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Youth deputy minister abandons youths in Gutu North

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Youth deputy minister abandons youths in Gutu North


Clever Taperamoyo
People
in Gutu North constituency have criticised their Member of Parliament (MP) Yeukai
Simbanegavi whom they say has done nothing towards the development of the area
for the seven months she has been their representative.
Many
villagers accuse Simbanegavi, who is the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports, Arts
and Recreation, of making all the right promises in the run-up to last year’s
elections but only to disappear when she won the seat.
Tafadzwa
Chindito of Mazhawidza Village in Ward 12 said he was not impressed by
Simbanegavi’s performance, accusing her of making fake promises to secure
victory.
“I
voted for the first time in last year`s elections hoping for the improvement of
our area especially with regards to the upliftment of the youth. I was
convinced that electing a youthful MP like Simbanegavi would make a difference
but all that seems to have been a mirage. She won the elections by implementing
short-term projects that made us believe she was for real.
“She
gave us chicks during the election period to kick start our own poultry projects.
Unfortunately we all failed in the projects because many of the chicks died and
others stunted as we did not have enough feed,” said Shumba.
He
said when Simbanegavi was named deputy Youth minister, he thought it was
another opportunity for her to do more for people in the constituency.
Gutu
North is a constituency with a myriad of problems that include perennial water
shortages, a poor road system, few secondary schools, poor and few heath
facilities.
A
villager from Ward 10, which covers such areas as Chitsa and Makudo, said every
post-election period was always a Damascene moment in Gutu North as all the
preceding euphoria would give way to crude realities.
“There
is much hope during elections and a lot of promises are made but they always
come to naught. It is a cycle of the same thing happening over and over again.
During her campaign, the current MP seemed to understand our struggles better
than the previous ones.
“We
got some secondhand clothes and there were some day-old chicks for those who
were selected for the poultry projects. It was really a good initiative to
reduce poverty had she done it with consistency,” said the villager.
Proper
Chaputsira from Ward 13 said Zanu PF politicians who campaign in rural areas
always have it easy since they never receive as much censure as those from the
opposition.
“We
have had many of them coming and going. Simbanegavi is no exception; she just
rode on her association with the ruling party which hardly feels threatened by
the opposition in rural communities. She promised to give us grinding mill
vouchers, fence for co-operatives, drill boreholes and provide capital for
chicken projects but there is no progress on the ground.
“We
haven’t heard from her or seen her since she was declared winner in July last
year. Our dip tanks are old and rundown. She promised to work to have the Gutu-
Mataruse road surfaced but we have not seen anything happening up to now,”
said Chaputsira.
Other
villagers said the strongest opposition for Zanu PF politicians in rural areas
was their own internal politics within the ruling party.
“Once
you outmaneuver every other rival in the party and secure the party’s mandate
in primary elections, your political destiny becomes secure. There is not much
opposition to the ruling party after their own primary elections because people
here are afraid. There might not be obvious intimidation but people have long
understood the importance of voting ‘wisely’ to avoid security risks,” said a
school teacher under Headman Makumbe.
When
TellZim News phoned her, Simbanegavi said 120 youth were currently working on
Gutu- Mataruse dusty road putting tar, but that was not the situation on the
ground as the road is just as it has always been.
“We
are currently working on the Gutu-Mataruse. As we, speak 120 youths have been
employed and are on the ground working on it.
“On
the issue of income generating projects, I advise people in my constituency to
write proposals then I will assist from there. We don’t dictate on the type on
projects to be done. The current economic situation in the country is a
challenge, but I am trying my level best to meet the promises,” said
Simbanegavi.

Zanu PF supporters ruin school gate in stampede for food

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Zanu PF supporters ruin school gate in stampede for food



Cephas Shava

MWENEZI –
A school at Rutenga growth point its ruing its losses after a mob of Zanu PF supporters
vandalized the main gate in a frenzied stampede for free food after President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s ‘Thank You Rally’ last Saturday.
A
restless crowd overwhelmed all security arrangements at Sacred Heart High
School, where the free meal was prepared, and wrecked the gate as they scurried
for a front space at the feeding queue soon after Mnangagwa left.
TellZim
News saw hordes of party supporters recklessly stepping on top of the felled
steel barrier as they left the school after enjoying the free lunch.
Sacred
Heart High School head, Brother Joachim Kamwana said the gate was indeed broken
and expressed confidence the local Zanu PF leadership will help repair it.
“People
who were controlling the access point were overpowered by the crowd as everybody
jostled to be in front of the queue. As a result of the pressure, the gate’s
support pillars failed and people trampled over the gate and gained entry.
“I
hope the gate will be repaired as a matter of urgency because the school
premises are currently exposed security-wise,” said Kamwana.
Some
eyewitnesses deplored the incident, saying it showed the calibre of people who
kept on supporting rich politicians when they do not have anything to show of
it.
“It
was a sight to see. You should have seen the savagery of the jostling; there
was no civility at all. Some people sustained scars and bruises all for a plate
of food. Why do we keep on supporting these rich politicians that promise
everything and deliver nothing when we ourselves are this desperate?” said one
local resident.
Another
one said political parties should host their events at their own facilities to
prevent the abuse and damaging of public and privately-owned properties.

New Afro-Fusion star rises in Chiredzi

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New Afro-Fusion star rises in Chiredzi

Tiyani Hahlani


CHIREDZI – A former Chinhoyi University of Technology (Cut) student and upcoming Afro-Fusion and RnB singer, Hudson Tafara Musamba has released an eight-track album which promises to make waves.
Masamba, who also works as a producer, owns the McHudson record label which has made waves on the local music scene with some of the songs making it to the Power FM top 40 charts several times.
He has also been nominated in this year’s awards as the best studio and the best music promoter.
The ambitious 22-year-old launched his music career in 2014, working with the likes of Madiz, Gary Tight and Tererai Mugwadi.
“My music career started in 2014 when I first started learning how to make a beat and also recording vocals. Through hard work, I have done many projects with different artists like Nesto, Madiz, Gary Tight, Dobba Don, Tererai Mugwadi.
“In 2017 I also worked with Dobba Don on his song called ‘Gimme Your Heart’ and I also worked on other songs like ‘Tiri Kufara’ by Nesto ft Madiz,” said Musamba.
In a space of four years, Musamba has already established himself as a respectable local RnB voice in the province.
“It is not really about what I personally have achieved but about acknowledging the efforts of the people that follow my music. It is also a way of promoting my work and marketing myself as a developing artist. I am helping others to rise in the industry so that they too can represent their communities with pride,” said Masamba.
The talented artist said the road to success in the music industry was tough and encouraged other upcoming artists to work hard.
 “We need to work hard in this industry. Some use drugs and get involved in pornography in order to make it but that is not the answer. If you are a decent musician, your conduct and your work should be exemplary,” said Masamba.

Mhungudza Primary championing girl child’s rights through sport

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Monalisa Matongo

Mhungudza Primary School in Masvingo recently introduced girls’ soccer as part of efforts to mainstream female pupils’s participation in male-dominated sporting activities.
School sports director Wilson Chatikobo said the move was also in line with the objectives of the new curriculum.
He said the school has already introduced two girls soccer teams that are already training.
”Since the district introduced women’s soccer in schools back in 2016, the response by girls at our school has been overwhelming. The school has in turn established a pitch on which they can train. We have also received help from parents and other well-wishers,” said Chatikobo.
He said despite facing many challenges, they were looking forward to the new season which be-gins in May.
“We are in dire need of sport kits including jerseys and boots, nets for goal posts and more balls for training,” said Chatikobo.
He said the school was proud of its male and female teachers whose commitment had seen them building the two teams one of which has been to the district competitions.
”I also have interests in training tag rugby at the school and I have been with both boys and girls teams that reached the finals in the national competitions at Hartsfield in Bulawayo,” Chatikobo said.

Butternuts: What you need to know about them

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Butternuts: What you need to know about them

by Vengai Defu

Butternut farming is one of the ways a serious farmer can make a fortune relatively the easy way. Most of our supermarkets and green markets are selling high quality butternut seeds from various seed companies. However, this week we need to focus on butternut called WALTHAM PLUS produced by AVANOS.
Land preparation is very important for any crop and must be in accordance with type of crop to be planted. We can use our ox-drawn plough for small scale or tractor drawn plough to create farrows. These may be 10 to 15cm deep.  We dig some hole on the heaped soils and then plant our seeds. Soils with good water drainage are very much suitable because they allow free circulation of oxygen.
We should use a better spacing system to allow free movement when spraying chemicals.  Inter-row should be 120cm to 150cm and in-row 30cm to 50cm. This should give us a plant population of 9 000 to 10 000 per hectare. 2kg of seed is ideal for a hectare
We can use organic fertilizers such as cattle and chicken manure or well decomposed compost together with granular fertilizers. Make sure they are free from cutworms and other infectious diseases. Superfert compound C fertilizer is recommended when planting.  Use the ratio 500kg to 600kg per hectare. But if we use vegetable blend superfert fertilizer, the ratio is 450kg to 500kg. NOTE, the amount of fertilizer should be determined by our soil analysis.
After 2 to 3 weeks from planting day we apply superfert ammonium nitrate at a ratio of 150kg to 400kg. We may as well add 50kg to 100kg of muriate of potash after one month. Apply these fertilizers after every 15 days if need be. Make sure enough supply of water is done especially during planting, flowering and fruiting to have quality butternut.

PESTS
Fruit fly is mostly a big problem to butternuts, if let alone it reduces our yield and compromises the quality of the fruit. We must use malathion 50ec, dimethoate, kontakill or diazinon before and during flowering
Aphids may also affect our plants if not monitored.  They destroy the leaves of the plants, therefore affecting the growth of the butternut. Dimethoate and malathion can be used.
If affected by red spider, amitraz, red spiderkill, abamectin or mitac.

DISEASES
Early and late blight should be regularly checked and use mancozeb, dithan m45 copper oxychloride or bravo to prevent the disease. If affected, we should spray ridomil gold or bravo for curative purpose
Fruit rot may compromise our yield and the quality of the fruit. This may be caused by poor handling of the fruit or the fruit may be in contact with the soil. We recommend trellising of the plants especially before flowering and during fruiting.
We are supposed to spray our plants after 7 or 14 days depending on the prevalence of the disease and pests.
This Avanos Waltham plus butternut hybrid matures from 90 to 95 days. Yield per plant ranges from 8 to 10 fruits which may translate about 25tons to 35 tons per hectare. A kilogram of butternut costs between $2 and $2.50. This means for every tonne we get $2 000.00 to $2 500.00.
Let venture into butternut farming and can be planted year round in areas of very low frost.

For further information, contact me on +263-039 2264246 or +263 772 137 202 or +263 777 429 362 or sales team on +263 773 208 930


Compiled by
Vengai Defu Farm & City, 
Masvingo manager.

Ndarama High School: Feats and the tasks ahead

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Ndarama High School: Feats and the tasks ahead

TellZim Reporter

Ndarama High School continues to rise above the rest by achieving a whopping 94.2 and 81.92 percent pass rate in the November 2018 ‘A’ and ‘O’ level examinations results respectively, proving yet again why the school is the citadel of success.
The government school has consistently upheld its commitment to the improvement of its standards in class and in sport.
Going by its catchphrase ‘beating our previous best’, Ndarama High has genuinely exceeded expectation at every turn, moving boldly to become the best public day school in Masvingo province and beyond.
The school has also become a marvel due to its scenic setting, splendid exterior and magnificent facilities that all complement the impressive work that goes on inside.
In ‘A’ level Geography the school recorded 75 percent pass rate, a solid 21 percentage points better than the 54 percent national average. In English literature the pass rate was a clean 100 percent, and the same feat was registered in Shona, while the third most colourful pass mark was record in History at 97.9 percent.
In Mathematics an 86.7 percent pass rate was recorded, Family and Religious 97.2 percent, Business Studies 98 percent, Accounting 89.7 percent and Economics 78.3 percent.
“Our November examinations results were good considering that it was a new curriculum with new challenges for both pupils and teachers. We have no doubt we will do even better next year,” said school head Shirley Makausi.
She said she was glad the years of hard work the school leadership and staff had invested were paying off.
“We are competing well with other schools in the province. Our enrollment is informed by the facilities and other resources we have. There are many pupils who want to be part of us but do not have the privilege. We hope there will come such a time when we will be able to accommodate more pupils than we can do now,” she said.
At ‘O’ level, English was passed by 81.1 percent, Literature in English by 84.4 percent, Pure Mathematics by 100 percent, Geography by 95.6 percent, Combined Science by 75.8 while other subjects’ pass rate ranged from 54.1 to 100 percent.
The school recently received many honours from Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ), being named the best day school among many other awards including for sporting excellence.
“With our no to age-cheating policy, we are glad we have nurtured a spirit of honestly in whatever we involve ourselves in. We are doing wonderfully well in chess, athletics, soccer and other sports activities every year,” said Makausi.
Infrastructure development-wise, Ndarama High School managed has now almost completed its ‘A’ level sciences block and the heritage centre, with work now currently focused on the prestigious lecture theatre.
The school is currently doing some income-generating projects that include the setting-up of a green house, fisheries, a layers and broilers poultry project as well as a rabbit breeding project.
 “We have our income generating projects as a school that will help us enlarge our resource base. Other schools in the province will come and buy from us. We are also working on a park to create a serene environment for pupils,” she added.
Recently the school won the District Schools Inspector (DSI) Merit Award, Toppers Trophy and the Banc ABC shield in recognition of its impressive performances in different areas.
This year the school is running under the theme, ‘Excellence All-Round’.

It is never too late to study

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It is never too late to study

Making a right decision is a first step towards achieving the set goals. I was very fortunate to quickly realise that the trajectory that I had taken was just a suicide bomb which I had put on my waist.
Doing school work was not in my DNA. Lately, my best friend who had made it his examinations motivated me a lot. Studying hard daily while executing my set objectives became a routine.
I made a foolish thought of trying to dodge school for I was emboldened by gangsters who believed that drugs were a good way of life. I almost took a month absconding my lessons and the worst part of it was that my final exams were around the corner. My negative attitude towards schoolwork was not at all helpful.
When I received the news that my friend had passed his ordinary level exams, I was puzzled and that is when I decided to change my attitude. Since then, I have rejected all undeserved comfort zones as I have realised it is never too late to make things right.
Nurturing myself in reading, I began to consult my teachers whenever I happened to come across difficult concepts. Every time I went to bed, I snuggled my books tightly and they became my best friends. That studying spirit boosted my confidence to the extent of concluding that a key to seventh heaven was now in my hands.
I am excelling well and my attitude towards school work is now commendable. It is a right decision that I made, to devote myself into studying. To the learners out there, this is my message to you: It is never too late to study.

Ashton Jope
Form 4A student at Chifedza High School.
Pupils can write articles, short stories and poems and send to newseditor.@tellzim.com /bchiseva@gmail.com or send via WhatsApp to Brighton at 0777355808 or Mr. Ziyambi on 0719599606

Time management in the school environment

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Time management in the school environment
with Cabnson Magaya

What is time?


A simple dictionary defines time as “intervals of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or years needed to go something”.
The importance of time
The following sayings have been used since time immemorial to stress the importance of time: Time and tide wait for no man, time is money and procrastination is the thief of time.
The Old Testament Book of Esther reads about a king who communicated with time-conscious wise mean (Esther 1 verse 13).
Many people have succeeded in life because they have been able to use time wisely. God has given every person 24 hours each day and successful people have managed those hours effectively. An effective worker or supervisor has been distinguished by the way he/she manages time.
Time provides equal opportunities to all people. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people cannot buy more hours. Scientists have not been able to invent more time. A person cannot save time in order to spend it on another day. Time is so amazingly fair and forgiving no matter how much time you have wasted in the past; you still have an entire tomorrow. Success depends on using it wisely by planning and setting priorities. The fact is that time is worth more than money. If we waste time we will minimise our chances for success in life.
Time as a key resource
Time is one of the following resources that an organisation needs in order to carry out its mission and achieve its strategic objectives.
a) Manpower
b) Money
c) Materials
d) Minutes (time)
e) Meters (Space – physical facilities)
f) Methods
The competent use of resource enables an organisation to succeed.
As a critical natural resource, time is: 
• Scarce
• Unique
• Inelastic
• Priceless
• Perishable and cannot be stored
• In short supply
• Irreplaceable (you cannot substitute time)
• Everything requires time
• The only truly universal condition
2. How to effectively manage time 
a) Determine what you want from your time.
Plan for each working day and diarise each activity. That is the reason why each manager is provided with a diary or desk diary by the organisation. More often than not, we find managers writing their grocery list or personal issues than work-related issues. Diaries and desk calendars must be used for planning one’s work.

b) Determine answers for the following questions
• What do you want to achieve?
• What is a reasonable expectation for the day?
• How can I best use the eight hours I am at a station?
Spend the first 15 minutes of each working day determining what you expect to achieve.
c) Determine how you currently use time. Before you can determine on how time is being used, a time record or a time inventory chart can be prepared on a daily or weekly basis.

TIME RECORD OR INVENTORY CHART: see chart 1

On analysis of the chart, the manager will be able to answer the following questions
• How is the majority of time spent?
• Is the entire work day productive?
• Are some portions of the working days more productive than others?
• Is the time being effectively used?







The manager can prioritise the day’s wok as follows: See chart 2

N.B. You must complete the must do’s in the morning.

SET PRIORITIES 
• Identify the must do’s.
• Prioritise the must do’s in rank order.
• Do not neglect more important tasks in favour of less important ones.
• Enter priorities on a daily list to avoid confusion.

You can use your diary or desk calendar to write down what you intend to do each day as follows: See chart 3

DELEGATION
• Supervisors must learn to delegate.
• Push subordinates for work that they can do just well or better.
• Supervisors who try to do everything run the risk of stress or burning out.
• Delegation is also a sensible technique of developing subordinates.
• It is critical for achieving organisational goals.
• Demand finished work.
DO ONE THING AT A TIME 
• You can produce good results by concentrating on one thing at a time.
3. TIME SAVING TECHNIQUES 
• Time saving techniques can help to Improve productivity
• You should avoid “clutter”; some desks look like disaster areas with piles of paper scattered in around. With clutter on the desk, a manager will not be able to see the client.
• Enormous amounts of time are wasted looking for papers that are at the bottom of the clutter.
PROCRASTINATION
• Procrastination is the thief of time. One should not wait for tomorrow to do what he or she can do on that day.
• Do not avoid “must do’s” in favour of interesting NICE TO DO’S.
HOW TO STOP PROCRASTINATION 
• Prepare a list of things that you have been avoiding.
• Prioritise them and establish realistic deadlines for their completion
• Begin by tackling the most important tasks.
• Do not be afraid of failing.
• Eliminate statements such as “I can’t” and start thinking in terms of “I will”.

Time-wasting activities are like tumours; they drain vitality and have a tendency to grow. The only cure is to remove then.
TIME SAVERS 
The manager can save time by:
• Setting targets (time/amount) for each task.
• Delegating effectively.
• Avoiding attending unnecessary meetings.
• Structuring meetings carefully.
• Working from the top (high priority tasks first).
•  Avoiding self-interruptions.
• Being available at specified times.
• Reviewing days’ performances before going home.
• Being assertive. Ability to say “NO”.
• Attacking unpleasant tasks first.
• Planning phone calls before making them.
• Doing high priority tasks during peak performances time.
• Planning a “THINK” (forward planning) time each day.
• Concentrating on one thing at a time.
• Setting deadline for important activities; both urgent and unpleasant tasks that have to be done.
CONCLUSION 
Time is the scarcest resources. Unless it is properly managed, nothing will be successful. The analysis of one’s time is a systematic way of analysing one’s work and thinking about what really matters in it.

The writer is a retired educationist who served in the Ministry of Education for over 40 years. He was a teacher (1966-1974), school head at Nhamwi St Stanislaus School (1975-1984), DEO Chivi North (1985-1987), Chivi District Staffing Officer (1987-1993), Zaka Education Officer (1993-1996), Chivi Education Officer (1996-1999), Gutu DEO (1999-2008) and Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) Education Secretary (2008-2015).

The writer can be Contacted on 0784 949 878

Chivi women find livelihoods in wild nuts, seeds

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Chivi women find livelihoods in wild nuts, seeds

Peter Chawapiwa


CHIVI – Some folks in drought-stricken Chivi district are making a living by selling wild fruit seeds and nuts to a Harare-based buyer as prospects of a good harvest have completely vanished due to the prolonged dry spell which has laid waste many cultivated fields.
The villagers, who live under Headman Matsveru, said they move around in the bush looking for nhengeni, a wild sour plum-like fruit of the munhengeni tree whose dried seed they then pack and sell.
They also spend hours in the shade extracting marula nuts from the marula fruit and sell the products to the Harare-based buyer.
“The buyer comes here once a month to collect what we would have gathered. The money is not much but there is no choice for us,” said Adeline Chimhaka.
She said the work was being done mostly by women since men considered it time-consuming and of minimal rewards.
“As women, we ensure that there is enough to feed the family on a daily basis and that is why you find mostly women doing the work. Nhengeni are bought for $3 per kg but to collect enough and prepare them for sale takes a long time.
“Marula nuts sell for about $6 per kg depending on quality but extracting a kilogram from the marula fruit is also lengthy and strenuous,” Chimhaka said.
Other villagers told TellZim News the nhengeni fruit seed is processed into hair products that include hair oils and creams while marula nuts are processed into a form of butter.
The women said the prevailing drought forced them into the work although they realise that the returns are low.
“The hardships we face, coupled with the drought will force you into doing anything. We have received no rains and our cattle are roaming freely because there is nothing in the fields. We make less than $20 per month on average through the sale of nhengeni and marula nuts,” said Moline Mahembe.

The newsroom as a citadel of democracy, free speech

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The newsroom as a citadel of democracy, free speech

with Gift Gwindingwe

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) categorically upholds the totality of human freedoms the world over.
Continents, regions and sub-regions milk from the Universal Declaration to endorse the same in their geopolitical environs. In Africa, the African Union (AU), formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), draws from the UDHR to uphold and endorse democratic principles as they are universally acknowledged.
In the Southern part of Africa, the Southern African Development Committee (Sadc) also convened in Windhoek, Namibia, in 1991 to ratify, endorse and uphold the same international democratic principles on human and people’s rights. This became the Windhoek Declaration.
Journalism, before it got tainted by social media, has been the fulcrum upon which democratic principles (including freedom of expression) are benchmarked. Professional journalism is institutionalised. Media organisations are institutions mandated with upholding journalistic ethics which in turn see to the perpetuation of democracy even in democratically less permeable autocracies.
Media houses are staffed with professional journalists who are guided by the ethics of the profession. The ethics are kept in check by various stakeholders: in Zimbabwe, we have the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) which is mandated with keeping the profession in check by mediating between the reporters and the reported. Keeping the journalistic profession in check only requires the professionals in conjunction with the laws of the government. Every profession is manned by the professionals who are equipped with the necessary skills in the profession.
At his resignation, academic icon and the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, Professor Walter Kamba cited the ‘unprofessional fingers pointing into his business’ as the main reason for his quitting the job. The former minister of Industry and Trade, Nkosana Moyo also left soon after being appointed to the ministry arguing that there was too much interference from outsiders (in particular War Veterans). These incidents are clear pointers to the substance in the popular Shona adage that ‘zvoto zvine mazera’ (fire places are occupied by age mates or like-minds). In the same manner, stakeholders in every ministry or organisation can only be guided by organisational statutes that derive from organisational mission and values as well as government laws in their expectations.
Journalists are ‘ordained’ by the institutions that train them and then kept guided by the journalistic ethics. I call them ‘ordained’ news/information movers or disseminators. They are trained to facilitate information dissemination through agreed and expected conduct. In media or communication studies, journalists are regarded as crucial players in expanding the public sphere, an arena upon which democracy, freedom of expression and other associated freedoms are enhanced.
In this regard, the workplace for journalists, the news room, is a citadel of democracy and freedom of expression. Journalism is a profession, a call to persons involved. Journalists smell, eat, wine and dine news/information dissemination. They are out to sincerely entertain, inform and educate the society. These are the normative roles of the media. It is therefore an act of misconduct to hinder or prohibit the performance of journalistic duties by anyone regardless of class, gender or race.
Famous and popular individuals are newsmakers. They are news worthy. All celebrities are news worthy. Fame needs to be managed. Prominent athletes and artists who do not engage managers risk failing to handle their fame and the upshot is making headlines/news for wrong reasons. Politicians are equally famous people. They thus need to manage their lives or conduct well. If a celebrity/famous individual does good, that becomes positive news for the particular individual. News gatherers tell it as it is and bad behaviour is represented in the media without fear or favour. Journalists are holders of the mirror that reflects what transpires in the society. They are photographers who capture events as they happen. This is what they are ‘ordained’ to do.
If news dissemination is a journalist’s food and drink, let them enjoy! If news reporting is a journalist’s play, then, ‘let the children play’! It is quite a sonorous misdeed for an individual to impede journalists from merely carrying out their professional duties just because one cannot conduct oneself properly. There are uncodified laws that conventionally guide us in our daily conduct and so these should be observed for individuals to carry good tags on their backs. Journalists read these tags and make news on them. So watch out!
Status or social class can never and will never exonerate wayward individuals from being reported on if they go wayward. Political affiliation or holding a political position in any political party can never and will never exempt individuals from being reported on. Journalists tell it as it is: good behaviour shall always be reported on, and so is bad conduct. It is everyone’s freedom to express themselves if they feel aggrieved by journalists but this is as long as the reportage is untruthful. Therefore charging into newsrooms and threatening journalists shall never be condoned. Let it sink into the minds of all and sundry that journalism as a profession and as a practice knows no status, class or political affiliation. The society needs to be informed about these ‘important’ or popular people so that they know who to emulate and who not to. After all, not all these celebrities or famous individuals are role models! It is character that carries the day for an individual to be a role model. So in as much as there are rights to express ourselves, let us be cautious and bear in mind the paradox of freedom: you can play your radio to the fullest blast but that is as long as you are not infringing into the rights of your neighbour!
A news room is a citadel of democracy. Let us not turn it into a boxing ring or into an our nowadays abused parliament where the business of the day is to verbally and physically threaten or attack one another just because of different political standings. A news room houses journalists who entertain, inform and educate the masses. Threatening journalists is undemocratic and archaic. Attacking journalists because the behaviour of your political party is exposed is a sign of drought of wisdom. Hindering journalist from performing their duties tells a story of fear and cowardice!
If a house leaks, attend to the roof top before you have the ceiling repaired. Please let the children play! Let the journalists do their part! We shall never surrender our purpose to empty threats. Ordained news reporters shall capture newsmakers as they stroll up and down the corridors of Zimbabwe and tell Zimbabwe.

The writer is a secondary school head, a lecturer at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) and a PhD candidate with Fort Hare University, researching on media.

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