Patience Muzhingi

ZVISHAVANE – There is a subdued mood in Zvishavane following the announcement of the election results that have seen the opposition MDC Alliance, which carried the hopes of many people, failing to get any parliamentary seat in the district and surrounding areas.
In Zvishavane, as in almost the whole country, real competition seemed to be between MDC Alliance and the ruling Zanu PF party despite the presence of over twenty presidential candidates and over fifty political parties in the harmonised elections.
Zvishavane town, which hosted a big alliance rally just before the elections, is noticeably downcast, with many people saying they did not know what went wrong.
Before the elections, MDC Alliance supporters were overexcited by the prospect of victory, with many betting on social media that their presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa would get 61.8 percent of the vote.
“We are gutted. How can this really be? We worked hard to convince the people that ours were the best parliamentary candidates and that Chamisa was the best person for President. These results are not unquestionable,” said one supporter from Mberengwa.
Another one said they will now wait for Chamisa’s leadership on the way forward as well as the results of his legal challenge of the presidential election results.
“We will patiently wait Chamisa’s direction. We believe in the whole MDC Alliance’s leadership and we will do as they tell us to do,” said the supporter who stays in Maglas.
Zanu PF prevailed in both constituencies in the district; Zvishavane-Runde and Zvishavane-Ngezi, but no serious celebrations had happened by the time of writing.
The current mood now leaves a question of whether the majority of Zvishavane residents are shocked MDC Alliance supporters or are Zanu PF supporters rejoicing silently.local

The Mother Touch team that travelled to Wales for the Llangollen Music Festival

Shingirai Vambe

HARARE – Some 25 pupils with Mother Touch group of schools experienced a moment of their lives recently when they visited the United Kingdom from July 03 – 18 for the 2018 Llangollen Eisteddfod where they won prizes in two categories.
Held in Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales, the annual music festival attracted 4 000 participants from around the world.
The Mother Touch team won awards in the cultural showcase and children’s dance categories.
Mother Touch group of schools proprietor, Salome Mutsinze spoke to iTell News upon her return from the European country, saying the school was humbled by the recognition.
“This is our third time to visit the UK and it was such great fun for the children. They got exposed to the outside world thus giving them an opportunity to gain an insight into new cultures and new concepts. We participate every year and this time, we travelled with 25 children, one parent and three teachers.
“We performed very well and the prizes we won are proof that we are heading somewhere good. It is not out of our own meticulous planning or the wisdom of our decisions that we have made this feat, but a result of God’s grace,” said Mutsinze.
All age groups were part of the Mother Touch team, with Mutsinze accompanying the team fresh from Victoria Falls where she had been named the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) Business Woman of the Year 2017.
“Let parents bring their children to Mother Touch group of schools where we take our time to learn the needs of all children and their varying capabilities. Ours is a ceaseless effort to bring out the best out of each child,” said Mutsinze.
Mother Touch is situated at 2164 Tynwald South, in Harare.local

Shingirai Vambe

HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dream of re-engagement with the West and return the country to the Commonwealth of Nations could suffer a still birth following the use of live ammunition by soldiers against protesters on August 01, resulting in the death of six people.
In the wake of the grisly shootings, the Commonwealth election observer mission issued a statement calling for calm.
“We categorically denounce the excessive use of force against unarmed civilian…tragically this has resulted in a number of fatalities and injuries, we extend our sympathies to the families and loved ones of all those affected by these deeply troubling incidents.
“The rule of law should be respected, and all parties should exercise patience and restraint. We urge the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to speed up the process of counting and announce the result,” former president of Ghana, John Mahama said in a statement on behalf of the Commonwealth.
Mahama said the Commonwealth mission had deployed its observers to all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe after a 16-year absence.
The government regards rejoining the Commonwealth one of the key strategies of getting rid of Zimbabwe’s years of international pariah status and unlocking Western capital which is critical for the revival of the country’s collapsed economy.local

Tiyani Hahlani

Youthful R&B gospel musician Tinashe Kwangwari, popularly known as Tk, has released his debut album from his Cyprus base where he is pursuing journalism studies at Near East University.

The seven-track album, which is titled ‘Miracle life journey’, has been receiving considerable airplay on Cypriot radio stations and can also be accessed on YouTube.

Kwangwari, who is in his second year at university, began taking a serious interest in music in 2010, learning how to play the keyboard while still living in Masvingo where he interacted with many producers.

He told TellZim News he was born and raised in a religious family but was unable to record his music due to financial constraints.

He only managed to release his first single ‘I testify’ on March 22, 2017, but the song, unfortunately, did not do very well.

“On my birthday this year, l dropped one of the songs from my album which has now since been released.  The song is called ‘Ndasunungurwa’, an old Zimbabwean chorus which I played around with by adding my own verse onto it. It’s a beautiful track that you would not want to miss.

“The album itself is largely pop infused with some R&B beats. Also included is an Afro song, and there is a love song too which is titled ‘She ain't no Jezebel’. My good friend Hailey, who is also based here, is featured on two songs that we did together,” said Kwangwari.

He said he looked forward to a great music career and making a difference in people’s lives through the message of his songs.entertainment

Dr Zhuwarara hand over a certificate to one of the female trainees

Stephen Ephraem                                               

CHIPINGE – A total of 36 filmmakers in the district have been empowered to come up with their own film concepts following a recent training workshop that was funded by government through ZimDigital.

The workshop was held at Chipinge Primary School from 3-6 August and it covered five areas namely production, script writing, cinematography, directing and editing.

The workshop was held under phase three of ZimDigital workshops where staff from Zimbabwe Film and Television School of Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA) trained aspiring filmmakers in Bindura, Chinhoyi, Kariba, Marondera, Nyanga, Chimanimani, Chipinge and Beitbridge.

Under ZimDigital Migration project, Zimbabwe is expected to move radio and television from old analogue to new digital system which shall open space for up to 24 TV channels.

Speaking at the sidelines of the workshop, the Director of ZIFTESSA, Dr Rino Zhuwarara said the digital revolution had many advantages.

“The digital revolution adds advantages like better picture and sound quality. It brings competition to the industry since the government will license new private television players,” said Zhuwarara.

On what content ZimDigital expects from filmmakers, Dr Zhuwarara was quick to point out that local languages were a priority.

“Chipinge filmmakers should produce Ndau and Tsonga (Shangani) films. Advertisers follow where the people are. When you create content for local audience, TV stations will definitely buy your film because advertisers will market themselves using such films.

“I urge women to take up professional filming. Currently, women constitute about 40 percent of our intake at the film school. I expect more women to come forward. It was overwhelming that eleven women participated at the Chipinge workshop.”

One of the trainees, Ropafadzo Dunira, who is a manager in a parastatal, expressed gratitude after completing the course.

“The training we received helps us as managers to improve our communication skills and how we attract clients in business with minimum budgets. ZimDigital workshops help to increase production at the workplace,” Dunira said.local

Selina Maridza

Upenyu Chaota

Having won seven out of the 10 contested wards in Masvingo Urban, the MDC Alliance now suffers a headache of selecting the best person to take over from Hubert Fidze as mayor.

Possible contenders are councillors Godfrey Kurauone (Ward 4), Daniel Mberikunashe (Ward 5), Richard Musekiwa (Ward 7) and Babylon Beta (Ward 9).

Collen Maboke (Ward 2) and Selina Maridza (Ward 1) are new councillors who are said to be making their own determined bids for the post.

With three councillors, Zanu PF has almost zero chances of taking the post but whoever wants the job must lobby for those three votes.

Kurauone stands a better chance of winning the race but he has made a few enemies in his own party, and they may use their influence to scuttle his ambition.

Beta, Mberikunashe and Musekiwa would do better if they campaign for the deputy mayoral position but gender considerations may see the post going to Maridza.

All the interested councillors have reportedly submitted their CVs to the party’s provincial leadership which will make recommendations.

District chairperson, Murangamwa Chanyau confirmed that the CVs were submitted but referred further questions to provincial chairperson James Gumbi.

“The selection of the mayoral candidate will be done at national level but the province will make some recommendations. All those interested have already submitted their CVs but the province has more information,” said Chanyau.

Gumbi could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.politics