module 6 Africa: countries in the south BEFORE READING Work in small groups and discuss the following points: 1. Locate the position of Zimbawe on the map of Africa 2. What does the word diamond make you think about? 3. Have you ever seen a documentary film about nature and wildlife in Africa? How was it like? Zimbabwe The Republic of Zimbabwe, formerly Southern Rhodesia, is a landlocked country in western Africa. It is mostly savannah (tropical grassland) and is home to vast wildlife preserves which attract large numbers of tourists every year. The country also boasts the world-famous Victoria Falls which measure 1.7 km wide and drop between 90 and 107 metres into the River Nile. The early history of the country is very similar to that of Botswana, because the current borders are modern political divisions. Zimbabwe also has national parks with zebra, elephant and antelope and in the four pools of the Mana Pools National Park it is also possible to see alligators and hippo. Zimbabwe is known worldwide for the beautiful Shona plaster sculptures which are unusual because most African craftsmen work in wood. The monument of Great Zimbabwe is the most famous stone building in southern Africa the name zimbabwe means house of stone. Located over 150 miles from Johannesburg, it stands 1,100 km above sea level on the Harare Plateau in the Shashe-Limpopo basin. It is thought to have been built over a long period, beginning in 1200 and ending in 1450. Unit ZIMBABWE ARMY RUNS DIAMOND MINE The lobby group Human Rights Watch has accused Zimbabwe s army of using forced labour, including children, to mine diamonds in the east of the country. L ocal villagers who do not co-operate with the military are beaten and tortured, the US-based group says. Their report also details an alleged massacre of diamond diggers last year, after the disputed elections. It urges the unity government to take control of the mines and use the revenue to help rebuild the country. Zimbabwe s new government should get the army out of the fields, put a stop to the abuse , Human Rights Watch s Africa director Georgette Gagnon said. The police and army have turned this peaceful area into a nightmare of lawlessness and horrific violence , she said. «Buying off the military The report is based on interviews done in February in Marange district. Its researchers say that as far as they are aware, the situation has not changed since the former opposition joined the government four months ago.