Memory Rasa

MASVINGO – Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe – Masvingo chapter’s  provincial advocacy committee last week elected its new executive with TellZim News editor Passmore Kuzipa landing the position of chairperson uncontested.
The elections were held under the watchful eye of Misa Zimbabwe programmes officer Nyasha Nyakunu.
Theresa Takafuma landed the secretary general post uncontested while Madodana Nxumalo and Works Gezani, both from Hevoi FM, as well as Hazvinei Mwanaka, a freelance journalist, were elected committee members.
Kuzipa takes on from Golden Maunganidze who recently landed the national chairmanship post uncontested.
Speaking after his election, Kuzipa thanked the people for having faith in him and he promised to work hard to promote access to information.
He also encouraged the new team to work together to further the goal of media freedom in the province.
“As Masvingo, we have to work together as a team and always adhere to media ethics when conducting our duties. I also hope that we will work together in promoting access to information and freedom of expression in the province,” Kuzipa said.
The new team takes over at a critical juncture when the country is approaching elections, a time when tensions usually rise, with journalists facing harder obstacles in doing their work.local

Upenyu Chaota

MASVINGO – Zanu PF and MDC-T were caught off guard when Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) opened and put one of the new high density suburbs Victoria Ranch, which both parties had presumed to be the extension of Ward 3 in Masvingo Urban, to Masvingo West constituency as a new Ward 7B.
Victoria Ranch is yet to be incorporated into Masvingo town and will remain under Masvingo Rural District Council until the delimitation exercise is done in 2022.
Many people staying in Victoria Ranch were formerly residents of Ward 3 and that is where they voted in the 2013 election.
When some residents from there went to register as voters, they were told they now fall under a new ward in Masvingo West.
This prompted the MDC-T Ward 3 executive to organise a meeting to tell their people in Victoria Ranch to register using their previous addresses in Ward 3.
“Those in Victoria Ranch are our people and we need them to vote in Masvingo Urban not Masvingo West as is being said.
“They should register using their previous addresses. You find that some Ward 3 executive members are now residing in Victoria Ranch,” said one member at the MDC-T Ward 3 meeting.
On its side, Zanu PF held elections to choose leadership for the new ward thereby causing a friction with the opposition party which is mobilising the residents to register under Ward 3.
“That is fraud at its best. Zec (Zimbabwe Electoral Commision) should take action because people are giving false information. Those in Victoria Ranch should register under Victoria Ranch which is now Ward 7B in Masvingo West constituency.
“We are looking for the people who are doing that so we can expose them,” said Zanu PF Ward 7B chairperson Benneginna Mudangiranwa.local

Shumirai Zhou

ZVISHAVANE – The youth expo which is to be held on October 27 at the Kandodo Hall has seen the Zvishavane Youth Centre (ZYC) working closely with more young people so as to produce quality products that will be showcased at the event.
ZYC facilitator Clifford Mugiya said his organisation wanted to exhibit the best of what the youth in the district can produce.
“The youth expo is a day when the talent of our young people will be on show for all to see. The day will be very important since the youth will discover themselves, with parents discovering their children,” said Mugiya.
He said ZYC was expanding its operations in the community by creating art clubs in different schools in the district.
“As the one and only organisation which believes in talent scouting and youth development in the district, ZYC is growing bigger each day and we have 76 students from different schools in the district and 30 youths from the community who have joined our art clubs.
“ZYC gallery is a resource centre for history, heritage and religious studies. Youths come and practice playing marimba, mbira, writing and reciting poems and speeches on different subjects. It should be noted that the environment is our main theme from where we draw inspiration so we want to conserve it,” said Mugiya
On the same note, ZYC coordinator Bigboy Murenga said the centre was working with the Midlands State University (MSU) Department of Arts and Theatre in preparation for the day.
He said the high number of young people in their art clubs showed that the community had come to understand the mission of ZYC.local

ZVISHAVANE – The Zimbabwe Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is about tohold its elective annual general meeting to elect new leadership for its structures since the three year term of the apex board has ended.
The elections will start at district level and move to the provincial level before going to the apex board.
On October 19, 20, 21 and 28, elections will be held in Gweru, Redcliff, Kwekwe and Shurugwi respectively while on November 2, 3, 9, 16 and 23, it will be the turn for Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Mvuma, Zvishavane and Mberengwa respectively.
Secretary general for SMEs in Midlands province, Bigboy Murenga said candidates that win at district level will tussle it out at provincial level.
“All positions are now vacant and every business cluster will send chairpersons. Some structures start from the sectors of the economy; these are business clusters. From these, we form the district and from districts, we form provincial structures and from there, the Apex board,” said Murenga.local

CHIVHU – As the nation braces for a general election next year, Chief Mutekedza has told traditional leaders not to dabble into politics and avoid being used to further the interests of any political party.
He was speaking at a meeting which he organised with his people, with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and Forestry Commission being present as invited guests.
The outspoken traditional leader, born Andrew Zhakata, lambasted traditional leaders who affiliate themselves with political parties.
He referenced Section 280 and 281 of the Constitution that clearly state that traditional leaders must not be involved in politics.
“Constitution yedu yemuno munyika yeZimbabwe isu matraditional leaders hatitenderwe nemutemo kuti tive nedivi ratakarerekera munyaya dzemapato, kuita izvozvo kukanganisa zvikuru. Hamufanire kuve nezvinzvimbo muma party kuva secretary, committee member or any,” said Chief Mutekedza.
He urged people in his area to affiliate to political parties of their choices without the influence of traditional leaders.
The chief criticised Members of Parliaments, councillors and ministers for putting themselves above those who put them into office instead of being true servants of the electorate.
He said only traditional leaders remained committed to the service of the people, not the public officials who get their positions through electoral means.
Chief Mutekedza reiterated the need for a crime-free community, urging traditional leaders to help keep peace by not interfering in political matters and respecting the people’s right to choose.
Most traditional leaders in the country are fully identified with the ruling Zanu PF party to which they gravitate in their efforts to keep their perks and privileges.local