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St Joseph’s High School is new talk in town

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St Joseph’s High School is new talk in town
St Joseph’s High School head, Daniel Muchingamidzwa

Courage Dutiro

St Joseph Tongoona High is the new talk of Zaka district after the school emerged among the top performers in both the November 2018 ‘O’ and ‘A’ level examinations.
The school registered a 96.8 percent pass rate at ‘A’ level and a relatively impressive 40 percent pass rate at ‘O’ level, making the council-run institution one of the best in the district.
The most outstanding teachers included Costain Chinounye (‘O’ level Biology) whose class recorded a clear 100 percent pass rate, and Mirriam Mapetere whose own class managed a cool 86.21 percent in ‘O’ level Commerce.
Other teachers namely David Chipezaya, Never Mukuhudzi, Elizabeth Chambara, Sibanda Sihlupekhile and Mercy Mavenga recorded over 60 percent pass rate in their respective subjects.
At ‘A’ level, deputy head David Chipezaya’s pupils achieved a 100 percent pass rate in Crop Science, and the same feat was repeated by Austin Chitambira’s Literature in English class.
Other teachers; Mbedzi Mashudu and Jairos Mapungwana also guided their pupils to a solid 100 percent in Shona and Divinity respectively.
St Joseph’s High School head, Daniel Muchingamidzwa said he was impressed by the results.
He attributed the good results to a spirit of hard work, commitment and dedication that exists among teachers, pupils and parents.
“We are happy with this achievement which is a culmination of tireless work and effort. We are glad that people are beginning to show more and more interest in our good name. I am doing my part, but that alone is not enough without the input of other stakeholders including my predecessor Mr. Chitambira who left for me a solid base on which to carry forward the work,” said Muchingamidzwa.
Former school head Chitambira left the school earlier this term to join Eddrovale College.
The school also has a flourishing fish farming project and a promising piggery which is set to become a critical income earner for the school once all things are in place.

Maronge seeks help for hailstorm ravaged village homes

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Maronge seeks help for hailstorm ravaged village homes

Claudius Maronge

Courage Dutiro 

Masvingo South constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Claudius Maronge has called upon government, private companies and individuals to help people who were affected by severe hailstorms last year rebuild their homes.
Dozens of families in the constituency lost their homes and some possessions to powerful hailstorms that hit the area late last year, and most of them have not yet managed to rebuild as they do not have the resources.
Maronge told TellZim News that a total number of 90 homes were affected plus several other pieces of public infrastructure. He said building materials especially roofing sheets were the most important thing being sought for.
“This is a plea to all those with the means to help to come forward to the rescue of our fellow villagers in Masvingo South who fell victim to the vagaries of weather last year. They are still struggling to rebuild and nothing has taken shape as of now. It’s a pitiful sight so let us come together and help them rebuild,” said Maronge.
He said Ward 26 was the most affected and a number of homes were destroyed.
The hail storm destroyed asbestos roofs at Masvovi Clinic, Makumbe Primary Schools, Renco Mine Primary and Chitakai Primary School.
“At the moment, the civil aviation provided tents for the clinic but we need to look at permanent solutions for this problem. The Red Cross had promised to assist but we haven’t heard from them ever since they conducted a site visit,” said Maronge.

Effects of climate change felt in Zimbabwe

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…MPs urged to take lead in finding solutions
Shingirai Vambe


HARARE – Members of Parliament (MPs) should take a lead in raising awareness on climate change as well as in finding solutions to the problem which is affecting millions of people in the country, it has been said.
Participants who attended a workshop on the state of the ozone layer and the unfolding climate change phenomena pointed the greater role that parliamentarians could play in efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.
They said MPs had legislative authority to ratify such important agreements as the Kigali Agreement and the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.
Deputy minister Douglas Karoro spoke at the event, saying Zimbabwe was a victim of climate change as characterised by extreme weather patterns such as high temperatures, droughts, late rains, prolonged intra-seasonal dry spells, intense and destructive storms.
“Zimbabwe, like the rest of the signatories to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, has submitted a set of actions that it would take to address the climate change problem. The country has indicated that it will reduce emissions from the energy sector by 33 percent per person by the year 2030 if international climate financial support was availed to fund key energy projects,” Karoro said.
Karoro said Zimbabwe was also proud to be a member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
“Zimbabwe has completely phased out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in 2010 and has reduced the use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) by 35 percent,” he said.
The ministry, Karoro said, will lobby parliament for the implementation of climate change legislation including the creation of a climate change fund, adding that will aid government’s efforts to access international climate finance which is expected to reach US$100 billion by 2020.
Poor waste management was cited as one of the prime causes of climate change, with one participant Elisha Moyo calling for efficient waste management strategies to reduce environmental damage.
Climate change negatively impacts on agricultural production, hydroelectric power-generation, water supply for human and industrial consumption, the health sector and it leads to the destruction of infrastructure.

MDC Alliance demands by-elections in two ‘vacant’ Mwenezi wards

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Cephas Shava


MWENEZI – The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC in the district is demanding that by-elections be held in two wards held by Zanu PF councillors who are practising teachers.
In the 2018 harmonised elections, Ward 6 was won by the ruling party’s Jorum Ncube who is a headmaster at Marinda Primary School while Ward 14 was won by Admire Matutu who is teacher-in-charge at Zvomupungu Primary School.
The two went on to be elected Mwenezi Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson and vice chairperson respectively.
The law requires that elected officials should not be employed in the civil service but the two have chosen only to resign on paper and still carry on with their teaching jobs.
The MDC insist the councillors were acting illegally and their wards should be declared vacant so that by-elections can be called.
MDC Alliance Mwenezi West district chairperson, Amos Hungwe told TellZim News his party was taking measures to have the wards declared vacant.
“By-elections must be conducted in wards 6 and 14 because the sitting councillors there are practising teachers. This is contrary to the country’s constitution. On Wednesday (January 30) we are going the have a meeting with the Mwenezi RDC CEO over that issue. Besides that, we are also going to engage all other stakeholders over the issue,” said Hungwe.
Reliable sources said despite the fact that the two councillors tendered their resignation letter’s sometime soon after the July elections, where they merely opted to remain teachers, the two have for all along been reportedly shielded by the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira.
The case is yet again another litmus test for the current administration’s commitment to the rule of law. During former President Robert Mugabe’s rule, cases where a civil servant would double as a councillor were rampant in Mwenezi district.

Gweru hands over proceeds of mayor’s cheer fund

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Gweru hands over proceeds of mayor’s cheer fund

The handover ceremony of grocery vouchers  to disadvantaged people  under the Gweru mayor’s cheer fund


Tinaani   Nyabereka


GWERU – Proceeds from the 2018 Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund brought relief to many people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups last Friday after OK grocery vouchers and cash was handed over to them at the Civic Centre.
One of the beneficiaries was Faith Shingaidzo Chikaviro of Ward 4 who said her $50 grocery voucher will make her life better for the coming few weeks.
“I am disabled so I can’t do enough for the family. This will help us a lot and I hope it doesn’t end here,” said Chikaviro, whose mother is blind.
In his remarks, City of Gweru mayor, Josiah Makombe thanked partners who made donations in cash and kind, saying their contributions were making a big difference in the lives of the poor.
“I am grateful to those who made contributions to the fund because they have taken us this far. They have remembered the elderly, people with disabilities and our children’s homes,” said Makombe.
He said the facility raised $45 000, adding that some of the money will be channelled to a project to help female school children access sanitary wear.
“Around 500-600 people have received vouchers today and we are going to launch a sanitary wear programme for the girl child in our schools. We know the challenges that female pupils face in the difficult economic conditions we face,” said Makombe.
Bluehills Children’s Centre, Midlands Children’s Home, Zimcare Trust and St Daniel’s Centre received $300 in cash each.

The story behind St Anthony’s excellence

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The story behind St Anthony’s excellence
Prince Matereka

Staff Reporter


ZAKA – For the Catholic-run St Anthony’s Musiso High School, excellence is a tradition that has defined the larger part of its glorious performance over the years.
The school recorded a 99.6 percent pass rate in the November 2018 ‘A’ level examination, one of the highest score for all schools in the province.
Of the 106 pupils who sat for at least two subjects at ‘A’ level, 75 of them recorded 10 points or better.
In History, Additional Maths, Building Technology and Design, Literature in English, Crop Science, Economics and Family and Religious Studies, the school recorded a clean 100 percent pass rate.
At ‘O’ level, 65 pupils scored five As and above, with one pupil Prince Matekera scored 11As. Five pupils had 10As, while five more had 9 As. A total of 18 other pupils managed to get 8As, 11 had seven As, 10 had 6As and 15 had 6As.
St Antony’s Musiso High head, Joram Mawana said the school’s success was a result team work, effective communication and discipline on the part of both teachers and the pupils.
“Our success is hinged on team work, dialogue and above all the disciplined disposition of all learners, staff and administration. Everybody has a strong desire to do well and set the bar high,” said Mawana.
He praised parents and guardians for their commitment to the development of the school and its growth as a place of academic repute.
“The administration works closely with other stakeholders like the school development committee and education authorities as well as the responsible authority. We have an excellent relationship with the community that hosts us, and that explains our good reputation,” Mawana said.

‘Chivi water among the worst’

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‘Chivi water among the worst’

Peter Chawapiwa

Residents of Chivi growth point have said their water stands out as the worst of all potable water that a local authority could supply to residents.
The water comes out of the taps with an uncomfortable dark colouring, leading to speculations that authorities are not observing proper treatment processes.
“The water is of poor quality and many people prefer water from protected wells. The piped water does not at all pass the eye test and we are disgusted,” said Adrian Bvumbwe, a longtime Chivi resident.
Another resident, Kenias Ruzive said it was unacceptable water was rarely available, and that when is available, it is of poor quality.
“Nobody wants to drink the water coming out of the taps. Water from the wells, even those that are not protected, is better for us,” said another resident.
Ward 30 councillor, Dr Tapiwa Murambi said while council ran affairs at the growth point, it was the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa)’s responsibility to supply water.
“I think the best man to give you information on that is the engineer since he should be in liaison with Zinwa,” Dr Murambi said.
However, the engineer, Ronald Mashapa could not be reached for comment.
Council CEO, Tariro Matavire, said an all stakeholders meeting had been convened where Zinwa explained that they were encountering difficulties in sourcing the foreign currency to import all the required water treatment chemicals.
“As it stands, some of these chemicals are not available. We would, however, like to tell our residents that the water is safe for consumption, otherwise supplies would have been stopped,” Matavire said.

Drought and hunger: Brothers in deadly fight for bag of maize

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Drought and hunger: Brothers in deadly fight for bag of maize

Tiyani Hahlani

A 30-year-old man from Zimuto allegedly killed his brother over a 50 kg bag of maize from a drought relief agency, TellZim News can report.
The grisly incident, which occurred on the night of February 2, could be the first incident of the looming drought already taking an ominous toll on impoverished rural areas.
Peter Thompson Machingura of Gwati village under Chief Zimuto was arrested the following morning as the body of his brother Steven Machingura was removed from a kitchen hut where it had spent the whole night.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Charity Mazula confirmed the incident and urged people to seek guidance from community leaders when they have disagreements.
“I can confirm receiving a report of murder involving a Peter who allegedly killed his brother in Zimuto. The suspect has been arrested and will appear in court soon facing a murder charge and investigations are still under way,” said Mazula.
Sources said the matter started with Peter going to collect his share of the food aid from a nearby shopping centre. He, however, could not take the bag of maize home on that day so he left it at the shopping centre. The following morning, he went and took the bag home and later returned to the shops for some beer, only for Steven to take some of the grain and sell it.
When Peter returned home in the evening, Steven requested that he be allowed to sell the rest of the grain so that he could pay off his debt but Peter refused.
This angered Steven who then went out of the house and came back armed with a hoe which he then used to attack Peter, but he managed to overpower Steven and took the hoe.
Peter the kicked Steven in the stomach and struck him on the head and leg before dragging him into the kitchen.
The following morning Peter went to a neighbour Gladys Mavise’s homestead where he was asked about the whereabouts of Steven since she herd them quarrelling during the night.
He told her that he was sleeping in the kitchen and they had to go and see him before he could hand himself over to the police.
Mavise told her father Nelson Mavise (86) who then informed headman Solomon Zimuto before a police report was made.

TellZim News award garland grows

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TellZim News award garland grows

Tinomutenda Chatikobo ans Clayton Shereni soon after receiving their awards

TellZim Reporter


HARARE – TellZim News has added another epaulette onto its glittering garland of awards after its student reporters Clayton Shereni and Tinomutenda Chatikobo were honoured for their work at the sixth edition of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) Road Safety Journalistic Awards (RSJA) held in the capital last week.
The competition had 88 entrants but only 22 were named on the final list of the awards.
Shereni was named the Best Student Reporter of the Year 2018 while Chatikobo was named First Runner-up in the category.
The two are Media and Cultural Studies students at the Great Zimbabwe University (GZU)’s Mashava campus.
Shereni walked away with a shield and a $700 prize while Chatikobo got $200 prize for herself.
TellZim News editor Passmore Kuzipa said the award was a recognition of the regional community newspaper’s commitment to the nurturing of a new crop of upcoming journalists.
“TellZim News is dedicated to nurturing young talent and our efforts are being acknowledged at national level. We will continue with this approach because the future of the media industry lies in our ability to guide young reporters,” said Kuzipa.
In other categories, Anesu Musambu of ZiFM Stereo scooped the best radio presenter award, Chronicle’s Wellington Musapenda was named the best cartoonist while ZBC’s Regis Mhako received the best television reporter award as well as the overall best reporter of the year award to walk away with more than $2000 in cash prizes.
TellZim News made an impression at the fifth edition of the awards where Chatikobo and then student reporter Faith Rasa were named Best Student Reporter of the Year 2017 and Second Runner-up respectively.
In the recent past TellZim Reporter Theresa Takafuma won the MCZ Best Impact Video Award for 2016.

Zanu PF plots to embarrass Chamisa at congress

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Upenyu Chaota

The clampdown on the ring leaders of the national shutdown that left a trail of destruction and over 12 civilians dead at the hands of security forces across the country is a Zanu PF ploy to target MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s support base ahead of the party’s national elective congress slated for October this year, the biggest opposition party has alleged.
The MDC Alliance has more than once distanced itself from the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union (ZCTU) organised national shutdown that rocked the major cities but many MDC Alliance leaders have been arrested charged with subversion while others have gone into hiding.
MDC Alliance national chairperson and leader of the opposition in parliament, Thabitha Khumalo, told TellZim News that the current clampdown by Zanu PF forces was aimed at shaking Chamisa’s support base ahead of their congress.
“The big question you should ask them is why are they targeting all key members who are known to be loyal to president Chamisa? We did not organise the national shutdown but all our people are being victimised. I cannot tell you more because I am also in hiding but we will not be broken,” said Khumalo.
Khumalo wrote a letter to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda on January 21, 2019 complaining the wanton arrests of opposition legislators on what she said were trumped up charges.
“Some MDC Alliance legislators have been arrested and persecuted for the stay away which, as common knowledge has it, was called for by the suffering Working Class of Zimbabwe. Their call for the action was motivated by the various socio-economic challenges that are bedeviling our nation. Obviously, the hiking of fuel price and its ripple effects to the general cost of living.
“Consequently, some of the MPs are being charged for alleged attempts to subvert the sitting Zanu PF government. In this regard we strongly feel that these are trumped up frivolous charges meant to frustrate and prejudice their social standing and that of the MDC-Alliance.
“For Your record and urgent attention, the following legislators have been unfairly arrested Mbizo’s Settlement Chikwinya, Redcliff’s Lloyd Mukapiko, Mkoba’s Amos Chibaya and Chiwundura’s Levi Chiminya.
“A host of other MDC legislators are being threatened and haunted by the State Security Agencies. All is being done for no good reasons. It must be highlighted to you that Opposition MP’s are also Citizens who deserve respect just like their Zanu PF counterparts thus we call upon you to always ensure that this remains the case always,” wrote Khumalo.
Chamisa’s foot soldier and national organiser Chibaya is still on the radar of law enforcement agents facing inciting violence and subversion charges. He was only given bail by the Masvingo High Court on February 06 after two weeks in remand prison on inciting public violence and subversion charges.
MDC Alliance national youth league boss Happymore Chidziva said he was still being hunted by the police and has been under their watch.
“I am safe for now, they said they will call me if they have an issue. Our people need not to tire because we will triumph over evil and we will stand by our president Chamisa,” said Chidziva.
MDC Alliance Mashonaland Central provincial youth chairperson, Tonderai Samhu and four colleagues were on Monday given six-year jail terms each by Bindura magistrate Vongai Guwiro for taking part in the violence during the shutdown in Mvurwi.
Zanu PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo could not be drawn into comment as he said he was getting into a meeting.
“I am getting into a meeting,” said Moyo before hanging up.
Zanu PF is said to be working underground to fund MDC Alliance members chief among them vice president Elias Mudzuri to contest Chamisa for the presidency at congress.
Attempts to block Chamisa have been futile after Zanu PF mooted an idea of using their two thirds parliamentary majority to amend the constitution and raise the presidential age limit from 40 years to 52 years.

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