Guest column: Tendai Ruben Mbofana

Every community and society’s norms and standards are usually set by those in authority. That is why, even at family level, the parents’ behaviour and teachings play a primary role in determining the direction and decisions the children take in their day-to-day lives. Furthermore, according to proven scientific studies, we all learn from what we see those in authority doing, rather than what they tell us.

The exact same basic principles apply to a nation.

The values of a country’s citizenry are predominantly shaped by the standards set by those in power. This fact can never be denied. As much as we may argue that, as individuals, we should be able to distinguish between right and wrong, it is, nonetheless, an undeniable fact that the government’s actions — as leaders of the nation — play a very influential role in how society is shaped.

As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world in commemorating 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence (between 25 November and 10 December),we can never dissociate the increase in cases of domestic and gender-based violence to our own government’s growing propensity for brutal repression against the citizenry. What are the people of Zimbabwe learning from these brazen acts of heinous repression — notably, last week’s unwarranted bashing of mostly bystanders outside the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party headquarters, and the upsurge of reported cases of arrests and intimidation of labour rights activists, not forgetting the heartless cold-blooded gunning down of scores of anti-government rioters on 1 August 2018 and January 2019 —characterised by numerous allegations of sexual abuse of innocent women shortly after the latter — and, the alleged abductions of both opposition and labour activists (with human rights organisations reporting over 50 cases).

The fact that all these savage acts were committed within a space of only one year, is enough to send shivers down anyone’s spine — no matter how hard-hearted they may be. In fact, they would most probably make Nazi leader Adolf Hitler appear like a mere amateur!

When a country has authorities – who are undeniably influential opinion leaders — who would not hesitate to mete out violence whenever confronted with dissent, what example is that supposed to convey to the community?

What are the ordinary people — especially, the more impressionable younger generations — meant to learn from the government on how to handle those who may not agree with them, or those who may have wronged them? What has the government taught the nation on how to react to those who may disobey instructions? What our nation’s ‘leaders’ are effectively teaching us – by way of their barbaric medieval atrocious tactics — is that when your spouse criticises you for your irresponsible and wayward ways, the best way to deal with the situation is to beat the daylights out of them!

Similarly, if our children do something we do not approve of, then as parents, we have the right to deliver untold suffering and pain upon them! Is it then any wonder that there has also been a reported upsurge of violence, especially murders, within our communities — characterised by spouses or partners killing their supposed loved ones, wild machete wielding hooligans who are butchering innocent people, children killing their parents over alleged bewitching claims, or fathers and mothers fatally assaulting their disobedient offspring, and so many more?

Of course, it would be gravely irresponsible and disingenuous to place the blame for all the incidences of violence — especially domestic and gender-based — squarely on government’s activities, but as previously mentioned, no one can seriously deny the immense role and influence played by our leaders in directing the moral, social, and cultural fibre of this nation.

As a matter of fact, Zimbabwean schools teach our children — from a very young age — that the country’s authorities are examples of good leadership to be emulated!

We even have child councillors, child Members of Parliament, and a child president — all of whom are inculcated to regard their seniors in our government as role models. Considering what our children witness on a daily basis — through unparalleled human rights abuses — what are they bound to emulate? What are our leaders showing our children, when most news items emanating from the country are images of the police beating up unarmed people who are not even posing a serious threat (but, in fact running away) — with elderly women having their legs broken, or skulls crushed? Why do we then get surprised when today’s youth have absolutely no respect for their elders?

We then rush to blame so-called Western culture, yet these problems emanate from right here in this country. When rape is used as a form of punishment on those who are considered voices of dissent — as widely reported earlier this year immediately after the January fuel increase riots — what signal is being sent to the nation? Why would we then be shocked with the ever-rising cases of sadistic incidents of sexual abuse?

More violence, more domestic violence, and more gender-based violence is what we can expect as a nation — as long is these bestial activities by those in authority are not stopped!
Surely, is that the direction that this government wants to take our country? Are these the principles those in authority want our children to follow and grown up with? Mantras and slogans do not amount to anything if those in power do not set the right example of where we want to go as a country.

It is pointless making all sorts of noises, even standing on hilltops, clamouring for an immediate end to violence especially, domestic and gender-based when the most influential people in the nation are busy signalling the very opposite. It is high time that all of us who claim to stand for social justice and human rights — especially, gender rights activists — not shy away from tackling all root causes of this scourge bedevilling our society. Central to this should be fearlessly holding our leaders accountable for their role in festering this menace.

As long as we are selective in our approach to this issue — while treating others as sacred cows who should not be touched — then we are all on a wild goose chase, and wasting our time in these efforts to tackle domestic and gender-based violence. The only sacred cows in this equation are the victims and survivors — who deserve all our support and protection — otherwise, all perpetrators and instigators have to be held accountable.

Then, and only then, can we ever dream of eradicating this vice.

 Tendai Ruben Mbofana is a social justice activist, writer, author, and speaker. He can be contacted on mbofana.tendairuben73@gmail.com.

BY FORTUNE MBELE

HIGHLANDERS coach Hendrikus Pieter de Jongh is open to extending his contract with Highlanders beyond its December 31 expiry date after turning Bosso from a farce into a force to reckon with over the last three months.

The Dutchman has lifted Bosso from the doldrums, where the Bulawayo giants were flirting with the relegation dogfight, and they now sit fifth on the table, eyeing at least a top-four finish.

To spice up his success, this afternoon, he leads the team out to tussle for the Chibuku Super Cup with Ngezi Platinum Stars in a final that will be played at Barbourfields Stadium.

While he has not applied for the vacant Warriors post, De Jongh told NewsDay Weekender Sport that it would be an honour for him to coach the Zimbabwe senior national football team.

He is yet to lose a match since he came on board at the Bulawayo giants at the end of September, presiding over nine league matches in which he has won four times and drawn five games and bundled out giants Dynamos and FC Platinum of the Chibuku Super Cup, while beating ZPC Kariba in the semi-finals.

There are whispers that the travelled coach has been sounded out by other local clubs, but De Jongh said he was happy at Highlanders and would love to continue working for the giants.

“My focus is on the cup (Chibuku Super Cup) and finishing the league in a good position. I have produced very good results with Highlanders and that is not in dispute. I love the club,” he said.

“When I arrived, Highlanders were a sinking ship, but I have had a good working relationship and co-operation with the staff. I am open to discussions with Highlanders on contract extension, but for every coach, it is an honour to work for an FA.”

Armed with a Uefa A Licence, the Dutchman’s last job at national level was with Eswatini national team (Sihlangu), where he was sacked at the beginning of last year.

He also worked for Rwanda (technical director) and coached the Olympic team in Moldova, among other jobs.

He has also coached AFC Leopards in Kenya and FC Cape in South Africa.

De Jongh is excited about working in the local league, which he says is very competitive, and rates it above the top-flights of South Africa, Swaziland and Kenya.

“The Zimbabwean league is very competitive, of high level and maybe not well structured, but in terms of quality, it is better than South Africa, Kenya and Swaziland,” he said.

“There is a lot of quality players and competition, where you have at the start of the season at the least eight to 10 clubs, Caps United, FC Platinum, Chicken Inn, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, Highlanders, Triangle, Manica Diamonds, Black Rhinos competing for the league title and that is good.”

BY PRAISEMORE SITHOLE

ZIMBABWE United Passenger Company (Zupco) has failed to supply its fleet in Bulawayo with fuel for the past three days, leaving thousands of the commuting public stranded, Southern Eye has heard.

Most service stations in the city did not receive diesel supplies for close to a week, resulting in long winding queues resurfacing.

Some Zupco drivers said they had not received diesel in two days.

One of the drivers said they had not received any diesel amid revelations they were being allocated 100 litres every two days.

“We are given 100 litres of diesel every two days, but we have not received anything for the past two days. We had been promised diesel on Monday, but we did not receive anything,” the driver said.

The State-owned entity recently engaged local commuter omnibuses under its programme. Zupco kombis charge $2 per trip.

Zupco southern region manager, Tineyi Ruwasoka declined to comment on the fuel shortages.

‘“I do not comment on that,” he said.

Residents have, however, questioned if the recent commissioning of 76 buses by President Emmerson Mnangagwa was real or it was just politicking.

This week, commuters in Bulawayo struggled to get transport to and from work as only a few buses were seen plying the routes.

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association chairperson, Ambrose Sibindi said the commuting public had not seen the commissioned buses on the roads.

“In fact, residents are questioning where those 76 buses are, because they have not made any impact or change and in future people may not trust the government,” Sibindi said.

MOTIVATION: Ashley Thaba

IT seems like these days, newspapers are full of two topics: Corruption and gender-based violence (GBV). We recently did a series on corruption. Hopefully, you can look those up on the NewsDay website.

I have been praying and asking God to help me understand GBV, so I could write this article as an encouragement to those who are contributing to the horrendous statistics.

Here is my humble assessment. GBV occurs when a person is afraid someone they love will leave them or will not be faithful to them.

A desire to dominate and threats give them a sense of security that they can control and force the person to stay with them.

Ultimately, they deeply desire to be loved, but they fear if their loved one is given the choice, they will choose not to love them.

Manipulation tactics abound as the insecure partner tries everything in their power to ensure loyalty and love.

The sad reality is that forcing or abusing someone into love never leads to true and fulfilling love. True love is a choice. Here is another sad reality. For the person, who is so insecure, to feel the need to commit acts of GBV, they desperately need to be loved because they don’t even love themselves. How can I make that bold assumption?

Someone who loves themselves do not draw self-worth from the approval or presence of others. Let me present a scenario of a healthy reaction from a person who is secure.

Let’s say Sally cheated on Joe. Sure! If Sally leaves or no longer likes Joe, it will hurt him!

Naturally, he will try and convince her with his words to stay with him. But Joe knows he is valuable and her decision to not be in his life doesn’t take away his intrinsic significance.

Therefore, hurting Sally is not his go-to reaction. Rather, after feeling the sadness of the disappointment, he realises that it is her loss.

Out of a deep love for Sally, he realises he ultimately wants her to be happy and, as devastating as it may be that Sally is not happy with him, his love leads him to say he wants the best for her.

Also, he realises if he wants to be happy, he needs to be with someone who freely wants to be with him. Forcing her to stay through violent tactics is not going to make Sally love him; it will just make her scared of him.

Joe realises he deserves better than that. Tears and possibly some hurtful words might ensue, but ultimately, they go their separate ways amicably and maturely.

This scenario takes a horrific turn for the worst if Joe needs Sally in his life to feel love and to be happy.

If the thought of Sally being in the arms of another man throws him into a jealous rage, where he wants to hurt her because he is hurting, then this is a sign of insecurity.

This is a sign of weakness — despite the strength he might use to abuse her.

I believe if we look at the root problem — insecurity — we can actually find a viable cure.

Do they fear that people will think they are insignificant, a failure, unlovable or inferior, among others? Do they fear being alone? Have they been rejected so many times that they can’t take it anymore? Why are they so threatened at the thought of losing that person?

Avoiding this self-reflection means they will never be free from the awful effects of their jealously violent outbursts and it also means they will never experience the true love they desperately crave.

There is hope! To the one who feels insignificant, there is a God, who says: I knew you in your mother’s womb; I know the hairs on your head and a word on your tongue before you speak it. I love you!

To the one who feels inferior, He says you can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you! You are victorious by the power of My spirit! To the one who has been rejected, God says: I sent my son to be rejected, to bear your sin and your shame, so you do not have to! While you were still a sinner, I loved you. Turn from your angry self. Repent and ask Me to come in and change you from within.

Invite My spirit of love and self-control and gentleness to fill you up! Believe Me when I say you are not unlovable. You are so loved that nothing can separate you from My love — not death, not principalities, not powers, not angels … nothing!

I promise you no eye has seen nor mind has seen what I have in store for those who love Me. Internalise these words!

Think about these words over and over and over until you believe them. Because once you love yourself, then you can begin to love others.

And once your identity is secure in God, a source that will never leave you, then even if others go, you know you are valuable and you are loved.

To the person who instinctively feels the need to resort to violence and abuse, God can change you. By his regenerative Spirit, the old you can go and a new you can come!

Examine your heart. Figure out why you are so scared and mad when you can’t control the other person’s feelings. Ask God to heal you from within.

Ultimately, learn that you will never be able to control their feelings, but you can, by the grace and power of God experience control of your own feelings and emotions.

Ashley Thaba is a life-coach, team-building facilitator and motivational speaker. She is also the author of Conquering the Giants and Dive In. She can be contacted on askthaba@gmail.com

BY SPORTS REPORTER

THE Zimbabwe table tennis team has regrouped for the final preparation for the 2019 African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Table Tennis Championship set for Lesotho next week.

The Region 5 Games will run from December 4 to 11 at Lehakoe Recreational Centre in Maseru and will be used as the World Championship qualifiers.

Zimbabwe has been in preparatory mode for the past couple of months beginning with the Chinese Ambassador Cup at Harare International School which was held at the end of September.

Last weekend, Zimbabwe competed at the Zambia edition of the Chinese Ambassador Cup that featured a number of countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia.

The team regrouped at Prince Edward on Thursday and is set to play the final preparatory match against the Chinese community living in Zimbabwe today.

“We regrouped for training at Prince Edward School on Thursday as we wind up preparations for the Region 5 Games. We are scheduled to play the Chinese team Golden Peacock in Harare on Saturday,” Nelson Madzokere, the Zimbabwe Table Tennis Union national technical director, said.

“We have been training for a while and I feel the team is almost ready for competition at the Region 5 Games. This event will be used as qualifiers for 2020 World Championship, so we need to finish in the medal positions for us to qualify.”

The country’s number one player, Brian Chamboko, who won the men’s event at the Chinese Ambassador Cup, will lead the men’s team, which also includes Tinotenda Fambira, Tatenda Mumvuma, Lydale Chafurama and Nick Jani.

Anesu Siringwani is Zimbabwe’s top player in the women’s team, alongside Ashley Dhlamini, Vimbai Makuvaza and Cindy Chinomona.

Madzokere feels that Zimbabwe’s relatively young side has a bright future.

“Table tennis has been growing in Zimbabwe and we are excited to be sending a young side which is hungry for success to Lesotho. Save for Chamboko, who is the oldest player in the team, our teams are made up of university and high school students which speaks to a bright future for our table tennis,” he said.

Teams

Men: Brian Chamboko, Tinotenda Fambira, Tatenda Mumvuma, Lydale Chafuruma, Janhi

Coach: Takudzwa Mudonhi

Women: Anesu Siringwani, Ashley Dhlamini, Cindy Chinomona, Vimbai Makuvaza

Coach: Blessings Mathe

Devotion Column: Erasmus Makarimayi

Eternal life was there before death. It’s eternal because it’s everlasting and exists forever and ever. This life is not a rushed stop-gap measure, but has been there before time. The Gospel of Christ, among others. the Grace of God preaches the life of Christ which is received by believers through faith. As we receive this life, we are ushered into the Christian Faith or Christianity. Receiving the grace of God awakens or quickens us by transferring us from death to life and from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of Heaven. We are, therefore, citizens of heaven and we do not hold valid papers to exist in darkness. Please remember that that we receive the life of Christ not that we give our lives to Christ.

Throughout the pages of the Bible, we see the life of God that He is offering to humanity. This life is the basis for Christian hope. We, therefore, stand without shaking. Believers behold the future without trepidation and pursue their purposes with boldness and determination. Christians, therefore, live with a sense of security. Beyond the sense realm, we have full persuasion and conviction. Apostle Paul in Titus 1:2 settles: “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Because of the eternal life, we live in hope not fear and despondency. God cannot lie. It is not in His nature to reverse His promises. Here we are told that before the world began, eternal life was already there. So our life is not in the hands of our ancestors. Our ancestors came after eternal life and cannot be custodians of eternal life. We, therefore, do not worship ancestral spirits.
The book of Genesis in typology reveals to us this life. In the garden of Eden we see the tree of life which points to Christ.

Genesis 2:9 records: “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.” The option to choose life has always been there. We are free moral agents. God is not a dictator and, therefore, allows us the liberty to choose our course. Deuteronomy 30:19 shows: “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” We are persuaded and encouraged to choose life. Let us go for life.

We have noted that life was in the eternal realm. The Bible teaches us that this life was seen in our material world. 1 John 1:2 clarifies: “(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)” Eternal life came into our arena and was seen by human beings.
The life was seen. This life of God is the Man Christ Jesus. The Amplified Bible makes it clearer. It reads: “And the Life [an aspect of His being] was revealed (made manifest, demonstrated), and we saw [as eyewitnesses] and are testifying to and declare to you the Life, the eternal Life [in Him] Who already existed with the Father and Who [actually] was made visible (was revealed) to us [His followers].” Jesus Christ of Nazareth came on earth to release this life to the physical world.

The Christian Faith, therefore, is the only path for eternal life. Jesus emphatically declares in John 14:6: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” If Jesus Christ came with eternal life, therefore, there is life after death. What we call death in our physical realm is sleep. Eternal life was there before death and shall be there after death. It supersedes death. Therefore, this world is not the end of it. We accept that Jesus came in the flesh to avail to us His life after His death and resurrection. 1 John 4:2-3 lay the foundation: “[2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world.” Jesus Christ is not a mysterious distant phenomenon.

He is there to connect God to His people and humanity to God. We believe He came and that He shall return. Grace and peace be multiplied to you through knowledge.

All Bible quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

Feedback: pastor@newgatechapel.org Fellowship with Pastor Makarimayi on Facebook and on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI.

SUCCESS LIFE: Jonah Nyoni

THINKING is the big game that every leader should engage in. It shapes the future, scales up possibilities and opportunities that any company has. But do leaders really think?

That’s an open-ended question that provokes the core of every leader. The truth is all people, leaders included, do think, but not most of them practise their potential, which is in quality thinking.

It is only that human beings were not given a robotic mind. Human beings have the power of choice.

But how can leaders use their thinking to the benefit of an organisation?

Leaders must have the right questions. Every leader must be inquisitive. Good questions solicit for good and appropriate solutions.

Why are things the way they are in my company? How can that be changed? Who do I need to change? Why do I need to change? When do I need to change?

Agility

Agility is the nimbleness and attitude to learn. Canadian-American motivational public speaker and self-development author Brian Tracy once said: “Your mind is a like a muscle, it grows with exercise.”

When you learn, you expand your mind, ideas innovativeness and repertoire. Your mind can function well when it has been opened by learning.

What is learning? It is the ability to acquire information that increases you capacity, effectiveness, and mental openness.

It’s commonly said, your mind is like a parachute, it functions well when it is open.

Expose and open your mind through personal development, books and quality mental food. The functions of a parachute become known as soon as it is opened.

As long as it stays down, its true purpose is not accomplished. It is as good as non-existent and so are you. Get to your field and work only then can your destiny be fulfilled.

Learning makes adoptability and adaptability much easier. When you are informed, it’s much easier to tackle change.

The parachute adapts to the wind. When the parachute is open, it harnesses the wind energy and manipulates its power. It adapts so that it functions fully.

The winds of change are always blowing and those that don’t want to upgrade, and adapt are soon left behind. Set your sails properly so as to benefit from any change.

American moral and social philosopher Erick Hoffer (1898-1983) once said: “Learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exits”.

Great leaders are not those that know it all, but those that are willing to listen, learn and change.

In Africa, for example, we are in this state because we have leaders that are not willing to learn and change.

I always wonder why in Zimbabwe, for example, we have great minerals, but we can’t add value and beneficiate them? President Emmerson Mnangagwa should be given a clear and reasonable answer on this by Mines minister Winston Chitando.

Entrust

Thinking should not be centred on the leaders only. A great leader entrusts or delegates thinking to others.

People that you work with are creative, thinking beings. What you need to do as a leader is to positively provoke them so that you are given ideas to use. Dictators only want their thoughts to be heard and implemented.

Create a safe space

Great leaders create a safe space for the incubation of ideas, easy access and easy cross-pollination of ideas. Ideas are everything.

The world is controlled by ideas and the best way is to allow those that are led to give birth to ideas without hindrance. It is up to the current leader to embrace new ideas.

Systems thinking

How do we bring every part to work fluidly in a company? Systems thinking is all about involving all ecosystems necessary in the success of the whole organisation.

That synergistic approach to leadership makes all systems work coherently.

Parting Point: When African leaders step back and think, they will realise that power is not meant to suppress and limit people, but to empower others to become leaders as well. We are surrounded by leaders that can’t listen to people anymore. Worse still they think they have the final say. It’s time for the African leader to rise and think. We need to be liberated in our thinking.

Jonah Nyoni is an author, success coach and certified leadership/business trainer. He is the author of Inspiration for Success and Success Within Reach. Contact details: Tel: 0772 581 918. Email: jonah@classicmail.co.za. Twitter@jonahnyoni.

BY SILAS NKALA/DARLINGTON MWASHITA

GOLD deposits have reportedly been discovered at White Khami Farm in Insiza, with hundreds of illegal panners invading the area in search of the precious mineral, prompting the police to cordon off the area.

A villager from the area said they discovered the gold deposits a week ago, prompting gold panners from areas such as Esigodini, Gwanda, Matopo, Mberengwa and Shangani to throng the area.

“There is a lot of chaos at the site. Panners have been fighting over the control of gold deposits. The deposits are situated 5km from Filabusi turn-off, along Masvingo road,” said the villager who requested anonymity.

“On Saturday (November 23) there was a huge fight between panners with the area becoming a battlefield. Police officers have been deployed to control of the area, especially during the night.”

Contacted for comment on Thursday, Matabeleland South police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the development, but dismissed reports of fights between panners.

“The gold rush has brought various gold panners from different places to do illegal mining and police officers are doing what they can to prevent the activities,” Ndebele said.

He warned that illegal panners face arrest.

BY HENRY MHARA

MARSHALL Munetsi couldn’t hold back his smile when NewsDay Sport asked him how it felt to rub shoulders with a global superstar like Brazilian Neymar Jnr in the French Ligue 1.
The Warriors midfielder sealed his move to Stade de Reims from Orlando Pirates in June, and life has been bliss since he moved to France.

He has already featured in eight of his new team’s 12 matches in the French top division, starting three of them.

But of course the 23-year-old’s highest moment in the short period that he has been in France was when Reims, one of the most successful clubs in French football history, having won six Ligue 1 titles, two Coupe de France trophies, and five Trophée des champions titles – faced giants Paris Saint Germain.

Part of his job on the day was to shackle Neymar, and not only did he manage to pass the test, which many falter at, but also provided an assist for the opener as Reims shocked the champions 2-0 in their own backyard.

It was PSG’s first defeat in the league this season.

“I was not afraid of meeting Neymar, or any other big star on that team. All I wanted to do on the day was to play well, and try to win the match,” Munetsi said. “When you dream about playing in Europe, you have to dream about playing with and against the big names. You have to be able to handle the pressure.

“I remember when we were going to play PSG, there was a lot of talk about us losing the match with a big margin. Some were saying we would lose by 5-nil. And it was my first time to be playing on the big, big stage. I have played in big matches before, but this one was huge for me, and to be able to enjoy the moment and to express myself was very massive.
I just want to thank God and the people that have supported me so far, to make this dream a reality.

“Playing against Neymar made me popular, a lot of people here in Zimbabwe were talking about it and congratulating me. I have had a lot of support from the supporters and it means a lot to us the players knowing that you are representing the country very well.”

The former Orlando Pirates midfielder initially came close to joining a club in Belgium before Reims gazumped the deal, and snapped the defensive midfielder on a five-year deal.
He is still adapting to the biting European cold temperatures, but it’s something that he can live with.

To help Munetsi settle in, the club has also provided a tutor helping him with French lessons.

“I’m settling really well. It’s a young team that has good players, and good management. It’s a young team, but with a rich history, it has won some cups so it’s a good learning curve for me as I started my career in France. I have some minutes under my belt, and I have learnt some couple of things through the players I’m playing with and the technical team. It’s been a good stay so far.

“The club organised a French tutor for me, so I have been having a couple of classes so my French is getting better, but it’s still a long way to go.”

“For now, I just want to settle in. The conditions are difficult, like the weather. It’s very cold, so there are a lot of things that I have to adjust to, but once I settle down I will start looking at having a chance to play for bigger clubs. But for now, it’s all about adjusting to life in Europe.”

Munetsi is happy to be playing in France at the moment, but just like any other ambitious football player, his dream is to play for one of the big teams in Spain and England.

“I will go wherever they want me. As players, we have our dreams of playing for teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester City. But for me to reach that stage, I will have to work very hard so hopefully if I progress well in France, I might get offers from bigger clubs. That is what I’m hoping for.”

His rise, together with that of Warriors teammate Marvellous Nakamba, who also joined English Premiership side Aston Villa, at the start of the season, has motivated their local counterparts as well as inspiring the national team.

“For me and Nakamba to play at the level we are, it gives other Zimbabwean players the enthusiasm. They will feel that if these guys can do it coming from Zimbabwe, coming from the same situations that they are in, they can also do it. It gives them hunger that they can pursue their careers everywhere they dream of. It also helps us as the nation, because we would add the quality and the experience that we get playing at our teams in Europe. Playing at the big stage gives a lot of exposure and so it helps the national team.”

The two have built a strong partnership in the heart of the Warriors midfield, and carry the hopes of the nation who are bidding to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Stade de Reims coach David Guion has been impressed with what he has seen in Munetsi so far, and is tipping him to become a very great player.

“He will become a very great player,” Guion told a French football website butfootballclub.fr last month.

“We are happy to have Marshall, he comes from the end of the world, at the bottom of the globe, (he’s) always smiling and listening. I think he will become a very great player. He has never disappointed me, every time (from the time) he came in, he has conducted himself well. I place a lot of hope in him. In the coming years, he will become a player who will count for the Stade de Reims,” he added.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

ZIMBABWE’S insurance sector is a experiencing a number of challenges stemming from currency volatility, poor policies and tax remitting burden, ravaging inflation that could jeopardise the viability of the sector if authorities do not intervene.

The southern African country’s economy is saddled with power shortages, foreign currency dearth, run-away inflation, skyrocketing prices amid falling purchasing power.

To keep pace with skyrocketing costs of service delivery, insurance firms have increased premiums for policy holders by up to 1 000%. Firms now risk losing business as policyholders will end up defaulting, owing to the purchasing power that continues tumbling.

This article will look at the implications of currency reforms, policy directives among other pressing issues bedevilling the insurance sector.

Currency reforms and policy directives

Following the abolition of the use of multi-currency regime and the subsequent adoption of the Zimbabwe dollar in June this year, the country’s insurance sector regulator, Insurance and Pensions Commission (Ipec) directed insurance firms to discontinue issuing policies in foreign currency in line with Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019, which introduced local currency.

To confirm that the move was not well thought, three months later, Ipec, after consulting Treasury released circular 13 of 2019 allowing existing foreign currency denominated policies to run to their natural expiry.

The insurance regulator issued a communiqué after consultations with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Finance and Economic Development ministry.

“All new insurance policies for local assets whose risk is assumed locally should be done in local currency in line with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe regulations. Existing foreign currency denominated policies shall run to their natural expiry. Policies that had lapsed as a result of SI 142 and our letter of June 28, 2019 must be reinstated without prejudice to the policyholders upon payment of arrears. Insurers should, however, provide options for the policyholders to pay premiums for running policies using free funds,” the Ipec circular reads.

Ipec further gave guidelines that the insurance industry can provide insurance policies in foreign currency for international travel insurance, motor insurance for vehicles in transit, customs bond insurance, bank cash in transit and safari operators insurance.

In addition, the transfer of foreign currency denominated insurance premiums was supposed to be processed in the respective currency as per contract through the banking system.

As well insurance and reinsurance companies can receive premiums and retrocessions in foreign currency from external clients into their special nostro accounts.

But it should be noted that the rethinking of this policy came after three months and in the process insurance firms had lost business.

“The effect of both circulars was that insurers lost potential revenue for that time. Now it’s difficult to go back to the same clients and ask them to resume their policies.

Clients no longer have confidence in us and most of them lay the blame on insurers for this circus or confusion,” said a top insurance executive who declined to be named.

Moreover, with the Zimbabwe dollar continuously losing value, firms are being forced to review their premiums (and have done so up to 1 000%) to keep pace with the inflation rate at 440% as of October this year.

This is happening at a time salaries of the majority are stagnant, consequently leading to dwindling purchasing power. A government employee is paid $1 000 at a time an average of five persons per household require $3 160 as of October 2019, according to Zimbabwe statistics data.

Insurance players bemoan the fact that due to the use of mono-currency, insurers are constantly revaluing their sum insured to match the inflationary
pressures.

“So as I reiterated earlier, the issue of mono-currency from multi-currency regime has inconvenienced the insured in terms of insurers having to constantly revalue their sum insured to match market value so that they are adequately insured and avoid underinsurance,” said one industry insider.

The prevailing situation is likely to affect insurance penetration currently, which stands at 4,7 % .

The country with the highest insurance penetration in sub-Saharan Africa is South Africa at 15% ,while Zambia and Mozambique are estimated at 3 % and 1,3 %, respectively.

Angola and Kenya have insurance penetration at 1% and 3%, respectively, according to Willis Towers Watson report on sub-Saharan Africa insurance.

“Premiums are being adjusted on a market determined basis whereas incomes are lagging behind. We are going to see more and more people being uninsured. In these tough times, insurance goes down the priority list. It becomes a luxury when you can’t put food on the table,” Labour and Economic Development Research Institute of Zimbabwe economist Prosper Chitambara said.

Tax remitting burden

Zimbabwe Revenue Authority issued a communique recently chiding all insurers who are not remitting insurance commission tax collected from freelance agents.

Insurers are required to withhold insurance commission tax from the commission paid to the agents or brokers. The insurance commission tax is calculated at the rate of 20%.

For example, insurer VYT Ltd pays commission to a freelance agent BD Hama of $1 000.

The insurer is required to withhold 20% of $1 000, which is $200.

An insurance broker is a professional who offers, negotiates, and sells policies.

He acts as intermediary between insurers and customers and receives compensation. Brokers also help their clients to outline risk management strategies, which are suitable for their profile

A top broker confirmed that brokers are failing to remit US dollars to insurers and insurers cannot also remit to reinsurers even payment of claims for those who were approved to place their insurance in US dollars as banks are frustrating the process, making it difficult to transfer money which complicates the entire procedure.

Anti-money laundering impact

Apart from currency, tax has been a headache and confusion, Zimbabwe has another elephant in the room after it was placed on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)’s monitoring (grey list) in October 2019 following lack of progress in addressing strategic Anti-Money Laundering/Combatting the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) deficiencies identified in 2016.

The regulator now says it will tighten screws on the industry players, which will see it reviewing licensing of insurers to include AML/CFT requirements while guidance papers on the issue will also see mandatory use of proposal form to identify natural persons among all policyholders.

The consequences are deadly should the country be downgraded to dark grey or black list.

Other consequences for non-compliance include removal from international payment platform through termination of correspondent banking relationships in fear of regulatory fines for dealing with non-complying entities.

Prescribed asset ratio non-compliance

Government has pegged prescribed asset ratio at 10%. Prescribed assets are the percentage of retirement funds’ assets and possibly of other institutional investors that, by law, have to be allocated to certain government-approved instrument.

All funeral assurers continue to be non–compliant with the minimum prescribed asset (PA) ratio of 10%.

uneral investments in PA ratio decreased by 23,30% from $1,25 million as at March 31, 2019 to $961 000 as at June 30, 2019.

This comes as in the pensions sector the prescribed asset ratio as at June 30 2019 was 7,25% and was lower than the 10% regulatory minimum.

In the period under review, only one out of 18 short-term insurers was compliant with the minimum prescribed asset ratio of 10%.

The low PA ratio is testament that insurance firms have low appetite for government paper.

“All these ideas are not applicable. Government must not push insurance firms to buy government paper unless it pays a good interest rate. It should offer a good interest rate.

If the instrument is paying less its unfair for insurance firms to invest in them. These firms need a return from their investments,” economist John Robertson (pictured) said.

Insurance sector liquidity and stability

Pending the implementation of a new compliance assessment framework, Zimbabwe integrated capital and risk project to be effected mid-2020, latest figures from the regulator show that some insurance firms are hanging by the thread.

Risk-based capital framework does not eliminate minimum capital requirements, but promote consistent and comprehensive disclosures by entities for the protection of insurance stakeholders and policyholders.

Treasury in the 2020 budget hiked the minimum capital requirements for short-term and funeral insurance entities’ to $37,5 million from $2,5 million, life insurance and re-insurance to $75 million from $5 million, and micro-insurance to $4,5 million from $0,3 million.

It will remain to be seen whether firms will be well capitalised to meet the new thresholds.

Already, as of June 30, 2019 data from the regulator shows that five out of the nine funeral assurers reported capital positions above the regulatory minimum capital requirement of $2,5 million based on their unaudited financial statements.

“The dollar is devaluing. The insurance sector in Zimbabwe is in difficult circumstances because the turnover volumes are going down. Wages are not going up. Many insurers will not find revenue to maintain the services. While some are offering US dollar packages, but many consumers are not earning the US dollars. So it’s difficult times for insurance sector,” Robertson said.

Lack of confidence continues to haunt the country’s insurance and pensions industry caused by the erosion of policy holder accounts due to the conversion of value from Zimbabwean dollar to the United States dollars during the February 2009 period.