WTO working group agrees to address critical constraints hindering smaller firms from engaging in global trade by ITC News Members of the World Trade Organization’s Informal Working Group on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (WTO IWG on MSMEs) have released a package of Recommendations and Declarations to support MSMEs to strengthen their engagement in international trade. The…
By Charles Dhewa Digital inclusion, financial inclusion, gender inclusion and several other forms of inclusion have received too much attention over the past few years including 2020. What has been ignored is the mother of all inclusions – knowledge inclusion. All forms of inclusion are meaningless when knowledge existing within ordinary people and communities is…
By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo During former President Robert Mugabe’s era, one would easily recite cabinet Ministers without reading from any script. Alas today, one can only remember maybe less than five Ministers unless one visits their offices. What is the problem? The presidency is not a common position in society, and it must never be…
By Charles Gono The generosity of humanity calls for tenure, supremacy, and vastness but the majority dies in a shadow of the prospect. Great lives are the culmination of great thoughts followed by enormous auditions. Sturdy times never stay but strong people do. No matter how great your dreams are, they are just useless until…
Prince Edward High School Football Academy’s soccer star Antonio Bill (18) dedicates his successful football career to the Zimbabwe Community Health Intervention Research (ZiCHIRe)’s Brotha2Brotha sexual reproductive health rights (SRHR) programmes. In an interview with Spiked Online Media during a soccer tournament held at the Dzivarasekwa Stadium in Harare on 24 December 2020, Bill said…
By Joyce Mukucha As 2020 is winding up with everyone embracing the holiday season mood, the Young Feminist Fund (FRIDA) stands in festive solidarity as it urges everyone to spread love and holiday cheer through the powerful gift of ‘giving’ especially to the less privileged ones. In this year of social distancing where the world…
The Collaborative Africa Budget Reform Initiative (CABRI), in conjunction with the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the International Budget Partnership (IBP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has announced the launching of the Inclusive Budgeting and Financing for Climate Change in Africa (IBFCCA) programme, a SIDA-funded initiative, the Centurion has revealed. This…
NetOne CEO Lazarus Muchenje’s turbulent tenure ended following the immediate termination of his employment contract by the NetOne Board of Directors, which this publication can reveal. The basis of termination appears to be what Muchenje has been clamouring for at the High Court. Since his appointment to NetOne as the Chief Executive Officer, in April 2018…
Cassava Fintech International (CFI), developers of the all-in-one Sasai super App, have unveiled a Christmas promotion for its Zimbabwean users offering Sasai Watch and Sasai Moments for free over the entire festive period, until January 15, 2021. CFI, which last Friday launched Sasai Watch at a virtual media event, announced last yesterday it was offering…
By Lovemore Chazingwa In a world where challenges to business innovation and sustainability are omnipresent, one entrepreneurship mind, Master Coach Dr. Kudzanai Vere, is taking the bull by the horns in a bid to empower avid minds, and sundry, with the requisite knowledge, as well as, skills to stand the heat and be counted among…
By Dr. Stem Life is filled with transitions, so no matter your age or the season, it’s never too late to add healthy habits to your daily routine. As we look into these last days of 2020, I want to encourage you to be hopeful and intentional about 2021. The following are ways you might choose…
With millions of Zimbabweans devastated by a year of drought, rising hyperinflation and COVID-19, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on 17 December 2020 appealed for an additional US$204 million to support over four million of the most food-insecure over the next six months. The appeal comes ahead of the ‘lean’ season, which risks…
By Charles Dhewa In spite of efforts to improve market linkages and direct income to farmers, most African markets continue to be constrained by a disorganized supply of commodities. While the main problem with formal markets like supermarkets is taking fewer volumes and paying farmers peanuts after a long time, for open markets a major…
By Ronnie Chisamba A South Africa-based Zimbabwean teacher and musician, Trust Moyo (47) – aka The Teacher – is making noticeable strides in the development of the music industry in the neighbouring southern state. The revelation was made by media platforms that highlight the achievements of Delta Park School – the school at which Moyo…
One of the financial institutions that have been actively participting in Covid-19 prevention programmes, ZB Financial Holdings(ZBFH) has urged the nation to remain watchful and observant of Covid-19 regulatory measures to consolidate the gains made so far, in the prevention of the pandemic. The call comes at a time when Zimbabwe has recorded 95 new…
By K Rathna (Express News Service) MYSURU: 50-year-old farmer in a village in Karnataka has shown, like Japanese farmer Masanobu Fukuoka before him, that from “nothingness” can emerge beautiful forests and farms. Krishnappa Dasappa Gowda’s farm in Bannur village, T Narasipur taluk, looks less like a typical agricultural field, and more like a forest in all…
Professor Innocent Chirisa, an urban planner of note from the University of Zimbabwe has said citizen engagement is an important ingredient for improved service delivery in local authorities. He was speaking at a workshop organised by the Harare Residents Trust that saw stakeholders drawn from local authorities, the Parliament and residents converging to discuss ways…
Harare based Policy Researcher and Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking Country Director Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo has published a book, “Try New Spanners” set to make significant inroads in the market with personal life-touching experiences that relate to our own situation as a nation. The book points out many areas that commonly affect society’s psychological and…
The National Development Strategy (NDS1) with its emphasis on the Digital Economy as one of the fourteen national priorities for the period 2021–2025 is in sync with driving economic growth, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services has said. He made the remarks at the official launch of…
Since March 2020 over 40 000 Zimbabweans have returned to the country following strict measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Migrants are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and it is for this reason that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding support from the Embassy of Sweden has continued to support the government in strengthening…
Zimbabwe has a strong football heritage. This is proudly shared with the world through the international broadcasts of local games as well as through participation in African and global football tournaments, all of which are televised by MultiChoice’s Zimbabwe’s SuperSport channels. Zimbabweans too, get to enjoy the very best of world football here at home…
By Desire Tshuma In a first in Zimbabwean music industry history, Blessing Muroti Gomo’s launch of a triple album in Harare left fans mesmerised and clamouring for more. It was fireworks at Christ Unveiling Ministries church in the central business district of Harare where the Muroti Movement launched triple albums at once in a highly…
By Joyce Mukucha The Confederation Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has highlighted it is illegal for Zimra to enforce the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on rice in retrospect since the current law does not provide for it. The organisation made the statement following the article which was published in the edition of The Standard on 20…
By Joyce Mukucha With COVID-19 evolving globally, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) has managed to hand over another tranch of its support to Wilkins Hospital. PRAZ is of the view that the donation is key to the nation’s health service response and COVID-19 mitigation measures in particular. The PPEs donation included space suits,…
By Joyce Mukucha Climate change is one of the 21st century human catastrophes with its impacts being felt globally and Zimbabwe has not been spared. These impacts range from increased rainfall variability, prolonged dry spells, heat waves, as well as increased occurrence of extreme weather events such as drought and flooding. The small-scale farmers in…
By Tinashe Eric Muzamhindo A few days ago, I read a statement about the First lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa coming up with an initiative, “National Dress Code”, which she is going to confer or launch. For some of the words, it is the word on the streets, we are not aware of the definition, the…
A young lawyer, Freddy Masirirevu has joined the initiative to educate other fellow men to fight gender-based violence (GBV). Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. On Friday the young lawyer mobilised scores of young people to denounce those who use their political muscles to abuse women….
The Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (ZACRAS) has applauded the historic step taken by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) to license the first three community radio stations in post-Independence Zimbabwe. ZACRAS pointed out that it is the organisation’s fervent hope that the licensed radio stations on campuses will holistically contribute to the development…
Cassava Fintech International (CFI) has added the Sasai Watch feature to the Sasai all-in-one App, in a move that is set to bring artists, entrepreneurs and other African content creators much closer to their audience. Introducing the new feature, CFI said Sasai Watch will provide a platform for Africans and the global community to create…
High Court of Zimbabwe Justice Mangota on Thursday 17 December 2020 granted an order in an application filed by Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association as an Applicant for public interest purposes. The order interdicts Chitungwiza Municipality from releasing sewer into water bodies, watercourses, streams, tributaries, or any part of the environment. Further, the Municipality was compelled to,…
December is usually one of the busiest periods for Zimbabwe’s tourism hub of Victoria Falls, with typical hotel occupancies of around 90%. This year, following the downturn in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism community has been hard hit. Businesses, livelihoods, and local communities have all been impacted. In an extraordinary…
By Joyce Mukucha The Election Resource Centre (ERC) has noted with concern potential challenges emanating from Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in as much as adequate funding is concerned. ERC continues to maintain its position that the government of Zimbabwe must not negate its obligation of adequately funding the Electoral Commission and to institute the required…
By Staff Reporter A week rolls by and we are nearing Christmas, one of the most valued time on the calendar where almost everyone has special plans to celebrate the day in style. It is the period where families look forward to reuniting and spend unforgettable experiences and moments together. What makes the holiday unique…
By Joyce Mukucha It has emerged that a local multitalented woman, wife, comedian, and former gospel singer, Tyra Chikocho affectionately known as Madam Boss is visioning big as she plans to start her own media house. A once housemaid who grew up going back and forth between Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city, and rural areas is…
By Joyce Mukucha With climate and environmental impacts persisting to drastically re-shape the world, as feminists, the Young Feminist Fund (FRIDA) has come to realise that they cannot and must not separate these concerns from their struggles. Young feminist activists are organizing against some of the most rapidly changing contexts the world has ever seen….
By Joyce Mukucha As it launched the #RegisterElectEngage campaign, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) is continuing to make concerted efforts to ensure that non-registrants, especially young people, are able to register to vote and participate in the upcoming by-elections, delimitation process and in preparation of the 2023 harmonised elections. In its 2020 newsletter, ERC, highlighted…
Joyce Mukucha With the support from UN Women, the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) has engaged different women’s rights organisations in setting up a Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (CEWER) system indicators aimed at resolving the underlying and deep-seated causes and drivers of conflicts. Speaking at a CEWER consultative meeting in Harare on…
With funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and nutritional garden training programme for migrant returnees. Developed and conducted by Foundations for Farming (FfF), the CSA nutritional garden trainings encompass all the principles of Conservation Agriculture (CA) and the FfF Implementation…
The Embassy of Sweden in Zimbabwe has further extended its support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its consortium partners for the Protection and Human Rights project. The approved extension of the project seeks to strengthen the current Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) funded “Scaling up Coordinated Protection, Promotion and Enforcement of Human…
Jairos Zondai (not real name) graduated with a degree in veterinary sciences from the University of Zimbabwe at 24 years of age. His mother, a widow, sent him to school as a single parent because his father succumbed to HIV while he was nine years old. Jairos was born with HIV. “I was born with…
By Veritas In a new SI published yesterday ‒ SI 299A of 2020 [link] ‒ the Minister of Health and Child Care further relaxed the national lock-down. The SI is very short – it has only two clauses – but the amendment it makes may be far-reaching. The Position Prior to This Amendment Section 5(1) of the Lock-down…
Global trade is expected to contract by 9.2% this year, having fallen by 2.9% in 2019; Africa’s share of global trade was 2.7% in 2019, below the 4% figure of the 1970s; informal cross-border trade which is a key component of intra-African trade is wide-spread in its composition; the African Trade Report estimates that in…
By Desire Tshuma Blessing Muroti Gomo and the Anointed Singers band on Saturday 19 December is set to launch triple albums in Harare with several top gospel artists gracing the event. Blessing Muroti Gomo is a Zimbabwean born gospel artist who is currently based in South Africa. He has been in the music industry for…
EcoCash, the country’s largest mobile money platform, has given notice to adjust its transaction charges by up to 20 percent. The charges, which were last reviewed back in March, were announced in media notices published on Wednesday (Dec 16). A company spokesman said EcoCash was adjusting its charges, effective January 14, 2021, in order to…
On December 14, five hundred and sixty (560) representatives from 31 religions in 80 countries including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism participated in a Virtual Year-End gathering hosted by Heavenly Culture World Peace Restoration of Light (HWPL). The prayer meeting aimed to reaffirm the religious leaders’ commitment to reconciliation as well as continued participation…
