What's OUR country famous for? (by Justice Sibanda)

http://thedoghousediaries.com/5414

A map published by DogHouse Diaries out today has revealed surprising things that countries are best at. The map is based on statistics gathered from across the internet - ranging from sources as diverse as the World Bank to the Guinness World Records.

Created by online comic and website DogHouse Diaries, the map shows what each country leads the rest of the world in and the words picked - which are written across the country's geographical territory - are in many cases surprising.

Zimbabwe leads the world in "Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate", really?? I thought there would be loads of other things we led the world at. When you introduce yourself as a Zimbabwean people don't immediately think, "oh that's the country with the best Commercial Bank Lending Rate", right. I would have thought that, our ridiculous record at having unfair elections or our "President-for-Life" situation (his will to cling to power by any means necessary could have had notable mention) or that Zimbabwean Dollar reached the point where the face value of many banknotes (which had reached denominations as high as Z$100,000,000,000,000) was less than the value of the paper itself.

Shows how little people know about the dire situation in Zimbabwe.

Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

Mtetwa's Optimism is refreshing but the jury is out on this one- by Kwanele Khupe

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/news-12601-Mtetwa+says+optimistic+over+rule+of+law/news.aspx

I really admire the resilience and the optimism of human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, bearing in mind what she has been through lately at the hands of the corrupt Zanu PF cronies. Though I'm still sceptical about the return of the rule of law to Zimbabwe I agree with her that history shows that where there's been repression it has resulted in change which has been positive. So we will stay vigilant and steadfast in our quest for the return of personal freedoms and liberty.

Personally I salute her fight and her unwavering dedication to the human right cause for ordinary Zimbabweans who suffer daily at the hands of the corrupt, vicious and dictatorial government and I stand with her in support with fist clenched and chanting : Aluta Continua!!!  

Kwanele Khupe

Africa to debate ICC role - by Justice Sibanda

In just 2 days’ time, African leaders could kill off a great institution, leaving the world a more dangerous place. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is the world’s first and only global court to adjudicate crimes against humanity. But leaders of Sudan and Kenya, who have inflicted terror and fear across their countries, are trying to drag Africa out of the ICC, allowing them the freedom to kill, rape, and inspire hatred without consequences.

African leaders will debate the continent's "relationship" with the International Criminal Court at a special summit on October 11, officials said Friday, amid growing opposition to the tribunal. The 54-member African Union has accused The Hague-based ICC of singling out Africans for prosecution and has previously called for the court to drop crimes against humanity trials of Kenya's leadership.

As defenders of human rights we believe that any withdrawal from the ICC would send the wrong signal about Africa’s commitment to protect and promote human rights and to reject impunity, as reflected in article 4 of the AU’s Constitutive Act, the organizations said. The work and functioning of the ICC should not be beyond scrutiny and improvement, but withdrawal would risk grave consequences of undermining justice in Africa.

  If African victims could get justice in their own countries, there would be no need for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to step in, former UN secretary general Kofi Annan said on Monday. He went on to say that, "On a continent that has experienced deadly conflict, gross violations of human rights, even genocide, I am surprised to hear critics ask whether the pursuit of justice might obstruct the search for peace,"

Sign the petition here

Justice Melusi Sibanda  
Organising Secretary – ROHR Zimbabwe/Bradford Branch

The ROHRZIM Campaign machine in pictures - Melusi Sibanda

Melumel's joint's photostream on Flickr.

ROHR CAMPAIGNS

It’s time for the ‘Woman of Zimbabwe’ to take the lead – By Melusi Sibanda

Have you ever stopped to think what Zimbabwe would be like if women were allowed similar opportunities in life as men. How would Zimbabwean politics look if our leaders were women? What would the state of our economy be if women were in full control of all of our natural resources?

I’d like to believe that we’d be better off in Zimbabwe if we empowered women and allowed them to take charge of the day to day running of our country. Just by looking at my own family and around me growing up I can proudly proclaim that all or at least most woman I knew were of a strong and magnificent breed. I was certainly surrounded by inspirational and courageous women whom I respected and still continue to admire. The same cannot be said about a lot of their male counterparts.

As I observe the work and achievements of the likes of Beatrice Mtetwa, Jestina Mukoko, Thokozani Khupe etal, my admiration only deepens. I marvel at the way they have evolved within their related struggles and sacrifices and come out as the stalwarts of truth and justice again solidifying their claim to be the true leaders of a New Zimbabwe – if there ever will be one. This is the real story of the women of Zimbabwe, the mothers of our feverish nation.

With everything that life throws at them under the guise of tradition and culture they have always come out as the heroines of our lives. Think of your own mother/grandmother and the manner in which they handled the worst scenarios with such composure – I don’t need to give examples as we all know the certain issues and ‘skeletons in closet’ men brought home. Whatever demeaning and de-humanising episode was thrown at them, the women in our lives often persevered with so much heart and character and paved the way for hope and happiness for all of us.

It’s time we as men stepped aside and allowed these exceptional and inspirational people to take a leading role in rebuilding where we have failed. They are the rich resource we have not utilised and yet have in abundance. Let us acknowledge that their vision, knowledge and strength are indispensable and their decision making is more balanced and rational than ours.

Women of Zimbabwe, you are remarkable!

Melusi Sibanda – ROHRZIM Bradford Branch – Information & Publicity Secretary