BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean Afro-jazz musician Darlington “Mhofela” Tanganyika has expressed concern over the reluctance by local music promoters to support artistes who are based outside the country.

Tanganyika told NewsDay Life & Style that he and other musicians were facing challenges winning the confidence of local promoters to assist them in holding shows on the home turf.

“We are having difficulties when it comes to promoters. The challenge is that we do not have people who want to support us to have shows in Zimbabwe. They promote us here in South Africa, but when it comes to Zimbabwe, promoters are hard to come by,” he said.

The Chiweshe-born musician said he had managed to hold shows with some of his role models and great musicians that inspired his music.

“Business here in South Africa is very good and I am having countless shows. I have shared the stage with great musicians, including the late Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo, Alick Macheso, Jah Prayzah, Soul Brothers, Freddy Gwala, Willom Tight, Dino Mudondo, Andy Muridzo and son of the late James Chimombe,” he said.

Tanganyika, who is currently working on two singles, Munamato and Mutei Weshiri — a song to comfort women who have lost their husbands — said he was grateful to God for guiding him in his music journey and was looking forward to doing more shows in Zimbabwe soon after sharing the stage with Jah Prayzah.

He said Tuku played an important role in his life by singing songs that uplifted him socially and spiritually.

With three albums — Rwendo, Nhiyo and Mhaiyo — under his belt, Tanganyika has also released a single titled Matitorera, a dedication to Mtukudzi.

The single Matitorera, which was recorded at Camel Studios and mixed by Isaac Sando, features Nicholas Sando Musonza on lead and acoustic, former Macheso drummer Obert Gomba, and Lucky Andries and Simon Meck on the keyboard.

Tanganyika said he was also working with Pamela Zulu, popularly known as Gonyeti, and has done collaborations with Zenzo Bhekimpilo (Zimbabwean), his producer Isaac Sande on one of his tracks Paruzevha.

He said his music calling emanated from some hardships in life, which became a source of strength.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

ZIMBABWEANS have this year been surviving on a measly health allocation of US$4,80 per capita (per person per year) against the US$36 stipulated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

This was revealed by the Health secretary Agnes Mahomva when she appeared before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, which took her to task for failing to urgently resolve the doctors’ strike that has seen government firing 415 medical practitioners.

“In 2019, the per capita budget allocation for health has been US$4,80 per person and even the best scrapping by the WHO is at US$36 per capita and we are nowhere near that,” Mahomva told the committee, chaired by Ruth Labode.

“In 2020, we are moving out of austerity, but it simply means that we are also not making any significant progress. We are moving in a straight line and the per capita allocation is now US$27,29.”

For the 2020 national budget, the Health ministry was allocated $6,4 billion, but out of this, $4,5 billion is expected to come from development partners.

“About 80% of current health funding is from two sources; the Global Fund, providing 43% and Pepfar (President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) 37%, making it more necessary for the government to find more innovative financing methods for health to decrease donor dependency,” Mahomva said.

“Most external funding is allocated towards drugs and medical supplies, leaving the country’s health service delivery vulnerable to donor reprioritisation. For example, the Global Fund allocation to drugs and medical supplies decreased by $30 million in 2019 and 2020.”

Mahomva said the industrial action by doctors had now gone beyond 77 days and disciplinary action was being taken by the Health Services Board under the guidance of the Attorney-General’s Office.

“A total of 578 doctors are to be charged, with 520 charge letters served. Of these, 459 disciplinary cases have so far been heard, of which 415 were given discharge penalties with 212 discharge letters served,” she said.

Labode slammed the Health ministry for using a hard hand on the doctors instead of negotiating with them to save the deteriorating health crisis in the country.

“How do you even plan to replace those 415 doctors? Are you getting doctors from Cuba? Why did government take a decision to ignore the doctors’ grievances? For me, it is like ignoring and then suing your child. A neighbour then negotiates with your child and takes them. This situation will bring shame on you,” she said.

But Mahomva said after the court ruling declaring the strike illegal, it was difficult for the government to reverse the decision to fire them.

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa says the end is nigh for the ruling Zanu PF, accusing the party of trying to suppress “inevitable” democratic change.

In his speech dubbed Hope of the Nation Address (HONA) just hours after police assaulted supporters who had come to hear his speech, Chamisa said change would not be stopped by baton stick-wielding cops.

“You cannot stop an idea whose time has come. There is no doubt that the time of change has come. This time is evident and well written in the corridors of government,” he said.

“It is well written in the corridors of our communities and our streets, our villages even in our churches and gatherings. We need change and change must come. Change is coming. We are in a rogue regime. We are in a pariah State, a banana republic, and this is what is very clear. We have a big problem and that problem has to be dealt with in a big manner.

“This is the tell-tale sign of a regime that is collapsing. When you see a regime that is so scared of its own people, you must know that the end is nigh. When you see a regime that resorts to force, know that legitimacy has evaporated. When you see a regime that is so determined to keep our police officers on the streets, you must know that there is now a
vacancy in their scope of imagination on the future of the country.”

The opposition leader accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa of leading Zimbabwe back into the dark ages of brutality and dictatorship synonymous with the late former leader Robert Mugabe’s era.

“Nothing has changed. We are back to the old days. If anything, Mr Mugabe is now looking like a small boy when it comes to the manual of dictatorship,” he said.

“Mnangagwa is scaling new levels of dictatorship, literally showing that he was, indeed, the man behind the dictatorship we have seen in this country. He is simply the dictator we must be able to confront.”

Chamisa warned that if there was no thawing of relations and a move towards progressive dialogue between Zanu PF and MDC, then his party would unleash a series of activities which would force Mnangagwa to the negotiating table.

In his HONA, Chamisa said Zimbabweans faced a bleak Christmas because of corruption, bad politics and abuse of human rights which has left hospitals and clinics closed, while hundreds die due to lack of medical access.

Mnangagwa has vowed to fight corruption, but many say his words have failed to match the action, a sentiment captured by Chamisa in his address.

He accused Mnangagwa of preaching the “open for business” message, yet his “conduct and actions were to the contrary”.

“We have just proved that we are not ready for business, reason being our toxic politics. Politics of vengeance, anarchy and chaos. Our politics of butchering citizens, our politics of hurting one another, that is the reason why our country cannot be a good candidate for the family of nations coming together to assist us,” he said.

Chamisa was forced to address journalists, senior members of his party, parliamentarians and a few supporters after police disrupted what was to be a public address on the balcony of the party headquarters.

BY CHARLES LAITON

Flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa’s two sons have been taken to the High Court by Getbucks Microfinance Bank Ltd for failing to repay an $800 000 loan advanced to their company in February this year.

The financial institution recently filed summons against Edmund and Brian Chiyangwa alongside World Grain (Pvt) Ltd and Padley Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd.

The Chiyangwas are also set to lose their Harare property, stand number 712 the Grange Township of subdivision C of the Grange, measuring 2 4076 hectares held under title deed number 4212/2013, which they surrendered as surety for the bank loan.

In its declaration, Getbucks said it entered into an agreement with the two on February 26, 2019, whereupon it extended $600 000 to World Grain, a company in which the two sons stood as sureties and co-principal debtors.

“In terms of the credit agreement between the parties, the plaintiff (Getbucks) has a right to demand payment of the whole amount due under the loan facility in the event of the borrower failing to make payments on the due date or operating its account with the plaintiff in an unsatisfactory manner that exposes the plaintiff to possible loss or prejudice,” the micro-finance firm said.

“In breach of the loan agreement, the first defendant (World Grain), has failed to pay the principal and interest on the loan facility on due dates resulting in arrears of $846 041,52 accruing as at November 7, 2019,” Getbucks said.

The firm further said upon signing the agreement, Edmund and Brian undertook to pay legal practitioners’ collection commission and legal costs on the legal practitioner and client scale, adding that it was also part of the agreement that interest would accrue at the rate of 4% per month and a penalty rate of 15% per annum would be levied in the event of a default.

According to Getbucks, World Grain had made an undertaking to settle the balance by October 31, 2019, but failed to do so.

Getbucks is also seeking an order for The Grange property that was pledged as surety to be declared executable.

World Grain and Chiyangwa’s sons are yet to enter appearance to defend.

BY GARIKAI MAFIRAKUREVA/FARAI MATIASHE

CHIREDZI West legislator Farai Musikavanhu (Zanu PF) on Sunday vowed to deny MDC supporters food aid and government-sourced agricultural inputs, and put paid to long-standing allegations that the ruling party disenfranchises underprivileged members of society on political grounds.

In a seven-minute video, Musikavanhu, who was addressing Tongaat Hulett workers in ward 18 before distributing presidential inputs, said the councillor and his supporters will not benefit from the programme.

“This ward was won by an MDC councillor, but when it comes to Presidential inputs he and his supporters will not receive anything. You can mix with MDC thugs at work, but they will not get anything from this programme),” he declared.

Speaking to Southern Eye early this week, Musikavanhu said since MDC supporters had refused to recognise Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa as President, they will not benefit from the scheme.

“As the MP for Chiredzi West Constituency my record is very clear in respect of working positively with Chiredzi Town Council whose chairman is from the MDC-Alliance on government projects,” Musikavanhu said.

“The comments I made on 16 November 2019 are in respect of the Presidential Inputs Support Scheme: This is a special and direct intervention by HE President ED Mnangagwa. The MDCA have chosen not to recognise President ED Mnangagwa’s presidency and as such my position is as follows: I will not recognise the MDCA in Chiredzi West constituency in any programme I am tasked with originating from the Office of President ED Mnangagwa until they recognise the legitimacy of our democratically-elected President of the Republic of Zimbabwe HE President ED Mnangagwa.

“This is about our sovereignty as a people and as I stand by the full text of my audio clip.”

MDC Masvingo provincial spokesperson Derick Charamba said Musikavanhu’s remarks confirmed the policisation of aid by Zanu PF officials.

“Zanu PF has been abusing taxpayers’ money to fight MDC, yet the majority of taxpayers are from the MDC. The silent majority is not silent at all. Elasticity breaks at some point,” he said.

MDC proportional representation MP for Chiredzi, Mucharairwa Mugidho said as a party they believe that any programme that is funded by Treasury is supposed to benefit all Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation.

“In a modern society, it’s not only shocking, but reckless for a community leader to be seen propagating hate and disunity among Zimbabweans on the basis of which political party one subscribes to. Leaders must unite people so that our collective efforts in our diverse ways contribute to the development of the country,” Mugidho said.

“As a party, we cannot hide the fact that we are disappointed by Musikavanhu’s gesture that breeds hate because the food in question is bought by taxpayers’ money. So this is clear evidence that Mnangagwa’s government is using food aid as a political tool against MDC.”

Ward 18 councillor Gilbert Mutubuki (MDC Alliance) described Musikavanhu as politically immature. “How can a whole MP stoop so low to distribute presidential inputs and aid? He should have left that to councillors. It clearly shows that he is not even aware of his role as an MP,” Mutubuki said.

Zanu PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo said he could not comment as he had not seen the video.

However, Khaya Moyo recently said it was not Zanu PF policy to abuse food aid and urged the MDC to report all allegations of food handouts abuse.

Information permanent secretary Ndavaningi Mangwana said: “Government policy is that all Zimbabweans assessed to be eligible for food aid should be given it regardless of their political preferences. The same applies to the Presidential Input Scheme. President Mnangagwa is the leader of this nation. That means he superintends over the interests of everyone and everything in this country, including wild animals. So political preferences are not a consideration at that level.”

BY SIMBARASHE SITHOLE

SUNGURA musician Tatenda “Spannerboy” Pinjisi (pictured) yesterday claimed he has been called back into the music industry through a dream after announcing that he was quitting the industry two months ago.

The musician has since dropped a new album titled Africa Ine Varidzi, which he also said he received in the dream.

Pinjisi told NewsDay Life & Style that although the album — which is the third in his discography — was initially titled Shamhu Yenhubu, he decided to change it following a car crash that nearly claimed his life a few months ago.

“I am back in the music industry after announcing that I was quitting due to depression and insolvency after the accident, but I was called back to the stage through dreams,” he said.

“While asleep, I would dream playing the latest album on stage, hence I followed my dream and came up with this new album. The accident also made me believe that Africa has its maker.

So when I cheated death, I changed the name Africa Ine Muridzi.”

Pinjisi used the dendera sound on the track, Dhikinya, which he said has attracted Sulumani Chimbetu and the two are now working on a collaboration.

The Saina hitmaker reiterated that he was also working with the man of the moment, gospel musician Dalington “Mambo Dhuterere” Mutseta and a Malawian musician, Saint Akazanga on other projects.

BY FREEMAN MAKOPA

Newly-formed Zimbabwe Golf Course Superintendents Association (ZGCSA) have partnered with Zimbabwe Golf Association to host a two-day workshop meant to update members on the technological advances in turf, machinery and equipment management.

ZGCSA secretary-general Tizayi Tundu Sithole told NewsDay Sport that the workshop is expected to equip golf course staff with specialist skills in their work areas.

“We are hosting a two-day green-keeping workshop with relevant and reliable training. The workshop is designed to equip golf course and sports field maintenance staff with a range of specialist skills that are specific to their jobs.

“We are into sports field maintenance and management, especially golf courses. Our mandate is to spearhead golf course and sports fields’ development projects like research into sustainable golf or sports field management,” he said.

Sithole said they were targeting different sporting disciplines to help improve field management.

“We are mainly targeting golf, but other sporting disciplines such as cricket, soccer and rugby are welcome to participate. We are trying to equip people with necessary skills so that we meet international standards.

“This workshop will have an impact on the way golf courses are maintained so as to have world-class golf course in Zimbabwe. The sports turf, if well managed, will be ever green year round, that’s opening field to play for a longtime. Attendees will gain valuable educational information in turf management and the fact that we just came from South Africa where I attended a workshop and also took part in the volunteer green-keeping programme at the Nedbank Challenge Golf tournament in Sun City, will help us transfer our knowledge to them,” he added.

BY REX MPHISA

THE 433 vehicles recalled by the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) this week were smuggled and did not pay Customs and Excise duty, the revenue authority has revealed.

Zimra, which is yet to quantify the prejudice, said there was a possibility of arrests, criminal prosecutions and other punitive measures related to flouting import and export regulations.

Zimra spokesperson Francis Chimanda confirmed his organisation did not know how much was lost.

“The prejudice can only be determined after the vehicles are subjected to proper customs clearance processes,” Chimanda told NewsDay.

“Zimra systems indicate that the vehicles listed did not pay duty at all. The exercise is intended to regularise this irregularity.”

Zimra, through an advertorial in a government-controlled weekly, invited owners of vehicles it had listed to report to its Harare loss control office with import documents of the vehicles.

The plan, Chimanda explained, was to regularise the importations although criminal prosecution could not be ruled out.

“Customs (and Excise) laws and any other relevant legislation will be invoked and the necessary steps will be taken subject to the findings of the exercise,” he said.

According to a section of the Customs and Excise Act, any person who smuggles any goods shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level 14 or three times the duty-paid value of the goods, whichever is the greater.

The offence also attracts imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or both.

Offenders are also liable to paying costs of investigations where smuggled goods were discovered by the use of any mechanical scanning device.

“In addition to any other penalty to which he or she may be liable under this Act, to pay a civil penalty equivalent to the value of goods in question.” The Act also empowers the Zimra Commissioner-General to recover costs through the courts.

The government recently enacted another legislation that provides for the forfeiture of any goods or assets deemed to have been acquired from proceeds of crime.

At Beitbridge, some shipping agents known to have been beneficiaries of this smuggling ring have built massive houses and drive expensive luxurious and all-terrain cars.

Yesterday, it was difficult to ascertain whether or not owners of the vehicles whose names appeared in the advertorial had complied.

Most of the cars were handled by shipping agents, who may have connived with certain border officials.

The Customs and Excise Act provides for the prosecution of both the agent and the importer.

A subsection substituted by Act 29 of 1998 and by Act 17 of 1999, subtitled Liabilities of Agent and Principal, says an agent appointed by any master, pilot, importer or exporter, or any person who represents himself to any officer as the agent of any master, pilot, importer or exporter and is accepted as such by that officer, shall be liable for the fulfilment, in respect of the matter in question, of all obligations, including the payment of duty, imposed upon such master, pilot, importer or exporter.

“Every master, pilot, importer or exporter, or any owner of goods in a bonded warehouse, container depot or any manufacturer licenced in terms of section one hundred and twenty-eight shall be responsible for any act committed by any person acting in his place or on his behalf, whether the said act was done within Zimbabwe or beyond its boundaries, and the person so acting shall, if within Zimbabwe, likewise be liable to prosecution under this Act or any other law relating to customs or excise,” says the Act.

Chimanda said the ports with the largest number of smuggled vehicles were Beitbridge and Plumtree at the borders of South Africa and Botswana, respectively.

“The vehicles in question came through various borders, but mainly Beitbridge and Plumtree.

“The period covered for the vehicles in question is January to August 2019,” Chimanda said.
More vehicles are expected to be recalled as investigations widen.

SNEAK PEEK :Precious Chida

UNITED KINGDOM-BASED up-and-coming gospel musician Sharon Manatsa recently had her first performance on home soil at Jasen Mphepo Little Theatre. Dubbed “One Night With Sharon Manatsa”, the event saw her sharing the stage with her father-in-law, veteran musician Zexie Manatsa. The 29-year-old Manatsa is married to fellow musician, Zexie Manatsa (Jnr). She said being part of the Manatsa family made her grow into a better artiste. Although she was born in Harare and grew up in Bulawayo, she and her family migrated to the UK when she was nine. NewsDay (ND) Life & Style reporter Precious Chida caught up with Manatsa (SM), who shared her experiences as a gospel artiste in the diaspora. Below are excerpts from the interview;
ND: What made you venture into music?

SM: I started singing in the UK. My church, Forward in Faith Ministries, had opened another branch and there was need for people in the praise and worship team and I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed singing, although I was not a really good singer. However, later, after I met my husband, he helped me to nurture my talent.

ND: You have said the first time you ventured into music, you were not a good singer. What steps did you take to improve your singing?

SM: I went through a lot of practice. I did vocal training and exposed myself to new environments, which helped me to learn music.

ND: How was the adrenalin rush like ahead of your debut performance on home soil?

SM: Epic is an understatement. What can I say? It was the most exciting, yet scary experience, because I was not sure if people would accept me and my ministry. But I thank God for the people who came out to support me. It was an amazing experience.

ND: Tell us more about your music journey?

SM: My initial album was birthed in 2017 titled Friends in Christ. This year, I launched my solo career and released the album, Inyasha, alongside videos for the songs Inyasha and Simukai Jehovah, in which I collaborated with my father-in-law and Rudo, which I did with my husband Zex (Jnr). I will also be releasing a video soon in which I collaborated with (journeyman musician) John Cole.

ND: What can you say you have adopted from your father-in-law and applied to your music?

SM: Dad is a legend. I strive to hold the same veteran musicianship in my own right as a musician.

ND: Do you see yourself becoming a household name?

SM: That is my every day prayer, not for my personal gratification, but for the edification of the body of Christ.

ND: How has working with your husband been like?

SM: My husband is my confidante, my prayer partner and my main support, all of which has helped advance my music career.

ND: What are your impressions about the local gospel industry?

SM: So much talent which surrounds us! I pray we all come together and do the biggest outreach in Zimbabwe and all over the world through music.

ND: As a growing musician based in the diaspora, what is your strategy to penetrate the Zimbabwean market?

SM: Regularly, I visit Zimbabwe and this year I have visited twice. Getting personal with the people of Zimbabwe is a good starting point and sharing my music with them on an open platform.

ND: Are there any limitations you face for being a Zimbabwean musician in a foreign country?

SM: It is a challenge in many aspects, but there are also opportunities that are yet to be explored. The sky is the limit.

ND: Your parting shot?

SM: I have an upcoming video for my song, Tinofamba Munyasha, which was choreographed by John Cole and directed by the talented Andy Cutta. My fans can look out for it.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

CAPS United top goalscorer John Zhuwawo is upbeat ahead of their clash against Harare giants Dynamos and vowed to beat Premier Soccer League (PSL) top goalscorer Clive Augusto to the Golden Boot award.

The bitter rivals face off at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday in a match that is likely to be full of sub plots and might have a huge bearing on the destiny of the championship this season.

Caps lead the league table with 55 points, two ahead of Chicken Inn and FC Platinum, with only three rounds of matches left in the campaign.

And Zhuwawo, who has been the torch bearer of the Green Machine attack in this campaign, having scored 10 goals thus far, four behind leading PSL top scorer Augusto, now plying his trade in South Africa, and two behind Dynamos’ Evans Katema, believes he can catch up.

“We have three more games to go and on Sunday we are playing Dynamos. It won’t be easy because it’s a derby. But we are determined to go all the way as a team. We know what it means to win the league title, so we are focused. It’s possible I can win the Golden Boot at the end. I have been working hard and I hope I keep scoring in the remaining matches, but what is important is to achieve the overall team objective of winning the league title,” Zhuwawo said.

“The Harare derby is self-motivating and there can’t be any other motivation one needs than just playing against Dynamos. We are all looking forward to it as a team,” he added.

After squandering a two-goal lead on Sunday to allow Yadah to force a share of the spoils, Caps will be determined to avoid another setback in their championship bid.

With Dynamos also battling for a respectable finish after another disappointing campaign, sparks are certain to fly on Sunday.

In the reverse fixture, the two teams could not be separated and the match ended all-square at 1-1. The weekend match will be more significant, especially for Caps, who if they win it, will give them confidence going into the final two games. Besides the need to win the championship, there is always the desire to settle the burning issue of supremacy between the two rivals.

There is the issue of pride at stake and Dynamos, who also drew their last league match against army side Black Rhinos, will be eager to bounce back and collect maximum points against their number one enemy.

Fixtures
Saturday: Bulawayo Chiefs v Chicken Inn (Luveve), Harare City v Yadah (Rufaro)
Sunday: Black Rhinos v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Rufaro), Caps v Dynamos (NSS), Mushowani v TelOne (Trojan), Hwange v Herentals (Colliery), Triangle v ZPC Kariba (Gibbo), Highlanders v Manica Diamonds (Barbourfields), Chapungu v FC Platinum (Ascot).