Home Blog Page 269

Inspiration Tennis Academy does it again

TellZim News
-
0
Inspiration Tennis Academy does it again

Fredrick Moyo

Masvingo – based Inspiration Tennis Academy (ITA) has done it again after scooping 11 medals at the just ended Mantas Tennis tournament that commenced on October 14 and ended on October 16, 2022.
The tournament that catered for different age groups including toddlers, U 12, 14 and 18 was hosted at Mutare Girls High in Mutare and there were players from Mutare, Masvingo and Harare.
In an interview with TellZim News, ITA founder and head coach Privy Fanisai said she was really happy with the performance her academy put up at the tournament.
“I am happy with the medals that we managed to collect and also with the performance we managed to put up at the tournament, it shows the players are improving day by day.
“These tournaments are important for our Academy as kids meet different people from different places, offer opportunities for local or even foreign scholarships and increased chances to be in the national team as they will be having the exposure they need.
“Also after participating at the tournaments, they are given points that will also assist them in making it to the national team, so it is an opportunity to us as an academy for our players to showcase their talents,” said Fanisai.
She also thanked parents for the motivation and support they are giving their children as tennis is expensive to sponsor.
“I would like to thank the parents for supporting their kids in this sport, tennis is an expensive sport to sponsor, but the parents are there for their kids,” added Fanisai.
She however said they did not manage to travel with other academy team players to the tournament as they do not have sponsors to support them financially.
“We did not manage to take some kids to the tournament because we did not have sponsorship as an academy. Parents are the ones supporting their kids financially and this affects some less privileged players who are left out,” she said.
Fanisai wished a bright future and a better tomorrow for her academy team players.
“My wish as coach is for my players achieve more with tennis, they need to remain strong and vigilant one day we will get there,” added Fanisai.
ITA won 7 gold medals, 2 silver medals and 2 bronze medals.
Nine participants namely Zvaitwa Sitemere, Mazviita Gava, Atipaishe Nyandoro, Junior Sitemere, Ruvarashe Chinhiya, Munyaradzi Thomu, Lucia Sitemere, Tatenda Dehwe and Kevin Saravoye and recently managed to collect 12 gold, 8 silver and 5 bronze medals at National Tennis tournaments held earlier this year.
Fanisai was the only African Tennis coach to attend a tennis coaching and training camp that ran for two months (June 13, 2022 and ending on August 14, 2022) in United States of America (USA) where they were equipped with coaching skills.

Desist from drug and substance abuse-Police urges residents

TellZim News
-
0
Desist from drug and substance abuse-Police urges residents

Lydia Koto

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has challenged Masvingo residents especially the youth to shun drug and substance abuse as the practice is detrimental to own health and society at large.
Speaking at the drug and substance awareness campaign launch at Mamutse ground in Mucheke suburb, Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Masvingo Officer in Charge Hazvinei Jindu said drug abuse is now one of the major concerns as more people have joined the practice.
“Drug abuse is now one of the major concerns in the country. People are now abusing drugs like dagga or mbanje, crystal methy also known as Mutoriro or Dombo and cough syrups,” Jindu said
Masvingo residents were also urged not to grow dagga plants in their backyards because if they are caught they face arrest and be prosecuted.
“I urge you not to plant dagga plants in your yards because if we catch you, you will be arrested,” she urged.
Jindu also said drug abuse have side effects that affect the health of the affected individual.
“Drug abuse can cause one to give birth to Down syndrome and also it can cause family disintegration, death, and health problems, so abstain from drug abuse,” Jindu added.
Members of the public were also challenged to work with police by supplying them with vital information and leads to those dealing in drugs in their respective communities.
Guest of honour Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira urged people to take the campaign seriously as drug abuse is now affecting the country at large.
“Let’s take this exercise seriously because drug abuse is now affecting the country at large. I recommend that media outlets increase coverage on the negative consequences of the consumption of dangerous drugs. Law enforcement agents should also intensify their activities to curtail the abuse of illicit drugs” said Chadzamira.
He also said youth in rural areas should also be incorporated in drug and substance abuse as they are also affected.
Achievement Mateveke who is clinical psychologist at Ngomahuru said about five patients are admitted daily on Ngomahuru hospital and a ward which is supposed to have 40 patients is now having 100 patients . Family members were urged to support each other if anyone is affected by drugs by taking them to counselling.
“At Ngomahuru we receive about five patients everyday and a ward which is supposed to have 40 patients is now having 100 patients.Family members let’s support each other ,if anyone is affected by drugs let’s take him or her to counselling.”said Mateveke.

Residents call for more schools in Masvingo Urban

TellZim News
-
0
Residents call for more schools in Masvingo Urban

Staff Reporter

Masvingo Urban residents called for construction of more schools to cater for the ballooning population in the city as the preexisting ones seem to be overwhelmed.
Speaking during the recent budget review and consultations, residents said as the city is growing, local schools end up struggling with over-enrollment.
Giving his contribution during the consultative meeting, a ward 5 resident said the preexisting schools continue adding more learning blocks but it will end up not working.
“Some schools continue constructing more blocks but that may not be a long term solution. What is needed are more schools if possible,” he said.
Another resident also said council should consider establishing more primary schools especially in ward 3 where Francis Aphiri is being overwhelmed by pupils from Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch.
“Children from Runyararo West and Victoria Ranch will soon overwhelm Francis Aphiri Primary School so I think council should consider establishing other primary schools in the ward. There is also need for establishment of a secondary school in the same location because they end up walking to nearby Masvingo Christian, Mucheke and Ndarama High Schools,” the resident said.
In its 2022 half year budget review, council reported that it continued to assist construction works in primary schools through provision of manpower, with plans to complete two additional blocks using devolution funds at the newly established Rujeko Secondary School already at an advanced stage.
“The construction of two blocks completed in the first half of the year will be followed by another construction of two additional two blocks which will be funded using devolution funds and the tender process has already began,” read part of the report.

Teenager goes after donkeys, never returns

TellZim News
-
0
Teenager goes after donkeys, never returns

Tinaani Nyabereka

Mvuma-Police are appealing to members of the public who might have information on the whereabouts of Tatenda Mandivenga a boy aged 13 of Plot number 100 Central Estates Mvuma.
Mandivenga was last seen by her sister-in-law Christine Mandishaika at the above mentioned plot on September 1, 2022 at 0900 hours when he was going to the grazing land to look for their donkeys.
Midlands Provincial Police Spokesperson, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident.
“Police are appealing for the whereabouts of a missing boy, he is a slim with brown eyes and black hair.
“He was last seen wearing a green T-shirt, grey trousers and a pair of black push-ins.
Police are appealing to anyone with information about Tatenda Mandivenga to contact the nearest police station or contact the investigating officer Constable Garandiya of ZRP Mvuma on cellphone number 0774 567 244 or make use of our suggestion boxes, hotlines and ZRP WhatsApp number 0712 800 197,” said Mahoko.

Land degradation neutrality achievement in Zimbabwe a possibility?

TellZim News
-
0
Land degradation neutrality achievement in Zimbabwe a possibility?

… 36 percent of Zimbabwean land already degraded

Beverly Bizeki

Zimbabwe’s ability to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goal 15 looks like a far-fetched dream with 36 percent of the country’s land already considered degraded and in need of emergency rehabilitation.
With major drivers of land degradation in the country being illegal mining, stream bank cultivation, gulley erosion, destruction of wetlands, invasive alien species and encroachment of infrastructure on ecologically sensitive areas driven by poverty and climate change, all these tend to push the goal further away.
Speaking during an inception workshop of the Global Environment Facility 7 (GEF 7) programme held at Great Zimbabwe Hotel recently Environment Management Authority (EMA) Masvingo Provincial Manager Milton Muusha said illegal mining is a major driver of land degradation according to a report on the status of land degradation in the Save Runde catchments.
“According to assessments by EMA, one of the biggest drivers of land degradation in the Midlands is chrome mining causing a total loss of 5 036 hectares (ha) while illegal gold mining accounts for 6 128 ha.
“89 969 ha were destroyed by veld fires in Midlands while 45 560 ha of land have been destroyed in Masvingo province because of fire,” said Muusha.
Effects of climate change are already manifesting with stream bank cultivation rampant in Masvingo and Midlands provinces.
“About 131.6km of land is under stream bank cultivation in Masvingo whilst 830.59 km of land along rivers is under stream bank cultivation in the Midlands province.
“716 ha of land is said to be covered under wetlands with 308.5 ha severely degraded and about 38 ha still pristine. In the Midlands, 9 569 ha is said to be covered by wetlands of which 45 percent is reported to be severely degraded.
“Invasive alien species are also amongst the major drivers of land degradation with 2 473 ha of land affected in Masvingo while 1 619 ha are affected in the Midlands province,” he added.
It is against this backdrop that Zimbabwe together with the rest of the world is expected to achieve land degradation neutrality by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 (protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reserve land degradation and halt biodiversity loss).
Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Permanent Secretary Ambassador Raphael Tayerera Faranisi said sustainable land and forest management have been placed as priority strategies to reverse, reduce and avoid accelerated land degradation.
“In this regard, the sustainable land and forest management have been placed as priority strategies to reverse, reduce and avoid accelerated land degradation. Zimbabwe has adopted this strategy as reflected in the National Development Strategy (NDS 1) thrust under the environment protection and management sector.
“In order to address these environmental challenges and empower our people, the government of Zimbabwe with funding from the Global Environment Facility and the Food and Agricultural Organization to develop a multi-sector approach,” said Faranisi.
The programme aims at a cross sector approach supporting the mainstreaming of sustainable forest and land management to enhance ecosystem resilience for improved livelihoods in the Save and Runde Catchments of Zimbabwe.
Some submissions made at the workshop suggested the need for representation of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development at district level to control illegal mining in districts in the fight against land degradation.
“The greater part of Mashava has most of the land meant for resettlement is currently being overtaken by mining activities and the greater part of Mushandike irrigation area is also now under mining hence the need to rope in the ministry of mining in the taskforce on the GEF 7 programme.
“At district level the ministry of mining is not represented so a lot of developments that are happening cannot be controlled by local authorities posing a great challenge, there is need to include the ministry in the stirring committee so that the issue can be addressed at district level,” said a participant.
11 296.62 ha of land in Midlands province is under informal mining with Shurugwi alone having about 3 464 ha, hence the need for the project to cover all mining districts as part of the efforts to achieve land restoration.
The project intended to run for three years is part of a global Sustainable Forest Management Impact Programme on Dryland Sustainable Landscapes in eleven countries which is being led by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).

EFZ in breast cancer awareness campaign

TellZim News
-
0
EFZ in breast cancer awareness campaign

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru-Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) last week embarked on collaborative breast cancer and service delivery awareness campaign to engage communities on the two issues.
The campaign was held as part of efforts to sensitize community of the dangers of breast cancer as well as ways to reduce cancer related deaths.
Speaking during the engagement, Midlands Environmental Health Officer Tinatse Mudzingwa said as the Ministry of Health, the purpose of coming with such an initiative was to help and educate the community on breast cancer.
She added that men are supposed to join in the fight by supporting women.
“We need a situation whereby the church works hand in hand with the Ministry of Health and Child Care on improving the health of our people because it has a huge following. Usually we encourage the church to lead us so that we change the mind-set which some of our community members have towards receiving treatment.
“The moment a person especially a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, we then put her under palliative care so that we provide special treatment and care for them not to feel neglected as being diagnosed cancer doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Palliative care simply means an interdisciplinary medical caregiving approach aimed at optimizing quality of life and mitigating suffering among people with serious, complex, and often terminal illnesses.
“We don’t want a situation where one is diagnosed with cancer and she becomes sick up to the extent that she will begin to worry and die, leaving kids without a parent,” she said.
She added that if a person feels that she exhibits symptoms of cancer, she must quickly visit any nearest health centre for assistance.
“If you feel that you have some signs or symptoms which are pointing out to the development of breast cancer, we advise you to quickly visit the nearest hospital for further examinations.
“More so let’s take cognisance of the foods or diets we consume, we are always required to eat rich nutritional foods which build our bodies. Take note of your diet and always eat well because some of the food stuff we consume is not good for our body,” she added.
Gweru ward 8 councillor Notai Dzikai said as the church was playing a pivotal role in promoting awareness on breast cancer, it was also important for the community to be aware that good service provision is key to good health.
“It is important for you to be well informed as an informed citizen is a better citizen. The church has a bigger role to play in terms of empowering the community.
“We need services which are good as a people. For us to fight diseases like breast cancer, we also need facilities and medical equipment which can then address our patients’ needs.
“As council, we are committed towards providing health care to our residents, but we also need you to play your part by paying your bills so that there improved service provision in our city.
“We therefore urge citizens to come and participate in the upcoming budget consultations which are set to start soon. Your input in this budget is important because without it, we cannot table the budget which speaks to our needs as residents,” Dzikai said.
EFZ Midlands Provincial Chairperson Pastor Langton Mazuka said the church was doing its best in engaging the community.
“We are happy as a church to be raising awareness on the breast cancer issue. EFZ being under Zimbabwe Heads of Christians Denominations (ZHCOD) is working with other stakeholders in achieving the same goal.
“That role is to strengthen the church in promoting citizen participation in devolution. As the church, we will continue to preach unity and participation of the community in development,” said Mazuka.

Kurebgaseka elected Gweru deputy mayor

TellZim News
-
0
Kurebgaseka elected Gweru deputy mayor

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Council on October 24, 2022 elected ward 9 councillor Edison Kurebgaseka as the new deputy mayor in an election conducted during a special council meeting to replace recalled Cleopas Shiri.
Kuregbaseka an MDC-Alliance councillor got eight votes against councillor Jefta Zvidzai of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) with four.
However, two other councillors Godfrey Giwa and former Mayor Josiah Makombe of CCC reportedly did not attend the meeting.
Speaking during an interview after the exercise, Kurebgaseka did not hide his joy over the elevation to the post.
“Thank you so much for the congratulatory message, we are still waiting for a day of confirmation,” he said.
In a congratulatory message, Acting Gweru Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe wished Kurebgaseka all the best in the new challenge.
“His Worship the Mayor of Gweru Hamutendi Kombayi, councillors, and management, I would like to congratulate ward 9 Councillor Edison Kurebgaseka for being elected City of Gweru Deputy Mayor.
“We wish him well on his tenure as City of Gweru Deputy Mayor,” read the message.
Kurebgaseka’s elevation comes a week after three councillors including former deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri of ward 5 were recalled by MDC -T Party for politicking among other issues.
The other two councillors, Martin Chivhoko (ward 4), and John Manyundwa (ward 18) were recalled by party leader Douglas Mwonzora allegedly for being loyal to CCC leader Nelson Chamisa while some sources report it was because of the refusal to award President Emmerson Mnangagwa the Freedom of City Status (Gweru) in August 2022.
Shiri is reported to have been under the spotlight after refusing to let Kurebgaseka being elected Deputy Mayor.
The three were some of the CCC councillors who survived Mwonzora’s wielding axe when the former Mayor Makombe of Ward 2 who was recalled last year.

Establish own educational institutions- Murwira tells graduates

TellZim News
-
0
Establish own educational institutions- Murwira tells graduates

TellZim reporter

College graduates have been challenged to come up with own initiatives and establish educational centres so that they can create employment for themselves and others instead of looking up to government to offer them jobs.
The call was made by the Minister of Higher of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Professor Amon Murwira in a speech read on his behalf at Masvingo Teachers College graduation ceremony last weekend by his deputy Raymore Machingura.
“You must come up with own initiatives and establish educational centres. My challenge to you is that we want you to be the drivers of the programme. Form consortiums and as government, we are ready to provide the funding to the start-ups formed by you as graduates.
“If you miss the opportunity, some already established people would grab the chance at your expense and you would revert to job seeking again.
“Under the industrialization programme, we shall support your start-ups to establish own schools where in the process you would be empowering yourselves and also creating employment for others. You must be the drivers of the programme, do not let other people take up such initiatives at your expense. I have heard of the term ‘land barons’ but in this case I don’t know the term you would use to describe those people maybe educational barons,” said Murwira.
He also urged graduates to shift from just qualifications on paper to application of the knowledge acquired.
“Let us take education beyond just paper qualification, but rather take it as a value chain of opportunities where one would think of the requirements to run a school or training institute, all those things require to be produced for example reading materials, media and even building materials, then you role should go beyond just standing in class and teach.
“Opportunities have always been there but it’s only that the colonial system of education we inherited taught us to be mere classroom practitioners, we have not exploited the whole chain of the education system to the extent that we allowed our colonizers to form companies that produce materials to use in classes,” he added.
University of Zimbabwe Vice Chancellor Professor Paul Mapfumo also urged the graduating students to help propagate innovation in the country from as early as the Early Childhood Development (ECD) stage of learning.
“Innovation is not a preserve for universities and colleges but can be done by everybody but it’s better concentrated and laid in higher education institutions. Innovation starts with the beginning, so teacher education should be able to foster a culture of innovation so that we have very young children who are creative, inquisitive and innovative.
“The teacher we are trying to produce, who would work with these young children is one who allows them to be as creative as possible but directs them to embrace science, technology and innovation at a tender age,” said Prof Mapfumo.
The graduation of more than 1 900 teachers was attended by various Principals of tertiary institutions of learning dotted around Zimbabwe and members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on education as well.

Water meters theft worry Masvingo residents

TellZim News
-
0
Water meters theft worry Masvingo residents

Lydia Koto

Residents in most high density suburbs of Masvingo have raised worries over the increase in cases of water meters theft in respective areas though some have gone ahead to accuse council workers for the problem.
The meters are reportedly stolen for the purpose of reselling them.
During the night of October 16, there is person who was allegedly caught and beaten by residents after stealing a water meter in Sisk area of Mucheke suburb.
However, Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said his office is yet to receive such reports though he urged residents to make police reports in the event of such cases.
Dhewa also encouraged residents know serial numbers of their water meters so that it will be easy for to identify them in case they are recovered.
“I cannot confirm that there are water meters stolen recently because we didn’t receive any report pointing to that. I however encourage Masvingo residents to report to police when they see that their water meters have been stolen.
“I also urge residents to know their water meter serial numbers so that it will be easy for them to identify when we recover them,” said Dhewa.
However, during budget consultations recently held in the city, Masvingo city council promised to replace faulty water meters in households.
Masvingo Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa said that installation will be done for free while residents will pay a certain amount of money for the new water meters.
So far Masvingo city council has 250 water meters which they want to replace but the programme will start in Rujeko suburb.
“We want to replace faulty and stolen water meters in Masvingo .So far we have 250 water meters which we want to replace but we are going to start in Rujeko then we will go to other suburbs. We are going to install for free but there is a small amount of money that one is going to pay for the meter,” Said Mukaratirwa.

Sheasham steps into FC Platinum’s shadow

TellZim News
-
0
Sheasham steps into FC Platinum’s shadow

Tinaani Nyabereka

Gweru- Recently promoted Central Region Division 1 champions Sheasham Football Club have set their sights on emulating FC Platinum as their model when they plunge into their maiden dance into the Zimbabwe top flight league next season.
Sheasham grabbed the sole promotion ticket from the region following a gruelling tussle for honours with Telone FC.
They ended the season without tasting defeat after 26 rounds of matches and that is where Chairman Reginald Chidawanyika and his lieutenants’ are drawing their motivation.
“When we set the journey for Sheasham in division 1, we said let’s do it quietly, that was our motto and we let success be our noise.
“With the players, technical committee and presidium, we have achieved our goal with determination. As we go into the top flight, we must not come back to the lower division. We have shown that we have quality players who will take us forward as we navigate the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) terrain.
Club President Clever Mandaza assured the team that they will flex their muscles to meet the required demands of dancing with the elite.
He said at the moment they are in the process of refurbishing BATA grounds which they aim to use as their home ground.
“Now that we have achieved our goal, we ought to be strong and need to put in place proper training facilities, improve transportation of our players, housing among other things.
“So this means we need more money to meet our goals. The family is now big and we say to our friends in the corporate sector, join us and be part of the team as we market you,” he said.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Central Region league chairperson Patrick Hill commended players for the hard work and resilience exhibited, equating the club to a second Platinum which is going to the elite league and never to return.

1...268269270...956Page 269 of 956