Let me give you some stats on the country we have just visited, compliments of Wikipedia...Zimbabwe is a country of 13M people in Southern Africa, bordering on South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana and Zambia.
It is independent since 1980, but situation has deteriorated greatly since then.
As for records, it is now the country with :
- The highest inflation rates in the world. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to an official estimated high of 7,634.8% in August 2007,[46] a state of hyperinflation, and an unofficial 15,000% on the black market.
- The highest inflation rates in the world. Inflation rose from an annual rate of 32% in 1998 to an official estimated high of 7,634.8% in August 2007,[46] a state of hyperinflation, and an unofficial 15,000% on the black market.
- The country with the lowest life expectancy in the world: for men = 37 years and for women 34 years.[54]
- Zimbabwe has a very high HIV infection rate. In 2001 it was measured at its highest level ever of 33.7% for people aged 15–49. An association of doctors in Zimbabwe have made calls for President Mugabe to make moves to assist the ailing health service.[55]
- Zimbabwe has a very high HIV infection rate. In 2001 it was measured at its highest level ever of 33.7% for people aged 15–49. An association of doctors in Zimbabwe have made calls for President Mugabe to make moves to assist the ailing health service.[55]
- It has over 1 million of orphans (or what is called OVC = Orphans and Vulnerable Children), due to migrating parents or parents that passed away from the HIV epidemic.
- A third of the population depends on food supplies from the World Food Programme to avoid starvation.[43] Agricultural production has plummeted and the economy is crippled. Once the "bread basket" of southern Africa and a major agricultural exporter, Zimbabwe now depends on food programs and support from outside to feed its population.
- 80% formal unemployment rate.
- The economic meltdown and repressive political measures in Zimbabwe has led to a flood of refugees into neighboring countries. An estimated 3,4 million Zimbabweans, a quarter of the population, had fled abroad by mid 2007. Some 3 million of these have gone to South Africa. An estimated 570,000 people are displaced within the borders of the country, many of whom remain in transit camps and have limited access to assistance.
- A third of the population depends on food supplies from the World Food Programme to avoid starvation.[43] Agricultural production has plummeted and the economy is crippled. Once the "bread basket" of southern Africa and a major agricultural exporter, Zimbabwe now depends on food programs and support from outside to feed its population.
- 80% formal unemployment rate.- The economic meltdown and repressive political measures in Zimbabwe has led to a flood of refugees into neighboring countries. An estimated 3,4 million Zimbabweans, a quarter of the population, had fled abroad by mid 2007. Some 3 million of these have gone to South Africa. An estimated 570,000 people are displaced within the borders of the country, many of whom remain in transit camps and have limited access to assistance.
- Number of people living with HIV: 1.700 000 and adults aged 15 to 49 with HIV: 20,1% (men 13,3 – women 27,6) = 1 500 000.
- Deaths due to Aids: 180 000
- Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV: 160 000
- Children aged 0 to 14 living with HIV: 160 000
Mugabe has waged a violent campaign against homosexuals, arguing that prior to colonisation Zimbabweans did not engage in homosexual acts. A little quote from him during the 1995 Zimbabwe International Book Fair regarding homosexuality:
"degrades human dignity. It's unnatural and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs. If dogs and pigs do not do it, why must human beings? We have our own culture, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to our traditional values that make us human beings... What we are being persuaded to accept is sub-animal behaviour and we will never allow it here. If you see people parading themselves as lesbians and gays, arrest them and hand them over to the police!"[32]
In September 1995, Zimbabwe's parliament officially approved persecution of homosexuals.[31] In 1997 a court found Canaan Banana, Mugabe's predecessor and the first President of Zimbabwe, guilty of 11 counts of sodomy and indecent assault.[33] Mugabe was criticised for comparing himself to Hitler. Mugabe was quoted as saying "This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people, sovereignty for his people, recognition of the independence of his people and their rights over their resources. If that is Hitler, then let me be a Hitler tenfold." [1]
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