My dear friends: though some of the information that I have for you is not directly related to the mission’s overall goal, I oftentimes find it necessary to share some of the daily struggles that I face in order that you might better understand the context of our mission work. Here in Zimbabwe for example, I was shocked to learn that they are continuing to struggle with appropriate currency and don’t even use one that is their own. There are currently four different currencies being used in this country (US dollar, British pound, South African rand and Botswana’s pula) and I have to be honest, this fact was very hard for me to understand as it makes things as simple as buying a newspaper much more difficult than they need to be. Things often have four different prices listed on them and the process of buying something becomes can sometimes become quite difficult.
The primary reason for this issue is that Zimbabwe has experienced tremendous inflation in recent years (the second worst inflation spike in history) and the countries currency could not keep up. Though a $Z100 trillion banknote was created in 2009 due to high prices, the Finance Minister then announced that the country would be permitted to use other, more stable currencies.
The reasons for the inflation are speculative, however many believe that it stems back to the President’s redistribution of farmland in the 2000. During that time whites (a very small minority of the population) reportedly owned nearly 70% of farmable land and President Mugabe evicted nearly 4000 white farmers in attempts to equalize ownership. This resulted in a flood of refugees to neighboring countries, hyperinflation many US sanctions and nearly 80% local unemployement.
After redistribution, the once farmable land was affected by continuos drought, lack of finance and a tremendous reduction in agricultural (which had been the country’s leading export). This led to shortages in important things like fuel and other consumer goods and forced many people to buy their goods from neighboring countries as far away as 500-1000km during that time. Though workers often received wages, there was no way that they could keep up with local inflation prices. Many residents fled permanently from the country and there are currently over one million people within the country today who live away from their homes.
In addition, taxes and tariffs for any private enterprise caused many companies not to invest in Zimbabwe. In 2008 there were reports of corruption in the areas of government, diamonds and currency. US sanctions were enforced and human rights organizations reported that the government of Zimbabwe violated the rights to shelter, food, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of assembly and the protection of the law.
The countries landscape has also struggled as a result of inflation. Though still beautiful and picturesque from above, the scenery has changed tremendously. The once lush forestland with pleantiful wildlife has now become deforested and eroded. There is no longer a substantial amount of fertile soil available and poverty, population growth, poaching and lack of fuel have led to a reduction in local wildlife as well.
One thing that shocked me in the other direction, my friends, was the upkeep of the international airport. It was in working condition and clean. The best part: when I attempted to clear customs, I was told not to worry about it, that it was not a concern and to have a nice day. They didn’t require my passport and I didn’t need a visa in order to enter the country. This is so very different from all of the other countries that I’ve visited, but nonetheless appreciated.
Another thing that I enjoyed was that, unlike most other countries in Africa, the airport here seems much closer to town. Usually, I have had to spend a ton of money to go from the airport to the local city, but not here. I was pleasantly surprised that the two were so close to each other and that I could catch a break on this one.
Since it was approaching the weekend upon my arrival, I had not choice but to wait to do our mission work. Plus, I still had to wait for a permit to land in Malawi before I could leave this country anyway. At least the mission work was spread out nicely because of this.
As far as the media is concerned, one thing that I have learned from my travels here in Africa is that it is often the case that one media organization ends up owning a bunch of subsidiary newspapers, television and radio stations at once. This can be a great thing or a it can be dreadful because if you get rejected from one outlet, you are likely to be rejected from the others since they are all controlled by one source.
At least here I was able to get a few interviews and I am thankful to all of the media who helped to make our cause known to the public and to local government officials. Thanks to Mr. Nevanji Madanhire with the newspaper The Standard. He authorized my interview with Mr. Owen Gagare with the newspaper NewsDay, which is the first privately owned daily newspaper to be published in over seven years. Mr. Gagare was very detailed and knowledgeable about Kosovo.
Thanks to More Tirivashowa with the government newspaper The Herald for his time and effort in covering our cause. Thank you to Mr. Zivisai W. Chagaka with The Financial Gazette for his hard work and dedicaiton toward expressing our wishes to country and finally, thank you to Mr. Reagan Mashavave with the Daily News newspaper.
Mr. Freedom Moyo and the team at the national station TV Zimbabwe were also wonderful. Mr. Moyo was able to organize a live interview for me with his coworker Mr. Jonathan Hunzvi, which was transmitted nationally.
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have to thank the Deputy Director of Protocol, Mr. Claudius D. Nhema and his coworker in the European Department, Mr.Canisius Tanyanyiwa. Both gentlemen showed a great sense of care and dedication towards Kosovo’s independence and promised to follow up with their bosses. I was assured that they would do everything within their power to help our nation succeed.
In the capital city of Harare, I was greeted by a landscape similar to any other city of the world. The main difference, though, was that the struggles of the local people were evident everywhere you looked. Again, due to high inflation that has occurred here, many people still struggle to meet daily needs. Electricity is a problem, as it is in many of the African countries that I’ve traveled so far and some remote and rural areas go without any power whatsoever. Similarly, these rural areas also lack access to running water. Folks, it is sad to encounter so many people around this world that don’t even have access to the basic necessities that we in the Western world take for granted every day. Here, things like running water, electricity, accessible roads, schools, hospitals, etc. are not readily available. It pains me to imagine the difficulty of daily life that some people face and I am reminded of the ease of modern day life back in the States. Today, I am trule grateful for the fact that I have been blessed with such small things.
One thing that I haven’t mentioned yet is that, by traveling in countries that are so close to each other down here, I often find that I am running into relatives of someone that I had met in a previous country. This is the case here in Zimbabwe. It was a pleasure to meet the family of Ms. Kudakwangu Chisweto (whom interviewed me for One Africa back in Namibia). Her mother and two sisters provided me with a small sense of meeting family in a home away from home.
Lastly, I can’t forget to thank my taxi driver, Mr. Joseph Mazarura. He was such a polite, humble gentelman who was very polite during our drives around town completing our mission work.
Despite all of the struggles that I have seen here in Africa, there is always hope within the wonderful people that I meet. No matter what circumstances I find them in, they always manage to present such optimism in the face of the big, messy governments that rule down here. Although one would think differently, I have not seen much pessimism down here at all. If it were people from the USA or Europe experiencing conditions like this, I think that the situation would be much different and you would be hearing lots of screaming going on day and night. But with these great people it’s different. They still manage to have hope in their lives, which is truly a gift to bear witness to.
Next country is Malawi. Bless you all here in Zimbabwe.
