The seemless executive power transfer and the prototypical democratization of one community versus a bumpy power wrangling and atypical rule in another community within our region, may have stroke a serious note in the hearts and minds of our own people and their nascent democratic institution. The two scenarios could always serve as precedences and a crucial test to our own perception of a community and its governance. It is either /or. For the people or for th Big man. Democracy is cumbersome and painstaking, yet once it had taken firm roots as in India and Botswana for instance, it is fullfilling. In contrast, contmpt for the people and community, especially by so-called dictatorship of the proletariats, dictatorship by state, dictatorship by the Big man, etc. lead to suffering and misery. Mr. Mogae said that he has resorted to live in peace as a civilian in love and harmony with his people. While on the otherhand Mr. Mugabe may have either to go into exile or face MDC's and the people's wrath.

Maybe I am too cynical for my own good this morning. In bots they know the "West" has them by the short and curlies. If they don't jump, no more diamond sales!

In Zim people may be starting to realise that money from the West is not money straight from hell.


Back to square One? "West is Best"? ... because who in Africa does have the sums of money they have?

No, Oneword. Not exactly in a negative sense, at all. True there ought to be incentives that propell prosperities, nothing wrong with that. Just think of the inverse. Especially, here in the West that is exactly how things are accomplished. One aspire to satisfy those "hurt-so-good" prerequisites for the sake of gains. In business one sacrifices for the sake of profit; in life one gives something to maintain harmony with others--could be pride, comfort, etc. for instance. China may have to forgo some of its ideological values in exchange for harmonious, profitable relation with its capitalist clients and partners. If Zim has taken this for granted, watch how painful the road to prosperity could be. Zim will inevitably realize and do exactly what Botswana had been doing, one day. I hope sooner than later. This is the right way and the only way. Oneword.