Cathy Buckle's Weekly Letter from Zimbabwe !

Dear Family and Friends,

If you are a follower of events in Zimbabwe you will know that the pressure is increasing at a dramatic rate. Almost everyday we hear or read of demonstrations, protests and marches. It takes a considerable amount of courage to take part in these events which are met with a range of repressive responses including arrests, beatings in custody, water cannons, baton sticks, tear gas and riot police. There are perhaps none more familiar with this than the WOZA women who regularly goout and protest on our streets. These women know, almost without a doubt,that their protests will be stopped. They know they will be arrested and they know they stand a good chance of being beaten - and yet still they do it.

The women of WOZA draw attention to the every day things in life that ordinary mothers, families and households are battling with - the price of food, the cost of schooling, the desperate state of health care, the lowest life expectancy in the world. These women really are the bravest of the brave and this week Jenni Williams, the founder of WOZA received the highest international recognition - for her bravery, her vision and her leadership.

Jenni was one of 10 women from around the world chosen to be given theWomen of Courage award by US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. Jenni has been arrested over two dozen times herself, she has been physically abused, followed, taunted, separated from her family and yet still she leads the way, determined that the people in power in Zimbabwe hear the calls of the ordinary women. Being interviewed on the day of the award presentation Jenni Williams said: "The award is a great honour, but the real award willbe a free and independent Zimbabwe." We salute you Jenni Williams, and all the women of WOZA.

In the same week as WOZA gained international recognition, inflation in Zimbabwe rose by a hundred and thirty six percent since in a month and nowstands - albeit momentarily - at 1729,9% . A few quick sums on the calculator show that inflation is rising by four and half percent everyday. Also this week came the tragic news of 35 people killed when a commuter omnibus hit a train in Harare. This tragedy is littered with the evidence of a country falling apart: a grossly overloaded bus; tall, uncut grass alongside the railway line; no rail crossing warning lights, no railcrossing booms. The news coverage on ZBC Television was crude, callous and utterly insensitive to the families and friends of the victims.

Not everything has to be seen to be believed. I close with a picture of Marchfor people away from home: cosmos in flower everywhere - purple, mauve, pink, white and every shade in between, it is a magnificent sight. Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy.

Copyright cathy buckle 10 March 2007 http://africantears.netfirms.com My books: "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available from :orders@africabookcentre.com