<http://www.thestar.co.za/general/print_article.php?fArticleId=2466393&fSectionId=225&fSetId=505>
The Star Economic woes have hit the rural areas the hardest By Lucia Mutikani Chinamhora, Zimbabwe - Whatever the outcome of the parliamentary elections, few Zimbabweans believe it will do much to reverse their dire economic problems. Inflation is running at 127%, one of the highest rates in the world, while the economy has shrunk by about 30% in the past five years. Over 400 companies have shut down since 2000, leaving four in every five Zimbabweans unemployed. Critics say 25 years of mismanagement by President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF government has brought the once-thriving agricultural economy to its knees. Many blame Mugabe's forcible seizure of white-owned commercial farms, which began in 2000. His international isolation has soured relations with donors. Two-thirds of Zimbabwe's workforce, or 3,4-million people, are believed to have left the country over the past five years, depriving the country of skilled labour, especially in the vital health and education sectors. Although still seen as Mugabe's main power base, the rural poor have increasingly borne the brunt of the economic and political crisis. "Life has become really difficult. Everything, particularly food, is very expensive. We want a better life, but I don't think that will come with the elections. I am just going to vote because I have a duty," said former bank employee John Mawire. An air of despondency hangs over some rural areas and few residents believe the vote will herald a change in fortunes. "The government was doing fine, but they have lost the plot. The Zimbabwe dollar continues to fall; we are not even sure it's still there because we now have these bearer cheques, which also don't buy much," said Mawire, who ekes out a living growing tomatoes in Chinamhora, north of Harare, since losing his job. Zimbabwe introduced bearer cheques two years ago after the country ran out of banknotes. Analysts have criticised Mugabe - who during the election campaign publicly acknowledged hunger problems for the first time - for sidestepping the issue of the crumbling economy. The 81-year-old leader has denied his policies are to blame for the country's economic woes, instead focusing Zanu-PF's campaign on attacking British Prime Minister Tony Blair, whom he accuses of economic sabotage and of trying to recolonise Zimbabwe. - Reuters. -- ----------------- R. A. Hettinga <mailto: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Internet Bearer Underwriting Corporation <http://www.ibuc.com/> 44 Farquhar Street, Boston, MA 02131 USA "... however it may deserve respect for its usefulness and antiquity, [predicting the end of the world] has not been found agreeable to experience." -- Edward Gibbon, 'Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire' ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> DonorsChoose. A simple way to provide underprivileged children resources often lacking in public schools. Fund a student project in NYC/NC today! http://us.click.yahoo.com/EHLuJD/.WnJAA/cUmLAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: [email protected] Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
