Ti Gonzi

SOUNDTRACK: Ronald Magweta

THERE is no doubt that the year 2019 was a big year for the hip-hop genre in Zimbabwe.

Zim hip-hop artistes went from topping radio charts to dominating regional music television chart shows.

The year can be remembered as one when Ti Gonzi rose to his prime.

His verse on Ishan’s Kure made him the most sought-after hip-hop artiste in the country and he went on to do more than 25 collaborations throughout.

The rapper attracted new fans who had never been or were not hip-hop fans because of his musical appeal to the average youth in the ghetto.

His collaborations with Zimdancehall acts also cemented his position as one of the best artistes for 2019.

The year 2019 also saw Hillzy, one of the most talented hip-hop and RnB artistes top regional music chart-shows on television channels like Trace Africa and also being playlisted on Channel O.

The Muroora singer also won a top African award (AFRIMMA) for his song, TV Room, which he featured together with super-talented artiste, Garry Mapanzure.

King 98 dropped monster tracks and featured some of the top African artistes like Nigeria’s Davido and South Africa’s Nasty C on his maiden album, Francesca, and his hard work was rewarded through the awards he scooped.

Artistes like Asaph also had their fair share of brilliance when they dropped their projects and won awards.

However, there is one problem that has hindered progress or growth of the hip-hop genre and that is consistency.

Over the years, we have seen hip-hop artistes come and go. Some have topped radio charts and dropped monster tracks that would have made them untouchable, but they have all ended up sinking into oblivion.

Others have come with very promising careers, but after releasing only one hit song, you never hear of them again.

Just like any other genres which lack consistency, Zim hip-hop as a whole lacks consistency from music/video releases, award shows and even the media that push their works seem to lack consistency when it comes to promoting the genre.

We have had “old school” artistes such as Tehn Diamond, Jnr Brown, Tatea Da MC, mUnetsi and Maskiri, who could have changed the game for good, but what did they do?

They got a few airplay slots, signed a few corporate deals and now no one talks about them anymore unless it is a debate on who was or is the greatest MC or whatever they will be ranting about on social media.

New school artistes also seem to have contracted the “lack of consistency” virus from their predecessors.

When Takura came onto the scene, everyone was in awe, and people thought that they had found an artiste who would terrorise Africa because of his versatility, but one year on, people are now starting to enjoy his Instagram posts and stories more than his music.

I am not saying all these artistes are bad, but they are depriving us of the good music that they used to release, and thus they are lacking consistency.

The same also applies to the award shows. We have seen artistes do well throughout 365 days and be nominated for five or so awards, for instance, and you see them walking out with none.

This can also be linked to the issue of consistency among the hip-hop circles or maybe it is the decisions made by the adjudicators.

We have also seen artistes win awards and the next thing, they are nowhere to be found and some of them will be hiding under the “we are doing music for pleasure” and you will start to wonder where the industry is going.

Zim hip-hop bloggers, media and “touts” are also in the mix as they have also failed to properly push the culture.

We have seen some of them come and go as the artistes they will be pushing also fade.

These are people who are supposed to convince everyone that the genre is still alive and kicking, even though sometimes there will be nothing to talk about.

If one cannot be consistent, they can at least stay relevant so that people have something to talk about.

It is not a bad thing to be the most vocal on social media like what others are doing, at least the day you will decide to drop new music people will be quick to notice that you are back in the game.

Music trends are changing every year and our Zim hip-hop artistes should ride that wave, stay relevant, drop new music accompanied by videos, do more live shows, especially with live bands and not use backtracks.

That way, I am sure we will have an industry to talk about.

As the year 2020 starts, I am hoping for an industry in which the artistes compete head to head with their Zimdancehall counterparts.

Bill Gates once said content is king, and as a Zim hip-hop fan, I am urging all Zim hip-hop stakeholders to collaborate, stay relevant and be consistent.

Talk of the inimitable King Pin, born Tonderai Makoni, who left a huge mark on Zimbabwe’s hip-hop way before all these new breeds came onto the scene.

Death snatched him from us, but his works, which include I Salute You and The Inauguration among others, will always be on every hip-hop fan’s lips.

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa delivering Hope of the Nation Address in Mbare yesterday – pic by Jan-Dirk Visagie

BY BLESSED MHLANGA

MDC leader Nelson Chamisa is looking to take advantage of the collapsed economy, to mobilise for action across professional, political and religious lines against President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government.

Chamisa, who had promised to give his supporters and the nation a signal to engage in demonstrations against Mnangagwa’s government, yesterday declared 2020 the year of demonstrations and action, saying the biting economy, debilitating shortages, joblessness and hunger were the signal that he was waiting for.

“People have been impoverished beyond measure, no jobs, no income, no lights, no water, no fuel, prices are escalating while incomes are plunging. It’s just hell on earth, a beautiful country and hitherto relatively prosperous country turned into a hellhole by failed, rogue and corrupt politics and policies. This is the signal. The state of our nation is the signal.
Zanu PF has given us the signal. Our pain and suffering is too much. This is the signal. Change starts with you and me. It’s time to answer the call,” he said.

The MDC said it would, henceforth, be mobilising all Zimbabweans to engage in a fight which Chamisa said would be non-partisan and would focus on five key pillars.

“Fight for a people’s government, fight for a better life and dignity, fight against corruption, fight for the people’s rights, freedoms and security of persons and the fight in defence of the Constitution and constitutionalism,” Chamisa said .

The MDC leader said the Mnangagwa regime had dehumanised the people and was now using poverty as a weapon of repression.

He declared the MDC would end the poverty through peaceful confrontation and resistance.

“Man-made poverty is being used as a tool of repression and oppression, while poverty has been weaponised to enrich a few. Food continues to be used as a political weapon to sow divisions, fuel hate and instil fear. This can’t be allowed to continue,” he said.

Chamisa said he was now ready to face Mnangagwa and lead from the front on the streets, saying time for intimidation was over.

“The people have spoken enough about and against this scourge which has come about at the expense of their destroyed livelihoods. Enough is enough. This year, in 2020, the people will speak through action, against the scourge and in defence of their right to their livelihoods, which they must now begin to reconstruct for themselves and their families,” he said.

“In this regard, and as part of BBI [Breaking Barriers Initiative], I will stand with the people and act together with them in defence of their livelihoods under the MDC’s agenda 2020, we will never be intimidated.”

Chamisa accused Mnangagwa of being the godfather of machete gangs commonly known as MaShurugwi, saying he had kept his silence while machete gangs terrorised people.

“The old order has failed to bring forth the new. They have shown that they possess neither the appetite nor capacity for change. They are vacuous; their politics is insipid, vapid and out of time … Zimbabwe from across the full political spectrum of our nation to act together, support each other and speak with one voice beyond political boundaries and divisions created by the MaShurugwi regime which have built artificial barriers between and among Zimbabweans,” he said.

Drawing the line, Chamisa said his party would not engage Mnangagwa in talks at Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) level, saying he woulwd rather meet government on the streets than sit at a table with Polad members.

“We remain committed to genuine dialogue. Our position will not change. What we want is useful dialogue. It is not dialogue for the purposes of accommodation, photo opportunities or political expediency. We are a party that has learnt that the people’s struggle must not be hijacked by incomplete or captured processes that provide limited relief, improper answers and imperfect temporary remedies,” he said.

Chamisa said if dialogue was to happen there was need for the military to also take part in those talks, so that never again should the military be used to settle political disputes.

There have been attempts by former South African President Thabo Mbeki to bring Chamisa and Mnangagwa to the negotiating table, which the opposition leader acknowledged.

“I am still waiting for President Mbeki to come back to us because we told him we will not participate in the Polad talks. But we are ready for talks. He (Mbeki) went and told Mnangagwa who said he had to consult his party, we are still waiting for him to come back,” Chamisa said.

Hundreds of party faithful attended Chamisa’s rally in Mbare, which happened without any incident as the police stayed away from the venue.

Some supporters strategically positioned themselves away from the rallying point ready to take flight in the event of police descending on the address.

BY CHARLES LAITON

ACTING President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday vowed that his estranged wife, Marry, would not set foot at his Borrowdale residence, claiming she wanted to kill him.

The Vice-President made the remarks yesterday through his lawyer Wilson Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners, soon after the hearing of the matter in chambers where Justice Christopher Dube-Banda reserved judgment following submissions from both parties.

“The deliberations were very good. In actual fact, we presented our case just like they (Marry’s lawyers) presented their case and we responded. It was their case anyway. But as you know, advocate (Lewis) Uriri argues very well, but the judge at the end of the day decided to reserve judgment and that judgment will follow whenever the court is ready with it,” Manase said.

Commenting on the application by Marry seeking to reside at Number 614 Nick Price Drive, Borrowdale, which address is part of her bail conditions, Manase said: “There are bail conditions which preclude her from interfering with witnesses, so she cannot do so and the National Prosecuting Authority has already filed an application to amend the bail order of Justice (Pisirayi) Kwenda to that effect to make sure that the two cannot mix. Mind you, there is an attempted murder charge in which the accused (Marry) is said to have interfered with the life of the Vice-President. So they cannot live together, so those are issues which will be discussed and also they were other issues to do with property et cetera, et cetera …,” Manase said.

A week ago, there were indications that Marry and Chiwenga had decided to settle the matter out of court, but in a sudden turn of events, Chiwenga’s other lawyer, Wellington Pasipanodya on Monday said the retired army general had not conceded to sitting down with his estranged wife.

Marry’s lawyer Taona Nyamakura, however, refused to comment on the matter after the urgent chamber deliberations, saying the matter was sub judice.

Chief Justice Luke Malaba

BY CHARLES LAITON

THE Supreme Court of Zimbabwe has delivered a landmark ruling declaring that a debt owed in United States dollars (US$) incurred on or before February 22, 2019 should be discharged by paying in local currency, the Zimdollar, at the rate of 1:1.

The ruling was delivered in favour of Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd in a matter involving NR Barber (Pvt) Ltd, which was owed over US$3 885 000 by the gas company before the effective date of Statutory Instrument (SI) 33/2019 being February 22, 2019.

“The payment of RTGS$4 136 806,45 made by the appellant (Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe) as settlement of the judgment debt was a full and final settlement of the judgment debt in terms of s 4(1)(d) of SI 33/19,” Chief Justice Malaba said in his judgment.

The determination of the apex court in the land came about after Zambezi Gas Zimbabwe had its property attached following a judgment in favour of NR Barber after the latter had declined to accept the settlement of the debt in local currency.

According to the judgment of the court, NR Barner initially instituted proceedings against Zambezi Gas for payment of US$3 885 000, which payment was for services which had been rendered by the former to the latter.

However, on June 25, 2018 Zambezi Gas was ordered by the High Court to pay the amount claimed in US dollars together with interest at the prescribed rate and costs of suit on an attorney client scale.

This prompted Zambezi Gas to lodge an appeal against the judgment, but it was dismissed by the High Court on May 13, 2019.

Dissatisfied by the High Court’s ruling, Zambezi Gas took the matter to the Supreme Court, where it won the matter in a determination made by Chief Justice Malaba and Justices Susan Mavangira and Nicholas Mathonsi on Monday this week.

“This is an appeal against the decision of the High Court (“the court a quo”) dismissing an urgent chamber application for an order declaring that the payment made to the first respondent (NR Barber) in terms of a court order was a full and final settlement of the liability owed by the appellant,” Chief Justice Malaba said.

“The appeal succeeds. The court holds that the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Amendment of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act & Issue of Real Time Gross Settlement Electronic Dollars (RTGS dollars) (SI 33/19) expressly provides that assets and liabilities, including judgment debts, denominated in United States dollars immediately before the effective date of February 22, 2019 shall on or after the aforementioned date be valued in RTGS dollars on a one-to-one rate.”

The Supreme Court said the order in terms of which Zambezi Gas was obliged to pay the judgment debt owed to NR Barber, denominated in United Stated dollars, was made before the effective date.

“The judgment debt and its evaluation fell within the ambit of the provisions of section 4(1) (d) of SI 33/19. The payment made by the appellant in fulfilment of the judgment debt is a full and final settlement of the liability owed by the appellant,” he said.

According to court papers, on May 21, 2019, Zambezi Gas deposited $4 136 806,54 into NR Barber’s account as settlement of the judgment debt plus interest and costs of suit.

But NR Barber, through its lawyers, wrote to Zambezi Gas on the day of receipt of the funds, complaining that the amount deposited was less than the amount ordered by the court.

However, Zambezi Gas responded stating that the payment of $4 136 806,54 satisfied the judgment debt and referred to the provisions of section 4(1)(d) of SI 33/19 for authority that the payment was a full and final settlement of the judgment debt.

“The values referred to in s 4(1)(d) of SI 33/19 show that after a one-to-one conversion the RTGS dollar takes the value and character of the United States dollar. The effect of the phrase ‘on and after’ is that the conversion of all ‘assets and liabilities’ which were valued and expressed in United States dollars immediately before the effective date to values in RTGS dollars at a rate of one United States dollar to one RTGS dollar would apply at the time the value of the asset or liability is liquidated or discharged,” the judge said.

Chief Justice Malaba further said nostro accounts would not be affected

“Section 44C(2) of the principal Act provides as follows: (2) The issuance of any electronic currency shall not affect or apply in respect of funds held in foreign currency designated accounts otherwise known as ‘nostro FCA accounts’, which shall continue to be designated in such foreign currencies; and foreign loans and obligations denominated in any foreign currency, which shall continue to be payable in such foreign currency.”

Commercial lawyer James Nyamunda was of the view that the judgment would not have any new impact on the economy as it was simply a confirmation of the operation of SI 33/19 and the subsequent amendment of the Finance Act.

“The SI began operating in February 2019 and its effect, as has now been confirmed by the Supreme Court, is that all debts designated in US dollars and owed prior to the date of operation of the statutory instrument will continue to be paid in RTGS at the rate of 1:1 with the US dollar,” he said.

“By implication, this gives a reprieve to debtors who have access to the US dollar, who will now simply convert their US dollar to RTGS and pay less than what they would have paid had it not been for the statutory instrument. In short, the judgment cements the status quo.”

BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE

Zimbabwe 358 all-out, Sri Lanka 295/4* (106 ov) — Sri Lanka trail by 63 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the 1st innings.

Debutant Victor Nyauchi was the pick of the bowlers after he took two wickets for 38 with Sri Lanka dominating day three of the first Test match of the series with the bat at Harare Sports Club yesterday.

Kusal Mendis struck a solid 80 runs, while veteran Angelo Matthews was unbeaten on 92 at stumps, the visitors closing the day on 295/4 and 63 runs behind Zimbabwe’s first innings total.

After beginning the day on 42/1, Sri Lanka plundered 253 runs on a batsman friendly track buoyed by 92-run third wicket stand between Mendis and Matthews.

But while Zimbabwe bowlers toiled for wickets, Mountaineers pacer Nyauchi opened his international account with the ball on debut finishing the day with figures of 2 for 38 runs in 22 overs.

Sri Lanka struggled to score runs off Nyauchi as he also emerged the most economic bowler from Zimbabwe with a rate which is under two runs an over.

The 27-year-old bowler dismissed Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne in the first session of the day for his first wicket of the Test career which was also the first of the day leaving Sri Lanka on 92/2.

Karunaratne had put 37 runs on the board when he was caught by Ainsley Ndlovu.

Nyauchi returned after lunch to break with the big wicket of Mendis, caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor, breaking his partnership with Matthews which was eight runs short of a century milestone.

The Mountaineers bowler has been impressive in the domestic competition where he has taken 10 wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 22.4.

He has justified his inclusion in the team after he was picked as replacement for the country’s injured top pace bowler Tendai Chatara.

Ndlovu and top order batsman Kevin Kasuza, who scored a half century as Zimbabwe posted a 358 first innings total, are the other two players who are on Test debut.

Captain Sean Williams took Zimbabwe’s third wicket of the day catching Dinesh Chandimal off his own bowling with Sri Lanka on 227.

Donald Tiripano took Zimbabwe’s first wicket accounting for opener Oshada Fernando before close of play on Monday.

Sri Lanka, who have always struggled against Zimbabwe in recent years, will be looking to accelerate their scoring rate today and post a commanding lead to push for a win.

But with only a day left in the first Test of the two-match series a draw increasingly appears to be the likely result with both teams yet to bat again.

By Sports Reporter

COUNCIL of Southern African Football Association (Cosafa) president Philip Chiyangwa is alleged to be making spirited efforts to bar the Zifa executive committee from attending the regional soccer-governing body’s potentially explosive annual general meeting (AGM) in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday.

Social media sites yesterday circulated a letter from the regional football-governing body informing Zifa they were not welcome because of outstanding payments and annual subscriptions.

The AGM comes in the wake of reported abuse of Cosafa funds by Chiyangwa. According to an audit report by Baxters Co the Harare businessman helped himself to ridiculous sums of money in allowances pocketing R301 150 and a further R580 00 payment received as “honorarium” — a voluntary payment given to someone for services for which fees are not legally or traditionally required.

It is alleged this extravagance on the part of Chiyangwa and some of his peers has left the regional soccer controlling body in the red, a situation which has angered several member associations, including Zifa.

There has been bad blood between Zifa president Felton Kamambo and his predecessor since he came into office after a surprise victory in the December 2018 election.

Kamambo has accused the former Zifa boss of stalling the game’s progress through underhand dealings and financial mismanagement.

It is against this background that Zifa reportedly wants to join other member associations who are unhappy with Chiyangwa’s abuse of Cosafa funds to try to force him to step down.

However, Chiyangwa has dug in, barring Zifa executive members from attending the meeting due to non-payment of outstanding fees through Cosafa general secretary Sue Destombs.

“We are advised by the Emergency Committee of Cosafa that Zifa is not in good standing due to non-payment of financial dues to Cosafa, in terms of Article 27,6 which reads: “A member association which fails to pay its annual subscription or other financial dues in terms of the statutes shall lose all rights and privileges in Cosafa provided that it shall remain bound by these statutes and the duties and obligations imposed on every member association. Such a member association shall also be liable for penalties to be imposed by the executive committee. The association may not attend any meeting or activity of Cosafa including the Annual General Meeting taking place on 25 January 2020,” reads the letter by Destombs which circulated widely on social media yesterday.

Last year, Zifa was suspended from Cosafa after pulling out of hosting the 2019 edition of the Cosafa Cup, citing inadequate time to organise the competition. Consequently, they were slapped with a US$200 000 fine.

However, Zifa is understood to have proposed a payment plan which was guaranteed by the world soccer governing body Fifa and this week, they were reported to be making frantic efforts to settle their dues before the Saturday AGM.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela declined to comment on the development, while senior Zifa officials were not available for comment.

BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA

ZIMBABWE might finally break the long-standing hoodoo of failure to qualify for the World Cup finals after they were drawn in Group G that contains the Black Stars of Ghana, neighbours South Africa and Ethiopia in what appears on paper a fair draw than what it could have been.

The Warriors have never qualified for the greatest soccer showpiece in their history with their bids often failing at the last hurdle. Not even Reinhard Fabisch’s great squad of the 1990s could bring smiles on millions of success-starved fans. They have over the years struggled to banish the tag of “the nearly men of African football’.

But yesterday’s draw provided slim hope for Zimbabwe as they bid for a dream that has been stubbornly elusive over the course of time.

While they are in a pool which contains Ghana and South Africa, two of Africa’s football giants who have been through the mill having qualified for the global soccer showcase with Ghana even making history when they reached the quarter finals only to be eliminated by Uruguay in controversial circumstances, they are not invincible.

The Black Stars have qualified for the World Cup tournament on three occasions in 2006, 2010 and 2014 but this is the same team that still has sad memories of their last encounter with the Warriors after they were edged 2-1 by the then Charles Mhlauri-coached side at the 2006 African Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.

It was the second time the Warriors were making their appearance at the tournament. That the Warriors once beat their more fancied opponents who are the favourites on paper to make it to Qatar gives them the much-needed conviction that they can do it again.

Neighbours South Africa also still have vivid memories of the harsh lesson they were taught by the Warriors when they were clobbered 4-1 although they were just returning from international football isolation due to apartheid.

Circumstances though have changed over the years as the two neighbours have gone head to head in their battle for supremacy in the region.

The Warriors still have scars of that brutal 2-0 defeat in a World Cup qualifier in 2000 at the National Sports Stadium when 13 fans perished in a stampede after Benni McCarthy’s middle finger gesture following Delron Buckley’s brace angered the fans who responded by throwing missiles onto the pitch.

South Africa also won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy when they hosted the tournament in 1996, which speaks volumes of their pedigree. The draw brought together 40 teams from across the continent which were placed in 10 groups of four teams each.

Zimbabwe are returning to the World Cup after missing out on the 2018 edition owing to a Fifa ban after they failed to pay former Brazilian coach José Claudinei Georgini, nicknamed Valinhos.

BY CHELSEA MUSAFARE

Eddie Ndhlovu, executive director of the popular local soap opera Wenera, says the production will be undergoing a re-branding process to Viva Wenera as they target regional and international markets.

In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, Ndhlovu said Viva Wenera would accommodate new actors from different backgrounds to spice up the drama with various languages and culture.

“The drama will be a mixture of new and old cast and our main focus is to give not just new actors a chance to be part and parcel of this programme, but we will be having auditions in different towns so that we have a variety of actors from different backgrounds in terms of language and culture,” he said.

Ndhlovu said their aim was to make the new production better than the previous one, adding that they wanted to be relevant to the contemporary society.

“Our intentions are to include tourism aspects, anti-poaching plots in the new story lines as we want to be relevant with what is happening and moreover keeping and maintaining our identity as a project from Zimbabwe,” he said.

“The quality of the pictures, setting and the direction of the plots will also be different. The aim is to make the new production better in any way we can. We are still in the development stages and soon we will be able to shed light on other major changes.”

He said they had already started engaging stakeholders to partner them as they strive to bring out a more competitive production.

“We do not have timelines for the premiere yet, but will begin from episode one, season one as we have begun appealing to sponsors so that we are able to bring out a more modest programme in terms of quality and a product that will be able to compete with other regional television shows,” he said.

“We were on television since July 2015 up to October 2019 when we took a break from TV to rethink and re-strategise. Wenera was doing well, as it also paved the way for a number of other television dramas, but I personally felt we need to take a different direction if we are to meet regional even international television standards.”

Ndhlovu said the soap opera, which will now be available on online platforms that include Zollywood and TelOne DEOD, will continue to maintain its Zimbabwean identity.