For those who follow the Zimbabwe situation we are entering a fairly interesting stage- bloody funny actually if I didn't live here

Not only we do we have funny money with an expiry date on it, we all still use it 6 months after it has expired because there is nothing else!

now to cap it all there is a cash shortage: government simply cannot run the presses fast enough. My wife and I rummaged round this evening and came up with just under Z$200,000-oo (ie US 8 Cents) between us. The banks are giving out old $500 and $100 notes - for those lucky enough to be able to draw any. The ATMS stopped dispensing cash three weeks ago.

When you think that a coke cost Z$ 500,000 you need a pile of expired notes to buy it

Watch this space for further upcomming entertainment. I suspect the government is going to try and introduce yet another revised currency before the army and police get paid on thursday.

Last time we had a cash shortage it was a real trouble but at least now everybody accepts Rand or US$ cash as payment. Even one of the street kids threw back a wad of Zim $ on friday asking for some rand please! Just now we will get to the point where when you drive through a speed trap you'll just fling the fine (Z$2000 ie less than 1/10th of a US Cent) and the bribe for not stopping you out of the window and not bother to slow down.

Unreal, a roll of dimes is a wad of zim $$$$$.

Hey buddy, if it all gets too much for you, we've got a spare bed and a fridge full of beer! Karibu - you'd be very welcome!

I still don't understand how all of you have survived over the years of trouble. You guys would probably be ruling the world if given 1/2 roll of duct tape and a roll of dimes.

I found a curio shop that gave me 4 million to 1 on my US $'s last Tuesday! Brought home a "block" of $20,000,0000 well for stocking stuffers. Going to give each of my kids $5,000,0000 for Christmas this year!!!

What are doing all the Zimbabwe country people (more than the army) that is not ready to hang up MUGABE right now ?
The dictators only understand the gun words!!!

What I really don't understand is why doesn't someone arrest him for crimes against humanity whilst he's in Europe right now. After all, they did the same thing to Pinochet when he was in the UK in the late 90s. Let's face it, there's plenty of proof of his atrocities and mass murders........

Just out of interest.

What currency does Comrade BOB get paid in, and what Bank issues him a credit card/s

OH and finally, what is Bob's Bank account number for sending him donations (-:

Cheers, Peter

quote:

I still don't understand how all of you have survived over the years of trouble. You guys would probably be ruling the world if given 1/2 roll of duct tape and a roll of dimes.

God bless all you folks, I sure don't know how you do it.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
What I really don't understand is why doesn't someone arrest him for crimes against humanity whilst he's in Europe right now. After all, they did the same thing to Pinochet when he was in the UK in the late 90s. Let's face it, there's plenty of proof of his atrocities and mass murders........

Different political climate perhaps. Would Pinochet have been arrested today? A good example is Mahmoud Ahmadinejad coming to the US and speaking in public places about how evil America is while our leaders are conferencing on how to block his attempts (nuclear and otherwise). I can't figure out why Israel has been so patient with him.

Simple, Pinochet was "Western," and so he was culpable -- the left is so grossly racist that it's not possible to hold a black African/other non-White/Asian nutjob accountable for his actions.

We're supposed to "understand" their jackassery, because, somehow, it's supposed to be all our fault...

quote:

Brought home a "block" of $20,000,0000 well for stocking stuffers. Going to give each of my kids $5,000,0000 for Christmas this year!!!

I think that's the greatest. Don't they still ask you at the airport if you're taking cash out? Of course, I have and will. It's just too good of a conversation piece.

[/QUOTE]
Don't they still ask you at the airport if you're taking cash out? Of course, I have and will. It's just too good of a conversation piece.[/QUOTE]

They do, but I was not paying attention!

Not a wonder our banks have no cash- it has all been taken to various interesting parts of the world by curio seekers and those making monopoly sets. (you couldn't print a monopoly $100 for less than one of ours is worth )

Today most banks were only open if you wished to make an inter account transfer or deposit cash. Since almost nobody will touch a cheque and we don't have credit cards or other "plastic" money this promises to be an interesting development...also, less than 1% of the population have bank accounts - my wife as a graduate High School maths and Physics teacher at a private collage didn't earn enough to be able to open a bank account 5 years ago, let alone now.

And Army pay day looms

I've gotta ask........How on earth do people live from day to day? - how do they pay their phone bills and buy food or pay doctors etc if there's no cash, no credit cards and no-one trusts a personal cheque? - Is barter becoming the norm?

But also, why do they stay? - For example, you and your family could move across the border and both walk into paying jobs without any problems at all....... you wouldn't be giving up on Zim forever, just until Mad Bob goes and/or things get better......

Steve

I have no idea how the "average" zimbo is getting by. Most shops look at funny green money with a picture of a dead president on it and gladly give me what I want anyway - In fact the only two shops worth going to ( the gun shop and the bonded warehouse) will only accept rand or USD.

Utilities, they still take a cheque and so does the barman at the gun club.

Why do we stay- well absence of crime compared to SA is a big incentive. The very aversion to violence that a the charicteristic of the shona people means my wife can go cycling with my daughter, even in the capital city! It is also the reason that there is no real street protests for change!

We own the house, the staff are honest and loyal. Do we really want to start again? Besides I actually want to see what happens next. Seeing history in action is far more interesting than reading about it

Last month, everybody got paid - there was enough cash in the system. This month...Industry closes down on friday and there is no money to pay any of the workers their regular pay, let alone the usual end of year bonus... and all the workers know that the banks have no money, and it is not their employers that are stitching them. Perhaps this will finally push them into action? Perhaps the MDC will find a leader with some balls? Perhaps ZANU lite will rise to the fore? Not betting on it and going hunting

Must be bloody difficult for those that don't have access to USD or ZAR..... all I can say is good luck and have a good Christmas! - and I always have cold beers in the fridge if you're ever in White River. - Just head for the White River Country Estate and look for the red classic Jeep Wagoneer as you drive in.

Ganyana

Steve asked the question I wanted to pose. I understand why you stay, but of course, as a fan of your many informative and entertaining articles and a beneficiary of your posting here, I, along with many others I am sure, are worried for you.

It sounds like you have things well in hand, and that you have such a long and interesting life in your country that it is very difficult to leave.

Keep us informed of things "on the ground" and how you and your family are doing, won't you?

The Zimbabwian Government is very PR minded, and actually inform all visitors coming in to Zimbabwe thourgh Harare Int Air Port that they actually are trying a new banking system;



Right?

The reason for the cash shortage has become clear- The ruling party congress starts tomorrows and all the deligates arriving need some spending money. The central bank has been collecting all the cash out of the economy to ensure that those attending the congress will not go short!

The army have been promised a cash payment but the police will have to wait until the money spent by the deligates to the congress filters back into the banks.

With a bit of luck this will tip the economy over the edge so that the US$ or the rand becomes the "normal" currency of transactions! would make life a whole lot easier.

When the army and police don't get paid so the delegates can have spending money...well, that's not in their favor. At some point, this is going to become the straw that broke the back.

Let's hope so!

Another interesting point (to me anyway) is that although I have a number of friends in Zim, I just don't get complaints from them. In fact, I usually have to ask how they are doing, as they would rather talk about what I am doing, and then they mumble something about "making a plan". I'm beginning to wonder if that phrase is code speak for something else! Zim people are the salt of the earth.

So technically it is cheaper to wipe you ass with cash than to buy a roll of toilet paper, eh?

I read the reason for no cash is that BOB stopped printing it. For this would cause inflation to go down, while he is correct he is only about 5 years too late in doing so.

M

I was wondering at what point is the value of the paper itself more than the number printed on it.

Best of luck to you there.

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
Steve

I have no idea how the "average" zimbo is getting by. Most shops look at funny green money with a picture of a dead president on it and gladly give me what I want anyway - In fact the only two shops worth going to ( the gun shop and the bonded warehouse) will only accept rand or USD.

Utilities, they still take a cheque and so does the barman at the gun club.

Why do we stay- well absence of crime compared to SA is a big incentive. The very aversion to violence that a the charicteristic of the shona people means my wife can go cycling with my daughter, even in the capital city! It is also the reason that there is no real street protests for change!

We own the house, the staff are honest and loyal. Do we really want to start again? Besides I actually want to see what happens next. Seeing history in action is far more interesting than reading about it

Last month, everybody got paid - there was enough cash in the system. This month...Industry closes down on friday and there is no money to pay any of the workers their regular pay, let alone the usual end of year bonus... and all the workers know that the banks have no money, and it is not their employers that are stitching them. Perhaps this will finally push them into action? Perhaps the MDC will find a leader with some balls? Perhaps ZANU lite will rise to the fore? Not betting on it and going hunting

Well good luck and a good Christmas mate.

What worries me is that old Bob might get kicked out, but a younger, even more extreme version might get himself installed

I swear you'ed think this level of

craziness could not happen today...

Stupid of me to be so simple minded.

Well today the black market reached 6 million zim to the US$ It was 4 mil :1 on Monday. There is still no cash so all transactions are being done by bank transfer.

So 577 - you are very correct, if we could get cash a Z$1000 note is worth 0.00016 of a US cent, and bog roll is a darn site more expensive than that!

As the paper monetary system was invented by white people, Zim's woes are definitely our fault. To resolve Zim's woes, I suggest that the indigenous personnel discontinue the use of paper money (which they obviously do not understand) and revert to trading goats, maize, cattle and wives as those items proved to be reliable currency for thousands of years.

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
As the paper monetary system was invented by white people, Zim's woes are definitely our fault. To resolve Zim's woes, I suggest that the indigenous personnel discontinue the use of paper money (which they obviously do not understand) and revert to trading goats, maize, cattle and wives as those items proved to be reliable currency for thousands of years.

The Chinese invented paper money, and it's the only thing they have historically discounted more than human rights.

We could go back to using stone money...hard on the vending machines and pay phones though.

quote:

Besides I actually want to see what happens next. Seeing history in action is far more interesting than reading about it

Damn I like that line...

Man, that stone money would sure look good with Bob's head inserted into it. Then perhaps a small dip in the Zambezi. . . .

I was in Zimbabwe in October with my wife. The economic conditions brought my wife to tears. We heard about the plight of Rhodesians in "old folks" homes, so my wife had our PH in RSA load up two trucks of food, toilet paper, lotions, soap, basically what these people needed and somehow the PH got through the border for distribution. At one drop off the beautiful, sophisticated lady of about 80 greeted us and with the warmth of a summer breeze invited us in for a cup of tea. We declined but I did see inside of the tea bin as she made this offer and we saw only one tea bag. It begs to wonder how long this poor dear had been saving this tea bag to offer it to a guest. She showed us what her monthly pension bought, 4 tomatoes and 5 bananas. Hell, I started to cry. We offered to help unload the boxes of food and goods, but with that beautiful accent and a smile on her face she said, "No I should like to examine each item prior to placing it." Talk about a classy lady, WOW!

At the "old folks" home we saw 4 old ladies cut up a bar of soap they had purchased with the combined monthly pensions. My wife was beyond desperation at their plight.

We left the "goods" with some ladies who would distribute it to these ladies so the staff wouldn't steal the things we brought for them.

I think we spent about a couple of hundred US dollars for everything we brought for these ladies and for the first time in many years I truely felt I did something that maybe made a difference in someone's life. We left money with our PH in RSA so his church could purchase goods and he would arrange the transport to these ladies. We are working out a method of tranfering additional funds to continue this effort.

The people of Zimbabwe deserve better then Comrade Bob.

Good work Tom and I commend you for that.

The Zim people are very classy and proud of their work ethic and rightly so. They also happen to have the toughest PH qualifications in the world...I've never seen that disputed. They are first class people and they do deserve better than they have gotten.

If you want to read some really transparent stuff about Zim you should get ahold of "When a Crocodile eats the Sun". There are others similar to that but I recently finished that one. It's tough reading when you start hearing about what happens in some of the hospitals, retirement homes, etc.

hacksawtom: What a story. Thanks for sharing that with us. If we all did that what a difference we could make. Thanks again for the inspiration.

Why a cash shortage? Is part of the reason not that to print money you need good quality paper - of such quality that is probably not made in Zimbabwe? Well, you need hard currency, like US $, to pay for such imported paper! All the US $ available to the Zimbabwe government is used to: 1. Pay Bob, first and foremost. 2. Pay his backhander to Uncle Thabo for support from South Africa. 3. Pay for other support from other countries. 4. Paying for imported money on which to print worthless bank notes is very far down the list!

Ganyana and others living and making a plan there: Hang on! Your property and presence will soon become very valuable. How soon? I dont know, but hope it is very soon!

In good hunting.

Andrew McLaren

8 cents, you rich bugger. you can sell that for 30% which will give you $260 000 which is 10 cents, you've just made a profit for your cash, unfortunatly you won't be able to draw it out of the bank. This small segment in our history has just made us stronger and more whiley. I would be a rich man if I had a dollar for everytime I heard 'we will make a plan' and doubly for everytime a plan was actually made. Thankyou for your support good people.

Ganyana

As I have stated before, I really admire all the white Zimbabweans I know that have held fast.

Your ability to "Make a Plan"... DAILY.. can not even be comprehended by the average person from the Civilized World.

The time I spent with Dale DesFountain [PH], and Ian Lewis [videographer] while in Zimbabwe on my last two Safaris was a real eyeopening experience.

My heart, my awe, and my blessing go out to all of ya'll.

Hopefully you will be rewarded for staying the course.