Contrary to the suggestion by one commentator that Zimbabweans in the diaspora are always looking for bad news about home, we at the Vigil search desperately for something good to say about Zimbabwe. But it is difficult to ignore surveys such as one just published by the respected Economist Intelligence Unit, which judged Harare the worst city to live in of all 140 examined (outside war zones such as Tripoli in Libya). (check: Study says Zimbabwe capital worst city to live in –http://ap-zimbabwecapitalworstcity.notlong.com).  

Some of the reasons for this dismal assessment were raised in a report in the Zimbabwe Independent (see: http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/sep3_2011.html#Z8 - GNU presides over social service decay). It spoke of the suffering caused by the deterioration of social services, the unreliable water and electricity supplies and the ‘culture of greed’ among politicians. The report added that the indigenization policy threatened to end up like the chaotic land reform programme.  

Certainly there is nothing in the Independent’s report to spur the return of exiles – especially as two and a half years after the signing of the GPA it is clear to the Vigil that Zanu PF has no intention of ever implementing the agreement. It is apparently now obvious even to President Zuma, judging from the details revealed of his report on Zimbabwe at the recent SADC summit in Luanda. He said the failure to implement agreements between the parties was the major stumbling block in his mediation efforts. We, at the Vigil, know that Zanu PF is responsible. The question is: what is Zuma going to do about it? He must see that the longer he puts off action the worse the situation will become. 

The interests of Zuma and Mugabe are sharply divergent – symbolised by the sad convoy of Libyan Embassy staff expelled from Zimbabwe for coming out on the side of the people. Mugabe stands shoulder to shoulder with the most monstrous regimes in the world. But despite its tired ‘liberation’ rhetoric, South Africa realises that the world has moved on and that Libya has changed. South Africa’s duty is to make Zimbabwe move on too (see: No GPA implementation spirit in govt: Zuma – http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/sep3_2011.html#Z4).

 On another matter, the Vigil wishes to draw attention to a protest outside the Swaziland High Commission in London on Tuesday 6^th September from 12.30 – 1.30 pm (see ‘Events and Notices’ for more details). The Vigil has been told by sources in the High Commission how King Mswati was thrown into a panic by the recent protests against him  in London. When the organiser of the Swazi vigil, Thobile Gwebu, was threatened with deportation from the UK, two senior police officers were sent over to London in the hope of taking custody of her. Fortunately she has been allowed to stay in the UK. We were also informed that the king’s last minute change of hotels for the Royal Wedding in London was because the Dorchester asked him to go elsewhere because of the vigil we helped organise outside.    

For latest Vigil pictures check: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zimbabwevigil/. Please note: Vigil photos can only be downloaded from our Flickr website – they cannot be downloaded from the slideshow on the front page of the Zimvigil website.  

FOR THE RECORD: 57 signed the register.  

EVENTS AND NOTICES:
·         The Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe (ROHR) is the Vigil’s partner organisation based in Zimbabwe. ROHR grew out of the need for the Vigil to have an organisation on the ground in Zimbabwe which reflected the Vigil’s mission statement in a practical way. ROHR in the UK actively fundraises through membership subscriptions, events, sales etc to support the activities of ROHR in Zimbabwe.
·         ZBN News. The Vigil management team wishes to make it clear that the Zimbabwe Vigil is not responsible for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Network News (ZBN News). We are happy that they attend our activities and provide television coverage but we have no control over them. All enquiries about ZBN News should be addressed to ZBN News.
·         The Zim Vigil band (Farai Marema and Dumi Tutani) has launched its theme song ‘Vigil Yedu (our Vigil)’ to raise awareness through music. To download this single, visit: www.imusicafrica.com and to watch the video check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QukqctWc3XE.
·      Swazi Protest. Tuesday 6^th September from 12.30 – 1.30 pm. Venue: outside the Swaziland High Commission, 20 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6LB. Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), successor organization to the Anti-Apartheid Movement is holding the demonstration in support of an international day of action to highlight the lack of democracy and human rights in Swaziland.
·         ROHR Manchester Meetings. Saturday 10^th September (committee meeting from 11 am – 1 pm, general meeting from 2 – 5 pm). Venue: The Salvation Army Citadel, 71 Grosvenor Road, Manchester M13 9UB.  Contact; Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353. Future meetings:  8^th October, 12^th November, 10^th December. Same times / venue.
·         ROHR Manchester Vigil. Saturday 24^th September from 2 – 5 pm. Venue: Cathedral Gardens, Manchester City Centre (subject to change to Piccadilly Gardens). Contact; Delina Tafadzwa Mutyambizi 07775313637, Chamunorwa Chihota 07799446404, Panyika Karimanzira 07551062161, Artwell Pfende 07886839353. Future demonstrations: 29^th October, 26^th November, 31^st December. Same time and venue.
·         Vigil Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=8157345519&ref=ts.
·         Vigil Myspace page: http://www.myspace.com/zimbabwevigil.
·         ‘Through the Darkness’, Judith Todd’s acclaimed account of the rise of Mugabe.  To receive a copy by post in the UK please email confirmation of your order and postal address to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and send a cheque for £10 payable to “Budiriro Trust” to Emily Chadburn, 15 Burners Close, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 0QA. All proceeds go to the Budiriro Trust which provides bursaries to needy A Level students in Zimbabwe.