BY Brenna Matendere

Gweru Urban MP Brian Dube (MDC Alliance) has urged government to swiftly avail funds for desiltation of the city’s largest water source, Gwenoro Dam as well as facilitate construction of alternative sources of the precious liquid.

This follows revelations by the city council that the dam is left with only 30% water supplies and will be effectively decommissioned later this year.

“A report was done to the effect that the Gwenoro Dam is massively silted and, as a result, water reserves are terribly affected,” Dube said.

“Right now, the dam is just 30% full and is to be decommissioned. The reason is that the dam cannot hold water because of siltation. Government should avail resources for desiltation
before the next rainy season,” Dube said.

He also called for the urgent construction of other water sources for the city, which can be relied upon in emergency situations.

“We need a rapid response that includes construction of the Lubongo Dam as an additional water supply. We also urgently need construction of a water plant at Amapongokwe Dam, so that
the city can switch to the water source as soon as Gwenoro is decommissioned in July,” the MP said.

He lambasted the slow pace by government in responding to the city’s water crisis.

“The disappointment comes from the fact that although this poses a serious threat to over 300 000 lives, the government does not seem to be treating the issue with urgency,” he said.

“The impending catastrophe needs serious commitment on resources. I will continue to lobby and pressure government

Acting Gweru City Council finance director Owen Masimba recently said $6 million is required to construct a new treatment plant, which would be used to process water drawn from
Amapongokwe.

BY TAFADZWA KACHIKO

ORGANISERS of the Masvingo Music Awards could not host the annual event last month because it was undergoing a re-branding process that has seen it rechristened Masvingo Music and Arts Awards to accommodate other art disciplines.

The sixth edition of the awards, which used to be held during the first weekend of April focusing only on music, will now be held every second weekend of August, incorporating other arts disciplines.

Masvingo Music and Arts Awards co-founder Proud Masekesa told NewsDay Life & Style that the rise in theatre, television and film productions in Masvingo province prompted them to rename
the awards ceremony to honour such work.

“We renamed the awards to Masvingo Music and Arts Awards to incorporate theatre, film, poetry and dance. This was prompted by an increase in the number of theatre, TV and film
products such as Seiko, Gehena Harina Moto, Crucibles, Solo naMutsai, and Zimbabwean Warrior. This would see us introducing new categories such as Best Theatre Production, Best Short
Film and Best Poet,” he said.

“We will also merge some music awards to come up with Best Dancer or Dance Group, Best Promoter, Best Music Video and Best Male Artist of the Year. Since we are introducing new categories, we felt it necessary to move the awards ceremony to the second weekend of August to allow more time for submissions, nominees selection process and to seek sponsorship.”

Masekesa said they were going to call for submissions in July and the jury will then release the nominees list.

Over the past years, the awards have also honoured individuals that made a significant contribution to the development of Zimbabwean music, including Jonah Moyo, DJ Kauleza, the late
Leornard Dembo, Andy Brown and Paul Matavire under the Lifetime Achievement award.

BY DEMETRIA MANYONGA

LOCAL author Rodgers Upenyu Chaipa (pictured) has published new books to cater for the new educational curriculum in Zimbabwe and other African countries.

Chaipa recently told NewsDay Life & Style that the books would suit the changes in technology as well as replace texts used in the old curriculum.

“The curriculum is new, which brings with it new approaches to subject pedagogy, especially looking at the ever-changing technologies,” he said.

“The new curriculum subjects are replacing the old curriculum subjects and textbooks. The old curriculum is getting phased out at the end of 2020 at primary school level, which
means come 2021 all primary school learners will be doing the new curriculum from ECD to Grade 7.”

Chaipa said five of his books have been published so far, adding that he was set to release more with the passage of time.

“So far, five books are out and in circulation; four in Namibia and one in Zimbabwe. In Namibia, there is the Physical Education Learners book and the Teacher’s Guide for Grade 8, the
Physical Education Learner’s, as well as the teachers copy for Grade 9, which were published in 2018,” he said.

“In Zimbabwe, there is a Smart Agriculture Grade 7 revision text, which was published last year in August and is already circulating.”

Chaipa added that he has always had the passion to contribute something to the education sector. He said he got the inspiration from other writers, remarking that he had attracted
markets from other countries.

“I was inspired by many writers who made me want to write educational books as a meaningful contribution to the educational sector. I was thinking of Zimbabwe alone, not knowing that
one day I would write for the sub-region,” he said.

He also said he had other projects for Zimbabwe as well as Zambia.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

CHAPUNGU . . . . . . . . (2)2

MUSHOWANI . . . . . . (1)1

Chapungu took another step towards their target of a top four finish as they claimed an impressive win over a battling Mushowani side at Mandava Stadium yesterday.

Mushowani remain winless together with bottom of the log side Bulawayo Chiefs as well as Highlanders.

Chapungu now sit on 10 points after five games.

Yesterday the visiting side, Mushowani started the game on the front-foot with some promising moves.

Forward Clemence Zimondi deservedly set them on their way with a cool finish after four minutes.

Their lead only lasted until the 15th minute when Edington Chirape levelled the score, connecting home a pin-point pass from Nigel Hunga.

Chapungu then seized control of the match after they were awarded a penalty when Mushowani captain Clive Dzingayi handled the ball in the box on the half hour mark.

Allen Tavariswa made no mistake to thrust the hosts ahead.

Chapungu had a rather cagey second half, as they sat deep in their own half protecting what they had.

“Thank God we scored the important goals, but I was not impressed with the team’s perfomance because we were always playing second fiddle to Mushowani, said Chapungu coach Rodwell
Dhlakama.

“They (Mushowani) are a good side, but tough luck. For us now the target is to keep this form and I know it will not be easy, but we will fight.”

Teams

Chapungu: Shumba T, Gumbo P, Mugoniwa H,Kwaramba C, Mbavarira B, Muzanenhamo E, Nyoni I( P Khumbula 75), Chirape E( M Mavuto 63), Tavarwisa A( Marufu P 75), Mugoni B, Hunga N

Mushowani: Makainganwa H, Muvuti S( Kamanga D 64), Doley M, Mafirenyika E, Tafa W, Dzingayi C, Phiri B, Tulani J( Chiramba P 64), Zimondi C (Chikwerengwe S 82),
E Katema

More than 600 people were killed by Cyclone Idai in Mozambique alone, many in landslides and floods. Another tropical storm, Kenneth, brought strong winds and more heavy rain to the southern African nation in the coming days.

Before Idai, Rami Mariano farmed corn and sesame seeds to feed his family. Looking at his ruined crops in the village of Metuchira, about 120 kilometres from the coastal town of Beira, he said he will now turn to charcoal production — made by cooking wood in a low oxygen environment — to earn a living.

“In a few weeks, I want to have my bags of charcoal ready for sale,” said 27-year-old Mariano, who was waiting for his harvest when Idai struck last month. Since 1980, Mozambique has
lost some 370 000 square kilometres of its forests — an area larger than the size of Germany. Much of the loss has been attributed to slash-and-burn agricultural practices, with
charcoal and timber production playing a part.

Mozambique suffered the greatest damage when Idai struck the coastal city of Beira, swelling rivers and saturating the land. More than 340 people were killed in neighbouring Zimbabwe
and 59 in Malawi. The two countries have also seen more than 9% of their forests disappear since 2000, according to Global Forest Watch.

The effects of tropical storms such as Idai can be worsened by deforestation, explained Allan Schwarz, founder of the Mezimbite Forest Centre, a community-based programme that trains
people in forest conservation, produces sustainable timber products, and participates in large-scale replanting programmes. Without shade, he said, air pressure fluctuations between the
land and the sea can increase wind speeds.

“A healthy forest (also) slows down the speed of water until it reaches the ground,” Schwarz added. “This makes it possible for about 80 % of the water to get absorbed into the soil… If
the forest is lost, water moves faster and is substantially less absorbed.”

Illegal activities

Authorities have attempted to limit and control charcoal production by requiring licenses, but production still continues illegally around Gorongosa National Park. The park, at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, used to support thriving wildlife, but its fragile ecosystems suffered during Mozambique’s 1977-1992 civil war. Recently, it has also seen
some of its trees being cut down for timber or charcoal.

Some 20 people — seven Chinese nationals and 13 Mozambicans — were arrested last year for illegal logging in an area near the park. China buys the majority of Mozambique’s timber.

“Permissions are expensive, and it is easier to pay a bribe to an official than to get a charcoal licence,” said a producer who asked to be identified only as “Augustinho M.”

Idai damaged or destroyed many roads and supply routes, causing the price for charcoal to rise significantly – a motivating factor for farmers like Mariano.

Producers can make 300 meticais ($4,60) for a large bag of charcoal. When the same-sized bag reaches the cyclone-damaged port of Beira, it can fetch 1 500 meticais ($23).

“We know that chopping trees is bad for our fields, but at the moment it is the only way to have a possible income in the weeks to come,” said Raymundo Bartolomeu, 50.

When Bartolomeu was 25 years old, there were still vast parts of the forest blanketing the Nhamatanda district where he lives. Loggers started by taking the larger and most valuable
trees for export, and then small-scale farmers began chopping down other trees for charcoal production or crops.

In Nhamatanda, deforestation caused a 16% loss of tree cover between 2001 and 2017. Because it is close to the road leading to the port city of Beira, the area has seen large-scale industrial logging as well as charcoal production. Creating a sustainable future

Schwarz said charcoal production itself doesn’t have to be seen as the main problem. “Wood is a renewable natural resource,” he said. “That’s why I think we should create charcoal
farms for national production to make the process more sustainable.”

He said the msasa tree, known for its red and burgundy leaves, can grow large enough in 10 years for charcoal production. The process could be sustainable if managed well, he said.

Andrew Hobbs, from the University of California’s Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, said charcoal production can only be sustainable when communities have a way of
managing their resources so they avoid chopping down trees faster than they can grow back.

“However, as the climate changes, resource management systems that were once sustainable may be no longer,” he said. “This can be exacerbated if migration from climate change leads to
more concentrated populations in certain areas.”
Additionally, Hobbs said regulations on charcoal production have been difficult to enforce.

Farmers say they are conscious that deforestation worsens the effects of climate change but insist they have no other choice now to make a living.

“Normally I would produce about five to 10 bags every two months,” said Dio Sumeira, 70. “But I have nothing to harvest now so I probably will double my production.”

The New Humanitarian

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

MANICA DIAMONDS . . . . . 0

CHICKEN INN . . . . . . . . . .(1)2

AN impressive Chicken Inn yesterday bounced back to winning ways with a victory over Manica Diamonds in a Castle Lager Premier League match played at Gibbo Stadium.

It was the Gem Boys’ second successive defeat after last week’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hwange at the Colliery.

The Luke Masomere-coached side succumbed to Brett Amidu goal on the 32nd minute before Clive Augusto’s 59th minute strike sealed the points for Joeny Antipas’ side.

Masomere blamed the defeat to fatigue.

“Fatigue is now getting the better of my team, we are travelling every week and my players are now struggling to cope; this is a serious problem we are facing as a team,” he said

The Gem Boys are using Gibbo Stadium as their home ground after Sakubva Stadium in Mutare was condemned by Premier Soccer League.

Antipas praised his charges as they delivered the first win in the last three matches.

“It was good to return to our winnings after we lost narrowly in our last games, but in those games we played well and today (yesterday) I am happy with the three points,” he said.

The match started on a slow pace.

Augusto’s pin point cross was headed home by Amidu to send the few travelling fans into a frenzy.

Kadonzvo almost doubled the lead, but with only Manica Diamonds goalkeeper Jorum Muchambo to beat, but he, however, dragged his shot wide.

Muchambo was called into action saving Amidu’s shot on the 45th minute.

The Gamecocks started the second half on the front foot and were duly rewarded on the 59th minute through Augusto to give his side a comfortable
lead.

By Sindiso Dube

Highlanders FC . . . . . . 0

Hwange FC . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Highlanders coach Madinda Ndlovu struggled to explain his team’s struggles in front of goal as they settled for yet another draw against Hwange at home at Barbourfields Stadium yesterday.

Bosso have played four draws with two defeats so far this season scoring just two goals in the process.

Speaking after the match Ndlovu said his team’s struggles were baffling him.

“It’s a game of football and there are things that can’t be explained. The team applied all aspects of the game and the thing that matters the most is putting the ball behind the
nets and it’s the only factor that we failed. Scoring is an individual skill that one can’t practise at training. If the team can create as many chances from the first to the last
whistle and we come up with nothing, then it’s beyond my explanation,” he said.

“I feel for my boys who wanted the win more than anyone. They pressed the opponent from the first whistle and when they walk away with nothing I really feel for them.”
Hwange coach Nation Dube was pleased with the draw.

“The boys were playing our game according to plan, we went in with the mission of closing them down while we wait to hit them on the counter. A point away from home is important for us, it’s a morale booster as we go into the next match which we will be playing at home,” Dube said.

Hwange were presented with a good opportunity of breaking the deadlock in the 34th minute after being awarded a penalty following a foul on Admire Banda, but Bosso goalkeeper Ariel Sibanda denied Chipangano.

Bosso controlled possession throughout the match, but failed to penetrate Hwange’s defence marshalled by former Bosso defender Felix Chindungwe and Kupakwashe Matake.

Teams

Highlanders FC: A. Sibanda, M Phiuri, A.Silla, P. Nyirenda (R.Lunga 70), A. Mbeba, P. Muduhwa, M. Ndlovu, T. Makanda, M. Sibanda (D. Mhindiri 70), P. Dube, Bukhosi Sibanda (C. Kapupurike 88).

Hwange FC: T.Mvula, K. Matake, N. Chinyerere, F. Chindungwe, G. Ndlovu, A. Chuma, A. Banda, A. Ndlovu (T. Ncube 58), E. Gwitima (G. Ngulube 88), D. Maphosa, G. Zulu
(T. Chese 58).

BY Kevin Mapasure

Dynamos . . . . . . . . (1)1

ZPC KARIBA . . . . . . . . 0

Prior to their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash against ZPC Kariba yesterday, Dynamos coach Tonderai Ndiraya had demanded a fighting spirit from his charges and he got that
in abundance as DeMbare finally ended a four-match winless streak to pick up their first maximum points under the new mentor.

The match yesterday marked Tonderai Ndiraya’s return to Rufaro Stadium where he made a name as a player before a brief spell as a coach.

Coming into the match DeMbare were under pressure to produce a good performance and come out with a favourable result following the poor run and they managed to take some of the
pressure away.

The supporters would have been pleased with what they saw yesterday as Ndiraya’s charges fought for everything showing a lot of hunger and commitment.

ZPC Kariba struggled against Dynamos’ physicality and fighting spirit so much that coach Godfrey Tamirepi accused Dynamos of employing rugby tactics.

Defender Arnold Mawadza headed home on the stroke of half time to give his side the lead that they managed to protect till the end.

Before that, Dynamos should have been awarded a penalty when Junior Selemani raced into the box where he was impeded, but the referee only awarded a free kick outside the box two
minutes into the match.

Thereafter, chances were not as clear cut, but one could see that Ndiraya had implored his team to shoot on sight.
Tawanda Macheke and Edward Sadomba had speculative efforts from outside the box, but they were feeble and barely troubled goalkeeper Takabva Mawaya.

The visitors tried to move the ball on the surface with Tinotenda Chiunye seemingly the fulcrum to the strategy.

However, during much of the first half there wasn’t any clean supply to their point person David Temwanjira.

Brian Juru was bossing the midfield, spreading the ball to all parts of the field often seeking the forward pass. With the sense of a halftime stalemate seemingly settling in, Mawadza
then emerged at the end of a free kick, nodded past Mawaya, who in all honesty should have done better.

The second half started-off in the fast pace that was witnessed in the first period.

After falling behind, ZPC Kariba needed a response and Tamirepi made three changes within the first 10 minutes after the restart.

Tawanda Nyamande replaced Nigel Makumbe, while the duo of Talent Chamboko and Collen Muleya came in for Daniel Chakupe and Juru, respectively.

However, it was Dynamos who seized the initiative and came close to scoring after Tinotenda Muringai bended a free kick beyond the wall, but Mawaya used his feet to clear the danger.

On 65 minutes, the visitors threatened through Chiunye and goalkeeper Simba Chinani almost spilled the ball, but he gathered it comfortably. On 79 minutes, Temwanjira found himself free
inside the box after good work by Nyamandwe, but the former’s shot was blocked.

After the match, Ndiraya said he was pleased with the fighting spirit that his team had exhibited and was looking to build on that win.

“It has been difficult for us over the last few matches and to get maximum points is quite pleasing. Our supporters had gone for four matches without celebrating a win and this win is
for them,” Ndiraya said. “It wasn’t a beautiful display, but we will take this win. We saw a lot of signs of improvement and we were pleased with the commitment. Going into this match
we wanted to see the players fight for one another and fighting for the team and we saw that today. This win will raise the confidence of the players going forward.”

Tamirepi, however, fumed at the way Dynamos went about their business.

“I don’t know what game Dynamos were playing. They were playing rugby, using rough tactics on players. My players were frustrated, they were being kicked about and they couldn’t play football. There are some positives that we can take from this game and we are already looking ahead,” he said.

Teams

Dynamos: S. Chinani, E. Jalai, T. Muringani, J. Tigere, M. Mawadza, T. Chisi, A. Maliselo, J. Selemani (K Dhemere 78), T. Macheke, N. Mangala (Mhingu), E. Sadomba.

ZPC Kariba: T. Mawaya, B. Zuberi, D. Phiri, I. Nekati, B. Mutukure, T. Munyanduri, D. Chakupe (Chamboko 55), B Juru (Mileya 55) N. Makumbe (T Nyamandwe 46), T. Chiunye, D.
Temwanjira.

By Rex Mphisa

FIRST LADY Auxillia Mnangagwa on Saturday stood up scores of Beitbridge civil servants and her ruling Zanu PF party supporters gathered for what has become a traditional national clean-up exercise recently launched by her husband President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

As early as 7:30am, Beitbridge district development committee members had gathered for the First Lady’s briefing, but instead Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister Abednico Ncube showed up for the function.

No explanation was given. Some participants, who had availed themselves for the cleaning exercise, dismissed the event as a publicity stunt after the Environmental Management Agency and
the Beitbridge Municipality selected the border post leaving several dirty areas in the town, where the generation of litter is spiralling out of control.

“We have a company contracted to clean the Beitbridge Border Post and this cleaning should have been taken to Dulivhadzimo or other places where it would drive the message to residents.
This is like preaching to the converted. It is a publicity stunt,” remarked one participant.

Mnangagwa has declared every first Friday of each month as a national clean-up day. He has been actively involved, going to various places around the country to lead the national
cleaning exercise.

At the poorly-attended gathering in Dulivhadzimo Stadium, Ncube asked law enforcement agents to arrest and bring to book litter bugs.

”I urge all law enforcement arms such as EMA, the Zimbabwe Republic Police and Beitbridge town police to be on guard to prevent further littering and dumping of waste,” he said.

He said there was need to strengthen laws against littering at the same time calling for the recycling of waste coupled by separation of litter at source.

“I am reliably informed that 60 residents of Beitbridge received training on waste separation at source. I want to implore Beitbridge residents to (take advantage of the) opportunities
that come with the high volumes of recyclable waste. Let us think of recycling enterprises as income-generating projects,” said Ncube.

Beitbridge deputy mayor Munyaradzi Chitsunge asked the 60 000 residents of the border town to collectively combat litter.

He said local authorities faced a major problem in solid waste management and this also affected the country and continent at large.

Chitsunge said his council was ready to partner with other stakeholders in cleaning up of the border town.

Garikai Mafirakureva

Nurses at Chiredzi General Hospital are reportedly stealing birth control pills from the health institution and selling them for as much as $4 a satchet on the black market.

Chiredzi General Hospital superintendent, David Tarumbwa who is doubling as the acting district medical officer (DMO), admitted receiving the tip-off through an anonymous letter sent to him.

He said he had since forwarded the names of the suspects to the police.

“Yes, I have received the letter and I had to seek the help of the police, but I am still waiting for feedback. I know such things are happening behind the scenes because I have
received several such complaints,” he said.

“You know maternal health is offered for free, but there are some elements that are ripping off innocent women just for personal gains and tarnishing the name of the hospital in the
process.

“I am sure they are manipulating the system or using non-existent patients’ names to falsify the number of those who received the contraceptive. I would like to urge women to report these nurses to the police because what they are doing is illegal,” said Tarumbwa.

Ministry of Health and Child Care spokesperson Donald Mujiri said he could not respond as he was driving, promising that he would do so later.

One woman who spoke on condition of anonymity said the nurses would frustrate them when they go for their free monthly supply of the contraceptives, forcing them to buy from the black
market.

“They tell you to buy a pregnancy test kit for them to be sure that you are not pregnant,” said the patient.

“This happens every month, forcing us to go to buy the pills on the streets or in the backyard shops, because we cannot afford the pregnancy test kits. In any case it is cheaper and
hustle free to buy the pills from the black market than buying the pregnancy test kit.”

According to the factsheet compiled by the Ministry of Health and Child Care, in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research Centre
and Guttmacher Institute, most women who have an abortion do so because they become pregnant when they do not intend to.

In 2016, about 40% of the pregnancies in Zimbabwe were unintended and one quarter of those intended pregnancies ended in abortion. Commercial sex workers in Chiredzi recently told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Health, Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Women Affairs Portfolio Committee that although they don’t know the number of pregnancies terminated and the number of those who died in the process; they use unorthodox abortion methods like shoving fresh chillies up their private parts or using hooked wires.

She also accused nurses at Chiredzi General Hospital and doctors from private institutions of carrying out most of the unlawful abortions.

Zimbabwe is among countries that have the highest rate of modern contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa, likely due to its robust family planning programme.