Human rights activists have called on people around the world to participate in a one-day fast on Sunday to show solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.
The fast has been timed to coincide with an African Union meeting on Zimbabwe in Ethiopia. According to a statement from global campaigning organisation Avaaz, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Graca Machel will join the fast, and anti-apartheid activist Kumi Naidoo, has already embarked on a hunger strike.
Tutu has vowed to fast once a week. Naidoo is on the 10th day of a 21-day hunger strike.
Naidoo on Thursday described the situation in Zimbabwe as a passive genocide and warned that the cholera crisis in that country could pose a threat to the 2010 World Cup should it spread in southern Africa.
Naidoo said he had recently visited Zimbabwe and was appalled that education and health services had collapsed because teachers and nurses could not afford to get to work on the salaries they earned.
"Teachers and nurses earn far less than their transport fares cost," he said.
Naidoo appealed to religious leaders from all dominations to support the Save Zimbabwe Now campaign.
By Nompumelelo Magwaza. This article was originally published on page 2 of The Mercury on January 30, 2009 .
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