Zimbabwean LIFE nowadays

Socio-economy

 

The Zimbabwean economy is going through rough phase characterized by high runaway inflation. The ordinary man in the street is struggling to make ends meet. The prices of basic commodities are going up everyday. Most of the products are available at the informal market at very unrealistic prices.

 

The current government has embarked on Land redistribution program (one man one farm) which the whites are against as many of them owned more than one farm. As a result the Western countries in support of the white farmers are accusing the government of human rights violations resulting into smart sanctions which have negatively impacted on the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.

 

As these sanctions took their toll, most companies have restructured, retrenched some of the employees to cut costs, some have even closed down. Poverty has increased in Zimbabwe. Due to the loss of value of the Zimbabwean dollar, this has resulted in people migrating to places like UK, Australia, etc in search for jobs. This has obviously having a negative impact on the family togetherness and values. 

 

Sporting Life in Zimbabwe and Africa

 

 

As the economy is going down many people are losing their jobs, students dropping out of school, leaving many at home with nothing to do. Such are the people who are coming into sport, but these people being poor, are failing to do very well. They do not have the facilities to get proper training, they cannot afford transport to the practice or match venues. The quality of food and sporting equipment is not of international standards. Most sponsors or sponsorships have been withdrawn.                                                                                                                       

Most of the sporting activities were for the whites only during the colonial era and even some years after independence. It is now that the National Associations of different sporting disciplines have started integration programs to include blacks. 

 

This is also true of Baseball in Zimbabwe. The game is well established in the country now. The fruits of the 12 year development program are evidenced now in our national team. In 1990 only whites were playing the game. In 1996, 50% were blacks and today it is 100% blacks participating. Baseball in Africa is developing very slowly mainly because the member governments have not been giving much support to Baseball. There are 23 countries short listed to participate to play baseball in Africa but 12 of these are playing. All these 12 playing countries are scattered in Africa which makes it very difficult to play regularly in continental competitions. African teams do not have many competitions within their own countries so they need to meet at continental level if possible at least once a year. The continent can only come together once in every four years for the All Africa Games. This is so because of lack of sponsorships and governments support for the sport. The numbers in the countries are increasing very rapidly.

 

 

LIFE THROUGH BASEBALL

 

 

I strongly believe that baseball is a very complete life circle. It is my hope and desire that many people will be influenced positively by the sport of baseball through out the world. For one to enjoy the game as a player, one has to know the progression of the game.

 

It takes a round bat to hit a round ball into a 90 degreed field: A batter must acquire and master skills which enables him to hit the ball into fair territory, or behind a runner or space or home run. After that, the batter must run fast, slide, think quickly on the move and be in a position to listen and follow instructions.

 

 

If one looks at it all these characteristics, they are expected of a good citizen of any country. Life throws us in different situations just like batting and there is no one formula to handle all such situations. A batter can face different pitches and pitchers in different innings, games and seasons with different situations with no man on base and when there are men on bases, when team is leading and when losing, in a different tournament or game depends on what on stake. There are times a batter still has to go up to bat even when he has had a K on his last time. Such is in life, there are times when life is going on well and there are times when the opposite is true. One should not give up when everything seems dark. One should also remember that when one can afford to eat it also means that someone is starving somewhere in the world. When one wins it means one has lost. So if one has to eat well everyday one has to work harder everyday in life or in the practice field. Life is just like a game.

 

 

When a fielder is attacking a ground ball and then fields and eventually makes a throws to make a play. That can be one of the loneliness times on one self. He has to erase all in his mind and concentrate, 100%. That can be very long. He can join the rest of the team after. The fielder must have the skill to make that play and also in time. So one is taught to do whatever he does in maximum concentration but also in time otherwise the result will not be the desired one.         

 

 

I do hope and pray that the all the coaches throughout the world understand that they do have the opportunity to influence positively the lives of many through this wonderful game!

 

 

MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN

 

 

Best wishes to you all for the forthcoming year, 2004. We are grateful for the support, which has helped improve and promote baseball throughout the years in Zimbabwe.

 

We have learnt a lot from you and hope our relationship will keep growing to the promotion of sport and peace. It is my hope and prayer that Japan will continue assisting many countries through different organs. The message of hope will reach many people. Wars like the Gulf, Iraq and others may be avoided. Aids can also be capped also.

 

It will be easier for the Japanese to do all these if they could speak the to main languages, English and French for easy communication.

 

 

The People of Japan can contribute to the world peace. There is a lot of hatred and fighting throughout the world and this can be minimized if Japan can go an extra mile in promoting peace. This can be achieved if by respecting human life and rights.

 

 

I do respect the way the Japanese have managed to maintain their culture and respect for human life. Well done.

 

 

My prayers are on Zimbabwe, that the economy situation will improve and that God will bless the country with lots of rain to avoid another year of disaster. (Hunger). I also pray that the AIDS vaccine is discovered and the spread of the disease is controlled. My prayers also go to the people of Iraq that peace may prevail there.

 

 

May I take this opportunity to wish the People of Japan, Zimbabwe and the rest of the world a peacefully 2004. May God bless you and guide you all throughout the year and years ahead.

 

 

 

COMPLIMENTS OF THE NEW SEASON!

 

 

MAKOROKOTO EGORE IDZVA!

 

 

 

 

Mandishona MTASA (Zimbabwe Baseball President)

 

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柿沼様

伊藤様

 

マンディより平和メッセージ受け取りましたので、転送いたします。

尚、ショナ語での新年挨拶はカタカナにすると以下のようになります。

「マコロコト　イゴレ　イッザ（ザとジャの中間的発音）」です。

 

Mandishona Mtasa （マンディショナ･ムタサ）

ジンバブエ野球・ソフトボール協会会長

（略歴）

１９９２年から１９９６年までジンバブエにて日本人野球コーチのカウンターパート

１９９４年ジンバブエ少年野球チームコーチとして来日（１０日間）

１９９５，１９９９，２００３年ナショナルチーム選手としてオールアフリカゲームズ出場。

２００３年、関西学院大学春季キャンプ、野球研修で１ヶ月来日。

いまや、日本通のジンバブエ人。

以上

 

村井

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Alfred Munonyara

To: muraimbk@africaonline.co.zw

Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2003 12:08 PM

Subject: Mainichi message

 

Mr Murai

 

Hope this is not too long!

 

Mandi