October 2024

Local, Top Stories

Early war stalwart Chirinda declared national hero

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  By Online Desk The Zanu PF Politburo has conferred national hero status on Jaison William Chezhira Chakaipa Chirinda, who was one of the early cadres to receive military training before waging the liberation struggle. An Extraordinary Zanu PF Politburo meeting chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the ruling party’s First Secretary, was convened in Harare yesterday to deliberate on the hero status of Chirinda. Chirinda(82) died on October 27, 2024 owing to diabetic-related complications and Zanu PF Mashonaland Central Province submitted a request that he be conferred with the highest honour owing to his illustrious exploits during the liberation struggle. He was one of the decorated military cadres who were involved in the first military operation against the Rhodesian forces in the Sinoia area, now Chinhoyi, where he led one of the two groups deployed for an offensive against the Rhodesians. He was later arrested and served time in prison together with President Mnangagwa, who was serving a life term for his role in fighting the Ian Smith regime. During yesterday’s Extraordinary Politburo meeting, President Mnangagwa said the indaba was convened to consider Chirinda’s hero status. He directed Zanu PF Acting Secretary-General, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, to read out a letter from the party’s Mashonaland Central Province recommending the conferment of national hero status on Chirinda. Briefing journalists after the Politburo meeting, Zanu PF Secretary for Information and Publicity Christopher Mutsvangwa, said there was unanimity among Politburo members on the need to confer the highest honour on Chirinda. He said Zanu PF national chairman, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, was tasked with conveying the message to the family of Chirinda in Madziva, Mashonaland Central Province, last night. The burial date has been set for Monday next week.

Regional

Botswana counts votes after pivotal election

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  Online Desk People in Botswana are waiting for results of Wednesday’s election which could extend the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP)’s 58-year rule. Earlier in the day, the main opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) leader Duma Boko voiced concerns about the exercise. “We are worried about all these things because they speak to the integrity of the process and they tell you that we’re dealing with an IEC (Independent Electoral Commission) that is hellbent on ensuring that we do not have free, fair and credible elections, but we make do with what we have,” said Boko. Ballot counting began as soon polling closed at 17:00 GMT. But some voting stations stayed open long after the official closing time to allow voters queuing up to cast their ballots. The election will determine the makeup of the diamond-rich southern African country’s parliament, and lawmakers will later choose the president. The ruling party won won 38 of 57 contested seats in the last election in 2019. President Mokgweetsi Masisi, a 63-year-old former high school teacher, is seeking a second and final term. A party needs to win at least 31 parliament seats to be declared as the winner.

International, Regional

WHO reports record 8 million TB cases last year

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  Online Desk More than 8 million people were diagnosed with tuberculosis last year, the World Health Organization said Tuesday, the highest number recorded since the U.N. health agency began keeping track. About 1.25 million people died of TB last year, the new report said, adding that TB likely returned to being the world’s top infectious disease killer after being replaced by COVID-19 during the pandemic. The deaths are almost double the number of people killed by HIV in 2023. WHO said TB continues to mostly affect people in Southeast Asia, Africa and the Western Pacific; India, Indonesia, China, the Philippines and Pakistan account for more than half of the world’s cases. “The fact that TB still kills and sickens so many people is an outrage, when we have the tools to prevent it, detect it and treat it,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement. TB deaths continue to fall globally, however, and the number of people being newly infected is beginning to stabilize. The agency noted that of the 400,000 people estimated to have drug-resistant TB last year, fewer than half were diagnosed and treated. Tuberculosis is caused by airborne bacteria that mostly affect the lungs. Roughly a quarter of the global population is estimated to have TB, but only about 5-10% of those develop symptoms. Advocacy groups, including Doctors Without Borders, have long called for the U.S. company Cepheid, which produces TB tests used in poorer countries, to make them available for $5 per test to increase availability. Earlier this month, Doctors Without Borders and 150 global health partners sent Cepheid an open letter calling on them to “prioritize people’s lives” and to urgently help make TB testing more widespread globally.

Local, Regional, Top Stories

AFRICA URGED TO MAINSTREAM CLIMATE EXPERTISE IN HEALTH SECTOR

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  By Lastword Musekiwa The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO) has called on African health ministries to integrate climate change experts into their departments to effectively address the growing climate-health challenges. Speaking at a high-level ministerial side meeting of the Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) in Harare yesterday, WHO-AFRO Director, Healthier Populations Cluster, Dr. Adelheid Onyango, emphasized the importance of climate expertise in health departments. Dr. Onyango “The health sector needs to identify the talent, the expertise and to get them equipped for us to send our best team forward as a region so that we get the best results as far as climate adaptation is concerned on the continent,” Dr. Onyango said. As the Director of the Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations Cluster, Dr. Onyango provides strategic leadership for WHO’s work with governments, development partners, civil society groups, and communities to promote and protect the health and well-being of all population groups in the WHO African Region . The high-level ministerial meeting, organized by WHO-AFRO and Wellcome Trust, aimed to develop strategies ahead of the 29th Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) scheduled for next month in Baku, Azerbaijan. Speaking at the same event, Zimbabwe’s Health and Child Care Minister and chairperson of the SADC Health Ministers Committee, Dr. Douglas Mombeshora, implored African health ministers to take the lead in ensuring their governments deliver on climate commitments. Dr. Mombeshora “Commitments are critical to safeguarding the health and well-being of the continent’s population. However, these commitments need to be operationalized and implemented. This calls for political commitment and leadership by Health Ministers to strategically implement with the Finance and Environment sectors in national climate action, capacity building, and the mobilization of resources to implement,” Dr. Mombeshora stressed. CHAC 2024, hosted by the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, brings together researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders to address the impacts of climate change on health and well-being in Africa.

Local, Top Stories

President Mnangagwa set to officially open first Climate and Health Africa Conference in Harare

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President Emmerson Mnangagwa is at Cresta Lodge in Harare where he is set to officially open the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) which kicked off yesterday with different presentations by researchers on the impact of climate change on the health and wellbeing of people. #CHAC2024 aims to tackle the detrimental impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing of African. The conference is hosted by the Centre for Sexual Health,HIV and AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Zimbabwean Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife and the Ministry of Health and Childcare. CHAC 2024 will incorporate cutting-edge research evidence into understanding climate-health mechanisms, the health impacts, effective adaptation and mitigation intervention strategies, equitable climate research, and discuss how to effectively translate research into policy. ag

Business, Local, Top Stories

ZIMBABWE MAKES PROGRESS IN FOOD DEFICIT MITIGATION EFFORTS

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  By Online Desk Government says it has made significant strides in addressing food insecurity through its Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy and Urban Cash Transfer Programme. In a post Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Jenfan Muswere said: “Cabinet considered a report on the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy and Urban Transfer Programme as presented by the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Honourable July Moyo. “The nation is informed that under the 2nd Blitz Food distribution, a cumulative total of 94 527.64 metric tonnes has been moved across the nation as at 22nd October, 2024, out of the expected 139 854. 94 metric tonnes of cereal which translates to 62.7% coverage. “The grain was distributed to vulnerable and food insecure people across the country’s provinces as follows: a) Manicaland, 17 443. 58 metric tonnes; b) Mashonaland Central, 10 276.49 metric tonnes; c) Mashonaland East,17 525.21 metric tonnes; d) Mashonaland West, 10 987. 69 metric tonnes; e) Masvingo, 12 380.14 metric tonnes; f) Matabeleland North, 8 605.99 metric tonnes; g) Matabeleland South, 6 460.64 metric tonnes; and h) Midlands, 10 847.90 metric tonnes.”   The Minister added that over 4 300 metric tonnes has been collected to date by traditional leaders accross the country. “Furthermore, a total of 4 362.51 metric tonnes has been collected to date by Chiefs across all provinces under the Zunde RaMambo/Isiphala Senkosi Strategic Grain Reserve Distribution Programme. “Disbursement of funds to beneficiaries with correct details has since commenced under the Urban Cash for cereal Programme and a total of 28 726 beneficiaries have been reached with cash disbursements as at 28th October 2024. “Under the School Feeding Programme a cumulative total of 17 250.80 metric tonnes mealie-meal/ maize grain had been collected as at 25th October, 2024,” said Minister Muswere.

Business, Local, Top Stories

Government Unveils “Building Back Better” Plan for Mbare Traders Market Reconstruction

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  By Lastword Musekiwa Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere says government has put in place a response and recovery plan under the Building Back Better programme as authorities seek to rebuild Mbare Traders Market. Addressing a post Cabinet media briefing in Harare yesterday, Minister Muswere said: “The Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Honourable Daniel Garwe updated Cabinet on Mbare Traders Market Reconstruction. “As part of the reorganisation of the Mbare Musika Traders Market following the declaration of a State of Disaster by His Excellency the President on 14 October, 2024 in the aftermath of the Mbare Fire Disaster, government has put in place a response and recovery plan under the Building Back Better programme.” The Minister added that government has put in place various measures to assist in the reconstruction of the market. “The Government will intervene through a number of initiatives which include the following: – provision of immediate relief in the form of livelihood support (safety nets) such as cash transfers, payment of school fees and psycho-social support and child protection; – immediate resuscitation of businesses through loans, grants and other stimulus packages to assist traders with restocking of goods; – provision of alternative and conducive workspace-the Harare City Council has offered the open space opposite Carter House as an alternative while reconstruction is taking place; – economic empowerment programmes that support stakeholders in rebuilding their businesses and promoting economic stability; and – upgrading market infrastructure to densification using two or three storey buildings and enhancing emergency response systems to prevent future fire disasters (long term).

Local, Regional, Top Stories

Climate change takes devastating toll on African health, WHO warns

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By Lastword Musekiwa The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO-AFRO) has raised alarm on climate change’s devastating impact on Africans’ health, urging governments to formulate evidence-based policies to combat global warming. WHO-AFRO Healthier Populations Cluster Director Dr. Adelheid Onyango   Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the inaugural Climate and Health Africa Conference (CHAC 2024) in Harare yesterday, WHO-AFRO’s Healthier Populations Cluster Director, Dr. Adelheid Onyango, expressed concerns about the alarming impact of climate change factors on the continent’s health. “We in the health sector are very concerned because there are many factors being driven by climate change that affect diseases and health conditions, which end up being a burden on the health sector,” Dr. Onyango said. “What we are here to talk about is why it is extremely important to first of all tap into the knowledge that is coming out of discussions by scientists and researchers. “Use that information to address the lived and experienced problems that communities have, and to also encourage policymakers to see what the evidence is telling us, so that the policies we put in place, in terms of development – be it in health, agriculture, trade, housing, transport, etc. – all need to be strengthened such that climate change impacts are minimized,” she emphasized. Meanwhile, CHAC 2024 Chairperson, Dr. Fortunate Machingura, is advocating for a multi-faceted approach and increased funding to tackle climate change in Africa. “With climate action, you have to be thinking multisectorality, interdisciplinarity, and it’s not always easy to come up with resources that put together multiple sectors. “Often, departments of government and ministries have their own budgets already allocated to their niche, so bringing one government department and another together to share those little resources to look at the impacts of climate change is quite problematic. So, you need that coordination right at the top of the political tier of decision-making,” Dr. Machingura noted. CHAC 2024 Chairperson Dr. Fortunate Machingura To effectively address climate change, Dr. Machingura said policymakers must work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and universities. The three-day conference, attended by over 400 delegates from 30 African countries, including ministers of health, researchers, healthcare professionals, and funders, aims to promote multisectoral collaboration, climate-informed policy, and health systems strengthening. Africa is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, with tens of millions already feeling the negative health impacts including heat-related illnesses as heatwaves become more frequent and severe, affecting vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. Climate change is also promoting infectious diseases as it is altering the transmission and distribution of vector-borne diseases like malaria, with temperature, rainfall, and humidity influencing the spread. Water-borne diseases like cholera as flooding and contamination of water sources happen, leading to increased cases of the diseases. It’s clear that climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, but a pressing health concern that requires immediate attention and action.

Local, Top Stories

DJIBOUTI SEEKS ZIMBABWE’S BACKING FOR TOP AFRICAN UNION POSITION

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By Online Desk Djibouti’s Special Envoy and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister, Amina Aden, met with President Emmerson Mnangagwa at State House yesterday, seeking Zimbabwe’s support for Mahamoud Ali Youssouf’s candidacy for the African Union Commission Chairperson position. Youssouf, Djibouti’s Foreign Minister since 2005, was nominated for the role in April 2024. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Minister Aden expressed optimism about Zimbabwe’s potential backing, which would significantly boost Youssouf’s bid. The African Union Commission Chairperson election is scheduled to take place in February next year, with the winner succeeding Moussa Faki Mahamat, who has been in office since 2017. Other Contenders for the position include: – Raila Odinga, former Kenyan Prime Minister – Anil Gayan, former Mauritian Foreign Minister – Richard Randriamandrato from Madagascar The African Union Commission Chairperson plays a crucial role in driving the continent’s development agenda. The election is expected to be highly competitive, with the new Chairperson responsible for implementing Agenda 2063, the continent’s strategic framework for growth and development.

Business, Local, Top Stories

NO LEGAL GAP IN ZIMBABWE GOLD CURRENCY, RESERVE BANK CLARIFIES

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  By Online Desk The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has moved to dispel concerns over the legality of the Zimbabwe Gold currency (ZiG), reaffirming its status as the country’s legal tender. In a statement yesterday RBZ said the lapse of Presidential Temporary Powers that established the ZiG does not create a gap in the law. Instead, currency reform measures can only be revoked by another legal instrument. “The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe wishes to advise the public and all stakeholders that there is no gap at law regarding the Zimbabwe Gold currency. “The Zimbabwe Gold currency, (ZiG) was established through Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) proclaimed under S.I 60 of 2024, which constitutes a onetime act of currency reform. Currency reform measures by their nature do not lapse simply because the instrument that introduced the reforms has lapsed. “The lapsing of the Presidential Temporary Powers that established the currency does not, therefore, create a gap in the law. “Legally, currency reform measures are only revoked by another legal instrument,” said the Central Bank. RBZ added that: “Meanwhile, it should be noted that The Finance Act which has since been gazetted into law, simply declares the provisions of S.I 60 of 2024 and is not meant to validate them. “Thus, ZiG remains the country’s legal tender, and the Reserve Bank will continue to consolidate its use and stability.”

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