Netsai Mlilo

For the majority of HIV-infected Zimbabwean workers payday has become a time to make tough choices. Such workers, many of whom earn less than Z$30 000 (R300) a month, have to decide between buying a month’s supply of antiretrovirals (ARVs) or food.

As a Zimbabwean, I can understand if middle-class South Africans have difficulty appreciating the magnitude of the food crisis in my country. For most middle-class South Africans, the luxury of three square meals a day is taken for granted. The mind boggles, however, when government officials fail or, rather, refuse to accept the reality on the ground.

"When there is no pain, there is no gain — but we know that we have to make a responsible assessment about the risks we take." MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has shrugged off his treason trial fatigue to seek the intervention of SADC leaders in forcing Zimbabwe to comply with election guidelines. In his first face-to-face interview since his acquittal, he speaks about his party’s challenges.