CONFUSION
I posted a News Report from a US Funded Food Monitoring Body below. Having read the report myself several times I am left wondering what others would think of this Report? Does it come across as "what a load of rubbish". Seems a fair amount of one saying this, and the other saying that, and what is the Truth? "Are you joking? - you gotta be joking" In fact I would not be surprised if you did not believe a word anyone said in that Report. I would be interested to hear your views.....
IMPENDING STARVATION.
Zimbabwe hunger claims 'US plot' |
 The government says land reform has been a success |
The Zimbabwe government has angrily denied reports that half the population will need food aid this year. Agriculture Minister Joseph Made said the report was part of western plans to destabilise Zimbabwe ahead of elections due in March, state media reported. A US-funded food monitoring body said last week that almost six million Zimbabweans would need food aid before the next harvest. The opposition accuses the government of using food as a political tool. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says its supporters are denied state hand-outs. |
Last year, Mr Made said that, after three years of shortages, Zimbabwe had grown more than enough food to feed the population and even had a surplus.
Last week, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network reported that, of the 12.5 million Zimbabweans, some 5.8 million would need food aid before the next harvests in April.
"You see God has been smiling on us and we are lucky that in the northern parts there were some good rains in the last few days and crops are doing well," Mr Made was reported as saying in The Herald newspaper.
'Outpost of tyranny'
Government critics say the seizure of white-owned farms for redistribution to blacks has led to food shortages. These claims are also rejected by the government. "The land reform is a resounding success under the circumstances," Mr Made said.
Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice described Zimbabwe as one the world's last "outposts of tyranny." The US and the European Union accuse President Robert Mugabe of rigging his 2002 re-election. Mr Mugabe denies the claims.
This is a BBC News Report from a US Food Funded Group.
Posted by: Mara at January 31, 2005 17:58 |
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africa
SECRET
Easiest way to keep a Secret is without Help.
MR. BLOODY AFRICA.
THIS CAUGHT MY EYE IN A BBC REPORT TODAY.
Geldof cast as 'Mr Bloody Africa' |
 Geldof was the driving force behind Band Aid and Live Aid |
Singer and campaigner Bob Geldof has dubbed himself "Mr Bloody Africa" for his role as a reluctant spokesman on issues concerning the continent. Visiting Africa "bores me profoundly" but the media has confused the roles of politicians and celebrities, he said. "Who's interested if the leader of Niger goes on Newsnight?" he told Radio Times magazine. "It's 'get Geldof'. I'm 'Mr Bloody Africa'." Geldof will get a lifetime achievement honour at the Brit Awards. |
But the Band Aid and Live Aid organiser and former Boomtown Rats singer still describes being a musician as his "real job". Of his work in Africa, he said: "I'd dearly love not to have to go there the day after tomorrow. "More often than not, it bores me profoundly - the pace of change is far too slow, and Africans excuse their own complicity in exactly the same way as our politicians. "Bizarrely in our society, there's confusion between politicians and celebrities. He and U2 singer Bono, a fellow global campaigner, were "under no illusions" about their real vocation, he said. "We have an ability to articulate the great wound of the 21st Century, and have access to politicians. But would Bono prefer to do this or be in U2? Hello?" Music was "what I want to do", he said. "Business I need to do, and the political stuff I have to do. What I want comes first, but I'm not successful enough."
Posted by: Mara at January 31, 2005 16:26 |
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GARDEN BIRD WATCH
To day was my first attempt to join in the Garden Bird Watch programme. I received the information pack during the week. It all seemed quite easy to follow. All I had to do was monitor all the birds that flew into my garden and list the numbers of them all. Well easier said than done. I have to be fair mind you, because for the most part there were only a couple or four at the most in all but one species. It was the Sparrow that caused me all the problems. I still am not 100% sure which is a tree and which is a House Sparrow. They don't remain in the one place in the right position for me to study them with my booklet to make sure which is which. I was up before the birds were around this morning, as I wanted to watch the Australian Open Tennis Men's Final. I needed to feed my cats, shower and get dressed. I went to check on the bird table and their hanging food containers, got them filled up. I prepared my own breakfast and went into my 'den' to eat it, as the sun was coming in through the ceiling to floor windows, filling the room with warm sunshine. One of my cats joined me and I watched the whole of the tennis uninterrupted... Wonderful.
I then turned my attention to the birds and that of my counting the numbers to insert in the list online. As I said it was the Sparrow that caused me no end of problems, as it was difficult to decide which was which type, when it would fly off, another would land on the ground, or in the bird bath, and they would chop and change having feeds on the hanging food containers. I was beginning to pull my hair out as I feared I was on a losing battle on this one. One, two three, no that's a tree one, ooops there are 3 more just landed over there, four, five, not sure on that one, six, seven now is that a house sparrow ? eight, nine etc etc. I know that there are at least 20 - 30 Sparrows that are around in the garden. So in the end I just put in an approximate number down of each of them. Pressed the submit button and all my information was off on its way to be included amongst a whole lot of other numbers which I hope in the end will be of some benefit for the future. You see the Sparrows here are in decline and it is hoped to find out why and by all possible means, and we are one of the ways of trying to find the solution.
Posted by: Mara at January 30, 2005 21:12 |
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ON THIS DAY
Karl Benz patented the first Automobile in 1886.
Rumour
A rumour without a leg to stand on
will get around some other way!
CATHY's weekly letter from Zimbabwe.
Dear Family and Friends,
For more than a month we have been watching the goings on in the ruling
Zanu PF party with more than a little bemusement. Some government
ministers are in prison, high ranking officials are facing charges of
spying and selling state secrets, others have been suspended from the
party and still others have been barred from standing as candidates in the
coming parliamentary elections. Zanu PF primary elections which should
have been completed in a weekend, were still going on two weeks later and
the process was littered with allegations of vote buying, rigging and
irregularities with losing candidates refusing to accept the results in a
number of cases.
With such obvious confusion and so many irregularities in Zanu PF's
primary elections, it is tragic to know that this same party is entrusted
with holding national elections in Zimbabwe in a few weeks time. As we
entered the second and final week of checking the voters roll for
parliamentary elections, a dozen Zimbabweans tried to check the voters
roll at the embassy in London. What happened to them is unbelievable and I
quote in full from a letter written by an eyewitness:
"They locked the Embassy all afternoon, refused to let us in, wouldnt send
anyone to talk to us and called the police on us. The police said we had
every right to stay there, which we did, without any joy.
"All they would do was have a junior official talk to us through the
intercom. They said they have no voters roll in there and we asked them to
send someone to talk to us, but everyone was in a "long long meeting"
apparently. However we persisted and made the point, staying there for a
couple of hours. A courier turned up with something from Immigration for
them. Much to his frustration, they refused to let him in too. A workman
carrying out repairs inside came back from his lunchbreak to find he was
also refused entry and told to take the rest of the day off.
"We asked if we could just get into reception and if they could send
someone senior to explain to us why they dont have the voters roll and why
we were being treated like that. Again the answer was negative.
"We weren't surprised they had no roll for us to inspect, but we were
surprised that they should lock the whole Embassy because a small handful
of their own citizens are politely asking for their rights! And in London
this weekend the Iraqi's will quietly vote in their election, but not us,
we are too dangerous!! "
To all Zimbabweans who continue to raise their voices and demand their
constitutional rights, wherever you are in the world, from those of us
here whose voices have been silenced, thank you. Until next week, with
love, cathy
Copyright cathy buckle 29 January 2005. http://africantears.netfirms.com
"African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available outside Africa from:
orders@africabookcentre.com ; www.africabookcentre.com ; www.amazon.co.uk
; in Australia and New Zealand: johnmreed@johnreedbooks.com.au ;
Africa: www.kalahari.net www.exclusivebooks.com
ARITHMETIC
The hardest arithmetic to master
is that which enables us
to count our blessings.
Posted by: Mara at January 29, 2005 07:24 |
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GOOD OR BAD?
Swazi king chooses wife number 13. |
 King Mswati has 24 children |
Swaziland's King Mswati III has chosen a 17-year-old girl to be his 13th wife at a traditional ceremony. His last bride - a teenage beauty queen who dropped out of school to become a princess - was chosen four months ago. King Mswati's latest fiancee has travelled to South Africa to undergo an HIV test, a princess told the BBC. Africa's last absolute monarch has been criticised for having so many wives in a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV infection. This is a BBC News Item. |
13 wives and 24 children - Is he to be ENVIED or a case of NO WAYS!
HAPPINESS
HAPPINESS OFTEN SNEAKS IN THROUGH A DOOR
YOU DID NOT KNOW YOU HAD LEFT OPEN
Snow in Algeria!!!
Blizzards paralyse Algerian city |
 Some Algerians are enjoying the snow |
The worst snowfalls in more than 50 years have paralysed Algeria's capital, Algiers, and more than a third of the country, the authorities say. The bad weather is reported to have caused at least 10 deaths and hundreds of motorists have had to be rescued from their stranded vehicles. Towns and villages have been cut off, while many sporting events have been postponed until next week. Weather forecasters say the conditions will persist for several days. Neighbouring Tunisia has also been affected. |
Posted by: Mara at January 28, 2005 00:26 |
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africa
ONE
I am only One, but I am One.
I cannot do Everything, but I can do Something.
WARNING
I was given the Government's Department of Health's Travel Advice Leaflet for foreign travel to Namibia this morning when I was at the Doctor's surgery getting my injections done. When I got home I read through the pages detailing what vacinations one requires, and to be aware of AIDs, rabies, malaria amongst other things. Right at the end and on page 4 there is an item under heading Current Notes. Can you imagine what a surprise I got to read 21/10/04 - ANTHRAX - 5 people in Namibia's Caprivi Strip region have been admitted to hospital with suspected anthrax, which has killed 20 wild animals in the country I will shortly be visiting. It went on to say that 4 adults and one child are suffering from skin anthrax, skin sores with black centres. Residents are being asked not to touch or eat meat of any animal that has died of unknown causes. I do hope these Cheetahs are impressed that I am coming out to help them!
Posted by: Mara at January 27, 2005 23:50 |
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africa
Pat On My Back!
Today, at 9.40 a.m. I had to attend the Doctor's surgery. No big deal you might say, but for me this particular trip was a going to be a mile stone for me! Like many others I know, me and anything to do with needles just do NOT see eye to eye. From the time I made the appointment last week, I have hardly slept, I have had nightmares and the runs. I am forgetful, more so than usual I have say, and at times talk utter rubbish.
You see I needed to have two injections and a blood test. That's 3 different needles all in the one day!!! I was assured I need only have what I felt I was able to cope with. Armed with my Bach's Rescue Remedy I took off to walk the half hour to get to the surgery (Am in no fit state to drive the car after any injection) I arrived spot on time and in the waiting area, I sat next to a neighbour who had come with her car and she told me that I had made her feel very guilty for not walking as well.This did not help me in any way. It should have done I suppose. Before I knew it my name was called out. I tried looking the other way, saying noooooo not today, but found myself getting up and walking into my temple of doom. I had met the nurse at a Civic Trust meeting last night and she assured me that she would have it all done before I knew it. Of course I believed her - did I hell?
Well to be honest she was right. As normal I needed to lie down and try to relax myself all the while she was talking about what we had seen the night before, and true to her word the two injections, one in each arm, were over in a flash. OMG the blood test next, I felt a panic starting as I could feel the binding on my arm getting tighter. She asked me a question and I started to talk utter rubbish in reply and before I knew it, it too was all over. Phew I said to myself as I lay on the bed trying to get a hold of all my fears and sense the relief that it was over. I was so pleased with myself that I had got all 3 injections done, I had not fainted, cried or anything else for that matter. I heard the nurse saying how pleased she was with me, that I had done really well, surpassed myself in fact. This was music to my ears and I got up off the bed to go to the chair and ooopppss, that was a trifle too quick as I felt my head starting to go round and round.
Hey, but it was all done and I could go on my trip now. I am going to Namibia to work with the Cheetah Foundation for 2 weeks.
Posted by: Mara at January 27, 2005 17:16 |
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THE 3 C's
We cannot resist Change,
but we can Choose
the direction of the Changes.
The Power of Land.
By Ulrike Koltermann
Nairobi - Masai warriors are known for being proud and difficult to beat in battle. Their slender forms with glowing red robes and long spears are a central part of Kenya's image.
But the Masai are facing problems. The recent rains were poor, and the traditional grazing areas for the Masai cattle have largely dried up.The ancient tribal feud between the pastoral Kikuyu and the Masai herders has escalated dramatically in recent days. The authorities say at least 15 people have been killed.Three Masai travelling in a minibus between Nairobi and Kenya's famous Massai Mara National Park were lynched over the weekend by an enraged mob.
The Masai have in turn killed several Kikuyu, using their traditional spears. They have also destroyed water supply pipes and held hundreds of villagers hostage for hours.There are reports in the region that around 100 young Masai warriors have gathered in a cave in a volcano that is no longer active to plan their next attack in support of demands for more grazing.The Masai, one of the few tribes in modern Kenya that still follow a traditional lifestyle, have always felt themselves neglected by the government in Nairobi.
Last year a group invaded farms in the ownership of large white landholders in their tribal area.They claim that they are the real owners of the land and refer to a contract that their forefathers signed with the British colonial powers.Some more pessimistic observers have predicted that white farmers could be driven off their land in the way President Robert Mugabe has done in Zimbabwe to the south, but Kenya is in fact a long way from this kind of extreme policy.The Kenyan government has powerful reasons of its own not to give way to the Masai land claims.
Since independence from the British in 1963, every government has used its period in office to increase the land held by the tribes that put them in power.
The Masai's traditional area has shrunk as a result. The Kikuyu have in general benefited - the first president Jomo Kenyatta and the current incumbent Mwai Kibaki are both Kikuyu.The Masai are now so angry that just a small spark could set off a conflagration. In the most recent case it was a rumour that a local Kikuyu politician had redirected a public water supply pipe to his own fields for irrigation purposes.
To date the government has done little more than call on both sides in the conflict to maintain the peace, while also reinforcing the security forces in the area.Now revenge attacks are almost certain to follow the most recent incidents, with the prospect that the local population faces a reign of terror from both sides.
Posted by: Mara at January 26, 2005 18:52 |
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africa
ON THIS DAY
Robert Burns - Scottish Poet - was born in Ayrshire Scotland on this day in 1759.
FUTURE
Map out your Future,
but do it in pencil.
LION'S DEN
SA lions den murder trial begins |
 The victim was dumped at a white lion breeding project |
The trial of three men accused of feeding a black former farm worker to South African lions has been adjourned after one of them pleaded guilty. Mark Scott-Crossley, Richard Mathebula and Simon Mathebula, were expected to plead not guilty, but Richard Mathebula apparently changed his mind. The three are accused of tying Nelson Chisale up and throwing him into an enclosure used for breeding lions. The post-mortem examination found that Mr Chisale was mauled to death. Richard Mathebula, 41, told the court in the courthouse in Phalaborwa, on the edge of Kruger National Park: "I would say I plead guilty because I followed instructions given to me by my employer." His lawyers then asked for, and were granted, an adjournment. Trade union leaders say the case highlights the widespread abuse of farm labourers in South Africa. Mr Scott-Crossley is white, while his two alleged accomplices, and the victim, are black. |
A fourth man arrested with the accused has agreed to testify against them. The court papers say Mr Chisale, a father of three, had returned to the farm from where he had been sacked two months earlier, to pick up some personal belongings. It is claimed that attackers set upon him with knives, bound him up with rope and electrical wire, and drove him to Mokwalo White Lion Project at Hoedspruit, about 400km (250 miles) north-east of Johannesburg. He was then allegedly thrown over the fence into the lion enclosure.
Police recovered his skull, body parts and the remains of his clothes more than a week later.
Posted by: Mara at January 24, 2005 15:38 |
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