The advancements in modern technology paved the way for several industries to market their products and services and create brand awareness for consumers. This includes the gaming industry wherein online gambling sites have progressed and continuously embarked on a digital footprint. To this day, online gambling is unceasingly catching the attention of several patrons all over the world.

IMAGE SOURCE: http://bit.ly/35mY3ob

Online gambling is convenient

Several industries that probed into the digital world paved the way for great conveniences for its users. This is also true for online gambling. It has become so popular all over the world because it became readily available to anyone anywhere. Master88 and several other sites allows players to enjoy casino games, even in handheld and mobile devices. Nowadays, it is no longer necessary to suit up and physically go to a traditional casino to experience the euphoria and the thrill of gambling. All you need is a reliable internet connection.

Bankable Cash

Online gambling caught the attention of many users because of several offers and promotions that rewards clients even after just signing up. While winning is one of the goals in gambling, you can already have an instant cash through sign up offers and promotions offered through online gambling. Moreover, online casinos tend to roll out frequent and bigger jackpots compared to traditional land casinos.

Security

Online gambling continues to leverage on the progress of modern technology by adapting encryption techniques that guarantee the safety of their patrons money-wise. Apart from the wagers and winnings, online gambling also ensures the safety of its users by safeguarding their information and private data. More often than not, third party access to online gambling sites are prohibited.

Visually Engaging Interface

Not only has online gambling sites utilized modern technology to improve its security, but it has also leveraged on these advancements to provide an interface that will engage users in the games. While it can be difficult to learn the ropes in a traditional casino, it can relatively be effortless to navigate your way through an online casino. The platforms of online gambling sites are usually user-friendly and easy to navigate. There are even tutorial videos dedicated to novice players. Additionally, the graphics of the games are already leveled up, offering the ultimate gaming experience.

Superb Experience

Apart from anyone being able to play anywhere, online gambling became so popular because users are able to play without any distractions. There are instances wherein noisy distractions in traditional casinos such as waiters coming up to ask for your orders may prove to be a disadvantage. This is especially true when you are playing with games such as blackjack or poker. Thereby, online gambling offers you the opportunity to play in a more peaceful environment where you can concentrate.

IMAGE SOURCE: http://bit.ly/2IE2AZT

To wrap things up, modern technology has opened up a world of convenience. You can have everything you need with just a tap of a button. This goes true for online gambling wherein you can enjoy the fun and entertainment it brings without even having to leave the comfort of your own homes.

BY MISHMA CHAKANYUKA

Old Mutual Zimbabwe has appointed Samuel Matsekete as the chief executive officer taking over from Jonas Mushosho with effect from January 1, 2020.

“Old Mutual is pleased to confirm the appointment of Samuel (Sam) Matsekete as the Group CEO-designate of Old Mutual Zimbabwe Limited (OMZIL).Sam will commence service on 1 January 2020 following the retirement of the current Group CEO, Jonas Mushosho at the end of 2019,” Old Mutual said in a statement.

Matsekete joins Old Mutual from First Capital Bank, where, he is currently the managing director and has led the successful transition of the bank from being part of the Barclays Group.

Before this role, Matsekete held the position of chief finance officer and also headed up the risk and governance functions that included credit, risk, legal and compliance.

Matsekete is a qualified chartered accountant and an associate of the Institute of Bankers, Zimbabwe. He completed an Executive Leadership Development Program run for Barclays PLC by Duke University in London and holds a master of business leadership degree from the University of South Africa.

Old Mutual’s Rest of Africa Managing Director, Clement Chinaka, said he is confident that Matsekete will bring the requisite leadership experience and career credentials to lead the business at a particularly challenging time.

“Matsekete was part of the team that set up Old Mutual Asset Managers, now OMIG, in Zimbabwe soon after demutualisation 20 years ago, so I am very pleased to be welcoming him back into the Old Mutual family,” Chinaka added.

Matsekete’s appointment comes at a time when the group has been conducting a rigorous internal and external recruitment process.

“This new appointment does come at a challenging time in Zimbabwe.

However, it is thanks to the strength of our leadership that we have weathered the storm and will continue to seize opportunities for growth. Matseketse can now build on the strong foundation we have in Zimbabwe to take the business forward,” Chinaka said.

sport reporter

CAPE TOWN — Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok legend Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira yesterday announced his retirement from international rugby.

The 34-year-old veteran of 117 Tests confirmed his decision after a monumental performance in his final match, Saturday’s emphatic 32-12 victory over England in the Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Japan.

In a trademark scrumming performance from the 115kg front ranker, the Springbok pack forced a succession of penalties from their opponents, many of them conceded by Mtawarira’s direct opponent. It crowned a storied career for the Springboks’ and Cell C Sharks’ “gentle giant”.

Mtawarira made his senior provincial debut for the Cell C Sharks in 2006 and won his first Springbok cap in 2008, setting records on the way.

Beast became the third most-capped Springbok (behind Victor Matfield and Bryan Habana), the most capped prop, made the most appearances for a South African Vodacom Super Rugby team (159) and won the Rugby World Cup (2019), Tri-Nations (2009), Castle Lager Rugby Championship (2019), a series against the British & Irish Lions (2009) and the Currie Cup (2008, 2010 and 2013).

“I’ve been privileged to play this great game and achieve many career goals over the last 12 years of playing senior rugby,” Mtawarira said.

“I’ve been blessed to have been part of teams that achieved so much success over the years, and I have many memories to cherish forever, but I can honestly say that winning the Rugby World Cup is the perfect ending and cherry on top.

“I am grateful for the opportunities afforded to me by many top coaches at the Springboks and the Sharks, and grateful to my numerous team mates in green and gold, and black and white, over the years.

“But most of all, to my wife Kuziva, and our two beautiful children, Talumba and Wangu, for sacrificing so much to allow me to chase my dreams. I really appreciate it immensely.

“I would also like to thank my parents, other family and friends for their support over the years – I could not have done this without you.”

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander, paid tribute to Mtawarira, who made his Springbok debut in the second Test against Wales in Pretoria in 2008, and played his last match in green and gold in Yokohama last Saturday.

“Beast is someone who never complained, always put in the hard work and simply got on with his job in his typically unassuming way,” Alexander said.

“When he first got an opportunity at the Sharks, he rode a bicycle to training, which perfectly sums up not only his humbleness, but his desire to make it to the top. He worked very hard to achieve what he has and we’re all very proud of him.

“Beast, thank you for what you’ve done for South African rugby, to show that Springboks can indeed be gentle giants, and for never putting your own interests above that of the team. We salute you and will miss you in green and gold.”
— SA Rugby

BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI

SPOKEN word poet and award-winning author Batsirai Chigama — who is currently on the International Writers Programme (IWP) in Iowa, United States — yesterday said her experiences so far have been so inspirational that she has been encouraged to consider ways of reviving the literary scene in Zimbabwe.

Chigama said the city of Iowa literally breathed writing and reading and has encouraged her to tinker around with ideas to help improve her home country’s literary industry.

“It’s like a staple food here. It’s quite refreshing to be in a space where writing is normal… This has opened my eyes to how much work we can put to create spaces as writers that allow interaction, collaboration and possible revival of our literary scene,” she said.

“I have already been invited to speak at LitFest 2019 on my experience at IWP. I am working on ideas of how I can contribute effectively to the pulse of our literary scene.”

Chigama, who was nominated by USPAS to enter the 11-week programme, said a lot of things have happened and she was touched how Iowa honoured creatives.

“Iowa was declared the Unesco City of Literature. How cool is that? To have the city’s pulse being all things writing, reading, performances and also the University of Iowa being the host of IWP. It has been an enriching experience, basking in the respect paid to writers and their craft,” she said.

She said her experiences so far have left her wondering if Zimbabwe has a book industry.

“To say we have a book industry is to say that we have a thriving publishing culture with writers, editors, illustrators, all the artisans associated with the industry making a living out of the book. It is important to work towards improving what we already have,” she said.

Chigama said her major takeaways from the performances, discussions and engagements she has had so far was the importance of remaining authentic.

“We should never be apologetic that we cannot speak English well, for example, when it’s not our mother tongue. It is just an enabler of communication on the global stage,” she said.

Chigama — who has visited Pittsburg, New Orleans and Washington DC — said the visit to the Whitney Plantation Museum is in New Orleans as part of the residency travels, was particularly eye-opening.

“The plantation places a heaviness to the soul; carries the burden of the history of slavery, how black people suffered, the magnitude of atrocities committed and the trauma that will permanently linger,” she said.

The residency, made possible by IWP and the US Department of State, ends on November 16.

BY SILAS NKALA

A LIVESTOCK herder in Kezi, Matabeleland South, has been slapped with a mandatory nine-year jail term for stealing a villager’s beast worth $4 000.

Bukhosi Nyoni (20) pleaded not guilty to a stocktheft charge when he appeared before Kezi resident magistrate Arafat Kozanai on Thursday last week. The magistrate convicted him after overwhelming evidence was tendered against him by the State represented by Smart Tafireyi.

The magistrate then slapped him with a nine-year jail term.

The court was told that on October 1 this year, Nyoni together with his accomplice (name withheld as he is a juvenile) approached Nkosilathi Dube, a butcher at Maphisa indicating they were selling an ox.

They said the ox must be transported at night, which raised Dube’s suspicions and he reported the matter to the police.

It is the State’s case that on October 4, Nyoni and the juvenile arranged with Dube to ferry the beast from Montana Vista Farm, Kezi. Dube alerted police officers who set a trap.

On arrival, Nyoni loaded the beast into Dube’s truck. Police officers, who were watching from a distance, arrested Nyoni.

BY BRENNA MATENDERE/STEPHEN CHADENGA

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday pledged to descend heavily on perpetrators of machete violence, reiterating that deterrent sentences must be imposed on those found in possession of the weapons.

He was speaking at the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) annual conference in Gweru.

“We always read in the newspapers that there are people causing lawlessness through the use of violence,” Mnangagwa said

“Your president (ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya) told me that the people involved are not real miners. They are people who do not have mining papers. So what I am saying is that anyone found with machetes must be jailed.”

Several senior government officials, including State Security minister Owen Ncube, have been accused of protecting artisanal miners who commit violence using machetes, and are never arrested.

Terror groups from Kwekwe and Shurugwi have been a menace in several parts of the country, with residents in areas like Bindura and Mazowe complaining that they commit the crimes with impunity due to their links to senior government officials.

Mnangagwa also pledged to reduce mining claims of big conglomerates that are lying idle and distribute to needy artisanal miners, popularly known as makorokoza.

“We hear that there are companies established 1 000 years or 800 years ago which own mines that are lying idle. Are the companies still in existence? We are going to be cutting the numbers of such claims owned by these big companies,” he said.

Mnangagwa also promised to come up with a law that will address concerns of artisanal miners so that government achieves a target of US$12 billion revenue from mining by 2023.
Currently, mining revenue per year in the country is $3 billion.

“We need to come up with a law that addresses challenges faced by miners. The broader goal is that we must reach the US$12 billion milestone by 2023. This is the vision that we have set. All miners must work hard to achieve this vision,” Mnangagwa said.

Meanwhile, Zanu PF officials yesterday turned the miners’ indaba into a party function after mobilising resources to bus hordes of supporters from different parts of the Midlands province to the event.

Earlier on while Mnangagwa was in a closed-door meeting with ZMF officials, Zanu PF supporters clad in party regalia entertained themselves at the main venue dancing to songs that glorify the President such as ED Pfee and Kutonga Kwaro.

Some of the supporters could be heard chatting welcoming each other “to the rally”, unbeknown to them that it was a business conference.
Mnangagwa also chanted party slogans.

Rushwaya boasted that she had managed to fill the venue with people and had, therefore, not “embarrassed the President”.

She said the federation was committed to serving the nation and would play its part in the economic turnaround of the country if it got full support from government.

According to sources, Gweru and Kwekwe were allocated 2 000 litres of fuel to ferry party supporters to the event.

guest column:Wim Naudé

NARRATIVES are essential. Humans are, after all, “helpless story junkies”. Business and economic success depend, much more than is commonly acknowledged, on getting the narrative right. And if there is a narrative where getting it right or wrong matters hugely, it is the narrative about Africa’s industrial development.

Africa is the poorest continent. It is likely to be the most affected by climate change. It is the continent where terrorist groups are spreading fast.

Therefore, African industrialisation is essential. Unfortunately, the dominant narrative is that Africa has been de-industrialising, even prematurely. In this narrative, it is also questioned whether Africa can ever industrialise. African countries have even been advised not to try. The World Bank’s “Trouble in the Making” report concludes that manufacturing is becoming less relevant for low-income countries.

Fortunately, a very different narrative is possible. In a recent paper, I argue that Africa can industrialise because of three factors. These are “brilliant” new technologies enabling digitisation, smart materials and 3D-printing; a more vibrant entrepreneurship scene; and Africa’s growing middle class (as measured by the share of households that earn between US$11 and US$110 per person per day), which supports the continent’s first generation of indigenous tech-entrepreneurs.

Consider, therefore, the following narrative: More than 300 digital platforms, mostly indigenous, are operating across the continent. There are also more than 400 high-tech hubs, and more are being added. In addition, venture capital funding into African tech start-ups increased ten-fold between 2012 and 2018.

Moreover, manufacturing has more than doubled in size in real terms since 1980. And since 2000, manufacturing value addition has grown at more than 4% a year. That is double the average between 1980 and 2000 (numbers from the Expanded African Sector Database).

As a result, total employment in manufacturing in 18 of the largest African economies (for which there is data) grew from roughly nine million in 2004 to more than 17 million by 2014. That is an 83% increase in 10 years. The proportion of labour in manufacturing for Africa as a region grew from roughly 5% in the 1970s to almost 10% by 2008.

So, how will these trends shape the future? I argue that they will result in three varieties of industrialisation.

The first variety can be labelled “acquiring traditional manufacturing capabilities”. This variety is implied by Overseas Development Institute researchers Karishma Banga and Dirk Willem te Velde. It will be experienced by countries and sectors where technological change is too fast and complex to benefit immediately. These countries and sectors will need time to first put complementary investments in place, while at the same time continuing to promote traditional labour-intensive manufacturing.

The second variety, “fostering sectors with the characteristics of manufacturing”, is elaborated in a recent UNU-WIDER book. Here it is argued that service sectors can take up “the role held by manufacturing in the past”. In many countries, services such as ICT and telecoms, tourism and transport, financial and farming services can lead to productive development.

The third variety: “Resurgent entrepreneurship-led industrialisation” is based on my earlier work. I point to the growing list of achievements of African countries in terms of high-tech manufacturing. For example, South Africa leads in advanced manufacturing in having one of the world’s largest 3D-printers, used to manufacture parts for the aviation industry.

Different combinations of these varieties will dominate in different countries. For example, Kenya is already experiencing the simultaneous development of high-tech financial services alongside growth in traditional manufacturing, such as food processing and textiles, as well as clusters of advanced manufacturing. While every country’s pathway will be a unique combination of these varieties, what they will have in common is that progress will require that they deal with the impact of new technology, especially digitisation, on manufacturing.

To ensure momentum is maintained, the narrative about industrialisation has to change. As Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari pointed out, neither land – the core resource of feudalism – nor physical capital – the core resource of 20th-century capitalism – will be decisive for competitiveness in the future. Instead, data and data science, free information flows, ICT (data) skills, and decentralisation of decision-making will be the decisive factors.

What needs to be done

With an outdated story that gives up on manufacturing, Africa will fail to close the huge digital gap it still faces. The gap is reflected in the fact the continent contributes less than 1% of world’s digital knowledge production. To reduce this gap, African countries will have to start by expanding internet access and use. If internet use across the continent can be expanded to the same rate as in high-income countries, 140 million new jobs and US$2,2 trillion could be added to the gross domestic product.

What must be done to change the narrative? What do African governments need to do? The first is that its leaders need to start telling more stories about the future than about the past. Perhaps, like China’s leaders, they can even be inspired by science fiction. British best-selling author Neil Gaiman relates how China started to embrace science fiction after sending a delegation to “the US, to Apple, to Microsoft, to Google, and they asked the people there who were inventing the future about themselves. And they found that all of them had read science fiction when they were boys or girls.”

Helping to imagine the future of African industrialisation, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently stressed the fact that Africa is one of the early adopters of mobile telephony and moreover that the continent needs to aspire to more.

We need to focus on the new technologies that are going to revolutionise the world, and we need to be ahead of the curve.
This is the right narrative. It is necessary, although not sufficient for African industrialisation. For this, words need to lead to actions. And some consistent actions, at least for a start, would be for African governments to refrain from creating stumbling blocks for their brave new tech-entrepreneurs, such as curbing access to the internet, restricting digital information flows, under-investing in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, neglecting data-privacy legislation and restricting the rights of women to work in manufacturing. – The Conversation

BY Richard Muponde

PRESIDENTIAL Affairs minister Joram Gumbo was never arrested for criminal abuse of office, but he was just being interviewed on the goings on in parastatals which fell under his previous ministry and could be a State witness, his lawyer Selby Hwacha claimed yesterday.

The minister was “arrested” on Monday and brought to court on Tuesday, but did not appear before a magistrate after a call was reportedly made to Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) officers to bring him back to the police station.

Indications were that there was an intention to press more charges against him.

He was brought to court on allegations of corruptly acquiring US$1 million from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to renovate a property belonging to his relative, Mavis Gumbo on the pretext that it was meant for rent and other expenses for Zimbabwe Airways head office.

Hwacha yesterday said his client was never arrested and was astonished by the fuss about him appearing in court.

“Zacc officers went to his house on Friday and saw his wife who advised them that he was in Victoria Falls. They phoned him, advising him that they wanted to interview him and left their numbers,” Hwacha said.

“He came on Sunday earlier than his scheduled departure. After that he advised the officers that he was in town and asked if he could visit their office, but they told him to come on Monday around 9am. He went there and they interviewed him and told him to go back home. Is that arrest?”

Hwacha said the following day (Tuesday) he came from his home and was taken to court and when they appeared at the Harare Magistrates Courts they were told to go back home.

“Why then are people saying he was arrested? What’s the hype about him appearing in court than look on the other side that he could be cleared of any allegations?” queried Hwacha.

“There are a lot of things which happened in parastatals which fell under his previous ministry which they wanted to interview him on and also other things which have been said in the media. He could be a State witness, so he was never arrested. As his lawyer, I am waiting to hear that there are no charges against him.”

However, sources told NewsDay that Zacc was pressing two more charges against the minister with the anti-graft commission reportedly searching for more details in relation to the cases.

Charges against Gumbo emanated from a US$2,7 million fuel tender awarded to First Oil Company in 2013 and a US$1 million involving the Zimbabwe Airways deal.

He is also accused of corruptly facilitating the award of a US$333,3 million tender to Indrastemas and Homt Espana of South Africa for air control equipment without following procurement procedures.