2020/2021 seasonal rainfall impressive: Rural farmers

By Joyce Mukucha Following successive droughts over the past few years that negatively affected agricultural growth in Zimbabwe, farmers in rural areas are overwhelmed with joy because the rains have remained above normal throughout the country in the 2020 -2021 cropping season. Spiked Online Media conducted interviews with various farmers in different provinces who expressed…

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Advancing harmonised travel protocols and financing tourism survival

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has again convened its Global Tourism Crisis Committee to lead the sector in harmonizing travel and health protocols and securing vital financing for businesses struggling to survive a historic crisis. The ninth meeting of the Crisis Committee advanced solutions to the biggest challenges standing in the way of international travel returning….

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Remembering Soul Jah Love: Three Years Since the Zimdancehall Icon’s Passing

Writes Hardlife Mukavi  Yesterday marked three years since the passing of Zimdancehall legend Soul Jah Love, born Soul Musaka, who left an indelible mark on Zimbabwe’s music industry. The late musician, who passed away on February 16, 2021, was declared a national hero, a rare honor for an artist, in recognition of his influence on…

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Coronavirus – WhatsApp: WHO Health Alert brings COVID-19 facts

This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to reach 2 billion people and enables WHO to get information directly into the hands of the people that need it Today, WHO (www.WHO.int) is launching a messaging service with partners WhatsApp and Facebook to keep people safe from coronavirus. This easy-to-use messaging service has the potential to…

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Ghana: Hundreds accused of witchcraft urgently need protection and reparation

The Ghanaian authorities have failed to protect and fulfill the human rights of hundreds of victims of witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks that forced them to flee their communities fearing for their lives, said Amnesty International in a new report.   “Branded for life: How witchcraft accusations lead to human rights violations of hundreds of…

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Kenya’s KALYA driving climate-smart agriculture research through promotion of peace

With one of Africa’s powerhouses, Kenya, encountering challenges in the promotion of peace, especially among its diverse cultural and ethnic people as witnessed in the aftermath of the 2007 elections, the KALYA initiative is a panacea towards the promotion of food security and peace. Kalya M.D who works for Kabarak University in Kenya as a…

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Sweet potato export initiative a shot in the arm for women

By Elvis Dumba Raffingora – Rural women from three provinces are set to benefit from the government sweet potato export initiative with Zvimba women undergoing sweet potato farming training. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture signed an agreement with a local company, Fuchs, which will see the company train rural women from Mashonaland West,…

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Cyclone Freddy: ZETDC cautions the public

As strong winds due to Severe Tropical Storm Freddy are anticipated in Chipinge and Chimanimani before spreading to Chiredzi, Bikita, Mwenezi as well as Beitbridge beginning this morning, the Zimbabwe Electricity and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is giving some precautionary measures to the public. Reports from the Meteorological Officer suggest that the weather will get progressively…

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Global grain markets precarious against Trump tariffs

On-again, off-again tariff talk kept agricultural markets on edge with the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.   Living up to his name, the president’s whims and proclamations have a tendency of trumping anything else going on, and the early days of the new U.S. administration promised more of the same.   While the initial flurry of executive orders on Jan….

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Stakeholders join hands in fighting sexual gender based violence

By Joyce Mukucha As it continues to take strides in fighting Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) through urging women to speak out, Katswe Sistahood has partnered with Trocaire, Plan International, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Adult Rape Clinic and government of Zimbabwe by hosting a girls and women’s symposium in Epworth. The gathering which has come…

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Liquid Telecom Partners Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Innovation Challenge

Liquid Telecom will serve as Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) outreach partner for Africa in this year’s edition of the inclusive innovation challenge (IIC). Through the partnership, Liquid Telecom will be encouraging African-based start-ups, innovators and technology companies to take part in various challenges. The 2019 IIC has four categories; technology access, financial inclusion, skills…

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High cost of blood hampers access to health: CWGH

The Community Working Group on Health (CWGH) has lamented the high cost of blood and said it was one of the major barriers that prevent ordinary Zimbabweans from accessing and enjoying their health entitlements and rights as enshrined in the country’s constitution. “Faced with worsening economic challenges and growing unemployment, Zimbabwe continues to lose precious…

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ZCDC, Alrosa in Diamond Mining and Exploration Partnership

By Tatenda Mujeyi The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and Russian firm Alrosa have signed a diamond mining and exploration partnership at Munhumutapa Building in Harare yesterday. The signing ceremony which was attended by the President of Zimbabwe, Russian Ambassador, senior government officials, and senior Alrosa management is a follow up to the country’s Diamond…

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Mozambican firms move to fight terrorism through youth employment

The end of a post-independence civil war in Mozambique brought a lot of optimism among the citizens but almost three decades later, real progress continues to elude the vast resource-rich southern African country that continues lurching from one crisis to another. Writes Charles Mangwiro Mozambique is in the throes of a fresh insurgency that has…

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Econet launches the first low-cost KaiOS-enabled 3G phone in Zimbabwe

3G phone comes bundled with 3-month free data Econet Wireless has partnered with KaiOS Technologies, a leading maker of mobile operating systems for feature smart phones, to  launch the ‘Atom 3G’ phone – the country’s first 3G smart feature phone, that is set to help millions of Zimbabweans to access the Internet and become digitally…

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UZA President Elisabeth Valerio inspires aspiring Councillor

Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa A Ward 31, Dzivarasekwa aspiring councillor, Lecy Mutsigwa revealed her strong admiration for United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party president Elisabeth Valerio. Mutsigwa revealed this during a ‘campaign dialogue on opportunities and challenges facing women in politics organised by the Gender and Media Connect (GMC) on Friday, stating that the opposition female leader…

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Achieving Zero Hunger in Africa is within reach: Global leaders

By Baboloki Semele Eradicating hunger in Africa by 2030 is possible, said global agriculture leaders in Rome. Meeting ahead of the African Food Summit (Dakar 2) to be hosted by President Macky Sall in Dakar, Senegal, from 25-27 January 2023, President of the African Development Bank Group Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the International Fund for Agricultural…

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African Energy Developments Demand Sustained Investment with new projects on the continent

A recent uptick in the direct investment activities in Africa’s energy sector sheds light on the role of sustained investor interest in catalyzing socio-economic growth In the past twelve months, the African energy sector has seen several encouraging developments – in the form of both Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and strategic partnerships – that have…

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Heroes ushered in the first steps towards democracy: FORUS

Remembrance of those who passed during the liberation struggle should be recognised and respected for it is through them we took the first step towards democracy, the Freedom of Rights Under Sovereign (FORUS) party has said in its commemorative message for the Heroes and Defence Forces days.   FORUS president, Manyara Irene Muyenziwa said her…

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Paradzai Mesi and Gift ‘Case’ Amuli descend on Kadoma, Chegutu

Writes Lovemore Chazingwa Two of the most sought-after sungura acts, affable Paradzai Mesi and Gift ‘Case’ Amuli are conniving to mesmerise fans in Kadoma and Chegutu as they play in a marathon show that has become a musical culture. Jimayi Muduvuri of MacSherp Holdings puts together shows every week to satisfy the musical appetite of…

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International life skills and financial education body helps over 13 000 children

By Hopewell Chibvongodze Harare, April 30, 2024 – Aflatoun, an international life skills and financial education programme, has trained over 13,000 beneficiaries including 8,000 girls and 4,000 school leavers and people with disabilities, an official has said. Aflatoun social and financial education chief executive, Roeland Monasch, told a Zimbabwe economic empowerment intervention progress sharing 2024…

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Zimbabwe, South Africa aim to empower PWDs

The Governments of Zimbabwe and South Africa are committed to ensuring efficient service delivery for people with disabilities (PWDs). For this reason, the South African Deputy Minister for Social Development, Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu visited the country to discuss with the minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Petronella Kagonye. The bilateral visit was to guarantee comprehensive expansion…

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Philip Mataranyika shares how three women’s decisions shaped the lives of generations

By Philip Mataranyika Connecting the dots, Volume 9 Once settled in Maungwe the descendants of Gunguwo, became royalty. In seventeenth-century Zimbabwe, the population of the country must still have been in the tens of thousands. At independence in 1980, after our first census, statisticians told us there were seven million people, countrywide. The 2012 census…

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Amidst Ongoing Global Conflicts, International Experts Gather to Discuss Institutionalising Peace

In 2023 alone, conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, and numerous international disputes tragically claimed the lives of over 33,000 civilians and displaced millions. Recognizing this dire reality, Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO, held its 8th annual commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of…

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New multi-drug-resistant TB regimen superior to older, more difficult treatment options

A clinical trial to find a better treatment for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) stopped enrolling patients last week after its independent data safety and monitoring board indicated that the regimen being studied was superior to current treatment options. The board recommended that the trial be stopped early as more patient data was extremely unlikely to change…

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Marian Chombo warns abusers of Presidential Inputs Scheme

Writes Elvis Dumba Sanyati – The government has put adequate measures to ensure a successful 2023/24 agriculture season by ensuring the timeous availability of agriculture inputs with people being warned against abusing the program. Launching the Presidential conservation farming, Pfumvudza/Intwasa for Sanyati District, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Marian…

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Harnessing the power of needs assessments in African countries

By Charles Dhewa Needs assessments are some of the most under-rated and under-utilized resources in African countries.  Development agencies that often start some work in communities with a baseline study often do so for purposes of getting donor money as opposed to fully informing and guiding their interventions. In some cases, the baseline study is…

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Author Precious Haparimwi launches book “Sentiments of the Brave”

Gifted author, Precious Haparimwi launches her book “Sentiments of the Brave” tomorrow 2 December 2023 at the Members Club housed at the popular events venue, Jamtree, in Mt Pleasant, Harare starting at 1 o’clock in the afternoon. The theme for the book launch is “Celebrating life through literary appreciation.”  There will be a raffle draw…

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Human interest stories spur sustainable development: Fatou Lo

Fatou Lo, the UN Women Representative and Chairperson of the United Nations Communication Group (UNCG) for Zimbabwe has urged the media to focus on human interest stories in their coverage to promote sustainable development.   She was addressing a UN-Media Seminar on Development Reporting on 21 November 2024 in Masvingo after the journalists had concluded…

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SoftBank to Invest $2.25 Billion in GM’s Self-Driving Unit — Cruise

Cruise, a U.S. self-driving vehicle company majority-owned by General Motors Co (GM), on Friday revealed that a U.S. national security panel approved a $2.25 billion investment in the firm by Japan’s SoftBank Corp. SoftBank has come under increasing U.S. scrutiny over its ties to Chinese firms in the face of an escalating trade and technology…

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The informal sector to reopen: President Mnangagwa

By Anyway Yotamu President Emmerson Mnangagwa has moved to reopen the country’s informal market after over two months closure as part of his government’s attempts to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In his address at State House on Friday 12th of June 2020, President Mnangagwa also reopened churches but maintained the number of congregants at…

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Mupambi flags foreign observer missions

Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa A local observer mission, Civil Society and Churches Joint Forum (CSCJF) national coordinator,  Abigale Mupambi, has come guns blazing against some foreign observer missions for unsubstantiated reports. Speaking during the presentation of CSCJF’s 2023  elections preliminary report, Mupambi said there was a need for foreign observer missions to declare where they were…

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African Union Chairperson’s Youth Envoy to participate in ECOSOC Youth Forum

By Baboloki Semele The United Nations 2023 Annual Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum takes place amidst a world challenged by geopolitical tensions, a relentless climate crisis, rising poverty and inequalities, and a slow and uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Against this backdrop, the Forum is an opportunity for young people to voice…

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Leveraging innovative technology to enhance teaching and learning in school: CAMFED Ghana’s contribution

Background   The emergence of technology has impacted every facet of our lives, particularly the way we communicate with each other. Indeed, technology has become an integral and indispensable part of our lives to the extent that all sectors of our economy including finance, banking, insurance, health, agriculture, tourism, and hospitality, among others, rely on…

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Impressive results under Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework recorded

The 2022-2026 Zimbabwe UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (ZUNSDCF) Steering Committee and stakeholders convened jointly by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck JM Sibanda and the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Edward Kallon reviewed development results in 2022 and endorsed plans for 2023. The ZUNSDCF, delivering US$524 million in various…

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Guard against violence and bullying in schools: UNESCO

Ms. Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has emphasised the value of protecting schools from violence and bullying. She made the statement on the occasion of the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying. The day is observed on the 5th of November every…

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