Visiting Uganda

In July and August I visited Uganda on business. This was the most interesting trip this year. I spent most of the days in a 4x4 vehicle. The distances between the places I was visiting are long and the terrain is rough in many parts.

In my trip I visited the North, west East and Central areas. I spent a day in Gulu in the North. Gulu is a commercial town. It is beautiful and the town is built up compared to other towns in the area. A number of people living there have been displaced during the fighting between the government troops and the Lord’s Resistance Army. We tried to take pictures and almost got our heads taken off. We later discovered that some people feel that their pictures could be used to identify if they participated in any anti government activities. There is a tension here and lack of trust of outsiders by some people. On the other hand I found some people very welcoming and open.

The next place I visited was Apac (pronounced Apache) also in the North. The countryside here is great and the environment is amazing. The people are amazing. The challenge here for me was food. You have to order you supper in advance as the place we were staying in does not cook dinner even though they serve a meagre breakfast (fatcake and tea). Most of the food you get from many places is always accompanied by meat, chicken, beans or fish.


One day after having lunch, pondering the idea of having supper elsewhere, we saw someone carrying a bowl of food. We asked where it had been purchased, we were shown the place. The fellow, Ali, told us that he makes pork, chicken and fish. I ordered chicken and chips and my colleagues ordered pork and chips. We advised him to deliver at the place we were staying in at 19h30. The time came and no Ali. We went looking for him and he was nowhere. We started getting worried as we had paid him deposit. He eventually showed up and we were so greatful and we dived into the food. As we were eating I noticed that the chips were very big and I commented that the potatoes must have been very big. We were in such a big hurry, as we were late for an appointment at the local radio station, that we did not see anything unusual. As I was pushing the chips into my mouth I noticed that they were dry. On the third one it dawned to me that something was not right.

I put the chip up to the light (the room was not well lit) and realised that the chip had a small thread. On a closer look I realised this was cassava. ‘Ali, I said, these are not chips’. Ali said these were the chips we ordered. The others started looking at the chips and we all had a good laugh. In the North you have to be specific: Irish potato chips or you will get something else. And when you want potatoes you also have to be clear because sweet potatoes are called potatoes and they are common that potatoes (Irish).

I eat bananas. In South Africa we have many of these and they are always available throughout the year. They are grown mostly in the coastal provinces especially the Wild Coast and KZN. They are also found in Mpumalanga. What I saw in Uganda is something else. Firstly there are different types of bananas– I saw at least six types. Everywhere you go in Uganda there are banana trees. People plant them to for subsistence and to sell. I have never seen so many bananas. They cook them, grill them, fry the and even make wine with them. This was all new to me.

What is going on at the SABC?

The Group CEO of the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), Mr Dali Mpofu, suspended the head of news Mr Snuki Zikalala yesterday. Mpofu accused Zikalala of serious misconduct. In a SABC radio statement, Mpofu said that Zikalala was suspended for leaking confidential company documents. The suspension was with immediate effect. Zikalala on the other hand has denied these allegations saying there is more to this issue than what the pubic is led to believe.

The relationship between the two has been sour for a long time and the suspension is no. There are rumours that some of their problems were intensified by the ANC succession battle. It is said that some people within the party feel that the SABC was biased in its coverage of this issue. There are the feelings that the two executives had also taken sides within the ANC chaos.

In a dramatic turn of events, the SABC Board met yesterday evening and decided to suspend Mpofu with immediate effect. An acting CEO is still to be announced later today. In a telephonic interview with SABC 2 this morning, Professor Guy Berger of Rhodes University said that what is happening to the SABC is a shame. He noted that it is not likely for the broadcaster to collapse as everything seems to be running well indicating that systems are in place. On the management replacement he stated that there are processes that the Board is likely to follow before they make a decision. He said that there has been too much controversy surrounding Zikalala in the past but he has also done a lot for the broadcaster and he is likely to fight for his position.

The SABC Board was to meet this morning to look at temporary measures to address the management vacuum.

This chaos happens at a time when South Africa is hosting the International Public Television Screening Conference (INPUT). The conference is on until May 10. The theme of the conference ‘Back to the beginning’ is informed by:

• Africa the Cradle of Humankind
• The return of Input to Africa after its debut on the Continent in 2001 in Cape Town
• Returning to the compelling simplicity of good stories well told

World Press Freedom Day - 3 May 2008

On Saturday 3 May celebrates the World Press Freedom Day, well this has been the norm for years. This occasion acknowledges the gains made over time in ensuring a safe environment for journalists to work in. It also acknowledges the challenges that still exist.

Journalists continue to be arrested, jailed and killed. Censorship is alive in many countries. Journalists are forced to give up their sources or face being jailed. Some are accused of spying on the state, stealing and selling state secrets, conspiring against their governments and many others. China for an example has been in the spotlight for its inhumane laws and disregard for human rights.

There have been however legislative changes favourable to the media in various countries in the last decade. There are also concerns that these changes are only for window dressing as they are not applied. It is true that in many instances the legislative environment makes it hard for the ‘free media’ to operate. But, we also need to look at the limitations affecting journalists e.g. lack of resources, editorial policies, knowledge base and ethics.

Very few countries in Africa have progressive laws regarding the media. Journalists are jailed for ‘telling like it is’. Recently in Zimbabwe there was a crackdown on journalists. Some are still in jail while others have been released and or fined. This problem is not unique to Zimbabwe but is widespread. The threats are there even in countries with progressive policies like South Africa. As much as there is freedom of expression on paper, there are various pieces of legislation that make it hard to collect and disseminate information.

There is evidence of changes in South Africa compared to the period before the 90s. There is an Independent Communications Authority which is independent of the state various other structures that have made life easier for the media and for the public. The introduction of the three tier system of broadcasting has ensured that the growth of community radio. More and more communities have access to information through radio. This has had an added benefit as people in the countryside are largely illiterate or semiliterate and too poor to afford a newspaper on a regular basis.

As we celebrate this day, we also have to answer a number of questions to understand where we are. The role of the media in society has to be clarified. Who owns the media and what their intentions are is another issue that needs attention? What arte the threats to media? What are the challenges facing journalists on the field and in the newsroom? What is alternative media? Is new media killing traditional media? Why are senior journalists leaving the media environment?

Media today is very diverse in character. The problem is that ownership is a major challenge as there is no diversity. Content has also not necessarily been diversified. We also have to ask ourselves whether this diversity has improved access to information by the average person.

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reads: ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.’ In an ideal environment, this article should be respected and adhered to.

Inflation in Zimbabwe

I recently travelled to Zimbabwe to visit a number of civil society organisations. One of the things you don't see in the media is how people go by in that country. Most Zimbabweans are very 'nice' and accommodating. Very polite and in all my trips there I have not met anyone who made me feel uncomfortable (with the exception of the immigration officials, and the security police).

Coming from South Africa, I found it strange to see people walking around with wards of money. I was at Nandos to buy lunch, and this person comes in and places a a plastic bag with loads of notes. He was actually buying lunch for a couple of people and at the same time getting rid of his old notes. I awondered if people are not scared of being robbed of their cash. It turns out that robbers will find it hard to run away with the money as most of it is worth nothing. The Reserve Bank recently released new bank notes. There is now a 750 000 and a 10 million note.

One day I flew to Bulawayo and took a shuttle from the airport to town and it cost me ZWD 30m. That afternoon on my way back to the airport I took the same shuttle and it cost me ZWD 75m. The reason was that petrol went up during the day so did everything. At the time I was staying at the Crown Plaza and breakfast cost me ZWD 27m. Three weeks later in the same hotel breakfast cost me ZWD 85m.

In late February I visited the country for a week long citizen journalism workshop. Our equipment and workshop material, which was sent in advance by DHL, was delayed by the customs officials. The equipment was not released until the following week after the workshop. Most people were not shocked this was happening as they said it was a norm with customs especially for things that relate to media.

I often find these trips very educational and sometimes weired. Everybody in Zim is conscious of the currency changes and is keeping up. They also know more about exchange rates than most South Africans. There is a huge interest in foreign currency everywhere you go. People buy a rand for more than what its worth because they can get more out of a rand than what they would get for its equivalent in Zim dollars.

In my last trip to Harare some colleagues and friends asked me to bring anything from stalk sweets, coffee creamers to washing powder. Most shops have empty shelves. Those with stock run out fast and there are always long ques and of cause sometimes the prices change while you are standing in the que.

You have to be there to understand it.