A PUB conversation last night gave me hope. It went into the late hours of the night focussed solely on Zimbabwe, well on the talks between the Zanu PF party and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change parties.
It was clear that Zimbabweans are not idling around. They are engaging, engaged.
For a change individuals and politicians (Zimbabwean) are 'wising' up. But, the media is making news from opinion. They are topsy-turvy looking for a breaking story – that one breaking story – to be the leader – to justify their existence. Afterall, they are protestors disguised as reporters.
In muddling things up, they are making up news and making news about no news. Respectable media organisations are catching the bug and sneezing. Their outlets ooze out opinions that lead to more opinions, classified as news. Well they determine the news! Or do they? Or is news determined?
Other more ingenious outlets are improvising – to ‘easily navigate the Pretoria-Talks-news-embargo, yet the embargo baffles them, baffles us. I have to admit. The political gossip that seeps from the ever-widening network or gyre of media cognoscenti is mind-boggling. It rotates clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere! Interesting!
Some political commentators have disappeared; leaving editors at the mercy of an ‘angry readership’ – angered by lack of info/news or their former misfiring.. But there’s no news on the Talks! Report that there’s no news? So do you abandon your role as watchdog and became a lapdog instead? Maybe not, but what do you do?
The easier way: Sensationalize to Survive. The more challenging way: Wait. Patiently. Patience is a virtue - for the virtuous… This is a landmark event. Didn’t you see the Handshake? Altruistic or not? I don’t care! It still was what it was - a milestone! Many have not trodden that path before. Bygones could be bygones.
The Talks? Whatever the outcome, it will be a headline!
So my acquaintances, pals, friends in the pub, cautious as usual, warn against the hype! Don’t believe the hype! Fine, but it’s the hype… Tell me it’s the hype, not the truth!
Coming from outside journalism, this is interesting! Tricksters-or-treaters? They are the former, maybe? Maybe not? But if they are acclaimed, how could they be tricksters?
“Lock, Shock, and Barrel” (Wikipedia?) fictional characters in a Zimbabwe animated movie – ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’.At least there’s Christmas, or light at the end if the tunnel.
My pub mates… good luck! Journos… editors, please let the Pretoria Talks be! Isn’t that what you/we/they wanted? Or do you just thrive on controversy?
Be the change you want to see!
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Donette Read Kruger • na. Subject: BRING YOUR BONGOS AND BEAT THE DRUM! Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:02:31 • And, in the meantime, the News is that on Saturday 2.00pm onwards there is a Bring Your Own Family Day for all Zimbabweans and Friends on Peace Angel Beach, opp Ramada Hotel, 146 Kings Road, Brighton. Brighton Council will not allow fires before 6.00 pm. and have stipulated this is not to be a political rally and no politiking aloud!
Jump on train fm London Bridge - Brighton. Bus stop is right outside Brighton Station. Catch Bus No. 6 to Waitrose. It runs every 20 mins. £1.20 pp. Get off at Waitrose, opp Jag, an amazing Arab Supermarket of note! A block before Waitrose is Sainsbury - who have stocked up with mini portable braais for us! A block before Sainsbury is the £ shop. Then walk straight down to your own Zimbabwe-allocated beach. It is to the right of the burned out West Pier, with its mini clothes market there. Arpur and his brother from Senegal has a stand here and will be joining us at the end of the day with their drums!
Western Road, wherein Waitrose bus stop is, is the High Street for Brighton so if you want to shop, walk back slowly. You can buy everything you need for a braai in the good old High Street with familiar shops that will sell you everything you need. Churchill Square is the centre of the shopping mall with its 3 floors and escalators. Such fun!
Nothing is being supplied as Permits for selling these would have cost me, so its a FREE BEACH DAY - all at your own cost. Typically Zimbabwean!
Peace Angel Beach is on the left hand side of The Meeting Place take away Restaurant. Toilets here 20p/pp. Brighton-Hove Council have kindly allocated this area for Zimbabweans & Friends at no charge.
it is a Bring Your Own Bryze, drinks, meat and portable fires - fires cannot be lit before 6.pm otherwise bathers might step on them by mistake.
Coming by car?
Follow the A27 Eastbound towards Brighton.
Leave A27 at junction with A2023. join A2023 towards Hove. Go straight down Shirley Drive which changes its name to THE DRIVE and then changes its name to GRAND AVENUE. At Queen Victoria statue turn left for 1/2 mile and find parking. You should see RAMADA HOTEL, PEACE ANGEL STATUE and THE MEETING PLACE restaurant.
This is where we will be camped for our 6.00 pm
bryze! brize? braais... bbq.
Parking along this area is £1.20/hr until 6.00 pm and the later you arrive in the afternoon, the more chance you may have of a parking bay.
Deck Chairs are £1.50 /- so bring your own. The pebbles are no fun to walk on so bring good walking shoes. Remember shades and sunglasses!
Friday's weather is Good - 19 Degrees. but it means nothing really for Saturday, eh, except Brighton is usually sheltered weather. The clouds blow inland mostly.
I stressed to Brighton Council that Zimbabweans are a clean living bunch and we will certainly clear up our cans and rubbish as we go along. Save your plastic bags for this purpose. Take home your rubbish in your car if you cant find a bin.
No dogs allowed on Brighton Beach please. You can even swim there or fish off our own concrete pier. One fisherman I know caught a 10kg sea bass recently using spinners!
There is a Mini Market on West Pier Beach close by.
Coming by Natxpress Coach? It takes 3 hours (with traffic delays). Book now as it can get busy on a Saturday! Come out of Pool Valley Coach Stop and turn right. Walk for half a mile down past the Odeon and the Burned Out West Pier to Al Fesco Restaurant at the beach. Keep walking!
Shops are 2 blocks up the hill from Peace Angel Beach in Western Road.
At 5.45pm please can we all hold hands for The Grace (Volunteers needed to say Grace please!) and then at 6.00 pm all Light Your Fires!
Bring cameras! I will be making a video so anyone who wants to say a few words, please feel free. I would be delighted your show familiar faces on ZTV!
You are most welcome, so please come along!
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