Jabou, Sidi, Yus, Basil and the rest,
Thanks for your wonderful insights on the referendum in Zimbabwe. I was busy
with essay deadlines and an exam that I just glanced at this news item when
it first began to filter through. I didn't think much of it then and even
dismissed it as one of the signs that Mugabe's decadent rule of Zimbabwe
coming to it's final end. That I must admit was all due to ignorance.
However, I was browsing the Daily Telegraph website when it struck me odd
that a reactionary and virulently right wing paper like the Daily Telegraph
would devote so much space to an African referendum. And to top it all the
sneering that was laced in their leader comment and a columnist propelled me
wonder what it was about this issue that has made it the second top hot news
in the UK that day. It was only when I read your brilliant insights that
everything began to make perfect sense. I can only be grateful for being part
of this list.
On Sidi's proposition that Blair might tackle the House of Lords end of this
bizarre twisting of injustice, don't hold your breaths for it folks, even if
Mugabe were to leave office. Over the past two years, Blair has to learn how
to tackle old England and what he has memorably labelled 'The Forces Of
Conservatism.' Despite his overwhelming majority in the Commons, Blair has
yet to unrobe his inhibitions about real and radical reforms. Every reform on
constitutional arrangements that he has carried out has all hinged on warily
looking over his shoulders whether Old England and the 'mighty' new middle
classes would approve. The best bet and hope for justice and change is for a
strong new leadership from a post Mugabe Zimbabwe. Believe me it would be a
very long tortuous and untidy process before we see light at the end of the
tunnel.
I salute you all for your insights.
Hamjatta Kanteh

hkanteh

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