Our city, our lives www.hararenews.co.zw Issue 21 May 2015 Page 10 Page 5 Page 4 Page 2 Farai Dauramanzi I t has emerged that most wards in Harare are still working on sys- tems to access their share from the 10% retention fund that was adopt- ed by council last year during the 2015 budget formulation process. Council adopted a resolution that allows each ward to retain 10% of all collected revenue for develop- mental purposes. Councillors and district officers were mandated with the setting up of ward develop- ment committees to administer the retention funds. However, nearly six months af- ter adopting the resolution only 23 wards out of 46 have managed to complete the process of setting up ward development committees, and out of the 23 that have finished, just one ward, Borrowdale’s Ward 18, has received an allocation. The City’s principal communications officer Michael Chideme, revealed that Borrowdale has since received its 10% retention for January only. “The councillor for Sunningdale Ward 10 has also submitted his pro- posal and it is being processed. As for other councillors, they are still working on their bids,” said Chi- deme. According to minutes of the 1,840 Full Council meeting that passed resolutions on the formation of ward development committees, the tenure of the committees are aligned with the City of Harare fi- nancial year that is from 1 January to 31 December. However, it is wor- rying to note that the retention sys- tem is still to be fully implemented five months into the year. In order for wards to access their retention funds, councillors are re- quired to submit a project proposal, three quotations for the work to be done, and then they have to fill out a council retention disburse- ment form. Contacted for a com- ment councillor for Ward 10 Rusty Allan Markham said that he has so far withdrawn $6,000 from his retention account for a road reha- bilitation project, but complained about the bureaucratic processes involved. “Implementation of the reten- tion scheme is slow because council executives are making it very dif- ficult to withdraw the money, and people (councillors) are giving up. So far I have managed to withdraw $6,000 for a road rehabilitation pro- gramme,” explained Markham. The councillor for Ward 18 said that if used correctly the 10% re- tention can do a lot to develop the wards, “Wards can achieve much more development with the 10% from the retention fund than what council can do with the other 90%.” One of the councillors who is still to access funds from the retention scheme, Munyaradzi Kufahaku- tizwi (Ward 19), said that council- lors were now worried that other wards are also missing out on the retention programme. He said, “Last time when we enquired they (council executives) said they still want to polish up the policy.” Another councillor who is still to access the funds, Gilbert Hadebe (Ward 39), revealed that most coun- cillors are still to receive the council agreed procedure document on ap- plication for usage of the retention funds. “This (procedure document) is yet to be given to every councillor by the chamber secretary. It is impor- tant in order to have transparency concerning the use of the money, and as a guide to where the money is most needed,” said Hadebe. When contacted for a comment on what was delaying the disburse- ment of the retention funds, Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said that council was still working on modali- ties for funds disbursement. “It is a completely new thing and there are different expectations of how to approve, access, govern and monitor (the retention funds),” said the mayor. However, others have attributed the delays in setting up of ward de- velopment committees to political interference, as well as negligence on the part of some of the council- lors to take on the management procedures involved. In the meantime, residents are forced to endure a crumbling city infrastructure with few signs of re- prieve. Council drags feet over 10% Congratulations Gallery Delta on 40 years Gallery Delta was founded in 1975 by Helen Lieros and Derek Hug- gins (pictured). It has set the bar for fine art and artistic develop- ment in Zimbabwe for four dec- ades, even in the hardest of times. An exhibition celebrating this achievement opened on 17 April. The arts community thronged to celebrate. Included are paintings, graphics, and sculptures by some of Zimbabwe’s most prominent artists. (Gallery Delta – 40 years: Past and Present runs to 15 May) Photos: Macpherson Photographers Our city snakes We look at 8 of our most common serpent friends. Water meters, yay or nay? It’s a hot topic. What are the experts saying? What did you say? Demand for DNA testing Our only DNA testing center finds its services ever more in demand. Consumerizim Joe Black’s website to jolt our service providers into action.
Transcript
Our city, our liveswww.hararenews.co.zwIssue 21 May 2015
Page 10Page 5Page 4Page 2
Farai Dauramanzi
It has emerged that most wards in Harare are still working on sys-
tems to access their share from the 10% retention fund that was adopt-ed by council last year during the 2015 budget formulation process.
Council adopted a resolution that allows each ward to retain 10% of all collected revenue for develop-mental purposes. Councillors and district officers were mandated with the setting up of ward develop-ment committees to administer the retention funds.
However, nearly six months af-ter adopting the resolution only 23 wards out of 46 have managed to complete the process of setting up ward development committees, and out of the 23 that have finished, just one ward, Borrowdale’s Ward 18, has received an allocation. The
City’s principal communications officer Michael Chideme, revealed that Borrowdale has since received its 10% retention for January only.
“The councillor for Sunningdale Ward 10 has also submitted his pro-posal and it is being processed. As for other councillors, they are still working on their bids,” said Chi-deme.
According to minutes of the 1,840 Full Council meeting that passed resolutions on the formation of ward development committees, the tenure of the committees are aligned with the City of Harare fi-nancial year that is from 1 January to 31 December. However, it is wor-rying to note that the retention sys-tem is still to be fully implemented five months into the year.
In order for wards to access their retention funds, councillors are re-quired to submit a project proposal,
three quotations for the work to be done, and then they have to fill out a council retention disburse-ment form. Contacted for a com-ment councillor for Ward 10 Rusty Allan Markham said that he has so far withdrawn $6,000 from his retention account for a road reha-bilitation project, but complained about the bureaucratic processes involved.
“Implementation of the reten-tion scheme is slow because council executives are making it very dif-ficult to withdraw the money, and people (councillors) are giving up. So far I have managed to withdraw $6,000 for a road rehabilitation pro-gramme,” explained Markham.
The councillor for Ward 18 said that if used correctly the 10% re-tention can do a lot to develop the wards, “Wards can achieve much more development with the 10%
from the retention fund than what council can do with the other 90%.”
One of the councillors who is still to access funds from the retention scheme, Munyaradzi Kufahaku-tizwi (Ward 19), said that council-lors were now worried that other wards are also missing out on the retention programme. He said, “Last time when we enquired they (council executives) said they still want to polish up the policy.”
Another councillor who is still to access the funds, Gilbert Hadebe (Ward 39), revealed that most coun-cillors are still to receive the council agreed procedure document on ap-plication for usage of the retention funds.
“This (procedure document) is yet to be given to every councillor by the chamber secretary. It is impor-tant in order to have transparency concerning the use of the money,
and as a guide to where the money is most needed,” said Hadebe.
When contacted for a comment on what was delaying the disburse-ment of the retention funds, Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni said that council was still working on modali-ties for funds disbursement.
“It is a completely new thing and there are different expectations of how to approve, access, govern and monitor (the retention funds),” said the mayor.
However, others have attributed the delays in setting up of ward de-velopment committees to political interference, as well as negligence on the part of some of the council-lors to take on the management procedures involved.
In the meantime, residents are forced to endure a crumbling city infrastructure with few signs of re-prieve.
Council drags feet over 10%
Congratulations Gallery Delta on 40 years
Gallery Delta was founded in 1975 by Helen Lieros and Derek Hug-gins (pictured). It has set the bar for fine art and artistic develop-ment in Zimbabwe for four dec-ades, even in the hardest of times. An exhibition celebrating this achievement opened on 17 April. The arts community thronged to celebrate. Included are paintings, graphics, and sculptures by some of Zimbabwe’s most prominent artists. (Gallery Delta – 40 years: Past and Present runs to 15 May)Photos: Macpherson Photographers
Our city snakesWe look at 8 of our most common serpent friends.
Water meters, yay or nay?It’s a hot topic. What are the experts saying? What did you say?
Demand for DNA testingOur only DNA testing center finds its services ever more in demand.
ConsumerizimJoe Black’s website to jolt our service providers into action.
2 Harare News Issue 21 May 2015
General news
ROBERT MUGABE RD
MARKET ST VID
FLORIBUNDAFLOWER MARKET
ENTERPRISE RD
Lovemore Lubinda
City of Harare (CoH) has intro-duced Geographic Informa-
tion Systems (GIS) technology to improve fleet management and
enhance service delivery.CoH Director of Works, Engineer
Philip Pfukwa, said GIS systems are designed to capture, store, manipu-late, analyse, manage, and present spatial data. Spatial data refers to
Stephen Tsoroti
Many people are turning to the African Institute of Bio-
medical Sciences and Technology (AiBST) DNA Testing Centre, for fo-rensic and medical findings, Harare News has learnt.
A leading clinical pharmacolo-gist, President and Chief Scientist at AiBST DNA Testing Centre Professor Collen Masimirembwa, said figures recorded at the centre confirm that more and more residents of Harare, and further afield, are consulting the institute.
“On average we are receiving 15–20 cases requiring confirmation tests, while other requests have been for training, research and fo-rensic tests,” revealed Professor Masimirembwa.
Professor Masimirembwa dis-closed that the most sought after services are paternity and mater-nity tests, for both personal reasons and for legal settlements. There are also requests for disaster victim identification tests for victims of accidents and missing relatives, as well as tests to convict or exonerate suspects of criminal acts, like rape, murder and robbery. Siblings and kinships tests and family tree con-struction are also requested as well a variety of medical genetic tests.
The AiBST DNA testing labora-tory centre helped to identify more than 20 victims of the Chisumbanje inferno who were burnt beyond recognition after a truck they were travelling in collided head-on with a Green Fuel tanker carrying ethanol.
The centre, which is based at Harare’s Wilkins Hospital, was es-tablished in 2007. It has been work-ing in partnership with the City of Harare (CoH) Health Services De-partment in testing new medicines entering its health centres and determining whether or not they will have unwanted side effects for patients. “The aim of personalized medicine or individual treatment is
to match the right drug to the right patient and in some cases even de-sign the appropriate treatment for a patient according to their geno-types,” said Prof Masimirembwa.
Prof Masimirembwa said there can be further complications in the treatment of HIV/AIDS-TB co-infec-tions which are estimated at over 60% in HIV/AIDS patients taking the combination of Isoniazid and Sta-vudine, an ARV which also causes severe peripheral neuropathy. The major reason for differences in drug response is inherited variations in gene structures which affect the body’s response to medication. This variation in response to medication
has given rise to a specialized field further defined as pharmacogenet-ics or pharmacogenomics which is the influence of genetic variability to drugs.
This is one of the core reasons why the African Institute of Bio-medical Science and Technology was established.
Genomic medicine is therefore driving the current shift in clinical practice from that of one diagnosis and one treatment to fit all, to a pat-tern of individual treatment known as personalized treatment. Phar-macogenomics currently holds the promise that drugs might one day be tailor made for individuals and adapted to each person’s own ge-netic makeup.
AiBST is the first and currently the only DNA testing centre in Zim-babwe. Over the years Zimbabwe-ans had to send samples out of the country to countries such as South Africa for DNA testing.
“The availability of local capacity in DNA technology implies a reduc-tion of sending samples outside for testing. It means all along we have been consciously or unconsciously helping other countries create em-ployment, grow their economies and earn foreign receipts,” said Dr Prosper Chonzi, Director of CoH Health Services Department.
Harare DNA testing centre attracts attention
Tracking technology to tighten council’s controlthe information that represents po-sitions, and can also be referred as geographical data.
He further explained that data is captured in field surveys using handheld GPS devices, and can then be analysed and managed in GIS software. The GIS software can then be used to produce maps, statistics, figures, and other useful informa-tion as required.
He said 80% of all local authority decisions are based on geographical or spatial data. Hence for effective and efficient decision making, man-agement or local authorities need a tool that is able to analyse this data. “For City of Harare to achieve World Class City Status, it has to adopt world class technology and best practices, which are attained by us-ing GIS,” he said.
Eng Pfukwa said GIS is being used by management to help decision making, and as a tool to send out information to residents. “Water Supply Situation Maps can be pub-licised to residents to communicate
the water availability in their area. Once fully operational, it will also assist in inventory management as assets are mapped based on their lo-cation,” adding that the locations of skip bins have been mapped.
He pointed out that the Pilot Project was done in Bluff Hill where 10% of the properties were added on the billing system, and that resi-dents are made aware of services through the publishing of Water Supply Situation maps, garbage col-lection maps, road maps, streetlight locations, and so on.
Meanwhile, CoH spokesperson Michael Chideme said this multi-purpose system is also being used to track refuse collection trucks and curb errant driving to maximise ef-ficiency.
According to CoH’s Corporate Communications Division, in its in-house publication, Sunshine News, this geo-fencing and compu-terised system records speed, dis-tance covered per trip, and per day, traffic offences, stoppages, idling,
braking routines, and route adher-ence. Speaking to the publication late last year, the Director of Works said points are deducted for errant driving, leading to disciplinary action.“We punish drivers for of-fences committed, and commend those who operate within limits,” he said. Some council drivers have reportedly been accused of using council vehicles for personal busi-ness at the expense of services.
In some developed countries this geo-fencing technique is even being accessed on mobile phones, in addi-tion to laptops and desktop comput-ers. World over, global positioning systems (GPS) and general packet radio services (GPRS) technologies have been used in conjunction with GIS to help provide valuable infor-mation related to planning and fleet management, as well as finding sto-len vehicles. Since the technology uses satellite systems, it can also lo-cate vehicles – even those that had crossed international borders.
Lab technicians at Harare’s only DNA testing facility are finding their services ever more in demand.
The AiBST DNA testing laboratory centre helped to identify more than 20 victims of the Chisumbanje inferno who were burnt beyond recognition…
Harare News 3www.hararenews.co.zw
General news
Stephen Tsoroti
Emergency preparedness in the city of Harare is set to improve
as council engages more players in case of major disasters occurring in the capital. Currently having a population of between 2,5 and 3 mil-lion people, Harare has been living in perpetual fear of major disaster, such as the 2008 cholera pandemic which claimed 4,000 lives.
Councillor Chris Mbanga, Chair-person of the Health and Environ-ment Committee, notes that the city has partnered with a number of lo-cal and international organisations and local authorities to make sure that Harare’s safety standards con-form to international ones.
“We consider the safety of our residents and property as a prior-ity, and this particular section is
mandatory. The safety of Harare should not be compromised. The City of Harare (CoH) is part of the Harare province Disaster Manage-ment Committee under the Civil Protection Authority. This commit-tee is very well prepared for any emergency in Harare, and can be assembled very quickly. All ambu-lances in Harare give priority to any call from this body,” said Mbanga. Mbanga told Harare News that council has increased the number of expert staff in the fire, traffic, and health services department to meet this challenge.
Concerns have often been raised that City’s ambulance fleet is mostly grounded due to shortages of fuel and spares, paralysing the provi-sion of emergency services. A spate of fires have ravaged buildings in the city, and the fire department has
been blamed for failing to save the situation, often arriving without water if they turn up at all.
According to the City Corporate Communication Department, 12 fire tenders have been donated, and are stationed at various cen-tres in the suburbs of Greendale, Kuwadzana and Waterfalls, and at the City’s Central Fire Station. The acquiring of two vehicle lifters and the secondment of an ambulance fleet from the ministry of Health and Child Welfare has improved the capacity of the city to cope with a disaster of a severe magnitude. “We still need more equipment and professional expertise to make sure we can take on any kind of disaster,” said Michael Chideme, CoH corpo-rate communications spokesper-son.
Council has also been blamed for
Lovemore Lubinda
In conjunction with Harare Mu-nicipality Services Online, we
bring you a new feature in which we highlight individual service de-livery issues in our city on a case by case basis. To have your issues appear here, please visit https://hararemunicipalityservices.crow-dmap.com/, and log a report. To give it extra wings, email [email protected] and alert us to your report.Belvedere West: a huge surge of treated water is gushing from a burst pipe coming from Warren Park Control Pump Station to-wards the city. According to resi-dents the water has been coming out unchecked for two years.
Ward 5 Councillor, Paula Ma-charangwanda told Harare News that she is aware this critical leak-age, and has visited the site with officials from City of Harare’s (CoH) water department. “I know the place, I even raised the matter with the authorities, but they said the types of pipes needed are not easily accessible,” she said. She added that she will keep on push-ing to remedy this serious prob-lem.
Harare City Director for water, Engineer Christopher Zvobgo, could not be reached for com-ment.CBD: A ditch dug by CoH work-ers along Bank Street has gone unfilled for five months, except by passersby who have filled it with litter. The site is a hazard to health, and both pedestrians and vehicles.Mbare: Tsiga Market has become a car wash and dump site all in one. The water from the washing has created mud, which has mixed
with rubbish to create a choking odour.
Principal Communications Of-ficer at CoH, Michael Chideme, told Harare News that the council’s refuse collection team is doing its best, and that there should be a behavioural change among resi-dents. “We are battling a culture here, people are in a habit of lit-ter dumping, despite the fact that refuse collection vehicles are do-ing the rounds in their areas,” he said.Msasa Park: Roads are severely damaged in particular sections of Mukuvisi Drive and Kaye Ed-die Drive. Residents in the area are wondering when the on-going resurfacing of major roads will reach residential areas.
Council’s Michael Chideme promised that every road is going to be attended to in due course, as part of the quest for 2025 world class status. “We are starting with our major roads, and then branch-ing off into the roads in residential areas,” he said.Newlands: Naked power cables running at pedestrian height are posing a threat to residents on the corner of Victoria and York Av-enues. There are also broken lines on Boundary Road. Resident Tim-othy Sagels told Harare News that “ZESA is urging residents to treat all loose cables as live. So we re-gard all these wires as dangerous.”
Fullard Gwasira, ZESA spokes-person said, “As for the said area, it lies under the jurisdiction of our Borrowdale Depot, we wouldn’t know what is happening street by street, and I urge people to report any anomalies such as this to their nearest ZESA offices. The faults will definitely be attended to.”
Farai Dauramanzi
Construction of Shawasha Shop-ping Mall in Mbare is finally set
to begin soon after differences that caused the abandonment of the ground-breaking ceremony in Feb-ruary were ironed out.
The business complex is being built in a joint venture between council and Consortio Zimbabwe at an estimated cost of $30 million. The mall is being built on the open space situated at the corner of Re-membrance Drive and Cripps Road. A look at the graphic illustrations of the mall suggests that it is likely to change the face of Harare’s oldest high density suburb.
Council were left with egg on the face during the ground-breaking ceremony after a group of Mbare youth interrupted the event, accus-ing council of not following proper procedures. However, Martin Mat-inyanya, councillor for Ward 4 where the mega-project is taking place confirmed that construction was set to start as everything has now been sorted out.
“We have agreed as residents to relocate traders who are currently using the open space where the mall
will be built to another point so that we pave way for the construction work. We are expecting preliminary work to start by month end,” said Matinyanya in April.
According to the councillor, Sha-washa Shopping Mall will go a long way in uplifting the face of Mbare as well as providing many other ben-efits which will include job creation, decongesting the suburb and, pro-viding much needed trading space.
“After construction, first prefer-ence to occupy the shops in the mall will be given to local residents and the investors have also said that some of the surrounding buildings will benefit from the electricity that will be generated from the mall’s so-lar grid,” said a hopeful Matinyanya.
Most residents in Mbare survive on informal trading and trading space has been a major problem in the area with many traders forced to utilise undesignated points such as the spaces between residential flats, causing terrible congestion. City of Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said that the community in Mbare will benefit enormously from the project.
“Over 20,000 direct jobs will be created upon completion. An
additional 2,000 jobs will be created during the construction phases. Key features of the complex include 6,000 vending stalls, a modern shop-ping mall that will accommodate banks, retail shops, food courts, tra-ditional meal canteens, and sports facilities consisting of basketball and tennis courts and a five-aside soccer pitch,” said Mahachi.
Dr Mahachi explained that the inclusion of sporting facilities at the mall is in line with the original town planning classification which earmarked the area for recreational use. The town clerk also said that the complex will be solar powered in line with government policy on the use of green energy.
“Once complete, the complex is expected to give impetus to the re-generation of Mbare as all other structures in the suburb would be expected to match the world class complex,” he said.
Some residents in Mbare said that they were excited with the project. Albert Makoni (45) who lives and work in Mbare as a trader, said that the shopping mall will transform many people’s lives as they will fi-nally move away from being street traders to become shop owners.
Service Reportwith Lovemore
Shawasha Mall: work starts
Step up for emergency services
being ill equipped to deal with dis-ease outbreaks such typhoid and cholera, which have been caused by its failure to find a lasting solution to the water problem. According to council figures 50 cases of typhoid are being reported daily and more than 1500 people have been treated.
Doctor Prosper Chonzi of City Health Services says that Council operates health facilities in almost every suburb in the city, “While services may differ per facility, our health care covers family health,
primary care, ante natal and post natal care, opportunistic diseases and dental services. We are estab-lishing health committees at all health centres as a way of entrust-ing health delivery to the recipient communities. We want the resi-dents to take charge of their health needs through active participation. Harare will continue being respon-sive to the needs of the residents. It is at such platforms that we are also able gauge public sentiment and re-spond accordingly.”
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4 Harare News Issue 21 May 2015
Council talk
Farai Dauramanzi
Debate on the pre-paid water me-tering system continues to boil,
as council moves in to start install-ing prepaid water meters to run a pilot project.
According to an advertorial that appeared in a local daily paper on 20 April, City of Harare announced that it was going ahead with the
prepaid water meter project, de-spite massive resistance from resi-dents’ organisations that have been running campaigns to resist the pre-paid water metering system.
Council said that the prepaid wa-ter metering system is in line with modern trends in water delivery management, and outlined that it will soon try out the project in the Central Business District (CBD),
Avenues area, all council-owned buildings and selected Northern suburbs.
“Prepaid smart water meters are principally a water management tool designed to enable the resident to manage their water consump-tion, to manage (council) internal losses, to manage the money that they (residents) spend, and to en-sure that the bills they receive from
Council forges ahead with prepaid water meters despite massive resistance
What is your view on pre-paid water meters?
council are accurate,” read the council advertorial.
The municipality went on to ex-plain that the smart prepaid water meter system will also enable the City to manage water consumption and corresponding revenue, “It can also pinpoint where leaks could be occurring, hence help reduce non-revenue water. Estimations are that the City can reduce costs by close to 30% as a result of the reduction of non-revenue water.”
“The City can therefore better manage the available water, which could be enough for all residents. Prepaid smart water meters are a powerful water management tool that we need to pilot immediately to determine the ideal system for Harare. The pilot system is part of our enhanced stakeholder consulta-tion,” read council’s advertorial.
On the other hand, residents’ or-ganisations have rejected prepaid water meters saying that the meters will pave the way for the privatisa-tion of water – a basic human right as enshrined in the country’s con-stitution. The residents’ organisa-tions have also argued that prepaid water meters will exacerbate emer-gencies, undermine public health, violate the right to water, and make water more expensive.
The chairperson of the Harare Metropolitan Residents Forum (HAMREF) Simbarashe Moyo said
that the organisation will intensify its anti-prepaid water meter cam-paign to drum up more support from residents. “We have done ad-equate consultations with the resi-dents and policy makers, and there are clear messages coming out that the residents are against prepaid water meters. Those supporting them are only doing it for personal reasons, and are being pushed by those who stand to benefit from the tendering processes,” said Moyo.
However, in an interview with Harare News, the deputy mayor of Harare Thomas Muzuva (Ward 14), said that residents in his ward were in support of prepaid water meters and went on to allege that residents organisations were not represent-ing residents’ true position on pre-paid water meters.
“Residents in my ward are in sup-port of prepaid water meters, and I believe the pressure groups are not giving a true reflection of the resi-dents’ sentiments on prepaid water meters. I believe they are serving their donors’ agenda,” alleged Mu-zuva. “People who are against pre-paid meters are the ones who are not paying their water bills right now, because for those who are pay-ing there is no difference between paying for water consumed and wa-ter to be consumed as rates remain the same,” added Muzuva.
Residents’ groups protest against water meters during a council meeting.
Pamela Tagwirei (21), HatcliffI support pre-paid water meters, because right now sometimes we receive unrealistic bills which do not match consumption. So I believe the system will eliminate unfair billing.
Talkmore Mateva (24), EpworthPre-paid water meters are good because it helps in budgeting. You can know how much you consume, unlike in the post-paid system where you can get an out-rageous bill, and in the end people will struggle to pay.
Isheanesu Newengo (18), ChitungwizaIt will increase revenue for council and this will definitely lead to bet-ter service delivery. Council’s wage bill will be reduced as there will be no more need for meter readers. The system will also modernise Harare and I believe it tallies well with Vision 2025.
Phillip Mapako (68), Old MabvukuI say no to pre-paid water meters because they are useless as long as there is no water. They should give residents water first before they put the meters.
Thomas Tarwirei (42), AvenuesPre-paid water meters are good because you can pay anywhere. Right now it is a tiresome process to pay for bills because there is poor service and too many lines at council’s banking halls.
ChipoMutyebuka (40), HighfieldPre-paid water meter are not ok, because water is a basic commod-ity which should be available at all times. What will happen if water is finished yet there will be no money to top up? It means most people will end up resorting to unsafe sources of water.
Harare News 5www.hararenews.co.zw
Infographic
Brown House Snake (Lamprophis fuliginosus)60–90 cm, max 150 cmHarmlessThis snake is common in urban areas. It hunts at night for rodents and other small vertebrates, and uses its powerful body to strangle its prey. It has no venom, and is harmless to humans. House snakes make good pets, and are useful for controlling rat populations.
Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)120–150 cm, max 200 cmMildly dangerous – powerful venom, bites rareThe Boomslang spends most of its time in trees, where it uses its excellent vision to hunt for birds and chameleons during the day. Its colour varies a lot between sexes and as it ages, but it is easily recognisable by its large eyes and distinctive head shape. It is quick to spot danger and is shy, usually retreating rapidly from humans. If threatened it will inflate its neck and may strike. It has a powerful but slow-acting haemotoxin venom, but because its fangs are at the back of its mouth harmful bites are extremely rare.
Rhombic Night Adder (Causus rhombeatus)40–60 cm, max 100 cmMild venomThe Night Adder hunts at night, mainly for toads and frogs, though it may be encountered during the day when it is basking, or sheltering under stones or logs. If threatened it may get aggressive, huffing and striking readily, but it has a mild venom so bites are seldom serious, but may cause pain and swelling. Closed shoes are usually adequate protection from its short fangs.
Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)70–90 cm, max 120 cmDangerousThe Puff Adder is easily recognisable by its large, fat body and wide head. It spends a lot of time motionless, basking on paths and roads or lying in ambush for rodents and birds. It relies on its camouflage to avoid detection, and rather than fleeing danger will often remain motionless in position. When threatened it usually gives a deep, hollow hiss and prepares to strike, which it may do with no warning. The Puff Adder accounts for about 75% of serious bites in Zimbabwe. The large fangs can penetrate deeply into the ankle or foot, where bites are most common. It carries large amounts of a powerful cytotoxic venom.
Egyptian Cobra (Naja annulifera)150–200 cm, max 240 cmDangerousThe Egyptian Cobra – also known as the Banded or Snouted Cobra – is a common resident in Harare. It hunts at night for rodents, frogs and other small vertebrates, but may be encountered during the day when it is basking near its shelter, commonly an anthill. It will rear up and spread its hood when threatened, but will usually retreat if not attacked. It does not spit venom, unlike the smaller but similar-looking Mozambique Spitting Cobra. The Egyptian Cobra is a useful predator of rats, but can become a pest in poultry runs where it eats eggs and young birds. Bites are rare, but the powerful neurotoxic venom is potentially lethal.
Olive Grass Snake (Psammophis phillipsii)110–130 cm, max 174 cmMild venomThe Olive Grass Snake is common in reed beds and long grass. It is diurnal, feeding on lizards, frogs, rodents, birds, and other snakes. It will vanish quickly when disturbed, but will bite readily if mistreated. Bites may cause localised pain, and mild swelling and nausea, but symptoms are short-lived.
Herald Snake (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia)60–75 cm, max 81 cmHarmlessThe Herald or Red-lipped Snake lives mainly in marshy areas and feeds at night on amphibians. Appearance may vary, with tiny white dots sometimes present, and colour shifting from black to olive green. When threatened it puts on an impressive display, flattening its head, hissing and striking. Bites may be painful, but are harmless to man.
What’s your poison?Venomous snakes all have different types of venom that affect their prey in different ways. Sadly there is no cure-all antivenom. Antivenom and treatment have to be matched to the snake species, so it’s important that bite victims try to identify the snake (but not at the risk of being bitten again!). Snake venoms are classified broadly in the same groups as the snakes:• Adder or viper venoms (eg. Puff Adder), often
called cytotoxic venoms. These cause localised tissue damage, pain and swelling. Most bites are on the foot or ankle, and the whole foot may become grossly swollen and blue. Serious Puff Adder and Gaboon Viper bites can result in death, usually after two or three days, as a result of shock and haemorrhage into internal organs. Constrictive bandages or tourniquets must NEVER be used.
• Elapid venoms (eg. cobras, mambas), often called neurotoxic venoms. These attack the nervous system. Bite victims appear drunk, with drooping eyelids, drooling, slurred speech, sagging jaw, and eventually paralysis. Death may occur from respiratory or heart failure.
• Colubrid venoms (eg. Boomslang), also known as haemotoxic venoms. These cause severe headaches, bleeding under the skin where there is pressure, and internal bleeding which produces bloody saliva, vomit, urine and faeces.
Keep your home snake-freeSnakes enter your garden and home seeking shade, refuge, food and water.• Keep your garden neat. Compost heaps and
rubble make excellent hiding places for snakes and rodents.
• Water: Fish ponds, swimming pools and a dripping tap can all attract snakes.
• Food source: Pet food – including outside aviaries and dog food – attracts rodents, which in turn attract snakes.
• Close all possible entry points. This includes gaps underneath the door, vents, and drainage pipes.
• Shrubs and low-hanging branches close to windows and vents make it easier for snakes to enter your home.
African Rock Python (Python sebae)300–500 cm, max 560 cmNo venom, but powerful bite and constrictionThe python is Africa’s largest snake, and is protected by law in Zimbabwe. It ambushes its prey, lying coiled in long grass or bush near trails, or in overhanging branches, but is also happy in water and is often found near rivers. It preys on a wide variety of animals – mainly mammals – from rats to monkeys and small buck, but will also eat frogs, fish and crocodiles. It kills its prey by suffocation with its very powerful coils. It is not aggressive, and can make a good pet. Attacks on humans are extremely rare, though it will defend itself with a bite with its strong jaws and large teeth, which could be painful and cause tissue damage.
Snakes of HararePhoto: Armand Kok
Photo: Rian Stander
Photo: Rian Stander
Photo: Mavis Metcalf
Photo: William Warby
Photo: Wiki Commons user 4028mdk09
Photo: Flickr user sheilapic76
Photo: Hannes Steyn
Snakes are more common in Harare than most of us would believe, and yet they are
hugely feared and misunderstood. Of the ap-proximately 76 species found in Zimbabwe, only about 12 are dangerous to humans. Bites from these are rare, and only about 1–2% result in death.
As with most animals, snakes will usually retreat to avoid conflict, and will only attack in self defence. Only in 50–70% of bites by venomous species is venom injected, and with quick medical attention long-term injury can be avoided in most cases.
Far greater than their threat to humans is the value of snakes in the biodiversity of our ecosystems. They are essential predators of rats, slugs, centipedes, and other pests, and by killing off the snakes we are only invit-ing disaster from explosions of these pests’ populations.
Sources: “Snakes of Zimbabwe”, DG Broadley & EV Cock, 1975; “Bill Branch’s Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa”, B Branch, 1988; Wikipedia; WHO; Cape Reptile Institute; Central African Journal of Medicine; Journal of Applied Toxicology
1. “Vabereki…” Nothing good ever follows this statement. Nothing. All too often you know it signals the start of the Kombi In-quisition with accusations flying about people refusing to pay the bus fare. After the back row has been subjected to severe stare-downs and all round evil eyes by the hwindi, what ensues is the conductor try-ing to find someone’s soul to stare into un-til the required coin (yes, it’s singular) or dollar has been coughed up.
2. “…pula” People of Harare, if anyone is still unaware of this fact please be informed that the attempt to pay for bus fare in pu-las will lead to great ridicule and some kind of massive fight. This fight may or may not lead to the kombi pulling over and at-tempting to eject you – the pula proffering
passenger. I’ve seen it happen. No, your fellow passengers will not come to your rescue, because no one wants to risk being given pulas as change. Come now.
3. “bagspacerinobhadhara” There’s that fine line between bulky luggage that may be placed on laps, or between legs at stand-ard bus fare and luggage for which extra must be paid. Who doesn’t love the expe-rience of hearing hwindis and passengers attempting to navigate this fine line loudly, indeed at the top of their lungs? Add the noise to the fact that this baggage will most likely take up all your leg room when it’s stowed under seats, causing your toes to get pins and needles and you have a recipe for exaggerated eye-rolls and mass irrita-tion.
4. “Maiguru…” This word signals the start of some misogynistic dressing down of a fe-male passenger by the hwindi or occasion-ally the driver. The crime is usually being deemed to have failed to shout out your stop loud enough over the din of obnoxious music bursting from the radio and speak-ers installed in the kombi. Sometimes it’s because some woman has had the audac-ity to ask for her change. Either way, a deep breath is often necessary because
5. “…madiispacekutaura”6. “…police”7. “topazispacevapamunoburikira”8. A thud after the squeaky slide-y sound of
the door9. “garisanaispacepakadoma”
Every individual wants to be heard. With the increase in availability of technology
and mass communication, it has become eas-ier and faster for us to create a voice that not only can generate mass awareness, but also engagement and a call to action.
As Table 1 shows, there are numerous plat-forms available to us as individuals to uplift our voices to the world – the biggest of which is Facebook with a massive 1.4 billion users!
Gone are the ‘bullhorn’ days when big companies and big media were the proprie-tors of the common message. Now, anybody with an internet connection is playing in the same field as a corporate, regardless of size, and with the right message on the right plat-form, individuals and small businesses can
compete with the big players.It’s not surprising then that companies
are investing more and more resources into social media research and strategic develop-ment. The question of ‘how can we fit in to get our message out’ is one that all brands such as Coca-Cola, Sony, Samsung, Unicef, and more, are grappling with all the time.
It is a process that does require thought, because unlike traditional marketing means, the conversation is now a two-way street, and unless a careful and consistent voice is es-tablished and managed for an organisation, there is a likelihood that using social media will do more harm than good! Interacting with customers in a massively public, and often unforgiving realm can be treacherous.
Everyone can see what you are doing, and nothing is forgotten.
When done right however, businesses big and small can reap massive rewards from en-gagement online. The right messages on the right platform to the right people will benefit a brand immensely, and weigh in at a fraction of the costs of a mainstream media market-ing campaign.
A particularly appealing aspect of on-line marketing through social media is the quality of data about your engagement and audience. Metrics are available on all activ-ity, that can tell strategists who is looking at their content and when, and even why! Any social media strategy should be an evolving one, leveraging data to refine approaches on a platform by platform basis.
So think about employing a social media strategy for your business. Start by looking inward to the organisational goals that drive your company and which platforms these might best be expressed on. Are you a con-sultancy? Maybe the professional focus of LinkedIn is right for you. Do you run a hair salon? Perhaps the friendly familiar feel of Facebook is a good place to start. If resources allow, maybe use several platforms!
Frampol now offers a social media service!Are you looking for an affordable yet the most effective way of promoting your product, serv-ice, brand name or organisation? Are you look-ing for an efficient way of communicating with your customers and getting direct responses from them? Do you want to remain competitive and survive in a challenging economy? If yes, subscribe for the Frampol Facebook manage-ment service. Together, we will use social media to achieve your goals.
Doing business online: social media peaks and pitfalls
The Kalabash Kurb with Anthea
Things you don’t want to hear on a kombi
Drought in Zimbabwe@victor_marisa: This weather in Zim should remind people to take climate change seriouslyZimbabwe is the bread basket?@T1mbles: How I’d love for Zimbabwe to rise out of the last 15 years of struggle and become the bread basket of Africa againThe xenophobic attacks in South Africa@mbusajeff: #XenophobicSA 30th April, 2015 boycott all South African products to send a strong NO to killings@MunyaBwanya: Every Zimbabwean who brushed his teeth this morning probably used South african toothpaste. protest that first@NcubeNjabulo: Boycotting SA artistes in Zim is it not Afrophobic? But why dance to their music when they are killing Africans?@BelieveCitizen: A good way of fighting xenophobia is to unite against it by supporting SA-based fellow Zimbos. We’re too divided on our part..@stanleykwenda: Zimbabwe’s Consul-General in South Africa, Henry Mukonoweshuro, says diplomatic ties will not be affected by xenophobic attacks@MakhoNdlovu: Xenophobia is absolutely a huge issue, but I’m not sure boycotting South Africans artists is the way to solve it@SirNige: What an interesting year to have Freedom Day in South Africa especially during these #XenophobicAttacksThe media in Zim@tinsmush: Over-aggregation has devalued Zimbabwean journalism at a time when we need more in depth journalism@ZimMediaReview: Is this aggregation by online sources or the ‘mainstram’ media? (getting harder to know the difference lol)@ChiefKMasimba: That’s the problem. There is just too much shoplifting in Zimbabwe’s media space@tinsmush: Online sources are the worst culprits@ZimMediaReview: To start with, many in the media do not accept quality of journalism has fallen at all@nqabamatshazi: or on the flip side, sales are down because of a poor economy, lack of disposable income?Are men reporting gender-based violence?@RozinnD: Men are Silent Victims.... No one Will speak Openly about Abuse@thanatoscries: We have men reporting on gender violence and nothing gets done, but if its women its an issue #genderEquality or #genderBias?@zimbocitizen: We aren’t #SilentVictims but #DoubleAbuseVictims, we are abused and traumatised where we report the abuse and trauma on us@RozinnD: That’s true,Men have been quiet 4 long.There are challenges that we face during Change.Speak up 4 e Future GenerationFood for thought@254kpac: We in a society where most people are afraid of the truth@stanleykwenda: SA opposition Democratic Alliance leader @HellenZille is stepping down. What lessons can the opposition in #Zimbabwe learn from her@efie41209591: Art can only alleviate poverty when it realises an exchange value. Exchange value ralisation must therefore be intrinsic to arts programmes.
Sign up to Twitter and join the #263chat conversation online.
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Harare News 7www.hararenews.co.zw
Community
Stephen Tsoroti
The City of Harare has targeted 219 million litres of sewage treat-
ment in its bid to achieve zero envi-ronmental pollution.
The City can presently treat 100 million litres from its major sew-age works at Firle and Crowbor-ough through the rehabilitation of 16 biofilters, desludging of 6 ef-fluent ponds, installation of efflu-ent pumps and the replacement of 1 km long outfall sewer under the Zimfund Phase II. Together with the replacement of raw sewage pumps (through the China Exim Bank Loan Facility), replacement of efflu-ent pumps and the rehabilitation of Borrowdale Brooke Pump Station are now yielding results that will see minimal sewage getting into Harare’s riverine system.
“We are able to treat 100 mil-lion litres per day. The rest is being pumped to pastures. At completion the city will be able to treat 219 mil-lion litres per day (70% of waste-water generated),” said Michael Chideme, CoH Corporate Commu-nications Spokesperson. Chideme says that under the current efforts, blockages have been reduced from an average of 50 jams per suburb per day in 2008 when there was a cholera outbreak to the current less than 10 blockages per suburb per day. Reaction time has been
reduced to less than 6 hours but the target is less than 2 hours. Chi-deme indicated that the city is also maintaining its farms close to sew-age treatments plant to encourage a sound ecosystem that will absorb some of the treated water.
Previously the CoH has been fined by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for polluting the en-vironment and posing a health haz-ard to the city’s population.
According to CoH Environmen-tal Regulatory Planner Clifford Muzofa, the city has a sewerage
reticulation system totalling 6,000 km and 5 pump stations and 5 sew-erage treatment plants namely: Firle (144 ML/day), Crowborough (54 ML/day) Hatcliffe (2.5 ML/day), Donnybrook (12 ML/day), Marlbor-ough (7 ML/day).
The city has embarked on mas-sive rehabilitation of its sewer sys-tem following demands from resi-dents and environmentalists that the council should formulate new strategies to deal with the streams of raw sewage that have become a common sight in the southern
suburbs. The sewer rehabilitation started in 2009 after the devastat-ing cholera outbreak. So far a total of 200 km of sewer pipes have been replaced. “The programme must be continuous with an average of 50 km of pipe replacement every year for the system to cope with ex-pansion and reduce collapse due to old age,” said Muzofa.
Sewage waste from the city used to travel through storm drains even-tually reaching rivers like Mukuvisi and Gwebi, infecting the water with faecal coliforms that cause chol-era, dysentery and typhoid. Sew-age is rich in both organic matter and nutrients. Municipal or do-mestic sewage input is the greatest contaminant leading to cities like Harare spending millions of dollars in treating its water before it is sup-plied to residents.
Recently, CoH Town Clerk Tendai Mahachi told Harare News that the City will be building a new sewage plant east of the capital to treat raw sewage from the northern and eastern suburbs. The plant is said to help create a clean environment to curb outbreaks of diarrhoeal dis-eases. The envisaged plant will be based on a biological system, using a natural process to purify raw sew-age to environmental friendly levels by removing nutrients and waste and allowing organisms to digest it. A similar system is already used
at Firle and Crowborough Sewage Treatment Plants, where the proc-ess requires no chemicals. Besides treating water, the system has side-benefits, producing biogas and or-ganic fertilizers as end-products.
City aims to double sewage treatment
Rivers such as the Mukuvisi are adversely affected by sewage leakages.
Harare generates
313,000,000 litresof waste water every day.
It can currently treat
100,000,000 litresa day.
When the current rehabilitation project is complete, it will be able
to treat
219,000,000 litresa day.
Harare has a
6,000 kmsewerage reticulation system.
200 kmof sewer pipes have been
replaced in the rehabilitation project.
50 kmof pipe must be replaced every
year for the system to cope with expansion.
8 Harare News Issue 21 May 2015
Community
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Orange day is a global event cel-ebrated on the 25th of each
month. The message behind this day is the impact and effects of gen-der-based violence, and measures that society can take to put an end to this scourge. As noble as the ini-tiative may be, the problem is that the message fails to reach its desti-nation.
In Zimbabwe, Orange Day cel-ebrations were launched at the be-ginning of this year, and have been held every month since. However, a closer look at celebrations held in different parts of Harare has shown that it is mostly civil societies and action groups taking part. The gen-eral public have no idea what the day is all about.
Harare has high numbers of
domestic violence cases and rape. Society generally condemns these crimes, but very few actively play a role in standing up against it. Many cases of gender-based violence go unreported, especially in the high-density suburbs where cases of domestic violence are a daily occur-rence. It is only when an act of vio-lence culminates in loss of life that it becomes newsworthy.
Orange Day was established against this backdrop of rising vio-lence against women after it was found then that the original 16 days of activism were not sufficient to ad-dress the problem. Thus, in a devel-opment welcomed by local pressure
Lovemore Lubinda
At the height of the cholera out-break in 2008 frantic efforts
were made to source and distribute water treatment drugs (Aquatabs), as the nation fought to contain the epidemic. It has since been estab-lished that some people were busy putting the donated life-saving drug to improper use as a laundry stain remover – a practice that is still prevalent today.
Petros Nyakawo (35) of Mabvuku admitted that he abused and is still wrongly using this important drug. “I drop two tablets in 20 litres of wa-ter, wait for it to dissolve and then soak clothes with tough stains for a few minutes. It removes stains with ease just like Jik,” he said. He added that the practice has become an ‘open secret’ since 2008. Nyaka-wo believes that it started when “People were urged not to consume treated water after 24 hours, but to use it for other purposes. So I think the water was used for washing clothes, and people discovered the hidden benefit,” he said.
“I learnt of this development when I visited my rural home in Mutoko. My mother told me about
it, after she saw me struggling with my little daughter’s nappies. I tried it, and it worked well for me,” boast-ed Enia Nhidza adding that people used to share the drug, but since the discovery, they have become reluc-tant to share it with neighbours.
Meanwhile, Dr Stanley Mungofa, City of Harare Director of Health Services, said the tablets have identi-
cal properties and action to sodium hypochlorite found in Jik, adding that using them as a stain remover is not advisable. “People should use the tablets as prescribed, to purify drinking water,” he said. Mungofa said the treated water should be
consumed within a period of 24 hours, otherwise the chemicals may evaporate, rendering the water un-safe to drink and urged people to also boil water before consumption. He also emphasised the need to ed-ucate people about the importance of purifying water to prevent water borne diseases, and criticised peo-ple who used vital drugs incorrectly.
Aquatabs and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) are administered to cholera patients to replace lost wa-ter in the body through dehydration from severe diarrhoea. They were distributed country-wide by donor organisations such as UNICEF, at the height of the pandemic in 2008. Currently Aquatabs are accessible from council clinics, and people are given the tablets for free to treat their drinking water.
The media has lately been report-ing cases of cholera and typhoid related diseases in and around the city, while our water supply sys-tems are unable to cope with the city’s needs. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) the out-break, which is one of the worst ever in the Zimbabwean history, claimed thousands of lives in 2008 countrywide.
Cholera treatment abused as laundry powder
Orange day, is it visible enough?
groups, Orange Day was launched at the HICC by Government and civil societies. Several street campaigns have been held in Harare where it was found that even though peo-ple knew about the issue of gender based violence, they are not aware of a specific date set aside to protest against it.
Following on from the 16 days of activism, activities have been held in the CBD where fliers were given out and people were asked to wear orange as a symbol of their support. A local organisation gave oranges to anyone wearing orange clothing to
ensure the message sticks in their minds for the next month.
Orange Day celebrations need to move from conference spaces out to the people. Commenting on the matter Fungai Machirori, director of Her Zimbabwe, agreed that there wasn’t much visibility and little is known about the day besides in NGO circles. “I think that wearing orange does not necessarily mean that someone gets what the day is about. So I would rather focus on stronger messaging and engagement than the act of wearing orange itself. For me personally, it’s more about what you do and believe than what you wear.” Machirori went on to say that there is a need to engage the public more on this day.
Orange Day participants raising awareness in the CBD.
Many cases of gender-based violence go unreported, especially in the high-density suburbs...
Aquatabs are accessible from council clinics, and people are given the tablets for free to treat their drinking water.
#MYDAYHARARE
We love Harare and the people who make it. On 22 May, we invite you to show us and the world YOUR Harare by sending us a photo of your day. It’s a Friday, so whether you’re at home,
at work, playing sport, eating lunch or meeting up with friends, add your day to the bigger picture. Our team will make a video to showcase our city to the world.
Post your photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Tag @hararenews and use #MYDAYHARARE.
Visit www.hararenews.co.zw/mydayharare/ for more information.
Best entries will be published in Harare News and win airtime!
Take part! Send us your picture!
On 22 May
www.hararenews.co.zw
Harare News 9www.hararenews.co.zw
Community
Just Swift It!This article is sponsored by…
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Marek Dergiman
More than $2,000 was raised at the Fashion and Cocktail
show, jointly organised by the Rota-ry Club of Borrowdale Brooke, and Pathways Autism Trust. Held at the Brooke Manor Lodge, the residence of PP Ann Hamilton-King, who not only gave the venue for free in the true Rotarian spirit, but also donat-ed $1,000.
The event was held in respect of World Autism Day, held every year on April 2.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and autism are both general terms for a group of complex disorders of brain development. These disorders are characterized by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and non-verbal communication, and repeti-tive behaviors, which are often a massive strain on the parents.
Attended by some 200 friends and neighbours, the Fashion Show Soiree created a wonderful atmos-phere at this Country Manor with its acres of green lawn – normally the venue for high-class weddings
of up to 1,000 guests. Special cock-tails were created for the event, as well as snacks being provided.
The money was raised to as-sist Pathways Trust, founded by Flora and Godfrey Chinhaire, and a number of other parents whose children suffer from Autism. Their dream is to have a Centre of Excel-lence for Autism in Zimbabwe, as there is currently little assistance locally for children who suffer from this disease, or their parents.
A number of local fashion design-ers showed off their designs with
attractive models during the course of the evening, with ZiFM’s witty Tonderai Katsande (TK) playing the role of MC.
A number of items were auc-tioned including a bicycle and two dresses, one of which was made of pure silk and went to a visitor from the island of Guernsey. One dress was bought by the modeling agency itself. Santa also visited the event, to conduct the draw for the fundrais-ing raffle.
Rotary’s fundraising efforts are ongoing, with a $2,100 of a $5,000
target raised so far, with a view to sending five Pathways Autism Trust staff for specific training in South Africa on how to care for autistic children.
Donations can be made to the Rotary Club of Borrowdale Brooke bank account at NMB Borrowdale branch A/C: 260059057. Or email [email protected] for more information. Marek Dergiman is the treasurer for Rotary Club of Borrow-dale Brooke.
Fashion Show Raises $2,000 for Autism
Community borehole brings water to Braeside residents
Local pensioner, Mrs Rose Bar-rows, was the first person to
collect water at the newly opened community borehole that was sunk by Braeside Spar. She expressed delight, saying, “As a pensioner this borehole is heaven sent. Not only am I privy to safe drinking water but it is also free. On behalf
of the community I thank Braeside Spar for this initiative – they have shown us how much they appreci-ate us. As residents we promise to maintain the tap as it is on this day of commissioning.” There to cut the ribbon was Councillor for the area, Auxillia Mahachi. “We thank you Braeside Spar for reaching out.
Well done!” she said. Store owner, Darren Lança, emphasised their desire to support the community that supports them. “We are simply giving back to a deserving commu-nity, and hope that this makes life a little bit easier for them,” said Lança.
10 Harare News Issue 21 May 2015
Consumer
Harry Davies
Joe Ruzvidzo is better known as Joe Black from Twitter (@joeblackzw) – a platform
whereon he is infamous for his hard-hitting commentary on the quality of services from network providers, to banks, to media and more. Indeed, even Harare News has not been
spared his perfectionist wrath. But Joe is not just a noisemaker – he cares deeply about quality and delivery, and so in 2010 launched www.consumerizim.com – a platform for Zimbabweans to share their experiences as consumers, good and bad.‘Consumerizim’ – clever name. What’s the idea?Funny story, that. At first iteration, I was so
Consumerizim.com – giving consumers teeth to bite back
very angry about the change situation in shops, so I created a Facebook page called “Citizen Oppos-ing Change-Keeping Supermarkets”. Yes, that says COCKS. As the idea of “consumers biting back” evolved, I had always been a fan of The Consumerist blog and really the idea of US having a say in what service we get. So the idea for the site was about consumers speaking candidly to business or govern-ment or service providers, so it was Candid Consumerism. Changing “ism” to “iZIM” was a natural step, then last year I removed the candid, so it’s just Consumerizim now.Would you say that there is a crisis in service delivery in Zimbabwe? What does this mean and how did we get here?The crisis is real, it is massive and growing. We simply do not have a culture of account-ability in Zimbabwe, in any sphere. Busi-nesses dump waste, political figures do not have to report back to the people who elected them, except maybe at the lowest, hyper-local levels where you do see some councillors not just talking to people, but listening as well. People complain about terrible service from utilities, mobile companies, government and businesses, but as long as these chats are just between people and not organised or at a cer-tain level where someone is forced to listen, we’re not achieving anything.What role can Consumerizim play?We aim to create a system where us consum-ers and our service providers can interface in a manner which allows and encourages problems to be solved. Too often, customer complaints are not heard, yet you find busi-nesses touting any little praise they get. We need to instil a culture of demanding better, and know that we hold the power in our wallets to make service providers listen. This isn’t to say I’m militantly anti-business or anything – actually, I believe that having a clean, demonstrable record of listening to consumers and responding accordingly helps a business or organisation, and could play a huge role in their marketing.What has been the response to your site since launchWell, the launch in 2010 was a low-key affair, and I’ve sort of been just pottering about and experimenting with it when time allows. Of course there have been limitations due to full-time work taking up my time, but I have now concentrated on building the platform and expanding the reach, using Facebook which I have neglected, and expanded to
WhatsApp and other platforms to engage. We are announcing another feature soon, which I think will give us the push to provide a meaningful, life-changing service to Zimba-bweans across the country.What do you hope the future holds for the site? Will you ever try to monetise it for instance?Monetisation is not an option, firstly I guess it’s because I personally am a control freak! I can’t imagine ever being prevented from saying something about a certain business or even censoring myself because I could lose, say, a banner advertising contract. We could seek funding for it in the future if needed, but we aim to be non profit com-pletely. I think the value of such innovations is in the benefits to society, overall, and in the dialogue that’s created between service providers and their customers, and people in general.In your opinion, what can the ordinary person do to improve Harare and Zimbabwe?Speak. Text. Type out an email, say some-thing, anything. We all actually have a voice, and need to talk about, for example, the truck dumping waste in a wetland, you know? Take a photo with your phone, refuse collection, dirty water. All those things, once they are brought to light, that is actually the first step to a solution, providing evidence of a problem. Some of our issues aren’t rocket science to fix, but we just need the power in ourselves to actually say hey, I see this problem, we need the people we’re paying to solve it, to do so.
Find Consumerizim on Twitter and Facebook and visit www.consumerizim.com to take part in the conversation.
We simply do not have a culture of accountability in Zimbabwe, in any sphere.
@SparZW SPAR.Zimbabwe
Visit us at www.spar.co.zw
Harare News 11www.hararenews.co.zw
Restaurant
Mystery Eater
We have been intending to try Chang Thai for some time,
and were delighted to be invited there by friends recently. Our gener-al impression was favourable from most points of view, and so it was with enthusiasm that we returned a week or so later to review it – this time with a guest who has lived in Thailand and knows her onions.
The restaurant is at 83 Churchill Avenue, and is an ordinary north-ern suburbs house. Seating is in-side, on the verandah, or in the gar-den, and please don’t even consider going without booking – on both occasions we went, it was packed. We were welcomed and seated in-side which is cosy and comfortable. Drinks and menus arrived promptly – and we were also warned that as everything is cooked to order, there might be a delay on main courses.
Starters – priced between $3 and $8 per portion – came promptly and were delicious. Thai vegetable spring rolls, chicken Laab and Num
Neau – a spiced grilled beef salad. Our Thai expert said that she is used to the vegetables being grated or at least chopped smaller, and would have liked more sauce, but that the taste was excellent. The rest of us had no such criticisms. The laab – minced chicken marinated in lime juice, fish sauce, chilli and herbs was so good that I almost ordered it again as a main. The spring rolls – so much more subtle that their Chi-nese cousins – were succulent and satisfying.
Having been warned of a de-lay, there was in fact none and the mains arrived shortly after.
We ordered three curries – a Panang Chicken, Mussaman Beef, and Red Thai fish curry, each ac-companied by steamed rice. We also had Phad Nom Mun Hoi – oyster sauce stir fry with prawns. As we were feeling particularly greedy we added Phad Thai Vegetables – stir fried rice noodles with vegetables. (Despite four healthy appetites, this was far too much food for the evening and the left-overs afforded a
pretty good lunch the next day.) The prawn stir-fry lived up to its prom-ise – moist luscious prawns with deliciously, scarcely-cooked vegeta-bles. The curries were equally good. If we are to be very picky – which is, after all, the purpose of the exer-cise – the Mussaman wasn’t quite hot (chilli) enough and the flavours were all somewhat similar. But as these flavours were utterly delecta-ble, I for one was not complaining. The Phad Thai was also good. As one of our guests remarked “Nothing that has been ordered for this table has been a disappointment.” We all agreed that a we would be back. I would love to try the various duck options – a little more pricey at $22 a dish. The mains that we chose were between $13 and $18.
Although we were all thoroughly replete, we pondered the pud-ding menu, and there amongst the ice-creams with sauces various and deep fried bananas, our guest was excited to see Sticky Rice and Mango, apparently her all time fa-vourite. Being full to busting, we
ordered one portion and 4 spoons. Now I don’t know what sticky rice and mango is supposed to taste like but according to our expert it was not right. It certainly didn’t taste like anything special to me.
So we had eight fine dishes – and one dud. Nobody appeared to mind. We finished off a most enjoyable evening with coffees. With plenty to drink and an ample tip the bill was just over $30 a head.
Anyone who enjoys deliciously freshly cooked food with a little – or lot of – spice will love this restau-rant.
I award it 3.5 stars for food,
hospitality, service and ambiance.
Average: $30pp for 3 courses including drinks
Chang Thai Restaurant83 Churchill Ave., Gunhill
783054, 086 83005214
Open Monday–Saturday:Lunch: 12pm–2:30pmDinner: 6pm–8:30pm
Chang Thai: Amazing food – book ahead!
Top left: The restaurant moved ven-ues to an ordinary northern suburb house on Churchill Avenue.
Top and bottom: Several of the scrumptious, authentic dishes from Chang Thai that had Mystery Eater raving.
Colcom Complex Coventry Rd
THE KITCHEN
COOKING CLASSES
www.facebook.com/ColcomFoods
A variety of cookery classes to suit your every needwill be conducted by our Chef, MJ Patrikios.
Red Ribbon classes - a selection of delicious dishes, from starters to desserts Domestic worker classes - Beginners, Intermediate and Advance level
Private classes - available on request. Bring in group of your own friendsand ask us to show you the recipes you want to learn!
To enquire or make a booking, send an e-mail [email protected] or SMS the word TRAINING to 0776 617 750
Last year’s Miombo Magic music festival proved a hit with the crowds that left town
to soak up the sounds and scenery over a beautiful weekend in Christon Bank. Harare News spoke to organiser, Gus Le Breton, to find out about this year’s event.What can people expect from Miombo 2015?People can expect a vibey, family-friendly festival in the beautiful bush of Christon Bank. If they bring their tents and camp overnight, they can also expect to wake up to the dulcet tones of a piano and saxophone, the smell of frying bacon and brewing coffee, and the prospect of a second day lazing in the sun enjoying some of the finest musicians in Zimbabwe.What acts can we look forward to?
Lots of acts to really look forward to. The exceptional vocals of global music stars Mokoomba, the uptempo energy of Am-mara Brown, the unique sounds of returning homeboys Kamikaze Test Pilots, Alexio and the Shades of Black, Tariro neGitare, Rob Burrell and rising star singer-songwriter Gemma Griffiths. Amongst many others.Any advice for festival goers?Come early (gates open at 10am on Saturday), bring a tent, plan to spend the whole week-end, bring your party vibes and have fun.And tickets?Tickets available online (www.miombomagic.paynow.co.zw) or at Folios bookstore in Borrowdale. Price $35 for Saturday, $30 for Sunday, or $50 for the whole weekend.
Kundai Marunya
Internet service providers (ISPs) have made available wireless internet (Wi-Fi)
in numerous public spaces, often for free, connecting citizens of Harare to the inter-net and thus the world.
For arts venues, namely Book Café and the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ), the Wi-Fi connection is provided free of charge by ZOL through the ZOLspot service. This has proved to be of major benefit, especial-ly to the many artists who throng to these hubs to connect to the world.
Poet Robison Shoes Lambanda said, “Free internet means I am now able to commu-nicate with different people who enhance and develop my art. It gives me an opportu-nity to stay informed on current affairs and trends in the industry while granting me a platform to search for performance oppor-tunities, and I get to do all this in my famil-iar environment.” Lambanda usually surfs the internet at Book Café.
Another artist and regular Wi-Fi user, Tavonga Mufundikwa, said he used to go to an internet café to use the internet. “The more time I spent on the internet, the more money I had to pay, so in the end I would just quickly browse through stuff and some-times miss important opportunities that would have helped in my career develop-ment,” he said.
At NGZ, all you need to do is spend a lit-tle money on a drink or snack in the café so that you can sit and enjoy your free Wi-Fi. Café operator Arnold Rossle said, “Without ZOlspot, most people wouldn’t be coming
to my café.” He added that the hotspot has drawn in an influx of new customers, some from other countries, while serving the ex-isting customers with a value addition to their money.
Though serving a great purpose, the free hotspot has drawn some riff raff to the gal-lery café. “There are some people who just want to come and sit, using the internet without buying anything. It is mostly these people who make unnecessary noise, driv-ing out my paying customers.” The ZOLspot at NGZ is also accessible in other parts of the gallery, thus patrons can also get to use it while enjoying the art.
Internet service provider (ISP) Africom boasts 23 hotspots spread across the city where users can surf the internet for a nom-inal fee. The spots include: Alexandra Sports Club; Avondale shops; Belgravia Sports club; Charingira West; Chapman Golf Club; Chinamano Heights; Kamuchinda Flats; Longchen Plaza; Megawatt House; Montagu Flats; The Place SSC; Spencer Cook; High-glen Shops; Hilton; Roma; Cappillano Court; Dova Court; Caister Flat; Stanley House; Club Chambers; Africa Unity Square; and Newlands Shops.
Africom’s Progress Nyahuma said, “Our target market is anyone with a wi-fi enabled device, and we do hope to be able to expand to other parts of Harare.” She said their prices are relatively cheaper than using in-ternet cafés. “Our pricing is as follows: 50 cents for 35 megabytes, a dollar for 70 mega-bytes, three dollars for 225 megabytes, and six dollars for six gigabytes.”
Book an appointment with one of our stylists and you could win Schwarzkopf
hair care products worth $70. Cut out this ad & bring it to your appointment.
The winner will be selected on 30 June 2015.
Kundai Marunya
Last month we reported on the ambitions of the team behind
popular local satire, Zambezi News, to achieve continental and interna-tional recognition. Hot on the heels of the article came a spate of recog-nition from mainstream interna-tional media.
The comedy show, which released its third season earlier this year, found its story being told on BBC Fo-cus on Africa, CNN’s Amanpour, and in The Guardian newspaper, while
Britain’s Channel 4 covered them in a documentary. They also did a joint broadcast with E News Channel Af-rica (ENCA)’s Late Night News (LNN) with Loyiso Gola in South Africa.
Zambezi News executive pro-ducer Samm Monro a.k.a. Cde Fas-to said, “Our appearance on LNN was definitely not a once off thing. We’ve had collaborations with them since last year when Zambezi News cast appeared as their Zimbabwe reporters.” He said some of the LNN cast also featured in Zambezi News season three as South African
correspondents. “The work we did with Loyiso and Chester Missing for their recent Zimbabwe special is about taking that collaboration for-ward, so we have many more plans over the next year or two, to be working more and more with LNN.”
Though having accomplished so much, Zambezi News is still work-ing towards greater achievements. “So far we’ve had Zambezi News different seasons screened on ATV and First TV (Nigeria),” said Cde Fasto, who features in the satire as co-news anchor Jerome Weathers
among other roles. “We are in dis-cussions with various continental television channels about Zambezi News getting screened outside our borders.”
To the Zambezi News Crew, their greatest milestone has been fea-turing on LNN, a two time Emmy Awards nominee. “Another achieve-ment was having a 25 minute docu-mentary made about us by Channel 4 News that featured in the UK over the last week,” he added. “It featured on a program called Unreported World which is a really respected
program that’s beamed across the UK to millions of viewers.”
In the meantime, Zambezi News is working on a fourth season over the course of this year. “We are also going to be working on other digital productions where we will be re-leasing new clips and pilots for dif-ferent Zambezi News productions online,” said Cde Fasto. “We’re go-ing to be doing more international tours and taking Zambezi News abroad while working on collabora-tions with other satirical programs on the continent.”
Zambezi News invades international media
Hamlet and Hugh delight at 7Arts7Arts played host to a great weekend in April. The Friday saw the Globe to Globe production of Hamlet (below)delight Shakesepeare fans. Zimbabwe was their 105th stop on a two year
tour to every country in the world! Saturday had South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela (right) with lively support from Mokoomba and others. The show got the crowd to its feet.
Photo: KB Mpofu
Harare News 15www.hararenews.co.zw
Arts & culture
Kundai Marunya
Acclaimed superstar Oliver Mtukudzi’s launch of Hai-kobo
footwear at Barbour’s department store in March this year was well received. Finally a local artist had introduced a high quality fashion line after failed attempts by many, including Sulumani Chimbetu and Alick Macheso.
Hai-kobo is however unaffordable for most of Tuku’s fans. The cheap-est in the collection, the sandals, are going for $50. Most of the shoes cost over $100, which is a lot considering the meagre monthly income that the few people with a steady income can bring to the table. The shoes are exclusive to Barbour’s, a retail out-let viewed by many for the rich and
famous. The launch party was also attended by the retail outlet’s top 100 clients, Harare’s elite.
Tuku fan and entertainment re-porter Shane Makanjera said, “The footwear line is a great idea, and the Hai-kobo products are amazing. Partnering with a retail outlet was just brilliant, but the makers of Hai-kobo should consider the financial situation and make the products af-fordable.” He added that, “slashing prices will increase sales, thus Tuku and his business partners will still benefit while fans will also get to support local products.”
Fashion and celebrities have al-ways had strong ties, as many popu-lar artists create their own brands for clothing, foot wear, head gear, and fragrances. Leveraging the
power of their personal brands in this way can be incredibly lucrative. International star, Gwen Stefani’s clothing line L.A.M.B., for instance, brings her a reported $90 million per year, while the famous Sean Jean jeans by American rapper Sean John Combs a.k.a. P.Diddy was reported to have netted $250 million in 2004 alone.
This idea has been tried locally, but with little success so far. Re-nowned musician Alick Macheso for instance, came up with his Cheso Power or Kete jeans, but unfortu-nately the poor quality of his prod-ucts failed to impress the market. Another attempt was by Sulumani Chimbetu, but once again, the low quality of the product also failed to take over the hearts and wallets of
Zimbabwe’s dendera fans. There are also other musicians who have dif-ferent products on the market but they are sold mostly during their live performances.
Tuku said the brand came from his ’90s hit Bvongodzamoto. “The idea behind Hai-kobo came from the dance hai-kobo, which was pio-neered by the song Bvongodzamoto,” he said. “The shoes are very com-fortable shoes made from genuine leather, designed by local company Green Tag.”
He added that the footwear is something new that needs support. “Without your support we will fail, and it will not only be Tuku’s failure, but also another initiative by indig-enous business people that would have failed. Hai-kobo is for you and
not just for Tuku, so I urge you to support it.”
Many designers have been trying to penetrate the market through retail giants, but with no success. Tuku expressed gratitude to Bar-bour’s for taking on his brand. “When new things come it’s hard to receive them, but Barbour’s did not hesitate to embrace us,” he said.
Barbour’s general manager Jef-frey Mhando said having Hai-kobo on their shelves is big for business. “I’m very happy that our icon has really demonstrated how to support business in an indigenous man-ner,” said Mhando. In Zimbabwe, Hai-kobo is currently exclusive to Barbour’s shops, available in men’s wear, with ladies and school wear in the pipeline.
Tuku’s footwear unaffordable for many
MAY
eventsGallery Delta: Past and Present17 April–15 May, from 12pm daily (Free)Gallery Delta
Prominent Personalities photo exhibition23 April–23 JuneNational Gallery of Zimbabwe
HIFA28 April–3 MaySee: www.hifa.co.zw
Local Organic Fringe Arts (LOFA)27 April–4 MayBook Cafe
“The Art of Life” by Tendai Mufunda1 May, 5:30pm–8pm ($5)Maestro Lounge, Highlands
Ba Shupi & Guests2 May, 8pm ($5)Book Cafe
Organ recital by Walter Klauss3 May, 4pm ($10/$5)Anglican Cathedral, Avenues
Art workshops for kids with Vanessa Hounsell7, 14, 21, 28 May ($15)190 Folyjon Crescent, Glen Lorne
2 8 G e o r g e A v e , M s a s a , H a r a r eTel: (04) 446 143 Email: [email protected]
For all your upholstery needs
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OU
T O
F A
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Sara Davies
Some readers might remember Mat-thew Butler, a St John’s old boy, now
living in Australia. Well, this month our review is a bit of a departure from our usual fare. It’s a fantasy novel for young adults (YA), published earlier this year. Tyler’s Dream was written by Matthew during his gap year back in 2003. He wrote the book in Harare and has spent the last 12 years perfecting it. The book boasts 18 illustrations, a hand-drawn cover, and maps, all the work of Mat-thew himself.
Tyler’s Dream was reviewed by Amer-ican literary magazine, Kirkus Reviews, which had this to say about the book:
“Butler’s debut YA fantasy offers the tale of a young boy who becomes the unwitting guardian of a precious arti-fact that all sorts of creatures desire.
“Fifteen-year-old Tyler Finch is an orphan, but he has an extended family who cares for him in the village of El-liun. This changes when beastly men called ghatu attack the villagers. In the midst of the onslaught, Hargill, the loquacious town senior, bequeaths a spider-rock to the boy and declares him to be the “Avalon-Qwa,” both of which Tyler doesn’t comprehend. The wounded Hargill further demands that Varkon, a recently captured ghatu, take a sacred oath to protect Tyler. The new, reluctant companions journey to the city of Ithrim to seek answers from a
man named Haranio. Tyler, however, starts having troubling dreams that he believes are premonitions. One dream in particular leads him to suspect that a man wants to murder him.
“Overall, this is a brisk, appealing sto-ry teeming with action and suspense. The narrative momentum is impressive
and striking, as the trio travels for much of the book, on the run from ghatu and engaged in conflict with numerous creatures on land and at sea. Distrust is also a major theme: Tyler isn’t sure whether he can rely on Varkon or Ha-ranio, and later, a ship’s crew blames
Tyler for leading the murderous ghatu to their village. No fantasy is complete without mythical beasts, and Butler doesn’t disappoint, as the group faces a shape-shifter, kidnapping imps, and a giant, wormlike myloth. The villains, too, are suitably menacing; the spiked, iron-masked Dhimori commands the ghatu’s assault, while the baddies’ lead-er, known only as “She,” is terrifying despite never making an appearance. There are abundant mysteries through-out, including the reason why the ghatu are pursuing the group (and specifical-ly Tyler), as well as the significance of the spider-stone, the spider tattoos that suddenly materialize on Tyler’s skin, and his recurring dreams. A thoroughly animated fantasy, and a commendable series introduction.”
Matthew, though born in the UK, was brought up here in Harare. He was awarded national prizes for his writing and poetry. He went on to complete his A’ Levels at St Edwards in Oxford and then a Bachelor degree in commerce at St Paul’s College, Sydney University, Australia.
Currently he is chief marketing of-ficer of a larger Australian public com-pany but he has kept close to Zimbabwe and returns every year for another spir-ited adventure.
He would love to come back to Zim-babwe and continue a career in writing, and has several other ideas for novels up his literary sleeve.
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Difficulty: medium Difficulty: hard
St John’s alumni publishes novelLetter from the editor
Entrance fee: $5TEA PROVIDED
TEA DANCE ATSENIOR CITIZEN CLUB
For bookings please phone LYN 250093 or MARGE 740496 / 0712 410 050
Corner Fife Aveand Colquhoun
9th May at 2pm
MUSIC BY STEVE THERON
Last year’s city budget meetings had the predictable clam-ouring for better service delivery. A new finance facility was on the table to help address this, and it subsequently ended up being given the nod by council and appears in the 2015 budget. This was the 10% allocation of our rates to be spent at the discretion of councillors and district officers who should know the needs of their wards.
As our front page piece reveals, however, the disburse-ment of these funds has simply not happened, and this is five months after the start gun went off!
It is understandable that a new system takes a bit of getting used to, and while a modest amount of red tape is perhaps useful for transparency, what is NOT useful is pro-crastination, excessive bureaucracy, and an unwillingness to engage on the part of our local leadership. Residents take note: If you have problems in your ward, you need to get involved. Call your councillor and ask how he or she is pro-gressing with applications for funds. ‘There is no money’ should not be an excuse any more. There is money available, it just requires sustained effort to have it disbursed. It’s not all of our rates, but make no mistake, your councillor and district officer can do A LOT with that 10%.
As I write, the HIFA team is putting together the last pieces of the very complex and beautiful puzzle that is our amazing arts festival. Against all odds, the city will come to life once more for the 2015 edition, and we salute and thank HIFA director Manuel Bagorro and the whole HIFA team for making it happen.Email [email protected] with your comments.
Who’s who
Editorial submissions:Harare News welcomes editorial submissions but reserves the right to publish. All editorial must be submitted via email. Opinions expressed in the editorial are not necessarily the opinions of Harare News.
Disclaimer:All information and points of view are those of the people who submitted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor. While every effort has been made to establish the validity of the information submitted, Harare News can not be held responsible for any inaccuracies. E & O, E.
Harare News does not accept any liability for advertising copy/content that has not been submitted correctly. We reserve the right to refuse advertising material that does not meet our specifications or advertising standards.
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1. We pay rates and licence on our cars. What do we get in return….potholes, grass growing on our pavements and creeping onto the roads .where is the money going?
2. We pay “Pre Pay” for our ZESA and they have our money and we have very little ZESA.
3. We pay for our water but our pipes are dry. It is a month now and we have no water.
Excuses are, “the Transformer is down, the pump is broken and the levels are low.” This was given to us in three days, by phoning 70087. We have just returned from Eastlea and they have had water for 4 days.
4. The driving has deteriorated something awful. Kombis make their own road rules and Red Robots mean nothing. The Robot at Kamfinsa should be switched off as they take no notice of a red light. Overtaking in an oncoming lane (my lane) and I have to get out the way. Overtaking on the wrong side of the road etc. What is going on? Then we have the cell phone drivers. Impossible to drive and talk at the same time. Too dangerous. I thought this was not allowed.??? When is something going to be done about the dan-gerous driving. I think most of them do not
have Driver Licences They are an menace and should Be taken off the road. They are endan-gering our lives. Speeding along Greendale Avenue is also going strong.Concerned Senior CitizenGreendale
Thank you for your letter. You highlight a host of problems that are affecting all residents. Harare News continues to raise these issues with council, and we urge you to do the same. Making the call, over and over again if needed, takes courage and perseverance, but we have seen it pay off in the past. If enough pressure mounts, doing nothing about an issue will no longer be an option for service delivery provid-ers in your area. Your councillor is Steward Mutizwa, phone him on 0773 012 207. As our front page piece highlights, there is money available at a ward level that could help with some of these issues. Residents need to mobilise in conjunction with their councillors to retrieve the allocated funds.
Moreover, let’s not forget to place some blame at the feet of residents too – call out to litterbugs and cellphone drivers to stop! Or better still, name and shame them. You can send more com-ments and photos to [email protected].
Letters to the editor
Dear Editor,That was an informative article about keep-ing chickens which I am going to distribute to some of my neighbours . Could you also do an article on the by-laws on keeping other animals , in particular “dogs” .
I don’t think Harare residents are aware of the City’s by-laws but I suppose as like everything else in Zim , anything goes and who really cares !RegardsKen Fisher
Hi Ken,Thank you for your comments. If you visit our website at www.hararenews.co.zw and search the term ‘dogs’ you will find several pieces on dogs in Harare. If the rules change, or new notices emerge, we will be sure to update you.
We pay, but for what?
What about dogs?
Thanks for clean up supportEditor,One of the Five Marks of Mission of the An-glican Communion is “To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and re-new the life of the earth.” As part fulfilment of this mission, St. Peter’s Anglican Church Mabelreign (CPCA) embarked on a clean-up campaign and tree planting ceremony at Mabelreign Shopping Centre on 25 April 2015. The event was graced by the Church’s leader-ship who included the Rector, Reverend Dr Gift Makwasha and Church Wardens. The Parishionersweighed with in their support to this noble cause demonstrating that St. Peter’s is a socially responsible and environ-mentally conscious Church.
St. Peter’s Anglican Church would like to take this opportunity to thank Environment Africa and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) for providing the cleaning equipment and the appropriate posters for the campaign. We would like to thank the City of Harare for being with us throughout the campaign and for their support to the ef-fort. We would also like to thank the ZRP for granting us authority to carry out this cam-paign and also the local business community for their support. A final thank you goes to our Church leadership and the Parishioners who participated in this event.
We would like to encourage all residents in
our area to join us in this endeavour which is meant to keep Mabelreign clean. This will all add up and help in Harare regaining its sunshine city status.Thank you and God Bless you.Leonard ChitongoChairman: Functions and Fundraising Com-mitteeSt. Peter’s Anglican Church Mabelreign (CPCA)
Dear Leonard,Well done to you and all the members of your parish for taking action in this critical area. Mabelreign is no doubt the better for it. We can only hope that the local vendors, shopkeepers and passersby now maintain the space. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work with us.
Instagram user cde.knoffels sent us this pic-ture of dilapidated playground equipment in Harare Gardens. She asks the question, “Where do the children play now?”
18 Harare News Issue 21 May 2015
Youth
In memory of Nixon MargolisHarry Davies
By all accounts, Nixon Margolis, who died last month aged just
18, was a quiet, humble, mild-man-nered young man.
When I visited Prince Edward School to photograph Nixon as their new head boy, we walked around the main school buildings for an hour or so. He immediately struck me as an unusual choice to lead this large all boys school, but an excel-lent one.
Although describing himself as an all-rounder, he emphasised to me his passion for the arts – drama and music. Unlike countless head boys before him, Nixon’s leader-ship was derived, perhaps, from his strength of character and likeable nature rather than his prowess on the sports field alone.
On our walk through the school, he stooped to pick up a tiny trans-parent piece of plastic that a breeze blew into our path, and without a second thought put it into his blazer pocket. I asked him what his leader-ship strategy was.
“I don’t talk too much. I like to keep them guessing,” he said. “When I do say something, then people really pay attention.” Maybe his gentle nature was something Nixon felt was best kept tucked away.
Nixon lost both his parents before he could walk. He was born in 1997 in Buhera, son of Sydney and Sipiwe Margolis. His paternal grandfather was the well-known Harry Mar-golis – a name that school goers know well from the eponymous hall that plays host to the Eisteddfod
and other cultural events. Harry Margolis was the founder of Oliv-ine Industries, and there is a Mar-golis Plaza on the corner of Speke Avenue and Harare Street. This is where Nixon’s uncle, Stephen Mar-golis, runs the current day family business. He met with me to shed light on the life and death of Nixon – something that hundreds of readers have asked about in recent weeks.
“Nixon’s father died in 1998 and his mother in 1999, so I took him in as my own when he was one,” Stephen Margolis says, in a deep resonant voice. “Nixon was quiet growing up. Sometimes I thought he was too quiet.” Also in Stephen’s office is Timothy Margolis, Nixon’s cousin, turned brother.
“Nixon liked to socialise and even though he didn’t have lots of close friends, he would really open up around the right people,” says Timothy. “He was naughtier than his parents thought he was. When daddy was out – that’s when Nixon
would have friends over.”Tim Margolis emphasised that
Nixon was popular, though keep-ing only a small inner circle of close friends. But he made his mark on people, as evidenced by the moving memorial that was well attended by school-goers, not just from Prince Edward, but other schools too.
Prince Edward Headmaster, Dr Sora, describes Nixon as “Humble, soft spoken, forceful, and innova-tive,” adding that “these were the qualities I was looking for in my headboy, and Nixon was my per-sonal choice. He executed his duties admirably.
“Nixon was unique. You would ex-pect someone leading a big school to use his muscle and be shouting or-ders and commanding. But he was none of that. He was very humble and he would converse with his col-leagues softly and getting results. I believe that PE needed a head boy like Nixon.”
Nixon only led Prince Edward for one term. Two weeks before it end-ed, he started getting ill – vomiting, loss of appetite and losing weight. Stephen Margolis says that he col-lected Nixon and took him to his GP. Nixon rallied a bit and contin-ued with his busy schedule. Dr Sora recalls that Nixon, as per school custom, did the last reading to end off the first term of 2015. “That was the last time I saw Nixon,” he adds, sadly.
Nixon returned home and was frail, and not eating. Stephen Mar-golis decided to take him to hospi-tal, and arrangements were made at Chitungwiza Hospital where he is deputy board chair.
“After we arrived at hospital, be-fore putting him on a drip they did an x-ray and some tests, and deter-mined that his chest was clogged. It was a bad infection. The doctors decided to do a full set of tests, but Nixon died before they got the re-sults.” Stephen Margolis says that he has no conclusive diagnosis, and wasn’t pushing for one. “It’s too late now anyway,” he says.
To mourn this untimely loss, all six of Nixon’s siblings returned home from various corners of the globe. Precious, Matthew, Timothy, Michelle, Russel and Lesley – all old-er than Nixon, joined hundreds of mourners for a memorial at Prince Edward School. The funeral party then moved to Buhera, the Marg-olis’ rural home, where Nixon was
finally laid to rest.“There were two busloads of Nix-
on’s classmates, and students from other schools too,” says Stephen Margolis, “I was deeply moved, and I convey my thanks to Dr Sora and the whole school for the unbeliev-able support.”
Dr Sora is honouring Nixon Margolis in an unusual, yet deeply moving way. He says that, “Nixon is head boy for PE for 2015. One might be persuaded that he should be re-placed. But I am not. Nixon will re-main as head boy for the year.”
The staff at Harare News join with the numerous readers, who wrote to us online, to pass on our condo-lences to the family and friends of Nixon Margolis, and to Dr Sora and the whole of Prince Edward School.
Nixon Margolis served one term as head boy before his tragic death in April.
Where to get your Harare News
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Shepherd Masunda
National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) has invited schools from
across the country to take part in a competition to design posters in line with a theme of environmental
responsibility and proper waste management.
The winning entries will form part of the 2015 Art Auction to be held on 14 May, to raise money for the NGZ Permanent Collection of Art, whilst also contributing
towards Harare’s anti-litter efforts.Last year’s inaugural edition
of the event ran under the theme “Vanishing Wetlands”. The number of entries was, however, disappoint-ing as there was a lack of knowledge about the event, and entries were
late.This year the focus is on waste
management, asking for designs around the theme of “Waste no Waste: Trash is Treasure”.
Speaking with Harare News, Akim Nyakudya (pictured), NGZ’s
Education Officer and schools co-ordinator of the competition, said all entries should be submitted by 7 May. “Schools’ entries must be submitted before the due date and schools wishing to take part need
Schools to enter environmental poster competition
Nixon was unique. You would expect someone leading a big school to use his muscle and be shouting orders and commanding. But he was none of that.
Continued on opposite page
Harare News 19www.hararenews.co.zw
Youth
Pretty Chavango
Mcleo Mapfumo (23) from Mil-ton Park raised the Zimba-
bwean flag high recently, by scoop-ing seven awards at the World Youth Summit held in Imphal India.
The summit, which ended in early April, explored the potential of youth from across the globe to affect change in several pressing ar-eas. According to the Summit web-site, a ‘youth’ is someone between the age of 18 and 29.
Mapfumo, who is the Youth Presi-dent of the Zimbabwe United Na-tions Association (ZUNA), was one of four African participants, and the only representative from Southern Africa. He did Zimbabwe proud, walking away with two trophies and five certificates including the Global Youth Award, Best Presenter Award, Panel Speaker Award, Best Group Work Award, Speaker of the Plenary Session, Best Presenter and a delegate award.
Running under the theme “Youth for Global Empowerment”, the event had a cross-cutting focus that dealt with environmental issues such as ecotourism and biodiversi-ty, poverty and hunger eradication, access to healthcare, social justice, cultural preservation, and much more.
Mapfumo presented on the theme of youth empowerment, urging for youth to engage around problems that affect their development and the development of nations such as drug abuse, crime, and sexual immorality – which Mapfumo says have arisen as a result of the disen-franchisement of the youth from political systems that exploit them and exclude them from decision making processes.
“We are sick and tired of the ‘give them’ syndrome that exists, and we now advocate for the ‘I can do’ ap-proach,” explained Mapfumo, who believes that the youth should do it for themselves. He suggests that ar-eas of youth empowerment in Zim-babwe should include eco-tourism and sustainability and biodiversity projects.
Mapfumo highlighted the work of ZUNA, and how Zimbabwean youth are handling the transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted that much still needs doing to ensure that young people know about the initia-tives underway.
Elaborating on his work for the Association, Mapfumo said: “Our mission as ZUNA is to eradicate pov-erty and hunger, to achieve equita-ble and sustained economic growth and sustainable development, to protect the environment, and to promote peaceful and inclusive so-cieties where no one is left behind. We commit to ensure gender equali-ty and promote and respect, protect and fulfil all human rights, includ-ing the right to development.”
Seven-award haul at World Youth Summit
to confirm their participation now,” he said. Nyakudya highlighted that the winning post-ers will be printed on rubbish bins and placed throughout Harare.
In addition to the poster competition, a selected group of leading artists will be com-missioned by businesses to paint their de-signs onto rubbish bins at an event to be held in the Penthouse of the National Gallery on the 9 May 2015. The event, which will launch this year’s Friends of the Gallery Fundraising Drive, will be televised and co-hosted by the Italian Ambassador and members of the Na-tional Gallery of Zimbabwe board.
All bins will then be donated to the City of Harare and placed at various locations throughout the city, as part of the “Keep Harare Clean” Campaign.
This competition and auction are being run by the Friends of the Gallery (FOG) with the support of the Italian Ambassador, His Excel-lency Enrico de Agostini and wife. It will see the work of students feature alongside mul-timedia offerings from established artists, ce-lebrities and the diplomatic community.
Marcey Mushore, FOG coordinator, is very excited about combining creativity from all sectors of the community and she believes this will be a vehicle for spreading aware-ness of proper waste management practices throughout society.
A triumphant Mcleo Mapfumo shows off the seven awards he received at the recently ended World Youth Summit.
Continued from opposite page
This year the focus is on waste management, asking for designs around the theme of ‘Waste no Waste: Trash is Treasure’.
Our city, our lives
TWA Auctions (PVT) LTDAntiques and house sales1 Routledge Street, Milton Park
The game of rugby can expect a boost at the grassroots in Zim-
babwe.UK-based organisation, Tag Rug-
by Trust (TRT), is looking to build a network of tag rugby centres in the country, that will develop young tal-ent and raise the profile of the sport at large.
Tag rugby follows the rules of the full-contact version of rugby, but rather than tackling each other, players must grab a fabric tag that is attached to the body of their op-ponents. It is a more formal version of the game commonly known as ‘touch rugby’.
TRT currently operates in eight developing countries. Tinashe Sha-mu is the country manager for TRT in Zimbabwe. Having coordinated tournaments all across the coun-try and taken the sport to primary schools in urban and rural areas,
Shamu is well qualified for the role.Shamu has found that the sport
is being well received across the country, being met with enthusi-asm even in areas where rugby was previously unheard of. With several tournaments under the TRT belt since 2011, the sport has started to spread like wildfire.
According to the TRT web-site, Rugby is seen as a vehicle
for “teaching respect, teamwork, friendships, breaking down social and geographical barriers, co-op-eration between different commu-nities, tolerance, achievement and fulfilment.”
In addition to just enjoying the thrill of the game, the children in-volved also get exposure to educa-tional programmes in environmen-tal conservation and journalism
and media.TRT also provides qualification
courses for International Rugby Board (IRB) standard coaching and refereeing through their Ac-creditation Pathway, from levels one through to the IRB rugby ready qualifications.
Plans are in motion to create tag rugby centres which are essentially mini rugby clubs that can be started
or joined by anyone who has gained an IRB qualification. Coaches run-ning these centres will be given financial support based on their qualifications. A star rating system hinged around the qualifications of the coaching team at the centres will also determine the number of members allowed. It is hoped that this will incentivise further training and development.
Creating or joining a tag center is not difficult, but it does require commitment to training, time spent on the centre and working as a team as well as reporting to TRT Zimba-bwe to allow them to look for new sponsorship opportunities and to find more money to put into train-ing and your center.
For more information or to book your place in the next training round find TRT Zimabwe on Facebook, email [email protected], or visit www.tagrugbytrust.co.uk.
Shepherd Masunda
The 2015 Paralympics Games offi-cial opening day coincided with
the International Day of Sport for Peace and Development, promul-gated by the United Nations Gen-eral Assembly in 2013 to celebrate sport’s contribution to education and social and economic develop-ment. The sporting event ran from 8 to 11 April with the country’s 10 provinces competing. Remarks made during the official opening of the 8th edition of the Zimbabwe National Paralympics Games, held
at Prince Edward High School in Harare, reveal that the country is aiming to send its largest ever Para-lympics team to Rio in 2016.
Addressing the sports gather-ing, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture Dr Thokozile Chitepo, said she is pleased with the development of sport in the country, and will ensure the Zim-Rio 2016 Paralympics team will get the support they need from government sport policies.
“We want a strong team, and as Government we have already started these initiatives, like the
Zimbabwe National Paralympics Games, which do not just focus on having people living with dis-abilities participating in sport, but rather also aim to mainstream their activities into some of the society’s programmes. We are also currently in the process of putting together a National Sport Policy which will di-rect how sport is going to be run in this country,” said Chitepo.
Dr Chitepo said she is aware that sport is a fundamental human right, and this is expressed well in the constitution of Zimbabwe. Sec-tion 32 states that “Government
must take practical measures to en-courage sporting and recreational activities, including the provision of sporting and recreational facilities for all people.” “I am happy to note that as a government we are priori-tising sport,” she added
The Zimbabwe National Paralym-pics Games is the premier sporting activity for disabled people in Zim-babwe, as it brings together athletes and officials from the 10 provinces. Apart from sporting competi-tions, athletes and officials are ex-posed to social issues that affect their lives through education and
entertainment programmes.The Zimbabwe National Paralym-
pics Games (ZNPG) was formed in 2008 by the Sports and Recreation Commission, following the adop-tion of the Policy for Inclusion in Sport. Before the formation of the ZNPG, sports for the disabled were run by specific associations for the disabled, like the Special Olympics, Blind Sports Association, and the Danhiko Games.
The Rio 2016 Paralympics Games will be the fifteenth Paralympics Games, and will take place between 7 and 18 September 2016.
Tag Rugby Trust moves to create Zimbabwean centres
Best ever Zim team for Rio 2016 Paralympics
Tag rugby is a safer format of rugby that can include boys and girs in the same game. It is fast gaining popular-ity in Zimbabwe.
