15th UNWTO Awards to recognise innovation and sustainability in tourism, applications open

Promoting innovation, job creation and sustainability are key considerations for the 15th World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Awards. UNWTO invites submissions until 31 October 2018. The UNWTO Awards recognise the contribution of public and private institutions and NGOs to development of a more competitive, responsible and sustainable tourism sector that works towards achieving the 2030 Sustainable…

Read More

Exploring Innovations in Local Economic Development (LED)

Reflections from the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) programme in the Town of Swift Current, Saskatchewan (Canada) By Elmond Bandauko One of the projects we were tasked to do in our Economics and Policy Analysis course with Dr. Rob Leone was prepare a report analysing the preparedness of selected smaller municipalities to implement local economic…

Read More

The Role of Municipalities in Poverty Reduction: Experiences from Canada

By Elmond Bandauko “Local spaces are ultimately the key site of delivery and development and, as such, local government is central to the success of sustainable development.” – South African Local Government Association (SALGA) While the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are global in nature, their achievement largely depends on our ability to make them a…

Read More

ZLHR reports arrest of more MDC Alliance members

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that authorities have arrested two MDC Alliance party members taking the number of people arrested for allegedly participating in protests staged in Harare early this month over delays in announcing the results of harmonised elections to 31. Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested Last Vambe on…

Read More

Asking and answering fundamental questions through informal markets

By Charles Dhewa Street markets or roadside food markets have remained a permanent feature in most developing countries. The fact that these markets continue to flourish alongside emerging shopping malls shows they occupy a unique position in commercial activities.  Informal markets were previously designed for disadvantaged, low income households with ad hoc incomes who were…

Read More

Lindi Marc Enlists Madam Boss & School Pupils in “Faithfulness” Video

Breakout gospel singer, songwriter and performer, Lindi Marc, today releases new a powerful new concept and star-studded visual for her much-acclaimed single “Faithfulness” httpss://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUEFxkkS1bo, providing fans with a potent reminder of finding comfort and strength in faith. The Kross Marcellus Moses and Dafri-directed visual highlights the musician’s heart for charity missions and providing hope for people all…

Read More

Vynn Capital Partners with the World Tourism Organisation to Boost Asia’s Tourism Sector

Vynn Capital, a South-East Asia-based early-stage venture capital firm, and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) today jointly announced a strategic partnership to promote South-East Asia’s tourism sector by facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation. Through this strategic partnership, Vynn Capital and UNWTO will collaborate to create a framework and policies to support technology startups that are addressing…

Read More

BITI SPEAKS OUT ON PERSECUTION AS ZIM AUTHORITIES CHARGE HIS AIDES WITH VIOLATING IMMIGRATION LAWS

By ZLHR Information Department HUMAN rights lawyer and one of MDC Alliance party leader Tendai Biti on Friday 10 August 2018 narrated his persecution ordeal which forced him to seek political asylum in neighbouring Zambia. Biti told Harare Magistrate Francis Mapfumo on Friday 10 August 2018 that he was forced to seek political asylum in…

Read More

The complexity of public consultation on large-scale infrastructure projects: Insights from London’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project

By Elmond Bandauko Public transport is a core part of our daily lives. It is an economic driver-linking commuters to employment opportunities and bringing potential customers to retail and commercial establishments. It impacts our health, as modes of urban transport affect the air we breathe; our safety when we walk, bike, and commute; and our…

Read More

CWGH urges new government to prioritise primary health care

The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has urged the New Government to prioritise strengthening of Primary Health Care (PHC) to achieve Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals SDGs). “Now that the elections are over, the people of Zimbabwe expect the fulfilment of the election manifesto, in which you promised massive improvement in…

Read More

Rethinking public consultation in local policy processes: Lessons from the City of London’s official plan review process

By Elmond Bandauko This brief focuses on some of the most important highlights from my MPA research project, in which I was examining the dynamics of public consultation and stakeholder participation in a large-scale land-use planning project that was undertaken by the City of London a few years ago. Official Plan review-these words mean a…

Read More

Bindura North MP pays tribute to constituents

By Byron Mutingwende   Honourable Kenneth Musanhi, the Member of the National Assembly for Bindura North Constituency has paid tribute to the President and the electorate for his emphatic victory in the just ended 2018 harmonised elections.   “I am humbled by the massive support that our revolutionary party ZANU (PF) got in the just…

Read More

ZCLDN trains senior prison officers on promoting harm reduction among prisoners

The Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network (ZCLDN) on Wednesday held a workshop on harm reduction in prison for senior Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional officers. The capacity building workshop was attended by senior officers from the Harare Metro province based at the Harare, Chikurubi Maximum, Women and Farm prisons. ZCLDN director, Wilson Box said the…

Read More

Binga rising from the ashes of underdevelopment

By Chipa Gonditii & Johnson Chihambakwe About 400km northeast of Bulawayo lies Binga, a small town which is virtually in the middle of nowhere on map but definitely vibrant and visible on sight with its flagship convenience destination: Binga shopping centre informally known as “Pa centre” which has cemented its status as the entertainment hub…

Read More

Transparent electoral processes a bedrock for peace: NAYO

Transparent and credible electoral processes should become the bedrock of the political system if real peace, legitimacy and sustainable development are to be realised, the National Association of Youth Organisations (NAYO) has said. Speaking at a press conference in Harare under the banner of the Leave No Youth Behind (LNYB), a local coalition of more…

Read More

Policy innovation in the housing sector: Lessons from Canada’s National Housing Strategy (NHS)

By Elmond Bandauko Between 29 June and 02 July 2018, I had the opportunity to attend the annual Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, the convergence of over 70 scholarly associations, each holding their annual conference under one umbrella. Congress 2018 was held at the University of Regina in Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s ten…

Read More

ZLHR secures freedom of opposition activists

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has secured the freedom of members of the opposition arrested over the political violence that broke out in Harare immediately after the 2018 harmonised elections. Courtesy of representation by lawyers from ZLHR, Harare Magistrate Nyasha Vhitorini on Tuesday 07 August 2018 set free 27 opposition party supporters who…

Read More

Dynamics of the rural vote in Zimbabwean elections

By Dumisani Ncube The recent developments in Zimbabwean Elections have once again demonstrated the important role that the peasantry plays in determining the country’s future.   Zimbabwe has 63 Districts of which 58 are rural districts thus giving a percentage figure of 92 % .Given the statistics it is evident that the rural vote has…

Read More

Demystifying council-staff relations in local government

By Elmond Bandauko Discussions of local government are usually about the activities of the mayor and councillors. After all, elected officials make the important policy decisions. However, this focus overlooks those who deliver municipal services. A small group of elected officials is supported by a much larger group of professional public servants who advise the…

Read More

ZLHR reports more arrests of opposition supporters

The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) has reported that authorities have intensified their crackdown on opposition political party supporters after arresting more people following protests staged in Harare after the announcement of results for the harmonised elections held last month. Over the weekend, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers arrested three people namely Simbarashe Zvobgo,…

Read More

Afreximbank disburses $200 Million to Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disbursed the sum of $200 million to theEgyptian General Petroleum Corporation (EGPC) to support EGPC’s investment in the Middle East Oil Refinery Company(MIDOR).   The Investment Financing Facility, disbursed during a signing and disbursement ceremony in Cairo on 1 August, is also aimed at supporting EGPC’s company expansion plan which is part of Egypt’s plan to become a regional hub for exporting oil…

Read More

Zimbabwe: Rein in security forces and stop mass arrests in wake of disputed vote

By Amnesty International The Zimbabwean authorities must immediately stop arresting and harassing protesters and bystanders following post-election violence that has killed at least six people, Amnesty International said today. More than 60 people have been arbitrarily arrested in the past seven days in a government crackdown on supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change…

Read More

Understanding key competencies for improving local governance

A transition briefing for Zimbabwe’s newly elected local councillors By Elmond Bandauko During the 2018 election period, there was limited attention on what the elections would mean for policy and governance at the local level. Local government remains a very significant level of government as it is deliberately created to bring government to the grass-roots…

Read More

Let peace reign supreme: ZCC

The Zimbabwe council of Churches (ZCC) in solidarity with the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations has called for the people of Zimbabwe to unite and promote peace in the aftermath of the 2018 harmonised elections. Addressing the press yesterday (Friday 3 August 2018), Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, the General Secretary of Zimbabwe Council of Churches …

Read More

Shortlist revealed for ITC’s WEDF 2018 Young Social Entrepreneurs pitching competition

Young entrepreneurs from the Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Rwanda and Zambia selected for pitching contest at ITC’s World Export Development Forum in Lusaka, Zambia. (Geneva-Lusaka) – Seven young African social entrepreneurs will take the centre-stage at this year’s World Export Development Forum (WEDF) to pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges with a chance of…

Read More

Preserve peace: ZimRights

By ZimRights Information Department RIOTS by supporters of the opposition have erupted in the streets of Harare since midmorning signifying a conflict over the handling of elections and the announcement of presidential results. Hundreds of opposition supporters on August 1, 2018, protested outside the Rainbow Towers hotel, where the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), has set…

Read More

EU says there was no level playing field in Zimbabwean elections

Improved political climate, inclusive participation rights and a peaceful vote, but un-level playing field, intimidation of voters and lack of trust in the process undermined the pre-election environment. This is how the EUEOM Chief Observer Elmar Brok, Member of the European Parliament, characterised the electoral process up to now. “These elections were seen as a critical test of Zimbabwe’s…

Read More