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GZU beats journos, Cllrs


Cllrs Chiteme, Kurauone and Musekiwa who formed part of the Journos-Cllrs team at half time

…Mayor pledges World Press Freedom Day tourney

TellZim Reporter

MASVINGO – A soccer match played at the Masvingo provincial show grounds between Great Zimbabwe University’s (GZU) press club and a combined journalists – councillors’ team as part of World Press Freedom Day celebrations ended with a 6 – 5 win in favour of the media students.
The yearly event will, however, never be the same again after City of Masvingo Mayor Hubert Fidze pledged to sponsor a trophy from next year going forward.
Fidze said he was pleased with the soccer match and called for a four-team tournament next year to improve competition and mobilise more support to the campaign for media freedom.
“This is good. I am humbled by the interaction which is brought about during the World Press Freedom celebrations every year.
“I am challenging the organisers to increase competition by adding two more teams competing for a trophy which I will sponsor form next year onwards,” said Fidze.
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter Masvingo provincial chairperson, Golden Maunganidze said he was heartened by the mayor’s pledge and will work to make sure any plan which seeks to help the cause for press freedom becomes a success.
“We welcome the support we are being given by our stakeholders and I am pleased that the Mayor of Masvingo, His Worship Cllr Hubert Fidze has demonstrated his commitment to supporting press freedom,” said Maunganidze.
The match seemed to be going against the GZU team in the first minutes but the students were sly enough to turn the tide against the journalists – councillors’ team later on.
The seemingly small GZU boys dubbed “Mabhinya” gave their competitors a run for their money by netting two goals in the opening minutes.
The referee, Energy Bara was in top form, wasting no time to punish unfair play from any side.
John Mubayi, Givemore Nyakuba, Raymond Zarurai and Tinaani Nyabereka played hard to ensure GZU led by five goals with their opponents struggling to add to their two first half goals.
The GZU team, however, began losing steam towards the end of the match after the journalist-councillors’ team coach Tonderai Saharo brought in TellZim News editor Passmore Kuzipa and Upenu Chaota.sport

Graduate alive, students told


Peer educators n facilitators from national aids council

Samkelisiwe Ngwenyama

ZVISHAVANE – “HIV/Aids is not a myth, it is real and let us play safe if we are to graduate alive and make a positive contribution to the society that educated us.”
This was the message that dominated discussions during the Midlands State University (MSU) HIV music festival at Zvishavane campus last Friday.
The event was organised by MSU peer educators with the help from MSU Health Services Department and Young People’s Network from the National Aids Council (Nac) under the theme “Closing the tap of new HIV infections on campus”
Hundreds of students came for the event and shared knowledge and words of encouragement on how to beat the negative pressures of university life.
“There is no point in coming to university and getting a good education then lose it all when you get infected by HIV which can lead to Aids. I urge you all to value your lives and the sacrifices that your parents or guardians are making to send you to school by adopting decent behavior,” said MSU peer educators leader Praise Masunga.
Masunga also called upon all tertiary institutions to be more committed in the fight against HIV and Aids through extensive awareness programmes and urged students to abstain from sex or to at least use condoms to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies.
Health practitioners who attended the event said female students who get pregnant must get tested for HIV in the early stages of the pregnancy in order to put the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) process into action.
At the same event, tudents were given a platform to get free HIV testing and counselling in total privacy.
Various prizes were also given to students who composed HIV-themed songs in the spirit of spreading awareness.
Meanwhile, on the same day other MSU students held a Sexual Harassment and Gender Based Violence awareness campaign at Gweru main campus.
It started with a march in town as a way of engaging both the Gweru community and MSU students to increase awareness on how to handle GBV cases and know where to report cases.
One of the key issues that were discussed are that GBV is not limited to women alone as there are also men who are victims.
Pylaia Chembe, the SRC member responsible for gender and women affairs, during her speech, said sexual harassment was a vice which must be defeated wherever it exists.local

Masta hits airwaves with new single

Masta


Tatenda Shunyai

MASVINGO – Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) musicology student, Wellington Mutigwa is riding high with a new single he collaborated with Faina Gwidibira, also known as Faina Cae.
Titled ‘Sorry’, the track was released last week and is receiving its considerable share of airplay on radio and online music platforms.
Known as Masta in the music circles, the artist is confident his track will soon become a top hit among other hits and is elated by the reception his song has been given by fans so far.
“The track has been well-received by many as it is a song that is inspired by a real love story. I thought it would be something light but I am overwhelmed by the positive responses I am getting on my various social media platforms. The song is receiving good airplay on YaFM where it was officially launched.
“I want to acknowledge the support I am getting from my fellow students and my lecturers in my music journey. I really appreciate their efforts,” said Mutigwa.
He promised to keep fighting his way to the top by releasing a string of hits that will take his career to the top.
Mutigwa won the 2016 rapper of the year award at the Marondera Music Awards and is also part of the GZU band, Team Fusion.
In the past, he released other tracks like Fly away and Welcome to Great Zimbabwe, a song he produced in honour of the university.entertainment

Nama award-winning director produces GZU film


John Mubayi

MASHAVA – National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) winning director, Sydney Taivavashe has produced a film for Great Zimbabwe University (GZU) titled ‘Solo naMutsai’ which is scheduled to premiere on May 19 at Charles Austin Theatre in Masvingo.
Solo naMutsai traces the journey of two village lovebirds who are given scholarships to further their education at a university and how that dramatically changed their way of life.
It was produced by Nelned Pictures and GZU Films in collaboration with Jubilee Arts.
Taivavashe, who won a NAMA award early this year with his film ‘Seiko’, showed excitement with an opportunity to work with GZU.
“Film is generally not taken seriously because it’s still a growing industry in Zimbabwe so for the university to take their time to commit themselves to the project was very exciting. I realised that GZU has a lot of talented actors who even match international standards,” said Taivavashe.
“I feel humbled to work with GZU and I want to applaud the university’s lecturers and management for coming up with the initiative. I have no doubt that the film will go places and will certainly put GZU on the international map,” he said.
The film stars a number of students among them Nyasha Warinda and Buhle Buyeza Ndhlovhu who respectively star as Solo and Mutsai.
GZU theatre and performing arts lecturer Julia Yule, who is the film’s executive producer, said the film is a must watch as it explores life’s ups and downs, achievements as well as how students respond to external forces.
“We are trying to talk about student life at the university, the ups and downs, the love life, achievements, how they interact and respond to external forces, different classes and how they handle pressure, and above all, marketing GZU,” said Yule.entertainment

Women Breaking Barriers – Montana Carswell Meats grader, J. Nyamande

Charles Maregere

“We take tough decisions every day because the job is about safeguarding the health of the consumer by certifying meat that is safe for human consumption.
“We consider the commercial interest of the farmer who has bring in the cattle as well as the business interests of the abattoir. So if I find that the carcass is not fit for human consumption, I have to tell the farmer and we destroy the whole carcass for the sake of public health,” says Nyamande, who did her training at Mazowe Veterinary College.
 “Some of the factors considered during grading are changes in skeletal characteristics, with advancing age also seen in the change in shape and appearance of the rib bones. A very young animal has narrow, oval-shaped ribs that are red in colour but as the animal matures, the ribs become wider and flatter, and become grey in colour.
The other important aspect is marbling, which refers to the amount and distribution of intramuscular fat within the ribeye. It is the primary determinant of quality grade. Visual evaluations of marbling in the ribeye at the 12th rib cross section are related to differences in eating quality of beef.
“Beef cuts with high levels of marbling are more likely to be tender, juicy and flavorful than cuts with low levels of marbling. Most consumers are familiar with the names of several quality grades and may use them as a selection criterion when buying beef,” says Nyamande.
“Generally an abattoir is a male-dominated working area but with relevant skills, women can do it too and consistence in what you know will gain you respect in any trade of your choice,” says Nyamande.business

Women Breaking Barriers – Elizabeth Chikubwa, driver (Chiredzi – Masvingo route)


Elizabeth Chikubwa

Charles Maregere

Chikubwa starts her 22-seater Mercedes Benz sprinter heading for Chiredzi as early as 04:45 hrs but she first makes quick errands to town, Mucheke and Rujeko suburbs picking up her passengers who would have made prior bookings.
She then makes a brief stop at Exor filling station to fill up her bus and by 05:30 hrs, she departs for Chiredzi.
Inspired by four of her brothers who are in haulage trucking, Chikubwa says she has never looked back and is encouraged by the fact that most women who are professional drivers are excelling in their work and have gained their customers’ confidence.
Known affectionately as Mai Nyan’a on her route, Chikubwa is a mother of two daughters and she acquired her driver’s licence in 1998.
She holds a class 2 driver’s licence which qualifies her to drive haulage trucks but is comfortable with the 2- seater bus which she says allows her to spend more time with her family.
 “Men always say a lot about women drivers, how they act on impulse on the road and their poor reversing and parking skills.
“Every trip has its own type of new male passengers on board but I can handle anything. I have also had cases whereby passengers disembark and give me compliments….they know we ladies don’t use drugs and alcohol so they trust me more.
All being equal, I complete my 406 km trip to and from Chiredzi by 13:30 so I prepare my vehicle for the next day. If there are no issues with the trailer or wheels, I park the vehicle at 14:30 hrs and spend the rest of the day with my family.
“There are thousands of women struggling to support families yet they have driving talent. Statistics the world over shows that women are the safest drivers,” says Chikubwa.business

Veteran journalist publishes two novels

TellZim Reporter

MUTARE – Perseverance breeds success and success is failure turned inside out.
This can aptly describe the success story of Mutare-based veteran journalist Penjeni Madzikangava who recently published two novels; Tears and Scars and Dungeon of Despair.
Tears and Scars was released early last month and was published by seasoned author Tatenda Munyuki of Harp Books International while Dungeon of Despair was released a few weeks later.
Madzikangava, who has been in the trenches of journalism since 1993, was elated with the latest developments.
“It’s a dream come true for me. I have always wanted to be an accomplished author since childhood. I’m glad I have begun the journey which might take me to stardom. This is the first step. After all, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, “said Madzikangava.
Madzikangava, a former English and Literature teacher at various colleges in Mutare, is a product of Rujeko and Nyamauru High schools in Dangamvura Mutare. He also attended Christian College of Southern Africa.
“I started working on the two novels last May up to February. I went about looking for a publisher. I finally settled for Harp and Books International last month, a move that has culminated in the release of my two novels,” he said.
Turning to Tears and Scars, Madzikangava said that the novel is a total package, a must read and book worth investing in. The novel takes readers through life in the ghettoes during colonial era.
“It tackles sexual abuse, how domestic violence was condoned and perpetuated by traditionalists, how blacks were treated by white as inferior citizens. The book also takes readers through the journey to the second Chimurenga War. It also touches on the issues of racial segregation and reconciliation. The book is condensed and compacted to cater for both the old and the young generation.
In Dungeon and Despair, the writer takes readers down the memory lane from the 70s up to 2015. The narrator lived in Rhodesia in the late 70s during the second Chimurenga. The novel also dwells on the role played by Africans during Chimurenga, how sell-outs were treated by both freedom fighters and by government soldiers.entertainment

Education ministry to launch newspaper


Lazarus Dokora

TellZim Reporter

MUTARE – The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr Lazarus Dokora has revealed that the Ministry is set to launch a newspaper which will be called Edu News.
Speaking to TellZim News on the sidelines of the Teaching Professions Council Provincial Outreach meeting in Mutare recently, Dokora said part of the content will act as resource materials for the new curriculum. He said he was aware of the challenges posed by adoption of the new curriculum.
“We will launch a newspaper which will act as a source of resource materials for the new curriculum. There have been reports of challenges of resource materials for the new curriculum so this newspaper will ease things for our students and teachers.
“There is also need to be more aggressive in information dissemination for the new curriculum. I informed my colleagues in cabinet that we are going to be reaching out more aggressively than previously. EduNews will carry some of the material teachers and school heads will require for the new curriculum,” Dr Dokora said.
He also said his ministry had secured funds from central government as well as from partners to purchase materials.
The meeting, which was attended by the Permanent Secretary for Education Dr Sylvia Utete-Masango, Manicaland Provincial Education Director (PED) and teacher associations from across the province, was the first stop in a tour of the country’s ten provinces.news

May someone please do a Lameck on Mugabe

Kkkkkk but muchinda anonzi Lameck Chimoka akapenga manje. He had the guts to get-crush a funeral in Mabvuku in Harare and speak out his mind ipapo ipapo – hanzi mai vafa ava vamuri kuti vange vari munhu ari right inhema she was very cruel. Vairarisa mwanasikana wangu panze vachimudira weti yavo makuseni. Kkkkkk Lameck so ka!
While people normally do not speak ill about the dead, Lameck proved to be a gentleman just like Mapombi, and he poured his heart out not zvekunyeperana kuti wafa wanaka.
Mapombi was thinking what could be our situation in Zimbabwe right now if we had people like Lameck in Zanu PF. Uncle Bob would have gone kudhara chaiko vakangoudzwa pachena kuti mava kuwondonga nyika iyi chisiirai vamwe. Unfortunately, the party is full of bootlickers, they always lie to the President that things are well in the country yet everything is just up-side-down.
There is cash crisis, high unemployment and the economy is getting worse. Politically, the Zanu PF intra-party fights are affecting development as the MPs and ministers spend much of their time having factional meetings.  The roads are full of potholes, clinics and hospitals have no medicine and industries are closing yet the President said zvinhu zviri kufaya muZimbabwe wotoshaya kuti tiri tese here or someone is speaking from Singapore.
But one would see that our President vanoita maune chaiwo; it’s not an issue of being misled because he reads newspapers every day where Zimbabwe’s poor economic situation is being sufficiently highlighted. Mapombi can tell you guys that Mr President really knows the situation on the ground but ndozvinoita maCapitalists – they portray the picture that things are very normal yet it will be the few of them who will be enjoying. He knows people are sleeping on bank queues and are getting $20 as maximum withdrawal that is kana yatobuda $20 yacho. In spite of all that, boldly says he is happy because Zimbabwe is on economic recovery path.  Tinyareiwo isu vana Mapombi kana musina zvekutaura nyararai mudye makanyarara.
We know Mugabe is enjoying these factional fights and that is the reason Kasukuwere is being protected. We have known quite a number of Zanu PF officials who were fired and suspended from the party without going for a hearing but now because it’s Kasukuwere, party members are being told to follow the party constitution.  Kkkkkk imboitai tione kwazvinosvika. You said it last year that Zezurus are unconquerable and for sure tiri kuzviona. They are unconquerable indeed! Takazviona, tirikuzviona.
But naiyewo Ngwena wacho anazvo. Anyway, regai tione kuti Chamatama ungatadza here kutibudisa mugehena ratiri. Like I always tell people kuti handina kana bank account or even decent accommodation. Ndinogara pa Dr Grace Mugabe Trading Centre apo but Mapombi always feels sorry for my fellow brethren especially civil servants.
They sleep in queues and they are given $20 kkkkkkk. What it means is that they need three weeks to withdraw their salary and by the time they finish they will only have one week to spare before they come again to join the queues. Is this life? Ndidavirei vanhu veZanu PF hungava hupenyu here uhwu?
Chete vana Tsvangirai vacho imbwendewo zvadzo. They are cowards – now we need people like Lameck who can defy the odds and say CEO matadza chisiyai basa not bootlicking. If Lameck could be the chance and opportunity to meet Mugabe, Mapombi is very sure he would tell the 93-year-old leader kuti nyika yava mamvemve iyi.
Mapombi went to the stadium on May Day with the intention to find leftovers pafunction yeWorkers Day. But oops, there were no leftovers. In fact there were no workers to talk about. The very few workers who were at Mucheke Stadium had pale faces and there was virtually nothing to show that they were indeed workers except that they are wallowing in poverty. They cannot even access the little they earn because of the cash crisis in the country.
Mr Lameck can you please help the majority of Zimbabweans who are struggling to make ends meet but are afraid to say it out by speaking out like what you did a fortnight ago? Can you kindly tell Mr President that nyika yava mamvemve iyi.  Ko vakachizorora zvingadiiko? You mean there is absolutely no one in Zanu PF who can run this country far much better than the current leader? You mean all the Doctors (PhDs) in Zanu PF have no clue on how to run this country? Mapombi really appreciates the role Mugabe played as President of this country but the situation now, especially when he is 93-years-old, needs someone a bit younger and more energetic to run around. If we cannot have an able leader from Zanu PF to replace Mugabe, saka ndopatinozotika Tsvangirai huya. At least he is able because we all saw what happened during the Government of National Unity (GNU) between 2009 and 2013.
It’s almost lunch time guys let me go ndindokanga hangu maputi angu because these days because of the cold weather, it’s difficult to come across a rotten banana. Mabanana haachaore zvekumhanya so maputi better. But Mapombi heard Mphoko said Saviour haana kwaanoenda. Kkkkkkk continue singing for your supper Cde Mphoko! For sure Tyson is going nowhere. Mboko imboko! mapombi

Mugabe ignorance; a crisis indeed

Mapombi is baffled. For a whole President to claim that Zimbabwe is the second developed country in Africa, behind South Africa, is shameful to say the least. This is ignorance at its highest order! And ignorance itself is a crisis and there is no defence to that. 
Maybe it’s not ignorance after all but Mugabe might have mistaken Malaysia or Singapore, where he spend much of his time, for Zimbabwe. He probably needs someone just to remind him that there is indeed crisis in Zimbabwe; from cash crisis, poor roads, high unemployment, poor health facilities, corruption, political unrest and economic collapse in general.
The above mentioned sum up to a huge crisis in Zimbabwe therefore, Mugabe must rephrase his statement and acknowledge that there is a crisis in the country. But Mapombi sometimes think age is fast catching up on Mugabe and you all know kuti kana wakura hanganwa dzinowanda. Old people forget things easily. Kukanganwa chaiko kutofunga kuti uri muZimbabwe iwe uri Singapore kkkkkk chakaona hama hachisekwe varume.
But because the President always say he is still fit to run this country; we are tempted to think that to say there is no crisis in the country was a deliberate lie meant to convince the world that things are fine in Zimbabwe.  Or maybe Mugabe is still living in the past paiziva Zimbabwe ichiri nyika izere uchi nemukaka chaiyo. Whatever the case may be, Mugabe’s ignorance will never be tolerated in an independent Zimbabwe.
Mapombi heard Mugabe flew to Singapore for medical check-up this week and one would be tempted to ask; ‘So the second most developed country in Africa does not have hospitals for the President to have medical check-ups here? Mugabe must stop abusing taxpayers’ money flying out of the country to seek medical attention. Ko rapwai munhozve nhai musharukwa inga makati we are the second most developed country in Africa wani. Ko zvino chaipa chii mukandorapwa paParirenyatwa apo kana kuuya kwedu kuno kuMasvingo General Hospital  kkkkkkk mobva mashandisa road muchimboonawo ma dam-holes kwete ma potholes ari mumugwagwa mukuru wenyika.
Mapombi is very sure if given another opportunity to address the WEF conference Mugabe would say Zimbabwe is the second most underdeveloped country in Africa. He would also agree that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe. But Mugabe being the Mugabe we know, will stick to his point kuti zviri kufaya kuZimbabwe.
I think it’s a crisis on its own for the President to run away from the medical facilities of his own country which he claims to be the second most developed country in Africa. That is a crisis. Tendai Biti’s party in fact said Mugabe’s ignorance is itself a crisis chinova chokwadi chaicho. We are now faced with a serious crisis as a country and it is up to the electorate to solve or keep the crisis come 2018.
One of Zanu PF’s factions, Team Lacoste will agree with Mapombi that munyika muno maita disaster. Lacoste wants Mnangagwa to take over because vava kuona kuti hazvisisina maturo zvimwe zvava kuitiwa.
Aaah by the way, Mapombi would like to congratulate Ezra Chadzamira for winning the Masvingo provincial chairmanship over the weekend. Isu vana Mapombi mafigures hatizomazive hedu but ndakakonzwa kuti 29 000 chakadero against thousand kkkkkk. Asi neiko muchinyadzisa sekuru vaPresident zvakadaro?
The election was more than just a provincial election; Masvingo wanted to make a bold statement to Mugabe that it is now time up. Zanu PF Masvingo province is run by Team Lacoste and they have spoken kuti pamberi naMnangagwa. The message was very clear.
Mapombi heard Mnangagwa disguised nekuzovhura kaprivate ward paMasvingo General Hospital apa achida zvake kuzoonana neteam yake ahead of the election. I heard hakuna kurarwa that night kuchirongwa tingoringo.
Masvingo was sidelined for a long time in terms of development and it’s high time someone who will give priority to the ancient city takes over power from the 93-year-old leader and that person is none other than Mnangagwa.
Masvingo is saying Mr President keep your Kasukuwere and we will keep our Mnangagwa kkkkkkk mungatidii? Hapana and hapana kana zvamunombotiita because ndimi makazvitanga zvekuti maZezuru unconquerable. Hatichatye, Hatichada!
Anyway, it’s almost lunch time guys let me go ndindozvikangira zvangu maputi angu ndizvidyire. By the way I heard Mphoko akambotaurawo zvine musoro this time around which saw Chiwenga issuing a warning to our war veterans kuti kwanai. Kkkkkkk well done Mphoko keep it up. Don’t forget to donate some chicks to Masvingo widows and orphans. Mboko imboko!mapombi