'I have hope for Zimbabwe's future'

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By Tom Warren BBC News, Wolverhampton

Brilliant Pongo left Zimbabwe in 2003

Renewed violence across Zimbabwe has deepened the political crisis gripping the country.

So what chance remains for refugees living in England who hope one day to return?

Brilliant Pongo left Zimbabwe five years ago after threats from local officials.

Working as a columnist for the Weekend Tribune newspaper and a DJ on SFM radio, his social commentaries often criticised the government leading to warnings he should "watch his step".

He now lives with his wife and three-year-old son in Wolverhampton after being granted political asylum.

There's never anything positive coming out of Zimbabwe and we wanted to give people a break Brilliant Pongo

Despite the dangers, the 31-year-old journalist, currently working towards a PhD at the University of Wolverhampton, hopes one day to return home.

But unprecedented inflation coupled with political violence are blighting Zimbabwe.

So Mr Pongo is determined to bring hope to those he can reach.

He has set up two websites with a friend, Fortune Tazvida.

One - thazonet.com - features Zimbabwean music, arts and entertainment, while the second - nehandaradio.com - is more political.

"There's never anything positive coming out of Zimbabwe and we wanted to give people a break, so we set up an entertainment site to promote the music that's coming out of Zimbabwe," Mr Pongo said.

Spiralling prices

"Within the Zimbabwean community here in the UK we have musicians playing.

"Sometimes music brings back memories of certain times. It's romanticised about a future Zimbabwe that's like the past."

Mr Pongo also has two shows on London-based SW Radio Africa, which broadcasts to Zimbabwe. Its broadcasts have been repeatedly jammed by Zimbabwe's censors.

"I would like to go back to Zimbabwe. I'm here getting all this education preparing myself for a future there," he said.

"I would maybe put all these experiences I get here to use there and promote a free media environment and a decent way of being a journalist.

"There's so many of us that have left and so many of us are in further education - there's hope.

"At Wolverhampton University we have over 200 Zimbabwean students, mostly doing nursing."

Zimbabwe is suffering from chronic inflation

But there are few incentives for them to return at present.

Mr Pongo's brother sent him a text message this week saying the price of a loaf of bread had risen to 17 US dollars, a pizza to 75 and a funeral to 4,000.

Those who can now trade in foreign currencies.

The last official figure given for annual inflation was 11,000,000%.

In August, the central bank struck 10 zeros from the currency, making 10bn Zimbabwe dollars equal to one new dollar.

But it has not solved the problem.

"Talking to people in Zimbabwe, they tell you there's cash shortages," Mr Pongo said.

'Eaten roots'

"In some shops in Bulawayo, from what my brother tells me, you can [officially] pay in foreign currencies, with the South African rand, Botswana Pula or US dollars.

"The situation is such that those who have relatives outside Zimbabwe that can send them money are able to buy goods.

"The people that don't are the ones that are getting the rough end of this chaos.

"There have been reports that people have eaten roots from trees - it's a very distressing thing to learn about."

He believes the country can pull back from the brink, if politicians allow it and work together.

In the meantime Mr Pongo intends to keep broadcasting to his home country for as long as he can.

"There's a satisfaction that my purpose is to try to promote our cultural ethos and maybe music sometimes brings [good memories] back for people."