While the world focuses on elections in South Africa, the terrible plight of people in Zimbabwe continues, says Oskar Wempter. He describes the stranglehold on the country and the impact on its starving population.

Maundy Thursday is a foot-washing day for Christians, emphasising mutual service. But a bishop has given the tradition a new twist by shining boots at St Pancras station to raise funds for Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is in a "serious humanitarian crisis" with villagers surviving on wild berries and appealing for food aid that is not coming, the head of Christian Care in the southern African country has charged.

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York launched a Lent appeal for Zimbabwe on Ash Wednesday, as Christians in Britain and beyond joined in a day of prayer and fasting for the troubled country.