WITH the 2022 by-elections around the corner and the 2023 general elections less than two years away, it is distressing to read of attacks on opposition political activists and leaders by seemingly organised gangs of thugs.
While not wanting to sound like a prophet of doom, these incidents of political violence will increase in number and severity as election dates approach.
If more prominent politicians can be attacked in broad daylight, spare a thought for the ordinary villager.
I was deeply worried when I read about Nyasha Zhambe Mawere, a Gutu villager, who was seized by suspected Zanu PF activists after he attended a meeting addressed by MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa. Let us not forget that Chamisa himself escaped an attempt on his life by a whisker when his car was shot at during a trip to Manicaland province.
In Mashonaland West, Zanu PF youths blockaded the main road to Bindura after getting wind that Chamisa was headed for rallies in that province.
In all these instances, the ruling Zanu PF party was the perpetrator of violence.
We would not be off the mark to say these thugs are hired, instructed and paid by some well-resourced people to cause mayhem. The thugs apparently have the backing of the State security apparatus.
The police must act swiftly in a non-partisan manner to bring the culprits to book.
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Investigations must be carried out so that even financiers of this chaos are arrested, otherwise, talk of free and fair elections is empty.
The same people, who preach peace during the day, perpetrate violence at night.
They do not care about the body count, so long the violence keeps them in power. -Runyararo
We are our own enemies, not politics
Y fellow countrymen, I salute you in the name of peace, love and harmony as I wish you all a happy Christmas, though not a merry one.
Well, things aren’t rosy, especially for us the ordinary persons. Prices have shot through the roof, leaving many struggling to have a single meal.
We are suffering and it seems nobody cares and no one will come to our rescue.
It is time we do something to rescue ourselves from this poverty and suffering.
Zanu PF abandoned us as soon we voted for it in 2018. Opposition parties are clueless, while the ruling elite is plundering and looting our resources.
The church has been defiled, elders neglected and youths are jobless.
This surely calls for collective action, not useless strikes and demonstrations which have worsened the situation.
Since other democratic forces have become toothless under this ruthless regime, only consumer resistance can bring about social justice and the much-needed change.
Let us boycott everything that we feel is unjustifiably priced, let us boycott their rallies and politics and let us not participate in populist demonstrations. Let us unite in our numbers and say enough is enough. -Shumba
The basics of food security and how it’s tied to everything
FOOD impacts all parts of our daily life. It isn’t only about feeling full and satisfied, it’s also about feeling connected to the community and belonging.
Across cultures, food is a way to bring togetherness to the table and celebrate our shared humanity. On Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, food, water, shelter and rest are foundations for a healthy human.
Without these fundamental pieces in place, it’s difficult to advance to thinking about safety, community, our future or our potential. Food security is at the baseline of human need. Without it, we cannot thrive, let alone survive.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation’s food security definition is when “all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”.
In other words, food security is having consistent, reliable access to safe, nutritious food. Food security is determined by four components, which are availability, access, utilisation and stability.
When any one of these components are stressed or unmet, it’s considered food insecurity.
“Zero hunger” remains one of the most rigorous of the Sustainable Development Goals that the United Nations wants to reach by 2030.
One might be wondering, “Can’t we just produce more food?” But issues around food security are complex to say the least.
Technically, we are producing enough food to feed the world’s entire population, yet millions are undernourished.
Food security is strongly influenced by intricate social, cultural, political, economic and environmental factors. Food security can be disrupted by many things such as climate change, disempowerment, poverty, natural disasters and conflict.
The average person is still under the aberrant delusion that food should be somebody else’s responsibility until I’m ready to eat it.
Access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food is a basic need and should be treated as a human right, with priority given to the most vulnerable.
Apart from basic nutrition, food security is linked to economic stability, long-term health, women empowerment and the environment.
Food security impacts our health — especially children’s.
Research reveals that food insecurity can result in ongoing short and long-term health problems. The first 1 000 days (from conception to age two) of a child’s life are of critical importance for their healthy growth and development.
For children, severe food insecurity has been linked to chronic health conditions like asthma and depression. A diet lacking in proper substance — enough calories, protein, vitamins and minerals — will impede a child’s growth and development from before they are born up until adolescence.
A pregnant mother’s malnutrition can lead to a higher risk of low birthweight, infant mortality, preterm delivery and slow cognitive development for her baby. The stress alone of living without secure access to food can have a negative effect on the health of pregnant mothers. This impacts their infants by affecting milk supply while breastfeeding. –World Vision
IN response to Mnangagwa gags chiefs, SIBANDAMUKUNI says: The horses have bolted. Chief Murinye of Masvingo spoke the truth and even if the Presidium chastises him today, it cannot undo what was said about President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his administration. Corruption needs to be nipped in the bud. Mnangagwa is paying lip service to the fight against the vice. Zimbabwe needs traditional leaders who are not afraid to speak truth to power. This country cannot be built on lies.
IN response to WHO red flags Zim flu bug, PIKIRAYI says: I believe this COVID-19 pandemic is a biological warfare. Some people are making huge profits from this. It’s startling that every 100 years, there is a flu bug of some sort which afflicts many people in the whole world, killing quite a huge number. I think it’s by design that every century, something should happen. And if it is true, it’s not a natural culling order, but some powerful people are behind it. Who has perpetuated the culture, if I may ask?
IN response to Gloomy X-mas beckons for civil servants, GWIZHIKITI says: It’s not a gloomy Christmas for civil servants alone, but everyone — working and non-working people. For too long, Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s neoliberal policies have pushed many of us into abject poverty. Ncube has been taxing us heavily and we did nothing about it. The bureaucrats don’t care because they are protected by the State, all their bills are paid by the State, and they loot the State’s resources knowing that they will tax the citizens to cover up for the theft. It’s wrong and we should do something about it. Let us not perpetuate the theft which is happening under our nose by not acting against it.
IN response to Top army boss in land grab, MBUDAYA says: Top Zanu PF and military people should respect property rights. They are molesting the Constitution, taking advantage of their powerful political and military posts. We have a few committed white commercial farmers who believe they can bring change to Zimbabwe, but they are being evicted from their farms. This country is loved the world over, but the citizens are doing injustice to it. Colonel Gwanzura should be ashamed of himself.
IN response to Chinese miners’ trucks damaging our roads: Mayor, MZWANGENDABA says: I wonder why we continue giving vast tracts of land to the new world colonisers — China. They should go back to their country, period!
