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Nama award-winning director produces GZU film


John Mubayi

MASHAVA – National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) winning director, Sydney Taivavashe has produced a film for Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) titled ‘Solo naMutsai’ which is scheduled to premiere on May 19 at Charles Austin Theatre in Masvingo.
Solo naMutsai traces the journey of two village lovebirds who are given scholarships to further their education at a university and how that dramatically changed their way of life.
It was produced by Nelned Pictures and GZU Films in collaboration with Jubilee Arts.
Taivavashe, who won a NAMA award early this year with his film ‘Seiko’, showed excitement with an opportunity to work with GZU.
“Film is generally not taken seriously because it’s still a growing industry in Zimbabwe so for the university to take their time to commit themselves to the project was very exciting. I realised that GZU has a lot of talented actors who even match international standards,” said Taivavashe.
“I feel humbled to work with GZU and I want to applaud the university’s lecturers and management for coming up with the initiative. I have no doubt that the film will go places and will certainly put GZU on the international map,” he said.
The film stars a number of students among them Nyasha Warinda and Buhle Buyeza Ndhlovhu who respectively star as Solo and Mutsai.
GZU theatre and performing arts lecturer Julia Yule, who is the film’s executive producer, said the film is a must watch as it explores life’s ups and downs, achievements as well as how students respond to external forces.
“We are trying to talk about student life at the university, the ups and downs, the love life, achievements, how they interact and respond to external forces, different classes and how they handle pressure, and above all, marketing GZU,” said Yule.entertainment

Women Breaking Barriers – Montana Carswell Meats grader, J. Nyamande

Charles Maregere

“We take tough decisions every day because the job is about safeguarding the health of the consumer by certifying meat that is safe for human consumption.
“We consider the commercial interest of the farmer who has bring in the cattle as well as the business interests of the abattoir. So if I find that the carcass is not fit for human consumption, I have to tell the farmer and we destroy the whole carcass for the sake of public health,” says Nyamande, who did her training at Mazowe Veterinary College.
 “Some of the factors considered during grading are changes in skeletal characteristics, with advancing age also seen in the change in shape and appearance of the rib bones. A very young animal has narrow, oval-shaped ribs that are red in colour but as the animal matures, the ribs become wider and flatter, and become grey in colour.
The other important aspect is marbling, which refers to the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat within the ribeye. It is the primary determinant of quality grade. Visual evaluations of marbling in the ribeye at the 12th rib cross section are related to differences in eating quality of beef.
“Beef cuts with high levels of marbling are more likely to be tender, juicy and flavorful than cuts with low levels of marbling. Most consumers are familiar with the names of several quality grades and may use them as a selection criterion when buying beef,” says Nyamande.
“Generally an abattoir is a male-dominated working area but with relevant skills, women can do it too and consistence in what you know will gain you respect in any trade of your choice,” says Nyamande.business

Women Breaking Barriers – Elizabeth Chikubwa, driver (Chiredzi – Masvingo route)


Elizabeth Chikubwa

Charles Maregere

Chikubwa starts her 22-seater Mercedes Benz sprinter heading for Chiredzi as early as 04:45 hrs but she first makes quick errands to town, Mucheke and Rujeko suburbs picking up her passengers who would have made prior bookings.
She then makes a brief stop at Exor filling station to fill up her bus and by 05:30 hrs, she departs for Chiredzi.
Inspired by four of her brothers who are in haulage trucking, Chikubwa says she has never looked back and is encouraged by the fact that most women who are professional drivers are excelling in their work and have gained their customers’ confidence.
Known affectionately as Mai Nyan’a on her route, Chikubwa is a mother of two daughters and she acquired her driver’s licence in 1998.
She holds a class 2 driver’s licence which qualifies her to drive haulage trucks but is comfortable with the 2- seater bus which she says allows her to spend more time with her family.
 “Men always say a lot about women drivers, how they act on impulse on the road and their poor reversing and parking skills.
“Every trip has its own type of new male passengers on board but I can handle anything. I have also had cases whereby passengers disembark and give me compliments….they know we ladies don’t use drugs and alcohol so they trust me more.
All being equal, I complete my 406 km trip to and from Chiredzi by 13:30 so I prepare my vehicle for the next day. If there are no issues with the trailer or wheels, I park the vehicle at 14:30 hrs and spend the rest of the day with my family.
“There are thousands of women struggling to support families yet they have driving talent. Statistics the world over shows that women are the safest drivers,” says Chikubwa.business

Veteran journalist publishes two novels

TellZim Reporter

MUTARE – Perseverance breeds success and success is failure turned inside out.
This can aptly describe the success story of Mutare-based veteran journalist Penjeni Madzikangava who recently published two novels; Tears and Scars and Dungeon of Despair.
Tears and Scars was released early last month and was published by seasoned author Tatenda Munyuki of Harp Books International while Dungeon of Despair was released a few weeks later.
Madzikangava, who has been in the trenches of journalism since 1993, was elated with the latest developments.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to be an accomplished author since childhood. I’m glad I have begun the journey which might take me to stardom. This is the first step. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, “said Madzikangava.
Madzikangava, a former English and Literature teacher at various colleges in Mutare, is a product of Rujeko and Nyamauru High schools in Dangamvura Mutare. He also attended Christian College of Southern Africa.
“I started working on the two novels last May up to February. I went about looking for a publisher. I finally settled for Harp and Books International last month, a move that has culminated in the release of my two novels,” he said.
Turning to Tears and Scars, Madzikangava said that the novel is a total package, a must read and book worth investing in. The novel takes readers through life in the ghettoes during colonial era.
“It tackles sexual abuse, how domestic violence was condoned and perpetuated by traditionalists, how blacks were treated by white as inferior citizens. The book also takes readers through the journey to the second Chimurenga War. It also touches on the issues of racial segregation and reconciliation. The book is condensed and compacted to cater for both the old and the young generation.
In Dungeon and Despair, the writer takes readers down the memory lane from the 70s up to 2015. The narrator lived in Rhodesia in the late 70s during the second Chimurenga. The novel also dwells on the role played by Africans during Chimurenga, how sell-outs were treated by both freedom fighters and by government soldiers.entertainment

Education ministry to launch newspaper


Lazarus Dokora

TellZim Reporter

MUTARE – The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Lazarus Dokora has revealed that the Ministry is set to launch a newspaper which will be called Edu News.
Speaking to TellZim News on the sidelines of the Teaching Professions Council Provincial Outreach meeting in Mutare recently, Dokora said part of the content will act as resource materials for the new curriculum. He said he was aware of the challenges posed by adoption of the new curriculum.
“We will launch a newspaper which will act as a source of resource materials for the new curriculum. There have been reports of challenges of resource materials for the new curriculum so this newspaper will ease things for our students and teachers.
“There is also need to be more aggressive in information dissemination for the new curriculum. I informed my colleagues in cabinet that we are going to be reaching out more aggressively than previously. EduNews will carry some of the material teachers and school heads will require for the new curriculum,” Dr Dokora said.
He also said his ministry had secured funds from central government as well as from partners to purchase materials.
The meeting, which was attended by the Permanent Secretary for Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango, Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED) and teacher associations from across the province, was the first stop in a tour of the country’s ten provinces.news

May someone please do a Lameck on Mugabe

Kkkkkk but muchinda anonzi Lameck Chimoka akapenga manje. He had the guts to get-crush a funeral in Mabvuku in Harare and speak out his mind ipapo ipapo – hanzi mai vafa ava vamuri kuti vange vari munhu ari right inhema she was very cruel. Vairarisa mwanasikana wangu panze vachimudira weti yavo makuseni. Kkkkkk Lameck so ka!
While people normally do not speak ill about the dead, Lameck proved to be a gentleman just like Mapombi, and he poured his heart out not zvekunyeperana kuti wafa wanaka.
Mapombi was thinking what could be our situation in Zimbabwe right now if we had people like Lameck in Zanu PF. Uncle Bob would have gone kudhara chaiko vakangoudzwa pachena kuti mava kuwondonga nyika iyi chisiirai vamwe. Unfortunately, the party is full of bootlickers, they always lie to the President that things are well in the country yet everything is just up-side-down.
There is cash crisis, high unemployment and the economy is getting worse. Politically, the Zanu PF intra-party fights are affecting development as the MPs and ministers spend much of their time having factional meetings.  The roads are full of potholes, clinics and hospitals have no medicine and industries are closing yet the President said zvinhu zviri kufaya muZimbabwe wotoshaya kuti tiri tese here or someone is speaking from Singapore.
But one would see that our President vanoita maune chaiwo; it’s not an issue of being misled because he reads newspapers every day where Zimbabwe’s poor economic situation is being sufficiently highlighted. Mapombi can tell you guys that Mr President really knows the situation on the ground but ndozvinoita maCapitalists – they portray the picture that things are very normal yet it will be the few of them who will be enjoying. He knows people are sleeping on bank queues and are getting $20 as maximum withdrawal that is kana yatobuda $20 yacho. In spite of all that, boldly says he is happy because Zimbabwe is on economic recovery path.  Tinyareiwo isu vana Mapombi kana musina zvekutaura nyararai mudye makanyarara.
We know Mugabe is enjoying these factional fights and that is the reason Kasukuwere is being protected. We have known quite a number of Zanu PF officials who were fired and suspended from the party without going for a hearing but now because it’s Kasukuwere, party members are being told to follow the party constitution.  Kkkkkk imboitai tione kwazvinosvika. You said it last year that Zezurus are unconquerable and for sure tiri kuzviona. They are unconquerable indeed! Takazviona, tirikuzviona.
But naiyewo Ngwena wacho anazvo. Anyway, regai tione kuti Chamatama ungatadza here kutibudisa mugehena ratiri. Like I always tell people kuti handina kana bank account or even decent accommodation. Ndinogara pa Dr Grace Mugabe Trading Centre apo but Mapombi always feels sorry for my fellow brethren especially civil servants.
They sleep in queues and they are given $20 kkkkkkk. What it means is that they need three weeks to withdraw their salary and by the time they finish they will only have one week to spare before they come again to join the queues. Is this life? Ndidavirei vanhu veZanu PF hungava hupenyu here uhwu?
Chete vana Tsvangirai vacho imbwendewo zvadzo. They are cowards – now we need people like Lameck who can defy the odds and say CEO matadza chisiyai basa not bootlicking. If Lameck could be the chance and opportunity to meet Mugabe, Mapombi is very sure he would tell the 93-year-old leader kuti nyika yava mamvemve iyi.
Mapombi went to the stadium on May Day with the intention to find leftovers pafunction yeWorkers Day. But oops, there were no leftovers. In fact there were no workers to talk about. The very few workers who were at Mucheke Stadium had pale faces and there was virtually nothing to show that they were indeed workers except that they are wallowing in poverty. They cannot even access the little they earn because of the cash crisis in the country.
Mr Lameck can you please help the majority of Zimbabweans who are struggling to make ends meet but are afraid to say it out by speaking out like what you did a fortnight ago? Can you kindly tell Mr President that nyika yava mamvemve iyi.  Ko vakachizorora zvingadiiko? You mean there is absolutely no one in Zanu PF who can run this country far much better than the current leader? You mean all the Doctors (PhDs) in Zanu PF have no clue on how to run this country? Mapombi really appreciates the role Mugabe played as President of this country but the situation now, especially when he is 93-years-old, needs someone a bit younger and more energetic to run around. If we cannot have an able leader from Zanu PF to replace Mugabe, saka ndopatinozotika Tsvangirai huya. At least he is able because we all saw what happened during the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009 and 2013.
It’s almost lunch time guys let me go ndindokanga hangu maputi angu because these days because of the cold weather, it’s difficult to come across a rotten banana. Mabanana haachaore zvekumhanya so maputi better. But Mapombi heard Mphoko said Saviour haana kwaanoenda. Kkkkkkk continue singing for your supper Cde Mphoko! For sure Tyson is going nowhere. Mboko imboko! mapombi

Mugabe ignorance; a crisis indeed

Mapombi is baffled. For a whole President to claim that Zimbabwe is the second developed country in Africa, behind South Africa, is shameful to say the least. This is ignorance at its highest order! And ignorance itself is a crisis and there is no defence to that. 
Maybe it’s not ignorance after all but Mugabe might have mistaken Malaysia or Singapore, where he spend much of his time, for Zimbabwe. He probably needs someone just to remind him that there is indeed crisis in Zimbabwe; from cash crisis, poor roads, high unemployment, poor health facilities, corruption, political unrest and economic collapse in general.
The above mentioned sum up to a huge crisis in Zimbabwe therefore, Mugabe must rephrase his statement and acknowledge that there is a crisis in the country. But Mapombi sometimes think age is fast catching up on Mugabe and you all know kuti kana wakura hanganwa dzinowanda. Old people forget things easily. Kukanganwa chaiko kutofunga kuti uri muZimbabwe iwe uri Singapore kkkkkk chakaona hama hachisekwe varume.
But because the President always say he is still fit to run this country; we are tempted to think that to say there is no crisis in the country was a deliberate lie meant to convince the world that things are fine in Zimbabwe.  Or maybe Mugabe is still living in the past paiziva Zimbabwe ichiri nyika izere uchi nemukaka chaiyo. Whatever the case may be, Mugabe’s ignorance will never be tolerated in an independent Zimbabwe.
Mapombi heard Mugabe flew to Singapore for medical check-up this week and one would be tempted to ask; ‘So the second most developed country in Africa does not have hospitals for the President to have medical check-ups here? Mugabe must stop abusing taxpayers’ money flying out of the country to seek medical attention. Ko rapwai munhozve nhai musharukwa inga makati we are the second most developed country in Africa wani. Ko zvino chaipa chii mukandorapwa paParirenyatwa apo kana kuuya kwedu kuno kuMasvingo General Hospital  kkkkkkk mobva mashandisa road muchimboonawo ma dam-holes kwete ma potholes ari mumugwagwa mukuru wenyika.
Mapombi is very sure if given another opportunity to address the WEF conference Mugabe would say Zimbabwe is the second most underdeveloped country in Africa. He would also agree that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. But Mugabe being the Mugabe we know, will stick to his point kuti zviri kufaya kuZimbabwe.
I think it’s a crisis on its own for the President to run away from the medical facilities of his own country which he claims to be the second most developed country in Africa. That is a crisis. Tendai Biti’s party in fact said Mugabe’s ignorance is itself a crisis chinova chokwadi chaicho. We are now faced with a serious crisis as a country and it is up to the electorate to solve or keep the crisis come 2018.
One of Zanu PF’s factions, Team Lacoste will agree with Mapombi that munyika muno maita disaster. Lacoste wants Mnangagwa to take over because vava kuona kuti hazvisisina maturo zvimwe zvava kuitiwa.
Aaah by the way, Mapombi would like to congratulate Ezra Chadzamira for winning the Masvingo provincial chairmanship over the weekend. Isu vana Mapombi mafigures hatizomazive hedu but ndakakonzwa kuti 29 000 chakadero against thousand kkkkkk. Asi neiko muchinyadzisa sekuru vaPresident zvakadaro?
The election was more than just a provincial election; Masvingo wanted to make a bold statement to Mugabe that it is now time up. Zanu PF Masvingo province is run by Team Lacoste and they have spoken kuti pamberi naMnangagwa. The message was very clear.
Mapombi heard Mnangagwa disguised nekuzovhura kaprivate ward paMasvingo General Hospital apa achida zvake kuzoonana neteam yake ahead of the election. I heard hakuna kurarwa that night kuchirongwa tingoringo.
Masvingo was sidelined for a long time in terms of development and it’s high time someone who will give priority to the ancient city takes over power from the 93-year-old leader and that person is none other than Mnangagwa.
Masvingo is saying Mr President keep your Kasukuwere and we will keep our Mnangagwa kkkkkkk mungatidii? Hapana and hapana kana zvamunombotiita because ndimi makazvitanga zvekuti maZezuru unconquerable. Hatichatye, Hatichada!
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time guys let me go ndindozvikangira zvangu maputi angu ndizvidyire. By the way I heard Mphoko akambotaurawo zvine musoro this time around which saw Chiwenga issuing a warning to our war veterans kuti kwanai. Kkkkkkk well done Mphoko keep it up. Don’t forget to donate some chicks to Masvingo widows and orphans. Mboko imboko!mapombi

Chiredzi West candidates hit campaign trail

Chiredzi West constituency is one of the hot seats in Masvingo province and no candidate can win it without putting a good fight. At least five candidates have so far emerged and are ready to wrestle power from the incumbent Zanu PF legislator for Chiredzi West, Darlington Chiwa, come 2018 general elections.
Chiwa will first battle it out with former Tongaat Hulett agriculture director Farai Musikavanhu, Norman Sharara and former governor Titus Maluleke in the party primaries.  Having lost to Chiwa during 2013 Zanu PF primary elections, Maluleke is planning a massive come back, and it seems, he is already busy working on the mistakes that led to his loss during the 2013 primaries.
Maluleke and Chiwa, however, have a mammoth task as they also face stiff competition from Musikavanhu who is already reported to be splashing money like no one else in Chiredzi West. Musikavanhu has already done quite a number of projects among them construction of classroom blocks at two schools in the constituency.
Sharara, who is an education inspector, is also a dark horse and might spring a surprise though his chances are slim especially considering the campaigning pace that has been set by other candidates and the resources they have.
The ultimate winner will then battle it out with other candidates from Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai (MDC-T), Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF), National People’s Party (NPP) and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA).
MDC-T Masvingo provincial spokesperson Dust Zivhave is likely going to represent his party uncontested as no other candidate has emerged so far. Former Chiredzi West legislator Moses Mare, who has since become a political nomad, is also eyeing a comeback under the ZimPF ticket.
Mare left MDC-T to join the Tendai Biti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2013 before leaving for ZimPF.
Political experience
Maluleke is the most experienced candidate of them all having been actively involved in politics since independence. Maluleke was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Zaka East in the 1990s before he was appointed governor of Masvingo province in 2009, the office he left in 2013.
Chiwa is also quite experienced as he be became actively involved in politics at the turn of the millennium and was elected Chiredzi West national assembly member on July 31, 2013. Chiwa will be seeking re-election at the 2018 general elections.
Musikavanhu is more of a political amateur; he has not been actively involved in politics until he resigned from Tongaat Hullet last year.  The former Tongaat executive is believed to have been given millions of dollars as his exit package and he is indeed spending a lot of money on various projects.  However, judging from the way he is splashing money so far, when Zanu PF has not even introduced the candidates selection criteria, it shows Musikavanhu is a greenhorn. Probably he should consider applying brakes until such a time when campaigns will be in full swing.
Sharara is probably a dark horse; the guy is not that really popular though. With Musikavanhu setting such a high pace and splashing resources, Sharara might remain unpopular with the people of Chiredzi West. He is still a government employee and that affects his activeness in politics.
MDC-T’s Zivhave has been with the strongest opposition party in the country since its inception. Zivhave has been in the MDC-T Masvingo provincial executive for over 10 years now and that speaks volumes about his experience in opposition politics.  Zivhave however, might be affected by lack of enough resources otherwise he has all what it takes to take a Zanu PF candidate head-on.
Mare is also experienced having been with MDC-T since inception before he joined other political parties like PDP and ZimPF. His biggest undoing is that he will be haunted by the vices he allegedly committed when he was MP for Chiredzi West between 2008 and 2013. There are issues around how Mare spent the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as well as unfulfilled promises made during the run up to the 2008 elections.  Unless Mare has a solution to all this, his chances will be slim.
Level of Education
Many politicians are no so educated and the 2008 parliamentarians were probably the worst of all. Maluleke is a former teacher who left the profession to join active politics and became MP in the 1990s. At least he has a diploma in education. Despite being elected MP in the 1990s, Maluleke is still contesting to have another term in Parliament.
Chiwa is a former police officer who operated under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). He therefore, at least has five O’ Levels including Maths and English subjects. Chiwa then left the profession to become an active politician and was elected MP on July 31, 2013. Chiwa is seeking second term in office.
Musikavanhu has a higher qualification in agriculture and that propelled him to become the agriculture director at Tongaat Huletts. If elected, Musikavanhu will be one of the few educated MPs from Masvingo province.
Sharara is a District Schools Inspector (DSI) (formerly District Education Officer) and at least he has a diploma in education. Many teachers often leave the profession to join active politics but not all of them have succeeded in the previous years. Maybe Sharara will succeed but it is really a mammoth task ahead for him.
Both Zivhave and Mare have at least a ZJC certificate each. Maybe, political experience will help them to articulate issues in Parliament if they are to be elected in 2018 general elections.
Very few of the current MPs contribute or move motions during parliamentary debates. It emerged that many of them are affected by the level of their education and they are intellectually inferior therefore cannot debate with the Professors and Doctors (PhDs) in parliament.politics, topnews

Serima High School set for Dhewa farewell


Cyprian Dhewa

TellZim Reporter

All is now set for the thanksgiving and farewell mass for former Serima High School head, Cyprian Dhewa who left the school last year after several years of sterling work at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church Masvingo Diocese – run school.
The farewell ceremony will be held this Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Serima Mission where Dhewa’s 45 years of dedicated service to education and the government will be celebrated.
The veteran educationist served with distinction and contributed immensely to the church and the government with his hard work.
During his time as Serima High School head, some great minds who are now dignified people in the country passed through his hands.
His great and distinct leadership qualities helped Serima High School to become a well-known institution with an impressive record in both academic and sporting fields.local

Theft cases on rise Chivhu

Elliot Jinjika

CHIVHU – Residents in Chivhu have expressed deep concern over rampant theft cases happening in the small town, saying the crime wave needed to be seriously addressed.
A number of cases related to theft have been reported recently with some thieves being caught red-handed at Liebenberg High School and other places that have come to be seen as soft targets.
A thief was caught by a security officer stealing Delta Beverages property recently while Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) cables were last week stolen during the night in residential stands near the CBD, leaving some residents in the dark for almost two days.
Two suspected criminals who were using master keys to open cars were recently caught after escaping with a laptop and two cell phones from a vehicle parked at Pick n Pay and a resident lost precious possessions after burglars gained access into his house.
“Thieves are giving us fear and you hear cases of theft every day. It seems to be getting worse and I expect law enforcement to be beefed up,” said one resident.
A staff member at Liebenberg High School also said the school was almost often being targeted for its property.
“Teachers at our school have lost their cash, clothing and their maize fields are also easy prey for thieves,” said the staff member.
Another resident said the police must increase patrols in residential areas during the night and in all poorly lit areas.
“Critical infrastructure like electric cables must not be stolen at all so the police must make sure that they identify vulnerable areas with important installations and increase their patrols there,” said the resident.
No comment could immediately be obtained from authorities though the police are believed to be equally worried by the crime wave.local