PEOPLE, PEOPLE of Zimbabwe, what are we doing to ourselves? We have gone from the
cheapest place in the World to live, to now easily the most expensive place in the World to
live, and we have only ourselves to blame. We seem to think that because we have all held
out so long here in Zimbabwe, against all odds, that now Zimbabwe and everyone who is
left owes us a favour.
The whole country except maybe some poor unfortunate workers who are getting ripped
off by their employers, is now operating in foreign currency in one form or another. Since
we are now dealing in foreign currency we need to throw away our mindset that we pick
up our calculators and start hitting the 0's to calculate what we are now going to pass on
to the next person.
In the rest of the world, investors are lucky to get 10% a year on their money, possibly a
good business that can rotate its product every month, might achieve close to 100%.
Here everyone who hears that someone , knows someone, that might need something,
adds their 30 or 40% to the commodity before it gets to the person who is finally stupid
enough to buy it, and this disease is spreading.
We are even beginning to hurt ourselves across the borders, because some businesses
there are realizing just how stupid us Zimbabweans are at parting with our money, and are
increasing their prices there as well. By the time it hits our streets its more than 3 times
the value of what it actually costs in SA.. You will also notice, the smallest denomination
we use is R10 or USD1, there is a lot of change in between if you put a value to it, in SA ,
you could get 2 loaves of bread for R10. Silver doesn't exist.
Most people in the country who are trading in one form or another are literally doubling
their foreign currency every week or turnaround, that puts their profits into the 1000% in
less than a year, its not a wonder that people and businesses outside the country are
looking at sending money and commodities on credit to their friends and families still here
to sell. They can invest their money much better that way.
I know that I am painting everyone with the same brush here, there are exceptions, but
they are few are far between, and to them I apologize, but we need to all pull together to
stop this rot.
Its time that Import Parity and competition stepped in, be realistic, it is real money we are
now dealing with no longer the useless paper that we have had in the past. The value does
not change overnight like it used to, as with our Zim dollar which could triple overnight, it
is the same real money that our friends and neighbours have been using next door for
years, and it hardly moves.
Another thing while I am about it, guys stop being so quick to flick between US and Rand.
When you are charging for labour you are inclined to charge in US, because it gives the
impression that it is 10 times less than Rand. I personally had a 7 minute mechanical job
done for me the other day, and it cost USD 50, hey that is R500. This is more than a Brain
Surgeon charges for a 15 minute consultation, and the job was done by a spanner boy.
Yes, I'm guilty I was part of the rot, but the job had been done, and I was stupid enough
not to get a quote before hand, so I paid.
What about bribing to get things done, I know its a schlep, and we all do it, but lets all try
not to wherever possible. You may be interested to know that it works, I took a personal
stand the other day, when I was caught talking on a cell phone whilst driving. I had to go
to court, because I refused to pay a bribe.
2 weeks later I appeared in court, where once again I was given the option by the Court
Officials and the Policemen to pay R300 and my problem would disappear, I can tell you
that by then because of the time wasting, I was ready to, but I did not. After about 3 hrs, I
stood before the magistrate and was given a Z$ 20 fine ( worth about R,0001 ) at the time,
or an option to do 10 days in Jail. I naturally opted for the fine, but felt like asking if the
food was free for the 10 days because it might have been an option!
Someone in the Fines office did benefit because the smallest note that was in circulation
at the time was about $1000, and I did not wait for my change.
Guys it can be done, Its not the Government or the Fat Cats we can blame here anymore,
its ourselves, we are making our own Fat Cats, lets all try to stop this rot, if someone is
ripping it, tell them, and if its you, stop it, even if we have to embarrass each other in
public, lets do so, so that we can get back to some sort of normality and at least get value
for our hard earned foreign currency.
The most adaptable people in the world us Zimbabweans have managed to survive against
all sorts of odds, to get to this stage, and everyone out there is cheering us on and ready
to support us, as has been evident with the fantastic support of our old folk, in these dying
moments, lets not lose sight of the bigger picture, by stabbing ourselves in the back.
Louise Husband
Our Dear Mum passed away on 31st January 2009 at Pukekohe hospital in New Zealand
surrounded by her family. Louise was a long time resident of Bulawayo and moved to New
Zealand 6 years ago.
She fought a brave and courageous battle with illness for the last 5 months.
David, Beryl, Kimberley and Mathew (Patumahoe, New Zealand)
dave@earthcocivil. com
Dearest Toni, David, Ben and Erin
Our love thoughts and prayers are with you. Patrick was a truly special person, an
inspiration to us all.
Bulawayo was privileged to have known such a great man, an immeasurable loss.
With love to you, Toni, and your 3 beautiful children,
Murray, Caroline and Aidan Osborne
Tony and Cynthia Osborne
Harry and Kathy Kew
Murray & Caroline Osborne
osborne@yoafrica. com
Patrick Mann
To Toni and your 3 lovely children. We were so sorry to hear that one of Bulawayo's
greatest people has been taken from us so soon. Toni, words cannot begin to express
how sad we feel for you and your family, Patrick was such a wonderful, funny and kind
person. He will be missed by a great many people, and we hope and pray that you are
able to be strong and get through this difficult time. I know that everyone holds a special
memory of Paddy to take with them and his life will be celebrated a great deal. Our
thoughts are with you Toni, and again we are so sorry. Lots of love, Nicky, Mitch, Nicholas
and Kieran McNab, Chelmsford, UK
nixmcnab@talktalk. net
PATRICK MANN
It is so sad that it has to take the death of a very special person in the Bulawayo
Community to bring about the formation of a wake to end all wakes.
Patrick's funeral was held on the 8th green of the Bulawayo Country Club, and hundreds of
mourners made their way across the verdant fields of the Gold Course, to be with the
Family on a very sad day in the lives of so many.
Bulawayo, nay Matabeleland, nay Zimbabwe, will be the poorer from the passing of Patrick
and although it was a sad occasion, it brought heart and hope to the many people who
turned out to bid him farewell. A gathering of this size and stature has not been seen in
Bulawayo for many years.
The rain held off until very late, (which Patrick had no doubt arranged) but rain to a
Matabele is the ultimate gift.
Our love to Toni and the Children and to Patrick's family who gathered from all over the
world and our thanks to Des and Patrick's "mates" for bringing us all together.
Rest in Peace.
HOLMES - Herbert Alexander Geddes - "Bunny"
Bunny Holmes passed away peacefully on Thursday, 29 January, 2009 in Hampshire, UK at
age 91 years. Dearly loved husband of Marge for 62 years, devoted and much loved father
of Betty, Marilyn and Colleen, much admired father in law of Gavin Chisholm and David
Eldridge, adored grandfather of Nicola and Neal, Heidi and Blair, Glenn and Jo, Kerry Lee
and Ed and Greg. Great grandfather "Flops" to Fergus, Caleb, (Lincoln), Felix, Asha,
Alexander and Macklin. The heart of our family he will be sorely missed and as his 5 year
old great grand-daughter said after returning from a recent visit to Hampshire - "Flops is
the best grampa ever, he keeps heaps of chocolate hidden in his cupboard, he lets us eat
as much as we like and NEVER EVER tells!"
Rest in Peace Dad we love you.
Betty Chisholm: betty.chisholm@ argosyminerals. com.au
DR PAZVA - CONDOLENCES TO DR PAZVAS FAMILY IN HARARE FROM CHANTY AND
KEANO KLEIN
CONDOLENCES
MANN - PATRICK.
TONI AND FAMILY WE ARE SO VERY VERY SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR LOSS. HE WAS A GREAT
MAN AND WILL BE SORELY MISSED
PETE, ROSAAN, CHANIE AND JAY
PATRICK MANN
The Directors, Management and staff of Servcor (PVT) Ltd would like to extend their
condolences to the Mann family at their sad loss.
Condolence Message
MRS. THECLA EASTON MITCHELL passed away in Ermillo, SA on Friday 2nd January
2009.
Deepest Sympathies to Brendan Mitchell and his family on the loss of his
mum.
From Directors, Management and staff C.T. Bolts and Mealie Brand.
Condolences
DANIELS - Geoff.
Our deepest sympathy to the family on the passing of Geoff. We have many good
memories of the days at BAC playing squash.
Warren and Lorna Blencoe
PLEASE HELP US TO HELP THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Thank you to the wonderful people of Bulawayo for all the goods which have been
donated. Please keep bringing all your unwanted goods. All money taken at the shop goes
directly to running our kennels. There is enormous pressure on the kennels and clinic in
these difficult times and every little bit helps such a lot. We take anything such as books,
magazines, bottles, plastic bottles, HTH bottles, records, patterns, ornaments, pictures,
picture frames, cutlery, crockery, newspapers, costume jewelry, used cards, electrical
appliances dead or alive, clothing, games, games equipment, jam jars, in fact anything you
do not want we can make use of. We are situated between 14th and 15th Avenues, Robert
Mugabe Way. Tel 69814, shop hours 9am -12pm and 2pm - 4pm except Monday
mornings, Alternate Saturday mornings 9am - 10.45am Thank you for keeping our
shop going. Why not pop in and browse. We have a satellite dish, LNB and cable for sale,
ask at the counter, also brand new ballet and tap shoes size 7. We have an urgent appeal
from our kennels for old newspapers..
If you have lost your pet please call the SPCA kennels. If you see an animal in distress
please call the SPCA kennels. All too often we find animals run over and injured when a
simple call to the SPCA could save their lives. Tel: 66578/66593
Missing from Malindela since 18 January MACKIE 18 month old, medium size male, brown
with a white chest, no collar. Contact Berry at the kennels 66578
Found Ilanda - Elderly black and white Jack Russell X Foxy male
Burnside - Black Lab X Ridgeback Female
Woodlands - Black and Tan male cross breed, very nice nature
Parklands - Black and Tan male cross breed
Town Centre - Brown male cross breed - young dog
"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched people's lives as much as adversity. Out of
pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, the most poignant poems, the most
gripping stories and the most inspired lives. " (Billy Graham - I think !)
JOIN THE HUNGER STRIKE OR SIGN THE SAVE ZIMBABWE NOW PETITION
The Save Zimbabwe Now campaign is coordinating the hunger strike:
http://www.savezimb abwenow.com
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE MIRROR CAN ONLY DEAL WITH E MAIL QUERIES, PLEASE DO NOT PHONE IN YOUR ADVERTS AND QUERIES... ONLY E-MAILS WILL BE CONSIDERED
