Week 33
A weekly selection from Zimbabwean newspapers
Zimbabwe could cash in on growing interest in baobab powder
Baobab powder, extracted from the fruit of the baobab tree, contains nearly four times the vitamin C found in oranges and is a source of essential minerals such as potassium and magnesium.
Zimbabwe is home to an estimated five million baobab trees, with roughly 3.75 million located on communal lands, presenting a significant opportunity for commercial exploitation. Gus Le Breton, an entrepreneur whose company, B’Ayoba, processes baobab into powder and seed oil for export, noted, “A conservative estimate is that we could harvest about 12,000 tonnes of fruit sustainably every year. At present, we are only harvesting 1,500 tonnes annually.” Le Breton was instrumental in securing European Union market approval for baobab powder in 2008.
US$6m payouts to assist 250K Zimbos: WFP
WFP plans to provide food assistance to 1,8 million people in both rural (1,5 million) and urban (300 000) areas, supplementing government’s food deficit mitigation strategy efforts.
THE World Food Programme (WFP) says the US$6 million in African Risk Capacity (ARC) replica payouts from this drought policy will provide food assistance to 252 495 food-insecure people in the country’s three districts for two months.
Zimbabwe received an insurance payout of US$32m from African Union’s ARC agency to alleviate the devastation the country suffered from the El Niño-induced drought.
From the US$32 million payout, Zimbabwe’s government received US$16,8 million, while about US$15 million went to two aid organisations: the Start Network and the World Food Programme.
I earn US$47 a month as mayor, says Coltart
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart says Zimbabwe must consider giving mayors executive powers to enhance service delivery in the country’s urban areas.
The former Education minister, who revealed that he earns US$47 as mayor, said low remuneration for councilors meant that they spent most of their time doing other work to supplement their incomes.
Well I understood first of all that this is a ceremonial position. I’m not an executive mayor I’m a ceremonial mayor.
I’m a lawyer and I understand that there are very limited powers, legal powers that mayors have in this country now. So I understood that would be a problem.
Secondly, I understand that there’s very low morale amongst councillors, low morale amongst even management because people are not paid what they should be and then, thirdly, of course, I understood that there have been years and years of neglect of the infrastructure.
The roads are simply the outward manifestation of the deeper malice in the city.
You know our water distribution network.
So, I understood all of that but I have to say that having been in the job for a year, almost a year now, I didn’t realise just how bad the situation was.
Alarming statistics on HIV positive women in Bulawayo
Approximately 90% of women aged between 16 and 50 plus tested for HIV in Bulawayo during the month of June this year tested positive of the virus amid concerns over a surge in cases in the Matabeleland region.
A Bulawayo City Council report showed that at least 2 641 women tested positive for HIV from the 2 984 that had undergone testing.
The development also came after the National Aids Council (NAC) expressed concern over the number of women testing HIV positive in the Matabeleland region, attributing the surge in high mobility rates in the provinces.
NAC recently reported that Matabeleland South province had recorded the highest HIV rate in the nation as compared to other provinces.
It said Matabeleland South had the highest rate at 0,34%, while Matabeleland North was second with 0,24% across the country.
‘African lion faces extinction’
Africa’s lion population has experienced a devastating decline, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimating that only 23 000 to 39 000 remain in the wild.
Habitat loss, escalating human-wildlife conflicts and poaching have pushed these majestic big cats to the brink of extinction.
Today, the wild cats face a growing threat as human populations expand and compete for resources, further jeopardising their survival.
The IUCN red list has classified the lion as vulnerable since 1996.
This was revealed during the World Lion Day commemorations held on August 10.
NGO builds bridges at Midlands irrigation schemes
The Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) has moved to resolve conflicts at irrigation schemes in the Midlands province by raising awareness of the Irrigable Areas (Control) Regulations, 2021 also known as Statutory Instrument (SI) 38 of 2021 in a bid to enhance productivity and food security at the irrigation projects.
The SI gives prominence to irrigation agencies such as Ministries of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Local Government and Public Works as well as Finance and Economic Development which are key stakeholders in supporting irrigation development.
According to CCMT, most irrigation farmers are unaware of the new regulations and the roles played by these government entities at irrigation schemes.
CCMT organised stakeholder engagement meetings to raise awareness on SI 38 of 2021.
The organisation works with at least 14 irrigation schemes in the province as it strives to minimise conflicts that emanate from the implementation of the statutory instrument.
Mnangagwa calls for peace ahead of SADC Summit, opposition rejects plea as facade
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has once again pleaded with citizens to mantain peace as the country prepares to host the SADC Summit.
“I take this opportunity to thank all Zimbabweans for maintaining a peaceful environment across the length and breadth of our Motherland. Our brand remains that of a progressive and loving people who are hospitable not only to their kith and kin but to all persons created in the image of the Lord Almighty,” Mnangagwa said at the National Heroes Acre today during the National Heroes Day commemorations.
He added: “Let us all continue to make our visitors feel at home away from home, that we are one with them, and that they shall always be free to visit, whether on business or on private affairs.
However, the opposition dismissed the plea as hollow citing the escalation of human rights violations which have overshadowed Mnangagwa’s upcoming leadership role within the regional bloc.
Harare makeover: Beautification or distraction amid Zim’s turmoil
As Harare hosts the 44th Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Heads Of State and Government Summit, the city is undergoing a dramatic facelift.
Roads are being resurfaced, flowers planted and the city is adorned with fresh coats of paint. On the surface, the transformation is presenting a vibrant and welcoming face to the world.
Yet, beneath the glossy veneer lies a nation grappling with deep-seated issues that no amount of beautification can conceal.
One of the most significant renovations has taken place at the State House, where the precast wall has been refurbished at a staggering cost of US$15 million.
However, critics say government efforts to spruce up the capital are not just about aesthetics — they are a calculated attempt to mask the underlying realities of a country in crisis.
Zimbabwe’s economy is on freefall, human rights abuses are rampant and political repression is at an all-time high.
Zimcodd sets dates for annual debt conference
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) will host its sixth Annual Zimbabwe Debt Conference from August 22 to 23 to discuss ways on dealing with the country’s burgeoning debt.
According to official Treasury statistics, public debt grew to nearly US$21 billion as of the end of June from about US$17,7 billion as of September 2023.
However, these public debt figures have widely been disputed as some creditors noted that debt had reached US$21,2 billion at the end of last year.
“Zimcodd will host the sixth Annual Zimbabwe Debt Conference from August 22 to 23, under the theme, Embracing Inclusive Debt Management for a Sustainable Upper Middle Class Economy (Vision 2030). This year’s instalment comes within a context of a continually growing debt burden, ballooning from US$17 billion to US$21 billion between September 2023 and July 2024,” Zimcodd said in a statement.
Zim’s quest to ditch the US dollar may be doomed, citizens say
Recent indications by the Zimbabwean government that it intends to de-dollarise the economy by 2026, with the announcement of a roadmap to end the use of the US dollar, appear to be a move doomed from the start, according to politicians, economists, and the general public.
These concerns are rooted in the country’s economic history under Zanu PF.
The Zimbabwe Institute for Accountability, which aims to promote values of democracy and transparency, also expressed doubts about the government’s control over the economy.
“The Zimbabwe government likes to fly kites. The Zimbabwean economy is not really under their control except for a few corrupt government contracts and the civil service. The Diaspora is what fuels the Zimbabwean economy. Outside Harare, there is virtually no economic activity to speak of,” the institute commented.
US funded NGOs blame SADC
Ahead of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Heads of State Summit scheduled for August 17, 2024, in Harare, Zimbabwe, there have been increasing concerns about human rights violations.
Amnesty International (AI) and Human Rights Watch (HRW) have jointly urged the Zimbabwean government to cease arbitrary arrests and the crackdown on opposition and civil society members.
Reports indicate that since mid-June 2024, over 160 people have been arrested in Harare alone, including elected officials, opposition members, union leaders, students, and journalists. These detainees have allegedly faced torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Outcry over Gwayi-Shangani Dam delays
A Hwange Rural District councilor says delays in the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam has negatively affected the local authority’s developments plans
The dam is expected to be the main cog in the implementation of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, which was first mooted in 2012.
Construction of the dam started September 2004 and has dragged on due to inconsistent funding by the government.
Lupote councillor Eugene Dube told Southern Eye on Sunday that delays in the project completion was affecting the implementation of the local authority’s master plan.
“Villagers welcomed the project, but the slow pace at which it is being done by the government is now worrying us as it is now affecting our growth as a council,” Dube said.
