Townshipvibes

Cde Robert Mugabe has never hidden his dislike for Gays and Lesbians. It has been reported that his anti-gay speeches have given rise to the rape of lesbians and gay male Zimbabweans in what has been described as ‘corrective’ rape. Try to ‘correct’ them into heterosexuality.

The US State Department’s 2009 Human Rights Report for Zimbabwe identified chronic, politically sanctioned anti-gay discrimination, violence, and torture at the hands of Mugabe’s minions, including rape of lesbians and gay men forced  into heterosexual acts, with some raped by family members, ostensibly to “cure” them. The NGO, AIDS Free World, reported in December 2009 that the 70 women it surveyed reported being raped on average five times and possibly higher, as the women often became unconscious during the brutal sexual assaults.

I must admit this is the first time I have heard about ‘corrective’ rape taking place in Zimbabwe. Maybe the victims were afraid to come in the open and report these crimes, that is if there is anywhere to report and also if there is anyone who is going to listen to them and do something about it. 

The issue of lesbian and gay rights has always been a very sensitive issue in Zimbabwean society and it might be the case in many other communities, all because of culture, tradition and religious beliefs.

But, is it difficult to let everyone be what they want to be or be what they are?

An Epworth family buried an empty coffin after ‘forgetting’ the corpse at home. Family members of the late Tatenda Billy (11) took an empty coffin to Zinyengere Cemetery in Epworth only to discover that they had left the body behind.

The Herald reports that the situation became even more bizarre when the deceased’s aunt later carried the corpse on her back to the cemetery two kilometres away from their home.

Mourners who remained behind discovered that the corpse covered with a blanket in a room. The deceased’s mother, Ms Egness Kachingamire, confirmed the incident to the Herald but denied suggestions that witchcraft was involved.

“I can say that we were traumatised by Tatenda’s death and no one thought of informing the police as we were busy trying to come to terms with what had happened. I was even shocked myself when I learnt that the corpse had been left behind,” said a grieving Ms Kachingamire.

Residents in the area suspect that some family members wanted to use the body for ritual purposes. It has been alleged that senior family members ordered all mourners to leave the room in which the boy’s body lay.
Residents also alleged that one church member pointed out that the coffin seemed empty, but was told by a family member that the wood used to make it was ‘light material’, adding that the boy was small and therefore did not weigh much.

It’s a real funny world. A new dress code that requires City Hall staff to wear underwear is being enforced.

The City Council of Brooksville, Florida passed the law, 4-1 the only opposition came from the Mayor. The Mayor thinks the law will take away freedom of choice. The city employees must also wear deodorant. Does this mean there are still people who do not wear underwear in America? So, how did they know that some employees are not wearing underwear? But deodorant surely it should not be forced on people. Should be a matter of choice.

As a tribute to this good dance, I had to share it with you guys. Hope you will all enjoy it, “Uya Kwini ka Rose” comes some of the happiest people in South Africa. I’m Loving it!

Enjoy and don’t forget to let us know what you think about the dance.

Harare – A Zimbabwean soccer player drowned in a crocodile infested river during a ritual to cleanse his team of bad spirits before a match, a state newspaper said on Tuesday.

So sad that this footballer lost his life this way. Professional sportsman still believe in Juju? I thought they should know it’s all about talent, training and hard work. Read more about how this guy lost his life.

The Chronicle quoted unnamed sources as saying about 16 players from second division side Midland Portland Cement were told to swim in the Zambezi river in the resort town of Victoria Falls ahead of a soccer match on Sunday.

“The technical team told every player to get into the river so that they could be cleansed of bad spirits,” it said.

The paper quoted local police commander Peter Rodzi as saying that after the swim, the other players had noticed that one of the team was missing.

“The area where the team was swimming is prohibited as the current is strong. The river is also infested with crocodiles and hippos,” said Rodzi.

Belief in the power of spirits is widespread in Zimbabwe and many African countries.

- Reuters

Does Juju work in sports? I find it strange people still believe about juju in sport, I don’t think this works at all. You are welcome to share your views, always interested in what you think.

It’s supposed to be one of the best days in one’s life. It was supposed to be the best day for the Shumba family, finally their daughter who has been in London for some years was getting married. With everyone gathered for the traditional marriage of their daughter, this was supposed to be a happy day for the whole family, until the Jamaicans arrived in the village.

Culture is very dynamic, YES, but our traditions seem to have passed the test of time. With millions of Zimbabweans now living in different parts of the world, many are learning and taking up the values, moral and cultures of the communities in which they are no residing. But how much of these foreign cultures will be acceptable back in Zimbabwe?

But as Chenai(not her real name) found out, some things are not acceptable in our more traditional Zimbabwean culture. Chenai’s parents divorced because of her choices of partner. Her mother is now living in Malawi after she was send away by her father.

Chenai’s parents did not divorce because she was getting married to a Jamaican. IN fact it was because she was marrying a Jamaican woman. Since she came to England, Chenai has probably learnt that it’s okay for a woman to marry another woman. But for her father that was a NO NO NO. Now Chenai has to live the rest of her life knowing she was responsible for the divorce of her parents.

From what we have heard, Chenai did not let her parents know that the would be ‘husband’ was in fact another woman. Instead the parents were left to find out on the day of the traditional ceremony, from the Jamaican go-between (munyayi/sadombo).

Chenai’s mother was send away, because according to the father she knew all about her daughter’s relationship for she had visited her in England the year before.

It seems some things will never be accepted no matter how much culture changes. But for the Shumba family, life will never be the same again since the day their daughter decided to get married to another woman.

Police in Kinshasa have arrested 13 people suspected of using black magic to steal or shrink men’s penises. The arrests came after after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings caused by the alleged witchcraft in Congo.

Beliefs in witchcraft remains widespread in Africa where different ritual killings still occur. Rumours of penis theft began circulating last week and victims claimed a simple touch by these alleged sorcerers made their genitals shrink or disappear.

Some residents of Kinshasa think it’s just a joke, but could this be real? Is it possible that someone can shrink or worse still make your genitals disappear?
Well, some residents of Kinshasa it’s an attempt to extort cash with a promise of a cure.

Feel Free to leave your contribution by posting your comment.

Male bosses have been warned to beware of the ‘office piranhas’, women who target senior colleagues for financial gain. This was a message from Diane Benussi who runs a law firm handling high-value divorce cases. She said piranhas want a high-earning, high-virility man to marry.
“Piranhas hang on for the kill and rip any man to shreds”, she added.

To me it seems this is another breed of business minded women. They are never in it for the love, never in it for the marriage. They just identify the opportunity to make money and they make the most of it.

This reminds me of another breed of women, the one who goes after married man. She does not mind having an affair with a married man, she is after breaking other peoples relationships. Tondy says the women is possessed by the spirit Jezbel, she wrote a very interesting article, you can read her post here.

This seems to be a trend most common with young women. They are very outgoing and know how to get what they want.
But why is it that man themselves don’t learn from other’s mistakes? Even with all these high profile divorce cases being reported, some man still behave like teenagers chasing after women.

Even the senior company executive (sugar daddies), you will find him falling for these young girls. Young enough to be their children. Why blame these women, if there is an opportunity to make money, who will let it pass them? They are not stealing from anyone.
Men need to grow up, is it that difficulty to love the one women you have at home? These divorces cause a lot of suffering in families and affects the behavior of some of the kids of today.

The decisions that we make will shape our destiny, men are willing participants in these relationships. Why should we blame the women? Should we not blame these man as well?