Jah Prayzah (left) and Winky D

BY SINDISO DUBE

THE battle for supremacy between two of the country’s biggest musicians, Jah Prayzah and Winky D, is not yet over as the duo has been nominated alongside South Africa-based Oskido for the Outstanding Arts Personality outside Bulawayo gong at this year’s edition of the Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards set for June 29.

Jah Prayzah and Winky D — who both command a huge following — have been pitted together several times despite their different music genres but the debate on who is the best is yet to be settled.

The two, together with Oskido were among the nominees revealed on Saturday night at a glamorous event at the Bulawayo Theatre.

One of the award organisers, Simon Mambazo Phiri, said the category award was meant to celebrate the impact made by artistes from out of Bulawayo to the city.

“This new category is dedicated to a Zimbabwean or a foreigner who impacts heavily on the Bulawayo arts scene or space. Because we are the cultural hub, we harness such talents and energy and recognise that these individuals find working space here, as well as impact our hub,” he said.

Winky D and Jah Prayzah fans have in the past used awards ceremonies as a yardstick to measure their icon’s popularity and artistic prowess.

The two are currently trending with their latest videos, Mugarden (Winky D) and Dzamutsana (Jah Prayzah).

There was an uproar following the recent edition of the National Arts Merit Awards after the two were conspicuous by their absence from the nominees list in their respective music categories, with the People’s Choice Award going to long-forgotten gospel musician, Respina Patai.

Meanwhile, house musician Novuyo Seagirl, Cal_Vin and Zinjaziyamluma have emerged as the top contenders at this year’s ceremony, with three nominations each.

Seagirl is up for Outstanding House/Kwaito, Outstanding Female Artiste of the Year, and Song of the Year for her track, Bambelela.

Cal_Vin is up for Outstanding Hip-Hop Artiste, Outstanding Male Artiste, and for Song of the Year for his hit track, Banjalo.

Zinjaziyamluma is up for Outstanding Male Artiste of the Year, Song of the Year for his track Ebunandini as well as for Outstanding Ambassador for Republic of South Africa.
The ceremony is set for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds on June 29.

Caps United coach Lloyd Chitembwe

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

IT might be early days yet to predict how things will pan out, but FC Platinum’s Norman Mapeza and Caps United’s Lloyd Chitembwe, seem to be rekindling the exciting title saga between the two friends in the 2016 season whose honours eventually were won by the Green Machine.

At this stage, it would be folly for anyone to discount any team, even Highlanders, sitting in the relegation zone still have a chance, but from evidence presented so far, this could be another Mapeza versus Chitembwe classic.

It could be another title tussle between Mapeza’s pass masters and Chitembwe’s press masters for the 2019 honours.

Three years ago, Harare giants Caps United and FC Platinum pushed each other week after week to incredible heights. However, it was the Green Machine who beat their rivals to the biggest prize on domestic football at the tail end of the campaign — their first championship since 2005. They finished on 63 points, two ahead of FC Platinum.

It has been argued, the all-conquering squad of 2016, put together by Chitembwe, is one of the most brilliant sides in Caps United history. They went for an incredible 14 matches without tasting defeat only to be stopped by Highlanders who edged them 1-0.

Six matches have now been played in the new season and with the two teams at the top of the table, it points to history repeating itself.

While FC Platinum lead the pack with 14 points from six matches, Caps United have a game in hand and trail in second place with 13 points. Both teams are yet to taste defeat with FC Platinum having won four and drawn two while the Harare giants have won four and drawn once.

So much has been said about Caps United’s attack featuring the likes of Phineas Bhamusi and winger Gabriel Nyoni — one of the fastest strikers in the Premier Soccer League. That forward line has already banged in nine goals.

A thriving charity for opposing strikers last season in which they shipped in 30 goals to finish a distant eighth in the league, Chitembwe has transformed Caps United’s back line, thanks in no small measure to veteran defender Method Mwanjali whose experience appears to have stabilised things.

The Caps United gaffer has also reinvented Valentine Ndaba into an exciting left-back reviving what had started to look like a waning career.

New signing Blessing Sarupinda has been tasked with the anchoring role. The results have been remarkable.

Chitembwe attributed his victory over Harare City to discipline in defence, efficiency in attack and good game management.

“It was a very tactical game, especially in the second half when Harare City had to shift their team around and I thought we responded very well,’’ Chitembwe said.

“I have a strong feeling that we did everything in the first half where we got a goal and in the second half they tried to come at us, but we managed the game well.

“I am very happy and I am really impressed by the way the boys applied themselves. In terms of mental attitude, I thought they were spot on. They showed very high levels of concentration and composure. I am delighted by that performance. This is one game that we really needed the most. We, therefore, needed to be efficient in attack and disciplined in defence.’’

FC Platinum on the other hand have continued to be at their efficient best despite being dogged by injuries.

Their defence has been as water tight as it has always been since Mapeza took over. Like Caps, FC Platinum are building on a strong defence which is difficult to penetrate.

But after seeing his team fail to penetrate the Herentals defence on Saturday to play out a 0-0 stalemate, Mapeza will be looking to sharpen his forward line, whose effect diminished with the departure of Rodwell Chinyengetere.

However, it might not be just about Caps and FC Platinum. Chicken Inn, champions in 2015 are likely to have a say in the championship race this term. The lead at the top of the table has already changed hands once with Chicken Inn having also enjoyed a cool breeze at the summit, after dethroning FC Platinum.

The Bulawayo side have lost two and won four. Their two defeats have been inflicted by big teams Ngezi Platinum and FC Platinum but they can pick themselves up and put together a sustained winning run to put themselves firmly into contention.

Hwange, sitting in third place with 13 points having lost once, drawn once and won four should also be giving other contenders enough headache.

New Warriors Umbro kit

BY Kevin Mapasure

The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and Umbro will next week unveil the yellow and red Warriors shirt that has already proved unpopular with the fans after images of the home strip leaked some weeks ago.

Umbro failed to deliver the new Warriors kit in time for their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo Brazzaville as had been promised with Zifa forced to find an alternative.

While fans complained of the colours on social media, Umbro have insisted that they will unveil the yellow shirt which has got red vertical stripes.

In a statement yesterday, Zifa said the new kit will be launched in Harare on May 16 together with an away kit featuring a green top, yellow shorts and red socks.

It is likely that the away kit will be more popular than the home shirt among the fans.

Zifa have promised that on the day of the launch, the replicas will be available for the fans to purchase.

The Warriors will take part in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals that will be held in Egypt between June and July.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) and Umbro today announced the consummation of their long-term partnership as the parties continue their preparations for the upcoming Total Africa Cup of Nations finals. The Warriors begin their campaign against Egypt in the prestigious opening match on June 21, 2019 and will wear the Umbro-designed kit which incorporates the most advanced lightweight performance fabrics designed for movement and breathability,” Zifa said in a statement.

Some fans have hit out at the kit design which they believe is not in sync with the Warriors’ traditional colours yellow and green and Zifa have been forced into defence mode.

“The Warriors home kit was inspired by Zimbabwe’s traditional yellow jersey with an added modern twist, using a mix of solid and gradient red vertical stripes. This clean and contemporary design ensures the home jersey will be a fan favourite. The away kit was inspired by the traditional colours of the Zimbabwean national flag. The use of solid green for the jersey, yellow for the shorts and red for the socks incorporates the colours of the flag in simple yet classic design features. Umbro has committed to partnering with major local retailers to distribute replica products and supporters gear to ensure that fans can participate in the growth and performance of the national team as they take part in Africa’s premier tournament.”

Zifa boss Felton Kamambo said the kit saga should finally come to an end.

“This should end all speculation in the marketplace about our partnership. We are proud to partner with such an established global sportswear brand and the parties have been working extremely hard over the past few weeks to structure this long-term partnership,” he said.

Chief executive of Umbro South Afric, David Ricketts insisted that they had done a good job, despite the criticism.

“We have created fantastic designs and a superior technical kit befitting Zimbabwe’s passionate fans. This partnership forms a very important part of our expansion in southern Africa and we are delighted to be part of this journey with Zifa,” he said.

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI

MINES minister Winston Chitando has disclosed that government has not yet increased statutory mining fees, but was in the process of reviewing them.

“The long and short of it is mining fees have not been increased. There is a proposal discussion within the Mines ministry to review the mining fees but the process has not even taken off in terms of consultation within the ministry and government,” Chitando told a Press conference in Bulawayo yesterday.

“However, there are discussions to review the mining fees and these discussions to review the mining fees will take a consultative process after which the increases will then be made public.”

According to a leaked document, government was proposing to increase mining fees across the board by 250%.

Chitando also said Zimbabwe is only supplying about 4% of chrome ores and 2,5% of ferrochrome despite holding the second largest chrome ore reserves in the world.

In 2018 output reached 350 000 tonnes, but government has plans to install new capacity to increase production by 20% to 418 000 tonnes.

Speaking at a Press conference in Bulawayo yesterday, Chitando said Zimbabwe hoped to utilise the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) conference being held in Victoria Falls, to boost chrome value addition and marketing.

“As a country, we hold around 12% to 15% of the world chrome resources, but at the same time, in terms of the production of chrome supplied to the world market, we only supply around 4% of chrome ores and around 2,5% of ferrochrome production,” Chitando said.

“So, there is a big mismatch between the percentage of resource we have and hold versus the world chromium resources and what we are supplying. So, there is potential to increase the production of ferrochrome and for it to play a key role in the development of the economy and towards the achievement of Vision 2030”.

Chitando said Zimbabwe, through the conference, hopes to generate the appetite to uplift the production of the ores and also of the value-added chrome products.

“We have well over 200 delegates coming from across the world who will be coming for this. The conference was way oversubscribed with still more than a week to go. The level of interest to attend this conference has been absolutely phenomenally, and we are pleased as government….,” he said.

He said President Emmerson Mnangagwa would officially open the conference on Wednesday.

The conference, which kicked off today, will end on Thursday.

“There will be an overview of international issues in terms of the market, supply situation and other chrome dynamics,” he said.

Chitando said he would deliver a paper on the opportunities chromium investments in Zimbabwe.

This is the first time that the conference would be held in Zimbabwe.

BY HENRY MHARA

HERENTALS Under-20 coach Paul Benza said his side is yet to reach its full potential after the team came from behind to beat Black Mambas 2-1 in the Zifa Northern Region Division One top of the table clash at Morris Depot on Saturday.

Silas Azeti’s 39th minute goal cancelled out a Mambas eighth minute strike, before Tanaka Dhlakama secured all the three points for Herentals with six minutes remaining in the match.

The victory ensured that Benza’s men maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign with four wins from the five games played to move to the top of the log.

“We are enjoying very good form, and beating Black Mambas, who were the log leaders before the weekend, and also title contenders, will give my boys a lot of confidence going forward. To come from behind also showed character. These are young players who are trying hard, and people should expect more good things from this project,” Benza said.

Herentals Under-20 team is a feeder club to Castle Lager Premier Soccer League side Herentals. Benza believes that the team has shown signs that they can win the second tier division, which comes with a ticket to league promotion.

“Our team is a developmental side and even if we win the league, it’s highly unlikely that we will have two teams in the league. But it will be up to the executive to decide. Our focus is mainly development and we are aiming to finish in the top four, and improve from our last season position when we finished sixth,” he said.

Next up for Benza’s team is another tough clash against second-placed Cranborne Bullets, who are also yet to lose a match. They walloped FC National Mbare 3-0 at the weekend.

Harare City Cubs, another feeder club for a league team Harare City, have also enjoyed a good start to the campaign, and their 1-1 draw with Black Tigers ensured they kept their unbeaten run intact.

Northern Region Division One week 5 results

PAM United 0-1 Golden Valley, FC National Mbare 0-3 Cranborne Bullets, Herentals U-20 2-1 Black Mambas, Harare City Cubs 1-1 Black Tigers, Karoi United 1-1 Cam and Motor, Blue Swallows 3-2 Banket United, Chegutu Pirates 1-1 Blue Jets, Ngezi Platinum U-19 2-0 Grain Tigers, Beta XI 2-0 Kariba Waves

Guest Column: Learnmore Zuze

ONE thing is apparently undeniable about the Zimbabwean situation; the economic paralysis that began soon after the disputed presidential elections of July last year has morphed into a threatening crisis. It kicked off with slight fuel price increases, whose gradual progression led to a proportional hike in the costs of other goods.

The anarchical state of things moved to a higher state, leading to a wave of protests that saw hundreds of people arrested, especially after incidents of destruction and burning of property earlier this year. The 150% price increases in fuel announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa himself early this year ignited violent scenes in the capital. Since then, painful, long and winding fuel queues have become a permanent feature of Zimbabwean life. Since then, prices have continued to shoot through the roof every given month.

Health workers have constantly gone on strike and continue threatening to do so. Teachers have perennially been at loggerheads with the government. The civil service in general remains disgruntled and a demotivated lot. It would be an outright lie that all is well within the borders of Zimbabwe.

The dishevelled state of affairs in Zimbabwe has naturally led to calls for a government of national unity across the political spectrum although very little has been achieved in the way of national talks. The dialogue that is in motion has been spurned by the major opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa, leaving the insignificant opposition parties to dialogue with Zanu PF.

The clear result has been stagnation and Zimbabwe, as a country, remains stuck in a mental rut. While both the incumbent President and opposition leader Chamisa have at least verbally made statements to an end of any government of national unity, reality on the ground is a living testament of political stagnation which is feeding a long and growing economic crisis.

It is unfathomable how, despite calls for dialogue by both leaders, there is nothing that really materialises in the direction of the much-hyped national talks. It is not misplaced to postulate that there isn’t much commitment except political grandstanding towards serious national talks that would bring Zimbabwe out of its current political quagmire.

The delta between Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF and Chamisa’s MDC seems so colossal that there may be no real prospects of a meaningful dialogue in the near future. In fact, the gulf between the two chief political parties appears larger that the rift that existed between former President Robert Mugabe and his then nemesis, Morgan Tsvangirai.

At least the predecessors of both parties had the horse sense to realise that the country needed to move forward and that personal differences mattered little. Those who knew Mugabe at the height of his political prowess were dumbfounded how the man could engage the opposition in talks as he did in 2009, leading to a GNU.

Mugabe, who spitted venom against the opposition and branded it a puppet organisation had to come to the realisation of the necessity to liaise with the opposition. Tsvangirai, with a massive support base then, having won the first round of elections in 2008, again saw the necessity of coming to the table with Mugabe, widely branded as a despot during his time in office.

A national unity government was born in the unlikeliest of circumstances and through polar opposite ideologies. For the first time in decades of suffering, the Zimbabwean worker appreciated the value of work.

A salary made sense and prices of basic commodities maintained the same price for months on end. It made sense to have savings in the bank. The dignity of citizens was temporarily restored.

But today, after last year’s disputed elections, it is becoming clear by the passage of each day that the walk to a government of national unity may be a long and arduous one. Indeed, everything points to the fact that Zimbabwe may witness more months of instability and pain.

The current crop of Zanu PF and MDC supporters are ever in election mode. It is highly unlikely that common ground can be found. A clear example of the deadly rift between the two was the incomprehensible failure by MDC supporters to at least appreciate the help rendered by Mnangagwa at the memorial service held for Tsvangirai in Buhera last week.

Tsvangirai’s son, Edwin, was heckled and embarrassed for his remarks that encouraged a national unity government to ameliorate the suffering of Zimbabweans. Aside from the perpetual election mind of party supporters, Chamisa remains headstrong that Mnangagwa is an illegitimate President. This is largely the position of the opposition which influenced the booing of Tsvangirai’s son as he attempted to preach unity.

The present acrimony between the two parties points to the continued suffering of Zimbabweans. The walk to a GNU may presently be a long and onerous one. It’s high time the main political leaders came out of their hardline positions to allow national progress.

 Learnmore Zuze is a legal officer and writes in his personal capacity.

ExQ

BY MTHABISI TSHUMA

URBAN groover ExQ and Zimdancehall chanter Bazooker staged a thrilling show at Club Excite in Gweru on Saturday night.

Club Excite entertainment manager DJ Crocx told Newsday Life & Style that they were pleased with the turnout.

“The show was by far a success as we had over 500 people attending and the security details were on point, with assistance from the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” he said.

The show also brought together ExQ and DJ Tamuka, who both hail from Gweru.

The National Arts Merit Awards 2019 top award winner performed his hit songs Nzenza and Nhema, with enchanting performances from his female dancers who left revellers clamouring for more.

ExQ reflected on his music journey by dedicating his early 2000s song, Mazirudo, to his fans.

After performing a 50-minute set, ExQ left the stage for Bazooka, who pulled a one-and-a-half-hour performance, also finishing the set with the song, Kwedu.

ExQ performed songs from his Chillspot family colleagues, namely Smart Rinotangira Kutsoka, 50 Magate and Bodo.

From there, party revellers were entertained on the decks by DJ Crocx, DJ Nelz and Petwares, who had started the partying mood from the afternoon.

BY RICHARD MUPONDE

A WELL-KNOWN gold baron in Esigodini, Baron Dube, is battling for life at the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) after he was axed on Sunday night in a fight over mining claims.

Dube is nursing multiple axe and knife stab wounds after he was viciously attacked by a rival gang.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele yesterday said they had not received a report on the attack.

UBH spokesperson Nobuhle Thaka yesterday confirmed that Dube was admitted at the health institution.

“I don’t know what he deals in, but I can confirm that we have such a patient by the name Baron Dube. He was admitted here on Sunday night, coming from Esigodini,” she said.

A source close to the events, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Dube was attacked on Sunday at Habane township by a group of rival gold panners.

“They approached him armed with machetes, pangas, spears, knives and axes. The fight was over gold claims in the district,” the source said.

“Dube and his gang were outnumbered and he was axed in the head several times as well as stabbed several times in the stomach. He was rushed to Esigodini Hospital where he was transferred to UBH.”

Dube is no stranger to gold wars, which have become rife in the region.

He is currently on $2 000 bail pending trial at the High Court for allegedly shooting and killing a member of a rival mining gang, Antony Bvundura, in October last year in a fight over a mining claim in Esigodini.

In 2016, he and another gold baron, Mthulisi Ngwenya, were involved in a seven-hour fight for control of gold claims in the district.

Dube is said to lead a group of panners from Filabusi who operate in Esigodini.