The ensuing political conflict in Zimbabwe prompted me to take another look at my photos from my trip to South Africa and Namibia last year. A good over-view of everything Zimbabwe/Mugabe related can be found on The Economist website The Economist

Talking to people in South Africa highlighted the international nature of the problem in Zimbabwe: millions of people fleeing Zimbabwe for South Africa in order to escape the strife caused by Mugabe's corrupt dictatorship. Such illegal immigration puts further strains on South Africa's public services and heightens racial tensions leading to the primitive culture of fear one experiences when travelling in South Africa. It is about time President Mbeki and other Southern African nations take a firmer stand against Mugabe for it is clear that he is reluctant to relinquish his iron grip. Mugabe's anti-imperialist rebuke to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's speech to the United Nations earlier this week should sidelined along with the rest of his propaganda. British interests in Zimbabwe are not imperialistic, merely humanitarian. With a global food crisis on the horizon, it is high time the former bread basket of Africa revitalizes its downtrodden agricultural industry.

However, it should be noted as the photo below (taken in Windhoek, Namibia)shows that Mugabe is still a respected figure in Africa.

More than a marketing slogan:

And finally,

As the Mongol Rally proved, you do not need a fully kitted out Land Rover Defender to off-road, a 2x4 will suffice. However, like my Mongol Rally Fiat Cinquecento, the Toyota Corolla hire car did have its fair share of breakdowns. A stone chip in the radiator being a major headache. However, if the rally teaches you one thing it's that there is a mechanic around every corner and Namibia is no different!

Many thanks to Seth for 'A Post on Posting'. Finally done it!