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…
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) is saddened by the passing of its former Leader, Hon. Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi who passed away on 10 February 2019. Hon Amadi, a national of Nigeria served as President of the PAP between 2012 and 2015. In his condolence message, Hon. Roger Nkodo Dang, the current President of the PAP said, “We accept…
Debt-ridden Zifa has sunk into deeper financial problems, as the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) pursues the $1,2 million they loaned out to the football governing body. Zifa board member finance, Philemon Machana once mentioned that they were pinning their hopes on the government settling the Potraz debt, as it had the…
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,…
Airtel and Telkom are merging to create a stronger challenger to the market leader, Safaricom. Indian-owned Bharti Airtel and Telkom Kenya announced a deal to operate under a joint venture company that will be named Airtel-Telkom. The two companies said the deal comprises their corresponding mobile, carrier, and enterprises services but won’t include Telkom Kenya’s real estate…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Four TM Supermarket employees appeared in court for allegedly defrauding the supermarket of over $1 million. Taurai Madziwanzira, Silas Munyoro, Tafara Matanga and Talkmore Mutsago allegedly swindled a total amount of $1 107 050 which has not been recovered It is alleged that in 2018 the accused persons hatched a plan to defraud TM Supermarkets…
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…
For the first time in more than a decade, a new flavor of Coke is on the way. The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled Orange Vanilla Coke, a new flavor of the classic drink that will hit shelves on February 25. An Orange Vanilla Coke Zero Sugar will also be making its debut. The latest fruit flavor follows…
Uber recently announced a new way for riders and drivers to communicate through the company’s app using voice over internet protocol, or VoIP. Much like Skype or FaceTime audio, Uber’s new VoIP feature uses an internet connection rather than cellular phone service to make calls. The ride-hailing company has been trialing the VoIP feature since…
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…
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…
NetOne has sent on forced leave its top two executives who are Sibusiso Ndlovu, the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) as well as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) Brian Mutandiro. “One of the two executives was force-marched off the building while resisting the suspension and suspected to be concealing evidence. The two executives will be on indefinite…
These biometric solutions enable the police force to better solve crimes through the electronic collection, storage and processing of fingerprints, palm prints and facial captures Gemalto (www.Gemalto.com), the world leader in digital security, is supplying its Cogent Automated Biometric Identification System (CABIS) (https://bit.ly/2SmrB2t) and LiveScan (https://bit.ly/2I7sM0Z) technology to the Ugandan Police. These biometric solutions enable the police force to…
Kenneth Makate has sued his former funders, Raining Men Trade, for fraud and is fighting the company’s claim to a share of his settlement with Vodacom. Raining Men Trade was reportedly placed into business rescue this year after not receiving payment from Makate. The company helped bankroll Makate’s court case against Vodacom which sought compensation…
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…
“We are working hard with governments to improve transparency, governance, accountability and project delivery across the continent. Corruption does not invest in the future, it kills the future,” Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) said at the World Peace Summit of Global Leaders. According to the World Economic Forum, an estimated $116 billion a…
The Association of Healthcare Funders of Zimbabwe has increased the fees payable by its member medical aid societies to healthcare service providers with effect from Monday (February 11). Payments to hospitals have been increased by 30 percent, while those paid to all other service providers, including doctors and dentists, have gone up by 40…
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…
By Tendai Guvamombe The Community Water Alliance (CWA) has expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis of water provision in almost every local authority in the country. The CWA National Chairperson Hildaberta Rwambiwa, said the crisis is manifesting through dwindling water levels in dams and other water bodies where local authorities draw water…
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…
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…
All DStv customers to enjoy a complimentary UFC Open Weekend to cheer Nigerian-born star in his bout against Silva on SS11 Straight from the octagon to your screens, DStv brings you Israel Adesanya, Africa’s fast-rising MMA athlete, takes on legendary Anderson Silva in UFC 234 in Melbourne this weekend with one thing on his mind:…
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…
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…
As the teachers’ job action has reportedly shaken the corridors of power, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has confirmed that the strike has brought business to a halt in schools country wide. In a new twist of events, the employer further threatened to cease salaries of teachers who are on the legal job action invoking…
Yesterday the Harare Mayor His Worship Hebert Gomba conferred graduating certificates to 741 municipal officers at a pass out parade held at Magamba Hockey Stadium near City Sports Stadium. Speaking at the occasion where he was Guest of Honour, Mayor Gomba said the city council had an obligation to uphold local laws by moulding municipal…
By Timothy Mutizwa Many people are full of negative beliefs such as I can’t, not me, its too hard, I’m still young and it’s too late but if you want to know the root cause of all these myths, their source seems to be the one and only, the obnoxious which is called fear. Among…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Manchester-based actor and human rights activist, Silvanos ‘Bhanditi’ Mudzvova’s latest play, King of Mutapa, is a satire about precolonial African kings and how they ruled their empires with iron swords and fists. The play does not have any specific location but is influenced by the writer’s country of origin, Zimbabwe. It uses traditional attire, live…
The Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Priscah Mupfumira (Sen) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Board (ZTA) has seconded from the board, Mrs Rita Likukuma on an acting role of Chief Executive with effect from 01 February 2019. ZTA Chief Operating Officer, Mr Givemore Chidzidzi had been acting since November 2018 on behalf of…
The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition (CiZC) has welcomed calls for national dialogue as a way of resolving the multi faceted crisis bedevilling the country but insisted fulfilling certain fundamentals first is critical. The coalition supports the long held view that following the disputed July 30, 2018 elections, a national dialogue was critical in resolving the…
By Melissa Makoto Harare City Council received a visit by a delegation from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development of Malawi to have an appreciation of local municipal police functions. The delegation from Malawi comprised of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, City of Blantyre, City of Lilongwe and Muzuzu City….
Development spending efforts should target improved food safety for African consumers, who need greater information and awareness to be able to demand higher standards, finds the Global Food Safety Partnership. More than half of donor funded food safety initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa are focused on overseas markets, with less than half on domestic consumers, a new report…
A new report by UNICEF and the ILO highlights the critical need to extend social protection to all children. Social protection is critical in helping children escape poverty and its devastating effects, yet, the vast majority of children have no effective social protection coverage, UNICEF and the ILO said in a joint report. Evidence shows…
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has said the establishment of an inter-ministerial taskforce will address recommendations and issues raised by the various election observer missions and the Motlanthe Commission on the 1 August 2018 shootings. The network urged the government to set up an inclusive multi stakeholder taskforce comprising of a wide range of…
By Tendai Guvamombe Legislators are a key tool to influence the formation of informed polices and realign laws in the quest to advance sustainable wetlands management for the greater good of Zimbabwe. This was revealed by Chairperson of Environment and Tourism Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, Honourable Concilia Chinanzvavana at a Breakfast Meeting on Wetlands attended by…
By Dr. Chido Rwafa, Deputy Director Mental Health Services, Ministry of Health and Child Care Alcohol and substance use disorders contribute significantly to disease burden worldwide, resulting in millions of preventable deaths. In Zimbabwe, Alcohol and substance related disorders are one of the top three diagnoses presenting to mental health services countrywide. These disorders are…
