Pambazuka News is produced by a pan-African community of some 2,600 citizens and organisations - academics, policy makers, social activists, women's organisations, civil society organisations, writers, artists, poets, bloggers, and commentators who together produce insightful, sharp and thoughtful analyses and make it one of the largest and most innovative and influential web forums for social justice in Africa. 
mdc
Freedom in a fortnight: A view from the trenches
Jenni Williams
2008-07-23, Issue 390
This view represents a consulted way forward recommended by Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA/MOZA). We are an organisation owned by its 60,000 members who hold qualifications in daily survival and degrees in nonviolence despite the deeply polarised political environment in Zimbabwe since 2000. WOZA was born in the community and seeks to draw the attention of preoccupied politicians to people?s needs, namely bread and butter issues; or as WOZA likes to put it, bread and roses issues - bread representing food and roses representing the need for lasting dignity.
Zimbabwe CSO's call for a transitional authority
Zimbabwe Civil Society Organizations
2008-07-17, Issue 389
We, civil society organizations acting on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, today reassert our commitment to the struggle for a transition to democracy. Â In doing so, we stand firmly by the principles of democratic constitutionalism that are embodied in the People's Charter and which represent the birthright of every Zimbabwean. Â ...
Between a political rock and an economic Hard Place
Horace Campbell
2008-07-10, Issue 387
At the summit of the African Union in Ghana in July 2007, Robert Mugabe was given a standing ovation. Later he went outside the conference to deliver a roaring anti–imperialist speech at a huge public rally. At the Nkrumah square Mugabe was hailed as one of the most steadfast revolutionary leaders in Africa. One year later, at the African Union Conference in Cairo, Egypt, Robert Mugabe was shunned by most leaders and condemned by those who opposed the authoritarian and dictatorial methods of rule, writes Horace Campbell
Zimbabwe needs a political settlement
Mpho Ncube
2008-07-09, Issue 387
It is common knowledge that the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC) party won the parliamentary and presidential elections earlier this year. Based on its performance, it would therefore be fair to say that the MDC would probably have also won last week’s presidential run-off had it not pulled out at the last moment. Yet, despite these facts, Zanu-PF still remains in power today. Robert Mugabe has once again outmaneuvered his opponents in Zimbabwe and abroad, writes Mpho Ncube.
A defining moment for Zimbabwe
Bill Saidi
2008-07-03, Issue 385
It may be too early to speak of a positive response to calls for a government of national unity. It would be most encouraging to conclude that both parties are agreed on the essence of a GNU. But this would not be an accurate or even remotely hopeful analysis of the scenario. First, there is the violence in which unarmed citizens have been victims of mayhem. Secondly, there is the unresolved question of who should head this GNU - Tsvangirai or Mugabe. If this were going to turn out to be a defining moment for Zimbabwe, you could argue, with good reason, that both men would lower their own personal expectations in favour of their country’s and their people’s. But would that be realistic? asks Bill Saidi.
Shattered Myths: The xenophobic violence in South Africa
Nathan Geffen
2008-07-03, Issue 385
On Thursday 22 May, Cape Town changed forever. The xenophobic violence that started 1,200 kilometres away in Gauteng spread to Du Noon township. On Friday the TAC offices began to get reports of violence on trains and Somali shops being looted. The details were scanty, but by Friday evening the consequences became visible even in the affluent city centre. About 150 people sought refuge outside Caledon Square, the city's main police station. Hundreds more gathered at the central train station so they could catch a train to Johannesburg in the morning and then leave the country.
Joint Operational Command's strategy for the Presidential run-off poll
Sokwanele
2008-06-25, Issue 384
On the 21st May 2008 the Solidarity Peace Trust (SPT) released a report titled "Punishing Dissent, Silencing Citizens: The Zimbabwe Elections 2008." The report made it very clear that ZANU PF had embarked on a systematic programme of retributive violence in response to its electoral defeat on March 29th 2008. The report included an evaluation of the violence up until that point based on interviews with 681 people. Sokwanele received similar information at the time that confirmed and supported the information that was published in the SPT report. Our source has recently provided us with more information, this time in relation to JOC's preparations and plans for the Presidential run-off poll.
Death Spiral in Zimbabwe: Mediation, violence and the GNU
Grace Kwinjeh
2008-06-19, Issue 382
Rather than deflect and defeat the likelihood of political violence, the construct of a Government of National Unity would formally integrate it into the lifeblood of the Zimbabwean democratic dispensation. For South Africans, this situation recalls the kind of power sharing arrangements that former South African President F W De Klerk had in mind at the start of the 1990s negotiation process, where the share of actual voter support would not determine power arrangements. This proposal was not acceptable in the new South Africa then, and it is not acceptable in the new Zimbabwe now, writes Grace Kwinjeh examining the upcoming Zimbabwe presidential elections rerun.
Unspoken trauma of women in Zimbabwe
Miriam Madziwa
2008-06-05, Issue 378
In addition to the psychological trauma of sexual violence, Miriam Madziwa argues that the violence is likely to have an adverse effect on women's participation in politics into the future.There is haunting weariness in Precious Zhove's eyes as she recounts events leading to her fleeing her home in
The complexities of Zimbabwe
Chido Makunike
2008-05-01, Issue 367
Chido Makunike looks at the various competing interests in Zimbabwe, the MDC, ZANU PF, Mugabe and the West in relation to what the Zimbabwean are hoping to get out of democracy. A month after Zimbabwe’s March 29 elections, the winner of the presidential poll remains unknown.
Zimbabwe: Black America must not be silent
Bill Fletcher, Jr
2008-04-17, Issue 363
For Bill Fletcher, speaking out against Mugabe's excesses does not make one an ally of the Bush or Gordon Brown agenda for Africa, or a supporter of the troubling MDC. In this frank article, he argues that what matters is whether "there is a political environment that advances genuine, grassroots democracy and debate in Zimbabwe." On tough issues such as on Obama or Zimbabwe, Black America has to accommodate and learn from different views and not find agents of 'imperialism' in every voice that is critical - solidarity has to accommodate difference
Thabo Mbeki must reconsider his Zimbabwe position
Azad Essa
2008-04-15, Issue 362
Azad Essa speaks to Grace Kwinjeh, Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Diaspora Forum on South Africa, foreign aid, the MDC and the role of the Zimbabwean diaspora in bringing about change, amongst other things
End the Zimbabwe Political Impasse!
Feminist Political Education Project
2008-04-15, Issue 362
We the under-signed Zimbabwean women, in our capacity as THE FEMINIST POLITICAL EDUCATION PROJECT (FePEP), urgently call for an end to the political impasse that our country is in. Over a week after we voted in the harmonized elections, we note with great dismay that the results of the Presidential elections are yet to be released.
Zimbabwe's political watershed
Paul T Zeleza
2008-04-08, Issue 360
Paul T Zeleza looks at the long road that might yet see Mugabe's downfall and calls for a democracy that ultimately serves the Zimbabwean people through political and economic enfranchisement
COSATU and ZCTU: Election results must be announced
Congress of South African Trade Union
2008-04-08, Issue 360
The Congress of South African Trade Unions and the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions held a meeting this morning, Tuesday 8 April 2008, to receive a report from the ZCTU on the current political crisis in Zimbabwe.
East Africa: Dam to face delays; vulnerability to drought raises questions
2008-04-04, Issue 359
The World Bank is considering financing a hydroelectric dam between Burundi and Tanzania that would boost mining production in East Africa. But in an area prone to drought, particularly with the onset of climate change, questions remain about the pro...
MISA-Zimbabwe on SADC observers
MISA-Zimbabwe
2008-04-01, Issue 358
The SADC Observer Mission to the 2008 elections noted several anomalies that run against the grain of the principles of democratic elections within the southern African region but still endorsed the process leading to the 29 March elections as free and fair....
Mugabe could be history
Mary Ndlovu
2008-03-24, Issue 356
Mary Ndlovu argues that in spite of the obstacles placed by ZANU-PF, Zimbabwean people must at a minimum strive to vote Mugabe out of power and elect a leadership that will unite Zimbabwe, rebuild the economy and deliver justice and healing as opposed to revenge
The SADC facilitation and the Zimbabwe crisis
Brian Raftopoulos
2008-03-24, Issue 356
Brian Raftopoulos argues that the SADC mediated talks between ZANU-PF and MDC were undermined by the unwillingness of Zanu PF to allow for a significant opening up of political spaces in the country. He further argues that SADC's endorsement of an outcome that did not take broad democratic principles into account was in effect an endorsement of Mugabe
Zimbabwe's political roller-coaster hits another deep dip
Patrick Bond and Grace Kwinjeh
2008-03-11, Issue 352
With presidential elections in Zimbabwe just around the corner, Patrick Bond and Grace Kwinjeh look at who the national, regional and international players are, and consider various people-centered alternatives.
Feminist reflections on gender violence, political power and women’s emancipation
From Rhodesia to present day Zimbabwe
Grace Kwinjeh
2007-12-04, Issue 331
Grace Kwinjeh looks at the contradictions of liberation and nationalist parties through the critical eye of feminism.