- Lesson Title: The Election in Zimbabwe
- Language: Hausa
- Topic: Economics/Politics
- ILR Level: 1+/2
- ACTFL Proficiency: Advanced-Mid, Advanced-Low, Intermediate-High. This ACTFL rating is an approximation based on the ILR level
- Modality: Listening
- Learning Objective: Maintenance & Improvement
- Subject Area: Language
- Material Type: LO
- Publication Year: 2008
- ObjectID: HAUS_12659
- CONTENT SOURCE: Kabiru Fagge (2008, June 29). Zimbabwe Election. World news (Labarun duniya) Washington, DC: VOA.
- You selected a Learning Object that offers practice on this objective: Demonstrate your comprehension.
- Content Description: This report is about the recent election in Zimbabwe.
NOTES
The Election in Zimbabwe
1. Zimbabwe held an election on March 29, 2008. Voters had twelve hours to cast their vote for incumbent President Robert Mugabe, independent candidate Simba Makoni, or Movement for Democratic Change candidate Morgan Tsvangirai. Leading up to the election, opposition candidates expressed concerns that Mugabe would not allow the elections to be free and fair, and many feared that violence would break out. However, the election day itself proved to be largely peaceful.
On Monday, March 31, the Movement for Democratic Change claimed a substantial victory. However, on April 1, it was announced by the Mugabe campaign that, while Morgan Tsvangirai had defeated Robert Mugabe, he did not have enough votes for an all out victory. On April 2, it was announced that Tsvangirai received 49 percent of the vote to Mugabe's 42 percent, with more votes to be counted. On April 3, it was announced that Mugabe's party lost control of the parliament, the first time this had happened in twenty-eight years since independence. This result was contested and verified by a drawn out recount.
www.mahalo.com/Zimbabwe_Runoff_Election_2008
2. On May 2, election officials finally released the results of the vote, with Tsvangirai defeating President Robert Mugabe, 47.9 percent to 43.2 percent. A runoff election, scheduled for June 27, is necessary because neither candidate won more than 50 percent. In the lead-up to the runoff election, police intensified their crackdown on Tsvangirai and members of his party. At least 85 supporters of his party were killed in government-backed violence. Officials banned rallies and repeatedly detained Tsvangirai for attempting to do so.
On June 22, Tsvangirai withdrew from the race, saying he could not subject his supporters to violence and intimidation. He also said he refused to take part in "this violent, illegitimate sham of an election process." He took refuge in the Dutch Embassy. The United Nations issued a statement condemning the violence that has plagued Zimbabwe and said it would be "impossible for a free and fair election to take place."
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0108169.html
3. For more information, please visit the following links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7478757.stm
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/06/26/zimbabwe.explainer/?iref=hpmostpop Close
Activity
Read each question and type your response in the box provided. Click CHECK at the bottom of the screen to view the model response.
Background Information 1. Morgan Tsvangirai has risen from working in a mine to becoming the symbol of resistance to repression in Zimbabwe.
A charismatic speaker, he is a brave man - constantly running the risk of arrest or assassination since emerging several years ago as President Mugabe's first credible challenger since the 1980s.
As the leader of Zimbabwe's opposition, he has been brutally assaulted, charged with treason and routinely labeled a "traitor."
President Mugabe said the veteran trade unionist "deserved" his treatment for disobeying police orders. But even some of his supporters - mostly young, urban residents - say he has been outmaneuvered by Mr. Mugabe and his allies.
Vocabulary
1. _Zagaye na biyu_ (second round/time), in the text, refers to second term election.
2. _Janye daga takaran zaben_ (pull away/withdraw from the election)
Problems
- What is the occasion for this report and to whom is it addressed?</stim>
<fdbk>The report informs the general public about the outcome of the recent run-off election in Zimbabwe and about the reaction of the opposition and the international community to its result.</fdbk>
<hint>Listen to what is going to happen on Tuesday and which names are mentioned in the report. Consider the source of publication. Please refer to the Notes for information about the election in Zimbabwe.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Facts-Figures</type>
<stim>According to the report, how is the process of vote counting going?</stim>
<fdbk>The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has not released the full results of the election by the day of the report, but the ballot count was completed a week ago, and the full results will be released soon.</fdbk>
<hint>Consider the comments of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Sequence-Steps</type>
<stim>Why would Morgan Tsvangirai disregard both the election and result?</stim>
<fdbk>Robert Tsvangirai felt that the election was not free and fair.</fdbk>
<hint>Note who Robert Tsvagirai represents. Please visit the Learn More section for information about him.</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<type>L2_Cause-Effect</type>
<stim>What was the reaction of the US to the election in Zimbabwe?</stim>
<fdbk>The US considers the election in Zimbabwe fake and is going to apply pressure on the government by imposing economic sanctions on Zimbabwe.</fdbk>
<hint>How did President Bush characterize the election in Zimbabwean and what did he order the secretary of state to do?</hint>
</problem>
<problem>
<stim>Why is the run-off election referred to as "bogus"?</stim>
<fdbk>There are comments going around by the election observers that Robert Mugabe and his party are planning to rig the second election.</fdbk>
<hint>Listen to what the critics of Zimbabwe's electoral process have to say in regard of the Friday election.</hint>
</problem>
</problemset>
</activity>