The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF), a Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) (www.PIDG.org) company, has committed to buy up to US$50,000,000 of a bond issue by Liquid Telecommunications, that was launched on Monday 22rd February 2020. The bond (“The New Note Offering”) aims to raise US$600 million which will be used to refinance existing debt and for…
By Joyce Mukucha The Municipality of Chitungwiza has enforced an order issued in terms of Section 32 (6) of the Regional Town and Country Planning Act (Chapter 29:12) to demolish mushrooming illegal structures, vacate the land and restore the site to its original state by the 23rd of March 2021. This follows development that is…
In its statement on commemorating the National Youth Day, the MDC-T Youth Assembly noted with concern, corruption prevailing in Zimbabwe and said it hinders the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and urged young people to fight against the vice. MDC-T Youth Assembly Chairperson, Yvonne Musarurwa said as leaders of tomorrow, the youth ought to…
Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Gopal Baglay laid the foundation stone for constructing 50 houses at the Walahanduwa Estate in Sri Lanka’s Galle city under Indian Housing Project. He was accompanied by Estate Housing and Community Infrastructure State Minister Jeevan Thondaman and Plantation Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana.In a special video message, High Commissioner Baglay…
By Kumbirai Mafunda On International Mother Language Day, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) called upon policymakers, local and central government to take strategic steps to foster multilingualism and promote the various mother languages in Zimbabwe in order to enhance inclusion in education and broader society. International Mother Language Day is commemorated every year on…
The government’s promise to continue engaging cross-border traders will come as a pleasant gesture to informal business operators, particularly women. The recommitment comes at the time researchers have found out that Covid-19 restrictions, especially border closures in the East African region, have had widespread consequences on cross-border traders. In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, East African…
The ACT Accelerator partnership welcomes over US$ 4.3 billion of new investments from the USA, Germany, the European Commission, Japan, and Canada to fund the development and equitable rollout of the tests, treatments and vaccines needed to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s commitments bring the amount committed to date to US$ 10.3 billion, leaving a funding…
Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) has announced the expansion of their advertising business into overseas markets including the MEA (Middle East, Africa, and Pakistan) region. HUAWEI Ads is a supply-side and demand-side, real-time advertising marketplace through which media companies transact ad impressions with accountability, using programmatic technology, and includes a monetization tool for app publishers. The beta version of…
The NBA All-Star Game starters, comprising two guards and three frontcourt players in each conference, were announced tonight by TNT during TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by CarMax James and Durant to Select Team Rosters in NBA All-Star Draft, Airing Thursday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET on TNT; Western Conference Starter Pool: James, Warriors’ Curry, Mavericks’ Dončić, Nuggets’…
On the commemoration of the National Youth Day, the Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) is urging the youths to take advantage of the land reform and grab the opportunity to venture into the idle opportunities presented in the agricultural sector. “The agricultural sector is the backbone of the Zimbabwean economy. In that regard,…
Following the official ceremony, FIFA President met with the FIFA team working at the regional office Another FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Regional Development Office, on this occasion in Brazzaville, the capital city of the Republic of the Congo, has been inaugurated, furthering FIFA’s commitment to support its member associations on the ground in the delivery of infrastructure,…
By Joyce Mukucha In celebrating the National Youth Day (NYD), the Government of Zimbabwe has promised to provide young people with vast opportunities to participate in national socio-economic development. In a statement, the Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts, and Recreation Dr. Kirsty Coventry said Government understands the needs of young people and on this day,…
By Team Africa Geographic As dusk descends over the red sands of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, her animal choir prepares for another encore-worthy performance. First, the barking geckos emerge to set up the staccato rhythmic accompaniment for what is to come. The pennywhistle arpeggios of the pearl-spotted owlet – disproportionately loud for such a small…
Chris Donkin Facebook reportedly targeted 2022 for the release of a smartwatch the social media giant already has under development, with the device set to feature various links to its messaging platforms. Technology publication The Information claimed Facebook was already in the process of creating the wearable, which would be another foray into the hugely competitive consumer…
By Joyce Mukucha As the fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) is just around the corner, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres and UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen officially launched a new report, ‘Making Peace with Nature’ which is a scientific blueprint to tackle the climate, biodiversity and pollution emergencies. During an online press briefing on…
By Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) Introduction and Background The Minister of Mines and Mining Development has in terms of section 403 of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] increased mining fees by over 800 percent quoting the fees in United States dollars[1] but payable at the prevailing exchange rate. This is highlighted in the…
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) offers new opportunities to transform Zimbabwe into a digitally enabled society by the year 2030, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services has said. He made the remarks during a virtual 4IR summit which is running under the theme” towards a developed economy…
The European Union has said it welcomes further opportunities for continued dialogue and engagement with Zimbabwe and reiterates its ambition for a more constructive relationship. The EU recalls the Council Conclusions of 17 February 2020 and notes with concern that Zimbabwe’s multifaceted and prolonged crisis has further deepened. The bloc said the lack of substantial…
By Tanaka Chidora The second half of my childhood was spent in Mbare. As Mbare citizens, we were at the receiving end of jokes by those who wanted to feel better about their achievements regardless of how small those achievements were. According to them, Mbare was that place where you had to take a bath…
By Joyce Mukucha Following the commissioning of the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT’s) Plant that is the brainchild of the Office of the President and Cabinet in Msasa, Harare, Vice President Kembo Mohadi stressed the need to embrace more digital initiatives. He emphasised that digital initiatives play a pivotal role in the easy access to…
Bernard Marr AI can do incredible things, but just because something is possible doesn’t mean it’s right. There’s enormous potential for backlash against the misuse of AI, and policymakers and regulators will no doubt take an increasing interest in AI. This means it’s vital organizations pursue an ethical use of AI. Here are four ways…
By Joyce Mukucha The Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism, and Hospitality Industry has appointed new board chairpersons for Forestry Commission and Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority (Zimparks). The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu has announced the appointment of Mrs Veronica Gundu Jakarasi as the Forestry Commission Board Chairperson…
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the financing and promotion of the automotive industry in Africa. Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of Afreximbank and Mike Whitfield, President of AAAM and Managing Director of Nissan Africa, signed the MoU in early February,…
Bertalan Meskó, MD, PhD Anti-vaccination (anti-vax) movements lure increasingly more people into skipping potentially life-saving immunisation against infectious diseases, such as measles, mumps, or rubella; highly impairing herd immunity for entire communities. You might have encountered such sentiments on social media, but people living a century before also experienced similar resistance to vaccines during the…
One of the Zimdancehall and award-winning musicians, Soul Muzavazi Musaka who was popularly known with the stage name ‘Soul Jah Love’ has been declared a liberation hero. His hero status was confirmed Thursday afternoon by the Zanu PF Secretary for Administration Dr. Obert Mpofu. Communicating the development in a statement, Dr. Mpofu said, “His Excellency,…
Under the project, Enhancing Multi-Sectoral Assistance to Cyclone Idai Affected Populations in Zimbabwe, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting the Government of Zimbabwe with the provision of transitional shelters to 674 households affected by Cyclone Idai in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts. Among households receiving transitional shelter, assistance is 224 from three formal camps…
By Adam Molai I have noted with extreme dismay Maverick Citizen’s references to Pacific Cigarette Company and myself in its Cartel Power Dynamics in Zimbabwe “expose”. The allegations are completely untrue and without foundation. We would have made this clear had Maverick Citizen afforded Pacific Cigarette Company or myself the opportunity to respond, as required…
By Joyce Mukucha In the quest to improve agricultural productivity, the government is in the process of disbursing motorcycles and mobile tablets to the extension officers. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr John Basera told the media that the provision of extension services will play a crucial role in terms of transforming…
By Grace Goodrich The country seeks to engage local service providers to supply goods and services to gas megaprojects to drive in-country value generation and retention Mozambique defied global investment flows by reporting a rise in deal activity in 2020. Now, the country seeks to engage local service providers to supply goods and services to…
By John Wilson Following up on the theme of changing our ‘machine’-leaning mindsets, whenever we are dealing with life and not machines, I’ve been giving plenty of thought the last few weeks to what most people call ‘weeds’. Many people don’t like this term, especially those who eat them. I’m one of those. My laptop…
New version available for users in Southern Africa Huawei Mobile Services has launched its latest version of HUAWEI AppGallery, featuring a new and enhanced way to discover content – for users in South Africa. The newest update empowers users to smoothly discover an array of new apps, games, and resources on the platform and delve…
Zimbabweans are working on establishing a movement to defend abused countrymen working and residing in the diaspora. The proposal to set up a movement is informed by the need to protect Zimbabweans against their ill-treatment as foreigners in the diaspora. This came out clear on the Africa 54 hot seat platform where one of the…
The leader of the Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) Ms. Linda Masarira has cautioned Susan Mutami against exposing herself to sexploitation. Ms. Masarira was responding to trending tweets doing the rounds on social media whereby Ms. Mutami is exposing pictures of herself in compromising positions with sexual connotations whereby she appeared with several high-profile…
By Joyce Mukucha Bemoaning the negative effects posed by the Covid-19 pandemic on women and girls, the United Nations (UN) Women said it was of paramount importance to build back green, equitable, gender-responsive, and inclusive approaches and activism. In her opening remarks at the UN Women Executive Board First Regular Session 2021, yesterday, the Under-Secretary-General…
By Joyce Mukucha Capgemini Group, a global leader in consulting, digital transformation, technology, and engineering services, has partnered with another global player and the leading European cloud provider, OVHcloud in empowering public and private organisations with secure cloud transformation needs. The new alliance builds on the companies’ long-term relationship in France is aimed at bringing…
By Joyce Mukucha The Office of the Provincial Development Coordinator for Harare Metropolitan Province in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC) has noted with concern the recent unwarranted power outages being caused by overgrown trees and illegal settlements. Following this, residents have been urged to trim trees and remove building structures that…
For those in the business of shipping and grain, 2020 was a rollercoaster ride. Second-quarter lockdowns prompted demand for some grain-based products to spike as consumers stockpiled and splurged on specific goods, including specialty flours. However, overall global economic demand for most commodities fell precipitously, and bulk carrier shipping spot and time charter rates slumped…
By Dr Raymond Chamba It is well. The story of Zimbabwe can never be complete without folks realizing at last that when it comes to this amazing nation now pitifully hobbled with ineptitude, administrative indifference, corruption, sanctions, and general loss of confidence in our greatness….nomatter what we feel, or think – we are sleeping on,…
By Believe Tevera Tobacco contract farming in Zimbabwe does not benefit the ordinary farmer, as it turns farmers into slaves to enrich the Contracting Companies. Farmers are turned into disguised workers for the contracting companies and they are always in debt, leaving them without surplus money to recapitalize and survive. The contracting companies do not…
By Veritas Both the Senate and the National Assembly sat this afternoon, Tuesday 16th February, for their first working sittings of 2021 after their earlier token sitting in late January and early February, respectively. COVID-19 restrictions will be observed at this week’s sittings, so only a very limited number of Senators and MPs will be physically…
Zimbabwe have selected a youthful squad to face Afghanistan in two Tests and three T20 international matches in Abu Dhabi. Tarisai Musakanda, who had not played another Test match since he made his debut away to Sri Lanka in July 2017, has bounced back to reclaim his place in the national side following some impressive…
By Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Following a recent spike in COVID-19-related cases and deaths, Zimbabwe’s already struggling health system is buckling under the pressure. In several facilities, health workers are operating without adequate PPE, medication, equipment and oxygen and, with an existing and ongoing shortage of nurses and doctors, most health centres are unable to operate at…
By Charles Dhewa When policy makers, development agencies, the private sector and ordinary people talk about agricultural markets, they rarely talk about consumer power. There is often too much emphasis on producers, financing, cold chain, transportation, value addition and processing, yet all these are meaningless if efforts are not devoted to understanding the consumer base. Farmers and…
The power sector accounts for up to 41 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions today, with Africa contributing about 2-3%. In parallel, there are still over 580 million people on the continent who do not have access to reliable energy and the demand for electricity is expected to continue to grow as populations increase, industrialization…
The high quality of cameras on smartphones these days mean that you no longer need a professional camera in order to create a masterpiece video. This was proven at the 2020, 48 Hour Film Project competition, held in Durban, where 50 aspiring filmmakers were tasked with creating a short film over a weekend. The competing…
