BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

FORMER Miss Zimbabwe and RnB songstress Vanessa “Queen Vee” Sibanda could make waves as a fashionista as she is now complimenting her music artistry with fashion through the Queen Vee Couture line when off the stage.

Also referred to as Zimbabwe’s queen of bling, Queen Vee is known for living a lifestyle that could easily match some of Hollywood’s famous superstars.

The Mari hit-maker is set to cause a stir with her unusual outfit which she has been hinting on ahead of the launch of the video for her recently released single Vavengi, which also features the bad boy of local dancehall, Souljah Love.

Queen Vee posted on her Facebook page pictures from the video wearing a red shear dress, a hat like those worn in ancient times, Chinese spread wings and covers, complementing long gold nails.

Speaking to NewsDay Weekender Life & Style, Queen Vee, who is also a fashion designer, said she has been making the outfits for her video on her own in a bid to improve her talent in fashion designing.

“This is just Queen Vee stepping up her couture game. I love fashion and the outfit resembles the way I want to be remembered, as a fashion icon. The video has outfits that are out of this world and I am just trying to claim my throne as the queen,” she said.

The songstress added that the need to differentiate herself from other artistes made her to start making her own outfits which was then complimented by her fashion experience.

“The idea of staying different and bold led me to start creating my own stuff, my fashion background however always plays a big role when it comes to fashion. I don’t like normal things, I like to be different and daring when it comes to fashion and I like to set my own exclusive trends,” she said.

Queen Vee said she has been building her own fashion label which is, however, not yet ready for public consumption.

“I have a brand called the Queen Vee Couture that I have been building for some time now. However, it is not ready for the public yet, but for the time being I just want to make more stuff for myself, showcase the brand in my music and when the time is right I will take it to the world,” she said.

Since venturing into ymusic, Queen Vee has been breaking ground, especially with her videos which have been aired on international music channels like Channel O, MTV Base and Trace.

BY FARAI MATIASHE

Zimbabwe Gender Commission chief executive officer Virginia Muwanigwa has called on government to work hand-in-hand with civil society organisations (CSOs) to raise awareness and educate young girls about their constitutional rights.

She said this while speaking at the International Day of the Girl Child commemorations organised by Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS) and the Canadian embassy in Harare yesterday.

“To all stakeholders, including the government, churches, civil society groups and the media, I urge you to raise awareness about the Constitution to the girls. They need to know their rights. I have heard there are (moves towards) translating it. You should distribute copies,” she said.

“When young girls know their rights, they will be able to challenge and seek justice when their rights are violated, like the Constitution guarantees the right to education, health and so forth.
When a girl child knows that she is not supposed to be married off early and such happens to her, then she will be able to speak up.”

SYS director Ekenia Chifamba said they had brought in successful women to inspire young girls and to create opportunities for them.

“We have created a platform where these women can actually come through as mentors, as an inspiration to the young girls that whatever they have gone through, they can be successful,” she said.

SYS also launched a pad bank programme to mobilise sanitary ware for the young girls.

By Harriet Chikandiwa

FORMER Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) board vice-chair, Idah Mupamhanga, appeared in court yesterday facing criminal abuse of office charges.

Mupamhanga (62) appeared before Harare provincial magistrate Christopher Maturure, who granted her $100 bail.

It is alleged that on June 21, 2016, ZimParks, through its then commercial services director Tarisai Musonza, wrote to Mabalengwe Safaris, represented by Rodgers Madanhure, advising them not to renew their lease agreement for Matetsi Unit 1 — a hunting concession in Victoria falls — which was expiring at the end of that year.

The reason was that they had operated for a stipulated period of 10 years, according to section 37b of the Parks and Wildlife Act Chapter 20:14.

The court heard that Madanhure wrote back to ZimParks seeking an extension of the lease, but he was advised by Musonza that the concession would be auctioned to the public.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga, without a board resolution, unlawfully instructed the ZimParks legal department to prepare a memorandum of agreement of leasing Matetsi Unit 1 hunting concession.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga unlawfully received US$10 000 from Madanhure.

Upon receipt of the money, she allegedly concealed the transaction from the ZimParks board and transferred the money from her bank account into ZimParks account without disclosing to the board the nature of the transaction.

It is alleged that sometime in January 2017, Mupamhanga, without the knowledge of the board, entered into another memorandum of agreement to lease 19 Zambezi Lodges between ZimParks and Adage of Success (PVT) Ltd citing under-utilisation by ZimParks.

The court heard that in the same year, Mupamhanga called for a meeting which was attended by senior ecologist Roselyn Mandisodza and the then acting director-general Godfrey Matipano and told them that she wanted to venture into gold exploration inside protected areas to fund wildlife conservations.

Without the knowledge of the board, Mupamhanga allegedly instructed Mandisodza to look for a quotation for a metal detector and the ecologist obtained a quotation and proforma invoice of $11 000 from Excelight Investment.

The court heard that Mupamhanga instructed Mandisodza to advise the suppliers to split the amount and make two quotations.

Mandisodza was instructed to collect the metal detector for immediate use in detecting gold deposits in the ZimParks area.

It is alleged that Mupamhanga converted the gold detector to her own personal use.

The matter came to light after an audit was carried out and it was discovered that the purchase of the metal detector was not in line with the core business of ZimParks and it was also discovered that the proforma invoice was split into two to avoid going to tender.

THE Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) has said the maximum bank lending limit of $50 million for each project is inadequate to finance cropping by major contracting companies for the new season due to escalating costs.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

In its latest update, Lmac said inflationary pressures, predominately driven by exchange rate depreciation, continue to characterise the operating environment and as such, farmers would find it difficult to put more hectarage under crops this season.

“The principal concern for the forthcoming season is the tight liquidity on the market. Farmers estimate that in local currency terms, the nominal amount required to cover a fixed hectarage is 13 times higher than that needed a year ago,” read part of the update.

“This will severely constrain producers as the maximum bank lending limit of $50 million for each project is inadequate to finance cropping by major contracting companies for the new season,” it said.

Lmac said estimated maize stocks were currently at 400 000 tonnes and to date, intake of maize by the Grain Marketing Board amounted to 150 000 tonnes, while monthly draw-down is between 100 000 to 120 000 tonnes.

Framers have already painted a gloomy picture for the upcoming 2019/20 agricultural season due to the high cost of inputs and electricity shortages, among other challenges, raising fears of yet another poor harvest next year.

They said their preparations were being curtailed because of the high cost of inputs.
The council also revealed that the supply of raw materials, both for human consumption and the manufacture of stockfeed was constrained.

“The maize situation is dire and users of maize have reported that the Grain Marketing Board has rationalised the drawdown and authorities have prioritised drought vulnerable communities, then milling companies and lastly, stockfeed manufacturers,” it said.

“The local supply of soya-bean is already exhausted. Reportedly, Zambia and Malawi have excess stocks of soya-beans available for export for around US$500/tonne, landed in Harare. Maize and wheat bran are not available and the price of molasses ex-factory has also increased.”

FARMERS’ unions are lobbying for the crafting of a legal framework that will deter and punish firms that run tobacco marketing floors from delaying payments for produce delivered.

BY FIDELITY MHLANGA

This came after Goldern Barn, a tobacco contracting firm, is in the eye of a storm after failing to pay farmers who delivered their crop to the company a month ago.

In June, farmers protested in Mvurwi against another contracting firm, Voedsel Contract Tobacco Floor over payment delays.

Farmers’ unions now feel the recurrence of these aberrant activities could jeopardise the reputation of the billion dollar industry and force growers to quit the trade.

Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) executive director Paul Zakariya said farmers expect prompt payments as soon as they delivered their tobacco.

“That is a very unfortunate situation. Farmers expect prompt payments as soon as they deliver their tobacco. This has nothing to do with whether they deliver to a contractor or to the auction sales floors. In this case, farmers are suffering loss of value on many fronts. Due to inflation, the amounts due are now worth far less than they were at the time of tobacco delivery,” Zakariya said.

“What is needed is a legal framework to be developed where obligations are spelt out and consequences for defaults are made clear and enforceable by law. We also encourage farmers to be members of the ZFU Tobacco Producers Association so that our legal teams can provide them with legal services when things get to this.”

Zimbabwe Commercial Farmer Union president Shadreck Makombe said the contractor should be reported to the police and forced to pay because he wa s a cheat.

“He (Tobacco Contract floor owner) should be forced to pay. If not, he must be reported to the police because he is a cheat,” Makombe said.

The Apex Council Board for Youth in Agriculture chairperson John Muchenje pleaded with authorities to ensure that any exchange loss incurred due to payment delays is compensated.

“As the chairperson of the Apex Council Board for Youth in Agriculture, I condemn such actions from companies and organisations that purchases produce from farmers and do not pay on time.

Farming is a business and time value of money is critical. The prices of inputs are increasing as the interbank rate increases, the farmers will be heavily affected by these payments delays.

Farmers should be paid as per agreed times after delivery and if there is any delay it must be compensated with the exchange loss,” Muchenje said.

Slowly but surely, gambling laws are being shaped all round the world in an effort to catch up with the internet age. Authorities in many countries have been slow to regulate the burgeoning iGaming industry, but a push to make it more accessible, safer and accountable is on the way in every country from Australia to Zimbabwe. Each country will have its esoteric issues to deal with, of course, but there are some rules which every player should abide by, regardless of where they are located. Below we look at five golden rules you should be aware before you visit an online casino:

Check the licence before you play

Anyone with access to the internet and a big of knowhow could create a fake online casino site in an effort to snare people for malicious purposes. Look for credentials from an official body like the Lottery and Gaming Board of Zimbabwe or the National Gaming Board of South Africa. In a similar vein, you want to know that the games are created by credible software developers. Check out the selection of top developers at casino.com/za/slots/ to see what we are talking about. Brands like Playtech, NetEnt, Microgaming and IGT are a stamp of quality in online casino games, and they have earned that reputation due to being trustworthy.

Consider Your Options

The very nature of gambling means that you are playing at a slight disadvantage to the house. That’s the same in a land-based casino or an online one. Yet, smart players will always look to narrow that gap and even turn the advantage in their favour. For instance, if you are a roulette fan, choose European roulette over American, as the wheel is set up to push the odds in your favour by a few percentage points. If you play blackjack, check the rules to see where the dealer must stick and twist. These small advantages can make all the difference.

Use Bonuses Wisely

The best online casinos will have generous bonus offers; both for when you sign up and are an existing player. These bonuses will have certain restrictions attached to them, normally a requirement to wager them a number of times before withdrawal. That naturally lends a certain psychology of frivolousness to gaming strategy. In short, you are more likely to risk the bonus money because it does not feel like real money. Yet, being smart – playing games with low stakes, low volatility – can soon mean it becomes real money.

Set Your Boundaries

Part of the regulatory push for online gaming sites is that there are options for players to set gambling controls through the use of deposit limits, time out periods and so on. Having those controls is handy, but you should also set your own limits for playing. That means walking away when you have lost some money or cashing out when you have hit a profit. Setting limitations means you will enjoy the wins more and be able to take a losing session on the chin.

Scour the Sites

Major iGaming companies have huge budgets to run promotions and prize giveaways. Consider all the freebies you receive when you head somewhere like Las Vegas; the online world has a similar purview to offer extra incentives. Search the sites for these promotions; make sure you select the opt-in button when required; and, even check the casino site’s social media pages to see if you can get the latest promo codes for free spins and information on the latest giveaways. Who knows? You could maybe get an extra bonus or something special like an all-expenses paid trip to Las Vegas with entry to a poker tournament.

Slowly but surely, gambling laws are being shaped all round the world in an effort to catch up with the internet age. Authorities in many countries have been slow to regulate the burgeoning iGaming industry, but a push to make it more accessible, safer and accountable is on the way in every country from Australia to Zimbabwe. Each country will have its esoteric issues to deal with, of course, but there are some rules which every player should abide by, regardless of where they are located. Below we look at five golden rules you should be aware before you visit an online casino:

sport repoter

Singapore — On the eve of his 100th international Brazilian appearance, striker Neymar spoke Wednesday about his committment to both his country and his club, Paris-Saint Germain.

Brazil face Senegal on Thursday in a friendly in Singapore and the Brazilian federation presented Neymar with a special shirt on Wednesday with the number 100 on the back instead of his customary 10.

“I’m happy in the national team and with my club too,” said Neymar, who tried to escape Paris and return to Barcelona in the summer.

“Everyone knows what happened during the last transfer window, my initial desires, but today I’m happy and I feel comfortable in my club.”

The 27-year-old, who has struggled with foot injuries during his time in Paris, added: “The season has started well for me. I’m going to defend my club tooth and nail.

“I will give 100% so that we can do great things.”

The shirt was presented by Bebeto, a striker who played 75 times for Brazil, appearing in two World Cup finals, winning the first in 1994.

“I’m happy to reach this number,” Neymar said.

“The results are very positive, even if a footballer’s life is not all about winning. There are also many disappointments, defeats. You make mistakes.”

Neymar has scored 61 goals in 99 games for the Selecao, making him the third highest scorer in the history of his national team. He is one behind Ronaldo, but needs 16 to catch Pele.

He won an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, but has experienced many disappointments, particularly at the World Cup.

In 2014, in Brazil, a back injury in the quarter-finals against Colombia prevented him from being on the field during the 7-1 semi-final debacle against Germany.
— AFP

BY RICHARD MUPONDE

Tourism players in Victoria Falls are building about 520 blair toilets for Monde villagers who have been using bush system.

The move is meant to prevent an outbreak of cholera during the rainy season which could affect the tourism industry in the resort town.

Most of the villagers have never had toilets in their lifetime and were relieving themselves in the bush, increasing chances of waterborne disease outbreaks.

To avert disaster, tourism players decided to provide cement and roofing material for villagers to build toilets.

The village is about 11km on the outskirts of the resort town and is also popular with tourists who come to experience traditional village tours and the pole and dagga accommodation built by villagers popularly known as votels, derived from village hotels.

Monde Headman Dumisani Dingani Mpala, who is spearheading the project, yesterday confirmed the development.

“Yes, it’s true we have embarked on the project to build toilets for villagers. Monde has about 520 households and we are looking at each household to have its own toilet and desist from using the bush. These people have never had toilets since the time they settled in this area,” Mpala said.

“Tomorrow, we are looking at distributing cement to build the toilets for 200 households that already have bricks and toilet pits. This projects started in May, but practically we are starting tomorrow (today).”

He said tour operators in Victoria Falls were the ones who were assisting the villagers with materials for the project.

“When we came up with the project, we approached safari and tour operators in Victoria Falls with the proposal. After realising that our project was noble since an outbreak of diseases such as cholera and typhoid would affect their tourism businesses, they decided to help us. These are the people who are supplying us with material to build these toilets,” he said.

In Zimbabwe, open defecation was said to be at 40%, according to a survey done in 2015.

When contacted for comment, Employers Association for Tourism and Safari Operators president Clement Mukwasi referred Southern Eye to Mpala for more details on the toilets project.

BY FARAI MATIASHE/PATRICIA SIBANDA

Zimpost employees in Bulawayo and Harare on Wednesday downed tools over poor salaries and unfair labour practices.

The workers picketed at the Main Post Offices in the two cities demanding a salary hike and payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses.

The protesting workers described their poor remuneration as unfair labour treatment by company management and an insult to them and their families.

Zimpost workers said for over two years, the postal services provider has been paying them half salaries and has also failed to pay bonuses since 2014.

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Communication and Allied Service Workers’ Union of Zimbabwe general secretary David Mhambare said they had tried to engage stakeholders, but their efforts were futile and they had to communicate through a stay-in.

“We are taking home $200; that’s not enough to feed our families. It is not even enough to send one child to school. So, we are saying we have tried, we engaged the minister (Information Communication Technology Kazembe Kazembe), we have engaged the new board, we have even written to the employment council, but Zimpost has been refusing to burge,” he said.

“We are incapacitated. We are not on strike. We are simply saying we do not have money to go back home. This is our second home we are sleeping here until a solution is found to our problems.”

Mhambare said they were demanding a living wage from their employer.

“We don’t want luxurious salaries. We are not demanding much. We are demanding a living wage. We certainly know that the company is going through a difficult time, but we would appreciate if the company could give people a living wage,” he said.

Bulawayo regional workers’ committee chairperson Sikhawuliso Zondo said they want management to increase their salaries urgently.

“We are trying to force management to adhere to their promises. For instance, they can increase our $300 salaries to about $2 000 which is above the poverty datum line. We are now even afraid to go to church because we cannot pay tithes,” Zondo said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a worker from Bulawayo said: “This is an insult to us. We will sleep here if that helps our cause. We are languishing in poverty and they must know that they cannot simply generate revenue through cheap labour because we are not slaves.

“We cannot be getting $300 every month and be expected to take care of our family needs. We have children who go to school and rentals to pay.”

Another worker also said their salaries did not allow them to invest or save.

“We need to invest for our children who will become our future leaders in years to come,” he said.

“It’s been years now since we have been getting our salaries in halves. They also do not pay everyone at once, but they use the pay grading system which disadvantages others. We have not been paid our September salaries,” a worker in Harare said.

A circular to the Zimpost workers signed by acting managing director Sifundo Moyo said proposals to cushion workers and pay their September salaries were awaiting approval and management had only reviewed transport allowances.

“To cushion employees from the increase in transport costs, management has with immediate effect reviewed upwards the transport subsidy. Commuting staff will be paid $10 per day from $6 while none-commuting will be paid $2,50 a day from 1,50,” he wrote.

Since January, the cost of living has skyrocketed with medical and funeral insurance fees, kombi fares, fuel and electricity tariffs going up as the local currency continues to weaken against the benchmark United States dollar, piling more misery on workers.

Another employee said a plate of sadza which they buy at the company’s canteen has also gone up from $3 to $4,50 yet their salaries remain stagnant.