Yes

by Gerry Legister

Created on: March 07, 2009

Zimbabwe lay in ruins, amidst crossing the century of Anglo Saxon built bridge that spans the gorge in which the great Zambezi river flows, we have seen the tragedy and glory of Zimbabwe, mixed with their declining changed of fortunes, as we dig deeper into a garden cultivation, we do feel a tinge of sadness, about our inept hand of mercy, unwilling to enter the mind game of superstitious hatred, in the pursuit of holding back the forces of self inflected ignorance.

Leadership requires taking the responsibility for when things go wrong, as in the case with Zimbabwe's continuing fall from grace, accountability rest squarely on the shoulders of Robert Mugabe, whose greed for power has left the country in a state of bewildering turmoil, many good families are without the basic necessities, such as clean water, proper food, shelter and medical aid, naturally, these are the things that are taken for granted in every civilize country.

But in Zimbabwe, families have reverted back to survival, using ancient laborious techniques to harvest the ground, there only crime is been who they are, which has no base for cruel persecution, because many citizens are unable to express their opinion through fear of reprisal, if you are not a member of the Zanu party you can expect militant intimidation from Mugabe's self style cronies.

For much too long, bitter tribalism has festered at the heart of Zimbabwe's problems, like an eroding disease, Robert Mugabe's foolish pride has not help in any way to resolved the situation, rather his arrogant immature gesture towards western powers has hurt those nationals who have vested interest in the country's international status.

While at the same time Mugabe appears to have very little inclination of the damage he is doing to diminish his political rating, by implementing childish policies, his error of judgment has decimated the country with antisocial bankruptcy. One can hardly be proud of the degradation which has destroyed the once lovely place name after King Solomon's heritage.

This paradise was once a thriving agricultural garden where many people flocked to, but the country has offered no tourist the right kind of service and security assurance, with barbaric behavior and head hunting imagery, intelligent security is needed to protect visitors, with a growing number of mutilating cases unsolved, tourism has dwindle to a trickle, independent travelers are unwilling to commit further time and money in support of an odious regime, and although the dollar is desperately needed, a change in leadership direction is far more essential.

Zimbabwe is a Republic of formerly southern Rhodesia, the country is landlocked with Zambia in the north, south Africa in the south and on either side is Botswana and Mozambique, any infectious disease can be transmitted across the borders with displace people fleeing for their life, this indicates the level of persecution that ordinary Zimbabwean face when opposing the ruling party, where there are no surprises that life expectancy is only 59 for men and 63 for women.

Since 1987 the political system has effectively been a one horse race with the socialist republic Zanu PF in full control. The police and army are in Robert Mugabe's pocket, there is widespread corruption in his government and the lack of trust has effectively made the people unwilling to be drawn on any meaningful dialogue.

The capital Harare, like so many other international cities is busy but not as prosperous as it was many years ago, then it was bustling and brimming with life, now the spectacle has dramatically decrease, and opinions are divided, while the country is in a state of civil unrest, travel companies who normally would fly in pensioners for adventure trips, have canceled their tours until a more reassuring atmosphere start pervading.

The Victoria falls town, was a thriving place for business ten years ago, with tourist queuing up for white water rafting, bungee jumps, helicopter rides and safaris, today that useful revenue has been lost to Zambia, the powers of negotiation having none effect, because while Mugabe is at the helm there is every reason to fear an epidemic on a massive scale, his failures as head of state is just unacceptable, now the towns are infected with the worst of human disease, economic poverty, self imposed degradation, the downward trend is a spectacular fall from the summit of good civil establishment.

People including citizen from Bulawayo, Chitunwiza, and Kwekwe are more inclined to run away from the situation, most of the Europeans apart from a few harden farmers have left the country, leaving 95% indigenous Africans to fend for themselves, and they are not very well able to make one single positive step, because of illiteracy but mainly due to lack of resources, persistent difficulties has caused many business to close, and trade is thin on the ground.

The controlling regime is so decisively draconian, any attempt of independent disagreement is immediately put to the sword, Zimbabwe has become overrun with neglect and butchery, it's a rural farmland land that you enter at your own risk, even in high density low income suburban areas, there is no guarantee that you will ever find what resembled paradise.

Anyone travelling to Zimbabwe should exercise a high degree of caution and avoid areas where war veterans are active, with only 3.5% afro Europeans and Asians making a dent in the population, I am in no hurry for my body to be carried to its resting place in the sight of a degrading wheel barrow.

However, the beauty of Victoria Falls cannot be understated, along with the township where oranges and other orchard fruits were plentiful, blighted by political upheaval, this paradise was a farming dream which has gradually turned sadly to paradise lost, what a travesty of injustice, who is to blame?

The answer is clear, Robert Mugabe has oversight to see such beauty goes to waste, this gentle humor existing way of life has all but disappear with all the knowledge of good, leaving the wisdom of snakes to run loose.

Gone are the confidence of a country high on the commonwealth list, in its place is a polluting stench that rinks to the high heavens, all its adorning powers to produce quality food, that gifted knowledge has also gone to the wind of ill fortune, the people are scratching out the ground for measly crumbs of handout, it's a place where dignity has lost its way in the mindset of obvious stupidity.

If you were to go to the place we once called little paradise, you will not find any fresh produce in the markets, or new design shoes in the shops, certainly not any liquid refreshment in the way of your favorite liquor, this economic mayhem has caused prices to go up sky high, and if it were possible, the most likely outcome suggest Robert Mugabe's men would rob your eyes out of your head.

Ordinary people are having a difficult time in making ends meet, and the tragedy for Zimbabwe is without doubt the lack of trading resources has also lend credence to unremitting misery, their only savior for them is the constant plead on humanitarian grounds coming from the muted voices, numb with pain.

The dying are crying out amidst disease and sickness which could easily be cured with one bout of medical supply, but there is no medicine, and no western country wants to trade with Zimbabwe because of the present leader that they have, making the country washed with injustice and corruption on the magnitude of almost genocide.

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