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Zimbabwe. Molly Bacon. When Numbers Count. Prices in Zimbabwe are doubling constantly Hyperinflation = 2.2m per cent annually 50 billion Zimbabwean dollars = 70 American cents The current daily limit on bank withdrawals is $1.40
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Zimbabwe Molly Bacon
When Numbers Count • Prices in Zimbabwe are doubling constantly • Hyperinflation = 2.2m per cent annually • 50 billion Zimbabwean dollars = 70 American cents • The current daily limit on bank withdrawals is $1.40 • All of the Zimbabwean money in this boy’s left hand is equal to 10 American dollars
Numbers Continued • Most Zimbabwean workers currently make $2 a month • This salary can buy merely 2 loaves of bread • The current daily limit on bank withdrawals is $1.40 • 1/3 of Zimbabwe’s foreign-exchange is money sent abroad to family and friends • All of the Zimbabwean money shown in this picture is equal to 20 American dollars
Painting A Mental Picture • Rent in Zimbabwe is commonly paid with American or South African money • Citizens are charged extra if they use local currency • In 1980, the Zimbabwean dollar was worth more than the American dollar • Zimbabwean dollar has not yet reached Hungary’s inflation of 42 quadrillion per cent a month after WWII • Currency will never again be the same
Zimbabwe’s Elections • Held on March 29th • President Robert Mugabe vs. Morgan Tsvangirai • President had not talked to Tsvangirai in past 11 years • Finally started talking but swore to never let him take over
Election Facts • On July 21st both sides signed an agreement and actually shook hands • Tsvangirai won the 1st round of presidential poll • Mugabe’s first loss since he came to power in 1980
When The Going Gets Tough • Thousands of Tsvangirai’s supporters were tortured and beaten during 2nd round of election • Morgan Tsvangirai withdrew a few days before the final election taking place on June 27th • No new government was elected • Parliament elected in March cannot be convened
It’s A Toss Up • Mugabe believes he has already won • President of Kenya, Mwai Kibaki, rigged polls and won in December • This actions are similar to Mugabe’s current actions • Morgan Tsvangirai’s passport is full and cannot go abroad • South Africa’s government has the most influence on this election
Works Cited “A Worthless Currency." Economist. 17 Jul. 2008. 14 Aug. 2008 <http://www. economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11751346>. “They Agree to Talk, But Nobody Knows Where It Will Lead.” Economist. 24 Jul. 2008. 14 Aug. 2008. <http://www.economist.com/ world/mideastafrica/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11791588>.