FAO, Government of Zimbabwe partner in formulation of gender sensitive land policy

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Zimbabwe is working with Government to develop a Gender Sensitive Land Policy which seeks to improve the land governance system through strengthening of the land administration system thus contributing to national development.   The formulation of the policy, supported through a Technical Cooperation Programme…

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African Private Sector leaders rewrite Africa’s healthcare narrative

GBCHealth, Aliko Dangote Foundation and ECA Collaborate on Inaugural Africa Business: Health Forum 2019 GBCHealth (www.GBCHealth.org), Aliko Dangote Foundation (www.Dangote.com/foundation) and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (www.UNECA.org) jointly held the inaugural Africa Business: Health Forum (www.AfricaBusinessHealthForum.com) on the margins of the 32nd African Union Summit. It brought together leaders from government and business with a strong…

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A Critical Look at China’s One Belt One Road Initiative

By Martin Hart-Landsberg   There are reasons to believe that this strategy is seriously flawed, with working people, including in China, destined to pay a high price for its shortcomings China’s growth rate remains impressive, even if on the decline. The country’s continuing economic gains owe much to the Chinese state’s (1) still considerable ability…

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DStv Prices to Increase as From 1 April

MultiChoice late on Tuesday confirmed 2019’s DStv price increases for its pay-TV packages, that will see an annual subscription increase of between 1.96% and 6.42% from 1 April 2019. The monthly subscription fee for MultiChoice’s most expensive and cheapest packages will remain unchanged, while there’s a price hike for all of the other DStv packages….

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Opportunities in agri-business: Exploiting The Strive Masiyiwa Model

The Founder and Executive Chairman of the Econet Group, Strive Masiyiwa, noted via Facebook that his friend, Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), used to tell him that “Agriculture is not a development activity, but an industry.” That is not far from the truth because the importance of agriculture in Nigeria cannot be…

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Econet unveils community solar programme in rural Matabeleland

Econet has launched a ground-breaking, rural electrification programme worth millions of dollars under the name Ugesi Energy, that is set to help transform rural enterprises and create employment. Ugesi is the second Econet energy business following the successful launch two years ago of Distributed Power Africa (DPA), the group’s commercial solar business with a focus…

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Sport and Recreation Council (SRC) Grilled Over $USD1,2m POTRAZ Loan to ZIFA

Debt-ridden Zifa has sunk into deeper financial problems, as the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) pursues the $1,2 million they loaned out to the football governing body. Zifa board member finance, Philemon Machana once mentioned that they were pinning their hopes on the government settling the Potraz debt, as it had the…

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Embracing SDGs, ISO Standards useful in dealing with developmental challenges

By Byron Mutingwende   Embracing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) Standards is useful in dealing with developmental challenges such as climate change, a development expert has said.   In his remarks at the SDGs and Standards Conference held at Cresta Lodge in Harare on 12 February 2019, Tawanda Muzamwese,…

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Airtel and Telkom Are Merging to Take on Safaricom in Kenya

Airtel and Telkom are merging to create a stronger challenger to the market leader, Safaricom. Indian-owned Bharti Airtel and Telkom Kenya announced a deal to operate under a joint venture company that will be named Airtel-Telkom. The two companies said the deal comprises their corresponding mobile, carrier, and enterprises services but won’t include Telkom Kenya’s real estate…

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ARDA Seeds (Private) Limited Calls for Small Grains Production Support

By Amon Mwashaireni (ARDA Seeds CEO)   The season 2018/2019 is proving to be a drought one in most areas across the country. This has been attributed to the El Nino phenomenon which was rightfully predicted by the Meteorological Services Department. Rightly so, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Rural Resettlement and Climate, encouraged increased production…

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Major boost for Zimbabwe Tourism as Dubai pledges support

The last day of the 7th World Government Summit in Dubai has been a progressive one for the country’s Tourism Industry. This follows Minister Mupfumira‘s successful engagement with the Dubai Tourism Director General Helal Almari this morning. The tourism reengagement plan got a major boost in the meeting as Dubai pledged unconditional support to the…

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Mfundo Mlilo challenges punitive tax

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that High Court Judge Justice Happias will today, Tuesday 12 February 2019, preside over the hearing and determination of an application filed by Mfundo Mlilo, a pro-democracy campaigner, seeking an order to suspend the imposition of a punitive tax on electronic transactions. Justice Zhou will hear…

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Zimbabwe attends the World Government Summit

The Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Priscah Mupfumira is leading an eight member delegation attending the World Government Summit in Dubai. The World Government Summit is a global platform dedicated to shaping the future of governments worldwide. Each year, the Summit sets the agenda for the next generation of governments, focusing on how…

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Delta Corporation Unveils Scholarship Scheme

Delta Corporation has unveiled a two-year bursary programme for a bright, but underprivileged pupil who has passed his/her 2018 Ordinary Level examinations and qualifies for Advanced Level in Masvingo Province. The bursary will cater for the pupil at either a Government or mission school and will cover tuition, uniforms, text books and pocket money. In…

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The importance of closing knowledge gaps in African agriculture

By Charles Dhewa Efforts to modernise African agriculture continue to focus on the supply-side at the expense of the demand side. In addition to infrastructure-driven agribusiness models, there is an unfortunate belief that agricultural extension is the only important form of knowledge in transforming the agriculture industry. Instead of embracing a holistic approach that identifies…

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NetOne Two Executives, Sibusiso Ndlovu and Brian Mutandiro Sent On Forced Leave

NetOne has sent on forced leave its top two executives who are Sibusiso Ndlovu, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) as well as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brian Mutandiro. “One of the two executives was force-marched off the building while resisting the suspension and suspected to be concealing evidence. The two executives will be on indefinite…

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Gemalto Automated Biometric Identification System, LiveScan technology enhances crime fight: Ugandan police

These biometric solutions enable the police force to better solve crimes through the electronic collection, storage and processing of fingerprints, palm prints and facial captures Gemalto (www.Gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, is supplying its Cogent Automated Biometric Identification System (CABIS) (https://bit.ly/2SmrB2t) and LiveScan (https://bit.ly/2I7sM0Z) technology to the Ugandan Police. These biometric solutions enable the police force to…

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Kenneth Makate Told Not to Accept Anything Less Than R650 Million Compensation From Vodacom

Kenneth Makate has sued his former funders, Raining Men Trade, for fraud and is fighting the company’s claim to a share of his settlement with Vodacom. Raining Men Trade was reportedly placed into business rescue this year after not receiving payment from Makate. The company helped bankroll Makate’s court case against Vodacom which sought compensation…

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Most teachers’ unions suspend strike as ARTUZ digs in

A majority of teachers’ unions suspended the educators’ strike following negotiations with the government to improve their working conditions, allowances and salaries but the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union (ARTUZ) said calling off the job action was unfortunate. The Zimbabwe Teachers Association (Zimta) and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) took turns to submit issues…

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Marriott International continues expansion across Africa with three new deal signings

Anticipated new hotels will mark debut in Liberia while strengthening presence in Morocco and Ghana From the Forum de l’Investissement Hôtelier Africain in Marrakech, Marriott International (www.Marriott.com) announced three new deal signings across North and West Africa, reinforcing the company’s commitment to expanding its presence across the continent. The new deal signings highlight the company’s growth…

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Isheanesu Investments leading clothing manufactures in Zimbabwe

By Byron Mutingwende   Isheanesu Investments is the leading company that trains cutting and designing technicians and manufactures a wide range of clothing products in Chitungwiza and the rest of Zimbabwe.   The company has grown big from a humble background. Isheanesu Investment (Private) Limited started with one machine operating from home at 9283 Unit…

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Africa’s Travel Indaba rescheduled due to election in South Africa

South African Tourism has announced that the 2019 Africa’s Travel Indaba will be rescheduled, following SA President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Of The Nation Address last night, 7 February 2019. The President confirmed that the date of the national elections would be May 8, which falls directly within the dates scheduled for the Indaba: May 6…

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Steward Bank set to expand rural loans programme following boost of $100 million from Strive Masiyiwa

Steward Bank’s rural entrepreneurs initiative has been given a five-year grant of $100 million from the family foundation of Econet founder Strive Masiyiwa.   The money is intended to scale up an existing programme that has been going on for the last three years and has already seen Steward Bank disburse $3 million in rural…

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Major new Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme underway in Zimbabwe

The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme is funded to the tune of €45 Million by the European Union through the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), and co-funded by the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM). The SWM Programme is being implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the French Agricultural…

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Teachers’ Job Action gathering momentum despite State Crackdown

Teachers countrywide continue to join the ongoing job action demanding a living wage. A survey conducted by Amalgamated Rural Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) revealed that Matabeleland North province is the most compliant with an attendance of as low as 15%. Mashonaland East is the least compliant with an attendance of 40%. Overall attendance was…

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Masiyiwas Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is By Launching a $100m Rural Entrepreneurship Fund

Econet founder and executive chairman, Mr Strive Masiyiwa and his wife Tsitsi, have launched a $100m Challenge Fund to support rural entrepreneurs and other entrepreneurs focusing on rural areas in Zimbabwe as part of their extensive philanthropic work in Zimbabwe and across Africa. The fund is being financed from their personal resources and will be…

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African consumers need more investment in food safety, new report finds

Development spending efforts should target improved food safety for African consumers, who need greater information and awareness to be able to demand higher standards, finds the Global Food Safety Partnership. More than half of donor funded food safety initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa are focused on overseas markets, with less than half on domestic consumers, a new report…

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How climate change is inspiring intelligent experimentation at grassroots

By Charles Dhewa During times of socio-economic stability, farmers and entrepreneurs can afford to rely on one commodity or value chain.  Not when climate change is announcing itself in unpredictable ways. That is why experimentation is no longer a preserve for schools and universities. Farming areas and markets are becoming laboratories for intelligent experimentation among…

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Drivers reap benefits of partnership with Cassava-On-Demand’s ride service

Drivers of the popular Vaya Ride shuttle service are savouring the opportunity their partnership with Cassava-on-Demand’s ride hailing service has afforded them to generate income and earn a decent living. Several Vaya drivers this week gave different accounts of how the partnership had economically empowered them since the service was launched towards the end of…

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With $100 Million Afreximbank Commitment, FEDA positioned to support African businesses

The operationalisation of the newly-created Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA) moved into high gear today with the holding of the pre-incorporation meeting of the Board of Directors in Cairo. FEDA, a wholly-owned development-oriented subsidiary of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been set up to implement the Bank’s Equity Investment Programme by providing seed capital…

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International Tourist Arrivals Reach 1.4 billion Two Years Ahead of Forecasts

2018 totalled 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals (+6%), consolidating 2017 strong results and proving to be the second strongest year since 2010 Middle East (+10%) and Africa (+7%) grew above the world average while Asia and the Pacific and Europe grew at 6% For 2019, UNWTO forecasts a 3-4% increase, in line with the historical…

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TelOne, Temba Mliswa and Norton Council in massive cleanup campaign

TelOne, in partnership with the Norton Member of the National Assembly Temba Mliswa, local authority for the town and members of the community embarked on a massive cleanup campaign at Ngoni Shopping centre before planting trees at Knowe Primary School in Norton.   TelOne Acting Managing Director, Mr Joseph Machiva said the initiative was in…

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Moovah, Zimpost partnership to enhance convenience for insurance customers

By Byron Mutingwende One of Cassava Smartech’s insurance arms, Moovah, has entered into a partnership with ZIMPOST to enhance convenience for their customers countrywide. Speaking during the unveiling of the partnership in Harare on 31 January 2019, Mr. George Nyashanu, the Managing Director of Econet Insurance and Life, said the move was in line with…

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South Sudan, Africa Energy Chamber partner in petroleum deal

The African Energy Chamber (EnergyChamber.org) has entered into a technical assistance cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan to strengthen the country’s capacity to manage its hydrocarbons sector and wealth. South Sudan has over the past year demonstrated a commitment to peace, which gives the country an opportunity to…

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Vaya Ride service gets positive customer feedback

Convenient, quick, safe and reliable Cassava-on-Demand’s Vaya Ride service has received a boost from customers that have hailed the popular ride service for its convenience, cost-effectiveness, safety and reliability. Barely three months after the online, Uber-like car ride service was launched in late October 2018, Vaya has quickly grown in popularity, especially with busy urban…

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Brazil dam collapse: ILO emphasises on occupational safety

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has reiterated the crucial importance of a functioning system to guarantee occupational safety and health for miners and protection for their communities following the collapse of a dam in Brazil. ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, has issued a statement following the collapse of a dam in the town of Brumadinho, Brazil….

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A legal analysis of Internet shutdown in Zimbabwe

By Veritas In this bulletin we shall examine the legality of the Internet shut-downs against the background of the Constitution, international law and the Interception of Communications Act. On the 15th January, the second day of a stay-away called by the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions, all Internet services across the country were switched off…

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Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2019) With Punch-hole Display, 3-lens Cameras Launched in South Korea

The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2019) was recently launched in South Korea, complete with an Infinity-O display, 6GB RAM, 128 GB inbuilt storage, a triple rear camera, 24 MP selfie sensor, 3,400mAh battery, and a rear fingerprint scanner. Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2019) has been priced in Korea at KRW 599,500 (roughly Rs. 37,800). It is…

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