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Dunira urges media to monitor Zanu PF

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Dunira urges media to monitor Zanu PF
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Zanu PF’s Masvingo provincial secretary for information and publicity councillor Goddard Dunira has urged the media to play its watchdog role as a way of assisting the ruling party to fulfill promises made during election campaign in 2013.
Speaking at a media briefing in Masvingo on Friday night, Dunira said the media should provide constructive criticism.
“It’s no longer time to criticise for the sake of it, the media should be there to tell us what we should do. I promise you that Zanu PF is ready to listen and adopt new initiatives. Play your watchdog role so that we can measure our performance through the media,” said Dunira.  
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) chairperson for Masvingo George Maponga  thanked Dunira for ‘coming out of hibernation to meet journalists for a constructive media briefing’.
 “We want to thank Dunira for coming to discuss pertinent issues that affect both politicians and journalists in Masvingo,” said Maponga.

Dunira also said his executive was legitimate and those in Zanu PF who are calling for fresh elections were day-dreaming.

“We are here to stay. We were legitimately elected and there is no way we can leave office because some few elements in the party were not happy,” said Dunira.

More water cuts this weekend

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More water cuts this weekend

 Tell Reporter
The city council has urged Masvingo residents to brace for more water cuts this weekend as the municipality would be maintaining the water pipes at Bushmead area.
In a notice placed in the local press, the council informed the residents that there will be no water this weekend.
This comes at a time when Masvingo residents are already complaining about serious water cuts. Last week Masvingo went for two days without water as the council was battling to repair some burst pipes.
“We are not happy with continuous water cuts which we are experiencing. I think the council management is insensitive – they do not value our health,” said Mufaro Gwede.

                             Masvingo city mayor Hubert Fidze

Meanwhile Masvingo city mayor Hubert Fidze has been on record telling people that they are drinking untreated water.

RAFYT creates Android App for youth policy

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RAFYT creates Android App for youth policy
In a bid to promote access to information among young people, Real Agenda For Youth Transformation Trust (RAFYT) which  is a youth led organization based in Masvingo has then developed a National Youth Policy Mobile Application that is now available on the PlayStore for free.
The application offers the policy itself as well as the platform for discussions and debating through social networks thus Twiiter and Facebook. In a period of 4 days only,the application has 50 downloads 60 likes on Facebook and 42 tweeter followers. It is under this light that RAFYT took advantage of technological advancement.
 The application contains:
a) Contents
‘Zimbabwe National Youth Policy- Mobile Apps’ have the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy contents giving users’ direct access to the policy from any part of the world. The access is without internet access once downloaded.
c) Search function
The application has a search functionality that will ease users from going through the whole contents. This will lead them directly to the contents the need at a particular time.
d) Discussion forum
The application has a discussion forum link that will see youths discussing directly issues of the youth policy. Issues noted will be documented by RAFYT shared for advocacy and lobby initiatives for better policy implementation.  To join the discussion forum will require internet access.
e) Social media
A social media link function will be part of the ‘Zimbabwe National Youth Policy- Mobile Apps’ package. This considers the youthfulness and behaviour of youths who are on social media. This will give youths access to constant updates relating to youths and the implementation of the youth policy.
f) About Function
This function informs users what Zimbabwe National Youth Policy- Mobile Apps’ is about and its purpose. It will inform the distributer, software developers and sponsors of the project.
g) Share Function
The application have a share option that links selected information to be shared on other social media platforms such as twitter, facebook and google +.
H) Exit
The application has an exit command that will be used by users after they finish using the application.
J) Credits
The applicationshow developers, funders and the team behind the application in a manner the mentioned desires for example using a website link or name
Young people are therefore encouraged to download and access the Zimbabwe National Youth Policy through the application for their benefit as well as share their views through the available social media platforms.

A research conducted by RAFYT consisted of 49 respondents, witnessed that only 12 (27.27%) individuals indicated that they have accessed the youth policy while 32 (72.73%) noted they don’t have. Only 4 respondents skipped the question.  This informs us that the policy in itself is difficult to access among youths. A baseline study done by MS/ActionAid- Zimbabwe showed that 30 % of youth in high density areas knew that Zimbabwe had a youth policy stating the rights of young people and even less knew that Zimbabwe was in the process of creating a new constitution.
Inserted by:

Research and Information Department

Real Agenda For Youth Transformation Trust

Of Chingwizi ‘troubled’ camp: Let’s not victimise the victim

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Of Chingwizi ‘troubled’ camp: Let’s not victimise the victim
By Golden Maunganidze
It is natural that people who have been affected by a disaster deserve everyone’s help. Although people might want to look for the causes of the disaster in order to prevent similar problems in future, the first thing that people do is to rescue those affected.
However, it becomes very painful when it turns out that some people from certain corners seem to enjoy when others are in problems. Those who follow this column can remember that early this year, I talked about the Tokwe-Mukosi disaster as a man-made problem. Of course some people were angry at me for saying that while others agreed with me.
When President Robert Mugabe declared Tokwe-Mukosi floods a national disaster back then, everyone agreed with the head of state that indeed the disaster which had befallen our friends in Chivi deserved national sympathy. Anyone who saw villagers in Chivi escaping death by a whisker as they ran away from crocodiles early this year would agree with the President that there was need for government intervention in rescuing people who were already drowning in both water and social problems at that time. Thus people from all walks of life agreed with the head of State that Tokwe-Mukosi flooding disaster needed national sympathy and support.  
Almost every journalist wanted to go to the area so that they would see for themselves in order to tell Zimbabwe a true story of what was happening in that area. Surely all newspapers, radios and our one and only television station (ZBC-TV) managed to serialise what was happening in Tokwe. NGOs and civic society organisations saw yet another opportunity to plead for more donor funds. It was again another opportunity for some NGOs to be visible and indeed it worked for them as they played their part in  activities in the affected area.
At that time, people who were watching from a distance were truly convinced that the problem was likely to be solved in a very short period.
However, half a year down the line, the story is completely different.
I am sure that the blame game does not benefit the victims but sometimes it is good to investigate and find out if there are no retrogressive elements who are busy extending the tunnel so that we continue to see light at the end of the tunnel that we will  never manage to come out of. Although I have no power to call for a panel of inquiry on how this disaster was being handled, I can say that there are some people who are further victimising the flood victims.



We have heard a lot of believable and unbelievable stories about how the flood victims are being abused at Chingwizi transit camp. We were watching from a distance when we saw responsible government officials trying to privatise this national problem. As time went by, we saw even the media being banned from covering the disaster. Suddenly the area became very private and confidential while going there became an  uphill struggle.  As I see it ladies and gentlemen putting restrictions on media coverage on Chingwizi can only be justified when there are very bad things happening.
We have heard several stories such as food shortages, ministers being chased by angry villagers, lack of sanitary ware for women, children failing to go to school and people refusing one hectare land allocations among others. However, one cannot take it lightly when those in privileged positions loot food donations for the victims. This week, some newspapers carried a story about some police officers being dragged to Chiredzi magistrate courts for stealing donations. When the media first mentioned that some people were stealing donations, those in power were quick to dismiss such reports as malicious. However, as we start to see faces being dragged to courts, we can therefore be forgiven for believing that the media were being kicked out in order for those in strategic positions to loot.
It is also very painful to learn that donors are also winding down their activities at Chingwizi citing that they have exhausted their budgets. We also read that more than 200 cases of STIs were recorded at the transit camp since April. As I see it, disaster is looming at Chingwizi. The government should not take this issue lightly. There is need for government to deal with this problem once and for all. It is high time the government realised that with or without donors, it is its sole duty to ensure the welfare of its citizens. I believe that the flood victims have been victimised for a long time now. As I see it, there is need for quickening the pace in relocating people currently at the Chingwizi transit camp, otherwise everything that we do might further victimise the troubled villagers.

Cllr Mufamba walks his talk

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Cllr Mufamba walks his talk
By Tell Reporter
Masvingo urban ward 10 councillor Lovemore Mufamba (Zanu PF) has pledged to fulfill the promises which he made when he was campaigning for the post sometime last year.
Speaking at his victory celebrations at the Caravan Park on Saturday, Mufamba said he was devoted to work for those who voted for him.
Cllr Lovemore Mufamba


“I am going to make sure that I fulfill everything which I promised. I am your development agent and I hope to work for you all the time,” said Mufamba.
Mufamba who donated three water tanks to ward 10 said he was already doing a number of developmental projects in the ward.
“This is just the beginning …I am already working on a number of projects including establishing an irrigation scheme at four brigade (army headquarters in Masvingo). I also want you to know that I have negotiated with several teachers’ colleges to enroll at least five students from our ward each intake,” Mufamba told the gathering.
MDC-T senior official and Masvingo former mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda who also attended the celebrations pleaded with Mufamba to construct a foot bridge  at Mucheke river which would connect Eastvale and Rujeko high density suburb.
Chakabuda also urged Mufamba to work hard in order to be re-elected come 2018 saying all former councillors in that ward failed to secure second term since 1980.

Spare a thought for the blind

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Spare a thought for the blind
By Golden Maunganidze
Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) officially opened the Masvingo information kiosk on Tuesday last week. The kiosk which is housed at NANGO southern region office is meant to assist the general residents in accessing information in Masvingo. For the past few months, a lot of people who were going to the kiosk in order to read newspapers confess that the project is noble.
 “We can now read all newspapers that we want every day. Some people are not able to buy all newspapers but now we can just come here and read newspapers. Even if you are not in town on Sunday, you are guaranteed that when you come, your Sunday Mail will be waiting for you here,” said Anold Batirai who frequent the place.

Timothy Mudarikwa
A lot of people shared the same sentiments.
Speaker after speaker at the official opening ceremony showered praises on MISA for the noble idea. The guest of honour, Reformed Church University (RCU) Vice Chancellor Professor Wiseman Magwa who spoke from his heart said there was no need for over emphasising the significance of an information kiosk since any sane person would agree that opening of such centres is critical in any democratic society.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a very noble initiative which is going to assist the people of Masvingo to make informed decisions,” said Prof Magwa.
Prof Magwa went on to challenge various organisations in attendance to submit all information which they wanted the Masvingo community to know. He said the kiosk should be an information hub which will be able to assist the in building of a knowledge bank for Masvingo.
“All organisations must bring their promotional material here for public consumption. Even colleges and universities around here must be at the fore front in bringing their promotional materials so that everyone would get to know what happens at our companies,” added Prof Magwa.
However, standing in for Zimbabwe Association for the Visually Handicapped (ZAVH) Mr Timothy Mudarikwa said the media fraternity and all stakeholders should spare a thought for the blind.
As I see it ladies and gentlemen, Mudarikwa’s comment should not be taken lightly. He went on to say that in as much as the general public complain of reading just one newspaper per day, the visually impaired can not be able to read even one newspaper in a year.
“Have ever thought of us? When you read one newspaper per day, we can’t even read that one in a year,” said Mudarikwa.
As I see it ladies and gentlemen, it is now high time  that the government should start thinking of reaching out to the visually impaired. I am sure that the energetic Information Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo need to be advised to re-direct his energy towards improved access to information by all. Although it might be expensive for the government, I believe it is critical to have a few copies of national newspapers to be translated into  braille format.
It might sound illogical but if we treat one another with respect, we should start to think of ways of disseminating information to those visually impaired. In some countries, the visually impaired easily access information because there are a lot of alternative sources of information. However, in Zimbabwe we have very few alternative sources of information hence the need for us to think of a newspaper in braille. It was probably going to be better if we had a lot of radio stations but our current situation is pathetic – we do not have even one community radio station in the country and most parts of the country do not receive radio signals. It’s good for the government to take its time (in any case governments are known for that) but I think we need to move faster in making sure that everyone can access information. All we need to do for now maybe is to have a few copies in braille which can be distributed to various strategic points in each and every district throughout the country. We can have a sizable number of copies going to centres like Copota school for the blind. As I see it ladies and gentlemen, this project is long overdue. I repeat, let us spare a thought for the blind!!
Local

COTRAD volunteers intimidated, threatened in Mwenezi

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COTRAD volunteers intimidated, threatened in Mwenezi
Community Tolerance and Reconciliation Development (COTRAD) volunteers based in Mwenezi East constituency have reported that they are being harassed for doing civic society work in the community.

Police accused of failing to take action

Speaking on behalf of COTRAD Gamuchirai Mukura said he was very worried because his organisation was concentrating in civic society work.

“We become worried when our members gets victimised for doing developmental work in Mwenezi. We are pleading with the police to make sure that justice is delivered,” said Mukura.

Police accused of failing to take action

Mukura said there were some people aligned to certain political parties who are threanening COTRAD members.

“We have received that some political bullies are threatening to beat our members for no specific reason. One of our members  Joseph Zvidza was recently beaten and he went to Neshuro Clinic for treatment. The case was reported to the police but no one has been arrested,” added Mukura.
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Masvingo

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Masvingo

Masvingo newspaper charity gala slated for June 28

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Masvingo – The Mirror newspaper Charity Gala intended to raise funds for building houses for needy throughout the province and supporting emergency cases has been slated for June 28, 2014 at Mucheke Stadium.
Top musicians, Sulumani Chimbetu, Mathias Mhere and Slizer of Botswana have already confirmed their attendance and travelled all the way to Chivi on Wednesday where they interacted with the would be beneficiaries of their show.
The Mirror gThe Mirroreneral manager, Nkulumani Mlambo said the show is expected to start at 10am and run until about 10pm.
“It will be a family funny day, with music, drinks and other forms of entertainment. The gala will start at 10am and run until about 10pm. It starts in the morning to make it a truly family day where the people of Masvingo enjoy in order to support those who are in need,” said Mlambo.
He said stands would be available for companies to advertise their wares and those interested are being invited to contact The Mirror. He also said that companies that sell food would also be invited to get stands.
It will cost $2 for children and $3 for adults to get into the stadium

Masvingo Information Kiosk officially opened

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Prof Magwa officially opening while Mr Jakachira looks on
Reformed Church University (RCU) Vice Chancellor Professor Wiseman Magwa has today officiallly opened Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) sponsored information kiosk in Masvingo.
The kiosk is housed at NANGO southern region office opposite Irrigation Services.
Speaking at the occasion which was attended by people from  all walks of life, Prof Magwa said opening information kiosk was a positive step towards fulfilling the demands of the new constitution.
“Information is very important as it assists us in making critical decisions in life. This is the first step towards the right direction and I believe that Masvingo community is going to benefit from this gesture,” said Magwa.
Prof Magwa thanked MISA and NANGO for partnering for  ’a good cause’.
“All we need these days is to have people who can come up with initiatives. Great Zimbabwe monuments could not have been constructed if our fore fathers lacked vision. We need to support these initiatives and I challenge various organisations to come with their fliers and books here so that we build our knowledge bank,” said Prof Magwa.
Zimbabwe Association of the Visually Handicapped (ZAVH) coordinator Mr Timothy Mudarikwa bemoaned lack of information among people living with disability.
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