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| Thread ID: 95881 | 2008-12-19 19:58:00 | Zimbabwe - What do you think will happen, long-term? | Strommer (42) | PC World Chat |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 731072 | 2008-12-21 09:38:00 | If you want an inkling of what possibly lies ahead for Zimbabwe, read Tim Butcher's Blood River. It is an account of his overland journey through the Congo (formerly Zaire, Belgian Congo) in 2004. 100 years ago, this huge country had roads, railways, paddle-steamers, hospitals, a whole civilised economy. It was also being pillaged by Europeans for its mineral wealth, but even so, it was a functioning nation. Today the railways and roads are buried in the jungle. People live in simple huts as they have for thousands of years. The lives of millions of Congolese consists of bare survival coupled with sudden bouts of terror as armed bands descend on villages. Its easier to steal food, especially when you have guns. Butcher makes the point that there would be few places in the world where the average person is worse off today than they were 100 years ago. If Zimbabwe is to avoid this descent into primitive history it will need a strong decent leader. The odds are slim because the military won't want to give up their power and wealth. Its a sobering and sad prospect. |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 731073 | 2008-12-21 11:18:00 | After a brief period experiencing civilization, for better or for worse, the indigenous population is now returning back to the stone age/hunter-gatherer status of their recent ancestors. | zqwerty (97) | ||
| 731074 | 2008-12-21 18:19:00 | Ian Smith ex fighter pilot RAF wasn't such a bad dude after all. | prefect (6291) | ||
| 731075 | 2008-12-21 19:47:00 | After a brief period experiencing civilization, for better or for worse, the indigenous population is now returning back to the stone age/hunter-gatherer status of their recent ancestors. Yes. That sounds like a harsh judgement but it is fair comment. Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, both Congos (there are two, French and Belgian), and the Sudan are all torn by rebel militias which burn villages and kill at will. However what we see today in Central Africa is not exactly a return to the 19th century. In the past, each village had its leader, and each region a tribal leader. Those leaders were answerable to their people and life was comparatively peaceful. The AK47 did not exist. Nor did the outside demand for gold, diamonds, cobolt, copper, minerals etc. Today groups of armed militia roam at will across borders, trading in diamonds etc, taking what they want when they want. Local officials are unpaid by governments so corruption is rife. There is no law and order, not even in the old tribal sense. Central Africa is the most dangerous place in the world for UN peacekeepers and aid workers. They are too few among populations of hundreds of millions. It's counterintuitive to our democratic senses but maybe the best hope for Zimbabwe would be occupation by armed UN forces until enough educated local people can take the reins of power. |
Winston001 (3612) | ||
| 731076 | 2008-12-21 19:47:00 | Ian Smith ex fighter pilot RAF wasn't such a bad dude after all. You don't have to read a book to know that all African countries so far were better off under white rule. Does that sound racist?,if so give us an example of otherwise.! The quality of fair play that pervades our culture,simply does not exist in theirs. |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 731077 | 2008-12-21 20:23:00 | And don't think Zim will be better off with Tsivarangi in charge - definitely not, he's just a small version of Mugabe. They are scr*w*d, whatever happens. sarel |
sarel (2490) | ||
| 731078 | 2008-12-21 21:00:00 | And don't think Zim will be better off with Tsivarangi in charge - definitely not, he's just a small version of Mugabe. They are scr*w*d, whatever happens. sarel As is the rest of Africa,till they ask us back to run things,I am not holding breath for that occasion. |
Cicero (40) | ||
| 731079 | 2008-12-21 21:44:00 | As I was not there at the time I am hardly in a position to know what happend . I truely hate that arguement, i really do, *** grow some balls and have an opinion, stop trying to cover your ass and just say what you want to say . If you disagree with history then say so . I hate these lil 'I wasnt there so I cant possibly know' crap answers . Sorry, end rant . |
rob_on_guitar (4196) | ||
| 731080 | 2008-12-21 23:40:00 | Exchange rate today: NZD1.00 = ZWD506,267.50 :( At least your mental arithmetics would have to be up to scratch! Or be forced to carry a calculator (worth millions of ZWD!) around with you at all times... |
johcar (6283) | ||
| 731081 | 2008-12-22 01:31:00 | Its all the white peoples fault, if you deny it you are racist. | prefect (6291) | ||
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