Today marks a very important day for the African continent. The long awaited, long overdue and much anticipated presidential elections of Zimbabwe.

Being our neighboring country many of us are wondering whether we will see a free and fair election? Based on the track record of previous elections, many would say that this is highly unlikely. According to various sources, there is a serious shortage of polling stations in urban areas, the voter polls are highly inaccurate (including the presence of dead or non-existent voters), there is considerable over production of ballots and an absence of independent observation. Not a good start many would say.

But... I have also read from another source which believes even with all the odds as they are, there is still hope. The people of Zimbabwe have had enough and it is the people that this time are going to tip the scale - regardless of the desperate efforts of Robert Mugabe.

"This time the people’s yearning for freedom appears greater than any force, including Mugabe’s desperation. It must be so. Change is in the air. Everywhere I go, people are saying: “It’s our turn. Change!” On Saturday, it does not matter which side the heavyweights in Zanu-PF are on; the people, for once, have the power. We are our own heavyweights." - Mugabe: Beginning of an end (Thought Leader).

Looking back over his 28 year rule, it is amazing how much damage one man can do, taking a country that once boasted one of the highest education rates in Africa and of the highest natural resources, turning it into one that is stricken with poverty and infinite sadness. Once the poster child of Africa, Zimbabwe's official inflation rate is 100 580% (though independent economists reckon it is more in the range of a shocking 300 000%) and has a shocking unemployment rate of 80%!

I remember back in 1999 going to Zimbabwe for Java training and how taken back at the time, where even then the country was in trouble, but how genuinely friendly and warm the people were. I have yet to meet a Zimbabwean that i have not liked.

Will today be the end of a 28 year rule of once democratic then turned dictator? I sure as heck hope so! Personally, I've got my fingers crossed for Morgan Tsvangerai.