Reverend Ray Pountney speaks to Mandisa and gives his response to the news that Archbishop Pius Ncube has resigned. He, like many is saddened by the news and gives his message of support to the Archbishop. He also has a strong message for those who he says may be trying to “buy their way into the church.” Then, John chats to Paul Siwela, Leader of ZAPU Federal Party. Siwela gives us his take on the latest political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/callback110907.mp3

Unconfirmed reports say Archbishop Pius Ncube to resign
Several weeks after the state media ambushed the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube, with pictures of an alleged affair with a married woman, we have received unconfirmed reports that the much respected clergyman is due to resign on Tuesday.
 
Teachers go on strike
Teachers under the Progressive Teachers Union went on strike Monday pressing government for a 500 % salary hike. Teachers in Harare reported for duty at their respective schools but soon after clocking in, refused to teach. PTUZ Harare Provincial Chairperson Jacob Rukweza said this will be the strategy until the strike builds momentum.

ZCTU calls for job boycott
Zimbabwe’s main labour union, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, said on Monday that Mugabe has pushed them into staging a two-day strike next week, following his Presidential decree barring wage increases. Mugabe banned all pay rises late last month and handed himself extra powers in a new bid to curb the world’s highest inflation rate.

Mutambara MDC national chairperson arrested
The chairperson of the Mutambara led MDC, Jobert Mudzumwe, was on Monday picked up by the police from his offices in Masvingo and spent five hours at the Law and Order section. He was released without charge.
Mudzumwe told Newsreel he believes he was picked up for organising a meeting that was eventually held at a secret location in the town. He said the meeting had been sanctioned by the police.

Skepticism over talks despite reports of progress
Not many Zimbabweans are convinced that the mediation talks being led by South African President Thabo Mbeki will yield any positive results, despite reports of progress in the media. While both Zanu-PF and the MDC have not uttered a word to the media about the talks, there is speculation that the two sides have agreed on several aspects of the contentious electoral process, ahead of next year’s critical elections.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/newsreel100907.mp3

Dr. Stan Mukasa spells out six conditions for free and fair elections that MDC must not compromise at the talks with ZANUPF in South Africa. Link: http://www.zimaction.com/LFASEP1007.htm
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/lfa100907.mp3

Soldiers from an army training camp at Nyan’ombe in Manicaland are being sent home because of food shortages that have also hit the military bases hard according to Pishai Muchauraya speaks to Tichaona.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/hs100907.mp3

Zimbabwe Vigil members who took part in a special reading outside the Zimbabwe Embassy in London on Saturday talk to Tererai. This was a day before the global readings that took place simultaneously around the world on Sunday, in which thousands of volunteers read poems by Zimbabwean writers Chenjerai Hove, Chirikure Chirikure and Dumbudzo Marechera, and a foreword by Elinor Sisulu to the Gukurahundi reports. The Sunday readings were organised by the International Literature Festival Berlin. Share some powerful moments from the Vigil event on Zim Alive this week.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/zimalive100907.mp3

The Forced Migration Studies Programme at Wits University examined the true extent of illegal border crossings of Zimbabweans into South Africa. Nhlahlandlela was part of the highly sensitive study. In the Money-watch segment, Beki and John discuss the state of the economy.

http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/callback100907.mp3

Peter Weiss Foundation for Art & Politics. Germany. 3rd world-wide reading. The spotlight this year falls on Zimbabwe and this weekend institutions and radio stations all over the world are focusing on the issue of the lack of democracy and press freedom in Zimbabwe, with the reading of poems by Zimbabwean writers Chenjerai Hove, Dambudzo Marechera and Chirikure Chirikure. Also featured in this selection of readings is Elinor Sisulu’s introduction to the book “Gukurahundi in Zimbabwe – A Report on the Disturbances in Matabeleland and the Midlands 1980-1988.” This month sees the tenth anniversary of the release of this report. For more information on the appeal log onto our website www.swradioafrica.com.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/peterweiss090907.mp3

Robbie runs Mukuru.com. It is not all doom and gloom for Zimbabweans in the diaspora, as some like Robbie have turned their hand to business and are going from strength to strength. We catch up with this young entrepreneur. Then Mandisa speaks to Njonjo who relates an incident that happened to him recently that carries a strong message to all Zimbabweans. He ends with the advice – “don’t forget to count the green cars!”
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/Callback090907.mp3

The inventor of the controversial ‘wonder herbal remedy’ Gundamiti, Dr Peter Mashava, is the guest and he discusses the research he does on natural products and herbal remedies for diseases, particularly HIV.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/healthbeat090907.mp3

All eyes are on the political process as it unravels towards the 2008 elections. This week’s contributor is Zimbabwean born author, broadcaster and journalist Norah Spie who looks to the future, from her home in England. She recently published a book called ‘Parallel Lines’ which is a personal reflective diary of her early life, which she hopes sheds light on the Zimbabwean situation, particularly for foreigners.
http://www.2bctnd.net/swradioafrica/podcasts/09/towards090907.mp3