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“E-learning the only solution to Covid-19 in tertiary institutions’’- Lecturers

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“E-learning the only solution to Covid-19 in tertiary institutions’’- Lecturers

 Blessed Chauke

Lecturers in most tertiary institutions in Masvingo have voiced their concern over the recent increase in cases of Covid-19 at the institutions of higher learning as they feel e-learning is the only way to go.

After the declaration of Morgenster Teachers’ College as a Covid-19 hotspot on June 12, lecturers have suggested that e-learning is the best way to arrest the surge. 

Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) lecturer Dr Khensani Madlome (African Languages) said government has to avail e- learning resources to students as a way of encouraging it in the face of the recent outbreaks.

“E-learning is the best way to curb the spread of Covid-19 in higher learning institutions hence government should avail funds and e-learning resources to avoid overcrowding in colleges and universities.

“Because of volumes of people moving and mixing in colleges, the risk of spreading the virus is very high,” Dr Madlome said.

Dr Ester Rutoro a lecturer at Reformed Church University concurred with agreed with Dr Madlome and said e-learning will surely reduce the risk of future Covid-19 outbreaks at campuses.

“In the face of Covid-19 infections cases rising at higher education institutions, e –learning can be a very effective measure against future occurrences.

“There are a number of factors that encourage the rapid spread of the virus at colleges and universities. There is congestion in the limited facilities that are at hand, looking at the ever rising student populations such as in libraries, ablution facilities, halls and canteens.

“E-learning is a strategy that can effectively decongest the limited available facilities. It is also the fact that higher education students come from all corners of the country some of which have already been declared Covid-19 hotspots,” said Rutoro.

She added that government should enforce compliance to Covid-19 restriction measures in the said institutions to ensure that all students and staff are tested for Covid-19 before they enter into institutions at the beginning of the term or semester.

A lecturer from Midlands State University (MSU) (who requested anonymity) said e – learning is the best way if both students and lectures are provided with materials to use.

“E- Learning is the way to go if both students and lecturers are provided materials to work with. We are using WhatsApp which is cheaper but not ideal instead of zoom or Google classroom. 

“Students need to see or hear the lecturer’s voice to be convinced that they are learning. The government should provide grants for students, equip lecturers with requisite skills of handling lectures online and enforce colleges and universities to hold workshops and seminars for online lectures,” the lecturer said.

One GZU Master of Arts in Religion student Tinashe Mugoyana said although e- learning reduces the chances of spreading the virus, it has its challenges.

“E-learning reduces the chances of spreading the virus although it has got its challenges.

“The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare should roll out more vaccination and more awareness campaigns,” said Mugoyana.

Government has since declared several districts around the country Covid-19 hotspots, which include Mhangura, Chinhoyi and Chidamoyo (Mashonaland West) Chiredzi, Masvingo District, Nkulumane, Emakhandeni and Northern Suburbs (Bulawayo) and Mt Darwin (Mashonaland Central).

Zaka man stabs wife over relish

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Zaka man stabs wife over relish

Tendai Mbede

A 35-year-old Zaka man last week appeared before Chiredzi Regional Magistrate Judith Zuyu facing attempted murder charges after he allegedly stabbed his wife over failure to find relish. 

Ngonidzashe Chineunye pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder allegations in which he is being accused of stabbing Juliet Magomana(32) with a knife on the stomach over failure to find relish on May 30 last year.

It is the state case that on the fateful night Chineunye came from a beer hall and found his wife seated with their two kids in the bedroom behind Chivheya Shop at Tetenu Business Centre and asked for his supper after which he was told there was no relish which infuriated him.

Magomana allegedly went out to look for the relish after which Chineunye followed and stabbed her once above the navel before vanishing into the darkness.

Magomana was later ferried to Nyajena Clinic before being transferred to Masvingo General Hospital as her condition got worse.

In his defence, Chineunye denied the allegations saying he found his wife with a boyfriend and claimed he is the one who was assaulted.

He further claimed that his wife fell into a rubbish pit with broken bottles after sensing danger which led to the injury she sustained. 

The case was postponed to June 20, 2021.

Stakeholders react to banning of ‘high risk’ sport codes

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Stakeholders react to banning of ‘high risk’ sport codes
Taurayi Mangwiro

Wayne Ncube

Masvingo- The surge in Covid-19 positive cases has prompted action on the part of government, which has seen the immediate ban of sporting activities classified as high risk sports, a move that has been received with mixed emotions by stakeholders in the sports fraternity.

A few months ago, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) gave a waiver to almost all sports codes to resume action but following World Health Organization (WHO) protocols. 

Fans, technical personnel and players who were geared for action had their joy cut short after Vice President who also doubles as the Minister for Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga announced Covid-19 restrictions which banned sporting activities. 

Speaking to TellZim News, Masvingo boxing promoter, Tawanda Zishiri of D1 promotions said the ban had thrown everything which they had planned in disarray and called on the government to review the set rules and regulations since talent was going to waste. 

“The restrictions are unfair to us because we also earn a living through sport. We are law abiding citizens and they could have easily allowed us to continue whilst they monitor our activities. 

“In the short period which they allowed us to resume matches, we followed all protocols and participated in Harare boxing tourneys where everyone who participated was tested. These continuous bans on some sporting activities hinders sport development in the country,” said Zishiri. 

Triangle United head coach, Taurayi Mangwiro said the government directive crashed their hopes of a smooth season but stated that they will implement individual trainings for players to stay fit.

“Just like anyone else we are affected by this government decision to suspend some sporting activities which include football. We had hoped that since we had been allowed to resume action we were going to have a smooth season.

“However, we have no other plan but to accept the restrictions put in place to try and curb the spread of Covid-19. We will still keep our faith and our players will continue working on individual trainings to maintain shape and fitness,” said Mangwiro. 

Masvingo Volleyball Association Chairperson, Clemence Muzondo told TellZim News that all morale and hype which was in camp ahead of tournaments which were planned had gone into thin air. 

“We are greatly disappointed by this development. Clubs were gearing up for a tournament which was slated for this coming weekend only to be told that it has been cancelled. We await communication on the next step from our motherboard.

However, a few days after the announcement, the SRC issued out Statutory Instrument (SI) 170 of 2021 which gave a waiver to ‘low risk’ sport codes which include table tennis, athletics and tennis. 

“Pursuant to the recently Gazetted Statutory Instrument 170 of 2021 the following sports codes classified as low risks are hereby authorized to resume their activities in accordance with their previously approved protocols encompassing national and World Health Organization guidelines.

The sports code are Archery, Angling, Cricket, Equestrian, Polo, Shooting, Wood ball, Table Tennis, Aquatics, Bass, Cycling, Rowing, Polocrosse, Tennis, Triathlon, Horse racing, Badminton, Athletics, Chess, Draughts, Golf, Motor Sport, Lawn Bowls and Teqball,” reads SI 170 of 2021.

COTRAD holds voter registration campaign in Masvingo

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COTRAD holds voter registration campaign in Masvingo

George Chimwayange 

Community Tolerance Reconciliation and Development (COTRAD) has launched a voter registration mobilization campaign in Masvingo Province through online and offline platforms.

The campaign kicked off on June 16 on national broadcaster ZBC television and local radio stations, bulk messages, electronic fliers on whatsapp groups and other social media platforms.

COTRAD programmes manager Zivanai Muzorodzi said that if too many young people neglect their right to vote, they could become a demoted group.

“Many youths want to register but they are facing transport challenges to get to the main registration centres,” said Muzorodzi.

 He also mentioned that they have organized first time voter tournaments in Masvingo, Zaka and Chiredzi as their main aim is to notify youths that ZEC offices are open for registration and community markets which is done every month in different wards.  

The campaign is mainly targeting young men and women, especially those who are reaching voting age and older people who have not voted previously despite being legible to do so.

The level of participation of youths in electoral processes is worrying despite the fact that they represent over 60% of the national population.

In Masvingo only six people registered to vote in May 2021 therefore COTRAD has begun the campaign to educate young people about their roles as citizens, their rights and responsibilities, the importance of voting, and how best to make choices in voting.

Chiredzi vendors, council at loggerheads

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Chiredzi vendors, council at loggerheads

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI– An engagement meeting between Chiredzi Town Council and Chiredzi vendors ended in a deadlock after vendors refused to pay sign lease agreement forms that had been approved by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. 

The forms, which obligated the vendors to pay ZW$1920 per year are meant to formalise the informal business sector, TellZim News can report.

Chiredzi Town Council is currently shutting down market stalls as a way of forcing vendors to formalise their operations by signing the 2021 lease agreement forms.

Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson of Finance Committee, Rogers Chikonye said the fees were a result of the approved 2021 budget and cannot be reversed unless the vendors have requested for that permission from the minister.

Chikonye also said markets need renovations to avoid the spread of diseases and there is need to generate funds from markets rather than pumping out money from other utilities to fund the markets.

“These fees were approved after consultations which were made for the 2021 budget and approved by the Minister of Local government and we have no power to reverse such unless if our parent ministry instructs us to do so. Also the markets need renovations and that cannot be done using money from other utilities but rather should be financed by the markets themselves. There are also administration charges for the leases that is why it amounted to such a figure,” said Chikonye.

Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Gibson Hwende also urged vendors to make the payment plan and spread it over in the period of six months.

“We are left with six months to complete this year and it is better to make a payment plan and spread it over the period of six months. You can later view the figures for the 2022 budget if you are saying this is too much,” said Hwende.

Vendors  association chairperson Solomon Ndarowa said they are in disagreement on the payment of RTGS$1920.00 for lease agreement forms, which, in 2020, were offered for free and also payment of monthly market rates of RTGS$960.00 from the initial RTGS$330.00 which was pegged last year. 

“We met with the council last year and agreed to formulate a lease agreement to formalise our operations, which the government is encouraging. We agreed that it will be free but unfortunately, this year we are being told that we have to pay RTGS$1920.00 to get the lease as well as RTGS$960.00 for monthly fees, which, last year we agreed to be RTGS$330.00,” said Ndarowa

Last year, vendors and Chiredzi Town Council agreed to enter into five year lease agreement which will be renewed on annual basis which the vendors believe is supposed to be free.

Sometime in 2020 Police Internal Security Intelligence (PISI) from Chiredzi Central Police Station reportedly had to intervene and called for vendors to peacefully engage the local authority.

However the resultant meeting yielded nothing as the situation went out of control with councillors shouting at vendors who in turn vowed to carry on with demonstrations.

Minister Marapira targets bumper harvest in winter wheat project

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Minister Marapira targets bumper harvest in winter wheat project
Davis Marapira at his Lamonte farm with Ezra Chadzamira and Winston Chitando


TellZim Reporter 

MASVINGO– Masvingo North Member of Parliament, Davis Marapira has put 150 hectares at his farm under the winter wheat program which is aimed at boosting the country’s wheat output this year. 

 Marapira who is also a Minister in the office of the President and Cabinet in charge of Monitoring and Implementation of Agriculture and related programs is doing various agricultural projects which include cattle rearing and maize production. 

Speaking during a recent tour of his Lamonte farm, Marapira said the project was in the right direction and that they were expecting a great yield from this year’s cropping. 

“We have finished everything and the program is well on course. This time around we planted 220 kgs of seed per hectare. If you plant less you won’t get the desired harvest. We have also finished putting fertilizer and from our cropping this year, we hope to get 9 to 11 tonnes per hectare,” said Marapira.  

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira who was also part of the delegation which toured the farm said the project was a significant development which would help improve the country’s annual wheat production. 

The tour was also attended by the Minister of Mines and Mining development, Winston Chitando who also had an appreciation of the winter wheat program. 

Last year, Marapira harvested over 500 tonnes of winter wheat and was also adjudged the best 2020 Masvingo provincial producer farmer at the inaugural Zimlife Agriculture Merit Awards (ZAMA).

High demand and low supply of Covid-19 vaccines in Masvingo- Shamhu

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High demand and low supply of Covid-19 vaccines in Masvingo- Shamhu
Doctor Amadeus Shamhu

Kimberly Kusauka

Masvingo province has recorded a surge in demand yet low supply of Covid-19, vaccines, Provincial Medical Director Doctor Amadeus Shamhu has said.

 Dr Shamhu said of late, most people who hesitated to take the jabs since the introduction of the vaccination programme in February this year because they were misinformed are now scrambling for it.

 The rush has since led to the majority of the vaccination centers running out of first doses and they are only left with second doses said Shamhu.

“At this moment in time people are now well informed about the vaccine and they are rushing to the nearby centers to get vaccinated.

“This has resulted in the exhaustion of first doses and centers are only left with second doses. However we are waiting for more vaccines which we were promised but we do not know the quantity and the date we are going to receive the vaccines,” said Shamhu.

The Covid-19 taskforce spokesperson Rogers Irimayi said people are eager to get vaccinated as evidenced by the increased uptake in vaccines leading to exhaustion in other centers. He said they are expecting more vaccines soon which will be dispatched to districts as soon as they are received.

“People are now eager to get vaccinated. This is evidenced by the increased number of people who are getting vaccinated leading to exhaustion of vaccines in most centers.

“We are expecting more vaccines since the demand is high and they will be dispatched to districts as soon as we receive them,” said Irimayi.

Covid-19 vaccines are running out in most parts of the country and Bulawayo (the second largest City) recently suspended the vaccination programme for a week but has since resumed after receiving around 3 600 doses of Sinopharm.

The country is yet to receive 25 000 doses of Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccines from Russia probably by the end of June which help the country curb the new infections.

As at June 16 a total number of 697 399 people had been vaccinated against Covid-19 in Zimbabwe.

Blue Gold condom well received – ZNFPC

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Blue Gold condom well received – ZNFPC

Blue Gold condoms

Leslie Karumbidza

Masvingo – The Blue Gold condom which replaced the Panther condom popularly known as ‘Madembare’ has been received well in Masvingo.

The Madembare condom were phased out last year following numerous calls by different organizations especially sex worker groups who were saying their clients were despising it.

The new brand was launched and started distribution last year in November and has now been distributed to all the corners of the province.

Speaking to TellZim News, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Provincial Marketing and Communications Officer Herbert Chikosi said the reception of the new condom is satisfactory.

“Statistically volumes are up and through interaction with the sex workers they have indicated that they want the new product.

They are happy with the vanilla scent on the new condom which they say is appealing just like the other brands that are sold in shops unlike the panther,” said Chikosi.

Chikosi said the condom is now accessible in all areas of the province and a very few areas still have the panther which is slowly disappearing.

He went on to say the youths and other members of the society have also embraced the new brand and have since nicknamed it the ‘bonde radirwa sugar’ condom. 

 The Madembare condom became unpopular among the public and was often criticized by sex workers as unappealing and not to have the comfort accorded by other condom brands as they had no lubricants.

However, gender champions have complained that only male condoms are being distributed first at the expense of the female ones.

Centre for Gender and Community Development in Zimbabwe (CDCGZ) programs manager Chidaushe Mudadi said women should be given an equal choice as men in terms of sexual issues since they are prone to abuse if they do not have their own condoms.

“While we appreciate the rebranding and the availability of the new condom, female condoms should be made available the same way male condoms are. Women are often left without a choice and this result in some being abused. So we call for the responsible authority to make sure that they make female condoms available so that women have a choice,” said Mudadi

Pensioners demand benefits increment

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Pensioners demand benefits increment
Paul Mavima


Blessed Chauke

Pensioners in Masvingo have challenged the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) to improve their pension payments at an event recently hosted by NSSA at Great Zimbabwe hotel.

Masvingo Pensioners’ Forum chairperson Oliver Dube said NSSA needs to improve their benefits since inflation is chewing much into the pension funds.

“NSSA need to improve our pay outs because the money is now affected by inflation and since January 2019 some of the pensioners have not received their full benefits. Our payments need to be reviewed either on a monthly or quarterly basis.

“We pay rentals and medical bills just like other citizens but we no longer afford to do so because of the poor earnings we are getting which are also affected by the ever-rising inflation,” said Dube.

Dube said the government needs to prioritise the health of the pensioners even if it means allowing them free access to health facilities. 

“NSSA should review our medical aid earnings or provide us with free access to medical facilities. As old people we are vulnerable to various diseases and even some of us who got injured during the tenure of their employment find it difficult to cater for their health needs,” added the chairperson.

Dube further proposed that NSSA addresses the lost pension policies of the 2008-09 era by providing pensioners with soft loans which would help them to engage in income-generating projects.  

“We also propose that NSSA provide us with soft loans so that we can start our own projects as a way of recovering our lost policies for the period 2008-09,” suggested Dube.

Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare professor Paul Mavima who was the guest of honour at the event promised pensioners that the ministry is going to look into the problems they are facing.

“NSSA constructed a mobile clinic that will be covering the whole country and will add more mobile clinics in each region for the pensioners.

“Recently NSSA opened an isolation centre for pensioners in Harare. This isolation centre will be turned to a clinic for the pensioners and providing free medical attention to them,” said the minister.

Minister Mavima also assured the pensioners that NSSA has started to reserve funds that will help pensioners to start their own projects.

“NSSA has reserved US$2 million to help pensioners to start projects of their own and also started negotiations with banks so that unnecessary charges on the earnings are removed,” said Mavima.

Mavima also said that NSSA is going to create a board of members with representatives from both the southern and northern regions as a way of de-centralising the operations of the authority. The board will also ensure communication between the authority and pensioners.

Government takes 22 years to complete Roger Howman dormitory

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Government takes 22 years to complete Roger Howman dormitory

The female dormitory that  took two decades to complete

Blessed Chauke
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has finally completed a female dormitory at Roger Howman Training Centre, a project it started 22 years ago, TellZim News has learnt.
The matter came to light during the tour of the project at the training centre in Mucheke high density suburb by Minister for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring the Implementation of Government Programmes, Dr Joram Gumbo on June 16.
Minister Gumbo bemoaned lack of resources as the major reason to the delay in completing a number of government projects nationwide.
“It is regrettable that although construction of the project started way back in 1999, progress has been impeded by financial constraints. In order to address these challenges, government has undertaken to ensure the completion of all delayed and unfinished projects.
“I have been advised that the Ministry has received funds for the procurement of materials needed by the Ministry of Local government and Public Works for the completion of the projects,” read part of Dr Gumbo’s speech.
Gumbo further stressed government commitment to empower women by ensuring that they participate meaningfully in national economy.
“The state and all institutions and agencies of government at every level endeavour to facilitate and take measures to empower, through appropriate, transparent, fair and just affirmative action, all marginalised persons, groups and communities,” he added.
Roger Howman Training Centre was established to equip women with life skills like food processing, clothing technology, poultry production, baking, detergents making and business management.
The dormitory will provide accommodation for women who enrol for training programmes at the centre.
“Such deliberate, concrete and targeted initiatives are needed to help increase the participation of women in the economy, reduce poverty rates and stimulate economic development in the country, ”said Dr Gumbo.
The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.

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