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Farmers urged to start planting, as seed prices bite

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Farmers urged to start planting, as seed prices bite

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has urged farmers to start planting with the rains that covered most parts of the country this week.
In a statement, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Vangelis Peter Haritatos emphasized the abundance of rainfall and urged farmers to wrap up wheat harvesting swiftly and utilize effective rains for summer planting in order to enhance food security.
“The Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has informed us that the upcoming season is going to be a very good season; normal to above normal rainfall. What we witnessed around the country is an abundance of rainfall in the past week and we have predicted rainfall this whole week. This means that we are in line with going into a summer season that’s going to be much better. Every farmer in Zimbabwe has to be part of the transformation. We need to ensure that this season we catch up and we ensure our country’s food, fibre, oil, and nutrition are all secure.
“This means we need to wrap up our harvesting of wheat. We know that there’s still quite a considerable amount of hectares out there but with these rains we need to now get all combines into the fields and take out as much wheat as we can so that we can get planting into our summer season. As you know, we believe that planting should start with what we deem effective rains. We see most of the country has entered this phase of effective rains and that means that now is the time to start planting as much as possible into the summer crop,” said Haritatos.
He said those who still had wheat in the fields had to make use of dryers and deliver the grain to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)
“So if you still have a wheat crop, please utilise our grain dryers and the Grain Marketing Board (GMB). There are a few private players that have grain dryers. Let’s utilise that so we can take our wheat off even if the moisture is a little bit higher. Let’s put them through the grain dryers,” said Haritatos.
Chief Director for ARDAS, Leonard Munamati said this week, widespread rainfall is expected across the country and they advised farmers to start planting after receiving about 20 mm of rain over three days.
“During this week we are going to start receiving wide spread rains across the whole country. We would want to encourage our farmers to make sure that they can start planting as soon as they see that they have received effective rainfall,” said Munamati.
He urged farmers to make use of the Pfumvudza farming method and mulching as well as the use of herbicides.
“To date we have recorded 9.6 million plots that have been prepared by various farmers in the rural provinces. The initial target was 9 million, so we are excited. That gives an area equivalent to about 601 000 hectares and that has been done slightly with about 3 million farmers that have prepared the Pfumvudza plots,” he said.
A survey conducted by TellZim News revealed that some seed houses are now selling a 10 kg bag at a price ranging from US$36 and US$46 up from between US$27 and US$31.
A 25 kg bag now costs between US$68 and US1135 up from last season’s price of US$57 and US$76
Speaking to TellZim News, Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) Masvingo District Chairperson Chrispen Chiuswa expressed concern over seed price hike saying that was affecting farmers and many were waiting for government inputs.
“Seeds are very expensive this season to the majority and some have resorted to buying in groups while the rest are waiting for government inputs as few afford the high cost.
“Despite timely land preparation, the looming seed price crisis may force farmers to reduce their planting areas due to lack of inputs,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to buy small grains and also make use of groups to purchase in bulky as that help reduce costs.
“I urge farmers to unite, leverage group buying cost efficiency for smaller seed packets that is 2kg to 5 kg and consider traditional grains into their farming. Farmers should resort to the growing of small grains because they are affordable.
“By pooling resources and embracing diverse planting strategies they can navigate the challenges posed by unaffordable seed prices and sustain their agricultural activities effectively,” said Chiuswa.

Hailstorm leaves trail of destruction in Mberengwa

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Hailstorm leaves trail of destruction in Mberengwa

By Andrew Zhou

Mberengwa – A powerful rainstorm that hit several parts of the country on the afternoon of Monday, November 11, left widespread destruction across Mberengwa district.
The storm damaged roofs at Zvomukonde High School, Ingezi Primary School, Zvomukonde Clinic, and several local shops. Zvomukonde High School head Bernad Sibanda confirmed the destruction to TellZim News, reporting that classroom roofs and several staff houses in the school’s cottage were damaged.
“The wind has destroyed classroom roofs and the cottage.
We are currently waiting for authorities to come so we can discuss a way forward, as learners cannot use certain classrooms,” said Sibanda.
The head of Ingezi Primary School Emeriah Mpofu declined to comment on the damage, directing questions to the Mberengwa District Schools Inspector (DSI). “I can’t comment on that; please speak to my boss, the DSI, Ms. Bhebhe,” she said.
However, Ward 7 Councillor Prince Matongo confirmed the incident, stating that two classroom blocks and three staff houses had lost their roofs at Ingezi Primary, while at Zvomukonde High, eight staff houses and ten classroom blocks were affected. Additionally, eleven shops at Poland Business Centre were damaged.
“Three staff houses and two classroom blocks at Ingezi Primary had their roofs blown off. At Zvomukonde High, eight staff houses and ten classroom blocks were damaged. Eleven shops at Poland Business Centre were also affected,” said Matongo.
One affected business owner at Poland Business Centre, identified only as Moyo, who runs Moyo General Dealer, described the storm as extremely violent.
“The wind was so strong that several rooftops, including mine, were blown off. Goods worth about US$300 were destroyed,” said Moyo.

Some of the affected properties

Masvingo City operating with only two refuse trucks

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Masvingo City operating with only two refuse trucks

By Virginia Njovo

Out of four refuse compactors at Masvingo City Council, only two are operating forcing the local authority to enforce early refuse collection until further notice.
Residents have been complaining that the garbage collectors were coming very early in the morning to their inconvenience since bins were being stolen at night as early as 3am.
Masvingo City Council Public Relations and Communication Officer Ashleigh Jinjika confirmed the development and said they had resolved to collect early to be able to cover all areas.
“We have four refuse compactors and only two are functional at the moment which is the reason why we are starting early,” said Jinjika.
In a notice to residents dated November 13, council warned residents of the new development and said the arrangement will not affect the collection days.
“Due to unforeseen mechanical issues, our refuse compactors are currently out of service, to ensure uninterrupted waste collection we have arranged for early morning refuse collection until further notice.
“Kindly note there won’t be an interruption on refuse collection schedule rather residents should place refuse bins at the curb early in the morning to ensure bins are securely covered,” reads part of the notice.
In another notice, the local authority went on to warn residents that council was going to criminalise blocking drains with unwanted stuff.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to maintain safe and functional infrastructure we urge all residents and businesses to keep our drains and roads clear of obstacles, penalties for non-compliance will be put in place,” reads the notice.

School head dates teenager, arrested for rape

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School head dates teenager, arrested for rape

By TellZim Reporter

A local secondary school head is in the eye of a storm after he admitted that he was dating a juvenile but was waiting for the girl to turn 18 before he could get intimate with her.
This came out in court during a trial where the 52 year old school head (who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity) was acquitted of three counts of rape by Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura on November 11.
Passing judgement, the magistrate said there were high chances of the rape case being fabricated as the case was reported many months after the alleged crime was commited.
The state’s case as presented by Liberty Hove was that sometime in November 2023, the head asked the girl’s parents if he could take her in as a maid as she had finished writing her Ordinary Level exams.
The girl was to work at his rural home in return for him paying her school fees as she wanted to further her studies.
The court heard that in the same month (November 2023), he allegedly raped the girl, claiming that he was exorcising evil spirits which were on her and asked her not to tell anyone about the incident.
On the second count, it was alleged that during the month of December the same year one afternoon, the accused approached the complainant who was in a kitchen, making fire and told her that he wanted to brew beer for her cleansing ceremony.
He allegedly told her that he had to have sexual intercourse with her for the second time, claiming the sexual act was to work hand-in-hand with the beer ceremony to enable complete exorcism to take place, to which the complainant complied.
On the third count in the same month, it was alleged that the accused went into the kitchen where the complainant was and smeared some tobacco snuff on her face and she reportedly started feeling dizzy. The accused allegedly raped the complainant and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
In January 2024, the complainant reportedly left for Domboshava where her aunt had invited her to help with some errands at home. In July, the aunt then allegedly started noticing some changes on her body, to which she quizzed her and she is said to have revealed the alleged rape.
The matter was reported to police, leading to the school head’s arrest and appearance in court facing rape charges, which he pleaded not guilty to, although he admitted that they were dating.
Through his lawyer Philip Shumba of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners, the school head also argued that complainant was dismissed from work by the accused’s wife after she became suspicious of the affair.
He further argued in his defence that after the dismissal from employment, she then laid false allegations against him, just to spite him.
In acquitting him, the magistrate said the delay in reporting further complicated the case, which made the school head’s point strong, that the girl was fabricating the rape case.

Senior citizen up for assaulting husband

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Senior citizen up for assaulting husband

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

A 60-year-old woman from Jerera Village, Guwa under Chief Nyajena recently appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Lynette Mudzingo facing charges of domestic violence for assaulting her husband in a dispute involving paying prophetic services without the latter’s knowledge.
She pleaded guilty to having been involved in the fight but said she did not assault him, saying his injury was because he fell during the scuffle. She was remanded out of custody and will be back in court for continuation of trial on November 14, 2024.
It was the state’s case as represented by Precious Takuva that on April 30 this year around 1730 hours, the accused Sabina Mandizvidza (60) and her husband Richard Butire (63) were seated in their dining room discussing family issues.
A misunderstanding arose when Butire questioned his wife why she had paid a prophet with a goat for cleansing without his knowledge and consent.
Mandizvidza got angry and took a metal rod on top of a cupboard then struck Butire twice on the forehead.
Butire sustained two cuts on the forehead due to the assault and a medical report produced in court stated that he was struck by a blunt object and sustained a moderate injury.
In her defence, Mandizvidza said Butire was the one who tried to assault her but he fell on the ground because he was drunk.
She said Butire reported the incident to fix her for asking for maintenance for he was no longer taking care of her since he married another wife.

Magaya promises to refurbish Mucheke Stadium in 90 days

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Magaya promises to refurbish Mucheke Stadium in 90 days

By Rangarirai Shanyurai

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD) founder and Yadah Football Club owner, Walter Magaya who is eyeing the Zimbabwe Football Association presidency recently toured Mucheke Stadium and promised to refurbish the stadium within three months if given an opportunity.
Speaking at the tour, Magaya expressed interest in the project and his preparedness to revamp the stadium that would allow hosting of Premier Soccer League (PSL) games as well as international games.
“If time and funds permit we want to go beyond PSL looking at the city structure where a city has five star hotels and an airport. We want to go to that level where we can host international games.
I requested Nabioth Magwizi (ZIFA Strategic planning committee member) and his team to put an application so that we can be permitted to refurbish, restructure and re-plan until the stadium meets PSL standards. We are ready to start when paper work is approved by Masvingo City Council,” he said.
He added that if given the green light to reconstruct Mucheke stadium he would need about 90 days to complete the project and expressed confidence in the deal.
“Since it’s a restart as I was noticing, we did the First Heart Stadium within 48 days and Chawanda Stadium in 62 days, we may need plus or minus 90 days to have a complete project. According to what I’m seeing right now, in 90 days I think we will be fully done if given the chance to start.
“The partnership is quite certain of course but we have to go through the legal process of endorsement and the normal process that we can embark on, in the project. Looking at Masvingo, it is the heart of the country and its formation, where people started from, so we would want to make sure that this place has been upgraded in any way possible.
“I have been here more than four times having crusades and basically it is my home in a way so I would be happy to see this place renovated to international standards. The Heart Group which continues to be the sponsoring company is on a spree to renovate as many stadiums as possible.
“The ZIFA leadership of the Province actually approached me in a diplomatic way and said, prophet have a look at this. I am excited with what the mayor said, that we are not just coming here to take over but to partner with the city council, for it has been in their budget and their plans to have this ground renovated,” said Magaya.
Speaking at the same event, Masvingo City Mayor Aleck Tabe said the stadium refurbishment will benefit the locals as it creates business opportunities.
“I am happy with the prospects of a partnership with Prophet Magaya to revamp Mucheke Stadium. We can fundraise towards upgrading the stadium. This initiative creates business opportunities for the community, including hotels and beverage outlets.
“We are going to generate more revenue from the stadium as it hosts PSL and international games. So we welcome everyone who wants to partner with Masvingo City for development,” said Tabe.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) Board chairperson Thomas Mbetu told TellZim News that it was prudent that the partnership remained open to the public to allow the broader community who are the owners of the stadium to contribute their perspectives.
“As denizens of this community, we ardently yearn for Mucheke Stadium to once again experience its former glory. In this context, we beseech the Masvingo City Council, along with Mr. Magaya, to forge a substantive partnership aimed at revitalizing Mucheke Stadium.
“It is imperative that this collaboration be rendered public, thereby allowing the broader community to contribute their perspectives. This transparency is crucial, given that Mucheke Stadium constitutes public property under the stewardship of the Masvingo City Council hence, any developmental initiatives should be disseminated openly to – the populace,” said Mbetu.

Runyararo West flood victims feel short changed

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Runyararo West flood victims feel short changed

By Perpetua Murungweni

As the first major rains hit Masvingo recently, Runyararo West flood victims said they are feeling short changed as they are yet to get a permanent solution to their perennial problem.
The residents said they were tired of promises and called for responsible authorities to act and proffer a lasting solution as they fear for a repeat of last year (2023) when they were temporarily sheltered somewhere where they lived in unbearable conditions.
One of the victims, Nomatter Chijaka said council keeps giving them empty promises and doing nothing tangible to help save their situation
“Last week’s heavy rains flooded my house and destroyed most of the property; we have been appealing to council for help but they are doing nothing. Council is giving us fake promises. They promised to relocate us a long time ago, and we were told that there were stands prepared for us but nothing has been implemented so far.
“We plead with council and other stakeholders to do something with our situation. It’s better for council to allocate us stands on a safer place and we will try our best to develop and build houses on our own rather than implementing provisional measures that do not work,” said Chijaka.
Another victim Chipo Chizimba, said they were getting tired of the back and forth with council yet nothing was coming out of it.
“We are tired of empty promises from council, every time rains come, council comes with papers for us to sign promising us stands. When the rain season is gone we don’t see or hear anything from them. Most of our property is being destroyed by water, because every time it rains we have to put our soaked sofas and beds outside so that they will dry, and it’s affecting our wellbeing,” said Chizimba.
Masvingo City Council Ward two Councilor Benson Hwata concurred with the residents and said the only solution to the problem was to relocate the flood victims to a safer place but said the challenge was that council had no stands at the present time.
“These victims are facing the same challenge time and again, but as council we are left with no choice but to relocate the victims. Relocation of the victims is the only permanent solution to this problem. The only thing that is slowing down the process is, we don’t have land so far. We have so far tried widening of the nearby stream and it has reduced the number of flooded houses this time around,” said Hwata.


Masvingo City Council Mayor Alec Tabe said the local authority was trying its best to address the problem and widening the nearby stream was an effort that was proving to be working since council does not have the capacity to build houses for the victims.
“As council we don’t have the capacity to build houses for these victims, but what we can do is to relocate them and give them stands with help from government. This is an intergovernmental project, and we have already engaged with government which should come on board to assist with the national development fund which is meant to assist these victims.
“Last week flash floods did not only affect Davis Mugabe residents but they affected the whole of Masvingo town; they were beyond our control and despite measures we have put in place, people were still affected. The provisional mechanism of widening of the nearby stream worked to some extent. We are thinking of putting a perimeter wall so that when the water reaches where these streams meet, it does not retreat to people’s homes but hit the wall. Another measure we are taking as council is to maintain our drainage system so that water will properly flow,” said Tabe.
However one of the Runyararo West flood victims Julia Makapinya condemned the authority for stream widening initiative saying it did more harm than good.
“The council’s solution worsened our situation, exposing us to runoff coming from both sides. Previously, water only came from the front side of our house where the road transforms into a river during heavy rains, but now it flows into our houses from the back where they widened the stream,” said Makapinya.
To date, five mayors, namely Femius Chakabuda (the late), Hubert Fidze, Collen Maboke, Shantiel Chiwara, though short-lived, and now Alec Tabe, have failed to resolve the problem and the Tabe administration is taking its first step towards addressing the challenge.
The families were allocated stands at the confluence of two small streams in the area and the situation is said to have been worsened by construction activities in Victoria Ranch.
Sources said at the time when the stands were allocated, in the mid-2000s, an engineer who was working at townhouse advised against it, which fell on deaf ears, although he had predicted the impending disaster due to the presence of streams nearby.

A stream that causes houses on Davis Mugabe Street to flood during every rain season.

Zanu beware, the wind of change is blowing

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Zanu beware, the wind of change is blowing

Mapombi has been prayerful of late, praying to God that he continues to release the heaven’s tears and the prayers were answered, we are receiving the rains but we also need to pray for calm rains. I heard reports of several schools that were destroyed by violent winds, which exposed how the Civil Protection Unit is always caught off guard. We are just happy there are few or no cases of casualties and it is our hope that we will continue like this. But Mapombi is not just happy about the rains, Mapombi is happy about the wave of change that is sweeping across Southern Africa. Around 2011, there was the Arab spring and taingoti dai zvasvikawo kuno. Last year there were several coups in the Northern and Western parts of the continent and we watched with envy as SADC but I think the wait is over now, the wave of change is really strong and we can all see. Zvinenge zvakuda kuchiita manje. Ndinotombonzwa kuda kuti bye bye Zanu PF, 2028 anenge ari kutononoka kusvika uyu, and I hope when election time comes, the winds of change would still be blowing. I am praying to God that the wave remains until 2028 and that it takes course paNamibia apa where Swapo intends to elect an old granny as President. Mapombi is a gender advocate and not against female candidates that’s why she supports Linda and Valerio though she will not vote for them, but she is currently urging the Namibians not to make a mistake of electing the granny as President, that will be abuse, she should go and play with grandkids and allow the younger generation to take over. Please don’t quote me wrong, I am not advocating for the return of G40 in Zimbabwe. Pavakati retirement age is 65 vakange vatoonera paya kuti age matters. You know what this mean for Zimbabwe? It means even if Zanu PF resolves to allow Kedha to take over, he will not qualify because akwegura, anenge atova kuzvi 70 and we cannot be seen electing madhara nemachembere when we have better candidates. I hope that hope yenyika, Nero would have put his house in order and have a proper political outfit. Failure to do that will be a disservice to the country because he is the only hope despite his several flaws which we all know. Yes the young man is full of flaws which need to be addressed but zvakawanda tozozviona avapo and I am sure every Zimbabwean needs change now and the change is coming come 2028. You know, there are times when I think Nero is a Zanu plant, no matter how ridiculous that sounds, because some blunders he makes politically ka, anotoda iri thesis chaiyo to study it because, how come to you so? Hazvinzwisisike zvinhu zvacho.
Can someone remind me what the President said gore riya, hanzi kana nyama dzikaora toita sei? I cannot remember ini. The 1.5 million from China iya hanzi yakaendepi zviya? I am sure he said if anyone complains about kuora kwenyama mumafridges we should call him and tell him and I am sure it’s more than time someone call him and tell him or at least remind him of what is happening. Or someone should go kuState house nenyama yakaora, I am sure he said pakaita yaora bring it to me tione. Or maybe he is not even aware of what is happening. You all know what these people in offices do when he is coming, they will sweep even muroad so that he thinks everything is well. Pamwe izvezvi he thinks electricity is there because wherever he is anenge ariko. But I am sure in terms of roads he will come face to face with reality one day since he is now travelling by road. Yes he is no longer using Choppers locally, kana kusingasvike private jet chete he will use road and achasangana nazvo chete. With the poor quality materials they use to refurbish these roads naiyo mvura iyoyi, one day is one day, vanomanzwa mabhambo chete. Local authorities should desist from patching roads whenever they hear he is coming. Siyai so that he will have real questions to the minister of transport and Zinara chiefs when they meet.
Ko ana Pedzi nana Nero munenge muchiitanei in the streets nhaimi vobwo? I have respect for Pedzisayi Ruhanya, he is one of the few voices of reason we have since ana Mbudziyadura vava kungowawata we nolonger know what they stand for now. I heard from the grapevine that Pedzi was bashed left, right and centre by X Nerorists after he pointed out that Chamisa was not God. I hear they came out in their numbers to defend the dictator in the making. Yes, zvandataura ndizvovzo, dictators are not born, they are made by their followers who don’t question and will always push the leaders to continue ruling even beyond the expiry of their mandates. But Pedzi was preaching good advice, if Opposition in SA had united, ANC would have been history as has happened in Botswana and Mauritius. I hope the Namibian opposition parties vakachionera chidobi chacho, if vasina hameno. For us here, I am sure the writing is on the wall, I know Chamisa wants to create what he calls Nerorism or Chamisaism as he is against Mandelaism or Mugabeism. Mmm ndakorekitiwa, Chamisa is inspired by Mugabe, remember he accommodated the old man in his last days. It was unheard of to put Mugabe and MDC in the same sentence, but nothing is impossible under the sun. Bhobho chakafa chava chimuChinja. I just wish Tsvangison was alive to witness that. Back to Chamisa, I think he wants to create his own brand but if he continues with that beware, he will not taste power as was prophesied by Jobson Sikhandela at some point when he said MRT died without ruling and if they were not careful, they would all die vasina kusvika kuState house. Iyewo Job vakomana, so the Mandela accent just vanished like that? It’s very funny kkkk. Trauma yejere does things to people. I truly feel for Jameson Timba and others who are still wallowing in jail.
I hope the opposition heard clearly what that mad war veteran said; he said it was not yet time for anyone to taste power before the real war vets does, suggesting that Uncle Bob and Ba 2 are not war veterans. Hanzi they are nationalists so paakumbodawo someone who is not a civilian. I am sure that’s why Sanyatwe was recalled from Tanzania, kumagumo kune nyaya vakaimba vanhu veMasvingo. These war veterans are the source of our problems and I blame them for creating a system that does not work for anyone, including ivo vacho. They are suffering from poverty those war veterans, and add onto that the war trauma that never got to be addressed. Zvogwara zvidhara zviya, that’s why they just say anything. ZveZanu here, each dog has its day, ndiani aiziva kuti Mugabe chaiye achafa ouvenga musangano unenge urombwa uyu?
PaJoni, ANC paid dearly, paBotswana, akarohwa nezveusiku Masisi, paZambia gore riya, paMoza chakachaya, Namibia, we can only hope. This kind of wind ndoifarira hangu ini, not for nothing much but just the drama, ko ndinganakirwa nei nechinyika chakadhakwa ichochi. Iyo factionalism is a bit too quiet these days. Panongoda one ane zvivindi otozvitangidza and we enjoy ourselves nedrama iroro, Charle Munangasa ukooo, uripiko?
Before I go zvangu kunokanga maputi angu for lunch, I can’t wait to hear Chamisa saying, pandakakorokotedza Trump, akanditi nhai vakomana, ndadzoka saka muri kuda mariii kkkk. Nyaya yangu was on Mujuru, yeah, I mean Joice, I heard she was the new Head of African Union Election Observer Mission in short AUEOM in Mauritius. I am yet to hear her report. Tikangonzwa zveEOM tobva tafunga Mumba kkk. One murume pavarume. If he would come this side anytime soon, I would donate my SADC chairmanship to him. However, I am not sure who chooses those who will be leading these missions and I know they want former heads of state or VPs, so kana pane ari padhuze should remind them that we also have former VP Mphoko in Zimbabwe lest vangazofunga kuti we only have Joice. I am sure they can slot Mphoko paNamibia apo so that he gets money to buy incubators. I miss you mface wangu Mphoko. Mboko imboko.

Takafuma wins The List Awards

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Takafuma wins The List Awards

By TellZim Reporter

The news-editor for TellZim News, Theresa Takafuma last week received The List Awards Storyteller Journalism Impact award at a colourful ceremony in Harare.
The awards ceremony, convened by Identities Media Holdings was held at The Golden Conifer Conference Centre and was honouring community change makers across the African continent as well as local champions driving social change in their communities.
Selected under a public vote category, Takafuma was recognized for her work in community journalism, which she has been doing for over a decade.
Speaking at the ceremony, Identities Media Holdings founder and director, Advocate Nyaradzo Mashayamombe said the awards were meant to recognize people who work in communities to encourage them.
“We wanted our impact makers to feel seen, to be honoured in a luxurious way and for their work to be validated in such a great way. The nomination and selection criteria was so rigorous, to make sure that those deserving actually won the awards.
“This is the very first edition of the awards but it came out so well, and it felt good to see people happy, especially the award winners. The process was gruelling, but rewarding,” said Mashayamombe.
Receiving her award, Takafuma extended her gratitude to the work that TellZim News does in marginalized communities, which she also contributes to.
“I would like to honour TellZim for the work it does in promoting access to information in marginalized communities in Masvingo. To me, this is testament that the work we do is being noticed nationally.
“Many times, community journalism is not recognized in such a way, but I am grateful to have been nominated, voted for and winning this award. Reaching out to marginalized communities is very important, to enhance everyone’s civic participation,” Takafuma said.


Among other awardees were Youth Impact award winners Wellington Bakaimani and Jussa Kudherezera, who lead organizations that promote youth participation in Shamva and Mutare respectively.
Ruth Makandiwa, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of Femme De Substance walked away with two awards from the Humanitarian Impact and Poverty Alleviation Impact categories respectively.
Prolific musician and writer Hope Masike won the Entertainment Impact Award, while businessman and Glytime Foods founder Lesley Marange won the Business Impact Award.
Other winners included Vengai Dzvedere, who founded Nzvedaz Crypto Hub and received the Role Model Pan African Impact Award for his work in promoting economic growth and financial inclusion across the African continent.
Prominent filmmaker Leonard Chibhamu received the Artist Pan African Impact award for his work in empowering over 1 000 actors and 300 crew members through his drama series ‘Village Secrets’.
Of those coming from across the borders, Virginia Mashomo-Sefume of South Africa was the runner-up in the Pan African Impact Award category.
For her community work in Matobo district, Sasha Ndebele received the Social Impact Award, while Elizabeth Gundu of Marondera received the Climate and Environment Impact Award for her recycling work.
Founder of the Dynasty Academy and Harava West League Ernest Muduwa won the Sports Impact Award, while Chantelle Moillah Shoko who founded Mothers Of Special Heroes (MOSH) that promotes children disability rights in Bulawayo got the Human Rights Impact Award.
Musicians Gary Tight and Hope Masike entertained guests at the awards ceremony, which was also attended by prominent figures in community development.

All The List Awards 2024 Edition Winners and Runners-Up

Chiredzi town councillors divided over Beer hall

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Chiredzi town councillors divided over Beer hall

By Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI- Tempers recently flared during a Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) full council meeting as councillors clashed over motion to turn Khomanani Beer hall into a flea Market as an income-generating project.
Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) was leasing its two beerhalls ever since 2019, the famous Chigarapasi and Khomanani, whose leases expired in September this year and have since resolved to lease the former to the highest bidder whilst concerns remain on the latter.
Other councillors proposed creating a state of the art flea market. , just like the one in Chikanga, Mutare to increase the local authority’s revenue base but two councillors, Brighton Mahiya (Ward 7) and Costain Momber (Ward 6), opposed the motion saying the local authority should rather enhance the Beer hall into a multifaceted community centre.
Councillor Sekai Njanjure, who is the Audit committe Chairperson, insisted that they should turn Khomanani Beerhall into a better cash cow than it was.
“During the look and learn we had in Mutare, we witnessed that we can turn Khomanani Beerhall into a state-of-the-art flea market, just like what Mutare did towards Chikanga market. We need to implement such an idea in Khomanani, where we could use the main Beerhall as a storage facility for the traders operating there,” said Njanjure.
Mahiya opposed the idea, saying council should deliver better services to its residents, and not all the services should have monetary value.
“It’s not all about making money. We have a lot of sprouting flea markets, with one being less than 50 meters away from Khomanani.
“Former Chiredzi West (now Central) constituency, Darlington Chiwa constructed flea markets just across the Beerhall and were never occupied, why can’t we resuscitate those markets and work towards enhancing the Beerhall into a multifaceted community centre, where various activities take place, like Mini soccer, Beerhall, jumping castles for children, etc because it is central to several wards,” said Mahiya.
Costain Mombe, in whose ward the beerhall is located, chipped in, saying if council decided to continue leasing Chigarapasi to serve its purpose, they should do the same for Khomanani.
“If the council decided to continue leasing Chigarapasi Beerhall for it to continue serving its purpose, why not do the same for Khomanani Beerhall” queried Mombe.
CTC Chairperson, Jameson Charumbira later decided to turn the full council meeting into a committee meeting to further deliberate the issue in the absence of other stakeholders.
Chiredzi Central Constituency Member of Parliament and former councillor, Ropafadzo Makumire, whose constituency houses both Khomanani and Chigarapasi Beerhall told TellZim News in an interview that if the local authority decides not to lease Khomanani Beerhall, they should find something better to use than flea markets since the place was swampy.
“The council must not make such decisions without consulting the people. The site is not suitable for markets as it is susceptible to flooding. The proposed change must retain recreational use and stop a culture of moving vendors from one place to another; it’s a great inconvenience,” said Makumire.

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