I should have published this 12 days ago on 1 October, the date we had slated for our launch. Somehow, something gave and we could not meet that deadline and so here we are today, finally bringing ourselves to life. We have not been quite dead either. Our former home (http://zimbabweinpictures.wordpress.com) is a catalogue of the journey we have travelled, the challenges we have faced and the joy we have celebrated. Thankfully, we have celebrated more.

Is there anything to celebrate really about Zimbabwe? The cynics out there will argue there isn't. The optimists will point out that the fact that we are not where were this time last year counts for something. The philosopher will question whether the availability of food stuff, fuel and a fair amount of hope about Zimbabwe automatically translates to accessibility of those items.

Ours is a healing nation and like any path to healing, the process is contentious. For us at Zimbabwe in Pictures, we understand our role in this process as that of capturing and imaging a nation in tansition, a different kind of Zimbabwe. It is an extremely rare opportunity to have and we approach our aims and objectives with utmost humility.

We see a nation restored, a hope coming to pass and a people with exciting visions and prospects of the future. To see this is not to deny our tortured past. Rather, it is to embrace it and as we do so demand a better future. We would not have been able to be where we are today if it was not for the support of many people. Let me note, however, these organizations and individual: NiZA, Babah Tarawally at Free Voice, the Open Society Foundation (South Africa) and Karl Beck at Freedom House. We are also truly grateful to the many people in the media, civil society and other individuals who have shown us tremendous support since we started this project in March 2008. Many have gone on to be close friends, associates and colleaugues. Such an overwhelming show of support humbles us.

The journey continues. The images we bring you on this platform speak where we are coming from, where we are  and more importanly, where we are going. It is such a great pleasure to take the ride with you.

Enjoy!

Levi Kabwato