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South Africa cuts more interest rates

Staff Reporter
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Pretoria, South Africa

Yesterday, Lesetja  Kganyago, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) announced the cut in interest rates by another 25 basis points.

To date, the SARB has had to cut interest rates by 300 basis points due to the economic impact of COVID-19.

Although the measures taken by the SARB are of a relief to many creditors, some of the country’s economists wanted the SARB to implement more measures.

“It’s a very disappointing move by the SARB for the interest rates not to be adjusted in accordance with the inflation rate it is not right.

The move is not going to do much to revive our economy. Interest rates should actually come lower to the level of our inflation rate or drop it to zero. It’s just a matter of austerity by the Reserve Bank.

I also believe it’s now time for the  Reserve Bank to introduce quantitative easing, there is no resurgent inflation associated with that,” said economist, Duma Gqubule.

Another economist, Isaac Matshego, also said the SARB’s stance on interest rates was not going to assist much of the economic crisis in the country.

“The move by Governor Kganyago is not going to last for a long period. People are losing jobs and unemployment is surging this should be the main point of focus,” said Matshego.

Former Studio 263 actor optimistic about Zimbabwe’s future

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Former Studio 263 actor optimistic about Zimbabwe’s future

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Harare, Zimbabwe – Ben Mahaka formerly known as Tom Mbambo in the local soapie Studio 263, has expressed optimism over the country’s film industry.

Although the country hasn’t produced a lot of films that have made it into international cinemas, Mahaka said the time for the country to make its mark on the international stage was imminent.

“I believe the prospects of film are good. The cost of entry into that space has come down dramatically and our universities are starting to deliver graduates who can make films.

What has changed is the distribution landscape. We have woken up to the viability of YouTube as a monetized distribution platform for series and more filmmakers are exploring it, especially after the success of College Central’s Wadiwa wepa moyo.

Moreso, I think there will always be a place for feature films. There are guys like Joe Njagu and Melgin Tafirenyika who are successfully making features. College Central is also working on a feature so feature films are here to stay.

On my side, I have projects planned. I am currently editing a documentary film and I hope to shoot a feature in Chipinge  come 2021. I am also looking forward at doing more seasons of Gaza,” said Mahaka.

Zimbabwe’s first Netflix Original film Cook Off, which premiered earlier this year has opened up doors for the country’s film industry.

Diabetics prone to COVID-19

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Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Johannesburg, South Africa – According to Dr Adri Kok, a specialist physician, people with diabetes are at a higher risk of being affected by COVID-19.

Dr Kok made the revelation in relation to the current COVID-19 crisis in South Africa which has since infected more than 300 000 people.

“People with diabetes are prone to COVID-19. Type two diabetes is the most prevalent in South Africa with 30 percent of the population being diabetic or obese.

Moreover, for people who are diabetic, the virus gets into the blood and forms blood clots which affect the kidneys, arteries and veins. So people with diabetes are at a higher risk of being affected by the virus that’s why they have to constantly check their sugar levels.

Moreso, clinics and hospitals don’t have enough resources to cater for their needs,” said the specialist physician.

COVID-19 disrupts SADC’s first car

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COVID-19 disrupts SADC’s first car

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Ekhurhuleni, South Africa – SADC’s first car, the Mureza Prim8 has suffered a huge setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

By now the Mureza Prim8 should have made its way into the market but due to the COVID-19 pandemic those plans have had to be rescheduled.

“COVID-19 has impacted the whole world. Nations have not been spared. We are adjusting to the new situation and finding the opportunities.

Moreso, an announcement will be made about our official launch soon. It’s hard to fore-tell as the governments are battling to balance economy and saving humanity.

However, prices will be available on our website as well as an online ordering system for the different models.

Moreover, we have plans of launching in all SADC countries including Zimbabwe. Again, details will be published on our website and social media,” read a statement from Mureza.

440 000 jobs on the line in South Africa’s tourism sector

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440 000 jobs on the line in South Africa’s tourism sector

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Johannesburg, South Africa – At least 440 000 people could lose their jobs in South Africa’s tourism industry if necessary renditions are not made.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the hospitality industry has had to operate in a miniature manner.

“We understand the economic impact the current  COVID-19 lockdown regulations are having on the sector but the risk adjustment procedure is informed by the Ministry of Health.  Places that accommodate leisure tourism should remain closed,” said the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela.

Under the current COVID-19 lockdown regulations, hotels, lodges and guest houses are allowed to only accommodate clients who are on a business trip.

However, this has left many  in awe. With the surge of COVID-19 cases the chances of leisure tourism being allowed to operate are in the doldrums.

United Kingdom Condemns Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

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From:UK Delegation to the OSCE

The United Kingdom remains deeply concerned about the situation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Russian Federation. As we said on 12 March, the ruling of the Russian Supreme Court in July 2017, which rejected the appeal against the decision to categorise Jehovah’s Witnesses as “extremists”, criminalised the peaceful worship of 175,000 Russian citizens and contravened the right to religious freedom that is enshrined in the Russian Constitution, and in multiple OSCE commitments.

It is with deep regret that we learned that on 13 July, 110 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses were simultaneously searched by Russian authorities in the cities of Voronezh and Stary Oskol. Thirteen Jehovah’s Witnesses were detained at the time and two individuals were reportedly beaten during a home search.

The total number of homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses that have been searched by Russian law enforcement authorities now stands at over 1,000. As we noted in March, home raids are often conducted in the early hours of the morning by large numbers of masked and armed police.

We repeat our concern that the increasing number of searches, as well as use of simultaneous large-scale home raids, creates the impression of an organised campaign of persecution against Jehovah’s Witnesses.

So-called “evidence” used against those investigated and prosecuted includes regular aspects of communal religious life. We again remind the Russian Federation of our extensive commitments on freedom of religion or belief, including from Vienna 1989, as well as Kyiv 2013, where States committed to:

Fully implement their commitments to ensure the right of all individuals to profess and practice religion or belief, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, and to manifest their religion or belief through teaching, practice, worship and observance, including through transparent and non-discriminatory laws, regulations, practices and policies;

For three years now, the delegation of the Russian Federation has assured the Permanent Council that individual Jehovah’s Witnesses are able to practice their religion at home, as no permission is required to pray in Russia. However, we have witnessed time and again that any manifestation of their faith by Jehovah’s Witnesses can result in the search of their homes, lengthy detention, criminal prosecution and imprisonment.

We again call on the Russian Federation to end the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and to uphold the commitments on the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief for all individuals across the Russian Federation.

Jarrod Lopes, spokesman for Jehovah’s Witnesses, states:  “The UK Delegation has consistently condemned Russia for arresting, imprisoning, and torturing Jehovah’s Witnesses for their peaceful Christian worship. The UK’s statement today is the latest by a growing number of international actors who have likewise denounced Russia. We hope Russian authorities will soon halt the persecution and provide the freedom of religion that is enshrined in its constitution.”

South African Restaurants take to the streets

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Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Cape Town, South Africa – Following the suspension of the sale and distribution of alcohol as well as a nighttime curfew by the government, the Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA) has taken to the streets in protest.

Government has allowed restaurants to operate under strict COVID-19 regulations but RASA is saying the regulations are hurting their economic viability.

“We are protesting at our premises and hopefully the government will adhere to our concerns,” said Wendy Alberts, RASA’s CEO.

Lucky Ntimane, Convenor of the National Liquor Traders Council of South Africa also said they are joining in the protests.

“We are in support of the protests, we want the resumption of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes. We haven’t had any formal conversation with the government on the way forward,” said Ntimane.

With over 380 000 COVID-19 cases government has had to choose between the health of the nation or its economic wellbeing.

Although many medical professionals are in support of the suspension of the sale of alcohol and cigarettes, many economists have castigated the move citing loss of revenue, businesses and jobs.

MDC Alliance’s Youth Assembly warns ZANU-PF

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MDC Alliance’s Youth Assembly warns ZANU-PF

Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Harare, Zimbabwe – MDC Alliance’s Youth Assembly has sent a stern warning towards the ZANU-PF Youth League ahead of the 31 July nationwide protests.

The warning comes after the ZANU-PF Youth League promised to counter the protests if they are not forfeited.

“Reckless utterances by the ZANU-PF Youth League that they are going to counter 31 July mass protests against corruption are unfortunate and ill thought.

Statements by the delusional ZANU-PF Youth League Deputy Secretary one Tendai Chirau that they will counter 31 July is a clear manifestation of wishful thinking and day dreaming.

July 31 is about the people, the suffering masses so not even a small youth grouping of a political party in dilapidation like ZANU-PF has the capacity to stop Zimbabweans from speaking against corruption.

Whatever victory Chirau claims they will be celebrating, they better do that inside their Shake Shake building.

Out there people are hungry and angry hence, we are not going to entertain any tomfoolery meant to harbour corrupt government criminals.

Just like 1979, July 31 knows no puppets of dictators and those that stand in the way of the people will be swept aside. Forewarned is forearmed,” said Stephen Chuma, MDC Alliance Youth Assembly’s national spokesperson.

Football returns to South Africa

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Staff Writer – The Zimbabwe Daily

Johannesburg, South Africa – The long wait for the resumption of football in both the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the National First Division (NFD) is expected to end come the first of next month.

It’s been more than three months since domestic football was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although there seems to be a tug of war between the PSL and the South African Football Association (SAFA) on the exact date, SAFA has already hinted that domestic football is expected to resume on the 1st of August.

“We proposed the first of August for the resumption of football but we are still waiting upon the PSL to give us it’s response. The PSL told us it’s still consulting with it’s stakeholders.

However, the first batch of referees are expected to resume training today or tomorrow and then the second batch on Saturday.

If the League resumes as anticipated we are expecting at least five games per day, so now the onus is upon the PSL,” said Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe, SAFA’s Acting CEO.

Ajax Cape Town’s CEO, Ari Efstathiou also concurred with Advocate Motlanthe citing that the leagues have to be completed.

“We need to complete both leagues to avoid unnecessary despondencies, because if we don’t then how will teams from the NFD be promoted to the League and what will be the relegation format?

So it’s very important for us to finish our seasons. I know we are currently sitting at the summit of the NFD log, seven points clear with six games to play and the only way the second team can catch us is if we lose all our games which is highly unlikely nevertheless, we want to finish the season in the field,” said Efstathiou.

If all things go as planned, all the remaining games will be played in Gauteng in a “bio bubble.”

Liverpool FC cements relations with Mauritius

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Staff Reporter – The Zimbabwe Daily

Port Louis, Mauritius – English Premier League football club, Liverpool FC (LFC) yesterday announced a three year economic partnership with the southern African country.

The deal results in Mauritius becoming the club’s official tourism and economic development partner.

“This is an exciting partnership and we are delighted to build on our existing relationship with Mauritius following the opening of the LFC International Academy on the island in July 2019.

We have a large passionate fan base in Mauritius and we are pleased to be able to bring our supporters closer to the club through this partnership.

Moreso, we look forward in working with Mauritius Tourism and its Economic Development Board to support their ambition in further establishing the country as a leading tourist destination and economic forum,” said Billy Hogan, managing director and chief commercial officer of LFC.

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