The Sunday News

By Tinomuda Chakanyuka

28 July 2012

CHIEF Gambiza from Chiwundura communal lands has urged Government to come up with a policy that will allow for the distribution of condoms among youth that are sexually active in schools. The traditional leader said this in an interview with Sunday News at the sidelines of a Padare/Enkundleni men’s forum programme on sexual reproductive health in Chiwundura on Wednessday last week.
His remarks come hard on the heels of Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Senator David Coltart’s refusal to allow the distribution of condoms in schools.“There is no way we can allow distribution of condoms in schools. Parents want their children to abstain from sex at school age. Schoolchildren should focus on their studies; we can’t have condoms in school toilets, classrooms and libraries,” Minister Coltart was quoted as saying in a local weekly.
Chief Gambiza, however, differed with Minister Coltart, urging Government to wake up to the reality that schoolchildren are becoming sexually active at early ages. “Things have changed now, children are now indulging in sex earlier than before and Government needs to realise that and use such realities to craft their policies.
“There is need for Government to come up with a policy that will allow for the distribution of condoms among schoolchildren as a way of preventing the spread of HIV among school going youth,” said Chief Gambiza. He, however, acknowldged that distribution of condoms to schoolchildren might be problematic. “Distributing condoms to schoolchildren might, however, create the impression that there is blantant effort to promote sexual intercourse in schools. The situation, however, may call for drastic shifts in policy because the reality of the matter is that our children are having sex and if we do not help them they will perish,” he said.
Chief Gambiza added that adopting such a policy of distributing condoms among school children would call for the formulation of methods of distributing the condoms. “Obviously there is need to come up with ways of distributing the condoms ensuring that there is a balance between promoting morality in schools and helping those who are sexually active protect themselves,” Chief Gambiza said.

The traditional leader also called upon parents to increase dialogue between them and their children on sexual reproductive health issues as a way of ensuring that youth are aware of the dangers that lie in their way.He said society should revert to traditional methods of passing advice to youth where men and boys would gather around a fire at night while women and girls would hold similar fora in the kitchen huts. “Parents no longer have time to talk to their children. Traditionally we used to have madare/enkudleni, where we would get advice from elderly people on a lot of matters. I am sure if today’s parents go back to such practices it might yield positive results in as far as sexual reproductive health issues are concerned,” Chief Gambiza said.

The Sunday News

By Mehluli Sibanda

28 July 2012

THEY might be the champions of Africa but that has not attracted sponsorship for the Zimbabwe senior national rugby team, the Sables .
Under normal circumstances, as has been the norm with other sports, the corporate sector could be falling on each other to embrace them because of their new found status as the continental champions, but that has not been the case, with the Sables who were crowned the winners of the elite Africa Cup division 1A when they defeated Uganda 22-18 on 14 July in Tunisia.

Sad reality struck less than a week after the Sables held aloft the Africa Cup when confirmation came through that they would not be able to defend the Victoria Cup, a tri-nations tournament where Zimbabwe play Kenya and Uganda. The Sables Committee which is tasked with managing the affairs of the team could not commit the Sables to play in the Victoria Cup as the funds were not enough for the team to play the four fixtures, two at home and the same number away.

Bongai Zamchiya, the Sables Committee chairman said they made a proposal to their Kenyan and Uganda counterparts to have the Victoria Cup played later on in the year.  Uganda were agreeable to the idea as they also faced financial difficulties. Kenya were just not interested and with the three partners not finding common ground, this year’s edition of the Victoria Cup was scrapped.  Delta Beverages are the only notable sponsors for the Sables through their Lion Lager brand but the funds they provided were not enough for the team to successful compete in the Victoria Cup.

The Sables have made significant strides over the last few years and are worthy the recognition they deserve. Since Brendon Dawson took over as coach in 2007, there have been more positives than negatives. When Dawson was appointed coach in 2007, taking over from Chris Lampard, the Sables were at their lowest and were relegated to competing with the likes of Zambia, Madagascar and Botswana.

In 2008, the Sables failed to progress through the group stages in their quest to qualify for the 2011 International Rugby Board World Cup in New Zealand. That was not of their own doing as Senegal refused to come to Zimbabwe citing unfounded security fears. The Senegalese had lost at home to Namibia and Zimbabwe had a tough task of beating the Namibians in Windhoek, which they tried to do without success.
Zimbabwe went on to win the Confederation of African Rugby Southern Trophy in Botswana in 2009. Before that, the Botswana Vultures had so much belief that they were now on par with the Sables and Zimbabwe had to silence Botswana in front of their home crowd. Led by Costa Dhina and with mostly locally based players, the Sables trounced the Vultures 23-3.

In an effort to get more matches for the Sables, the Zimbabwe Rugby Union entered into an arrangement with their Kenyan and Ugandan counterparts, which saw the birth of the Victoria Cup. Kenya and Uganda were above Zimbabwe in the IRB world rankings by then and it was imperative that the Sables play against tougher opposition. The first year saw the Sables losing all the three matches they played against the East Africans.

The following year saw the Sables turn around their fortunes in the Victoria Cup in what was a magnificent year in which the team won all the five international matches they played. The Sables beat Madagascar and Uganda to earn promotion into the Africa Cup division 1A and then thumped Uganda at home, Kenya home and away to lift the Victoria Cup. In the process, Zimbabwe overtook both Kenya and Uganda in the IRB world rankings to become the fourth best rugby-playing nation in Africa

The Herald

26 July 2012

Government has reversed its decision to scrap teachers’ incentives this year due to poor salaries.

There had been commitment to scrap off the incentives, as they were deemed discriminatory, while

Government had been working on transitional mechanisms. Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday confirmed that the incentives would stay until teachers were paid improved salaries.

“We expected to do away with the incentives as they are discriminatory and not sustainable, ultimately disadvantaging rural teachers,” said Minister Coltart.

Although the idea of scrapping incentives was mooted last year, Minister Coltart said that his ministry had been working at outlawing the system as it was exerting pressure on parents.

They needed to give the Government more time to better civil servants’ salaries. Once Government started paying teachers better salaries, the ministry would withdraw the circular that authorised payment of incentives. Lately, there had been calls for the ministry to engage organisations such as the European Union and Unicef to pay a retention allowance to augment teachers’ meagre salaries.

“We’ve tried to engage several donors for the payment of teachers’ incentives, but they have never committed themselves,” said the minister.

Teachers’ incentives came about because of the economic downturn between 2007 and 2009 when the Government was not in a position to increase salaries.

DailyNews

By Khanyile Mlotshwa

25 July 2012

Political leaders from across the political divide yesterday buried their differences and thronged West Park Cemetery in Bulawayo to witness the burial of MDC leader Welshman Ncube’s son, Ntabiso.

The funeral was attended by an estimated 3 000 people among them top Zanu PF, MDC-T, Zapu, MLF and MDC officials.

South African president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Gugu, who is married to Ncube’s son, Wesley, also attended.

Ntabiso, a first year law student at Rhodes University in South Africa, died in a car accident in Harare on Saturday. He was 19 Notable figures at the burial included Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa (Zanu PF), Finance minister Tendai Biti (MDC-T), Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa, Water minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo (MDC-T), Energy minister Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), State Enterprises and Parastatals minister Gorden Moyo (MDC-T), Education minister David Coltart (MDC) and MLF secretary-general Paul Siwela.

Members of Parliament, senators and councillors including Bulawayo’s deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu also attended. Addressing mourners at the Brethren-In-Christ Church in the city centre, MDC treasurer-general Paul Themba Nyathi described the politicians’ gesture as a sign of political maturity.

“It makes sense, if Ntabiso’s death makes us realise that it takes a village to raise a child, if it makes us realise that we have more to give each other than to take away from each other,” Nyathi said. “Our coming together shows that, as a people, we should find time to come together on issues that have nothing to do with tragedy.

“Is it not possible to come together and find a way of making our country bearable?”

Industry and Commerce deputy minister Mike Bimha (Zanu PF) said he worked well with Ncube in the ministry despite being from different political parties.

The Chronicle

25 July 2012

Government has reversed its decision to scrap teachers’ incentives this year due to poor salaries. There had been commitment to scrap the incentives, as they were deemed discriminatory, while Government had been working on transitional mechanisms.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart yesterday confirmed that the incentives would stay until teachers were paid improved salaries.

“We expected to do away with the incentives as they are discriminatory and not sustainable, ultimately disadvantaging rural teachers,” said Minister Coltart.

Although the idea of scrapping incentives was mooted last year, Minister Coltart said that his ministry had been working at outlawing the system as it was exerting pressure on parents.

They needed to give the Government more time to better civil servants’ salaries.

Once Government started paying teachers better salaries, the ministry would withdraw the  circular that authorised payment of incentives.

Lately, there had been calls for the ministry to engage organisations such as the European Union and Unicef to pay a retention allowance to augment teachers’ meagre salaries.

“We’ve tried to engage several donors for the payment of teachers’ incentives, but they have never committed themselves,” said the minister.

“We continue calling on the Government to provide adequate rural allowances to encourage marginalised teachers.”

Teachers’ incentives came about because of the economic downturn between 2007 and 2009 when the Government was not in a position to increase salaries.

The Chronicle

25 July 2012

Political leaders should desist from fueling divisions among Zimbabweans and have unity of purpose towards improving livelihoods of ordinary people in their communities, senior politicians said yesterday.

Addressing hundreds of mourners during the funeral service of Professor Welshman Ncube’s son, Ntabiso, in Bulawayo yesterday, senior politicians from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations said Zimbabweans have a common identity and destiny.

Ntabiso was buried at West Park cemetery yesterday afternoon.

“This tragedy makes sense in that it brought us together from across the political divide. Beyond our divisions there is a lot that binds us together. We share one destiny and we can not avoid each other,” said Paul Themba Nyathi, the MDC treasurer-general.

“Surely this shows that we should at some stage come together to discuss how we can improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty among our people. We should rise beyond just seeking to dominate each other and reach levels of tolerance.”

“Kusinceda ngani ukuba sinyonkolozana. Patrick Chinamansa is here and is Zanu-PF. He chose to be like that and I chose to be this side. We live in one country and we have a responsibility of making it happier for our children and generations to come to reach highest levels of attainment.”

Cde Mike Bimha of Zanu-PF and Prof Ncube’s deputy in Government said Zimbabweans should remove all the artificial differences and live together harmoniously.

He chronicled how he met Prof Ncube at the University of Zimbabwe in the early 1980s and how they worked together in the Inclusive Government despite coming from different political backgrounds.

“I did not know that Prof Ncube would one day lead a political party or that we will at some point be together in Government with me being his deputy. But here we are. In Government we put Zimbabwe first and one can hardly see our differences. We consider what is of national interest,” said Cde Bimha.

“I would like to appeal to all leaders in the country that if we can work together despite our political affiliations and put Zimbabwe first, we can create a brighter future for generations to come.”

Speaking at the same occasion Senator David Coltart said Zimbabwe was going through challenges that required leaders to pull together in one direction. He urged politicians to be honest in their dealings and to always tell the truth.

“God knows that our beloved country has many challenges. Our focus should be on the future,” said Senator Coltart who is also the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Among the mourners were Cabinet Ministers, MPs and Senators such as Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Edward Mkhosi, Believe Gaule, Tendai Biti, Rabson Makhula, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Patrick Chinamasa, Elton Mangoma, Dumiso Dabengwa, Gorden Moyo, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube and Lutho Tapela.

Other dignitaries were former Bulawayo Mayor, Mr Japhet Ndabeni Ncube, High Court judge Nicholas Mathonsi, Obert Sibanda, Deputy Mayor Amen Mpofu, King Lobengula’s descendant Peter Zwide Kalanga Khumalo, Paul Siwela, Donald Khumalo and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) boss Daniel Chigaru.

Ntabsio (19) died in a car accident on Saturday morning near his father’s Greendale home in Harare. Ntabiso was born in Bulawayo on 6 February 1993. At the time of his death he was first year law student at Rhodes University in South Africa.

The Chronicle

By Emmanuel Ndlovu

25 July 2012

THE concurrent commissioning of the Landa John Nkomo High School and the e-Learning Centre in Manqe, Tsholotsho area, was a momentous achievement that has to be applauded. It shows that our leaders are truly committed to taking the computerisation programme to greater heights.

The occasion, which was graced by President Mugabe, senior Government officials, mandarins from the education sector and traditional leaders was punctuated by ululations and whistles from the jovial crowd of about 10 000. This was a rare occasion indeed because it was aimed at introducing Tsholotsho people to the global village. The President also donated 15 HP computers, three printers and 50 blank DVDs.

The launch of e-Learning centres in Zimbabwe is a major step by the Government towards the closure of the digital divide between urban dwellers and rural communities. This move reminds me of an article I wrote on how ICTs can facilitate development in rural communities. In that piece I strongly argued that ICTs can play a pivotal role in the inclusion of rural communities as grounds for investment since it is not only restricted to urban centres.

I love writing about development and issues to do with ICTs especially in this modern era where the world is fast shrinking into a global village. The concept of a global village posits that due to the advent of internet, societies who were traditionally far away from each other have become so close in communication and information sharing just like in a literal village. In as much as the Government can launch as many e-Learning centres as it can, it should be noted that the success of these projects demands more investment especially in capacitating teachers with computer skills and improving infrastructure such as rural electrification and poor telephone networks, among others.

Information and Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa told the Tsholotsho crowd that his ministry was working on digitalising the whole Zimbabwean nation by 2015 so as to ensure that citizens are turned into global citizens.

“It is part of our agenda to digitalise the whole nation by 2015, we want to have digital and global citizens.

“We will force even those who do not want to be connected to be, because connectivity is the future. Without existence on the internet you are non-existent,” Minister Chamisa said.

He also said that his ministry would put extra effort in ensuring that the digital divide between the urban dwellers and rural people was bridged.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart revealed that in line with the computerisation programme under way in the country, the respective ministry aimed at establishing more e-Learning projects to about 40 schools this year.

Therefore, this surely calls for co-operation across all Government ministries, especially the Ministry of Finance, because extra funds will be needed for this pilot project to be accomplished successfully.

However, the spreading of e-Learning programmes all over the country will be futile if the majority of teachers who are currently computer illiterate are left in their appalling state. This is just like expecting a church to spread the gospel of Christ all over the world with preachers who can hardly locate where the book of Matthew is in the Bible. This simple instance may sound derogatory to teachers but it is true in terms of their computer incompetence.

The majority of teachers in Zimbabwe can hardly switch a computer on, let alone type a sentence. This is a saddening situation which has to be addressed by the Government as a matter of urgency especially in this time when it is planning to launch more e-Learning projects in schools. Otherwise, if not dealt with, it will act as a major barrier to the full implementation of this programme.

It is my view that before proceeding further in establishing as many e-Learning centres as possible in schools, the Government has to first embark on a computer training programme aimed at equipping teachers countrywide with skills for operating computers and other technological devices. Teachers should be trained because they are the key

implementers of e-Learning education in schools. Outsiders should not be allowed to undertake this mammoth task of imparting computer skills to pupils because we have teachers who can do it. I think confusion may erupt if this responsibility is left in the hands of individuals who are not qualified teachers. However, if left in the hands of teachers it may also help in improving teaching methods among our teachers due to advantages that ICTs bring to the learning environment.

Therefore, the culture of e-Learning has to start with teachers who are educators. If teachers are fully equipped with necessary technological skills including computer literacy, then we can safely talk of establishing many more e-Learning centres around the country. We will be guaranteed of great improvements in the quality of education due to the technological competency of our teachers.

E-Learning involves the use of internet to enable people to learn anytime and anywhere. It also demands a wide array of technological skills for one to exploit it effectively. The advantage of e-learning is that it enables participants to fit in the global economy and be up to date with current information just like in the advanced countries.

The greatest advantage of e-Learning centres in communities is that they enhance the value of education among people. People, especially youths, begin to realise the importance of education as a source of a brighter future. Hence one young poet entertaining the Tsholotsho crowd said to school pupils and I quote: “If you do not work hard at school, you will work hard at work”.

Besides imparting to teachers necessary technological skills for facilitating the computerisation programme, Government has to also invest immensely in improving infrastructure and power supply. This, just like the computer illiteracy bedevilling most teachers, can thwart efforts of fully implementing the e-Learning programme in schools.

The Chronicle

24 July 2012

POLITICAL leaders should desist from fuelling divisions among Zimbabweans and have unity of purpose towards improving livelihoods of ordinary people in their communities, senior politicians said yesterday.

Addressing hundreds of mourners during the funeral service of Professor Welshman Ncube’s son, Ntabiso, in Bulawayo yesterday, senior politicians from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations said Zimbabweans have a common identity and destiny.

Ntabiso was buried at West Park cemetery yesterday afternoon.

“This tragedy makes sense in that it brought us together from across the political divide. Beyond our divisions there is a lot that binds us together. We share one destiny and we cannot avoid each other,” said Mr Paul Themba Nyathi, the MDC treasurer-general.

“Surely this shows that we should at some stage come together to discuss how we can improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty among our people. We should rise beyond just seeking to dominate each other and reach levels of tolerance.

“Kusinceda ngani ukuba sinyonkolozana. Patrick Chinamansa is here and is Zanu-PF. He chose to be like that and I chose to be this side. We live in one country and we have a responsibility of making it happier for our children and generations to come to reach highest levels of attainment.”

Cde Mike Bimha of Zanu-PF and Prof Ncube’s deputy in Government said Zimbabweans should remove all the artificial differences and live together harmoniously.

He chronicled how he met Prof Ncube at the University of Zimbabwe in the early 1980s and how they worked together in the Inclusive Government despite coming from different political backgrounds.

“I did not know that Prof Ncube will one day lead a political party or that we will at some point be together in Government with me being his deputy. But here we are. In Government we put Zimbabwe first and one can hardly see our differences. We consider what is of national interest,” said Cde Bimha.

“I would like to appeal to all leaders in the country that if we can work together despite our political affiliations and put Zimbabwe first, we can create a brighter future for generations to come.”
Speaking at the same occasion Senator David Coltart said Zimbabwe was going through challenges that required leaders to pull together in one direction.

He urged politicians to be honest in their dealings and to always tell the truth.
“God knows that our beloved country has many challenges. Our focus should be on the future,” said Senator Coltart who is also the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture.

Among the mourners were Cabinet Ministers, MPs and Senators such as Moses Mzila Ndlovu, Edward Mkhosi, Believe Gaule, Tendai Biti, Rabson Makhula, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, Patrick Chinamasa, Elton Mangoma, Dumiso Dabengwa, Gorden Moyo, Siyabonga Malandu Ncube and Lutho Tapela.

Other dignitaries were former Bulawayo Mayor, Mr Japhet Ndabeni Ncube, High Court judge Nicholas Mathonsi, Obert Sibanda, Deputy Mayor Amen Mpofu, King Lobengula’s descendant Peter Zwide Kalanga Khumalo, Paul Siwela, Donald Khumalo and Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) boss Daniel Chigaru.

Ntabiso (19) died in a car accident on Saturday morning near his father’s Greendale home in Harare.

Press Release: New Zealand Government

Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

23 July 2012

Prime Minister John Key will host Zimbabwe’s Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai, when he visits New Zealand this week.

Mr Tsvangirai has led pressure for democratic change and been a key opposition figure in Zimbabwean politics. In 2008, his party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) entered into a power-sharing deal with the ZANU – PF, the party of President Robert Mugabe.

“Mr Tsvangirai has been at the forefront of efforts to open up democracy in Zimbabwe,” says Mr Key.

“We will discuss the situation in Zimbabwe, including work on a new constitution and the outlook for the next elections. The visit will also allow us to consider how we might rebuild the bilateral relationship, in the right political environment.”

In 2002 New Zealand imposed targeted bilateral sanctions on Zimbabwe in protest at the Mugabe regime’s human rights abuses.

Mr Tsvangirai is the first member of the Zimbabwean Government to make a formal visit to New Zealand for more than a decade, although another MDC minister, Minister of Sport and Education David Coltart, made a private trip to New Zealand in June 2010.

Mr Tsvangirai is in New Zealand to meet with Mr Key and other senior ministers this Wednesday, July 25.

Sunday News

22-28 July 2012

The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has endorsed a directive by the minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, to have all national teams’ games spread countrywide.

The SRC said sports associations in the country have agreed to facilitate the rotation of the games so as to giver every Zimbabwean a chance to watch national team games.

SRC corporate communications officer Tirivashe Nheweyembwa disclosed that they met the associations on 30 June who embraced the ministry’s initiative.

“The SRC board me on 30 June and the issue was brought up and all the national sports associations agreed to take up the challenge and ensure that games are spread to all provinces,” said Nheweyembwa.

He was confident that with immediate effect all stadiums fir to host international games would be granted that opportunity.

“Barbourfields stadium among other stadiums should be in a position to host the next international match as Zifa has not advised us about any abnormalities in the stadium. The only challenge that we might be facing is that not all provinces have enough resources to host other games hence as we try to capacitate them, some of the games will be still be played in Harare,” he said.

Earlier the minister had issued as order urging the sports body to publicly announce changes in their policy regarding International matches.

“The SRC should exercise its discretion to authorize, subject to undertakings having been obtained that equity will be obtained in future fixtures.”

“The SRC must publicly announce this change in policy and annually produce a report detailing where all international matches have been held, the dates they have been held, the dates they have been held, the respective attendance figures and the report should give any justification applied to allow any deviation from a precisely equitable share of matches at all internationally accepted venues,” said Coltart.

The directive by Coltart is to be implemented from next month and will affect all national football teams, including youth sides and the women’s team.

Apart from the national Sports Stadium, and Rufaro, Barbourfields Stadium is the only other sporting facility approved to host international matches outside the capital.