Home Blog Page 15

Zimbabweans cry foul over COVID-19

Samuel Musarika
-
0

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Harare, Zimbabwe -Three months ago, Zororo Makamba, a multimedia journalist became the first casualty of COVID-19 in the southern African country.

Before he passed on, members of his family complained about ill treatment, stigma and victimization which the 30 year old encountered when he was at the Wilkins Hospital.

Although the city’s Mayor refuted the claims, many people infected with COVID-19 have been complaining about the same issues.

Dr. Lazarus Kajawu who is a clinical psychologist also commented on the challenges being faced by people infected with COVID-19.

“You hear people talking about a COVID-19 patient. This is absolute stigmatisation. Instead, people should refer to these patients as a person infected with COVID-19 to distinguish the person from the virus.

Secondly, if someone goes for testing, many people avoid these people as if they already have the condition. This might be despite the fact that they tested negative. People need to change this mental set.

People need correct information about the transmission of COVID-19. People need to understand that those who test positive for COVID-19 are not careless people but it’s a condition that can affect anybody.

The condition has no barriers with respect to social status, race or anything. People then need to be assured of what they need to do, that is good hygiene, social distancing, hand washing and wearing of face masks.

Dr. Kajawu also gave out some insight to those that might test positive for COVID-19 on how to avoid getting into depression.

“It is important to remain focused on doing what is right, depression thrives where people concentrate on negative aspects of life. People should focus more on good things that come along with the condition. Some people will come to realize they have had time to look back at their lives, and discover what they need to change, or retain.

It is also important to discipline one’s cognition. You need to distract yourself from concentrating on negative things about COVID-19. It is important to focus on the positive steps one needs to take against spreading the virus and the importance of staying healthy.

One should maintain contact with significant others through electronic media to reduce the feeling of isolation. It is important to take this situation as a phase that surely will pass,” said Dr. Kajawu.

Counselling psychologist, Dr. Justice Marwisa, also noted the challenges being faced by people infected with COVID-19.

“Stigma thrives on ignorance as we have experienced in the past for instance, with HIV and other issues. The best strategy to counter the stigma is to inform, inform, inform on accurate information on COVID-19 as this will go a long way in countering stigma related to COVID-19 positive cases.

Moreso, disclosure of one’s COVID-19 status, should be done with thought and care so that unnecessary alarm and stigma can be managed. Information is key in countering negative backlash.

However, keeping sane during self isolation has a lot to do with managing your self talk. Deliberately infusing oneself with positive messages and taking the necessary physical health care. Being COVID-19 positive is not a death sentence. The recovery rates are extremely high.

Moreso, best solutions for avoiding sliding into depression during this pandemic include, opening up to close friends and family about your fears, anxiety, and concerns, let it out and don’t ruminate.

Furthermore, get information, manage anxiety disorder and panic attacks through practical exercises for example deep breathing exercises also seek counselling and avoid bottling emotions,” said Dr. Marwisa.

‘Mnangagwa should emulate Ramaphosa’

Samuel Musarika
-
0
‘Mnangagwa should emulate Ramaphosa’

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Harare, Zimbabwe – Some of the country’s politicians have praised South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa for hosting South Africa’s inaugural public-Presidential virtual symposium.

On Tuesday evening, Ramaphosa engaged with members of the public on a one on one basis on issues such as COVID-19, Gender Based Violence, economy and the country’s lockdown regulations amongst others.

“What President Ramaphosa did is something which President Mnangagwa should emulate, in fact the whole of Africa should follow the same narrative.

Members of the executive should engage with the public from a grass root level as this will help them in knowing what is really happening.

President Mnangagwa is surrounded by people who are feeding him with the wrong information he has to organise a public symposium and engage with members of the public. He has to know what is actually happening on the ground, he shouldn’t rely on hearsay,” said Linda Masarira, leader of the opposition LEAD party.

Another leader of the opposition, UDA party, Dr. Daniel Shumba who is a former army colonel and member of the Central Committee of the ruling ZANU-PF, acceded to the notion of holding a public symposium, “indeed, it is important for a President to publicly engage with citizens, and pronounce and share a national vision. President Ramaphosa is spot on,” said Dr. Shumba.

However, the UDA leader also cited that although social media is now the new normal of engaging with the public there was need for the country to reduce its data costs for the benefit of the masses.

“Social media if managed well, is an effective means of communication, however, Zimbabwe still needs to properly regulate and reduce the high extortionate cost levels of data,” added Dr. Shumba.

However, Leopold Munhende a political journalist with newzimbabwe.com argued that it was a necessity for President Mnangagwa to engage with the public especially during this time of COVID-19.

“Mnangagwa should speak. We do not know the stage at which we are now because the police and army are behaving in a haphazard manner. We do not know who is allowed in town and who is not anymore and state security is taking advantage of this to abuse people’s rights,” said Munhende.

For Dr. Nkululeko Sibanda a political analyst and the spokesperson of Mr. Nelson Chamisa, leader of the MDC Alliance, there is no need for President Mnangagwa to host a public symposium, “the masses don’t take Mnangagwa seriously or as someone who is serious about his job.”

Botswana concerned over dying elephants

Samuel Musarika
-
0

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Okavango Delta, Botswana

More than 350 elephant carcasses have been spotted in Botswana’s Okavango Delta in the past two months.

To date, no-one knows why the animals are dying in Botswana. The southern African country has the world’s largest elephant population, estimated at 130 000.

“We have had a report of 356 dead elephants in the area north of the Okavango Delta, and we have confirmed 275 so far, we do not suspect poaching since the animals were found with tusks,” said Cyril Taolo, acting director of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks

The department of Wildlife and National Parks said it was mobilising human personnel and aircraft to better understand the situation. Samples have been collected for analysis at labs in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Canada.

Similar deaths were first reported in May when authorities found 12 carcasses in just a week in two villages in the northwest of the country.

Air Namibia, SAA facing same fate

Samuel Musarika
-
0
Air Namibia, SAA facing same fate

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Windhoek, Namibia

State owned airline, Air Namibia is facing the same fate of liquidation like the South African Airways (SAA).

The state owned airline is in need of US$411 million to help it keep afloat. The airline, which operates two Airbus A330-200 planes, four Airbus A319-100 aircraft and four Embraer ERJ 135 jets, has over US$295 million in debt.

Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi said it was important to have a national airline but said Air Namibia’s current model, including its new business plan, is neither sustainable nor affordable.

“More than 7 billion Namibian dollars (US$411 million) is needed in the current financial year alone for the new business plan to be implemented.

This makes it unaffordable as resources are needed for other priorities such as health, education, housing and sanitation, amongst others during these difficult times,” said the Finance Minister.

Zimbabwe welcomes CAF’s announcements

Samuel Musarika
-
0

The Zimbabwe Daily – Staff Reporter

Harare, Zimbabwe – Many football stakeholders have welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which now sees two of the continent’s top tournaments being postponed.

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will now be conducted in 2022 and the Africa Women Cup of Nations (Awcon) will now be held in 2021 as well as the establishment of the Africa women’s championship tournament.

“I think CAF took a very good decision by postponing the Afcon and Awcon tournaments because the safety of players should come first.

It will also give teams ample time to train and prepare for the tournaments. I also embrace the announcement of the Africa women’s championship tournament, it’s high time we put our girls on the map just like in Europe, it will also enhance their skills,” said Isaiah Mupfurutsa, Dynamos’ chairperson.

Rosemary Mugadza, who is the coach of the women’s national team also welcomed the postponements.

“Having the Awcon next year is a good idea because we were supposed to start our league matches in April but couldn’t and we don’t even know when we will start so it’s a blessing in disguise which will also give the various coaches enough time to prepare for their teams,” said the national team coach.

Mugadza also welcomed the proposed Africa women’s championship tournament citing that it was high time the country had a professional women’s league.

“It’s high time we have a professional women’s league with this development we need to have proper league structures from provinces to the national league.

Moreso, having the Africa women’s championship is a good development for women football on the continent, it will improve the standard of football especially when teams qualify for the World Cup and also to market our players which will attract sponsorship for the league and clubs,” said Mugadza.

Former Highlanders coach Mark Harrison, also commended the move by CAF of introducing the Africa women’s championship tournament.

“It’s also a good thing for African football and the projection and improvement of women football. Moreover, it would be great for women’s football to go professional but I think establishing a professional women’s league in the country might be a big task as even men’s professional teams in Zimbabwe find it increasingly difficult to meet the financial commitments required,” said Harrison.

South Africa to readdress lockdown regulations

Samuel Musarika
-
0

The Zimbabwe Daily – Staff Reporter

Pretoria, South Africa – Some parts of South Africa could soon find themselves going back to higher lockdown alert levels due to a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases.

To date, South Africa has more than 150 000 COVID-19 cases with 2 657 having succumbed to the virus.

Many of the country’s top hospitals are running out of space and facilities to accommodate COVID-19 patients.

“Due to the increased number of COVID-19 cases, some parts of the country might have to have stricter lockdown regulations, provinces like the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Gauteng are now the epicenters of the virus, the National Command Council hasn’t yet commented on that but I think this is something we have to bear in mind to avoid burdening our health care system as well as curbing the spread of the virus,” said Dr. Zweli Mkhize, the country’s Minister of Health.

Already the country is going through a huge financial stress, which has seen the southern African country’s GDP shrinking by two percent in the first quarter of the year, according to StatsSA.

18 million South Africans are already relying on the government for financial aid and their wellbeing, with an additional two million expected to join in due to retrenchments and closure of companies as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, the country’s Auditor General, Kimi Makwetu announced the 2018/19 national municipal audit results which saw only 20 municipalities having clean audits out of 278 which are being burdened by corruption, maladministration and arrears.

“Some of the municipalities tend to divert their  current budget allowances to other things which wouldn’t have been planned for, that’s why they have arrears as they will be waiting to use their budgetary allowance for that current year to cover the previous year’s arrears,” said Parks Tau, deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tonight host a virtual public symposium which will see members of the public engaging with the President on anything that is related to COVID-19.

“Mnangagwa’s spokesperson a pathological liar”

Samuel Musarika
-
0
“Mnangagwa’s spokesperson a pathological liar”

The Zimbabwe Daily – Staff Reporter

Harare, Zimbabwe – The MDC Alliance’s national Youth league has labelled President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, a pathological liar.

“Baseless allegations by Emmerson Mnangagwa’s mouth piece, George Charamba that MDC Alliance is the root cause of the current economic woes stalking our country must never go unchallenged.

Like the proverbial bad carpenter, Charamba blames the opposition for the country’s economic misfortunes while at the same time absolving Mnangagwa and the looting cabal.

In a blanket of mind boggling rants making rounds in the media, Charamba exhibits pathological lies typical of ZANU PF supporters.

Contrary to what he terms implosive MDC politics, there is no implosion in the MDC Alliance led by president Nelson Chamisa.

The only political party implosions we are witnessing at the moment are happening in Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF.

It is in ZANU PF where manifestations of implosion have led to the expulsion and suspension of Killer Zivhu and Energy Mutodi respectively.

Is it not common sense that a party whose Health Minister is in courts over corruption scandals signifies implosion of greatest magnitude?

When a whole Minister of Defence holds a presser just to dismiss coup rumours then it speaks volumes of the trouble in paradise.

It is in ZANU PF where the centre no longer holds and that has ripple effects on the economy.

The stinking levels of corruption by ZANU PF officials and wanton disregard of basic human rights breeds lack of confidence from investors.

Charamba must stop behaving like a village drunkard who after imbibing in kachasu would go around blaming everyone in the neighborhood for his family troubles.

Is it not a public secret that corruption and all the socio-economic ills we are facing are just symptoms of illegitimacy and leadership failure by Charamba’s boss?

It is very unfortunate that direct beneficiaries of a corrupt system like Charamba will never tell Mnangagwa the truth that he has failed and must resign,” said Stephen Chuma, MDC Alliance’s national Youth spokesperson.

Tanzania reopens schools

Samuel Musarika
-
0
Tanzania reopens schools

Daniel Itai – The Zimbabwe Daily

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Despite having more than 500 COVID-19 confirmed cases and 21 deaths, Tanzanian schools yesterday welcomed back learners after schools were suspended for three months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tanzania is one of the very few countries in Africa that never imposed a nationwide lockdown but rather insisted on having COVID-19 restrictions.

“The government has instructed schools to install hand-washing facilities and arrange running water and also educate school children about safety measures like wearing of masks in school assembly and classrooms, except for students with underlying health problems, such as diabetes, sickle cell, asthma, all students should wear face masks most of the time,” said Gerald Chama, the Ministry of Health’s spokesperson.

However, the reopening of schools has been received with mixed feelings among parents and teachers, with some teachers citing that they are very happy to be back at work, emphasising that students were very much affected psychologically for missing classes.

There were however others, who said the decision of reopening schools was premature in the wake of the continuous threat of a pandemic pointing out that it was inappropriate to decide to send children back to school while the masses don’t know clearly whether there’s still a high threat of people being infected, citing that the decision to reopen schools is political and therefore might have dire consequences since the COVID-19 guidelines recommend by the World Health Organization are not being strictly followed.

Mozambique still wary of COVID-19

Samuel Musarika
-
0

Daniel Itai – The Zimbabwe Daily

Maputo, Mozambique – Mozambicans will have to brace themselves for another month of a nationwide lockdown.

The extension will commence today, “we decided to maintain the level three and adjust some measures that have an impact on the country, in a phased manner, to allow certain sectors to resume activities.

The process of relaxing restrictive measures will be gradual, and could be reversed depending on the evolution of the pandemic. Everything we have done has resulted in delaying the peak of the disease,” said President Filipe Nyusi.

The virus has now reached all the 11 provinces of the country, claiming five lives and infecting more than 800 with Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Maputo being the hardest-hit. 

Prior to COVID-19, multiple disease outbreaks including cholera and malaria were already stretching Mozambique’s healthcare system.

Critical services such as sexual and reproductive health care, immunization activities and continuity of care for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and cholera are expected to be disrupted as resources shift to the COVID-19 response, potentially increasing maternal and infant deaths.

Access to clean water and appropriate sanitation is a major challenge in the country, where 80 percent of urban dwellers live in informal settlements. 

Mixed reactions over reopening of schools in Zimbabwe

Samuel Musarika
-
0
Mixed reactions over reopening of schools in Zimbabwe

By Daniel Itai – The Zimbabwe Daily

Harare, Zimbabwe -Various stakeholders across the southern African country have expressed mixed feelings over the reopening of schools on the 28th of July this year.

Prior to the reopening of schools, the government is supposed to test over 136 000 teachers and ensure that schools comply to the 1:20 teacher, pupil ratio as per the World Health Organization (WHO) regulations.

With over 4.6 million learners expected to go back to school, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has said there is no urgency to reopen schools.

“Schools must not reopen now, it’s still winter time. The academic year can simply be forwarded to next year,” said Nation Muzvidziwa, ARTUZ’s spokesperson.

Dr. Takavafira Zhou, president of the Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) also pointed out that the reopening of schools was not feasible.

“Schools can only open on the 28th of July subject to Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education meeting WHO standards in their entirety, but to assume that the government which has tested only 65 000 people since March can test 4.6 million students, 136 000 teachers and 50 000 ancillary staff in 26 days is to hope for a miracle to happen and it’s impossible.

Worse still, government that is supposed to employ an additional 50 000 teachers and improve infrastructure in schools in order to guarantee social distancing and teacher-pupil ratio of 1:20 has not done anything so far.

Moreover, we are witnessing a quantum leap of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe and it would be suicidal and genocidal to open schools without COVID-19 abatement equipment such as testing kits, thermometers, sanitizers, PPEs, let alone training of teachers on how best to respond to the pandemic and health officials stationed in schools, as well as cleaning and disinfection of schools currently used as COVID-19 quarantine centres for returnees,” said the leader of PTUZ.

Dr. Zhou further highlighted that their members will not be going back to work if government fails to meet WHO COVID-19 guidelines.

“Teachers can never be willing to go back when their health, safety and welfare are not prioritised. Other than threats over their health and safety, teachers have a dispute of right which the employer is failing to address. Their salary was unilaterally and callously culled by the employer from US$550 to US$26. Teachers therefore, want the employer to restore their salary’s purchasing power parity, let alone pay a reasonable risk allowance of US$150,” said Dr.Zhou.

However, James Maiden the chief of communications at the country’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said schools should go ahead and reopen provided they meet the COVID-19 regulations.

“Children and schools are not the main drivers of the epidemic across countries, and there is no known evidence of the correlation between the rate of disease transmission and whether or not schools remain open or closed. Evidence on the negative impacts of school closures is overwhelming, with long-term implications for children’s learning, safety, health and wellbeing.

We know that the longer children stay out of school, the more exposed they are to dangers. This is especially true for children who are already vulnerable. We are calling for schools to be among the first services to open when the appropriate safety measures are put into place,” said Maiden.

1...141516...333Page 15 of 333