SUCCESS LIFE: Jonah Nyoni

HUMAN beings are constantly sending messages, these could be verbal or non-verbal, good or bad. People in love should learn how to use communication to build their relationship. Today, I (JN) have engaged Nozipho Maphala (NM) who is a love and marriage expert who will help those in love to communicate at a deeper level.

JN: Communication is the centre of marriage. What are the tips to effectively communicate with your spouse?

NM: If marriage were a wall made out of little bricks called love, respect, emotions, physical attraction among a host of others — then communication would be the cement that holds that wall together. In our last article we did mention that communication is about expressing yourself in a healthy manner, and for a marriage to thrive, it must be founded on effective communication where both positive and negative emotions are shared in an enabling environment. Effective communication is very critical as it allows couples to better handle any trials which they may later face in their marriage.

Avoid assumptions: Rather than assuming what one’s partner is going through, or what is going on in the home, it is always advisable to just ask. It’s so easy to misunderstand something and to reach a conclusion without having the full picture. Some things make more sense if you have context and asking questions guarantees that you will save yourself from embarrassment after having assumed the worst. However, the reverse of it is that one should also just speak if there is something they are not happy with. Spending the day in a foul mood benefits no one in a marriage — there is nothing like — “well s/he should have figured out what was wrong!” Your spouse cannot read minds, tell them when you have a concern lest they fall into the trap of assuming and getting the wrong idea if they ever get the idea at all.

Be kind even when experiencing a negative emotion: When in a state of anger, couples are tempted to say the most hurtful things in order to make their partner experience the emotion they are feeling. Does that help? Instead, it builds more resistance, hatred and resentment. Always remember that you can never “unsay” anything, whatever is said in a moment of madness can create a lifetime of pain and unhappiness. Sarcasm is another form of being unnecessarily unkind when faced with a challenge. It is better to simply say “the kids and I would love to spend time with you this weekend at the park” as opposed to “we will go to the park alone this weekend since you are married to that television and all you know is how to drink beer!” Such statements are bound to generate more negativity and anger. Even the Bible says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15.1)

Listen to understand, and not to respond: Often, when in arguments with our partners, all we are interested in is just a chance to get a word in when they pause for a breath, but we never really pay attention to what the issue is about. We even go to the extent of ordering them to be quiet and let us speak! Try not to be defensive when listening to your partner but rather yearn to understand and resolve the issue. Listening is a skill that both partners must learn, listening to the emotion behind the words, the sentiment in the voice and the issue beyond the present.
Make time for each other and create an environment of understanding. It is important for couples to create time for bonding. With our busy work schedules, parenting and social lives we have overlooked the husband and wife relationship where the two can simply bond without interruption.
It doesn’t need to cost a dime, a simple walk in the neighbourhood can do the trick, as can a movie played on a laptop on the bedroom floor. Allow each other a chance to really get close, sharing things that do not stress but rather build the marriage. Jokes and old happy memories are such mood boosters that can help create a platform to say other issues that may have been bothering either partner.

Apologise genuinely: Never underestimate the power of an apology! Today a lot of marriages are under strain because someone never got an apology they deserved. What that does is that it creates resentment as the aggrieved party feels underestimated, taken for granted and unloved. Couples should always strive to apologise genuinely. Sometimes one may not feel like they are wrong, but an apology may be necessary as it serves as an acknowledgement for being the cause of your partner’s negative emotion, whether you agree or not.

JN: Silence is communication. People suffer in silence in marriage! Does that have an effect?

NM: Silence is both good and bad in a marriage, it’s all an issue of context. There are times when perhaps it’s not best to speak — like where you can tell that your partner is just having a bad day. However, where a partner is suffering, silence has a detrimental effect on the marriage in that it creates a chain of more “oppression”, more silence and more suffering which ultimately leads to the collapse of the marriage. Where one may be scared to speak up, consider sharing your fears first with your partner before stating your issues. This could be said as: “I am afraid you will get angry if I tell you this, but I also am scared that this silence will tear us apart”. Such statements can lay the ground for a softer conversation as they may desire to show you that they will not be angered by your concern.

Where your spouse is silent about whatever is bothering them, speak to them respectfully and let them know that you realise something is not right and would prefer they told you and you worked on it together. Assure them of your willingness to improve the relationship and also to make them feel better than what they feel currently.

JN: How does forgiveness or the lack of it affect marriage?

NM: Forgiveness is that floodgate which when not opened, blocks the flow of love, happiness, respect, peace and harmony in a marriage. Without it, marriages tend to spiral quickly to a point of no return.

However, it is important to note that true forgiveness comes easier where a genuine, well-timed and sincere apology has been given. Apology is the first attempt at mending a relationship and at rebuilding trust. When one forgives, they let go of the anger and hatred that they attach to the memory of whatever their partner did wrong. Without forgiveness, both anger and hatred fester and stew into revenge and other terrible thoughts. Forgiveness creates the foundation for a new beginning through righting past wrongs and improving the future. It is not an easy thing to forgive someone, and it is important to take it very seriously and to commit to not repeating the same mistake again.

JN: Is there a perfect marriage Nozipho?

NM: I believe there is. “Perfect” is a different state of being for every couple. This is why communication is important; if the definition of perfect is clear to both parties in marriage and both are content with that, then they have a perfect marriage. The problem is that as a society we want to dictate what a perfect marriage is, forgetting that we all want different things in life and what may be ideal for me may not be ideal for my neighbour. As couples, we try so hard also to comply with this societal standard of a perfect marriage. So, if a couple agrees on what makes their relationship perfect, and they find those things, then they have a perfect marriage. No one else’s opinion on the issue matters or is even needed!

JN: Finally, is there a relationship between romance and communication?

NM: Without communication, it is much harder to determine the things that are deemed romantic because we all have different ideas of what “romance” is. It is therefore important to be able to communicate effectively in order to please your partner romantically, according to what their “love language” is. It is unfortunate that some partners are afraid to talk about the things that are romantic to them, while others belittle their partners’ choices. Marriage is about compromise and sometimes you may find yourself rubbing cracked feet — an activity you find totally pointless, yet it delights your partner and makes them feel loved and cared for. For them, that would then make you romantic, while you would have assumed there was absolutely no value in the act.

Effective communication opens up opportunities for romance to flow as your partner would feel loved and appreciated while a lack of communication allows for pretence in a marriage, and that romance spark slowly dies down into a boring, broken marriage. Keep the communication lines up and effective and watch your marriage blossom! Happy loving.

Jonah Nyoni is an author, success coach and certified leadership/business trainer. He is the author of Inspiration for Success and Success Within Reach.

Stir the pot: Paidamoyo Muzulu

IN the past few months I was amused by NetOne’s innovative advertisement that featured people searching for their simcards nearly everywhere in the home. It was a campaign based on trying to lure many people to register for the OneMoney mobile payment platform — a payment system to rival Cassava’s EcoCash after it experienced a “technical glitch” in November last year, throwing the whole national payment system into panic.

EcoCash handles more than 90% of all mobile money transfers, dwarfing any other financial or tech payment system because it is a service based on the mobile phone with over 10 million active subscribers.

Even government departments and ministers use Econet despite controlling the other two mobile network operators — NetOne and Telecel.

The advert was superb. However, for some fun reason I thought it could be an advertising concept that could well be at home depicting the ubiquitous nature of Econet in most Zimbabweans’ daily lives, especially those who live in the capital Harare.

Last week, at a low-key event probably meant to hide a key development that the MDC-led city was not only subcontracting one of its key functions — refuse collection — but privatising it and without going to tender awarded it to Clean City, a subsidiary of Cassava Smartech. Cassava is an Econet Zimbabwe spinoff company that is registered on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange.

Clean City will be collecting refuse from houses for a fee paid in advance using the EcoCash platform. The development is in its infancy, but one can clearly see that it has a potential to deliver a “clean city” for those with the financial wherewithal — the majority poor working class would be left to live in squalor if they cannot afford making prepayments for the service.

I’m not sure whether it is incompetence or deliberate or both for the city council to fail to regularly collect refuse from residential areas.

On the face of it, refuse collection seems to be one of the easiest services that a city or local authority can give even without a competent administration — it simply needs few serviceable refuse trucks and semi-literate employees to haul the bins. It cannot be easier than that.

However, that failure has created an opportunity that was never there for Econet to fill in the gap — making money from residents’ trash.

Cassava is simply becoming the new city administrators — it has of late started offering services that residents relied on their council to deliver. It launched a public transport system Vaya, a mobile health service Maisha and an emergency ambulance service. These are now operational not only in Harare but nationally.

The company also used a disaster — cholera epidemic in Glen View — to improve its relationship with the city administration and woeful central government.

It fits squarely with what Naomi Klein writes in her book — Disaster Capitalism. Plans are underway for Econet or its subsidiaries to revamp the sewage and water reticulation systems in the south western suburbs of Harare in return for privately running those services.

The city has struggled perennially to consistently supply its residents with potable water, creating a window of opportunity to water merchants who have mushroomed in the capital.

Econet, under its smart city project has adopted First Street Mall, in a new experimental project being implemented all over the world to increase security in urban areas through installation of surveillance cameras in public places to control crime.

As noble as the concept appears, it is also used for mass surveillance. In Johannesburg activists have complained the technology was used to single out their leaders during protests.

However, the most worrying aspect of this initiative is that it is happening in a legal vacuum. There is no law that regulates use of personal data.

“Data is the new oil,” crowed Cassava in its listing prospectus. Outside government, it has the most comprehensive personal data of over 10 million individuals.

It knows who you are, your date of birth, national identity number, where you reside, where you spend your time, where you shop and how much you frequently spend or even your medical condition if you use Maisha.

It even knows what you are studying or reading if you use its Akello/Ruzivo digital educational applications.

Harare, the capital has plunged into the laboratory of privatised public services and it will not be a surprise if most urban councils follow suit soon.

However, the results would not be different to other cities of the same proportion that did the same — creation of the most unequal society — and the contradiction between Johannesburg’s affluent Sandton and squalid Alexandra Park that are only less than two kilometres apart is the most telling.

Welcome to the age of privatisation of public services. The big question is: Are governments necessary in this new age if their new job is simply doling out contracts?

Paidamoyo Muzulu is a journalist and writes here in his personal capacity.

BY PHILLIP CHIDAVAENZI

ORDINARY people, including civil servants and many in the informal sector, have become increasingly disillusioned with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s highly touted “new dispensation” anchored on economic development, which seemingly have collapsed in spectacular fashion.

A snap survey by NewsDay Weekender revealed that many ordinary people believe the political elites, who live in the lap of comfort and luxury, were far removed from the hardships of a population at its wits’ end on how to live through the next day.

When it was first rumoured that Mnangagwa was considering Mthuli Ncube for the post of Finance minister, there was a ripple of public excitement given the man’s glossy CV.

But in just two years, those who have been hit hard by the continued downward spiral of the economy have even been suggesting that for all his ills, the late former President Robert Mugabe was probably a better leader who felt for the people and pushed pro-poor policies.

With the majority of ordinary Zimbabweans earning less than $2 000 a month, surviving through the month has become a tall order.

According to the Poverty Reduction Forum Trust (PRFT)’s Basic Needs Basket survey — which monitors the cost of accessing basic needs in urban areas — by October last year, a family of five required $4 307,16 for their basic needs.

Before the re-introduction of the Zimbabwe dollar, US$100 was sufficient to fill a trolley of groceries, but now, $100 in local currency is not even sufficient to purchase four litres of cooking oil.

Several people who spoke to this publication revealed that they were no longer doing monthly budgets like in the past, but were now living from day to day.

A researcher and development economist with PRFT, Tafara Chiremba, said the increasing cost of living demanded families to be more prudent in their spending habits.

“They need to have a plan on the basic needs, when they will need to buy and where they can buy goods at cheaper prices,” he said.

“Given availability of income, there is need for households to buy goods that can last a month. In the face of increasing inflation and cost of transport, this strategy can help households to save money.”

In January this year, civil servants agreed to a 140% pay hike after the top public workers union, Apex Council, had earlier rejected a government offer to double the pay for the government employees, saying it was too little.

They eventually settled for a pay deal where the lowest paid State employees would get $2 450, up from $1 033, a month.

With people forking out between $8 and $10 for a single trip into the central business district using public transport, that translates to between $320 and $500 for transport the whole month.
If the individual has three children who commute to school everyday, the figure would treble.

In a bid to alleviate the transport woes, the government availed a subsidised facility for public transport through the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco), where an individual would pay just $1 or $2 for a single trip into town, but the buses have proved too few in light of the demand for affordable transport.

In December last year, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government indicated that the Zupco bus management scheme was gobbling $51 million per month, with committee chairperson Miriam Chikukwa claiming the money was not enough.

According to Chiremba, while it was the responsibility of government to provide social protection to vulnerable groups, such did not have to be reactionary.

“By any standard, the Zupco buses are also in limited supply, hence they are not able to cater for all Zimbabweans who need cheaper transport in the face of inflation and general increase in cost of living,” he observed. “The programme itself is a reactionary measure and it is not addressing the root of the problems that have led the country to where it is right now.”

Rentals in high-density suburbs, where landlords have now opted to charge in United States dollars to lock value, are now going for between US$10 and US$12 a room, which roughly translates to about $250 in local currency.

With a kilogramme of beef costing between $85 and $150, many families have cut their beef rations for alternatives such as soya mince, beans and a variety of vegetables to remain within their monthly budgets.

Though dismissed in government as a joke, Mnangagwa’s encouragement for people to opt for vegetables following concerns that meat was now too expensive, was viewed as a show of how those in power were far removed from the hardships experienced by ordinary people.

“You should eat vegetables, they are recommended by doctors. Doctors want you to eat vegetables so that you stay healthy. Meat is not good at all. We have differed there; I listen to doctors, so I eat vegetables. They said vitamins are found in vegetables and potatoes. You see,” he said, amid grumbling from the crowd during a clean-up campaign in Harare’s Kuwadzana high-density suburb last month.

Vegetables have also become expensive, with a small bundle of between three and five leaves going for between $4 and $5.

There have been concerns that the re-introduction of the local currency has fuelled the instability on the market as life was relatively affordable before that.

“The introduction of the local currency was not properly thought of and this has caused untold suffering on people,” Chiremba noted.

“The government should make sure it addresses the root causes of the problems, which is in this case lack of a broader and shared national policy framework, corruption and mismanagement of public resources.”

Harare-based social worker Robert Mapurisa said the disconnect between salaries and human needs was huge given that prices of basic commodities were shooting up everyday.

He said many working people were increasingly under pressure to support their families and meet society’s expectations by virtue of going to work.

“This has many social and psychological implications. You will end up with stress because your mind is failing to process all the forces that are coming in. You will be thinking too much about how to solve problems and meet the needs,” Mapurisa said.

“It can then lead to depression, and you can end up sick. Poor health kicks in, things like hypertension.”

He cited other ills such as children developing anti-social behaviours, a spike in divorces, family disintegration and an increase in suicides.

“You end up with low self-esteem. You can lose your dignity before your family and friends. You end up ashamed of telling people that you are working,” he said, adding that in the worst case scenarios, where the individual has no alternative source of income, they would end up engaging in corruption.

Prior to Ncube being appointed Finance minister, he drew up a list of alternatives that he said he would consider, including re-introducing the US dollar or considering the use of the South African rand, but none of those suggestions has been implemented, amid indications that he could have faced stiff resistance from some Zanu PF hardliners.

With indications that extensive consumer spending was a significant contributor to economic development in the Asian tigers and other countries whose economies are growing, economic prospects for Zimbabwe remain dim as the public’s spending power is continually diminished.

Editorial Comment

FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube seems to like quoting economic principles found in textbooks.

But, for some reason, the Treasury boss forgets the most basic economic principle: economic growth is driven by consumer spending. No consumer spending means no economic growth.

According to American financial literacy website, Investopedia, consumer spending is “the total money spent on final goods and services by individuals and households for personal use and enjoyment in an economy.”

Many economists, especially those in the tradition of John Maynard Keynes, a renowned 20th century economist whose ideas shaped economics, believe consumer spending is the most important short-run determinant of economic performance and is a primary component of aggregate demand.

As such, consumer spending is the largest component of gross domestic product in any economy and the target of Keynesian fiscal and monetary policies in macroeconomics. Keynesian economics is an economic theory premised on total spending in the economy and its effect on output and inflation.

The reason we digress is to show that consumer spending essentially drives economic growth.

However, in Zimbabwe consumer spending is falling and is falling fast.

Ncube seems to have forgotten the five components of consumer spending, namely, disposable income, income per capita, income inequality, household debt and consumer expectations.

And where Zimbabwe is involved, these five components are all down.

Disposable income is shrinking because of a devaluing ZWL that is eroding wages. Income per capita is being determined by hyperinflation against shrinking salaries and income inequality is growing as the gap between the rich and poor is widening.

The “learned” professor should also note that household debt is rising as families or individuals are getting into more debt to meet rising costs. Lastly, consumer expectations are down because simply put, there is no confidence in this government.

Despite stopping the publication of annual inflation reports, the truth is the devaluing ZWL has forced businesses to change their prices almost on a daily basis to protect the value of their goods or services.

As a result, most consumers are unable to afford a lot of goods in the hyperinflationary environment, with individuals and families living way below the poverty datum line.

The devaluing ZWL is also eroding the wages to a point where a person’s salary has lost a significant amount of its value by month-end from the start of the month.

So, zero consumer spending means zero growth and the sooner Ncube realises this the sooner the economy can grow.

Or maybe, just maybe, the time has now come for Ncube to resign and retire to his “theories”.

THE National Arts Council of Zimbabwe yesterday announced the nominees for the 19th edition of the National Arts Merit Awards (Nama) as follows;

1. SPOKEN WORD AWARDS

Outstanding Poet

Tanaka Effort Chuma
Sithembile Siqhoza Ndebele aka Zingizwanizinja
Tatenda Murigo

Outstanding Comedian

Learnmore Mwanyenyeka aka Long John
Hubert Dumisani Ndlovu aka MaForty
Andrew Manyika

2. LITERARY ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding First Creative Published Book

Hatiponi by Oscar Gwiriri [Progressive Booksellers & Publishers] A People’s Fight by Fradreck Hombiro [Hombiro Media Company] Nharo Dzemusango by Chenjerai Mazambani [Bhabhu Books]

Special Mention

Ensukwini Zalamhla by Onesimo Mpofu [Onesimo Mpofu]

Outstanding Children’s Book

Songs of the Little Creatures by Phumulani Chipandambira [Chipandambira Archives] Chitima Nditakure by Oscar Gwiriri [Progressive Booksellers & Publishers] Kuku Wins the President’s Clean Environment Award by Aleck Kaposa [Essential Books Publishing Company]

Outstanding Fiction Book

Shasha Dzokurera by Marcilyn Mugariri [Marcilyn Mugariri] Chasing the Wind by Phillip Chidavaenzi [Royalty Books] Out of Darkness, Shining Light by Petina Gappah [Scribner]

Outstanding Poetry Book

Rhyme and Resistance by Stanley Mushava [Underclass books and Films] Under My Skin by Prince Rayanne Chidzvondo [Prince Rayane Chidzvondo] Agringanda Like a Gringa Like a Foreigner by Tariro Ndoro [Modjaji Books]

Special Mention

Nhambetambe by Phumulani Chipandamira [Chipandambira Archive]

3. THEATRE AWARDS

Outstanding Actor

Ronald Madodana Sigeca in Imbokodo
Anthony Mazhetese in The Gang Leader
Ngonidzashe Chikowore in Inside out
Liberty Mwenje Mthole in Inside out

Outstanding Actress

Davina Green in The Gang leader
Charmaine Mudau in Imbokodo
Agnes Ncube in Imbokodo

Outstanding Theatrical Production

The Gang Leader by Zim Theatre Academy
Bongile by Chiedza Makwara
Imbokodo by Nhimbe Trust

Outstanding Director

Yeukai Yvonne Chandiposha of Bongile
Teddy Mangawa of Gang Leader
Norbert Makoche of Imbokodo

4. DANCE AWARDS

Outstanding Female Dancer

Michelle Msopero in Sobahle
Lynsey Nyamakwenje in Infinite Possibilities
Dadirai Mupandawana in Ezimnyama Dance Group

Outstanding Male Dancer

Tawanda Tanaka Fireyi in My journey to the International Scene
Tichaona Chikara in Hero’s +
Selemani Mpochi aka Majuice in Ochestra Mberikwazvo

Outstanding Dance Group

No nominees

Outstanding Choreographer

No nominee

5. VISUAL ARTS AWARDS

Outstanding 2 Dimensional Work

Cyclone Idai where is Mommy? by Calvin Chimutuwah
Revolutionary Freshness by Talent Kapadza
Focusing on Green Economy by Webster Mubayirenyi

Outstanding 3 Dimensional Work

My Sister Loves Me by Rufaro Murenza
Ancestral Family by Nichodimus T. Mutasa
Tribute to the mother of generations by Stanley Mutanga

Outstanding Mix Media Work

Kurima Hohwa by Victor Nyakauru
Distorted History by Anthony Bumhira
Rehab Queen by Calvin Chimutuwah

Outstanding Exhibition

Pieces for Peace, Pieces, Revolutionary Freshness by Talent Kapadza & Schuma Herscovitz
Purple Rhythm by Calvin and Prudence Chimutuwah
Engaging the 45th Year by Helen Leroys

6. FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS

Outstanding Actress

Charmaine Mudau as Bonke in Another wedding
Antoinette Sango as Thandi in Mandla
Sarah Mpofu Sibanda as Thalitha in Home Affairs

Outstanding Actor

Godfrey Chivese as Mile in The Call
Brian Chitongo as Mandimutsa in Kuchina the Genesis
Percy Soko as Mandla in Mandla

Outstanding Music Video

Tichichema Produced by Edible Elevens ft. Ammara Brown
Sunshine City Produced by Kalai Faye Barlow ft. Flying Bantu
Kure (remix) Produced by Kudzai Maneswa ft. Ishan
Bless Produced by Kalai Faye Barlow ft Ammy and The Calamities

Outstanding Screen Production (Television Series)

Muzita Rababa Directed by Shem Zemura
Dudzai Directed by Farai Mungoshi
Mandla Directed by Solomon Mandaza

Special mention

Pink and Purple Directed by Mthabisi Onias Ndlovu

Outstanding Screen Production – Short Film

Redefining the Road Directed by Tapiwa Gambira
The Call Directed by Godfrey Chivese
Home Affairs Directed by Elton Sibanda

Outstanding Screen Production – Full Length Film

S’mbimbindo 3 Directed by Von Tavaziva
Stay with Me Directed by Nick Zemura
$400 Directed by Kudzai Chikomo

7. MEDIA AWARDS

Outstanding Journalist – Print

Kundai Marunya – Herald
Prince Tungamirai Mushawevato – Sunday Mail
Tafadzwa Kachiko – Newsday

Outstanding Journalist – Radio

Anesu Masamvu – ZiFM
Yvonne Tivatye – Star FM
Thulani Munyandu – National FM

Outstanding Journalist – Television

Patience Nyagato – ZBC
Alexio Gwenzi – ZBC
Masceline Bondamakara – ZBC

Outstanding Online Media

Zimcelebs
Zimbojam
Men on a Boat

8. MUSIC AWARDS

Outstanding Newcomer

Isheanesu Chigagura aka Ishan
Panganayi Hare
Ngonidzashe Dondo aka King 98

Outstanding Female Musician

Thamsanqa Moyo aka Tammy Moyo
Janet Manyowa
Ammara Brown

Outstanding Male Musician

Wallace Chirumiko aka Winky D
Darlington Katsetsa aka Mambo Dhuterere
Tinashe Gonzara aka Ti Gonzi

Outstanding Album

Uhuru by Willis Kachambwa aka Willis Wataffi
Dare Guru by Darlington Katsetsa aka Mambo Dhuterere
Gango by Energy Chizanga aka Freeman

Outstanding Song

Ngaibake by Freeman ft Alick Macheso
Kure by Ishan ft Ti Gonzi
Mugarden by Winky D ft Gemma Griffiths
Mweya Ndisesekedze by Mambo Dhuterere

9. SPECIAL AWARDS

Promoter of the Year

D & G Promotions
Big Scale Entertainment
Ngoma NeHosho

Artist in the Diaspora

Vusa Mkhaya
Tapfuma Charles Katedza aka Charlie Kay
Gemma Griffiths
Norah Chipaumire

BY WINSTONE ANTONIO

PIONEERING pole dancer, Norleen “Zoey” Sifelani, is content with the results of her decision to expand her brief by offering sex lessons.

She recently added a massage parlour to her “sex school” based in Avondale, Harare, where she offers sex tutorials informed by the traditional Chinamwali practice where women are taught sex moves and positions to enhance their sex lives and relationships.

Sex tutorials

Zoey told NewsDay Life & Style that so far, she was happy with the results from the sex school.
“So far so good, both local and international women are coming for bedroom lessons and we are also offering our services at kitchen parties and other social gatherings that have anything to do with love and bedroom enhancement,” she said.

“I have taught a number of women with the help of my dancers since opening the academy and from the responses I am getting, women appreciate what I am doing for them. I am doing this to help fellow women who are in marriage. Women are supposed to be active during sex and that’s all I am teaching them.”

Brisk business

“The sex academy and massage parlour is paying more than the dancing profession as there are a number of ladies, who are hiring me in neighbouring countries like Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa to teach them how to spice up their bedroom acts. The ladies organise themselves into groups before getting in touch for the all-expenses paid trip,” she said.

Salivating men

“Several men salivate at me during my performances at live shows to the extent that some of them have been pestering me for sex as if they would rape me. That is why these days I have tight security at my shows. You know some men are never satisfied with their wives and I have come to accept that the only solution is not to entertain them off stage,” she said.

“Men must respect their marriages and wives. For those who are in the habit of pestering me for sex, I think it’s high time I name and shame. So, for them not to be embarrassed, I invite them to bring their wives for Chinamwali lessons and that is the only way they can get what they salivate for when I am on stage.”

I am not a prostitute

“When I offer bedroom lessons to fellow women, it does not mean I am a prostitute or advertising for sex, but what I am trying to do is to fill in a critical gap by playing the role of an aunt to women,” she said.

Off the stage

“When I wake up in the morning around 6 o’clock everyday, no matter how late I would have gone to bed, the first thing I do is to exercise so as to keep my body in good shape for continuous flexibility. If I have no shows, I spent most of my time at the dance academy or at the massage parlour,” she said.

Criticism

“As a pole dancer, I have been subjected to widespread criticism from religious figures and traditionalists, arguing that my activities represent the height of moral decadence in society, yet dancing is a profession just like any other,” she said.

“The criticism has, however, made me strong in showbiz and I will strive to get where I am destined with my career in showbiz.”

By NQOBANI NDLOVU

BULAWAYO City Council (BCC) has threatened to drag South Africa’s Revenue Services (SARS) to court to recover its cremator which was impounded in 2017 over alleged “improper documentation”.

The cremator, which was imported from Japan, was impounded in South Africa while in transit to Bulawayo by the SARS which queried claims it was destined for the country.

Council had contracted a private company to purchase and deliver the cremator.

Chamber secretary Sikhangele Zhou told stakeholders on Thursday that council had since engaged lawyers to ensure the quick release of the cremator.

“The cremator has not been delivered. It is still in South Africa after it was impounded by SARS as its documentation was said to be fraught with irregularities. The contractor went to court, but there has been no joy.

“What we have done now is to engage our lawyers to push for the release of the cremator as it is easier to get it than a cash refund. We hope our lawyers will pursue the matter to our satisfaction,” Zhou told stakeholders attending a policy dialogue meeting on private contracting by the local authority on Thursday.

The event was organised by the Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) and was attended by various stakeholders from council, academia, the private sector, legal experts, civic society and residents.

BPRA co-ordinator Emmanuel Ndlovu said the meeting was necessary to “understand the merits of contracting-out key service delivery functions to private firms as opposed to producing in-house”.

“The purpose of the meeting was to find out the measures that are in place to make sure that the terms and conditions of contracts are followed by the sub-contracted companies and to gain knowledge on how contracting out as a modality for delivering services to residents is managed from bidding, contract design, implementation to monitoring,” Ndlovu said.

Council has in the past lost millions of dollars in botched deals to contracted companies which provide shoddy services despite being paid handsomely for the job.

BY HENRY MHARA

DYNAMOS could have made the biggest coup in the current player transfer window after gazumping rivals to the signature of midfielder King Nadolo yesterday.

The attacking midfielder was the most sought-after player in local football after his exploits with relegated TelOne last season that saw him voted as one of the 11 Soccer Star of the Year finalists despite having played just half the season.

DeMbare spokesperson Tinashe Farawo yesterday said the pencil slim player, who is comfortable playing behind the strikers as well as a winger, had signed a one-year contract with the Harare giants. The deal is renewable at the end of the season.

“We have signed King Nadolo, who is arguably the best player in the local league at the moment.
This is a show of intent for this club. We have assembled a very good squad which we feel can challenge for honours. The grand plan is for us to return to Caf Champions League football, so we are preparing a team for that,” Farawo said.

Nadolo becomes the 13th player to be signed by Dynamos in the busy transfer window. Other notable new signings include Partson Jaure, Byron Madzokere, Jeansmith Mutudza and David Temwanjira.

But it is the capture of the exciting Nadolo that will thrill most Dynamos fans. He was eye-balled by many big clubs after the expiry of his contract at TelOne.

Well-resourced clubs such as Ngezi Platinum Stars, Harare City and FC Platinum were jostling for him and had hoped to use their huge financial muscles to get him.

In fact, FC Platinum had reportedly made it their top priority to sign the player.

Farawo explained how they convinced Nadolo to join their club, and ignore the overtures of other teams who could have offered better monies.

“In football, it’s not all about money as people might want to think. Dynamos is the biggest brand in local football and it’s a good platform for players to market themselves. We have told him if he can do well in the first six months of the season, teams from abroad will come knocking for his services. That is Dynamos for you. So in terms of marketing and career growth for players, we are the best in that regard.”

Nadolo was one of the outstanding players last season despite playing just five months before the end of the season.

He joined TelOne from South Africa halfway through the season, but managed to score 12 goals, just two shy of the player who won the golden boot award. His goals were, however, not enough to save TelOne from relegation. The player began his career at Dynamos where he played for the junior side, before leaving and went on to play for clubs like Highlanders and Division One sides in South Africa.

BY TERRY MADYAUTA

TelOne coach Rahman Gumbo is plotting an instant return to the top-flight league following their relegation last season by assembling an experienced side after snapping up the duo of goalkeeper Tafadzwa Dube and Simon Munawa.

Dube and Munawa have been training with the WiFi Boys since Wednesday after exiting Manica Diamonds and Chicken Inn, respectively.

Munawa was deemed excess baggage by Joey Antipas at Chicken Inn, while Dube left Manica Diamonds upon the expiry of his contract.

The arrival of Dube will be a relief to TelOne’s goalkeeping department after they lost Rapheal Pitisi to South Africa’s Madzivhandula, while Munawa replaces defensive midfielder Emmanuel Zinyama, who returned to his parent club, Harare City, after his loan contract lapsed.

Gumbo said that the pair was training with them although they were still in discussion with the team management over contracts.

“They are training with us, but for contractual items, the right people to comment are the executive,” he said. “We are setting a team that can give results and I hope we can succeed.”

They have already lost Innocent Zambezi, King Nadolo and Emmanuel Mandiranga, who are all hoping to join teams in the top-flight.

The WiFi Boys, though will need to be at their best in the Central Region Division One, as they are likely to compete for the sole promotional ticket with the John Nyikadzino-coached Sheasham, who narrowly lost the championship on the last day of the campaign.

Seasoned campaigners ZPC Munyati, Vumbachikwe and MSU will also give them a good run for their
money.