of firms, mines and factories in Zimbabwe and most certainly a move away from anything close to socialism. The youth and student movement that you helped build were to the left of ZANU-PF, now we find you championing a movement that will satisfy the former colonial powers and take Zimbabwe backwards. Have you abandoned socialism? Briggs;
What would a MDC victory really mean? A move to right! a cozy relationship with Britain, a rebuilding of relations with IMF and World bank, paying compensations to former British farmers, a canceling of efforts toward 51% Zimbabwe ownership of firms, mines and factories in Zimbabwe and most certainly a move away from anything close to socialism.
The youth and student movement that you helped build were to the left of ZANU-PF, now we find you championing a movement that will satisfy the former colonial powers and take Zimbabwe backwards. Have you abandoned socialism?

]]> Comment on ZIMBABWE ELECTIONS: AND THE WINNER IS… by tariro tororiro http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/30/zimbabwe-elections-and-the-winner-is/#comment-11 tariro tororiro Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:51:22 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/?p=15#comment-11 Your quote that, however, unofficial tallies show the MDC as having won about 60% of the vote is misleading and irresponsible given the volatile nature of this election environment. The 60% only reflected tallies from the MDC stronghold Harare as reported by Briles of the BBC. Zimbabwe want a clear winner but can not afford this type of irresponsible juornalism. We can wait a day for the results. Your quote that, however, unofficial tallies show the MDC as having won about 60% of the vote is misleading and irresponsible given the volatile nature of this election environment. The 60% only reflected tallies from the MDC stronghold Harare as reported by Briles of the BBC. Zimbabwe want a clear winner but can not afford this type of irresponsible juornalism. We can wait a day for the results.

]]> Comment on A BRIEF STOP OVER IN SOUTH AFRICA! by justzimbabwe http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-10 justzimbabwe Sun, 30 Mar 2008 13:46:29 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-10 I am told from 3 different sources that Keep Left argued for supporting Zuma as a way of relating to and building from the Labour that backs Zuma. Can you actually talk to someone who attended the whole meeting... I am told from 3 different sources that Keep Left argued for supporting Zuma as a way of relating to and building from the Labour that backs Zuma. Can you actually talk to someone who attended the whole meeting…

]]> Comment on A BRIEF STOP OVER IN SOUTH AFRICA! by TG http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-9 TG Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:52:25 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-9 Well I was at the APF agm and there was no suggestion at all to support Zuma from any affiliate or individual. The debate was about whether and how to relate to activists in the mainstream movements who do look to Zuma for change. Well I was at the APF agm and there was no suggestion at all to support Zuma from any affiliate or individual. The debate was about whether and how to relate to activists in the mainstream movements who do look to Zuma for change.

]]> Comment on A BRIEF STOP OVER IN SOUTH AFRICA! by Nicholas Carl http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-8 Nicholas Carl Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:03:38 +0000 http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/a-brief-stop-over-in-south-africa/#comment-8 Briggs -- It's sad to hear what you were saying about Joburg being a "malfunctioning city", especially looking out the window here at Africa Action and seeing the building next door grow and grow. The way you write your blogs really cool - personal as well as clear and informative - and it makes me feel connected to read them. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading about your continuing experience and adventures in Zim. -- Nick Briggs — It’s sad to hear what you were saying about Joburg being a “malfunctioning city”, especially looking out the window here at Africa Action and seeing the building next door grow and grow. The way you write your blogs really cool - personal as well as clear and informative - and it makes me feel connected to read them. Good luck to you and I look forward to reading about your continuing experience and adventures in Zim. — Nick

]]> Comment on Walk with me in Zimbabwe… by Erica Eden http://justzimbabwe.wordpress.com/2008/03/13/hello-world/#comment-7 Erica Eden Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:46:34 +0000 #comment-7 Thank you for all your information about your trip to Zimbabwe. Too bad the power outages prevented you from making all the contacts you had planned on. I think the questions you will ask the citizens will bring some interesting answers. I look forward to hearing them. I have never been to Africa. Read one of Nadine Gordimer's books. As you know she is from JoB. Also, the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Both gave me a look at some history of JoB and the Congo. Now reading Minnie Mandela's biography. Very revealing. My husband has been to Zimb twice several years back on tour with a choir. They stayed for awhile at the Methodist Ranch. He said it changed his life. I wish I could be with you. Blessings and good health. I send prayers and hope to all the people in Africa. Thank you for all your information about your trip to Zimbabwe. Too bad the power outages prevented you from making all the contacts you had planned on. I think the questions you will ask the citizens will bring some interesting answers. I look forward to hearing them. I have never been to Africa. Read one of Nadine Gordimer’s books. As you know she is from JoB. Also, the Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Both gave me a look at some history of JoB and the Congo. Now reading Minnie Mandela’s biography. Very revealing. My husband has been to Zimb twice several years back on tour with a choir. They stayed for awhile at the Methodist Ranch. He said it changed his life. I wish I could be with you. Blessings and good health. I send prayers and hope to all the people in Africa.

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