Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s vendors and informal traders are appealing to the City fathers, for a favourable working environment that will create a fruitful situation between the two parties as this will also create room for smooth payment of rates.
In an interview with Street Wise Informal Traders Associations National Chairman Edward Manning, the organisation is calling for cooperation between the City Councils and street vendors to end harassment of vendors by the city councils.
Manning urged the City councils to adopt the Chegutu City council’s way of doing things whereby the vendors are required to pay a certain amount per day to the City council to ensure an undisturbed trade during the day.
“The City councils and the vendors ought to reach a point of agreement that is beneficial to both parties instead of playing this cat and mouse game that is disruptive”, said Manning in an interview with Choice magazine.
“The City councils waste scarce resources, mobilising man power and fuel to confiscate vendors’ wares, only to have them pay a fine to the police, instead of the vendors to pay to the City councils and channel that money towards improving the service delivery to ratepayers”, concluded Mining.
The City councils are still using the by-laws of 1976 against the government’s blue print on improving self-reliance and employment creation. However times have changed, because of the high rate of unemployment and more people have ventured into vending as a source of living to fend for their families hence they need to make reforms that will enable the vendors and the council to coexist.
Bulawayo – The desperate prerequisite for energy to do basic household work like cooking and lighting, has forced many urban dwellers to substitute with gas and firewood, following the escalation of electricity prices now beyond reach. Writes Chrispen Tabvura.
Firewood vendors are now doing door to door deliveries to stranded high density dwellers who are buying a portion of firewood at basically USD$1 or R20 equivalent of Rtgs100, in local currency.
Many urban communities have resorted to use electricity for lighting, while most of the cooking energy has been switched to firewood, with also a few who can afford gas, have substituted with electricity for gas in issues of cooking.
“Electricity has gone beyond reach especially during this lockdown period, since we are not allowed to go into town to do our alternative means of business, which is basically street vending. We are just praying that this evil period can end so that we can be able to raise money for food and basic upkeep.” Said Mrs Kuveya of Tshabalala.
Another mother, Mrs Aleta Khuphe told Choice magazine that, gas has also gone beyond reach like electricity, as the price has also gone up.
“We cannot afford gas anymore, as the price is now competing for space with electricity, making it difficult for the general masses to buy because of lockdown that has forced us to stay indoors without anything to do. We were better before lockdown because we were able to sell our goods in the streets and also do other businesses in town.” She added.
While it is an offence to sell firewood, and also to do street vending especially during this period of global lockdown due to covid19 pandemic, many people are braving police roadblocks, to look for food in street vendors.
Zimbabwe’s National President for Informal Economy Associations, Edward Manning told Choice Magazine that government must help its citizens with affordable renewable energy accessories like solar lights, by enforcing conducive prices.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) recently held a seminar with News organisations publishing supervisors, who are media gatekeepers in an effort to help with the flow of renewable energy information.
Bulawayo – Bulawayo informal traders have dismissed the reckless journalism from some section of the mainstream media, for accusing their members and the entire Bulawayo communities of defying the covid19 regulations.
They told Choice Magazine that the accusation that they were defying covid19 rules were misguided and irresponsible.
“I think that Journalist lives in a bubble or maybe travel from another planet to write Bulawayo stories, and then return to his base after damaging our image. The Police and soldiers are our sons that were brought up by monies from vending,” complained Simangaliso Dube a vendor.
Another Bulawayo vendor, Gogo Patricia Gumede concurred with Dube, to blame the recent news article that was published in the media.
“That reporter is not educated neither qualified to live with the communities. He writes as if he dropped from somewhere not on this earth, and in this country specifically. Zimbabwe is a vendor economy, with most of its people living from hand to mouth.” She added.
Bulawayo vendors who are breathing fire, following the publication of the defiance news article vowed to track the reporter for what they termed classified horror reporting. They also accused the newspaper of persecution and peddling hatred news articles.
“We are not enemies of our government and we will never defy our government in any way. What we do is go into the streets to sell and buy food. We are human and we eat food too. Next time we will not entertain journalists because of this ill advising media person.” Said Naume Jonga a Lobengula street vendor.
The National Chairperson of the Street vendors Association, Edward Manning, also blamed the misinforming media channels for peddling hatred and wicked information.
“We are not defying the covid19 rules and will never do that. We are law abiding citizens who follow rules and regulations. Our members are operating legally and following laid down procedures, as per government orders. We will never go against our own rules and regulations because we are stakeholders into the success of this country too, hence our innocent and fair ways of doing business.” Said Manning.
Bulawayo – Following the establishment of kitchen soup charity feeding scheme by two Bulawayo women, more starving and vulnerable children are coming out in their numbers for food. The women have since added value to the kitchen soup, by introducing lunch for the desperate vulnerable children.
The two women self-funded kitchen soup that is rescuing hundreds of starving children during this ongoing Covid19 lockdown period that caught many unprepared, has attracted additional hundreds of vulnerable, bringing the current figure of children coming to the feeding scheme to 310 per day.
The two mothers whose open hearts and hands wiped the tears of families and children who are still locked down in poverty, as a result of Covid19 Global pandemic, established a feeding scheme, that has to date assisted hundreds of disadvantaged and less privileged young ones around Bulawayo.
“We have now added lunch after realised the suffering of many in silence, with many families going out in the streets to pick dropping maize grains, from trucks for the next meal, and decided to contribute from our pockets, to assist these children from that background.” Said Dorothy Magoba Ndlovu.
Ndebele, who partnered with Ndlovu, to establish ‘Open Hearts Kitchen Soup’, told Choice Magazine that they are currently appealing for more assistance to keep this project alive.
“We are praying to get into the hearts of those with funding, to come forward and help this honorable cause. We are also hopping that one day we will get the less privileged children who are failing to go to school due school fees to get that opportunity.” She said tearfully.
Dorothy and Cora are currently feeding the children from their pockets and gather the children at a central location for the feeding times.
Bulawayo – Desperation and confusion amongst the communities of Bulawayo and the surrounding communities is growing, and causing fear within the already poverty stricken societies.
The current looming lockdown that has been awash in social media, which has almost become the reliable source of true information, is causing panic and hopelessness due to lack of finance, as most informal traders are not operating owing to the current government regulations towards covid19 safety precautions.
“If ever the lockdown is going to be effected, more deaths caused by hunger are going to increase, because already other families are suffering in silence. During the first phase of lockdown, many families were spotted at the granaries, picking dropping maize grains from trucks for food.” Said Edward Manning, national President of Zimbabwe’s informal traders.
Pastor Samson Masuku, of Paradise of Peace Assemblies, concurred with Manning’s sentiments, when he told Choice Magazine of the complications faced by families.
“It is painful and heartbreaking to see children suffering the way they are doing in this lockdown period. Many guardians are failing to cope with lockdown agony, because they rely on vending for survival. It is a true hand to mouth situation and we pray that one day our leaders in government may work out a plan to mitigate this poverty issue.” He added.
While it is a global pandemic, and mandatory for the government to take preventive measures to limit the spreading of the deadly virus, it is also the prerogative of the government to look after the welfare of its citizens.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says the government is planning to review Coronavirus lockdown measures following rising numbers of Zimbabweans testing positive for COVID-19.
Information Secretary, Nick Mangwana, said Mngangagwa announced the proposed move at an Ordinary Session of the ruling Zanu PF party’s Politburo meeting last Friday. There are currently 942 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe with 320 recoveries and 13 deaths.
Bulawayo – Bulawayo commuters are crying foul over the monopoly of transport business by ZUPCO, following critical transport shortages, as a result of failure by the operator to cope with a growing number of workers plying their daily routines to their places of employment, to and from work. Writes Chris Tabvura
ZUPCO has proved incapacitation, as several commuters, from the western side of the suburbs, that include Nkulumane, Lavendale, Tshabalala, Nketa, Luveve, Magwegwe, Cowdrypark and Pumula, to mention just a few, complained of spending more than four hours in ZUPCO queues, after work, with the same situation also taking place in the morning, on their way to work.
“We wake up as early as 04:00 am, to catch the earliest bus, since some of us start work at 07:00am. The only alternative is the ZUPCO bus, as all the private vehicles to town are charging exorbitant fares, taking advantage of the current shortage of the only permitted means of transport,” said Monica Khumalo of Mpopoma.
Another Nkulumane commuter also concurred with Monica, as she told Choice magazine that she also resort to wake up early.
“I wake up as early as 4am, to prepare my food and bath, in an effort to catch the early bus, since these days only ZUPCO is the only means of transport, to and from our work stations. I think our government must look into bringing back other players, as they are failing to cope with commuters, who are trying to make their living in the cities,” added Melody Tshuma.
Several commuters from the Bulawayo surrounding suburbs, have been facing the same complication of transport shortages, since the monopoly of ZUPCO, as the only permitted commuter transport operator.
Private commuter operators in Bulawayo, have vowed to take government to court to challenge the monopoly, which they are labeling, autocratic and against employment creating and also the freedom of choice for commuters.
“The monopoly by ZUPCO is not only autocratic but evil, as many youngsters are out of employment. Our government must consider their failure to create employment, hence the closure of many industries in the country.” Said Kholwani Nyoni, a Commuter Omni bus operator.
The National President of Informal Associations, Edward Manning, is also appealing to the Ministry of Transport and SMES to look into the plight of small business operators, who are in need of looking after their families.
“I am just praying that one day, our government will look into their people’s plight on employment. The private commuter bus operators and informal traders, are the current backbone of the country that the government must take them seriously.
The City council is also on record for failing to pay their workers in time, because of closing vendors out of business. Vendors have been helping all local councils, with revenue from their street sales. The vendors have been paying their hawkers licences, adding to the city council coffers and helping with salaries for the workers. Look what is happening now, they are failing because of turning a blind eye on their pay masters, vendors.” Added Manning.
The lockdown, has brought misery to both council workers and vendors, with commuters and business operators, licking the wounds of the covid19 effects.
Chivi– One of Zimbabwe’s renowned businessman and politician, Kevin Muzvidziwa, who passed on last week, was laid to rest in his home village of Ngundu, at Muzvidziwa village in Masvingo province.
He was the eldest son of Masvingo’s first post independence Mayor, Patterson Muzvidziwa, whose tenure of office comprehended a lot of development in both business and infrastructure development, in the country’s oldest city.
Muzvidziwa passed on at Matadei Hospital in Bulawayo after a protracted battle with Multiple myeloma, at the age of 51. A successful businessman and a goal getter, Muzvidziwa defied all the odds when he established several entrepreneurs and charities for the vulnerable in both Masvingo and Bulawayo provinces, where he was operating his businesses.
Popularly known by his business colleagues, as ‘Munyenge.com’, the Masvingo born business tycoon donated to several charitable organizations including the most vulnerable communities of Richmond dumpsite dwellers, popularly known as Ngozi Mine, where he will be missed by the inhabitants for his kind food and clothes hand-outs.
He was a holder of Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Finance and Higher National Diploma in Business acquired from NUST and IOBZ respectively. Muzvidiwa is survived by wife Moreblessing, two sons Lance and Kevin Jr.
Bulawayo – Thousands of Bulawayo and surrounding vendors, have vowed to resume their trading, defying the city council’s regulations that they have labeled colonial and against the reality on the ground.
Vendors who gathered at the Lobengula street mall in the city, agreed to recommence operations, arguing that they won a court order in 2005, compelling them to operate in the streets, as long as they pay for their hawkers licences to the city council, as per stipulated orders.
The demolishing of their vending stalls by the city council was a setback that has led many informal traders into ‘cat and mouse’, with soldiers and police during this lockdown period.
“We won the court battle against the crude city council colonial bylaws and they allocated us trading bays, making it legal for us to fight poverty. We clearly told the city council that they were using 1976 local council bylaws that were put in place by the colonial system that seek to oppress the black majority from earning a living.” Said Edward Manning, the National President of Street Wise Informal Traders Association (SWITA).
His sentiments were echoed by those of Samson Nkabinde, of Bulawayo Vendors Bureau, who told Choice Magazine that Zimbabwe cannot hide from the truth of informal economy.
“The government must create a clear conducive environment for informal workers, because vendors constitute the greater part of business in Zimbabwe. Our country has no industry and relies on cross boarder traders around the country for groceries.
So the only best option for the country’s leadership is to fund all legitimate small business operators, to equip them with finance and boost the drowning economy, not vise-versa.” Added Nkabinde.
Demolishing vendors’ stalls without notifying them or offering them a new place to do business was “barbaric and inhumane”, said the Chitungwiza Residents Trust (CHITREST).
A good number of the vendors told Choice Magazine that they are not happy with Mnangagwa led government that is continuing with policies of the previous regime led by ousted leader Robert Mugabe.
Human rights organizations allege that the Zimbabwe government is taking advantage of the lockdown powers to go on a demolition spree of vendors’ trading stalls.
According to informal traders, the situation in Zimbabwe has turned more informal and it is with regret that the leaders are turning a blind eye, on real issues. The country’s street corners are currently flooded with money vendors, who are controlling the strength of the currency.
These illegal money vendors have also contributed to the downfall of the economy, by trading cash in the streets with little or no harassment from the law enforcement agencies.
Masvingo – Several millions of people living in Zimbabwe currently are wallowing in abject poverty and desperation, following the nose diving of the country’s currency that has tumbled against the parallel market rates.
Basic commodities prices have sky rocketed, forcing many desperate below poverty datum line income earners resorting to vending and scavenging for food from un health sources.
“We are now worried if ever our government cares, about people, as prices are going up every day without intervention from the responsible ministries. We are now stranded and without anywhere to complain, as they government is watching this crisis with no help.” Said Gogo Musoni of Pumula.
The street money vendors who have since flooded all corners of the country’s major cities and towns, are almost in control of the money matters in Zimbabwe, as they are seen brandishing brand new notes every morning, raising eyebrows of the public, as they are not even arrested for floating the monetary laws of the country.
“We will never be arrested for this has become some form of employment to us. How do you expect the government to arrest people who source foreign currency to stabilize the economy? We are here to stay and you will see us with new notes daily.” Boasted a money changer plying her business at Tredgold buildings in Bulawayo.
Prices in almost all shops have since pegged their prices with parallel market standards, as basic commodities like bread, mealie-meal, sugar and salt are now beyond the reach of many. The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe, has also been reduced to a spectator, as it has been rendered useless by the current situation in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s national president of informal traders SWITA, Edward Manning told Choice magazine that Zimbabwe will not soon solve the economic hardships without vendors.
“Informal traders are currently the backbone of this country, weather the political leaders try to duck and dive. This country will never grow without informal workers, as you can see how goods from foreign countries are flooding the streets and market, a splendid job by vendors who do cross boarder to keep this country alive.
There is no industry in this country. How do we expect to revive the country, without production let alone with high unemployment rate currently truly pegged at 95%. The truth is Zimbabwe is a vendor economy.” Said Manning.
Bulawayo – The current directive on wearing of masks, was declared globally, as a precaution against the random dispersal of the deadly Corona virus, but many people are now exhausted of the condition, with Police Officers and Soldiers joining the band wagon too.
The wearing of masks in Zimbabwe was declared as an mandate from the government, and anyone caught or found without his or her mask on, is liable for a fine of Z$200. Many offenders have been hauled to the police with some spending hours detained but failing to pay the stipulated fines, due to cash constraints and poverty.
“Masks are a problem for many and dangerous for those suffering from asthma and heart problems, as they will be receiving very limited fresh air.” Said Mrs. Nyoni a BP patient.
According to a retired medical practitioner, Dr. Amos Silonda, the idea of wearing masks is a great idea in curbing the spread of any viruses, including TBs and flues.
“I really applaud the declaration of using masks, by all governments, as that has helped many countries to reduce the spreading of flues and the deadly Covid19 pandemic. Had it not for this mask enforcement, the virus would have caused more deaths and suffering of millions in Africa, Zimbabwe included.” He added.
Meanwhile, a good number of Police Officers patrolling the streets to enforce the laws, have been captured by our cameras walking in the streets, without their masks placed on the appropriate positions, in violation of the laws they must enforce.
This has also generated anxieties, making it difficult for Police officers to arrest the offenders, who will also argue the exclusiveness of the law.
Bulawayo – The saying that goes, ‘a friend in need is a friend in deed,’ can only be resembled to Arenel in this trying period of Covid19 pandemic period, as shown by their kind gestures to the communities around.
Recently, the company donated food worth more than a Million Zimbabwe currency, in the middle of constraints in any business. The company also donated hundreds of kilograms in food stuffs and drinks to the old people, for their Christmas event, that was held at the Bulawayo Legion Club in December 2019.
“We have donated to the orphanages, less privileged and we are still coming up with more as we have realised that the communities are in need of urgent help, especially during this covid19 lockdown period,” said Steven Ncube Arenel’s Compliance Officer.
According to Ncube, the company is looking into other issues affecting the vulnerable and will try as much as they can to take care of them.
The corporate is also assisting Zimbabweans who are trapped in foreign lands, with food stuffs and also educating some less privileged children as a plough back to the communities.
The company that has been on several occasions coming to the rescue a good number of needy communities has become talk of the country, as many disadvantaged communities have received help from them.
Emakhandeni – In a rare incident that needed an open heart and a giving hand, two Bulawayo women teamed up and self-funded a kitchen soup that rescued hundreds of starving children during the Covid19 lockdown period that caught many informal traders unprepared.
The two mothers whose open hearts and hands wiped the tears of families and children who are still locked down in poverty, as a result of Covid19 Global pandemic, established a feeding scheme, that has to date attracted hundreds of disadvantaged and less privileged young ones around Bulawayo.
“We realised the suffering of many in silence, with many families going out in the streets to pick dropping maize grains, from trucks for the next meal, and decided to contribute from our pockets, to assist these children from that background.
As mothers, we both lost sleep after discovering this painful scenario, where children have to scavenge for the stomach in the streets daily. We hope that one day, we will get well-wishers to help us feed these children.” Said Dorothy Magoba Ndlovu.
Ndebele, who partnered with Ndlovu, to establish ‘Open Hearts Kitchen Soup’, told Choice Magazine that they are currently appealing for more assistance to keep this project alive.
“I am praying to the Almighty to get into the hearts of those with funding, to come forward and help this noble cause. We are also hopping that one day we will get the less privileged children who are failing to go to school due school fees to get that opportunity.” She said tearfully.
Dorothy and Cora are currently feeding the children from their pockets and gather the children at a central location for the feeding times.
Zimbabwe – While government is busy with vindictive and less friendly road blocks, set in all corners of entrances into City Centres, communities are critically suffering and in anguish of waiting in insalubrious congested water queues that may spread and cause the exploding of the deadly virus that World Health Organisation (WHO) and the entire globe are busy fighting.
Most town dwellers are expressing shock and disappointment at the jingles chained out on both radio and television, alerting people to wash hands with running water that is not even available.
The town populace blame the authorities for indicating left, when in actual fact they are turning right. Mealie – meal and water queues are still portraying the real image of the country, as most shops in and around, both cities and towns are congested by bread and butter seeking citizens.
“How can we be subjected to unrealistic jingles sponsored by Health Ministry and the most high health authority in the country? They talk of washing hands with clean running water that is not even basically available in the communities?” Said Edward Manning a former Bulawayo City Councillor for Ward one.
His sentiments were echoed by those of Pastor Butho Nyirenda, who told Choice Magazine that this was hypocrisy of the highest order by the local authorities and their bosses. The authorities must be ashamed in their homes and must feel guilty of lying to the people, for failing to deliver the basic service to ratepayers. Water is a right and basic life requirement.
These people only can afford to waste fuel on poverty stricken vendors, who are trying to earn an honest living, by dishing vehicles full of cruel security guards to confiscate goods at the expense of supplying water to the people.” He said with tears in his eyes.
Several mothers and fathers who throng the drying boreholes, in long dwindling queues in search of water, told this Journalist that they no longer rely on the management and the local authorities, accusing them of gross poor service delivery.
Gogo Sithembile Dlodlo of Tshabalala suburb, also added the not so kind views to the authorities, as she accused the powers of failing to be truthful.
“This is sad my son, what are we going to teach our children, about the poor service delivery and yet they overcharge rates and never deliver just the basic commodity, water? I hope you can see for yourself how queues are like with people seeking water. Only God the Almighty can protect us not this government.” She said shaking her head in anger.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has introduced a water rationing schedule which has seen residents spend long hours without the necessity as the city moves to control diminishing water reserves from its supply dams.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that people should frequently wash their hands with running water or use sanitisers. But for many poor Harare families struggling to access water for domestic use on a daily basis, this is a luxury they cannot afford.
According to a public notice by Town Clerk Christopher Dube, the latest water rationing programme will last for 36 hours
Actually, the long hours that the ratepayers are spending without water, are more than the mentioned, by the local authority, as water is now available in Bulawayo on Thursdays nights every week. The pictures captured by Choice Magazine speak volumes.
Bulawayo – John Smale orphans home is appealing for assistance from well-wishers and corporates to develop their potential agricultural project that the home hope can sustain the orphans’ upkeep.
The home’s three hopeful projects that include chicken raring, piggery and an under equipped garden, if basically funded, has the potential to create enough food and basic funding for the financially crippled children’s home, which is currently receiving limited subsidy from the social welfare.
“We have a small number of pigs, chicken and an under equipped garden that we hope to get empowered by any good Samaritan, for the betterment of our vulnerable children, who are in dire need of assistance.” Said Ms Evelin Shura the home’s Superintendent.
She also, told Choice Magazine about the home’s plight during Arenel private Limited’s donation of food stuffs, last week.
The orphanage’s proposed prospective powerful projects with capacity to generating income that can possibly sustain the home’s food, is in need of urgent attention and assistance from mostly agricultural institutions like Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union and its affiliates.
. The poultry, piggery and gardening whose structures and accessories need well-wishers to revive, will go a long way in feeding the orphans, who are housed at the Bulawayo based children’s upkeep Centre.
Bulawayo – While government and its arms are enforcing the use of masks and sanitizers, as a measure to protect the spread of the deadly covid19 virus that has crippled the globe, public smoking is also gaining momentum regardless of its effects.
Bulawayo citizens and the communities around have vowed to petition the government, specifically Ministry of Health and Child care to look into serious banning of public smoking that is occurring without control. This is happening in the midst of covid19 reduction efforts.
“We are at high risk with public smoking, as those who do it, do not even bother to find a better place to do that. They just recklessly smoke regardless of causing untold suffocation to asthmatic people.’ Said Jethro Khumalo of Mahatshula.
His sentiments were echoed by Sasha Mathe, who was at the TM Hyper ZUPCO Omni Bus rank. “This is terrible, as the smokers do it in the middle of queues without bothering themselves. They just don’t care what happens to non-smokers, let alone the risk of spreading TB and covid19 virus,” she added.
Previously in 1994, the then Minister of Health, Dr Timothy Stamps announced the ban on public smoking and also enforced the stoppage of selling cigarettes and alcohol to under aged persons, to date only alcohol regulations only seems to be working, while public smoking is taking place even in public shopping Centres and public vehicles with little or no control.
In 2015, Zimbabwean parliamentarians were planning to introduce a law that would prohibit public smoking, a move that received mixed reactions in the country.
The proposed parliamentary bill would compel those found guilty of smoking in public to pay a fine of $500 or alternatively spend six months in jail.
But some habitual smokers like Fibion Munhuwa have vowed not to stop smoking despite the proposed harsh penalties.
On the other hand, Harare resident, Nigel Gwekwerere, said the government’s plans were welcome, arguing that most people are affected by passive smoking, especially children and pregnant women.
Cigarette manufacturers have been warning tobacco consumers that smoking may be hazardous to health but the warning has not been heeded by many in the tobacco-producing country.
Zimbabwe became an affiliate member of the World Health Organization on Tobacco Control and some of the prerequisites include aligning tobacco control policies with international regulations.
Bulawayo – In a move that has enhanced moral and hope for a Bulawayo based children’s home, Arenel private limited have donated food stuffs worth more than Z$807 246,78 to John Smale Children’s orphanage.
The company’s timely donation was a shot in the arm for orphans, as it came in wake of covid19 lockdown, when food is short supply around the country. Arenel (Pvt) Ltd, who have diversified into beverages, donated instant porridge
, fruit drinks, maheu, biscuits and purified water, to mention but a few in a bid to ease food shortage at the orphanage and have also pledged to assist with more in the near future.
The home’s Superintendent, Ms. Evelin Shura, received the warm donation from Arenel’s Compliance Officer Stephen Ncube at the home amid joy and fanfare from the staff and children.
“We are very grateful and we applaud Arenel’s gesture as a blessing. We thank the company and their entire management for taking time to remember the disadvantaged communities. May God bless them and their company to prosperity,” said a cheerful Ms Shura.
“We have donated biscuits, instant porridge and purified water to the orphanage, and we are still coming with more as we have realised that they are in need of urgent help, especially during this covid19 lockdown period,” said Ncube.
The company that has been on several occasions coming to the rescue a good number of needy communities has become talk of the country, as many disadvantaged communities have received help from them.
Ms Shura also took advantage of the Arenel donation visit, to show them around some of their proposed, income generating projects that need help. The projects include poultry, piggery and gardening whose structures and accessories also need well-wishers to revive them.
According to Arenel’s Compliance Officer, Mr Ncube, the company will also look into other issues affecting the orphanage and take care of them.
Bulawayo – The move by the government to increase the lockdown period without assessment on the food situation during the first five weeks, may lead to malnutrition and deaths from hunger in every household, as families have resorted to scavenge dropping maize grains from the GMB bound trucks.
The situation that has plunged many families into deep poverty crisis is likely to create more dead bodies from starvation than the Covid19 that the Globe is trying to end.
“We have resolved to scavenge for food with my children, as we have run out of money. We have been surviving from vending in the streets for the next meal, but our only source of livelihood has been shuttered by this situation and the lack of support from our government,” said Gogo Siphiwe Mlotshwa of Tshabalala.
Several women, men and children were captured by Choice Magazine sifting dropped maize grains in the tarmac leading to the Grain Marketing Board depot in Bulawayo.
Several truck drivers interviewed by this Journalist expressed of how bad and desperate is the situation, if something is not done as a matter of urgency.
“These people have been coming here ever since the lockdown and have been jumping close to the trucks to catch leaking maize grains. This is a sorry sight as many young girls are even enticing truck drivers in search of just food,” said a drivers who refused to be identified for fear of victimization.
“We are now hoping that the spirit of God may enter into our leaders hearts to consider assisting the communities with basic foods as the first phase of five weeks of lockdown has been a grueling one and unbearable.” Said Pastor Simiso Khumalo.
Zimbabwe’s Informal Associations National President, Edward Manning also appealed to Government to consider them in operating their businesses like any other operators who have been given the green light.
“We actually constitute the majority of the economy’s backbone in business, as our country is 90% informal and the government must not turn a blind eye on this true and real situation,” said Manning.
It is now a question of time, that if government delay in poverty alleviation, official poverty deaths will surpass Covid19 virus deaths soon in Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s three weeks lock down has brought more misery and suffering, as more people may now perish of hunger instead of the global epidemic of covid19 virus.
According to informal traders mostly vendors, their only source of living which is carried in the streets has been shuttered. The informal traders live from hand to mouth, as they buy their next meal from their street sales.
The country’s masses are just getting the protection from the almighty, as they are not even observing the social distance because of the marauding poverty, spending most of their time in long and dwindling packed queues in search of the basic commodities, mealie-meal and sugar, whose prices have reached the sky in affordability.
The price of a 10 kg roller meal is currently pegged at $350rtgs, while a packet of 2kg brown sugar is costing $130rtgs where it’s available. While the deadly covid19 virus need to be reduced by running water and soap, most of the high density residential areas are going for six days without water, making it a joke for Zimbabwe that their lock down is for protection.
Street Wise Informal Traders Associations national President Edward Manning told this Journalist that the lock down is ideal but has brought more misery to the masses of Zimbabwe.
“I really support the lock down because it’s a global issue that need our cooperation as a country, but our government must have its people at heart, and must also realise that Zimbabwe is a vendors/informal economy with 90% of people living from hand to mouth.
Only government officials are living large and have all the protection from the covid19, as you can see how people are pushing each other in foo queues not even worried about the social distance.”
Manning’s sentiments were echoed by 78 year old former Medical Doctor Lloyd Anderson who also told this Journalist that Zimbabwe is only depending on the lord’s protection not the government.
“Food queues are a horror in our beloved Zimbabwe. Most people have now exhausted their basic food in their homes, forcing them to spend hours in queues at shops, also the problem that Bulawayo City Council is creating by closing down the most necessity, water adds more problems on the already poverty stricken residence, who also after failing to get mealie-meal and subjected to queue for water at community boreholes.” Said Anderson.
While other countries who observed the lock down as the key to stop the covid19 spreading are giving food and basic aid to its people, Zimbabwe is only enforcing the lock down without any basic aid.
Gogo Naume Hadebe who ply her vending business along Lobengula Street in Bulawayo, appealed to the country’s leadership for food relief during this lock down period.
“I am a widow who relies on vending for survival and now I am just stranded. While it is a good thing to protect the nation from the pandemic, it is also good to provide us the elderly with basic needs because we are starving.” She said.
According to Bulawayo and surrounding communities visited by this Journalist during this covid19 lock down
, it is only a question of time from the lord for people to perish from the virus, as masses are worried about how to get the next meal than the virus. Hundreds of people were also forced out of Zupco buses on their way to town in search of essential commodities, mealie-meal and sugar. While WHO is doing its best to achieve protection of masses from the global outbreak of covid19 virus, Zimbabweans from other corners are kept guessing on the spreading of the deadly bug, as they have to wait for days to get results of tests that are only approved in Harare.
As evident in the pictures taken around Bulawayo, our country has an uphill task in saving its people, if ever the epidemic that is killing hundreds of thousands of people may seriously find its way to poverty stricken Zimbabweans who are failing to access basic medication and food.
Bulawayo – Matabeleland Commercial Farmers leaders have urged youths in farming, to take up small-grain crops agribusiness seriously, amid a possible prolonged drought and a looming famine in the country.
Miss Nomhle Nyoni, a commercial farmer and Climate change expert, speaking during an interview with Farmers Insight, said, small-grains are relatively more drought resistant compared to maize.
Nyoni said growing small-grains is an alternative to maize and can benefit in the survival of communities both in rural and urban areas.
“Maize crops at the moment are at risk of wilting and dying if it doesn’t rain in the next two weeks. I highly recommend that youths, who have the time and energy, should take up farming of small-grains such as sorghum, millet, wheat and barley as these can grow during the dry season,” said Nyoni.
Nyoni also said that the impact of drought in Zimbabwe has been exacerbated by the fact that we are neglecting indigenous farming knowledge systems which were used as survival techniques during times of drought.
“For your information, maize and subsequently maize-meal, is a foreign crop brought by the Portuguese who came into Zimbabwe from Mozambique. If you look at the Kalanga community for instance, their staple diet is sorghum which they grind to make sorghum-meal. Whenever a son-in-law visits his in-laws, it is customary for him to be served with sorghum-meal, not maize meal. Sorghum as well as okra is also healthier than maize as it has medicinal properties that can help cure sugar diabetes as it is high in vitamin B15,” Nyoni said.
Nyoni said that dried vegetables (umfushwa) such as cabbage and chomolia are alternative relishes that can be used as a supplement to beef.
She advised communities to improve their culinary skills and grinding techniques so that young people are more enticed to eat small grains and dried vegetables.
Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Matabeleland North provincial manager Robert Moyo, 36, weighed in, saying that ZFU has been active in facilitating youth participation in farming through an annual summit meant to bring young farmers and stakeholders.
“As ZFU, we encourage young small-scale farmers to join the union so that they benefit from free training programs and to partake in our youth summits which are held annually throughout the country’s provinces,” said Moyo.
The ZFU provincial manager said that the union also provides study tours and exchange programs where youths from different farming regions cross-pollinate and share ideas.
Moyo said that there has been a positive response over the years with about 1 000 youths taking part in the summits where experts from Agritex share their expertise with young famers.
After completing the training programs, young farmers are given certificates and reading material for farming methods, HIV/AIDS awareness and gender mainstreaming.
Bulawayo – The Bulawayo Legion Club held a memorable Christmas party for all the Bulawayo old people, honouring them on their hard working to the establishment and building of the City of Kings and Queens.
The occasion that is an annual event treated many elderly people from several old people’s homes, to eats and drinks, at the Legion Bulawayo club’s dining hall and club.
Legion Bulawayo transported all elderly people, from their respective homes, Entembeni, Ekhuphumuleni and Coronation to the venue. The gathering was attended by the current Chairman Mr Innocent Winston Babbage, staff members and several club members who boosted the moral of the old guys.
According to Mr Babbage, Arenel private limited played a pivotal role in providing drinks and water for the event, while the Legion club provided the food and drinks for the annual Christmas party.
“We would like to thank Arenel for their gesture in making the old people’s annual Christmas party a success, the Legion staff members, Mr Vincent Makaya, Jermine Babbage and Shelima Abdul.” He concluded.
Bulawayo – Matabeleland based Cop Saul Utete has launched an inspirational poetry novel amid pomp and fanfare in Bulawayo recently.
Saul who is an accomplished Zimbabwean Police Officer, is set to take the media world by storm, as he told journalists who attended the launch of his debut book, ‘Reading Printouts from the invisible.
“I would like to applaud you all media people personnel for attending this launch of my first step into the authoring world. This is my first novel which I give all the credit to my publishers, Choice Community Media for their efforts in exposing my talent to the world.
I am really humbled by the presence of the Daily news, Newsday, several radio stations and all media houses who are gathered here for this launch.” Said Utete amid applause from the audience.
Utete also told the guests that he has more books to come soon and will also be glad to launch the forthcoming novels in the midst of scribes and potential readers. He also told journalists that he intends to offer his books to the Ministry of education for assisting scholars with reading educative materials.
Utete whose book is making inroads into the market, was born and educated in Buhera, before working for a few companies in Harare. He joined the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2000 as a Finger print expert. He also advanced in the profession with an Indian Institute, under the same ministry.
Thomas Sithole, a director and founder of Plumtree Development Trust applauded Utete, and said that this has also displayed the working relationship between the Police and Journalists.
“I am impressed by this event that has brought the Police and Journalists under one roof, and this time for development success. We need more of this, as Choice Community Media has proved beyond doubt that Police and scribes can join hands in educating communities.
Let’s write our own stories the correct and perfect way. We really need to express it ourselves not to let foreigners write what they think or purport about us.” Said Sithole.
Johannesburg – Africa’s celebrated mother, humanitarian, motivational, Author and inspirational heroine Dr Judy Dlamini, recently challenged all men both in Africa and beyond to take part in the campaign to stop any form of abuse against woman.
Dr Dlamini strongly condemned all forms of abuse on women, during JM Busha54 Peace Pledge event held in Johannesburg last week. The JM Busha54 Races for peace and unity in Africa was established by Joseph Makamba Busha, a successful business man and Zimbabwe’s presidential hopeful, who is also the leader of a high rising FreeZim Congress Party.
Dr Dlamini, who took the opportunity to share her powerful book titled ‘Equal But Different’ with every woman who was at the JM Busha54 Peace pledge ceremony, drove her point home, as men who were present gave an affirmation to the book.
“We have women in leadership positions, but are not receiving the relevant support from their counterparts, who are male subordinates. Men are occupying almost all positions of influence, with a few women at the same level.” Said Dr Dlamini.
Asked on her future ways to improve the welfare and strength of women, Dr Dlamini said, “I am challenging all men in this room, to take part in improving and reviving their attitude towards women, both in leadership and beyond. When I became a CEO of a certain organisation, I employed more women in an effort to dispel the anomaly between people.
Today I am tasking all men in this room, to work hand in glove with woman, and to permanently put to rest any form of abuse against women.” She added.
Her sentiments were echoed by Desmond Tutu’s daughter, Thandeka Tutu Gxashe who also said, “We are practical builders of homes, but always put behind the scene, as many people say, behind every successful man, there is a woman. This statement is not correct, as women are creators of all peace environments. An educated woman create education for the world.”
The JM Busha Peace event was graced by women of excellence, Thandeka PJ Powers, Vicky Sampson, Mama Leta Mbulu, to mention just a few.
Gaborone – In an effort to protect the visually challenged from further damage of the killer HIV/Aids pandemic, Botswana Family Welfare Association (BOFWA), has gone an extra mile in the establishment of the braille condom.
The organisation’s Coordinator Una Ngwenya told Choice Magazine Zimbabwe during USAid presentations for NGOs in Gaborone, that her organisation has already started the advocacy program, for the manufacturing of the condom from Namibia.
Ngwenya who was ecstatic with this latest project, said that the organisation is already operating youth friendly clinics, for sexual reproduction health and rights.
“We are really concerned with the most effective ways of completely ending HIV/Aids virus as soon as we can, since this disease, has left a trail of disaster across the world, Botswana included. We are also trying to save the blind from spreading the virus, by producing the braille condom.”
“The blind are human too, and have feelings like anyone, and are also in danger of contracting the virus, hence our concern to have this condom delivered to Botswana as soon as possible.” Added Ngwenya.
We have also realised that the blind are not aliens as they are also entitled to sexual rights and protection too. If we don’t assist them in their intimacy activities, they will also perish. Most of the condoms in Africa are manufactured in Namibia, and we hope to have our share of the condoms soon.” Said Una.
This is for the first time in Southern Africa to have an organisation, recognising the safety of the blind specifically. Many organisations have been requesting for funding, but without specifically including the blind community in their budgets and analysis.
Bulawayo – Cowdrey Park based five member musical group, Orchestra Huchihwegonera, is making serious inroads into the musical scene regardless of the current economic hardships and uncurbed piracy that has forced many Zimbabwean musicians to eat humble pies.
The Bulawayo based upcoming Sungura group is boasting of two albums, which are receiving fair airplay on all local radio stations. The group started shaping up in 2014, and recorded their debut six track album in 2017, that is already making waves.
According to the group’s lead singer, who also plays the rhythm guitar, Shingi Mwabvu, the band is growing from strength to strength, following their second and current three track latest album.
“We are delighted by the response from the people of Zimbabwe, particularly our Cowdrey Park fans, who have been inspiring through their comments. We are growing with confidence, as most of Bulawayo music lovers are buying our CDs.” Said Mwabvu, who was ecstatic about their works.
The title track of their inaugural album, ‘Unobvaruka bhachi’ is a warning to family men who abandon their children when they have money, and return when they are broke, to stop the bad habit.
The group’s favourite song, ‘Mwana anokosha’ is also encouraging parents to look after their children who are their blessings, and also to stop child abuse.
The members of the group are, Nicholas Mupande, on Lead guitar, Shadreck Mpofu on bass guitar, Blessed Nyamupanda, on sub rhythm guitar, Collen Tom on drums, and Shingi Mwabvu on rhythm and lead vocals. The musical outfit is currently working on their debut video album to be released in time for the festive season.
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s Innovative and community development motivator Sikhululekile Dube, is this year exhibiting at the annual Intwasa Festival in the City of Kings and Queens, in a determination to spread the information on self-esteem and self-employment.
The current situation in Zimbabwe is extremely deteriorating, as there is high unemployment, pushing the youths and the aged to cross the borders illegally into foreign lands, in search of greener pastures, turning their dreams into waste nightmares.
“I am glad to be exhibiting at this year’s Intwasa Festival, as this has helped more people to have faith in themselves, regardless of the current economic hardships. There is need to have the self-esteem and working towards reviving our economy through self-help projects like ours.” Said Sikhululekile.
She is displaying her handmade artistries, at the Intwasa Food and Arts section, where many youths and elderly have expressed their interest to be mentored on creating the most sought artworks internationally.
In an interview with Runyararo Mutandi, the Administrator of Intwasa Festival, she was ecstatic with the event that has drawn talent from all corners of Zimbabwe, following the organisation’s successful outreach to the communities.
“This year’s theme, ‘Spring Fever’, has rejuvenated the arts and performances in the City of Bulawayo, as we have taken the performances to Cowdrey Park.” Said Mutandi.
“We have also stepped up the awareness campaigns on child abuse, early child marriages and most dangerous VUZU events that have taken Bulawayo by storm, as this will encourage the youths to change for the better.” Added Mutandi.
The festival has also been supported by Plan International, Justice for Children Trust and US Embassy.
Gaborone – Zimbabwe the once green belt and bread basket of Southern Africa, has now been turned into a land of hustling, following the country’s four decades of misrule laced with the highest level of corruption, writes Chrispen Tabvura.
The country has the high level of literacy, with most of its highly educated youths turned into criminals and hustlers due to poverty. The level at which the country has been pushed into extreme poverty is also pushing the highly educated youths into drug abuse and engaging in illegal activities to make ends meet.
Zimbabwe’s Political science university graduates are now scrambling to either form political parties, or joining political parties, in order to become parliamentarians or councillors, as that is the current opportunity to earn money for their families, while the Theological university graduates have also replaced the once flourishing industrial areas with churches and becoming Prophets and Prophetesses, in the spirit of operating within their walls of education.
Hospitals, schools, currency and several public institutions are now a laughing stock of Africa. The Reserve bank of the country always in a system of reaping the innocent populace of their hard earned and hustled money through unscrupulous monitory policies that has worsened the lives of pensioners, who are now living in the peripheries of abject poverty, with some of them succumbing to high blood pressure and diabetes caused by deep thinking of what to eat the morrow day.
Five months ago, doctors staged a peaceful demonstration requesting the government to provide basic hospital drugs, with some of the highly trained professionals who are patriotic and passionate to serve lives of Zimbabweans shedding tears, begging political leaders to have mercy and small portion of remorse on the dying patience, whose referral hospitals have now become death traps.
Zimbabweans are currently living in a confused status with some failing to understand whether turning to current mushrooming churches business or joining political parties in search of their next meals.
“I have lost all my pension savings and have since lost hope and faith on our government my son. The money that I hope was supposed to look after my family on retirement has been forfeited by the Reserve bank due to their system of changing goal posts and playing matrix on pensioners hard earned monies,” said Clifford Madembo, a former Textiles industrial worker who retired in 1991.
His sentiments were echoed by a pensioner and now a widow, Sylvia Khumalo of Sizinda in Bulawayo, who also retired from CSC in 1994.
“I am deeply depressed my son and now unable to look after myself after losing my hard earned pension to this government. Clinics and hospitals are now charging to see us but without and basic medications. How are we going to get out of this,” asked the widow in tears.
Most of the youths who are now aged 39, have never seen a pay sleep let alone a basic flourishing industrial area. Electricity load shading which is an infringement of the right of citizens to basic service delivery, has become a normal part of living for Zimbabweans.
The current situation of poor service delivery and infringement of human rights in Zimbabwe is slowly but surely pushing the once bread basket of Africa to the stone age period in this twenty first century while other state like Rwanda are randomly growing their countries. Email: christabvura@gmail.com
HARARE, ZIMBABWE – For Quincey Moyo, working in aviation has never been just a job – it is a calling. A calling she has had since a young age and one she pursued when she joined Emirates as a member of their cabin crew three years ago.
Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Quincey’s drive and determination led her to a job with Emirates and now lives in Dubai, the airline’s hub. “Living in Dubai has been a wonderful experience. It’s amazing to see how the locals have welcomed people from different nationalities into their culture. Although a desert, this city is by far the most advanced city I have ever seen. One can easily forget they are in a desert. From air-conditioned apartments to air-conditioned bus stops and taxis. Dubai is ever growing and ever-changing; it’s definitely not the same from the time I got here.”
Despite living in Dubai for over three years, Quincey still gets fascinated by discovering new things about the city. “I haven’t stopped sightseeing; and I enjoy it, especially when I have family and friends visiting.”
As part of the Emirates cabin crew Quincey has the opportunity to travel the world and experience different people, cultures and food: something she thoroughly enjoys.
“Working with Emirates I have managed to see the world and visit places that I had previously only read about in books or seen in movies. I have been blessed enough to try out dishes from Pad Thai in Thailand to pizza and pasta in Italy. I have had the opportunity to listen to conversations in languages I could barely understand, which is always fascinating.”
Quincey enjoys providing a service that helps people travel well; she also enjoys working with people from around the world and learning from them.
“I have encountered some country names that I was never familiar with, like Bhutan and Myanmar. I have got to learn phrases like Shukran, which is Arabic for ‘Thank you’ and the Japanese say Konnichiwa to say hello.”
Her top tips for travelling?
“Do research on visa requirements for each destination you would like to visit; pack lightly – you are bound to acquire a lot of souvenirs along the way; download language translator apps onto your phone; don’t be afraid to try out new things like food, clothes and music; and lastly: Fly Emirates, Fly Better!” says Quincey, who lists her travel essentials as sun block, bug repellent, a universal charger, a journal, a good camera … and a travel buddy.
In her free time Quincey likes to read, shop, watch TV and play her ukulele. She also likes to cook Zimbabwean dishes such as sadza with spinach and beef stew.
As fun as traveling the world is, Quincey does miss home. She does her best to stay in touch with friends and family in Zimbabwe and visits at least once a year.
And although she now works for the prestigious airline, her heart belongs in Zimbabwe.
“My country is rich in culture; there are so many fruits and vegetables that one can try out. There are lots of languages to be learnt. The people are very warm and welcoming. The nature is so beautiful, raw and untouched,” she shares.
“I always try and visit my family and friends once a year over Christmas. Luckily Emirates flies to Zimbabwe, so I always get an opportunity to fly home even if it’s just for work.”
Although Quincey works for one of the world’s most respected airline and gets to travel the world, the best part of her career has been making her grandmother proud.
“My gogo calls me an explorer whenever I tell her about the different countries I’m traveling to. I know she is proud of me and what I’m doing; it’s a great feeling.”
Emirates flies from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to Dubai daily. Through Dubai, Emirates offers multiple connections for Zimbabwean travellers to 157 of the world’s top business and tourism destinations across six continents.
Water cuts and electricity load shedding, has adversely impacted lives of both urban dwellers and farmers, as most of them have resorted to firewood poaching and on the other side, water rationing is increasing burden on already struggling citizens., writes Chris Tabvura.
The urban populace have now resorted to source firewood from the nearby bushes while others are buying fire wood from the donkey drawn scotch carts vendors, who are thriving on the ZESA load shedding schedules.
While this is affecting the local council, as people are now cutting down street trees for wood, “There is nothing we can do because our families need to eat and the only alternative is making fire from wood.” Said Silas Khumalo of Nkulumane.
While tree cutting and wood poaching is contributing to climate change and efforts to mitigate change effects, people need to eat, bath and go to work. Several community leaders interviewed by Choice Magazine concurred with each other that City fathers must come up with a solution before the situation gets out of hand.
For the past 20 years, Zimbabwe has struggled to generate enough electricity to meet demand, and has had to turn to countries like Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia to top up supplies.
In the last decade, Zimbabwe signed at least six power generation agreements, including solar power that would have added more than 3,000 MW electricity to the grid, but the projects failed to take off due to bureaucracy and lack of funding because of the country’s high political risk profile.
Harare has introduced a water demand management system in light of the current acute water shortage. The idea is to ensure that at least every connected house gets water twice a week,” council said in a statement.
At a previous full council meeting, acting Harare water director, Richard Kunyadini said water supplies were now below 300 mega litres per day, with one pump station, Prince Edward, now operating two days a week.
Meanwhile, BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has extended water-shedding period from 48 hours to 72 hours as a result of low water levels at Criterion Raw Water Reservoir, the city’s largest water treatment plant.
In a notice yesterday, BCC said the increase in water rationing hours was due to the breakdown at the supply dams.
“The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that council will continue shedding water into the weekend on a 24-hour regime. After the weekend, the shedding programme will revert to a 48-hour programme,” reads the notice in part.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has described the proposed Freedom of Information Bill (H.B.6 of 2019) as shocking and retrogressive.
The government last Friday gazetted the Freedom of Information Bill which seeks to replace the much-criticised Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), an omnibus law that currently caters for access to information, protection of personal information and regulation of the media.
According to MISA, the proposed law which is meant to give effect to the access to information provisions as enshrined in Sections 61 and 62 of the constitution is worse than its predecessor.
“Unfortunately, despite this noble declaration, the Bill in its current state fails to give effect to either the letter or spirit of the right to access information found in Section 62 of the constitution. The Bill is regressive when compared to the previous draft version of the Bill shared with and discussed by stakeholders during engagement meetings held by the Ministry of Information Media and Broadcasting Services in December 2018 and March 2019,”
“In fact, it is a total departure from most of the positions agreed upon between the ministry and media stakeholders,” said Golden Maunganidze, MISA national chairperson in statement.
Maunganidze said the gazetted Bill is a departure from the ministerial draft Bill which was circulated by the ministry prior to the gazetted Bill. He said the initial government Bill resembled the African Union’s Model Law on Access to Information.
“However, the gazetted Bill has similarities with the condemned and outgoing AIPPA. Few of the recommendations submitted by civil society and other access to information activists were incorporated into the gazetted Bill. This shatters government’s narrative that this Bill is the result of a valid, wide and balanced consultative process,” said the chairperson.
The new Bill will set procedures for Zimbabwean citizens and permanent residents
AP99021074:INTERNATIONAL:POLITICS:MEDIA:10FEB99 – Demonstrators protest outside the Harare Magistrate’s court where four Zimbabwean journalists were due to be charged with publishing false information, Tuesday, February 9, 1999. The four journalists were arrested Monday and will face charges in connection with a story published in the Zimbabwe Mirror newspaper last October, which alleged that a Zimbabwean soldier’s head had been returned from the Congo without its body. (AP PHOTO/Rob Cooper)
to access information held by public institutions. It also deals with procedures for the accessing of the information held by any person and private entities if such information is necessary for the exercise and production of a right.
Bulawayo – When the so called elite and the poor litter the town of Bulawayo, Skhululekile Dube and her colleagues pick, when they throw in the bin, she again humbly picks for something you will be astonished to see on the display for sale, Writes Chrispen Tabvura.
Meanwhile, most of Zimbabweans young and old are crying foul on employment opportunities, a situation that Skhue has put under her control like water under the bridge. She has even gone to the extent of motivational training in mind-set change, but her pleas are somewhat falling on deaf ears.
When Skhulekile invited this Journalist for litter picking tour around Bulawayo, I thought she was carrying out a cleaning exercise with her team, but it was not, she was actually gathering her material for the production and manufacturing of the most beautiful hand made products, that have found their way in local and foreign shops.
Skhululekile, a graduate from University of South Africa, is a proud social worker and a community empowerment living hero, who has sacrificed her hard earned income for the empowerment of both young and old in Bulawayo and beyond.
“I have realised that a lot of youths are complaining of unemployment, a situation that does not need only the government to tackle but visionaries and community leaders to put their heads together, or creativity that will need minimum capital to start.” She said.
From as humble as picking litter from the streets of Bulawayo, she has successfully empowered a good number of Pumula teenagers and elderly women, by engaging into hand craft goods like earrings, flower pots, office pen holders, vases, hand bags, beads, jewellery, modelling and all types of craft and arts that a person can lay hands on.
She also told Choice Magazine that there is no job that is said to be for men or women, as all must know that their stomachs need to be fed daily.
“There is no job that is described to be a man’s and also vice versa for women. Everyone must work for a better Zimbabwe. Food will not knock at your door let alone income,” Said Dube.
Dube is also involved in the empowerment drive of both youths and women, a move that earned her an outstanding community leadership reputation, as schools and colleges are engaging her on the training of arts and modelling.
Following her role in the empowerment of the communities in and around Bulawayo, Ministry of Women’s Affairs have also assigned Dube in the empowerment drive for women and youths.
Matshobana – As always with the mission and custom of the Lions Clubs International, to put a smile on someone’s face regardless of the situation, Lions Club of Matopos club in Bulawayo donated blankets to Vulindlela Orphan Care home.
The blankets and toys that were handed over by Lion Bev Wood, during the graduation of orphans, was a timely donation and was warmly received by the mother of the centre Patricia Tshabalala who could not hide her gesture to the good Samaritans.
“Thank you very much Lions of Matopos, please keep up the good work and God bless you for this gesture and also for remembering the vulnerable, now they have the blankets and toys. They will feel the warmth and comfort brought by you Lion Bev and your colleagues,” said Matshabalala.
The other blankets were also dispensed to National Aids council through the Director Mrs Sinatra Nyathi who also officiated at the graduation event.
According to Lions purposes and ethics, they hold themselves to the absolute highest standards in everything they do. Their members and clubs are dedicated to serving others, and it shows. They champion kindness in their communities and actively work to improve the lives of all people and also being responsive to the needs of our community.
Lions of Matopos are also serving Ingutsheni Mental Hospital inmates with haircut and a vegetable garden.
Mpopoma – In one of the most christened colourful events ever to be held at Vulindlela Orphancare centre, 14 of the 22 vulnerable children from the home graduated with certificates in Photography following the completion of the three months comprehensive training by a veteran Journalist Chrispen Tabvura.
The ceremony which was dubbed ROYAL gathering by the mother of the orphanage Patricia Tshabalala, was graced by National Aids Council’s Bulawayo Director Mrs Sinatra Nyathi, National Development Practitioner, Gardner Morgan Ndhlovu, Lions Clubs International representative, Beverley Wood, International Business Guru, Joseph Makamba Busha and Bulawayo Polytechnic’s Hospitality senior Lecturer, Selwin Kwembeya to mention just a few.
The training of the 22 vulnerable children was a result of a media tour that was facilitated by National Aids Council Bulawayo province. The centre’s guardian Patricia Tshabalala’s narration of the events at the orphanage touched senior journalist Chrispen Tabvura, leading to the birth of the three months comprehensive course that empowered these young people.
“I was touched by Mama Matshabalala and decided to be one of her children, by empowering my young sisters and brothers with photographic skills, which I think will go a long way in helping them fend for themselves in these days of low employment opportunities,” said Tabvura.
Patricia Tshabalala, who was in tears of joy due to the successful completion of the course and the subsequent graduation applauded Tabvura for a job well-done and praised him for being a fatherly figure.
“I really do not know where to start my appreciation to you my son Chris, I feeling tears in my eyes with joy. Let me just say God bless you and give you many more years of success in your media career my son. I am praying for you daily for the blessings from the almighty. Please keep up the good work my son and do this to all in Zimbabwe and beyond.” Added Matshabalala.
One of Zimbabwe’s Development Practitioners who graced the occasion Gardner Ndhlovu concurred with Matshabalala and said, “There is nothing as rewarding as empowering someone next door especially the young ones. I am humbled by what Tabvura has done to these young people. He sacrificed his time and resources to empower a young person which is a powerful idea.
He has given them a better tomorrow that will remain in them, and I am now appealing to the graduates to use the knowledge that was given to them by Tabvura to earn a living. I now challenge you to think big and open your photographic studios and also run them professionally.”
Lions Clubs International’s Bev Wood described Tabvura as a man who achieve his goals and that he does not lose hope even when the situation is not favourable.
“Chris is one of the brave young men I have ever met and worked with. When he falls, tomorrow you find him up and running regardless of the ups and downs of life. He is also a fighter of human rights abuse, and this I tell you because he has been clashing with several human rights abusers. He fought with the Bulawayo City Council security guards for confiscating his cameras after they interrupted him taking pictures of them abusing vendors in the streets.
I need the whole day to express and describe the work of this young man Tabvura, who is also a member of the Lions club of Matopos Bulawayo.” Said Bev Wood.
National Aids Council’s Bulawayo Director Mrs Sinatra Nyathi also praised Tabvura for complementing NAC’s work by empowering the youths.
“I am happy that this came as a result of a Media Tour that we facilitated. This empowerment project will go a long way in reducing HIV/Aids amongst the youths as they will be engaged in self-employment, following this successful course. As NAC, we have joined hands with media on a number of awareness campaigns, and here we are today, attending a graduation ceremony for Vulindlela children courtesy of Choice Community Media,” she said amid applause.
The guest of honour and Messenger of peace, who is also a successful business man, Honourable Joseph Makamba Busha concurred with Mrs Nyathi.
“I am glad that all the speakers are describing Tabvura as a man who persevere even when things are upside down. It is a good sign of success, when someone fall and be able to pick up the pieces and regain to move forward. I now challenge the graduates to also complement Tabvura by imparting the skills they earned to others for a better tomorrow.” He added.
The event’s refreshments were sponsored by Hitech Engineering, Snappys Sports Bar and Angela Mason.
Bulawayo – While some section of the people are crying foul over the banning of the multi-currency, Bulawayo women are busy increasing their empowerment activities, with the latest being the traditional food and arts expo which was held at the national gallery. Writes Chrispen Tabvura.
The event which was graced by the guest of honour from the Resident Minister of Bulawayo Metropolitan province, Mrs Dominica Mringi took off at a high knot with more than 50 women exhibiting their projects and products, to a fully subscribed venue.
Addressing the jovial mothers who were exhibiting their wares at the gallery, Mrs Mringi applauded the women for being business minded and taking their time for the preparation of this noble cause.
“I am glad to be officiating at this traditional event that is exhibiting the power of mothers and women collectively in their effort to produce locally produced foods and crafts. The drive for locally processed foods creates the concept of local production and our tomorrow will see us exporting to other countries.” Said Mrs Mringi amid a round of applause.
Mrs Muring also added that there is need for the scaling up on value addition to agro-products by small holder farmers to fulfill the ZimAsset clusters, 1 and 4 which are food security and nutritional cluster and beneficiation cluster respectively.
The thrust of these food fairs is on the role played by women and communities towards production, processing, preservation and preparations of food vegetables, cereals and fruits.
The recent Zimbabwe International trade fair, was filled with the women empowerment projects that exhibited their goods and services, all of whom were locally produced from the Zimbabwean soil.
Bulawayo – Vendors and informal economy workers who ply their business in the streets and verandas are crying foul over what they call total abuse by both local and central government, as police and city councils staff harass them daily, writes Chrispen Tabvura.
According to Informal traders National President Edward Manning, the abuse has been taking place with the blessing of the two governments, as they are failing to create conducive working environment.
“There are too many people in the streets because there are no jobs and let alone opportunities. Why then would this government think that it is best to arrest vendors, who are trying to earn an honest living than those in the government who are corruptly enriching themselves?
We are only asking the local authorities to create a win win situation, where vendors pay from as little as Z$1 to Z$5 a day, and operate their businesses and able to pay their rates as well as schooling their children.” Said Manning in tears.
Manning who has been in negotiations with all local authorities for the betterment of informal traders, is appealing for the relaxed methods of dealing with vendors. Manning also told Choice magazine that all vendors nationwide are ready for a deal that can allow them to trade, as the central government is aware of the high unemployment faced by the country.
“It is sad that the city councils are wasting the scarce resources by dispatching staff to harass vendors who are raising money to pay rates. They fuel trucks to drive around cities instead of utilising for refuse trucks to collect garbage,” added Manning.
Municipal police officers and members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police have been clashing with vendors who operate from undesignated areas known as mishikashika, resulting in the use the of teargas, which is affecting other people going about their businesses in the central business areas. Sometimes, tear gas canisters are fired in front of shops and tears of innocent.
Zimbabwe after years of an economic collapse is now faced with a serious problem of hordes of struggling vendors estimated at 5,7 million who have invaded every little space in cities and towns to sell their wares. For many; Zimbabwe is now a vendor nation.
Harare has seen an explosion of unregulated commerce in recent years due to high unemployment with over 80 percent of the country’s 13 million people unemployed although official statistics put it at least 10 percent.
The big question the ailing nation of Zimbabwe is struggling with is what to do with the vendors? Members of parliament have demanded the immediate removal of illegal vendors who have flooded streets, saying they are a menace and threaten properly-registered retail shops.
The CZI retailer says vendors are depriving them of business yet they invested heavily into licence fees, taxes, employee and other costs in anticipation of a return on investment.
German – Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union representative to this year’s Global Alliance for Climate-Smart Agriculture (GACSA), Nomuhle Nyoni returned with wealth of information that will take commercial farmers to another level.
In an interview with Farmers Insight magazine, Ms Nyoni who was bubbling with joy and ready to share the most vital smart agricultural and climate friendly ideas said, “I have to make sure that what I brought from this forum will be put to practice to ensure food security for Zimbabwe, using smart agricultural practices, so that our future generations do not suffer the consequences of our environmentally degrading farming practices.”
She also added that by 2030, in view of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Zimbabwe should have achieved prosperity for posterity status.
Turning to the current situation on shortage of electricity, she added that, “Zimbabwe’s blistering heat is a blessing in disguise that we should urgently harness by embarking on large scale solar generation for farms and homes, with the view of selling excess to the national grid.”
The GACSA organized side event in the context of Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco on “The Role of Women and Men: Gender for Climate-Smart Agriculture” presented a multi-stakeholder panel discussion that aimed to provide policymakers, civil society, development agencies and researchers with a comprehensive set of innovative approaches and tested good practices around unlocking women and men’s great potential in agriculture, food security and nutrition policies, projects and research, with stories from Africa, Asia, Central America and North America.
This side event discussed the importance of implementing a gender-responsive approach to CSA, by recognizing the specific needs and capabilities of women and men and providing examples of site-specific CSA practices that are also gender-responsive.
Businessman and Freezim Congress leader Joseph Makamba Busha has castigated the use of the word orphan in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole and that it must cease to be on people’s lips once and for all.
He equated the use of the word orphan as discriminatory and derogatory, in an African context both culturally and collectively. Busha also strongly condemned the name ‘orphan’ as un-African and inhuman.
“There is nothing like an orphan in Zimbabwe, because that child would have been fathered by someone from a family and tradition. All children come from somewhere, where they belong. Their fathers have relatives and in this case, brothers who belong to the same tribe and family.” Said Busha.
Joseph Makamba Busha is a Zimbabwean businessman philanthropist and presidential candidate for Zimbabwe. He was born on 16 June 1966 in Harare, Zimbabwe. After his father died in 1969 he was raised on his family’s farm in Zimbabwe by his mother.
“How can people reject to look after their departed brothers’ children who share the same DNA and blood, let alone the totem and surnames? This is a bad habit that has been adopted by our African brothers and sisters. If I am the surviving brother of the late brother, and that brother leaves behind children, I automatically become the parent and compelled to exercise that parenthood without reservation.” Added Busha.
Busha also took a swipe on family members, who disclaim their relatives’ children the right to parenthood, by preferring to label them orphans, thereby rendering outcasts. The Freezim Congress leader is also a darling in his home area and the surroundings, for uniting the villagers and paying school fees for several children.
Recently, Busha was in Chimanimani and Mutare distributing maize meal and food stuffs to the cyclone affected families. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) last year announced the launch of Pathways, a five-year $35 million program that will offer services to 250,000 HIV-affected orphans and vulnerable children, 59,500 households, and 15,000 vulnerable youth.
The situation in the newsrooms and the way news articles are released to the community is raising a lot of questions and limited answers to readers and listeners, Writes Chrispen Tabvura.
Today as I was going to my office in the morning, with my cameras on my shoulders, I was asked by a group of readers and that attracted passers-by who also stopped to hear my response.
“Tell me wena muJournalist, which of these headlines is the truth, because this is one situation and same story but conflicting, what’s going on,” asked a Mr. Thomson Dube who was standing at a vendor’s corner along Fort Street and Leopold Takawira Avenue in Bulawayo.
I tried to stand the ground and also defended the journos, “It depends with the angle of the journalist sir. He or she decides to choose an angle on how to write the story, so the same as you as a reader, you have a choice on the paper you love to read.”
Guess what, I left all of them grumbling and pointing fingers at me, as they wanted to fire more questions which I quickly evaded and started taking pictures in an effort to avoid more embarrassing questions.
“Listen wena mfana, you journalists in Zimbabwe are now political activists than media people. You are now confusing us and causing headaches for us. Why don’t you write the real story and the truth? Look at those Headlines wena mfana, which one is the truth? Asked a Mr Banda.
Instead I smiled and walked away leaving them to decide on their newspaper of choice.
Bulawayo Metropolitan province this month celebrate the birth of its town, and city of kings in style, as people from around kontuthu and beyond thronged the second largest capital of Zimbabwe to share this moment of cheerfulness, Writes Chrispen Tabvura.
Hundreds of people marched around the city centre accompanied by the Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni, who officially declared the wishes of the people of Bulawayo near the large city hall, and planted a tree in honour of the day.
“As the Mayor of the city of Bulawayo, I would like to express joy and best wishes for all people of this great city, and would also officially declare the day of celebration as we gather to celebrate.” Sad Cllr Mguni amid applause and cheering from the gathering
Bulawayo city that turned 125 this week, following its establishment by the colonial settlers in 1894, is also currently facing water challenges and dilapidated structures that needs rehabilitation. The second largest capital’s roads are under rehabilitation.
More than three quarters, if not all of big companies relocated to Harare, leaving a lot of industrial structures being converted into churches that have now turned to be the big businesses in the former industrial hub of Zimbabwe.
Bulawayo – Following the price hike madness on all basic commodities, in retail shops and supermarkets around the country, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ), have dispatched price control teams, in all retail shops and supermarkets to monitor the sincerity of prices.
GMAZ teams, who were captured by Choice Magazine scrutinising shelves in retail shops, could not give comment, as they referred all questions to their superiors for media updating. However the superiors requested our questions in writing which we have done and await the response.
According to Bulawayo residents who spoke to this magazine, they were shocked to find the price of mealie-meal, bread, sugar, rice, flour and bread marked with what they labelled outrageous prices.
“I think it’s high time our government must act on these prices. It is now like a war against both consumers, what have we done that warrant all this madness?” Asked Senzeni Khumalo who was glaring at her favourate 20 kg Parlenta pegged at $35.
Her sentiments were echoed by those of Velapi Nkomo, who took a swipe at supermarkets owners. “We are now victims of this beloved country’s pricing. Why do we have to rate our prices using illegal currency?” He lamented.
Efforts to get clarification from shop owners and managers on price hikes remain sketchy as they kept pointing fingers at the value of RTGS currency against what they term real currency.
Bulawayo – National Blood Service Zimbabwe (NBSZ) is among the best in the continent and beyond, regardless of the current economic challenges faced by the country.
This was revealed during the Media Education Day in Bulawayo, at United Bulawayo Hospital, where the event took place. Zimbabwe’s blood service organisation is also being credited for establishing blood service centres in several countries around Africa because of its expertise and professionalism.
“We have helped with establishment of blood centres in the following countries, Malawi, Sudan, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, Botswana, Ghana and Eretria, to mention some of them.” Said Ester Massundah, Public Affairs Manager.
The training workshop was attended by several media houses, who were invited by the blood service organisation in an effort to educate journalists on how they operate.
The organisation’s managers, Esther Massundah (National Public Affairs Manager), Dr Tonderai Mapako (Planning Information and Research Manager) Gibson Mutasa (Laboratory and Quality Manager), Ntuthuko Nyathi (Regional Manager Southern), Sifundiso Ngwenya (Regional PRO), did presentations on their progress and current updates to Bulawayo Journalists.
Zimbabwe’s Ester Massundah, Public Affairs Manager, has also been chosen to facilitate presentations, in Rwanda during the forthcoming world blood donor day conference, set to be joined by many countries.
According to the media education day presentations, National blood service Zimbabwe’s main objective is capacity building and better understanding of the blood services.
They also said this year’s main theme for the organisation is ‘Safe blood for all, since most of the blood goes to the maternal patients.
The National Blood Service Zimbabwe is also appealing for more blood donors to come forward and maintain the blood stocks in the country, so that patients will not lose lives due to blood shortages.
Bulawayo – Jacqueline Arifandika now popularly known as ‘AEJAY AUGUST’ is Zimbabwe’s high rising star in the music industry following her release of a powerful masterpiece ‘Muka ubike doro’, which has become a house hold song , for both young and old.
Jacqueline’s Afro Centric genre flavour is cherished by all ages because of its jazz fusion and traditional mbira instrumentation, backed by guitars. Many Zimbabweans these days enjoy mbira with a jazz and pop taste, thereby catapulting the new music princess AEJAY AUGUST to stardom.
Arifandika who has two albums to her acclamation, started singing at a tender age of 12, during her primary school time.
“I was inspired by my uncle Edward, who was singing with Cde Chinx, and also my mother who kept praising me for my voice whenever I sing at home.” Said Jacqueline.
She also told Choice Magazine that her video album is ready for release in time before the festive season. Her most popular tracks, Muka ubike doro, Izitha zami, Gomo and the most recent Mahumbwe are already making waves both locally and international.
In muka ubike doro, she is warning those ladies who dream of falling in love with her husband, to brew traditional beer for cleansing the evil dream that will never become true in a life time, and in izitha zami, she is praising the Lord almighty for making her success in the presence of her enemies, while in mahumbwe, she is warning all those who propose love to ladies not to play or waste others’ time with fake promises.
“I really love my music and most of it is informative and educative. As a young lady, I have taken upon myself a task of educating my fellow young Zimbabweans, locally and abroad to take their lives serious through working on their own to develop their livelihoods, and never wait for spoon feeding as this will let them down.” Concluded AEJAY AUGUST, who has become a darling to many young adults.
Some of her videos are also making waves on YouTube, an American social television network, with muka ubike doro earning more views daily.
Bulawayo – The Tsholotsho born masiganda musician Pardon Ndlovu, now popularly known as Indlamuva in the music circles in making great inroads into the arts world with two albums that have sold more than 20 000 Dvds to date.
Indlamuva who is selling his music directly to the customers and his fans in the streets of Bulawayo, is experiencing his rise practically.
“I am selling my DVDs in the streets to my fans and my people who are showing much love and support as I approach them daily and they make my daily meals through buying my musical products.
This time I will not cry foul on piracy especially in Bulawayo, because people know how I am struggling and the way I suffer in the payments of recording and producing of my albums. They have developed love and support in buying music from me directly.” Said Ndlovu.
Indlamuva started his musical career in South Africa soon after his secondary education, like any other young man from Zimbabwe who leaves the country to look for employment. He recorded his first and second albums in South Africa, but failed to break the market until he returned home to which he is giving all the credit to his supporters.
According to Ndlovu, he was operating a vegetable stall in Johannesburg, which was not a success and opted returning home to Bulawayo, where his music started showing positive results.
“After my return to Zimbabwe, all my music is now selling and I have sold more than 20 000 copies of DVDs to my fans that are showing love and interest in my work as I thrive to deliver quality live shows to them in the streets.” He said.
Indlamuva is currently working on the debut video album that will be out in September this year, in preparation for the festive season. He is currently riding high from the sales of his DVDs in the streets.
Bulawayo – While other small to medium business operators, including established businesses did not make it to this year’s international business forum ZITF, Slys Hardware took whole One by storm, as the tyre-made bicycle became Centre of attraction.
Slys Hardware materials were on display at the Women’s Ministry stand in Hall 1, where a good number of small to medium business operators were showcasing their wares.
The owner and proprietor of the project, Mr. Sylvester Savanhu, drew a lot of attention and consultations from both local and international exhibitors who wanted to know how he was producing good displays from refuse.
He also manufactures doorframes, window frames and tables from recycles materials, thereby generating inspiration to the young and unemployed youths, who now need to be educated by him.
“We have decided to make a living through cleaning our environment and manufacture household material and also construction materials from recycled materials. Our main objective is to educate youths so that they can create their own employment from materials within their reach.” Said Mr. Savanhu.
Mr. Savanhu is also involved in crypto currency and a lot of community based projects on empowerment and self-reliance, like Sound prosperity which use Spurt as its digital currency used within the community to contact business.
This also embraces the government’s initiative for middle income concept in its new vision for 2030. Mr. Savanhu told Choice magazine that this is the time emulate all developmental activities and initiatives for the betterment of the community.
Slys Hardware is located in Bulawayo’s Kelvin North industrial area, in Depot road and actually doing well.
Bulawayo – Matabeleland North Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union, has recorded a success story on the influx of farmers and more members coming to join the organization, following their exhibition and appearance at the international forum.
The Bulawayo based National Vice President Commodities Mr Winston Innocent Babbage told -the farmers Insight Magazine that this year was the year to work hard as the government is on the ground with command farming and livestock.
Babbage who is also a renowned and successful farmer, has been visiting and touring most of the farming areas in an effort to share ideas and tips on becoming best farmers in the region.
“I am glad that a good number visited the ZITF and talked to us and we shared information on how we work and improve their ways of farming. I am also appealing to farmers to take up mechanisation seriously and enter the farmers’ competitions.” He said.
The Vice Chairman Mr Tshuma who was manning the stand alongside his colleague Mr Davis Nkiwane who is a committee member expressed gratitude and said their exhibition at this year’s ZITF was an eye opener.
“We are glad to be exhibiting at this year’s ZITF and hope to be involved in a number of farming functions this year for the benefit of our membership,” said Tshuma.
His sentiments were echoed by Mr Pilanzima Ndlovu, who is the current chairman for the Bulawayo based ZCFU leadership. The Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union is also set to exhibit at this year’s Victoria Falls Agricultural Show in September.
By Chrispen Tabvura
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s top seed companies who have already put their agricultural ambassadors, to monitor the progress at their exhibition stands for this year’s Zimbabwe International trade fair are almost ready.
The ambassadors who spoke to Choice Press’s Farmers Insight magazine, have their exhibition fields fully equipped with matured maize, vegetables, carrots and tomatoes. Nonsikelelo Mpofu,who is the Ambassador for F
arm and City seed company, was captured yesterday putting some final touches to the exhibition field at ZITF.
While on the other side, Agri Seeds’s Florence Chapwanya was also captured in an amazing sack maize planted exhibition field at ZITF grounds, in preparation for the forthcoming international event. The seed companies have been unleashing fruitful field promotional activities to a number of Matabeleland farmers and beyond in an effort to alleviate poverty.
The seed production companies have also carried a number of training activities on smart agriculture and climate friendly types of farming that has since helped a good number of both commercial and communal farmers around the country.
By Chrispen Tabvura
Bubi – in a move that has cultivated interest from farmers, SEEDCO, a company that supply all kinds of seeds for farming in the country is developing interest in the production of maize and other crops in an effort to alleviate poverty.
The exercise that judges the best farmer to produce more tonnes from one hectare, has seen many farmers winning tractors thereby drawing the attention of many farmers both commercial and communal.
In an interview with SEEDCO’s Commercial Agronomist Philip Matombo, Seedco, he told this magazine that his company is doing this exercise nationally in an effort to reduce the shortage of maize and eradicate poverty in Zimbabwe.
“This program is aiming at productivity and this is involving our top farmers who produce 11 tonnes plus of maize from one hectare. We really mean serious
maize production as we aim to stop the importation of maize by producing our own in Zimbabwe.” He said during the Bubi Field Day that was held Mary Ellen Farm in Bubi district.
His sentiments were echoed by those of Zimbabwe Commercial Farmers Union National Vice President Mr Winston Innocent Babbage, who said, ”We really applaud you SEEDCO for this action that has drawn the attention of many farmers. We appreciate your efforts in poverty alleviation and hope farmers here present have learnt how to produce more maize from one hectare.”
The Field day was attended by several farmers from Bubi and graced by officials from Agritex, Mr Christopher katsande and Senior Agritex Officer Kujinga Josphat.
Zimbabwe’s national President of the informal traders’ associations, who ply their business in the streets of towns and cities, Edward Manning expressed disappointment on the action taken by the government, on driving out vendors from the streets.
“We are disheartened by the action of our governments, both local and national. How can they chase us from the streets where we get our income to look after our families. This is a shock.
All industries are still closed with no hope of reopening, as nothing is being done to the tune of funding their revival.” said Manning shaking his head in disbelief of the action.
Recently, the government announced their action on forcing all vendors out of the streets, in the name of restoring order and cleanliness.
The Municipals of both Harare and Bulawayo have been long harassing the informal workers, by confiscating their wares and helping themselves to the goods.
According to Streetwise informal workers association Mr Percy Mcijo, millions of youths and mothers are suffering in the streets at the hands of merciless municipal security officers, who take advantage of the helpless widows and youths who are trying to earn income through honest means.
“This local government of Bulawayo is a shame. How can they confiscate goods from the poor, who are fighting poverty and also trying to raise money to pay their rates.
BCC must sit down and revisit their actions, and rewind their thoughts to the truth of the matter, there is no functioning factory.
Where do they expect ratepayers to get money to pay them?” asked Mcijo.
National Vendors Union of Zimbabwe leader, Mr Zvorwadza, who is based in Harare also concurred with his counterparts in fighting what they labelled an ill informed and cruel decision by both city fathers.
His sentiments were echoed by vendors leaders from Masvingo, Gwanda, Gweru, Mutare and Beit Bridge.
Asked to comment on the issue, both councils told Choice Magazine that all these complaining are illegal vendors who are refusing to go to designated areas. They said their operation will not stop, as they are also trying to fight the outbreak of cholera and typhoid.
The city council of Bulawayo is still using the by-laws of 1976, that were designed to protect the interests of the businesses of that time, and dis-empowering the natives in their quest for improving their incomes from extra duties. The informal workers are arguing that the by-laws are against the Zim-Asset that seeks to empower all unemployed to operate their self help and self sustaining means of living. The situation that has turned ugly is becoming an acid test for the new government to quickly revive the folded industries.
A good number of youths are crying foul over the purchase of expensive vehicles for the traditional leaders, while the industry is lying idle with little hope of revival.
Harare – Southern Africa’s renowned security force, Zimbabwe Republic Police have displayed their no nonsense expertise in combating crime, as they have identified and located six young girls and a boy who were filmed drinking beer at a shopping Centre.
Police National Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Nyathi.
The Police moved in swiftly to deal with the unethical incident that shared a video of the occurrence which was widely shared on social media platforms.
According to a statement posted on the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) X page this Tuesday, 02 January, the incident occurred at Juru Growth Point.
Police also mentioned that they located the parents and guardians of the minors, whose video made noise on social platforms. These children are now being counselled by the ZRP Victim Friendly Unit (VFU), said the statement.
‘Reference is made to social media videos which went viral and showed some young girls drinking beer at a shopping centre in the country.
The ZRP has established that the place is Juru Growth Point, in Murewa. The ZRP has identified and located the six young girls and one boy.
Their parents and guardians have also been located. The Police VFU is now counselling the minors in consultation with relevant government departments.’
Meanwhile, Police in Tsholotsho arrested four men who drugged and raped a 15 year old girl, taking advantage of her condition, as she was in a position not to defend herself.
Also in the same situation, a shabeen operator in Harare was arrested for selling alcohol to minors aged between 5 and 11 years on Christmas day. A video showing the minors drinking alcohol went viral on 26 December 2023, making it a mandate for the Police to take action.
In Zimbabwe, the sale of liquor, including beer, is regulated by the Liquor Act, which, among other things, strictly prohibits the selling of beer to children.
Thus, peddling alcohol to children is illegal and highly negligent, according to the laws of the country, as it poses severe risks to their health and progress.
The country’s permissible drinking age is 18 years and above, with all under 18 years not allowed by the law to either buy, consume or touch alcoholic beverages.
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe’s outspoken Political Analyst and Human Rights activist Effie Ncube, revealed an analysis where he openly told Journalists that men have failed the country, due to misrule and incapacity in leadership.
Addressing several Journalists from almost all Media Houses in Bulawayo and during Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) sponsored dialogue, Ncube also challenged women to stand up for their positions.
He also touched on the country’s shrinking political space for women, in both leadership and decision making criteria used by political parties in the country, on their way of appointing females in influential positions.
“We have a country with 70% women and the remaining being men, but still we have males in control, and yet they have dismally failed to develop the country.
Zimbabwe’s current political landscape is also failing to vote for women to be in top leadership, including presidency. It is the environment that we were brought up in, that has lack of respect for women.
We were brought up in an environment where women are supposed not to be in leadership circles, but mothering only and doing some household duties.” Said Ncube in his presentation.
His sentiments were echoed by former Zimbabwe People’s Liberation Army survivor Grace Noko. She is one of the women who served in the liberation struggle and never get any promotion neither elevation after the struggle to date.
“I fought in the liberation struggle and I am surprised to hear that only men have received state of the art vehicles as compensation and yet I am here.
As I speak, there is only one woman from our struggle time, who was laid to rest at the National heroes Acre, ignoring a good number of war of liberation war fighters with grief and sadness. This discrimination has been happening even in the struggle for the liberation and is still taking place long after independence.
I strongly think that we need to work hard to influence and convince all women, so that they will realize their strength in leadership positions.
Sitabile Mlilo who is Citizen for Coalition Change National Women’s Taskforce Committee member, added her voice on the criteria used to appoint women in leadership positions.
“It is true that we still have a long way in climbing the political ladder, because men become vicious when it comes to influential positions.
The political journey has never been that rose for all women, only that we persevere to be where we are. The ground is not even judging from the selection process. We are always abused in social media platforms, labeled as prostitutes and women of loose moral values, just because of our sacrifice.
If you read stories published about our CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere and other women in politics, it really scares away the weak.” Added Mlilo.
Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe chapter, has been this month busy facilitating several workshops on political reporting, investigative journalism and dialogues empowering journalists on important issues to pursue.
Bulawayo – While the second revolution is claiming best service since its inception in 2017, Makokoba and Mbare suburbs have become a no go area, for residents, as many families have been forced to vacate their rented dwellings due to burst sewages.
Makokoba families have since vacated their home of many years, because it is now sewer logged and the family cannot navigate the situation, as they have tried for several years.
The Makokoba housed under sewage blockage. Picture by Marsline Natani
The Makokoba burst sewage pipes have brought a negative impact within the Bulawayo community, despite that they have been living a long time with the situation. It has come to a point that it has reached the unbearable level.
The burst sewage pipes has negatively changed the way of living within the Makhokhoba residence, as they are finding it hard to cross the road, neither to return to their house, because is fully flooded with sewage.
A Makokoba resident captured navigating sewage logged streets. Picture by Marsline Natani
Almost half of Makhokhoba houses are suffering from the sewer burst, a situation that has caused unrest and sleepless nights for the Bulawayo ratepayers. Many people passing through the place are forced to divert their routes especially when going to work.
It has become a threat to children playing outside and along the road as they can easily contract diseases. In an interview with Choice News Africa, Mr Hloniphani Moyo expressed disappointment for the government’s lack of action.
‘I now find it difficult to walk along within the streets as they are now flooded with sewage and the only way is to divert my route,” he said.
The situation has further become a threat to vendors as they are no longer able to fully stand the sewages while selling fresh vegetables within Makokoba. This has also led to the increase in poverty within the Makokoba residents especially those who sell in front of their houses.
“I cannot properly carry out my vending business at home as it is full of flowing sewage, it has fully disturbed my main source of my income” said Thandiwe Nkomo one of the residents in Makhokhoba.
Even thou they have faced a horrible situation, as residents they have tried to control the flow of the sewers as they made ridges so as to avoid the over flowing of the sewer around the community. However they also encounted some challenges especially with some of the residents that did not want to join hands in terms of controlling the sewer, it has therefore led to some houses flooding with the sewer.
In a interview with Choice News Africa, Mrs S. Sibanda who is a resident in Makhokhoba, block 11 has this to say
“It has been two days since my house has been flooded with the sewer, my toiled is fully flooded such that we no longer visit the toilet and the bathroom, this has made life difficult because l cannot go to my back yard and my children have spent two days without bathing, I kindly ask the Councilor to help take action before it leads to the outbreak of diseases that might affect the whole community”
The Burst sewage pipes have made the lives of Makhokhoba residents harder, as they are not able to take a bath nor visit the toilet. Residents are much concerned about their health as it will lead to outbreak of Cholera and other relevant diseases. They are kindly pleading with the city council to come and remove blocking material that is disturbing the flow of sewer and the councilor to come and have an eye witnessing to what the residents are facing at their homesteads.
“We are experiencing the biggest challenge at the moment as the residents of Makokoba, sewers are blocked and they are bursting every day the problem has been caused by the increase in population within Makhokhoba, initially the system was meant for few people. And the other reason is that system is too old, the central government is the one that is supposed to release funds, so that council can be able to carry out the project of rehabilitation of the old sewer system” said the Councilor for Makhokhoba
The Councilor is highly pleading with the Makhokhoba residents to pays their rates in full and on time, he is also highly disappointed with the situation that has strike Makhokhoba and him being one of the residents living within a community with such a situation. He has also promised to try his best to cover up the situation.
“I am so disappointed, to see my fellow residents living in such condition and I want to promise them that as a councilor of the area I will try my level best to attend to all the problems they are facing.” He said.
Bulawayo – Zimbabwe Sports fraternity has plunged into mourning, again following the loss of two soccer greats, George Shaya and Ernest Maphepha Sibanda, whose death robbed the soccer fans of the vibrant football legends.
As if it is not enough, a few weeks ago, Zimbabwe also lost a veteran boxing trainer, Philip Striker Ndlovu, whose legacy unleashed a lot of boxing talent that is still flying the Zimbabwean flag high around the world.
The late Mastermind George Shaya
Sibanda was a dedicated Highlanders Football Club, footballer, Manager and Chairman who is well known for having led Bosso in their several successful games.
He succumbed to diabetes and was laid to rest in Bulawayo, amid pomp and fanfare, as the Bosso fans were celebrating the life of their hero.
The former Highlanders soccer hero was given a hero’s send off, after a long march and parade that flooded the streets of Bulawayo.
The late Ernest Maphepha Sibanda
While in Harare, soccer fans also gathered to bid farewell to George Shaya, a former association football forward, who played for Dynamos and the Rhodesian National team, during the 1960s and 1970s.
He was considered one of Dynamos all time finest players, as well as one of the best ever from the present day Zimbabwe. He was laid to rest in Harare amid emotional scenes.
Several speakers from both funerals spoke of their soccer prodigious neglect from the current government, as the Ministry of Sports never contributed to wellbeing of the two, during their time in health challenges.
The late Striker Ndlovu
The government of Zimbabwe is well known for only associating with sports persons, when they are flourishing at their pick, and that would only be the time the sports specialists will be flying the country’s flag high.
On the other side, when the flag bearers are down with ailments, the government keeps their distance and would sometimes come to the funerals, to address for political mileage.
One such person who died in a pauper status, was Striker Ndlovu, a veteran boxing mentor who was bedridden for a long time without any assistance from the government or any of his subjects, he trained, let alone little help from the local sports organisations.
The once vibrant and powerful physically built boxing trainer, succumbed to prostate gland enlargement after he desperately failed to raise the needed medical fees amounting to USD $1000, which was required for his permanent catheter insertion cure.
Striker has been suffering from this illness (prostate gland enlargement) which has also resulted in kidney failure and a neurologist advised him to undergo kidney dialysis, however his health deteriorated, as not even the boxing unions or associations came to his rescue, regardless of several media coverage.
The now late former boxing coach was in desperate need of urgent assistance, but that never came, as his savings from his previous earnings, was swallowed by the country’s prowling inflation, and also neglect from the Ministry of Sports that is only active, when someone is raising the flag, but fail to look after their welfare in times of needy.
Below are his sentiments, when he was interviewed by Choice News Africa.
“My situation is very bad as we speak because medical doctors said my condition needs urgent solution that they call medical recovery.
I am looking for donations that can help me to pay for the treatment of this predicament, “pleaded Striker.
Striker depended on sport (boxing) to fend for himself but after this sickness took its toll on him, he became physically unable to practice his sport hence had no longer has any source of income. The former boxing trainer was living a, life of a beggar as he was even appealing for food and clothes.
“I live the life of a vagrant now. I have been struggling to walk in the streets to beg for food, clothes and money from well-wishers, as no one is coming to my rescue. I now live on handouts as l am no longer capable of fending for myself since I am bedridden,” said Striker in tears.
His niece, who has been looking after him, and preferred to be identified as Madawu in an interview with Choice News Africa revealed that her uncle Striker, has been suffering a lot from that ailment and that it drained everything from his savings, hence they were pleading for donations to raise the sum of $1000 USD that was obligatory for his medical recovery.
She added that Striker was a passionate man who devoted his life to training youths in boxing discipline at Tshaka Boxing Club.
Many have passed through his hands and he has served the community earnestly and now that he is gone, Zimbabwe’s boxing discipline will never be the same without his proficiency and enthusiasm.
This is the time all sports associations and unions must unite and confront the Sports Ministry, to come out clean on whether they only love the fit and health sports people only when they use them as bet for propping the image of the country or that they must also help them in time of needy.
Johannesburg – Zimbabwe’s high riding presidential hopeful and leader of a political party that has spread its wings to every corner of the country, Hebert Chamuka is tying a knot at the end of the year, in an expected colourful event that will draw high ranking officials from around the country and beyond.
In an exclusive interview with Choice News Africa Editor, from his South Africa office, the vibrant politician, revealed that he will be getting married officially at the end of this year, in his motherland of Zimbabwe, where all his membership will be available to witness the union.
Ideas Party of Democracy President Hebert Chamuka
“I am grateful to the membership and support base of Ideas Democracy Party of Zimbabwe, for their faith in my leadership that they endorsed in utmost faith. I will deliver their needs come 2023. The reason why I decided to inform the people of Zimbabwe of my marriage, is to assure everyone that I am going to be a caring father, who will lead by example.
Leaders need to be married, so that those they lead would have faith in them. I am a leader, who was elected by the people of Zimbabwe, to lead the next government, hence the need to hold a wedding ceremony that everyone will witness.
I would like to thank everyone in the country for support and participating in our developmental activities, that has seen a lot of progress in the projects of employment creation that we are pushing,” said IPD leader Chamuka.
The IPD leader’s helper identity will be revealed in due course. He also added that is within the framework of traditional customs. Norms and values of the leaders to have a wife when in the position, to retain confidents of the people.
Choicemag 