By Cephas Shava

Mwenezi – Score Against Poverty, a locally based community organization, has several fruitful programmes in some of Mwenezi District’s wards that are evidently transforming the lives of women in the drought-prone, remote district.
The organization, which has footprints in the district’s six wards and is steering a successful Indigenous Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe (LINCZ), hosted a colorful event on October 29 in Mwenezi’s Sagwari area of Ward 6.
The event, hosted under the theme, “Rural women confronting the Global cost of living,” saw several Score Against Poverty beneficiaries showcase their diverse works and share their success stories with attendees.
One of Score Against Poverty’s beneficiaries, Rosemary Tambo, who hails from Chigota village in Ward 6 under Chief Chitanga, was on cloud nine as she narrated how the organization’s projects transformed their lives.
“Score Against Poverty has transformed the lives of many struggling villagers. The organization is spearheading a number of projects, including conservation farming, chicken rearing projects, and the savings and lending Scheme (Mukando), among several others here.
So far, as a group of 21 women, we organize ourselves and come up with broiler chicken rearing projects, owing to some loans we received from the organization. Right now, we are in the process of acquiring roadrunner chickens to expand our project. The community’s savings and lending scheme is proving to be a game-changer in the lives of villagers who are now able to cater for their family needs with ease,” said Tambo.
Ward 6 councillor Marvelous Chifumuro acknowledged that the organization was doing wonders in his ward and had significantly transformed the lives of struggling villagers.
“In my ward, Score Against Poverty is one of the organizations that has come at the most perfect time. Villagers had been struggling, and their livestock was dying due to drought. Villagers were equipped with skills in feed-making using available resources. The organization has also given each group US$250 to initiate projects like Mukando. Such programs are going a long way in making a difference in villagers’ lives who are being ravaged by the current drought,” said Chifumuro.
On her part, Score Against Poverty project officer Cynthia Mutsindikwa said such events were meant to create platforms for beneficiaries to showcase their potential in the face of the negative effects of climate change.
“The community-led event, which was attended by many people and other concerned stakeholders, was meant to create a platform for men and women to celebrate their achievements in addressing food insecurity challenges as well as showcase their works in the face of the global economic crisis and the negative effects of climate change,” said Mutsindikwa.
Score Against Poverty’s projects, which are being initiated in Mwenezi district’s six wards, are a consortium partnership also fronted by the Mennonite Central Committee and funded by Global Affairs Canada.

By Staff Reporter

MASVINGO- Regina Munyamani, a local philanthropist, brought early Christmas cheer to the inmates of Mucheke Old People’s Home, treating them to a special lunch on Sunday, December 8th.
The inmates could not hide their joy, showering Munyamani with praises for her regular donations of clothing, food, and other items.
The home’s acting administrator, Florida Chijena, thanked Munyamani for the kind gesture and called on others and the corporate world to follow suit, showing the inmates that they are not forgotten.
“I want to thank Regina Munyamani for the kind gesture. She has brought joy to our elderly, and if you look at them, you can see how happy they are. We urge her not to tire and continue supporting this place as she has been doing.
“I, however, call upon other like-minded individuals and the corporate world to come and support us with whatever they can, so that our elderly don’t feel neglected. Showing them support gives them strength and resilience,” said Chijena.
Munyamani explained that she brought the lunch to the elderly as a way to fulfill her passion for helping vulnerable groups. She acknowledged the support of the Ngorima family based in South Africa and others in different areas, which made the early Christmas treat possible.
“I have a passion to help vulnerable groups and I have done a lot here and other places as well. I have had support from the Ngorima family, based in South Africa, and others in different areas, so I decided to give the grannies and grandpas an early Christmas,” said Munyamani.
She urged others to support the institution, which is in dire need of various items to improve the living conditions of the elderly.
“I want to appeal to others out there to bring anything they have to our elderly people here. Even the smallest gift counts, so people should join hands to make sure that they live a better life just like anyone else,” said Munyamani.
Mucheke Old People’s Home is currently home to 14 inmates.

By Beverly Bizeki

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has issued a formal notice to unregistered educational institutions operating in Bikita district.
The notice warns offenders that they will not be allowed to open their doors from January 2025.
In a notice to offenders, the Bikita District Education Office stated that they are ready to enforce the law on unregistered schools. The district currently has 12 unregistered schools out of a total of 18 private and independent institutions.
“This letter serves to inform you that all unregistered independent and private institutions are supposed to be registered as according to the Zimbabwe Education Act, section 42(a), (b), (c) (3) 1. Failure to do so will result in the closure of the institution from 1 January 2025. Law enforcement agencies, including the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, will be prepared to enforce the Education Act,” reads the letter.
Bikita District Schools Inspector (DSI) James Mahofa told TellZim News that the notice was a warning shot after several attempts by the education office to encourage schools to follow proper procedures.
“These unregistered institutions in Bikita are very relaxed. We have asked them twice this year to come and register their institutions, but they have not taken any action. This is now a warning shot as we are prepared to ensure that they will not operate come January 2025 when schools open,” said Mahofa.
Mahofa stated that the move aims to safeguard learners’ education and protect parents from potential abuse by some unregistered institutions.
“We have discovered that there are many such institutions in Bikita. We have received reports of parents complaining about being abused, but when we try to trace these institutions, we find them closed.
“We want to prevent this, as some of these institutions do not even meet the required standards for a formal school. They lack basic amenities like ablution facilities, and we are uncertain about the curriculum they are using.
“It is crucial to have these schools registered so that proper inspections can be conducted by all relevant stakeholders,” said Mahofa.
Bikita Residents and Ratepayers Association (BIRRA) spokesperson Lucky Mukomondera however cautioned against the drastic action, arguing that there was no formal warning against the illegal operators.
He pointed out that the alleged illegal operators were paying levies to the council and the Better Schools Programme Zimbabwe (BSPZ). He therefore suggested the need for dialogue to ensure that the measures do not negatively impact learners.
“There was no formal warning, as these colleges had already budgeted for BSPZ subscriptions and council levies. A dialogue between the colleges and the ministry is necessary to protect the interests of the learners. This sudden ban will affect the already registered learners in these institutions.
“Why take such a harsh approach to social and economic drivers? Amicable solutions should be sought. Radical policy enforcement in education can undermine its purpose of justice. Authorities should support community-driven education initiatives without punishing already registered learners. These schools have contributed to both economic and social development in Bikita, providing innovative research, employment opportunities, and community development. We urge the Ministry to provide ample time for the easy registration of private colleges in Bikita,” said Mukomondera.
He emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law but also highlighted the need to address the shortage of schools in Bikita, which has led to the emergence of private colleges. In some cases, learners have to travel up to 10 kilometers to reach the nearest school.
“The rule of law must be upheld in the education system. However, Bikita District lacks sufficient primary and secondary schools, forcing some learners to travel long distances. The rise of private schools has facilitated easier access to education for many pupils in Bikita, aligning with global and national commitments.
“The sudden ban on unregistered private schools will strain the capacity of existing educational facilities, exacerbating the challenges posed by education inflation,” Mukomondera said.

By Staff Reporter

Mucheke Old People’s Home in Masvingo has sent a distress call as the elderly inmates are facing numerous challenges, ranging from bedding to food shortages.
The call was made by the home’s acting administrator, Florida Chijena, during a luncheon organized by local philanthropist Regina Munyamani. Chijena expressed concern about the old inmates sleeping on very old beds with thin mattresses and spring bases, which are not ideal for their needs.
She mentioned that the spring beds could easily yield to weight, forcing the elderly people to bend their backs while sleeping, which is not ideal for their age.
“The beds are very old, they have very thin mattresses and old model bases. They need strong bases that do not yield to weight as that affects their backs considering their ages. So we are appealing to the corporate world to help us on that regard,” said Chijena.
She went on to say that their rooms had no wardrobes or shelves to store their clothes, forcing them to hang clothes on lines or pack them in bags or sacks.
“They pack their clothes in bags and sacks because they do not have wardrobes or shelves to put clothes. They also need side tables or side shelves to put a plate of food if they are not willing to eat the moment they get it,” said Chijena.
She further mentioned challenges in providing relish, as well as shortages of staff, wheelchairs, and medication, among other things.
“In terms of food, our main challenge is relish and at times firewood which we mostly use for cooking their food. We also have a shortage of staff, and that affects us from giving them the maximum care they need.
“We also appeal for anyone who could help us to pave the ground here because during the rainy season, the ground gets wet and becomes slippery so the inmates would struggle to walk from their rooms to the dining hall. The pavement will also make it easy for those with wheelchairs to navigate,” she said.
Munyamani also urged the corporate world to come on board and assist the elderly at the old people’s home by providing medical care.
“There used to be a doctor who would come to see our grannies here but now he is no longer coming, maybe he has other commitments, so I appeal to doctors who can help to come on board and do regular checkups for the inmates.
“We have a family pharmacy which usually assists here with prescribed medication and I call upon other medical service providers to join,” she said.

By Tavonga Munyanyi

Shurugwi South Member of Parliament, Engineer Wilson Mhuri, has called for a multi-stakeholder approach to address a pending hazard on the Boterekwa road. This comes after rising concerns from Shurugwi District, as the government’s plans to refurbish the road are long-term.
Speaking to TellZim News, Mhuri, a qualified engineer and road construction expert, emphasized the necessity of prompt short-term interventions to ensure the safety of motorists and residents.
“I call on authorities and stakeholders to work collectively in finding immediate solutions and to avoid repetition of the same scenario.
“The Government is aware of the road’s state. It is included in its plans for refurbishment, but immediate measures are critical to address the current state of disarray,” said Mhuri.
Engineers from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development recently assessed the road and are expected to provide feedback on appropriate solutions.
The state of disaster was observed last week on Wednesday (December 4) when residents and motorists discovered a hole on the edge of the road along the Zvishavane-Shurugwi highway, which is suspected to be a result of underground mining.
Mhuri, who is also a Member of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Transport and Infrastructural Development, said there were plans by the government to start the rehabilitation of the Gweru-Shurugwi-Zvishavane-Rutenga Road.
“The Government has plans to start the rehabilitation of the Gweru-Shurugwi-Zvishavane-Rutenga Road as part of the government’s infrastructural development,” he said.
He urged motorists and all road users to stay calm without panic, saying the situation was under control.
Boterekwa road is making driving conditions increasingly treacherous despite efforts to seal the hole. Motorists who spoke to TellZim News said they were still afraid that another one may emerge.
“Boterekwa is now a death trap. This situation is unpredictable and it can happen again. Boterekwa is jeopardizing our jobs. We are bracing ourselves for the rough ride ahead, that seal may peel off leading to fatal road accidents,” said another motorist.
Another said it was better to condemn the road until it is repaired than waiting for the pending disaster to happen.
“I think it’s better to condemn this road. Drivers and passengers’ lives are at risk. The Government needs to commence Boterekwa road rehabilitation urgently,” he said.
The collapse of Boterekwa road is alleged to be a result of the digging of tunnels underneath the road by artisanal miners, which weakened the road.