Saturday, March 13, 2010


Wow, thank you all for your amazing support. Its been a long hard 6 months but with your support Mum says she will keep me writing...sigh, my writing...but I promise, I will try!!
Mum arranged for me to become the dad of a litter of Boerbul pups so yesterday I was practicing with the lady who came to visit. Now we wait patiently for the next few months to see if and when our babies will be born. I did so love bringing up the lion cubs that were sent to me by the park in 2008 so it will be great if I can have another little pup around for company soon.
Mum has been really busy recently. Over 30 years ago Zimbabwe became independent from their colonial parent and we began a new journey of freedom for all races. For years our leader told us all that we were welcome and we were all Zimbabweans. Then in 1998 our leadership decided they needed to change the land ownership patterns in Zim. Over the next 10 years we have had a huge social upheaval here with over 4 million people leaving their home country in search of a safe place to live. Families have been split up with people moving into the Diaspora...children left behind with grand parents and family while parents have left to find work to be able to support their families. Many thousands of farm labourers have been displaced from their homes and have lost their jobs. Fod security has been lost.
In February 2009 after nearly a year of negotiation, a Government of National Unity (GNU) was formed and we thought we were moving into a new era of development. Over the past year the members of the GNU have continued to negotiate to find a power balance with some success. A month ago the Ministry of Indiginisation promulgated regulations which effectively deprive all non "indigenous" Zimbabweans from owning their whole business .... they have to hand over 51% of their businesses to an Indigenous Zimbabwean.
Sadly this means that people like mum, whose families have been in Africa for over 200 years, as well as those of her friends who have families that came to the Cape in 1652, and who are classified as Non Indigenous Zimbabweans (NIZ) by virtue of the fact that they were part of a privileged class prior to 1980, will NEVER be classified as an Indigenous Zimbabwean and so they will never again be allowed to own their own businesses. There is a list of businesses NIZ cannot own, including agriculture, and agricultural land. Mum's family have been farmers in Africa for over 200 years! If they fail to hand over 51% of their businesses to an Indigenous Zimbabwean (as per a list of recommended recipients available from the Ministry) then they will be jailed for 5 years.
Mum's family have NO links to Europe or Asia or the Americas. They have been Africans for so long that the links that may have been there are long gone.
licks and growls till next time
Musole

11 comments:

  1. We live our lives thinking this or that is unfair, but truly you are facing one of the most unfair things I have heard of. Musole I hope you have beautiful pups er well if they look like you, only kidding.
    Grumpy Bobby.

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  2. Thanks fur sharing this about your khountry -

    Things like this are what makes our blogosphere so khool!

    As fur the pups, how nice of woo to prakhtice with your lady pal!

    Paws khrossed fur some pup pup puppies!

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra & Khousin Merdie

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  3. We have been having very bad things happening here in Mexico but what you are facing there sure does not seem fair.
    I hope everything goes well to you.
    Let us know about your puppies Musole!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  4. We've been following the news of your country and think it's just astonishing what's going on. Sadly, we see that sort of thing spreading - and it's frightening. You are in our prayers.
    Play bows,
    Zim

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  5. Just stopping by because our friend Stella told us about you guys. :)

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  6. Hey Musole! This is such a terrible and wrong thing to happen. How does it happen? Who chooses the indigenous person to have 51 per cent of your business? I assume this person is not a working partner but someone you hand your money to?? What are you going to do?

    I hope you find your lady friend is with pup, and we shall be excited to see what comes!

    Good wishes for some social change!

    Stella (and Jo)

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  7. Hi guys. We are taking it one day at a time at the moment. Thank you so much for your prayers and support.

    There is a list of beneficiaries which is held by the Ministry. We wait to see what happens in the meetings being held to see if there can be any changes made to the law.

    licks and barks
    Musole and Simply Simon

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  8. We stopped by because Stella mentioned you. We have followed the misfortunes of your country, as well. But you make it more personal. Hope you're going to be a father.

    XXXOOO Daisy, Kendra & Bella

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  9. Hey there Musole

    Im sorry I missed this post...but Im back now! Gee...just when you thought things couldn't get worse! Oh dear!
    My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire extended family! Hang in there my friend. Drop me a note sometime about how you are doing! I worry about you guys!
    Lotsalicks
    MAXDOG

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  10. ♥Keeping you close to our hearts in prayer♥

    Friends of Maxdog in the US

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  11. Thinking of you all and sending lotsaluv!
    MAXMOM

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