Zimbabwe: UN Women, Chiefs’ Council join hands to end child marriages

UN Women in Zimbabwe and the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe have formed a partnership to accelerate the end of child marriage in the country. The partnership, agreed to in January 2019, led to the participation of three members of the Chiefs Council, led by the President Chief Fortune Charumbira, in high level meetings on ‘Transforming…

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Another Big Tourism Investment for Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector continues to make significant strides in increasing investor confidence as its room capacity has been on a sharp rise since the turn of the second Republic in 2017. The country’s Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Priscah Mupfumira yesterday officially opened Mpala Jena Camp at a colourful event last week….

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Vaya to extend services to include tractors and ambulances

By the time the next planting season starts, farmers will be able to find a tractor within minutes, anywhere in Zimbabwe.  This is part of an ambitious plan by Vaya, a division of Cassava SmartTech, to expand the range of services available on its mobility and logistics App.  According to Cassava Smartech Zimbabwe CEO Mr…

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How can developing countries valuate their fluid economies?

A major headache for many developing countries is developing criteria for valuating highly fluid and transitory economic activities that are now more prevalent. Employment creation in agricultural markets and informal business ecosystems is now a major domain for women and youth, most of whom are highly mobile. Economic actors in the trading business specialize on…

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Churches condemn extension of sanctions against Zimbabwe

By Byron Mutingwende   Churches under the banner of the Tehillar Christian Network led by Reverend Sam Malunga have condemned the extension of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West.   The call comes following the European Union’s statement last week that it was concerned about Zimbabwe’s deteriorating human rights record and responded by calling…

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Zim Govt National Data Centre Project 95% Almost Completion

The government says the National Data Centre Project is nearing completion and has called on industry and the continent to invest more in data centers given their importance to regional economies. The Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere said they are forging ahead with the implementation of the national data center project which…

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Charles Mungoshi: The People’s Writer and Doyen of Zimbabwean Literature

By Mbizo Chirasha Time is the healer and Time is also the killer. Seconds grow fat into minutes. Minutes wax into hours. Hours melt into days , days lay their eggs into weeks. Weeks hatch themselves into months. Months bark into dog’s years. Today, we remember the departed literary giant, Charles Mungoshi. Ndiko Kupindana Kwamazuva…

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Youth Dialogue Initiative: Calling For Another GNU

By Tendai Guvamombe Youth Leaders representing various political youth leagues, assemblies and civic societies entered into a marriage of convenience when they launched Youth Dialogue Forum (YoDiF), a move which is likely to inspire another Government of National Unity (GNU) in making. More than nine political parties had their youth representatives endorse the newly found…

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NetOne lights the Social Scenes on Valentine’s Day

Mobile Network operator NetOne lit up the social scenes with its Valentine’s Day campaign that culminated in a dinner for some of its lucky customers. February being the month of love gave NetOne an opportunity to extend love to its valued subscribers through a twelve-day social media campaign dubbed #YourOneYourOnly. The campaign had different themes for…

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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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Liliane Fonds, MIVA, LCDZ vehicle donations alleviates plight of children with disabilities

By Byron Mutingwende   The donation of vehicles by Liliane Fonds in partnership with Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (LCDZ) and MIVA will go a long way in alleviating the plight of children with disabilities.   Speaking during the handover of two off-road Toyota Land-cruiser vehicles to Henry Murray School for the Deaf and Kwekwe…

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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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FAWEZI urges participation in and uptake of STEM by girls

By Byron Mutingwende   The Forum for African Women Educationalists – Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI) is working to promote the uptake and performance of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).   “As an organisation that has been working in schools in Zimbabwe since 1998, FAWEZI has been implementing various projects to promote girls education….

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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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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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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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Parly to Summon Wetlands Invaders

By Tendai Guvamombe The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment and Tourism chaired by Hon Concilia Chinanzvavana has promised to exercise its legislative powers in the quest to protect wetlands from further invasion. Hon Chinanzvavana revealed this yesterday during parliamentarians wetlands tour at various places of Harare along with Harare Wetlands Trust and Zimbabwe Lawyers for…

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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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The Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa Family Foundation Avails $60m for Cholera Fight

The Strive and Tsitsi Masiyiwa Family Foundation and has availed $60 million towards the cholera response in Zimbabwe. Cholera claimed more than 70 lives last year. The commitment from the Econet founders comes on the back of an initial $10 million investment by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe at the onset of the cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe…

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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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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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Bethel Catering Services (T&U Enterprises) the heart of good food

By Byron Mutingwende   T&U Enterprises T/A Bethel Catering Services in partnership with Young Africa Skills Centre Zimbabwe is the heart of good food for all occasions and functions.   Apart from delivering mouth-watering, fresh and healthy food, the facility also offers excellent training for everyone with interest in cooking quality food.   Mrs. Unotida…

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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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National Transport Drivers Association, Tehillar Network geared for success

By Byron Mutingwende   The National Transport Drivers Association (NTDA) in partnership with Tehillar Christian Network has taken bold steps to engage stakeholders countrywide in contributing to reduction of road carnage.   Road carnage remains the top cause of death and in pursuit of mitigating the problem and complementing government efforts, the two institutions convened…

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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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