As the Mugabe family celebrated the festive season in Singapore many Zimbabweans wished them a long stay there – preferably a permanent one. Acting President Mnangagwa would win a few friends (rare enough) if he were to ensure this.
Not that the Vigil has any confidence in a regime led by Mnangagwa whose teeth are stained by the blood of thousands. But anything is better than Mugabe’s dead hand at the tiller. And change at the top will further expose the contradiction in Zanu PF: how long can the chefs flaunt their looted wealth, their flashy clothes and cars, in the face of the impoverished who have only the delusional ZimAsset to look forward to?
On a cold and wet Saturday in London we staged a little tableau inspired by pictures of Mugabe’s holiday feast in Singapore. Thanks to Fungayi Mabhunu for donning our Mugabe mask and tucking in to deep-fried Mujuru accompanied by pickled sweetmeats. Posters reading: ‘Christmas in Singapore,’ ‘Don’t come back’ and ‘Stay away Mugabe’ were held up by Helen Rukambiro, Ishmael Makina, Paul Fusire, Tryness Ncube and Tanyaradzwa Dhundu.
In the English winter we are warmed by Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi’s proposal to establish 10 family theme parks for poor civil servants and other unemployed people. They must develop a ‘holidaying culture’ in the national interest, he said. That, friends, is Zimbabwe 2015 (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/news/zimsit-m-govt-to-make-recreation-affordable/ – Govt to make recreation affordable).
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Today’s diary carries the second of a three-part summary of our 2014 diaries. They show how we have tried (unsuccessfully) to encourage European support for freedom and the rule of law in Zimbabwe. We intend to continue this struggle in 2015.