Africa50, in partnership with US based Foreign Policy magazine, has launched an exciting new podcast series called Africa Forward. Africa Forward tells the largely untold story of how infrastructure is transforming the lives of people in Africa. The four-part series, which begun on Tuesday 26 January 2021, brings major African infrastructure projects to life. It highlights…
On 28 January 2021, US President Joseph R. Biden signed an executive order repealing the harmful U.S. Mexico City Policy, more commonly known as the global gag rule. President Biden lifted these restrictions by signing the “Memorandum on Protecting Women’s Health at Home and Abroad.” “IAS – the International AIDS Society – welcomes the end…
By Professor Arthur G. O. Mutambara Clearly, it is not sufficient to merely articulate the lack of collective agency facing the African continent and its diaspora with respect to the COVID-19 pandemic. We must proffer solutions that address both ‘what’ should be done and ‘how’ it could be accomplished. The Work to be Done on…
By Habakkuk Trust Villagers in Huwana, Bulilima Ward 8 have lost their property and shelter after a lengthy spell of heavy rains that have hit Bulilima District, South West of Zimbabwe. The heavy downpours that are in some cases accompanied by strong winds are ripple effects of tropical storms that have hit inland Mozambique, Manicaland, and…
By Veritas The current tight lock-down has been extended until the 15th February. The lock-down was to have been lifted or relaxed at the beginning of February, but in a statement broadcast last Friday the Acting President, who is also exercising the functions of Minister of Health and Child Care, announced the decision to extend…
Billionaire businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa, who turned 60 on Friday (Jan 29), has spoken of how touched he has been by the thousands of messages he received from around the world on his birthday. The Zimbabwe-born business leader and global influencer took the time to thank everyone – from friends, relatives, Presidents, business associates,…
By Transparency International On 28 January 2021, we released our Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2020, and the results make one thing clear – corruption kills people. COVID-19 is not just a health and economic crisis, but also a corruption crisis. Our research shows that countries where corruption is more pervasive are less able to provide health care for their citizens and…
A new project by the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the International Agroforestry Agency [ICRAF (www.WorldAgroForestry.org)] would bring relief to two Ivorian smallholder cocoa farmers’ communities in Soubre and Vavoua currently grappling with declining yields caused by climate change and worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Without help, some 800,000 Ivorian smallholder farmers, who produce the largest…
By UNWTO Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by 74% according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Destinations worldwide welcomed 1 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions….
By Kumbirai Mafunda A Beitbridge couple has been released from prison after Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) members arrested and charged the duo with publishing or communicating falsehoods by sharing a message on a WhatsApp group stating that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had died after being administered a vaccine to treat him of coronavirus. The couple, Vongai…
The Brave Generation Academy (www.BraveGenerationAcademy.com), a disruptive approach to education that will change the course of schooling, is now looking for people with the passion to make the difference to become partners in opening new educational Hubs across Africa. With an online curriculum that is recognized by the world’s leading universities as the gold standard…
By Joyce Mukucha As the International Day of Women and Girls in Science is just around the corner, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), UN Women, and other UN agencies have urged for commitment to bring and recognize the critical role women and girls play in science…
By Joyce Mukucha In an effort aimed at combating the spread of the COVID-19 virus and at the same time striving to raise global awareness about the high importance of wetlands for people and the planet, the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry is set to commemorate the World Wetlands Day (WWD) online….
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), has been ranked as Africa’s #1 mandated lead arranger in sub-Saharan Africa, according to Bloomberg’s 2020 full-year “Capital Markets League Tables”. This assessment of the Bank’s transactions recognizes the institution’s leadership role in mobilizing capital from both within and outside of the continent from a diverse range of investors and stakeholders for…
The African Union Special Envoy on the COVID crisis, Strive Masiyiwa, has said that Africa will get more than 1 billion doses of vaccines by December 2021. He said international donors had already pledged 700 million free doses this year, using a global finance initiative called COVAX. This would be enough to vaccinate at least…
Rising gospel musician – Minister Lee Mugadza – is set to take the music industry by storm when he launches his third album titled ‘Jesu Aripo’. Minister Mugadza who is known for hits such as Chikwee, Adonai, Munoenda Nesu and many more will launch his new project ‘Juse Aripo’ virtually over the weekend. The South…
A renewed partnership agreement signed by Novartis and the World Health Organization (WHO) will drive the global push towards making leprosy history. The five-year extension of the partnership – which was first signed in 2000 – will see Novartis continue to donate multidrug therapy (MDT) medicines to treat leprosy up to the end of 2025….
By approaching the High Court seeking resolution of employment disputes and unfair labour practices, embattled former Chief Executive Officer of NetOne, Lazarus Muchenje wants to be reinstated to his former position through the back door, Justice Esther Muremba has ruled. Muchenje had approached the High Court on the basis that the letter of termination of…
By Joyce Mukucha Following Zimbabwe’s ratification of the Minamata Convention banning the use of mercury in mining and regulatory measures for its release from industrial equipment, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) said it will continue to fully monitor the use of the substance as a way to reduce or even phase out its usage and…
By Nkateko Mabasa in South Africa Millennials are facing an existential crisis of purpose. Growing up will mean taking leadership responsibility for our own communities. Unbeknownst to most of us, this is the future we are the leaders of! It is clear to all of us that Millennials are struggling as grown-ups. We are adulting…
By Chido Pamela Mafongoya The long-awaited trading within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) finally began on 1 January 2021, marking a very important milestone for African trade. The AfCFTA creates a single continental market for goods and services, with the aim of increasing intra-African trade by reducing tariffs by approximately 90 percent and harmonising…
By Chris Donkin Huawei issued a strenuous denial of media reports claiming it was in talks to sell its flagship smartphone brands to a consortium backed by the regional government in Shanghai. In a statement, a representative for the smartphone manufacturer said the claims were unsubstantiated: “There is no merit to these rumours whatsoever. Huawei…
By Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary Gerneral We begin this year with a heightened awareness of the importance of resilience. The COVID-19 pandemic has reminded us that we cannot afford to ignore known risks. Climate disruption is a risk we are well aware of. The science has never been clearer. We are facing a climate emergency….
With global economic activity stymied by COVID-19 and with air travel falling dramatically, you might think this would limit global warming. You’d be wrong. In December a little-known report warned that we’re on track for a 3 degree rise in temperatures, even if existing commitments are met, smashing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5°C…
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disbursed US$250 million of the US$1.1 billion that supported the acquisition by Trans Niger Oil and Gas Limited (TNOG) of a 45% stake in OML 17 onshore oilfield. With this US$250-million Reserve Based Lending facility, Afreximbank was the largest lender, underwriting about a quarter of the financing that enabled TNOG to…
By Veritas Last year’s Budget Bill – the Finance (No. 2) Bill – was published in the Gazette on the 14th December and three days later was passed by the National Assembly and the Senate with very little debate. Although our Bill Watch of 15th December alerting the public to the publication of Bill mentioned…
Temba Mliswa, the legislator for Norton is inspiring many a farmer in Zimbabwe and demonstrating that with proper planning, blacks can guarantee the country’s food security. Mr. Walter Chigodora, the Managing Director of Agro Yields whose company contracted Hon Mliswa said he was amazed by the good work that the legislator is doing at his…
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) President Ersin Tatar shared his view with the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a telephone conversation during the evening of 25th January and conveyed that a new negotiation ground is needed which is based on the sovereign equality in Cyprus and the cooperation of two states with equal…
On 24th January 2021, over 2 400 attendees from 70 countries, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan joined an online inter-continental peace conference organized by international peace NGO, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL). Under the theme, “The Role of Peace Education in Building a Peaceful World”, the event aimed to raise the…
By Joyce Mukucha As the world is trying to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the crisis is still hindering progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus the 2021 Climate Action Summit (CAS) has launched a ‘Decade of Action’ aimed at delivering action and inspiring change to help societies build better as well as assist…
By Joyce Mukucha The COVID-19 crisis has imperiled progress and impacted a large number of countries and is turning out to be even worse than the critical economic, strategic, and political clashes happening around the world. The outbreak has and still is impacting all industries, including the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Despite the…
By Staff Reporter The Zimbabwe Citizen Forum Leader Alex Gakanje has accused the MDC-Alliance Vice president, Tendai Biti of blocking the nation from accessing the Covid-19 relief fund resulting in the deaths and suffering of poor citizens. Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Monday, Gakanje said the current suffering of Zimbabwe and failure…
By Joyce Mukucha The Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) is bemoaning the challenges being faced by residents in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic in high-density suburbs and other localities across the city. In an interview with Spiked Online Media, CHRA Programmes Manager, Reuben Akili said most of the challenges residents were encountering during these…
Top influential business people and leaders will be attending the Paris Appreciation Awards season 2 starting from 26th January Republic day of India and ending on August 15th independence day of India. The Paris Appreciation Awards 2021 and World Media Network (www.WorldMediaNetwork.UK) is about shining a light on the most innovative businesses globally by promoting success, innovation, and ethics in the Indian,…
By Charles Dhewa Since March 2020 when COVID19 first showed up in Africa, mass food markets have continued to play their critical functions although policy support has continued to be directed to processing companies and supermarkets. In 2021, COVID19 did not just confirm the importance of a strong immune system but has also revealed the strengths…
By The Global Fund For Rosemary Wanjiru, a community health volunteer in Nairobi’s Soweto Village, fighting TB in the time of COVID-19 has meant making impossible choices. For instance, she was torn between keeping herself and her family safe at home or going out to see patients, who desperately needed her help. The mother of…
One-third of all African stories in news outlets on the continent are sourced from foreign news services according to a new report from Africa No Filter (www.AfricaNoFilter.org). The ‘How African Media Covers Africa’, highlights the fact that stories about Africa continue to be told through the same persistent and negative stereotypes and frames of poverty, disease, conflict,…
The Islamic Republic of Mauritania has signed the Agreement for the Establishment of the Fund for Export-Development in Africa (FEDA), a development impact-oriented subsidiary of Afreximbank. The agreement was signed on 6th January 2021 by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania….
By Staff writer South Africa based musician – Nhlanhla Sibanda – popularly known as MuDealer, says he will not let the Covid-19 pandemic derail his progress in the music industry as he is set to release his third album titled ‘Bhera’. MuDealer who has been in the music industry since 2010 has been keeping himself…
By Desire Tshuma GAMMA laboratories proprietor Professor Elopy Sibanda has urged the government to consider the safety of medical practitioners and adequately equip them with enough personal protective equipment (PPEs) so as to successfully win the battle against the deadliest Covid-19 pandemic. As the coronavirus continues to claim the lives of many people around the world,…
By Joyce Mukucha The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe(WCoZ), a non-partisan national network of women’s rights organisations and activists striving for the rights of women and girls has applauded teachers for showing great commitment and creativity in ensuring that education continues to take place as well as guaranteeing that no learner is left behind during the…
By Joyce Mukucha The Government has said it was geared to roll out a number of programs to achieve food security in the country and ensure that by the year 2023, no commodities such as maize and other grains will be imported. The efforts are aimed at ensuring that farmers in the country get adequate…
By Joyce Mukucha As it strives to be a preferred provider of world-class quality, innovative and comprehensive pathological services, the Pathology Laboratories (Pathlabs) has noted with concern the rise in fraudulent activities with regards to the usage of the body’s intellectual property in the form of its letterheads. The letterheads are being used to produce…
By Devin Banerjee, CFA China only big economy to see growth China’s GDP rose by 2.3% in 2020, according to new official data, making it the only major global economy to expand during the coronavirus pandemic. Recovery was led by growth in demand for exports, with fourth-quarter economic activity expanding 6.5% year-over-year, and the country returned to work after…
By Dr Raymond Chamba From early 2009 to the end of 2010 I put together a national primary health proposition under the banner Community Healthcare Options with funds that i made from BACOSSI. It was a bold proposition to roll out within 24 months 500 community primary health care centers all throughout the country. I…
