Festival celebrates inter-cultural diversity

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri   The Harare International Carnival is meant to unify people and celebrate inter-cultural diversity, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.   The Vice President, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs made the remarks at the Carnival Welcome reception held at Harare International Conference Centre…

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Media plays critical role in disseminating climate change information

By Byron Mutingwende   The media plays a critical role in the dissemination of climate change information, an official from the Government of Zimbabwe has said.   In his remarks at a climate change reporting workshop held at Cresta Jameson Hotel in Harare on 7 September 2017, Tirivanhu Muhwati, a Climate Change Scientist in the…

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Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democratic societies

By Byron Mutingwende Indeed, free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democratic societies. In the same spirit, ahead of the 2018 elections in Zimbabwe, the Government of Japan, through the Project for Supporting Fair and Transparent Elections is contributing USD 1 million to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Capacity Building (ZIM-ECO) initiative implemented by the…

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ZICHIRE-BC Target Youths on SRH Issues through Sports

By Edward Makuzva Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research Project Behaviour Change (ZICHIRE-BC) is targeting youths in sports initiative as a platform to raise awareness on key issues impacting their lives including HIV and AIDS, drug abuse as well as Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) issues. In an interview, on Saturday during the under 21 challenge soccer league invitational…

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Econet’s Elevate youth empowerment initiative creates employment

Unveils $600-per-month youth job opportunity Programme set to create thousands of jobs   Elevate Club, a youth empowerment initiative supported by the Econet Group, has launched the Elevate Virtual Agent Programme (EVAP) which is set to deliver thousands of jobs for young Zimbabweans and create the opportunity for its members to earn up to $600…

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Zim Results Based Financing to guide Gambians on implementing MCNH Project

By Byron Mutingwende   A delegation from Gambia is in Zimbabwe to exchange notes with the country on how to implement results based financing (RBF) on maternal and child nutrition health (MCNH) project, it has emerged.   Speaking at a welcome reception for the Gambian delegation in Harare on Monday 3 September 2017, Aldrin Musiiwa,…

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All set for the 2017 Harare International Carnival

The much hyped 2017 Harare International Carnival has already been set in motion with the confirmation of participation by both local and international entertainers. In  her comprehensive update on the Harare International Carnival at a press conference in Harare, Anastancia Ndhlovu, the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry said preparations for the showcase were…

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Book explores genesis and evolution of developmental states

By Byron Mutingwende   The book ‘Towards Democratic Developmental States in Southern Africa.’ explores the genesis and evolution of the ‘developmental state’ concept flagging out useful lessons from the East Asian tigers and presents the conditions necessary for the emergence and consolidation of a ‘democratic developmental state’ in Southern Africa.   Authored by renowned authors,…

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Private sector should play active role in renewable energy

PRIVATE players in the green energy sector should come up with convincing and bankable project proposals if they are to meaningfully contribute to development in this critical industry in the wake of a global shift from traditional sources and changing energy matrices in the modern world, a top government official has observed. Ministry of Energy…

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Renewable energy drives sustainable development, eradicates poverty

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri   Renewable energy is now at the centre of global efforts of moving towards greener economies, sustainable development and poverty eradication, a senior government official has said.   Speaking at the meeting for nexus ministries in Harare on 31 August 2017, Patson Mbiriri, the Permanent Secretary for energy and…

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Mobile registration information inadequate: ZESN

By Byron Mutingwende The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has said that the time to educate and sensitise citizens about the commencement of the mobile registration exercise is inadequate. “The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) notes an article published by the ZBC News on the mobile registration of Zimbabwean citizens by the Registrar General (RG)…

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UN Hails good working relations in Zimbabwe

By Edward Makuzva The partnership between Zimbabwe and United Nations (UN) is guided by the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework, ZUNDAF, which is a strategic programme framework to support national programmes priorities. Addressing delegates on Friday, in the capital UN Communications officer, Tafadzwa Mwale added through ZUNDAF, the UN in Zimbabwe helped the government in…

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Entrepreneurship through technology transfer empowers youths

By Byron Mutingwende   The government is fostering the development of entrepreneurship among the youths through a technology transfer programme.   In his address at the Funding Innovative Capacity Development (FICAD) project spearheaded by the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) and the Zimbabwe Economic Policy Analysis and Research Unit (ZEPARU), Dr. Desire Mutize Sibanda, the…

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Zimbabwe urged to embrace industrialisation in line with SADC roadmap

By Byron Mutingwende   The implementation of the Action Plan for Industrialization is an initiative that should be driven at national level with the Southern African Development Community (SADC) only playing a supportive role.   Speaking during the SADC Industrialisation and Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) workshop held at the Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare on…

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CWGH embarks on typhoid awareness clean-up campaign

By Patricia Mashiri The Community working group on health (CWGH) has embarked on typhoid awareness clean-up campaigns following the massive outbreak of typhoid in Hatcliffe. The clean-up was held under the theme “a clean and health environment is your right and responsibility”. In his opening remarks during the clean-up campaign on Friday 25 July 2017,…

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UZ slammed for refusing admission of student activist

By Patricia Mashiri In a development that is likely meant to muzzle student activism, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) authorities have rejected an application for Masters Studies by the institution’s former SRC Vice President, Zivai Mhetu. Mhetu, who is also the national spokesperson for ZINASU had applied for admission as a Masters student in International…

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Nurses threaten strike and withdrawal from Health Services Board

By Byron Mutingwende   The nurse managers and educators in government are bemoaning the deteriorating conditions of service since the enactment of the Health Services Act in 2005.   Speaking at a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Harare on Friday 25 July 2017, Simangaliso Mafu, the President of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association said there was a…

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ILO Decent Work Programme to enhance gender equality

By Byron Mutingwende The Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) initiated by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a vital instrument for promoting gender equality and non-discrimination and raising the visibility of women workers rights. Guebray Berhane, the Senior Communication Officer at the ILO Regional Office for Africa made the remarks during the ILO Validation Workshop…

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Command Agriculture Scheme Exhibiting at Harare Agricultural Show

By Patricia Mashiri The command agriculture scheme that is being spearheaded by the government with the aim of ensuring food self-sufficiency is exhibiting at the 2017 Harare Agricultural Show. The scheme aims to boost agricultural production. Farmers receive loans in the form of irrigation equipment, inputs and chemicals, mechanised equipment, electricity and water payment, which…

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ILO workshop seeks to promote media communication of labour rights

By Byron Mutingwende The International Labour Organisation (ILO) identifies the media as a key player in fighting injustices associated with labour and is holding a media workshop with journalists in Livingstone, Zambia, in pursuit of promoting communication of workers’ rights. Speaking at the workshop dubbed “Communicating Labour Rights”, Alexio Musindo, the Director, ILO Country office…

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ILO Future of Work Initiative hailed

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) launches on Monday 21 August 2017 a high-level Global Commission on the Future of Work initiative. Two serving heads of state or government co-chairing the Commission: Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius, and Stefan Löfven, Prime Minister of Sweden will chair the commission. The Commission brings together some 20 experts from…

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OPC at 2017 Harare Agricultural Show to enhance food security

The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) is exhibiting at the 2017 Harare Agricultural Show in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (ZIMASSET)’s goal of enhancing food and nutrition security. “The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) stand will exhibit under the theme: Zim ASSET Fostering Linkages in the Seed…

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Netone launches OneCover and OneTech to transform lives for better

By Byron Mutingwende   One of the leading mobile telephony service providers, NetOne is set to transform the lives of the generality of the Zimbabwean population following its launch of two important products namely OneCover and OneTech.   Speaking during the launch in Harare on 17 August 2017, Brian Mutandiro, the NetOne Acting Chief Executive…

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Mugabe University Grant: A Case of Misplaced Priorities: CiZC

By Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) is alarmed and worried at the wanton abuse of public funds following the award of close to US$1bn to President Mugabe to build a private university.  The award follows an approval by cabinet to build a US$1 billion university in Mashonaland Central Province through a…

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Media portrayal and employment conditions of PWDs still worrisome

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri The portrayal of people with disabilities (PWDs) and their employment in the sector still remains worrisome with stakeholders calling for an inclusive approach towards addressing the needs of this marginalised group. In his opening remarks at a workshop dubbed “The Media and Disability: Opportunities and Challenges” held in Harare…

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Green initiative to steer industrial transformation

By Byron Mutingwende The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), the Government of Zimbabwe and the Business Council for Sustainable Development of Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) are partnering in pursuit of a Green Industry Initiative to promote industrial energy efficiency and embrace renewable energy for productive use. It has emerged that despite the existing knowledge on energy…

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RBZ, Miracle Missions, ARC promoting financial inclusion and good health of PWDs

By Patricia Mashiri and Byron Mutingwende In an effort to promote financial inclusion among people with disabilities (PWDs) and afford them quality health services, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), the Adult Rape Clinic (ARC) and Miracle Missions partnered to capacitate this excluded group. In her speech at the networking meeting with PWDs held at…

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2017 Harare Agricultural Show comes as country attains food secure status

By Byron Mutingwende   Preparations for the 2017 Harare Agricultural Show are exciting as they follow a successful agricultural season with food security assured, it has emerged.   In his address while addressing journalists on the preparations, Dr. Anxious Masuka, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) said the Harare Show sought…

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Promote good corporate governance and accountability – local authorities urged

By Byron Mutingwende and Patricia Mashiri   In order to build a positive image and attract investment, local authorities have been urged to espouse good corporate governance and accountability in their day-to-day operations.   In his remarks during the official opening of the 2017 Local Government Investment Conference (LOGIC) held at the Harare International Conference…

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Implement human rights treaties and obligations: Government urged

By Byron Mutingwende The government has been urged to implement various human rights treaty obligations it has ratified in order to promote peace and democracy. This emerged at a capacity building workshop held in Harare on Monday 31 July 2017 where government representatives reinforced Zimbabwe’s commitment to implement, monitor and report on the country’s human…

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ERC hails progress towards electoral transparency

The Election Resource Centre (ERC) – an independent electoral management body, has welcomed progress made by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) towards enhancing transparency. In a statement, the ERC welcomed Statutory Instrument 85 (S.I. 85) of 2017 that was gazetted by ZEC on the 21st of July 2017 which outlines new voter registration regulations ahead…

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Ensure equal representation of women and men in politics and decision-making

By Byron Mutingwende   Calls for ensuring the equal representation of women and men in politics took centre stage at the consultative workshop for “increasing women participation in decision making” held at the Harare International Conference Centre in Harare on Wednesday 26 July 2017.   In her remarks during the workshop, Nyasha Chikwinya, the Minister…

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Concern over increase in child marriages in Africa

By Nevson Mpofu The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, also known as UN Women, working together with the Women Coalition of Zimbabwe and Child Coalition have expressed concern over the increase in cases of child marriage and welcomed the new legislation to address the vice. Taking heed to India’s Founding Father,…

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Preparations for the Premier Showcase Market at an advanced stage

By Judith Kajuma Preparations for the women’s premier showcase market that will run from the 27th to the 29th of July at the Long Cheng Plaza in Harare are at an advanced stage. The Entrepreneurs will be showcasing high quality handmade artisan products and traditional foods that support local communities. Professor Hubert Gijzen, UNESCO Regional…

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