Cathy Buckle's Weekly Letter From Zimbabwe !

Shiny Brown Seeds !

Dear Family and Friends,

It's a noisy afternoon as I sit writing this letter. The Msasa trees are throwing out their seeds in preparation for the new season. Every few seconds another pod loses control and cracks. There is a distinct click and then the pod splits, curls and falls onto the hard, dry ground, scattering shiny brown seeds into the dust. Summer is almost upon us and change is in the air. Smoke is also in the air as yet again uncontrolled fires burn in every direction and on every horizon but we look upwards as we wait for clouds and rain and pray for relief from the tragedy engulfing our country.

Amidst our desperate struggle to survive eleven million percent inflation and with so very many people going to bed hungry every night, there have been some dramatic developments in Zimbabwe this week that bring change another step closer. Just when we'd given up hope of the people's March 29th votes ever being respected, Parliament was suddenly re-convened and MP's sworn in. Then, for the first time in 28 years, Zanu PF lost control of the House of Assembly as an MDC MP was voted Speaker of The House.

The ceremonial opening of Parliament was a spectacle not to be missed and unbelievably the electricity stayed on during the entire procedure. Evenmore amazing was that ZBC TV filmed all the events that followed, live and uninterrupted. Zimbabwe saw Mr Mugabe arrive in the black open topped RollsRoyce alone, without his wife. We saw the long, long line of MP's going into Parliament. The MDC MP's were easily recognisable as they smiled and waved to the crowds - perhaps acknowledging that it was their votes and their sacrifices that had resulted in this day. The MDC MP's have not yet got that arrogant, I'm indestructible look that is so common to Zimbabwean politicians.

Many shocking things followed in the next hour, filmed live by ZBC TV for all to see. When Mr Mugabe walked into the House of Assembly only the ZanuPF MP's stood up. For half an hour Mr Mugabe's voice was drowned out by talking, jeering, singing and clapping MDC MP's. Never, in 28 years, has Zimbabwe seen their elected MP's do anything like this. Never, in 28 years,have Zimbabweans seen Mr Mugabe being openly challenged like this.

The final wind of change that blew into Zimbabwe this week came with the government lifting its ban on international and local charitable organisations. People who are hungry, sick and desperate have been given back the right to ask for and receive help from people other than a bankrupt government.

Until next week, thanks for reading,

love cathy

Copyright cathy buckle 30 August 2008www.cathybuckle.com .