World Food Programme forecasts global hunger hotspots as new decade dawns

Escalating hunger needs in sub-Saharan Africa dominate a World Food Programme (WFP) analysis of global hunger hotspots in the first half of 2020 with millions of people requiring life-saving food assistance in Zimbabwe, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central Sahel region in the coming months.  The sheer scale and complexity of…

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Appoint Young People Into Ministerial Positions – Dr DD Isaac

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT Zambian International Preacher Dr Prophet DD Isaac has made international headlines after challenging African leaders to embrace generational renewal. Speaking at an over subscribed Cross over night in Chawama Grounds Lusaka Zambia Dr Isaac said ” Zambia and Africa need Generational Renewal. There is a wave of regional Youth Activism an awakening…

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Cassava reports first set of half year results post demerger from Econet

Zimbabwe Stock Exchange Listed entity Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe Limited (CSZL), which has business interests in mobile money, digital banking, insurtech and on-demand services, reported revenue of ZW$946 million for the half year ended 31 August 2019.   The published results are inflation-adjusted, in line with International Accounting Standard 29 on Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies,…

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EcoCash Sets Aside RTGS$5 Million for Small Businesses

Mobile financial services (MFS) wallet to wallet interoperability solution to Mobile Money domination

By Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi Zimbabwe’s cash crisis has created a need for financial inclusion. There is now a need to make banking services accessible and affordable to everyone in Zimbabwe and beyond and has been a buzzword for the last few years. Technology-based financial services have propelled innovation to “bank the unbanked” making daily…

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Need to raise awareness on delimitation process: Report

A majority 83.52 percent of citizens does not know the delimitation process. Of those who are aware of delimitation slightly above a quarter 25.89 percent are aware of when delimitation occurs, nearly a third 29.70 percent have knowledge of the legal framework on delimitation according to final report by Zimbabwe Election Support Network. The report…

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WFP Provides Cash Assistance in Zimbabwe’s Poorest Urban Area and Plans to Expand in 2020

Last week, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Zimbabwe completed its last cash distribution of 2019, which supported some 19,000 vulnerable residents in Harare’s sub-urban district of Epworth. Those deemed most food insecure have been receiving monthly cash transfers from WFP since June, as part of an urban pilot project funded by the…

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Linear agricultural policy approaches that should not spill over into 2020

By Charles Dhewa A couple of questions can motivate African policy makers to think critically and reflect about possible starting points for transforming African agriculture from 2020 and beyond. There is no longer any doubt that most imported policy recommendations have failed to fully develop African economies. To that end, as 2020 beckons African agricultural…

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2019 in Review: The Highs and Lows of Mnangangwa’s Year

By Farai Chirimumimba For President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 2019 has been a year of constant turmoil. On the economic front, he has presided over perpetual failure as he has increasingly relied on his own instincts and underperforming cabinet. In just the last few months, a massive strike by junior doctors has paralysed the health sector. Lawyer…

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Rethinking the control of transboundary plant pests and diseases

… as we commemorate the International Year of Plant Health 2020 By Mathew Abang   In Africa, transboundary plant pests and diseases are costly to combat because control efforts are usually undertaken after huge crop losses have already occurred. Improving national capacities to sustainably monitor, prevent and reduce crop losses will have multiple advantages, but…

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First alternative pneumonia vaccine breaks Pfizer and GSK’s decades-long stranglehold

The World Health Organization (WHO) has just quality assured a third pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV), manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, that protects children against certain types of pneumonia and will be much more affordable than existing vaccines. This critical step will enable countries and treatment providers to procure more affordable versions of the…

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AU “Silence the Guns” to be realized as communities and Heads of State rally around the DPCW

On 21 December 2019, over 300 children from the Atlantis community participated in a peace walk and community clean up at the Dura Park, as a symbol of goodwill and peace over festive season.   The event was hosted by the City of Cape Town, in collaboration with International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), International Women’s…

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Everyone has a duty to fight corruption: President Mnangagwa

By Anyway Yotamu. President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday 20 December 2019 participated in a symposium to mark the United Nations Anti-Corruption Day where he responded to questions and concerns raised by the public on the fight against graft. The UN Anti-Corruption Day falls on December 9. The symposium was organised by the African Parliamentarians Network…

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We target to plant 1 million trees in 5 years: Ruwa Local Board

By Byron Mutingwende   The Ruwa Local Board has set a target of planting over 1 million trees in five years, Benam Nyawo, the local authority’s environmental health officer has said.   Nyawo revealed the plan at the belated commemoration of the National Tree Planting Day at the Chiremba Recreational Grounds in Ruwa.   “Our…

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ZiCHIRe Sport Programme allows adolescents to share experiences on SRHR

By Byron Mutingwende   The Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (ZiCHIRe) through its community sports programme has given an opportunity to adolescents to share their experiences in a relaxed atmosphere by availing netball and soccer tournaments at the Dzivarasekwa Sports Stadium in Harare.   Participants from Sista2Sista Clubs, Brotha2Brother Comprehensive Sexuality Education, parent-child communication from…

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“Merck more than a Father” raising awareness about male infertility prevention and management

Through this story, Merck More Than a Father Campaign highlights the fact the infertility affects both men and women equally; “Merck more than a Father” started in 2018 by raising awareness about male infertility prevention and management and breaking the stigma round infertile couples; Merck more than a Mother started in 2015 with the aim…

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ZPHCA strengthening grass-root women and community resilience to climate change

The Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) is building grass-root women and the community’s resilience  to climate change, it has been established. With support from Huairou Commission, ZPHCA is undertaking efforts to reduce potential impacts of this natural catastrophe by embarking on awareness campaigns, workshops as well as providing peer education and information reading…

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Government condemns school fees hikes and foreign currency payments

By  Anyway Yotamu. Acting Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Hon Kirsty Coventry said schools should not increase fees by over 20 percent without Government approval, and charging in foreign currency is illegal as it is also an offence for schools to sell uniforms or force parents to buy them at selected stores. Minister Coventry…

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AfDB approves $60 million loan to support Elnefeidi Group’s agricultural expansion

The loan is expected to contribute significantly to food security, food import substitution, and household incomes by creating jobs and increasing local productivity and distribution The African Development Bank’s (www.AfDB.org) Board of Directors has approved a $60m loan to Elnefeidi Group Holding Company to help finance its long-term agriculture and food expansion programme. The planned…

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Orange, GIZ alliance to enhance digital employability of 20 000 youths

This partnership will have a long-lasting impact on the economic perspective of young people Recently, Alioune Ndiaye, CEO of Orange Africa and Middle East (www.Orange.com), and Kathinka Kurz, Head of the Development Partnerships Program with the private sector (develoPPP.de) at the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, signed a partnership agreement to develop the…

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NetOne Joins Other Organisations in Assisting Cyclone IDAI Victims

OneMoney Records Growth As Market Gains Confidence

According to the third quarter performance report for the postal and telecommunications sector released by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) Director-General, Dr Gift Machengete in Harare today, OneMoney had the highest market share in terms of  active subscriptions. “The mobile penetration rate increased by 3.4% to reach 88.2% from 84.8% recorded in the…

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Election Resource Centre Launches Electoral Reform Barometer

By Staff Reporter As a continuation of a long standing practice of assessing performance relating to the strengthening of future electoral processes, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) has launched the 5th Edition of the Election Reform Barometer (ERB) which covers the first year of the 2019 to 2024 election cycle. Speaking at a press conference…

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Mixed fortunes in 3rd Quarter Postal and Telecommunication Sector Performance Report

Dr. Gift Machengete, the Director-General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has presented the sector performance report for the third quarter of 2019 that had mixed fortunes for the various stakeholders. Presenting the report at the company’s headquarters, Dr. Machengete highlighted various trends that characterised the postal and telecommunications sector in…

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FINSEC launches GEM SME listing platform

In an effort to bridge the funding gap of SMEs, the country’s first Alternative Trading Platform (ATP), Financial Securities Exchange (FINSEC), launched the Growth Enterprises Market (GEM) Portal. The GEM Portal is a dedicated online Portal designed for micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in need of raising capital for retooling operations, increase productivity, or…

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Burden and responsibility sharing critical for protection of refugees: Mavima

Burden and responsibility sharing are the key pillars of an enhanced protection and assistance regime for 70 million victims of forced displacement of which 25 million are refugees, Professor Paul Mavima, the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has said. Professor Mavima made the remarks at the First Global Refugee Forum held in…

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President Mnangagwa appoints women’s micro-finance bank board

By Anyway Yotamu President Emmerson Mnangagwa in  consultation with the Minister of Women Affairs,  Community,  Small and Medium Enterprise Development has appointed the board of Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank  a two year term from 18 November 2019. The board was commissioned on Wednesday 18 December 2019 at the ministry boardroom in the capital city. Speaking…

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Pure Oil Industries leaves huge footprint in community development

Pure Oil Industries trading as Zimgold, has proved that it not only operating in the country to just generate profits, but rather to also serve the society and impact it in a positive and meaningful way when it honoured charitable organisations and community heroes with one-year supplies of cooking oil. Speaking at the Pure Oil…

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7 Cannabis Strains for Schizophrenia and Psychosis

There are many claims in regards to the medical capabilities of cannabis. The relationship between schizophrenia, psychosis, and marijuana is one that many associate with the medical condition itself. WebMD indicates that the THC in cannabis can result in individuals exhibiting psychotic behaviour. However, CBD, another compound that is present in cannabis, has potential benefits…

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Stakeholders urged to incorporate youths with disabilities in development

Youths who attended a belated commemorative event organised by the Zimbabwe Parents of Handicapped Children Association (ZPHCA) at the Adelaide Acres to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities  in Harare today have urged stakeholders to include them in all spheres of development initiatives in line with the spirit of the 2030 Agenda for…

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NetOne Invites Informal Sector Players to Join OneMoney Deals

By Joyce Mukucha and Anyway Yotamu State owned telecoms provider, NetOne is spearheading OneMoney activations for informal sector players in the Harare Central Business District (CBD) by offering them a merchant code which will enable them to accept OneMoney transactions onto their businesses. The OneMoney platform is connected to the ZIMSWITCH network, a platform which…

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New report: Expanding energy access across Africa offers $120bn a year opportunity to power rural transformation

Achieving universal energy access with the help of mini and nano solutions is vital to meet rising food demand and transform rural lives in Africa, according to a panel of experts Investing in new off-grid and mini-grid technologies to extend energy access across Africa will be instrumental in helping smallholder farmers to meet rising food…

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Coordinated Global Action Is the Best Way to Control the Fall Armyworm Pest

Dealing with transboundary pests is tricky at the best of times. Standards, practices, capacity levels and engagement vary across countries and regions, and responses are often ad hoc and ineffective. However, matters become even more complex when the pest in question flies over borders, threatens the food security and livelihoods of millions, and causes severe…

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Vulnerable migrants are safe and protected in Zimbabwe: Government

By Anyway yotamu and Joyce Mukucha With support from the International Organisation for Migration(IOM), US Department of State Bureau of Population and the European Union, the Government of Zimbabwe has launched the National Referral Mechanism for Vulnerable Migrants in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is a destination for irregular migrants,  asylum seekers, undocumented Labour migrants,  unaccompanied migrant children…

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WHO, City of Harare in partnership to address non-communicable diseases

By Tatenda Mujeyi The City of Harare has received US$100 000 dollar funding from the Bloomberg Philanthropy which will be administered in partnership with the World Health Organisation to curb Non Communicable diseases. “We are gathered here to announce that Harare has joined a global partnership for healthy cities funded to the tune of US$100,000…

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POTRAZ donation enhances ICT uptake among PWDs

By Byron Mutingwende   The helping hand and gesture of love extended to persons with disabilities (PWDs) by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) has been hailed for fostering information communication technology (ICT) among this needy group.   Speaking soon after receiving 20 laptop computers and 20 Fusion software licences from POTRAZ Director-General, Dr….

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2019 Human Development Report: Call for New Approach To Development

As part of the global policy drive, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today launched the 2019 human development report focusing on growing inequalities as the main development challenge to overcome.   The current socio-economic challenges notwithstanding, it is important to note that, between 1990 and 2018, Zimbabwe registered a 13.2 percent increase in the…

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AfDB joins forces with international organisations to help developing countries build resilience to extreme weather

The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) has joined forces with 11 other international organisations to assist developing countries to build resilience against the impact of natural disasters caused by extreme weather. Following a series of deadly weather events that have caused widespread destruction, especially in Africa, the institutions came together at the COP 25 climate change…

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India Pulses and Grains Association to host the Pulses Conclave 2020

India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) is hosting the fifth edition of The Pulses Conclave 2020, its biennial event at Aamby Valley City, Lonavala, Pune, India from February 12th to 14th, 2020. The Pulses Conclave is the world’s largest conference-cum-exhibition on the Pulses sector and this year we expect over 1000 delegates from India and…

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The Role of African Legislators in the implementation of the Paris Agreement

At the occasion of COP25 held in Madrid, Spain on 02 – 13 December 2019, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) joined by the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Africa Group of Negotiators (AGN) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophone (APF) convened non-PAP Parliamentarians from across…

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