Arikara

Firstly, what is the difference between me living well in zimbabwe or in the uk, either way people are still living in desperate situations and starving. whether i am here or in zimbabwe makes no difference, of course i care about the situation of the people there, but what exactly is it that you would like me to do?, i care more so beacuse my partners family are living in zimbabwe and have done all their lives and there is nothing that i can do for them either, except help where i can. what exactly is it that you are doing to help the people of zimbabwe that gives you such right to scorn my actions and interests. the reason that i started this thread was specifically for information on living in zimbabwe not to get involved in the political suicide that the country is in right now, there are plenty of other threads specifically in place to discuss those agendas, if you have a problem with my request then feel free not to comment, i asked only for some friendly advice nothing more.

do not think to judge my character so easily when you know so little of me, i care deeply for the losses of others, i have spent nights awake worrying about it in the past trying to come up with ways that i could help, but like so many people have said, as long as the current government rule, nothing can be done. and of course like any normal person my own life has to continue and things have to be done, i do not suppose to be a mother theresa incarnate, for i am sure i am as selfish as any other normal human being, i do my best where i can and other than that have to realise that one person can not solve the worlds problems.

Tegwyn

I do not comprehend why you need to be so defensive. Firstly, I am a Welsh girl that grew up in Zambia, Zims and SA respectively. My comment to Rick has to do with blowing over what is a rather explosive situation in Zims. We have what you might call history so read the rest of the Africa forum to get the gist of it. Zimbabweans are running across the borders in droves, running for their lives and in hopes of having any chance of getting a roof over their heads and something to eat. I lived a part of that many moons ago so know first hand the feeling of having to run for your life. I know the impact of losing people to crime that we cared about. Do you? You've obviously read and heard enough through the media to get an idea of what is going on in Zims. No-one here is trying to stop you. Go, but don't wail if things turn dire and you end up stuck. Don't expect the law to help you because it no longer exists. Whatever you do, vote Mugabe because your life depends on it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7391688.stm

Arikara

i am only getting defensive because people are questioning my integrity. i am not for one moment belittling the situation in Zim, and no i have no idea what it is like to live as you have, which of course is why i am asking! i am just as happy to receive the negative advice as well as the positive advice so long as its constructive and not demening.

Tegwyn

I think you are misinterpreting things here.

Pablo

If the cap fits, wear it. If not, don't.

Now why is it only selfish people who trot out this line?

username 34

that isnt really a very good analagy .... as I'm sure you know. Not quite the same state of affairs in the UK by a long shot

BUT - getting to why people get so wound up by Zimbabwe questions .... the people who are living the high life in Zim (as you will be, with house, car, school fees, FOOD etc) generally are doing so under the umbrella of corruption. EVERY single trade, offfical and company in Zim is backhanding to Mugabe's government to stay in business - this is a FACT, not a supposition. Your boyfriends company will be paying Mugabe to keep them safe, to get them bootleg fuel, to get foreign currency in and out of the country.

so basically - by going out there you will be a part of the political choas whether you choose to acknowledge that fact or not, I know its not your choice, but it has to be on your conscience. You cannot feign ignorance and say it has nothing to do with you ... you are endorsing it by becoming part of it.

we're no talking paying taxes here to governments we didnt vote for .... we're talking about lining Mugabe's and his henchmens pockets whilst he commits genocide on his own people.

And then he will disappear to the Mansion in another country with his billions, happily funded by your boyfriends company amongst other things like looted treasury accounts .... and leave the country at the depth of humanity.

THAT is why people are upset, that is why the response, and that is why you must look at yourself and think do I really want to be part of this .... because even though you think you have nothing to do with the politics - you do by assosciation of your boyfriend and his job.

I reiterate again .... if my hubby was Zim he sure as HELL wouldnt want to take his future wife there. Its about wanting the best for each other and being safe.

shiftdelete

Yep, thats what gets me too, ...about this boyfriend- .....love is blind?
You must mean the world to him....

Leigh of the Valley

I think only you alone can make the decision to move to Zimbabwe.
Due to the nature of this forum, some posters will give advice based on their varied experiences of living in Zimbabwe and rightly so. The problem with this is the proneness to bias due to their subjective experiences.

Some of the posters have lived in Zimbabwe and then moved abroad and therefore could be biased in favour of life abroad vs Zimbabwe . I see a hint of irony about asking for advice regarding moving to Zimbabwe from people who might have moved away from Zimbabwe! however I understand your position to get as much information as possible. Nonetheless I think you need take some of the advice/insults with a pinch of salt.

All in all, I think you will need to make your own informed judgement based on the facts of life in Zimbabwe i.e the state of the economy, political climate, health system etc to make an informed decision whether in favour or against.
If I was in your situation, I would arrange a visit just to get a general impression of the country. I am aware the impression you will get will be different from actually living and working there, but it will help towards your decision. You would also have a chance to talk to people who actually live and work in Zimbabwe about what life is really like.
At the end of the day, life is for living and if you decide to go there, with good planning, all will be well.
Good luck

Leigh of the Valley

So many insults, so little advice . Do I smell a hint of jealousy perhaps

shiftdelete

irony- I see it too - in a way some of us have become, like freedom fighters, not unlike some of the well known freedom fighters who had moved abroad decades earlier, and lived in relative luxury while they sent their foot soldiers in to do their dirty work, except this part doesn't apply.

For the record arikara, please move- no problems. My posts are not meant to offend you in any way. If they do, I apologise.

I have friends desperate to get out. I have rich friends happy to stay (but strangely (not) enough, some of them do make sure they're 'out' while the elections are on or something serious is going down....just in case, if you know what I mean).

Its a funny old world

shiftdelete

what?....about someone going to live in zimbo-land? I think not

Leigh of the Valley

Then why the insults from some posters?
Some of the postings here are very disturbing. The OP requested advice not insults. Its immature and childish to be condescending towards the OP. The insults/words say more about the character of the poster/s.

shiftdelete

, no offence to arikara, but other phrases that come to mind:

"to be honest..."
"I'll be honest with you..."
"trust me..."



warning, warning- danger

shiftdelete

To be honest mate , I don't really think there's anything untoward- its a discussion forum...after all.

all you are looking at are words- you can't see a persons face or their expression, so there's no way of knowing exactly what the tone of the message is.

You know why the germans lost the war?... because the brits could take the micky out of hitler....seriously.

The same treatment should be applied to mbeki and mugabe- after all they have become the joke of africa.

shiftdelete

oops...did I say I had friends?