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Forestry commission targets 25 million on national tree planting day

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Forestry commission targets 25 million on national tree planting day

…says 262 000 hectares of forests lost annually

Melinda Kusemachibi

Forestry Commission, a parastatal under the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry said they are targeting to plant 25 million on the National Tree Planting day on Saturday December 04.
The  commission said  approximately 262 000 hectares of forests are lost annually due to various factors among them expansion of arable land, demand for wood fuel, construction poles as well as urban expansion.
Speaking to TellZim News, Forestry Commission Information and Communications manager, Violet Makoto said their organization is targeting to plant around 25 million trees countrywide on the National Tree Planting.
“We are losing 262 000ha per annum. It is a common knowledge that as a country, there is population growth with the consequential expansion leading to clearing of land by settlers, for agriculture and gold panning which leads to deforestation.
After four years we do what is called Forest Inventory looking at our land cover map, you will find that forests are actually being destroyed due to cutting down of trees.
“This years’ theme is ‘Trees and Forests for Ecosystem Restoration and Improved Livelihood’. We have a national event to be held at Masvingo Primary school in Mberengwa this coming weekend,” said Makoto.
Makoto encouraged tobacco farmers to grow eucalyptus (gumtrees) trees at their farms to use for drying tobacco so as to preserve natural trees.
“We encourage tobacco farmers to plant their own trees for curing the crop so as to create renewable source of energy. This will preserve the natural resource and give people other alternatives to decrease cases of cutting down indigenous trees,” said Makoto.
Chief Murinye born Ephias Munodawafa said that cutting down of trees is a major issue that should be looked at closely.
“Around Great Zimbabwe Monuments area, trees were cut down and we have enforced a policy that everyone seen cutting down trees will be punished. It is a tourist attraction that would attract tourists with flora and fauna.
“People should not cut down trees as that leads to deforestation. In our area those seen with loads of firewood will be punished,” said Munodawafa.
Chief Nemauzhe born Nelson Murandu from Chivi South said they enforced a policy that caused a decline in deforestation in their area of jurisdiction.
“Tree cutting is prohibited in my area. No one is allowed to cut down trees. If you are seen cutting down trees, you will pay a fine to the Chief’s court. That is what we are doing in our area and ever since we enforced, a decline in deforestation has been noticed in our area,” said Murandu.
Moulding of farm bricks has seen an increase in demand for wood fuel due to lack of money to purchase coal and high electricity costs.
The shortage of electricity in the country has for now been the major catalyst for deforestation which is threatening to reach unprecedented levels.
It is also estimated that Zimbabwe is losing its vegetation cover at a staggering rate of 300 000ha per annum. Population pressure has resulted in excessive utilization of forests leading to a rapid depletion of the forest resources in most areas.
There has been an increase in fire damages on forest and agricultural lands in recent years. Many of those fires on the forests have been caused by either illegal settlers or farmers trying to prepare land for agriculture.
In 2008, Plantation Forestry Industry lost about 10 percent of their forests to fire, an area of about 15 000ha.
Illegal settlements on forestry land particularly demarcated forests brings with it illegal activities such as gold panning, animal and timber poaching, forest fires and deforestation. Illegal poaching of wood for sale in urban areas is common in most areas around the country.
In 2010, Zimbabwe had 1,06mha of trees cover extending over 2,7% of its land. In 2020, the country lost 6.22kha of tree cover, equivalent to 2,84mt of CO2of emissions from 2002 to 2020, Zimbabwe lost 825ha of humid primary forest, making up 0,4%of its total tree cover loss in the same time period. Total area of humid primary forest in Zimbabwe by 11% in this time period.
From 2002 to 2020, Zimbabwe lost 215kha of tree cover, equivalent to a 15% decrease in tree cover since 2000 and 83,2mt of CO2 of the emissions.

Plastic bags to be phased out by December 2022

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Plastic bags to be phased out by December 2022

Fredrick Moyo

Retailers have been asked to find alternatives to plastic career bags by December 2022 as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is contemplating outlawing its use saying it is not environmental friendly.
In a letter dated November 12 2021, directed to one P Rambanepasi of the Retailers Association of Zimbabwe, EMA director for environmental management services Steady Kangata said there is need to lessen plastic usage that had become a menace in the country and would be phased out by the end of 2022.
“Globally, plastic waste has become a menace, hence the need to reduce the use of plastics. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is therefore taking steps towards the phase-out of plastic carrier bags.
“We are encouraging your affiliate members to consider alternative non-plastic carrier bags which are environmentally friendly. Plastic carrier bags are set to be phased out by the end of December 2022.
“We appreciate efforts by some of your members who have already started promoting (the use) of alternative bags. A green economy is the way to go and your co-operation in this regard is greatly appreciated,” reads the letter.
Speaking to TellZim News Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers President (CZR) Denford Mutashu said CZR applauds the decision by EMA to suspend plastics and soon they will engage manufacturers and suppliers to admit to the transition.
“CZR fully embraces EMA’s recent communique regarding gradual phasing out of non-biodegradable carrier bags by December 2022. CZR is working with sector players to begin the implementation in earnest.
“We will soon engage packaging manufacturers and suppliers to initiate the transition while working with the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe in educating consumers of the dangers to the environment of continued use of non-biodegradable plastics,” said Mutashu.
A few years ago kaylites which were used by majority of food outlets were banned and many outlets like Chicken Inn resorted to khaki paper boxes.

Editorial Comment: Eradicating GBV in society-everyone’s responsibility

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Editorial Comment: Eradicating GBV in society-everyone’s responsibility

Gender-based violence is a violence phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. In other words, both men and women experience this form of violence that in most cases is directed against person basing on gender.
Quite a number of factors among them gender stereotyping, patriarchal hegemony notions embedded in societal norms, values and customs; religious beliefs perpetuate this kind of violence that has of late become more prevalent among young women and girls.
The violence takes various forms among them physical, psychological, sexual, social and or even economic and has got far reaching consequences with the already vulnerable groups like poor women, women and girls who are HIV positive being at the receiving end of the scourge.
So much has taken place in Zimbabwe during the course of the 2021 calendar, with the death while giving birth of 15 year-old Anna Machaya at a Johanne Marange shrine at Bocha in Manicaland province being just a tip of the iceberg.
Musasa Hotline recorded 764 cases of GBV during the first 11 days of the Covid-19 lockdown that began on March 29, 2020, a figure way above the 500-600 recorded a month prior to that.
Great strides have been made by several movements on various platforms and for a to arrest the menace but the recurrence of the new societal ill (GBV) is a worrisome development and thus act as a wake-up call to all stakeholders and responsible citizens to take charge and play a role to that effect.
Despite having such facilities like the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and even police’s Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) among other responsible authorities, the question that still needs to be addressed: Is the ordinary person aware of the channels to be followed in case of being a victim or ignorance may take precedence for the vulnerable folk.
Educating the marginalised communities as well as effective information dissemination would go a long way in helping address some of the shortcomings that have opened lee ways into continued perpetration of GBV.
Every organisation whose interests revolves around the protection of the interests of humanity should take charge this time around when the world commemorates the 16 days against GBV and thus ensure it will not be matter of ticking boxes as something done annually but bring about change for the betterment of a community.

Government approves CRDC’s budget

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Government approves CRDC’s budget

Emmaculate Mutonhori

CHIREDZI: The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has approved Chiredzi Rural District Council’s ZW $1 billion 2022 whose major highlights are improving water, sanitation a road network and housing especially at Chikombedzi, one of the RDC’s biggest business centre.
Chiredzi RDC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ailes Baloyi confirmed the development and said he was happy with the budget approval saying it would enable them to plan in time.
“We are happy that our 2022 ZW$1billion budget was approved earlier, this is going to help us plan ahead as we look forward to improve water and sanitation, road network and housing development in areas like Chikombedzi,” said Baloyi.
Last week the local authority’s Finance Committee Chairperson, councillor Murau Munyengeri presented the approved 2022 budget pegged at ZW$1 353 749 518.00 at council’s boardroom.
Munyengeri indicated that the 2022 budget is payable in both currencies that is the US$ the local currency and have since pegged tarrifs in both currencies as allowed Statutory Instrument (SI) 185 of 2020.
“The budget is pegged at ZW$1 353 749 518.00. Almost half of the budget that is ZW$592 762 182, 10 is coming from our own revenue collection payable in any currency our stakeholders might feel comfortable to use and ZW$760 987 335, 90 is coming from government fiscal transfers,” said Munyengeri
The one billion budget for 2022 will be channeled towards key and strategic projects as spelt out in the National Development Strategy (NDS1) centered on the attaining an upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030.
In 2021, council’s budget was pegged at ZW$493 million with half of the budget being drawn from revenue collection and the other half from government grants.

PVOs Amendment Bill drastic

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PVOs Amendment Bill drastic

Thabiso Nxumalo

Private Voluntary Organizations (PVO)s in Masvingo have expressed dissatisfaction on the Private Voluntary Organization Amendment Bill of 2021 which may soon be passed into law if it passes in parliament.
Speaking to stakeholders at the Civil Society Organization (CSO) workshop on the amendment bill on November 25, 2021, Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust (SAPST) Legal advisor Tonderai Mashavave said the bill to amend the Private Voluntary Organizations Act of 2013 was promulgated on November, 5 2021 and was soon to be discussed in parliament.
He also explained that the bill sought to amend 11 sections in the current Act.
“The PVO Amendment bill was promulgated on November 5 and seeks to amend 11 sections in the current Act and as such we are at a level of educating and engaging CSOs and will then focus on the general populace.
“After which we will have a meeting with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and other stakeholders,” said Mashavave.
Local PVO representatives at the meeting said the amendments which were sought to be put in place gives the ministry absolute power and writes off transparency from the ministry as they can suspend PVO licenses without an explanation but as they wish.
“This bill is infringing some basic human rights. It gives absolute power to the ministry, especially clause six up to nine which states that PVOs must consult with the registrar for any changes including that of its executive board members. In every change it means they have to re-register and it is possible that they may not be given a license on the second registration,” said one participant.
Another participant Maud Moyo deplored the section which states that PVOs will have to pay to register to get a license deviating from free registration that is enshrined in the Act and said she does not understand why non-state actors that are working to compliment government efforts are given such a draconian bill.
“Why should we pay to get registered to compliment government in developing the society? I do not understand why they give us such a tough time in offering humanitarian assistance, it seems like they want to stop PVOs in assisting the vulnerable people in the community,” said Moyo
Other clauses in the bill includes that, those who fail to comply or meet certain criteria will be liable to fines up to ZW$ 500 000 or up to ten years imprisonment.
The battle for control of civil society operations by government has been on-going for quite some time with the government accusing NGOs of being agents of regime change agenda.
Harare Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) once irked the ire of NGOs in the capital after requiring the latter to seek clearance from his office before resuming operations.
Masvingo District Development Coordinator (DDC) Roy Hove and Zaka assistant DDC Victor Zinanga once banned NGO operations in their respective districts.

CGCDZ distributes seedlings to community partners in Masvingo

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CGCDZ distributes seedlings to community partners in Masvingo

Melinda Kusemachibi

Center for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CDCGZ) recently distributed
600 fruit tree seedlings in Masvingo district’s wards 10, 11, 12, 33 as part of climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
CGCDZ Projects Manager Chidaushe Mudadi said the main aim is to promote reforestation in the rural communities.
“We were giving out tree seedlings to community partners that we support in horticulture projects. These community partners number 50-60 per group and we have conducted various training programmes related to climate change to the groups.
“The bottom line is that we want to promote reforestation and adaptation to climate changes as an organization and we have realized that planting of trees is one of the adaptation measures that we have adopted as an organization,” said Mudadi.
CGCDZ has escalated its women empowerment goals for Masvingo through distributing farming inputs as well as training them on growing different vegetables in Mbetu village, Zvamahande, Chipo gardens.
CGCDZ’s objective is to uplift and improve the living conditions of poor and marginalized communities (men, women & youths) with a special focus on women in projects utilizing local resources through economic empowerment, citizen participation and climate change, mitigation and adaptation.
Although CGCDZ is a gender sensitive organization, it focuses mostly on women recognizing that they are the key drivers of economic growth mostly in emerging market countries, Zimbabwe included.
CGCDZ takes community centered and led initiatives as the basis for all interventions and livelihood activities.
Zimbabwe National Tree Planting day is commemorated annually every first Saturday of December. The day is set aside to motivate the nation to plant and conserve trees, enlighten the nation on the importance of forests, enhance biodiversity and household food security.

Chiredzi Creche owner released on bail

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Chiredzi Creche owner released on bail

Rutendo Chirume

Chiredzi Creche owner Zhuwakina Javangwe who was arrested on November 22 on attempted murder and violation of the Education Act charges after two minors died in her car boot appeared before Masvingo High Court Judge Justice Garaishe Mawadze yesterday (November 30) and was released on ZW $ 8000 bail

Javangwe who owns Javas Day Care Creche forgot four toddlers in the boot of her Honda CRV vehicle for four hours resulting in the death of Celine Shiri and Innocentia Lynet Masungati.

She was ferrying them to the crèche with other kids when they were left in the boot only to be discovered after some hours.

The accused was ordered to deposit ZW$8000 with Clerk of Court at Chiredzi Magistrates court, continue residing at 15 Bauhina Rhodene Masvingo, not to interfere with witnesses and report at Masvingo Central Police Station every Friday.

On granting bail, the judge considered that she was not a flight risk

Yvonne Motsi of B Chipadze law chambers represented Javangwe while prosecutor Emmanuel Matose appeared for the state.

Poetry profession dying a silent death?

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Poetry profession dying a silent death?

Thabiso Nxumalo

Poets in Masvingo have voiced concerns over their line of trade that seems to be slowly losing position and relevance in the performing arts scene in this modern era as compared to other forms of art like music and sport.
Abel Mauchi, a prominent Masvingo poet bemoaned their side lining and said like absence of a governing body that specifically deals with poetry is the main cause of their predicament.
“We as poets are not taken seriously, especially by relevant bodies, most poets are living in poverty while other artists in music are excelling and living large while we languish in poverty despite our contribution to the society.
“I think in the best way forward for us is to form a poets’ governing body led by poets and not just be led by people who are not directly involved with the profession.
“In this spirit, we call upon the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation to engage us in order to keep the profession alive,” said Mauchi.
Popular Masvingo contemporary poet Mambo Guramatunhu who recently launched a poetry book titled “Kumberi Takamirigwa” at Civic Centre, Masvingo on Saturday, November 20, 2021 said poetry addresses real life issues but lack of airplay is significantly shrinking their reach.
He also said unlike musicians with managers and promoters, they can organise shows and echoed Mauchi’s words of having a Poets board.
He bemoaned the absence of a Poetry Awards body to promote competition and creativity in the industry to give poets recognition and encourage writers to have faith and write more.
“We are addressing real life situations in our societies through poetry, however lack of airplay on Television and radio means the message is not getting to the masses while we sustain our families with the little we have, hoping things will improve. Musicians are leading in the arts because they have sponsors, promoters, shows and airplay while most poets do all this by themselves.
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation should advocate for space for poets on bigger platforms and help in the formulation of a board specifically for poets so that we can be heard
“As it stands, we do not have an awards board in place, we are just poets with their poems,” said Guramatunhu.
A Masvingo resident Cynthia Hove said she doesn’t know any poet, as she knows not even legendslike Musaemura Zimunya, Albert Nyathi and Arnold “SoProfound” Chirimika or even Masvingo’s Abel Mauchi.
“I do not know any of the poets you just asked me, I have never seen them perform anywhere, what I know mostly in Masvingo in terms of arts and entertainment are musicians and gigs,” said Hove.

Zinasu brings voter registration campaign to Masvingo

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Zinasu brings voter registration campaign to Masvingo

Rutendo Chirume

Zimbabwe National Student Union (Zinasu) has brought voter mobilization campaign to Masvingo where they held a student conference at Victoria hotel on November 25 to come up with ways and modalities to encourage people to register to vote in the 2023 harmonised elections.
The programme is running under the theme, ‘My Vote, My Voice, My Future’ and aims at making sure that every student has a duty to mobilize as many people as they can to register to vote.
Students from Great Zimbabwe, Morgenster Teachers, Mushandike Wildlife, Masvingo Polytechnic and Teachers’ colleges attended the event.
Coordinator of the event national Legal Secretary Jingani Shoko reminded other students’ significance in shaping and changing the future.
Jingani also highlighted that the campaign will not focus only on students but will use students to mobilise everyone eligible to vote to register and they are going to merge with other organizations pushing the mantra #register to vote.
“This campaign will not only focus on students to register, but we are the future and it is our task to ensure that every citizen eligible to vote has registered. I urge you to use your ability to approach citizens or even to challenge political figures to deliver their promises because what we are striving for even as we are gathered here, is change.
“We are gathered here so that together you and I can play a part in shaping and changing the future because your vote is your voice and will determine your future,” said Jingani.
Among other guests who attended the conference were Farayi ‘Cde Fatso’ Chinobva MDC-Alliance’national director in the organizing department said he will organize a student with the Party President in Masvingo
“This event is very close to my heart as it marks the first step towards change and I appreciate the efforts you are putting to ensure that every citizen is registered to vote. The last time Chamisa was here, he had an opportunity to meet people living with disabilities and this time I assure you that he is going to have an interface with students from all colleges and universities just like what he did in Bulawayo and Harare (University of Zimbabwe).
Outgoing Zinasu president Takudzwa Ngadziore who gave closing remarks called for unity amongst Zinasu members to ensure development of the union and said he was stepping down as president but the union has to move forward.
“In order to go forward as a union we need to remain united and continue to fight for the learner’s freedom. I am stepping down to further my academic ambitions among other things but the union has to go forward,” said Ngadziore.
Other modalities which were brought forward include online and physical campaigns and approaching other organizations partnering to mobilise as many people to go and register to vote, set aside political affiliations in order to get people to register and allowances for people who would be doing these campaigns.
In October Zinasu held a similar programme in Harare and is going around the provinces endorsing the ‘My Vote, My Voice, and My Future Campaign’.
The voter registration campaign comes at a time when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has suspended the mobile voter registration exercise up until February 2022.

 

Hosiah Chipanga seeks audience with ED

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Hosiah Chipanga seeks audience with ED

…“God spoke to me about Zimbabwe”

Emmanuel Chitsika

Controversial musician Hosiah ‘Vapange’ Chipanga has said he has made numerous attempts to engage President Emmerson Mnangagwa to take heed to advice on how to govern the country following God’s revelation to him if the country is to be delivered from the current problems it is facing.
Chipanga claims that all his attempts were in vain and says God came to him in 1977 through a vision with a revelation on how the creator wanted Zimbabwean leaders to lead the country enroute to becoming light of Africa and the world.
“It was on September 13, 1977 when the holy spirit descended on me and a new world different from the current one shown to me and thereafter everything and means to live in such a new world was taught to me. It is from that time until today that I have tried to approach my country leaders on how best our Creator wants Zimbabwe to be led and become the light of Africa and the whole world.
“The vision says everything about how people should live, together with how they should be governed in the kingdom of God on earth. To the President, I would advise him on how he can tackle the problems the country is facing using God’s advice and ideology,” said Chipanga.
He said Africa inherited ‘evil system of governance’ from former colonial masters and that copying other nations will not work out.
“In other words, we as Africans inherited and still copy the evil systems of governance from our colonizers yet Zimbabwe by the Creator has a new system of governance and living reserved for it as a chosen country.
“No matter how accurate we may copy, it will not work for Zimbabwe until we discover our reserved peculiar route,” he added.
Chipanga said the current model of governance by government is more like upside down when compared to the ideal model.
His social commentary continues with the recently released hit ‘Polad’ in apparent reference to Political Actors Dialogue which encourages political players to unite for the sake of developing the nation.

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