In recent weeks we have seen more examples of the injustice Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe, is guilty of. This time, it is against the people he claimed to represent when he came to power all those years ago, he demolished the houses and shacks of some of Zimbabwe’s poorest. In past occasions he committed very similar injustices against the white, often rich, farmers of his country, he kicked them of their land and in a lot of cases, out of the country.
The devastation as a result of 'Operation Murambatsvina" (Drive Out Trash).
In his 25 years in power, Mugabe has overlooked the demise of his country from what was once known as "Africa's bread basket" to what is now an extremely poor and oppressive nation. His agriculture policies have caused widespread famine, and when food was offered to his people to save them from the famine, he declined it and denied the very existence of such a famine. All this while Zimbabweans starved.
Mugabe recently saw himself retain his fascistic power over Zimbabwe in an election in which widespread fraud has been shown, and was thus declared invalid by the majority of world leaders. He says that this new term will be his last, but no one doubts that there will be others just as oppressive waiting to take over from him.
I think it's fair to say that something needs to be done. But what? Every western power continues to denounce his regime, but this, if anything, gives Mugabe ammunition. When a nation like England condemns him, he merely turns around to his people and says "Look, the old ruler is trying to control us again, I won't have it!"
When one looks at Africa on the map, one sees that a lot of colonialism went on there. I believe this is where the answer lies. South Africa, once the epitome of colonial injustice could have great influence over the issue. Like Zimbabwe, they suffered under colonial rule. Like Zimbabwe, broke free of colonial rule.
The difference, however, is that the African National Congress (ANC) came to power on a platform of multi-racialism. They believe(d) that the white man had a part to play as long as there was full democracy in the country. In the short time since South Africa's democratic revolution, the country has continued to prosper. Just this week, we saw the Vice-President fired on corruption charges. This demonstrates clearly that democracy is held dear in South Africa, by both its citizens and by its government. The latter clearly does not apply to the Zimbabwean case.
With this in mind, one expects that South Africa, being so close to Zimbabwe, having so much in common with Zimbabwe and having good relations (both trade and otherwise) with Zimbabwe, would speak out against the injustice Mugabe is guilty of. After all, it would have a massive impact as South Africa has so much influence over Mugabe. Economist, Tom Hawkin, has said that "if he [Mbeki] wants to, he can force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table, the exit package, free and fair elections."
Instead, South Africa has tried to find a solution to the problem with "quiet diplomacy". South African Foreign Minister, Nkosazana Dlaminini Zuma, is quoted as saying recently, "South Africa would "never" condemn its Zimbabwean counterpart." This runs blatantly against the principles in which her party, the ANC, was founded on and came to power on. In another example of South African appeasement, President Mbeki declared the recent Zimbabwean elections free and fair, weeks before they took place.
It is clear why South Africa continues to avoid condemning Zimbabwe's regime. To do so would cause the alienation of the Zanu-PF government. The ANC identifies with Zanu-PF because of their history. However, it is clear that both organisations have gone their separate ways, the ANC must accept this. It would catapult Zimbabwe into the kind of accelerated collapse which could have unfavourable consequences for South Africa economically. However, this is no excuse for overlooking the continued Human Right's abuses, in fact, it sounds like something the old Afrikaans leaders would do.
The West can and will continue to report on the atrocities in Zimbabwe, but for various reason, including our history, there is very little we can do to stop them. Instead, it is Zimbabwe's neighbours in Africa who must take action; they hold the key to the people of Zimbabwe's freedom.
In his 25 years in power, Mugabe has overlooked the demise of his country from what was once known as "Africa's bread basket" to what is now an extremely poor and oppressive nation. His agriculture policies have caused widespread famine, and when food was offered to his people to save them from the famine, he declined it and denied the very existence of such a famine. All this while Zimbabweans starved.
Mugabe recently saw himself retain his fascistic power over Zimbabwe in an election in which widespread fraud has been shown, and was thus declared invalid by the majority of world leaders. He says that this new term will be his last, but no one doubts that there will be others just as oppressive waiting to take over from him.
I think it's fair to say that something needs to be done. But what? Every western power continues to denounce his regime, but this, if anything, gives Mugabe ammunition. When a nation like England condemns him, he merely turns around to his people and says "Look, the old ruler is trying to control us again, I won't have it!"
When one looks at Africa on the map, one sees that a lot of colonialism went on there. I believe this is where the answer lies. South Africa, once the epitome of colonial injustice could have great influence over the issue. Like Zimbabwe, they suffered under colonial rule. Like Zimbabwe, broke free of colonial rule.
The difference, however, is that the African National Congress (ANC) came to power on a platform of multi-racialism. They believe(d) that the white man had a part to play as long as there was full democracy in the country. In the short time since South Africa's democratic revolution, the country has continued to prosper. Just this week, we saw the Vice-President fired on corruption charges. This demonstrates clearly that democracy is held dear in South Africa, by both its citizens and by its government. The latter clearly does not apply to the Zimbabwean case.
With this in mind, one expects that South Africa, being so close to Zimbabwe, having so much in common with Zimbabwe and having good relations (both trade and otherwise) with Zimbabwe, would speak out against the injustice Mugabe is guilty of. After all, it would have a massive impact as South Africa has so much influence over Mugabe. Economist, Tom Hawkin, has said that "if he [Mbeki] wants to, he can force Zanu-PF to the negotiating table, the exit package, free and fair elections."
Instead, South Africa has tried to find a solution to the problem with "quiet diplomacy". South African Foreign Minister, Nkosazana Dlaminini Zuma, is quoted as saying recently, "South Africa would "never" condemn its Zimbabwean counterpart." This runs blatantly against the principles in which her party, the ANC, was founded on and came to power on. In another example of South African appeasement, President Mbeki declared the recent Zimbabwean elections free and fair, weeks before they took place.
It is clear why South Africa continues to avoid condemning Zimbabwe's regime. To do so would cause the alienation of the Zanu-PF government. The ANC identifies with Zanu-PF because of their history. However, it is clear that both organisations have gone their separate ways, the ANC must accept this. It would catapult Zimbabwe into the kind of accelerated collapse which could have unfavourable consequences for South Africa economically. However, this is no excuse for overlooking the continued Human Right's abuses, in fact, it sounds like something the old Afrikaans leaders would do.
The West can and will continue to report on the atrocities in Zimbabwe, but for various reason, including our history, there is very little we can do to stop them. Instead, it is Zimbabwe's neighbours in Africa who must take action; they hold the key to the people of Zimbabwe's freedom.
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