Harare diary: Politicised grain

Esther (not her real name), 28, a professional living and working in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, is writing a regular diary on the challenges of leading a normal life.

Zimbabwe is suffering from an acute economic crisis. The country has the world's highest rate of annual inflation and just one in five has an official job.

It has been a long weekend in Harare.

Friday was 'Independence Day'. I watched clips of the broadcast from Gwanzura stadium, where official celebrations were held.

The whole time I was wondering: "who is R G Mugabe?"

Cabinet was dissolved just before elections, so who is he? I mean what office does he hold?

My father went to our rural home in the east of Zimbabwe on Friday, and came back on Sunday with the news that the GMB (Grain Marketing Board) there shut down on the Wednesday after elections.

People were told that in future they should purchase grain from the opposition, since they voted for an opposition MP.

So even the purchase of grain is politicised.

Leaving the church in tears

My mother on the other hand went to an Anglican church gathering to celebrate the role of mothers, I think its called Mother Mary's day.

She says there were thousands of women, from all over Zimbabwe.

The event started at 0900, and as they were having lunch at around 1300, a couple of police officers told them to disperse as they were not supposed to be there, which the women refused to do.

The policemen then left but came back a short time later with a truckload of more police officers - this time in full riot gear.

They repeated their order to disperse, and this time of course they did.

At least none of them was beaten, but my mother was in tears as she told us the story.

The shipment of arms is the hot topic of conversation

She says as they drove away from the venue for the event (the Anglican church grounds in Mbare, a township in Harare) most of the women were crying.

On Saturday, we got bread from a supermarket for the first time in two or three weeks without having to queue for it.

We just walked in and simply picked it off a shelf. Wow!

It must have something to do with the new price - a jump from 25m Zimbabwean dollars to 65m.

The hottest topic of conversation in Harare at the moment is the shipload of arms.

People are wondering when the order was placed, before or after the elections?

And where is it now?

What if it lands on a coast where the government does not believe in human rights?

Will the arms eventually find their way here, despite the efforts of the unions in South Africa and Mozambique?

The election recount is keeping Zimbabweans in suspense

So life goes on in Zimbabwe.

We are slowly resigning ourselves to more of RG's rule.

It does not look as if he is going anywhere.

I keep imagining that we are drowning and people on the shore can see we are in distress.

But there is someone with us, and this is the person they ask, "Is everything ok?" The person replies, "Yes, yes, no need to worry, I'll have you out in a minute."

So the onlookers go on with what they were doing, only to read about how we were found washed up on the shore, dead, the next day.

Esther answers your questions

Q: I feel like one of the people you describe on the shoreline watching. I don't believe that you are ok, but I don't know what to do. What shall I do? How can I help or make a difference? I live in a country where I can speak out, but who do I speak to? And what do I say?
Emma, England

A: I think it is important that no one forgets that we are still waiting for those results, even if we are kept waiting for much longer. Stories that do not get talked about on the news gradually fade from peoples minds. It is important to keep the pressure on, and to keep lobbying foriegn governments to take action, especially when we stop hitting the headlines because something else is happening in the world.

Q: Why can't Zimbabweans pile heaps of praises on Mugabe and then ask him to emulate Nelson Mandela and retire like a senior citizen? Nelson Mandela's opinion is still highly regarded on the continent and it could shape Mbeki's influence on the question. Do you agree that Mandela could make a difference?
Christopher, Kampala, Uganda

A: We've reached a point where praising Mugabe is really quite difficult. Had he gracefully stepped down, ie allowed the results to be announced, then that would have been possible. The way he has behaved since 29 March has stripped away what little respect we still had for him. I am sure Mandela could make a difference. The question you have to ask though is does Mugabe respect anyone enough to listen to their opinion?

Q: Robert Mugabe is a tyrant, but he could not stay in power without the help and support of many misguided people. Do some people really believe that we (UK) want to re-colonise Zimbabwe?
Peter, Ipswich, England.

A: Noooooooooooo. That's just talk from a party that has nothing more to offer the people, so such rhetoric becomes their campaign manifesto.

Q: If Mugabe goes, how long do you think it would take for Zimbabwe to recover and become a country like South Africa or even better?
Martin, Coventry, UK

A: I'm not an economist, but I'd guess its going to be a long road to recovery. Most of our industries are functioning at well below capacity if at all, commercial farms are very under-utilised, investors have been scared off by government policy, quite a number of productive, intelligent, innovative Zimbabweans are living in exile. Yet there is this itch to get started. We can't wait for him to step down, so we can start restoring our economy. The drive is definitely there.

Q: I know that many in your country travel abroad to purchase commodities unavailable at home. Has the government made it more difficult to travel around within the country or across the borders since the elections began?
Justin, New York, USA

A: No, we are stll free to travel, although import tax structures have been adjusted to classify practically everything you bring in as a luxury attracting quite high levels of tax.

Q: I was wondering whether there is still any kind of impartial or neutral media/press/television in your country and where you get your information from, e.g. on the shipload of armour, weapons from China?
Martin, Bregenz, Austria

The one daily paper is run by the state, so nothing there. There are a number of weekly papers, most of them independent so thats one source. Then there is the internet for those who have access, mostly at work. Quite a number of people have satelite/cable TV, which is where we get most of our information.

Q: Esther, why is it, in your opinion, that even after the election result issue and Morgan Tsvangarai going to South Africa, Europe and the UN for support, that no country in the world sent any positive resources or help of any kind other than a few words in a speech? In other words, what do you think is stopping the international community (particularily the US and UK) from taking action against Mugabe's dictatorship?
Stephanie, London, UK

A: I wonder too. Maybe we are naive, waiting for the world to take him out the way they did Noriega back in his day. I suppose diplomacy calls for toned down public speeches & strong arm twisting behind the scenes, then all the public sees are the results.

Your comments

Your words are so eloquent. Thank you for educating me about Zimbabwe far beyond what my country's news journalists can. I pray that you are soon able to live in the peace and security that all people deserve.
Anna, California, USA

Dear Esther, thank you for writing so honestly about life in Zimbabwe. I don't know if you believe in God, but it may bring you some comfort to know that many of us are praying for you all. It is hard to know what else to do, and I know you cannot eat prayers, but I have no influence with anyone else other than God, so that's where I start! Please keep writing so we can be aware of your situation there, and stay positive.
Alison, Llanelli, Wales, UK

I have to say, I appreciate all that Esther is posting. I stumbled accross the diary this morning. As I drove into work this morning I noticed the fuel costs have soared here and I grumbled about it as I sat in the drive-thru at Starbucks. I read her diary and realized just how lucky I am to have a job, and even the government that I do. I could not imagine having to pay the prices of bread that they are having to deal with. I am truly thankful for everything that I have - and it is great to have reminders through Esther's diary. Thank you!
Liberty, Dallas, Texas, USA

It was hard for me to believe the stories I heard about the food shortage in Zimbabwe and the high prices you have to pay for basic products. My heart goes out to you all and I hope that the situation politically and economically improves for the well being of everyone. More importantly I hope that the people maintain peace.
Carolyne, Nairobi, Kenya

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