Dispatches from Zimbabwe: the uncertainty of everyday life (Pt 4)
Updated on 16 July 2009
Everyday life in Zimbabwe can be chaotic and absurd, as our Zimbabwe writer "Helen" reveals.
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4 Aug 2009: can the country stand alone?
There have been two rallying calls made by Zanu PF consistently for the past nine years.
21 Jul 2009: attacking the helpless
New evictions of farm workers are forcing an estimated 150,000 out of work and the problem is going unnoticed.
16 Jul 2009: no coincidence
Waiting for a lunch time meeting to start, the conversation amongst the guests showed vividly just how abnormal life in Zimbabwe still is.
4 Jul 2009: frightening residents meetings
Doing something as simple as going to a residents association meeting is something that takes considerable courage in Zimbabwe.
23 Jun 2009: change is slow in coming
While Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his delegation tour the world trying to raise money to keep Zimbabwe afloat, life is as hard as ever back at home.
9 Jun 2009: platforms and pavements
The homeless people of Zimbabwe who sleep on station platforms and pavements are just the tip of the iceberg of the population's need.
3 Jun 2009: vanishing money
Money in Zimbabwe is safer under the bed than in a bank after zeros are wiped from the value of currency and banks find new ways to charge customers.
26 May 2009: visiting dignitaries
When I heard that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was coming to town, I didn't hesitate in accepting an invitation to attend, writes Helen.
13 May 2009: little has changed
It has been one hundred days since the winners and losers of Zimbabwe's elections agreed to share power, but most people have not seen any improvements to their lives in the last three months. 
5 May 2009: 'clothes are a luxury'
At the start of a new school term in Zimbabwe one teacher cannot even afford to replace her shoes on her wages.
28 Apr 2009: what economy?
When the question came up about whether or not the global financial crisis would affect Zimbabwe's economy, we all collapsed into laughter.
21 Apr 2009: crossing borders
Travelling on the same road on which Mrs Susan Tsvangirai was killed in a car crash is an un-nerving experience.
24 Mar 2009: starting from scratch
As Zimbabwe's MDC MPs and municipal officials put their feet under desks occupied by Zanu PF for the last 29 years we can only imagine what is being uncovered.
16 Mar 2009: mourning the mother of the MDC
A feeling of deep sadness and shock descended over Zimbabwe in the days following the car crash on the 6 March in which Susan Tsvangirai died.
24 Feb 2009: looking for a rubbish tip
The UN secretary general calls for emergency food aid for Zimbabwe, but his assessment is an understatement of the true situation.
18 Feb 2009: great expectations
All eyes are on the new Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, and expectations are very high.
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