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Tinashe Bepete sings his way to National Geographic

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Tinashe Bepete sings his way to National Geographic
Tinashe Bepete

Phineas Chinyanga

MASVINGO – Tinashe Bepete, an avid singer from Masvingo who is now set to be part of the National Geographic Learning, says he will always cherish the encouragement he got from his family while he was still at school.
Bepete’s family played a pivotal role in the discovery of his talent by forming a choir which would sing at any given moment mainly as a way of helping him to improve his skills.
His initial dream, however, was to become a medical doctor until he got a rude awakening when he finished his primary education with 14 units at Victoria Primary School.
Secondary education became even tougher when he went to Dadaya in Zvishavane before transferring to Kyle College three years later.
“Kyle College was a school of many possibilities. As much as I wasn’t doing well in school, I excelled in singing. With the help of my music teacher Mrs Austin, I attained Kyle’s first ever Eisteddford trophy for my solo, ‘Blue moon,’ and a series of Honours certificates.”
Eisteddford is one of the four annual events organised by the National Institute of Allied Arts to help drive Zimbabwe’s vibrant arts into the future by nurturing budding artists and children from a young age.
With four points at ‘A’ Level, Bepete moved to Beijing Institute of Technology, China, in 2013 where he studied Chinese but he still stubbornly wanted to study medicine. Realising he would not cope, he enrolled for International Economics and Trade in 2014.
Yet his singing talent has been shining upon him like a star and while singing and playing the piano in a store one day, the owner took a video of him and shared it with his friends resulting in his first part time job as a music instructor at the talent building New York Kids Club which enrolls kids as young as eight months old.
Now in his final year, teaching music at NYKC has led to a full time job offer with the National Geographic Learning, an after-school intensive English learning programme focusing on animals, travel and different cultures.
“Life has no known equation to it. Never hold back. Keep pressing,” Bepete told TellZim News.entertainment

Major General Rugeje completes PhD

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Major General Rugeje completes PhD


Major General Engelbert Rugeje with South Africa’s former President Thabo Mbeki

Moses Ziyambi

MASVINGO – Senior military officer with the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Major General Engelbert Rugeje yesterday, September 7, graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in the Postgraduate Programme in Ethics, School of Religion, Philosophy and Classics, with the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
His research topic was ‘Recurring Conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo: the Search for a Regional Conflict Transformation Mechanism premised on Collective Security and the African Ethical Concept of Ubuntu’ wherein he explores the complex variables behind the perennial conflicts in the vast country.
In his theses, Maj Gen Rugeje argues that that the main contributory factors to the recurrence of conflict in eastern DRC are, among many others, lack of effective governance structures leading to rights violations, perceived policies of exclusion and marginalisation, unfair distribution of  national wealthy, injustice and lack of good governance and democracy.
He also gives a stinging critique of the role of the United nations (UN) in efforts to resolve the crisis, arguing that through its security council, the world body ‘has monopolised the whole process of conflict resolution in the eastern DRC to the exclusion of regional organisations and this has been one of the contributory factors to the recurrence.’
Among many other things, Maj Gen Rugeje recommends Ubuntu-inspired, inclusive peace building steps that take into cognisance the largely disparate ethnic groups that Belgian colonialism cajoled together into a virtually unviable nation state.
He also asserts that SADC should not be sidelined in conflict resolution mechanisms, but should rather be empowered materially or otherwise so that the regional grouping can take a leading role in efforts to build peace in areas under its jurisdiction.
Maj Gen Rugeje, who hails from Bikita district and is the most senior military officer from Masvingo province, follows in the footsteps of his boss, ZNA commander; General Constantino Chiwenga who completed his PhD with the same institution earlier on.
From next week, TellZim News will begin serialising Maj Gen Rugeje’s theses.education

GZU moves in to supply Masvingo with eggs

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GZU moves in to supply Masvingo with eggs

GZU eggs being sold in OK supermarket

…as avian flu takes toll on poultry industry

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – As supply of poultry and poultry products become increasingly erratic due to the avian flu outbreak, Great Zimbabwe University has moved to fill in the gap in the market by making use of its farm to produce eggs to feed the local market.
Major poultry and poultry products suppliers like Irvine’s recently culled thousands of their birds after the outbreak of the disease which also affected farmers in South Africa.
Last week, TellZim News noticed that big retail outlets like OK supermarket and Pick n Pay had run out of eggs and customers were frustrated until OK supermarket took delivery of GZU eggs late afternoon on Saturday.
Some sources in the industry said Irvine’s was struggling to satisfy the national market which is facing severe shortages now that the government has banned poultry and poultry products imports as part of measures to contain the pandemic.
“It is good that GZU is doing something tangible and has moved in to meet the real needs of the community. I think that should be the whole idea of universities – coming up with real solutions for real problems,” said a source.
TellZim News also noticed that major broiler chick suppliers PROfeeds, Menomaviri, N. Richards and Masvingo Chicks were failing to meet demand as evidenced by long queues at their shops.
“The chick providers have since reduced to 25 the number of chicks that can be sold to one individual at a time as a way of preventing the hording of products by few individuals,” said the source, adding that chick prices have already gone up.local

Jazz sensation uses music to fight child abuse

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Jazz sensation uses music to fight child abuse

Jazzy Jazz Pavanofamba track cover

Bothwell Chabarika

Wellington Davira, affectionately known in the music circles as Jazzy jazz has dropped a single fighting child abuse.
Released on August 31, 2017, the single Pavanofamba has come as a cry against child abuse especially by men who are known to be the main culprits in that regard.
The song features songbird Edith Weutonga in backing vocals, Tafadzwa Mapaso on saxophone, Muchi on the guitar and was produced by DJ Khule.
With his passion for music, the jazz artist who is also a lawyer by profession, has been consistent in the music industry since way back when he used to sing in church.
He released an album in 2014, a single called Kahunhu in 2016 and now back with his latest single which he hopes will help to cement his place on the music scene.
Speaking to TellZim News, Jazzy jazz made it clear that his latest offering was his most favourite at the moment, saying he invested ‘so much effort’ in the new song before its release on the market.
“This Pavanofamba single is my number one song at the moment because it’s always on my mind. I am forever singing it. It is a song that speaks volumes about our cultural decadence, a culture that has been eroded by greed and immorality.
“All these vices have led to older men abusing young girls physically, emotionally, psychologically and sexually. So in brief, the song is the voice of a concerned father who is strongly advocating against all forms of abuse perpetrated by men on young girls,” said Jazzy jazz.entertainment

Kudzi Chipanga for commissar!

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Kudzi Chipanga for commissar!

Kkkkkk hanzi chimbomirai kuti munhu wese kuna Dr Amai and say munhu wese kuna Kudzi Chipanga kkkkkk hahahaha politics so – mahwani! But the Chipanga guy is really crazy – how can he propose that every youth must adopt the Mugabe surname? Tikwanire iwe . . .  chete munhu haabvumirwe nekutukwa nehurema hwake asi ndapotsa ndati maziso aka. . . please forgive me for that but uite mushe iwe Chipanga. Ndikunzwe futi uchitaura zvisina maturo.
But can someone tell me what is wrong with Zimbabwe? Or is it with Zimbabweans? Mapombi is just confused – how can the whole nation from the ministers to street vendors sit down to talk about Zodwa ‘mushayabhurugwa’ Wabantu?
Honestly, kutonzi nhasi cabinet is having a meeting and Zodwa is on the agenda? How can we stoop so low to an extent that the whole government will debate kuti Zodwa ouya akapfeka bhurugwa here or not. Bhurugwa chairo ndiro ringatoita nyaya kudai? Kkkkk even the long forgotten Chigwedere was on television talking about Zodwa saying as the chairperson of the censorship board blah blah; nxaaa! Nonsense.
Isu vana Mapombi takapedzesera kupfeka pant kudhara dhara because I cannot afford to but underwears. The economy is biting! Ndinongofamba ndiri mushwi but no one is making it an issue; I even attended the Zanu PF conference at Masvingo Show Grounds ndisina bhurugwa racho but no one said a thing.
Why waste time talking about Zodwa, being banned or not, some of us will not attend the Harare International Carnival anyway because we have more serious bread and butter issues to attend to. I will be going to bank every day to collect those bond papers pamwe ndingatowanawo kamari vamwe vari kumafaro.  Ndikunzwei muchitinyaudza futi nenyaya yekushaya bhurugwa kwaZodwa. Aah vanhu vepi.
Mapombi has since realised that Dr Amai tonned down at Mkoba rally last week – I am sure a lot of things is haunting her among them kamusikana kaakashagada keku South Africa kaya.
Kutodawo kuzoverenga Bible verses kkkkkk baba vangu iwee-e. Kkkkk nhamo!
But Mapombi captured something from Dr Amai’s empty speech – she anointed Chipanga and that might mean the boy is set assume a powerful position in Zanu PF very soon.
Dr Amai said can you stop, at least for now, to say munhu wese kunaAmai and let us all say Munhu wese kuna Kudzie Chipanga. Did anyone hear this? Vakazvinzwa simudzai maoko tione.
Mapombi analyses a lot and I can confidently say that statement was not only in reference to the organising skills that Chipanga showed at the Midlands rally, but it was in fact a way of campaigning for Chipanga.
Those who care to listen please listen carefully; Chipanga is the next Zanu PF national political commissar. Mapombi can confidently tell you that Chipanga apinda uyu – munhu wese kuna Kudzie Chipanga.
Mapombi is very sure Mugabe will soon reshuffle his politburo and ndaona Chipanga apiwa the commissariat portfolio.
Mind you we are going for elections next year and the old man has been running around the country soliciting for support from the youth. Hate him or like him, Chipanga has shown that he has the capacity to mobilise the youth – which are critical in determining next year’s election therefore, he deserves reward from Mugabe.
But don’t ever think Kasukuwere will be relegated to the dust bins. Never! He will be given another powerful portfolio again because Gushungo 40 (G40) ndiyo iri kutonga.
Mapombi realised that Team Lacoste is just a bunch of fools; toothless dogs to be precise. They are just good at barking but chinobuda hapana. We all know them for bragging kuti tisu tiri kutonga hee-e Mnangagwa blah blah haa-a tibvirei apa.
Mapombi will be generous and tell the truth – G40 ndiyo iri kutonga nyika. I mean those guys who are not liked by the security chiefs ndivo vari kutonga nyika ino while Mnangagwa and his group, despite the full support from service chiefs, are merely spectators.
They are only enjoying the benefits of being close to where power is but mukavabvunza they will tell you the truth kuti havasi kutonga varume vaya.
Mapombi always regrets why Mwari vakandiita munhukadzi because if I were a man chokwadi maindiona. But still continue that nonsense, I will approach vana Mnangagwa ivavo ndigovati bvisai mabhurugwa mundipe ndipfeke ini ivo ndovapa dhirezi.
No wonder this country is among the worst in Africa. Ingaita zvakanaka sei nyika when we have cowards and bootlickers masquerading as leaders? Nxaa!
Anyway, thank you Grace for anointing Chipanga; im sure those Cdes from Lacoste will turn green with envy. Munhu wese kuna Chipanga!
It’s almost lunch time guys let me go ndindokanga hangu maputi angu for lunch and eat some rotten bananas. Thank God temperatures are improving these days tombodziyawo mushana but hey, competition for food is becoming tense in town because of ever increasing street kids and squatters. Hamunawo zvamungaita here nhai veSocial Welfare because ndingafa nenzara shuwa.
Before I go, how is Mphoko doing? Did anyone pass through my request to him because I desperately want to start a poultry project? Even a donation of 50 chicks will be enough for me to kick start the project. Mboko imboko!mapombi

Four ready to challenge Mugabe’s darling in Masvingo South

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Four ready to challenge Mugabe’s darling in Masvingo South
Walter Mzembi

Brighton Chiseva

Walter Mzembi might be one of the best ministers in the country but back to his constituency, four candidates are already pushing for his ouster, accusing him of neglecting Masvingo South in as far as development is concerned.
The Tourism minister is believed to be President Robert Mugabe’s blue-eyed boy in Masvingo therefore, untouchable but three candidates seem to have defied him and are readying themselves for Zanu PF primary elections.
Victor Gugwe from Muchibwa area who also hails from the same ward 23 with Mzembi is said to be ready to take the incumbent legislator head on, while Tokwane Ngundu Primary School teacher Gladys Chari too is reported to be making inroads ahead of the primaries.
Not to be outdone is Claudious Maronge who is the deputy school head at Makumbe Primary School as he is also reported to be eyeing Masvingo South on a Zanu PF ticket.
The trio is said to be so determined to remove Mzembi whom they accuse of neglecting the constituency soon after he was elected into office on July 31, 2013. Among the promised projects is the construction of doctor’s house at Jena district hospital and the repairing of Tetenu Bridge which links Ward 23 and 25. These proposed projects have never seen the light of the day despite being prominent projects to talk about.
But does the trio have the stamina to push Mzembi out? Mzembi, being one of Mugabe’s best ministers, gives him a big advantage, not mentioning his international exposure especially now that he campaigned and lost the race to be secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Mzembi’s dilemma, however, is that Masvingo South is a rural constituency and his international exposure would help more if he was contesting an urban constituency. Probably that is the reason there are suggestions that he might contest for the Harare Central constituency in the 2018 general elections.
Mzembi is still young and the international exposure would make him want to use new technologies for campaigning; for instance use of social media and streets advertising using big screens, which is not appropriate for a rural constituency.
He has enough resources to also cater for Masvingo South electorate in the event that he decides to contest there; maybe few maize seeds and fertilisers from the presidential inputs scheme would be enough for him to win the hearts of some disgruntled villagers ahead of the primaries.
Mzembi, however, is likely to face Gurwe who is believed to be a Central Intelligence (CIO) operative. The suspected CIO agent might take advantage of the youths especially considering his age. He is younger than Mzembi and seems to be in a better position to understand the plight of the youths better than the tourism minister who will be seeking re-election for a third term.
After losing dismally at 2013 primary elections for Ward 30 to Sungano Matakanure, who is the wife of Mzembi’s constituency coordinator Joshua Matakanure, Gladys Chari has never stopped being ambitious and she is now challenging Mzembi for the National Assembly seat.
The only advantage Chari would have is that Team Lacoste faction might support her to take the constituency in the event that Mzembi decides to contest for the Harare Central seat.
Maronge is hardly known in the constituency; even in his own ward and that means he has a daunting task ahead if he is really serious about contesting for the national assembly seat. Running a primary school and being a constituency representative in parliament are obviously two different tasks with the later proving to be more difficult.
The winner from Zanu PF primaries will then face candidates from opposition parties like the National Constitution Assembly (NCA), which has developed a habit of fielding candidates everywhere including where the party is completely not known.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) is likely to be represented by Lovemore Matongo. Though he is not much popular, Matongo is obviously riding on the popularity of Isaac Matongo who was the first MDC national chairman.
Matongo’s biggest challenge is that he is visible only towards elections and after that, he vanishes and this might affect his ambitions to represent Masvingo South in parliament.
Political experience and education
In terms of political experience Mzembi is more experienced of them all having been a minister for a decade. Mzembi is an engineer by profession. Though many people have doubted his doctorate (PhD) with some publicly calling upon him to make his thesis available, the Masvingo South legislator remains Dr Mzembi’s territory and no one can take that away from him.
Mzembi took the constituency from his uncle Edison Zvobgo.
Gurwe is a holder of a degree in Political Administration from the University of Zimbawe (UZ) but has little traceable political history in Zanu PF.
Chari as a teacher by profession with at least a diploma in education. She has a bit of political experience though she has a record of losing elections. She is a provincial executive member thanks to Zanu PF’s factional fights.politics

Never again will we donate to politicians: ZISMIWU

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Never again will we donate to politicians: ZISMIWU

Rtd Captain Faster Gono

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – The Zimbabwe Sugar Milling Industry Workers Union (ZISMIWU) says it will never again work to advance the interest of political parties but will rather dedicate all its energies to the improvement of the welfare of its members, TellZim News can reveal.
In an interview, ZISMIWU spokesperson and secretary general Rtd Captain Faster Gono said the union had learnt the folly of making huge donations to political parties while the living conditions of the workers it is supposed to represent remain bad.
“Approximately $3.7 million was taken from the organisation and donated to political activities by the previous executive. Government ministers and security personnel also benefitted from the largesse but we are saying that will never happen again,” said Gono.
ZISMIWU is allied to the pro-Zanu PF Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions (ZFTU) and was previously led by Addmore Hwarare who was forced to resign in 2015 after factional upheavals in the party led to the fall of the Joice Mujuru faction with which Hwarare was said to be aligned.
“Workers should not be enticed to certain political parties. They should have the freedom to select the leaders whom they deem necessary without being intimidated by anyone,” said Gono.
He also said the union only wanted the best for sugarcane workers and was awaiting the outcome of the Justice George Smith-led arbitration on its dispute with employer Tongaat Hullet over wages as well as living and working conditions.
“We do not have the influence to quicken the process of arbitration but we will all accept the outcome of the arbitration, the employer too. Our employer seems reluctant to improve the welfare of workers, especially the lowly paid but likes to make donations elsewhere,” he said.agriculture

Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miners’ Association works to advance mining agenda

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Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miners’ Association works to advance mining agenda

Prince Danda

The Zvishavane-Mberengwa Miner’s Association is making progress in the mining sector by working closely with all stakeholders in the interest of the mining industry.
After receiving compressors from Mimosa Mining Company last year, the association engaged its members and made arrangements by which the members would hire the equipment at affordable fees.
This arrangement has enabled miners to raise enough money to purchase three more compressors which are making the operations of the association more viable.
Due to increased productivity brought about by the equipment, three members of the association have also bought their own compressors.
In turn, the association acquired an explosives purchasing licence which allows members to work as a group in line with mining regulations.
The association regularly hosts seminars to train blasters who have ensured an accident-free mining environment from 2016 to date.
The year 2017 started on a bad note for the association due to heavy rains, forcing the closure of roads and shafts, a development which made mines inaccessible.
However, the association has since recovered and has announced that as of last July, it had produced 17 980 tons of chrome and 15 126 kg of gold.
The association says it credits government effort, through its US$40 million scheme to support small scale gold miners, for the progress that members of the association have made in the recent past.
At the moment, the association looks forward to perform better than last year in terms of output as it is expecting 100 kg of gold.local

‘It’s the people who make MSU great’

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‘It’s the people who make MSU great’
Vice Chancellor MSU Victor Muzvidziwa

Itai Muzondo in Gweru

GWERU – Midlands State University (MSU) Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Victor Muzvidziwa says the university has made enormous strides in the recent past, thanks to the many stakeholders who have the interests of the institution at heart.
Addressing a Students Reception Ceremony last week, Prof Muzvidziwa said the university would not be what it is at the moment without the unwavering support from different quarters.
At the 9th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition held in Geneva, Switzerland recently, MSU came out best in Law School Mooting, beating some of the finest law schools in the world.
The MSU Boost Enactus Team is also set to represent Zimbabwe at the 2017 Enactus World Cup to be held in London in September.
“The support we are getting from all stakeholders; support in terms of funding for students and ideas, that kind of support which comes from our chief donor; the government but also includes industry and commerce is the reason for us being what we are today.
“MSU currently has 22 000 students housed under our multi-campus system and the university has managed to increase access to university education for people of all races and backgrounds through conventional and lifelong learning,” said Prof Muzvidziwa.
“We could not have made this progress without the steadfast support from our valued stakeholders. Being the current captain of the MSU ship, I am challenged to work tirelessly to position the university onto the global academic landscape,” Prof Muzvidziwa said.
The MSU main campus is located in Gweru while its second campus is situated in the mining town of Zvishavane.education

Vendor licence fees raise eyebrows in Chivhu

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Vendor licence fees raise eyebrows in Chivhu

Chivhu vendors
…money being receipted as ‘bus levy’

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – After failed efforts by Chikomba Rural District Council (RDC) to clear vendors off undesignated vending places in Chivhu, a controversial system has been made by which vendors are required to pay US$5 per month in exchange for being allowed to do their business anywhere.
Members of the public have described the new arrangement as ‘controversial’ because upon paying the amount, vendors are given receipts that are written ‘bus levy’, a situation that has raised the spectre of corruption in a local authority best known for the vice.
When contacted for comment, Chikomba (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Luckson Mutara acknowledged the irregularity but promised to correct it now that he was back at work from his sick leave.
“I have been away from office for some time but I have met with our treasurer here and truly, the fees were being collected under the busy levy fee but now that I am back in office, we agreed to normalise the irregularity as it may cause confusion,” said Mutara.
The Chivhu Ratepayers and Residence Association (CHRRA) however said it suspected that the error was deliberate and was meant to aid fraudulent activities by council officials.
“How can vendor licence fees be receipted as bus levy? When the system is too corrupt to its core, it is difficult to believe that there is no dodgy intent in what is happening. The question is how they are going to account for that money?” said CHRRA chairperson Collen Zvarevashe.
He went on to propose that vendors be allowed to trade freely without being harassed and without being required to pay anything.
“If council has failed to provide a proper vending area, let vendors sell freely from wherever they want without being harassed and without being required to pay anything. We know that the money being collected now will neither be used to improve service delivery nor to advance the goal of getting official town status,” said Zvarevashe.local

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