YOUTH, Sport, Arts and Recreation minister Kirsty Coventry says the country has hidden gems that must be unearthed, polished and showcased to the world.

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

The former swimming gold medalist made the remarks on Twitter as she posted a video of pupils dressed in national flag colours dancing to the popular Mbende-Jerusarema at Murewa Arts Centre.

Mbende-Jerusarema is a popular dance style practiced by the Zezuru people living in the Murewa and Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe districts in north-eastern Zimbabwe.

“Art keeps our culture alive, and these children at Murehwa Arts Centre are leading by example. We have hidden gems throughout Zimbabwe that must be unearthed, polished and shown to the world #MbendeJerusarema,” she said.

The Mbende-Jerusarema dance was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008, but was originally proclaimed in 2005.

The dance is characterised by sensual and acrobatic movements by women in unison with men, driven by a single poly-rhythmic drummer accompanied by men playing woodblock clappers and women hand clapping, yelling and blowing whistles.

Unlike other drum-based East African dance styles, Mbende-Jerusarema does not rely on intricate foot stamping or many drummers.

Instead, the music is performed by one master drummer, and no songs or lyrics are involved.

The success story of the groups from the province is attributed to the numerous programmes being conducted to promote the cultural dance.

The Mbende-Jerusarema festival that is held annually in Murewa has contributed much to the birth of a number of serious dance groups from the province.

The decorated swimmer-cum-minister is, however, under fire from the creative industry amid claims that she has failed to live up to expectation of robustly transforming the arts and culture sector.

When she was appointed minister by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2017, there was a lot of anticipation, particularly from the long-neglected arts and culture sector.

Among the expectations under the new dispensation were that the government was going to pay attention to the sector and create an enabling environment to make the sector operate along business lines and become profitable.

FC Platinum have continued their shopping spree with the addition of two Democratic Republic of Congo nationals to their squad.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

The two players – defender Felly Mulumba and striker Ellie Ilunga – were unveiled together with Silas Songani in Zvishavane yesterday.

The Congolese pair joins their compatriot Gyve Nsiala who has already established himself at the club.
Mulumba was the captain of Kenyan top-flight side Bandari FC and has played in the same league for Sofapaka and Posta Rangers.

Pure Platinum play have been on a serious recruitment drive as they look to strengthen the squad after their lack of quality was exposed in the Caf Champions League where they ended with just one point.

So far, they have made a staggering 11 signings and have already shown that they are serious after pinning down the highly-rated Songani, who joined from Danish side Sydvest, as coach Pieter de Jongh aims to make the Zvishavane side a local and regional football powerhouse.

Sources at FC Platinum told NewsDay Sport that more foreign players were expected in Zvishavane as De Jongh attempts to build a squad strong enough to last the distance in the African safari. Their last two group stage appearances were forgettable as they managed a combined three points.

Last time, they managed two goals, which performance has triggered their extravagant spending on the market as they target more domestic glory and an improved show on the continent ahead of the 2020-21 Caf Champions League campaign.

De Jongh has been looking to get better forwards so that they can improve on their chances of creation and conversion.

Newcomers Songani, Kiyana Ilunga, Ralph Kawondera and Stanley Ngala’s arrival is likely to help them in that regard.

The likes of Lameck Nhamo, Rahman Kutsanzira and Gift Mbweti could find themselves edging towards peripheral roles.

Masvingo High Court judge Justice Garainesu Mawadze is today set to deliver his ruling on whether or not MDC vice-chair and Zengeza West legislator, Job Sikhala will stand trial for treason.

By Tatenda Chitagu

Mawadze, who presided over the matter early this month, reserved ruling on Sikhala’s application for exception to the charge.

Sikhala is being accused of contravening section 22(2)(a)(iii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he allegedly uttered the words, “We will overthrow President Mnangagwa before 2023” at a campaign rally ahead of a by-election in Bikita last year.

He is out on $5 000 bail.

While applying for exception to the charge, Sikhala’s lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said the charges were vague, meaningless and did not establish the essential elements recognised by the law according to section 180 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act.

Mtetwa argued at the start of the trial that Sikhala’s utterances did not constitute a crime and according to the charge sheet, putting the accused on trial would be unfair as nobody knows the allegations raised and according to the section under which Sikhala is being charged, he did not call for the unconstitutional removal of the President and neither did he call for the unlawful removal of government.

The human rights lawyer said Mnangagwa alone was not government.

But prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare opposed the application for exception, saying Sikhala used the word overthrow and had, therefore, called for a coup against Mnangagwa before elections.

If Justice Mawadze shoots down Sikhala’s application, the opposition politician will have to stand trial.

If convicted, the MDC top official faces at least 20 years in jail without the option of a fine.

AFRO-JAZZ musician Brian Nyahuma is set to serenade lovers at a Valentine’s dinner dance tonight to promote health awareness among couples at Splendour Gardens in Harare.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style recently, the artiste said the show, running under the theme, Tora Rudo in a Healthy Faithful Lifestyle will also raise funds for young cancer patients.

Nyahuma, who fronts the African Pride band, said the cancer awareness event, which comes 10 days after the country commemorated World Cancer Day, would educate couples on how to handle the chronic disease better.

“Cancer patients are stigmatised due to lack of knowledge. Some people think that cancer is contagious. They fear to get close to people with cancer, which makes cancer patients live uncomfortably. I decided to hold this show and educate people on issues concerning cancer,” he said.

The jazz crooner, who is also a health advocate and awareness campaigner, said music was considered to be a powerful tool as it played a significant role in disseminating health related information.

“As couples are sharing their love and time together this is the right time to pass my message to them through singing. I grew up with mixed conceptions of the disease as I thought only women could be diagnosed with cancer, only to realise later that even men can be as well. This is when i thought it is right to educate people about cancer,” he said.

Nyahuma has dedicated his career to singing about issues affecting society including child marriages.

“I have songs on child marriages that advocate for girls’ rights to education. In my other tracks there are songs which give people hope when they are faced with various situations,” he said.

Nyahuma was groomed and mentored by renowned jazz artiste and instrumentalist Clive “Mono” Mukundu. Some of the albums under his belt are So They Say (2007), Ndingatii Zvangu (2009), Hausi Wega (2011), Yambirika Listen (2013) and Toyambukira (2016).

LOCAL governance expert, Vincent Chakunda on Wednesday said the Constitutional Amendment Bill currently under public scrutiny was meant to consolidate dictatorship by the Zanu PF government and should never be allowed to be passed into law.

BY STEPHEN CHADENGA

Speaking in Gweru at a public finance management workshop organised by the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd), Chakunda said the amendments particularly that of limiting Parliament’s oversight on foreign agreements that impose fiscal obligations on the country would plunge the country into deeper international debt.

“These amendments are meant to consolidate dictatorship by giving too much power to the President,” Chakunda said.

“There are no justifications for these amendments because they further weaken Parliament. And in particular the amendment we are focusing on today (at workshop) to limit Parliament’s power to approve international treaties is bad for good governance as the august House’s oversight role to monitor government expenditure and the country’s debt would be greatly affected.”

Chakunda added: “By agreeing to such an amendment we will be simply mortgaging future generations. Such a move will see the Executive going on borrowing sprees without Parliament approval and further burdening the already over-burdened taxpayer.

“Civil society and other stakeholders should mobilise and reject the amendments because they are against good governance and must never be passed into law.”

Speaking at the same meeting, human rights defender Jasper Maposa said the Executive should never be allowed to enter into unchecked fiscal obligations that affect the citizens.

He said the country was already trapped in debt and could not afford to sink into more financial challenges. The government has an external debt of US$11,5 billion and a domestic debt of around US$8,5 billion.

Gweru lawyer Wellington Davira chipped in: “If Parliament has limited powers on foreign agreements the President would solely decide the economic status of this country and it’s not healthy.”

NOBUNTU and its parent company, 10th District Music, have revealed that two of the group members, Zanele Manhenga and Heather Dube will be taking leave from the group because they are expecting to deliver babies this year.

BY SHARON SIBINDI

In a Press release, 10th District Music/Nobuntu director, Dumisani Ramadu Moyo said the two will not join the team during the September to December tour of the United States and they will be replaced by two other female artistes.

“The two mothers-to-be will not be joining the rest of the team on tour during the September-December season as they will be attending to their parental duties,” Moyo said.

“In the absence of Zanele and Heather, two seasoned performers Patience Maseko and Thandy Dhlana, will fill in their shoes.”

He said Thandy and Patience have been working with the group at instances that required one member to be relieved.

“Both Thandy and Patience have established music and performance careers,” he said.
Moyo said Nobuntu meant “mother of humanity” and hence the group was driven by the core principles of love, unity and family.

“We value the gift of life and consider this special occasion not only as a blessing to the expectant mothers alone, but to Nobuntu Music and 10th District as a whole,” he said.
Moyo said the duo will, however, be part of the Canada and Bermuda trips from February 23 to 29.

ACTING on his promise to uplift local showbiz by supporting new talent, TeeMak Promotions Chief executive officer, Tawona “TeeMak” Chipunza has added a new member to his label, RnB artiste Takudzwa “Takue” Ncube .

BY PRECIOUS CHIDA

This brings to two the number of artistes under TeeMak Promotions following the unveiling of dancehall star Enzo Ishall in January.

A few weeks ago, the label made a call on their Facebook page for people to nominate and help him pick out fresh talent that he could support with his vast resources which saw Takue’s star shining the brightest and caught their eye.

Speaking to NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, TeeMak said they wanted to support the musician with the potential to be the next Zimbabwean big star.

“Takue who already has a single out on YouTube titled My Lover is raw talent TeeMak would like to work with. We were looking for someone with a unique style and voice, but yet versatile and I think Takue fits that mould,” said TeeMak.

“He is talented, young and ambitious and we think with the right support, we can unearth another gem from Zimbabwe.”

Takue who is the voice behind the YouTube soundtrack Baba NaMai Bb – Life after Divorce, a story by Thomas Chizhanje, said he was excited to join TeeMak.

“This is a big opportunity for me and I am looking forward to putting in the hard work to repay the faith TeeMak Promotions have shown in me,” he said.

“Music is something that I love with all my heart, it’s more than just a passion, it’s my life and as musicians, we lack the necessary financial backing to take our art to the same levels as our regional and international peers and with this deal, I’m sure that’s going to change.”

Takue will begin his new relationship with TeeMak Promotions with the release in March of a single accompanied by a video.

Other projects by Takue will be released during the course of the year.

The two parties are expected to officially sign the agreement later this month.

THERE are fears that villagers in Mangwe district, Plumtree, have lost their homesteads and livestock after their major dam burst its wall on Wednesday morning due to incessant rains pounding the area.

BY RICHARD MUPONDE

Reports indicate that the dam, which has served the community for more than 40 years, gave in to the pressure of runoff water as rains have been pounding the area since last Friday.

Fakanye Dam, which holds water all-year round, supported an irrigation scheme and livestock rearing for the over 200 households and its collapse has left villagers staring hunger.

A villager, Ruth Mpofu, said they feared that homesteads downstream could have been swept away, but the area was currently inaccessible.

“Although the dam was a bit far from where we live since we are upstream, we fear that it could have caused a lot of damage downstream where there are some homesteads. Our whole livelihood has been destroyed by the floods. We don’t know where to begin since this dam which was our source of livelihood is gone,” Mpofu said.

She said the rumbling waters washed away their irrigation projects and suspected that livestock which was grazing near the dam could have been washed away too.

“All we worked for has gone in a flash. We also suspect that livestock was washed away while at the grazing area. It’s only the area is still inaccessible and villagers are still in shock and afraid to investigate,” she said.

Contacted for comment, Mangwe Rural District Council chief executive officer Bongani Ngwenya confirmed the incident.

“I have heard about the disaster, but we are still to go there. We are still to get more information about the collateral damage caused,” Ngwenya said.

The disaster came in the wake of floods in Binga which killed one and left over 30 families marooned. The civil protection unit was again caught unprepared with Cabinet on Wednesday revealing that the Air Force of Zimbabwe had not yet rescued 11 people who were perched on tree tops.

Rains, which fell over the weekend into Monday, also caused severe destruction of infrastructure in Chimanimani and Chipinge districts, Manicaland province.