The recent Africa Climate Summit, through the Parliamentarians Dialogue that was held on 4 and 6 September 2023 revealed the role and potential contribution of parliaments to climate action. It also served as a platform for parliamentarians to discuss various implementation pathways from the perspective of legislatures for the delivery of the commitments made during…
It appears that mother languages like Shona, and SiNdebele, literature is vanishing into the background. Yesteryear, we could tune in to Radio 2 to listen to Kuverenga Kwemabhuku by Simon Pashoma Ncube. He was good with the mother tongue. The eloquence and confidence in his voice made listeners enjoy literature. It was some sort of…
Writes Marlvin Ngiza 25-year-old Shawn Michael Homera, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honour’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) has advised young people with disabilities to set education as their priority saying that life with some academic qualifications offers better opportunities. The graduate revealed that education is a vibrant…
Journalists have been honoured for their contribution to raising awareness on the need for southern Africa to promote social accountability in national and regional development. The journalists were honoured at the 3rd Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030 held in a hybrid format across six countries namely…
Non-state actors in southern Africa have welcomed plans by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to develop a robust engagement mechanism aimed at enhancing coordination and harmonization of efforts to drive the regional integration agenda. Currently, engagement between Non-State Actors (NSAs) and the SADC Secretariat is based on various Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with different…
Writes Elvis Dumba Chinhoyi – The newly appointed Mashonaland West Provincial Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian Chombo has said she is ready to work with the people to economically transform the province. “We are going to work together with the people of Mashonaland West to transform this province economically so…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya Australian-based Invictus Energy, which is prospecting for oil and gas in the Caborra Bassa basin/Muzarabani, is looking forward to turning the Zambezi Valley into an urban centre with vast means of production. Invictus Energy started its journey in the rural community in 2018 after discovering that the area had huge deposits of…
The establishment of a regional parliament for southern Africa will ensure broader participation of citizens in the regional integration agenda. A senior official at the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), Joseph Manzi, said this at the 3rd Regional Dialogue for Non-State Actors on the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030, currently underway in a…
As the highly anticipated 16th edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo approaches, the momentum of preparations continues to build. Scheduled to take place from 12 to 14 October 2023 at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo. This prestigious event is set to captivate a global audience and highlight the diverse tourism offerings…
(Addis Ababa/Geneva) – The African Union Commission (AUC) and The International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations Agency, unite to advance the priorities of African micro, small, and medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) at the 2nd annual African Union MSME Forum. Over 150 participating MSMEs from across the continent and a range of sectors (such as agriculture,…
The National Biodiversity Economy report was launched in Harare today. The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry with support from the African Wildlife Foundation commissioned a National Biodiversity Economy study on the 15th of June 2021 to provide insight into the contribution of biodiversity to the economy of Zimbabwe and inform a planning…
The Government of Korea and the African Development Bank Group are intent on strengthening their partnership to support African countries in achieving food security in five years and boost the continent’s capability to produce its own vaccines and other pharmaceutical products. Speaking on Monday during a meeting with Korea’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural…
WASHINGTON, September 12, 2023 — Despite new international challenges, poor harvests, and the price shocks of 2022, many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa saw improvements in their social inclusion policies and their structural policies—both of which are reflected in the latest Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) scores for 39 countries in the region. The CPIA…
The African Parliamentary Press Network (APPN) has called on the need to restore the vibrancy of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the legislative arm of the African Union (AU); and guard against political bickering. The APPN reminded stakeholders about Article 17, Clause 1 of the Constitutive Act of the AU that states, “In order to ensure…
The aspirations of citizens in southern Africa are clearly spelt out in the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020-2030. These ambitions are “a peaceful, inclusive, middle to high-income industrialized region, where all citizens enjoy sustainable economic well-being, justice and freedom.” While significant progress has been made in achieving the goals, the Southern African Development…
The Southern African Development Community (SADC), in collaboration with the Limpopo Watercourse Commission (LIMCOM), and with the technical support of the Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA), is scheduled to convene the 10th SADC River Basin Organisations/Shared Watercourse Institutions (RBOs/SWIs) Workshop on 2-4 October 2023. The workshop will be held in a hybrid format, and…
Writes Charles Dhewa The fact that food should not be in the hands of corporates is no longer questionable. This is confirmed by the rise in local initiatives like community seed banks and various efforts to raise the profile of grassroots efforts and home-grown solutions. In addition to pushing back against corporates determined to capture…
All is set for Zimbabwe’s international humanitarian law moot court with finals earmarked for the High Court on Friday where competitors will battle it out for the coveted first prize. In her remarks, Tamalin Bolus, the Legal Advisor of the International Committee of the Red Cross at the Pretoria Regional Office, said Zimbabwe is privileged…
Writes Elvis Dumba Murombedzi – The newly-elected Zvimba Rural District Council Chairperson, Councillor Spencer Magaya, has urged councillors and council staff to unite in pursuit of improved service delivery in the local authority. Magaya was recently elected the council chairperson after polling 38 votes against Chrispen Saidi who got eight votes. “We should be united…
Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi has denounced the cabinet announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa as illegitimate. He said President Mnangagwa announced the cabinet “ignoring regional and international observer missions’ criticisms of the ZANU-PF regime’s conduct of the 23rd August 2023 elections, contempt by voters who have dismissed the election as a…
Online harassment is common and associated with various risk factors and negative outcomes, reports MedicineÒ Studies indicate that teenage cyberbullying is on the rise across the globe. Constant engagement with social media is exacerbating this condition further. A recent survey of teenagers from Romania identifies the associated risks and mitigation opportunities, thus paving the way…
Below the slopes of Nandi Hills in Kibos are fields richly covered with sugarcane, maize and sorghum and other crops. Thirty farmers are walking around a sorghum field with different accessions or groups of sorghum and filling out forms. From one section of the field to the other, the farmers observe the sorghum plants and…
Fisheries governance watchdog Accountability.Fish today released previously secret deliberations from an international fisheries decision-making body, publishing its first-ever RFMO Tracker detailing the outcomes of the recent IATTC (Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission) meeting in Victoria, Canada. Key decisions included a watering down of key proposals due to the interventions of China, Chinese Taipei, and Japan, and…
Writes Bernard Marr As climate change continues to pose an enormous threat to our planet, we must explore innovative solutions that can help mitigate its impact. One of the most promising tools in our arsenal is artificial intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize our approach to addressing global challenges. Let’s take a look…
Writes Dr. Deckster Tony Savadye, CEO and Registrar of the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe Zimbabwe, like any other country in the world, has experienced climate change. The country has been experiencing frequent droughts, the emergence of new diseases and pests, and also increase in temperatures. The adverse effects of climate change have therefore affected…
The Pan African Parliament (PAP) has noted with grave concern the circulation of a fake story on various social media platforms alleging that the President of the Pan African Parliament, His Excellency, Chief Fortune Zephania Charumbira, has been fired from the Pan African Parliament on allegations of embezzling close to USD 1.2 million. The…
Twenty-two (22) newly elected Kadoma City councillors were sworn in at Kadoma Town House on Thursday to start their term of office in a City where poor service delivery is at its lowest due to alleged mismanagement. Kadoma City Town Clerk, Mr Malvern Madondo presided over the swearing-in of the councillors, but the election of…
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: After three days of extensive deliberations around the devastating impacts of Climate Change across the continent and globally, African political and business leaders in Kenya have adopted the Nairobi Declaration to raise US$23 billion for green growth, mitigation and adaptation to address climate challenges in Africa. The declaration was announced…
Writes Isabella Dzova, founding director of MH263 Mental Health 263 (MH263) is working to change the conversation from suicide to suicide prevention, promoting actions that can aid healing by offering help, resulting in hope. “Our actions, no matter how big or small, can provide hope to those who are struggling. We can all prevent suicide by…
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: COP28 President-Designate, Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has called on leaders from both the public and private sectors to go to COP28 with real and actionable commitments to address climate change. Speaking on the margins of Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya, Al Jaber noted that the globe needs to rapidly…
Writes Marlvin Ngiza The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endorsed better recognition of all stakeholders that have been committed to improving universal literacy saying it is crucial for the development of societies. However, there are concerns that literacy challenges still persist due to the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, conflicts, and economic…
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: Nearly US$3 trillion is needed to implement Africa’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). This figure was discussed at the eleventh Conference on Climate Change and African Development (CCDA11) during a session on climate finance, moderated by Harsen Nyambe of the African Union Commission. There is a substantial financial gap in climate…
With a focus on accelerating the Southern African Development Community (SADC)’s development through the socially accountable generation and use of public resources, non-state actors under the economic bloc will convene a dialogue under the auspices of the Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan(RISDP) 2020-2030. Taking place from 13-14 September 2023, there will be parallel, integrated regional…
…Malawi MPs Yeremiah Chihana, Steve Mikaya, and others from other countries also implicated The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) has uncovered a plot by some of its members led by Dr. Ashebiri Woldegiorgis Gayo to oust the current President, Chief Fortune Charumbira from his positions against rules and protocols governing PAP. In an internal memorandum written to…
Writes Marlvin Ngiza Young women and girls in Victoria Falls have appealed to responsible authorities to avail more empowerment opportunities for them and continue increasing access to such services and information to ensure that no one is left behind in line with the mantra of the country. This was said by Young Voices Secretary, Nyasha…
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nigeria’s Anambra State Government to collaborate on state development efforts through the provision of project preparation and advisory services, including a potential debt financing programme of up to US $200 million. Under the terms of the MOU signed by Mrs. Kanayo Awani,…
EU shouldn’t have let Southern Cyprus join the bloc after it rejected a UN peace plan, says Jack Straw Ahmet Gencturk | ATHENS Former British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Thursday called for a two-state solution to the longstanding issue of the divided island of Cyprus, should talks for a charter for a united island…
Writes Elvis Dumba Harare – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) is offering a US$1000 reward for information on the whereabouts of Citizens Coalition for Change Spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi and two others. In a police statement issued on Thursday, Zimbabwe Republic Police said they are offering US$1000 in cash to anyone who supplies credible information leading…
The number of invasive alien species is increasing at “unprecedented” rates, and more than 3,500 of these are harmful, causing biodiversity loss and threatening ecosystems around the world, a United Nations-backed report says. The report by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), warned that the increase of invasive alien species and their negative impacts…
Seasoned political analyst and human rights defender, Abigale Mupambi has issued a statement to political players urging them to unite for the good of Zimbabwe. She acknowledged that indeed people may have differences in opinion due to different political backgrounds, especially soon after the political contestations in the just-ended harmonized elections of August 2023. “Having…
Writes Baboloki Semele Nairobi, Kenya: 07 September 2023: The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Acting Executive Secretary, Antonio Pedro has challenged African leaders to accelerate climate action through effective strategies to ensure a just transition. Mr. Pedro said this in his closing remarks during the three-day 11th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa…
Africa has lost an opportunity to call out climate injustice and stop fossil fuel pollution, says ActionAid International as the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi ended. As governments, multilateral organisations, private sector players, and civil society from across Africa end their meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, for the 2023 Africa Climate Week and the summit, ActionAid…
Staff Writer His Excellency, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) was made aware of the financial incapacitation of the Pan African Parliament resulting in the latter’s inability to convene the statutory Committee Sittings in August as well as the plenary session in October/November due to the inadequacy of the budget…
The COMESA Climate Change Programme held its inaugural Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Capacity Building Initiative for enhanced Transparency (COMESA-CBIT) Project that is supporting 4 COMESA Member States (Eritrea, Comoros, Seychelles and Zambia) capacity for enhanced transparency in climate change Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) as defined in…
Writes Elvis Dumba Mutorashanga – Zvimba North Constituency Legislator who was accorded a second term by the electorate after a landslide victory in the country’s last month harmonized elections has already started fulfilling her elections pledges in the constituency. Hon Marian Chombo donated a variety of textbooks to Windsor Primary School near Mutorashanga as she…
