ZIMBABWE’S milk production continued to register steady positive growth, registering a 10% increase for the nine months to September 2019, a new report has revealed.
In its latest report, the Livestock and Meat Advisory Council (Lmac) revealed that between January and September 2019, milk production amounted to 59,8 million litres compared to 54,3 million litres collected in the same period in 2018.
The producers had set a yearly target of 100 million litres.
“All months of the year registered growth when compared with the corresponding period in 2018, with February and October registering the largest increase of 13 and 15%, respectively,” the report read in part.
Zimbabwe is importing about 30 million litres of milk from South Africa to supplement local supplies.
Annually, the southern African nation requires at least 120 million litres of milk.
Zimbabwe Association of Dairy Farmers chairperson Kudzai Chirima recently told NewsDay that the major challenges they were facing included stockfeed shortages, high cost of drugs and chemicals.
Some of their requirements include foreign currency, vaccines, cleaning detergents, semen for artificial insemination and equipment.
Dairy farmers are also struggling to access funding from banks because of the punitive interest rates on any loans availed to them.
Due to these challenges, milk production levels have dramatically plummeted from the early 1990s peak of 260 million litres per year to 75,4 million which was achieved in 2018.
In 2017, milk production stood at 66 million litres. Government is targeting to increase milk production by between 97 million and 100 million litres per annum.
To help boost production, government, in partnership with We Effect Zimbabwe and other partners, last year launched a four-year dairy revival project worth about US$8 million.
WHILE other artistes are probably still planning on what to go for this year, rapper Mlue Jay is already one step forward as he readies for an early January release of his first single of the year dubbed Thula, featuring fellow rapper Cal_Vin.
NewsDay Life & Style had an opportunity to listen to the song which will be released on all online platforms this Friday.
The song speaks of hope in a time of discomfort, encouraging people not to give up on their goals and life in the face of adversity.
Mlue Jay, who was nominated for Best Diaspora award at the Zim Hip-Hop Awards held in December said he wanted to continue with the same energy he had last year.
“I really worked hard last year and all I want to do is to continue with the same energy and even do better. I am not looking at the calendar to say it’s another year, I should relax or change my vibe, it’s just dates and season that have changed. I am going in harder this year and that’s why I am releasing new music in January,” he said.
“This year it’s going to be bigger and better for me and my fans. I have a surprise for them, which will serve as a gesture to appreciate their support and love for me and my music in the past years.”
Mlue Jay made a name for himself when he released a house music track titled So Dangerous, which featured South African Smallz of the Money Maker fame.
The rapper, who last year released a four-track EP titled They Need Me, has been winning accolades and getting positive recognition.
He became the latest and one of the few Zimbabwean musicians to be verified on Spotify, one of the biggest online music selling platforms.
GOVERNMENT has ordered the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) management to flight fresh tenders for the parastatal’s recapitalisation programme following the cancellation of the Diaspora Infrastructure Development Group (DIDG)-Transnet Consortium deal.
The US$400 million DIDG-Transnet deal to recapitalise the NRZ was cancelled last year by government as the major shareholder after the group ostensibly “failed” to comply with contractual timelines.
Addressing an NRZ strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo on Monday, Transport and Infrastructural Development secretary Amos Marawa said there was need for the management to move with speed and re-tender the project.
“It is sad to note the lack of progress on the recapitalisation programme following the cancellation of the DIDG/Transnet Consortium. I urge you to urgently finalise the matter and proceed as directed by Cabinet,” he said.
“As I indicated earlier, our guiding blueprint for this period is the Transitional Stabilisation Programme and this is one of the success factors identified by government. It is thus critical to point out government’s view and the need to continue addressing the challenges at NRZ.”
The DIDG/Transnet Consortium was awarded the tender by the then State Procurement Board in August 2017 for the revival of NRZ’s operations.
But the group, according to government, failed to comply with contractual timelines, leading to the cancellation of the deal.
Government also argued that there were legal complications following DIDG’s decision to cut ties with South Africa’s publicly-owned rail operator, Transnet, which was part of the consortium.
DIDG has since threatened to sue government for breach of agreement.
Marawa said government acknowledged the challenges the entity was facing and believed “we can come up with a direction and sustainable means of addressing these challenges. The existing infrastructure continues to deteriorate thereby crippling the entity.”
He said the development of the rail sector was a critical component of the country’s national development agenda.
“Whether it is a discussion about rising cost of transportation, the efficiency of the network systems, increasing efficiency or the growth in certain sectors, the issues are key to many policy discussions nationwide,” he said.
Government is in the process of carrying out parastatal reforms so that they contribute positively to the national coffers.
DISABLED painter Givean Thomu (26), who is doing wonders with his exceptional drawings and paintings done using his mouth, has decried the general lack of appreciation of visual art in the country.
The talented painter, who makes a living out of his artistic work, told NewsDay Life & Style that lack of appreciation had hampered his growth in the arts sector.
“I am facing many challenges as art is my source of living. I survive on selling my artworks. Though art has a lot of money, in Zimbabwe people do not pay much for it and it is difficult to sell here as compared to other countries,” he said.
Thomu expressed concern over the reluctance by local promoters to support visual artists.
“I am lacking support to grow. I am having difficulties when it comes to promoters. The challenge is that we do not have people who want to support us. I have drawn a couple of famous Zimbabwean people but the drawings have not reached them,” said the artist who has done portraits of First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, socialite Pokello and businessman Genius Kadungure, aka Ginimbi.
The Karoi-born painter, who lost both arms at six in a horrific car accident, said his desire was to pursue his dream beyond the country’s borders where art was valued.
Thomu, who is also a keyboard player, said he was working on his first book, Hands Off! Living a Life Without Limits.
He said painting was an in-born gift as he began drawing at a young age and fully discovered his career four years ago after receiving training at Jairos Jiri Vocational Training Centre in Bulawayo before moving to Mzilikazi Art Craft Centre to sharpen his painting skills.
TELONE will bounce back into the Castle Lager Premier Soccer league for this year’s edition after successfully acquiring a topflight franchise from Tenax who won promotion from the Eastern region last year, but will not be able to take up their place at the country’s football top table.
While the lack of resources has driven the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side to sell off one of their two franchises in the topflight after Whawha was also promoted from the Central Region, the institution would still have been forced to relinquish one spot in the top division as rules do not allow them to own two teams in the same league.
After failing in their bid to survive relegation in the topflight, the Rahman Gumbo-coached TelOne took advantage of the technicality to buy their way back into the top league.
An impeccable source close to the deal yesterday said the two parties have agreed on the terms.
“It’s largely a done deal. The announcement will be done soon. We are just waiting completion of a few procedures. Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services side have opted to give away the Tenax franchise,” the source said.
TelOne have been tight lipped about the deal, but NewsDay Sport understands that a formal announcement will be made tomorrow at the team’s awards ceremony, which curiously will be held in Harare.
As they negotiated their way back into the topflight, TelOne have managed to keep hold of their players and they will start preparing for life in the top division.
A MARONDERA MDC Alliance councillor, Charles Ngwena, who allegedly told police officers to arrest President Emmerson Mnangagwa for organising an anti-sanctions march in October last year, has been summoned to court for trial.
Ngwena (36) was co-charged with the late Marondera MDC youth leader Paul Chikuni who died in a car accident in November last year.
The accused, a ward 4 councillor who was represented by Tinashe Chinopfukutwa from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) will be back in court on January 14 for continuation of trial.
He was removed from remand before summoned back to court again yesterday.
According to court papers, on October 23, at around midday, police officers identified as Constables Nyambisi, Mutiforo and Moyo all from ZRP Marondera Central were on patrol at Marondera bus terminus when they arrested Patrick Chabvata who was selling bananas in a push cart.
It is alleged that while escorting Chabvata to the police station, the police officers passed by Ngwena and Chikuni who were in their Toyota Prado parked in central Marondera.
It is alleged that Ngwena shouted at the police officers in vernacular saying they should stop arresting poor people, but arrest Mnangagwa for organising anti-sanctions marches.
Chikuni allegedly disembarked from the vehicle and grabbed Chabvata’s push cart and pushed it away. The altercation attracted the attention of passers-by who converged at the scene, resulting in the police officers leaving, fearing for their safety.
THAT Zimbabwe is facing the twin devils of political and economic crises is self-evident, however, more worrying is the government’s indifferent attitude to these problems and its silent approval, hence cursing the working class to perpetual hewers of wood and drawers of water for the rich.
A silent revolution is taking place as President Emmerson Mnangagwa keeps satisfying the needs of capital by cutting back on social spending – education and health — as he tries to wring some foreign direct investment and Bretton Woods institutions’ support.
The cutting back on education and health funding have inadvertently created room for unregulated private players to enter the sectors. This also feeds into the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund)’s calls for privatisation of services. However, with unemployment rate in Zimbabwe above 90% and nearly 70% living below the datum poverty line, now at $3 600 for a family of five, it is a wonder how the generality of the population will afford private services.
Many schools, including missionary institutions, have privatised their services and are asking market-related fees. The government despite its public posturing to the contrary, it actually remains aloof and the schools are allowed to behave in an anti-poor manner.
One is forced to ask why Zimbabweans are being cursed by political leaders like the Gibeonites in Joshua 9;23: “Now, therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves — wood cutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
It is tempting to substitute God for capital in this instance. Many are aware of education as a liberating tool, an acquisition that can make one move up the social ladder and take their families and progeny out of poverty for good. It is this same opportunity that many in the current government got access to, but are ready to deny others because they feel they have arrived.
Analysed with the benefit of hindsight, some in the present regime have worked hard since the August 2015 Supreme Court Zuva Petroleum judgment, to make sure workers have been reduced to something akin to casual labour. Employers can now simply fire workers on three months’ notice and negotiate an exit package which in the main is paltry and pro-capital.
Whether deliberate or not, Zimbabwe is creating one large pool of cheap labour — a playground for capital that can abuse workers without fear of any actions against it. The anti-public education policy being pursued by the regime is meant to perpetuate the current social classes as they are after two hyperinflationary episodes in a decade.
Without education and savings, one will not have the luxury of choosing a job, but to take what is on offer even if they are aware they are working like slaves. It may be missed by the current regime, but the reality is that it is condemning a whole generation to a lifetime of hewing wood and drawing water for the capitalists without a chance they can get out of the vicious cycle of poverty.
Two years before the current regime took over power via a coup, the old Robert Mugabe regime had started a government scholarship for those pupils/students who excelled in science and mathematics – creating a potential pool of Zimbabweans who could not only compete in the world, but also help drive the country’s economy in the fourth industrial revolution. The fourth industrial revolution is generally defined as the current and developing environment in which disruptive technologies and trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) are changing the way we live and work.
It is obvious that most Zimbabweans after failing to get a basic or tertiary education even if they are academically gifted, would be reduced to menial labourers paid what employers deem fair remuneration as the country does not have a statutory minimum wage.
Without sounding mundane, Zimbabweans have to frankly discuss the Zimbabwe they envision. They have to candidly speak about the issues that are non-negotiable such as the right to education, health, water, housing and an efficient public transport system. They have to voice what they believe should be the minimum salary for any employee.
It makes the aspect of working meaningless if workers cannot educate their children, pay for medication when they fall sick or even afford basic meals.
The privatisation tide, particularly for education should be stopped now, we can’t sleep soundly while being aware that the government has perpetually rendered a whole generation and its progeny “hewers of wood and drawers of water” for capital.
Ways to fund public education should be found now, failing to stem the tide now would mean floodgates for other privatisations are open.
Paidamoyo Muzulu is a journalist and writes here in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on muzulu.p@gmail.com
ZIMDANCEHALL chanter Energy “Freeman” Chizanga has branched off into fashion designing with the launch of his new clothing line called The 5ive Star Look. The development is not surprising considering his photographs posted on social media platforms donning great fashion labels.
Freeman told NewsDay Life & Style that he always wanted to look good, so the compliments he received over the years fuelled the dream.
“I love dressing and I’m sure my fans know that I always want to look good every day. So, those compliments that I usually get from my fans encouraged me and, therefore, I decided to start my own fashion label,” he said.
The musician — whose monster duet with Alick Macheso, Ngaibake, dominated the just-ended festive season — said although the clothing line was still in its infancy, he was hoping to focus more on the fashion business and launch branches across the country.
“I am still trying to figure out where exactly I can be located, but for the meantime, my shop is mobile and I am supplying boutiques around Harare,” he said.
“The label is still crawling. We haven’t started running yet, but I am hoping to give my best to this business so that I can supply my fellow musicians in Zimbabwe and have a few branches in Zimbabwe, including my hometown Bindura which I will probably start with.”
Meanwhile, the chanter said he had more surprises this year as he would be releasing a new album and a string of singles featuring international artistes.
“An album will be coming out very soon this year with some few international duets which I started working on last year and a few singles with local artistes will be released before the album. So we are definitely going to leave a mark again this year,” he said.
Freeman rose to fame on the back of his hit song, Joina City, and has not looked back since.
WHILE many shouted themselves hoarse alerting government on the dangers of not acting early on the now marauding machete-wielding thugs, the State chose to plug its ears with pegs for political expediency.
From earlier revelations by the machete-wielding god fathers in government we understand that the thugs are part of about two million artisanal miners who were given liberty of the countryside to barrow the earth willy-nilly to extract gold which is being used to help save face for the near bankrupt President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. Unfortunately, the scourge has turned ugly and the thugs are now seriously threatening the county’s national security, simply because they were given free reign for too long.
It is indeed sad that the thugs have now gained such notoriety that they now have the guts to brazenly challenge the law and its enforcers. It is equally disturbing that incidents of the machete-wielding ruffians defying law and order are increasing each passing day, which is pointing to the fact that the problem is fast getting out of hand and could lead to the creation of murderous gangs such as Nigeria’s Boko Haram or the jihadist renegades currently wreaking havoc in northern Mozambique and other parts of Africa.
Some are even postulating that the murderous gangs have been created to act as a government scapegoat to declare a state of emergency in the country so that it also uses the same powers to silence the ever-nagging opposition. Whatever the case might be, the machete-wielding mobs should never have been allowed to operate under whatever guise because their operations have turned into a festering wound. Despite the several arrests made so far, the high unemployment rate and hopelessness of the economic situation is emboldening many others to take the law into their own hands. Like a wildfire fanned by strong winds, the machete gangsterism is threatening to get out of control given the continued poor economic showing.
Many are wondering why the State is taking long to unleash the army on the gangsters given that the same government, on two occasions, was more than eager to set the armed personnel on defenceless citizens who decided to protest the rising poverty and poor state of the economy. The more the State drags its feet over this issue, the more the problem will get out of hand. A stitch in time will surely save dozens more.
CHIEF Mtekedza of Chivhu, born Andrew Zhakata, on Sunday hosted a belated Christmas party for people with disabilities (PWDs) and the less-privileged at his homestead.
About 250 people attended the party, including leaders of several local churches.
In an interview with NewsDay, Chief Mtekedza said he organised the party for PWDs and the less-privileged as a way of giving and sharing with the needy.
“I wanted the less-privileged to celebrate Christmas Day with a difference. I wanted them to come together so that they relate with one another, share ideas and have fun,” he said.
In his speech, the traditional leader encouraged PWDs to be self-reliant and carry out projects for self-sustenance.
He also gave those who attended the party some groceries and clothes as Christmas presents.
Chief Mtekedza appealed to the government to consider PWDs when offering jobs and food aid.
