Cathy Buckle's Weekly Letter From Zimbabwe !

Saturday 8th March 2008

Vote For Me !

Dear Family and Friends,

It's hard to believe that in three weeks time Zimbabwe will have staggered to another election and will have the capacity to put a stop to the most shocking state of affairs in our country. Despite all the criticism, insults and condemnation from outsiders, we have turned the other cheek again and again as one abuse after another has been laid upon us these last nine years. None have been spared, no sector is unscathed, everyone has horror stories to tell, losses to enumerate, abuses to relate.

We have not resorted to violence, to civil war, to guns and bloodshed. Those with financial resources have turned to the courts for relief - most have been unsuccessful. Others have shown great courage and have taken to the streets in peaceful protest, repeatedly trying to make our leaders hear our voices: WOZA, NCA, MDC, students, lawyers, teachers, church leaders and others. Thousands have been arrested, beaten, tortured and endured inhumane treatment. Tragically, hundreds have died.

In three weeks time we can say: STOP, we've had enough suffering, enough abuse, enough oppression. As we walk and wait and watch during this last three weeks, the very people who have reduced Zimbabwe to a beggar State are descending on our home areas. Men and women who we haven't seen since the last election are here again. Dodging the cavernous pot holes they emerge from their luxury double cabs in their fancy clothes and smart shoes and say: Vote For Me! Their physical appearance and well fleshed bodies is a clear give away - they have not gone to bed hungry, have not gone without, have not struggled these past nine years. It seems impossible that they can identify with the thin, exhausted people sitting in the dust at their feet, people watched by equally thin, uniformed police.

Since the last election these men and women who dare say: 'Vote For Me,'have stayed quiet and stayed away while the infrastructure has collapsed; while the water and electricity has been off more than on; while the shopshave been emptied and remain barren of food. They have not been around when we, their constituents, couldn't get medicines, couldn't get our own money out of the bank, couldn't afford to send our children to school and couldn't even afford to bury our dead. Now they come with their gifts -tractors, ploughs, hay balers, computers and money. 'More is coming,' they say: motor bikes, grinding mills and generators. 'Even generators big enough to power a small town,' they promise.

Three weeks is not a long time but to Zimbabweans these are the longest of times. As I write this letter it is a glorious Zimbabwean day. There is a warm wind, blue sky and the view is of blonde, golden grass and I have in mind a couple of lines from our National Anthem:"May we be fed and our labour blessed; And may the Almighty protect andbless our land."

Until next week, thanks for reading, love cathy.

Copyright cathy buckle 8th March 2008.www.cathybuckle.comMy books: "African Tears" and "Beyond Tears" are available in South Africafrom: books@clarkesbooks.co.za and in the UK from: orders@africabookcentre.com