LAST week, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor John Mangudya publicly admitted that a mere 10 out of the more than 16 million Zimbabweans control the United States dollar market, which means that 0,0000625% of people control the country’s US dollar bounty. This is absolute madness.

NewsDay Comment

As if that is not enough, we were again told that 50 companies control 50% of the country’s $19 billion money supply. This also means another 50 individuals own $9,5 billion money supply while, theoretically, the rest of us individually own $593. However, if practically interrogated, more than half of the country’s population owns nothing, which explains the 2011 poverty headcount ratio of 72,3%. It would not even be surprising as 90% of Zimbabweans are deemed poor today.

In fact, Mangudya’s succinctly put it thus: “So 50% of the $19 billion money supply is in the hands of 50 corporates and so it means we are predominantly a poor country. We must not allow such a thing to happen because at the end of the day, prices will affect everyone in the economy. We are not targeting individuals; we are targeting those with sufficient energy to influence the market.”

This scenario is more than scandalous. It is soundly preposterous that a nation such as Zimbabwe, physically rich as it is, can be personalised in this manner.

What these figures actually tell us is that Zimbabwe is only a nation in name; otherwise the land and all of its other resources are personal property of 60 individuals or more. How did we end up in this miserable rut?

The tragedy that has befallen this country is that the majority of the nation has not bothered to be critical when interrogating issues and those who have bothered to question things have either been made to disappear, forced into exile or clobbered into silence while a few individuals and entities were given free rein and freedom to loot the country’s resources. It is simply not possible for less than 100 people to be so filthy rich in a land of festering poverty unless they have been looting.

The Tendai Biti-led parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been on a lone crusade pointing out the source of our penury with very little support from the cowed citizens; while the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is lost somewhere in some wild goose chases.

It boggles the mind that all the evidence is there as to how our precious resources are being looted by these individuals, yet those with the power to stop the rot are busy with some other misplaced agendas.

The Command Agriculture programme is, indeed, one of the avenues that have been used to impoverish all of us. And yet a whole President has been resolute in supporting such a scandalous project. Also coming out of PAC’s unrelenting probing is the fact that the country has also been impoverished through dodgy deals and contracts where our hard-earned money is siphoned out of State coffers by individuals and entities purporting to supply goods and services, which never come.

This was the case at the Zimbabwe National Road Administration where contracts were awarded to people and companies, but nothing was ever delivered.

A fresh case is the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company mass transport arrangement whereby our impoverished government is busy pumping out millions of dollars to subsidise public transport.

The State is expending precious money taking people to work in incapacitated factories and institutions where workers are now busy using resources for personal gain. What is the point, if not for political expediency, of spending so much money sending people to workplaces where there is precious little productivity in the wake of electricity, water and foreign currency shortages? What is happening in this country needs more than political will to sort it out.

LOCAL gospel artiste Elliot Makuyana is set to unite gospel artistes during his second album launch at Full Gospel Church of God in Strathaven, Harare, on November 6.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

The launch of Tumirai Shoko will be graced by top gospel acts including Michael Mahendere and Tawanda Tehillah as well as Wenyasha Chingono and Chelsea Mguni, who are also featured on the album alongside Takesure Zamar Ncube and Tawanda Mbizi.

Star FM Gospel Greats presenter, Yvonne Tivatye will be the master of ceremony.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style recently, Makuyana said the eight-track offering, which was recorded at Eternity Studio, was produced by Midzi.

Makuyana said the album was themed on honesty and commitment to God.

“The album mainly talks about the faithfulness of God in every situation. It seeks to encourage people to totally depend on God. The songs seek to encourage people to keep on believing in God in every circumstance,” he said.

The 29-year-old musician, who said he got inspiration from the Word of God and his life experiences, composes worship songs that seek to draw people closer to God.

Makuyana added that his forthcoming production was unique in various ways compared to his previous works.

Apart from the title track, the new album is made up of the songs Ndawana Shamwari, Hallelujah, Ndakatengwa Neropa raJesu, Tinayo Hama, Mufudzi Wangu, Tsunga Moyo and Zvivimbiso.

The artiste ventured into music while still at Kuwadzana High School where he was part of the school choir.

He said he started playing the keyboard early in life, with encouragement from his mother.

SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean hip-hop crooner Jimmie “Shasha Dze Hip-hop” Maleta yesterday said working with Tanzania-born cinematographer and photographer Ramadhan “Director Ray” Kondo on the former’s Turn Up video was a great experience.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

Maleta said he took the opportunity to exchange notes with director Ray of Carrela Films on the video, adding to his growing catalogue.

He told NewsDay Life & Style from his Mzansi base that collaborations with regional heavyweights helped him to spread his works beyond the borders.

“I have realised the power of collaborations if one is to make inroads into the cut-throat music industry across the continent,” he said.

“Our quest is to take our brand and music to the people not only in Zimbabwe, but across the continent and fly the country’s flag high on the music scene.”

Maleta said such collaborations had helped him penetrate Nigeria, Burundi, Congo, Tanzania and South Africa.

The musician said he has invested a lot for the production of the Turn Up video to be of top quality that can be played on popular stations such as Channel O and Trace Africa.

“I always feel honoured to have had the privilege of putting my hood, Chegutu, on the map through music in a positive way, I hope and pray I inspire more ghetto youth to be positive and even surpass my level,” he said.

“I was inspired by inner peace that is brought by true love and good vibes. The lyrics to the song are all about turning up a good vibe and it blends well with the scenario of the nature reserve.”

The 30-year-old rapper has collaborated with international artistes including Zipho K and Yandi Eanam (South Africa), Kahsion (Jamaica) and Burundian Afro-pop star Livien Mugenzi.

He has two albums under his sleeve; Ndipeiwo Mukana and Maleta Music.

A YOUTH situational analysis report carried out from 2018 to 2019 and commissioned by the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT) has revealed that millions of educated youth in Zimbabwe are unable to find jobs.

BY VENERANDA LANGA

The study sampled around 5 582 young people aged 18 to 24 in the country’s 10 provinces and findings revealed that only 7% of them were formally employed.

Young males were said to be 9% formally employed compared to their female counterparts at 5, 2%.

“The proportion of urban youths who were formally employed was 10%, while rural youths formally employed was 5%. This number is lower compared to data from sub-Saharan Africa,” the report said.

Compared to research done by the World Bank, their 2019 figure shows that 8,13% of young people aged 15 to 24 are formally employed.

Data from round six of the Afrobarometer also put unemployment levels for people below 35 years across Sub-Saharan Africa at 63%.

“For Zimbabwe alone, the unemployment estimate is 66%. The number is also significantly lower than official estimates by Zimstats, which puts unemployment at just 11,3% (2014 Labour Force Study).

In their report, YETT said youths from large cities such as Harare, Bulawayo and Mutare attributed lack of employment to the fact that formal employers had either scaled down or completely ceased operations as the country continues to experience economic challenges.

The study also shows that more than 51% of the 7% employed youths were engaged as general hands, with 25% employed in the public sector, followed by the food and beverages sector at 12,6%, mining 6,1%, transport at 5,1% and non-governmental organisations at 2,9%.

Very few of those employed youths were said to be engaged in professions for which they trained to do at college.

“Nine percent of youths reported running a business. This number is rather low compared to Sub-Saharan Africa at large. The 2016 Afrobarometer states that 42% of the employed youth below the age of 35 reported to be self-employed. For Zimbabwe, the estimate is 23%, which is still significantly higher than our own estimates. Sixteen percent (16%) of urban youths reported running a business compared to 5% among rural youths.”

Of the youths running their own businesses, Harare was said to have the highest proportion at 16%, followed by Bulawayo (14%), and Mashonaland Central had the smallest proportion with 4,3% and Matabeleland South at 5%.

“Businesses run by the youth made an average monthly profit of US$40. The greatest profitability was found in the manufacturing sector with US$74 per month, followed by services at US$53 per month and agriculture at US$41 per month, with the retail sector at the least with profitability of only US$25 per month. Only 9% of respondents running businesses reported receiving funding from financial institutions for business support.”

The report said 40% of participating youths cited lack of capital or funding as a barrier to their economic participation, while 14% cited currency instability and 8% cited lack of information as a barrier.

A 2012 report by the International Labour Organisation stated that the causes of unemployment among Zimbabwean youth included incompatibility between the curriculum and the needs of the industry in the changing times.

GOVERNMENT has called on the corporate sector to lead the digital transformation drive so that it remains relevant and adapt to the ever-changing digital environment.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

Officially opening the Marketers Association Zimbabwe convention in Bulawayo yesterday, Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the corporate sector should move with time lest it becomes irrelevant.

“This marketers convention comes at a time when there is global digital transformation. As you are aware, government is working on transforming the country into a digital and knowledge-driven society in line with vision 2030,” she said.

“Recently, as government, we announced the migration to the holding of e-enabled paperless Cabinet meetings, as well as the introduction of the executive electronic dashboard to monitor the implementation of priority government programmes in real time,” Mutsvangwa said.
She said these two innovations were part of the broader e-government programme which seeks to transform Zimbabwe by 2030.

“As such, we implore you the corporate sector to lead in the digital transformation so that you remain relevant and adapt to the ever-changing digital environment,” she said.

Mutsvangwa said in modern marketing strategies, marketers have to engage in professional and responsible communication as they expand their horizons.

“The business trends, globally, are changing and changing very fast. This therefore calls on you the marketers and communication professionals to be at the forefront of presenting your brands,” she said.

“Gone are the days when long-term strategies are needed, but effective tactics that are swift and responsive to the changing environment. I say this (because of) the digitalisation of the business world and processes. The coming in of the social media space has completely revolutionised the way we communicate with our customers.”

In fact, it had become the other way round with customers now speaking to “us and we have to tailor make our products and or services to the dictates of the customers”, she said.

“Even us as government, we take communication seriously as we need to keep abreast with technologies. Gone are the days when we would have to wait for the main news bulletin to make announcements, but we are also forced by you the general citizenry to act swiftly and timely otherwise the news would have gone out via social media unnoticed,” she said.

She appealed to marketing professionals to support government officials with further insights into the trends and platforms so that they keep abreast with the new developments. “Change is real, it is, therefore, paramount for every constituent to be at its toes in order to be relevant,” Mutsvangwa said.

“Uncouth marketing strategies will never last long as they fast disappear in people’s memories. As government, we encourage responsible communication from you as you have a very broad influence, not only on people’s choices, but even the world’s view.”

She said social media is a very powerful medium which can either destroy or build brands as well as the nation.

She urged marketers to engage in professional marketing that does not contain inflammatory language, hate speech or encourages violence in the country.

“As we ride on current affairs in our social media marketing, let’s also be wary of insensitive messages,” she said.

She also implored marketers to position and market the country brand on the global scale, promote local goods and brands as well as promote exports.

The convention, ending today, is running under the banner Engaging Strategic Marketing in a Dynamic Environment — Expanding Horizons

ZIMBABWE’S poultry sector recorded a 28% drop in output after producing about 16,8 million broiler day-old chicks in the third quarter of the year, with players attributing the decline to high input costs, an industry official has said.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

Zimbabwe Poultry Association (ZPA) chairperson, Solomon Zawe said in the third quarter (July to September), broiler day-old chick production averaged 5,6 million chicks per month, which is 20% to 28% lower than the second quarter of 2019 and third quarter of last year, respectively.

Zawe said chick prices continued to increase in the period under review and reached $5,51 per chick in September. However, in US dollar terms, the prices remained unchanged.

“Depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar against the US dollar in the third quarter of 2019 continued to exert pressure on feed and day-old chick prices that were not matched by increases in consumer disposable incomes,” Zawe said.

“However, demand remained strong largely due to greater increases in prices of alternative livestock proteins, primarily beef, pork and fish,” he said.

The ZPA boss said dwindling stocks of maize coupled with restrictions on maize purchases from farmers brought about by the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 145 of 2019 implied that the feed sector will need to import maize which currently lands in the country at 36% higher than current producer price.

“Without increases in consumer purchasing power, this will further erode the margins from poultry production during the fourth quarter.”

“The reduced margins have already driven down the producer prices of both day-old chicks, broiler meat and table eggs to lower than prevailing prices in neighbouring countries in US dollar terms, prompting some breeders and farmers to explore export markets,” he said.

Going into the fourth quarter, Zawe said demand will be spurred by farmers building up stocks for the festive season. “However, going into first quarter of 2020, necessary upward adjustments to school fees to take into account local currency depreciation will likely have a more pronounced negative impact on demand for poultry products,” he said, adding that following the steady recovery of total broiler breeding stocks (growing and in-production) to 796 150 birds in May 2019, stocks declined by 11% to 705 046 birds in September, being similar to previous peak stock levels in 2013 and 2014. He said broiler breeder in-production stocks peaked at 499 415 birds in May, before declining to 366 539 birds in August and, thereafter, increasing to 415 887 birds in September, while growing stocks averaged 314 927 birds per month for the period May to September.

Returns from large-scale processors revealed that the number of birds slaughtered and broiler meat produced declined by 3% in the third quarter of 2019.

Although the meat produced from this sector declined by 12% compared with the third quarter of 2018, Zawe said it was still the second highest ever recorded. Small-scale broiler meat production estimated at 5 457 tonnes per month decreased by 36% compared to the same period last year.

“Consequently, a dramatic drop in both uptake and supply of broiler chicks has affected this sector,” Zawe said.

Total meat produced was estimated at 8 728mt per month, 29% lower than in the third quarter of 2018. Zawe added that from March this year, wholesale prices rose sharply each month, reflecting the local currency devaluation and increasing costs of inputs, particularly feeds.

Wholesale prices of whole bird and 2kg individually quick frozen pieces in September were $27,42 and $25,21 per kg, respectively.

Highlanders….3
YADAH FC…….1

Highlanders fans are obviously rejoicing at seeing their team continue with their steady climb on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table and relishing the nick of time arrival of Dutch coach Pieter de Jongh.

By Fortune Mbele

The Dutchman has so far presided over six league matches at Highlanders and since his arrival everything has started to look bright and beautiful as he has lifted the gloom at Bosso following a poor run of form just before he came in.

The Bulawayo giants were fretting at the prospect of plunging into relegation at the end of the season.

Pity they will most likely run out of matches to hunt down the leading pack of Caps United (12 points ahead) at the top, FC Platinum and Chicken Inn with six matches left before the end of the season.

But this short period in the season has been blissful for the Bosso faithful who endured frustrations under Madinda Ndlovu and then Mandla Mpofu.

Yesterday, Bosso put up another show of strength to power their way to another set of three points against relegation-doomed and basement side Yadah at Barbourfields Stadium.

Bosso barely missed star striker Prince Dube with Mbongeni Ndlovu, Godfrey Makaruse and Tinashe Makanda adding their names to the goals column on the 13th, 20th and 28th minute.

Yadah scored their consolation through Ralph Matema 12 minutes before time.

Ndlovu was set up by the impressive Denzel Khumalo before poking the ball past Yadah goalkeeper Issah Ali.

Nine minutes later, Makaruse executed a beauty from outside the penalty box before dazzling a bemused Ali.

Khumalo then sent Makanda through and the striker dribbled his way past Ali before rolling the ball into an empty net.

De Jongh was happy with the result, revealing that he was nervous prior to the match.

“I am happy with the result. I was a little scared before the game because, from my experience, I (expected) it was going to be a difficult game. We played good football, good focus and concentration and we scored three goals and the opponents could not do anything,” De Jongh said.

Teams

Highlanders: A Sibanda, M Phiri, M Ndlovu, A Mbeba, P Muduhwa, N Masuku, G Makaruse (C Kapupurika 76′), B Banda, T Makanda, A Silla (B Sibanda 46′), D Khumalo (P Nyirenda 90+2′)

Yadah: I Ali, M Musiyakuvi, Z Bizeki, B Madzokere, J Chitereki, S Linyama, G Mangani, W Kamudyariwa (P Nyamakura 61′), A Shumba (B Mhlanga 55′), R Matema, I Sadiki (M Chiwara 65′)

AN O-LEVEL pupil at Arundel School in Harare was recently denied access to sit for her Cambridge examination after school authorities claimed she had fees arrears amounting to $44 000 although she had fully paid the examination and centre fees.

BY CHARLES LAITON

The move by the school has now prompted the girl’s mother, Mavis Jakarasi to file an urgent chamber application through Justice for Children, seeking the court’s intervention, arguing that the school had no authority to prevent her child from sitting for examinations. She cited trustees of Arundel School as respondents in the matter.

In her founding affidavit, Jakarasi said her daughter had been a student at the school since the beginning of 2019 and had registered to sit for her Cambridge final Ordinary Level examinations that are currently underway.

However, Jakarasi said due to fees being owed to the school, her daughter was barred from attending lessons since the beginning of the third term.

“Being a trust school, I do understand and accept that the respondent has such a right. The problem arose when my child appeared to sit for her first examination on October 15, 2019, English Paper 2. The respondent (Arundel) school official, the headmistress Pauline Makoni and her officials refused to allow the child to sit for her examination,” Jakarasi said, adding she then approached Justice for Children for assistance and the lawyers issued a letter of demand for the school to allow the child to sit for her examinations, but she was still prevented from doing so.

The woman said she was told that the tuition fee had been raised to $44 000 for the third term and that the amount she owed the school had equally increased on the day her daughter missed her second exam.

Jakarasi said after paying $18 000, her daughter was then allowed to sit for her History examination on October 18, 2019, but on Monday October 21, 2019, she was again barred from writing Mathematics by the headmistress who demanded that she pays the balance first.

“Though I owe the school in arrear tuition, for the school to then bar my child from writing examinations that are not property or a programme of Arundel School, but an independent external examinations body, on the basis of fees I owe to the school is unacceptable,” Jakarasi said
“Cambridge Examinations is an independent body to which I made full payment. That payment includes the examination fee and the centre fee. The child is thus fully paid to use Arundel School as an examination centre. This fact is independent from the child’s registration at Arundel as a student. It is for her studentship at Arundel School that the respondents can bar my child from accessing the school facilities. However, that is not the case with the Cambridge examinations.

All the school is providing and required to provide, is an examination centre with the requisite facilities and personnel.”

The matter is pending.