Garikai Mazara: decadent views of Zimbabwean diaspora

Some opinion pieces have that quaint feel for attracting thoughtful debate but some can leave you with that sickening feeling. Reading Garikai Mazara’s Sunday Debate on Sunday left me with that sickened feeling where I felt he unnecessarily needed to attack Zimbabweans in diaspora. Whether his piece was in a way a response to Jimmy’s article on his intention to leave Zimbabwe is another issue (Garikai does refer to it) but the rudimentary tone of his piece is filled with assumptions, is judgemental and ill-informed at the very least.

What is insensitive about the article is how he denigrates parents of 5 year old Andrea Gada who was tragically killed in an accident just before Christmas. Andrea’s parents are attempting to bring her grandparents to support them during her funeral in the UK, however they have been denied visas by authorities. Garikai makes inferences on how Andrea’s parents supposedly hate Zimbabwe so much to sink so low as to choose for relatives to be electronically tagged to gain entry into the UK for the funeral.

Many factors come to mind on why the Gada family have opted for Andrea to be interred in the UK than Zimbabwe. Andrea was probably born and lived in the UK all her life and her parents 1) may not want to ever move back to Zimbabwe and want her buried nearby so they can visit regularly 2) Repatriating a body to Zimbabwe is a bit more expensive than the £5 000 the family has 3) The Gada’s may not yet have the required documentation to travel in and out of the UK and especially to Zimbabwe.

That being said, the reasons I have given are all assumptions and are not in any way reflective to the Gada’s family situation which I have no knowledge of and most importantly any of my business, in the same vein it should not be Garikayi’s or anyone else’s for that matter. Whatever Andrea’s family have decided it is their choice and theirs alone, their decision comes from their lived and living experiences which we should respect.

A tendency to view what other people should or should be doing / shouldn’t or shouldn’t be doing from our lens should stop unless they ask you for that advice, something which I think is simple and unadulterated.

In another dig Garikai says that he attended a funeral that took a week whilst the family waited for someone in the Diaspora to arrive and on arrival ‘did not bring much difference or deference’. Well take note Garikai, this was a funeral not a wedding ‘kwaanga auya kuzo bheja mari yezvipo’ besides what difference was Garikai expecting? Three course meals for the mourners and a jazz band to entertain mourners? Does Garikai know how this Zimbabwean in diaspora financially assisted their relative before they passed on or will continue to do for the ones alive?

Deference? Well unless this relative on arrival at the funeral was supposed to ululate and carry placards as if he was campaigning for a parliamentary seat then he had every reason to be, his relative had passed on, it was not a competition to win votes.

The other uninspired and unsolicited digs at Zimbabwean diaspora I find to be indiscriminate hogwash and I will treat it as such by not offering to comment, but rather offer a suggestion to Garikai to show some sensitivity to the Gada family and their loss, show respect to their judgement and wishes even though they do not conform to yours, for you are not their keeper.

RIP Andrea

Cde Zhuwao, we are not simple minded nor are our reasoning capabilities impaired

It’s now normative riposte that when the government or ZANU-PF for that matter are criticised or asked value questions their rejoinders are filled with vitriol, unfounded accusations, insults and hate. This is well documented in variety and abundance, from regime change intonations, gays and that’s only the surface.  This narrative continues and you only have to follow the glaring factional fights within ZANU-PF to see how those invectives are norm.

That being said, I read a puff piece by Patrick Zhuwao ‘Factionalism and the search for the truth’ http://goo.gl/qRK2Nx  which sought to elaborate how divisive the ZANU-PF factionalism was and its effects on the economy.

There may be some merits to his article but there is also a lot I also disagree with and I will decidedly keep my own counsel due to the writer’s obvious bias. What I wanted to point out though was the evident fault lines in Zhuwao’s churlish proclamations when he says that;

‘If anyone still has doubts that Amai Mugabe has a doctorate in social sciences, they should be evaluating their own limited reasoning and mental capabilities’

Then goes on further to state that the first lady;

‘Has questioned the normal scientific reasoning which has led simpletons to quickly rush to the wrong conclusion that her entry into politics is driven by the simplistic self-interest rational economic model of neo-liberals and neo-conservatives’

Well, the circumstances, timeframe and the nature of awarding the PhD are unprecedented so asking how this was attained is not having a mental deficiency or does that apply to any form of mental reasoning. Since he had brought the matter to the table he then must have the obligation to narrate or prove how the PhD was achieved. The fact is for as long as there are no academic transcripts to prove otherwise, questions will remain.

Furthermore the suggestions that the First Lady’s entry into politics can be applied by a scientific methodological approach only is way off the mark hence the failure to fully clarify the feminist approach with which he wants us to prescribe to than any other.  Logic or critical thinking are not only derived from scientific methods but also posited from social, current affairs, cultural thinking and values.

Far and wide, home or diaspora I’m yet to meet simple minded Zimbabwean folk, ever, quirky maybe, eccentric maybe, angry maybe, apathetic maybe, but never simple minded or without reasoning and mental capabilities unless clinically diagnosed so. It is with being alert and of sound mind that people ask questions and rightly so.

Einstein once said, the intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honours the servant and has forgotten the gift. Damned if that were to  happen.

ZRP has to stop bashing people

We genuinely are living in a state of ambiguity concerning security forces / war veterans behaviour, moreover the impact their behaviour  ever more so when we are screaming for a positive shift that should encourage the economy via tourism, investors / investment etc.

It was not long ago that the Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa took to the press pleading that we present Zimbabwe in a positive light and tone, as anything other than that was detrimental and hindering his efforts in securing funds to boost the economy,

“What you write negatively about our country is amplified outside and wherever I go, instead of talking and discussing business I am made to explain stupid reports which have no basis in fact,” Chinamasa

But then here’s the thing, a photo journalist is beaten and arrested by Zimbabwe Republic Police officers for covering a demonstration by MDC members for no apparent reason. At this same demonstration some members of MDC including a parliamentarian were not spared a beating, similarly WOZA recent demonstrations drew the identical response from ZRP.

Interestingly, a story that did not gain as much traction on the same day was carried by the daily publication Newsday, of a woman who was assaulted by the presidential guard, calling out that she was lucky, had they not been busy (SADC summit) they might have killed her. The assaulted woman’s crime was supporting some thatched grass with a cloth emblazoned ZANU-PF logo with Mugabe’s image.

Despairingly these are not isolated incidents, in Bulawayo recently there was an operation code named Zvanyanya meant to deter rising crime however ZRP officers ended up harassing and beating up residents. The aftermath of Kuwadzana fiasco that pit ZRP and members of the Apolostic Faith is another illustration of how unprofessional the force has become when some officers were pictured ‘toyi toying’ when ZANU PF youth burnt the Apostolic Faith shrine.

The recent spate of farm invasions cannot go ignored either whether they are politically motivated or not, border lawlessness that instill a certain fear that the situation may escalate further.

In all this, the concern will always be the language used or the lack of it. The language used usually being belligerent, arrogant and verbose even. Save for Jonathan Moyo publicly slating the police for barring of Press Freedom Day march, not one government official has spoken up condemning any of this behaviour.

So it is not a matter of why these events are reported, negative or positive that have far reaching consequences, but it is how the incidents have been allowed to unfold and unravel wantonly without any reproach from officials that have the most impact.

We need new politicians

Reading the Chronicle’s article of the 15 Zimbabweans whose bodies were recovered from Limpopo River last Wednesday brought on some painful and personal reflections on how people out of helplessness, are opting to take dangerous and often tragic choices in order to find a source of income and feed their families. It also has not been long since the plight of Tokwe-Mukosi and Tsholotsho flood victims came to light and the need for continued assistance to the people in those areas who were displaced.

Oftentimes hopes for a better future are raised by politicians with their big bold plans, lavishly worded manifestos and shout till your voice is hoarse sloganeering, time and again those hopes fade with realisation of how duplicitous and divisive those promises were. 18th of April for most if not all is the archetypal day of our birth right as Zimbabweans, on this day in 1980 it was not only hope but also a fervent belief on what lay ahead. President Mugabe’s (then Prime Minister elect) speech on the eve of Independence carried a simple message of expectation, to attain and achieve better outcomes as a people across all racial, tribal and gender divides ‘If ever we look to the past, let us do so for the lesson the past has taught us, namely that oppression and racism are inequities that must never again find scope in our political and social system’ RGM.
Further on in that speech, Mugabe pointed out at finding our political and social scope, adding further that ‘Democracy is never mob-rule. It is and should remain disciplined rule requiring compliance with the law and social rules’. Mugabe recognised and maybe to an extent also wanted Zimbabweans to understand that a vibrant political field, an uncompromised rule of law and good social formulations are fundamental to a thriving country.

There was a huge belief that probity would be our jump off point in guarding our sovereignty and democratic rights, a new emerging nation led by well-educated, no holds barred and charismatic individuals envied by most Africans and further afield. Sadly however, for 34 years that expectation has been eroded by consistent and systematic running down of everything that was synonymous with Zimbabwe, save our battered pride and will to keep forging on. Arguments, counter arguments, conjectures and theories are abound to where it all went wrong for Zimbabwe. Also as Zimbabweans discussing the deplorable state of the economy, infrastructure, corruption and education among other things has become a cliché, to the point of even being desensitised to the ills of our politicians as survival mode kicks in.

Though it is negligent not to point out how opposition parties have been stifled (and that’s putting it mildly) in their ability to offer a different political perspective to Zimbabwe, nevertheless the opposition and ZANU-PF especially have failed to deliver on any of those three fundamental points. Impertinent you may think, however let us just observe how the last weeks and months have played out.

Corruption is rife within government, with the visible top end being the billions lost in mining revenue, mainly Marange and the visible bottom end being the shenanigans courtesy of Zimbabwe Republic Police. Soon after the elections Mugabe came out guns blazing, claiming he had it on good authority a certain Masimirembwa was the chief architect in a US$6 million mining deal scam with some Ghanaians. As his revelations raged, the level of expectancy rose hoping at last that corrupt individuals were being brought to book, that however has since fizzled out and we only hear some mumbling and subtle apologies aimed at retracting the accusation. It will also be remiss not note late Edward Chindori-Chininga’s report ‘ON DIAMOND MINING (with special reference to Marange Diamond Fields) 2009 – 2013’ which clearly made references to the magnitude of the fraud and corruption, again questions remain as to why there are no meaningful investigations and arrests.

During the earlier part of the year also, a ZRP highway patrol team appeared to be at pains attempting to cover their tracks after loot which they had hidden in a tin was fortuitously found by a child out gathering wood had taken it home. The cops comically exposed themselves when they swooped and intimidated villagers to point out the ‘thief’ who had ‘stolen’ their money. The last we heard anything meaningful about that was there was going to be an investigation by their superiors. Glaringly this week ZRP’s answer in fighting corruption was to carry out a massive transfer and redeployment of officers to posts all over the country, this however is not new, in January 33 police officers based at Avondale Police Station accused of soliciting bribes were also transferred to other posts to deter them from their criminal enterprise.

There was an almost deafening crescendo of outrage once the salary gate stories broke out through the media, fuelling speculation on either the ineptitude of the combined MDC’s ability to govern whilst in the GNU, or the brazen guile of ZANU-PF to keep their political allies well paid in strategic posts. It is no wonder that a now elected Member of Parliament can openly talk of his corrupt activities involving other senior ZANU-PF figures without eliciting arrest.

Whilst the country faces so many challenges ahead, ZANU-PF appear to be mired in factionalism which has rendered them lethargic (among other things) in their ability to govern and find solutions for the country. MDC-T’s are in a flux of internal conflicts in what appears to be an eternal cry for leadership change within, which has reduced them rudderless ship. MDC who have not been visible at all since the elections, seem to be in a permanent state of depression and unable to offer more alternatives than their war cry which is steeped in devolution.

On this eve of the Independence at 34, I pose to reflect on the need for Zimbabwe politicians who are accountable, politicians who vie for public offices to serve to the best of their abilities. Zimbabwe needs politicians who create space to be critiqued, who gather thoughts and views of constituents creating enabling / enabled communities. Zimbabwe needs political parties which are inclusive and protectors of the vulnerable, consistent and policy focussed without fear or favour. Nine months after the July 2013 elections, politicians and political parties who can review their performance on what positive change they have contributed thus far carrying that into the short and long term.

Nostalgia and my hope for Zimbabwe Sport

With some delight I read the Zimbabwe Cricket team will be taking off for Bangladesh to compete in the T20 World Cup after pay grievances mediated by ICC CEO Dave Richardson, the cricket board and the players had been resolved. Two facts will make me risk the ire of my employers, I’m sports mad and because Zimbabwe will be on the world stage, by hook or crook I will watch as much of every single match they play, sadly though not with much expectation.  Beside what will obviously be my biased view (if we win), our cricket teams continued participation in all forms of the game is essential, considering the problems that carry on dogging Zimbabwean sport.

My eclectic love of sport was nurtured in four bits. It began at Vainona Primary School, where a school sporting calendar roughly involved Athletics during the 1^st term (who could forget those colourful inter house events), 2^nd term sport included Hockey or Soccer depending on what you chose or enjoyed and the 3rd term calendar included Tennis, Cricket and Swimming. Yeah those inter house swimming galas were as colourful and cheerfully noisy as the athletics. At home, my three much older brothers who though loved and still love Soccer were exceptionally good in their chosen sports in high school which were Athletics, Basketball and Rugby. I used to listen dreamy eyed when they regaled their achievements on the sporting field, some of which I witnessed when as family we did attend to cheer them on.

My late father and my malume (uncle, my mother’s brother) were my third nurturers for my love for sport, albeit they were just limited to Soccer, they were fervent Dynamos and Highlanders supporters respectively. They were also the people to take me to my initial football matches at Rufaro or Barbourfields Stadiums, on most occasions like them I would return home hoarse of voice and exhausted from the shouting, singing and antics of enjoying a football match. Seldom do I forget what a spectacle they were when they argued for their Oliver Kateya’s and Douglas Mloyi’s, but those arguments were set aside when the Zimbabwe Warriors played. I would typically sit with them clinging onto the radio listening to the blaring and excited commentary from Evans Mambara. After the match we would share the sorrow of loss or excitement of a winning together and I would vision it was the same feeling throughout many households in Zimbabwe.

My high school years at Prince Edward only solidified a now competitive edge in not only supporting but also participation in sport i.e. Rugby, Basketball and Track and Field, as a boarder there were some unpleasant memories of course like waking up at ungodly hours to train for Track and Field and Cross Country. That was completely washed out however as on competition days as my family, which would typically be my parents cheering me on in Track and Field events, my brothers and sometimes my sister would then come to Rugby or Basketball matches. My father’s explanation was he did not understand Basketball and thought Rugby was a bit roughhouse for his liking, though I think he would have been there in a flash to all my matches if I played Soccer. In any case when after surprisingly getting selected for Mashonaland Schools Basketball U15 he attended a game or two urging me on at the prospect that I might be selected for Zimbabwe, because for my dad it was always about country, but alas it was a step too far and I never was selected.

The spirit of supporting our national teams in international games always remained a part of my fabric and post high school I attended as many as I could. I can distinctly remember the rocking crowds at Hartsfield in Bulawayo or the Police Grounds in Harare whilst watching the Rugby team led by the likes of Ian Noble, Brandon Dawson, Honeywell Nguruve, Bedford Chimbima and Kennedy Tsimba. Unfortunately our national rugby matches were never broadcasted live  to capture these games but as write I recall as  a youngster watching Transworld Sport showing the late great Richard Tsimba’s try versus Romania http://aq.be/d98fb7, incidentally Richard and his brother Kennedy are inducted in the Rugby Hall of fame.

The Black family, Wayne, Byron and Cara in tennis are sporting icons by any measure of standards both in their personal careers and in representing Zimbabwe. In a team that also comprised of Genius Chidzikwe and Rashid Hassan, the Zimbabwe Davis Cup victory over Australia in April 1998 stands out as one the biggest upsets in the history of the tournament, watching the highlights whilst they silenced the Aussies was an immeasurable feeling. The 4-1 defeat we handed to the Great Britain team in London in 1997 also stands out, however it was the atmosphere and buzz when we played at the City Sports Centre against teams like Ukraine.  The Zimbabwe team also featured in the longest doubles tie break in Davis Cup history when Wayne Black/Kevin Ullyett beat Max Mirnyi / Vladimir Voltchkov as they bid to go onto the World Group stage of the tournament.

One of my brothers and I are always at odds on our favourite matches that Zimbabwe played in Cricket. He believes our three run victory over India at the 1999 World Cup stands out for him, fair enough. I though am conflicted between any of the three One Day Internationals when we whitewashed England 3-0 in their 1996/97 tour of Zimbabwe, Eddo ‘Chicken George’ Brandes barrelled down on the English taking 7 wickets making him easily my best bowler of the series. Zimbabweans will also remember the sometimes flawless displays of the Andy and Grant Flower, unequalled during their pomp. However Hamilton Masakadza’s 119 versus the West Indies to become the youngest player on test debut to score a century,  together with Tatenda Taibu standing  at 5 ft. 5 and aged 21 in  2004 became the youngest test captain in the history of the game will always have me in awe.

With over 30 medals Kirsty Coventry is the quintessential golden girl of Zimbabwean sport and I admit that I had never watched her compete until the Beijing Olympics. Words cannot describe how high she represented Zimbabwe and the pride in which she wore the Zimbabwean colours, how even her opponents applauded her seemingly effortless performances. Going to Olympic Games after injury is never easy for any athlete however Kirsty swam competitively, later in 2012, she was elected to the IOC Athletes Commission for a term of 8 years.

The Zimbabwe Warriors always invoke bitter sweet memories; their recent displays at CHAN tournament were similar to that of when they qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and 2006, promising but yet falling short. Never has a national team held the country captive with expectation on so many occasions than the Warriors. I have watched so many memorable matches involving them but two always warm my heart, the 4-1 defeat we handed South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in 1992, this match also had my favourite all time Warriors goals scored by Rahman Gumbo and Peter Ndlovu. The other match was nil all draw forced replay in neutral Lyon, France against the Egyptian Pharaohs after a successful appeal by ZIFA against their fans unbecoming, unruly and violent behaviour in the second leg in Cairo http://aq.be/dc1868.

My little nostalgic venture though highlighting my personal experiences (mostly highs) also hoped to invoke similar feelings from other Zimbabweans; similarly there are a large number of other sports and sportsmen/women who have competed proudly under our flag. My nostalgic turn came about how individuals at the helm of our national sporting bodies have been hell bent at destroying them for personal gain and through poor leadership skills and management.

Even before Asiagate, ZIFA had been dogged by one controversy after another, but by any measure of declining standards you only have to see how in 1993 the Zimbabwe Warriors were ranked at 46^th in the world and a steady decline since then, with our lowest rank recorded in 2010 at 118^th though we are currently ranked 100^th in the world. Warriors coach Ian Gorowa who in my opinion has done well so far is not pleased with ZIFA Chief Executive Mashingaidze who he says he is lying that he has been offered a contract.

The fraud allegations at Zimbabwe Cricket likewise are equally disturbing, millions of dollars funnelled through to a Bank associated to former Managing Director of Zimbabwe Cricket Ozias Bvute, yet no-one is taking responsibility. The domestic league kicked off months late and team players on strike for wages is not only disappointing but frustrating when administers of the game appear nonchalant about the whole catastrophe. Rugby also took a nasty turn last week when Losson Mtongwizo accused the Zimbabwe Rugby Union of racism; the board issued a statement immediately contradicting Mtongwizo who then quit as team manager.

I am not privy to the powers held by the Sports and Recreation Commission, world sports governing bodies however hold dim views when governments interfere in the sports bodies. I do not think if effort by Minister Langa to clean up sports bodies and administration he would be reproached by the world bodies. We need new faces, new thinking and accountable governance in our sport, we perennially lose proved achievers, in football the likes of Charles Mhlauri who is now coaching and administering outside of Zimbabwe, Andy Flower has been proven with England. There are many other Zimbabweans who are qualified and up top the task, it is also time to say to the likes of Peter Chingoka thank you, but it is time to move on.

On that note, Zimbabwe good luck at the T20 World Cup, I will be watching with whatever device or medium I can get my hands on and cheering.

Uganda, Homosexuality vis a vis Human Rights in Africa

‘Top 200 gays names published by a Ugandan Tabloid’ If there was any doubt about the physical well being of gay people in Uganda and most likely in many parts of Africa, well there is your answer. This is against the backdrop of Museveni signing the Bill criminalising homosexuality yesterday with a jail term of up to 14 years, or life imprisonment to what’s determined as aggravated homosexuality or put simpler continued gay sex between consenting adults.
Now what is interesting is after some deliberation on Museveni part, which according to reports largely looked at genetic and scientific proof of homosexuality, he then went on to assert that it was unlawful as homosexuality was a Western imposition or promotion of social imperialism in Africa. This kind of posturing rings similar with Mugabe’s often recorded bombast directed at the gay community where he is not immune to calling them worse than dogs or pigs.
I have debated many times with much trepidation at the level of ignorant views by some individuals on homosexuality. There are many diverse views, however mostly come from a cultural (African / un-African view) and some from a religious outlook. True to form both perspectives make me despair, for example, I do not need to be a historian to evidence that most forms of religion are intolerant or oppressive, and importantly for me religion is not a tangible source for this argument.
Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood– Correta Scott King
A cultural argument is equally difficult to justify due to the fact that cultural norms are dynamic, be it African, European, Asian etc. they do change over time. Take how being polygamous was viewed 50 or 60 years ago in most African cultures by both men and women. For men it was widely believed polygamy a show of wealth to have as many wives and children as possible, on the other hand women’s view was they gained a far or less a respectable or desirable standing in community by marrying a wealthy man even if they were the fifth wife. That dynamic has changed with the advent of church, migration and more positively by women gaining their independence through education and attaining good employment.
Therefore my area of argument for the gay community lies on the basic principle of Human Rights, which I argue as freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of expression and so on. For these are the same principles that we fought against colonialism, so there is noticeable hypocrisy by some who will climb on rooftops to shout against racism and then in equal measure be homophobic. Noticeably the bill signed by Museveni is an extension of old colonial law that surprisingly still exists in Uganda, an irony considering his stance on imperialism.
As Africans lets us be progressive by being non judgemental and tolerant, Booker T Washington once said ‘you can’t hold a man down without staying down with him’

What role is the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe playing to ensure Banks are not failing?

I will admit right away I am not savvy in banking speak especially on the legal parameters needed to license them and foremost the individuals who own them are checked on their suitability by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Importantly as well after licensing, what measures the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) puts in place to regularise ensuring these banks adhere to ethical and legal standards. An example would be of Trust Bank, whose license was withdrawn in 2004 due to liquidity concerns and irresponsible banking procedures by its management staff,  but then re-issued in 2010.

Cognisant of this, it would then be pertinent to ask why Trust Bank which has just been liquidated, was re issued a license after its first shutdown leaving depositors at risk and to a certain extent a swipe at confidence in indigenous banking. Indigenous banks that I know to go under up to date include United Merchant Bank, First National Building Society, Time Bank, Zimbabwe Building Society, Royal Bank, Barbican and ZABG, the reasons of closure of some these banks is unknown to me however I can safely assume financial irregularities and liquidity issues, though I would be naive to not recognise the deep seated Financial and Economic difficulties we have been going through.

Granted, Banks anywhere in the world can face crisis and may collapse, one can only look at the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08. What concerns me though is how in 2010 RBZ reversed its decision and re-issued licenses to four Banks which are Trust Bank, Barbican Bank, Royal Bank and ZABG, when in fact some of those  licensee’s characters had been determined to be of ill repute by gross financial mismanagement and engaging in undesirable methods of conducting business. For those reasons,  simple yet stark,  I cannot fathom a cogent argument why the RBZ could have re-issued the four Banks their licenses, since less than 39 months after receiving these back,  all four Banks have buckled.

‘Royal Bank has surrendered its license amid revelations that the bank has been involved in serious abuse of depositors’ funds and is burdened by non-performing insider loans among a cocktail of operational irregularities’ The Herald 28 July 2012

‘The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has cancelled the registration of Barbican Bank, after the bank’s failure to resume operations after struggling to meet regulatory capital thresholds and come up with proper operational modalities’ The Herald 3 March 2013

Trust Bank The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has cancelled the banking license for Trust Bank over allegations of abuse of depositors’ funds’ The Herald 7 December 2013

For the same reasons the license’s were taken away, my initial question remains on what the RBZ as the central bank did to regulate these institutions, as clearly RBZ is remiss to it’s own procedures http://www.rbz.co.zw/operations/banking.asp . However you would then feel they would be need for more stringent controls in place on those Banks so as the same irregularities are not repeated and further navigating http://www.rbz.co.zw/index.asp voila http://www.rbz.co.zw/mrs/notices2010.asp there it is a 5 point approximately 200 word document with 6 signatures handing back 4 Banks the right to operate multi-million dollar institutions that are supposed to enable businesses to make transactions and also safeguard salaries and savings for the public which to me seems inadequate considering the history.

Even in my lay-man’s understanding of Banking i.e. 1) my salary has been paid in 2) I have managed to pay my bills, surely I can understand something is amiss in the re-issuance of these licenses. I sincerely hope these are lessons learnt but a month on after Gideon Gono’s departure nary a word on his successor.

Shallow men believe in luck

“Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Good questions

“Good questions outrank easy answers.” – Paul A. Samuelson

The Ultimate measure of a man..

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy- Martin Luther King