What is life is like in a country where any sign of dissent or defiance to the Government can result in beatings or jail? Where media is either state-owned or regulated? And where blogging is dangerous.

All this week the Sky News Insider Blog comes from inside Zimbabwe - where activists hoping for democracy are beaten or killed; where HIV/AIDS is rife; where life expectancy is low.

"Hope" is an activist opposed to President Mugabe. She is having to blog under a pseudonym to avoid recrimination. This is her blog:

Wednesday

More people die in Zimbabwe every day than in Darfur or Iraq, but we are dying silently and the world doesn't seem to know how bad it really is.

Zimbabwe's HIV/AIDs statistics are among the highest in the world and this terrible pandemic, combined with a lack of drugs in our country, corruption by government ministers, food shortages and 1,800% inflation, makes it a swift killer in our society.

Life expectancy in Zimbabwe is 34 years for women and 37 years for men.

I would really like you to think about that for a moment. How old are you? How much longer would that leave you to live or have you already exceeded our life expectancy?

Attending funerals is a regular occurrence in Zimbabwe.

I know many people who have died over the last few years.

Last year two of my work colleagues died within the space of a couple of months of each other. I go to funerals, I experience the awfulness of funerals, and then I come home.

But even though this is 'normal', I am sometimes woken up and stunned by something, and I am left horrified and shocked and very sensitive to how extreme life is in Zimbabwe.

For example, a couple of days ago I attended a child's funeral. This is hard enough as it is, but through my tears I noticed how many freshly dug graves there were in the children's section of the cemetery, clear evidence that lots of children are dying.

Even worse, this is a new cemetery and it's already almost full.

I saw two women digging a child-sized grave on their own, and I was told that this was because they could not afford to pay a gravedigger to do it for them.

I was told they were alone because their men were probably out of the country working in South Africa.

The painful reality of what I saw in that place was emphasised by our Zimbabwean tradition of leaving some of the possessions belonging to the person who has died on the grave.

For children this means I was looking at a scene of small graves with bottles, toys, baby baths and other plastic pieces of childhood treasures piled on them. It is wrong, very very wrong, to see these sort of things.

I felt overcome with grief and anger at what I saw. It is like being trapped inside a horror film - a truly terrible thing to see.

I want to bring a chair to this section of the graveyard, and make Robert Mugabe sit in it for a day.

I want him to sit there for hours looking at the graves and the toys. I want the message of what this means to wash over him, for him to know he's destroying our country's future.   

He is stripping the joy from parents’ lives, and he is creating a legacy where he will be remembered for many years as the man who inflicted misery and pain and suffering on a nation.

Most of all, I want him to step out from the security of his Mercedes Benz and his soldier patrolled mansions, and I want him to stand here in the blazing sun in that dusty graveyard surrounded by bright plastic toys that testify to the lives of children and babies.

I want him to talk to the parents, to be forced to explain to them - face to face - why he is doing nothing to help them save their children's lives.

Sometimes I can go through a day and just live my life like everyone has to - that’s surviving - one step at a time. Then there are days like that one, where I am consumed with rage and grief and pure frustration. I am still furious and torn-up two days later, and it makes me very ready to march for change and to defy this regime.

Hope, a Sokwanele activist

Blogging at: www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe

Comments

[Mark Bradshaw in Poland 29 Mar 2007 21:31:17]

I'm a Zimbabwean who left the country 5 years ago when our property was seized by the Mugabe regime. Now the property (once a productive farm employing many families) is a ruin employing no-one. I've now built a thriving small business in Eastern Europe. I'm educated, hard-working and talented. I wish I could devote all my energy towards building a future in Zimbabwe, but I have no future there. Mugabe has stolen the future from his people. I believe he will not last too long now, but when he is gone, I fear that few Zimbabweans will return to rebuild the shattered nation. That is the real tragedy. They have made their own lives elsewhere, and will never risk the same loss again.....

[obeysibanda wales 29 Mar 2007 19:41:26]

do you remember wat happened to jesus, thats wat is going on in my country, but wat i want to say is " FATHER FORGIVE MUGABE, FOR HE DONT KNOW WAT HE IS DOING"
like wat our grandpaps ought to say, there is time for everything, time to live and tiome to die, time to suffer, time to enjoy, pple in zimbabwe dont worry everything shall come to pass, everything will be alright, no more sorrow
posted by obey in uk

[Alan Bell in Romania 29 Mar 2007 12:27:25]

I was in Zimbabwe during Ian Smith's time then left and returned after Independance. Working within the construction industry on world bank sponsored projects. I was lucky enough to work again with several Zimbabwean construction workers who had worked with me during my previous time there.
I asked them how they were enjoying independance to which they replied as follows:-
Can I feed independance to my children?
Can I put independance in my car?
can independance stop a drought?
At least under Smith there was food in the shops to buy.
Petrol was rationed but if you had coupons and money you were guaranteed petrol.

although there were droughts there was enough stockpiled food to feed the entire nation regardless of colour,religion or Mashona or Matabele!

When Mugabe had this beautiful, fertile and totally (a result of many years of sanctions)self sufficient country handed to him on a plate all he had to do was continue where the previous government left off. Instead he and his cronies set about plundering all the movable assets,aide,forex and whatever else they could get their greedy thieving hands on and send it all off to Swiss Banks and other off shore havens.
To fill in their spare time they set about commiting genocide and the western world stood idly by and by their non action silently condoned mass murder and blatant disregard to any human rights conventions.
Now we stand by once again and see international aide beeing handed out selectively and we still do nothing.
When is the western world going to show some guts and say,"NO MORE" to this sick power crazy megalomamiac.
Save the people of Zimbabwe.

[UNCLE HOPPY - CARDIFF 29 Mar 2007 11:44:22]

During a period before all this was happenning, my wife and some of my family spent two lovely holidays in a beautiful country full of great people. Now it is all changed and the country is in the depths of despair - for the majority, not the privilaged few - and no-one seems to care at all. The british government should be ashamed of itself that they just stand back and WATCH what is happenning.
I have friends over there, and life is so hard!!
WORLD LEADERS, ESPECIALLY YOU AFRICANS, WAKE UP, DO SOMETHING NOW!

[Marc - South Africa 29 Mar 2007 08:33:42]

As a South African I am ashamed of our Government’s stance of "quiet diplomacy" in Zimbabwe. I feel as many other do that the SA Government are selfish hypocrites.

The SA Government lead by President Mbeki, claim that it is a Zimbabwean problem and that Zimbabweans should sort it out. It amazes me that throughout the apartheid years, the ANC was heavily reliant on the world’s support, especially Zimbabwe in order to end the tyranny of apartheid, which is no different to the current situation in Zimbabwe.

No freedom of speech, military law, propaganda, dictatorship and murder to mention but a few is what Black South Africans faced on a daily basis under apartheid. This is now what Zimbabweans are now facing in their own country, my how quickly the ANC lead Government in SA forget.

SA’s ignorance of the situation in Zimbabwe will come back to haunt them in years to come, the people of Zimbabwe will remember SA’s stance during the years of Mugabe's tyranny. SA better sort out the current situation before 2010, because the Football World Cup to be held here will be overshadowed by what is happening in Zimbabwe. The Zimbabweans have moved from a position of fear, to anger, they have nothing else to lose, the climate for an armed struggle is nigh, SA needs to evaluate the consequences of this happening and the repercussions it would have on the country.

Already SA is home to almost two million Zimbabweans that need to be integrated into the already over burdened economy. Unemployment is SA is high enough without having to now accommodate Zimbabwean immigrants. In addition SA’s crime rate has reached pandemic proportions, and Zimbabweans crime syndicates are quite prolific in SA.

Mugabe does not care, not for his neighbors nor his own people; he is a maniacal, demented narcissist, one cannot negotiate with him, so therefore consideration to remove him using other alternatives is absolutely necessary.

[I Wonder, London 28 Mar 2007 22:00:17]

This is so sad, ask yourself why bush and blair went to iraq???????? there was OIL,,,,, why then should they bother with a small country like zim,,, what will they gain that they havent taken already??????THINK.Mugabe ,yes needs to go, but what has he done that hasnt been done in any country??? jus dont be blinded,the truth is there, why then r most african leaders not intervening??? &%"*!%&.they wouldnt do it any different from him.god bless zimbabwe

[Your basic European. 28 Mar 2007 21:58:55]

I used to work near the Zambian border in the eigthies,we were amazed at how a few miles of distance could make such a difference. Those jokes about the kwacha have come back to bite zimbabweans in the ass however.

Mugabe confirms all the preconceived ideas about African leaders. We should really be surprised by the 10 years of relative prosperity that followd independence, rather then by what is happening now.

Do you believe Obote was better than Amin?
Do you believe that Tvangirai will be better then mugabe? Sure you do.

Don't mess up the rest of the world, Africans stay in Africa.

[I Wonder, London 28 Mar 2007 21:25:25]

This is really sad. people dont even understand whats going on in zimbabwe, open your eyes and go back 27 yrs ago,,,,,, or even before, what do you think the british will do for zimbabwe , except to take from????????? the economy has been a result of the western influence in slavery, colonialism and corruption they brought to africa, until today ,we suffer greatly from these past eras ,,,,,,and u blame mugabe for what?????????????? bob is no different to bush and blair and if hes bad so r they, how many lives have been lost in the hands of these leaders, after all morgan tsvangirai is not worthy of a president,what has he achieved to be a leader, just a puppet put against his own.
democracy to the whole world first, then deal with mugabe later.

[Sekuru Chitokisi USA 28 Mar 2007 20:27:56]

Mugabe is a warmonger. He wants to see bloodshed in Zim. before his departure.He is recruiting War Vets to supplement his military trained youth militia for a crackdown on opposition and unarmed innocent civilians protesting against his misrule and economic meltdown policies. This would create a civil war.The SADC leaders are his cheer leaders because a total collapse of civility and the economy will benefit their economies.His replacement by another ZANU PF candidate does not solve the Zim. political crisis but would perpetuate the crisis futher.Shame on the SADC leadership for their silent stance.

[Francisca 28 Mar 2007 14:27:19]

My fellow Zimbabweans, the time is now! For how long shall we wait and cry for others to help us? No more whining. Let's start ourselves. This is our struggle. It's time to act and the time is now!

[Nokthula, Zimbabwean in London 28 Mar 2007 13:30:08]

To Hope, a sister in struggle. My heart cries with yours. I know our country will be free one day and I know that the evil will be exposed and mugbes closest allies will hang their heads in shame when they realise the kind of person they have been propping up. I wish I was at home to march with you and stand with you. I am only here because my family cannot live without the money I send home to them. I pray for you and all our leaders fighting this regime. I will tell everyone I know to come and read this.

[topplehim London 28 Mar 2007 13:18:26]

The British press are constantly writing about how bad Zimbabwe is, yet in the newspaper one reads about British 'TOURISTS' being killed by an elephant whilst at a game park.

Question: if the Brits are so against this regime why are they supporting the economy, which is not funnelling funds down to its people? Stop holidaying there and help cripple this dangerous government.

[Robin - Windhoek, Namibia 28 Mar 2007 12:39:36]

How many people must Mugabe have murdered? How many people must Mugabe have arrested?
How many people have to die due to startvation before the people who are responsible for putting him in power and keeping him in power remove him or have him bumped off of the face of the planet? It is up to Zimbabweans themselves, theyvoted for him not once but many times, they gave him the strength, the position of power that he now refuses to let go of and no-one else!
Now Mr Tsvangarai is once again in a cell, probably being tortured again, on the direct orders of Mugabe no doubt and if he, Morgan Tsvangarai, dies who is going to be willing to stand up and fill his shoes? Someone needs to take a gun or a grenade or a missile and get rid of Mugabe NOW!

[Amanda Cumbria 28 Mar 2007 12:26:04]

"Man's inhumanity to Man"

I heard my dad say this over 40 years ago and thought he was refering to World War 2...

When are those in Power & Control going to wake up and deal with Mugabe, his henchmen and other profiteers from this horrific exploitation of people ????????

[Duane W. Udd .... United States after 22 years in Zimbabwe 28 Mar 2007 11:28:48]

WITH NEW VENOM

Brainwashed bands of Youth Brigade clones
Have been given Bob’s carte blanche
To break wills or heads and backbones
In a bid to protest staunch

Staunch supporters of MDC
Or allied institutions
Are being picked up quietly
For savage retributions

Enabled by feared CIO
And cadres of Armed Forces
Bob seeks to bring the final blow
With iron bars or scourges

Hit squads in unmarked vehicles
With license though unlicensed
May risk brief public spectacles
Where captives are not sentenced

High Courts attempting to hamstring
Their blatant violations
Held in contempt are issuing
Toothless adjudications

Intimidation is widespread
Revenge is running rampant
But opposition is not dead
Against Zim’s slimy serpent

Whose fangs may never be Yanked out
Or broken by the British
But Zim may yet put him to rout
And Politburo banish

Though wheels of justice slowly turn
They may grind him to powder
And blow him to his final burn
Subtracting one more adder

© duaneudd.com
20th Mar 2007

[kylie uk 28 Mar 2007 10:47:29]

i send a letter to the Queen and SKy news. telling them alot of what is happening in my country - zimbabwe- but i asked them why they don't help. i got no reply proving that noone wants to know. if iraq can have help why cant we? how can people just turn a blind eye to this? it is diffecult to help us but there is no harm in trying.

[priyazim, bulawayo 28 Mar 2007 07:44:54]

I think we are all living on a knife edge at the moment. It is very difficult to survive from one week to the next, not knowing whether you'll have enough money to see you through the month. Each day, prices have escalated. What you bought last week to top-up your grocery cupboard, you can't afford this week so you go without. Even the poor quality bread that is available is hardly fit for human consumption, but we buy it anyway - it fills your belly.
Happy faces, children laughing, seem to be a thing of the past now. When will all this dispair, frustration and hardship end?
It is impossible to plan your evening as power cuts interrupt whatever you've planned. Candles are very expensive and paraffin is more expensive than petrol, when you can find it, or, if you can afford it. Yes, things are hard here, a challenge awaits us each and every day. Some people are fortunate that relatives in South Africa send food parcels or foreign currency, which can be exchanged on the black market to enable them to subsidise their meagre incomes - the others, which I think applies to the majority of us, just have to try to survive on what little we have.
All we want is peace, a few dollars in our pocket, a full belly, and be able to live normal lives. I wonder how many of us living here, under these tense conditions, really know what 'normal' really is??

[mark,brisbane ,australia 28 Mar 2007 07:05:26]

If Mugabe's daughter is studying in the U.K Surely some of the group of people that organise the Zimvigil over there can start activating direct demonstrations at her feet and hassle her on a day to day basis until she also has to leave the u.k-how can we permit Mugabe the smallest of victories i.e. being educated in the country he despises-throw her out now....!!!

[magodzongere 28 Mar 2007 03:12:15]

watch out bob the end is near who ever thought of Banda Kamuzu king of african juju will leave the presidence seat.One word to bob YOUR FATHER IS FOR LIFE NOT YOUR MASTER, KING OR PRESIDENT