Guest Column: Livison Bhebhe

The socio-economic situation in our country has once again moved to another painful level.

In the aftermath of the economic meltdown that became more pronounced in October last year, Zimbabweans have demonstrated tremendous resilience and patience in the face of an unrelenting and worsening socio-economic situation. Since then, the long suffering citizens have witnessed the situation deteriorating from one level of hardship to another, with statutory instruments and policy directives often punctuating and introducing each level. I sometimes wonder how many more levels are left to endure before we cross over to Canaan.

As a youth whose social life revolves around social media especially WhatsApp, I’ve noticed that with power outages stretching for 18 hours or more and now affecting individuals both at home and at workplaces, being offline is now more likely a power than a data problem.

Also, although prices of basic commodities have risen 15-20 times when salaries have barely doubled, family heads now frown whenever they have visitors — not because they are concerned pantries and fridges may be left empty, but because perchance the guests may request to use the toilet — and there is no water! Things change.

And speaking of change, this calls to remembering how we used to complain about Econet’s EcoCash tariffs, which many considered unfairly high and amounting to daylight robbery.

Who would have imagined that a time would come when we, together with law enforcement agents would neatly queue voluntarily to buy cash at wildly punitive rates from EcoCash agents?

That is why I initially received the news that the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe had effectively banned cashbacks and EcoCash with a sense of excitement and relief. But by day end the euphoria quickly dissipated as I still had to buy cash to go home, finally realising that the Apex bank had essentially thrown away the baby together with bathwater.

Thus we welcomed the Bank’s subsequent policy climb-down on EcoCash, although it seems lost on the Bank that the transacting public is back to the dreaded but inescapable square one, now buying the cash at higher rates than before.

It deeply pains the heart to surrender 50% of your hard-earned income to EcoCash agents who are basically taxing and further diminishing the already meagre portion of our disposable incomes by creating yet another leakage in the spending flow given the ongoing austerity measures.

There is therefore still an urgent need for a win-win intervention by authorities, this time waging a surgical raid targeting only the criminal elements around the EcoCash platform.

To hit this seemingly elusive target, authorities have to first acknowledge the existence of a fullfledged cash industry run by an organised syndicated system which has bestowed de facto bank status on EcoCash agents.

It is ironic that the primary suppliers of cash are the very individuals who come to buy it at huge premiums from EcoCash agents. The agents, as tertiary suppliers procure the cash from secondary suppliers, mainly vendors, public transport operators and private individuals; though it is not uncommon for a vendor to be an EcoCash agent.

Authorities must realise that the bulk of cash bought is mainly for the public’s daily commuting needs; which cash is later sold to EcoCash agents who in turn sell it to commuters.

While buying the cash, it is not uncommon for one to witness these public transport operators selling cash to EcoCash agents. One then wonders why public transport operators strictly demand cash when they enjoy the liberty of paying for their daily operational expenses like fuel through swipe or EcoCash.

Thus the most effective way to disrupt this cycle and end the unholy matrimony between EcoCash agents and bus operators is to extend the same payment liberties to the commuting public.

Platforms for electronic money should be introduced and adopted by all public transport operators, local and long distance alike; and everyone will be happy ever after. For instance, the remarkable success and the convenience that ZUPCO’s tap cards offer to commuters is testimony to the efficacy and practicality of paying commuting fares electronically.

Finally, given that the EcoCash users can move funds from their bank accounts to their EcoCash wallets, the government should simply institute a blanket ban on all agents for there is less need for cash-in. Those who should be allowed to continue are Econet shops and its flagship stores; TMs, Oks, Spars and other reputable businesses scattered across the country whose core business is not EcoCash.

These two measures, taken together might greatly relieve the suffering commuting public from the hardships associated with buying cash. Nevertheless, the headache caused by errant EcoCash agents may pale into insignificance with other broader socio-economic issues which equally demand urgent prioritisation. There is still urgent need for economic and political reforms that put the economy back on track to create meaningful employment opportunities for all.

Presently I’m just more concerned with a slew of basic things we cannot do and enjoy anymore as a direct result of the worsening socio-economic situation, which for better or for worse has gone to another level.

We can’t buy, we can’t chat on our phones, we can’t travel, we can’t visit; and worse of all, we can’t go to the toilet!

This is unbearable and abnormal and at this rate in this direction, we can’t afford to go to yet another level.

 Livison Bhebhe a political commentator and writes in his personal capacity

Devotion Column: Erasmus Makarimayi

THE year will soon be over and we will be doing a stock take that’s if you haven’t already started. A substantial number of us have missed opportunities in life. Certain minds are not patient enough to see the fruition of a promise. Whenever you are working on an idea or concept borne out of divine inspiration, learn to hold on until its birth. Constant change of position and purpose does not augur well for the success of any of your adventures.

While it’s advisable to abandon paths leading to dead end, focus and determination are key to the realisation of your dream. The process of time demands procedure to be fulfilled. While you believe in miracles, never believe in shortcuts.

The devil has fooled many to abandon projects that they had worked on for a long time. As the project enters maturity stage and is about to flourish and multiply the devil tells you that God is not on your side. The devil solicits double mindedness or doubt from you and the naïve budge.

As soon as you move on someone comes and harvests your labour. Certain projects appear long overdue so as to frustrate you. Perseverance and endurance will get you to the finishing line.

Don’t be quickly fed up and surrender. Premature exit from your assignment deprives you of your prize. After time consuming research, study, praying and fasting it will be retrogressive to quit. Hold on to the end.

Stay put till logical conclusion. Wait upon the Lord to the end, time will speak. When God gives you a thought or idea incubate it and let it hatch. Solomon observed and said in Proverbs 27:8, “As a bird that wandereth from her nest, so is a man that wandereth from his place.”

Many walked out of lucrative ventures at the crowning point because the ventures seemed headed to a brick wall.

All your marketing and advertising will be enjoyed by someone if you leave the place of your assignment. The seeds of success will germinate just after your departure.

There are people who thought the ground was too hard to cultivate after working on it for some time.

As soon as it started softening they left and someone else jumped in and grabbed the open cheque. You have a niche where God has placed you. Settle down, don’t be wavering and tossed around.
There are businesses that pioneered virgin land and left because the profits took long to come.
Those that came later had the work already cut out for them. There are airlines that abandoned certain routes that are now well paying. Transport operators, supermarkets and even churches have abandoned areas they thought were uncultivable only to sob when the new takers made great success.

Some have dated and walked out of relationships only to sulk in regret and jealous after the partners they left became so prosperous. Many people believe that as they have not thrived in one line of business they must have made a little mistake and that if they could get into another line they would prosper. Business people know that in the initial months and sometimes years, you will be operating at a loss before you become profitable. Whenever you move on, make sure you have exhausted the grace for your current location.

As a matter of general fact a person who cannot prosper in one country will not prosper anywhere.
Without taking great counsel from God and weighing the matter, it is ill for a person to leave the Christian privileges of their country to go abroad where there may be some pecuniary advantages, but much spiritual loss.

As you cross borders for greener pastures, first ascertain that there is no water beneath your dry ground and that the sky above you is as hard as iron.

Sometimes we run away from ourselves and not the environment. Grow roots and when The Lord has not moved you, stay put, never be moved by the devil. A vagrant spirit will make sure you never prosper. It leads you to lay hands on many things jumping from one place to another with no reward.

Starting well and ending badly is failure. Hebrews 3:14 admonishes, “For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.”

You will work so hard for others to enjoy the fruit of your labour. You will wander upon the earth and be a beggar. Don’t spend your life vacillating in occupation. Remember you don’t have two sets of life on earth to experiment with. Stay put and wait upon the Lord. Again I say wait. 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.

Editorial Comment

While the rest of the country was still wondering what the government was thinking when it fired 77 doctors working at public hospitals which now resemble ghost buildings, it went ahead and dismissed 134 more, bringing the total to 211.

The Health Services Board has continued with its disciplinary hearings, meaning more heads will be chopped. If the move was meant to frighten the doctors into cowering back to work, it’s not working. The situation at the public health institutions meanwhile is getting desperate.

But the doctors’ case is simple: they want a decent salary and an enabling work environment. None of them want to work with substandard tools which would do more harm than good. Everyone knows the hospitals have no medication, no equipment and the doctors are overworked as well as underpaid.

It is not a surprise that two months ago they simply could not report for duty anymore. As prices spiralled out of control their meagre salaries could not sustain them. It’s the story of every civil servant, every Zimbabwean worker really.

The many meetings and deliberations have yielded nothing and instead the government has resorted to the old trick of threats, and if we believe the story of Peter Magombeyi, the leader of the doctors’ union, abductions! For standing up for what is his right, he is now nursing wounds in a foreign country.

We have watched as government runs around spinning all sorts of stories which do not address the fact that hospitals have become death traps instead of life-saving institutions.

So firing doctors is the government’s brilliant solution? This administration’s command approach to basic issues is short-sighted and taking the country nowhere fast. The arrogance is staggering and reflects a leadership devoid of the skills required or that is so insecure it feels the only way to command respect is through fear and militarising institutions. Surely we can do better than that.

It made sad reading this week that a young woman gave birth right at the gate of a clinic. What a waste of life and the buck stops with the Health minister and his principals.

Instead of seeing the ghosts of foreigners in the doctors’ grievances, how about paying them a decent salary and the chefs stop the non-stop flying on luxury jets?

The full extent and the magnitude of the crisis may never be accounted for but what is pretty obvious is that people are dying because their government is failing them every day.

Government’s firing of doctors is like one cutting off their nose to spite the face.

MOTIVATION: Ashley Thaba

LAST week I shared my love story with Percy, basically explaining how different we are! Despite our differences, however, due to intentionally preparing for marriage, we have enjoyed over 15 years of wedded bliss!! Because we enjoy marriage so much, we do a lot of pre-marital and marital conferences and speaking engagements around town.

So, today I want to give you some of the questions and answers from a conference where singles asked us questions as they contemplate marriage. I also should add that we are in the final stages of creating a marriage show for BTV which will be bringing these kinds of practical conversations to improve marriages right to your homes across Botswana every week!! So get excited for that! Our prayer is to really encourage families and marriages because we firmly believe that strong families are the foundation to a strong nation.

Qsn: I am not really happy, but I feel like once I get married, I will be happier. Is that true?

Ans: Nope! Let me tell you. No person will make you happy – at least not for the long run! They can give you the butterflies in your stomach and make you have that lover’s glow for the short term, but if you are depending on another person to fill a void in your soul – you will end up frustrating and suffocating them. That happiness needs to come from within you. You want a man/woman who compliments you — not completes you!

Let me give a practical example of what this looks like. For Percy and I, we both draw tremendous internal peace and self-worth from knowing we are loved deeply by God. He fills us with His love to the point that we have enough left to give to others and each other. He gives us each an individual purpose to serve Him to the point that it makes Percy my life partner in my individual mission to serve God.

Qsn: Are there warning signs to look out for when choosing a spouse?

Ans: Yes!!! And you should be looking for these things! Many people assume things will be better in marriage and that is just not going to happen! So if he or she is drinking too much, if she or he shuts down when there are tough issues to discuss and avoids communication, if he or she is verbally or physically abusive, if he or she is not responsible with their finances, if he or she is lazy and not motivated to work, among others. Without supernatural intervention from God to change the character of that person from within, this will not change in marriage — so run!
Qsn: I want to marry a good, faithful, and honest person. Any tips on how to find that person?
Ans: Become the kind of person you want to attract! I am shocked with the number of people, men especially, I have talked to over the years who say this and yet those men are out late at night every weekend partying, sleeping with different ladies. Yet somehow they think that when time to marry comes, they will settle down and get this girl who has been sitting at home twiddling her thumbs and waiting for them! Are you kidding me? The kind of girl who is that valuable knows she is worth waiting on! So if you want that kind of girl, ask God to help you become the kind of man she would love and respect! The same principle applies to women.

Qsn: We don’t really have the same religious beliefs. Is that okay?

Ans: What a person believes about God shapes a lot of who they are as a person. When two people try and join and have different opinions on such a core character building quality, it causes a lot of unnecessary conflict! Where do they go to church, what will they teach the children, how will they give their money, where will they spend their time, how do they choose their friends, among others.? These things are influenced by core beliefs.

Qsn: Is there a good age to get married?

Ans: A healthy marriage will be built on the two becoming one and separating from their parents. You two together need to be able to support yourselves before you marry. You do not have to be the richest people but you need to be able to provide for your basic needs together. Also, you need to each, individually, know what you stand for and where you are going. One mistake is people get married before they have really matured as people. Then they feel the other person is holding them back. Figure out where you want to go and what you believe in and then find someone you can walk with who supports you in that life journey!

One last thing on this point, you should be in the same season of life. We counsel a lot of couples and one thing we see as a cause of a lot of trouble is when two people are in two different seasons. You will find one really wants to pursue further studies while the other is ready to settle down and have a family. You find one who wants to spend weekends at parties while the other prefers church events. One prefers to live in the village while the other opts for town. It creates a lot of conflict and headaches! Choose a life partner to share life with!

I hope that helps you with a few practical tips. Hopefully, soon our marriage show will be on television and you can join in more of these conversations that I pray will ultimately lead people to really having strong, healthy, happy marriages! As I said, I am motivated to do this because I firmly believe strong families build strong nations, and my prayer is for Botswana to become a strong, healthy, happy country!

Ashley Thaba is a popular life-coach, team-building facilitator and motivational speaker. She is also the author of Conquering the Giants and Dive In. You can view some of her works on her YouTube channel: Ashley Thaba.

SUCCESS LIFE: Jonah Nyoni

Undeniably Zimbabwe is going through a critical and a painful phase. The next generation might blame us for not having planted the right seeds, for them to harvest. Now, we should be thinking of the means to have a greater Zimbabwe. Yes, individuals are benefiting from what’s happening, but we must think further than that. This is a lovely country and for it to be great we need to think instead of just blaming ourselves and each other.

Urgency

Mr President, we need urgency and motivation to hope for a better Zimbabwe. This urgency to change must be communicated. I feel most people are willing to change, and we just await your signal that will trigger us to collectively work towards a better Zimbabwe.

Lead

Mr President, John C Maxwell says “everything rises and falls on leadership.” Take us to the promised land. Leadership is the engine of this country. Let the engine kick-start the change. We have made mistakes as leaders and citizens of this country, but now let’s repent and lead. Robin S Sharma clearly pointed out, “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, you have to inspire team-mates and customers.”

Heart

Now, we need to use our hearts to get Zimbabwe moving again. We need to have empathy and the heart to serve. Our conscious should drive us to want to make Zimbabwe better. Let’s think of our hospitals filled with sick people. Can’t we sacrifice our personal gains, to give to our hospitals? Let’s look at the state of our roads? If the capable are facing all these problems, what about the elderly and the less privileged. That takes a heart that is touched by all these human needs. From the heart comes love, care and empathy.

Head

Mr President and your team you must now exercise a high level of thinking. We can’t continue doing the same old thing and expect a different result. I know you might defend yourself, but let your results speak. Results don’t lie. Now, let us all think for the good of this country more than personal gain.

Hand

Mr President, Action is now needed more than any time in the time of our history. Now it’s the time to rally people for positive change. Let your ministers work and be measured on meritocracy.
Mr President, Thomas Jefferson once said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”

Learn

Mr President, we have leant from our past mistakes, we have leant from or counterparts and we have lent from your predecessor and that alone give us valuable lessons to help Zimbabwe grow. Let’s continue to implement what we have leant.

Team work

Mr President you need a great collection of thinkers around you. They should not please you, but help you lead better. Never see enemies in dissenting voices, but see strength and insight. You don’t need bootlickers, Mr President. You need people with truth, sagacity, and capacity. As long as you surround yourself with “Yes” people, you will not excel. Let’s drop partisan mentality and uphold the spirit to make Zimbabwe great.

Parting Point: Mr President, Take us to the promised land. Lead us. Remember Mr President, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou said.

Jonah Nyoni is an author, success coach and certified leadership/business trainer. He is the author of Inspiration for Success and Success Within Reach.

Eve

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

Women in Zimbabwe have adapted to the millennial lifestyle of fitness training that has over the years been seen as an elitist culture.

Many are now thronging gym sessions around town in pursuit of that toned body, as well as healthy living lifestyle.

In a wide-ranging interview with Newsday Life & Style, internationally certified and award-winning fitness guru, Evonne Mudzingwa professionally known as Eve explored the various facets of the fitness training world.

A firm believer that a life style of continuous body exercise helps in boosting confidence in women besides the health benefits that comes with it, Eve is now a household name.

“Fitness training builds confidence in women. Besides the obvious weight loss, improved body image, there is just an endorphin high that results from exercising, making one just a happier person. Then there are the health benefits, which make women healthier and stronger,” she said.

The trainer, who owns a predominantly women fitness studio, said a number of women, however, suffer from demotivation when they do not get the results as quickly as they expected and lack support from family and friends, who usually make negative comments about their bodies.

Eve encouraged women to join fitness programmes and make it their way of life not to achieve magazine celebrity features.

“Women should be realistic in the time frame required to achieve their goals to avoid disappointment. Join a fitness programme to make it a lifestyle not for a particular goal, the desired results will eventually come. Our programmes are designed to shed excess fat and create lean muscle tone and people need to also understand that magazine covers are airbrushed,” she said.

However, with the economic situation prevailing in Zimbabwe, Eve said despite the demand to look good and have celebrity bodies by most modern women, gym fees remain a luxury for a number of people and therefore limit others from joining her classes.

“In Zimbabwe where the economic situation is very tough, unfortunately gym fees become a luxury and are the first to be chopped by most people but, however, the good news is that one doesn’t necessarily have to belong to a gym to exercise. There are various home exercises that one can do and there is always the free running,” she said.

Eve said although there was fear that a fitness culture demands that an individual confines themselves to a certain diet, she believes maintaining a balanced diet is what is important.

“I personally do not believe in restrictive diets. All one needs to do is to maintain a balanced diet, comprising of natural organic foods, plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean meats and high fibre unrefined foods. These foods do not have to be fancy, so people can eat the affordable foods.
Generally, our Zimbabwean basic foods are healthy if eaten unrefined,” she said.

Eve, who is also an avid biker, added that getting back to basics, walk wherever possible, take stairs, do some housework, gardening and playing with the kids is the best way to integrate issues of fitness in their day-to-day lives which many modern women now do less.

Eve’s fitness studios, which have become home to celebrities, models and ordinary people also partners with corporates by providing fitness sessions for their employees at their premises and facilitate team building events.

Eve also hosts and manages lifestyle runs namely Eves Wine Dash Series, Eves 10km Obstacle Race Series and Charity Awareness Runs through their Running Club, Vainona.

The woman, who successfully competed in several marathons and ultra-marathons has won several awards which include, Women Excel Successful women of 2018, Divas Inc Roar Awards 2017, ZNCC women in service Award 2018 and Shero Women’s Awards 2018.

The late Oliver Mtukudzi

By Freeman Makopa

Tuku Music Company has announced that it will be releasing a post-humous video of the late legendary musician Oliver Mtukudzi for the song Kusateerera, which he performed with Hugh Masekela who is also late.

Tuku’s nephew and manager Walter Wanyanya told NewsDay Weekender Life & Style that the project was done in memory of Hugh Masekela, who features in the video.

“The music video (to be released on December 2) was done in memory of Hugh Masekela, who features on the song Kusateera. He died on January 23 last year. Tuku died on January 23 this year.

“We were supposed to release the song in January this year, but we continue to celebrate the life of a man who touched so many with his music. In this case, we celebrate two men who touched Africa as a whole and the world at large through their music.

“The song is called Kusateera and comes from the album Eheka Nhai Yahwe,” he said.
Wanyanya said the video had young creatives that worked on this project, chosen by the late icon himself and led by Tendai Guzha, who was the producer of the video. The video was shot by Tinashe Ziswa and edited by Gwinyai Runyowa aka Verseless.

He said they were happy with the talent showcased by the young production team and hoped that can change the face of the film and music industry in the country.

“We believe the work that the young production team put into this is amazing, which included choreography by Tendai Guzha and will showcase the talent we have in our young creatives on being able to tell stories through video and film,” he added.

He also urged Tuku fans to be ready for more unreleased works by the late musician, which will be both audio and visual.

“Yes, we have more work from Mtukudzi visual and also audio, this will come in the near future, so people must look out for that too.”

Mtukudzi died at the age of 66 from diabetes.

BY PATRICIA SIBANDA/DARLINGTON MWASHITA

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday commissioned 76 Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) buses in Bulawayo and said that the country would receive 1 500 more buses from China “soon”.

Mnangagwa ordered the buses to be deployed to Matabeleland North and South rural areas where residents face persistent transport blues.

“The majority of buses we are commissioning today will ply rural areas in Mat North and South provinces to improve the public transport sector,” Mnangagwa said.

“Improvement of the public transport system is being implemented through the ongoing road and rail rehabilitation programme. These programmes must be collectively seen in the context of facilitating economic activity, industrial development, trade and access to services within our respective communities from the ward level upwards.”

Mnangagwa said more buses were on their way and would, apart from alleviating transport challenges, create employment in the country.

“About 1 500 buses are expected to come from China and 300 of those will come in knocked down parts which will be assembled here in Zimbabwe to create employment,” he said.

Mnangagwa encouraged local authorities to restore and repair transport system infrastructure.

“I urge local authorities to rehabilitate and construct modern, complementary infrastructure such as bus termini, appropriate bus stops among others to ensure safety, timeliness, efficiency and convenience to our commuting public,” Mnangagwa said.

He added: “However, I warn those running rural district councils and urban councils to shun corruption. If you shun corruption, I will shun removing you otherwise those who commit corruption, we part ways.”

Mnangagwa said the government is willing to fund urban and rural communities if they prioritise development.

By Brenna Matendere/Stephen Chadenga

MINES minister Winston Chitando has revealed that government has opened a special department in the Mines ministry to deal with issues relating to small-scale miners, popularly known as makorokoza.

“We are glad to announce that my ministry has opened what we call the small-scale miners desk,” Chitando said at the just-ended Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) annual conference in Gweru.

“This is a department that will have the sole responsibility of dealing with all issues affecting small-scale miners. I am glad that President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa agreed that we open this desk and it will go a long way in improving production by the small-scale miners as their issues will be quickly addressed.”

Zimbabwe currently has about 1,5 million small-scale miners who contribute over half of the country’s gold output.

However, the miners have always complained that stringent laws that criminalise their operations were affecting their operations, leaving them susceptible to black market barons, a situation that was hindering the growth of the industry.

“We are looking towards achieving our goal of hitting the $12 billion milestone in the mines sector. So opening of the small-scale miners’ desk is a great development,” Chitando said.

“We would want to arrange weekly meetings with the leaders of the miners so that all of their concerns are addressed regularly. We look forward to having significant contributions from the gold, chrome and gems sectors.”

Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told the ZMF conference government would fire mining officials who engage in corrupt activities as they affect efforts in the economic turnaround of the country.

“I hear there is rampant corruption by mining officials who demand bribes to process papers,” Mnangagwa said when he addressed the miners on Thursday.

“We will not hesitate to send them home if they engage in such actions. In fact we will fire them.”

Last month, Midlands provincial mining director Nelson Munyanduri and his subordinate, Alfred Tavengana, were arraigned before the courts facing criminal abuse of office charges.

The matter is still pending at the court.