Home Blog Page 166

20-year-old appeals for financial assistance

TellZim News
-
0
20-year-old appeals for financial assistance

Perpetua Murungweni

A 20-year-old man from ward 8 in Chief Ndanga area of Zaka is appealing for financial assistance to go for his second eye operation.
Bright Ziramba is currently admitted at Baines Hospital in Harare after he had an operation on January 9, 2023 on one eye at a cost of US $4000.00. They managed to get assistance from well-wishers who paid a sum of US $1880.00 and have a balance of US $2120.00. The family is appealing to those who can assist with money to clear the hospital balance and money for the operation for the second eye which is also US $4000.00.
His father James Ziramba told Tellzim News that his son’s eye sight problems began in 2012 when he was only 9 years old and the situation did not improve since then.
“My son’s problem began way back in in 2012 when he was in grade 5 at Zaka Primary School. When it started he was assisted by some teachers who took him to St Anthony’s Hospital and the doctors referred us to Morgenster eye unit. At Morgenster he was given spectacles and advised us to go and see an eye specialist,” said Ziramba.
He then took Bright to Parirenyatwa Hospital, in Harare, where they were also told that they needed to see a specialist so that their son could be operated on.
“We then went to Parirenyatwa Hospital where again we were told to take him to a specialist for an operation and we were referred to go and see one Dr Shamu at Baines Hospital in Harare and he charged us US $8000.00 for both eyes to be operated on.
“We have exhausted all options now so we really need help,” said Ziramba.

Junior High ‘A’ level pioneers post impressive results

TellZim News
-
0
Junior High ‘A’ level pioneers post impressive results

Staff Reporter

MASVINGO – The newly established Junior High School is basking in glory as the pioneer learners who sat for Advanced Level Cambridge examinations last year recorded an impressive 100 percent pass rate.
The 2023 class was the inaugural class to write Cambridge exams, scoring impressive results with the highest scoring 24 points from five subjects with straight As in Maths, Biology, Computer Science, Chemistry and a B in Physics.
On second position sat another learner with 18 points from four subjects after getting As in Chemistry and Maths, scoring Bs in Biology and Physics.
The school founder and director of the Junior brand which has a Driving School, Security Services Company, and two schools Junior High and Primary Schools, Noah Marima said he was elated by the results and promised to do even better in this year’s results.
“The results are fantastic given that this is our first sitting and I want to give special thanks to the parents for giving us the opportunity.
“Many parents would normally enroll kids at a school with a known pass rate but they defied all that and entrusted us with their children. It’s a big thank you, indeed we are going to award those who performed well,” said Marima.
He went on to thank the parents from Masvingo saying they are the ones who inspired others from outside Masvingo to enroll their kids at Junior High, praising teachers for the job well done.
“I want to make a special mention to Masvingo parents who got confidence in us and gave us their children. This inspired those out of Masvingo to follow suit and we promise them that we will do even better next time.
“Teachers thank you for the fabulous work. In the future, we anticipate even better results we can do anything within our powers to make everything possible,” said Marima.
Junior High School was established in 2022 and is located in the leafy suburb of Rhodene close to Masvingo Harare Highway making it easily accessible.
The school offers unique sporting facilities as well as subjects with massive infrastructural development going on at the school.
Boarding facilities are being perfected with modern facilities being put in place to give an outstanding environment for learners.

No prospects for third judge in Masvingo

TellZim News
-
0
No prospects for third judge in Masvingo

Beverly Bizeki

Prospects for getting a third judge at Masvingo High Court might be a pipeline dream after Justice Rita Makarau said the high court was performing well despite being short staffed with only two judges manning the court instead of three.
Makarau shared the sentiments in her speech during the official opening of the legal year 2024 at the high court in Masvingo as she complemented the case clearance rate at the court which she said is at 95.5 percent for the civil division and 97.6 percent for the criminal division.
“The backlog is not alarming and the clearance rate of cases is astounding considering that the high court is still being manned by two instead of three judges.
“Such a clearance rate will make it difficult for authorities to accept my recommendation that a third judge be deployed to Masvingo as he or she may be under-employed. I will however continue to stress that it is highly desirable that a third judge be deployed to Masvingo for greater efficiency at the station,” said Makarau.
“The Masvingo High Court – Civil division commenced with 15 cases and received 623 cases to have a total workload of 638 cases. 609 cases were completed leaving 29 pending cases. The clearance rate for 2023 was an impressive 95.5 percent.
“The criminal division commenced with six cases and received 1 448 cases to have a total workload of 1 454 cases. 1 420 cases were completed leaving 34 pending cases,” she said.
Makarau also indicated that she had met the Masvingo community to hear their concerns before the official opening ceremony where stakeholders raised issues about the need for training of traditional leaders issues and the need for journalists to cover cases tried at the chief’s courts.
“The concerns raised by Chief Charumbira on the training of traditional leaders on legal issues need to be addressed. Equally so is the concern raised by the media that the fourth estate hardly covers cases that are tried at the chief’s courts yet these courts handle the larger volume of litigation than the general law courts,” she said.
Concerns on the use of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) introduced by the Judicial Service Commission, which was said to be shutting out members of the media as well as civilians from court proceedings.
The Masvingo high court is manned by Judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze and Judge Justice Sunsley Zisengwe.

13k Masvingo illegal settlers in trouble

TellZim News
-
0
13k Masvingo illegal settlers in trouble

…As govt cracks down on land barons

…49 already in court for illegal settlement as Police operation begins

Perpetua Murungweni

Approximately 13,000 illegal settlers across Masvingo Province are likely to be left homeless as government is currently cracking down on land barons and those illegally selling or distributing communal land.
49 people from Mushandike have since appeared at the Masvingo Magistrates Courts facing charges of illegally occupying gazetted state land, enabled by land barons who are also among the accused.
The number of those being charged is so big that some have reportedly been told to go back home and wait for summons for them to appear in court, as a big number of them thronged the Masvingo Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 11, 2024)
A Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) press statement on January 5 this year gave hint to the onset of an operation to “bring sanity in the State Lands, Communal Lands, Rural Service Centres and Peri-Urban areas”, as the blitz commenced five days later on January 10.
Addressing a press conference at his Benjamin Burombo offices on January 11, Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira said police were going to implement “Operation Order No to Land Barons” running from January 10 to February 9.
He confirmed that an estimate of 13,000 illegal settlers across all the seven districts of Masvingo were the ones targeted by the operation, urging them to move back to where they came from before the authorities visited them.
“If you are illegally settling on Communal land, Local Authority land, State land, Peri-Urban land, Rural Service Centres or Growth points you are advised to vacate immediately and follow the due processes in acquiring land.
“Government condemns without any reservation the illegal settlements, occupations, parcelling out and selling of land without the permission from relevant authorities, and people should report such activities and perpetrators to the nearest police station,” said Chadzamira.
Illegal settlements, which often become sources of conflict between locals, government and law enforcement authorities in Masvingo have been a topical issue, often being used by land barons to swindle people’s hard-earned money.
“Masvingo province has illegal settlements in all the seven administrative districts; Bikita, Chiredzi, Chivi, Gutu, Masvingo, Mwenezi and Zaka. These settlers occupy catchment areas, wetlands, grazing land, peri-urban areas and other agricultural land affecting productivity and threatening other dam and river catchments with siltation.
“The menace of land barons harms agricultural and other developmental activities. Land barons swindle people of their hard-earned cash for their selfish gains and this has led to the sprouting of informal settlements on properly planned farms and grazing land and in some cases on land already allocated to other beneficiaries. Many residents were duped into occupying state land without following properly laid procedures,” Chadzamira said.
With the ongoing operation, two Mushandike land barons have appeared in court, together with 47 of their clients who are also co-accused, facing charges of purported alienation of gazetted or other state land.
It is alleged that Aaron Tagarira (76) and Tinago Konde of village 15 Mushandike Resettlement from 2000 to date have been in the habit of allocating pieces of land to land seekers subdividing the area.
The land that they were giving out was gazetted land, which was planned and allocated to beneficiaries by the Lands Ministry.
Seven other accused persons namely Patricia Philip (62), Neshia Chishaka (50), Shumirai Manyeruke (46), Mercy Muteveri (26), Livias Manyeruke (25), Wilson Chiwere (36) and Latmos Bapiro (37) will appear in court on January 19 facing charges of occupying gazetted land without lawful authority.
It is the state’s case that from the year 2000 to date, the accused persons unlawfully occupied pieces of land under village 15 Mushandike Resettlement which is gazetted land without any tenure document.
Those who will be ordered to return to where they came from will unfortunately not get any compensation from the state, and will have to make plans either on their own or with the land barons who illegally sold the land to them.

Tshabangu recalls undermining women representation

TellZim News
-
0
Tshabangu recalls undermining women representation

Beverly Bizeki

The recalls of elected officials from parliament, senate and council by Citizens’ Coalition for Change’s (CCC) self-imposed Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu been described as a deliberate ploy that is crippling efforts to emancipate women’s participation in politics, analysts have said.
The recalling spree has not spared councilors, MPs and legislators from the women’s quota who were elected to increase women representation after political parties failed to implement the 50/50 gender representation.
CCC National Women’s Taskforce Coordinator Monica Mukwada who was proportional representative (PR) Member of Parliament for Manicaland and is among Tshabangu’s victims said the recalls were negatively affecting women in that it did not only humiliate the recalled women but also reduced the voices of women in decision making processes.
“The voice of women in decision making processes has been reduced since a sizeable number of female councilors and MPs have been reduced in all houses since those that were recalled have not been replaced.
“The other challenge is that the electorate had chosen representatives of their choice during the harmonized August 23, elections now that they have been recalled, if replaced, they will be represented by people who are total enemies of their struggle, they will not be the reflection of the will of the people.
“The other problem that comes with these recalls is the humiliation that the councilors and MPs face. Just imagine how these women feel when the world is falsely informed that they have ceased to be CCC members which is the people’s party, they face the highest level of humiliation and others might even face challenges in facing their communities and the world at large.
“These recalls have also brought lack of confidence for women who will aspire to take up leadership positions in the future as they watch their predecessors face political humiliation. Many will decide to step back to save their dignity. We look upon those who control the judiciary system to correct the anomaly that has been created by these illegal recalls,” said Mukwada.
Mukwada also bemoaned the recalls saying it targeted female Mayors around the country that had been seconded by the party thereby denying female councilors a chance to lead from top positions.
“As CCC we were still celebrating after the party seconded three females to fill in the position of mayors in Mutare, Masvingo and Epworth Town Board. Unfortunately the enemy of the citizens successfully recalled councilors Sofia Rudo Gwasira, Shantiel Chiwara and Annah Sande respectively, several deputy mayors as well as councilors. We are back to the situation whereby Zimbabwe does not have a single female mayor which is a very sad situation,” said Mukwada.
Former Masvingo mayor and ward 2 councilor Chiwara said her recall was more than a ward battle but a national one which was killing the spirits of women and youth leaders that were participating in politics.
“The recalls by Tshabangu are killing the spirits of women leaders who have been recalled from their political positions, the act itself is undermining their capabilities but all the same I urge them not to be discouraged or to lose heart.
“This is not a ward battle, it is a national battle and a direct attack on our president’s efforts to groom youths and women in leadership positions,” said Chiwara.
One CCC member Dr Munyaradzi Chidarikire said the recalls of female politicians by Tshabangu meant that laws and budgets will be against women and the girl child as women’s voices were reduced, with no one to represent their interests.
“The recalls of female mayors, councilors, senators and members of parliament in Masvingo province and beyond by Tshabangu has greatly affected the voices of women in political spaces. This implies that laws and budgets among other things will be against women and the girl child,” said Chidarikire.
Chidarikire said what Tshabangu was doing reversed steps that were being taken to emancipate women.
“Zimbabwe has few female mayors and Masvingo City broke history by having the first female and youngest black mayor Shantiel Chiwara, there were celebrations as the former mayor made history. The recall of Masvingo MP Mugidho means she cannot contribute to the parliamentary agenda of 2023 – 2028 hence Masvingo has been made poorer by the recall of the two,” said Chidarikire.
Political commentator Dr Takavafira Zhou said some of the recalled women had been dealt a huge blow as some of them have failed to make it back due to voter apathy and limited campaigning resources.
“Tshabangu has systematically targeted CCC women deployees in Harare, Masvingo and Bulawayo in council, proportional representation. Those recalled in PR have been dealt a blow as this has reduced women representation in the legitimate CCC deployees and their replacements are not necessarily change champions. Some women deployees in council lost in by elections on December 9 owing to limited resources they had and voter apathy,” said Zhou.
In Masvingo, Chiwara lost to Zanu PF’s Benson Hwata thereby reducing the number of women in council to four from five.
In other circles, there has been notable clashes between PR councilors and councilors selected through the ballot with PR councilors’ role undermined in the wards.

Econet booster construction abandoned over Zanu PF, CCC clash

TellZim News
-
0
Econet booster construction abandoned over Zanu PF, CCC clash

Brighton Chiseva

Zaka – Mobile network giant Econet Wireless seems to have abandoned a booster construction project near Jecha Business Centre, in Chief Nhema area, Zaka over allegations of Zanu PF and the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) clashes.
Local sources said work was supposed to have started beginning of November but no progress nor communication has reached the locals who suspect that Econet could have been put off by political interference where the local headman is accused of having tried to bar a perceived CCC member amongst the contractors.
The traditional leader, Headman Svina born Timothy Matande is alleged to have demanded for an undisclosed amount of cash as payment for them to erect the booster in his area.
Zaka Central Constituency Coordinator Kefas Makiya confirmed lack of progress at the site and said as a community they were worried since they were hoping that network challenges would be addressed sooner.
“We are not sure what is going on and we are worried as a community. The area had been cleared and building material like concrete has already been delivered to the site. I urge them not to listen to village talk and progress with work and help locals,” said Makiya.
He went on to say Econet was not supposed to be put off by village talks saying work could not be stopped simply because of what people are saying regarding the employment of a CCC member.
He added that the issue of paying the headman should not be a problem saying it was common practice but was supposed to be done in a manner that does not hinder progress.
He said there was nothing wrong in giving traditional leaders a token of appreciation when doing such a massive project in their area of jurisdiction but that was supposed to be done in a manner that serves the interests of locals.
“When any entity wants to do a project in an area they approach the local leaders and they are usually given a token of appreciation and what’s wrong with that? That cannot be the issue and I implore Econet to continue with work and help the community,” said Makiya.
Repeated efforts to contact the headman in question and the councilor Simeon Chakazani were futile as their mobile phones were unreachable most probably because of poor connectivity.
Sources however allege that the headman demanded payment as well as the removal of the alleged CCC member from the contractors.
“When the place was cited, village heads around were asked to second people for manual work at the construction site. However, the headman whose homestead is close to the site seconded his in-law. The Econet guys asked if all the surrounding homesteads had seconded individuals and it was discovered that only two out of five households had representatives.
“So when the headman was asked to include members from the remaining three households, he then said he wanted payment since they were operating in his area. They then told him that they would enquire from the superiors to consider both requests by the headman.
“That is when they stopped and then the headman went on to report to Zanu PF top officials in the district that a member of CCC Obvious Kwenda was among those employed and sought for his removal,” said the source.
When contacted for comment, Kwenda said he was approached by several Zanu PF members who told him that the local party leadership was not happy with him being part of those contracted by the telecoms giant but said he was not sure why work had not commenced yet.
“I was approached by several Zanu PF members who told me that they had meetings where I was discussed with the leadership questioning why I was among those nominated to work on the project.
“I am not even sure if I am going to work when they come because we were told that work would start on November 1 but up to now there is nothing and we are still waiting. I am eager to work and this has nothing to do with political orientation,” said Kwenda.
Another source accused the headman of hindering development by being self- centered and prioritise his own benefit at the expense of the general public.
A high placed source from Econet however said work was in progress offsite saying there was some progress and the project was on course with a completion target of April 2024.
“Work is ongoing as we speak, the target is completing the project by April next year. So what happens is people may see no progress on the ground but work is ongoing offsite. Maybe material is being collaged for shipping once, so that work can start once the needed material has been placed on site to avoid ups and downs,” said the source.
Other sources from the area accused local leadership of greediness saying almost a similar situation disturbed the establishment of another booster at Fube Clinic.

Ndarama High learners scoop 3 continental awards

TellZim News
-
0
Ndarama High learners scoop 3 continental awards

Beverly Bizeki

Ndarama High School, one of the best day schools in Masvingo and beyond, raised the country’s flag high after its learners scooped three Junior Achievement Africa (JA) Awards in Rwanda recently.
The team of three who exhibited with their company called Mobile Intelligence Technologies at the continental arena walked home with a cash prize of US$1000 after bagging three awards namely the Best Company, Global Possibilities and the Best Application of Project Management Award and will represent Africa at the international competitions in Qatar.
The company’s finance director Tapiwa Chuma said they were thrilled that their company which started its journey early this year was recognized at such a high profile award ceremony having won the provincial and the national competitions.
“The journey of our company began early this year and it began with a survey when we attended a seminar that was hosted by JA Zimbabwe. During the seminar we were taught how to run student led companies after which we got the idea to create MILab which went on to win the provincial competitions as well as the national competitions in Harare.
“In November thereafter we went to represent Zimbabwe at the regional competitions in Kigali Rwanda and we scooped two signature awards, the Global Possibilities Award funded by Fedex and Tablets and the Best Application of Project Management funded by Project Management Institute and the main award that was the company of the year award and we received a cash prize of US$1000 and a ticket to representing Africa Qatar,” said Chuma.
The Company Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anesu Ruzive said the company was created to break global challenges that children in schools are facing in learning Science particularly accessing laboratories.
“The company comprises of young ambitious learners who have come together and created a company which strives to solve emerging global challenges in the education through cutting edge software that break barriers created by classroom settings. We discovered that local schools and those abroad are struggling to produce a conducive environment for students to carry out Science experiments so we are trying to break socio economic status, disability, location, digital divide, and gender and race barriers.
“To break these barriers we have created an application called Mobile Intelligence Laboratory (MILab) a platform where learners can carry out Science experiments be it Physics, Chemistry or Biology. The application comes with packages such as a GIS laboratory, a 3D driving and aviation simulation and a career guidance section where a learner gets to learn more about the career world,” said Ruzive.
He said the company which is registered, has 32 shareholders and 10 workers, is facing challenges in that all the shareholders are learners and sometimes find it difficult to balance between social life, school work and company work.
“We are giving the company our best shot but because it comprises of students the challenge sometimes becomes that we cannot actually balance between social life, creation and running of this company and also our education so to counter this we are using the template side management of this project and that’s another challenge altogether.
“We look forward to working with the Ministry of Education and schools not individuals hoping that it will be added to the curriculum since it is guided by IGCS and ZIMSEC. So for the further development of the application there is need for sponsorship.
“We are having a challenge as full time learners in marketing and publicizing the application and the company and basically this is the main reason why you find that as a company we have not yet reached a spectrum of selling the application to other schools in rural areas and outside Masvingo,” said Ruzive.
The Production Manager, Panashe Dzinavatonga said the application was meant to ensure inclusivity as it works with 15 languages and can work without internet connection for the benefit of those in remote areas.
“MILab focuses mainly on Science students in the ZIMSEC and IGCS curriculum and it comprises of 15 languages including French, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Chinese and English. MILab works as an offline application because we want to ensure inclusivity and accommodate those with network challenges so once it is installed you can use it anywhere,” said Dzinavatonga.
Ndarama School Head Oddy Matongo said the achievement was an honor to the school and urged the business community to support the learners in furthering their aspirations.
“I am more than happy for what my learners have done particularly winning in Rwanda. We are very blessed as an urban community that a government school has also done this that they have conquered Africa and Africa is now at Ndarama representing Masvingo province and the nation at large that is an honor even in my life and in my educational career. We hope as they continue with their journey there are also going to bring the trophy home. I hope all the business community are going to assist my learners so that they can further their aspirations” said Matongo.

Gweru family buries wrong body

TellZim News
-
0
Gweru family buries wrong body

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- A grieving Gweru family buried the wrong body after a mix-up on body collection in the morgue following two tragic murder incidents which occurred on December 4 2023 in Mkoba 14 and Mkoba 16 business centers.
The deceased Takudzwa Chipadza and Courage Sibanda were murdered on separate incidents and were put in the same mortuary but Chipadza’s relatives collected Sibanda’s body which they went on to bury.
Midlands Provincial Police spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko however confirmed the reburial of the two and urged grieving families to take time identifying bodies and be satisfied before burial
“Both bodies were buried on 15 December 2023, Courage Sibanda in Somabhula and Takudzwa Chipadza at Mutasa Cemetery in Gweru.
“As Police, we encourage bereaved families to take their time in identifying their dead relatives and be satisfied before burial to avoid such occurrences,” Mahoko said.
Circumstances are that, on December 6, 2023, it is alleged that Takudzwa Chipadzas relatives went to Gweru Provincial Hospital mortuary where they mistakenly collected the body of the late Courage Sibanda instead of Takudzwa Chipadza’s body.
They buried the body on the December 7, 2023 at Mutasa Cemetery, Clifton Park, Gweru.
On the December 7, 2023, the late Courage Sibanda’s relatives went to the same hospital mortuary to collect his body but instead collected Chipadza’s body.
They took the body to Somabhula for burial and the matter came to light the following day during body viewing when the father of the deceased discovered that it was not his son.
The family advised Gweru Provincial Hospital authorities about the incident and Takudzwa’s relatives were engaged.
Upon identification of the body, both families agreed that the body that had been brought back was that of Takudzwa Chipadza.
The exhumation of Sibanda’s body was granted by the relevant authorities and it was exhumed on December 14 2023.

2 perish in Chikombedzi gas explosion

TellZim News
-
0
2 perish in Chikombedzi gas explosion

Beverly Bizeki

Two people from Chikombedzi recently died from a gas explosion that occurred at the Business Centre on December 9, 2023 after a gas tank caught fire and exploded.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident and the loss of life saying investigations were on going but the accused McGilbert Mafanele who is the gas shop owner as yet to be arrested for culpable homicide charges.
“I can confirm the death of two people who died after sustaining burns from a gas explosion at Chikombedzi Bussienss Centre in Chiredzi District and destroyed six shops.
The five were rushed to Chikombedzi Hospital and the deceased died, enroute to Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where they had been referred,” said Dehwa
Investigations are currently underway but the accused is yet to be arrested on culpable homicide,
said Dehwa.
Sources said on December 10, a leaking gas tank allegedly caught fire from a nearby fireplace and exploded and five people sustained serious burns from the explosion.
Melissa Mangalani Chauke (23) died at Ndundu around 1800 hours while Simbarashe Mufandarabwa died around the same time at Nyanda while they were being ferried to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for treatment.
The other three people who were injured from the explosion include juvenile and their names could not be established at the time of reporting.
Mafanele had gone to Malipati when the incident occurred.

It was not easy : Zanu PF’s Hwata

TellZim News
-
0
It was not easy : Zanu PF’s Hwata

…as Chiwara concedes defeat, congratulates winner

Beverly Bizeki

The newly elected Zanu PF councilor for ward 2 Benson Hwata said his victory in the December 9 by-election was not a walk in the park considering the fact that it was an opposition stronghold and its leadership was determined to retain the seat.
Hwata defeated former councilor and Mayor Shan- tiel Chiwara with 27 votes af-
ter garnering 612 votes and Shantiel got 585 votes. The other two candidates, Frank Chirairo, a CCC member who contested as independent pol- led 143 votes while another CCC candidate, former Councilor Roki Kamuzonda got 90 votes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Hwata said though it was not easy, he was glad that he managed to pull through and will now work to fulfill his election promises to residents who entrusted him to lead.
“Our victory was not easy, my opponents who are from the opposition were also working and campaigning in the ward with their leadership so it was not an easy one. However, I sailed through and want to thank the residents for trusting me. I promise that I won’t let them down,” said Hwata
He attributed his win to the party support and being there for residents when there was need without looking at whether its election time or not.
“I think being with people and valuing them all the time helped me win the election. I have been in the ward way before and have been helping people in a number of ways not as a campaign tool but out of love for the people. So I think that is why they have decided to give me a chance to lead them.
“Now that I have been elected, I want to fulfill my promises chief among them being water provision to make sure residents get water especially in Runyararo West and improving drainage system,” said Hwata.
For the first time in 23 years, Zanu PF managed to win ward 2 of Masvingo City Council in the December 9 by elections with Hwata winning the seat after two unsuccessful attempts.
Hwata contested in 2013 and lost to Shantiel’s Father James Chiwara who went on to become deputy mayor before losing again to Shantiel in August 2023.
In her message to ward 2 citizens in one of the ward’s many WhatsApp platforms, Shantiel congratulated Hwata and called upon youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which political party they belong to for a better understanding of their environment.
“Congratulations to those who made it. Let us help each other take our community to the next level. I call upon the youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which movement you belong to so that we can all get a better understanding of our environment looking in to a better future for everyone.
“Involved or not involved it affects us at the end of each day. Hazvisi zvevanhu vakuru chete (it is not only for adults). I hope I served as an inspiration to a few of us to show that we can (participate in politics) as young people,” said Chiwara.

1...165166167...958Page 166 of 958