By Virginia Njovo

Villagers from Zaka South breathed a sigh of relief after receiving a fully equipped mother’s waiting shelter from SolidarMed at one of their local clinics, following years without an operational facility.
Chiredzana Rural Health Centre, established in 1963, serves a catchment area of approximately 13,000 people. Expecting mothers previously had to travel nearly 35 kilometers to Mashoko Hospital after the old structure was condemned for being sub-standard, which resulted in a number of them either giving birth at home or on the way to the clinic.
Speaking to TellZim News during the commissioning of the shelter and nurses’ quarters on November 30, Ward 31 Councillor Tumai Madzikona highlighted the difficulties women in his area endured. He noted that they had to walk long distances when due for delivery, risking the lives of both mothers and their unborn children.
“Women from my area used to go to Mashoko Mission Hospital, approximately 35 kilometers via the main road or about 25 kilometers using shortcuts, which took around four hours. This was a difficult situation for expecting mothers. Most of them ended up giving birth at their homesteads, which is risky for both mother and newborn,” said Madzikona.
SolidarMed, a non-profit organization operating in Masvingo Province—covering Zaka, Bikita, Chiredzi, and parts of Masvingo District for over half a century—specializes in HIV, maternal and neonatal health, non-communicable diseases, adolescent health, oral health, and digital health. The organization injected US$55,000 to construct a mother’s home, which can shelter six mothers at a time, as well as staff houses.
Memory Zhou, an elderly woman from Ward 31, expressed relief that the maternity home will easy the burden on their community. She explained how it eliminated the fear of young mothers enduring long waits far from home during delivery.
“Young mothers used to go as far as Mashoko or Msiso to wait for delivery, which worried us as elders. We were often unable to see them regularly, and it was difficult to bring them basic necessities. Now, we are happy and appreciate those who made this waiting home available,” said Zhou.
Another villager, Nelisa Kunodziya, added that the shelter would significantly reduce the risk of mothers giving birth on the road while en route to the hospital.
“Waiting mothers were at risk of giving birth on their way to the clinic, especially first-time mothers, as they often miscalculated their delivery dates. The shelter will help us avoid such scenarios,” said Kunodziya.
SolidarMed Project Coordinator Justin Mahuni commended the engagement of stakeholders, which he described as key to the project’s success.
“We actively engaged a diverse range of stakeholders, including our primary partner, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), local government—who own the facility—as well as community leaders and residents. They all showed remarkable commitment and active participation throughout the process,” said Mahuni.
Mahuni expressed high hopes for the project’s impact on improving maternal health services and reducing home deliveries.
“We aim to improve maternal health services and increase health awareness within the community. One of the key outcomes we expect is a significant reduction in home deliveries, as more mothers will use the mother’s waiting home and associated healthcare facilities.
“We hope to see measurable improvements in maternal health, as the waiting mothers’ home will provide a safe and supportive environment, leading to better health outcomes for both mothers and their newborns,” said Mahuni.
Chiredzana Clinic averages five deliveries per month, with one or two deliveries occurring weekly. The new mothers’ waiting shelter accommodates up to six mothers at a time, both before and after delivery.
Maternal health remains a critical issue in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas where many mothers face unsafe delivery conditions. Greater attention is needed in remote areas to address maternal health challenges.

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Chenhaka Trust, a Mutare based arts and cultural organization held a cultural connection event for artists during its second educational tour, supported by the Zimbabwe National Arts Council in Masvingo. The event was held at the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council offices in Masvingo on November 28.
It was running under the theme ‘sharing perspective and recommendations on pressing policy issues affecting the Arts sector in Zimbabwe’.
The event covered topics including funding and resource allocation, arts and education policies, as well as government support and regulations of the arts industry.
Speaking at the event, Chenhaka Programs Officer Reginald Tinavapi said they planned a sustainable arts project, connecting initiatives across Africa aimed at engaging young artists in policy education.
“Chenhaka Trust is a program based in Mutare that is planning a sustainable project focused on Arts and Culture sector. We are here to connect cultural initiatives in Africa through sustainable public funding in the arts. Our goal is to develop strategies that can help the arts grow in Zimbabwe.
“The “Connect for Cultural Africa” initiative was developed in Sweden and the African Union, and it aims to transform the cultural and creative landscape in Zimbabwe. We recently launched this initiative in Masvingo, following our kick-off event in Harare last week.
“In the future, we plan to expand our efforts into a podcast format and introduce cultural ambassadors. These ambassadors will be featured on our website, as the project will take place in four countries: Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia. We aim to adapt our activities to our local context while also advocating for our policies,” said Tinavapi.
Chief Bere born Phinias Tafireyi who was among the attendees said the Zimbabwean culture had been distorted because artists were adopting foreign elements in their work which contributed to the decline of the African culture and values.
“Some Zimbabwean artists have abandoned traditional practices in favour of foreign cultures, leading to the erosion of African heritage. The greed of wealth and fame has also contributed to the decline of Zimbabwean cultural identity. Traditional values are being replaced by foreign influences.
“Collaboration among Masvingo artists and initiatives like Vamhari festival is encouraged to help preserve our cultures. Artists interested in cultural collaborations such as guitarists, poets, sculptors, and others are welcomed as art cannot exist without culture. Culture and art are interconnected, which is why collaboration is essential. There is a commitment to promoting and marketing our rich cultural heritage,” said Bere.

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.