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Zimbabwe a world of wonders: I wonder
Rejoice Ngwenya
September 10, 2012

Exactly fifty-two years ago today, I was born. Rhodesia was highly oppressive, racist and divided. It was an insult to be Black. My parents were third class citizens, treated like animals with no political, economic or social rights. We were outcasts, fit only for cheap labour. White extremism!

In 1980, Joshua Nkomo and Robert Mugabe rode triumphantly into "Zimbabwe", proclaiming a new order of things - mutual respect, dignity and equality. By the mid-1980s, Dr Nkomo was elbowed off the high horse, ushering a 30-year long season of terror, oppression, racism, tribalism and systematic property plunder. Black extremism!

President Robert Mugabe-s ZANU-PF insists they 'brought democracy-. Real democracy is colour blind. Citizens are not bludgeoned into electoral submission. Unlike White Rhodesia, we now expect all citizens - black and white - to freely marvel at the 'wonders- of our country. From the undulating highlands of Nyanga, the roaring falls on the Zambezi River, the infectious granites of Matopos to the towering chevrons of the Zimbabwe Ruins. This is the world of wonders we want World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) delegates to experience in August 2013. Yet we, citizens of this nation, are tormented.

Unless there is a miracle and ZANU-PF suddenly tolerates political competition, 2013, will be another dangerous era for Zimbabweans. Says Dr Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General "UNWTO" is guided by the belief that tourism can make a meaningful contribution to people-s lives and our planet. This conviction is at the very heart of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism (GCET), a roadmap for tourism development..."

Ethics for tourism? Yea. 'A fundamental frame of reference for responsible and sustainable tourism, GCET is a comprehensive set of principles designed to guide key-players in tourism development . . . to help maximize the sector-s benefits while minimizing its potentially negative impact on the environment, cultural heritage and societies across the globe-. Article 1 acknowledges tourism's contribution to mutual understanding and respect between peoples and societies. Article 2 portrays tourism as a vehicle for individual and collective fulfillment: 'tourism activities should respect the equality of men and women; they should promote human rights and, more particularly, the individual rights of the most vulnerable groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples-.

This ideology is alien to ZANU-PF. When Zimbabwe won the 2013 bid, Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi described the signing ceremony, as historic. He opined: "We are dealing with our political problems from within and are happy about our progress. We are communicating a message of peace and tranquility." Peace and tranquility? Tell this to the Save Valley Conservancy. It was formed 11 years after independence in 1991 with the approval of the Zimbabwe Government, National Parks, assisted by an IFC Loan, WWF and Beit Trust. 21 years after, it is the same government - or at least the ZANU-PF side of it - wielding the horror axe of expropriation, chopping the conservancy and handing it over the pieces to compliant party cronies. A world of wonders, indeed!

But if you were born today like me, give up your birthday present in honour of the citizens of this country whose property rights continue to be demolished. Consider the fate of 'the individual rights of the most vulnerable groups, notably children, the elderly, the handicapped, ethnic minorities and indigenous peoples- of Save Valley. Pray and hope that this ZANU-PF insanity ends now. Otherwise, Dr Taleb Rifai and his UNWTO family must remain confined only to civilised Zambia where tourism is not used as a weapon of 'mass- destruction.

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