McClive Phiri

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
FOUR injured players have been ruled out of the national team for today’s Independence Day celebratory President’s Cup against Botswana at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

A suspected muscle strain sustained during the Bulawayo derby against Chicken Inn has ruled out in-form Highlanders’ right-back McClive Phiri who was set to earn his first Warriors’ cap. Bosso decided against risking the defender to allow club doctors to monitor his recovery.

Also out of the clash is Highlanders’ captain Honest Moyo and Maritzburg-bound Chicken Inn midfielder Innocent Mucheneka.

According to national team manager Wellington M’pandare, the duo of Moyo and Mucheneka reportedly played the Bulawayo derby carrying injuries.

Yadah Stars defender Byron Madzokere has also been ruled out.

“The coach has decided to call up Jimmy Dzingai (Yadah Stars captain) as a direct replacement for McClive Phiri. If you look at the squad that we had released on Monday, you will realise that Phiri was the only right-back in the team, an indication that he was certainly going to start. Unfortunately, we received communication from Highlanders that Phiri and Honest Moyo are injured. The only player who is in camp from Highlanders is Peter Muduhwa,” said M’pandare.

“I don’t think the coach will make any additions other than Dzingai because there is enough cover. Besides this being an Independence Day celebratory game, the coach will use it to assess some players for future national team assignments. Those injured will be considered for future assignments,” he said.

Among capped national team players set to do duty today are goalkeepers Takabva Mawaya of ZPC Kariba and Ngezi Platinum Stars’ Donovan Bernard.

Experienced Caps United defender Stephen Makatuka, the midfield quartet of Winston Mhango and Edwin Madhananga of FC Platinum, Liberty Chakoroma of Ngezi Platinum and Yadah’s Leeroy Mavhunga are familiar with the national team set up.

Chidzambwa has also called up Bulawayo City’s Ishmael Wadi and the Ngezi Platinum pair of Clive Augusto and Terrence Dzukamanja to lead the strike force.

Warriors Squad

Goalkeepers: Takabva Mawaya (ZPC Kariba), Bernard Donovan (Ngezi Platinum Stars)

Defenders: Peter Muduhwa, (Highlanders), Steven Makatuka (Caps United), Kevin Moyo (FC Platinum), Jimmy Dzingai (Yadah Stars), Devine Lunga (Chicken Inn)

Midfielders: Winston Mhango, Edwin Farai Madhananga (FC Platinum), Liberty Chakoroma, Michael Charamba (both Ngezi Platinum Stars), Ian Nyoni (Chapungu), Ocean Mushure, Raphael Manuvire (both Dynamos), Leeroy Mavhunga (Yadah Stars)

Strikers: Clive Augusto, Terence Dzukamanja (both Ngezi Platinum Stars), Ishmael Wadi (Bulawayo City).

@ZililoR

Saimon Mambazo Phiri (right), representing the awards board of organisers with United Refineries CEO Busisa Moyo in Bulawayo yesterday

Langalakhe Mabena, Showbiz Reporter
THE prestigious Bulawayo Arts Awards, which will be hosting their second edition on May 26 at the Large City Hall, have rebranded to Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (RBAA) after United Refineries were unveiled as the major sponsors of the ceremony.

Speaking at a press conference which was held at the yet-to-be-opened Carne Casa Brazilian restaurant in the city yesterday, Saimon Mambazo Phiri – representing the awards board of organisers – said they had officially partnered with the cooking oil manufacturing company to improve the standard of the awards.

“We announced earlier this year that we need at least $50 000 for the awards to be successful and United Refineries has jumped on board and injected $20 000, making them our major sponsors.

“We’re proud to say that, from today, the awards will be called Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards,” said Phiri.

He said partners who sponsored last year’s event are still on board along with other new sponsors who include Zimbabwe’s leading Internet services provider ZOL and Proton.

Apart from the partnership, Raisedon Baya – who is one of the RBAA organisers – said submission of nominations had been closed last Friday. He said the response had been overwhelming as they received over 2 000 online nominations and 255 physical submissions.

“This year, many artistes submitted their works which is a good sign that people are taking the awards seriously. From the music category, we received 135 submissions, seven for theatre, 25 for film, 15 for literature, 18 for fashion, 13 for poetry, eight for comedy, six for photography, 15 from schools, eight for Visual Arts and eight nominations for the dance category.

“We’re now in the process of trimming the list so as to come up with the final nomination list,” said Baya.

“From the submissions, we observed that there’s a lot of good art creativity at grassroots level which Bulawayo is not paying much attention to. We also used nominations to evaluate and audit the whole Bulawayo arts sector focusing on which art is active and which genre is the most popular in the city.”

The nominees for this year’s RBAA will be officially unveiled next Friday followed by a nominees’ dinner which will be held a week before the esteemed awards take place.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT has set out a clear vision for youth to have decent jobs and to benefit from broad-based empowerment initiatives that will move them out of poverty, President Mnangagwa has said.

He also warned those who perpetrate child abuse, saying the law would take its course against offenders.

Addressing a children’s party he hosted together with the First Lady on the eve of the country’s 38th independence anniversary in Harare yesterday, the President said his Government had set a target for a middle income economy by 2030.

“The future that lies ahead is promising. As Government, we have set out a vision to create a Zimbabwe for you which is a middle income country characterised by increased investments, decent jobs, broad-based empowerment, free from poverty and corruption by 2030,” President Mnangagwa said.

“We are persuaded that if parents and guardians have decent lives, it is passed on to you the children and will translate to a better standard of living and decent future for you. Thus my Government is committed to holistically address the various matters that affect and impact on your lives and well being,” he said.

Since coming to the helm of Government last year, President Mnangagwa has enunciated policies aimed at attracting investment into the country and increasing employment opportunities.

President Mnangagwa said Government had built a lot of schools since the country attained independence in 1980.

“The last 38 years have witnessed an unparalleled increase in the establishment of schools which has equally resulted in increased number of learners.

“Going forward, the provision of quality and relevant education will be a key priority area of Government in order to lay a firm foundation for the development of an appropriately skilled human resource base for the socio-economic requirements of our country,” he added.

President Mnangagwa pledged to continue providing resources to schools adding the new curriculum was crafted to cater for every child.

“The updated competence-based curriculum has a broad range of content so that every learner can find a learning area that suits his or her best talents.

“Our goal as Government is to ensure that the updated curriculum supports and sustains the transition from school to the field of work,” he said.

He challenged the children to be inquisitive, innovative and analytical as the world was fast changing and needed people that are astute and creative.

“Technology is an integral component of development. I call on you to use ICT primarily for study and research purposes. Do not allow the internet to defile, corrupt and erode your cultural values, as well as your family and national identity,” he said.

President Mnangagwa hit out at child sexual abuse and urged parents and guardians to exercise collective responsibility to protect their children.

“Children must be protected from domestic violence and all forms of child abuse. They should also be educated and conscientised about the nature and different forms of abuse,” he said.

“Boys and girls must report any form of abuse to any adult they trust or to the police, regardless the perpetrator. Government on its part will enforce the laws and measures that protect them. Let me sternly warn would-be offenders that child abuse will be punished without fear or favour of one’s status or social standing,” said President Mnangagwa.

The children’s party was also attended by several Ministers and senior Government officials.

Economic challenges that have been with us for the past 17 years have spawned a huge informal sector in our country.

Those who have lost their jobs or who are graduating from institutions of higher learning but are failing to secure jobs in a contracting market are, instead, employing themselves for a living. They are making household and office furniture, doing metalwork or selling a wide range of imported and locally made products.

While the sector is doing well to create jobs, people working in it lack social protection. When an informal trader or some in his family falls sick they struggle to raise enough money to pay health bills. When one dies relatives and family struggle to raise money to fund burial expenses. Because they are their own workers, their own bosses, for whom formal options to save for their long-term future were non-existent, retirement is out of question for them.

Retirement means instant loss of income and their dependants.  To avoid this, they continue working.

Such a situation is undesirable.

To ensure greater social security for the people employed in the so-called cash economy, the Government, through the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) last week unveiled pension and health insurance schemes for them.

Under the initiative, paid-up beneficiaries would be entitled to retirement pension, survivor’s pension, funeral grants and health insurance coverage.

The three voluntary schemes – Informal Sector, Health Insurance and Maternity Protection – will also include retirement grant, survivor’s grant, invalidity pension, invalidity grant and maternity cover as benefits.

The setting up of the schemes was published in Statutory Instrument 50 of 2018 in the Government Gazette last Friday. A Voluntary Informal Sector Board and Committee which includes NSSA’s general manager, the Statutory Instrument explained, will be established to run the schemes that will be open to Zimbabwean citizens between 16 and 65 years.

Members will be able to access benefits from the Informal Sector scheme upon three months’ contributions.

Payment of retirement benefits will be made upon reaching 65 years, while an invalidity pension will be available for those unable to continue to work. Surviving spouses and dependent children will be entitled to the pension benefits of a deceased member.

On the other hand, the Health Insurance scheme will include access to rural health centres, municipal clinics, general practitioners, ambulance and emergency services, as well as hospitalisation in government, municipal and mission institutions.  Other benefits include dental cover, physiotherapy, psychiatric services and access to drugs from any pharmacy. The Maternity Protection scheme will include prenatal and postnatal care and any prescribed medication.

The schemes are an innovative solution to the challenges that many have been facing all these years in a country that has historically paid little regard to the informal sector and held the formal sector as the beginning and end of employment.

We are unsure how other countries with big informal sectors handle the social security of their people who are out of formal employment but we believe that for those that don’t have them, ours should be an example worth following.

The schemes recognise that the people in the informal sector are as human as those in formal employment, thus require the social protections that everyone enjoys. They, too, recognise that at some point, someone may sustain a lifelong injury while at work, or may fall sick and be unable to work again.

They recognise that everyone gets old and at that point, he or she will be unable to work as much as they did during their younger years. Also, the schemes recognise that women will at some point in their lives fall pregnant and will need to access quality pre and post-natal services. The invalid will need to have some form of income, as would those who leave employment due to old age.

Traditionally, only the formally employed could contribute for them to be able to access a pension or medical aid. Without an insurance of some kind, many in the alternative economy suffered with limited access to health services and loss of income since it is always difficult for one to save for the day when they get sick or when they are too old to work.

We applaud the Government for taking everyone on board through the NSSA schemes. Now, anyone who contributes even if they are self-employed has somewhere to fall back on. To us, the schemes also represent a big, bold step on the road to Government’s efforts to formalise the informal sector.

It was a misnomer for the so-called conventional pension, health and maternity schemes to exclude the informal sector which commands such a huge contribution to the economy.

In January, the International Monetary Fund published a working paper titled Shadow Economies Around the World: What Did We Learn Over the Last 20 Years? that estimates that more than 60 percent of the Zimbabwean economy is informal. The Government estimates that the sector is worth between $3 billion and $7 billion.

It cannot be morally right for a serious government such as ours to leave out of social safety nets such a key sector which employs so many people. Actually, it is bad business to exclude an industry that holds so much money from the social protection schemes.

We urge those working in that market to take up the NSSA schemes by contributing regularly so that they are prepared for the rainy day which typically comes without warning.

Trevor Dongo

Showbiz Correspondent
SOULFUL R&B musician Trevor Dongo takes his soothing voice for a one nightstand with strippers at Private Lounge in Bulawayo this Friday, at the request of the dancers.

Dongo will be supported by the Abra Bunnies, Sexy Vixens and resident DJs Delroy and Galaz.

During the show, free Trevor Dongo inscribed T-shirts and CDs will be given away.

Private Lounge manager Gloria Tshabalala said the dancers had been clamouring for Trevor D, as Dongo is known, for a long time.

“The dancers sometimes use Trevor D’s music during performances. They like Trevor D because they say he makes them feel good when they’re on stage.

“So they requested us to host him and we agreed,” said Tshabalala.

She said bringing Trevor D was actually one of their many ways of livening up the already vibrant entertainment at the joint.

“What our dancers like will trickle down to what our patrons like. So a night with Trevor D will be one to remember for our dancers and patrons. This is to further up the levels of entertainment.”

Those who will attend the event will also sample some songs off Trevor D’s forthcoming album that is due for release next month.

Dr John Mangudya

Prosper Ndlovu, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE will be part of a more than $1 trillion trade and global greenfield investments club once it joins the Commonwealth grouping, which is predicted to consolidate its economic growth trajectory despite global slowdown since 2008.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is working towards normalising relations with the international community after years of isolation, which have taken toll on the economy on the back of crippling sanctions since the turn of the millennium. The return to the Commonwealth, a grouping of 53 independent countries, mainly former British colonies, comprising large and small developed and developing economies, is a top priority under the new dispensation’s diplomatic engagement strategy.

For the first time since 2003 Zimbabwe has been invited to attend the ongoing Commonwealth summit in London on an observer status ahead of planned re-admission this year. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Dr Sibusiso Moyo, leads the delegation to high-level gathering accompanied by Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Dr John Mangudya, among other senior dignitaries.

According to a latest Commonwealth Trade Review 2018 report issued ahead of the London summit, Intra-Commonwealth trade and productive greenfield investment is expected to reach US$1.6 trillion by  2020, in spite of the global trade slowdown in recent years.

The rising share of intra-trade and investment within the elite bloc underscores the growing significance of Commonwealth markets for member countries, says the group’s Secretariat. Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003 at the height of diplomatic tensions between Harare and London over the land reform programme.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Dr Sibusiso Moyo

This was after then British Prime Minister Tony Blair refused to provide compensation for land acquired from white commercial farmers for redistribution to indigenous Zimbabweans as agreed at the 1979 Lancaster House Conference, which formalised Zimbabwe’s independence from British colonial rule.

The Commonwealth Trade Review 2018 says proactive policy measures such as improving trade facilitation or tackling non-tariff barriers could trigger even greater gains for member countries. In 2017, cumulative intra-Commonwealth greenfield foreign direct investment was estimated at $700 billion, creating 1.4 million jobs through 10 000 projects.  Trade among Commonwealth countries grew to just under $600 billion in 2016 and is expected to increase by at least 17 percent to around $700 billion by 2020. Together, intra-Commonwealth trade and greenfield investment is expected to surpass $1.5 trillion.

“This is a remarkable indication of the power of Commonwealth connection and of the benefits that accrue to member countries as a result of Commonwealth advantage, particularly with world trade only now emerging from the unprecedented slowdown triggered by the financial crisis a decade ago,” Commonwealth secretary-general, Patricia Scotland, said.

“With rising protectionist sentiments and a backlash against globalisation in many countries, the role of the Commonwealth becomes increasingly important as a positive influence for strengthening trade links across boundaries and building prosperity in which all can share.”

President Mnangagwa has formally informed the British government of this position, which he has said would be buttressed by comprehensive talks at a higher level. Government has relayed the message to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s special envoys, Mrs Harriet Baldwin and Mr Rory Stewart, who have visited the country as a show of confidence on President Mnangagwa’s leadership.

According to the report, global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to the Commonwealth in general are on an upward trend, with FDI stock now exceeding US$5 trillion amid indications that both world trade and intra-trade within the bloc, are recovering.

In this regard there are tremendous opportunities to boost trade and investment between members and Zimbabwe stands to benefit immensely upon rejoining and adopting pro-active policy measures.

Minister Moyo has said there are no barriers to Zimbabwe rejoining the Commonwealth bloc.

He recently clarified that the new dispensation’s foreign policy thrust is to normalise diplomatic ties with Britain and other Western nations within the broader context of promoting and protecting Zimbabwe’s national interests.

In that regard the new administration has adjusted its foreign policy posture to reverse burdened relations through an open and candid re-engagement process based on mutual respect and acknowledgement of divergent historical perspectives.

“The decision for Zimbabwe to engage in diplomatic efforts to rejoin the Commonwealth is a systemic undertaking. It cannot be compartmentalised and attributed to a specific Government department. A major foreign policy decision of this magnitude hinges on comprehensive cross-cutting consultations within our governance architecture,” said Dr Moyo.

“In other words, it is our intention to bring the counter-productive era of parallel monologues to an end, and supplant “shrill” diplomacy with sober and constructive engagement in the management of our external environment. Real politic has won the day informed by the collective recognition that there are no permanent friends or enemies in this global village but permanent national interests.

“The reasons we left the Commonwealth no longer exist but, whilst we desire to rejoin the Commonwealth, we have not formalised the application to do so.

“However, our rejoining the Commonwealth would be yet more proof that we belong to the family of nations.”

Government has expressed optimistic about prospects for rejoining the Commonwealth and recently Finance and Economic Development Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, visited London as part of a comprehensive re-engagement process.

Dr Moyo has said Zimbabwe was ready and willing to play its constructive and rightful role within the Commonwealth after it has rejoined and committed itself to Commonwealth values, principles and priorities as set out in the Harare Commonwealth Declaration of 1991 and its attendant norms and conventions.

As Zimbabwe restores her political-cum-diplomatic relations with Britain, hopes are high that other members of the Commonwealth would not have any footing to deny the country membership.

However, Dr Moyo has stressed that engagement processes still need to take note of sovereign concerns and mutual interests.

The report findings were prepared ahead of this week’s (16-20 April) Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, taking place in London under the theme “Towards a Common Future”.

It also explored, among other things, how Commonwealth members could harness new technologies, especially digitisation, to strengthen their domestic trade governance, further reducing costs and fostering new trade and investment.

The already substantial trade between Commonwealth members and its rising relative significance calls for leveraging the group’s effect for greater trade gains. Global trade experts have observed that while Commonwealth members enjoy an inherent trade advantage that promotes their intra-Commonwealth trade, this unique factor has not been driven by any coordinated policy interventions like  the ones under regional or bilateral trading blocs.

VP Constantino Guvheya Dominic Nyikadzino Chiwenga

Takunda Maodza, Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT has with immediate effect dismissed all striking nurses after they refused to go back to work even though the employer had acceded to their demands and availed over $17 million.

The Health Services Board (HSB) has since been instructed to speedily employ all unemployed, but trained nurses.

The HSB has also been directed to recall retired nurses.

In a statement yesterday, Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) – in his capacity as the supervisor of the social services cluster – said the behaviour by the nurses was politically motivated.

“Against a background of a series of meetings involving Government, the Health Services Board and the Zimbabwe Nurses’ Association (ZINA), which were meant to resolve the industrial action by nursing staff in the public health sector and the subsequent decision by Government yesterday to accede to the demands made by the striking nurses, Government regrets to note that the industrial action in this essential service sector has persisted,” said VP Chiwenga.

He added: “What makes the whole action both deplorable and reprehensible is the fact that as agreed yesterday, Government released and transferred a sum of $17 114 446 into the account of the Ministry of Health and Child Care for on-payment to the striking nurses.

“While this demonstrated good faith on the part of Government, the prompt transfers which have been effected against demonstrable economic challenges facing our nation has not, quite surprisingly, persuaded the striking nurses to go back to their work stations in the interest of saving lives and helping hapless patients placed under their care.”

VP Chiwenga said Government “now regards this lack of remorse as politically motivated” and “as going beyond concerns of conditions of service and worker welfare”.

Dr David Parirenyatwa

“Accordingly, Government has decided, in the interest of patients and of saving lives, to discharge all the striking nurses with immediate effect,” he said.

“Further, Government has instructed the Health Services Board to speedily engage, as appropriate, all unemployed, but trained nurses in the country.

“It has also authorised the board to recall retired nursing staff into service.”

The funds originally released to meet the demands of the striking nurses will now be re-directed and allocated towards meeting the costs of effecting the new directive and arrangement, which takes immediate effect.

“In the meantime, Government pays tribute to all nurses who have loyally remained at work and to those from the ranks of the striking nurses who have heeded its call for them to return to work,” said VP Chiwenga.

“Their commitment to duty and patients, both pointing to a deep regard for life as required by their professional oath, is noted and much appreciated.”

Government is appealing to people visiting public health institutions to be patient while services are being restored.

It is also urging Zimbabweans to practise good hygiene at home and in public places in view of sporadic cases of cholera reported in some parts of the country.

The decision by Government to dismiss the striking nurses followed a series of meetings with the employees.

On Monday, ZINA met the HSB and Health and Child Care Minister Dr David Parirenyatwa and matters were escalated as they met VP Chiwenga.

It was at that meeting that an agreement was reached through the release of the $17 114 446 yesterday into the account of the Ministry of Health and Child Care to take care of all the issues raised by ZINA.

The agreement was that ZINA would get all its members back to work, but the nurses still did not report for duty.

VP Chiwenga then called for a second meeting yesterday to find out what was happening.

The meeting was attended by Minister Parirenyatwa, officials from the Ministry of Finance and the HSB.

The officials from the Ministry of Finance confirmed that $17 114 446 had been transferred into the Ministry of Health and Child Care account and $4 million had by that time been transferred into the accounts of the striking nurses.

Minister Parirenyatwa reported that the nurses had not reported back for work.

It was after the update that it was realised that the nurses were out for a showdown with the State.

Three recommendations were then made – to dismiss all the striking nurses, recruit all qualified, but unemployed nurses and recall retired nurses.

The recommendations were taken to President Mnangagwa, who met VP Chiwenga, Minister Parirenyatwa, the HSB and officials from the Ministry of Finance.

Endorsing the recommendations, President Mnangagwa said: “Government has done everything to comply with the demands of the striking nurses and the striking nurses have done everything to defy the directive by Government. This leaves us with no option, but to dismiss them.”

Mr Kennedy Ndebele

Harare Bureau
The Premier Soccer League and the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe have agreed to come up with a standard football player’s contract meant to create favourable working conditions between the players and clubs.

This follows an increase in reports of disputes involving players and clubs over the years.

Lawrence Mhlanga has been involved in an ownership wrangle between Chicken Inn FC and FC Platinum and the defnder has missed action since the start of last season.

PSL chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, said they were worried by the increase in disputes that were affecting the careers of players.

“We are crafting a player contract that will be used by all PSL clubs. This is meant to create good working relations between clubs and players, to protect the investment of clubs on players and to improve professionalism in football,” he said.

Ndebele added that the two parties will then engage Zifa for the adoption of the player contract.

FUZ president, Desmond Maringwa, hailed the initiative by the PSL.

“A standard player contract is good for football as it makes it easy to deal with player disputes,’’ he said.

Fixtures
Saturday: Harare City v Black Rhinos (Rufaro) ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga Stadium, Bulawayo City v Triangle United (Barbourfields), Yadah v Nichrut (NSS), Ngezi Platinum v Mutare City Rovers (Baobab), Bulawayo Chiefs v FC Platinum (Luveve)

Sunday: CAPS United v Dynamos (NSS), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Barbourfields), Chapungu v Herentals (Ascot)

UPDATES: Harare Bureau

Online Editor Stanford Chiwanga

13:00 – That’s all from us today but the celebrations continue. In the afternoon Zimbabwe takes on Botswana. Good luck Warriors.

12:54 – Parade commander asks for permission from President Mnangagwa to march off the parade square.

12:52 – President Mnangagwa leave his podium to applause and cheers.

12:50 – In a few months time, we hold harmonised elections. I urge all political leaders to shun violence, hurt speech in all our contests. We have invited countries to observe our elections from Sadc, Au and Eu. Elections will be free and fair. Let us think big of our country. Nothing is impossible. We shall rise. Happy 38 years of independence. Long live our country. God bless you and God bless Zimbabwe – President Mnangagwa says as he finishes his speech.

12:47 – He says culture of dialogue will enhance accountability to the people and this will help us achieve our goals. He commends the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and other security arms for maintenance of peace in country.

12:45 – We need to modernise the economy of our great country. The surmountable task to build our economy is for us together.

He says during his regional and international trips, he met diasporans whom he briefed regarding situation at home and invited them to make contributions towards economic recovery.

12:42 – To all workers, i urge you to work hard with good ethics and as we grow our economy we also seek to address your issues. We have received commitments from the global world because of our willingness to open a new chapter with rest of the world.

12:38 – Our efforts are guaranteeing investor confidence. I urge finance sector to have robust strategies that translate to demands of economy. Surely, Zimbabwe is Open for Business. We need to establish the one stop shop investment centre. To improve efficiency good governance in public sector is crucial. We need to fight corruption. We need to reform our parastatals. We are open for business in all facets.

12:34 – Government seeks to observe good corporate governance. Following our engagement with China, water problems in Harare will soon be a thing of the past….We know hardships associated with unavailability of cash, we are all working to address that in earnest. We will resolve shortages of cash in the economy.

12: 32 – There is need to revitalise the social service sector. We are mindful of rural population. We need to create vital rural economies. We are ensuring availability of drugs… We need to deal with violence perpetrated on women and girls… The Basic Education and Assistance Model seeks to assist 400 000 students from now through to August.

12:28 – Government attending to various issues that enhance competitiveness. We need country to engage in global best practices. We are committed to availing scholarships. This is a key goal for government. We need to look at ICT projects as they help our young to thrive in economic development. We have a heart for infrastructure development. Beitbridge Chirundu highway, modernisation and expansion of the RG Mugabe international airport is our priority. he commissioning of the Kariba South power plant has helped our power supply. Soon Hwange power plant will be improved. Tourism sector is improving by the increased arrival of tourists which is boosting our attractiveness as a good tourism destination.

12:22 – President Mnangagwa gives a brief narrative on how government has opened Zimbabwe for business. He applauds the recently signed $4.2 billion mining deal. He says we need to prioritise value addition. He says the revitalisation of Zisco Steel and the railway sector are crucial for rebirth of the manufacturing sector.

12:20 – The new government has a new way of doing things and we have amended the indigenisation policy. We have opened various sectors to the world.

12:18 – China has pledged to assist us in meeting our endeavours. Russia and Belarus have made firm commitments to set up agriculture and mining plants in Zimbabwe.

12:16 – We have availed money to beef up and sustain command agriculture. We also need to protect the forestry industry. We are strongest when we work together. We are confident our efforts will improve livelihood and incomes of our rural community. We are also trying to minimise adverse effects of climate change by constructing dams.

12:14 – The renewed spirit of hope and determination by our people is encouraging. The goodwill we continue to receive is positive. We have positive changes in the mining, agriculture and tourism sectors. Government is ensuring food sufficiency through command agriculture.

12:12 – For challenges we face, we need to focus on pursuit for economic recovery, poverty reduction, rehabilitation of social services and respect for rule of law. We need to protect and encourage private sector enterprises. We need to fight corruption. We will not achieve goals overnight. But through discipline we will realise our goals. Zimbabwe will rise again and be great.

12:10 – We need to progress together despite creed and language. Our national anthem is our identity as a nation. Today, we declare our independence and five months in our New Zimbabwe we say God bless Zimbabwe despite some challenges – ED

12:08 – It is my pleasure to welcome you to this historic event. This year’s celebrations are significant as they are first under new dispensation. We honour our fallen heroes and may they be remembered for the freedom we enjoy today – President Mnangagwa says as he gives a brief background about last year’s November Revolution.

12:05 – Minister Moyo invites President Mnangagwa to the podium. The President welcomes all invited guests.

12:02 – In his opening welcome remarks, Minister Moyo acknowledges presence of President Mnangagwa, First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, members of the Presidium, Service Chiefs, Senior government and invited guests to the independence celebrations.

“We are all bound together by the love for Zimbabwe despite political affiliation…Operation Restore Legacy was there to restore the founding values of our liberation struggle.”

11:57 – Scenes from White City Stadium…

11:50 - Local Government Minister July Moyo takes to the podium and invites Bishop Manhanga to give an independence dedication.

11:46 - President Mnangagwa is given the torch and lights up the Independence Flame. First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa releases pigeons into the sky. Pigeons released represent peace and love, themes that have defined the New Dispensation led by President Mnangagwa.

11:45 - The parade ends as the Torch bearers enter the stadium.

11:43 – Parade advancing in view order. Forces at parade making war cry for Zimbabwe reminiscing late Cde Chinx’s Nyika Yedu YeZimbabwe song.

11:37 – At the National Sports Stadium the Parade is in slow march and delegates rise to revere the members of the uniformed forces.

11:33 – In Masvingo members of the ZNA, ZPCS & ZRP are currently conducting a parade to mark the start of the event

11:29 – President Mnangagwa finishes inspecting the parade. He is now at the podium where the parade commander asked for permission for a slow and quick march.

11:27 – Thousands of people have already gathered at White City Stadium to mark Independence celebrations in Bulawayo. We are waiting for the arrival of the guest of honour Cde Angeline Masuku.

11:25 – President Mnangagwa is now inspecting the parade.

11:22 – The Matabeleland North celebrations are being held at Somhlolo Stadium in Lupane, people trickling in in droves, just being dropped by buses, trucks and private cars from all the seven districts, so far VIPs are yet to arrive, notable provincial leadership who have arrived so far is PA Latiso Dlamini.
In the meantime the crowd is being entertained through music. The independence parade has just marched into stadium.

11:07 - The singing of the National Anthem marks the start of the official proceedings.

11:06 - Crowd singing along to Jah Prayzah’s “Kutonga Kwaro” as President Mnangagwa and the First Lady wave at the people. This is the first independence celebrations to be officiated by President Mnangagwa since his ascendancy to the Presidency following the resignation of former President Robert Mugabe.

11:05 – President Mnangagwa enters the arena with the First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa. Jubilation and a jovial mood sets the stadium alight

1100: MDC-T president Nelson Chamisa has just arrived. Chamisa urged his supporters to be part of the independence celebrations as it is a national event.

1056: Vice President Constantino Chiwenga arrives in the company of his wife Mrs Marry Chiwenga.

1044: Some of the placards here carry various messages of reform and economic rebirth, among them, “Reforming for Efficiency” “A New Dispensation for Economic Prosperity” “Land + Investment Hard Work + Efficiency = Success”

10:37 – Chief Justice Luke Malaba is the latest high-ranking official to arrive at the stadium.

10:35 – Senior army commanders, government officials, traditional leaders and invited guests from various embassy missions are part of today’s big event. ZAOGA FIF Ministries leader Dr. Ezekiel Guti and wife, Apostle Euna Guti are also among the many who are wearing President Mnangagwa’s trademark scarf.

10:23 - Detachments from the ZNA, Air Force, ZRP and Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services are part of the parade.

10:18 - Religious groups representing various denominations are also at the event.

10:17 - Members of the country’s uniformed forces now march into the stadium for the parade. Their drills receive cheers and ululation from the crowd.

10:12 - Sungura maestro Alick Macheso is currently entertaining the party-goers.

10:01 - President Mnangagwa invited all political parties to attend the celebrations.

PREAMBLE

ZIMBABWE today celebrates 38 years of Independence from British colonial rule with Zanu-PF yesterday calling on all patriots to uphold and cherish the values that sprung from the liberation struggle.

The National Sports Stadium is the venue for the main celebrations and already people from all walks of life are filling the giant stadia.

In Bulawayo province, all roads lead to White City Stadium, where Minister of State for Bulawayo provincial affairs Cde Angeline Masuku, will lead the celebrations.

In Matabeleland South the main independence commemorations will be held at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, where the Minister of State for provincial affairs, Cde Abedinico Ncube will lead the celebrations.

In Masvingo, the provincial event would be at Mucheke Stadium, with the uniformed forces ready to entertain the crowd.

Thandiwe Katinhimure, Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority (Zera) has granted the country’s largest telecoms company, Econet Wireless, a licence to construct and operate a solar plant at its Willovale site in Harare.

The solar power plant will cater for own consumption but it will be connected to the national grid, said Zera in notice.

“The generation licence is hereby granted to Econet Wireless (hereinafter referred to as the licensee) in terms of Section 42 of the Electricity Act to construct own, operate and maintain Econet Willowvale solar plant for the purposes of generation and supply of electricity for own consumption but connected to the national grid,” said Zera.

“Subject to the Electricity Act, Energy Regulatory Act and the conditions of its licence, the licensee shall generate electricity for own use.”

The grant follows the company’s application in January this year to Zera for the approval to build a 0.45 megawatts plant at their Willowvale premises for their own use.

“The conduct of the above-named licensee under this licence is subject to the conditions as outlined below or later revisions to these conditions as are approved by the authority, the terms as set out in Section 47 of the Electricity Act and any other amendments to the relevant legislation,” Zera said.

Meanwhile, Econet wireless says it has begun the process to invest more than $250 million into a solar power systems project amid indications the corporate has placed orders for nearly 20 megawatts.

It said it had already placed an order to replace most of its conventional power systems with solar power and lithium batteries. Zimbabwe is touted to be headed for a game changing era through exploitation of lithium, which is also used in the manufacture of electric vehicle batteries, whose global demand is growing.

@thandyfeminine

President Mnangagwa

Fidelis Munyoro, Harare Bureau
President Emmerson Mnangagwa once again made a clarion call yesterday for leaders of all political parties to be exemplary in their conduct and shun violence ahead of the first harmonised elections under the new administration set for July.

Addressing a packed National Sports Stadium during the country’s 38th Independence anniversary celebrations, President Mnangagwa said the Government had invited election observers from across the globe.

“I urge all leaders of political parties to heed the call of our national anthem and be exemplary during our contestations and canvassing for people’s support,” he said.

“Let us shun and condemn all forms of violence, divisive, hurtful (language) and hate speech.”

President Mnangagwa said the Government had put in place measures to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“In that spirit, we have invited observers from across the globe to witness our democracy in action and have since received pre-election observer missions from Sadc, the AU and EU.”

President Mnangagwa said in line with his pledge to be a listening President and his desire to hear first-hand issues affecting people, he would continue to engage Zimbabweans across socio-economic and political spheres.

To date, the President said he had held constructive meetings with captains of industry and commerce, traditional chiefs, church leaders, university vice-chancellors and senior administrators of institutions of higher learning and representatives of the Supreme Council of Islamic affairs in Zimbabwe.

“I pledge that this culture of dialogue, unity of purpose and open communication will cascade through all levels of my administration in order to enhance our accountability to our masters, the Zimbabwean people.”

President Mnangagwa said it was through listening to one another and working together that we could achieve the nation’s goal of becoming a middle income country by 2030, free from poverty and corruption with opportunities, employment and decent jobs.

Philip Chiyangwa

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIFA has received close to R1 million as reward for two senior national teams’ performances in the Cosafa tournaments last year.

The tournaments were held in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

After coming tops in the men’s version in South Africa last year where they beat Zambia 3-1 in the final, the Warriors under the legendary Sunday Chidzambwa got R500 000 while their female counterparts, the Mighty Warriors received R250 000 for coming second to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, who beat Sithethelelwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda’s girls 2-1 at Barbourfields Stadium. That brought to R750 000 the prize money the Warriors and Mighty Warriors brought into the Zifa coffers.

Banyana took the winners prize of R500 000 for winning the women’s tournament while Zambia collected R150 000 for their third place and Kenya R100 000.

Pan-African broadcast network Kwesé TV, yesterday handed over prize money totalling R1 million to the 2017 Cosafa Women’s Championships, elevating the status of the event to that of the senior men’s competition.

The money was handed over to the Caf leadership in South Africa.

This is the same amount that was paid for the 2017 men’s senior championship in South Africa, putting the two events on par in terms of prize money.

“We take great pride in being able to elevate the prize money for the Cosafa Women’s Championship to the same level with the senior men’s competition to make a statement about how seriously we take women’s football in the region,” Cosafa president Phillip Chiyangwa told the Cosafa official website.

“Our nations have made great strides in recent years, including both South Africa and Zimbabwe, representing the African continent at the Olympic Games in 2016, and we are sure that this will assist in the further development of the women’s game.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to Kwesé TV for their continued support of women’s football in our region as well as our other Cosafa properties, as together we seek to take the game to new audiences and grow our fan base across the region,” he said.

Speaking at the same event Joseph Hundah, president and chief executive officer of Econet Media, said they were delighted to contribute to the growth of women’s football in the region.

“We at Kwesé have a keen commitment towards showcasing and promoting quality women’s sports from all over the continent across our multiple platforms. We are excited to be part of this amazing tournament and continue to look forward to further collaborations with Cosafa,” said Hundah.

It is a massive stamp of approval from the exclusive broadcaster for the women’s game in the region, which has grown immensely in recent years, with more participation at all age-group levels through most Southern African countries.

The 2018 Cosafa Women’s Championships is due to be played from the end of August to early September this year and there is also a women’s Under-20 tournament that is scheduled for December.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa lights the Independence Flame at the National Sports Stadium in Harare yesterday

Fidelis Munyoro, Harare Bureau
President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed the country’s economy is forecast to grow by 4,5 percent this year on the back of a robust performance in agriculture, mining, tourism and the construction sector. He also said his administration was alive to the pain caused by cash shortages at banks which he pledged would be tackled with vigour and urgency but cautioned the crisis could not be resolved overnight.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa recently revised his initial 2018 National Budget statement economic growth forecast from 3,7 percent to 4,5 percent this year.

The President said the bullish economic sentiment was partly a result of investor-friendly reforms being pursued under the new dispensation. He spoke of a brighter future of prosperity if Zimbabweans remain united and preserve peace.

“One of the most evident changes in the past few months has been the renewed spirit of unity, optimism and determination among our people,” said President Mnangagwa yesterday in his address to a packed Natitional Sports Stadium to mark Zimbabwe’s 38th Independence anniversary celebrations.

“Once again we are free to dream, to hope and to believe. This new spirit has spread outside our borders and we are hugely encouraged by the goodwill our country continues to receive from around the world. This renewed domestic and foreign investor confidence has seen our projected economic growth increase from 3,7 percent last year to 4,5 percent in 2018.”

President Mnangagwa said for the country to sustain the current growth trajectory Zimbabweans must think big.

“Let us believe that our tomorrow is greater. Let us boldly and proudly sing our national anthem and fly our flag high in renewed hope and unity. Let us think big of our country,” said President Mnangagwa, quoting a biblical verse, which says, “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is”.

“Let us also speak and confess well and the very best over our country, for the Bible again says, ‘death and life are in the power of the tongue and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof’.”

President Mnagagwa, who was presenting his maiden Independence Day speech since his inauguration in November last year, said Government had adopted a number of initiatives over the past five months to grow the economy.

His new administration, he said, was building on the success of last year’s Command Agriculture that led to an improved harvest and is determined to ensure continued food self-sufficiency, increased land usage and productivity through mechanisation and modernisation of the sector.

President Mnangagwa said the Government had injected $10 million into beef cattle breeding under the Command Agriculture which now includes cropping, livestock, fisheries and wildlife.

“In agriculture, as in all fields, we are strongest when we work together,” he said. “We therefore applaud the private sector which has partnered my Government in delivering these initiatives in response to our call for a united and collective approach to national economic rebuilding.”

Government’s ongoing efforts, the President said, would not only rejuvenate agro-value chain industries, but would also help improve the livelihood and incomers of the rural communities while contributing to the achievement of economic growth targets.

Turning to mining, President Mnangagwa said the sector continued to be one of the leading sources of investment and export earnings, with a huge impact on employment opportunities and the economy.

“To stimulate growth and send a clear message of the new Government, which has a new way of doing things, we have amended the indigenisation and empowerment policy, limiting the 51:49 investment ratios to diamond and platinum mining only,” he said.

“As a result we have opened up vast areas of our economy to international investment.”

President Mnagagwa also assured the nation that the Government was speeding up implementation of measures to resolve the shortage of cash in the economy.

Among the measures being taken to ease the cash crisis are the mobilisation of foreign finance from regional and international institutions, increasing foreign currency importation, opening up the economy to investment and increasing exports.

“We are well aware of the great hardships caused by the lack of availability of cash,” said President Mnangagwa.

“This is a painful and poignant issue for so many individuals and families across the country and a problem we are working tirelessly to solve.”

The President said the cash crisis would not be resolved overnight. He said their job as leaders was to honestly recognise the scale of the problems facing the nation and to create concrete plans to solve them.

He urged the financial services sector to create robust financial packages responsive to the new Zimbabwean economy. He reiterated his investment pitch that Zimbabwe was open for business.

“To this end, my Government will continue to implement legal, institutional and administrative reforms to increase the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.”

President Mnangagwa also said efforts were being made to rationalise investment procedures through the setting up of a one-stop-investment centre.

He said a national investment policy was now in place while an investment and business facilitation bill to give legal underpinning to Zimbabwe’s commitment to open up its economy was undergoing due legal process.

Senior Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S gold deliveries surged 57,6 percent in the first quarter of 2018 to 7,3 tonnes compared to 4,63 tonnes during the same period last year.

Gold output in the first quarter of 2017 was largely affected by the incessant rains, which saw most of the mine shafts being flooded. Data from the country’s sole gold buying unit, Fidelity Printers and Refineries show that the small-scale mining sector has maintained its production dominance over primary producers as the sector produced 4,2 tonnes in the first quarter.

Large scale miners delivered three tonnes of the yellow metal. In January this year, small-scale miners delivered 1,4 tonnes of gold, in February 1 tonne and 1,8 tonnes in March.

Primary producers delivered 1,2 tonnes in January, 931,7 kilogrammes in February and 953,3 kg last month. In an interview yesterday, the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) chief executive officer Mr Wellington Takavarasha attributed the upsurge in gold production in the first quarter to improved business environment.

“The increase in gold deliveries in the first quarter compared to the same period last year was largely as a result of improved business environment created by the new political dispensation,” he said.

Mr Takavarasha said his organisation has been working with Government to enhance ease of doing business hence the improved production recorded.

He said Government’s efforts to re-engage the international community had also impacted positively on small scale miners’ production.

“The new political dispensation has made great strides in improving the country’s relations with the international community and this has seen a number of potential investors coming to explore investment opportunities,” said Mr Takavarasha.

For close to two decades, Zimbabwe under former President Robert Mugabe, has been isolated from the international community and this forced the country to adopt multi-currency system in February 2009 to arrest runaway inflation.

The country during the period was recording between $300 million and $500 million in approved foreign direct investment annually compared to $2 billion which was being recorded by other regional countries such as Zambia and Mozambique.

The coming in of a new political administration led by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November last year has seen Zimbabwe’s relations with the international community improving. Against this background, Zimbabwe has since attracted nearly $7 billion in foreign direct investments in various economic sectors.

Mr Takavarasha said gold output has also been boosted by the incentive introduced by Government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ).

Buoyed by sterling performance of the gold sector last year, RBZ has this year increased the gold support facility for the small-scale mining sector to $150 million from $74 million disbursed last year.

Both primary and small-scale producers last year delivered 24,8 tonnes of gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners up from 21,4 tonnes in 2016. Of the total gold produced last year, 13,4 tonnes came from the small-scale miners.

Government targets 30 tonnes of the yellow metal this year.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zimbabwe yesterday celebrated 38 years of independence and the main celebrations were held at the National Sports Stadium in Harare while those who could not make it to the capital gathered at either provincial or district venues for the Uhuru celebrations.

This year’s celebrations were very unique because they are the first Independence celebrations to be held under the new political dispensation ushered in last November following the resignation of former President, Mr Robert Mugabe. In his message to Zimbabweans ahead of the celebrations, the President Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had entered a new period in its history, a period of freedom, openness and opportunity.

He said in the new era, Zimbabweans must be liberated not from without but also from within from hate, prejudice and discord. He urged the citizens to remain united and work together to build a prosperous Zimbabwe to be enjoyed not only by the present generation but by future generations as well.

Cde Mnangagwa’s Government has indeed hit the ground running and within the few months that it has been in office, the country has witnessed remarkable progress.

Last February, the National Railways of Zimbabwe received the first batch of locomotives, wagons and coaches leased from South Africa’s rail company, Transnet, marking a new chapter in the revival of the parastatal. Under the agreement between NRZ and the Diaspora Investment Development Group (DIDG) Transnet Consortium, NRZ will lease 13 locomotives, 200 wagons and 34 coaches from Transnet as part of measures to capacitate the parastatal.

The leasing of the equipment is part of the $400 million recapitalisation deal sealed between the Zimbabwe Government, Transnet and DIDG. The interim solution equipment will enable the NRZ to boost its capacity to move freight while it awaits the conclusion of the $400 million recapitalisation deal.

Last month President Mnangagwa commissioned the $533m Kariba South Hydro Power Station Extension Project that added 300 megawatts to the national grid. The project implemented with the assistance of the Chinese government, is one of the benefits of the Sino-Zimbabwe relations.

Zimbabwe has in the past four months achieved a lot in terms of attracting foreign investors to the country and we have no doubt that economic growth will be accelerated in the coming few months. Last month again, Government signed a $4,2 billion platinum investment agreement with a Cyprus-based company, Karo Resources.

The agreement, the largest to date in the mining sector, was signed by Mines and Mining Development Minister Mr Winston Chitando and Karo Resources chairman, Mr Loucas Pouroulis. The mine will be located in the Mhondoro-Ngezi area and the deal also includes the establishment of a 600MW thermal power station in Matabeleland North province and chrome mining. It is a fact that the country has since last November recorded many economic positives but we want at this juncture to implore Zimbabweans to be patient as the economic turnaround cannot be achieved overnight.

Workers in both the public and private sectors should therefore not expect an immediate upward review of their salaries. It is unfortunate that those in the health sector seem not to appreciate the fact that the economy is yet to get to a stage when it is able to pay commensurate salaries.

The President Cde Mnangagwa yesterday also appealed to civil servants to be patient saying Government was committed to improving their conditions of service based on the performance of the economy. We want to once again urge Zimbabweans to have a shared vision as we work as a team to turn around the economy which, as already alluded to, cannot be achieved overnight.

Sunday Chidzambwa

Eddie Chikamhi, Harare Bureau
Zimbabwe  0-1 Botswana
WARRIORS coach Sunday Chidzambwa was not impressed after his band of locally-based players slumped to a rare defeat to neighbours Botswana in the inaugural Zimbabwe President Independence Cup at the National Sports Stadium yesterday.

The Warriors had been expected to put the icing on the cake on the activities to commemorate the nation’s 38th independence anniversary but Kobamelo Kabaikanye’s 21st minute strike spoiled the mood at the giant stadium.

The result was not surprising given that the Warriors had not prepared adequately for the game. The team failed to cope with the pace and fitness of the visitors and could not find a response to the first half setback much to the disappointment of the strong 60 000 crowd.

But amid the frustrations Chidzambwa was still impressed by the quartet of Chapungu winger Ian Nyoni, Richard Hachiro of Herentals, Yadah’s Leeroy Mavhunga and Ngezi Platinum goalkeeper Donovan Bernard.

Nyoni and Hachiro, making their Warriors debuts came on as second half substitutes.

The veteran coach has been working with different players since he was appointed substantive coach a few months ago with a mandate to lead Warriors to the 2019 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

However, Chidzambwa said the country was suffering from a severe crisis of creative players in the mould of the talented former Zimbabwe international Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda after his midfield failed to click yesterday.

He was worried the same problem manifested itself at the Four-Nation Invitational tournament in Zambia last month where he had a different set of players.

“Gone are the days when we had players like Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda, Lloyd Mutasa. We really need to look around for the players of that calibre in that central midfield.

“In Zambia we had Nakamba (Nakamba), Ovidy (Karuru) and Marshal Munetsi. I wasn’t happy with their performance. We could have easily won that tournament had we been good in that area. We were not creative at all.

“I think we really need to look around for those creative central midfielders. We still have a problem in that area. But I was happy with that Herentals boy, Richard Hachiro.

“He came in, stamped his authority and there was a lot of movement in that area. And I think we need to look around as well and find youngsters like him and then we sort out this central midfield,” said Chidzambwa.

Hachiro, who was playing in the national team colours for the first time caught the eye with his moves after he replaced Winston Mhango soon after the restart.

The Warriors enjoyed the exchanges early in the game with Yadah winger, Mavunga, lively on the right flank while Augusto looked auspicious upfront where he had a generous supply of balls.

However, Zimbabwe never troubled the visitors and could have found themselves training as early as the 18th minute following a defensive blunder. They had goalkeeper Bernard to thank after thwarting a curling shot from Thatayaone Kgamanyane.

But Kebaikanye made no mistake with a low shot from a distance following yet another lapse in the defence.

Zimbabwe never recovered from the blow and Chidzambwa, who is yet to win a match since he was confirmed Warriors head coach a few months back, yesterday said the match against Botswana was an eye opener especially on his preparations for the Cosafa tournament which kicks off next month and the Afcon qualifiers resuming later in the year.

“I would rather lose all the friendly games and then win the Afcon qualifiers. We were trying local players but come the qualifiers we will have a strong mixture of local and foreign-based players.

“It was a good practice game. We have seen that some of the players cannot play in front of 60 000 people. They were very nervous especially in the first half.

“They made too many back passes, we lost ball possession on many occasions,” said Chidzambwa.

Some hooligan elements among the supporters blighted an otherwise beautiful afternoon throwing missiles at the teams as they made their way to the half-time break, forcing the visitors to hold their pep talk on the pitch.

Yet Botswana were content with the one goal they scored early in the game and looked to punish Zimbabwe through counter attacks. Botswana coach David Bright said he was using the match to prepare for the Cosafa tournament set for South Africa.

“This is a new team which we are trying to assemble for Cosafa. So I am happy with the win and the way we managed the game after scoring I think it was fantastic.

“These guys had strong character. They can fight, they played according to our instructions because we just told them that once we get a goal we will definitely not allow them to score.

“So this is exactly what happened. We wanted to catch Zimbabwe on the counter which we missed one or two goals which could have made it three for us. But we knew very well that they will not penetrate our central defence and that’s why we managed to get that 1-0 win,” said Bright.

Meanwhile, Bulawayo City edged a youthful Highlanders’ side 4-3 on penalties in another Independence Day celebration match at White City after the two teams had deadlocked 0-0 in regulation time.

Zephaniah Ngodzo, Justin Kaunda, Rainsome Pavari and Sipho Ndlovu converted their spot kicks for City, while Timothy January’’s effort was saved by substitute goalkeeper Nedrick Madeya.

Bosso’s spot kicks were converted by Andrew Mbeba, Thabo Lunga and Onwell Gombami. Darlington Dlodlo and Vincent Moyo’s penalties were saved by City keeper Wellington Muuya.

Highlanders’ coach Madinda Ndlovu fielded mostly players from Division One developmental side Bosso 90. Only Adrian Silla and Thabo Lunga have featured in the 2018 Castle Lager Premiership.

Teams
Zimbabwe: Donovan Bernard, Peter Muduhwa, Steven Makatuka (K. Moyo, 66th minute), Jimmy Dzingai (P. Tonha, 47th minute), Farai Madhanhanga, Winston Mhango (R. Hachiro, 47th minute), Liberty Chakoroma, Leeroy Mavunga, Terrence Dzukamanja, Raphael Manuvire (I. Nyoni, 58th minute), Clive Augusto

Botswana: Goitseone Phoko, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Lesenya Ramoraka, Tshepo Maikano, Lesego Keredilwe,  Alphonse Modisaotsile,  Kabelo Seakanyeng, Gape Mohutsiwa (G. Moyo, 77th minute), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (K. Keeagile, 58th minute), Jerome Ramatlhakwane (O. Makgantai, 58th minute), Kobamelo Kebaikanye (T. Setsile, 72nd minute).

President Hassan Rouhani

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has declared that Tehran will not wait for any permission to produce the weapons it needs to defend the country.

In a speech marking Iran’s Army Day yesterday, Rouhani said a strong military is an effective deterrence against foreign threats.

“If there is any weapon we need, we will develop it for the most part, or procure it if necessary,” Rouhani was quoted by Iran’s Mehr news agency as saying.

“We will not wait for approval from the world.”

Rouhani said countries that rely on their domestic capabilities “feel the true sense of sovereignty and power”.

In recent days, there have been reports that European countries are considering measures against Iran’s ballistic missile programme, in an effort to persuade US President Donald Trump to maintain the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran has insisted that its missile programme is not negotiable. It said it is only for defence purposes, and not intended to carry any nuclear weapons.

During the military parade in the capital Tehran on Wednesday, Iran’s military unveiled its domestically manufactured missile system, Kamin-2, which is a portable device designed “to target enemy drones flying in low altitude”, according to the English-language state television, Press TV.

Other military hardware on display were several missile and radar systems, as well as tanks, armoured vehicles and sniper rifles.

At the event, Rouhani declared that Iran’s armed forces have never been more influential “on the course of regional and global developments”.

He warned Western powers against flooding the Middle East with more weapons, saying they are driving conflict in the region.

“I am calling on them to stop filling up our region with various weapons for the sake of their own interests,” he said.

Rouhani said the only path to establish peace in the region is through diplomatic and peaceful means.

“Our policy towards the region is based on good neighbourliness; we want to be a good neighbour to them and want them in turn to be a good neighbour to us.”

“We want friendly ties with neighbouring countries and want them to know that our weapons, missiles and tanks will not be used against any of them,” Rouhani said.

Saudi Arabia and its allies consider Iran as a threat to regional security, accusing Tehran of being a “state sponsor of terrorism”.

Meanwhile, France is pursuing an ambitious foreign policy under President Emmanuel Macron that seeks to restore Paris’ clout and influence in the Middle East, analysts have said.

In what marked a new phase in Macron’s presidency, France joined the United States and the UK on April 14 in dropping 105 bombs on three facilities in Syria said to be associated with the use of chemical weapons.

Forty-year-old Macron, who in May 2017 became France’s youngest-ever president, said he “convinced” his US counterpart, Donald Trump, to carry out the attacks and stay in Syria “for the long term” after a suspected chemical weapons attack on the former rebel-held stronghold of Douma killed dozens of people, according to rescuers and medics.

“Ten days ago, President Trump was saying the United States had a duty to disengage from Syria,” Macron told French TV channel BFM in a two-hour live interview.

“We convinced him that it is necessary to stay for the long-term.”

Macron also said that he was willing to play the role of intermediary between the US and Russia — a major ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad — and find a “sustainable” political solution in Syria.

He had previously offered to serve as an interlocutor in the long-running conflict and set up an international contact group to revive stalled peace talks in the Swiss city of Geneva.

“France has managed to maintain relatively good ties with Russia, despite the high levels of tensions between Russia and the West,” Agathe Demarais, an analyst at The Economist Intelligence Unit, told Al Jazeera.

“Macron plans to visit St Petersburg in June, where he will meet with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin. In this regard, it is interesting to note that the Russian army didn’t acknowledge the French participation to air strikes in Syria, probably in an effort to preserve France-Russia bilateral ties,” she said.

But while Saturday’s attacks were his first major military decision since he came to office, it was not the first time the young leader intervened in conflicts and crises abroad.

In his first major foreign policy speech after his inauguration, Macron said: “France is no longer in a situation, as it was in the mid-1970s, where it could say: ‘I’m a medium power, protected and supported by major powers that share the same values.’

“France must become a great power again. That’s a necessity.”

Analysts said that in recent years, France has been quick to intervene militarily in conflicts in Africa -such as Libya, Mali and the Central African Republic – but has only recently become a major diplomatic force in the Middle East. “Macron is extremely opportunistic and is filling a void left by the US and the UK in the Middle East, positioning France as a playmaker in the region along with Russia,” said Olivier Guitta, the managing director of GlobalStrat, a geopolitical risk consultancy firm. — Al Jazeera

Patrons at Cosmopolitan Nightclub in Bulawayo

Bongani Ndlovu, Showbiz Correspondent
They say first impressions last forever and this is true of South Africa’s songstress Lady Zamar’s first show in Bulawayo.

The show held at Cosmopolitan Night Club on Tuesday night, left a lasting impression of Lady Zamar.

Hundreds of fans thronged the night spot to dance the night away to the songstress’ music.

On the same night which was the eve of Zimbabwe’s Independence, many entertainment places had reduced numbers of patrons.

The story was different at Cosmopolitan Night Club which is at Ascot Race Course as there was a long queue of cars negotiating their way into the venue early in the evening.

Inside, the place was packed with the VIP section found at the Casino Bar that cost $15 and the VVIP section that cost $25 both full.

Buying drinks was a big hassle as the bar staff seemed overwhelmed by the turnout. The situation was worsened by the fact that most patrons were either swiping or paying via EcoCash.

Lady Zamar was the main act of the night which turned out to be a night to remember as it was non-stop partying.

DJs Victor Bravo, Wellyonz, Eugy, Champion Sound ZW, Victor Bravo and resident DJs Kananjo and Keezy set the tone for an epic night.

Lady Zamar

It was an assortment of SA house, Naija, dancehall and hip hop so everybody was catered for.

The DJs perfectly laid the foundation for Lady Zamar to take over at 1.15AM.

A lot was expected from Lady Zamar, whose debut album, King Zamar, sold more than 22 000 copies in SA.

The songstress did not disappoint as she was equal to the task and the crowd responded by dancing while singing along throughout the show.

@bonganinkunzi

Chronicle Reporters
THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans from all walks of life thronged various venues across the country to celebrate the country 38th Independence Celebrations.

This year’s celebrations held under the theme: “Socio-Economic Restoration and International Re-engagement,” were the first in the new dispensation ushered in by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa following the resignation of former president, Mr Robert Mugabe in November last year.

In Bulawayo thousands thronged White City Stadium, the venue of the main celebrations in the metropolitan province.

The event officially started shortly after 12PM after the arrival of service chiefs and the Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs, Cde Angeline Masuku.

Soon after her arrival, Cde Masuku, who was the guest of honour, inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) before she read the President’s speech shortly after 1PM. The speech was, however, disrupted after Cde Masuku fell ill while addressing the gathering due to fatigue.

She resumed reading the President’s speech a few minutes later from her chair.

“I would like to apologise to you all for this minor setback. The devil is a liar and of course, I must say that the doctors had actually advised me that I should take a rest but I opted to join you in celebrating this day because of my commitment and dedication,” said Cde Masuku before turning to the President’s speech.

Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Cde Angeline Masuku, reads the Independence speech under the watch of a nurse while Commander of Mzilikazi Barracks (formerly 1 Infantry Brigade), Brigadier General Augustine Chipwere listens at White City Stadium in Bulawayo yesterday

The colourful event was punctuated by captivating drills from the police while members of the ZNA, ZPCS and ZRP also put up scintillating performances when they displayed their brilliant marching skills.

The military brass band kept the crowd continuously entertained with its music, which depicted the mood of the occasion.

The event was attended Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Absolom Sikhosana, the ruling party’s MPs in Bulawayo and service chiefs among other senior Government officials.

In Matabeleland South, people converged in droves at various venues to celebrate the event.

The main provincial celebrations were held at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda, the provincial capital where over 3 000 people across the political divide thronged the venue to witness the event.

The Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs Cde Abedinico Ncube was the guest of honour and read the President’s speech.

Politicians, senior Government officials and businessmen graced the occasion.

In Beitbridge an estimated 4 000 people congregated at Dulivhadzimu Stadium and the District Administrator Mrs Kiliboni Ndou-Mbedzi led the proceedings.

Children drawn from local schools, police from the canine section, municipal police, traditional dance groups and poets added colour to the event through their intriguing performances.

In Plumtree, the celebration fever gripped the public in the entertainment starved border town.

Bulilima and Mangwe districts held two separate celebrations in their respective districts.

At Mangwe the celebrations were held at Valukhalo Secondary School in Empandeni while people in Bulilima gathered at Sikhathini High School in Tshankwa, about 12 kilometres out of Plumtree town.

In Matabeleland North proceedings started mid-morning at Somhlolo stadium with the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Cain Mathema inspecting a guard of honour mounted by members of ZNA, ZRP and ZPCS.

After the inspection of the guard of honour, the uniformed force’s parade marched in slow and quick paces before the minister read the president’s speech.

Hundreds of people drawn from all the seven districts in the province braved the heat to follow the proceedings.

Cde Mathema finished reading the speech just before 1PM to mark the end of formal proceedings.

Entertainment was provided by a local Imbube group called Amakhwezi Amnyama while a former Tennyson Hlabangana pupil, Mpumelelo Nyoni, who scored 15 points last year presented an impressive poem about the new dispensation.

Mpumelelo will soon leave to study law in Russia after being adopted by Home Affairs and Culture Minister Cde Obert Mpofu.

In Masvingo, a capacity crowd thronged Mucheke Stadium for the main celebrations to mark 38 years of independence amid calls for people to remain united and peaceful. The Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Senator Josiah Hungwe, inspected a guard of honour mounted by the uniformed forces before reading the President’s speech.

Meanwhile, our Harare Bureau reports that thousands of Zimbabweans thronged the National Sports Stadium yesterday as the country celebrated its 38th independence anniversary.

People started gathering at the giant 60 000-seater National Sports Stadium as early as 0600hrs and by 1000hrs, the venue was full to capacity.

The celebrations brought together Government Ministers, Zanu-PF senior officials, MDC-T officials led by Mr Nelson Chamisa, diplomats, service chiefs and ordinary Zimbabweans.

Official proceedings began with the arrival of dignitaries followed by singing of the National Anthem that coincided with a flypast by Airforce of Zimbabwe jets and helicopters.

President Mnangagwa then inspected a parade mounted by members of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services.

This was followed by a march in slow and quick time as the Guard of Honour advanced in review order before torch bearers entered the stadium, and handed the torch to President Mnangagwa who then lit the Independence Flame.

First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa released pigeons into the sky as a symbol of peace and love — a message that has defined the new dispensation.

Bishop Trevor Manhanga took to the podium to bless the proceedings and was followed by Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, July Moyo, who paid tribute to diverse people who came for the event and then invited President Mnangagwa to give his keynote address.

Soon after President Mnangagwa’s address, people were treated to scintillating displays by the ZDF, the police and mass displays from school children.

In Mashonaland West, thousands of people gathered at Chinhoyi Stadium for the celebrations led by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Webster Shamu.

He later read the President’s speech before the crowd was treated to combined displays by the security forces and drum majorettes from Nemakonde High school.

The celebrations were characterised by poetry, traditional dance groups and a football match later in the afternoon.

In the Midlands province, thousands thronged Gweru’s Mkoba stadium for the commemorations which were led by Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister, Owen Ncube.

Midlands Chimurenga Choir, choral groups and the Midlands State University Musicology Department’s Mbira Ensemble provided entertainment, belting scintillating tunes, which kept the crowd on their feet. The Airforce of Zimbabwe dance group also entertained the crowd with its scintillating performance before the number Two Squadron did a fly past during the singing of the national anthem, amid wild cheers from the crowd.

@mashnets @richardmuponde @walterbmswazie3 @ncubeleon

Thomas Mapfumo

Melissa Mpofu/Jonathan Mbiriyamveka, Showbiz Reporters
NIGERIAN superstar, Davido, who failed to pitch up in the country twice last year, finally made it here yesterday ahead of his 30 Billion Concert at the Harare International Conference Centre tomorrow.

Upon arrival at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Davido was swarmed by a mob of fans who had been patiently waiting for him. Security details visibly had a torrid time controlling the crowds.

Speaking at the airport, Davido, who was welcomed by show organiser, Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure and Jah Prayzah, suggested that he had finally travelled to Zimbabwe because of his association with Ginimbi whom he respects. Two Kings Entertainment – Jah Prayzah’s music promoters – had been failing to bring the artiste whom they wanted to perform at Jah Prayzah’s album launch and a makeup show – both which he failed to attend.

“When I’m messing with G (Ginimbi), I knew I needed to be here so I left two days earlier, on Wednesday, for the show on Saturday. I’m happy I made it this time and it’s going to be an amazing show,” said Davido.

Explaining why he failed to travel to the country on the two occasions, Davido, who was called in by the Nigerian police for questioning over two of his friends’ deaths on the day he was meant to travel to Harare for a show in October last year – simply said: “The first time I had a show and had to catch a connecting flight to Zimbabwe which I missed. The second time was beyond my control and I apologise for that.”

He said compared to his debut performance in Harare in 2015 where he backtracked at a show in Belgravia, he had travelled with his band this time to ensure he gives fans here good value for their money.

Davido

“I brought a live band this time around so the show’s going to be amazing. I’m definitely going to give people a good show. I’ve way more songs than back then including one with my brother Jah Prayzah so my set will be like for two hours.”

Today, an All White Party will be held for Davido at the plush Pablo’z VIP club where SA television personality Boity Thulo is expected to host the event to give it an international appeal – similar to those hosted by Ginimbi across the Limpopo when he celebrates his birthday.

Meanwhile, Dr Thomas Mapfumo or Hurricane Hugo to some, also arrived in Zimbabwe, the land of his birth from his base in Oregon, the United States for the first time in 14 years.

Mapfumo aka Mukanya touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Independence Day to a warm welcome from his legion of fans who waited patiently to greet the legendary chimurenga music star.

His arrival was symbolic in two ways – firstly, it was a big day for Zimbabweans after attaining Uhuru from colonial rule and secondly, after living in exile in the United States for the last 14 years, Mukanya finally made it home.

Quite honestly, he must have been homesick as he indicated in one of the promo videos on social media networks.

Mukanya is set to stage one of the biggest homecoming concerts so far this year. The concert slated for Glamis Arena next Saturday in Harare will see Mukanya taking to the stage backed by an 18-member piece band. The Kuenda Mbire singer will share the stage with Oliver Mtukudzi and the Black Spirits, Winky D, Gary Tight, Andy Muridzo and Sulumani Chimbetu.

The much-anticipated clash on home soil brings a lot of fond memories way back before Mukanya relocated to the United States. Dr Mapfumo will be all out to prove a thing or two since his long absence on the Zimbabwe’s mainstream music scene.

According to Entertainment Republic who are organising the Big Bira, tickets are going for $20 and can be purchased online on the www.thomasmapfumohomecoming.co.za website.