Living Zimbabwe

Category: People

  • Meet The Miss Black Africa UK 2012 Semi-Finalist: Elizabeth Mbofana

    Meet The Miss Black Africa UK 2012 Semi-Finalist: Elizabeth Mbofana

    My name is Elizabeth Mbofana, I was born in Zimbabwe. At the age of 4 I moved to the UK and have lived here all my life. I am 18 years of age and have joined a Beauty Pageant called Miss Black Africa, this pageant is about finding a lady that is committed to taking the role of being an ambassador for young Africans in the UK and also helping less privileged children. I would like to become Miss Black Africa as I have a passion for children and I am committed and willing to take that role of helping other children who are in need.

    I entered Miss Black Africa back in May in order to make a change to the less privileged and become a role model to our youth, we started as 643 girls and got down to 43 which made the semi-finals, in order to get in to the finals I need the public’s vote,

    For all the Zimbabweans out there I need your support!!

    How to Vote :

    Please Click on Link below then click on stars under my name Elizabeth. All Things are Possible with your Vote. Thank you in Advance, remember you can re-vote as many times as you like

    This has been a submission by Elizabeth Mbofana.
    You can connect with Elizabeth Mbofana via the following:
    You too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe.

  • Will You Be Supporting Zimbabwe During The Olympics?

    Will You Be Supporting Zimbabwe During The Olympics?

    The 2012 London Olympics are just 3 weeks away! Zimbabwe will be sending a few athletes over to the United Kingdom to represent their nation and compete against the worlds best in their respective disciplines.

    At the last Olympics in Beijing 2008, Zimbabwe recorded a medal haul of 1 gold and 3 silvers all of which were won by “Golden Girl” Kirsty Coventry. The ideal situation at the upcoming games would be for a similar or better result but it wont be an easy ask as the athletes will be vying against the worlds best. One saving grace for some of them is that they are based out of Zimbabwe where they are coached by and train with the world’s best.

    According to All Africa (as of today), the following athletes have managed to qualify for the Olympics:

    Kirsty Coventry
    Cutbert Nyasango
    Wirimai Juwawo
    Sharon Tavengwa
    Chris Felgate
    Jamie Fraser-Mackenzie
    Micheen Thornycroft

    One thing that always goes a long way towards helping athletes go above and beyond and achieve success (when it matters most) is the support they are shown whilst they are competing. If you are lucky enough to attend an event where a Zimbabwean athlete is competing, a show of support could be something as simple as waving the Zimbabwean flag. During the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final, a Zimbabwean flag was spotted on a banner that read “Zimbabwe I’m Coming Home Rosie”. Some weeks ago at a test match between South Africa and England in Johannesburg, a Zimbabwean flag was once again spotted in the crowd. Both of these games did not feature Zimbabwean teams but some individuals felt the need to take their country flag along with them and display them in a prominent position.

    For those of you who want to show support or just feel the need to fly the flag, the Olympics provide the perfect opportunity to just that.

    If you don’t have a flag and would like to get your hands on one, they can be purchased cheaply from the following:

    – Amazon
    – eBay

    GOOD LUCK TO ALL ZIMBABWEAN ATHLETES TAKING PART IN THE 2012 LONDON OLYMPIC GAMES

  • Stop the Carnage on our Roads

    Stop the Carnage on our Roads

    It is quite disturbing that there is so much carnage on our roads. Lives are being snuffed out because of carelessness and greed. We need to lobby for the transport operators association and the owners of buses to be held responsible – as in actually going to jail not just paying for the funerals.

    That way they will make sure their drivers are experienced, responsible and up to date with all their certifications. The authorities (whoever they are) also need to implement stiffer penalties for vehicles that are not road worthy.

    The corruption in Zimbabwe is killing us and our children. What is more imporant than the lives of our fellow human beings?

    Have we lost respect for the value of life so much so that profits and targets are more important? Nothing tangible or within this world is worth the expense of human life.

    Horror Crash

    This has been a submission by Saddened Angry Mother. If you have something to share, you too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe.

  • Chief Forcing Me To Pay US$150 Plus a Goat For Claiming For My Asset

    Chief Forcing Me To Pay US$150 Plus a Goat For Claiming For My Asset

    One of our readers recently reached out to us with a problem he was/is facing. He wanted to share it with the world to see if anyone could offer him possible solutions. He sent through his story but we were not sure if it was a joke or something that really took place. We decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and publish (note: this has been published unedited) his story to let you be the judge (and maybe provide him with a possible solution):

    I’m a 21yrs boy I stay in Johannesburg South Africa. On October 15, 2011 when I went home I felt in love with Michelle Pfumandiwe, 17. She forced me to go & see my family like she was planning to be with me in life, we did the same to her family. She was from poor family. When I was ready to go back to work she asked for my expensive cell phone blackberry bold, she asked for some clothes for to wear I did gave her, she asked for some money for her family to survive with love I did everything & we promise each to be together for ever. A week, I came back to work Lesly Chipere my rural friend came over my back to my girlfriend & quickly get married to her. My mum called me & knew me that Michelle was married to Lesly. I felt hurt, I try I call her Lesly received my call, as I asked Lesly what was going on he couldn’t tell me.

    After a month I called her again, in friendly way I asked Lesly to ask his girlfriend to go & return what is belongs to me to my mum. Dec sam year I loose my job, bad lucky was following my back, two day after I loose my job I get arrest as a suspect, I asked myself why all these bad thing there are just for me. Mid Dec I called my mum & she told me that Michelle called her & told her she must tell me to stop calling her because if I continue calling her she gonna make me disappear in this world, in shona akaramba achindifonera ndomunyudza mukamushaya.

    January 2012 I went home, I called her aunt asking to meet her and she agreed. I went to her home where we were promised to meet each other. I told her my story she help me with nothing, I called her husband & he told me to come & negotiate, I went to his home I saw him wearing my ‘G-Unit’ T-shirt, using my phone. Without argument he took me to chief”s caught where I got assaulted, chief’s regimen put me handcuffs & they say I’m an MDC supporter so I must go & ask Tsvangirai to help me, they say I must pay us$150 plus a got for underrate someone’s family, they didn’t allow me to explain.

    This has been a submission by Melous Hlatshwayo. If you have something to share, you too can become a Citizen Journalist by submitting your story here: Citizen Journalism by Living Zimbabwe.

  • Reflections From The Diaspora December 2011

    Reflections From The Diaspora December 2011

    Another Christmas has arrived and I’m compelled to reflect on how the past decade of political and economic meltdown has impacted on Zimbabweans. As I look to the future its had to predict what the future holds for us .The continued political uncertainty in the country coupled with the clouded socio~political environment in South Africa has created increasing insecurities amongst Zimbabwean immigrants. Although I may risk sounding overly pessimistic,but the facts at hand do validate this argument.

    However, most Zimbabweans will take time out from their misery and will be in a nostalgic festive mood during this christmas period. As I write this thousands of my country men and women are embarking on their traditional journey from SA to Zimbabwe to celebrate Christmas. This phenomenon is an iconic display of Zimbabweans ability to look past present difficulties and have another merry Christmas. All this happens despite decade long economic and social reversals which have left our country in the depths of mediocrity in all economic indicators. Our once proud nation is now a subject of international ridicule and alienated from the world economy.

    Thus, do we have any real cause to celebrate as a country and people?What has become of our sense of pride and nationhood? We have become a people who are so indifferent to the plight of each other such that we can afford to indulge in self interests over national concerns.

    The economic crisis has been disastrous to the majority but it has created opportunities to some who will stop at nothing to ensure that the prevailing situation is prolonged.

    Therefore it has become very apparent that the problems of Zimbabwe are much more than just the politicians but also ordinary people are complicity to the tragedy which befell our country. As a people we have failed to look past self interests. We are unable to foster solidarity and commitment to restore our national dignity and international respectability .There is need for a fundamental shift in our national psyche and mindset so that we can be able to unite and reclaim our place in the world of nations.

    This is my on reflection on 2011.

    Article submission by: Chamunorwa Nhau

  • The Cost of A Zimbabwean Dying In The Diaspora

    The Cost of A Zimbabwean Dying In The Diaspora

    A Zimbabwean mother living in the Diaspora lost her son a few days ago. This was a particularly difficult time for her because her husband is still in Zimbabwe putting together the necessary documentation to allow him to join his family. This lady does not have a very strong support network where she resides which means, she has no-one of significance to turn to and has to wait for her husband to make the two to three day journey to be by her side.

    One fact of life that all of us will one-day face is our death. For some, that day comes after a long and hopefully prosperous life. For others, it comes at an unexpected time such as the example above where parents are burying their child.

    Many Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora say they would eventually want to return home at some point to live out the rest of their lives. This for some also holds true in death; some people explicitly state that in the event of their death, they want to be laid to rest at home in African soil.

    Left with such wishes, family members and/or close friends of the deceased pull together to fulfil the wishes of the deceased. Making the wish a reality presents a number of challenges with the main ones being the logistics of repatriating the body and the associated costs. CNN Marketplace Africa recently aired a piece where Robyn Curnow covered what some Zimbabweans living in South Africa go through in the event of a death. It also covers the services a Zimbabwean entrepreneur is providing to try and ease the cost of burying a love one. Its gets you thinking about how prepared you are for such situations.

    Would you rather be buried at home or in the Diaspora?

  • Fire leaves Zimbabaweans Homeless in Durban, South Africa

    On Sat night 2 July, a fire outbreak damaged a building in Central Durban which housed Zimbabwean refugees. The fire destroyed most of their belongings including passports and other personal documentation. This building is one of the many commercial properties in Durban which have been converted to housing, comprised of small sized rooms, by unscrupulous businessmen to exploit desperate Zimbabweans. They are being charged exorbitant rentals in these buildings which are flouting municipal fire and health standards. These buildings are over crowded and have become health hazards due to poor maintenance and overcrowding.

    Most of the Zimbabweans who were victims of this fire are now being housed in homeless shelters in Durban.

    However, according to eye witness accounts at the scene the damage to property could have been minimal if the Fire Department personnel had acted more competently in putting out the fire. In addition, the Municipal Fire Department response to the scene was hours late and the residents helplessly watched as their possessions were consumed by the fire.

    Article submission by: Chamunorwa Nhau

  • Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe Appeal

    Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe Appeal

    Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe is dedicated to the assistance of African children living in disadvantaged communities and children’s homes in Southern Africa. We aim to provide basic education necessities to school going children and where possible, support orphans educational and social needs.

    The VIPZ Assistance Program is an on-going effort by Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe to provide essential items such as clothing, books and school materials to help poverty alleviation in the Southern African region. This year we have managed to collect over 10 000 pens, pencils and rulers, second-hand clothing and children’s books which are all now waiting to be shipped to the target communities.

    Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe intends to personally distribute all items with the assistance of our partners in Zimbabwe and South Africa. We also promise to provide feedback to potential donors by sharing images and information on our website or through various communication mediums.

    The VIPZ Assistance Program assists Groups and children’s homes in the following countries:
    SOUTH AFRICA
    ZIMBABWE

    If you would like to make a personal contribution or donation, please contact Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe for more information on:

    U.K TEL: +44 1204 413839
    EMAIL: enquiries@visioninspiredpeoplezimbabwe.org

    Alternatively visit our website to make an online donation, send a cheque, do an electronic funds transfer or Bank deposit to the following:

    VISION INSPIRED PEOPLE ZIMBABWE LIMITED
    HSBC BOLTON BRANCH
    SORT CODE 40-12-25
    ACCOUNT NO. 32174111
    Victoria Square. Address
    1-3 Victoria Square
    Bolton
    Greater Manchester
    BL1 1RJ

    Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe is dedicated to transparent and efficient delivery of all assistance (monetary/or kind).
    Registered Charitable Company with HMRC’s Gift Aid.
    *NB: Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe is not a FUND, nor are we involved in the child sponsorship selection process.

    Guest submission by: Shabaan @ Vision Inspired People Zimbabwe

  • Happy That Bona Mugabe Was Raped?

    Over the weekend, reports surfaced that a Tracy Guvamombe was allegedly raped by two Tanzanian students in the South East Asian country where she attends university. The twist in this story is that Tracy is Bona Mugabe, the daughter of President Mugabe.

    Without going into the details (which you can read here), the thing that was a little disturbing was the fact that some people found it quite amusing that she went through the ordeal. Some of the comments scattered across the internet include:

    – Now she knows what it is like and what her father has been unleashing on innocent civilians its a pity she is not also made to dance on her parents grave singing mdc songs.
    – Have not heard such good news in a very long time. Nditumireiwo mvura, kwandiri kunopisa.
    – You see God is fair, those who rape other peoples children will also have their children raped. Too bad Bona, you were pretty.
    – let Mugabe and Grace taste their own medicine, girls were raped during his 2008 violent campaign, now zvaitikawo kwake, that is revenge from the all mighty.Cde the same bitterness you feel is exactly how we felt when our beloved ones were raped. Zvaiwana ngwarati
    (note: these are the comments expressed by various individuals across the internet)

    The few listed above are the more “tamer” ones. There are a few out there where the commenters did not hold back any feelings.  The questions at hand is whether or not those types of comments were warranted? Her father is who he is and he has done what he has done. That being said, should she be held accountable for her father’s actions? This is not to say that all the comments that people are making are ones of joy and celebration. Some individuals were unhappy that others were revelling in the fact that someone was raped.

    If Bona was in fact raped, this is a violation of her human rights. Should she not then be accorded the same kind of justice that other victims of this crime seek? Or, is this something that she does deserve because of who she is?

    Share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

  • Zumailer Eusen-Maman | Mr Iron Man Zimbabwe

    Zumailer Eusen-Maman | Mr Iron Man Zimbabwe

    Zumailer is a long standing Mr Iron Man Zimbabwe. At a chance encounter with him at a popular entertainment venue in Harare, he had a small crowd around him. He felt the need to tell people exactly who he was and show them what he is all about.