Friday, June 16, 2006

MUGABE TO CONFISCATE PASSPORTS?

Okay, things are really getting out of hand in Zimbabwe. One person intimated to me last week and I thought it was just a baseless rumour. Then today, another person from a different part of the country and who does not know my first source, told me the same thing.

My two, very reliable, sources told me that President Robert Mugabe’s government is planning to confiscate all passports and keep them at the Registrar-General’s office at Makombe Building in Harare.

No official justification is being given yet. However, Mugabe personally complained in a recent speech that many Zimbabweans are deserting the country (remember – “ko munoti Zimbabwe yacho ndeya vaMugabe vega here?”—“Do you think Zimbabwe is mine alone?”)

The country is bleeding. A combination of bad politics, backed by a militarized socio-economic system, has driven a sizeable chunk of Zimbabwe’s professionals and generally those of the productive demography out of the country.

It is not inconceivable then, that our dear leader and his people may have decide to curb the exodus by taking away citizens’ means of international travel.

After all, this is the same government that has decreed that passports will only be issued a year after one has applied. Further, there is going to be an exit visa, if it is not already in force.

Ha-a, veduwe, chiiko chapinda mumusha?

TO READ MORE OF MY WRITING, PLEASE VISIT; www.torontosun.ca/News/Columnists/Madawo_Innocent/
www.catholicregister.org
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www.thecanadian.ca
www.zimcanada.com
http://www.jexcanada.com/

SOWETO UPRISING

Who could ever forget the picture of a grieving junior high school student, Antoinette Pietersen, running down a street of Soweto alongside a tearful Mbuyisa Makhubu who was cradling the lifeless body of Antoinette's 12-year-old brother, Hector, who had just been shot by Apartheid South Africa’s brutally racist police?

Yes, I am talking about the massacre of South African children, about 200 of them, who had dared protest against the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in black schools.

This happened 30 years ago, today June 16th. The South African Consulate in Toronto is hosting a cultural event to commemorate Youth Day on Sunday, from 11 am to 4 pm at the Mel Lastman Square. Lets all go and listen to survivor, Charles Mtombeni while we eat pap, biltong, boerewoers (sp) and dance to kwaito, umbaqanga, marabi and kwela.

TO READ MORE OF MY WRITING, PLEASE VISIT; www.torontosun.ca/News/Columnists/Madawo_Innocent/
www.catholicregister.org
www.canadiannewcomermagazine.org
www.thecanadian.ca
www.zimcanada.com
http://www.jexcanada.com/

GO ENGLAND, MAVS AND NADAL, GO

SOCCER - I admit, they did not play as well as I would want. Peter Crouch and Frank Lampard worsted chances, but the tallest man on the pitch finally delivered. Then, it was Steven Gerrard’s turn in injury time. Need I say it? Well, it was a typical 20-yard drive only Gerrard can deliver and we are in the second round.

The not-so-good performance is a good thing as far as I am concerned. It puts the necessary pressure on the team as it prepares for the tough matches ahead. I told you from the beginning and I repeat it now, “we are going all the way to Berlin.”

BASKETBALL – I am not gonna be denied the NBA championship. I have already budgeted to by a fan’s replica cup with “Dallas Mavericks” engraved on it. So, Avery, Dirk, Terry; I am angry at you for letting Shaq and them level up the series. The loss in Game 3 particularly was inexcusable.

Now, you boys need to deliver on Sunday and wrap it up on Tuesday. I do not feel like coming back to the American Airlines Centre to whip your behinds.

TENNIS – My man, Nadal is on the roll at Queens (he is in the quarter finals). This is just warm up for Wimbledon, of course, and he is one man I know is gonna deliver.

TO READ MORE OF MY WRITING, PLEASE VISIT; www.torontosun.ca/News/Columnists/Madawo_Innocent/
www.catholicregister.org
www.canadiannewcomermagazine.org
www.thecanadian.ca
www.zimcanada.com
http://www.jexcanada.com/