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High nursing staff turnover hits Masvingo City

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High nursing staff turnover hits Masvingo City

Beverly Bizeki

Masvingo City Council Health Department is not spared from the brain drain that has hit the country from the continued exodus of healthcare workers to seek greener pastures abroad.
A half-year budget review released by the local authority recently revealed that the local authority continues to experience a turnover of nursing staff who are seeking greener pastures outside the country.
“We continue to experience a high turnover of experienced nursing staff who are seeking greener pastures beyond the country’s borders,” reads part of the report.
Masvingo City Director of Health and Environmental Services Suzanne Madamombe said the local authority was indeed affected by the brain drain but had since resorted to the employment of locum nurses to avert a possible shortage of staff.
“We have been affected but we have resorted to the employment of locum nurses while we recruit new nurses to fill in the vacancies. We have since advertised for recruitment of 15 nurses and we are targeting those experienced ones who are over 50 especially from the uniformed forces because the younger ones are the ones leaving for the diaspora.
We are also looking at improvement of conditions of services for our health workers,” said Madamombe.
Madamombe said the employment of locum nurses had eased the burden and is looking forward to the commissioning of a maternity home at North West Medical Centre as well as the construction of an infectious diseases hospital in the coming year.
“We have a full establishment using locum nurses so we are good, we have not reduced any services and we are aiming at increasing our primary health care services for we will be commissioning our maternity home at North West Medical Centre hatizi kumirira izvozvi (we are not holding back)
“When you are faced with a hard situation you must manage the situation strategically, next year we are actually commencing the construction of the infectious disease hospital,” said Madamombe.
Statistics of the nurses who left the local authority this year are yet to be established although minutes from council in February revealed that the department received seven resignations, one retirement, and one death in 2022.
The department resolved to re-engage four retired nurses and advertise for the recruitment of four other nurses in February 2023.
The situation is however dire in other parts of the country like Mutare where it is alleged that council clinics are closing during weekends as about 60 percent of the nursing staff have left for the diaspora as well.
Zimbabwe is among the 55 countries with some of the most fragile health systems without enough healthcare workers but is losing health workers to international migration.
The exodus of healthcare workers to wealthier countries accelerated after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chiredzi residents threaten to sue council over budget

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Chiredzi residents threaten to sue council over budget

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-The newly appointed Chiredzi Town Council Secretary, Engineer Wesley Kauma has opened his chapter at the local authority with threats from Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) over the inclusion of the Town Chairman’s vehicle and rehabilitation of Inyathi road in the 2024 budget, which they say will give unnecessary burden to residents.
Chiredzi Town Council recently proposed a US$9,5 million 2024 budget, which included a number of developmental projects like the rehabilitation of Inyathi Road, which was once funded by the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Program 2 (ERRP 2) whose construction was prematurely abandoned due to lack of funding from the central government, and purchase of Chairman’s vehicle among other things.
Recently, Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) wrote to Engineer Kauma, instructing him to pluck off the US$738 000 for Inyathi Road rehabilitation from the 2024 budget citing that the road falls under the ERRP national blitz.
CHIRRA is also requesting the local authority to remove Chairman’s vehicle purchase from the 2024 budget arguing that there is still a vehicle for the chairman which is still in good shape.
“On behalf of Chiredzi Residents, CHIRRA is kindly urging you CTC to withdraw the Chairman’s vehicle from the 2024 budget.
“We support the purchase of management vehicles with the exclusion of the Chairman’s budget on the 2024 budget. The chairman should use the GD6 single cab from the pool of administration.
“Please note that Inyathi road is a national road on ERRP and with the huge budgeted amount, it cannot be feasible for the residents of Chiredzi to fund the road,” reads part of the letter.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association also cited that they are going to take legal action if council gives former Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Alderman Gibson Hwende that vehicle saying that his benefits should be in form of stands.
“We are saying in short no vehicle should be disposed to Alderman Hwende, the former CTC Chairman. If you go ahead and dispose of the vehicle we will take legal action and this will jeopardise your probation period Town Secretary.
“The previous council verbally agreed to give a handshake package to former Chair Alderman Gibson Hwende in form of land in low lands which you the Town Secretary did allocate Alderman without a council resolution. The new councilors cant discuss the issue of the vehicle in terms of law and policy,” Reads part of the letter
There was once a debate in the local authority where half of the councilors voted for the local authority to give Alderman Gibson Hwende the vehicle whilst the other half refused saying council had no capacity.
Among the projects targeted for the year 2024, the local authority proposes to purchase five management vehicles at a total cost of US$275 000, construction of Makondo Clinic at the tune of US$80 000.00, purchase of another refuse compacter at an estimated tune of us$140 000.00, construction of a new primary school pegged at US$100 000.00 and rehabilitation of Inyathi Road at US$738 000
Writing on his official Facebook, Chiredzi Central Constituency Member of Parliament and former council vice chairperson Ropafadzo Makumire said he had met with the Minister of Transport who promised to finish construction of the road.
“I met with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development on the sidelines of the Pre-Budget seminar and briefed him about the unfinished Inyathi Road. The road links Chiredzi CBD with the highway and Tongaat. Good news, he promised to quickly get the road completed,” said Makumire.

Gweru goes for 3 weeks without water

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Gweru goes for 3 weeks without water

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru – Residents have declared a state of emergency as the city has gone for more than three weeks without water.
The water crisis has been bedeviling the city for close to a decade now with the latest development coming only three weeks back after council failed to pump water continuously.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association together with Gweru Residents Forum said residents had moved to denounce council’s failure to pump water.
GRRA director, Conelia Selipiwe said access to clean water was a basic right that was important for the survival of humanity.
“Gweru residents on Monday declared the water crisis in the Midlands capital as a state of emergency and called on central government to intervene.
“This comes as Gweru City Council has failed to provide water to its residents for close to two weeks now owing to a 600mm burst pipe at Gwenhoro dam.
“It’s very saddening to note that poor service delivery by GCC is forcing residents to resort to unsafe water sources exposing them to waterborne diseases.
“Today the residents of this city declare the water situation a state of emergency and request that the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works as well as the Minister of State for Midlands to intervene,” said Selipiwe.
GRF director, Charles Mazorodze, said the water crisis had reached a point where the local authority could not address the problem on its own but required external forces to chip in.
“The current water situation in the city has reached an alarming level, it’s a serious crisis we have at this point and it requires other stakeholders to come in and assist.
“If the government intervenes then it means more players will come in, even private players will come in,” said Mazorodze.
GCC in a public notice on Saturday said its workforce was on the ground working on the burst pipe. The local authority projected work to be complete by Wednesday (November 15, 2023)
“We are dewatering and excavating hence, we might finish maintenance and repairs on Wednesday 15 November 2023,” read the notice.
A development expert, Cosmas Mukanganiki said the water situation in Gweru required all stakeholders’ hands on the deck to proffer solutions to the problem.

Kamuzonda distances self from Tshabangu

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Kamuzonda distances self from Tshabangu

Beverly Bizeki

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Masvingo West ward 2 candidate Roki Kamuzonda has distanced himself from the self-proclaimed interim party secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu who recalled a sizeable number of councilors, legislators, and senators alleging they had ceased to be members of the party.
Kamuzonda said he did not even know Tshabangu and hears about him like anyone else saying he has never spoken to him ever.
He said allegations that he was linked to him were just political smearing which is normal in any political contest and said he will not be moved by that.
“I don’t belong to any faction, I don’t know Tshabangu personally but I only hear about him like anybody else. How can I know him at this level? This is just a factional war between some leaders at the top and I am not involved in any way,” said Kamuzonda.
Asked about who signed his nomination papers, Kamuzonda said his papers were signed at the party office and he was only called to go and verify which he did and all that was being said was just political smearing.
“My papers were signed in Harare just like anyone else and if there is any faction it is up there where our papers were signed. The reason I entered the race is simply because I am confident that I have support in the ward so it’s not even about factions but the people who are telling me that they stand by me,” said Kamuzonda
He went on to say he recognized the presidency of the party leader Nelson Chamisa and he is the one who can tell him not to contest and no one else.
“In August I wanted to contest as Independent and had filed my papers. However, the president called me before sending a delegation from Harare and we went on to discuss the matter and I withdrew, now that a chance has come, I have to contest.
“I can only withdraw if the president talks to me directly, that way I will know for sure that it’s his decision because as it stands, its people around him who are fighting, so as a party member I am not affected by the factional wars in our party, hondo ndedze vakuru variku Harare ikoko (the factional wars is for the leaders in Harare) and this does not affect my candidature because the people have selected me, the electorate know who their best candidate amongst the four contestants is and they are going to decide in December,” said Kamuzonda.
He also said he had already started campaigning and was confident that he would win the election because he trusted that people have confidence in him.
“I have already started door-to-door campaigns where we are also distributing fliers and I am confident that I will win this election because God is in it and I have trust in the people whom I have served before as I have done what was required of me,” said Kamuzonda.
The ward has 3 candidates from CCC with double candidates Kamuzonda and Chiwara then Frank Chirairo who contested as Independent after another fallout with the party’s candidate selection process.
Chirairo had filed as a CCC candidate in August and later withdrew after negotiation with the party.
Chiwara’s chances are banked on the fact that she is said to be the party or Chamisa faction’s official candidate.

Tabe elected new Mayor of Masvingo

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Tabe elected new Mayor of Masvingo

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO-City councilors have elected Ward 4 councilor Alec Tabe as the new mayor, replacing recalled Ward 2 councilor Shantiel Chiwara, in an act that has been referred to by party insiders as defiance of the Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party position.
Tabe won with 10 votes, ahead of Sharon Marombedze of Zanu PF, who received only two votes.
Speaking to the press after the election, Tabe said he was not replacing Chiwara but rather taking over from her. If she were to bounce back, he was ready to work with her and consult her when needed.
He also emphasized that there was no party defiance, and the councilors simply exercised their right to elect their preferred candidate.
“I am not replacing her but I am simply taking over from where she left. We are from the same party, and we are going to work together. We will consult her when there is a need. The councilors elected me out of their own will, and there was no defiance of any party order,” Tabe said.
However, the election was not without drama, with insiders suggesting that the result reflected a clash between party heavyweights Sesel Zvidzai, who is in charge of local government, and Amos Chibaya, the organizing secretary of the party.
Sources revealed that caucuses made in the past few days failed to yield a consensus, leaving the local councilors divided on who should replace the shortest-serving mayor.
“Zvidzai, by virtue of being in charge of elections, gave a directive that Deputy Mayor Daniel Mberikunashe be mayor and would be deputized by Richard Musekiwa. However, other councilors said they could not follow a directive that came through interested parties, saying it was supposed to have come through someone else,” said the source.
It was further alleged that they called Chibaya, who said they were supposed to go by what the councilors wanted. Failing to reach a consensus, local leaders Mandi Matutu and Jeffreyson Chitando proposed an internal election process to choose a mayor between them, resulting in Tabe’s election.
The councilors also tried to delay the election, but the City Council’s chamber secretary said they couldn’t wait. Another ploy to stop the elections by Chiwara’s lawyer, who said her matter was still in court, was again turned down by the chamber secretary, who said he could only be stopped by a court order. In the council chambers, Tabe was elected by Women’s Quota Councillor Alaika Time and was seconded by Ward 9 Councilor Bernard Muchokwa, while Sharon Marombedze (Women’s Quota Councilor) of Zanu PF nominated herself and was seconded by Ward 10 Councilor Sengerayi Manyanga.

Strategic Ambiguity Not So Strategic After All

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Strategic Ambiguity Not So Strategic After All

Ladies and gentlemen, while a lot has been happening lately in the political sphere, Mapombi has been watching with keen interest how mapere were exposing themselves for all to see. Yes indeed, Biti came out clean, setting the record kuti it is rather an insult to associate him with vatengesi vemovement, which to me was a good move considering the insults which were being hurled at him, but ka, veiled in that statement was the acknowledgement that indeed there are problems. Ehe kwahi muChinhu Chemukomana Chaiye mune hohoho which cannot be ignored and Mapombi shares the same sentiments. Chakamwashugwa kuti mwashu hacho nemapere edu aya anoshandisa state institutions to legitimise mabasa avo akaora, sare hwava. But pakudzinga Ostallos muParliament bhoo here? Ko iyo women’s quota kuita kutsvaira. Uya murume anonzi Chavangu kana asina utsinye, ane hudofo hunoridza ngoma chaiko. The most recent recalls are a direct attack on women’s representation, and as a woman myself I feel like chiwomen’s quota chenyu ichi kana musingadi nacho regai, ko zindakupa zindakutorera ndokudii ikoko? Ehe I’m talking about Zanu yaChavangu iyoyo irikurecaller vanhu. We all know how difficult it is for women to get into those positions, wongomuka rimwe zimusorobhangu rakati wabviswa muparty nemuParliament, haa, vamwe vanhu vanotumwa nasatan pachake. High Court yakadoti chimiiiraaa zvakwaaana, bva hanzi Mudhenda wakatoti tsamba pane yakatangira imwe kusvika kwaari saka svuka vanaOstallos, Chibaya nanaMai Mugidho.
While we are at that however, my question is, iyo ambiguous strategy yenyu iyi, was it a strategy yemashuwa shuwa or you guys ill-advised Chamisa? Or paitova pasina zvapo strategy yacho. While the movement was a good idea after what Dougie did, the strategy was supposed to guard against a repeat of the very same scenario. There is one thing that was hidden in plain sight that we all failed to see; the very backbone of the ambiguous strategy was to not reveal who held what position in CCC except for Chamisa, hanzi to guard against infiltration. Guys! Make that make sense. How do you people expect to build a vibrant movement that will usher this country into a new dispensation musingatrustane pachenyu? Why was Chamisa so afraid kungogadzira proper systems oti vice president apo tsvee Mai Kore kana Biti wacho, or Mdara Welsh, SG po kwati, maorgan vanaChibaya pavo paya, zvopera izvo. Kahle kahle you people, how do you operate when you cannot even trust kuti once you go to congress and elect leadership yeparty yenyu you won’t be infiltrated? Zviripoka zvekuti Wapusa Wapusa when it’s clear that you are clueless, ouya zvake Chavangu oenda nechinhu. The reason why opposition remains putty in Zanu’s hands are these issues dzekusarongeka idzodzi. And you people behave like a cult, hamudi kutsiurwa. When you are told that your strategies won’t work you are quick to attack any critics, labelling them Zanu. Manje ndezvipi seipapa, the will of the people is being twisted kuita kushonyororwa because of egos nekusada kuudzwa. Padelimitation paya analysts were warning Nero and his cdes about gerrymandering, and muZanu macho chaimo some elements were against the preliminary delimitation report, and what did Nero say? Hanzi handinei nazvo because presidential elections won’t be affected by delimitation, as if he is saying vamwe vese havana basa chero vakadyiwa. What kind of strategy is that? Instead of joining hands with Zanu leaders who were disgruntled about the delimitation process and report, mukana that had presented itself, he chose to be selfish. Zvino manje Cyclone Tshabangu is raging, potse potse pachauya judgement ye interdict manje manje apa he will pick up where he left, tongogara hedu mumutsetse wekuvhota. I heard kuno kuMasvingo Rocky ndiye ane chimuti and hanzi nemaMP vanomufonera kuti avakumbirire kunaTshabangu kuti vasadzingwa, kkkkk. Mai Mugidho makadiiko uko? Ndiwozve mabasa atinodai kuitirwa naVaTshabangu aya. Hakuna chakanaka zvokwadi. That’s when you see that if you play stupid games you will win stupid prizes. Of all the people, Rocky ndiye onzi he has power muprovince and other elected leaders muparty votoita kumugwambairira kuti vasadzingwa, haa madrama munomawanza vanaMutirowafanza. That guy aingofamba nemapatapata achingopfuura nekuno kuChimusana hapana kana two years, now he is the one holding the will of the people at ransom. But I am very sure the December 9 by-election will be a mammoth task for Shantel because zvamanje manje chakabatwa kuti dzvii naRocky. However, Rocky’s biggest undoing will be that CCC naturally does not have a structured support base, people just vote out of frustration nenhamo yekushungurudzwa neZanu, and considering that Shantel was recalled, the electorate will obviously sympathise with her and vakamuona on the ballot vanomuvhotera chete. The unfortunate part for Rocky will be that anhuhwa bere, makwai haamiri pakadaro. Nhamo inozongouya if Tshabangu retains the power to recall or worse still bar Shanty from being elected under CCC. Gore rino maziso anozvimba nekuonerera madrama ekuChete Chete Chete. One thing that is certain is that CCC will never beat Zanu until it starts thinking like Zanu. What Mapombi means here is that no matter how disgruntled one can be with musangano wekusimba kumasero uyu, you can never deny how organized it is. Chero vakapandukirana pachavo, musangano haumwashuki, if anything unotowedzera kusimba, unlike what we see kuopposition kuti if one person in the purported leadership sneezes, party yotodambuka. Again, they never learn, especially on imposing candidates and vanozviita pachidofo dofo. We are not saying Zanu does not do it, but at least zviri subtle and vanotombokandwa mugango vonzwanana masimba, and the party then sees kuti ari nani ndeupi. Not zvekumirira maphone call kubva Harare on even local processes like electing a mayor. Munoti necorruption hadziitiki here ipo paya, kunzi ukapinda wozondionawo? Because we all know that corruption yose yemumapublic entity inokandira mazai ayo mumalocal authorities imomu, kana muchiti Mapombi anonyepa bvunzai Auditor General kana kuverenga mareports avo muone. Those people we think are the alternative hapana paya, mumusoro makazara corruption yega yega and they are further emboldened nekuziva kuti kumusoro uko akangoita wake leader who continuously endorses her/him zvaendwa. Zvekuti hee they don’t support the system ratova drama, that’s why you hear kuti vaakuuraya battery rephone yaTshabangu calling him day and night kuti asavadzinga vambodyavo, kkkkk, ende huye. Chichemo chaMapombi hacho ione chete, dene kanzuru yeMasvingo yasonesera Mayor wedu mutsva gown dzvuku rinokwana zvakanaka, riya zidress ummm, vanotsviramo muya, kkkkkk. Shanty akangoripfeka one month ndobva zvatodhakwa, dai ava kupawo Tabe manotes kuti rinopfekwa sei.
Ko I heard Mukupe was jailed for smuggling fuel, imika. Bere kana roda kudya mwana waro rinongoti wanhuhwa mbudzi zvokwadi. Imbinga ngani dzemunomu dzisina kupfuma nesmuggling, kubva kufuel, gas, maminerals, even hembe dzenyu dzamunopfeka dzemumarunner umu ismuggling yega yega zvimaBottega Vendeta zviya neLuwisi Vhitori zvefake zviya. I am not saying smuggling is good, but ndangoti chete musada kutitapa mukanwa mazvinzwa. We know kuti yaMukupe haisiyo nyaya chaiyo chaiyo, otherwise dai Henrietta arikuendawo kuseri ikoko, but chokwadi imi nemoyo yenyu munochiziva. One man was jailed five years for possessing zvimagramm zvegold but vamwe mai vavete kumba havo after trying to smuggle kgs of the same mineral. Panoti Banana Republic. I am sure we have all learnt a lesson, you cannot smuggle fuel but gold haaa, you can simply misplace your bag then pay a small fine zvopera.
But ladies and gentlemen, chinyika chino chinombozama kutisvodesa vakomana. I heard maWorry Us ah, I mean maWarriors akaramba kuenda kutraining because of allowances, apa a day or two before vanga vabuda pasocial media vachitaridzika chose, zvichionekwawo kuti vakageza. Shuwa kuti vana vauye kubva kuchando kwavanodya vachiguta kuti vazotambira bhora mahara, ZIFA are you sure? How do you prepare for an international tournament musina kana sendi nhai ZIFA? I don’t think this country is ready to take sports seriously. Chimwe chiikowo chakanaka chinobva nhazareta, kkkkk.
Ko nhai Genarari Chandaizment varipikowoo varova veduwe, kubva pavakangoroora vangoti zii zii kunge Mboko kudai, I also heard Campbell vakabura futi imwe, Anyway, let me go ndinokanga maputi angu for lunch. But before I go, Unit 7 yeHwange yakazodiikowo Christmas yakusvika iyi. Until next time ladies and gentlemen, mboko imboko!

Mkoba Teachers College closed over diarrhea scare

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Mkoba Teachers College closed over diarrhea scare

Tinaani Nyabereka

GWERU – Following a diarrhea outbreak that rocked Gweru town recently, health authorities have decided to temporarily close Mkoba Teacher’s College to pave way for further assessment of the health situation at the institution of higher learning at a time when the country is grappling with a ravaging cholera outbreak.
The closure was communicated and confirmed by the Midlands Provincial Medical Director Mary Muchekeza in a statement.
A total of 20 stool samples were collected for cholera, typhoid, and dysentery laboratory tests and all were negative with epidemiological investigations conducted revealing that of a total of five water samples collected, three were found to be unfit for human consumption.
“Reference is hereby made to the ongoing diarrheal outbreak at Mkoba Teachers College. As of 13 November, 2023 at 1800hrs, the college had reported a total of 508 diarrheal cases. In light of the findings and challenges mentioned above. We believe it is in the best interest of public health to take immediate and decisive action.
“We recommend temporary closure of the institution and postponement of all events for 14 days until all recommendations made to the institution have been thoroughly met.
“We understand the potential disruption the closure may cause. We assure you that the primary concern is to prevent transmission and re-infection,” said Muchekeza in a statement.
On Monday (November 13), Gweru Residents declared a state of emergency over the water crisis in Gweru which had gone close to three weeks.
A water crisis has been bedeviling the city for close to a decade now, with the latest development coming only three weeks back after council failed to pump water due to a pipe burst.
GRRA director, Conelia Selipiwe however said that access to clean water was a basic right that is important for the survival of humanity and said the crisis was exposing residents to waterborne diseases and called on government and other stakeholders to intervene.
“Today the residents of this city declare the water situation a state of emergency and request that the ministry of local government and public works and the minister of state for Midlands to intervene,” said Selipiwe
In 2018 the City of Gweru recorded a diarrhea outbreak that affected Mkoba 15, 18, and 20 where 11 deaths were recorded leaving more than 500 people admitted under home care.

Tshabangu axe strikes Chiredzi town council

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Tshabangu axe strikes Chiredzi town council

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-imposed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) secretary general who was on a recalling spree has struck in Chiredzi Town Council and recalled the council Chairperson Rodgers Chikonye of ward 7 and Musingashari Musingashari of ward 6.
The development leaves a smile on Zanu PF councilors’ faces as it becomes obvious that his replacement will be from Zanu PF owing to their number as it is now five against three.
Chikonye had won the post out of luck as he was elected through tossing a coin after a five all stalemate election since the two parties had equal number of councilors in the chambers.
The opposition had been in control of the local authority since 2018 when Gibson Hwende of then MDC Alliance won the post.
Chikonye confirmed his recall which he sent on various social media platforms and thanked the party for believing in him saying he will forever be a member of CCC led by Chamisa.
“Pleased to inform you that the letters of recall for the two of us are now with us. This means therefore that I cease to be a councilor and Council Chairperson as well. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the entire Chiredzi community and stakeholders for molding me to be what I am today. Our good is always good all the time.
He went on to warn Tshabangu and his cronies saying betrayal will always come back to bite them in the long run.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am and shall forever remain a member of CCC led by Advocate Chamisa. As for Tshabangu and his local handlers, the truth of the matter is betrayal never pays in the long run. The people’s project will never die,” said Chikonye.
Zanu PF’s Liberty Macharaga and Charles Njopera together with CCC’s Philimon Muchaendepi are the likely contenders to replace Chikonye as they are the ones who are not holding any significant post as it stands.
Chikonye led a group of councilors who refused to give the outgoing Chairperson Aderman Gibson Hwende a vehicle saying council had no capacity to do so and had also vowed to stop land barons from sprouting in Chiredzi.

Digital inclusion key for improving adolescents’ health, wellbeing

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Digital inclusion key for improving adolescents’ health, wellbeing

Veeslee Mhepo

While almost half of the country’s population in Zimbabwe is believed to be still offline and the cost of getting on the internet is going up widening the digital gap, digital inclusion has been cited as one of the key drivers to improve adolescent’s health and well-being.
This was revealed during a workshop organized by My Age Zimbabwe, a non-governmental organization that advocates for young people’s health related issues, themed ‘What Young People Want Campaign’ held on November 03.
The engagement meeting was attended by opinion leaders, influencers, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC), Legal Resources Foundation, SayWhat Trust, religious leaders among other stakeholders in Masvingo.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) representative Lovemore Mudumi said digital inclusion has power to improve health and wellbeing of adolescents and helps young people to make informed decisions.
“There is huge potential for digital inclusion to improve health and well-being, even as we are looking at the digital world, we need to make sure we bridge the digital divide and include all the young people especially those in marginalized communities and collaborate with different organizations.
He said digital inclusion should include everyone from diverse communities and collaborate with different organizations.
“We need to create a platform where young people who have the hunger for information CSOs and government entities can use these platforms to disseminate information to the next person,” said Mudumi.
Development Agenda for Girls and Women in Africa Network (DAWA) representative Sphiwe Bhiza said the inclusion of young people in digital spaces was a major factor to consider when it comes to sustainability and improving adolescents’ health and wellbeing.
“Digital inclusion helps children to become independent and learn quickly to make informed decisions. Digital inclusion creates safe spaces to facilitate more inclusive decision-making and co-creation of policies and programs between young people and gatekeepers and that is how we will become sustainable.
“We need to create spaces for connection and peer-to-peer learning, reach advocates with diverse experiences and identities, and support the ability of youths to influence at different levels of decision- and policy making,” said Bhiza.
Speaking at the same event, Redemption Chivorese from Students and Youth Working on Reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT) said the organization was working towards digital inclusion and use of digital technology to better the wellbeing of young people through providing access to internet to marginalized areas.
“As an organization we continue to work towards improving the health of Adolescents and young people in this digital era through providing gadgets, internet access and data, we sometimes provide data to young people and we’re partnering with other entities to create Hotspots for the digitally marginalized areas,” said Chivorese
He said in order to improve the health and wellbeing of young people there was need to address issues of policy framework on Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR).
“When we talk about achieving universal health for Adolescents and access to services, we must look at legal framework and SRHR policies, policies are not in line with each other for instance the majority act and the age of consent act. They need to be coherent so that young people can universally have access,” said Chivorese.
Wadzanai Dzimwasha from My Age Zimbabwe said in order to achieve Universal Adolescent Health in a diverse environment, movement building and capacitation is the way to go.
“Movement building is a key and it works; why work alone when we’re working on the same thing? If people were to work together and young people are capacitated, we will achieve Universal Adolescent health, capacitating young people in their diversity and grow peer networks, this will definitely improve the health and wellbeing of Adolescents,” said Dzimwasha
The workshop was aimed at advocating for improved policies, programs and increased financial and political commitments for advancing the health and well-being of young people in Zimbabwe.
The Campaign focused on partnerships by building bridges between diverse actors and bringing advocates’ perspectives into the adolescent health and wellbeing conversation, bringing an opportunity to connect people and ideas to drive solutions for the health, rights and wellbeing of adolescents and young people.
The major focus areas of the campaign were enhancing Adolescents well-being in multi stakeholder platforms, zooming into policy and programs and facilitating digital inclusion and use of digital technology, various points of action and commitments were raised.
Among some of the digital approaches that are being used to improve health and wellbeing of adolescents and young people in Zimbabwe cited were Smart Learners Hub by Say What, Mobile Hub Application by DAWA and the development of Ruzivo Zimbabwe National Learning Passport by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education among others.

Another Strategic Ambiguity?

TellZim News
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Another Strategic Ambiguity?

…As Masvingo council elects Chiwara replacement

…CCC plans to force new mayor to step down once Chiwara wins by-election

Brighton Chiseva

The upcoming mayoral elections in Masvingo are posing a fresh challenge for Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa as the party seeks to determine a successor for the shortest-serving former mayor, Shantiel Chiwara.

The elections, scheduled for Friday, November 17, are expected to see the appointment of a ‘placeholder’ mayor, with Chiwara poised to take over after a by-election in December.

Chamisa’s decision-making process during Chiwara’s initial election was notably protracted, eventually declaring Chiwara as the candidate in the 11th hour.

While this choice was welcomed by many party supporters, discontent led to councilors having to take pictures of their ballots as a precautionary measure to prevent defiance, as witnessed in 2018 when former mayor Collen Maboke ascended without party approval.

Sources reveal that Chamisa is now considering the election of a councilor perceived as weaker, who would step down after the December 09 by-election, facilitating Chiwara’s anticipated victory.

According to an inside source, the preferred candidate for this strategic role is Ward 9 Councilor Bernard Muchokwa, deemed easily controllable.

“Amongst the councilors, Muchokwa is believed to be a greenhorn who will not cause headaches when asked to step down and pave the way for Chiwara. On the other hand, he is also believed to be able considering his level of education, unlike other newbies Tafara Masimba and Maxwell Madhuna. Others like (deputy mayor Daniel) Mberikunashe (ward 5), Alec Tabe (ward 4), and Richard Musekiwa (ward 8) are considered strongmen who could refuse to step down if the need arises,” explained the source.

The mayoral contest appears intense, with four or five out of 12 CCC councilors eyeing the top post, and unless strict measures are implemented, there is a potential defiance against orders to impose a mayor.

“Four or five people are currently warming themselves for the seat. Mberikunashe and Muchokwa are possible party favourites, while two best friends, Richard Musekiwa of Ward 8 and Alec Tabe of Ward 4, have decided to put their friendship aside and lock horns if the situation allows. On Tabe’s faction Sitemere could also throw in his hat and one of them would be mayor and the other deputy,” added the source.

Mberikunashe’s chances are heightened as he is the current deputy mayor, and is regarded as mature politician having served the same council since 2013 although concerns arise if he contests and loses both the mayoral and deputy mayoral posts.

Tabe’s vocal nature positions him as a potential mayor, but trust issues with top leadership may impede his candidacy though he seems to have support from a sizable number of councillors including two from Zanu PF.

Musekiwa, with experience in council, lacks charisma and a comparable education level, presenting a contrasting contender in the mayoral race.

As Masvingo prepares for the mayoral elections, CCC navigates a complex terrain, balancing party preferences with individual capabilities.

Other sources said a meeting held Thursday (November 16) in the afternoon with all CCC councillors, local leadership and national director for elections Farai Chinobva failed to yield a meaningful resolution and the party position will be announced just before elections to avoid scheming.

The source went on to say the likely scenario will see councillors being forced to take pictures of their ballot paper after voting unless they are saved by Zanu PF councillors as they almost did last time.

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