By Virginia Njovo

Inadequate management of solid waste has become a pressing issue for Masvingo City Council (MCC) as mismanagement is not only causing environmental and health risks but also obstructing overall cleanliness of the City.
MCC has been struggling to effectively handle the increasing amount of solid waste generated by the city’s growing population which is the main reason behind flooding of infrastructure throughout the city when it rains.
Lack of proper waste separation at source, limited recycling facilities and insufficient waste disposal infrastructure have worsened the problem and as a result garbage piles in the streets, open spaces and even water bodies causing pollution.
City of Masvingo Chief Health Officer Suzanne Madamombe said they were trying as much as they could to handle the situation in the city using various strategies.
“The local authority has constructed an engineered landfill for proper solid waste management, which will ensure that all waste is managed properly and doesn’t pose a health hazard to the community,” said Madamombe.
Madamombe said council was conducting campaigns to enlighten residents on proper waste disposal.
“Anti-littering blitzes are being done to ensure every producer of solid waste has a standard receptacle with a lid to ensure proper storage of waste before collection, while integrated solid waste management is being done through 5Rs concept where most focus is done in reducing, reusing and recycling. The waste separation programme has already been launched and is being piloted in Eastvale,” said Madamombe.
Late last year council promised to put gates on sanitary lanes as residents were now in the habit of using the lanes as dumpsites. Madamombe said they were still mobilizing resources for the programme.
“Engagements to install sanitary lane gates are ongoing to ensure that all sanitary lanes are accessible and kept clean, it is our duty to monitor and keep those lanes clean,” she said.
In 2023 Council gazetted City of Masvingo Anti-Litter By Law supported by the Public Health Act and the EMA Act with a fine prescribed by council of not less than five dollars for littering.
Statutory Instrument 243 of 2023 of Masvingo City, Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Bylaws Section 36.1 states that it was an offence to litter on surfaces.
The SI states that no person is allowed to throw any litter on any land or water surface, street, road or site in any place except in a container provided for that purpose or at a place specifically designed for that purpose.
In Masvingo, various companies have invested in solid waste management and these include Stable Packaging which collects HDPE plastics and clear PET.
Masvingo Urban Recycling Company collects Pet and Aluminium cans while USE AGAIN collects soft plastic, cardboard boxes and bottles.
Waste Solutions collects clear and brown cans, together with individual waste pickers who sell outside the city.
Recently, council notified residents that it had two refuse compactors servicing the whole city due mechanical issues and this prompted council to resort early morning refuse collection to address the challenge.
The delay in collection of refuse in residential areas has a bearing on waste management adversely as animals like dogs overturn bins scattering litter in the streets which later block drainages.
Masvingo City Council Mayor Alec Tabe is on record saying council intends to upgrade the drainage system in the city after the recent flash floods left many properties soaked in water.

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust certified 14 artists in traditional instrument making at Bethany House on November 29, following a successful workshop where participants built three marimba instruments over two days.
The initiative, funded by the European Union, aimed to empower young artists, including those with disabilities, through professional training in the music business, as well as marimba and mbira instrument making.
The Culture Fund of Zimbabwe Trust envisions a world where culture and the arts, rich in African heritage, thrive sustainably and contribute to wealth creation for African societies.
Traditional instrument makers from various parts of Zimbabwe—including Binga, Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, and Mutare—attended the workshop. During the training, the participants formed a band and named it the African Musical Instrument Association (AMIA).
Speaking at the event, Culture Fund Founder and Creative Director Shadreck Jeche emphasized the importance of collaboration, skill development, and cultural preservation among African instrument makers.
“We aim to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among African musical instrument artisans, thereby elevating the quality and standardization of African instruments in Zimbabwe.
“We facilitate the exchange of traditional and innovative techniques among artisans, provide opportunities for skill development and capacity building, and promote the use of high-quality materials and standardized production processes.
“As an organization, we explore new markets and opportunities for African instrument makers while safeguarding the cultural heritage and identity embedded in African musical instruments,” said Jeche.
Jeche expressed gratitude for the African Musical Instruments Builders Exchange Workshop, highlighting the shared ideas, connections made, and renewed commitment to preserving African music and cultural heritage.
“This gathering has been a testament to the power of collaboration, the richness of our cultural heritage, and the boundless potential of human creativity.
“Over the past days, we have witnessed a vibrant exchange of ideas, skills, and experiences. Each instrument, each sound, and each rhythm carries the spirit of our ancestors and the hopes of future generations. By preserving and promoting these instruments, we are preserving the soul of our continent.
“As we part ways, let us carry the spirit of this workshop with us. Let us continue to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. Together, we can build a brighter future for African music,” said Jeche.
One of the beneficiaries, Josiah Marange, shared what he learned during the workshop.
“From this workshop, I learned how to build a marimba, including the specific type of wood to use, which is the Mukwa tree. This tree is hard and resistant to insects. I also learned how to tune the marimba keys and resonators.
“We were advised to use the first seven letters of the alphabet when designing the marimba. During the workshop, we successfully built three marimbas: soprano, tenor, and baritone,” said Marange.
Another beneficiary, Evelyn Singizi, reflected on the workshop’s value and encouraged more young female artists to participate in similar programs.
“I am happy for the certificate I received and grateful for what I learned as a female artist, particularly about interpreting the keys of the mbira. In the past, I could only perform without understanding the interpretation.
“My goal is to encourage women to participate in such programmmes and inspire young female artists who are passionate about their craft,” she said.

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI – Chiredzi residents have criticized Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube over the 2025 budget, particularly the introduction of taxes on paper bags, betting, and fast food.
They argued that the government is unfairly targeting ordinary citizens while letting the mining sector and Chinese investors off lightly, despite the latter amassing wealth from the country’s resources.
The concerns were raised during a 2025 national budget feedback meeting held at Chitsanga Hall organised by Chiredzi Central Constituency Member of Parliament, Ropafadzo Makumire, who sought citizens’ opinions on the budget.
Esnath Gachiti, one of the attendees, pointed out that the mining sector was undertaxed while Chinese companies continued to export raw materials without sufficient value addition or beneficiation.
“Our country is rich in mineral deposits, yet these resources are exported as raw materials. I believe taxes should be collected from the mining sector, not from fast food, plastic bags, or betting.
“The government must also implement measures to ensure value addition and beneficiation, as raw materials are being exported cheaply and later re-imported as finished products at higher prices,” said Gachiti.
United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (UCHIRRA) Chairperson, Josphat Tizirai, expressed concerns over the fast food tax, saying it would hurt businesses and lead to job losses.
“The fast food tax will cause prices to rise, leading to reduced customer demand and, eventually, the closure of some businesses. Meanwhile, the Chinese, who are profiting immensely from our mineral resources, continue to be undertaxed,” said Tizirai.
Shadreck Madzinga, a local youth, highlighted the lack of empowerment schemes for young people, which has forced many to turn to gambling as a means of survival.
“Youths don’t have empowerment schemes, which is why many of us are resorting to drug abuse. Some are surviving through gambling, trying to make ends meet, and instead of helping us, the government wants to tax our hard-earned winnings,” said Madzinga.
Strategic Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association Secretary General, Munyaradzi Chindowe, raised a separate concern about the Chilonga Bridge. He questioned whether the government had included its construction in the 2025 budget and urged the MP to follow up with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
The feedback session exposed growing frustrations among residents, who feel that the budget priorities were twisted toward burdening ordinary citizens instead of addressing structural economic issues and fostering empowerment.

By Beverly Bizeki

Over 21,000 urban residents from Masvingo District, who registered for the government’s food aid program and purchased NetOne SIM cards to receive funds for the Cash for Cereal initiative, have been left disappointed and empty-handed.
Three months have passed since the scheduled dates for receiving the funds, but no payments have been made, and residents have received nothing except confusion, fake messages on social media, and delays from the government.
The programme, which was launched in June, was designed to assist vulnerable families in urban areas for nine months, starting in September and continuing into the early months of 2025. However, no money has been deposited into the recipients’ One Money accounts, leading to frustration and confusion.
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed their anger over the delay and the lack of proper communication from the government.
One elderly woman from Mucheke D said that she had lost hope after three months without receiving anything from the government.
“We were registered by enumerators from social welfare a few months ago and were instructed to buy NetOne SIM cards. The only communication we received was when we were asked to verify our registration at Chief’s Hall here in Masvingo, and nothing has been said since then.
“It seems like it was just a ploy. The worst part is we were misled with false information about the SIM cards, which allegedly required us to recharge them for them to work—but it was all for nothing,” the senior citizen said.
When contacted for an update on the Cash Transfer program, Masvingo Provincial Social Welfare Officer Stansilous Sanyangowe confirmed that the necessary paperwork had been submitted but did not provide a timeline for when the disbursements would be made.
“We have 21,495 people set to benefit from the program, and the paperwork has been completed,” said Sanyangowe.
Not only has the delay been frustrating, but residents have also been misled by misinformation and disinformation. A fake message was circulated on WhatsApp, encouraging residents to go and collect non-existent SIM cards loaded with cash.
Hundreds of people in Masvingo City visited the Social Welfare Department to collect SIM cards loaded with the aid money after seeing a social media message to that effect, only to discover it was scam.
Though the origins of the message could not be verified, TellZim News confirmed that it was fake. The district office had torrid time turning away residents who had flocked to their offices, hoping to collect the aid that had been promised by the government.
“Good afternoon, comrades. All those who registered for the cash program with Social Welfare are encouraged to visit their offices to collect your NetOne SIM cards, which already have cash deposited. Inform others who are not on WhatsApp and those without cellphones,” read the message.
Sources revealed that other districts received their allocations from the first disbursement, which was not enough to cover all districts, with another disbursement expected.
The programme was meant to provide cash transfers equivalent to the price of a 7.5kg bag of mealie-meal per person in September, and an 8.5kg bag per person from October to March 2025.
The government had promised to disburse cash to 1.7 million urbanites across the country, with priority given to households headed by chronically ill individuals, the elderly, people with disabilities, female-headed households, and large households with orphans.