By Byron Mutingwende and Moses Chibaya Zimbabwe’s human right record comes under international spotlight as the Election Resouce Centre has said that it was disturbed by the violent interruption of Parliament activities by unruly elements of society. Scores of suspected Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANU PF) youths and women in Mutare,…
By Byron Mutingwende The Zimbabwe Manpower Development (ZIMDEF) scandal brought to the spotlight the political dynamics, appointments and issues of transparency and accountability in public finance management in far as dealing with corruption is concerned. Speaking at a policy dialogue dubbed “The Political Economy of Corruption and the Battle for Accountability in Zimbabwe:…
By Byron Mutingwende The demolition of houses that belonged to thousands of people settled at Morecambe area in Harare South Constituency on Wednesday 26 October 2016 near the Mbudzi People’s Market brought to the fore the susceptibility of the land governance system to corruption. The demolitions come hard on the heels of the…
By Byron Mutingwende Stakeholders have been urged to craft a clear trade policy direction that will enhance sustainable economic development to extricate Zimbabwe from its myriad of challenges. This emerged at the State of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) Dialogue meeting organised by the Southern and Eastern African Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI)…
By Byron Mutingwende The government involvement and commitment to the United Nations systems coupled with the support of the development partners, civil society organisations, national associations, the media and community leaders and members will lead to the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In his statement on the occasion of the 71st Anniversary…
By Byron Mutingwende It never crossed her mind that one day she would bag the MTV Africa Music Award as a child advocate but thanks to Plan International, Mary Taedzerwa’s dream came to fruition as she was crowned the champion at a glamorous event in South Africa. Mary Taedzerwa, a Zimbabwean young former…
By Byron Mutingwende Melody Machuwaire (34) reckons that the Lowveld, particularly the Chibuwe area under Chipinge South District, has endured extreme weather events for more than a decade since Cyclone Eline devastated the area in the year 2000. “Chibuwe is a hot area. Up to the 90s, under rain-fed agriculture, we used to grow crops…
By Byron Mutingwende The participation and contribution to decision-making by women is crucial to advancing their needs and ensuring that the national HIV and AIDS response is gender responsive. Speaking at a meeting convened by UN Women at Meikles Hotel in Harare Thursday, Kumar Gupta, the Ambassador of Canada to Zimbabwe, said that ending the…
By Byron Mutingwende The involvement of the government in reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) will complement efforts by the private sector players and non-governmental organisations in bringing tangible benefits to communities. Speaking at a meeting to assess the potential impact of government involvement in REDD+ in Harare yesterday, Chief…
By Byron Mutingwende The growing rate informalistion of jobs and unemployment has a negative impact on the economy, a senior United Nations official has said. Speaking at the occasion to launch the Population Census Thematic Reports at Holiday Inn Hotel in Harare Tuesday, Yu Yu, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Zimbabwe Deputy Representative said bemoaned…
By Byron Mutingwende Small to medium enterprises (SMEs) are susceptible to corruption due to the fact that the majority of them are informal traders who are not fully aware of the policy legislative and institutional frameworks that exist to govern their sector, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has said. In a speech read on her behalf…
By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwean civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for transparency and accountability in public finance management. This emerged at a workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) at its Harare office meant to empower citizens to demand and influence transparent and accountable public finance management in Zimbabwe. The officials…
The appointment of Simba Chikore as the Chief Operations Officer at Air Zimbabwe has brought to the fore the need for transparency when recruiting for the government or state-owned enterprises, Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) has said. Air Zimbabwe used to be a public entity in which the State had total control but due to economic hardships,…
By Byron Mutingwende The Zimbabwe Republic Police has noted with concern the trend whereby some people entrusted to look after children, especially girls, end up abusing them. That was said by Masline Gaipiko, a girl child who is the Junior ZRP Senior Assistant Commissioner on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day of…
By Byron Mutingwende Zimbabwean women have embraced the Kilimanjaro initiative which aims to enhance the recognition of rural women as leaders and agents of change in society and create space for them to be able to participate in decision making processes about land and natural resources. The Kilimanjaro Initiative is a rural women’s mobilisation from…
By Byron Mutingwende Corruption is one of the biggest barriers to development hence the vice calls for a holistic approach by stakeholders in addressing it. This emerged at the official launch of the 2015 Annual State of Corruption Report by Transparency International Zimbabwe that was held at The Venue in Avondale on Tuesday 4 October 2016. Maria Selin,…
By Byron Mutingwende Harare-based journalist, Farai Gwenhure has produced a documentary that highlights the folly of child marriage, which is still rampant despite the fact that it has been outlawed in Zimbabwe. On the 20th of January 2016 the Constitutional Court of Zimbabwe made a landmark ruling in which they struck off section 22(1) of…
BY BYRON MUTINGWENDE The Pan African Positive Women’s Coalition (PAPWC) on 25 May 2016 celebrated its fifth anniversary as it reflected on milestone achievements towards making the voices and aspirations of African women living with HIV heard. PAPWC was founded on 25 May 2012 in Harare, Zimbabwe by a small group of African…
By Byron Mutingwende The Voluntary Media Council (VMCZ) has lamented an upsurge in the harassment of media personnel in the country, mostly perpetrated by law-enforcement agents, who are normally expected to protect the journalists and members of the public. Speaking in Bulawayo at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, 30 November 2016, the…
By Byron Mutingwende The church has added its voice to the anti-corruption crusade as the vice undermines society’s capacity to develop. That emerged during a prayer summit against corruption that was organised by Grace International Zimbabwe Ministries at the Dorothea Mission in Harare’s Kambuzuma High Density Suburb. Speaking at the summit, Rev. Wyson Dutch, the…
By Byron Mutingwende Corruption is rampant in the land governance system in Zimbabwe and is most pronounced in the urban areas where there is a housing backlog and high demand for land among the growing population, the Advocacy and Legal Advice Centre (ALAC) has said. ALAC – a unit under Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ)…
By Byron Mutingwende Forests play a pivotal role in the lives of both plants and animals, experts told members of the community in the three of the 11 wards in Mbire District in which Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ) is providing awareness training on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forestry Degradation (REDD+) programme. TIZ, through its…
He is soft-spoken and an easy-going character that one can mistake him for an ordinary person but Bishop Rocky Moyo is a Man of God with a philanthropic heart and a zeal for development. Born on 27 June 1980, Bishop Moyo did his primary education at Sizanani Primary School in Bulawayo. He then went…
The Parliament has said it will be assisted in fulfilling its constitutional mandate of making laws for the peace, order and good governance of Zimbabwe through memoranda of understanding (MOUs) it signed Thursday with three partner organisations. In his address during the signing of the MOUs among Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ), Association of European Parliamentarians…
By Kundai Marunya Pop-up Book Café has given a breath of life into the usually quiet New Ambassador Hotel with their regular shows that has seen revered artists rocking the hotel’s rooftop stage. After its closure due to financial hardships, proprietor, Tomas Brickhill has vowed to keep the top arts brand functional, a legacy he…
Written By Kundai Marunya Southern Africa Alcohol Policy Alliance (SAAPA) board member Jonas Ngulube said there in an urgent need to come up and enforce a viable alcohol policy in Zimbabwe in bid to protect public health. The Zambian national who is in the country for a three day workshop at Cresta Oasis Hotel said,…
Written by Kudzayi Zvinavashe Zimbabwe’s Kelvin Mutize, a Mandela Washington fellow has scooped an award at The 10th Future Awards Africa(TFAA) under the Prize in Community Action category making him the first ever local to win such a prestigious accolade. The TFAA Awards were hosted by local television personality Vimbai Mutinhiri and South Africa’s Bonang…
By Kundai Marunya Following a great reception of her first two tracks released earlier this year, fast rising female rapper Whitney Maenzanise a.k.a Whitney Cash on Monday dropped a new single titled Love Somebody. The track which features popular rapper Cruise and R ‘n’ B singer Chris James is a declaration of love. “The song…
Mzoe 7 Rising contemporary musician, Mzoe 7 is raveling in glory after his second Zimbabwe Music Award (ZIMA) nomination for Best Single. His song I Cry Too, a heart-catching tune, well written with a quality production is up against Janet Manyowa’s Ndomira Pamuri, Roki and XQs Thank God It’s A Friday, Netso featuring Squash’s Ngalangala,…
Written by Kundai Marunya South African based reggae promoter Sevious Pasipanodya better known as Selector Sevious has branched out to disc jockying. Pasipanodya, using his brand SVS International has hosted various shows both locally and internationally including the Dancehall Vs House in Beitbridge and Mussina which featured Gagasi FM DJ Webster late last year. This…
Written By Kundai Marunya Finally; Zimbabwe has found a mature sound that can compete on the global reggae platform; a music that can compete with the founding island of Jamaica for an ever growing market. The vibes of South African based reggae artist Rutsman Spice (real name Solomon Tokwe) from his hot new album titled…
BY BYRON MUTINGWENDE The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe has urged agriculture, irrigation and mechanization Minister Joseph Made to push a raft of reforms in the national budget so as to revive the economy. This was highlighted at an Indaba on women’s issues for the 2016 Budget recently held in Harare Gardens. Women in agriculture speaking…
Written by Kundai Marunya Cricket lovers in the ancient city of Masvingo are in for a treat as the Simon Muzenda Foundation introduces a memorial T20 tournament in memory of the fallen national hero. The inaugural event will be held on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October at Masvingo Sports Club. The event will be…
Written by Kundai Marunya Popular international perfume brand Carolina Herrera will unveil their new fragrance the CH Men Privé on the local market next month. The launch will be in sync with South Africa but ahead of other African nations. Speaking at a prelaunch breakfast meeting at Meikles Hotel, Puig SSA brand manager, Marco Loureiro…
By Kundai Marunya Hivos is set to launch a research on creative spaces as a way of fostering activism and civic engagement at the Pamberi Trust Gardens next Thursday. The report which has the now defunct Book Café as a case study was commissioned some three years ago. “In 2012 Hivos commissioned a research study…
Written by Byron Mutingwende BINDURA – Hundreds of miners illegally fired from work at one of the Mashonaland Central province’s mining giants Mwana Africa long before the enactment of the Labour Amendment Bill see no hope in the legislation to deliver them from their plight. The Labour Amendment Bill was triggered by massive job losses…
By Kundai Marunya As part of the ongoing annual Musica Festival which kicked off on Saturday, Pamberi Trust Gardens will host rising young artists Bryan Kadengu and Adrian Muparutsa tomorrow afternoon. Hot on the heels from an amazing showcase at the Lake of Stars Festival stage in Malawi, where he shone; featuring the freshest tunes…
Written By Kundai Marunya ‘Wow’ was all I could say in the cramped corridors of my laughter after the opening line of Zambezi News at the Shoko Festival comedy show last night. The mock news cast which comprise of Jerome Weathers (Samm Monro), Mandape Mandape (Outspoken), and Kudzaishe Mushayahembe (Michael Kudakwashe) gave revelers an overdose…
By Kundai Marunya Top local entertainers RayDiz and Junior Brown are set to perform at the inaugural FIFA challenge to be held at Maestro, on 26 September. The artists will perform at the after-party of the gaming competition along with reggae chanter Celsius, Fyah Linx’s Bonzo, Black Snizzle, Marqeous and Jay C. Speaking to Spiked…
By Kundai Marunya The recent closure of Harare’s premier arts hub, Book Café rendered the arts industry inactive both for upcoming and known artistes. It was especially a huge blow to Simuka Comedy, Zimbabwe’s leading comedy night that was born and nurtured at the venue. Though the effects are heavily felt, founders of the platform…
By Problem Masau Helicopters hover every day above Marange diamond’s fields. Chinese nationals together with uniformed soldiers disembark and collect the precious mineral under a closely guarded security detail. After a while, the helicopter disappears into the sky and only God knows where the diamonds are taken. Evidently proceeds of the minerals are not benefiting…
By Trevor Makonyonga Versatile dancehall chanter Tafadzwa “Celscius” Mwandira’s new singles collection has been affected by whatsapp music distribution being done his producers and record labels. The 18 track collection was initially on sale but after a serious wave of rejection by fans that opted for free online downloads caused the artist to give the…
By Kundai Marunya Renowned theatre practitioner Tafadzwa Bob Mutumbi has left for the United States to further his studies in physical theatre. Mutumbi will be attending the Dell’arte International School of Physical theatre to further his studies from his last year’s Professional Training Program, pursuing a Masters in Physical Theatre. His travel was made possible…
PIC: Dr. Kelvin Chikonzo presenting strategies for transformative theatre at the TISU.COM workshop at Zimbabwe Hall in Highfield By Kundai Marunya Hot on the heels of a successful Germany tour, NAMA award-wining anti-xenophobia play Burn Makwerekwere Burn will be staged at the International Day of Peace commemoration to be held on 21 September at Zimbabwe…
By KundaiMarunya Bulawayo came alive yesterday as dancers billed to compete in the Jibilika dance finals took it to the street giving the city a glimpse of what to expect in the finals this afternoon. The dancers jammed to different music, switching from genre to genre testing each other’s skills and strength. But it was…
