Carte Blanche with Perry

I belong to Zimbabwe and am inextricably bound to this land. Regardless of the perceived or actual imperfections Zimbabwe has, this will always and forever be my home. Like many other Zimbabweans, I’m heavily invested in this country, and together with other them, hold a stake in Zimbabwe and its destiny. That being said, the Zimbabwe I see is far from perfect. The problems the country is facing have well been documented and there is little need if any at all to dwell on these. What has become apparent however is that we are increasingly becoming a society that would rather focus on the problems without necessarily discussing or offering solutions to the myriad of challenges we face. What’s needed is definitive leadership that would outline in broad strokes the path the country should take in navigating its way out of the quagmire it presently finds itself in. Many have lost faith in our politicians and more generally the political system in its entirety. Just a quick glanc...

To Graça Machel and the Mandela family; to President Zuma and members of the government; to heads of state and government, past and present; distinguished guests - it is a singular honor to be with you today, to celebrate a life unlike any other.  To the people of South Africa - people of every race and walk of life - the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us.  His struggle was your struggle.  His triumph was your triumph.  Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy. It is hard to eulogize any man - to capture in words not just the facts and the dates that make a life, but the essential truth of a person - their private joys and sorrows; the quiet moments and unique qualities that illuminate someone’s soul.  How much harder to do so for a giant of history, who moved a nation toward justice, and in the process moved billions around the world. Born during World War I, far from th...