Kumi Naidoo
Why am I fasting?
Now is the time for action, not words.
African leaders must understand that their approach of quiet diplomacy is actually propping up Mugabe’s regime.
The political agreement between ZANU PF and the two MDC factions must be respected. SADC countries must publicly speak out against breaches of the agreement and condemn the ongoing political violence in the strongest terms.
The humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe must be recognised as a complex emergency. What I saw in December was passive genocide through mass starvation. Food must be disbursed equitably and in a transparent manner. Aid agencies must be given all the access they need to restore the failing health system and address the cholera and AIDS epidemic.
The recent campaign of abductions, torture and other sinister forms of intimidation against civil society and political activists must be immediately halted. A SADC oversight body must be put in place to receive and address complaints of abuses by security agencies. Trials of civil society and political activists must be monitored by international, objective observers from the African Union and SADC. The freedoms of expression, association and assembly must be restored.
SADC countries must provide humanitarian assistance to all Zimbabweans, including those leaving the country because of the political and economic crisis. They must adopt mechanisms to allow Zimbabweans to live in their countries legally until a lasting resolution to the political and humanitarian crisis is reached.
I was asked by journalists in the days leading up to Wednesday 21 January what I would eat for my last meal. In reality, it was difficult to find much of an appetite during that week - having returned from the reality of starvation just across the border.
The fast - and the reasons why I am doing it - are all part of the Save Zimbabwe Now! campaign. The initiative aims to support the efforts and activities of a myriad of organisations and individuals that have acted in solidarity with Zimbabweans over the years.
The fast will not end after 21 days. Nomboniso Gasa, the chairperson of the South African Commission on Gender Equality will take up the fast from February 11th. She too will go for 21 days with only water, and on March 4th, another individual will take the baton in our relay fast.
But this campaign is not just about a few relatively well-known personalities fasting for lengthy periods of time. It is about calling every individual to civic action. We are asking people to go to www.savezimbabwenow.com, and to show their solidarity. Other actions will follow - and every individual will be counted.
