Getting Up to Speed on the Tragedy that is Zimbabwe

  Jamie Glazov conducts an insightful and important interview with Geoffrey Nyarota, founder and former editor in chief of The Daily News, Zimbabwe's only independent newspaper.   He was awarded the World Association of Newspapers 2002 Golden Pen of Freedom in recognition of his outstanding service to the cause of press freedom in the face of constant persecution. He was forced to flee from the country to seek refuge in the United States.  He became a Nieman Fellow at  Harvard University and subsequently a fellow of the Shorenstein Center for the Press, Politics and Public Policy as well as of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, both also at Harvard.

Most recently Nyarota has authored Against the Grain which, according to Glazov's introduction, "discusses the trials and tribulations of the independent press under President Mugabe’s authoritarian regime in Zimbabwe.  The book also traces the decline of  Zimbabwe from the bread-basket of southern Africa to a basket itself, while highlighting the betrayal of the citizens of Zimbabwe by the former heroes who led them to independence from colonial rule in 1980."

Many of us know that Zimbabwe is a country in chaos, but our specific knowledge may be superficial and diffuse.  This interview fills in the picture.  In the interview, Nyarota tells Glazov that

original progressive developments have now been overshadowed over the past few years by retrogressive government policies, which have seen the standard of life deteriorate in the face of a serious economic meltdown. Shortages of commodities have become endemic while commodity prices have become unaffordable for the majority of the population. Unemployment now runs at more than 70 percent, with the rate of year-on-year inflation at 1,200 percent, by far the highest in the world. Not only has rampant corruption become entrenched, but the government has suppressed the democratic rights of citizens. Popular opposition to the government has been violently suppressed. Political violence and abuse of power and human rights have become prevalent.

I will lift a few other quotes from the interview which really needs to be read in its entirety.

There was not much of an outcry when thousands – some put the figure at 20,000 – innocent Ndebele peasants were massacred by Mugabe’s Five Brigade during the Gukurahundi Atrocities from 1982 to 1986.

Every election since 1980 has been an occasion for ruthless political violence, perpetrated mainly by the ruling Zanu-PF party’s militants and youth brigade. Political opposition has been violently suppressed. Once in a while statements have been issued in Western capitals condemning such violence, but they have mostly been of a token nature and significance. Meanwhile, the rights of citizens have continued to be trampled upon by their elected government with total impunity on the part of the perpetrators. . . .

The black population of Zimbabwe  was born a loser.  they suffered the effects of oppression, denial and humiliation under the white settler regime.  Now they suffer the same fate under a popularly elected black government . . . 

Coverage of Zimbabwe in the Western media is also hampered by the dismissal by the Mugabe regime of most western correspondents from the country. They are forced to cover Zimbabwe from Johanesburg in South Africa - certainly not the most ideal situation for cojmprehensive coerage of an otherwise complex story. 

. . . . In simple terms, democracy is incompatible with dictatorship and corruption. A free press undermines the security of any tyrant. Once a dictator goes or is removed from office suppressed democracy immediately emerges.

. . . .  I am finalizing preparations for the launch of a quality online newspaper. The Zimbabwe Times is due for launch this month. We are planning to create a reliable and credible source of news and information about Zimbabwe  for the benefit of Zimbabweans in and out of the country and of non-Zimbabweans around the world with an interest in developments in a country with potential for vast economic growth and development.  My personal belief is that the madness  that currently embraces and destroys our nation cannot be the final destiny of that beautiful and potentially prosperous nation.

 Of course, my undying ambition is to put another real newspaper on the streets of Harare  in the not-too-distant future.