A note arrived on my desk last week. There were two columns listing the prices of basic commodities such as maize meal, salt, sugar, cooking oil, rent and flour under the headings of “Old price” and “New price”. Apparently prices have gone up some 20% though over what period it did not say. It is no co-incidence that today is wage day and without actually saying it, this was a request for an increase. There was a wage increase in February of 28% so I was more than a bit annoyed and some of the supposed prices listed looked more than a bit hight to me. Shopping is not one of my fortes but I am aware of what prices are so decided to check them out.
I called into a local supermarket on the way back from town and after checking around found that current costs of the listed commodities were actually LESS than those listed on the “Old price” column! When I mentioned this I was told yes, but these prices are for the supermarket where we live. Well in that case it is worth getting on the bus and going into town. I will see later today if there is another request for a meeting with the labour to discuss this.
Earlier this week another chancer arrived at the office. Smartly dressed, he waited politely at the door while I was on the phone. I glanced at the government letterhead on the paper but did not take much in except that it there was something about “Anti Sanctions Music” and they were looking for money. I suppose I should have perused it a bit closer but I couldn’t be bothered. When I asked incredulously what “Anti Sanctions Music” was I was told it was just that; they wanted to make music against the targeted sanctions imposed on various individuals and organizations in Zimbabwe. The cheek of it; they wanted me to give the government (or whomever it was) money so that they could make protest songs! I told him I wasn’t into that type of money and handed the letter back.
Zimbabwe Absurdity 