African leaders laud AfDB President for visionary leadership amid COVID crisis

South Africa’s President and African Union chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa and the Nobel peace laureate and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf have commended Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), for his visionary leadership and bold initiatives to accelerate Africa’s development and to support the continent through the COVID-19 crisis. President Ramaphosa expressed…

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Law Society, Veritas comment on Deferment of Rents and Mortgage Payments (SI 96 of 2020)

By Veritas On the 3rd of May 2020, the Law Society of Zimbabwe published a critique on the impact and legitimacy of SI 96 of 2020.  The Law Society’s critique is reproduced here with the kind permission of the Executive Director of the Law Society, Mr. Edward Mapara.  Statutory Instrument 96 of 2020, inter alia, allows for…

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Japan provides nutrition, HIV/AIDS and WASH support for women and children in four districts across Zimbabwe

The Japanese Government has contributed over US$450, 000 to provide life-saving nutrition, HIV/AIDS and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) interventions to communities affected by drought and floods. The project will be implemented in four food-insecure districts, namely Binga, Buhera, Chiredzi and Masvingo, through UNICEF in collaboration with the Government of Zimbabwe. It will particularly focus…

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Business returns to normal in Bulawayo

By Habakkuk Trust The relaxation of lockdown regulations threatens to reverse the gains made by the Zimbabwean government in combating the Covid-19 virus. The government of Zimbabwe enacted  Statutory Instrument 99 of 2020 in line with Presidential proclamation on the easing Covid-19 national lockdown regulations. Provisions of the statute make the wearing of masks mandatory…

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Reflections on costing of agricultural commodities – thanks to COVID19

By Charles Dhewa In addition to disrupting food supply chains, COVID-19 has presented a pricing headache for smallholder farmers in African countries. If government directs supermarkets to revert back to pre-COVID19 prices they can easily do so because they have a tradition of keeping records on stocks and prices.  On the other hand, mass markets…

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United States assistance to Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 national response now exceeds US$6 million

Through the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States has committed US$3 million from the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support Zimbabwe’s COVID-19 National Preparedness and Response Plan.   This new donation brings to over US$6 million the total amount that the United States has committed to…

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Disability isn’t inability: Laizah Singadi’s Book “Akarangarirwa Pakukutu”

In her book, “Akarangarirwa Pakukutu” – a Shona Novel, Laizah Singadi reminds humankind that no one chooses to be born with a disability hence the need to treat everyone as equal. “Everyone born with a disability should be respected. They are people like us and are only differently-abled. These people actually possess talents or gifts…

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Implementing democratic media reforms is not rocket science: MISA Zimbabwe

By Golden Maunganidze (MISA Zimbabwe Chairperson) This year’s World Press Freedom Day commemorations on 3 May 2020 come on the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s 40 years of independence and ahead of the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration in 2021. The Windhoek Declaration which asserts that free media is essential to democracy and a fundamental…

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VAYA Express Medical Deliveries offers free delivery of medicines

VAYA Express, through VAYA Express Medical Deliveries, is now offering free delivery of medical supplies to assist Zimbabweans in need of critical medicines and drugs during the restrictions imposed due the COVID -19 pandemic and beyond. VAYA Express Medical Deliveries is collaborating with Maisha Health fund (formerly Steward Health) to help people in need to…

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Coronavirus Updates: Intrigue behind the pandemic’s origins

By Avi Selk The latest The mysterious origin of the novel coronavirus is now a matter of international dispute. The U.S. intelligence community concluded the virus is not man-made in a new report, but would not rule out the possibility that it was accidentally released from a virology lab in Wuhan, China, where the outbreak began late last…

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COVID-19: Whither tourism in the era of a socially isolating world?

By Tatenda Mabara (Researcher) The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all sectors of the global economic ecosystem and the tourism and hospitality sector will experience the most severe impact. This is mainly because tourism is increasingly hypermobile and largely based on interaction among people. Based on the latest COVID19 induced developments such as quarantine measures, travel…

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Government committed to creating a clean environment in the fight against COVID-19

By Joyce Mukucha  As the world is experiencing unprecedented crises caused by the COVID-19, the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry continues to stand with citizens in this difficult time as it commits to support the National fight against the pandemic. In his national clean-up campaign statement, the Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism,…

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ZELA commemorates 2020 International Workers’ Day

By Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association joins all the citizens of Zimbabwe and the world in celebrating the past and present victories of workers while making clear the organisation’s commitment to continue defending the workers’ labour struggles. The 2020 International Workers’ Day is being commemorated under a different atmosphere. The day…

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Cassava Remit boosts livelihoods as World Bank hails remittances as essential service

In more developed countries whose economies are better off than most in sub-Saharan Africa, a strong safety net of social programmes, unemployment insurance, and direct payments will make all the difference in the depth of the current COVID-19 induced downturn and will speed up economic recovery. But for poorer countries, and in the short to…

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Worker’s Day Solidarity Message: COVID-19 – Tribute to Frontline Health Workers

By Community Working Group on Health This year’s national Worker’s Day theme; “Stop Covid-19 Pandemic: Scale-up social protection and dialogue, save jobs and pay a living wage”, befits the current environment which emphasizes stopping the spread of the virus and urging employers to pay wages that sustain families, especially during this lockdown period. It is…

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Make use of only accredited installers and agents: DStv

MultiChoice Zimbabwe has sent out a reminder to existing and potential DStv viewers that they should make use of only accredited installers and agents when they need installations or other technical support services. Several customers have reported being given defective or substandard products and  inadequate support from people posing as DStv installers and agents, but who…

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Mr Eddie Chibi

Steward Health rebrands to Maisha Health Fund, offers greater value

Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe has rebranded its medical insurance business Steward Health to Maisha Health Fund. Announcing the move, Cassava Smartech CEO Mr. Eddie Chibi said the rebranding would reposition the business to reflect its enhanced product packages. “The rebranding reflects our drive to enhance our medical insurance offering to leverage our digital platforms and promote…

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COVID-19: African Development Institute to hold a virtual seminar

WHAT: E-seminar on COVID-19 macro-economic policy planning for Africa WHO: African Development Institute, African Development Bank Group, partners WHEN: Wednesday, 29 April 2020; 14:00 – 1800 The African Development Institute (ADI), jointly with anchor economic policy think-tanks and universities in Africa, including the African Economic Research Consortium, will host a virtual seminar on macro-economic policy…

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Charities distribute aid as part of early response to food insecurity in Senegal

Humanitarian agencies in Senegal are this week distributing aid as part of an early response to food shortage, which has been caused by the late onset of rainfall last year. This early action will help alleviate the suffering of those affected and reduce the need for them to resort to negative coping actions such as…

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ILO survey explores nexus between COVID-19 and youth employment

To bring youth voices to the forefront of action and policy responses, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Global Initiative on Decent Jobs for Youth, together with its partners, including the UN Major Group for Children and Youth, AIESEC, the European Youth Forum, the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa and the United Nations…

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It’s time to target those who stole public money to fight the Coronavirus

By Joseph Hove Everyone knows our country is in desperate economic and social dire straits. Zimbabwe’s food situation is worsening by the day as more than 4,3 million people will be food insecure by June this year a food crisis a recently released report has revealed. According to the Global Report on Food Crises for…

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Masiyiwa in humanitarian plea to global funders to support Zimbabwe and Sudan

Businessman Strive Masiyiwa has appealed to the World Bank, the IMF and other multilateral institutions for humanitarian support for Zimbabwe and Sudan in the wake of the economic devastation brought about by the COVID-19 Coronavirus epidemic.  Said Masiyiwa in his appeal:  “As many of you on this platform know, I have been at the forefront,…

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Women leaders rise in solidarity to save lives and protect livelihoods

“Rise for All” calls on all leaders to meet the human crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and fully fund the UN Response and Recovery Trust Fund Supporting the UN Secretary-General’s call for solidarity and urgent action in response to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19, an initial group of prominent women today joined a global advocacy…

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Official COVID-19 Information Hub available free through SMS for Econet mobile users

The Ministry of Health and Child Care and UNICEF have made the Official COVID-19 Information Hub available through SMS free for Econet Users. With the support of Econet, access to the Information Hub is available by sending an SMS from any mobile phone. Simply text the word “Hi” to the number 2019. Econet has over…

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Zimbabwe rated as one of the world’s top global food crises in a new United Nations report

Zimbabwe remains in the grip of severe food insecurity, with millions of people already requiring humanitarian assistance due to prolonged drought, climate-related shocks, economic deterioration and the situation set to worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads, according to the new Global Food Crisis Report Forecast (GFCRF). The joint report, released by the European Union, FAO, OCHA,…

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How COVID19 has exposed limitations of colonial food systems in Africa

By Charles Dhewa The majority of developing countries are still to tear themselves away from the colonial set up where major food markets were located in cities or towns in order to provide food for low income people working in formal industries. Under that arrangement food had to travel from rural areas most of which…

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Demolitions amid COVID-19: Vendors appeal for cushioning fee

Vendors representative associations are concerned about the delays in the payments of the cushioning grants that were supposed to cushion them and informal traders following the COVID-19 lockdown and government-sanctioned demolitions of their working spaces. As a result, they are calling upon government through its relevant ministries to provide information on progress made so far….

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Afreximbank Announces $3 Million COVID-19 Response Grant for African Countries

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced a $3-million grant to complement continental efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Afreximbank President Prof. Benedict Oramah, who made the announcement in Cairo, said that the grant was in response to a request by African heads of state, through the auspices of the African Union Chair Person, Cyril Ramaphosa, President…

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PAZ Condemns Attacks, Urges Commuters To Abide By The Law During Lockdown

By Ronnie Chisamba in Kadoma The Passengers Association of Zimbabwe  (PAZ) has condemned the recent attacks on commuters by members of the police and the army, at Waverly Bus Station. Tafadzwa Goliati, the president of PAZ said his organization did not support human violations. He also encouraged travellers to abide by the law to avoid confrontations …

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COVID-19: Adam Molai Foundation donates food parcels to the needy

The Adam Molai Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organisation running programmes to ease poverty amongst underprivileged, has come to the rescue of nearly 100 families in Marondera amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With the effects of the pandemic being felt globally, the foundation has pushed to continue supporting the communities who need food assistance the most. The…

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The fight against malaria must continue: CSOs

By Civil Society For Malaria Elimination The malaria affected community and civil society recognize the devastating effect malaria has on the lives of thousands of people each year and would like to reflect on progress, challenges and recommendations as we commemorate World Malaria Day on April 25TH2020.  From 2000 to 2015, several countries made tremendous…

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Silveira High School Alumni medical practitioners give back to Bikita community

Dr. Celestino Dhege, a former Silveira High School student and the Vice President of Infection Control Association of Zimbabwe teamed up with Professor Jacob Mufunda and Dr. Thalia Mungwari on the noble initiative to train health workers on managing COVID-19 in Bikita District. “I offered to provide a three-hour sensitisation for health care workers in…

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TelOne, NetOne jointly unveil COVID 19 Response of ZWL$10 Million Support Facility

TelOne and NetOne announced the setting up of a joint COVID 19 response support facility to the tune of ZWL$10million. The two companies extended their business collaboration to establish a sustainable response plan which will benefit three public hospitals namely Sally Mugabe (formerly Harare Hospital), Beatrice Infectious Diseases, and Mpilo Hospitals. Specific areas being funded…

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MSF racing to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in over 70 countries

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are racing to respond to the coronavirus pandemic in the more than 70 countries where we run existing programs, while opening projects in new countries as they become outbreak hotspots. MSF’s response to COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, focuses on three main priorities: Supporting health…

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