6 of 25

Write now Article Tools

Poverty in Zimbabwe and beyond.
We are incessantly subjected to horror stories of poverty in third world countries. Those of us who live in comfort and have all the mod cons feel desperately sorry for those that live in squalor and battle each day to survive.
Today the people of Zimbabwe are in dire need of help before their country resembles Darfur and so many other African countries before them.
Millions have starved to death in Africa or been killed in senseless wars.
Disease is rife and HIV/AIDS now affects millions. AIDS orphans are a new phenomenon of the 21st century and tens of thousands of young children are looking after themselves under unbelievable circumstances of poverty and deprivation.

Why is this happening and what can be done about it?
Firstly lets look at the leaders themselves.
Take one of the many despots in Africa who continue to remain in power and lack any form of concern or respect for their fellow countrymen.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe of Zimbabwe is one such leader.
He has once again cheated his fellow citizens of their democratic right and robbed them of a voice in deciding who should lead them in the future.
Here is a man who came to power on the back of a promise to his people that he was leading them to 'freedom' whatever that means these days.
'One man one vote' he cried as his countrymen elected him as their leader some 27 years ago.
In Africa 'one man one vote 'means one man one vote ONCE' and as long as you keep me in power I and my cronies can continue to enrich ourselves beyond belief with more wealth than any ordinary person needs in a normal lifetime.
We have seen this scenario play itself out throughout Africa. Mobuto of the Congo, Amin in Uganda and the current President of Equatorial Guinea Teodoro Mbasogo to name but a few.
Unfortunately the so called free world lets this all unfold in front of them.
Business and politics are evil bedfellows.
The leaders, their cronies and extended families of these third world countries are in many cases wealthier than the battered economies of their own country.
It is time to recognize the facts.
Third world countries would not be in such dire poverty if it's leaders behaved more responsibly and respected their fellow man.
Instead of jetting around the world first class, shopping at Harrods, attending endless conferences, building palaces, owning properties in the wealthier capitals of the world, operating Swiss bank accounts, driving Mercedes and BMW's etc... they should empower their own people first.
Educate them, feed them, house them, provide adequate health services and stop blaming the previous 'imperial masters'.
Africa's collective countries have an abundance of natural wealth, there is no reason why they should not all be functionally self supporting so many years after independence from their 'colonial masters'.
It is time these leaders were held accountable and were denied the power, privilege and recognition which the world gives them on a plate.
Where is Africa's Mahatma Gandhi?
Where is the humble man of Africa who puts his country and people before himself?
On democracy Mahatma Gandhi said "My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest."
Only when this truly happens in Africa will the people be able to begin to lift themselves out of the poverty trap which has been created by their own leaders.

Learn more about this author, Chris Holland.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Poverty in the third world countries?
We want to hear your view. Write now!