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Zaka DSI praises Uebert Angel’s helping hand

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Zaka DSI praises Uebert Angel’s helping hand
Samson Chidzurira

Triader Chipunza
ZAKA – The District Schools Inspector (DSI) here has praised
the humanitarian gesture from prominent preacher Uebert Angel and his wife
Beverly of Spirit Embassy-Good News Church after they adopted all pupils at
Bota Primary School and paid all their fees for 2020.
The Uebert
Angel Foundation paid full fees for the 1 026 pupils at Bota Primary School under
the foundation’s Adopt a School programme.
Zaka DSI
Samson Chidzurira described the gesture by the Eubert Angel Foundation as very
generous and will go a long way in ensuring that every child has access to
education.
“This is
something which we pray to happen often so that our children will all be accorded
equal access to education.
“The Eubert
Angel Foundation has brought hope upon all the pupils at Bota Primary School
and now it is up to the pupils to study and not let the generous gesture go in
vain.
“Parents have
been struggling to raise money and we have been receiving reports of many
pupils dropping out but this year everyone will be in school at Bota Primary
School,” said Chidzurira.
The ”Adopt a
School” programme earlier this year also paid the whole year’s school fees for
the 797 pupils at Kadyamadore Primary School in Chikwaka communal lands in
Mashonaland East province.
A total of 78
students at tertiary institutions are also benefiting through the programme.

Through the eyes of a sculptor

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Through the eyes of a sculptor


Symbolism of the soapstone birds at Great Zimbabwe

Elizabeth
Duve Dziva
Over the years,
interest in and understanding of African symbols and their meanings has greatly
increased with contemporary research doing much to destroy earlier myths,
correct distortions and add knowledge of Africa’s vast, varied and thrilling past.
The soapstone birds at
Great Zimbabwe mean much more than any description of the relics found at the prehistoric
city of theVaShona. Apart from their aesthetic appearance, the soapstone birds
are visibly symbolic that even the settler government that ruled the country
for 90 years could not resist their powerful symbolism.
A total of seven
soapstone birds were found in and around the monument. It still remains a
controversial issue as to which bird is represented by the carvings. Some want
to believe that it represents the bateleur eagle (chapungu) while some want to
believe that it represents the fish eagle (hungwe shirichena). Both birds are
significant in the African religion. Both bird’s physical representation
symbolises communication between the state and spirits of the land, a
relationship vital to humanity.  The bateleur
eagle flies to greater heights than any other bird hence the VaShona developed
a belief that it was a messenger of God.
During the liberation
struggle, appearance of the bateleur eagle would warn and signal danger to the
freedom fighters. Divergently, the fish eagle (hungwe shirichena), is of
religious significance not only in totemism. Its vitality extends to royalty at
Great Zimbabwe. Symbolic are also the crocodile and chevron motifs on the birds
which are equally associated with sacredness and royalty.
All, except one bird
which is the national emblem of Zimbabwe were taken to South Africa, German and
Austria at the end of the 19th century. The one which was exported
to South Africa is still in the collection in Groote Schuur Museum. Reports are
that it was found in Cecil John Rhodes’ bedroom. The former president of
Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe is quoted saying “totemless people” referring to white
men but Cecil John Rhodes became the first and last unique white men as it is
orally reported that he had fallen in love with the soapstone bird that he made
it his personal totem.  Consequently, a replica
was made to represent the former and place in the bird gallery at Great
Zimbabwe Museum.
Matenga is quoted
saying the birds are an ideogram symbolising historical continuity of a strong
spirituality from ancient to modern times. They are an icon of sovereign
nationhood inscribed on the National Coat of Arms. One of the birds is on the
national flag and an emblem of the collective will to build the nation through
spiritual, socio political and economic endeavor. The birds are not just antique
collection as they constitute a living tradition that is valuable to
Zimbabweans.
Regardless of the value
of the soapstone birds depicted beyond reasonable doubt, descendants of the Sculptors
have turned a blind eye to the spirituality associated with the birds. They
have rather been placed in galleries for foreigners to view in exchange for
money. Surprisingly, that has not in any way improved the economy, a sign that
there is something amiss.  It is time
Zimbabweans decolonise their minds and value what needs be valued.
Elizabeth
Duve Dziva is an Archaeologist and cultural Heritage practitioner. The views in
this article are solely hers and do not represent those of any organization. Email
duveelizabeth@gmail.com

Homeless mentally-challenged kills ‘would-be rapist’

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Homeless mentally-challenged kills ‘would-be rapist’

Star Matsongoni
MASVINGO –
A pregnant mentally-challenged woman commonly known as Saru is in police custody
on allegations of murdering a 45-year-old man who allegedly tried to rape her.
Saru
is said to have stabbed Ndara Kageze Musitapa twice on the chest on February
28, 2020, at LC Pharmacy along Robert Mugabe Road.
Sources
said Musitapa forced himself into Saru’s blankets on the pavement at LC
Pharmacy at the New Market Centre Complex.
Musitapa
is said to have engaged in a heated argument with Saru at around 22:00hrs with
the accused telling him to get out of her blankets.
Musitapa
is said to have tried to force himself onto Saru and a fight broke out. Saru is
said to have reached out for her knife which she used to stab Musitapa twice on
the left side of his chest.
After
the fight, Saru went to the complex’s security guard and told him that she had
killed a man but was not taken seriously.
Saru
then went to alert a Fawcett security guard at N. Richards supermarket who then
went with her to confirm her story.
The
security guard found the victim dead in Saru’s blankets and a police report was
made leading to the arrest of the accused.
Masvingo
provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula referred all
questions to the national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi
who could not be immediately reached for comment.
Saru
is said to have given birth less than one year ago and the baby is said to be
under the care of the Social Welfare department.

Gutu High on STEM drive

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Gutu High on STEM drive

TellZim
Reporter
Gutu High School, which one of the
oldest mission schools in the country and was recently appointed the district computer
centre is continuously improving its infrastructure to match some of the best
in the country.
With a well-equipped computer library
and about 60 percent of their lower sixth enrolment being science pupils, the
school is fast becoming the biggest STEM learning centres in Masvingo province.
This year alone, Gutu High has two of
their pupils going abroad to further their studies in robotics, which is a
great feat considering the school’s thrust to enhance science education.
Gutu High head Mirirai Mutanda said
the school is making deliberate efforts to enhance science education to meet
international standards and that is reflected in both enrolment and teacher
recruitment.
“We have one of the biggest science
labs in the province which is well-equipped and because of that we have a
deliberate thrust to teach sciences. We were recently made the district
computer centre because of our quest to enhance STEM subjects at our school.
“We have 42 permanent staff members
and 11 student teachers and about 90 percent of our teaching staff is comprised
of science teachers,” said Mutanda.
The school used to have only one
class per each science subject class at A’ level but this year we have two
classes per each subject, making over half of their total enrolment science
learners.
Gutu High School’s O and A’ Level
percentage pass rate has been on a continuous improvement for the past three
years, with some of their pupils breaking national records.
The school is also known for
representing the district in public speaking and quiz competitions, and in 2019
they came first in the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) quiz tournament.
In 2018 the school won three
provincial Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe
(Potraz) letter-writing prizes, following stellar performances by three pupils
in the competitions.
The school then received 10 laptops,
bronze, silver and gold medals and text books valued at US$600. The winner of
the first prize got US$300, text books and a certificate, second winner got US$200,
text books and a certificate while the third winner got US$100, text books and
a certificate.

EFF Zim attacks ED, Chamisa for failing to inspire hope

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EFF Zim attacks ED, Chamisa for failing to inspire hope

Nyashadzashe Mambure


The
little known opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters Zimbabwe (EFF) Zim has
slammed President Mnangagwa and MDC’s Nelson Chamisa, labeling both of them
failures who cannot inspire people in the country at all levels.
In
a statement, EFF Zim president Innocent Ndibali said Chamisa’s MDC, which runs
many urban local authorities, has failed the people while President Mnangagwa’s
government which runs the central government has failed the country at large.
Ndibali
said Chamisa and President Mnangagwa should equally take the blame for running
down the country which has a lot of potential.
“It
is not surprising that Zanu PF and MDC are silent on the issue of coronavirus
because between them, they have destroyed all the health infrastructure needed
to respond to the coronavirus.
“MDC
has destroyed the capacity and ability of local authorities they have run for
20 years through corruption and incompetence with Zanu PF failing to govern at
national level.
“MDC
and Zanu PF are two peas in a pod and the only difference is that one is a
failure at local level while the other is a failure at a national and global
scale,” said Ndibali in a statement.
Ndibali
said that EFF Zim has great concern for the people of Zimbabwe and called on
leaders to come together and put the country first in the face of a hopeless
situation.
“Chamisa
and Mnangagwa are busy planning for 2023 while we have a situation which if not
prepared for will wipe out the voters which are being targeted.
“Who
will be voting in 2023 if coronavirus hits the country? If the virus can wipe
out thousands in China which is way ahead of us in terms of development and
technological advancement, how many will die in Zimbabwe which is centuries
behind?
“This
is the narrative which our political leaders should be pushing rather than
major on minors,” said Ndibali.

Vocational training students fear informal sector

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Vocational training students fear informal sector
Chipinge College of Horticulture 2020 graduation ceremony

Stephen Ephraem

CHIPINGE
– Vocational students who graduated at
Chipinge College of Horticulture situated at Tongogara Refugee Camp are not
sure if they will manage to become employers in the next five years.
Most of the 78 graduates who spoke to TellZim News after the graduation
ceremony said they preferred to join formal employment than the informal
sector.
This is contrary to government’s idea for vocational training which emphasises initiating informal
businesses when one gets trained.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Tongogara Refugee Camp
administrator Johanne Mhlanga indicated that the informal sector was the way to
go.
“Zimbabwe economy is now dualised as we have both the formal and
the informal sector. But which of the two is overtaking the other? It’s the
informal sector. Anyone who has been imparted with vocational skills should be
prepared to start own business,” said Mhlanga.
Guest of honour Dr Abednego Nyoni said vocational training was the
fastest way of empowering youth for the informal sector.
“Vocational training has five advantages which include the time
factor. Usually a course is completed in two years which gives advantage to the
student to get necessary skills and join the industrial sector.
“The old curriculum used to prepare students for the formal sector
but now a graduate is expected to start his or her own business and be their own
employers. Graduates should go out with that in mind,” said Dr Nyoni.
College administrator Victor Ngwenya, Chipinge College of Horticulture
incorporated students from various backgrounds.
“Despite being run by United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) the
centre enrolls students from different religious and socio-economic
backgrounds. Refugees from Tongogara Refugee Camp are also enrolled at the
learning institution,” said Ngwenya.

Chief Mutema buried

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Chief Mutema buried

The late Chief Mutema
Knowledge Mhlanga
CHIPINGE –
The late Chief Mutema, who died in Harare on February 24, was buried in Mutema
village in his Ngaone home area on February 27.
Many people gathered to mourn
the long-serving chief who ascended to the throne in October 1995, meaning he
ruled for a period of almost 25 years.
The late chief, whose real
name was Philemon Sonani Mutema, will be remembered for many good things
including being a renowned mathematics teacher at Chikore Secondary School back
in the 1970s.
His area of jurisdiction
covered 15 of Chipinge district’s 30 wards.
Chief Mutema is survived by
one wife, six children, 21 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Emotions as FC Platinum president calls it a day

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Emotions as FC Platinum president calls it a day

Christabel Shumba
ZVISHAVANE– What started as a celebration for FC Platinum’s 25
years of existence and domination on the local football scene turned emotional
after the club’s president George Mawere threw a bucket of cold water on
supporters by announcing his resignation.
FC Platinum last
week celebrated their 25th anniversary at their traditional home
ground of Mandava Stadium where hundreds of supporters from the mining town
converged to celebrate the success run of the Pure Platinum boys.
All the fanfare
grounded to a halt when FC Platinum president Mawere took to the podium where
he, much to the surprise of the fans, announced that he was resigning from the
post.
Mawere mumbled
throughout his speech and tried to pull himself together as he delivered the
news which took supporters by surprise.
“We faced a lot of challenges in the period I was the
club president. I have done my part and it is time to pass the button to the
next person.
“I want to thank our supporters who have stood with us
through the happiest of moments as well as our darkest hours. We are here
because of the supporters who cheering us on.
“We won and lost together as a team. I am proud to
have been a part of this great team,” said Mawere before breaking into tears.
Mawere took over as club president in 2013 and led the
club to three successive Premier Soccer League titles from 2017 to 2019.
A new executive
has been set up with Fabion Mashingaidze as the club president, Nyasha Gumbo
and Evans Mtombeni as the first and second vice presidents respectively.
Garikai Mugova,
who is part of the FC Platinum Holdings executive, was delegated to be
responsible for the Club’s sponsorship and Mathew Sibanda was upgraded to
chairperson of FC Platinum Holdings.
FC Platinum appointed President Emmerson Mnangagwa as
their patron who is said to have ordered leadership renewal.
                                                   

Rugeje appointed acting Chief Charamba

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Rugeje appointed acting Chief Charamba

Engelbert Rugeje
Virginia
Njovo
BIKITA
– Zanu
PF politburo member and former national political commissariat, Rtd Lt
Gen Engelbert Rugeje was recently appointed acting Chief Charamba to preside of
over family and chieftainship affairs until a new substantive chief is
selected.
In a telephone
interview with TellZim News, Rugeje said he was appointed to the role in line
with the Moyo yeVaDuma tradition called Sarapavana which literally means stay
behind and take care of the children.
“The families of the
Charamba clan sat down and agreed to give me the duty since I am the eldest
surviving son of the late chief. In line with our traditional customs, I will
act in that capacity for two years until a substantive chief is selected to
take over,” said Rugeje.
He said he will not be
eligible to become substantive chief himself since tradition demands that the
throne must rotate among all the houses of the Charamba clan.
“The substantive chief
will this time around come from the Madzivire family. There are a total of five
families that make up the clan. It has to be rotated among all the families,”
said Rugeje.
Other families in the
Charamba clan include Marecha, from which Rugeje is descended, and Siyei.
The late Chief
Charamba, real name Timothy Charamba, died in July 2019 aged 99 years.

City of Gweru opens offices in Mkoba

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City of Gweru opens offices in Mkoba

Tinaani Nyabereka
GWERU – As part of efforts to decongest the town house, the city council here has
opened new administration offices in Mkoba 15 which will see residents cutting
costs of travelling to town to pay their bills.
The
offices were commissioned by City of Gweru Mayor Josiah Makombe at Mkoba 15
Shopping Centre.
Makombe
said the offices were going to enable effective service delivery and also
decongest the town house where the whole city was queuing to make their bill
payments.
“We
have opened these new offices so that we decentralize power and authority.
Gweru is a big city which cannot be run from one point.
“We
have opened these offices so that the people of Mkoba would not have to travel
all the way to town just to pay their bills. We have brought convenience to the
people and we hope this will encourage them to pay their bills because we are
owed in excess of $8 million,” said Makombe.
He
said residents failed to settle their bills because it has now become too
expensive to travel from Mkoba to town.
“The
local transport is charging about $15 to get into town and on would require $30
to come and pay their bills.
“This
has caused a lot of people to delay paying their bills because they would find
challenges in sourcing transport money. You see a lot of people quarrelling
about who should go and pay the bill to town because of the exorbitant
transport charges.
“To
the people of Mkoba we say come and pay your bills within a walking distance
and save money from going to town. This is an ideal situation if resources
permit,” said Makombe.
Makombe
also commissioned the city council’s first newsletter saying his council was
committed to effective communication with residents.
“We
have also published our first newsletter which will see council informing its
residents on various initiatives. We want our communication bond to continue as
we work towards effective service delivery system,” said Makombe.

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