By A Correspondent- Opposition Proportional Representative Member of Parliament, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga has dressed down Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe for failing to expedite investigations into the death of a 14-year-old girl, Memory Machaya.
Parliament on Tuesday heard that the police, which falls under Kazembe’s portfolio, was failing to pin down a Mutare based member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic sect who is behind the young girl’s death.
The girl, who had been forced out of school, had allegedly been married off to one of the sect members and died while giving birth on July 15.
She was allegedly buried secretly about two hours after her death by members of the church.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had called upon Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe to issue a Ministerial Statement regarding progress on the case.
Kazembe was saved by Justice and Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, who said it was premature for him to come and answer.
Misihairambwi was concerned about law enforcement agencies’ delay and apparent inaction in arresting persons responsible for marrying off the child and the man who married and impreg_nated her.
“It’s not as straightforward as what the Honourable Member might think. Indeed, the Government is doing a lot, and investigations are continuing. Initially, there was no cooperation by the whole of that community to the extent that the police were not told about where she was buried.
“Police need to get to the bottom of the matter, but they are facing a lot of resistance from the whole of that community. It is too early for the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to give a statement, but once investigations are complete, he will bring a statement,” said Ziyambi.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda concurred, saying there was a need to give police time before a comprehensive statement was issued.
Earlier on, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had said it was worrying that the Government had not said anything on an incident of such a nature.
“The abuse of children within that particular sect has been known, and it is worrying that something of that nature happens publicly and there is nothing that has happened,” said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
Police have said they are conducting thorough investigations to bring the culprits to book.
By A Correspondent- Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe has been exposed for failing to expedite investigations of the death of a 14-year-old girl, Memory Machaya.
Parliament on Tuesday heard that the police, which falls under Kazembe’s portfolio, was failing to pin down a Mutare based member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic sect who is behind the young girl’s death.
The girl, who had been forced out of school, had allegedly been married off to one of the sect members and died while giving birth on July 15.
She was allegedly buried secretly about two hours after her death by members of the church.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said lack of cooperation from the sect community had contributed to the delay in finalising investigations.
However, he said law enforcement officers would not be deterred by the efforts to thwart the probe.
Minister Ziyambi said this yesterday in the National Assembly while addressing legislators.
Proportional Representative MP, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, rose on the point of privilege, allowing a member to raise a matter of national importance.
She said she was concerned about law enforcement agencies’ delay and apparent inaction in arresting persons responsible for marrying off the child and the man who married and impreg_nated her.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had called upon Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe to issue a Ministerial Statement regarding progress on the case.
But Minister Ziyambi, who is Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, said it was too early to give a comprehensive progress report given the obstacles currently being encountered by police.
“It’s not as straightforward as what the Honourable Member might think. Indeed, the Government is doing a lot, and investigations are continuing. Initially, there was no cooperation by the whole of that community to the extent that the police were not told about where she was buried.
“Police need to get to the bottom of the matter, but they are facing a lot of resistance from the whole of that community. It is too early for the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to give a statement, but once investigations are complete, he will bring a statement,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda concurred, saying there was a need to give police time before a comprehensive statement was issued.
Earlier on, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had said it was worrying that the Government had not said anything on an incident of such a nature.
“The abuse of children within that particular sect has been known, and it is worrying that something of that nature happens publicly and there is nothing that has happened,” said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
Police have said they are conducting thorough investigations to bring the culprits to book.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police is failing to pin down a Mutare based member of the Johanne Marange Apostolic sect they are investigating in connection with the recent death of a 14-year-old girl, Memory Machaya, because of stiff resistance from the church.
The girl, who had been forced out of school, had allegedly been married off to one of the sect members and died while giving birth on July 15.
She was allegedly buried secretly about two hours after her death by members of the church.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said lack of cooperation from the sect community had contributed to the delay in finalising investigations.
However, he said law enforcement officers would not be deterred by the efforts to thwart the probe.
Minister Ziyambi said this yesterday in the National Assembly while addressing legislators.
Proportional Representative MP, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, rose on the point of privilege, allowing a member to raise a matter of national importance.
She said she was concerned about law enforcement agencies’ delay and apparent inaction in arresting persons responsible for marrying off the child and the man who married and impreg_nated her.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had called upon Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe to issue a Ministerial Statement regarding progress on the case.
But Minister Ziyambi, who is Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, said it was too early to give a comprehensive progress report given the obstacles currently being encountered by police.
“It’s not as straightforward as what the Honourable Member might think. Indeed, the Government is doing a lot, and investigations are continuing. Initially, there was no cooperation by the whole of that community to the extent that the police were not told about where she was buried.
“Police need to get to the bottom of the matter, but they are facing a lot of resistance from the whole of that community. It is too early for the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to give a statement, but once investigations are complete, he will bring a statement,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda concurred, saying there was a need to give police time before a comprehensive statement was issued.
Earlier on, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had said it was worrying that the Government had not said anything on an incident of such a nature.
“The abuse of children within that particular sect has been known, and it is worrying that something of that nature happens publicly and there is nothing that has happened,” said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
Police have said they are conducting thorough investigations to bring the culprits to book.
It’s very unfortunate that there are nonbelievers like George Charamba…
Jamwanda thinks Zimbabwe is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s little fiefdom.
Such people are just a bunch of war deserters whose only intention is to soil the legacy of the liberation struggle.
They have been corrupted by stolen mandate and power hence they think Zimbabwe is their personal property.
Genuine war veterans know that there is no power that is greater than people power because they saw what happened to Ian Smith after his infamous “no black majority rule in a thousand years time.”
Unfortunately, those that are arrogant in face of the freedom train will be crushed when the hour has come. Indeed that hour is upon us!
Zimbabwe national team coach Zdravko Logarusic says it is time for the current Warriors stars to perform to their fullest potential and justify the ‘golden generation’ title.
The current Warriors generation has been dubbed the ‘golden generation’ due to having in it, players who compete with the world’s best in some European leagues.
Ligue 1 in France, where six-time World player of the year Lionel Messi now turns out for Paris Saint- Germain, is also the same division where Tino Kadewere plays for Olympique Lyon while Marshall Munetsi is on the ranks of Stade De Reims.
To add to that, Marvelous Nakamba plays for Aston Villa in the Premier League, Teenage Hadebe in the Major League Soccer (MLS), while the talismanic duo of captain Knowledge Musona and poster boy Khama Billiat is still part of the Warriors fold,
Logarusic insists the team should start performing up to expectations starting now, with the World Cup qualifiers and AFCON finals on the horizon.
Reacting to last night AFCON draw, the Croat said: “What we have to do as Zimbabwe is, we have to learn from our mistakes, the mistakes we made before (from the previous AFCON finals),” he said.
“That means is we just have to focus on the football. We need to be prepared properly, we need to finish things much earlier, then preparation will start for the AFCON tournament.”
“All the time you (the media) are saying we have golden generation, but its time now for that golden generation to show the gold,” he added.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has rubbished reports claiming he might move to Paris Saint Germain or his former club Real Madrid, describing them as ‘just talk.’
Spanish media was awash with reports linking the five-time World Player of the Year, with PSG and Los Blancos.
It was claimed that PSG, who recently signed Ronaldo’s fierce rival Lionel Messi from Barcelona, are planning to sell French sensation Kylian Mbappe and replace him with ‘CR7’.
The same reports claimed that Real coach Carlo Ancellotti wants to reunite with the 36-year old in the Spanish capital, having worked with him in his first stint between 2013-2015.
Ronaldo took to Instagram to vehemently-deny those reports.
“Anyone who knows me is aware of how focused I am on my work. Less talk and more action, this has been my guiding motto since the start of my career. However, in view of everything that’s been said and written recently, I have to set out my position,” he wrote.
“More than the disrespect for me as a man and as a player, the frivolous way that my future is covered in the media is disrespectful to all the clubs involved in these rumours, as well as to their players and staff.
“My story at Real Madrid has been written. It’s been recorded. In words and numbers, in trophies and titles, in records and in headlines. It’s in the Museum at the Bernabeu Stadium and it’s also in the minds of every fan of the club. And beyond what I achieved, I remember that in those nine years I had a relationship of deep affection and respect for “merengue afición”, an affection and respect that I retain to this day, and that I will always cherish. I know that the true Real Madrid fans will continue to have me in their hearts, and I will have them in mine.”
“As well as this most recent episode in Spain, there have been frequent news and stories associating me with a number of clubs in many different Leagues, with nobody ever being concerned about trying to find out the actual truth.”
I’m breaking my silence now to say that I can’t allow people to keep playing around with my name. I remain focused on my career and in my work, committed and prepared for all the challenges that I have to face. Everything else? Everything else is just talk.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe were placed in Group B at next year’s edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Warriors will face Senegal in their first match at the tournament on 10 January. They clash against fellow COSAFA team Malawi in the second Group B match four days later before rounding the first round against Guinea on the 18th of the month.
Zdravko Logarusic’s men will be camped in Bafoussam and use Kouekong Stadium for their first two games before travelling to the capital city, Yaounde, for the final group match.
This will be the national team’s fifth appearance at the tournament after featuring in 2004, 2006, 2017 and 2019 editions.
The 2021 Afcon will happen from 9 January to 6 February 2022 in Cameroon.
Warriors fixture schedule:
Matchday 1 – Group B Senegal vs Zimbabwe (3 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 2 – Group B Malawi vs Zimbabwe (6 pm at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam)
Matchday 3 – Group B Zimbabwe vs Guinea (6 pm at Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaounde)- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare has reacted to last night’s AFCON 2021 draw, saying its the fairest Zimbabwe could ever get.
African stars will descend on Cameroon soil for the rescheduled continental showpiece in January and Zdravko Logarusic’s troops were placed in Group B, alongside Senegal, Malawi and Guinea.
Mpandare, who attended the draw, believes its ideal for Zimbabwe.
“We can’t ask for a better group. This is the fairest draw. We have avoided Cameroon, our first game against Senegal will be telling,” he told Soccer24.
“The good thing is these games are coming after we would have played 6 games in the World Cup Qualifiers and that will give the coaches a chance to select the best team for the tournament,” added the former Gunners official.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa has hailed outgoing Zambian President Edgar Lungu’s gesture of humility after conceding defeat in the Presidential Election.
President Chamisa also praised the Zambian security forces for respecting the course of democracy.
“I honour the magnanimous leadership of President-elect HE @HHichilema & the humility of @EdgarCLungu in conceding defeat.
I salute the Zambian army, police, intel & the electoral commission for the exemplary professionalism and independence.
Africa leads! Zimbabwe, you are next,” President Chamisa wrote on Twitter.
“HOPE INSPIRES. HOPE ENERGIZES HOPE ENCOURAGES. HOPE WINS. HOPE IS A GAME CHANGER. YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE NATION’S HOPE. Thank you for believing,” he added.
Edgar Lungu with incoming President Hakainde Hichilema
By Clifford Hlatywayo MDC Alliance deputy spokesperson
Jamwanda’s remarks are mere hallucinations from a clueless and unelectable regime.
Citizens are coming together and are determined to win Zimbabwe for change. No one and nothing shall stop the wave of change that has come in Sub Saharan Africa.
The power lies with the people and they will say it louder this time through a vote to President Nelson Chamisa.
No matter what, the People’s victory is coming in the next election. We are ready to lead with the people through our transformation agenda that will avail opportunities for every citizen to prosper.
Our agenda is a broad based which involves every Zimbabwean, no one will be left out including those who are resisting change now.
The Great Zimbabwe Dream is for all Zimbabweans. The next President of this country is Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
He has a Plan for Zimbabwe. We are targeting more than 6million votes for President Nelson Chamisa.
Tinashe Sambiri|MDC Alliance vice president Hon Tendai Biti says he is ready to dance like Michael Jackson following Hakainde Hichilema’s resounding victory Zambia’s Presidential Election.
Hon Biti was harassed by Edgar Lungu’s administration as he sought refuge in that country soon after the 2018 Presidential Election.
Zanu PF agents trailed Hon Biti and tormented him for exposing massive rigging of elections by the regime.
“I can’t wait to drive back to Zambia … and at Chirundu Border Post where they almost killed me , I will dance like Micheal Jackson .
My Congress Dance . I can’t wait,” Hon Biti wrote on Twitter.
He was responding to LynneM’s tweet :
Guys who remembers when VP @BitiTendai went to seek refuge in Zambia Flag of Zambia after the disputed elections in 2018 while Edgar Lungu was President & he deported him to face the savage of the evil regime in Zimbabwe Flag of Zimbabwe? Power is indeed temporary! Zvino achiti tonho Woman shruggingWoman shrugging #ZambiaDecided
Taking preventive measures against COVID-19 can help you protect your brain health, one expert says.
Two studies presented at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Denver suggest that COVID-19 may lead to cognitive impairment down the road — and that certain symptoms that persist after recovering from the infection may be associated with cognitive decline.
One study uncovered ties between persistent loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19 and cognitive decline. The other found that people whose physical and respiratory health suffered due to a bout of COVID-19 were more likely to have issues with cognition afterward.
“I think what we’re learning is that it’s quite possible that these COVID-19 infections are potentially having an impact on the brain in some way,” says Rebecca Edelmayer, PhD, who is the senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago. Edelmayer was not affiliated with either study.
“There are still a lot of questions about the cause and effect, whether this is a direct or indirect effect [of COVID-19], but what we’re starting to see is data that suggests that people may be having some long-term impact from COVID-19 infection,” Edelmayer adds.
Persistent Loss of Smell Tied to Cognitive Impairment In one study, researchers assessed 233 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and 64 healthy participants who tested negative.
All participants in the study were age 60 or older. Those who tested positive were studied for three to six months after recovering from the virus.
The study participants underwent testing of their cognition and olfactory function — or function related to their sense of smell.
Many IBD Patients Skipped or Reduced Medication Doses Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 Transmission, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention:
The results of the study suggested that loss of smell was associated with persistent cognitive impairment among participants who recovered from the virus — and people with more severe loss of smell were more likely to have more severe cognitive impairment.
However, the researchers noted, the severity of olfactory dysfunction was not associated with how severe one’s bout of COVID-19 was.
“There is some suggestion that lack of smell could be a symptom of COVID-19 infection itself, but some people who experience COVID-19 without that symptom are having a persistent lack of smell afterward. So I think we have to learn more about what that symptom itself may imply in terms of the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain,” Edelmayer says.
COVID-19’s Lingering Effects on Lung Health (and What It Means for Cognition) In a small, Greek study, researchers tested physical and mental function beginning with 32 people two months after they’d been hospitalized and recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19.
According to the study’s lead author, George Vavougios, MD, PhD, who is a postdoctoral researcher for the University of Thessaly, the number of participants in this study has now grown to almost 100.
None of the participants had any prior coexisting health conditions other than hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Testing included the six-minute walk test, which measures how far someone can walk for six minutes, as well as their oxygen saturation — or levels of oxygen in their blood as they were completing the test.
Other tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment measured whether participants had experienced cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19.
Early findings from the study showed that more than half (56.2 percent) of participants had cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19. Cognitive decline was found to be most common among people who demonstrated poor physical health and had concerningly low levels of oxygen in the blood during the six-minute walk test.
“For a healthy person, oxygen saturation would be at 99 percent whether we’re exercising or walking,” he explains. But for many people in the study, their oxygen saturation dropped to 95 percent, which, Dr. Vavougios says, resembles the lung function of someone with COPD (a group of lung conditions that inhibit airflow and cause breathing issues).
This finding could spell trouble for brain health, explains Vavougios. “A brain deprived of oxygen is not healthy, and persistent deprivation may very well contribute to cognitive difficulties,” he said in a press release.
Source: Everyday Health
Inserted by Zimbabwe Online Health Centre
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Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba, who calls himself Jamwanda on Twitter, has sparked widespread outrage after attempting to belittle MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa.
Jamwanda claimed war veterans would not allow President Chamisa to rule …
In response the MDC Alliance Namibia has described Charamba as a man obessessed with phantasmagoria.
Charamba’s remarks reflect the level of desperation in Mr Mnangagwa’s administration, according to the MDC Alliance Namibia.
Read full statement below:
George Charamba’s tweet unravels Zanupf’s panic mode and political ineptitude, Mdc Alliance Namibia notes.
18 August 2023
Mdc Alliance Namibia notes with great astonishment the panic and desperation in the clueless Zanupf morons.
The toxic words that came from Mr Mnangagwa’s Spokesperson on his twitter handle unearthed a wholesale abuse of the universal fundamental basic right to vote.
Social democrats in Namibia who subscribe to constitutionalism and rule of call upon Zanupf to respect the will of the people.
As a concerned external assembly in the democratic project led by the pragmatic and organic leader, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, we demand that the people of Zimbabwe are given their political freedoms to choose their leaders without the fear of persecution by prosecution.
On his twitter handle, Jamwanda said Zanupf will not handover power to Mdc Alliance leader President Advocate Nelson Chamisa no matter what! He went on to say Mr Mnangagwa and cronies did not go to war so that they will handover to Chamisa on a silver.
We condemn this entitlement by the desperate Harare regime, Zimbabwe is for us all, it is a private property of Zanupf! Zimbabwe deserves new leaders with absolute respect to human freedoms to associate, organise and confront gross misgovernance.
It is clear from his words that our country has been hijacked by senseless thugs who are heartless. Constitutional fighters are ready to prosecute the struggle to its logical conclusion. It is now imperative to put political and diplomatic pressure on these Satanists who have paralysed our economy and polarised our society.
Furthermore, let it be known to Zanupf morons that social democrats in the Alliance are have the perseverance and determination to soldier on with the struggle for socio-economic transformation to its logical conclusion. Our mandate is to win Zimbabwe against an attempt to create a One Party state in the name of the liberation struggle.
Jamwanda needs to be rudely reminded that our heroines and heroes went to war for One Man One Vote, the right Zanupf is publicly denouncing. We are not going to be silent, we shall register to vote in our numbers taking the inspiration from sister party in Zambia (the United National Democratic Party) UNDP.
Jamwanda must know that there is no substitute to citizen agency especially the vibrant youths. With high turnout and revolutionary energy to defend the vote from these serial election fraudsters at Zec.
We reiterate that Zimbabwe is not Zanupf property and this gives us the revolutionary appetite to reclaim our country from dictators who are using intimidation, arbitrary arrests and gross abuse of human rights.
Zambians are enjoying the fruits of constitutional democracy after they mounted unprecedented pressure to unlock the One Party system of Kenneth under the motto: it’s either you vote Kaunda or hyena- insinuating that Zambians did not have a democratic alternative except Kaunda.
That was why the Zambians automatically saw the dire need for a new constitution in order to safeguard national interest, now they are enjoying smooth transfer of power.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia encourages the citizens to converge so that we accomplish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle. We can’t continue with leaders who don’t believe in constitutional democracy. We should register to vote and go in our huge numbers in 2023. We should again be very ready to protect our vote by making sure that we have enough polling agents. Lets resist this futile attempt to discourage us from confronting the devil for complete change.
Complete change in a Great Zimbabwe is possible in our lifetime. Zanupf has already pressed the panic button. Lets achieve our projected 6 million voters.
It’s very unfortunate that there are nonbelievers like George Charamba…
Jamwanda thinks Zimbabwe is Emmerson Mnangagwa’s little fiefdom.
Such people are just a bunch of war deserters whose only intention is to soil the legacy of the liberation struggle.
They have been corrupted by stolen mandate and power hence they think Zimbabwe is their personal property.
Genuine war veterans know that there is no power that is greater than people power because they saw what happened to Ian Smith after his infamous “no black majority rule in a thousand years time.”
Unfortunately, those that are arrogant in face of the freedom train will be crushed when the hour has come. Indeed that hour is upon us!
Paul Mavengwa (15) from Zaka who spent eight months at Masvingo Provincial Hospital while he unsuccessfully tried to raise US$ 1015 for an operation has died.
He died on August 12 and this once again brings to the fore the urgent need for Government to attend to the country’s collapsed health system.
Paul, an orphan who stayed with his aunt and grandmother fell from a mango tree last December and fractured his spinal cord. He remained detained at the hospital while he waited for a Good Samaritan to pay the amount needed for the operation. Only two weeks ago he made an impassionate appeal through The Mirror for assistance.
Masvingo General Hospital Public Relations Officer Mercy Ruth Zulu confirmed the death and said negotiations were held with the Social Welfare Department to pay the bill and the latter had agreed following The Mirror article.
There were also some well-wishers based in South Africa who were in the process of raising the money. “The boy died on Heroes holiday just after the Department of Social Welfare agreed to pay the full bill after they saw the article that appeared in The Mirror,” said Zulu. Paul who lost both parents at a tender age fell while trying to get some mangoes for his grandmother.
He broke his left hand and both legs and operations for that were covered for free by the hospital. However, cash was needed for the spinal cord.
Masvingo Provincial Social Welfare Officer Stanislaus Sanyangowe confirmed his Department’s pledge to help.
“His case was placed under the Assisted Medical Treatment Order where Social Welfare assists less privileged patients.
“It is sad that he died before the operation but all was in place for him to be helped. May his soul rest in peace,” said Sanyangowe.- The Mirror
Tinashe Sambiri|Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba, who calls himself Jamwanda on Twitter, has sparked widespread outrage after attempting to belittle MDC Alliance leader President Nelson Chamisa.
Jamwanda claimed war veterans would not allow President Chamisa to rule …
In response the MDC Alliance Namibia has described Charamba as a man obessessed with phantasmagoria.
Charamba’s remarks reflect the level of desperation in Mr Mnangagwa’s administration, according to the MDC Alliance Namibia.
Read full statement below:
George Charamba’s tweet unravels Zanupf’s panic mode and political ineptitude, Mdc Alliance Namibia notes.
18 August 2023
Mdc Alliance Namibia notes with great astonishment the panic and desperation in the clueless Zanupf morons.
The toxic words that came from Mr Mnangagwa’s Spokesperson on his twitter handle unearthed a wholesale abuse of the universal fundamental basic right to vote.
Social democrats in Namibia who subscribe to constitutionalism and rule of call upon Zanupf to respect the will of the people.
As a concerned external assembly in the democratic project led by the pragmatic and organic leader, President Advocate Nelson Chamisa, we demand that the people of Zimbabwe are given their political freedoms to choose their leaders without the fear of persecution by prosecution.
On his twitter handle, Jamwanda said Zanupf will not handover power to Mdc Alliance leader President Advocate Nelson Chamisa no matter what! He went on to say Mr Mnangagwa and cronies did not go to war so that they will handover to Chamisa on a silver.
We condemn this entitlement by the desperate Harare regime, Zimbabwe is for us all, it is a private property of Zanupf! Zimbabwe deserves new leaders with absolute respect to human freedoms to associate, organise and confront gross misgovernance.
It is clear from his words that our country has been hijacked by senseless thugs who are heartless. Constitutional fighters are ready to prosecute the struggle to its logical conclusion. It is now imperative to put political and diplomatic pressure on these Satanists who have paralysed our economy and polarised our society.
Furthermore, let it be known to Zanupf morons that social democrats in the Alliance are have the perseverance and determination to soldier on with the struggle for socio-economic transformation to its logical conclusion. Our mandate is to win Zimbabwe against an attempt to create a One Party state in the name of the liberation struggle.
Jamwanda needs to be rudely reminded that our heroines and heroes went to war for One Man One Vote, the right Zanupf is publicly denouncing. We are not going to be silent, we shall register to vote in our numbers taking the inspiration from sister party in Zambia (the United National Democratic Party) UNDP.
Jamwanda must know that there is no substitute to citizen agency especially the vibrant youths. With high turnout and revolutionary energy to defend the vote from these serial election fraudsters at Zec.
We reiterate that Zimbabwe is not Zanupf property and this gives us the revolutionary appetite to reclaim our country from dictators who are using intimidation, arbitrary arrests and gross abuse of human rights.
Zambians are enjoying the fruits of constitutional democracy after they mounted unprecedented pressure to unlock the One Party system of Kenneth under the motto: it’s either you vote Kaunda or hyena- insinuating that Zambians did not have a democratic alternative except Kaunda.
That was why the Zambians automatically saw the dire need for a new constitution in order to safeguard national interest, now they are enjoying smooth transfer of power.
In a nutshell, Mdc Alliance Namibia encourages the citizens to converge so that we accomplish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle. We can’t continue with leaders who don’t believe in constitutional democracy. We should register to vote and go in our huge numbers in 2023. We should again be very ready to protect our vote by making sure that we have enough polling agents. Lets resist this futile attempt to discourage us from confronting the devil for complete change.
Complete change in a Great Zimbabwe is possible in our lifetime. Zanupf has already pressed the panic button. Lets achieve our projected 6 million voters.
By A Correspondent- A little girl who was allegedly poisoned is recovering in hospital.
The six-year-old was being treated in Kgapane Hospital in Limpopo after her two-year-old sister died on the night of Monday, 16 August.
Allegedly the sisters’ 35-year-old mother poisoned herself and her children after she failed to pay R5 000 back to a burial society, which she allegedly spent improperly.
Monday was apparently her last day to pay the money back.
Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said police in Hlanganani were investigating cases of murder, attempted murder and an inquest docket.
“Allegedly, the woman prepared food for herself and her two daughters. She allegedly used a poisonous substance to contaminate the food to end her own life and those of her children,” he said.
“After eating the food, the woman and her children reportedly started vomiting and were rushed to Rotterdam Clinic. The youngest child was certified dead on arrival. The woman was transferred to Kgapane Hospital but unfortunately died on the way.”
Social development MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale said: “We are urging all parents who are facing challenges in their families and relationships not to resort to killing and harming their children but to approach our social workers for advice and assistance.
“As the department, we have systems in place to ensure vulnerable children are protected and brought up in a conducive environment.
“A team of social workers dispatched to the area will conduct assessments, and ensure that psychosocial support is provided to affected family members and other parties.”
By A Correspondent- Zimbabweans have been urged to ignore threats of war thrown around by people like presidential spokesperson George Charamba adding that the peaceful nation will not implement a war to subvert the will of the people.
He said:
Zimbabweans shld not listen at all to threats of war thrown around by pple like George Charamba.
Zimbabwe will never hv a war again to subvert the pple. He must be careful of what he is bargaining for.
War is not a good thing in any society. Zvibatatei vana George. Musazochema
Sikhala’s statements come in the wake of Charamba’s latest tweet where he insinuated that Chamisa will never rule Zimbabwe as war veterans will not fold their hands and allow him to rule.
The tweet which torched a social media storm read:
The National Electoral Reform Agenda (NERA) brings to the attention of people the adage that once beaten once twice shy. NERA says this is a call for Zimbabweans to take lessons from the just-ended elections.
“It is not social media vibrancy that gives out positive results. It is all about hardworking in its diversity. In Zimbabwe, the 2018 elections were peaceful. They were not fair and free and neither were they credible in the naked eyes of democrats.
“The Zambians mastered and mapped out strategies which I believe are: – Massive voter registration, mainly first-time voters and the youth; – Commitment to go and cast a ballot by every citizen eligible to vote; and – Defend and protection of vote by the youth,” said NERA Executive Chairman Eng. Mugari Joelson.
He said Zimbabwean citizens have very bad tendencies of leaving everything for politicians. In that regard, NERA is advocating for citizens on how to protect their vote.
“Everyone must go and vote. The first and most important step is the voter registration process. Political parties are taking a back seat in their push for electoral reforms. Citizens are not interested in any further disputed election results,” Mugari said.
He called for all civic societies, churches, political parties and labour to vehemently drive the voter registration campaign since the current pace at which voter registration exercise is going is disappointing.
“What has happened in Zambia is a paradigm shift of SADC political inclination. it is a real clear showcase of possibilities of change in any country,” Eng. Mugari said.
He reminded the rural people that traditional leaders are guided by the Constitution, especially Article 281 on Principles to be observed by traditional leaders in sections 1a,b,c and 2a, b & c. He encouraged stakeholders to educate to preach about these sections day in and day out.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has challenged African leaders to stop using national institutions to advance selfish political interests.
Speaking during a programme dubbed Democracy and Africa hosted by South African politician Mmusi Maimane on Monday, President Chamisa urged African leaders to desist from using taxpayers money to fund acts of violence and torture of innocent citizens.
By A Correspondent- Two women were committed to perform 280 hours of unpaid work after they were found in possession of 150 bottles of BronCleer Cough Syrup they intended to sell in Harare’s Glen View suburb.
Evelyn Kasinaubari (40) of Glen View 7, and Trish Chinyamakobvu (32) of Kuwadzana were initially jailed for 12 months when they appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko charged with possession of unregistered medicines.
Mrs Mateko set aside four months of the jail term on condition that they do not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
The remaining eight months were suspended on condition that each of them performs 280 hours of community service. Kasinauburi will work at Glen View 2 Primary School while Chinyamakobvu will perform her punishment at Kuwadzana Police Station.
Kasinaubari’s husband, Ben Bushu, who was jointly charged with the two denied the charges. He was remanded to September 30 for trial. Mrs Polite Chikiwa appeared for the State.
PICTURES- Chief wearing ED regalia captured on camera in compromising position with a yet to be identified woman. Who is this chief and is this his wife? @schikanza@cazawatypic.twitter.com/1DjAM3pCFR
By A Correspondent- A High Court judge, Justice Esther Muremba on Friday reserved judgment in the matter of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which defied Harare provincial development coordinator (PDC) Tafadzwa Muguti’s directive to report to him.
The NGOs had challenged Muguti’s directive.
In the arguments presented before the judge, State lawyers failed to prove where the authority of the PDC was derived from, as defined by the law. They ended up conceding that Muguti’s office did not exist in terms of the law.
In the application, the applicants, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, said they were seeking an order declaring that Muguti, cited as the first respondent, had no regulatory powers over civic society organisations (CSOs).
Muguti recently ordered NGOs that defied his directive to submit work plans to his office to stop operating, except for only 40 that complied.
In the court application, the CSOs, represented by Tonderai Bhatasara of the Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights, said Muguti’s directive was unconstitutional and should be declared null and void. They also applied for an interim order allowing them to operate pending courts determination on the constitutionality of the ban.
But in their opposing affidavits, Muguti and Local Government minister July Moyo, who was cited as the third respondent, said their office was not seeking to register NGOs, but was playing an oversight role for compliance with the regulatory measures put in place by government.
“The order being sought is frivolous and baseless for reasons that the Press statement is legal as it outlined the policy regarding operations of and activities of NGOs, faith-based organisations, CSOs and trusts,” Moyo stated in the affidavit.
“The applicants are well aware of the policy and cannot proffer ignorance of such requirements as pronounced in the Press statement. It is, therefore, not correct to say that the first respondent is policing the applicants. The first respondent needs to be guided and know all the activities by the applicants to ensure that there is harmonisation and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance by the applicants.”
Public Service minister Paul Mavima, who was cited as fifth respondent in the matter, insisted that the NGOs ought to have complied with Muguti’s directive in accordance with the laws and policies that govern their work.
“As such there has been no infringement to the applicants’ rights. Moreover, the perceived harm by the applicants can be prevented by their simple compliance with the procedures set out in the policy, and as such, this application is frivolous and ought to be dismissed,” Mavima said.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to terms with reality and reached out to the incoming Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema.
Mnangagwa took almost 24 hours to acknowledge HH’s victory because of his close links with Edgar Lungu, who lost the Presidential poll to his long time opponent.
Tuesday evening, Mnangagwa grudgingly took to Twitter and reached out to Zambia’s new President.
on your election victory. I have no doubt that you will serve Zambia with distinction for the benefit of all. I look forward to working with you over the coming years for the benefit of both peoples,” Mnangagwa posted.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition is astonished by claims by the Minister of Justice, Ziyambi Ziyambi that the Zimbabwe Republic Police “is facing resistance” in investigating the case of a 14 year old girl, Memory Machaya who died while giving birth at an Apostolic Church shrine in Marange early this month (August 2021).
It is shocking that law enforcement agents mandated to maintain law and order as well as protection of fundamental rights, including those of the girl child, would claim to face resistance in a case of such magnitude; a case that has attracted worldwide condemnation when the perpetrators are well known individuals.
The case of the late Memory Machaya is a litmus test in as far as the government of Zimbabwe’s commitment to the protection of the girl child is concerned and the recent claim by the country’s Justice Minister ranks the country lowly in terms of protecting the girl child.
It is shocking that police in Zimbabwe have often responded with brute force against citizens calling for economic, political and electoral reforms yet they have developed a lackadaisical approach in the case of Memory Machaya. There can never be any excuse on the issue of Memory Machaya whom we know had been married off to a man named Evans Momberume.
Of late, the Zimbabwe Republic Police has carried out successful operations against armed robbers around the country and it boggles the mind that they would fail to act against alleged shrine rapists that are well known.
Over the years, we have witnessed an unholy alliance between Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF and a number of Apostolic sects with the former campaigning for the ruling party during elections. This has allowed the Apostolic sects to violate the rights of girls and women with impunity.
That unholy alliance must be broken!
The rights of the girl child are sacrosanct and should never be compromised as a result of the lust for political support and power. As it stands, the girl child in Zimbabwe is at the mercy of unscrupulous church leaders and the government. Women and girls’ safety should never be exchanged for power.
The case of the late Memory should be the starting point of a series of clampdowns against Apostolic Churches violating the rights of the girl child.
We demand that all perpetrators (around the country) be brought to book without fear or favour.
We call upon progressive Zimbabweans to continue to pile pressure on the government using all constitutional means, including peaceful protests, until justice for Memory Machaya and other victims is served.
High Court judge, Justice Esther Muremba on Friday reserved judgment in the matter of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which defied Harare provincial development coordinator (PDC) Tafadzwa Muguti’s directive to report to him.
The NGOs had challenged Muguti’s directive.
In the arguments presented before the judge, State lawyers failed to prove where the authority of the PDC was derived from, as defined by the law. They ended up conceding that Muguti’s office did not exist in terms of the law.
In the application, the applicants, the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, said they were seeking an order declaring that Muguti, cited as the first respondent, had no regulatory powers over civic society organisations (CSOs).
Muguti recently ordered NGOs that defied his directive to submit work plans to his office to stop operating, except for only 40 that complied.
In the court application, the CSOs, represented by Tonderai Bhatasara of the Zimbabwe lawyers for Human Rights, said Muguti’s directive was unconstitutional and should be declared null and void. They also applied for an interim order allowing them to operate pending courts determination on the constitutionality of the ban.
But in their opposing affidavits, Muguti and Local Government minister July Moyo, who was cited as the third respondent, said their office was not seeking to register NGOs, but was playing an oversight role for compliance with the regulatory measures put in place by government.
“The order being sought is frivolous and baseless for reasons that the Press statement is legal as it outlined the policy regarding operations of and activities of NGOs, faith-based organisations, CSOs and trusts,” Moyo stated in the affidavit.
“The applicants are well aware of the policy and cannot proffer ignorance of such requirements as pronounced in the Press statement. It is, therefore, not correct to say that the first respondent is policing the applicants. The first respondent needs to be guided and know all the activities by the applicants to ensure that there is harmonisation and effective delivery of humanitarian assistance by the applicants.”
Public Service minister Paul Mavima, who was cited as fifth respondent in the matter, insisted that the NGOs ought to have complied with Muguti’s directive in accordance with the laws and policies that govern their work.
“As such there has been no infringement to the applicants’ rights. Moreover, the perceived harm by the applicants can be prevented by their simple compliance with the procedures set out in the policy, and as such, this application is frivolous and ought to be dismissed,” Mavima said.
ED Spokesperson @Jamwanda2 tweeted that it is wishful thinking that war veterans will sit & watch Chamisa rule #Zimbabwe. What do you think that this tweet reflects?
Battle lines are drawn between MDC Alliance co-vice president Welshman Ncube and a group of officials from his former MDC who have adamantly dismissed their recent suspension as a nullity.
Ncube’s MDC in 2018 merged with the MDC-T and Tendai Biti’s PDP in a coalition arrangement originally spearheaded by the now late Morgan Tsvangirai, to form what is now known as MDC Alliance.
MDC Green, as it is commonly referred to, sprang a surprise this past week when it reconvened to hand suspensions against four party officials accused of links with the rival MDC-T faction led by Douglas Mwonzora.
The officials are Christopher Monera, Shupikai Mandaza, Munhango Musevenzo and Gift Karupati.
However, the ‘suspended’ officials have dug in, insisting it is in fact Ncube, his deputy Edwin Mushoriwa and a handful party top officials who expelled themselves from the party by “defecting” to the now Nelson Chamisa led opposition.
Said Mandaza, who has declared himself as MDC interim leader, “Categorically and unequivocally, I put it on record that the so-called suspension from MDC (green) by one Farauh Jele, purporting to represent the MDC Disciplinary Committee is thus of no force or effect.
“Jele is not a member of the MDC (green), he is just but a defector from it so he has no business in the affairs of our party.
“Our former President Prof. Welshman Ncube, DP Edwin Mushoriwa, 4 other senior members and all the others who joined the MDCT Party self-expelled themselves from their former party, MDC (green), by operation of the MDC Constitution.”
The MDC officials argue that Ncube led the MDC into the MDC Alliance coalition without National Council approval.
They also argue the MDC Alliance remained a loose coalition whose members could revert to their original formations as demonstrated by other political parties that subscribed to the idea prior to the 2018 elections.
Mandaza continued, “As MDC (green) and in accordance with our constitution, are putting in place measures to effect leadership renewal to replace all those who ditched the party.
“…The available remaining MDC (green) leadership have the mandate to defend and take the party forward including engaging in all Alliance business.
“Finally and without prevarication I re-state that, all those former MDC (green) members who have defected from the party and have taken up positions were Prof W.Ncube is Deputy President HAVE AUTOMATICALLY EXPELLED THEMSELVES FROM MDC (green) BY OPERATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND SHOULD NOT MASQUARADE AS MDC MEMBERS.”
Police are facing resistance from the Johanne Marange Apostolic community in Bocha in their investigation of the recent death of a 14-year-old girl, Memory Machaya, at a church shrine, legislators heard yesterday.
The girl, who had been forced out of school, had allegedly been married off to one of the sect members and died while giving birth on July 15.
She was allegedly buried secretly about two hours after her death by members of the church.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said lack of cooperation from the sect community had contributed to the delay in finalising investigations.
He said law enforcement officers would, however, not be deterred by the efforts to thwart the probe.
Minister Ziyambi said this yesterday in the National Assembly while addressing legislators.
Proportional Representative MP, Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga had risen on a point of privilege allowing a member to raise a matter of national importance.
She said she was concerned about the delay and apparent inaction of law enforcement agencies in arresting persons responsible for marrying off the child and the man who married and impregnated her.
Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had called upon Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe to issue a Ministerial statement regarding progress on the case.
But Minister Ziyambi, who is Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, said it was too early to give a comprehensive progress report given the obstacles currently being encountered by police.
“It’s not as straightforward as what the Honourable Member might think. Indeed, the Government is doing a lot and investigations are continuing. Initially, there was no cooperation by the whole of that community to the extent that the police were not told about where she was buried.
“Police need to get to the bottom of the matter, but they are facing a lot of resistance from the whole of that community. It is too early for the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to give a statement, but once investigations are complete, he will bring a statement,” said Minister Ziyambi.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda concurred saying there was need to give police time before a comprehensive statement was issued.
Earlier on, Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga had said it was worrying that Government had not said anything on an incident of such a nature.
“The abuse of children within that particular sect has been known and it is worrying that something of that nature happens publicly and there is nothing that has happened,” said Mrs Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
Police have said they are conducting thorough investigations to bring the culprits to book.
PICTURE- Head_on accident between Karoi & Makuti as truck fails to stop on time to avoid another truck ferrying an abnormal load. The abnomal truck had no escort. @PoliceZimbabwepic.twitter.com/Bl9IDcp3O3
By A Correspondent- George Charamba, the spokesperson of President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday insinuated that war veterans will not allow opposition MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to take power from the ruling ZANU PF.
Observers say the remarks are an open threat of violence by the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections. Previously, ZANU PF said war veterans and military personnel would not salute the then leader of MDC, the late Morgan Tsvangirai. They eventual did when he became the Prime Minister during the government of national unity (GNU) that was formed in 2009.
Posting on Twitter after MDC Alliance officials had expressed optimism that the party can win elections in Zimbabwe following veteran Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema’s victory in the presidential election held on 12 August,
Charamba said
Kwaa kufunga kuti madhara ehondo anongopfeka hovhorosi kuti Chamisa agotonga hake??? Imika imi, ityai Mwari!!!! [Do you think these war veterans just wear overalls so that Chamisa can govern? Come on, revere God!!!! [laughing emoji]
We present some of the responses to Charamba’s remarks.
Hopewell Chin’ono@daddyhope
This tweet by Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba @jamwanda2 is loaded with fear and intimidation! Hardly an hour passes without Charamba or his surrogates reminding Zimbabweans who the REAL opposition leader is in Zimbabwe. It also debunks the falsehood that Joji is smart!
Tichawona Mutoro @dvdticho
Those who died whilst fighting for our freedom are turning in their graves because this is surely not the Zimbabwe they fought and died for.I am disgusted by someone who believes they are entitled to rule Zim because they fought or were part of those who organised Chimurenga.
We appreciate and respect those who sacrificed their lives to free Zimbabwe…including our parents, brothers and sisters. Zim has a lot of qualified people capable of leading, because one fought in the war is not a qualification to hold an office in government.
Pedzisai Ruhanya @PedzisaiRuhanya
Grace Mugabe was correct on Jamwanda, anonyora matoto (he writes nonsense). He was a problem under Mugabe and continues to be problematic today. He gives toxic and unlawful advice to security apparatus against the masses and many people have been killed because of this recklessness
They publicly threaten violence, publicly announce they will deploy the armed forces of a country to campaign and protect Zanu PF against the masses, then they say they deserve respect from the masses and their electoral theft should be accepted; really, it’s oxymoronic.
Most genuine liberation fighters are dead. Some of these so called madhara ehondo did not even fire a single shot, very bogus and questionable credentials
Professor Jonathan Moyo
Madhara enyu ehondo nemahovhoroso are now the most vulnerable tiny winy segment in the population, in the army, in political parties and even in their families. Be a rational & ethical advisor Cde; tell them the truth, they better go peacefully; or else their exit will be tragic!
Fadzayi Mahere @advocatemahere
Why did he not say Mwonzora? Pafungei ipapo [think about it].
Basa rekunyora zvisina basa rese [you (George Charamba) write nonsense].
NdebeleMaker @nhlaasto85
The More they mention Chamisa’s name on daily basis it gives him more traction… The more they speak of him to a thinking Youth it must ring a bell. It must tell u something is special about this guy.. They are getting scared cause Zambian set a precedence n template to copy
Garikai Goremusandu@Garikai1Gorey
I don’t believe in majority rule ever in Rhodesia… not in 1,000 years, Smith once said those words in 1976. It will END.
Tawanda Shumba @cas_ts
Where are the people in this? Surely it is the people, the voters, who decide whether it’s madhara ehondo or Chamisa they want for the highest office. Unless if @Jamwanda2 is telling us that elections in Zimbabwe are a farce, a routine that fulfills legality but useless on power?
MuChikunda @mukorekore4
Charamba has just confirmed one thing, that without the madhara ehondo Chamisa will beat ED hands down. To the Youths, l say go and register to VOTE for Chamisa to put an end to these threats of war once and for all. You need jobs and not threats.
Shingi @ShingiChange
Remember how we all used to fear Robert Mugabe? These people have everything to lose if the Zambian situation is replicated in Zim. Thus they will use every trick in the book but note, if you start seeing them do it so clearly and openly then it means they are afraid, VERY AFRAID
Arnold SwagNigga.@Anorld_80
They’re in panic mode and they’re beginning to play politics of the mind to discourage gullible people who will quickly say we can never win. Zanu wouldn’t pay lobbyists and socialites to solicit for votes if elections didn’t matter. They wouldn’t kill for it either.
#RegisterToVoteZw@DocLAWO
It seems that all these years taikandwa fear with these statements and we fell for it and believed it. Massive voter mobilisation, massive voter turn out and coordinated protection of the vote-these guys will go packing rakacheka nyika. 2008 the vote wasnt properly protected!
Leoni Kusanga @LKusanga
Zambians protected their vote. The military helped them do that! I wonder if our military can do what we saw happen in Zambia – a special unit called the Zebra protected the vote at Mulungushi! They even protected the main opposition leader! Zim let’s do it too!!
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has come to terms with reality and reached out to the incoming Zambian President, Hakainde Hichilema.
Mnangagwa took almost 24 hours to acknowledge HH’s victory because of his close links with Edgar Lungu, who lost the Presidential poll to his long time opponent.
Tuesday evening, Mnangagwa grudgingly took to Twitter and reached out to Zambia’s new President.
on your election victory. I have no doubt that you will serve Zambia with distinction for the benefit of all. I look forward to working with you over the coming years for the benefit of both peoples,” Mnangagwa posted.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa has dumped his ally, Edgar Lungu, who was defeated in last week’s Zambia elections by the country’s long time opposition leader Hakainde Hachilema.
Mnangagwa sent his congratulatory message to Hachilema, Tuesday evening.
Mnangagwa is Lungu’s political mentor.
Hichilema won 2 810 777 votes against the outgoing President Edgar Lungu’s 1 814 201.
Hichilema is set to become the southern African country’s 7th President after winning last Thursday Presidential poll.
By A Correspondent- Man of the moment, Rokford ‘Roki ‘ Josphat continues to make waves on the international stage after being named Face of Afrobeats on the prestigious online music platform Spotify.
He is back with a bang, and his presence is unmistakable.
Roki’s star is shining bright as he continues to make waves not only in Zimbabwe but beyond the country’s borders.
The Urban grooves star is now donning international billboards after being appointed face of Afrobeats on the prestigious online music platform Spotify.
Riding on the success of his collaboration with Rhumba music icon, Koffi Olomide in the song Patati Patata, the nomination comes as a huge endorsement on Zimbabwe’s arts industry.
Roki becomes the first Zimbabwean to be nominated under the prestigious online flagship, joining the cream of African music such as Shatta Wale from Ghana and Diamond Platinumz from Tanzania.
The Zhombe community has intervened to stop the marriage of a 13-year-old girl to a 21-year-old man after her family married her off recently due to hunger.
The girl who cannot be named had to be rescued from the “in-laws” after having stayed there for some days following the intervention of the community.
According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the legal age of consent for sexual activity is 16, while the minimum age for marriage is 18.
A former junior councillor got wind of the matter and raised alarm leading to the intervention of the community.
The villagers led by the traditional leaders enlisted the services of the police to rescue the girl.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the development, saying investigations are ongoing. He said:
I can confirm that we are handling a case in Zhombe involving an underage girl who had been married off by her family.
We have since intervened and as I speak to you, she is now back at her parents’ home.
For now, I cannot give you finer details because we are still carrying out investigations.
The incident occurred under Chief Gwesela in Zhombe who confirmed handling the case at his traditional court. The traditional leader said:
There are actually two different cases that are almost similar. The first one is that one which you are talking about of a family that tried to marry off their daughter due to hunger.
They have since appeared before my court and I have fined both the family that tried to marry off their daughter and the family that accepted the child as their daughter-in-law.
Chief Gwesela said in the second case, the girl was lured into marriage by a gold panner.
He said he fined both families again and ordered the girl to be taken back to her family.
Chief Gwesela said he will not allow the abuse of young girls in his area.
This comes hard on the heels of the story of 14-year-old Memory Machaya who died while giving birth at an Apostolic shrine in Manicaland Province.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF administration is desperately looking for money to compensate former white farmers the regime booted out of their farms at the turn of the millennium.
Reports say Zimbabwe has appointed London-based Newstate Partners to help raise $1.75 billion (~R26 billion) by July next year to meet its obligations.
Compensating the farmers is key to Zimbabwe’s repairing its relations with the US and other western countries that imposed sanctions on the country after the often violent land seizures began in 2000. Zimbabwe’s economy subsequently collapsed as exports dwindled with stagnating ever since.
While the government is likely to press ahead with publicly stated plans to sell an international bond to finance the compensation accord, that option probably won’t be viable, said the person who asked not to be identified as the information hadn’t been disclosed publicly.
A bond would be too expensive and need a guarantee from a multilateral lender that’s unlikely to be forthcoming as Zimbabwe hasn’t paid its arrears on more than $8 billion in debt, meaning it can’t borrow fresh capital from them.
If money is raised from private investors, a special-purpose vehicle could be set up offshore and a portion of the country’s tax or royalty earnings from mineral exports could be diverted into it to repay them over a number of years with interest, the person said. The SPV could also be used as a guarantee to bolster the confidence of potential lenders, they said.
Zimbabwe’s main exports include platinum-group metals, gold and tobacco.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and his Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga didn’t respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
The Zhombe community has intervened to stop the marriage of a 13-year-old girl to a 21-year-old man after her family married her off recently due to hunger.
The girl who cannot be named had to be rescued from the “in-laws” after having stayed there for some days following the intervention of the community.
According to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the legal age of consent for sexual activity is 16, while the minimum age for marriage is 18.
A former junior councillor got wind of the matter and raised alarm leading to the intervention of the community.
The villagers led by the traditional leaders enlisted the services of the police to rescue the girl.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the development, saying investigations are ongoing. He said:
I can confirm that we are handling a case in Zhombe involving an underage girl who had been married off by her family.
We have since intervened and as I speak to you, she is now back at her parents’ home.
For now, I cannot give you finer details because we are still carrying out investigations.
The incident occurred under Chief Gwesela in Zhombe who confirmed handling the case at his traditional court. The traditional leader said:
There are actually two different cases that are almost similar. The first one is that one which you are talking about of a family that tried to marry off their daughter due to hunger.
They have since appeared before my court and I have fined both the family that tried to marry off their daughter and the family that accepted the child as their daughter-in-law.
Chief Gwesela said in the second case, the girl was lured into marriage by a gold panner.
He said he fined both families again and ordered the girl to be taken back to her family.
Chief Gwesela said he will not allow the abuse of young girls in his area.
This comes hard on the heels of the story of 14-year-old Memory Machaya who died while giving birth at an Apostolic shrine in Manicaland Province.- Chronicle
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has commended Zambia’s State institutions for upholding the rule of law.
In a statement the MDC Alliance Namibia described Hakainde Hichilema’s resounding victory in the Presidential Election in Zambia as a huge inspiration.
See statement below:
Mdc Alliance Namibia congratulates Zambia’s State Institutions for safeguarding the will of the people and upholding the rule of law!
16 August 2021
Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to jovially celebrate Zambia as one of Africa’s most sophisticated and successful democracies in Southern Africa.
Social democrats gyrates together with the prominent social transformer and opposition political dynamo , Haikande Hichilema of the United National Democratic Party (UNDP) who has been declared the astounding winner of the tightly contested presidential election in debt-burned Zambia.
With 155 of 156 constituencies reporting official results reflected that Hichilema had astonishingly captured a landslide of 2.810.757 votes against 1.814.201 for former president Edgar Lungu.
We salute the professionalism exhibited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia through its absolute refusal to be manipulated to aid a potential loser when the order to stop counting was given.
Change seekers in Namibia also applauded the judiciary for defending the rule of law and constitutionalism through a court order to the repressive Lungu-led PF government.
Zambia showed clearly that their courts are independent from the executive unlike our captured courts which are keeping Malaba illegally so that he can defend them after losing 2023 elections at the hands of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
This is the sixth time Hichilema (president-elect) had run for the top job and the third time he has squared off with the 64-year-old incumbent Lungu, who just narrowly won their last contest in 2016. International election observers have commended the transparent and peaceful organisation of the polls, which saw a high and motivating turnout of around 70.9%. Mdc Alliance Namibia applauds the revolutionary appetite and enthusiasm in the fellow compatriots in Zambia whereas in the motherland elections are rendered insignificant in transforming people’s livelihoods, it has been proven otherwise.
But they also criticised an attempt to muzzle democratic space when security forces blockeduu freedom of assembly and movement. Mdc Alliance Namibia learns that Hichilema was obstructed from campaigning in several areas including the strategic Copperbelt Province ,citing breaches of Corona virus measures and a public order act. Lungu also deployed ,the military following pre-election clashes but the army behaved professionally since they did not beat or torture anyone. Welldone Zambian Army and Police for serving the people not the hybrid of dictators in our continent. As victims of Zanupf sponsored violence by security agents, we really appreciate the level of professionalism in the Zambian Army.
Social media access was restricted in the capital Lusaka just as Hichilema cast his vote and was restored on Saturday only after a court order. This was a futile attempt to subvert the will of the people by the politically inept Patriotic Front leader who wanted to abuse his powers to rig the people’s hardworn vote after 24 years of fighting corruption and gross misgovernance in Zambia. Lungu who came into power in 2015 after the death of Michael Sata, has deployed the military to curb politically motivated violence , a move that has been criticised by opposition as some of intimidation and terror to social democrats in Zambia. He wanted to apply the Mnangagwa antics but it did not work.
This election victory is a triumph for democracy in light with the growing authoritarian consolidation, we have seen it in countries like Zimbabwe and Swaziland. The United National Democratic Party (UNDP) is our sister party and we have exchanged political notes over the years to further the cause of Constitutional Democracy and Good Governance. Like in Zimbabwe, this election victory was facilitated by the declining economic prospects which have become a campaign issue for opposition,which accused Lungu of running down the economy. Zambia , Africa’s second-largest copper producer has faced crisis owing to depressed commodity prices and has defaulted on two instalments of loans.
Moreover, she has also dismally failed to pay a US$42.5 million repayment on one of its dollar-denominated Eurobonds. Zambia has also failed to pay a US$56.1 million coupon payment on January 30, on its Eurobonds maturing in 2027. Lusaka has since received some debt relief from China and is so negotiating with the international monetary fund for a bail out. Mdc Alliance Namibia has the conviction that President-elect Haikande Hichilema-who has an an economics degree and has promised to rebuild investor confidence – committed and dedicated to confront an economy wracked by unprecedented debt,inflation and pathetic unemployment rate.
In a nutshell, we appeal to all countries in the region especially Zimbabwe to learn from the Zambian experience. In particular, we call for state institutions to serve the constitution and not partisan interests. Mdc Alliance Namibia believes that the 59 year old opposition leader and President-elect Haikande Hichilema has the full potential to put the economy on a sounder footing.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has finally sent his congratulatory message to the incoming Zambian Presiden, Hakainde Hichilema.
Mnangagwa sent his congratulatory message nearly 24 hours after the leader of Zambia’s opposition had been declared winner of that country’s last Thursday polls, beating his (Mnangagwa) close ally, Edgar Lungu.
Hichilema won 2 810 777 votes against the outgoing President Edgar Lungu’s 1 814 201.
Hichilema is set to become the southern African country’s 7th President after winning last Thursday Presidential poll.
By Sharp Shooter | Next month Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa is jetting out of Zimbabwe for London for a series of meetings.
If all goes according to plan, this will be the tyrant’s first UK visit since the coup that made him Robert Mugabe’s successor in 2017.
Before flying out Mnangagwa receives the sharp bayonette from International Policewoman, Julie Askana, who queries what his mission is to the former colonial power’s country. Why is it wrong to conclude that just like you accuse Nelson Cjamisa you are travelling to beg for sanctions?, she asks.
Soon after that, Julie finishes her golden-sports by blading him with a lethal giggle that only mortalises a crocodile.
We wish to restate our position and be categorically clear that those wishing to take part in illegal acts; including the destruction of public and private property, must immediately stop or be dealt with by the law.
As we take office, we will not allow crime to be committed under the guise of celebrating an election victory, nor will we accept disruption to our peaceful transition by a small group of trouble makers.
As outgoing Republican President and Commander In Chief, it is still incumbent upon President Edgar Lungu during this transition period, to ensure that law and order is maintained to the fullest extent, and we urge him to do so.
A Bulawayo man was on Saturday found dead on a rubbish dump at an alley in the city centre with numerous stab wounds all over his body in a suspected robbery case.
The body was found at an alley between Lobengula Street and Basch Street along Third Avenue.
A vendor who operates from the Third Avenue bus terminus told CITE that the man was attacked on Friday evening by unknown people and they tried to call the police for assistance to no avail. She said:
I first saw him around 7 pm. He was kneeling by the pavement at the corner of the alley. At first, I thought he was drunk.
I then told the boys who accompany me when it’s late to go and wake him up otherwise he would get mugged.
They went to him and a few minutes later they came back saying he is covered in blood. Three police officers of the cycle patrol unit passed by and we alerted them.
They said they would call an ambulance to come and attend to him. We waited for a while then but the ambulance never came.
The vendor said they ended up leaving because they feared they would not get transport to go home since it was getting late.
Another witness, Whisper Mubaiwa, a friend to the deceased said he was called in the morning to identify the body.
He said after identifying the body he accompanied police officers to the deceased’s home in Richmond to inform his family.
The police could not immediately comment on the incident as they said they were still gathering facts.- CITE
By Farai D Hove | The ZANU PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday finally congratulated Zambia’s President elect Hakainde Hichilema, 36 hours after.
This comes at a time when Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba has openly mocked Hichilema.
Hichilema was elected President on Sunday evening, but it has taken Mangagwa 2 days to celebrate him after several years of personally sponsoring the incumbent Edgar Lungu.
Said Mnangagwa in a post on his social media handles:
“Congratulations Hakainde Hichilema on your election victory. I have no doubt that you will serve Zambia with distinction for the benefit of all.
I look forward to working with you over the coming years for the benefit of both peoples ?? ?? ,” he said.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has challenged African leaders to stop using national institutions to advance selfish political interests.
Speaking during a programme dubbed Democracy and Africa hosted by South African politician Mmusi Maimane on Monday, President Chamisa urged African leaders to desist from using taxpayers money to fund acts of violence and torture of innocent citizens.
By Takafira Zhou | We note with deep concern the continued demeaning of Teacher Unions by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education spokesperson, Taungana Ndoro.
After a recent first Ministerial engagement with teacher unions since Hon Mathema became Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Ndoro is quoted in press to have said “We welcome all unions who represent teachers for the betterment of the educational system. *However, the ministry also represents about two-thirds of the teachers who are not subscribing to any union.
Fundamentally, Ndoro is trying to water down the importance of Unions on the basis of a false pretext that they represent one third of teachers in Zimbabwe. For the avoidance of doubt, this is a lie. We have 140 000 teachers in Zimbabwe, and for Ndoro to claim that unionised members are 46 666 is a traversity of reality and dangerous misinformation. We challenge Ndoro to back up his assertions by showing us the density of unionised teachers across the union divide. Ndoro also makes a dangerous, acidic, arid and toxic assertion that the Ministry has taken a paternalistic approach of representing the majority of teachers (two thirds) that are not unionised. The Big question, and problem of all problems and evil of all evils is *who has appointed Ministry the representative of these teachers?* Such misrepresentation of facts and insults of teacher unions cannot be taken lightly. It explains gvt unilateralism and reluctance to move away from the rusty, archaic, obsolute and moribund Statutory Instrument 141 of 1997 to section 65 of the Constitution. One wonders how a line Ministry has suddenly metamorphosised into trade unionism. It also reveals how gvt has been unilaterally giving starvation wages to teachers because it has been negotiating with itself through the self appointing Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Above all, it unravels gvt reluctance to follow what other Southern African countries have done on free rider teachers. Fundamentally, other gvts in Southern Africa have allowed teacher unions to levy non union members a levy that is used to cover negotiation process where they also benefit. By no means is this flouting freedom of association as such members are only levied money that also assist in negotiation process that benefit them. Such a levy does not force them to join any union but only to contribute to a process that also benefit them. Another alternative would have been to exclude them from benefits that accrue from Unions’ engagement with gvt. That however would be tantamount to discrimination which is not permissable in the constitution. In other Southern African countries free riders are levied a subscription that is an average of all unions’ subscriptions, with their subscriptions distributed to Unions on the basis of ratio of the density of their members. The pretext is that registered unions play a crucial role that benefit even non members. We have submitted all these suggestions but gvt has been reluctant to make this a reality beause it is happy to divide teacher unions or allow the Ministry to misrepresent teachers as reflected by Ndoro. It is clear that maximum co-operation with Ministry may not be possible until it stops to misrepresent and divide teachers. A line Ministry can never represent teachers. But that we have learnt through Ndoro that the Ministry does that in Zimbabwe is not only callous, degrading and deceitful, but also a monument of Zimbabwean injustice and tantamount to unfair labour practice.
It is, however, a wake up call to all non unionised teachers. The current tragedy and poverty of teachers is because such teachers have decided to be misrepresented by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on labour issues which enjoys teachers’ poverty, disarticulation and marginalisation. It now explains why only allowances for school heads, deputy heads, TICs and HODs were the ones approved and not a host of other allowances such as ECD allowance, bloated class allowance, composit class allowance, class teacher allowance etc. The idea is to strengthen the instruments of coercision by abuse of heads, deputy heads, TICs and HODs. The truth must be realised that only united teachers across the teaching fraternity can fight and win battles that would improve the plight of all teachers. The allowances must be enjoyed by most teachers and never abused to divide teachers.
To all unionised members and all teacher union leaders, we cannot allow Taungana Ndoro to urinate upon us and tell us its raining. Its high time we stop his cold and calculated educational vandalism or else there would be nothing left soon of the teaching profession. The guy has done enough to ridicule teachers and the education system in so short a time. Yet in an attempt to deflate his bubble lets resolve the issue of free riders in the same manner other teacher unions have done in Southern Africa. But before that happens lets recruit the free riders into Unions so that we stop the deliberate weakening and division of teachers’ cause by the Ministry masquarading as a trade union. United we stand, and divided we fall.
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has challenged African leaders to stop using national institutions to advance selfish political interests.
Speaking during a programme dubbed Democracy and Africa hosted by South African politician Mmusi Maimane on Monday, President Chamisa urged African leaders to desist from using taxpayers money to fund acts of violence and torture of innocent citizens.
“The country will never die; young people will save it.” (Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo)
Congratulations are indeed in order for the people of Zambia who have successfully managed to elect a new President despite all the political odds being heavily weighed against them.
I would also like to wish Hakainde Hichilema, who is affectionately known as HH, a very successful tenure as the next popularly elected President of the land of the mighty Zambezi River, to the north of our border.
The fact that a long-standing opposition leader such as HH, has successfully deposed an incumbent via the ballot process, is not just most welcome news for Zambia but also for the rest of Africa.
This is so, when one considers as to how rare it is for a ruling party to concede its leadership mantle after losing the popular vote. Most ruling parties in Africa actually find easier to simply rig the elections results and unilaterally continue to remain in power.
This has unfortunately adversely affected Africa’s democratic credentials since millions of its electorate have increasingly become disillusioned and have started to lose faith in capacity of the continent to respect the wishes of its electoral majorities.
As such, it is therefore hoped that the ascendancy of HH into power after an electoral victory, will certainly go a long way into restoring millions of Africans trust or belief in democracy or indeed elections as both a viable and sustainable means to effect political power transfer across the continent.
And nowhere will this point resonate most as in the country’s southern African neighbour of Zimbabwe.
Historically speaking, these two countries share a common colonial history. At one stage they were once bound together as the fabled Siamese twins; being known as Southern and Northern Rhodesia. Added to that, both countries once teamed up with Malawi to set up the ill-fated Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
It is thus not a surprise that of all the countries across Africa, it is in Zimbabwe that the latest elections results will be the extensively discussed and analyzed especially in the contest of the country’s forthcoming harmonised elections that are due to be held in 2023.
There are various factors that could be used to help explain the impressive victory that the opposition has achieved in Zambia during this past week.
However, I tend to agree mostly with some political analysts who are already explaining that HH actually owes his electoral victory to the young people of Zambia.
You may recall that during 2016, he narrowly lost to the incumbent Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL), amid allegations of him rigging the results.
Yet now in 2021, HH has somehow successfully turned the tables against his erstwhile rival.
A closer comparative view at both the 2016 and 2021 elections results clearly show a massive increase of the voter turnout by over a million in terms of numbers.
Further, the results also clearly reveal that within a short period of 5 years, HH did not only manage to overtake ECL, but he also overwhelmingly defeated him by almost a massive million votes.
According to a pre-elections analysis that was recently done by Kennedy Gondwe from the BBC, elections in Zambia are largely influenced by young people, including first-time voters. More than half of the eight million registered voters are under the age of 35. In the past, along with urban dwellers, they have been the bedrock of the Patriotic Front (PF) support.
But amid the economic turmoil, Mr. Lungu and his party can no longer take their votes for granted. “I am not voting for anyone in this election – I am voting for my job. I can’t go four years without a job,” says Silvia Mutila, a 25-year-old unemployed nurse who graduated in 2017.
Nomsa Maseko, who is also part of the BBC News offices at Lusaka also wrote about the crucial role of the Zambian youths; there is certainly no doubt that those political winds of change were ushered in by young people who are often accused of being reluctant to vote. They turned up in high numbers and generally rejected President Edgar Lungu. “We want jobs, young people want jobs,” chanted throngs of people as they filled the streets of the capital shortly after Mr. Hichilema was declared the seventh president of this copper-rich nation.
Further, both the CNN and Reuters also claim in their news reports that the youths of Zambia played a crucial role in the electoral victory for the opposition by asserting that there was a huge turnout of mostly young people, some who came dressed in their academic robes to protest lack of employment post-graduation.
Joseph Kalimbwe, a youth representative of Hichilema’s UPND party told CNN. “Young people gave us the vote. Four million young people between the ages of 18 to 24 registered to vote. It was a huge turnout and it was very personal to them. They want to ensure the mistakes of their parents were corrected. They have voted for our leader on basis he has better policies and ideas and can strengthen our state institutions’’.
A similar view has been propounded by Jonathan Clayton who recently wrote a feature analysis in the Times of England newspaper. In his analysis, he also emphasized that it was the young people of Zambia who led the successful deposition of ECL from the State House.
As such, most of the credit for his landslide victory must be given to the young people of Zambia who took an active role in this year’s historic plebiscite. It really appears that it is indeed, the youths of Zambia who have decisively helped to redefine the political destiny of their country.
And so, for me, the most important lesson from the recent Zambian elections is that the youths of Zimbabwe must now rise up and take an active lead as we prepare for our own 2023 harmonised elections.
It is my considered view that if our young people finally stand up and get counted, we will certainly have Advocate Nelson Chamisa as our next President come 2023.
In this regard, I do have a very clear and unequivocal stance that the 2023 presidential elections will once again be a two-horse race. Forget about all the other pretenders, especially those aligned to the controversial POLAD, that has already proved beyond reasonably doubt to be a mere extension of the incumbent. Ultimately, the real contest will only be between Emmerson Mnangagwa (ED) and Nelson Chamisa.
I can dare say that all the other presidential candidates will be mere political tokens in order to placate the multi-party democratic interests of our country.
Personally, I am convinced that I have already proved myself as a role model to our current generation of young people.
My political journey officially started in July 1995 when l accepted my nomination as the next Secretary General of the University of Zimbabwe students’ union. I was very young back then since l had recently turned 20 years old.
It was also during my fourth month as a first-year student at the Faculty of Law. Yet, l did not hesitate to respond positively to this national call of political duty. Even though it meant that l would not necessarily prioritize my academic studies in favour of my responsibility as a students representative
At that very nascent stage of my political career, l was already capable of appreciating that when it came to building the nation, my personal interests immediately assumed secondary status. I was already clear and unequivocal in my personal stance that whatsoever l set out to do, l must always put my beautiful motherland of Zimbabwe.
I was only 5 years old when Zimbabwe celebrated its inaugural Independence Day in April 1980; but that memorable experience left a lifelong indelible mark in my entire being. Young as l was, l grew up in Zimbabwe in the 1980s with a full appreciation that for the colonial experience to end formally at the Lancaster House conference in December 1979, it had taken thousands of Zimbabweans to sacrifice their lives.
Indeed, for the nation of Zimbabwe to be born, it took many thousands of lives to die. A lot of Zimbabweans, most of them young, had to die both at home and in exile for the new nation to born on 18th April 1980.
It was in such an inspired political context that in July 1995, l fully made up my decision to context in the next Students Representative Council (SRC) elections. And as fate would have it, l was soon elected as the Secretary General of the 1995-96 SRC before l had even written my first major academic exams at the university.
Later on, l accepted my nomination to be the Acting President in April 1996 when l was barely 21 years old.
Then in October 1996 l further accepted my nomination to be the next President of the University of Zimbabwe students’ union. I eventually contested and lost the said elections. But still, I gracefully agreed to serve the students union as its Vice President under the presidency of the late Learnmore Jongwe.
In April 1998, l was once again nominated and then elected as the next President of the UZ students’ union. I was only 23 years old.
Added to that, since July 1996 l had also played a leading role in the process of reviving the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) in my capacity as the Acting President of the UZ students’ union. This process culminated in my election as the revived ZINASU Vice President in February 1997. Once again, l dutifully served my nation as a deputy to the late Learnmore Jongwe, who was elected as the President at the same Congress. I was only 22 years old.
But why am l writing about my early days or humble beginnings as a students leader?
My point is very simple.
We are never too young to start our lifelong journey of serving our beloved nation.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be challenged by the yesteryear generations that were led by the likes of the late Joshua Nkomo who responded positively to the call of national duty in their youthful days.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be inspired by the likes of Nelson Mandela who also took up the challenge of their generation to dismantle the racist apartheid regime.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must learn from the class of 1976 in Soweto that played a catalytic role in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be challenged by the generation that was led by the famous students leader, President AGO Mutambara who in the late 1980s stood up and faced the challenge of their generation to fight the One-Party State agenda and also confront excessive corruption as evinced by the Willowgate Scandal.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must learn from our own generation in the late 1990s which got actively involved in the key political events that helped to define the political destiny of our country.
Indeed, when the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) was launched in 1997, my generation and I were actively involved. I was actually one of the student leaders who used to attend its National Taskforce meetings that were chaired by the late President Morgan Tsvangirai.
Also, when the Movement for Democratic Change was launched in September 1999, my own generation as led by the late Learnmore Jongwe was also there in the thick of action.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must also learn from the youths of Zambia who have in the past week helped to redefine the political direction of their country.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must emulate those from Zambia by making sure that with immediate effect they step up their active involvement in the following three crucial political fights.
The Fight for National Awareness and Consciousness
It is very sad and disappointing to take note of the low level of political consciousness among the youths of Zimbabwe today. There is currently a disturbingly high level of political apathy among most of our young people. It seems as if most of them have by now already given up on their ability to influence the country’s future by playing an active role in matters of national importance.
Indeed, most youths seem to be more enchanted by the distractive penchants of socialites such as Madam Boss, Mai Titi, Sandra Ndebele, Pokello Nare, Kikky Badass, Njuzu, Mudiwa Hood, Passion Java, among others. But when it comes to issues of justice and democracy in the country, they suddenly disappear into thin air.
Right now, we currently have the topical case of Makomborero Haruzivishe. He is an outspoken youth who is under an unjustifiably prolonged incarceration and desperately needs some active solidarity from his fellow youths.
Please do not get me wrong, I am not against our youths having some fun; but it must not be at the expense of not just their own future but also for those who will come after them. Our country is currently facing a perennial never-ending political and socio-economic crisis that has no solution in sight.
Worse still, most of the strategic positions of all our three separate arms of State (Executive, Judiciary and Legislature) are clearly being led by geriatrics who have long passed the recommended age of retirement. Honestly, how on earth do our young people expect these old people to be emotionally interested in the long-term prospects of our nation?
Our youths must now wake up from their political slumber. They must take up the challenge of their own generation by actively participating in the national quest to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe. Enough is enough! Our young people must stand up and assume their rightful place in the national development agenda.
The Fight for National Inclusion
Zimbabwe is by far a very youthful country. Most of its adult population is currently between the ages of 18 and 40 years. There is no doubt that we have one of the youngest populations not just in Africa but also across the world.
Yet when it comes to inclusion in the key decision-making processes our youths are mostly conspicuous by their absence. We have a disappointing low number of youthful leaders in all key decision-making structures of our country. Our youths are currently officious by-standers in the process of all the key priorities of our nation.
Recently the national Constitution was amended under controversial circumstances but the youths did not actively stand up against this clear abuse of power by the geriatric political elite of this country. In particular, where was the youth outrage when Chief Justice Malaba successfully extended his term by another five years after reaching the original age of retirement?
Where are the youths when the current incumbent at State House openly boasts that he plans to remain in power till after 2030? Yet he will soon be turning 80 years old in 2022; about 20 years over the recommended age of retirement for the civil servants in the country?
A new quota system was also introduced for youthful representatives in the Parliament of Zimbabwe but it was a drop in the ocean. Youths should have actively campaigned for a much higher percentage allocation of seats in Parliament.
Also, with regards to the candidate selection process for the forthcoming elections, the youths are not clearly demanding for a much higher allocation of seats especially when compared to the disappointingly low levels of youthful candidates in the 2018 elections.
The Fight to Protect the Electoral Will of the Majorities
By all accounts it seems that the incumbent in Zambia actually tried to rig the elections. However, this time around the youths were more than ready for such political shenanigans. In some cases, they blocked some vehicles that were suspected to be carrying fake ballots meant to boost the poor numbers of the incumbent. They also opted to stay near the polling stations in large numbers and insisted that they were more than ready to react if any attempts were made to tamper the electoral process. Our youths of Zimbabwe normally retreat to their social media platforms. This time around, our youths must use social media platforms such as Twitter and WhatsApp to actively defend the democratic voice of our electorate.
In Zambia, it was said that a large turnout of voters made it impossible for any desperate attempts to rig the elections. Most of the turnout was largely consisting of youthful voters.
But for such a thing to happen in Zimbabwe during 2023, we must first start by witnessing a clear rise in the number of registered voters who are young people. This is more crucial with regards to first time voters. In Zambia, we had a massive increase of the 2021 voter turnout due to the concomitant increase of youthful voters who only got registered after the 2016 elections.
This situation must equally apply in Zimbabwe to enable the youths to play a very decisive role in 2023.
The MDC Alliance national Youth Assembly has already set the ball rolling by launching its own ‘One Million Votes’ campaign. The campaign is still yet to gain full momentum and find real traction with most young people across Zimbabwe. So, efforts need to be stepped up to ensure that the campaign becomes more effective or successful in terms of its impact.
We also need to see other youth led or student led organizations across all political spectrums also launching their own string campaigns to encourage young people not just to register as voters but to also actively participate in the crucial 2023 elections.
Taking preventive measures against COVID-19 can help you protect your brain health, one expert says.
Two studies presented at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Denver suggest that COVID-19 may lead to cognitive impairment down the road — and that certain symptoms that persist after recovering from the infection may be associated with cognitive decline.
One study uncovered ties between persistent loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19 and cognitive decline. The other found that people whose physical and respiratory health suffered due to a bout of COVID-19 were more likely to have issues with cognition afterward.
“I think what we’re learning is that it’s quite possible that these COVID-19 infections are potentially having an impact on the brain in some way,” says Rebecca Edelmayer, PhD, who is the senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago. Edelmayer was not affiliated with either study.
“There are still a lot of questions about the cause and effect, whether this is a direct or indirect effect [of COVID-19], but what we’re starting to see is data that suggests that people may be having some long-term impact from COVID-19 infection,” Edelmayer adds.
Persistent Loss of Smell Tied to Cognitive Impairment In one study, researchers assessed 233 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and 64 healthy participants who tested negative.
All participants in the study were age 60 or older. Those who tested positive were studied for three to six months after recovering from the virus.
The study participants underwent testing of their cognition and olfactory function — or function related to their sense of smell.
Many IBD Patients Skipped or Reduced Medication Doses Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 Transmission, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention:
The results of the study suggested that loss of smell was associated with persistent cognitive impairment among participants who recovered from the virus — and people with more severe loss of smell were more likely to have more severe cognitive impairment.
However, the researchers noted, the severity of olfactory dysfunction was not associated with how severe one’s bout of COVID-19 was.
“There is some suggestion that lack of smell could be a symptom of COVID-19 infection itself, but some people who experience COVID-19 without that symptom are having a persistent lack of smell afterward. So I think we have to learn more about what that symptom itself may imply in terms of the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain,” Edelmayer says.
COVID-19’s Lingering Effects on Lung Health (and What It Means for Cognition) In a small, Greek study, researchers tested physical and mental function beginning with 32 people two months after they’d been hospitalized and recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19.
According to the study’s lead author, George Vavougios, MD, PhD, who is a postdoctoral researcher for the University of Thessaly, the number of participants in this study has now grown to almost 100.
None of the participants had any prior coexisting health conditions other than hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Testing included the six-minute walk test, which measures how far someone can walk for six minutes, as well as their oxygen saturation — or levels of oxygen in their blood as they were completing the test. Other tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment measured whether participants had experienced cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19.
Early findings from the study showed that more than half (56.2 percent) of participants had cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19. Cognitive decline was found to be most common among people who demonstrated poor physical health and had concerningly low levels of oxygen in the blood during the six-minute walk test.
“For a healthy person, oxygen saturation would be at 99 percent whether we’re exercising or walking,” he explains. But for many people in the study, their oxygen saturation dropped to 95 percent, which, Dr. Vavougios says, resembles the lung function of someone with COPD (a group of lung conditions that inhibit airflow and cause breathing issues).
This finding could spell trouble for brain health, explains Vavougios. “A brain deprived of oxygen is not healthy, and persistent deprivation may very well contribute to cognitive difficulties,” he said in a press release.
Source: Everyday Health
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TWO people died while two others were seriously injured after being trampled by a stray elephant in Chitekete in Gokwe-North district. There is often a surge in human-wildlife conflicts during the dry season as wild animals invade settlements in search of food.
Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Tinashe Farawo confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that two people died after being trampled by a lone elephant bull in Chitekete in Gokwe. Two others are lucky to be alive but sustained injuries from the incident,” said Mr Farawo.
He said the injured are being treated at a hospital in Zhombe. Mr Farawo said parks rangers were hunting down the problem animal.
“This elephant is now a danger to villagers and there is need to take it down. So, our rangers are now on the ground,” he said.
He said human wildlife conflict has been on the increase since the start of the year. Mr Farawo says they are anticipating an increase in more human-wildlife cases as the dry season approaches.
“We might sound like a scratched record when we say we have over population when it comes to our elephants. There is over population and therefore the surge in human elephant conflict,” he said.
Mr Farawo encouraged the villagers to inform rangers whenever they spot wildlife near human settlements.- Chronicle
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, has desperately tried to defend his principal’s open and deliberate silence in congratulating the incoming Zambian President, Hakainde Hachilema.
Mnangagwa sent his congratulatory message this evening nearly 24 hours after Zambia’s opposition leader had been declared winner of that country’s last Thursday polls, beating his (Mnangagwa) close ally, Edgar Lungu.
Hichilema won 2 810 777 votes against the outgoing President Edgar Lungu’s 1 814 201.
Hichilema is set to become the southern African country’s 7th President after winning last Thursday Presidential poll.
Posting Mnangagwa’s cooked congratulatory message to HH, on his Jamwanda Twitter handle, Tuesday evening, Charamba said Mnangagwa signed the letter Monday before he left for a SADC meeting.
By A Correspondent- Man of the moment, Rokford ‘Roki ‘ Josphat continues to make waves on the international stage after being named Face of Afrobeats on the prestigious online music platform Spotify.
He is back with a bang, and his presence is unmistakable.
Roki’s star is shining bright as he continues to make waves not only in Zimbabwe but beyond the country’s borders.
The Urban grooves star is now donning international billboards after being appointed face of Afrobeats on the prestigious online music platform Spotify.
Riding on the success of his collaboration with Rhumba music icon, Koffi Olomide in the song Patati Patata, the nomination comes as a huge endorsement on Zimbabwe’s arts industry.
Roki becomes the first Zimbabwean to be nominated under the prestigious online flagship, joining the cream of African music such as Shatta Wale from Ghana and Diamond Platinumz from Tanzania.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration is under pressure from the promise of compensating former white farmers who lost their land at the turn of the millennium.
News24 reports that Zimbabwe has appointed London-based Newstate Partners to help raise $1.75 billion (~R26 billion) by July next year to meet its obligations.
Compensating the farmers is key to Zimbabwe’s repairing its relations with the US and other western countries that imposed sanctions on the country after the often violent land seizures began in 2000. Zimbabwe’s economy subsequently collapsed as exports dwindled with stagnating ever since.
While the government is likely to press ahead with publicly stated plans to sell an international bond to finance the compensation accord, that option probably won’t be viable, said the person who asked not to be identified as the information hadn’t been disclosed publicly.
A bond would be too expensive and need a guarantee from a multilateral lender that’s unlikely to be forthcoming as Zimbabwe hasn’t paid its arrears on more than $8 billion in debt, meaning it can’t borrow fresh capital from them.
If money is raised from private investors, a special-purpose vehicle could be set up offshore and a portion of the country’s tax or royalty earnings from mineral exports could be diverted into it to repay them over a number of years with interest, the person said. The SPV could also be used as a guarantee to bolster the confidence of potential lenders, they said.
Zimbabwe’s main exports include platinum-group metals, gold and tobacco.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and his Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga didn’t respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, has desperately tried to defend his principal’s open and deliberate silence in congratulating the incoming Zambian President, Hakainde Hachilema.
Mnangagwa sent his congratulatory message this evening nearly 24 hours after Zambia’s opposition leader had been declared winner of that country’s last Thursday polls, beating his (Mnangagwa) close ally, Edgar Lungu.
Hichilema won 2 810 777 votes against the outgoing President Edgar Lungu’s 1 814 201.
Hichilema is set to become the southern African country’s 7th President after winning last Thursday Presidential poll.
Posting Mnangagwa’s cooked congratulatory message to HH, on his Jamwanda Twitter handle, Tuesday evening, Charamba said Mnangagwa signed the letter Monday before he left for a SADC meeting.
By A Correspondent- President Emmerson Mnangagwa administration has extended its begging bowl to the private funder to raise the money needed to compensate former white commercial farmers.
News24 reports that Zimbabwe, which appointed London-based Newstate Partners to help it raise the money, needs to secure $1.75 billion (~R26 billion) by July next year to meet its obligations.
Compensating the farmers is key to Zimbabwe’s repairing its relations with the US and other western countries that imposed sanctions on the country after the often violent land seizures began in 2000. Zimbabwe’s economy subsequently collapsed as exports dwindled with stagnating ever since.
While the government is likely to press ahead with publicly stated plans to sell an international bond to finance the compensation accord, that option probably won’t be viable, said the person who asked not to be identified as the information hadn’t been disclosed publicly.
A bond would be too expensive and need a guarantee from a multilateral lender that’s unlikely to be forthcoming as Zimbabwe hasn’t paid its arrears on more than $8 billion in debt, meaning it can’t borrow fresh capital from them.
If money is raised from private investors, a special-purpose vehicle could be set up offshore and a portion of the country’s tax or royalty earnings from mineral exports could be diverted into it to repay them over a number of years with interest, the person said. The SPV could also be used as a guarantee to bolster the confidence of potential lenders, they said.
Zimbabwe’s main exports include platinum-group metals, gold and tobacco.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube and his Permanent Secretary George Guvamatanga didn’t respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
By A Correspondent- Zambia’s President-elect, Hakainde Hichilema, has reached out to Zambians and promised to listen to their concerns.
Hichilema is set to become the southern African country’s 7th President after winning last Thursday Presidential poll.
Hichilema won 2 810 777 votes against the outgoing President Edgar Lungu’s 1 814 201.
Posting on his Twitter account Tuesday morning, HH said he was open to criticism.
“Good morning friends, I urge you all to feel free to engage with me and keep me on my toes as we endeavour to fulfil our promises to you. Wishing you a pleasant Tuesday,” he posted on his Twitter handle.
Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, the man behind Augur Investments
By A Correspondent| Business tycoon and escapee from justice, Kenneth Raydone Sharpe lied that he is South African and that his company Augur Investments OU was well versed in construction business just to siphon land from City of Harare and Zimbabwe at large, his submissions to Council during the formation of a joint venture with City of Harare reveals.
According to documents in possession of this publication, Ken Sharpe’s Sunshine Development Pvt. Ltd had six directors namely Kenneth Raydon Sharpe and his nationality is cited as “South African”, Olelcsandr Sheremet from Ukraine, M.J. Van Blerk, a Zimbabwean, Tendai Mahachi, a Zimbabwean, Psychology Chiwanga, a Zimbabwean and Alistair Gibson who was said to be British.
However, this is a far cry from his postings on social media whereby he steadfastly swears to be a strut Zimbabwean whom at some point in his life lived in a hut.
Equally disappointing is the fact that Augur Investments OU cited its address as 62 Quorn Avenue, Mt Pleasant, Harare which is the same address that then Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Ignatius Chombo’s company, Harvest-Net Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd also states in its company’s annual return forms that are filed with the Registrar of companies.
Suffice all this to say that the Sunshine Development projects joint ventures entered into between City of Harare and Augur Investments facilitated by the Caretaker Council with the blessing of Chombo were delegated to milk vast tracts of Council land on the pretense that they would benefit the City of Harare and Zimbabwe at large.
To date, City of Harare has derived no tangible benefit from that deal. It is disturbing to note that the total amount of land which has since been transferred to Ken Sharpe’s Augur Investments OU through Sunshine Developments deal is equivalent to at least 19 commercial farms or 41 664 residential stands ( measuring 200m² each in high density suburbs. This comes against the backdrop of at least 500 000 applicants who are on City of Harare ‘s waiting list but have waited in vain for a significant period of time.
In a nutshell, all parties involved in these shady deals benefitted personally from the questionable decisions of the Chombo imposed Caretaker Council at the expense of Harare residents and Zimbabwe at large.
I have been in the ecumenical movement for almost two decades now. I got to know that ecumenism, is when Christians who belong to different Christian denominations work together to develop closer relationships among their members for the promotion of Christian unity. In an ecumenical platform, key decisions are made collectively and once in the public domain, no one member can be singled out as having been the sole decider over an issue. This is what happens in the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD). Reader, you may also want to note the existence of other ecumenical platforms beyond Zimbabwe, such as the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA); All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), in order to fully appreciate the work of ecumenical bodies.
MyObjective
This brief article is motivated a) indirectly by my obligation to educate the public about ecumenism in Zimbabwe b) directly by the need to respond to the words of one, Jamwanda, whose twitter account is purported to be run by a Senior Public Official, regarding the latest ZHOCD Statement on the partial reopening of Churches. While the statement was generally accepted by the public as objective and evidence-based, one, Jamwanda singled out Rev Dr Kenneth Mtata and unfairly attacked his person over the same statement. Yet, the statement in question is a collective product of ZHOCD not a single leader.
The views expressed here are purely mine and should not be linked to any institution associated with my name professionally, academically or socially. However, I need to indicate that if indeed, Jamwanda’s account is run by the purported Official, it is very unfortunate because I admired the Official so much as I was growing up because of his intellectual capacity. Today, I felt compelled to respond to some utterances channelled through this twitter account.
TheZHOCD
The ZHOCD is an ecumenical platform that brings together four mother bodies namely theZimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), and the Union of the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA). Together, these Christian bodies represent more than 80% of the Zimbabwean population (ZHOCD Consensus Call Proposal, 2021). This makes it a major player in Zimbabwe’s public life. The platform has its origins in the Heads of Denominations (HoD), a loose coalition established in the early missionary periods when the various heads of denominations came together to coordinate their policy in engagement with the state and in sharing perspectives on how missionary work could be executed.
The current leadership of the ZHOCD makes decisions collectively and by consensus. The political leadership (the Bishops: Mangwiro, Khanye, Muparutsa and Ndlovu) and the General Secretaries offer policy guidance to the Church in Zimbabwe on critical national issues affecting the membership including public health.
The ZCBC is the current Chair of the ZHOCD through Arch Bishop Ndlovu, being deputised by the EFZ represented by Bishop Muparutsa while the ZCC is the Secretariat. The greatest strength of the platform is its geographical and numerical spread. The local structures of the ZHOCD are known by various names within the respective ecumenical bodies. These are local ecumenical fellowships, local peace committees, ecumenical environment champions, ecumenical health champions, ecumenical communicators and ecumenical researchers. These are dotted across the country, ready to inform any key ZHOCD national decision. The technical team of the platform offers the technical support to the local structures as they fulfill their daily tasks.
Ecumenical COVID-19Work
When the world was hit by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the Church quickly consulted its members through the ecumenical bodies for a thorough scenario mapping exercise. This informed how the Church would prepare its membership and the public at large in dealing with COVID-19. The Church went on to raise awareness in order to prevent the spread of the virus. The leadership of the Church has continued to encourage members to be fully vaccinated and remain compliant to all COVID-19 protocols. This was and is being extensively done through the Church structures and its networks including the media.
The Church further implemented its treatment care and support interventions through provision of pyscho social support to its members as well as materially supporting its mission hospitals with protective personal equipment. WASH and other humanitarian interventions were fulfilled. Meanwhile, the Church also assisted the public through analysing and simplifying the various key policy and legal instruments crafted and implemented by the Government. It further offered to give policy support through participation in official structures such as the COVID-19 Taskforces at local level. Above all, the Church coordinated its members across the country for effective and efficient response to the pandemic including turning Church premises into COVID-19 Isolation centres. This work has continued for almost a year and a half now. This background information is crucial for one to understand the latest ZHOCD statement on partial reopening of Churches.
StatementonPartialOpeningofChurches
On the 11th of August 2021, the Government announced that Churches could physically meet for worship on condition that only those fully vaccinated should be in attendance and that services are conducted with full compliance to the World Health Organisation regulations. The Church responded through a statement advising its members to comply. However, the communication was also meant to make some recommendations to the Government based on some clear theological and practical considerations made through consultation with the congregants. The Church communication was well received by stakeholders, including the Government, media, private actors and individuals.
However, Jamwanda decided to take a different route through his or “her” social media account. As cited in one of the online publications, Jamwanda responded to the statement through a direct and personal attack of one of the Clergymen within the ZHOCD ranks and files, Rev Mtata who is the General Secretary of the ZCC. Jamwanda equated Rev Mtata to the Biblical Pharisees who are known for their hypocrisy. He or “she” acknowledges that Rev Mtata was part of the first crop of Church leaders who positively received the vaccination exercise when it was adopted by Government. However, Jamwanda presents that move by Rev Mtata as “privatising salvation and long life” by the ZCC General Secretary. Without giving evidence, Jamwanda further accuses Rev Mtata as having political ambitions, of being selfish and having failed to provide leadership to the Church. Most damaging was the accusation that Rev Mtata advised his constituency not to respect the Government directive on partial reopening of Churches on condition of full vaccination. This is not true, and even Jamwanda himself or “herself” knows that! Kusvibisa munhu for nothing. But why?
RevMtata’sClearRecordonVaccination
For the record, after he had been vaccinated, Rev Mtata encouraged Church leaders to follow suit voluntarily. Indeed, the public will be reminded of Rev Mtata’s public utterances on his personal and even official ZCC twitter handles, encouraging the public (beyond the Church) to be vaccinated. He presided over a number of conferences and seminars where he raised awareness regarding the need to give vaccination exercise a chance. Moreover, after issuance of the latest ZHOCD statement, Rev Mtata went public on both print and electronic media to explain the Church’s communication. Even the Vice Chairperson of ZHOCD, Bishop Muparutsa appeared on our television during news time explaining the Church’s statement on 12 August. Records will certainly prove Jamwanda wrong on his or “her” accusation.
To single out Rev Mtata as the sole composer of the ZHOCD statement is tantamount to reducing the whole ecumenical platform to an individual. This can’t be! Some generous historians have provided evidence which shows that each time ZHOCD reacts positively to Government pronouncements, Jamwanda quickly comes in to spoil the party, particularly through targeting Rev Mtata’s person. The reason is not yet known though! What could be the background to this personal “hatred”?
CollectiveDecisions
Remember, in ZHOCD decisions are made collectively and by consensus. In any case, all ZHOCD statements are informed by consultative processes. On 12 August 2021, on behalf of the Church, I personally led the ZCC side of the ZHOCD platform in consolidating the feedback from the Local Ecumenical Fellowships, while my counterparts did the same in their constituencies. This is the data that subsequently informed the final ZHOCD statement, one which for me was well balanced and providing critical recommendations to Government. The statement acknowledged the need for the congregants to comply with the Government regulation but also raised concern that the Church should have been consulted by the authorities before publicly announcing the conditions for Church reopening. These are legitimate concerns that did not deserve Jamwanda’s negative comments targeted at an individual member of a whole platform.
Paragraph 3 of the ZHOCD statement says: “Theologically, the Church is an open and welcoming space for everyone with no restrictions. No one qualifies for Church service as it is a place of God’s grace. The Church will find it very difficult to turn people home because they do not have a vaccination certificate. However, would it be responsible to meet in an uncontrolled environment where possibilities of spreading the virus are high?”
Clearly, this is an objective point put across by the Church. This is supported by an equally objective point in paragraph 4 where practical challenges are raised. Of critical importance though, is the fact that the Church provided progressive recommendations in paragraphs 5.1 to 5.5 targeted at the Church and the Government. There is absolutely nothing in the statement where one advises congregants to disregard the Government directive. Thus, Jamwanda’s personal attacks at Rev Mtata were unfortunate, unsubstantiated and at most unfair.
Yet, I am particularly impressed by the level of accountability and transparency being exhibited by the current ZHOCD leadership. The General Secretaries, Rev Mtata, Pastor Blessing Makwara, Father Fredrick Chiromba and Rev Edison Tsvakai will go down in history as a team that has managed to nurture ecumenism in Zimbabwe. The team always consults its political and grassroots leadership on any decision that has to be made. Some of us have actually enjoyed working under the current ZHOCD leadership as we continue to promote the lightness and saltiness of the Church in Zimbabwe.
Zambia’s outgoing President Edgar Chagwa statement:
Countrymen, women and youth…
Six years ago, you entrusted me to lead you on a journey to build our country after the death of His excellency, President Sata.
This show of trust that I lead you in January 2015 was unexpected and I accepted it with humility and gratefulness.
In 2016, you, the Zambian people, decided yet again to give me a fresh mandate for Five years.
I received that show of support with great honour.
I want to thank you, the Zambian people, for giving me such a great opportunity to be your president.
I will forever cherish and appreciate that authority you vested in me.
All I ever wanted was to serve my country to the best of my abilities, together with you, we indeed scored in many areas.
Of course, there were challenges, but what I appreciated was your support throughout.
We held our general elections on Thursday, 12th August 2021, and the electoral commission of Zambia have released the final election results.
Based on the revelation of the ECZ final results, I will comply with the constitutional provisions for a peaceful transition of power.
I would like to congratulate my brother, the president-elect, HE, Mr Hakainde Hichilema for becoming the 7th president.
Let me also congratulate all those who participated in this general election and won at various levels. To those who did not, there is always another time.
Lastly, I would like to thank all those who voted for my party, the Patriot Front and me. To you I say, your vote was not in vain, please continue supporting us.
I wish you well and may the good Lord bless our Republic, Zambia.
By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Democracy was out to test as the world Unites in a rare moment of fear to hide from the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic arrived at a difficult time for democracy, in the midst of a resurgence of authoritarianism around the world.
One observer in the just ended elections in Zambia said:
“In spite of the regrettable events that took place towards the announcement of the final results I still contend that the general administration of the Zambian elections was probably streets ahead of most African countries.”
Zambia has told us that Tribalism serves to destroy the party and the nation. Tribalism has been the fundamental organizational unit of our own Midlands for a number of years. Judging from what happened in Zambia the party must question the viability of tribalism in the burgeoning democratic systems of the region. This study weighs in on this debate, focusing specifically on how There are very senior ministers in Midland who practice tribalism to an extend of fabricating charges and trying to arm-twist the police to detain a sitting MP and vice chairman of the party for a case which warrants none such. These senior ministers who claim to be close to the president believe that the tribal loyalties influence the effectiveness of political parties. The party survived through its people regardless of their tribal origin.
If tribalism is not dealt with in Midlands the party will disintegrate. Tribalism is considered by political science researchers to be the most effective way for the people to impose their will on the government. The senior ministers in Midlands should understand that tribalism is inherently at odds with democracy, and it hinders democratic systems, such as political parties, when tribal loyalties trump national ones.
Zambia scheduled to hold elections and was forced to decide whether to hold them as scheduled or postpone them. It finally agreed to proceed with the elections where the opposition went on to snatch the throne. In this cases, Zambia grappled with how to administer elections as safely as possible, while addressing the multitude of new issues the pandemic has presented, i.e. how to include the votes of those that are quarantined, how to avoid a spike in cases, how to handle campaigning, how to avoid politics and manipulation of new election processes, how to identify resources to finance additional expenses such as personal protective equipment, sanitizing polling places, and maintaining security, and how to be as transparent and inclusive as possible in decision making. Since the pandemic began, 75 countries and territories have postponed elections, more than 95 have held elections as planned, and more than 45 have held elections that were initially postponed. Important lessons have been learned over the last several months about how to deal with these and other issues so that the integrity of elections might be preserved.
The Zambian general election has been heralded by all and sundry alike to be the most consequential political decision that the Zambia has faced in generations. COVID-19 continues to negatively impact communities at home and abroad. Zambia gave Zimbabwe free lessons in that all Election across the country were working diligently to ensure that this election can run as smoothly and fairly as possible.So the ruling party works overtime in sorting national elections amidst its campaign. Technically the ruling party is disadvantaged as its members are working to see a smooth running of the elections.
We have learnt from Zambia that Civility isn’t as removed as it may appear. The initial refusal to accept defeat by Lungu was the climax of lack of preparation. We can not put the guards dow every time should be a campaign mode. Lungu assumed that the previous votes for him were permanent so he went into this election with his neck on the platter. It is very wrong to assume that there are
loyal opposition references the opposing party members from the majority party. This moniker grants opposition party members respect and recognizes that despite policy differences, each party is acting in a manner believed to benefit their constituents. The series featured community and political leaders who held vastly different views than their counterparts. Oftentimes, these speakers would deliberate on the same issue, sharing opposing views. However, discussions were made free of ad hominem attacks, cheap shots and many of the other unpleasantries we have grown accustomed to when engaged in difficult conversations. In other words, the speakers embodied the principle behind “the loyal opposition.” The leaders and advocates who spoke in the election series exemplified the good within their communities and depict the level of civility needed to reach across the partisan divide
Good leaders share the unique ability to lift others up. Never think that the party is your personal property. One politician
described the ability to lift others up as “leading with love.” By leading with love, we have the power to turn ideas into calls to action, calls to action into movements, and movements into lasting change. As we enter the polls as voters, it is crucial to consider how each of the candidates is using his or her platform to uplift constituents and inspire the next generation of leaders through their actions. The spirit of division being planted in Midlands by the resident minister and the minister for state security if unchecked will divide the party.
We have learnt that the party must present a United front.
One great lesson was that College-aged students are destined to be a part of a generation of great importance.
The youth must reminded that the things you’re a part of, whether that is voting, your professional choices, through your advocacy and activism, all of it is going to add up to some decisions that historians will study. The party must remind the youth that It can see it in their classmates, teammates, and yes themselves. The enthusiasm to contribute to the common good and to make lasting change through our actions is immeasurable.
The efforts to address and recognize issues facing our nation during election year exemplify the level of passion and care needed to maintain our democracy. Our next generation of leaders must learn from the triumphs and failures of those that have come before them. Our future leaders must expand on systems of voting to allow the enfranchisement of more Zimbabweans to realize the full power behind our democracy. Most importantly, we must once again heed the advice of JF Kennedy “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.”
Zambian Lungu undermined the youth power and took it for granted. He was shown the red card by the youth.
ZANU PF must always put the youth on their chest.
The difference between Zimbabwe and Zambia in these elections is that the one who won Zambia’s 2021 general elections is facing two key challenges: reviving the country’s democratic credentials and stimulating the economy. To achieve this, the new administration must have at least four priorities. These are regaining credibility with the international financiers, fighting corruption, curtailing the dominance of the executive branch of government, and ending the reign of terror by political party vigilantes, known as “cadres”.
Zimbabwe has nothing to worry about these developments. ZANU PF has a vibrant youth league which wakes up daily to a new effort to enhance their lives. Unlike Zimbabwe Zambian elections took place in an increasingly contentious environment.
Edgar Lungu, who has been president since 2015 after his predecessor Michael Sata died in office, has shown increasingly autocratic tendencies. He has been running for a controversial third term that opponents argue was unconstitutional since he already has been elected twice, in the 2015 and 2016 general elections. The Constitutional Court dismissed the claim since Lungu’s first term was only one year but this did not stop the legitimacy issue to do rounds.
Unlike in Zimbabwe where the military was only moved in after elections in Zambia
the military has been deployed on the streets due to excessive pre-election violence that underscores how competitive the election is. Zambia is already in a third stage of regime change and the liberators of Zambia the UNIO has served its purpose and it is indeed obsolete.
The opposition in Zambia did not cry for electoral reforms or ask for sanctions against their mother land. Instead they took peaceful elections fight and strategies.
Following a tactic used by Sata in the 2011 elections, Hichilema mobilised 20,000 election agents from his party to assist a parallel vote tabulation process to help monitor fraud. Such a tabulation is a common methodology based on observing a random sample of polling stations to independently verify election results.
What the Zambian elections exposed is the fact that if the opposition loses there will be violence. The Zambians where preparing for a violent response if the opposition had lost. When Lungu accepted defeat the aftermath of the elections suddenly became peaceful. It is therefore clear that the source of violence in Africa is the opposition.
Zambia had to give in to the opposition and had elections during this pandemic. While the argument was that we must not allow Corona virus to affect democracy but there is a need to protect the people against democracy. By most counts, the election can be considered a model for democracy. In addition to effectively failing in containing the virus early on, the government was cornered into voting despite the soaring figures of COVID infections and deaths. Officials communicated extensively about the measures they were taking so that citizens would feel safe about participating. They made resources available to hold elections safely,
and were fortunate that by the time election day arrived, Zambian virus curve had been low for about one month, which also gave citizens confidence about voting, resulting in the highest voter turnout in three decades.
On the other hand, Malawi government used its majority while it was in the opposition to ram through elections despite the pandemic. Malawi paid heavily as the death rate multiplied and their health system cracked under the mighty force of the CORONA virus. While the elections went relatively well with high turnout, it was a messy and contentious process.
While the context is different in every country, a number of lessons can be gleaned from the data that has been collected from those elections that have been held since the pandemic began. First it is critical that there be political consensus around the decisions related to holding elections, including when, where and how to hold them, as well as the measures needed to address pandemic concerns. This consensus will need to be reached among entities that may not be accustomed to working together, such as the election commission, the ruling party, and the opposition. Second, the earlier the planning begins for holding elections the better. Rushing new measures can not only confuse voters, but also give the appearance of manipulation of the process.
Zimbabwe is blessed to have POLAD and the rejuvenated MDC T led by the great patriot Mwonzora. So there is no pressure to whatsoever to hold by-elections. Zimbabwe has put the safety of its people ahead of face make ups.
Despite the fact that Zambia had its elections Zimbabwe does not have, the ability to obtain financial resources to meet the safety requirements for holding an election during a pandemic and to provide alternative methods of casting a ballot. If Zimbabwe suggest postal voting the same opposition will be the ones crying foul.
Despite all the noise around by-elections Zimbabwe has carefully considered the timing of a postponed or delayed elections If COVID-19 cases continue rising it will likely affect turnout, while the opposite will likely mean increased turnout.
While early on during the pandemic, it was legitimate to err on the side of postponing elections, going forward countries should do everything they can to hold elections as scheduled, as enough lessons have been learned to make it possible to conduct elections safely and effectively. But this is no cause to rush just to please the opposition.
In view of the pandemic Zimbabwe must improve by taking advantage of this crisis to make improvements in election processes, especially with regard to inclusion, but also with regard to improved communication, strengthening political consensus, and better use of resources.
Without being influenced by other countries Zimbabwe Electoral Commission must Review and update norms and laws related to emergency decrees and health and safety restrictions to make sure the transparency and integrity of elections are still protected.
ZEC must take advantage of the research and comparative data that exists related to elections that have been held during the pandemic, and incorporating it into decision making.
As a nation we must Identify those new elements of holding elections during a pandemic that should be maintained after this crisis is over, this will be done to achieve the highest level of inclusion possible, full transparency and communication about election processes, and the use of local election observers.
As a nation Zimbabwe must show the international NGOs that their efforts to support the holding of inclusive, transparent, legitimate, and safe elections during this and future health crises is not needed.
While elections are possible during COVID we have learnt that we need political togetherness.
Now we all can see who habours violence. The MDC A in Zimbabwe will start by threatening war should their candidate lose. They will much to the Election Command centre if there is a delay in conceding. Lungu has shown a different statesmanship. He has all the reasons to much to the electoral commission and demonstrate but he accepted the defeat for the good of Zambia.
There are lessons to learn we must all learn from them. [email protected]
Zambia’s outgoing President Edgar Chagwa statement:
Countrymen, women and youth…
Six years ago, you entrusted me to lead you on a journey to build our country after the death of His excellency, President Sata.
This show of trust that I lead you in January 2015 was unexpected and I accepted it with humility and gratefulness.
In 2016, you, the Zambian people, decided yet again to give me a fresh mandate for Five years.
I received that show of support with great honour.
I want to thank you, the Zambian people, for giving me such a great opportunity to be your president.
I will forever cherish and appreciate that authority you vested in me.
All I ever wanted was to serve my country to the best of my abilities, together with you, we indeed scored in many areas.
Of course, there were challenges, but what I appreciated was your support throughout.
We held our general elections on Thursday, 12th August 2021, and the electoral commission of Zambia have released the final election results.
Based on the revelation of the ECZ final results, I will comply with the constitutional provisions for a peaceful transition of power.
I would like to congratulate my brother, the president-elect, HE, Mr Hakainde Hichilema for becoming the 7th president.
Let me also congratulate all those who participated in this general election and won at various levels. To those who did not, there is always another time.
Lastly, I would like to thank all those who voted for my party, the Patriot Front and me. To you I say, your vote was not in vain, please continue supporting us.
I wish you well and may the good Lord bless our Republic, Zambia.
Highlanders captain Ariel Sibanda has made a surprise announcement that he has left the club after thirteen years.
The goalkeeper confirmed the news on a Facebook post but did not reveal the reason behind his departure.
He said: “I feel very sad now as i have to leave the club that I love.
“I would have loved to say goodbye to a fully packed BF (Barbourfields), but I’m grateful to everyone who loved and supported me during my 13 years with the club. I wish the team a very good season when the league resumes.”
Sibanda, 32, won a couple of trophies with Bosso including the 2019 Chibuku Super Cup, 2013 Mbada Diamonds Cup and the Independence Cup.
He was also named the Premier Soccer League Goalkeeper of the Season in 2018 and 2019.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos is set to name his provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Ghana slated for next month, on Thursday.
South Africa travel to Zimbabwe for a mouth-watering Group G showdown with neighbours and arch-rivals Zimbabwe at the National Sports Stadium on September 3, before facing the Black Stars three days later.
Belgian tactician Broos, who took over from the sacked Molefi Ntseki in May after the latter failed to guide the team to the AFCON finals, will take charge of his first official assignment in the Bafana dugout, against the Warriors.
The country’s football governing body SAFA, announced that the 69-year old will name his provisional squad on Thursday.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tammy Abraham has left Chelsea to join Serie A side AS Roma on a five-year-contract.
The striker is moving to Italy for a transfer fee worth £34m ($47m). His departure comes at a time the Blues have signed a new striker, Romelu Lukaku from Inter Milan.
Abraham, who will wear the No 9 shirt, told Roma website: “You can sense when a club really wants you – and Roma made their interest clear immediately.
“Roma is a club that deserves to be fighting for titles and trophies. I’ve had the experience of winning major trophies and I want to be in those competitions again – so I want to help this team to achieve that and get to the level where Roma should be.
“It’s a massive honour to be the No. 9 at this club and I just can’t wait to get started and to help the team.”
Abraham will link up with coach Jose Mourinho who joined the club ahead of the 2021-22 season.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Tinashe Sambiri| MDC Alliance leader, President Nelson Chamisa has challenged African leaders to stop using national institutions to advance selfish political interests.
Speaking during a programme dubbed Democracy and Africa hosted by South African politician Mmusi Maimane on Monday, President Chamisa urged African leaders to desist from using taxpayers money to fund acts of violence and torture of innocent citizens.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is intensifying voter registration campaigns across the country.
In a brief statement, the MDC Alliance urged young people to join the fight for democratic change.
A government that creates job opportunities for young people is what is needed in the country, according to the MDC Alliance.
“Dear young people, Let’s all go and #RegisterToVoteZW.
When we all join hands in the fight to win Zimbabwe for change, we will be able to have a Govt that transforms our lives – that brings jobs, better livelihoods & prosperity for all. ChamisaMyPresident,” the MDC Alliance posted on Twitter.
Taking preventive measures against COVID-19 can help you protect your brain health, one expert says.
Two studies presented at the 2021 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Denver suggest that COVID-19 may lead to cognitive impairment down the road — and that certain symptoms that persist after recovering from the infection may be associated with cognitive decline.
One study uncovered ties between persistent loss of smell after recovering from COVID-19 and cognitive decline. The other found that people whose physical and respiratory health suffered due to a bout of COVID-19 were more likely to have issues with cognition afterward.
“I think what we’re learning is that it’s quite possible that these COVID-19 infections are potentially having an impact on the brain in some way,” says Rebecca Edelmayer, PhD, who is the senior director of scientific engagement for the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago. Edelmayer was not affiliated with either study.
“There are still a lot of questions about the cause and effect, whether this is a direct or indirect effect [of COVID-19], but what we’re starting to see is data that suggests that people may be having some long-term impact from COVID-19 infection,” Edelmayer adds.
Persistent Loss of Smell Tied to Cognitive Impairment In one study, researchers assessed 233 people who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and 64 healthy participants who tested negative.
All participants in the study were age 60 or older. Those who tested positive were studied for three to six months after recovering from the virus.
The study participants underwent testing of their cognition and olfactory function — or function related to their sense of smell.
Many IBD Patients Skipped or Reduced Medication Doses Because of the COVID-19 Pandemic COVID-19 Transmission, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention:
The results of the study suggested that loss of smell was associated with persistent cognitive impairment among participants who recovered from the virus — and people with more severe loss of smell were more likely to have more severe cognitive impairment.
However, the researchers noted, the severity of olfactory dysfunction was not associated with how severe one’s bout of COVID-19 was.
“There is some suggestion that lack of smell could be a symptom of COVID-19 infection itself, but some people who experience COVID-19 without that symptom are having a persistent lack of smell afterward. So I think we have to learn more about what that symptom itself may imply in terms of the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the brain,” Edelmayer says.
COVID-19’s Lingering Effects on Lung Health (and What It Means for Cognition) In a small, Greek study, researchers tested physical and mental function beginning with 32 people two months after they’d been hospitalized and recovered from mild to moderate COVID-19.
According to the study’s lead author, George Vavougios, MD, PhD, who is a postdoctoral researcher for the University of Thessaly, the number of participants in this study has now grown to almost 100.
None of the participants had any prior coexisting health conditions other than hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Testing included the six-minute walk test, which measures how far someone can walk for six minutes, as well as their oxygen saturation — or levels of oxygen in their blood as they were completing the test. Other tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment measured whether participants had experienced cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19.
Early findings from the study showed that more than half (56.2 percent) of participants had cognitive decline after recovering from COVID-19. Cognitive decline was found to be most common among people who demonstrated poor physical health and had concerningly low levels of oxygen in the blood during the six-minute walk test.
“For a healthy person, oxygen saturation would be at 99 percent whether we’re exercising or walking,” he explains. But for many people in the study, their oxygen saturation dropped to 95 percent, which, Dr. Vavougios says, resembles the lung function of someone with COPD (a group of lung conditions that inhibit airflow and cause breathing issues).
This finding could spell trouble for brain health, explains Vavougios. “A brain deprived of oxygen is not healthy, and persistent deprivation may very well contribute to cognitive difficulties,” he said in a press release.
Source: Everyday Health
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Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is intensifying voter registration campaigns across the country.
In a brief statement, the MDC Alliance urged young people to join the fight for democratic change.
A government that creates job opportunities for young people is what is needed in the country, according to the MDC Alliance.
“Dear young people, Let’s all go and #RegisterToVoteZW.
When we all join hands in the fight to win Zimbabwe for change, we will be able to have a Govt that transforms our lives – that brings jobs, better livelihoods & prosperity for all. ChamisaMyPresident,” the MDC Alliance posted on Twitter.
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance has commended Zambia’s State institutions for upholding the rule of law.
In a statement the MDC Alliance Namibia described Hakainde Hichilema’s resounding victory in the Presidential Election in Zambia as a huge inspiration.
See statement below:
Mdc Alliance Namibia congratulates Zambia’s State Institutions for safeguarding the will of the people and upholding the rule of law!
16 August 2021
Mdc Alliance Namibia would like to jovially celebrate Zambia as one of Africa’s most sophisticated and successful democracies in Southern Africa.
Social democrats gyrates together with the prominent social transformer and opposition political dynamo , Haikande Hichilema of the United National Democratic Party (UNDP) who has been declared the astounding winner of the tightly contested presidential election in debt-burned Zambia.
With 155 of 156 constituencies reporting official results reflected that Hichilema had astonishingly captured a landslide of 2.810.757 votes against 1.814.201 for former president Edgar Lungu.
We salute the professionalism exhibited by the Electoral Commission of Zambia through its absolute refusal to be manipulated to aid a potential loser when the order to stop counting was given.
Change seekers in Namibia also applauded the judiciary for defending the rule of law and constitutionalism through a court order to the repressive Lungu-led PF government.
Zambia showed clearly that their courts are independent from the executive unlike our captured courts which are keeping Malaba illegally so that he can defend them after losing 2023 elections at the hands of President Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
This is the sixth time Hichilema (president-elect) had run for the top job and the third time he has squared off with the 64-year-old incumbent Lungu, who just narrowly won their last contest in 2016. International election observers have commended the transparent and peaceful organisation of the polls, which saw a high and motivating turnout of around 70.9%. Mdc Alliance Namibia applauds the revolutionary appetite and enthusiasm in the fellow compatriots in Zambia whereas in the motherland elections are rendered insignificant in transforming people’s livelihoods, it has been proven otherwise.
But they also criticised an attempt to muzzle democratic space when security forces blockeduu freedom of assembly and movement. Mdc Alliance Namibia learns that Hichilema was obstructed from campaigning in several areas including the strategic Copperbelt Province ,citing breaches of Corona virus measures and a public order act. Lungu also deployed ,the military following pre-election clashes but the army behaved professionally since they did not beat or torture anyone. Welldone Zambian Army and Police for serving the people not the hybrid of dictators in our continent. As victims of Zanupf sponsored violence by security agents, we really appreciate the level of professionalism in the Zambian Army.
Social media access was restricted in the capital Lusaka just as Hichilema cast his vote and was restored on Saturday only after a court order. This was a futile attempt to subvert the will of the people by the politically inept Patriotic Front leader who wanted to abuse his powers to rig the people’s hardworn vote after 24 years of fighting corruption and gross misgovernance in Zambia. Lungu who came into power in 2015 after the death of Michael Sata, has deployed the military to curb politically motivated violence , a move that has been criticised by opposition as some of intimidation and terror to social democrats in Zambia. He wanted to apply the Mnangagwa antics but it did not work.
This election victory is a triumph for democracy in light with the growing authoritarian consolidation, we have seen it in countries like Zimbabwe and Swaziland. The United National Democratic Party (UNDP) is our sister party and we have exchanged political notes over the years to further the cause of Constitutional Democracy and Good Governance. Like in Zimbabwe, this election victory was facilitated by the declining economic prospects which have become a campaign issue for opposition,which accused Lungu of running down the economy. Zambia , Africa’s second-largest copper producer has faced crisis owing to depressed commodity prices and has defaulted on two instalments of loans.
Moreover, she has also dismally failed to pay a US$42.5 million repayment on one of its dollar-denominated Eurobonds. Zambia has also failed to pay a US$56.1 million coupon payment on January 30, on its Eurobonds maturing in 2027. Lusaka has since received some debt relief from China and is so negotiating with the international monetary fund for a bail out. Mdc Alliance Namibia has the conviction that President-elect Haikande Hichilema-who has an an economics degree and has promised to rebuild investor confidence – committed and dedicated to confront an economy wracked by unprecedented debt,inflation and pathetic unemployment rate.
In a nutshell, we appeal to all countries in the region especially Zimbabwe to learn from the Zambian experience. In particular, we call for state institutions to serve the constitution and not partisan interests. Mdc Alliance Namibia believes that the 59 year old opposition leader and President-elect Haikande Hichilema has the full potential to put the economy on a sounder footing.
“The country will never die; young people will save it.” (Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo)
Congratulations are indeed in order for the people of Zambia who have successfully managed to elect a new President despite all the political odds being heavily weighed against them.
I would also like to wish Hakainde Hichilema, who is affectionately known as HH, a very successful tenure as the next popularly elected President of the land of the mighty Zambezi River, to the north of our border.
The fact that a long-standing opposition leader such as HH, has successfully deposed an incumbent via the ballot process, is not just most welcome news for Zambia but also for the rest of Africa.
This is so, when one considers as to how rare it is for a ruling party to concede its leadership mantle after losing the popular vote. Most ruling parties in Africa actually find easier to simply rig the elections results and unilaterally continue to remain in power.
This has unfortunately adversely affected Africa’s democratic credentials since millions of its electorate have increasingly become disillusioned and have started to lose faith in capacity of the continent to respect the wishes of its electoral majorities.
As such, it is therefore hoped that the ascendancy of HH into power after an electoral victory, will certainly go a long way into restoring millions of Africans trust or belief in democracy or indeed elections as both a viable and sustainable means to effect political power transfer across the continent.
And nowhere will this point resonate most as in the country’s southern African neighbour of Zimbabwe.
Historically speaking, these two countries share a common colonial history. At one stage they were once bound together as the fabled Siamese twins; being known as Southern and Northern Rhodesia. Added to that, both countries once teamed up with Malawi to set up the ill-fated Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
It is thus not a surprise that of all the countries across Africa, it is in Zimbabwe that the latest elections results will be the extensively discussed and analyzed especially in the contest of the country’s forthcoming harmonised elections that are due to be held in 2023.
There are various factors that could be used to help explain the impressive victory that the opposition has achieved in Zambia during this past week.
However, I tend to agree mostly with some political analysts who are already explaining that HH actually owes his electoral victory to the young people of Zambia.
You may recall that during 2016, he narrowly lost to the incumbent Edgar Chagwa Lungu (ECL), amid allegations of him rigging the results.
Yet now in 2021, HH has somehow successfully turned the tables against his erstwhile rival.
A closer comparative view at both the 2016 and 2021 elections results clearly show a massive increase of the voter turnout by over a million in terms of numbers.
Further, the results also clearly reveal that within a short period of 5 years, HH did not only manage to overtake ECL, but he also overwhelmingly defeated him by almost a massive million votes.
According to a pre-elections analysis that was recently done by Kennedy Gondwe from the BBC, elections in Zambia are largely influenced by young people, including first-time voters. More than half of the eight million registered voters are under the age of 35. In the past, along with urban dwellers, they have been the bedrock of the Patriotic Front (PF) support.
But amid the economic turmoil, Mr. Lungu and his party can no longer take their votes for granted. “I am not voting for anyone in this election – I am voting for my job. I can’t go four years without a job,” says Silvia Mutila, a 25-year-old unemployed nurse who graduated in 2017.
Nomsa Maseko, who is also part of the BBC News offices at Lusaka also wrote about the crucial role of the Zambian youths; there is certainly no doubt that those political winds of change were ushered in by young people who are often accused of being reluctant to vote. They turned up in high numbers and generally rejected President Edgar Lungu. “We want jobs, young people want jobs,” chanted throngs of people as they filled the streets of the capital shortly after Mr. Hichilema was declared the seventh president of this copper-rich nation.
Further, both the CNN and Reuters also claim in their news reports that the youths of Zambia played a crucial role in the electoral victory for the opposition by asserting that there was a huge turnout of mostly young people, some who came dressed in their academic robes to protest lack of employment post-graduation.
Joseph Kalimbwe, a youth representative of Hichilema’s UPND party told CNN. “Young people gave us the vote. Four million young people between the ages of 18 to 24 registered to vote. It was a huge turnout and it was very personal to them. They want to ensure the mistakes of their parents were corrected. They have voted for our leader on basis he has better policies and ideas and can strengthen our state institutions’’.
A similar view has been propounded by Jonathan Clayton who recently wrote a feature analysis in the Times of England newspaper. In his analysis, he also emphasized that it was the young people of Zambia who led the successful deposition of ECL from the State House.
As such, most of the credit for his landslide victory must be given to the young people of Zambia who took an active role in this year’s historic plebiscite. It really appears that it is indeed, the youths of Zambia who have decisively helped to redefine the political destiny of their country.
And so, for me, the most important lesson from the recent Zambian elections is that the youths of Zimbabwe must now rise up and take an active lead as we prepare for our own 2023 harmonised elections.
It is my considered view that if our young people finally stand up and get counted, we will certainly have Advocate Nelson Chamisa as our next President come 2023.
In this regard, I do have a very clear and unequivocal stance that the 2023 presidential elections will once again be a two-horse race. Forget about all the other pretenders, especially those aligned to the controversial POLAD, that has already proved beyond reasonably doubt to be a mere extension of the incumbent. Ultimately, the real contest will only be between Emmerson Mnangagwa (ED) and Nelson Chamisa.
I can dare say that all the other presidential candidates will be mere political tokens in order to placate the multi-party democratic interests of our country.
Personally, I am convinced that I have already proved myself as a role model to our current generation of young people.
My political journey officially started in July 1995 when l accepted my nomination as the next Secretary General of the University of Zimbabwe students’ union. I was very young back then since l had recently turned 20 years old.
It was also during my fourth month as a first-year student at the Faculty of Law. Yet, l did not hesitate to respond positively to this national call of political duty. Even though it meant that l would not necessarily prioritize my academic studies in favour of my responsibility as a students representative
At that very nascent stage of my political career, l was already capable of appreciating that when it came to building the nation, my personal interests immediately assumed secondary status. I was already clear and unequivocal in my personal stance that whatsoever l set out to do, l must always put my beautiful motherland of Zimbabwe.
I was only 5 years old when Zimbabwe celebrated its inaugural Independence Day in April 1980; but that memorable experience left a lifelong indelible mark in my entire being. Young as l was, l grew up in Zimbabwe in the 1980s with a full appreciation that for the colonial experience to end formally at the Lancaster House conference in December 1979, it had taken thousands of Zimbabweans to sacrifice their lives.
Indeed, for the nation of Zimbabwe to be born, it took many thousands of lives to die. A lot of Zimbabweans, most of them young, had to die both at home and in exile for the new nation to born on 18th April 1980.
It was in such an inspired political context that in July 1995, l fully made up my decision to context in the next Students Representative Council (SRC) elections. And as fate would have it, l was soon elected as the Secretary General of the 1995-96 SRC before l had even written my first major academic exams at the university.
Later on, l accepted my nomination to be the Acting President in April 1996 when l was barely 21 years old.
Then in October 1996 l further accepted my nomination to be the next President of the University of Zimbabwe students’ union. I eventually contested and lost the said elections. But still, I gracefully agreed to serve the students union as its Vice President under the presidency of the late Learnmore Jongwe.
In April 1998, l was once again nominated and then elected as the next President of the UZ students’ union. I was only 23 years old.
Added to that, since July 1996 l had also played a leading role in the process of reviving the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU) in my capacity as the Acting President of the UZ students’ union. This process culminated in my election as the revived ZINASU Vice President in February 1997. Once again, l dutifully served my nation as a deputy to the late Learnmore Jongwe, who was elected as the President at the same Congress. I was only 22 years old.
But why am l writing about my early days or humble beginnings as a students leader?
My point is very simple.
We are never too young to start our lifelong journey of serving our beloved nation.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be challenged by the yesteryear generations that were led by the likes of the late Joshua Nkomo who responded positively to the call of national duty in their youthful days.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be inspired by the likes of Nelson Mandela who also took up the challenge of their generation to dismantle the racist apartheid regime.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must learn from the class of 1976 in Soweto that played a catalytic role in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must be challenged by the generation that was led by the famous students leader, President AGO Mutambara who in the late 1980s stood up and faced the challenge of their generation to fight the One-Party State agenda and also confront excessive corruption as evinced by the Willowgate Scandal.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must learn from our own generation in the late 1990s which got actively involved in the key political events that helped to define the political destiny of our country.
Indeed, when the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) was launched in 1997, my generation and I were actively involved. I was actually one of the student leaders who used to attend its National Taskforce meetings that were chaired by the late President Morgan Tsvangirai.
Also, when the Movement for Democratic Change was launched in September 1999, my own generation as led by the late Learnmore Jongwe was also there in the thick of action.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must also learn from the youths of Zambia who have in the past week helped to redefine the political direction of their country.
Our youths of Zimbabwe today must emulate those from Zambia by making sure that with immediate effect they step up their active involvement in the following three crucial political fights.
The Fight for National Awareness and Consciousness
It is very sad and disappointing to take note of the low level of political consciousness among the youths of Zimbabwe today. There is currently a disturbingly high level of political apathy among most of our young people. It seems as if most of them have by now already given up on their ability to influence the country’s future by playing an active role in matters of national importance.
Indeed, most youths seem to be more enchanted by the distractive penchants of socialites such as Madam Boss, Mai Titi, Sandra Ndebele, Pokello Nare, Kikky Badass, Njuzu, Mudiwa Hood, Passion Java, among others. But when it comes to issues of justice and democracy in the country, they suddenly disappear into thin air.
Right now, we currently have the topical case of Makomborero Haruzivishe. He is an outspoken youth who is under an unjustifiably prolonged incarceration and desperately needs some active solidarity from his fellow youths.
Please do not get me wrong, I am not against our youths having some fun; but it must not be at the expense of not just their own future but also for those who will come after them. Our country is currently facing a perennial never-ending political and socio-economic crisis that has no solution in sight.
Worse still, most of the strategic positions of all our three separate arms of State (Executive, Judiciary and Legislature) are clearly being led by geriatrics who have long passed the recommended age of retirement. Honestly, how on earth do our young people expect these old people to be emotionally interested in the long-term prospects of our nation?
Our youths must now wake up from their political slumber. They must take up the challenge of their own generation by actively participating in the national quest to find a lasting solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe. Enough is enough! Our young people must stand up and assume their rightful place in the national development agenda.
The Fight for National Inclusion
Zimbabwe is by far a very youthful country. Most of its adult population is currently between the ages of 18 and 40 years. There is no doubt that we have one of the youngest populations not just in Africa but also across the world.
Yet when it comes to inclusion in the key decision-making processes our youths are mostly conspicuous by their absence. We have a disappointing low number of youthful leaders in all key decision-making structures of our country. Our youths are currently officious by-standers in the process of all the key priorities of our nation.
Recently the national Constitution was amended under controversial circumstances but the youths did not actively stand up against this clear abuse of power by the geriatric political elite of this country. In particular, where was the youth outrage when Chief Justice Malaba successfully extended his term by another five years after reaching the original age of retirement?
Where are the youths when the current incumbent at State House openly boasts that he plans to remain in power till after 2030? Yet he will soon be turning 80 years old in 2022; about 20 years over the recommended age of retirement for the civil servants in the country?
A new quota system was also introduced for youthful representatives in the Parliament of Zimbabwe but it was a drop in the ocean. Youths should have actively campaigned for a much higher percentage allocation of seats in Parliament.
Also, with regards to the candidate selection process for the forthcoming elections, the youths are not clearly demanding for a much higher allocation of seats especially when compared to the disappointingly low levels of youthful candidates in the 2018 elections.
The Fight to Protect the Electoral Will of the Majorities
By all accounts it seems that the incumbent in Zambia actually tried to rig the elections. However, this time around the youths were more than ready for such political shenanigans. In some cases, they blocked some vehicles that were suspected to be carrying fake ballots meant to boost the poor numbers of the incumbent. They also opted to stay near the polling stations in large numbers and insisted that they were more than ready to react if any attempts were made to tamper the electoral process. Our youths of Zimbabwe normally retreat to their social media platforms. This time around, our youths must use social media platforms such as Twitter and WhatsApp to actively defend the democratic voice of our electorate.
In Zambia, it was said that a large turnout of voters made it impossible for any desperate attempts to rig the elections. Most of the turnout was largely consisting of youthful voters.
But for such a thing to happen in Zimbabwe during 2023, we must first start by witnessing a clear rise in the number of registered voters who are young people. This is more crucial with regards to first time voters. In Zambia, we had a massive increase of the 2021 voter turnout due to the concomitant increase of youthful voters who only got registered after the 2016 elections.
This situation must equally apply in Zimbabwe to enable the youths to play a very decisive role in 2023.
The MDC Alliance national Youth Assembly has already set the ball rolling by launching its own ‘One Million Votes’ campaign. The campaign is still yet to gain full momentum and find real traction with most young people across Zimbabwe. So, efforts need to be stepped up to ensure that the campaign becomes more effective or successful in terms of its impact.
We also need to see other youth led or student led organizations across all political spectrums also launching their own string campaigns to encourage young people not just to register as voters but to also actively participate in the crucial 2023 elections.
By A Correspondent- A Rusape woman has asked the court to order a vindictive Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer to pay her damages amounting to RTGS$3 million as compensation for unlawful assault and ill-treatment perpetrated against her after she turned down the law enforcement agent’s sexual advances.
Represented by Peggy Tavagadza of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the 27-year-old Nomatter Chikunguru recently filed summons at Rusape Magistrates Court seeking an order compelling Constable Brian Kasu based at Rusape Police Station, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Hon. Kazembe Kazembe to pay her RTGS$3 million as compensation for the violation of her rights by Kasu, who arrested and ill-treated her after she spurned his sexual advances.
Chikunguru, who is employed as a mortician at Heritage Funeral Parlour and is stationed at Rusape General Hospital in Manicaland province, was arrested by Kasu, who is employed by ZRP as a dog handler, on 9 April 2021 while she was on her way home.
The arrest came after Kasu had asked Chikunguru where she was coming from and was told that she was a mortician coming from work. Kasu made further inquiries regarding whom Chikunguru stayed with and she advised him that she resides alone.
Kasu then suggested that he wanted to go to Chikunguru’s home for a sleepover and she advised him that she had no interest in sleeping with him.
Thereafter, Kasu gave orders to the police dog and unleashed it on Chikunguru without any provocation and he proceeded to force march the mortician to a ZRP vehicle and in the process bragging that he wanted to deal with her and to make sure that the dog bites her buttocks as that was the source of her arrogance.
After this ill-treatment, Chikunguru, who sustained injuries on her body, was taken to Rusape Police Station where she was detained and charged with assaulting or resisting a peace officer as defined in section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Chikunguru was recently acquitted by Rusape Magistrate Rufaro Mangwiro after a full trial in a case of spiteful vengeance after Kasu’s sexual advances towards her were rebuffed.
Out of a total of RTGS$3 million, Chikunguru said RTGS$2 780 will be compensation for the medical expenses which she incurred as she sought treatment while RTGS$2 997 220 will be cover for damages arising from pain, suffering and nervous shock.
By A Correspondent| A Rusape woman has asked the court to order a vindictive Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officer to pay her damages amounting to RTGS$3 million as compensation for unlawful assault and ill-treatment perpetrated against her after she turned down the law enforcement agent’s sexual advances.
Represented by Peggy Tavagadza of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, the 27 year-old Nomatter Chikunguru recently filed summons at Rusape Magistrates Court seeking an order compelling Constable Brian Kasu based at Rusape Police Station, ZRP Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe to pay her RTGS$3 million as compensation for the violation of her rights by Kasu, who arrested and ill-treated her after she spurned his sexual advances.
Chikunguru, who is employed as a mortician at Heritage Funeral Parlour and is stationed at Rusape General Hospital in Manicaland province, was arrested by Kasu, who is employed by ZRP as a dog handler, on 9 April 2021 while she was on her way home.The arrest came after Kasu had asked Chikunguru where she was coming from and was told that she was a mortician coming from work.
Kasu made further inquiries regarding whom Chikunguru stayed with and she advised him that she resides alone.Kasu then suggested that he wanted to go to Chikunguru’s home for a sleep over and she advised him that she had no interest in sleeping with him.
Thereafter, Kasu gave orders to the police dog and unleashed it on Chikunguru without any provocation and he proceeded to force march the mortician to a ZRP vehicle and in the process bragging that he wanted to deal with her and to make sure that the dog bites her buttocks as that was the source of her arrogance.
After this ill-treatment, Chikunguru, who sustained injuries on her body, was taken to Rusape Police Station where she was detained and charged with assaulting or resisting a peace officer as defined in section 176 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.
Chikunguru was recently acquitted by Rusape Magistrate Rufaro Mangwiro after a full trial in a case of spiteful vengeance after Kasu’s sexual advances towards her were rebuffed.
Out of a total of RTGS$3 million, Chikunguru said RTGS$2 780 will be compensation for the medical expenses which she incurred as she sought treatment while RTGS$2 997 220 will be cover for damages arising from pain, suffering and nervous shock.
BY A CORRESPONDENT| An earth shattering report on the work of a caretaker council appointed in 2008 to run the City of Harare has exposed former Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo’s 63 days of personal enrichment programme smartly executed without the oversight of elected councilors.
Chombo is currently facing charges of corruption and abuse of office following his arrest during the November 2017 military assisted coup which toppled long time ruler Robert Mugabe from power.
former Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo
The report titled Sixty-Three Days, exposes how the Chombo’s appointed caretaker council made up of three people Michael Mahachi, A J Tome and one L Marufu from the very first of its appointment started dishing out contracts to Augur Investments OU, a company owned by Kenneth Raydon Sharpe who is currently at large.
In its 63 days of existence, the Mahachi caretaker council also flouted employment procedures to recruit 742 employees some of whom are still a burden to the municipality.
The caretaker council gave in to Chombo’s application for a commercial stand in Avondale as well as 19 hectares which he applied to build cluster houses.
“The Caretaker Council’s lifespan lasted for sixty-three days. In those sixty three days the Council awarded an USD80 million project to Augur Investments OU without going to tender, employed 742 persons to the city council without advertising for such posts, and approved the sale of two properties in prime areas of Harare to Minister Chombo without going to tender among other resolutions,” reads the report.
Kenneth Raydon Sharpe, the man at the centre of the controversial land transfer
The detailed report further exposed how the caretaker council on the second day after its appointment signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Augur Investments before an independent valuation of the Airport Road project could be made.
The agreement with Augur Investments OU was signed without council approval as should be the case.
“The Harare Caretaker Council Chairman Mr M Mahachi formally received his letter of appointment on 21st of May 2008. On the same day, he signed the Memorandum of Understanding with Augur Investments OU on the Airport Road Project. Minister Chombo signed the MOU as a witness.
“On the 28th May 2008, Mr Mahachi chaired a Council meeting which approved the signing of the MOU in retrospect.
“The following day, the 29th May 2008, before the independent valuation of the project and land could be carried out, Mr M Mahachi signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Augur Investments OU wherein Augur Investments OU was to undertake the construction of the Airport Road in exchange for land,” further reads the report.
The report raised worry at the pace at which the Chombo appointed caretaker council carried out its business saying it suggested a deliberate programme of action to achieve certain results before elected councillors were sworn in.
“The frantic pace with which the Caretaker Council carried out its business suggested that there was a deliberate programme of action which was designed to achieve certain results before swearing in of the newly elected councillors,” the report noted.
A 23-year-old Bulawayo man was fatally stabbed in a dispute over a woman. Police said the incident occurred at Corner Hebert Chitepo Street and Masotsha Avenue in Bulawayo.
“The ZRP is investigating a murder case in which a 23-year-old man was stabbed to death by a suspect at Corner Hebert Chitepo Street and Masotsha Avenue in Bulawayo on 14 August.
The two men had a dispute after they were caught up in a love triangle involving a 21-year-old woman.
Police said the incident occurred at Corner Herbert Chitepo Street and Masotsha Avenue in Bulawayo.
“In another incident a 23-year-old man was found dead in the Bulawayo CBD on 14 August at around 7AM. The man had no shirt on and he had two stab wounds on the left thigh,” said the police on Twitter.
By A Correspondent- Seed Co International Limited (SCIL) is seeking to purchase 10 per cent own shares by way of on-market share buyback and retain the shares for treasury purposes.
The resolution to purchase the shares is set for approval by shareholders at an annual general meeting for the group to be held on 25 August 2021. The company said in a circular:
The proposed share buyback will be made by way of one or more on-markets Share Buy-Back Transaction, transacted on the Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) and or the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) trading system, from time to time.
A buyback occurs when the issuing company pays shareholders the market value per share and re-absorbs that portion of its ownership that was previously distributed among public and private investors.
SCIL listed on the Botswana Stock Exchange in 2018 and in 2020 became the first to list on the new United States dollar-denominated Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.
The ordinary share capital of the company is 381 452 827 and the number of shares that will be acquired will not exceed 381 145 283 consisting of 10 per cent of the entire issued share capital of the company.
The circular reads that SCIL’s shares on the BSE have not changed in the last 30 days at BWP 2,70.
By A Correspondent- The government is considering borrowing money directly from private investors to fund the first half of a $3.5 billion compensation agreement with white farmers whose land was seized for redistribution to blacks two decades ago.
Government, which last month appointed London-based Newstate Partners to help raise the money, needs to secure $1.75 billion by July next year to meet its obligations.
While the government is likely to press ahead with publicly stated plans to sell an international bond to finance the compensation accord, that option probably won’t be viable, said the source who asked not to be identified as the information hasn’t been disclosed publicly, Bloomberg reported.
A bond is deemed too expensive and in any case, will need a guarantee from a multilateral lender.
That’s unlikely to be forthcoming as Zimbabwe hasn’t paid its arrears on more than $8 billion in debt, meaning it can’t borrow fresh capital from them.
If money is raised from private investors, a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) could be set up offshore and a portion of the country’s tax or royalty earnings from mineral exports could be diverted into it to repay them over a number of years with interest, the Bloomberg source said.
The SPV could also be used as a guarantee to bolster the confidence of potential lenders, the source added.
Zimbabwe’s main exports include platinum-group metals, gold and tobacco.
Efforts by the publication to get a comment from Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and permanent secretary George Guvamatanga were fruitless as they didn’t respond to calls and text messages seeking comment.
Due to Covid-19 which has affected a lot of businesses, entertainment to social life, many people have now resorted to social media for leisure.
Even some film makers are struggling to come up with their blockbusters because they can’t finish the projects due to some restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Well, it seems the social media has since stepped in as a source of entertainment.
Of late, prominent and controversial clergy Passion Java has been hogging the limelight on social media, yes of course, entertaining us either way.
But wait a minute!
Is all what he is doing a script, strategy or real.
Java even confessed on live radio recently that there is a strategy for whatever he does.
Asked in an interview what his controversy was all about, he said: “Yes, there is a strategy to my foolishness. Foolishness sells…”
Since his intentions have been confirmed, who then is behind the enigma Java.
Just like the popular series Money Heist, the professor plans the strategy but he is never known.
There is only one episode where the professor was almost caught, but he got away with it.
In Java’s case, the man behind his rise to fame, who has been until now never talked about, is Stewart Nyamayaro.
Well, for those who know, Nyamayaro is not one person who can turn heads in the streets, but his name will remain etched in the local arts industry hall of fame.
The media shy digital marketer has managed to propel brands and push them to dizzy heights, with Java being one of his biggest projects.
The ‘faceless’ character had until now chosen to remain ‘unknown’ and preferred to work behind the scenes.
In an exclusive interview with The Herald on Saturday Lifestyle, Nyamayaro opened the lid on how he started digital marketing and has become a force to reckon with on social media trending traits.
He never went to university to master his trade of pushing and building brands, he is self-taught.
“I am a young self-motivated Zimbabwean who chose to teach himself how digital media works to build brands,” said Nyamayaro. “Without blowing my own trumpet, I believe I contributed to the growth of Zimdancehall on social media.”
Nyamayaro is the one behind writing scripts for Java’s skits, but says he writes content working behind the scenes.
“The less the attention, the more I get to focus on what I do best,” said Nyamayaro who has made Java’s brand for the past five years. “Glory hunting has never been my thing.”
His modus operandi are reminiscent of Dr Zobha who concealed his identity, but shook the arts industry with his sheer brilliance behind the microphone.
The 24-year-old Nyamayaro says his concepts are inspired through meditation and consultation with friends.
“Most of the times I go to a silent place then I just start meditating on how I would like things to be done,” he said. “At times I consult some of my close friends and they assist me in the best way possible.”
To date, Nyamayaro has worked with Roki, Jah Prayzah, Fungisai Zvakavapano, Holy Ten, Enzo Ishall, Killer T and Guspy Warrior, among others.
He revealed that it was a turbulent journey to get recognition in the industry, but he soldiered on and followed his passion and vocation.
“It was not an easy road, there was a bit of challenge when I started because people were not much into social media unlike now,” said Nyamayaro.
“Back then I could barely make a lot of money out of it.”
Nyamayaro bemoaned lack of unity among artists.
“I noticed we lack unity, especially people in the arts industry,” he said. “The best way we can move forward is when we learn to embrace each other’s craft, support each other, and trust me we have a potential to reach the international market.”
Nyamayaro said the Covid-19 pandemic changed the normal way of life, but it somehow helped him to smile all the way to the bank through his innovation.
He urged people to mask up and follow World Health Organisation guidelines and protocols.
“This pandemic is real, but God has been faithful,” he said. “Being someone who is focused on social media (digital marketing) ever since the pandemic started it has been like a blessing in disguise. I get to make a few dollars out of it because people are now into social media.”
Nyamayaro’s contribution to the arts via social media is immense, but he chooses to live like a ‘ghost’.
He said he will continue working behind scenes and this also protects him and his family.
“I like to keep my life private,” he said. “I just want to live a normal life. Not many people know about me and it is easy for me to move around in shops, hang around with my friends and I can say it is safe for me.”
Asked who is his best artiste among those he has worked with, Nyamayaro said it was too hard to mention names, but was happy with the talent he meets everyday.
“I can’t put myself on the spotlight to say John is better than Peter,” he said. “I am a content creator not a fan of these artistes. I am just paid to do my job according to their script and I enjoy that. I don’t have a favourite artiste so far.”
By A Correspondent- The Taliban has declared an “amnesty” across Afghanistan and urged women to join its government in a bid to calm gangled nerves across the capital city Kabul, following dramatic scenes at the airport on Monday.
There were chaotic scenes in Kabul as thousands mobbed the city’s international airport in a desperate attempt to flee the country.
Evacuation flights from Afghanistan resumed as a Western security official told the Reuters news agency on Tuesday that the Kabul airport’s tarmac and runway – which troops from the United States control – were now clear of crowds.
The official said military flights evacuating diplomats and civilians from Afghanistan have started taking off.
At least seven people died in Monday’s chaos, including several people who clung to the sides of a jet as it took off.
The Taliban has declared the war in Afghanistan over and a senior leader said the group would wait until foreign forces had left before creating a new governance structure.
China said it was ready for “friendly relations” with the Taliban, while Russia and Iran also made diplomatic overtures.
By A Correspondent– A Glendale woman who was recently captured live on video beating a minor boy has denied any wrongdoing claiming that she is shocked that she was linked to the video.
This is despite that social services have taken the child into a care home following the circulation of the heartrending video where the woman is seen mercilessly beating up the minor.
By A Correspondent- Bulawayo pastor and police officer Chrispen Zvinhumue has allegedly refused to vacate from a rented house which he occupied for three years in Nkulumane 14.
The owner of the house Sibongile Ncube said Zvinhumue became arrogant when he was told to move out of the house.
“Zinhumue has been living in my house for three years now and when I asked him to look for another house he became difficult and he is disrespectful to me and everyone who asks him why he is refusing,” he said.
“The reason why he is refusing to vacate is that he wants the court to remove him, and he is saying he can’t find a house in Nkulumane. He also wants to prove a point as he said that if he is challenged he will not move.”
Ncube said Zvinhumue was given three months’ notice of eviction but he failed to adhere to the terms and conditions.
“I have taken this issue to the Resident Association that has been handling the matter for four days but Zvinhumue failed to have the understanding to vacate the house,” she said.
“He was given a three months notice from 16 March to 16 June 2021 but he is refusing to abide by the notice of the action”.
Zvinhume denied the allegations adding that it is difficult to find a house when Covid 19 is causing havoc across the country
“There is no way I can refuse to vacate from someone’s house but people have to understand that it takes time to find a house during this Covid era,” he said.
“I am a professional man and I work with the law. I have children and I can not sleep outside as I’m speaking I am building my own house. Why would I refuse to leave.”
By A Correspondent- Some of the 43 candidates eyeing Mutare City Council town clerk’s position are reportedly making nocturnal visits to a local traditional healer in a desperate bid to enhance their chances.
The position fell vacant after Joshua Maligwa succumbed to the COVID-19 virus on January 5 this year.
A popular traditional healer in Mutare, who refused to be named, confirmed the night visits by some of the candidates.
“I am doing a lot of work at my shrine. The burdened are being healed, but as for the past two weeks, my shrine was overwhelmed with clients who are seeking to land the Mutare City Council town clerk’s position,” the traditional healer told NewsDay.
“Most of them come at night. I am trying to help them, but the most difficult thing is that only one person is needed for the job,” he said.
Mutare mayor Blessing Tandi recently disclosed that 43 candidates had applied for the hot seat.
Tandi said the shortlisting of the candidates was expected to be done next month.
“I am happy with the overwhelming response of the people who applied for the job. We have 43 people who have applied for the job,” Tandi said.
“I believe all the people are going to meet the conditions we have set,. One of them is for them to have at least 10 years working experience in a local authority,” he said.
The municipality’s health director Antony Mutara is currently the acting town clerk.
By A Correspondent- A Christ Embassy Ministries pastor was arrested in Glen View 3, Harare, on Sunday after police found a gathering of 50 unvaccinated members congregating in violation of Covid-19 regulations.
The pastor was fined $2 000 while some of the church members are still assisting police with investigations, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said yesterday.
Last Wednesday, Cabinet said churches could resume services but only for fully vaccinated congregants, who have had both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, and even then those attending must be masked, observe social distancing and sanitise on entry.
No limit was placed on the number attending a particular service, but the social distance requirements mean that the church leaders will have to limit numbers so that the need is met.
Police stressed they were continuing to enforce all Covid-19 regulations and would include the church services in their checks and monitoring.-statemedia
Bulawayo pastor and police officer Chrispen Zvinhumue has allegedly refused to vacate from a rented house which he occupied for three years in Nkulumane 14.
The owner of the house Sibongile Ncube said Zvinhumue became arrogant when he was told to move out of the house.
“Zihnumue has been living in my house for three years now and when I asked him to look for another house he became difficult and he is disrespectful to me and everyone who asks him why he is refusing,” he said.
“The reason why he is refusing to vacate is that he wants the court to remove him, and he is saying he can’t find a house in Nkulumane. He also wants to prove a point as he said that if he is challenged he will not move.”
Ncube said Zvinhumue was given three months’ notice of eviction but he failed to adhere to the terms and conditions.
“I have taken this issue to the Resident Association that has been handling the matter for four days but Zvinhumue failed to have the understanding to vacate the house,” she said.
“He was given a three months notice from 16 March to 16 June 2021 but he is refusing to abide by the notice of the action”.
Zvinhume denied the allegations adding that it is difficult to find a house when Covid 19 is causing havoc across the country
“There is no way I can refuse to vacate from someone’s house but people have to understand that it takes time to find a house during this Covid era,” he said.
“I am a professional man and I work with the law. I have children and I can not sleep outside as I’m speaking I am building my own house. Why would I refuse to leave.”
Newly elected Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has availed himself to Zambians saying they should feel free to engage with him as well as keeping him on his toes so that he can fulfill his promises.
Posting on Twitter this morning, Hichilema said;
Good morning friends, I urge you all to feel free to engage with me and keep me on my toes as we endeavour to fulfil our promises to you. Wishing you a pleasant Tuesday.
By A Correspondent| Independent Norton legislator Temba Mliswa has singled out State Security minister Owen Mudha Ncube and Local government minister July Moyo for attack saying the two are the biggest national security threats.
In a Twitter thread posted this morning, Mliswa said President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s trust has all gone due to his association with people like Mudha and July Moyo whom he said were derailing the country.
The motormouth politician said Mnangagwa will never record progress as long as he associates with Mudha and July Moyo.
Mliswa accused Mudha of violently taking over people’s mine and killing people adding that the Security minister’s reputation of violence and criminality raises questions if citizens are safe with him as one of the national leaders.
Below is Mliswa’s thread;
I think for progress it’s time that we name and shame those derailing this country. Who is Mudha? What credentials does he have to be the State Security Minister? None, except for his reputation for taking over people’s mines in Kwekwe and killing people.
It’s an unsavoury reputation of violence and criminality which leads to questions of how safe are we with such a leader. He is the biggest national security threat and a leader can only produce what he is.
At the DCC elections they got rid of Matemadanda because they had lost the Midlands. Going forward they won’t make progress in Midlands with characters such as Mudha.
As long the President is surrounded by characters such as Mudha& July Moyo progress will be difficult. These men lie to the President daily. Mudha has previously directed Matanga to arrest me& such pathetic actions are a reflection of the kind of man he is.
We have reached this position because trust levels have gone due to men such as these. I was attacked for defending the new administration. I have tried being faithful to them going to SADC, Brussels etc during the Restore Legacy because of the belief we had.
However all that we worked for& supported has been lost. The new admin has reneged on the very ideals of the liberation struggle. They are selling out. It’s disturbing that even before we have realised the benefits as blacks we are already experiencing such an ideological change.
By A Correspondent| Upcoming musician Anita Jaxson has bemoaned social media toxicity.
Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook have been ruthless against some influential people including opposition leaders Douglas Mwonzora, Linda Masarira, Thokozani Khupe and Lovemore Madhuku among others.
Ruling ZANU PF party members have not been spared the backlash with nearly everything they post being subjected to criticism some targeted at their physical appearances.
Recently, top comedienne, Madam Boss was at the receiving end of social media bullying following remarks she made about the 14-year-old Marange girl who died while giving birth at a shrine in Bocha.
Now the Unonzani singer has come out in public about online bullying.
It could not be confirmed when Anita Jaxson was attacked on social media but she expressed that she is sick of it.
Social media is very toxic. I'm sick of the bullying ???.
By A Correspondent- The SADC bloc has congratulated Zambia’s president elect Mr Hakainde Hichilema who beat incumbent Mr Edgar Lungu in the polls that were held last week.
Botswana President and Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security chairperson DR Mokgweetsi Masisi called for peace as the country goes through a transition period.
Mr Lungu on Monday morning conceded defeat while promising to ensure that there is smooth power transfer.
“Sadc remained seized with the developments in the Republic of Zambia, and engaged key stakeholders throughout the process, and notes that despite immense pressure from these highly competitive General Elections, political stakeholders were generally satisfied that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) was able to discharge its functions professionally,” said President Masisi.
“I, therefore, on behalf of SADC, wish to congratulate the President-Elect Mr Hakainde Hichilema, Leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), for winning the 12th August 2021 Presidential Election, as pronounced by the ECZ.”
He said any aggrieved parties should channel any electoral disputes through the appropriate legal platforms.
President Masisi commended the Zambians for exercising their democratic right of electing their leaders.
“On behalf of the Sadc region, I wish to congratulate the people of Zambia for consolidating democracy in their country and the region through peaceful elections. Notwithstanding, there were reported isolated and sporadic acts of violence that are regrettable,” said President Masisi.
“Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the people of Zambia turned out in large numbers. This is the 7th time Zambia is successfully electing a President through competitive multiparty elections since the historic 1991 polls, providing vital lessons for the region and the African continent at large.”
TRUE STRENGTH is in the SOUL and SPIRIT,not in the MUSCLES of MEN .No"GIRL CHILD" should be conscripted into any marriage arrangement under any circumstances, It TEARS their HOPES of a brighter future!! Sculpture. "HALT THE CHILD MARRIAGES" @UNZimbabwe@UNICEF@PoliceZimbabwepic.twitter.com/4hFmFq56Id
By A Correspondent- Teachers’ unions have called on the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) to defer its June and November 2021 public examinations following the COVID-19-induced disruption of the school calendar which suspended in-person lessons for the better part of last year and this year.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic in March last year, normal schooling has not taken place as the country went on hard lockdowns to curb the spread of the virus.
Students usually sit for the Zimsec examination in June and November
In June this year, schools were closed for the first term and government is yet to announce a date for their reopening for the second term, but preparations are underway.
Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe president Takavafira Zhou yesterday said it would be irresponsible for authorities to frog-march students into examinations given the disruptions they have experienced.
“The possibility of 2021 candidates writing examinations this year is minimal. With schools likely to open from mid-September 2021, examinations can only be written in early 2022 after three months of intensive learning,” he said.
“Such learning requires motivation for teachers. They must be given better salaries so that they work harder to protect the education system from going into dysfunctionality. Government should address the disparities between teachers and the rest of civil servants, where an underqualified ordinary government worker is earning more than a trained teacher,” Zhou said.
Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe president Obert Masaraure suggested that examinations be postponed to March next year.
“If our examinations are for genuine performance evaluation, they should be postponed until our learners have covered the syllabus. March 2022 will be ideal for examinations to cater for lost learning time. We should desist from the tick-the-box-mentality and focus on genuinely evaluating learner exit profiles,” Masaraure said.
Zimbabwe National Teachers’ Union chief executive Manuel Nyawo said: “Rural children have not had an opportunity to learn reasonably to prepare them for public examinations. Given that we are not also sure when this COVID-19 pandemic is going to end, with rumours that a fourth variant is imminent, it is only prudent that examinations be pushed to February next year to give learners ample time to learn and grasp concepts for their current grades and forms.”
Zimbabwe Teachers’ Association chief executive Sifiso Ndlovu also said postponement of examinations would be ideal.
“Apart from writing of the examinations, we are urging the government to consider postponing implementation of the continuous assessment learning areas (CALAs) programme so that learners and teachers intensively focus on completing the outstanding areas of the syllabi and be ready for the 2021 examinations. Implementation of the CALA programme is a hurried decision which disrupts proper learning in schools,” Ndlovu said.
Government seeks to implement the CALA programme which will see pupils doing projects and tasks in school. The marks for the projects will constitute 30% of their coursework for the final examination for each subject.
Primary and Secondary Education ministry spokesperson Taungana Ndoro said government was yet to get recommendations from Zimsec on the way forward.
“Government is cognisant of the importance of public examinations, but as the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we get recommendations from Zimsec on the way forward,” Ndoro said.-Newsday
By A Correspondent- A Kuwadzana man lost seven teeth after he was allegedly hit with a brick by his wife last Friday for saying “I miss you” to his female tenant.
The issue came out when Shylene Zariro (33) appeared before Harare magistrate Barbara Mateko on Saturday charged with domestic violence.
She was remanded in custody to today for bail application.
The complainant, Steward Mativenga (husband), who came to court heavily bandaged on the head and mouth, reported his wife to the police after he was struck with a brick.
Allegations are that on August 13 this year at around 19:30hrs, Mativenga arrived home from work and greeted his tenant only identified as Nyasha and told her that he missed her.
This did not go down well with Zariro, resulting in a heated verbal exchange.
Zariro then hit Mativenga with a brick twice on his mouth, knocking of seven teeth.
Mativenga was then referred to hospital for medical examination, and the accused was arrested.
By A Correspondent- Outgoing Zambian President Edgar Lungu has submitted himself to President-elect Hakainde Hichilema and pledged to work with him.
Lungu lost the last Thursday Presidential poll with a wide margin to Hichilema.
The defeated outgoing President had initially hinted at contesting the election results but later conceded defeat.
Monday morning Lungu said he met with HH and agreed to hand over power peacefully.
Said Lungu on Monday morning:
Earlier today the President-elect Mr Hakainde Hichilema and I met at the residence of our 4th Republican President Rupiah Banda, where we held a meeting with the Commonwealth Chief Observer, the former Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete and AU Chief election Observer, former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma. We discussed matters concerning our country’s future. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and I wish to that all the leaders who were present. We continue putting our nation first.
