Masvingo’s renowned traditional dance group, Jeketera Renyaningwe from Chivi is gearing up to represent the province at the highly anticipated Chibuku Neshamwari national tournament set for July 19, 2025 at Mutare Showgrounds in Manicaland Province. The group known for their captivating Bira dance performances has been making waves in the traditional dance scene and is eager to showcase their skills on a national platform. In a statement, Delta Corporation said the partners were ready for the finals and five provinces had already crowned champions. “This year’s festival, hosted in partnership with the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) and the Zimbabwe National Traditional Dance Association (ZNTDA), has brought communities together in a shared celebration of traditional dance. “Five provinces have already crowned their champions, Midlands’ Undi Gure with the Zambia Nyau type of dance, Manicaland’s Semvumba group with Dinhe dance, Mashonaland West’s Katawa traditional dance with Mhande type of dance and Masvingo’s Jeketera Renyaungwe with Bira dance while Harare, Bulawayo, Matebeleland South, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central prepare to show their finest,” read part of the press release. The National Final prizes for the first, second and third prizes are US$15 000, US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively. Entrance is free and attendance are promised a full day of entertainment starting from 1000 hours till late. This year’s festival promises to be an electrifying celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage, with exceptional dance groups from across the country set to compete for the top prize. Previously at the 2024 national finals held in Masvingo, Nyaungwe Arts Ensemble from Mashonaland East took the first prize and won US$15 000 for their Mbende dance performance. Culture Warriors from Harare secured second place and Dapurahunzva Arts Ensemble from Manicaland came in third and won US$10 000 and US$7 500 respectively.
Traditional leader Chief Ndanga, born Wilson Makono, has sounded the alarm over rising HIV infections in Zaka District of Masvingo, particularly in the Ndanga area blaming the trend on growing infidelity among married couples and a reluctance to seek medical treatment. Speaking during a development engagement meeting with MPs and village heads at Chipezeze Primary School in Ward 7 on June 14, Makono said Zaka had become the leading district in Masvingo in terms of HIV prevalence. “Zaka district had 11.06 percent which means it is the highest contributor of people living with HIV in Masvingo. We do not have a dam called Tokwe Mukosi but we have a title given to us of some Tokwe Mukosi’s (informal name given to young sex workers after young girls relocated from Tugwi Mukosi went into prostitution). At Gumbo there are brothels and there are girls who camp there in search of clients. “We have more at Ndanga Business Centre and all those areas are under Chief Ndanga,” said Mukono. He said though there were sex workers, their contribution could be minimal because they take precautionary measures, but the hidden extramarital affairs among married individuals that pose a greater risk to public health. “Chimbavha chemudzimba chawandisa muri kubirana (infidelity is on the rise). Those into sex work protect themselves but imi vechimbavha vezve husiku (people who sneak during the night just engage in sexual activities without protection). Married men and women are the most affected. Infidelity has increased,” Said Makono He questioned the root causes of the growing trend, suggesting that people should consider lawful polygamous arrangements instead of engaging in secret affairs. “What causes this? Is it because of demons? Since the law permits, why don’t you just marry more women and have many wives? If a lady decides to have many partners, find somewhere where you can fit. Nyaya yekuchachura ndoyaita kuti zvirwere zviwande (Infidelity has brought about the spread of diseases). We can’t progress like this because the same people who are not loyal do not want to expose themselves as well for fear of accountability, they don’t want to seek treatment and we will end up losing our lives. Let us be faithful people,” said Makono. He also used the platform to address other social issues, including the recent death of a teenage bride in Zaka due to childbirth complications. Chief Makono called for stricter monitoring of religious sects in rural communities. “We are not against any religious sects but let them have limits. Section 16 of the constitution speaks about culture. Every person in Zimbabwe must respect our Zimbabwean culture. For that reason, every church must be made known to the village head. The village head must monitor these churches regularly because some things happening in these churches are outrageous,” he said. Chief Makono’s comments reflect increasing concerns by traditional leaders over the intersection of culture, health, and morality in rural communities facing persistent public health threats.
The Sustainable Agriculture Technology (SAT) in partnership with Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) has established a Multiservice Centre that is making waves in the agricultural sector in Rutenga, Mwenezi. Speaking with TellZim News, SAT Deputy Director Lloyd Masunda said their organization had built a Youth Vocational Training Center, Paprika and Sesame processing plants that had boosted agricultural activities in the area. “We are a local NGO that is passionate about developing for rural communities. What you are seeing here is a Multiservice Centre established with the bank’s support. We have a paprika processing plant machine and a youth vocational training centre. “Our partnership with IDBZ started three years ago with a loan of US$50 000 dollars that was injected to support paprika production in irrigation schemes. This season the IDBZ bank has given us a loan of US$430 000 which would be used to buy sesame from farmers,” said Masunda. He said the partnership had assisted the organisation in reaching new international markets as they managed to export 212 tonnes of sesame. “This partnership has helped us to unlock access to international markets. Last season we had done 212 tonnes exports of sesame to Japan, Mozambique and others. “We are looking forward to having access to paprika global markets next year and beyond after the food safety certification of a paprika plant which is underway,” he said. Masunda said with plans to expand paprika production and enhance sesame processing, the organization was committed to not only boosting agricultural exports but also reinforcing the national rural industrialization strategy. He said they had managed to stabilize the marketing of sesame and have become one of the major players on sesame value chain in the country. IDBZ Chief Executive Officer Thomas Zondo Sakala emphasized the multifaceted benefits of the initiative to the community at large. “The benefits are at three levels because we are working with the community to help them improve the production of paprika, sesame and offering them markets. Clearly that has impacts on income and livelihoods of the community. “Also there is now an opportunity for the youth to be empowered through skills development that will benefit the community’s economic activities. The processed products from here find markets internationally, generating foreign currency for the country. “At these three levels, community development, youth empowerment and foreign exchange generation is truly remarkable and deserves continued support,” said Sakala. IDBZ vice chairperson Dr Naomi Wegwete said they were realising tangible changes in community through the SAT and IDBZ partnership. “IDBZ is supporting some of the projects here especially to do with the communities in terms of production of sesame and paprika and this had had a positive impact in the communities,” said Wegwete.
Prominent businessman Antony Clever Pote collapsed during the burial of his sister, Alice Pote, in an emotional farewell held in Chivi on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Pote reportedly lost consciousness during the body viewing process as emotions ran high. Sources close to the family said he was overwhelmed with grief and had to be resuscitated by first aid responders. Alice Pote, died on Monday morning at her home in Izayi Park, Zvishavane, after reportedly suffering from acute respiratory failure and a pulmonary embolism. She was the Finance Director of Pote Holdings, and a driving force behind the company’s expansion across Zimbabwe. “She was not just a sister to him; she was a partner in building the family empire. Watching her for the last time broke him,” said a close family member who witnessed the moment. Alice is survived by her husband, identified only as Mr. Mushwaka and three children. Often referred to as the brain behind Pote Holdings’ diversification, Alice played a central role in the growth of the family business from a small retail outlet to a nationwide empire. She founded Stallion Cruise Bus Company, one of the most reliable transport services in Zimbabwe, and was instrumental in launching the Pote Hills Hotel in Zvishavane and the Clevers Hotel. Under her stewardship, Pote Holdings ventured into retail, transport, construction, hospitality, microfinance, earthmoving, agriculture, and mining, creating hundreds of jobs and significantly contributing to local economies, particularly in Chivi North where the business first became a household name. Her death has left a deep void not only in the Pote family but in the wider business community.
The business and political elite of Masvingo and Midlands provinces gathered in Chivi on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to pay their final respects to the entrepreneur Alice Pote, who was laid to rest at her rural home in Marecha Village, Takavarasha. Alice, a co-director of the Pote Holdings Business Empire and founder of Stallion Cruise Bus Company, died on June 16 due to acute respiratory failure and pulmonary embolism. Her sudden passing sent shockwaves through the business community, where she was regarded as a promising and enterprising figure. Among the mourners were Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Ezra Chadzamira and his Midlands counterpart, Owen “Mudha” Ncube, underscoring Alice’s influence beyond her hometown. Representing the Mnangagwa family was Patrick Mnangagwa, General Manager of Precabe Enterprises , while Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care Sleiman Kwidini also attended the solemn event. Prominent business figures, including Byword Motors Director Stanley Kondongwe, were also present, joining hundreds of mourners in celebrating Alice’s life and contribution to the family empire led by her brother, Zvishavane-based tycoon Anthony Clever Pote. Alice was the second youngest in her family and is survived by three children.
MASVINGO – Zanu PF’s Lovemore Matuke, Secretary for Security who is also minister of state security said the party was shocked by the landslide victory recently win in Gutu East by election. Matuke was speaking at a Provincial Coordinating Meeting Held at Masvingo Poly on June 20 where he said history was made after the win since Zanu PF had not won a by-election with more votes than the general election before. “His Excellency (President Emmerson Mnangagwa said let’s send a team to study because in the history of this party since 1980, there is no by election that had more voters than the general election. This is the first of its kind, we surpassed the general election result by more than 2 000 votes. He said they wanted to use Gutu East as a case study for future elections so they had to ask why they surpassed general election vote. “We said let us use Gutu East as a case study, let’s ask ourselves why we won with such a margin. We need scientists to investigate what really happened because you don’t win and relax the same way you don’t lose and relax. “We have Gutu East and another council election (Binga), so I have since given an order that I want a report on why we won like that. We need to dissect the entire process to understand what resonated with the people. We will look at the candidate selection and what pushed people to go and vote. Is it the projects being done by the President or it’s because of the team work we have in the province?” said Matuke. He went on to say the province was united and that could have influenced the outcome and said that unity was supposed to be emulated as the party embarks on a cell verification process. Commenting on the win, Zanu PF Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said the win showed that people loved the party since the opposition votes slided with around 2 000 votes comparing with the general election outcome. “We won by more than 9 000 compared to around 7000 last election and the opposition had around 4 000 now it slipped to around 2 000. This shows Zanu PF and our President are loved in the province,” said Mavhenyengwa. The by-election was necessitated by the recall of Benjamin Ganyiwa, the previous MP and the party’s candidate Masvingise Zvarevashe secured 9,321 votes. This victory marked a significant win for Zanu PF, with the party sweeping all four by-elections held recently. Gift Gonese a former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate who contested as independent got 2,269 votes, while Zivanai Nzvenga of NCA got a paltry 173 votes. Zanu PF also won in Insiza North Constituency, Chipinge RDC Ward 5 and Binga RDC Ward 4.
Zanu PF Masvingo Province has lost its bid to co-opt business tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei into the Provincial Central Committee to Harare despite the province being the first to recommend his cooption. Contacted for comment by TellZim News, on how they felt as a province, Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said he could not comment on the matter at the moment and referred questions to Zanu PF Spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa. However, Masvingo Provincial Spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe said they were happy with the decision and by what Tagwirei was doing. He said Tagwirei had been in party structures in Harare so his co-option there was not a big issue but as a province they also wanted him if Harare had not coopted him. When he announced Tagwirei’s co-option, Zanu PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Patrick Chinamasa said Harare would never be the same with Tagwirei in the Central Committee. “From being, for a long time, a dormant but committed Zanu PF party cadre loyally working quietly and outside the public limelight or glare, holding some low-ranking position in some Zanu PF Party District under Harare Province, your recent co-option into the Zanu PF Central Committee is a breath of fresh air and will certainly be impactful to Zanu PF’s political fortunes in Harare City and perhaps in other urban settings as well,” said Chinamasa. Chinamasa promised party members that Tagwirei’s coming on board was going to bring value to the party. “I am of course referring to Cde Dr Kudakwashe Tagwirei, who has recently been co-opted into the Zanu PF Central Committee by the Zanu PF Harare Provincial Council. I have no hesitation in assuring those of us who are skeptics that Harare Province will never be the same again. Cde Tagwirei, who has erupted from his dormant state like a volcano is destined to add value to our deliberations as a Zanu PF Central Committee. “Welcome aboard, Cde Tagwirei and brace yourself to the fact that there will be malcontents out there who will bay for your blood and try to throw mud at you with a view to seeking to tarnish your reputation,. I know you are made of sterner stuff and that you can take any brickbats and insults in your stride,’ said Chinamasa. The move has widely been received as a strategic move by the ruling party amidst ongoing succession developments by the Mnangagwa faction. Masvingo recommended for Tagwirei’s cooption in March and Harare went on to do the same in March before the party leadership considered Masvingo’s bid. Tagwirei, originally from Gutu gained prominence not only for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic endeavours across Zimbabwe. He has made substantial contributions to uplift vulnerable communities in Masvingo and beyond, funding various initiatives aimed at fostering social development. Notably, he has supported numerous projects within the Seventh-day Adventist Church, including significant donations for church construction and development initiatives at Solusi University. In recognition of his philanthropic work, Tagwirei made history in March 2025 by becoming the first Black individual to receive the Global Award of Excellence from the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. This accolade highlights his commitment to advancing education and support for underserved communities through his Bridging Gaps Foundation.
Masvingo United FC known as Una Una in football circles pulled a significant upset by defeating FC Hunters ending its unbeaten streak with a 1-nil win at the home of football Mucheke stadium on June 18, 2025. The solitary goal by Adam ‘Killer’ Tende in the 90th minute was enough to secure the victory, marking a significant upset in the Eastern Region Soccer League by dislodging the former log leaders to second position in the league standings. FC Hunters nicknamed the Clever Boys had been on a remarkable run remaining undefeated in the previous games with 9 Wins and 2 draws and the lose gave room to Tenax FC to climb to the top of the table. Speaking to TellZim News Masvingo United Spokesperson, Omen Mafa said they were happy with the win and looked forward to maintain the winning streak. “We are happy we collected three points against FC Hunters one of the strongest side in the league and we made them to record their first lose which is worth to celebrate. “We are confident we are on the right track to Premier Soccer League (PSL). As we are preparing for our next game against Manica Diamonds U19 we are taking each game seriously as we increase our hopes for PSL, ”said Mafa. Una Una’s recent perfomances have shown promise with the team winning their last two fixtures. They will look to build on this momentum as they continue their campaign. FC Hunters Team Manager Liberty Mudandaureni said they had a great time at Mucheke Stadium and they drew lessons from the loss. “We had a great time despite having received a negative result. We have not gone too far from the PSL hopes. In football there are only three results after a game win, draw and lose so as the Clever Boys we don’t have to lose hope. The game gave us room to see our weaknesses and to correct errors in future. Mudandaureni acknowledged the teams’ weaknesses of failing to capitalize on opportunities in their hands. “We wasted our scoring opportunities as we failed to score and Masvingo United utilized their last minute chance and won the game. “As we prepare for our next game against our rivals Tenax FC.It is going to be a tough game because we are both looking forward on winning the ERSL title this season,” said Madandaureni. The Clever Boys parted ways with their coach John Nyikadzino who joined Bulawayo Chiefs in the Southern Region Soccer League recently and Clifford Dzvairo is the club’s new head coach. The loss by FC Hunters was a harsh reminder that the season is still young and teams like Masvingo United are hungry for success. The match also highlighted the competitive nature of the ERSL where any team can rise to the challenge on any given day. Meanwhile, FC Wangu Mazodze fell 2-1 to Tongogara United at Ratings Stadium. Tongogara United got goals from Perfect Khosa and Isee Mazora extending their winning streak against top teams at their home ground and FC Wangu Mazodze got a goal from Takudzwa Nyamama and now they have 15 points from 11 games. Currently Tenax FC is on top of the table with 31 points followed by FC Hunters with 29 points and Masvingo United is on position three with 26 points with a game in hand against FC Wangu Mazodze. FC Hunters’ next game will play against the log leaders Tenax FC at Chisamba Stadium in Marondera and Masvingo United will face Manica Diamonds U19 which is in the bottom three.
In a significant step towards educational transformation, Jenya High School in Chivi North’s Ward 5 constructed a 1000-seater multi-purpose theatre aimed at promoting both psychological and physiological well-being of learners, while aligning with the expectations of the newly-introduced Heritage-Based Curriculum (HBC). The theatre, though modest in appearance, is a beacon of innovation for the medium-sized rural school with an enrolment of approximately 550 learners and 24 established teachers. The development was led by the forward-thinking leadership of young, industrious and vibrant school head, Tinashe Rubaya with support from the staff and parents as well as the leaners. Pitched on steel poles with a corrugated iron roof and open sides, the theatre combines simplicity with functionality. Its paved floors are designed with architectural precision to allow for effective drainage during rainfall, ensuring the comfort of learners throughout all seasons. Speaking to TellZim News, Rubaya emphasized the importance of creating an environment beneficial to learner welfare. “As a school, we aim to cater for the physiological welfare of our learners at all costs, that’s why we constructed this theatre that will serve as an assembly point and a modern study center among other uses. Apart from serving as a gathering space, Rubaya said the theatre also serve as a hub of academic activity. “With strong WiFi connectivity enabled by a Star Link facility installed at the administration block, the space becomes a vibrant study Centre during lessons. ‘A’ Level teachers often use the venue to facilitate online research and collaborative learning,” said Rubaya. Looking ahead, Mr. Rubaya outlined a bold vision for the school saying the theatre would cultivate a culture of reading as the school prepares for the introduction of hard sciences. “The theatre will go a long way in cultivating a culture of reading in our learners. We want to introduce hard sciences beginning next year, (2026). We have the capacity and the potential as a team. However, the investment in digital infrastructure does not end with the theatre. The school’s administration block and its Computer and Innovation room have also been equipped with the Star Link combo, ensuring robust internet access for both staff and students. “In this era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we want to ensure maximum adoption of ICT but with the sole focus of domesticating social media to create content that best suits the learners’ lived experiences. We want to curb over-excitement that comes with social media exposure. We redirect the excitement into meaningful learning that advances the goals of the HBC so that our learners appreciate both the wider and their local environments,” he said. Commenting on the theatre, the deputy head Leonard Musiteri, concurred saying the school valued the importance of having assemblies so they did not want that to be affected by weather. “We always want to have meaningful assemblies that are not disrupted by rains during the rainy season. We also want to protect learners from the heat that withers their energy away that is why we have this structure,” said Musiteri. The senior teacher Happiness Chipako said cleanliness was a virtue at the school and they had installed a hand-washing facility for use by all, promoting cleanliness among teachers, learners, and visitors. “We want to make sure that cleanliness is a virtue here at Jenya High School. The hand-washing facility is relevant to the HBC which promotes cultural continuity and public health to ensure the overall well-being of Jenya High School staff and learners,” Chipako. The developments at Jenya High are not ordinarily symbolic but tell a practical story of what the 4th Industrial Revolution demands in innovation, digital literacy, and rural empowerment. Such grassroots efforts demonstrate that the seeds of national industrialization and innovation are sown early in schools that understand and operate in line with the mission and vision of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Civil Society Organizations in Masvingo are calling for the government and other interested organizations to increase awareness on the Africa Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) in Zimbabwe. The charter, which Zimbabwe is a signatory to, aims to promote democratic governance, transparency, accountability, and peaceful elections. However, many citizens are unaware of its existence and provisions. This came out during a community engagement meeting recently held in Masvingo organized by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), bringing together stakeholders from various Civil Society Organizations, including Women’s Coalition in Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Human Rights, Progressive Teachers Union in Zimbabwe (PTUZ), Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development Trust (COTRAD), Rural Unity for Development Organization (RUDO), and Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP). Speaking at the meeting, ZESN Advocacy Officer Ethel Muchena said the ACDEG sought to promote several aspects within nations so there was need for Zimbabweans to be aware of the charter so that they will be able to hold office bearers to account. “Citizens should know about ACDEG because it equips them with the knowledge of agreed principles by the African Union for the betterment of good governance, ACDEG enables people to demand the implementation of the charter in their countries and it also enables citizens to demand the alignment of ACDEG principles with domestic laws,” said Muchena. Kudzai Gwitire of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe suggested that ZESN should take lead in increasing access to ACDEG information through social media. “Information should be shared on all social media platforms, and key takeaways from meetings should be shared with those who did not attend,” Gwitire said. The ACDEG charter was adopted in 2007 and has been signed by 46 countries, with 39 ratifying it. Zimbabwe’s signing of the charter underscores the need for citizens to understand its provisions and promote democratic processes in the country. By increasing awareness about ACDEG, Zimbabweans can hold their leaders accountable and promote good governance. Participants agreed that wherever they do their programming, they should take it upon themselves to spread knowledge to citizens about the charter. The charter also demands each member country to send a report after every two year and the participants also suggested that there was need to find a way for COS to compile a parallel report as well.
