Televised images of sad-eyed bony faced children with distended bellies are a clear sign that Zimbabwe with its rich black soil is no longer the bread basket of the Southern region of Africa. As the countless voices of people across the world grow louder each day urging the appalling regime in Zimbabwe to step down, Mugabe and his cronies remain indifferent to the suffering of the people. His cries of conspiracy and propaganda by former colonial powers are becoming hollow.

Mugabe a well educated and articulate man, was at one time considered by many of his country men as a hero who fought the liberation struggle. If he had stepped down years ago while people still had a little respect for him, he would no doubt have qualified for statesmanship.

Dethroning Mugabe will be a long and hard battle because he is surrounded by a lot of “yes men” who out of self interest do not give him a clear picture of what is going on around him. Having said that, it is inconceivable that he is driven around in his presidential motorcade without noticing the degradation and poverty.

It’s a shame that not much pressure is being applied by African leaders who have for a long time been droning on about finding an “African solution to an African problem”. Comments by Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Odinga of Kenya for Mugabe to be removed by force have not been supported by the African Union. They insist on the establishment of dialogue which is a rather ridiculous suggestion. The opposition leader in Zimbabwe has made several attempts to negotiate with the Mugabe regime and most of the talks have not been fruitful.

The African Unions refusal to use force is a sign that many leaders fear this could set a precedent. A good number of leaders in the African Union are relics of the past who wish to cling to power.

Young people on the continent of Africa are waking up to the fact that radical changes are needed. Its time for those from the era of African nationalism to go. Young people now yearn for a more modern 21st century leadership that is in tune with their needs.

Many children have been robbed of their innocence, they comb rubbish dumps to find anything to eat. Most of us who were born and breed in the southern region of Africa know that Zimbabwe a country that once had a magnificent landscape, full of wonders and offered immeasurable prospects for its people has lost the beauty it once had.