Zimbabwe sinking every day.
I blog regularly about Zimbabwe--not to seek points or because of a personal vendetta---it is because I feel deeply for a country that was my neighbour for decades. It is also because I have close friends in the teaching profession who are Zimbabweans and now live in South Africa. The pensions they draw now would not buy a cup of coffee or a doughnut (if they are available).
Two items of news caught my eye today: Morgan Tsangvirai, leader of the opposition MDC party, spoke on Sky News this morning and revealed that the country was slowly sinking into the mud left behind by once plentiful fields of crops. Inflation stands at 1600 % and Zimbabweans cannot afford basic food (mainly donations), shelter, fuel or clothing. Electricity supplies to the better off are inconsistent and likely to be cut altogether in the next year or so.
The other item came from the ICG (Brussels based International Crisis Group): ICG President Gareth Evans said, and I quote"'The situation today is reminiscent ofthe last days of Mobutu's reign in the Congo. Zimbabwe has the potential to fall into chaos and bring large chunks of the region down with it, unless domestic and international parties act now." He felt that they must work together to force Mugabe to retire.
A lone voice in the wilderness came from the Zambian foreign affairs minister, Mr Sekatana, who predicted doom for Zimbabwe unless African leaders reacted. Meanwhile, President Thabo Mbeki, leader of Africa's powerhouse remains silent even though 5 million Zim refugees have fled to South Africa. The situation will come to a head, I have no doubt, and Zimbabwe will take decades to recover. The question is when?
Like the captain of an old tramp steamer with rusty holes and tired engines, comrade Mugabe will sail on until the ship sinks. Not long now.