President Mnangagwa

Innocent Ruwende, Harare Bureau
Government has officially named the cantonment which houses the Zimbabwe National Defence University and other institutions the Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena Barracks.

Presiding at the ceremony yesterday, President Mnangagwa said similar events would be held across the country. He said 3 Infantry Brigade in Mutare headquarters would be named after the late national hero Cde Herbert Chitepo and Fylde Airforce base in Chegutu after the late Cde Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo.

“The naming of this institution after one of Zimbabwe’s gallant military heroes is in line with provisions in our Amendment (No 2, Act of 2013 and Section 23 (1) which exhorts the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level, to accord due respect, honour and recognition to veterans of the liberation struggle,” he said.

“Today’s ceremony is the second of its kind, following the renaming of former KGVI Barracks to Josiah Magama Tongogara Barracks. A good name is more desirable than great riches, hence it is indeed befitting after the late Cde Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena, who was a very fine gentleman and a commander in Zimbabwe’s war of liberation who paid the ultimate price for country.”

“He was indisputably one of the towering figures in the history of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle as the Commander of the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army (Zipra). The late Cde Rodgers Alfred Nikita Mangena was an embodiment of military professionalism, unity of purpose and a chief strategist par excellence.”

President Mnangagwa said Cde Mangena was one of the pioneering guerilla cadres who laid the foundation for the formation of a formidable guerilla fighting machine known as Zipra and was credited for having introducing flotillas across the Zambezi thereby easing the logistical problems associated with moving personnel across the mighty river.

He said Cde Mangena was also credited for  having coordinated a strategy involving intelligence, training and reconnaissance as well as deployment and logistics support.

Cde Mangena, he said, did not take kindly to cadres who lost their weapons as he ordered them to replace them with those taken from the enemy.

“On the academic front, he was instrumental in ensuring that his cadres got academic scholarships to study worldwide. This was in addition to ensuring that Zipra sent its cadres abroad for officers’ and conventional warfare training as early as 1977,” he said.

“This short chronicle of the military acumen and tactical prowess of the late Cde Mangena portrays a man who lived well beyond his time, and is ample testimony that shows why, as Government, we found it befitting to name this cantonment in his honour.”

“This is the kind of leadership and vision that those who pass through this barracks should strive to emulate. They should be further inspired by the life and the ideals of the late Cde Mangena. I further urge all men and women who come through here to be highly innovate and self-actualised individuals who can survive under the severest of conditions and deliver result ‘beyond military horizons’ for the benefit of the country.”

Vice President, General Constantino Chiwenga (Rtd), who also administers the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans’ Affairs, commended President Mnangagwa for holding the ceremony before the country celebrates its 38th Independence next week Wednesday. He chronicled Cde Mangena’s exploits in the liberation struggle.

“We are happy that your defence forces who are currently serving, and those who were demobilised in the early 80s will rest in the solace that one of the gallant fighters and commanders of the liberation of Zimbabwe has finally been honoured,” he said.

A representative of the Mangena family, Mr Lotshe Mangena, thanked President Mnangagwa, Government and the people of Zimbabwe for honouring his father.

“Your Excellency, we thank you most sincerely for having spared time on your extremely busy schedule to be able to come and preside over the renaming of this prestigious campus. The renaming of this cantonment after my father is a very humbling honour to the Mangena family,” he said.

“We are indeed humbled by this great recognition of the role played by our father which has been immortalised by this event. We therefore take pride in your visionary leadership and as a family remain grateful for this befitting honour.”

Heath Streak

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
THE dispute between Heath Streak and Zimbabwe Cricket is likely to drag longer as the former national team coach has taken his legal battle a gear up by seeking to stop the association from appointing new personnel to fill his position.

Streak and his entire technical team were fired after the national team failed to qualify for the ICC World Cup 2019 in a qualifying tournament on home soil last month.

However, the former Zimbabwe skipper has challenged the decision and yesterday his lawyers wrote to Zimbabwe Cricket compelling them to shelve their plans to hunt for a new technical team.

Streak, the highest paid coach in the history of the game at $23 000 a month, said his dismissal was unprocedural and unlawful.

The former coach is also mulling suing for defamation over the alleged racial remarks made by the ZC chairman, Tavengwa Mukuhlani.

Streak refused to accept the initial communication of the termination of his contract on a technicality before the board on Monday made an interesting decision to reinstate him and then hours later sent another letter of dismissal on three months’ notice, according to Zimbabwe’s Labour Law.

His lawyer George Mlotshwa, a senior partner at Titan Law, yesterday replied to ZC managing director, Faisal Hasnain, questioning most of the sections quoted by the association in their final contract termination letter.

“Our clients are in possession of correspondence purporting to terminate their employment contracts on notice. Particular reference is made to correspondence dated 9th April, 2018 addressed to Mr Streak, and purportedly signed on your behalf.

“Our clients note, with bemusement, the consistent bungling, amounting to harassment, associated with the unlawful attempts to terminate their employment contracts with Zimbabwe Cricket. We wish to point out that:

“1. The section 12 (4a) and 12 (4) of the Labour Act 28:01 sought to be relied upon in terminating our client(s) contracts are of no force and effect. They simply do not apply in the present circumstances.

“2. Any attempt to terminate our clients’ employments contracts on notice, is, for the record, also of no force and effect at law.

“3. Any attempt to employ any other person in the positions our clients are presently employed by ZC is, and will be, patently unlawful, and also of no force and effect,” read part of the letter.

ZC have indicated they want to move with speed to appoint the technical team with advertisements for the coaching positions set to be flighted in the media without delay.

The association are looking to have put in place a new technical team by the time Zimbabwe host a triangular series involving giants Pakistan and Australia.

But while some in the technical department have accepted their fate, Streak, batting consultant Lance Klusener and fitness trainer Sean Bell have refused to go down without a fight.

The coaches’ lawyers also alleged that the letters were signed by an unauthorised personnel, therefore were null and void.

“Our clients note not with concern that all correspondence directed at them from Zimbabwe Cricket is presently signed by unknown persons, purportedly on behalf of the managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket.

“Our clients, on the basis of advice, do not, in addition to the grounds set forth above, accept that this faceless and nameless character, signing the said correspondence, has any lawful authority to do so from Zimbabwe Cricket Board.

“Indeed, we hereby demand, forthwith, a copy of a resolution signed by ALL board members, lawfully authorising an identified human being to sign all such correspondence on behalf of the managing director.”

And amid the sledging that has almost turned personal, Streak also threatened to sue for defamation for the “racial insinuations” allegedly made by Mukuhlani.

“Our clients, in particular, Mr Streak, note with concern the continued defamatory statements long churned out by Zimbabwe Cricket, in particular the union’s chairman, the latest being insinuations of racism  on the part of Mr Streak.

“You will agree that this is absolute and unmitigated nonsense on the part of the chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket.

“We advised our client of the legal consequences of these careless and mischievous utterances. He will in fact hear from ourselves shortly in respect of his statements. Please be guided accordingly,” wrote Mlotshwa.

Zandile Sibanda

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
WHEN urban groove artiste ExQ dropped the music video for Tsvigiri (Sugar) last week, many were in awe with the visuals while some were captivated by the voluptuous video vixens.

Within a week of its release, the music video had racked up over 100 000 views on video sharing site YouTube. The video simply celebrates curvaceous women with one lady in red who features prominently at the beginning of the music video, winning the hearts of many.

Consecutive shots of the music video focus on her with ExQ seemingly salivating and ogling her while she glides across the room of a mansion seductively beckoning him to come closer. ExQ’s smile is priceless.

The woman in question is Bulawayo-born Zandile Sibanda, who prefers to be called Zandie.

Chronicle Showbiz caught up with her and she reflected on the shooting of the video and shared her plans. Her aim is to feature in more high-end music videos that will expose her to the rest of Africa and the world.

Zandie said it’s all about exposure and commends the man behind the visuals – award winning videographer Vusa Blaqs – for affording her a chance to be on the music video.

“In 2015, I did a music video with an artiste called 8L through Blaqs who is a close friend of mine. I told him sometime last year that I wanted to start doing music videos. He called me asking if I was interested in doing a music video with ExQ and I said yes,” she said.

“I must admit, I’d a very good time working with ExQ and Blaqs on the music video.”

With the Tsvigiri music video doing the rounds on social media, Zandie said she was getting more and more attention from people.

“Ever since I featured on the music video and people started noticing me, my Instagram profile has started getting a lot of followers. This is good, but on the other hand, my Instagram inbox has been flooded with weird messages from people, mostly men.

“I can, however, handle all that added attention because I’ve a strong will and focus,” she said.

As she is new in the game, she said she would have to develop a thick skin as the negative comments are coming in as fast as the positive ones.

“There are comments online that people pass and there’s nothing that I can do about them. The most hurtful comments are people claiming the dress I was

wearing wasn’t mine. They make me look like I borrow clothes, which isn’t the case. That was a number (dress) from my wardrobe,” said Zandie.

Away from being a video vixen, Zandie said she wants to be a television personality if given the chance.

“I want to focus on being in the media. I want to be a television personality and focus on presenting. I’m determined to do it on my own and I’m going to hustle my way to the top. Being in this music video is one of the first steps.”

She believes that there is a lot of money to be made from music videos and when she is done, her vision is to set up a company.

“In the future, I want to set up a company that I will call Zee Vee’s Management for female video vixens where those who want ladies to appear in their videos, will contact me. There’s lot money to be made as I was paid handsomely for featuring in ExQ’s music video,” Zandie said.

At home, she spends time with her grandmother who she says is her inspiration.

“My grandmother is the one who inspires me because she has been through quite a lot. I learnt a lot from her and she’s the one that made me strong because all my life, people have been talking about me. I was known as ‘that girl’ in town. Obviously, I’d have break downs and all and she’ll be the one who’d pick me up.”

Asked what inspired the huge tattoo on her left shoulder, Zandie said it was a teenage mistake.

“When I was in school, I had a five dollar tattoo done because everyone in my click had one. Unfortunately, I reacted badly. So after school, I was referred to one of the best tattoo artistes, Roland, in Bulawayo and possibly Zimbabwe.

“I asked him to cover it up and I opted for roses and that’s what is all over my left shoulder,” said Zandie.

Bongiwe Nkomazana
FROM observing the way our female elders behave and listening to them narrate how they have lived their lives, it is clear what the roles of a woman were to them and that their place was at home and their platform to thrive and flourish was the kitchen. They take particular pride in being homemakers and were content with being just that. I am not sure if I have already told you about this occurrence before but I will retell it anyway.

I was in a kombi to work one morning and two elderly women were talking about how this young couple was having problems already and they somehow came to the conclusion that it was the young wife’s fault because she was not wifely or womanly enough.

The trip to work is pretty long so all of us got the tea from how she did not clean her house properly all the way to how she fails to pack lunch for her husband when he goes to work. You could tell how strongly these elderly ladies felt about what a woman should do and where her place in the home general is.

Times have changed and people’s mindsets and behaviours have evolved. With this change, do we still maintain that a woman’s place is limited to domestic issues or are we saying something else?

Like a true feminist, I strongly believe that a woman should not be put in a box, a box in this case, being a kitchen or a house and told to remain there. At the same time, as a true African and flawed Christian, I appreciate the roles of a woman and a man in the traditional setting and I have often failed to imagine a scenario where women completely let go of the kitchen and/or house.

However, to be honest, nothing infuriates me like a man declaring what a woman should and should not do, where she should go and should not go, what she should look like, what she should say and not say. I guess my feminism pulls through more in this round.

I was having a conversation with my workmates and one of them started telling us about how her married brother, based at their rural home, will do what are considered women’s chores like laundry, fetching water from the local borehole, drawing the designs on the huts in their homestead and cutting grass to thatch their roofs etc, while the wife sells produce at the market.

I admit we all laughed our lungs out because the conversation took off from an angle of ridiculing this man for not being masculine enough and it didn’t help that the storyteller went to town with the hilarious hyperbolic imitations. However, when I thought about it later, I realised that there was actually more to admire about this man like the bravery in his determination to be involved in the running of his household that meant defying the norms.

I would sign up for and appreciate a husband who can reason within himself and realise that his wife is busy with a source of income for the home so the least he can do as her life partner is to help with whatever else he needs to help with. I mean who knows what their game plan is as a couple?

Talking about couples and game plans, I think modern day women especially those who fall under the millennial demographic, have a difficult time defining their roles in their relationships which means that “their place” becomes very vague.

Certain things are expected of them by friends, family and the society. A husband’s family will never be pleased to see their son prepare dinner for the family or sweep the carpets just like how the wife’s family will find no amusement in their son-in-law failing to provide a certain lifestyle for his family.

As a person observing from outside, may I be granted permission to just throw in my two cents of advice. All relationships that we single people comment on and criticise so unforgivingly have different dynamics plus we just talk about you because we can and we have the time.

Yes, you are a woman living in a big wide world and you represent a lot of groups of people but you are also just but one woman. All you can do is to define your place as an individual.

Please note that when women demand to be allowed to be more than just housekeepers, we are not by any means saying we will not be housekeepers. All women dream of owning a home and doing it up and I think for most of us nurturing that environment and all the people living in it comes naturally and we enjoy giving that love.

What we are really saying is that there is more to us than just submission, planning meals and blowing noses.

My parents will be married 29 years this November. Neither one of them is domesticated and despite their arguments about my dad’s outfits and whom we the children took after when we mess up, they are happily married. They both have worked and achieved most of what they wanted to achieve without my dad confining my mum to a kitchen.

If anything, my dad has reaped the benefits of allowing my mum to be whatever she wanted to be and their joint happiness has led to a good quality life.

Moral of the story . . . choose your place dear woman. Let nobody hand it to you lest you find yourself imprisoned.

Some women are born to be mothers and they will say that their purpose in life is to raise their kids and when they are done with that, they can die in peace. That is their place.

Other women were destined to preach the Gospel and others to impart knowledge to children and so the altar and the classroom, respectively, are their places. The moment you realise your purpose and work towards it, you reserve “your place”.

To the rest of the world that is on a rampage to try and hold women down in the name of “her place” please, repeat after me… A. WOMAN’S. PLACE. IS.

WHEREVER. SHE. WANTS. IT. TO. BE.

Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
TWO armed robbers yesterday attacked three illegal fuel dealers and got away with more than $250 at gunpoint at West Nicholson in Matabeleland South.

The robbers who are on the run allegedly approached their victims under the pretext of selling 50 litres of fuel to one of them before attacking him and demanding cash.

They even claimed ownership of a truck that was parked near the shops saying the fuel they were selling was in it.

The incident occurred at about 1AM at West Nicholson shops where the fuel dealers had retired for the night in broken down vehicles.

A source close to the case yesterday said the robbers shot at one of the fuel dealers, Mr Peter Moyo, as he tried to rescue his colleague Mr Cosmas Moyo not realising that his attackers were armed with a pistol.

Fortunately, they missed.

“The robbers approached Cosmas pretending to be selling 50 litres of fuel and during the negotiations he offered them $50 for the full tank. As he was empting one of the tanks so that they could go fetch the fuel, he was attacked by one of the robbers who grabbed him by the collar and pointed a gun at his head,” said the source.

Mr Moyo, the source said, screamed to alert Peter who was still asleep.

The source said Peter blindly advanced towards the robbers and one of them shot at him.

“The one who had pointed a gun at Cosmas’s head was hesitant to shoot Peter as his accomplice ordered him to shoot. Maybe the fuel dealers thought the gun was fake but his accomplice took the gun, shot and missed. The bullet smashed the windscreen of a Toyota Granvia which was parked at the shops,” said the source.

Mr Moyo’s attacker wrestled him for his wallet tearing his pocket and robbing him of $250.

The source said the fracas and gun shots woke up a third fuel dealer Mr Isaac Moyo who was also robbed of $15.

He said it later turned out that the truck the robbers were claiming belonged to a traveller who was not related to the case. “It seems the robbers had a well thought out plan. The truck that they claimed had the fuel they were selling wasn’t theirs. The truck only drove away at 4AM long after the robbers had vanished. What is worrying is where the robbers got the firearm,” said the source.

He said the armed robbery case was reported at West Nicholson Police Station and cops initiated investigations into the matter.

Matabeleland South acting police officer Sergeant Loveness Mangena could not be reached for comment last night. — @nqotshili

Business Reporter
SCORES of Bulawayo residents yesterday thronged the Small City Hall in the city in response to fake social media messages that promised them jobs under the ambitious $60 million Egodini Mall project.

The contractor, Terracotta Trading Pvt Ltd, swiftly reacted with a statement distancing itself from the WhatsApp messages and advised residents to use proper information channels.

“There have been a number of social media messages relating to employment opportunities and processes in relation to the Egodini Project. Unfortunately, these messages contain false information and are causing unnecessary anxiety to the general public,” said Terracotta.

“The public is again advised that the Egodini Project has not contracted any representative or institution to employ on its behalf. Accordingly, we appeal to the public to report any person or organisation purporting to employ or disseminating any information about employment opportunities at Egodini to the nearest police station.”

It is not the first time such fake messages have been peddled in public and the contractor blames certain interest groups for seeking to cause disorder and disturb peace in the city. In February both council and Tearracotta released a joint statement in relation to the very same issue. Residents and all stakeholders have since been called to rely solely on formal communication issued by either Terracotta, as the developer or the city council as the local authority.

The contractor, however, paid tribute to residents for showing genuine interest in support for the Egodini Project and said a contact centre or office would soon be set up in the city to officially engage job seekers and answer to any queries.

“The public should note that all employment applications for Phase 1 of the project will be exclusively received through the contact centre, which will be located adjacent to the site at the corner of 8th Avenue Extension and Lobengula Street,” said Tearracotta.

“The contact centre is currently undergoing renovations and is expected to be completed and opened at the end of April 2018. Terracotta will advise the public, through formal media channels, about the actual date on which the contact centre will be opened for acceptance of employment applications, as well as the relevant processes and procedures to be followed by prospective job applicants.”

The contact centre will serve as; a jobs centre for job applicants, a business centre for sub-contractors and material suppliers to register on relevant databases, collect tender documents and submit their respective bids for sub contracts and materials supply. It will also be a public relations centre for all formal and social media related issues as well as any community liaison issues.

One of the frustrated residents said: “We got the message from Whatsapp that all those who want to be recruited for Egodini Mall must report to the city hall on the 13th of April without fail. “As people who are desperately for jobs we woke up in the morning and joined the queue hoping to be recruited for the job. The message informed us to bring IDs, CVs and certificates.”

Council recently closed the Egodini terminus in preparation for the commencement of Phase 1 construction works. Since then there has been anxiety over the project and speculation over job opportunities.

Madinda Ndlovu

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
BULAWAYO giants Highlanders tomorrow come up against a bruised and hungry Chicken Inn in what will be Madinda Ndlovu’s real challenge in the five games that his side have played to date in league games.

Never mind that Bosso have collected 13 points from a possible 15 while Chicken Inn have failed to

collect maximum points on the road, tomorrow’s encounter has the potential of making a mockery of that statistic.

Pressure is definitely on the GameCocks, who, despite not announcing it publicly, are clearly targeting their second league title in three years hence their shocking decision to part ways with Rahman Gumbo and bring back the man who made them break the ice in 2015, Joe Antipas, but their results on the road so far have not been convincing.

They have not only failed to win but they have also fired blanks, drawing 0-0 against league debutants Nichrut before painfully going down 0-1 to fellow championship aspirants Ngezi Platinum last week.

So, for those who thought Gumbo was not good enough to deliver them their desired results especially after Bosso pummelled them 0-4 last season to effectively end any dreams they had of a league title, only a positive result against Highlanders will soothe those frustrations.

The GameCocks enjoy better head to head results against their hugely followed opponents and maybe that psychological advantage which also might come with the urge to revenge the ZNA Charities Shield loss they suffered earlier this year.

Ndlovu is, however, not a worried man about the previous results and like before, says they only worry about things that they have control of.

“There is need to put into consideration the manpower that was being used then and I would not talk about the manpower that was being used by a different coach. I will only talk about the manpower that I have now.

“We fear no team in the Premier League because we are competing at the same level and it is only when we have not prepared well that we can lose a game but if we prepare well we are ready for any battles, ready for anybody in the league. Gone are the days when you have to classify teams and say these are small or big teams, all teams prepare well these days and come in ready to fight,” said Ndlovu.

He said their clash against Chicken Inn this year in a charity encounter gave them a few hints of what they are made of.

“We will expect that they really won’t make drastic changes but if they do, it will mean they will be having a new set of players.

“We know their philosophy, how they function in as much as they might have knowledge about us but we will go out there to stage a big fight and hopefully get the three points,” said Ndlovu.

Bosso are however likely to miss three players due to injury. Big defender Tendai Ndlovu, new find Ben Munsaka and promising Bukhosi Ncube remain doubtful for the encounter with news yesterday also indicating that skipper Honest Moyo could be the fourth player on the casualty list.

“That is probably why we are allowed to register 30 players. Yes these are soldiers and soldiers get injured on duty hence these injuries don’t come as a surprise, it’s man at work,” said Ndlovu.

Tomorrow’s derby is the only match in the city as the other two sides, Bulawayo Chiefs and City are on the road. Chiefs, who have really given a decent account of themselves in their debut season, are at Vengere Stadium this afternoon against fellow debutants Mutare City while Chiefs face Herentals at Rufaro Stadium with Amakhosi  coach Darlington Dodo fully aware that any result other than a win might see him being the first coaching casualty this season.

“Despite their invasion of the market where they brought on board tried and trusted veterans, City have struggled to hit consistency.

Fixtures

Today: Mutare City v Bulawayo Chiefs (Vengere),  FC Platinum v Harare City (Mandava), Herentals v Bulawayo City (Rufaro), Nichrut v ZPC Kariba (Ascot)

Tomorrow: Triangle United v Caps United (Gibbo), Shabanie Mine v Ngezi Platinum (Maglas). Chicken Inn v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Yadah (Rufaro).

Jah Prayzah

AFTER conquering Zimbabwe’s music scene and achieving nearly all his goals at home, contemporary musician, Jah Prayzah (real name Mukudzei Mukombe), has set his sights on the rest of Africa, where other stars, such as Diamond Platnumz, Cassper Nyovest and Davido, are making waves.

For Jah Prayzah, music is a business and he has set up his own record label, Military Touch Movement, which, along with himself, has signed artistes Tahle Wedzinza, Nutty O and ExQ.

“I’ve always dreamed of doing my work in a professional manner. I can’t treat my music as a tuck-shop business where we meet in the street and someone pays,” he says.

Although he could not reveal details, Jah Prayzah says he is working on something to invest in outside music just in case he wakes up one day “without a voice”.

Popularly known as “Musoja” because of his army uniform, Jah Prayzah said he handles his music with military precision, viewing himself as a commander of the troops of instrumentalists, producers and fellow artistes under his stable.

“I always wanted to be a soldier and at one time, I applied and they invited me for training, but that was when I started to do shows so I couldn’t carry on with my dream to be in the military.”

In 2016, Jah Prayzah was awarded an MTV Africa Music Award in the Listeners’ Choice category, something he says came unexpectedly.

“For the first time in my adult life, I felt like crying,” he says.

Last year, he was nominated for the Best African Artiste Award at the South African Music Awards alongside fellow Zimbabwean artiste, Oliver Mtukudzi. Both, however, lost out to Nigerian musician Patoranking.

But back home, Jah Prayzah has amassed more than 20 awards, such as the Zimbabwe Music Awards and the prestigious National Arts and Merit Awards.

The awards and growing airplay on music channels Trace Africa and MTV Base have boosted his confidence to spread his music to other countries.

“In Zimbabwe, I have tried and have achieved everything I wanted to. Right now, I want to spread my music to every corner of Africa and then to every corner of the world. That’s why here and there, there is a change in sound; I want to make music that cuts across most African countries.”

In Africa, he has been well received after he performed at the Bushfire Festival in Swaziland last year. In Mozambique, he was shocked “to see that there are people who support me” to such lengths. He has also been to Tanzania where he has recorded duets with Diamond Platnumz and Harmonize.

Jah Prayzah has more than 230 000 followers on his Facebook fan page and says almost half of his social media followers are from Tanzania owing to the popularity gained on the back of his duet with Diamond Platnumz. He has also collaborated with Davido on track My Lilly as well as Mafikizolo on the song Sendekera. The artistes have a second song Mazuva Akanaka that is on Mafikizolo’s latest album.

Jah Prayzah has also worked with Botswana’s Vee Mampeezy, Namibia’s Boss Madam and Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo.

But, it is not always easy to get hold of Africa’s top artistes and convince them to work together.

“It’s more difficult to get hold of other African artistes when you’re still pushing your name. I wanted to collaborate with them a long time back,” says Jah Prayzah.

But this has since changed after he bagged international awards and got good reviews back home. He says this has made it easier for him to sit down with other African artistes and discuss music business.

The collaboration with Davido has seen Jah Prayzah get airplay across the continent. But does it come at a cost and do Africa’s top artists require a payment for collaborations?

“With Davido, Diamond Platnumz and Mafikizolo, we did not pay any money. The only money we use is for work such as videos. It’s all about networking and building relationships,” he says.

The heavy workload can take its toll. He recalls when he had to perform at three shows on the same day as his sister’s wedding and he almost lost his eyesight.

“At one of the shows, there was a light that was too bright. I asked my guys why there was smoke and they laughed at me. Even driving home it was cloudy.

“On the following day, my eyesight became problematic as the day progressed and I partially lost my eyesight. [It was so bad] that I could not clearly identify people. I then went to see my doctor and he helped me and said it’s because of the lighting. I have never been so taken aback in my life.”

Jah Prayzah says balancing performances, his heavy travel schedule, collaborations and family is “super hectic” but he is always guided by his ethos of hard work and his refusal to limit his dreams.

“I always aim higher, but sometimes it’s painful when I have to travel a lot and also balance family. I still want more awards.”

As the interview is concluded, Jah Prayzah smiles and says it’s not easy to build an African music brand. He is giving it his best shot and believes he is on the right path, especially when he sees the growing support across borders.

At home, fans demand their unique Zimbabwean sound while the rest of Africa has its own beat. With his most recent album, Kutonga Kwaro, he had to compromise between the different sounds. It is all part of building a legacy across the continent — after all, he is not selling sweets in a small shop. — ForbesAfrica

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Stephen Mpofu

President Mnangagwa has already come under sharp censure by some hind-sighted holier-than-thou Zimbabweans for both his unflinching determination and intrepidity in re-engineering Zimbabwe’s limping economy, just months after he ascended to power, courtesy of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces’ engineered Operation Restore Legacy in November last year.

It is probably fitting at the outset of this   discourse to fill the ears of the President’s critics with the following advice from a communicologist in the person of Mr Felix Moyo, Director of Communication and Marketing at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust): “A hawk or eagle that perches ad infitum on a tree, however tall this might be, instead of hunting for food, is bound to die of hunger.”

But Zimbabwe’s new Head of State is neither a hawk nor eagle and will therefore not be cowed by anyone be it at home or abroad, and stop re-engaging countries from which the country has been isolated for years to facilitate technology transfers and foreign investment so that our economy may regain its buoyancy.

That reconnection is not possible through telephone calls or emails from an air-conditioned office.

Re-engagement demands that those involved in the exercise should go out there to the rest of the world and study on the spot how other nations have overcome obstacles that stand as immovable pillars in the way of Zimbabwe’s economic and social transformation.

Most vocal critics of the President’s programme to re-activate economic and technological advancement happen to be Zimbabweans squatting in foreign countries and who, because of the forward movement in the country claim that there continues to be political and economic deterioration in Zimbabwe.

But, of course, even one in possession of a magic wand could not have removed overnight economic and political obstacles that grew, like gum trees, over a period exceeding three decades.

Zimbabweans must rally to the support of the new government under Cde Mnangagwa because, only in that way can we weather the bad weather that developed under the previous regime which saw companies and individuals blueing millions of dollars out of the country, thereby seriously bleeding Zimbabwe economically.

In fact it is no exaggeration to suggest that had the military not intervened to restore the legacy of the revolution that recovered the motherland from a foreign ruling culture, we would now have been talking of Zimbabwe’s independence and freedom in the past tense.

Thus, it is becoming evident from each day that passes that our country serves to benefit from a surge of interests shown by investors from the continent and as well as from both the progressive East and from Western countries which imposed economic sanctions on Zimbabwe to try to effect regime change and in that way kill the agrarian revolution that saw land being repossessed from some white farmers for re-distribution to landless blacks who needed that asset the most for their food security.

However, food security in Zimbabwe as well as in many other African countries remains tenuous on account of global warming with its recurrent droughts and floods both of which are a danger to food production.

What is more, rampaging armyworms continue to dash any hopes of a permanent solution to food security on the African continent with current reports about Malawi, which is closer to home under-siege by armyworms to the extent that the United States of America had to send experts to combat the pest.

Thus, with hopes of a permanent solution to food security receding all the time Zimbabweans who speak of a desire to now promote commercial farming throughout the country should tread carefully on this matter in view of the droughts, floods and the pests that remain rampant on the African continent.

Should small-holder farmers or peasants abandon drought resistant “traditional” crops such as pearl millet and sorghum in favour of maize or other crops that fetch a lot of money on the market, while being highly vulnerable to droughts, the country stands to suffer food-wise should climate change and its effects remain out of control.

Because of the precarious weather conditions, it therefore becomes imperative for the government and farming community at large to keep their ears wide open to advice from weather experts in order to take necessary, precautionary measures as and when these become imperative to avert widespread food shortages and hunger.

To this extent, the government should be applauded for its programmes on dam constructions in various parts of the country under Command Agriculture so that people do not needlessly suffer food shortages when droughts occur as irrigation will help avert famine.

Of course, agricultural experts should spare no efforts in encouraging Zimbabweans to follow proper land tillage to preserve soil from erosion and loss of fertility during heavy rainfall and flooding.

President Mnangagwa

Chronicle Reporters
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has said this year’s independence celebrations are of great significance as they are being held under a new trajectory of freedom, openness and opportunity.

The country commemorates 38 years of independence tomorrow under the theme “Sustainable Industrial Development.”

The theme is in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of economic transformation through industrial development.

In a pre-independence message on his Facebook page on Sunday, President Mnangagwa preached peace, tolerance and unity.

“As we celebrate another blessed Sunday, we look forward to a week during which we will celebrate our country’s independence.

“This year’s celebrations carry even greater resonance as we have entered a new period in our history, a period of freedom, openness and opportunity,” said President Mnangagwa.

He said in this new era, Zimbabweans must be liberated not only from without but also from within, from hate, prejudice and discord.

“Let us always remain united, working together with our brothers and sisters to build a strong and open Zimbabwe for all,” the President said.

Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Acting Minister Simon Khaya Moyo said the national celebrations would be held at the National Sports Stadium and provincial commemorations at provincial capitals.

The Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde Angeline Masuku said people will be gathered at White City Stadium to join the rest of the country in celebrating the significant day.

Minister Masuku, who will read the President’s speech, urged the people of Bulawayo to come in their numbers to celebrate Independence Day.

“This is a significant day, which this year comes at a time when we’re in the new dispensation that has brought hope to the people of Zimbabwe. We’re looking forward to a peaceful working environment, where we have one vision of reviving Bulawayo’s industries.

“I have toured the factories in Bulawayo to have an understanding of what is required to revive our industries. I submitted the requirements to Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Mike Bimha’s office so that we get some support. I’m hopeful that soon Bulawayo will be back on its feet again,” said Minister Masuku.

She added that projects like the Egodini Mall and the recently commissioned National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotives are a sign that Bulawayo will not be the same again.

“I’m proud of the people of Bulawayo for their togetherness and working hard. I want to urge them to continue working together in peace.

“We want to move forward and not lag behind. I therefore urge all the people of Bulawayo to come in their numbers and be part of the celebrations,” said Minister Masuku.

The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube said all was set for the independence celebrations in the province.

“We’re ready for celebrations because Zimbabwe is our country. It was a hard-won independence. This is why we leave no stone unturned in Independence Day preparations. “We’re a sovereign state, we’re satisfied with where we are going,” said Minister Ncube.

He said the departure of former President Robert Mugabe will not have a bearing on the independence celebrations.

Mr Mugabe has been in charge of the country’s independence celebrations since 1980 and this is the first time he will not be presiding over its commemorations.

He said President Mnangagwa fits well in leading the commemoration of the country’s Independence Day.

“We are still a Zanu-PF government. Nothing has changed. We will continue doing what we’ve been doing for the past 38 years. Even in the new political dispensation being led by a veteran of the liberation struggle, Cde ED Mnangagwa, we will joyfully celebrate our independence. There is going to be a lot of meat to feast on during the commemorations,” Minister Ncube said.

The Minister for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Cain Mathema, said they expect a bigger turnout this year as more businesses and individuals came forward to support the event owing to renewed hope following the coming in of the new dispensation.

The celebrations will be held at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane with food and a music gala as well and drills by the uniformed forces.

Minister Mathema will read the President’s speech.

He urged people from across the province to come in their numbers and to even celebrate in their homes.

“We are expecting large numbers this year and we encourage people to come so we celebrate together especially now that we have a new dispensation and the spirit of us being independent is very high. People must not forget this day regardless of the challenges they may be facing. Let’s lift the Zimbabwean flag wherever we are,” said Minister Mathema.

He said the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate had donated game meat while well-wishers donated different kinds of food and material.

Celebrations will also be held at district level.

In Binga people will be gathered at Saba Primary School while in Hwange there will be a soccer match between Hwange Legends and select team from Livingstone, Zambia with lots of entertainment from local groups at Old Grounds.

Mpumelelo High School in Nkayi will be the venue for district celebrations. In Masvingo, all is set for the independence celebrations to be held at Mucheke Stadium, with the provincial committee having mobilised more than $7 000 towards the event.

Provincial administrator who is also chairman of the committee, Mr Fungai Mbetsa, said preparations for this year’s celebrations were complete with minor touch ups remaining to be done on the design of the venue. He hailed Government stakeholders, individuals and other private companies for donating towards the hosting of the event and urged people from all walks of life to attend, irrespective of one’s political persuasion.

“We’re ready for the independence celebrations. We have mobilised at least $7 000 from our all weather friends. We are only left with a few touch-ups on designing the stadium,” said Mr Mbetsa. “We urge all people in Masvingo, including all political parties, to attend the celebrations at Mucheke.

“This is a national event which does not segregate people basing on anything- be it politics, religion, colour or creed. We should celebrate this day together to mark the day we were liberated from colonial bondage as a people,” said Mr Mbetsa.

He said as a precursor to the celebrations, Masvingo held a Miss Independence beauty pageant on Saturday and those who won will be presented to the guest of honour, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Senator Josaya Hungwe, on the day of celebrations.

Mr Mbetsa said everyone who will attend the celebrations will be fed and the committee has mobillised enough for the people.

He also said the uniformed forces –Zimbabwe Republic Police, Zimbabwe National Army and Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, will provide the main entertainment through their exhilarating slow and quick march drills.

Senator Hungwe is expected to read President Mnangagwa’s speech.

Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa

Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE has moved to implement the Southern Africa Development Community (Sadc) Trade Related Facility (TRF) project aimed at enhancing infrastructure standards for increased trade competitiveness.

The project is being funded by the European Union Commission through the Sadc Secretariat to the tune of €1.4 million and would run until September 2019.

“The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Enterprise Development wishes to inform all its valued stakeholders of the implementation of the Southern African Development Community Trade Related Facility project, which is aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s quality and standards infrastructure,” the permanent secretary, Mrs Abigail Shonhiwa, said.

“The (TRF) support will be used to strengthen the national quality infrastructure towards the full implementation of technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreements.”

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are measures to protect humans, animals, and plants from diseases, pests, or contaminants. The national quality infrastructure, sanitary and phytosanitary environment in Zimbabwe is key to the country’s implementation of commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) technical barriers to trade and sanitary and phytosanitary agreements. These are important for regional trade because of the link with annexes on TBTs and SPS of the Sadc Protocol on Trade, said Mrs Shonhiwa.

“The overall objective of the project is to increase export of goods and services and improve quality and safety of goods produced and imported into the country through the use of quality standards, TBT and SPS related measures,” she said.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the overall objective of the project is to promote the use of quality and SPS infrastructure to improve the competitiveness and access of Zimbabwe’s export products and services in local, regional and international markets.

Beneficiaries of the project include Government ministries and agencies responsible for industry, commerce, lands and agriculture, health, livestock and veterinary services, research and specialist services, laboratories, national biotechnology, metrology institutions as well as the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).

Mrs Shonhiwa paid tribute to the EU Commission and the SAC for the financial support saying the country was geared to working hard to ensure successful implementation of the project.

Mr Joseph Gunda

Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
BULAWAYO industries registered above 50 percent capacity utilisation in 2017, higher than the 45 percent achieved by the national manufacturing sector.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) Matabeleland chamber president, Mr Joseph Gunda, called for the adoption of chamber specific production surveys to reflect a true picture on performance of each chamber.

Last year, the country’s manufacturing sector representative body, CZI, indicated that capacity utilisation in the manufacturing sector slid by 2.3 percentage points to 45.1 percent from 47.4 percent the previous year.

It attributed the decline in capacity utilisation to a number of factors with the cost or shortage of raw materials being the major constraint affecting productivity. Mr Gunda, who has just been re-elected to lead the regional chamber for another year, told Business Chronicle in an interview industries in Bulawayo were on solid ground for growth although more needs to be done.

“The national manufacturing sector survey highlighted that there was a drop in capacity utilisation. However, we (Matabeleland Chapter) noted that manufactured volumes increased and that’s basically in Bulawayo where a lot of companies installed new equipment and volumes increased so, the measurement was a bit distorted,” he said.

“And also we are saying in future we would also want capacity utilisation measurements and surveys to be done chamber-specific so that we get a true picture of what exactly each CZI chamber has done.”

Once the country’s industrial hub, Bulawayo has not been spared from the adverse economic climate Zimbabwe was reeling under for close to two decades.

The coming in of a new political dispensation in November last year has ignited hopes for economic turnaround as the Government has announced its commitment to improve Zimbabwe’s relations with the international community to attract significant foreign direct investments into the country.

“For us (CZI Matabeleland Chapter), we believe we have done better than the 45 percent they are talking about, judged by the reports we have been capturing in our various meetings where a lot of our companies have indicated to have registered increases in capacity utilisation and volumes, which were higher than 50 percent in the majority who have reported to us.

“Some have even registered between 87 percent and 90 percent, so that’s why we are saying there is a bit of distortion,” said Mr Gunda.

On quality of products produced by industries in Bulawayo, he said the companies had also performed well on the back of the lean manufacturing training that was held in the city last year where a majority of Matabeleland Chapter members participated.

“So, coupled with this drive on cutting down on costs and internal processes that each one of our members must also play, we are not cry babies just to say Government do this and that . . . . we are also doing our own internal processes to improve our systems and efficiencies so that we become competitive,” he said.

Mr Gunda is the General Manager of General Beltings, one of the firms in Bulawayo that have made inroads towards positive growth.

@okazunga

According to officials, 10 477 people paid to watch the Bulawayo derby on Sunday, making it this season’s highest attended game so far

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
MORE than 10 000 fans paid to watch the Bulawayo derby between 2015 champions Chicken Inn and resurgent giants Highlanders in Sunday’s Castle Lager Premiership at Barbourfields Stadium.

According to officials, 10 477 people paid to watch Sunday’s entertaining encounter, making it this season’s highest attended game so far.

Chicken Inn were the home team and the weekend’s figure beat the club’s previous record of 9 773 recorded when they beat South African side Mamelodi Sundowns in a Caf Champions League game in 2016.

“As Chicken Inn, we want to express our gratitude to the people of Bulawayo for coming in their numbers for the derby. We had 10 477 officially paying their way to watch some quality football exhibited by both teams. What further impressed us about the crowd is that not even a single peel of a groundnut was thrown onto the field, showing maturity by fans,” said Chicken Inn spokesperson Tawengwa Hara.

“Of course, we play such high profile matches once, but let me put it on record that this is the best attendance we have recorded for any Chicken Inn game. I know that the last big figure was that of Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 when we were in the Champions League,” he said.

Numbers involving Highlanders matches continue to rise, with Bosso’s newfound flair under coach Madinda Ndlovu contributing to the return of fans to the stadium.

Attendance levels in Highlanders’ three home games against Black Rhinos, Triangle United and Nichrut have been improving.

Against Black Rhinos, 7 595 paid to watch the season’s opener, followed by 6 596 for the Triangle United encounter. Last week Highlanders had 8 850 paying to watch their win over Nichrut at Barbourfields.

Football lovers got real value for money at the derby, as both teams exhibited 90 minutes of entertaining football. They also got to watch three beautifully executed goals in the 2-2 draw.

Highlanders drew first blood with a beauty from midfielder Brian Banda in the 43rd minute. He got a pass from the left, controlled the ball with a tap-up before volleying into the top right, giving goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze no chance.

Chicken Inn equalised a minute into the second half with a brilliant goal by Innocent Mucheneka that left Highlanders’ supporters stunned.

Gabriel Nyoni briefly restored Bosso’s lead with another gem of a goal after springing to beat a poor offside trap to beat the advancing Chipezeze while in full flight in the 62nd minute.

The fourth goal and Chicken Inn equaliser was a gift from central defender Peter Muduhwa who struck his attempted clearance against advancing Chicken Inn forward Simon Munawa and the ball ricocheted into the net.

@ZililoR

Lady Zamar

Showbiz Correspondent
THE queen of South African house music, Lady Zamar, will tonight serenade Bulawayo fans when she performs at Cosmopolitan Night Club.

The event that will also serve as a pre-independence celebration will see top female DJs Liz and Crazy Dee alongside guest DJs Wellyonz, Eugy, Champion Sound ZW and Victor Bravo perform alongside Zamar. Club Cosmopolitan resident DJs Mzoe, Kananjo and Keezy AM wrap up the line up.

Lady Zamar, the voice behind Prince Kaybee’s Charlotte track, according to event organiser, Mduduzi Mdlongwa, is excited to be visiting Zimbabwe for the first time since her meteoric rise to prominence in showbiz.

Mdlongwa of 3D Events said all was set adding that Lady Zamar is expected to touch down in Bulawayo this morning.

“After Lady Zamar arrives, she’ll go around the city to meet fans. Also, during the day, she’ll make a stop at Zarah Lounge, Cosmopolitan for sound check and also Ster Kinekor movie house at Bulawayo Centre.

“Thereafter, she’ll freshen up for the show in the evening,” said Mdlongwa.

He said advance tickets that are on sale at Copa Cubanna and Zarah Lounge have been moving fast. General tickets are being sold for $10, $15 for VIP and $20 for VVIP.

“Those in the VVIP will be closer to the artiste and will also meet and greet Lady Zamar. They will also be able to take pictures with her.”

Lady Zamar shone on Prince Kaybee’s Charlotte and chart topping song Love Is Blind. In December last year, her album King Zamar went gold and in February 2018, King Zamar album sales were over 22 000.

Dr John Mangudya

Oliver Kazunga, Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is looking for investment from the whole world and has ring-fenced its investment portfolio facilities to attract potential suitors from across the globe.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) Governor Dr John Mangudya said this in the United States of America yesterday in a televised interview with Bloomberg TV where he also assured investors that they can repatriate profits from their businesses in the country.

He said in light of the prevailing foreign currency shortages, Zimbabwe was opening up the economy to allow more foreign-owned companies to participate in the country’s economy.

“Right now Zimbabwe is going through foreign currency shortages and definitely by opening up the economy, we are saying that we need more companies coming into this country and then others will come in and others will be going out and therefore that’s why we are saying Zimbabwe is open for business,” he said.

“At the end of the day others will come in and the portfolio investors and others obviously will be going out and, therefore, we have ring-fenced the portfolio investment facilities and at the end of the day companies can take money out of the country.”

Since the coming of a new political administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November 2017, the country has so far attracted nearly $7 billion foreign direct investments.

Dr Mangudya reiterated that Zimbabwe was open for business and invited investments from across the globe including companies from Europe in countries such as Britain, German and France as well as those from Asia, among others.

He said the Zimbabwe has three areas to which it has comparative advantage in attracting investments.

“First, if you look at mining, we have got a number of minerals in Zimbabwe that are unexploited. We have got gold; the quantum of it (13 million tonnes of gold under reserves) underground, we also have platinum and we are the second largest producer in Africa after South Africa,” said Dr Mangudya.

“We have got lithium, copper and nickel all those products and therefore mining is the first core, which we can invite investors to come and tap and that way we know we can create foreign currency.

“The second part is agriculture, we have got a very good climate in Zimbabwe, the soils are good; perfect for tobacco and horticulture and the third part is tourism where we have the seventh wonder of the world (Victoria Falls).”

The RBZ boss noted that if people can invest well in the above areas, the country has the potential to be Africa’s transport hub. He said under the new political administration, Zimbabwe has so far dealt with the investment climate and work was in progress to address the challenges former farmers faced when the country adopted the Land Reform programme in 2000.

On the introduction of local currency, he said: “Once we have a foreign currency buffer that is sufficient enough to ensure that there is convertibility.

Secondly, when we have got fiscal consolidation to ensure that we don’t have demand, which we create from a fiscal imbalance, we will then be able to have our own currency and that requires Zimbabwe to also have access to foreign finance that we can leverage using mineral resources.”

Zimbabwe adopted a multicurrency system in February 2009 to tame the hyperinflation that saw prices of goods and services reaching unprecedented levels.

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Scenes from the violent skirmishes at Gaika Mine in Kwekwe

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
GAIKA Gold Mine in Kwekwe, which recently opened under a Community Ownership Trust, has temporarily ceased operations following the death of two people after a war of machetes broke out.

The mine, which has been closed for the past 20 years, was reopened in February following the intervention of Mbizo Legislator Cde Vongaiishe Mpereri as a Community Ownership Trust where youths take turns to extract the precious mineral.

But violence has reared its ugly head at the mine last week with machete wars being the order of the day as the youths reportedly fight for pits.

Two people, a security guard manning the mine and a youth, have reportedly died while several others were injured as a result of the violent running battles.

Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende said the reports were yet to reach her office.

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“I will check but I am yet to receive any report of that nature, I will come back to you after confirming,” she said.

Cde Mpereri, who chairs the Trust, confirmed the reports and blamed youths from other towns for causing the chaos.

“The people who are behind these deaths are not from Kwekwe, they are outsiders who have heard that Gaika is paying and come during the night to steal gold ore that would have been mined by others,” he said.

Cde Mpereri said activities run from 7AM to7PM every day and no one is allowed to conduct any mining activities during the night.

“We have had problems with people from places like Shurugwi and Zvishavane who come here with evil intentions and cause havoc. They come during the night when people have knocked off and steal gold ore, that is when they have problems with our security personnel,” he said.

“This is the main reason why we do not want outsiders to come in because they cause problems, ever since we resumed operations, we have been doing it in peace,” said Cde Mpereri.

He, however, could not be drawn into discussing the deaths saying the matter was in the hands of the police.

Cde Mpereri said security measures have been taken to ensure the safety of miners.

“We have managed to resolve the matter but it is unfortunate that I cannot divulge measures that we have taken, but I can assure you that security has been improved and anyone caught with a machete will be in for it,” he said.

Cde Mpereri said operations have since resumed after a schedule with proper details of every member conducting activities at the mine was registered with the authorities.

“We have beefed up security. We have also created a register where everyone who is undertaking activities so that we can easily trace them. Those from outside Kwekwe will not be allowed as they cause problems,” he said.

“This is part of our youth empowerment projects and if someone wants to disturb such a programme, they will face the consequences. We cannot be disturbed by two or three selfish individuals”.

The mine has reportedly benefitted more than 2 000 youths from Kwekwe and surrounding areas like Zhombe and Silobela.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr Sibusiso Moyo

SLOWLY but surely Zimbabwe is regaining acceptance in the community of nations and could soon record major foreign policy breakthroughs thanks to the valiant efforts of the new dispensation. For the first time since the country withdrew from the Commonwealth in December 2003 after the group voted to extend its indefinite suspension from the club of former British colonies, Zimbabwe has been invited to CHOGM which opened in London yesterday.

The invitation marks the latest high level sign of thawing of relations between Zimbabwe and Britain which have been frosty since the turn of the millennium.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, leads Zimbabwe’s delegation to the CHOGM where the country will have observer status ahead of its planned re-admission into the bloc before year end. Before heading to London, Dr Moyo will meet senior United States of America officials in that country where he is accompanied by among other officials, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya.

Zimbabwe is working towards normalising relations with countries that were hostile to it because of the policies of the previous regime led by former President Robert Mugabe. It is also keen to shed off its pariah status and woo international investors who have already shown an appetite for the country.

The charm offensive in the United States began yesterday with Dr Mangudya being interviewed by Bloomberg TV where he called for investors from the US, France, Germany and the United Kingdom to come into the country.

Zimbabwe, he said, was looking at the whole global economy, particularly Western countries, to invest in Zimbabwe. “We expect the whole global economy to invest . . . Not only China. Yes, China has been involved in a number of projects that are there, we are also talking about Western countries, UK, Germany, France, they have a number of companies there. We know about the Totals of this world,” Dr Mangudya said.

Allaying fears that investors could find it difficult to move their money in and out of Zimbabwe due to the prevailing foreign currency shortages, the RBZ Governor said the banking system was stable and secure. “Right now you all know that Zimbabwe is going through foreign currency shortages . . . and therefore if we open up the economy we are saying that we need more people coming into this country. And others will come in and others will be going out and therefore that’s why we are saying that Zimbabwe is open for business. The economy is open, so at the end of the day, companies can take money out,” he said.

Since November last year, Zimbabwe has received $7 billion worth of investment commitments and once these are fulfilled, the country will witness a boom in economic activity unprecedented in its history. The planned re-admission into the Commonwealth will expedite the country’s economic recovery as it will open up new markets while repairing Zimbabwe’s battered image abroad.

Speaking at the weekend, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joey Bimha, said the Commonwealth invitation was an indication of reciprocity to Zimbabwe’s re-engagement efforts. “The minister has been invited by his British counterpart for a visit. He is going to attend the (Commonwealth) meeting, but he will not participate,” he said.

“We are not privy to the agenda of the Summit since we are not participants . . . But this shows that our re-engagement exercise is working,” he said. After London, Dr Moyo heads to Brussels where he is scheduled to meet European Union head of Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms Federica Mogherini.

Ambassador Bimha said Zimbabwe’s re-engagement missions had been going well. “The President has been on record saying we should make overtures to woo the West again following a long period of isolation. I think the exercise is going on well, we have been to Japan, UK, Portugal, China and Spain.

“To signal the level of reciprocity Zimbabwe has been enjoying from the West, delegations have visited the country from the European Union, the UK, the US and other countries,” he said.

President Mnangagwa’s first foreign visitor following his inauguration was then British Minister for Africa, Mr Rory Stewart. UK minister for Africa in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department for International Development, Mr Harriet Bladwin also visited him in February. Last month, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa was in Britain where he met Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.

A fortnight ago, a five-member delegation of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee visited Zimbabwe and met President Mnangagwa; and last week EU International Development Commissioner Mr Nevin Mimica also paid him a visit. Zimbabwe is indeed open for business and the latest diplomatic offensive by the Government is likely to consolidate the good work that has been done since the end of Operation Restore Legacy that culminated in the resignation of former President Mugabe and the ushering in of a new dispensation.

President Mnangagwa speaks to Commander Defence Forces General Philip Valerio Sibanda while Zimbabwe National Army Commander Lieutenant-General Edzayi Chimonyo and Commander Air Force of Zimbabwe Air Marshal Elson Moyo look on after watching Chinhoyi 7 Battle film, at Ster Kinekor, Sam Levy Borrowdale, Harare today.-(Picture by Tawanda Mudimu)

President Mnangagwa and Vice President Chiwenga, together with Cabinet Ministers and service chiefs, today had a chance to view local liberation war movie “Chinhoyi 7” at Ster Kinekor, Borrowdale in Harare.

The private viewing comes ahead of the launch of the film anytime soon.

Based on the Chinhoyi Battle of 1966, where first shots of the Second Chimurenga were fired, the film seeks to correct some misconceptions about the war.

President Mnangagwa hailed the film players for documenting the country’s history adding that Zimbabweans should safeguard the country’s hard-won independence.

“The burden of defending our land and passing on the patriotism in our blood is upon us to pass on to generations to come,” he said.

More to follow…

Police’s Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has urged members of the public in possession of firearms either lawfully or illegally to surrender them to police stations countrywide for verification.

In a statement today, CID acting spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Portia Chinho said the verification exercise was necessary as some licenced holders were no longer in the same position as they were when they applied for the firearms.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police, Criminal Investigation Department, is calling for all holders of firearms either lawful or illegal to surrender them to police stations for the verification exercise,” she said.

More to follow…

Dr Thokozani Khupe and her lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku walk out of the High Court in Bulawayo yesterday

Auxilia Katongomara/Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporters
MDC-T breakaway deputy president, Dr Thokozani Khupe yesterday filed an urgent application at the Constitutional Court in Harare challenging her expulsion from Parliament and seeking re-instatement.

The court application follows her recent ejection from Parliament after the MDC-T recalled her.

Dr Khuphe through her lawyer Professor Lovemore Madhuku is also challenging Parliaments’ failure to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of her seat as a duly elected MP and the leader of opposition.

In the application, Dr Khuphe and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) are cited as the applicants while the Parliament of Zimbabwe , Speaker of Parliament and MDC-T national deputy chairperson Mr Morgen Komichi are cited as the first , second and third respondents.

In the application, Dr Khuphe says she approached the apex court as it has jurisdiction to determine whether Parliament or the President has failed to fulfil a constitutional obligation as expressly stipulated by section 167(2).

“At the core of this application is my contention that the first respondent, in arbitrarily announcing that I had lost my seat in circumstances where no reasonable Parliament could ever act in the same manner, failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the security of my seat as its duly elected member.

“I am approaching this Court in my own interests as a citizen of Zimbabwe, who was elected a Member of the National Assembly in the last general election held on 31 July, 2013. Notwithstanding the position taken by the first respondent, I believe that, at law, I am still a Member of Parliament,” read the application.

Dr Khuphe states that her locus standi in seeking the court’s redress on the matter is beyond dispute.

She argued that whenever Parliament’s attention has been drawn to a split or potential split in a political party, it has a constitutional obligation not to recognise a written notice from one of the groups without either taking the matter to court under an interpleader of sorts or referring the parties to a court for determination.

“From the foregoing, there is a failure by the first respondent in several respects. First, despite being put on notice by me in my capacity as a member and leader of the opposition in Parliament regarding the leadership wrangles triggered by the death of our president, the first respondent failed to fulfil the constitutional obligation of referring the issue to, or waiting for, a court of law before recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. Secondly, in the circumstances of this case, the first respondent acted irrationally in recognising the contents of the letter by the third respondent. I submit that no reasonable parliament could ever have recognised the contents of the third respondent’s purported written notice,” said Dr Khuphe.

She said she believed that the matter was extremely urgent and there was no reason why she should be stopped from performing her duties as a Member of Parliament “on patently unconstitutional actions” of Mr Komichi.

“I am the leader of a political party and my absence from Parliament seriously prejudices not only my political career but also the interests of my party and the electorate. Parliament is currently debating electoral reforms ahead of the next elections. I have an electoral mandate to be involved at this crucial period,” read the application.

She said more fundamentally, any delay in determining the application will infringe on her rights under section 67 of the Constitution as it is only fair that this matter be determined before the sitting of the nomination courts.

“The Court may take judicial notice of the fact that nomination courts will sit in a few weeks. The issues raised in this application are of immense public importance and require an authoritative determination by the highest court. It appears to me that this is the sort of matter requiring the Constitutional Court to act on an urgent basis,” said Dr Khuphe.

In the draft order, Dr Khuphe prays the court declares that Parliament failed to fulfil its constitutional obligation to protect the tenure of the seat of a Member of Parliament as required by sections 119(1) and 129 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, 2013 by unlawfully, arbitrarily, irrationally and prematurely announcing and/or recognising a vacancy in respect of her seat.

She also wants to be reinstated as a Member of Parliament and that the letter by Mr Komichi to Parliament be declared null and void and of no force or effect.

‘That the Respondents (if they oppose this application) jointly and severally pay the costs of this application the one paying the others to be absolved,” read the draft order.

In the application Dr Khuphe gives a background leading to the squabbles in her party stating that she was elected deputy president of the MDC-T- in 2006 and was re-elected to the same post in subsequent congresses including the last one in 2014 and says that she is the only deputy president of the party elected by congress.

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