Zimbabwe Vigil Diary
24th July 2010
By GETRUDE GUMEDE
Senator David Coltart, the Zimbabwean Minister for Education, was given a friendly reception when he came to the Vigil at the end of his visit to London.
Surrounded by Vigil supporters, he said ‘I know that many of you are very sceptical about this inclusive government. But I want to let you know that there is a group working very hard to make it work. Don’t write it off. But you do need to continue the Vigil because things are by no means right yet. We are all looking for the same thing: a democratic Zimbabwe where everyone can hold their heads up high.’
We were pleased that Senator Coltart took the trouble to join us – even though many of us don’t share his optimism. Some Vigil supporters went to hear him during the week when he spoke at a meeting in Parliament about the dire situation in the Zimbabwean education system. Who could be against giving money towards education in Zimbabwe – even if Zanu PF gangsters are looting the country’s own resources that should be paying for it?
Senator Coltart was only one of a horde of MDC leaders descending like locusts on London with their begging bowls. It’s all very well giving money to education but the two other MDC ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara were shaking the can for investment. They seem to have difficulty grasping that people are reluctant to invest in a country with no rule of law.
A large contingent of our supporters went to hear Mutambara speak at a London meeting after the Vigil. Apart from telling us about his massive intellect and brilliant education, he urged people with skills and capital to go home, brushing aside questions of violence and good governance, though he admitted a lot of work still had to be done.
An unexpected addition to the ranks of the Pollyannas who see nothing wrong with Zimbabwe is the new Director of the British Council in Harare Jill Coates. She said “Zimbabwe is such a beautiful and peaceful country and not at all hostile like what is perceived in the UK media.†The columnist Muckraker in the Zimbabwean newspaper the Independent said ‘What do we call these remarks? Naïve or downright stupid?’ See: http://www.theindependent.co.zw/opinion/27365-zanu-pf-retraces-steps-to-failure.html. The British Council no doubt keeps the British Sunday Times in its library. She will see in its latest edition new revelations about the scandal of the Marange diamonds.
Apart from the visit by Senator Coltart, another highlight of the Vigil was the arrival of the valiant Smale father and son team (Adrian and Michael) who had cycled 85 miles from Salisbury to the Vigil in aid of charity. They set off at 6.30 am and were with us before 5 pm. They looked fit as fiddles when they arrived. Vigil activist Josephine Zhuga organised a collection and presented the money to them. Their charity is Children Alone Trust which cares for orphans in Zimbabwe. They would welcome further donations – contact 07946 128 204, adriansmale@virginmedia.com.