Bonn, Germany – Proper progress is urgently needed at the UNFCCC climate negotiations this week as, with each day passing, the talks are turning into a cesspit of inaction. Underscoring this is how divorced Bonn is fast becoming from real-world conversations, while long-standing inequities within the UNFCCC process, and between and within countries, are worsening. Providing…
Women’s representation in South Africa’s National Assembly has dropped from 46% in 2020 to 43% following the 29 May elections as predicted by Gender Links (GL) ahead of the watershed 2024 elections. As a result, South Africa also drops from twelfth to twenty-second place in the global ranking of women’s political participation (WPP). In the Southern…
An estimated 70 percent of Africa’s urban households buy food from informal sources, such as street vendors, kiosks, and traditional market sellers, recent studies have found. Now, the African Union and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), are joining forces to design the first-ever guidelines to help African governments improve food safety in informal food…
Writes Elvis Dumba Banket – The ZANU (PF) Secretary for Information Communication Technology in the Politburo, Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi, who is also Justice Minister, has warned party members bent on fanning divisions in the party, saying appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Minister Ziyambi was speaking during the party’s Zvimba Inter-district meeting in Banket. “There…
Writes Tatenda Mutasa Bonn, Germany Climate change is a threat that affects every person in Zimbabwe, Prof, Prosper B. Matondi, the Secretary for Environment, Climate, and Wildlife has said. He made the remarks in the Bonn Negotiating Rooms for the Climate Change Conference running from 3 to 13 June 2024 where parties are discussing lessons…
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, through its Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, launched the highly anticipated SADC/FAO Report “The Contribution of the Small-Scale Fisheries to Healthy Food Systems and Sustainable Livelihoods in SADC”. The launch event took place on 5th June 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during…
Writes Panashe Gwesu Iris Nozizwe Mhlanga, a Zimbabwean woman deeply rooted in the Anglican faith, has harnessed the inspiration behind her given name to create a profound impact on vulnerable communities across Zimbabwe. Nozizwe, a name bestowed upon her by her father, Jonathan Temba Mhlanga, meaning “Mother of Nations,” has been the driving force behind…
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers Responsible for Gender and Women`s Affairs met virtually on 07 June 2024 to review progress in the implementation of the SADC Gender Programme. The Ministers encouraged Member States to prioritise the appointment of women in political positions and key decision-making positions. The Ministers discussed and made…
Writes Linda Masarira (GBV Survivor, African feminist, Gender and Women’s Rights Advocate) As an African feminist, I believe in the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women. However, I also recognize the value of family and the need to protect all survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). My brand of feminism is not about…
A parliamentary caucus for persons with disabilities was launched in Harare on Friday with a call by the Speaker of Parliament to ensure that the voices and needs of all citizens, including those with disabilities, were heard and addressed positively. Hon Jacob F. N. Mudenda, the Speaker of Parliament, said the caucus should be more…
Zimbabwe’s activities to improve children’s diet diversity and prevent malnutrition need more funding to be scaled up Around 181 million children worldwide under 5 years of age – one in four children – are experiencing severe child food poverty, making them up to 50 percent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition,…
Writes Panashe Gwesu Fast-rising Zimbabwean sungura musician, Anywere Mukani a.k.a Mr Favour Veflambo, boldly declares that the ghetto has empowered him to reach international heights, which is why he never forgets its impact on his journey. known for blending sungura music with flamboyant flair, the musician has captured the public’s attention with his unique musical…
Writes Chimeno Azriel Television personality and Mental Health Advocate, Vickie Maponga, was recognized for championing health and well-being across the globe through her mental health awareness initiatives. Vickie won the coveted 2024 Women Changing the World Award held recently in the United States of America. The Mental Health Advocate and Philanthropist won the prestigious Award…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya The countrywide presidential borehole drilling scheme has set a target of 1,000 boreholes a month as the government intensifies efforts for clean water supply countrywide. Yesterday, some of the contractors, Prevail Group International (PGI), led by Dr. Paul Tungwarara were at Muganwinwi High School in Bulawayo, where a business unit is being…
Writes Wellington Zimbowa In the past, traditional pathways focused more on academic success and popularized the degree syndrome but that was more relevant then. Today, a highly informalized economy has seen a skyrocketing unemployment rate in the country. More than 2,8 million men of working age are unemployed according to the official Zimbabwe National Statistics…
Writes Chimeno Azriel Upcoming and adorned writer, Herbert Mutanda today uncloaked his second book entitled Gomo reBudiriro at the Media Lab, University of Zimbabwe. The book is Herbert Mutanda’s second publication after he had his first publication “Wakapindwa nei?” and it is about unity, peace, and safeguarding the heritage. Speaking to this writer, he said…
The SADC region faces a humanitarian crisis because of the ongoing El Niño induced drought and floods that are negatively impacting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people in the region. According to the SADC El Nino Appeal, an estimated 60 million people in Southern Africa are food insecure. Across the southern half of…
HE Edward Kallon, the Zimbabwe UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, has rallied stakeholders to ensure environmental sustainability, climate action, and food security as part of efforts to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). This emerged at the 2024 SADC Regional Commemoration of World Environment Day Theme: “Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience” held at the Geo…
More than 30 million people across Southern Africa have been affected by a severe drought. Millions could be pushed into acute hunger unless support is urgently mobilised to scale before the next lean season, warn the United Nations (UN) and partners. The joint call was made yesterday by the UN, NGOs, regional and national authorities,…
In his address to Zimbabweans based in the Republic of Korea during a diaspora engagement meeting at the Korea-Africa Summit yesterday, President Emmerson Mnangagwa shared progress as well as perspectives on developing the country. He said over the years, since the advent of the Second Republic, he took it upon himself to always engage with…
Writes Amkela Sidange (Environmental Education and Publicity Manager for EMA) The 5th of June is World Environment Day, which is a day that was set aside by the United Nations to raise awareness of environmental issues and provide solutions to environmental challenges that we are experiencing both at a national and global scale. The 2024…
Today, June 5th, marks World Environment Day – an annual event established by the United Nations to encourage awareness and action for the protection of the environment. This year’s World Environment Day campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience under the slogan “Our land. Our future. While global issues like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity…
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has been urged to ride on the success story of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), with its transformative impact on the agricultural sector, to draw invaluable lessons that can be applied in the pursuit of food security to spur progress and development in the region. This was…
Writes Wallace Mawire A small group of innovative youths under the age of 35, led by Rumbidzo Mawoyo and Hillary Mandaba, in partnership with Kukura Business Accelerator (KBA), have launched the Kwedu Township Tourism initiative in Dzivarasekwa Township of Harare in Zimbabwe in a bid to promote tourism in and empower local communities in the…
Writes Lloyd Rabaya Palestine’s ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri, has suggested that Israel may be involved in the sale of human organs as kidnapped martyrs’ bodies are returned with missing body parts. In a statement, Ambassador Almassri highlighted that Palestinian detainees from Gaza and the West Bank are subjected to brutal murders and torture…
Special Olympic Zimbabwe is using sports as a catalyst for the inclusion of persons with intellectual disabilities in schools and communities. This was revealed during the organisation’s two-day Coaches Training, Young Athletes, Family Health and Youth Activation Forum held at Latter Day Saints Church in Kadoma. Coaches drawn from Sanyati district schools converged at Latter…
Writes Catherine Murombedzi In nature’s nurture, open your eyes to see the healthy habits from the past. Before the 1960s, lifestyle diseases were minimal. People grew their own food and lived healthy lifestyles. They worked in the fields. They were physically fit. Sedentary work was also taken when shelling nuts after harvest. Grandmothers were the…
Writes Marlvin Ngiza Blessing Brandon Chitavati, the president of the Federation of African Child, who is also a peace and youth advocate, has cited the relevance of religious tolerance in communities to reinforce peace and unity. In his presentation as a panelist at the double book launch by Blessing Nyakabau which was recently held in…
In response to the El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded CARE Zimbabwe with a US$3 million grant to support 25,000 people in Bikita district in Masvingo province from June to November. According to the Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment 2023 Report, 2.7 million people in Zimbabwe are in dire…
On June 5th, 2024, countries around the world will come together to observe World Environment Day. This annual event, first established by the United Nations in 1972, aims to raise awareness and inspire action on critical environmental issues. The theme for World Environment Day 2024 is “Regeneration: Ecological Restoration for People and Planet.” This theme…
Stakeholders are gathered in Lusaka, Zambia to deliberate on the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Technical-Level Consultation which is the third in a series of five regional dialogues on the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Post-Malabo Agenda Process. When African leaders adopted the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme, CAADP, as Africa’s policy framework…
Engineer Edzai Kachirekwa, the Executive Director of energy concern, Power Giants, has said receiving an award as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2024 has opened avenues for his career and company. Engineer Kachirekwa received the award at a glamorous event in Harare on 30 May 2024 that was graced by dignitaries including…
Writes Panashe Gwesu Nokutenda Bungu, a determined 16-year-old form 4 student at Manunure High School in Kwekwe, has set her sights on claiming the prestigious title of Miss Midlands soon, with aspirations to eventually compete at an international level. She said this following her recent victory as Miss Kwekwe Schools, when she expressed her heartfelt…
Writes Chimeno Azriel Zimbabwe’s talented writer, Elias Machemedze’s book about Herbert Chitepo has been included in Zimbabwe’s Educational Curriculum and is to be studied by Zimbabwe’s Ordinary Level students. The book Story Of the Role of Herbert W. Chitepo in Zimbabwe‘s Liberation Struggle was approved by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and will…
Writes Reginald Tapfumaneyi The African Union Commission (AUC)’s Special Envoy on Youth Affairs, Ms Cleopatra Chido Mpemba has lauded the youth for their active participation in the recently held elections in South Africa. Speaking on the sidelines of the media conference held by the Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), former Kenyan…
Writes Clayton Masekesa PENHALONGA – As the night falls, young girls gather in and outside the packed nightclub blurring local sungura music. Some are elaborately done up in make-up, others stand plainly in skin tights and tops. The young sex workers skimpily dressed stroll around the bars in hunt of potential clients at the Old…
Recognizing the importance of fostering strong collaborations with national governments to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights, there was a sensitization exchange for key representatives of the Gambian Government by dignitaries of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) during the latter’s 79th Ordinary Session held on Saturday 1 June at…
Writes Jennifer Marston Climate adaptation is underfunded globally but especially so in emerging markets. Developing countries alone need some $212 billion per year by 2030 to adapt to increasingly inhospitable growing conditions in agriculture, according to a recent report from AgFunder and ISF Advisors. But it can be a challenging space to invest in, say investors….
The Critical Minerals Africa Summit will take place from 6–7 November in Cape Town Global demand for critical minerals is projected to grow threefold by 2040, highlighting a strategic opportunity for African producers to increase output and the development of untapped mineral deposits. A shift in focus by global players towards African projects has created…
The late Senator Murisi Zwizwai has been described as one of the bravest and most pioneering champions of change since he was a founding member of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and a senior official in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). Hon Zwizwai passed away in hospital in the early hours of 1…
Dr. Richard S. Muyungi, Tanzania’s Special Adviser to the President on Climate Change and Environment, has been unanimously elected as the Chair of the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) for the Dialogue on Climate Change in Africa for the years 2025-2026. This committee has the specific responsibility of overseeing climate change negotiation matters on behalf…
Writes Dumisani Ndlovu Gweru Chapter of a Harare-based non-governmental organisation, Itai Trust whose target is to mobilise and distribute 20 wheelchairs to differently-abled people in Zimbabwe, recently kick-started the Midlands program by donating a wheelchair to a Lower Gweru child with a disability. The official handover of the wheelchair was recently done by the organisation…
Elvis Dumba Karoi – The Hurungwe Central Constituency legislator, Hon Richard Ziki, and a local pharmaceutical player, Peniel Pharmacy, have partnered with Rotary Club members in Karoi to offer a free eye clinic outreach in the town. The outreach done with support from a Denmark-based volunteer optician, saw hundreds of people receiving free eyeglasses and…
The Andrease Mathibela-led Executive that also claims the legitimacy of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has expressed reservations regarding the participation of Cde Douglas Mahiya, the ZANU (PF) Secretary for Veterans, Ex-political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees in the announced elective congress to be held later this year. The Secretary-General of the Mathibela-led…
As part of its effort to promote transparent and open ocean governance, Accountability.Fish has released the results of the 28th Session of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 13 -17. The results can be found at: https://accountability.fish/meeting/iotc -2024 “Once again, as the IOTC doesn’t report out the actions taken by…
