By Leslie Dube
Local artists interview – Leslie Records #imbube Interview
This is a interview about local artists who have been active in promoting imbube and isicathamiya
An insight about the imbube genre from Bulawayo artists
SUPPORT LOCAL TALENT
BY JUDITH PHIRI
https://vimeo.com/user119799691/review/439429760/a849108b4c
Upcoming local female musician Rudo Makaya ‘aka’ Tiny voices out the major girl child grievances in a song titled “Why.”
stay at home and teach your children the arts and craft
By Leslie Dube
The mantra continues “Stay at home and be safe from the virus” of which many people have adopted and are adhering to the call by the authorities to stay at home and minimize the risk of contracting the virus and spreading it. This call has given an old lady Gogo MaBango an opportunity to pass onto her grandchildren the art of making ingcebethu as she has ample time to teach them the craft.
Gogo MaBango is a 95-year old lady living with her daughter and 6 grandchildren in Entumbane suburb. She harnessed the art of making ingcebethu and icansi during her stay in the rural areas in Bango area in Plumtree. As she moved to Bulawayo about 4 years ago, she found solace in her craft and it has been keeping her busy and entertained.
The pandemic has given her the chance to spend time with her grandchildren and it has afforded her the opportunity to teach them how to make the craft. Gogo MaBango narrated that her grandchildren have been having difficulties harnessing the craft as it requires high levels of concentration and for her grandchildren it is “boring” to repeat the same procedure over and over again.
Gogo Mabango narrated that in the yester years, this craft was able to put food to the table as she was able to make many products and in turn the whites and other tourists loved her craft and they would buy the products. It was her hope that the skill would not end with her generation and it is main reason she has taken the task to teach her grandchildren the art of making these products that are very symbolic to her cultural tradition.
Gogo MaBango was however delighted with the progress that her grandchildren are making towards grasping the art of making the products and she vowed to herself that as long as this pandemic continues and the stay at home mantra is in place, she will be able to do a remarkable job in teaching her grandchildren all what is needed to be a great artist in making the products.
As a word of advice, Gogo MaBango said that the people should not panic as even in the yester years, the country had also encountered flues, droughts and other diseases but they have all passed and this too shall pass and also encouraged that people should utilize this opportunity of staying at home and blend together as a family and teach the children what they must know.
The end///
ZIM HIP HOP PROSPECTS
By Sandisile Mtetwa
decolonizing the mind
By Wendy Mhlanga
oNline lessons a way to go?
By Freedom Dube
EDUCATION 5.0 – The Entrepreneurial Graduate
By Mightyman Nsingo
EDUCATION 5.0 is the new way of learning that has the ability to enhance economic growth and development in the country.
One might ask, what is Education 5.0?
This is a practical-oriented way of learning where priority is placed on innovation and industrialisation.
This model differs from education 3.0 which focused on teaching, research and community service.
The world is developing at a faster rate and this means that Zimbabwean tertiary education has to produce students that are well equipped for the fourth revolution characterised by innovation and cutting-edge industrial advancement.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Prof. Amon Murirwa has been singing Education 5.0 where ever he is given an opportunity to speak.
His gospel is that for Zimbabwe to industrialise universities should prioritise Education 5.0 in curriculum development.
He has challenged Universities to start engaging students to provide practical solutions to societal and national problems. This entails that students should be innovative in producing goods and services leading to industrialisation of the country.
The Government has prioritised the success of Education 5.0 through setting up innovation hubs in all state universities around the country.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launched the NUST Innovation Hub during the 2019 Graduation Ceremony.
The innovation hubs are being used to incubate abstract concepts into fully-fledged products and services that can compete on both the local and international markets.
Through innovation hubs, students’ projects are guaranteed to go beyond being projects but proceed further to be real life solutions. The innovation hubs are places where these great ideas get to be enlivened.
Most universities have completed building these hubs and what is left is to incubate projects.
There are various world class final year projects showcased at NUST via competitions like National Engineering Awards.
With Education 5.0 and innovation hubs, universities have the ability to produce innovative graduates, the entrepreneurial graduates who are not dependant on being employed but are encouraged to employ entrepreneurial skills through this model of learning.
For NUST, learning entrepreneurship skills is a priority for all students.
Through Education 5.0 graduates will no longer rely on employment, rather they will be employers who industrialise the country to reach greater heights via innovation.
Ntabeni Ventures introduces an Innovation Hub For Matobo District
By Freedom Dube
Will Heterosexuality ever be at par with Homosexuality?
Will Heterosexuality ever be at par with Homosexuality? – Heterosexuality vs Homosexuality With Thandy Ncube
Sexuality remains to be a controversial issue in Africa. As certain sexualities other than heterosexuality raises eyebrows in most African counterparts.
Africa without Colonialism: Points to Ponder
By Michelle Masiyambiri
The prolonged debate concerning Africa and colonisation rests in the question of whether or not Africa was on its way to its own development before the settlers came in. more questions surrounding the issue include; Would Africa’s economic development have been different without colonialism? Would it have been richer today? Richer in every sense of the word, that is economically, culturally. A few observations are in order: Firstly, most Africans evidently sa steadily rising incomes over the colonial period beginning 1885. Africans were able to reap the benefits of the introduction of railway and mining technology. Furthermore, being colonised meant deeper integration into world trade. Yet, how much of this is due to colonialism and how much of this would have happened anyway in the wake of trade expansion?
Evaluating the impact of colonialism involves not just looking at the evident benefits it brought but also consider what the trajectories of African societies would have been in the absence of colonialism. For instance, if the Europeans had brought technology or institutions, absent colonialism, Africans would have adopted or innovated these themselves.
Although the focus of our colonisers was mainly on the development of the colonial territories for their own gain, one can argue that colonialism also contributed to the modernisation of Africa through the formation of administrative and governmental structures, the development of infrastructure such as transport and communication systems, and so forth. In general there is however a consensus that colonialism to a great extent disrupted and even destroyed the traditional existing social, cultural, economic and political structures that were in place before the colonial period
All above arguments concerning Africa without colonialism bring to my attention the biases upon which several of these arguments were made and that most of them are mere opinions and not facts. There is no apparent way we could ever find out the fate of Africa in the absence of colonialism. What we can do however is draw out scenarios based on assumptions.
Why Everyone is Slaying Matching Face Masks and You Should too.
By Thandekile A. Ncube
Who says you can’t look great while protecting yourself and others? Face masks have become a large part of most people’s wardrobes, and some people are having a little fun with it. Artists, designers and everyday people have shown their creativity by turning face masks into art projects and expressions of identity. Masks have represented fashion trend, health purposes, sometimes considered as a sign of the wearer’s social responsibility, safety, pollution, solidarity, protest, racism and now a pandemic.
Face masks have become a necessity during the coronavirus outbreak and now the fashion world is ensuring that they become trendy. With masks advised for the foreseeable future, people are finding ways to incorporate them into their outfits. Face masks are the necessary fashion statement right now. High profile figures such as the President of Slovakia, Zuzana Caputova have also started to match their masks to their outfits.
With the trend rising, many fashion designers are riding on the wave and now creating their own matching outfits. The reception of matching top/ mask trend is taking the world by storm. Having a mask that matches one’s top makes the mask more fun and whimsical to wear, something that is important in such as serious, scary time.
In the future, people will need multiple masks in rotation especially as things begin to open back up. Having a mask that matches exactly is a fun fashion but matching through colour stories will start to happen as well. Considering what mask to wear will become a part of planning an outfit. The pandemic should not get in the way of our sense of style, when one comes out in a stylish masks or an accessory such as this, it doesn’t seem as though we’re fighting a war however it seems more fun.
Theatre, arts what’s next?
By Leslie Dube
The year in which many dreams have been crushed or put on hold by the clever one, a year in which a lot of progress has been derailed and a year in which survival is the ultimate goal for every individual. In a nut shell this is the story of 2020, the Covid(ed) year, the year of Corona Virus.
As the world is still struggling on how to cope with this virus, many industries have drafted solutions or copying mechanism during these trying times, for example most workplaces have created shifts and only allow a third of its workers to work at a given shift and some industries have opted to adopt the “work from home approach”. This can be a win for some industries but the questions still remains, what’s next for the individuals employed in the arts and creative industry? How will they make it work? Could it be the beginning of the end of the arts industry? A lot of rhetoric questions.
As many creative industry players agree that this virus pose a threat to their industry and that the future remain uncertain there is hope in many of them. One artists strongly aired his comment that “ This too shall pass” as he seemed hopeful that one day this epidemic will be a thing of the past and they will be back in theatre doing what they love the most but for now they have to adhere to lockdown regulations and stay at home.
As l went in search for answers to my next question, How will they make it work? The artists defiantly showed me that this has given them an opportunity to reflect and introspect on their career. Some have expressed that they have put their thoughts into paper and are scripting some plays and dramas and when things go back to normalcy, audiences must expect a lot of creative work flooding their arts and industrial sites.
In concluding my research, could this be the end of the arts industry? Certainly not! The arts industry over the years has baffled fatal threats that include lack of financial support and censorship but it has emerged powerful as it plays an important role in the preservation of our local culture for the future generations. This epidemic will punch blows in the arts industry but it will not win the war as the arts industry will emerge bigger and better after this.
Theatre, arts what’s next? Watch the space to witness what’s next.
The end///
BULAWAYO DAY & BULAWAYO ARTS FESTIVAL 2020 POSTPONED
By Sandisile Mtetwa
This year Bulawayo celebrates its 126th Anniversary with its genesis traced back to 1870 under the leadership of King Lobengula.
Bulawayo was established as a town in 1894 on the site of King Lobengula’s capital and acquired municipal status in 1897.
From this proud history of African royalty dating back to and beyond Kings Mzilikazi and Lobengula, Bulawayo city is a creative capital in the Southern African region constantly churning out talent and arts products that have been consumed world over.
The celebration of Bulawayo Day and the hosting of the Bulawayo Arts Festival is one of Bulawayo’s annual events aimed at enabling local people and global visitors to participate meaningfully in the cultural life of the city, and provide an opportunity for Bulawayo to showcase its proud heritage, rich diversity, creative nature, resilience and majesty.
June 1st is the Inaugural Bulawayo day and the day means different things to various people as others view it as a day which speaks culture, tradition and bringing everyone back to the realization of the importance of being in touch with one’s roots and identity.
According to Zenzele Ndebele from CITE, ‘the modern Bulawayo owes its origins to the commercial aspirations of the British South African Company (BSAC), and Rhodes’ ambition to extend influence and trade from Cape to Cairo.’
Following the recent announcement by President E. D. Mnangagwa declaring the COVID-19 Lockdown Level 2 to stay on indefinitely, the organizers of the event announced that the inaugural Bulawayo Day & Bulawayo Arts Festival scheduled for June 1-6 2020, has been postponed to June 2021.
Despite the absence of activities due to covid 19, the city still continues to progress in unity and development.
“For the past few weeks, in conjunction with all the partners and stakeholders, we have been working hard to explore all avenues to put on this year’s festival, including moving the dates to later in the year,” said the BCC representative.
She added that, “due to the continuing uncertainty regarding holding of public gatherings, the increasing number of Corona virus positive cases, the threat to people’s health, and the potential need for an extended period of social distancing, we have taken the collective decision to suspend our 2020 programme as it was planned.”
Some reasons for this decision have been because of international travel restrictions that will make it impossible for conference speakers and some festival performers to gain entry into the country.
However the event organizers noted that they will still recognize June 1st as Bulawayo Day as they will also hold a digital launch and three special virtual/ online pop-up events from Wednesday 3rd June to Friday 5th June on the Bulawayo Arts Festival & City of Bulawayo Facebook pages.
The same programmes will also be posted on the BAF TV Channel on Youtube as delayed content.
The Bulawayo Arts festival which was scheduled for 1-6 June 2020 was going to run under the theme “WOW” (short for We Own Winter) as all activities were expected to illuminate the usually not so active winter month in Zimbabwe.
The explosion of arts and culture in Bulawayo puts the city and the country on the global spotlight and encourage its tourism and business potential.
The Bulawayo is one of the beautiful cities in Zimbabwe, also popularly known for having the clean water, efficient council services and the clean streets.
Whilst the immediate future is uncertain, there is optimism that the pioneering spirit of the city festival will continue through various pop up events during the year and leading to June 2021.
Whilst the 2020 plans are being suspended for now, audiences are encouraged to stay at home and practice good hygiene for their own health safety.
Restrictions on large scale assembly are likely to continue and events such as concerts and festivals may remain banned for the foreseeable future.
INTWASA SHORT STORY COMPETITION OPEN
By Stacy Nyathi
The annual Intwasa short story competition is now open with a winner’s prize of USD$200.00 or ZWL equivalent up for grabs.
The competition is open to all Zimbabweans and emphasis is that work should be original and previously unpublished. However, unlike previous years, this year’s competition has no theme attached to it.
The Intwasa Arts Festival Administrator, Runyararo Mutandi, said:
“The number of submissions for the competition last year was low, as many writers felt that a theme tends to limit their creativity. We therefore decided to revert to the original format of the competition which was no-theme.”
A person is only permitted to submit one story with a maximum of 3000 words, written in English. The deadline for submission is 30 June 2020.
Mutandi said the criteria for judgment will be based on originality, creativity, word power, good story telling skills and interesting Zimbabwean stories.
The shortlisted candidates will be personally notified and the winner will be announced in September 2020. All interested candidates should submit a cover page that has the following information: name, physical address, email address, and telephone number.
The Intwasa short story competition continues to nurture and encourage creative story writing in Zimbabwe. It was pioneered in 2004, and ran every year until 2015 to 2018 when it halted due to financial constraints then resumed in 2019.
For more information visit the Intwasa website or email info.intwasa@gmail.com or visit the Intwasa Arts Festival offices Studio 10 at the National Art Gallery in Bulawayo.
@stacy_nyathi
nyathistacy@gmail.com
tHE LOCK-DOWN AND MENTAL HEALTH
As the whole region is currently on nationwide lock-down for almost 3 months now in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid 19, a lot of people are experiencing or have experienced different emotions in this period of their lives that is from sadness, loneliness, fear to feeling blessed and grateful for their lives spared.
Covid 19 has killed more than 327 thousand people around the world and has wreaked havoc not only to the health systems of countries that were hard hit like Italy the US and Spain but has also it has brought a global recession. Some companies have closed down and people are wondering whether they will be able to provide for their families again, since they have lost their jobs, homes and for them there is no hope for the next day. This however has had a negative effect on people’s mental health
Since the beginning of the lockdown a lot of people have gone online to express how the lockdown has had an effect on their mental health especially by the time when it all started and we believe that was connected to isolation and staying at home, l mean it wasn’t the normal that as the people are used to, spending the whole day indoors when people are used the freedom of going in and out as they please.
Psychologists have stated that the reasons for mental issues and stress during the lockdown were due to fear of becoming sick of infection will l get the virus?, fear of losing their loved ones people are wondering if they are going to make it alive as well as the prospect of financial hardships and information overload But as most countries are starting to ease the lockdown restrictions some people have chosen to remain indoors as they feel safer there and the toll on mental health is starting to become apparent
This pandemic and uncertainty have exacerbated anxiety and depression in those already suffering or struggling with mental issues and those that are experiencing this for the first time in their lives. More cases of mental health issues and suicide have been reported throughout the lock-down and are clearly related to the lock-down. In realizing this the WHO organisation has encouraged governments to set up free online counselling platforms and toll-free lines where they can get someone whom they can talk to whenever they feel down. People have been encouraged to make sure they constantly check on their loved ones in these trying times. Since the WHO warned that covid 19 may never go away we are then encouraged to keep social distance, sanitize always and make sure we are doing the best we can to protect ourselves and those around us so we serve Lives
By Nobukhosi Moyo
EFFECTS OF COVID-19 IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S LIVES
Gugulethu Ncube
Life has turn out to be bloodcurdling to every human being on earth. The enthusiastic youths of the 21st century have been tongue tied by the dreadful pandemic, COVID -19. As a consequence, it has stirred destructive impacts to the young people of this era, with many losing hope, some losing lives and for the rest of us, the future is not certain. This becomes worrisome during the pandemic that young people, who hold high volumes of the world’s population, are very much affected. Paradoxically, we cannot refute that there remain some optimistic sound effects. It is then the role of this essay to bring out to the shore the effects of the pandemic to youths in Zimbabwe which could be the same effects that young people across the globe could be facing. This article will also give insights of the positive effects of COVID-19 as speaking of the negatives will be an overgeneralisation.
As the saying goes, we eat to live, not live to eat, it then stands opposite as the present situations has forced the general populace to live to eating. COVID-19 has triggered a lockdown which has been initiated by the government forcing every wage earner to pull back and stay at home for their own well-being. Hunger has become the order of the day for child headed families, with happiness flying through the window due to the lack of income to bring food to the table. Youth led businesses in the informal sector have closed with those that relied on crossing boarders for supply facing hardships in keeping their business running, there is nowhere to order new stock and the remaining ones have almost close to none buyers.
Priscilla Taruvinga, a cross boarder buyer and seller said her business has just gone to shambles. “The informal sector has been crippled since the close of boarders, there is no means of generation stock, and the little which had been saved from the profits is being used for groceries. I cannot let my children suffer from hunger while ii still have the money. I will rise like phoenix when this Covid mantra passes,” she said.
Furthermore, many companies have closed down while some have retrenched, for example, Simbisa brand has cut off its number of employees with those that have lost their jobs vulnerable to the escalating hunger saga intensifying behind closed doors. Hence, with an idle mind, young people are tempted by idle thoughts that propel them to do undigested acts which have seen many behind bars so as to get a better eating culture than that being faced at home. All this being caused by the unpreparedness of many youths who were already suffering to raise capital though employed. Thus, COVID-19 in a way is a slow killing poison to many of our working class.
Emson Dlomo, a former employee for Simbisa brand said that he received a notice that he will no longer continue working for the brand as the brand was cutting on employees due to the amount of revenue they are generating. “Life has been hard since I was relieved from work, my grandmother and I now survive with a single meal a day so as to save the little which is left. Its just the two of us, i`m now thinking of going to Kelvin industrial area and see what I can find but I am certain the song will be the same,” said Dlomo.
COVID-19 has disrupted the educational systems with some of the institutions like University of Zimbabwe and Great Zimbabwe University opting for e-learning. This has frustrated those coming from countryside regions, which have a short hand financially to buy data and have access to e- learning whilst on the other hand facing network issues. Therefore, in a bid to develop young people’s minds COVID-19 has shattered the dreams of many.
Sipho Nkiwane, a student at Midlands State University pointed out that the use of e-learning has a huge blow on him since he stays in the rural areas. Nkiwane said, “I only visit the city when coming for grocery shopping. I wonder what will happen to me in the rural home where I have zero network reception while others are enjoying the use of online learning. I am deeply troubled.”
Family planning is a crucial necessity in such times when there is no entertainment, sex then takes precedence. Stocked condoms run out, unprotected sex comes to play, leaving most vulnerable to transmission of STIs including HIV and unintended pregnancies. In Ghana, through a published article, women were reportedly crying for rescue from the government to ease lockdown as their male counterparts were asking for a lot of sex. Young couples are not left out and so are dating youth’s cohabitating together.
Adding on, price hikes of basic commodities affects the medical sector as medication and treatment for STIs is expensive for young people who have no means for income as many young people who have no idea of Organizations like ZNFPC who can assist with providing free STI screening and treatment for students under the age of 24. Challenges in accessing sexual and reproductive health information services – including contraception and HIV medications- will exacerbate the risks to young people’s lives. Sexual and reproductive health and rights must not be de-prioritised by governments. They are essential life-saving services which need to be part of the critical response to this crisis. Last week, there was an article published by the Chronicle pointing out on the rise of STI cases in Bulawayo which shows that there is a lot of unprotected sex taking place behind closed doors; soon it will be the babies after nine months.
Home sweet home has turned sour in toxic families where parents verbally insult their children. In such homes gender based violence is ripe. For example, in the first weeks of the 21 days of lockdown, a chat circulated on social media of a young woman who faced sexual harassment at home with the father being the perpetrator. The father would: walk in on her naked, show her his genitals and ask her to watch porn with him, thus home is no longer safe for young people. UNESCO (2020) posits that quarantine measures imposed as a response to COVID-19 pandemic are putting young people at risk, in particular, young women who are at risk of violence in the home, cutting them off from essential protection services and social networks. Economic stress on families due to the outbreak put young women at greater risk of exploitation.
Verbal abuse at home due to COVID-19 provokes a lot of victims falling into depression and anxiety. With no one to talk to such individuals turn to be a danger to the family and themselves. For instance, to the family, a woman axed her husband at Mganwini due to mental health issues, to the individual, they start developing suicidal tendencies. On the 19th of April 2020, a man from Mount Darwin committed suicide after he had impregnated a 21 year old young woman. Stress and anxiety kick in hard in such times forcing one to think that there is no other way to solve the issue than to end their own life, which is not ideal.
COVID-19 has loosens young people`s relationships especially on the aspect of bonding with friends since no groups of people should meet. Physical stability is now being deteriorated as young people were used to be moving up and down not just staying and doing nothing. This has a negative bearing to the education sector as there could be an increase in the number of school drop outs as most young people have resonated in the abuse of drugs, destroying their health, lives and future in the process.
However, it will be an overgeneralisation to point the negative impacts of COVID-19 without reflecting on the positives. To begin with, COVID-19 has brought about family bonding as families are now spending a lot of time with their families in their homes. Everjoy Phiri, a student at GZU said, “Lockdown has brought love in the family, my parents no longer have unnecessary fights like they used to when they were about to start their divorce, they now play and have fun, they even tore the divorce papers and stated anew.”
Organisations like Feed the City which is led by young people has taken a step in feeding the different locations in Bulawayo. Mrs S`boniso Nkala, my next-door neighbour in Pumula North said, “If it wasn’t for these young people who share the little they have with us, I’m sure we would have starved to death.” This indicates that young people have not chosen to sit in their hands but however are creative enough to share the little they have with those that need it the most and ensuring that they get it in the comfort of their homes.
Young people have changed their business strategies with most of them taking their businesses into cars where they will be moving around different neighbourhoods selling their goods so that they can manage to raise capital to keep food on the table during the lockdown.
The sharing of information has always been vital to any era, so it the same with COVID-19 with online course on COVID-19 and SRHR being offered by various institutions so that young people are equipped with the correct and appropriate information so that they can make wiser decisions. There has been high usage of WhatsApp groups which have seen a lot of young people participating showing interest in the SRHR issues being discussed and the ant relevant updates on COVID-19.
Musawenkosi Mhanje, a student from Great Zimbabwe University said, “The initiative taken by SAYWHAT is applaud able. The discussions are very insightful and helpful. We now have a sense of direction when certain things happen in our lives. We know who to talk to and we have the privilege of knowing where to go when in need of a particular service.”
COVID-19 has brought about a lot of negatives to the globe and young people alike are affected. It is up to us as young people to unite and come up with initiatives that will help up keep moving forward while adhering to the prevention strategies handed out by WHO.
SMEs and the Covid 19 pandemic
Thandeka A. Ncube
SMEs and the Covid 19 pandemic – Dollars and sense.
This episode details out the effects of the world pandemic on SMEs and seeks to highlight the challenges that small businesses are faced with.
YOUR BUSINESS IS NOT A MISTAKE, SEE THE MISTAKE YOU ARE MAKING IN YOUR BUSINESS
Podzani Tshuma
Most of the times when a business is in its crumbling stage, people assume that the owner has run out of money and the economy is also another problem. Businesses survive in harsh economic conditions but it depends with the internal management and running of the business. In every adventure they are obstacles as a business operator you should be aware of them and come up with plans to counter them. You cannot run a business if you are lazy to find out who is going to be your competitor and how will you deal with issues that arise on the way.
Some even regret giving up on their ideas later in life, as they find out that was going to be the best opportunity for their breakthrough but they had deemed it as a mistake when it failed.
When a car has flat tyre, do we abandon the car or we change the tyre and move? That should keep you going as a young person who wants to run a business. your business cannot just flourish on day one but it takes effort and sacrifices to get the results you want.
So, when your business is not doing well find ways on how to keep it alive. read book. consult people who have been in the game and have made it. Consult your customers they will help you out.
Be humble enough to seek help even from those people whom you think don’t know anything about business, mind you everyone knows about something you don’t know. Your attitude and positive mindset will be the only thing to help your business survive all the challenges. I know in business it’s all about profit making but for you to be able to run that business you need to be aware of the small things that help your business stand out.
It might be your business but the people around you are the ones who are helping you to develop your idea to be a big thing. Take note of the manner you treat your clients, your competitors, your sponsors and investors.
Remember you are not the only one with brilliant ideas whether you lose customers today or make loses it does not matter. What matters is the long-term goal you want to achieve. be responsible and accountable for all the decisions you make; you cannot afford to be pointing fingers and holding other people responsible for something you could have made better.
Your business is not a mistake but you are the mistake. So, get up and dust yourself now and build your business.
FAME COMES AND GO!
Podzani Tshuma
Fame can be unforgiving sometimes, especially when you retire with nothing tangible. We all know that everyone joins a profession with a dream of building an empire of their own, but that dream or vision can be lost in the long run.
At one point you will be topping the headlines and billboards for your unbeatable skills and talent but when you are unable to match the expectations of your fans, distress can be a thud on your shoulders.
We have seen our brothers and sisters in the entertainment industry and sports industry leaving their best lives when everything is still fine and when their contracts are terminated, they turn into the streets and will be left in huge debts. These are the same people who drove flashy cars and spent most of their nights in expensive suites in different hotels.
I read an article where a boxer was quoted saying, “as celebrities or famous people we love fast lives, but one thing certain is that it’s a fake lifestyle.” This type of lifestyle has left many swimming in a pool of debts. Someone will be overspending on useless things, trying to impress followers on Instagram and Facebook.
Are we wrong as fans for expecting too much from our favourite sport personnel and musician? These people get consumed with the lifestyle they don’t afford to please us. Is that what we want from them?
This got me thinking that maybe as fans we contribute to their recklessness because we support them even if we see that what they are doing is wrong. We put them under pressure by scrutinising everything they do.
I feel like sometimes we are responsible for what they do, we compare them with people who have already made it and have their lives figured out. We can’t let them do things they will regret in future. We should advise and encourage them to invest in businesses that will sustain them after retirement.
We have read about artists who were signed out of big record labels and were left in huge debts and they are still struggling to pick up themselves. It is sad to see someone who was your favourite losing all he had and is no longer on the spotlight just because they never planned for their future. We can all blame their managers and all, but it comes back to the fact that one needs to have a backup plan in every profession you are in.
Recently, a famous boxer in Zimbabwe, Charles Manyuchi opened up about his retirement plan. He is not only good in the ring but also in farming. He mentioned that his business is doing so well and also said his focus is on his farm he wants to build his empire so that when he retires his future will be secured.
I have also read story of a Zimbabwean soccer player based in South Africa, who donated meal mealie to the residents of Mzilikazi, where he grew up in, and has promised to do more for his community because they made him the person he is now. It’s a good thing to see our brothers doing the best to give back to the communities they come from.
Instead of supporting these fake lifestyle and social media lifestyles of our famous sisters and brothers, we need to tell them to invest in tangible businesses to secure their lives after retirement. Riches are like fog you can be the richest person today but tomorrow you can the poorest person. It is important to impact knowledge about the importance of savings and in self sustainable businesses. Above all discipline is important and it can sustain your stay at the top.
Keep in mind that fame comes with lots of expectations but remember that when it’s gone you cannot retain it, do your best while you still have the opportunity and secure your future by investing in something that will sustain your legacy.
LOCK DOWN AND MENTAL HEALTH
By Nobukhosi Moyo
As the whole region is currently on nationwide lockdown for almost 2 months now in an attempt to curb the spread of Covid 19, a lot of people are experiencing or have experienced different emotions in this period of their lives that is from sadness, loneliness, fear to feeling blessed and grateful for their lives spared.
Covid 19 has killed more than 327 thousand people around the world and has wreaked havoc not only to the health systems of countries that were hard hit like ltaly the US and Spain but has also it has brought a global recession. Some companies have closed down and people are wondering whether they will be able to provide for their families again, since they have lost their jobs, homes and for them there is no hope for the next day. This however has had a negative effect on people’s mental health
Since the beginning of the lockdown a lot of people have gone online to express how the lockdown has had an effect on their mental health especially by the time when it all started and we believe that was connected to isolation and staying at home, l mean it wasn’t the normal that as the people are used to, spending the whole day indoors when people are used the freedom of going in and out as they please.
Psychologists have stated that the reasons for mental issues and stress during the lockdown were due to fear of becoming sick of infection will l get the virus?, fear of losing their loved ones people are wondering if they are going to make it alive as well as the prospect of financial hardships and information overload But as most countries are starting to ease the lockdown restrictions some people have chosen to remain indoors as they feel safer there and the toll on mental health is starting to become apparent
This pandemic and uncertainty have exacerbated anxiety and depression in those already suffering or struggling with mental issues and those that are experiencing this for the first time in their lives. More cases of mental health issues and suicide have been reported throughout the lockdown and are clearly related to the lockdown. In recognising this the WHO organisation has encouraged governments to set up free online counselling platforms and toll-free lines where they can get someone whom they can talk to whenever they feel down. People have been encouraged to make sure they constantly check on their loved ones in these trying times. Since the WHO warned that covid 19 may never go away we are then encouraged to keep social distance, sanitize always and make sure we are doing the best we can to protect ourselves and those around us so we serve Lives
COVID-19 A Blessing in Disguise or A Curse For The Castle Lager Premier Soccer League?
By Njabulo Proud Moyo
WATER SHEDDING WOES IN BULAWAYO
By Descent Dube
THE shortage of water in Bulawayo has put Pelandaba residents’ lives in danger after thy have no choice but to source the precious liquid at an uncovered well amid the threats posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The city recently introduced a 144 hour water shedding following the decommissioning of Upper Ncema and Lower Ncema dams. Since then, there has been a long queue along Khami Road where there is well which developed due to a leaking pipe.
Chelesile Ncube, a resident who source water at the well said the situation is dire and is likely to cause a health hazard. She said the situation is now scarier due to the fact that the country is in the middle of fighting the spread of Coronavirus.
“This well has turned to be one of the places where the virus can spread uncontrollable because people are desperate for water and theirs is no way we can adhere to the stipulated on metre social distancing. We have been here since 3am and now its 7am but I haven’t filled a single bucket and the worst part is that the City Council is not even following the timetable of opening water to us,” said Ncube.
Among the group of people surrounding the well were two police officers explaining the importance of maintaining the social distancing stipulated under the regulation of the country’s lockdown meant to curb the spread of Covid – 19. However, the insistence from the police seemed to be of no avail which showed that the danger posed by the virus was secondary to people of Pelandaba compared to the consequences that come with the shortage of water.
Various civil society groups and the Bulawayo City Council through the city’s mayor appealed for the government to declare the water situation of Bulawayo the state of national disaster. However, the engineer sent by the government to evaluate the water situation in Bulawayo said the dams could provide the city for more than a year, an evaluation which the BCC has disputed.
ONLINE BUSINESS
By Tambudzai Mahiyana
Online business is any kind of business that includes sharing information using the internet. It is also referred to as the e-business. The online business might appear a little bit complicated from the outside world but in reality, it’s a lot more interesting especially in this digital age where most of the activities takes place online. Thanks to the internet and smartphones, the amount of trading being done online has experienced massive growth. It is the simplest way to make money if the right steps are followed because it is not all about opening a website and then start making money.
There is use of digital tools on online business which help save time and increase productivity. Knowing your targeted customer will help you in knowing which tool is most effective. You cannot be successful through using one tool three or more tools will do in order to have more customers coming. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to note that tools are an absolute necessity for every online business. You cannot run a successful online business without using social media.
More so, in online business you talk to people from different geographical location who might be interested in your product. It is thereby important to learn online business laws, shipping restrictions zoning laws and trademark restrictions because all these when followed properly can lead to the success of your business but, if not followed they can lead to the failure of the business.
To add on when doing online business trustworthiness is the key to success. There are a lot of people doing online business but some of them lack trustworthiness but this is the only thing that makes customers want to return and invite more customers to you through comments of how reliable you are as we all know that online word of mouth is so powerful it can make or break your business. Therefore, it is important to learn the best approach your business can take to please the customers and to avoid pitfalls. Sticking to what you wrote on your website is very important because that is what dragged customers to you, if the deliverance time is one month stick to it and this will build a want to return customer syndrome.
In summary in online business customer satisfaction keeps the business growing. It is not just opening an online business website it goes beyond that once you follow some of the steps mentioned above making money online will not be such a hustle though like anything in the world you would either need a lot of time or money and if you have both you are then good to go.
COVID-19 AND its impact on the MUSIC INDUSTRY
BY MIGHTYMAN NSINGO
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected various business sectors around the world. Don Hiz an artist in the City of Kings gives an overview of the effects and opportunities presented by COVID-19 in Zimbabwe.
A BEAUTIFUL mind; its okay not to be okay
The past 2 months have not been going well for the entire planet. The whole world has been fighting a pandemic and the number of deaths have been increasing hour by hour. Some days were hard and surely some felt better than others and that’s okay. The picture above symbolizes how most of us felt during the first weeks of the nationwide lock down. Almost everyone felt overwhelmed by emotions, confused and the brain was constantly overthinking. lts been great because our loved ones have been checking up on us and haves hared positive uplifting messages with us.
lt is therefore important to know that we are humans and we are allowed not to feel okay, it’s normal. As humans we should make sure we understand ourselves way more and be at peace with our emotions. Everything is so different now our wake up time and sleep times, our routines have adjusted. But wherever you are just know that you are allowed not to feel okay but be cautious at the same time not to overthink it because overthinking can have a negative impact on our physical and mental health, it makes circumstances seem so much worse than they really are. This year has been so different but we have to be grateful for everything that we have , it is therefore essential that to be kind to others and spread positivity in these trying times because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
by Nobukhosi Moyo
Challenges Concerning e-learning
Podcast by Blessing Mangwiro
Challenges Concerning E- Learning in Zimbabwe – Bona Fide
This is a discussion about the introduction of E-Learning due to the covid 19 imposed Lockdown. Zimbabwe has been facing economic challenges and the situation has been exacerbated by the lockdown. More than 85% of Zimbabwean live off the informal sector which has been shut down by the lockdown. Introducing E- Learning had increased the burden on students and Parents. This discussion seeks to hear out the views of parents and students.
Decolonizing Careers
Podcast by Rhyne Chikuni
Decolonizing Careers – Skin Deep
Decolonizing most Zimbabwean parents’ mentality that sport, art and culture are not worthy careers. Questioning if academia and white collar jobs are the only way to go.
6 BULAWAYO ARTIST THAT WILL CHANGE THE ZIM HIP HOP INDUSTRY
By Mightyman Nsingo
For many years, Bulawayo hasn’t been the hot-spot for the outbreak of talent. This however doesn’t mean the city is not gifted as there are a lot of underground artists that fail to get support from promoters and locals.
This has led to some of the artists leaving the city, going where their talent is appreciated. Artists like Lovemore Majaivana, SHASHA, Charlie and many more have moved to UK, South Africa and Canada respectively.
One is left wondering why this is happening in the city of Kings? Don’t the locals support home-based talent? These are questions for another day, but for today we dive into the future of the music industry in the city. We give you the six deeply observed artists that have shown remarkable performances and can shake the industry in the city and Zimbabwe at large.
These artists will surely spark a huge light and namely they are Vuyo Brown, Fish F Ndaramu, Mzoe 7 aka Mr GUGUGAGA, T3rry Tempo aka Bulawayo’s Golden Boy, Msiz’kay and ASAPH aka the people’s rapper.
Get to know about these below:
VUYO BROWN.
A very beautifully heartfelt singer who has beautiful music playing in and around the country. She has a very beautiful soul voice and she knows how to use it and is a mistress in beauty creation.
FISH F NDARAMU:
The Ndaramu trap king, a man who chose to follow and create his own path. His music combines a fusion of trap to his African infused sound resulting to astounding vibes very respected by those who appreciate talent & creativity.
Mzoe7 aka Mr GUGUGAGA:
The deep Afro infused Bulawayo act, with a very deep afro vibe connection. Mzoe if a very creative artist who rips up the stage whenever he performs and he’s performances are implacable. He has the best choreography skills and his music is more than a vibe.
T3RRY TEMPO aka BULAWAYO’S GOLDEN BOY:
The young touch of spice to the Bulawayo industry. The young man came in strong with a hard mix-tape and he promises bigger moves. He tells beautiful love stories, life stories and a lot more through rap and Afro. He has the most beautiful story structuring and creativity and his musical is always implacable.
MSIZ’KAY:
A very eccentric and unique Afro fusion artist with a beautiful African story to tell and a beautiful outlook on life. He has a very unique and captivating style of art that communicates with anyone anywhere. He’s just too good not to love.
ASAPH aka THE PEOPLE’S RAPPER:
He doesn’t need an introduction, he is a trend setter in the Bulawayo hiphop segment, he has the industry in he’s hand. The city has created the best rappers in the city but they all die away all due to the lack and stunted support from the fans and audiences. Asaph seems to have held it off longer than most rappers survive and he is doing a very good job at it. We just hope he doesn’t die out in 3 years time like most Bulawayo Rappers
All these 6 artists stated above have full ability to make it big and even on top of the current greats.
ONLINE SHOWS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP THE CULTURE ALIVE
By Mightyman Nsingo
MUSIC SHOWS in Zimbabwe and across the globe have been the platform where artists and fans got to interact at closer proximity and keep the melodic culture alive. The outbreak of COVID-19 led to the ban of these gatherings.
This has forced musicians to be innovative in using media technologies to be in touch with their fans via online shows.
Online technologies have presented a space where shows can no longer be geographical positioned but transcend across vast boundaries. This has enabled fans to be part of these shows from different locations.
One of Bulawayo’s artists, Terrence K Sibanda also known as T3rry Tempo, urges artists to make use of social media at times like these to connect with their fans to keep them entertained and inspired.
According to Tempo (the city’s golden boy), online shows provide a platform where artists can bond with their fans while on lockdown. It also provides monetary incentives for them through online advertisements.
Some artists in the country have grabbed the opportunity brought by media technologies by participating in online shows. Passion Java and Nash TV recently sponsored shows that were streamed on YouTube with various artists in the country.
“Through these online shows artists can keep their brands and followings alive among fans,” Tempo said.
He also encouraged people to adhere to the measures put in place by the government as it is for their own safeguard.
#StayEntertained #StayInformed #StaySafe
For more info
Twitter: @t3rrytempoZW
Instagram: @t3rrytempoZW
YouTube: T3rry tempo
SoundCloud: T3rry tempo
Tiktok: @t3rrytempoZW
Audiomack: @t3rrytempo
Snapchat: @t3rrytempoZW
WHAT NEXT ON THE 2020 ACADEMIC YEAR AMID COVID-19?
By Thandeka Angeline Ncube.
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic in China became primetime news in Africa as the plight of its international students in Wuhan – where it began – took centre stage. At the time of the outbreak, Hubei, the province where Wuhan is located, hosted around 5,000 of the nearly 82,000 African students in China.Africa has taken the coronavirus pandemic seriously only in the last few weeks, following the confirmation of its first cases. Initial responses included the closure of schools and universities beginning in mid-March.
Increasingly, universities across the continent are setting up institution-wide task forces to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Some are striving to participate in high-end research towards finding a cure for the virus. Many are attempting to shift to online teaching and learning through institutional, national, continental and international initiatives.
According to UNESCO, 9.8 million African students are experiencing disruption in their studies due to the closure of higher education institutions. The danger of contamination has triggered institutions to move their courses online. However, going online is not that simple on a continent where only 24% of the population has access to the internet, and poor connectivity, exorbitant costs and frequent power interruptions are serious challenges.
Increasingly, universities are partnering with internet providers and governments to overcome this critical challenge by negotiating zero-rated access to specific educational and information websites, as in the case of Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia.
What does this mean for students? In the short term, this means we must maintain access to learning and ensure kids retain knowledge and skills (i.e. through temporary remote, alternative or distance learning programmes). In the medium term, this means catching up and transitioning students who have fallen behind or had a break in their education to re-join their level of schooling and competency (i.e. automatic promotion with a mandatory catchup/remedial period at the beginning). In the longer term, this means there is a need for education systems to be set up with contingency capacities to mitigate and manage risk in the future.
However, it is not all gloomy for Zimbabwe students grounded at home by COVID-19. Lectures, assignment can be proctored via video links or apps like Slack as everywhere.
Yes, it is possible. What´s needed is change of organisational culture in our educational system to adopt the ubiquitous social technologies such as WhatsApp. There are 5, 6 million WhatsApp users (in Zimbabwe) and companies are already developing products such as banking via these mediums. The widely assumed thinking in government is: we need more investment yet we are failing to exploit low hanging fruit.”
Final year students are eager to write their final exams and move on to the next chapters of their lives. The Zimbabwean government and school authorities should engage and discuss a way of saving the 2020 academic year and try to find a “new normal” for students in the midst of a world pandemic.
Sport and Self Discipline
By: Podzani Tshuma
Sport is one of those things that you’ll have to go a long way to find somebody that has no interest in. It unites people from different categories of life; whether rich nor poor. When they meet, they discuss football, cricket, rugby and athletics; from regional to international competitions. Highlighting how the games were played.
The interest in sport is displayed through different channels, be it watching or partaking in that sporting activity. I have seen a lot of people who are passionate about sport signing up to be members of different clubs and some becoming die-hard fans.
I for one, I haven’t always been into sports. But I’m glad I met people who recruited me to the world of sports. I now follow a South African sports program called Homeground which plays on channel 161 DSTV every Monday at 21.30 hours and, also read sports news. I admit that I had been missing out. I’m glad that I’m now a huge fan of sport.
With my experience in following sports I realised there is more to it than just a game. It is not only about rivals between different teams but it is more about grooming players to be better individuals. They are taught to be independent, and be able to control their temper.
Studies show that some people use sporting activities for rehabilitation and recreation purposes. For instance, soccer; a game which is played by two teams each consisting of eleven players. It has rules which one has to follow and when they are broken you are punished. They use yellow and red cards to punish those who would have broken the rules of the game. Only the goal keeper is allowed to use his hands for any other player it will be a penalty or free kick. Those mistakes affect the whole team’s performance.
Pardon me, I will use soccer as a point of reference in this article.
Soccer is good for personal development. It’s not only about people sweating and running after the ball or winning and losing. But rather it grooms people to become better individuals through advice from coaches and team managers. It cultivates self-confidence and teamwork tendencies, where players are taught to appreciate their different talents and how they can utilise them for better performance of the team. It is not an individual’s game but a team’s game bringing their best together to achieve their goals and help each other shine.
Teamwork also promote relations between players, they grow closer together and can support each other in the field and even outside. Teams who have players who are not united usually struggle to co-ordinate and put their all in the game.
To those who thought sport is about running after a ball and sweating, from today onwards know that you were wrong there is more to it than just sweating. Those who partake in sporting activities get learn how to handle pressure, control their temper and how to relate with others in the field of game and outside the pitch. Sport works as a therapy for both mind, soul and body.
Castle Lager Premiere Soccer League 2020 Season Put On Halt.
By Njabulo Proud Moyo
Bulawayo artists take Covid19 fight online
By Stacy Nyathi
Local traditional and contemporary artist, Hwabaraty, will tomorrow hold his second online liveshow aimed at conscientizing the public about the Covid-19 pandemic.
The performance titled ‘Umhlaba wonakele’ will be livestreamed on Hwabaraty’s facebook page, facebook.com/Hwabaraty, at 4:00pm CAT.
The performance is a follow-up of the first covid-19 solidarity session which entailed the behind the scenes production of the songs.
The session was held on 22 April 2020 under the hashtags #LockdownZim, #Stay home and #Stay Safe. The session attracted 900 views in just an hour. In an interview, Hwabaraty said they wish to reach as many people as possible as the virus has affected everyone.
‘During the sessions, we are actually walking the talk, for example we will be sanitizing and observing social distancing while we are performing,’ said Hwabaraty.
Hwabaraty in conjunction with other artists such as Cooperman and Gazelimnyama are collaborating to hold Covid-19 solidarity sessions aimed at conscientizing the public about the pandemic through song. These sessions are streamed live on facebook, where the audience can access from the comfort of their homes.
The lockdown has seen local artists embracing online platforms to spread awareness about the corona virus.
@stacy_nyathi
The Life of Tafirenyika (Tafi) Dube, The Visually Impaired Old Singer At Pioneer House
By Sandisile Mtetwa
A lot of people probably see him and have been seeing him at the same spot for the past few years, but it’s possible that only a few bother themselves to know more about him.
Tafirenyika (Tafi) Dube has been singing in his spot for the past 20 years and more, just outside the Pioneer House building in the Bulawayo CBD.
Those who have taken time to actually listen to his soul touching music refer to him as Bulawayo’s own Don Williams.
He is popularly known for singing old school hit songs by several artists like Don Williams, Dolly Parton, Jimmy Reeves and Kenny Rodgers.
Tafie, just as he mentioned that his friends call him by that name’, is one of Bulawayo’s most talented singer, guitarist and pianist with visual impairment.
His interest in music began when he was 10 years old in Gweru, during his primary school.
One can say that that the way he started music was amazing as it all began when he joined the school choir and later learnt to play the guitar at Grade Five.
He explained how he always had to do music at night because during the day he had to focus on school.
“At a very young age of around 10, I discovered my passion in music but I had to do it at night so I wouldn’t mess with my school work during the day,” Tafie said with a smile on his face. Music has always been a part of him as he explained how he has been singing for most of his life.
Having been born in Ntabazinduna, Tafie now stays in Mpopoma Township with his “lady’ as he mentioned it, but finds his way to town on a daily basis to perform at his usual spot.
He explained that his music is not just for fun, but it is his way of survival as he has no other career but his everyday singing on the street.
“I make a living from singing at my spot and people do support me everyday although days are not the same,” he exclaimed.
Asked about how he survives now through this economic hardship in Zimbabwe, Tafie explained with a sad face that it’s mostly his friends and some relatives who assist him with money and food every day.
He keeps a small metal box beside his keyboard where supportive citizens throw in money for him. He checks on the box at all times, but is mostly disappointed when he goes throughout the day without getting anything.
Life often feels sad and hard for Tafie when he thinks of his late wife, how they used to be happy together making music.
Their love story had begun a few years back when she was a vendor in the CBD and Tafie would always hear her sing. Her voice captured his attention and melted his heart enough to land the two of them in a happy marriage.
Life was all rosy and great for them until a short illness claimed her life, which left Tafie devastated and heartbroken.
And, like all heartbreaks, Tafi managed to recover by continuing his music. He had to sing as hard as it was, as a way to celebrate the life of his late wife, and the good times they had together. At the age of 62, Tafi still enjoys music and says that it is his life.
However, he explained that not only does he face money challenges but also his guitar was stolen a few years ago.
Since he stores his music instruments, the guitar and the keyboard, at Pioneer house with the security he once faced an incident when his guitar was stolen and never found.
Luckily for him, he called out for well-wishers to donate one for him and his prayers were answered.
A good Samaritan donated a guitar, while the other gave him a keyboard which he loves dearly and now plays it every day.
“These days I only use my keyboard only for my music as I fear using my guitar after the incident of the other one being stolen,” said Tafi.
During the interview with Tafi, he revealed that he recorded two albums with his late wife a very long time ago.
For now he has not collaborated with any of the local artists, but has only been singing alone.
His wish, however, is to perform with anyone who would give him a chance. He said “I am flexible to perform anywhere with anyone given the opportunity.”
STRATEGIES YOU CAN USE TO SPOT FAKE NEWS IN THE DIGITAL ERA
By Mightyman Nsingo
The corona virus pandemic, has led to the upsurge of fake news via different social media platforms. Here are some of our tips to fight fake news. These tips can be applied to all types of information from diverse platforms.
If you have any ways that you use to spot fake news comment and help more people in fighting fake news.
COPING DURING COVID-19
By Khossy Zondo
While mental health is not the main global focus at the moment, the psycho-social aspects of the Covid-19 pandemic may be taking a toll on many people’s minds. Some people are enjoying working and studying from home there are people who are negatively affected such that social distancing may feel like torture. Social media users constantly share the millions of ways that they are trying to pass the time and how their biggest problem at the moment is boredom. Some individuals face much bigger challenges such as unemployment, poverty, homelessness and many more issues.
Covid-19 has reduced the income of many and caused large numbers of people to be on unpaid leave or unemployed. Entrepreneurs and small business owners are up to their necks with anxiety of the losses they have faced during this crisis and how they will get back on their feet. People who finally had their breakthroughs at school and job opportunities have no choice but to place everything on hold. University students who were so excited to finally graduate had to end their years of hard work via online graduation ceremonies
With everything on lockdown in most countries the mere option of escaping an abusive home and busying your-self with one thing or the next has been thrown outside the window. It is important to acknowledge the effects that this crisis will have global mental health as much as we acknowledge the toll it will take on economic and social issues because the mental health that is affected by Covid-19 is the same one that will help us maintain sanity during this period.
There’s so much confusion in the world with hundreds of citizen journalists using social media platforms to share information on the virus. Most people simply receive and share information without verification leading to a spread in fake news and an increase in panic. It is normal to feel stressed, anxiety and loneliness during this period of isolation and social distancing. It is also normal to be scared, frustrated and confused. A crisis such as this one may cause people to adopt unhealthy eating, drinking and sleeping habits. People do not respond to a crisis the same way therefore do not be hard on yourself for whichever way you are reacting.
How to cope during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- If you are struggling with stress and anxiety, the first thing you can do is to take some time off news and social media updates about the update. You already know everything you need to know on the symptoms and social distancing to minimize spread, why then should you add more stress with information on death numbers. Mute any Covid-19 updates or keywords for a while and especially people who spread false news.
- Connect with family and friends on how you are feeling. Participate in activities that you love for entertainment and distraction. Use this time to catch up with anything you have been procrastinating.
- Your physical health is as important as your mental health therefore practise self-care through physical exercises.
SCRUTINIZING SEXUAL HARASSMENT
BY: GUGULETHU NCUBE
Gender-based violence is a phenomenon deeply rooted in gender inequality, and continues to be one of the most notable human rights violations within all societies. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of their gender. Both women and men experience gender-based violence but the majority of victims are women and girls. According to the UNFPA an estimated one in three women will experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime with adolescents and young people taking a 29% of sexual abuse. Tertiary students are incorporated in this figure with most of it fractured under sexual harassment.
Office of Institutional Equity, University of Michigan states that Sexual harassment is defined by law and includes requests for sexual favors, sexual advances or other sexual conduct when (1) submission is either explicitly or implicitly a condition affecting academic or employment decisions; (2) the behavior is sufficiently severe or pervasive as to create an intimidating, hostile or repugnant environment; or (3) the behavior persists despite objection by the person to whom the conduct is directed. World Health Organisation (WHO) defined sexual harassment as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when either:
- The acceptance or refusal of such conduct is used as the basis or a factor in decisions affecting an individual`s education, living environment, or participation in a University community.
- The conduct unreasonably impacts an individual’s academic performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment for that individual’s education, living environment, or participation in a University community.
According to Students And Youth Working on reproductive Health Action Team (SAYWHAT), statistics indicate that 50% state universities in Zimbabwe have sexual harassment policies, 45% Polytechnics have sexual harassment policies, 23% of teacher training colleges have sexual harassment policies while there is no statistics on agricultural colleges and vocational training centers.
There are two types of sexual harassment, “quid pro quo” and hostile environment. Quid pro quo (meaning “this for that”) sexual harassment occurs when it is stated or implied that an academic decision about a student depends upon whether the student submits to conduct of a sexual nature in which we now call a thigh for a mark. Quid pro quo sexual harassment also occurs when it is stated or implied that an individual must submit to conduct of a sexual nature in order to participate in a University program or activity. So, for example, if a student is made to believe that she is likely to get a Distinction in a particular module if the student goes on a date with the lecturer.
Hostile environment sexual harassment occurs when unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive learning environment or is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it affects a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a University program or activity. While a person engaging in harassing behavior most often has some form of power or authority over the person being harassed, that is not always the case. The harasser can be a peer of the person being harassed. Sometimes the harasser is harassing a person who has power over them. For example, a student can sexually harass a faculty member.
Godwill Zulu, the peer educator’s president said, “Cases of sexual harassment are there and are a living reality here at the National University of science and technology (NUST), as students we are happy that the university is taking steps in formulating a sexual harassment policy. All this while the institution has had a harassment policy but not a sexual harassment policy. The coming in of the sexual harassment policy will help many students who are being affected to openly air out their views.”
In a sexual harassment consultant meeting held at the resource center, Nkazimulo Khumalo indicated that some of the procedures that were being required when filling a sexual harassment case were very long which have a strong possibility of the victim losing interest in pushing the case forward, this gives the perpetrator the chance to continue victimizing other students.
Khumalo said, “through consultative meetings that have been held by SAYWHAT, the institution realized the gap in the reporting pathway, the institution for the meantime has put an online reporting platform which is confidential yet effective and safe for the students to use.”
Young men have always been portrayed as perpetrators of gender-based violence in tertiary institutions with verbal abuse taking precedence. Recently things have taken are sharp turn with the young men being on the receiving end to what I would term ‘visual harassment.’ Visual harassment is when a women dresses in a manner that disrupts the mind from purpose, taking it to the imaginary world at the wrong place and time.
During the first semester at the NUST, a student came wearing a Bra and pants for a lecture which took the attention of everyone at campus. The students dress cord has been questioned a number of times and has been popularly known for revealing clothing.
Chrispen Shoko, his classmate said, “She sat right next to me, I really wanted to focus on the lecture but could not handle the temptation of looking at her now and again. If our female counter parts start bringing beach outfits to lecture rooms, we won’t understand a thing we learn. A man`s mind is distracted by what it sees, so having her next to me was rather time wasting for me as I could not concentrate on the lecture.
Some of the students at campus highlighted that such dress codes an invitation for rape for other women. People have every right to express themselves the way they feel and want to be heard but then it is equally important to think of the next person next to you on that which one intends to do, by so doing, we can be assured of a GBV free society.
The following descriptions, while not all-inclusive, will help you understand the types of behavior that are considered “conduct of a sexual nature” and that, if unwelcome, may constitute sexual harassment:
Unwanted sexual statements: Sexual or “dirty” jokes, comments on physical attributes, spreading rumors about or rating others as to sexual activity or performance, talking about one’s sexual activity in front of others and displaying or distributing sexually explicit drawings, pictures and/or written material. Unwanted sexual statements can be made in person, in writing, electronically (email, instant messaging, blogs, web pages, etc.) and otherwise.
Unwanted personal attention: Letters, telephone calls, visits, pressure for sexual favors, pressure for unnecessary personal interaction and pressure for dates where a sexual/romantic intent appears evident but remains unwanted.
Unwanted physical or sexual advances: Touching, hugging, kissing, fondling, touching oneself sexually for others to view, sexual assault, intercourse or other sexual activity. (Office of Institutional Equity, University of Michigan).
Sexual harassment is considered a direct violation of one’s rights and you can be taken to task if the case is reported to the relevant authorities. Do not be found wanting, lets stand together and boldly stand against GBV in our different communities so that wherever were we are of a sound mind.
NUST Poet Tazz
By Judith Phiri
Old or young, chances are most of us at some point tried to pen a poem or two. But it takes a particular bravery to release these intimate thoughts to the world, and that’s exactly what poet Tendesai Tazivanashe Mawodzwa is doing.
The 21-year-old poet known by his stage name Tazz, is currently a second year student studying Risk Management and Insurance at the National University of Science and Technology. The talent came naturally in his teenage years.
“I have always had a thing for arts so it just came naturally. I started doing poetry a few years back, I think I was 16 years old then,” said Tazz.
He said for him poetry is about expressing his emotions and how he is feeling at a particular time.
“I connect my emotions with the ink and usually write what I’m feeling that moment. And looking at the world and how things are it’s not everyone who has a voice to express themselves, let people know what is going on or how they are feeling. For me poetry gave me a voice to be heard and if l were to show you one of my pieces you would probably get a clear picture of how I’m feeling and what was going on,” he said.
He added: “Poetry gives a voice to the voiceless because all the art is beautiful so people would rather listen or look at the message in beauty no matter how messed up things are, but they are more willing to understand the message in poetry.”
Tazz also hinted on how he manages to be a student and a renowned poet.
“I don’t have any problems being a student and an artist. I owe that to my ability to balance things, l usually write in my spare time. For me poetry is a hobby which l love so balancing it with my academic life becomes easy,” said Tazz.
He also stressed that poetry is not appreciated that much in Zimbabwe, as it is in other countries.
“Society views arts differently, it’s not everyone who appreciates poetry or music or any form of arts in Zimbabwe. If you were to look at how people are accepting arts out there for instance in Europe or South Africa they have a deeper appreciation of it unlike here in Zimbabwe.
“It might be exposure or something else, but we are hardly appreciated in our motherland and that proves to be a barrier. I have overcome this by continuing to write and make sure my poetry changes someone’s life,” he said.
Tazz advised other upcoming artists to follow their dreams.
“For someone who is looking to be an artist or poet you should follow your dreams and go about it the sky is the limit. Break out of that shell and go out there and show the world what you can do, no one is going to do that for you,” said Tazz.
Why Marriage???
By Edgar Ushe
One thing for sure is that people still get married for various reasons. Some marry for love, some are forced and yet for some, marriage has become a status symbol. It is for this reason that to me it becomes important that every now and then we take stock of the state of marital unions around us.
The number of couples who had their marriages solemnised by magistrates at the Bulawayo’s Tredgold Building increased to 1 267 in 2019 compared to the previous year when 1 192 couples exchanged marriages vows. As much as there are many marriages, divorce cases are rising.
We need to understand why marriages struggle, how bad the state of marriages is and how we can help save some marriages. According to the latest media reports, about 673 divorces were recorded in 2018 in Zimbabwe, evidence that some things are not going well in marriages.
There are a number of reasons why people marry and why they divorce. From what I have seen marriage has moved from being an end goal of a relationship between a man and woman to being a way of showing their friends and family that life is going well for them. Inspired by television shows like ‘Our Perfect Wedding,’ people now want these big events where people eat big and experience great fashion taste then a few months or years down the line they divorce.
A retired High Court judge, Justice Lawrence Kamocha stipulated that newly wedded and fairly young couples were dominating in divorce, urging parents to stop interfering with their children’s marriages, saying it contributed to divorce cases. This is also a result of getting married for wrong reasons.
Long back shame was attached to those who bore children out of wedlock but now shame attaches to those who do not have big weddings at nice venues with nice food and nice pictures taken for social media.
Marriages have thus failed because people just get married to show off then later realise they married the wrong person or were just not ready to settle down.
One reason why some can say people divorce is the idea of living together before getting married. So it is believed that people would have grown out of each other by the time they get married but I would like to express that living together before marriage may be advantageous in that you get to know more about your partner and decide if you would like to spend the rest of your life with them before wasting money and resources on a marriage that you are not sure will work.
Some marriages just fail because people marry at a young age. At a young age, someone’s feelings would be all over the place and they are not mature enough to decide what they want for the next 20, 30 or so years of their lives. You find some people divorcing after a year of marriage because their marriage was just too early and to a wrong person.
Religious indifferences are also one of the reasons some people find themselves divorcing. If you and your partner do not have mutual religious beliefs, staying together might be the worst nightmare because these differences may haunt your relationship. This is why I believe people should make their religious beliefs clear before marriage and discuss ways of accommodating each other without hurting each other’s feelings.
Discussions about gender equality have also haunted some marriages. Women are much aware of their rights and are being empowered so when they feel their rights are trampled on in their marriage, they want to leave marriage. Men on the other had feel threatened by women empowerment such that when the wife demands her rights the husband feels belittled and cannot stand the marriage.
These few reasons for divorces I have noted guide my view that couples should receiving marriage counselling before and during their marriage. Talking about marriage before helps one to know what to expect in a marriage and be ready to deal with what comes with marriage life.
Counselling in the course of the marriage can help couples be guided on whether they are doing it right in marriage life or need to adjust a bit. People should be given enough information on rights so that neither the husband nor the wife abuses their rights or is deprived of their rights.
We should enforce laws that make it nearly impossible for someone to consider divorce, learning from Sri Lanka with low divorce rate due to the laws governing divorce procedure.
BULAWAYO’S GOLDEN BOY set TO DROP A FOOD FOR THOUGHT TRACK THIS LOCK DOWN
BY MIGHTYMAN NSINGO
WITH the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic crippling all sectors of industry, Terrence K Sibanda also known as T3rry Tempo, is set to drop a new song to keep his fans entertained during the ongoing lockdown.
The city’s golden boy is set to release the song titled Exclamation on the 12th of April. Exclamation is a remix by Tempo from a song by Tmak, the fortune teller.
Tempo is determined to drop this new track as he says it will have everything for everyone because it touches on real-life statements and exclamations. He added that the song meant being heard and making a statement.
Tempo noted: “The song is meant in full, everything is a statement of value and has depth in concept. So as you take a listen to the song, you will discover a lot of stories and statements put out in the body of the song.”
According to Tempo, the song contains Tmak’s verses touching on the economic crisis, the struggle with the law, people’s hardships and divorce all being faced by the country. At the same time, his lines are more concerned with personal experiences and sacrifices he made for his career.
“My experiences and sacrifices are meant to empower all upcoming artists and ordinary people not to give up on their dreams,” Tempo said.
Exclamation “!” Is simply a song about statements and exclamations… So stick around and hear it when its out.. Follow up on T3rry if u want to hear the song
twitter: @t3rrytempoZW
insta: @t3rrytempoZW
http://www.t3rrytempo.tk
Email: t3rrytempoworldwide@gmail.com
YouTube: T3rry tempo
SoundCloud: T3rry tempo
DECOLONIZING religion: African Traditional Religions Misunderstood
By Edgar Ushe
AFRICAN traditional religions globally have been labelled juju, witchcraft or voodoo as these faith systems are associated with darkness. This type of religion has been regarded as backward to an extent that traditional healers are called witchdoctors. Even Africans who call themselves Christians associate their own religion with evil spirits, giving prominence to the religion that was introduced to them by the coloniser naming it holy. It is the colonisation of the mind that has enforced such perspectives.
Since the early colonial period to present, wrong perspectives on African native spiritualties are spread and believed as truth. Some Africans have accepted such prejudiced Western views of African religion, with a perspective of being saved by the Christian religion from worshiping dark spirits, promoting religious colonialism.
Religious colonialism on Africans is the main reason that most of Africans have come to view their own indigenous faith systems as epitomes of evil. Presenting local beliefs as nothing but backwater superstitions was part and parcel of how Christian missionaries operated in their bid to bring their religion and Western civilisation to Africa which they view as a dark-continent. Most missionaries had a belief that they were saving Africans from satanic oppression and ignorance, an idea that most post-colonial Africans have internalised.
It is these missionaries who incorporated their religion in Africa labelling indigenous religion as Satanism or worship of the devil. African indigenous faith systems became “primitive”, uncivilised, a necessary evil that had to be dealt with, and an inferior system that had to be done away with.
Indigenous children were forced into seminaries and taught not only Christianity but also the superiority of Western culture and language in the hopes that they would go ahead as agents of European authority and “civilise” their own people. This was a way of making the Christian religion dominate the African religions as they are regarded as inferior and demonic.
Some writers posit that Christianity was the leading vehicle in the transportation of colonisation and westernisation. Missionary societies that Christianised African people in the 19th century were financially funded by various western governments who were on the mission to colonise the “dark continent.”
Africans used to worship their God through ancestors and this was conducted through certain rituals like brewing traditional beer and sacrificing animals to appease their God. This is their own belief which is different to that of the coloniser. Even in the Christian bible in the old-testament people like Cain, Melchizedek and Abraham used animals as sacrifices to their God. It is in the new-testament where these laws were changed after the coming of Jesus Christ who became the sacrifice by being crucified and dying on the cross and this is according to the Christian belief.
African religions should not be labelled as devil worshiping as there different ways of worshiping God and it is unknown to the human era, the correct way of worshiping.
Dressing the part
BY KHOSSY ZONDO
After securing a place for attachment the next worry for some students is what they are going to wear for the workplace that they are going to be in. Maybe you wore a fabulous outfit for your interview to impress, got the job and now your main worry is how you will impress every other day of work. When picking out outfits for attachment/internship/placement keep in mind that no one can look glamorous every day. Before you start panicking and bothering your parents for money for a shopping spree you have to first understand the type of workplace that you will be in. Some companies provide uniforms for daily use while some may give details on the companies’ dress code in the contract. However, some companies simply assume that a university student will dress ‘appropriately’ for their new position.
Remember that no matter where you are attached you do not have to spend hundreds of dollars to look formal and you do not have to wear different clothing throughout the year, you are a student and everyone knows and understands that. There is no need for designer clothes; you can shop even from affordable shops or from a thrift shop. The dress code for many companies is usually divided into three categories: formal, casual and business casual. Business casual wear can be a bit tricky as it is somewhere in the middle of formal and casual wear. Formal clothing tends to include strict office wear. For women, most companies prefer skirts and dresses that aren’t too short, slacks that aren’t too tight as you would also feel uncomfortable and necklines aren’t too low. For men formal means always tucking in your formal shirt and having a tie and a belt.
Dressing up for work on a daily basis is really different from dressing up for campus. This does not only mean outfits but accessories such as hair and makeup. If the office is a little less formal and more casual, you can ensure that your casual wear still looks smart and presentable. A more casual office does not mean you should pull up in crop tops, shorts or roughly ripped jeans (please do not embarrass your university). Remember that people will judge you from what you are wearing before you start speaking. It is important to blend in with what everyone else in your work place is wearing. Most importantly, remember that you’re still a student and your main goal is to learn, looking the part is a secondary goal!
EFFECTS OF COVID-19 ON SPORTING ACTIVITIES
By Njabulo P. Moyo
Coronavirus and the spiritual perspective
By Freedom Dube
A number of videos showing series of prophecies made by several prophets and prophetess have been a point of discussion and reference about the mysterious virus that has shook the whole world.
The Zimbabwe’s Sunday mail paper has been ridiculed for reporting a story about United Family International Church (UFIC) leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa foretelling the consequences of coronavirus pandemic.
Prophet Makandiwa made the initial prophecy in three consecutive years; 2015, 2016 and 2017 during his church services at the City Sports Centre in Harare emphasising the seriousness of the strange disease.
In the United States of America, Pastor Hank Kunneman of Lord of Hosts Church was castigated for saying that God is sparing the United States from the coronavirus due to President Trump’s leadership.
Writing in his twitter blog questioning the Sunday Mail, Alex Magaisa (@Wamagaisa) said “How much was paid for this? Some are busy reporting scientific efforts to find a vaccine; our biggest weekly is reporting prophecies. To what end?’’
APA Zimbabwe (@APAZimbabwe), added “Can government put a stop to this mindless nonsense. Can state media stop amplifying “demonic” causes over medical-science? We are facing a crisis. It does not help when corrective measures are compromised with this kind of messaging from state media.’’
Gorerehwiza (@vengaikanyimo20) was of different point of view, “If a prophet says something as a prophecy, he always says “let’s pray “, that is the only solution, praying before it comes, but we “learned people” don’t want to listen to that, we want an acceptable solution like antibiotics, antiviral.’’
Coronavirus, known as Covid-19, broke out in December 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has spread across 186 countries killing about 12 000 people while infecting over 200 000 worldwide, in Zimbabwe only two people have tested positive.
Dr Masimba Mavaza, writing in his blog said, “COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect human lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus. It is called corona because it is shaped like a crown. The bacteria causing the virus cannot be seen by our naked eyes. The world has been confused. The big super powers with all their inflated ego have failed to understand the virus. For the first time in our life time, the world has been attacked by a very minute unseen virus. This virus knows no boundaries it does not respect any one. It attacks from the pope to the thief in prison from a president to the minister of health in England.’’
However in the spiritual world, a different perspective is relayed. “It’s a demonic spirit which has gone on a rampage,” said Prophet Makandiwa. He warned that the new disease was going to be more lethal than HIV/Aids and cancer.
As such, Trinity Church Cedar Hill from Texas United States of America Pastor Cindy Jacobs, called for a national day of prayer to end the Coronavirus. “After seeking wisdom and prophetic counsel from prophets across the nation and world, it’s going to take the whole church to cry out together for the mercy and healing power of God.’’
Pastor Joseph Prince, on 16 Feb 2020 screened an excerpt from a sermon he preached on 19 August 2018 in which he prophesied a new strain of flu-like virus that was to come. He also shared how God has already released a new “strain” of healing among His people. “The coronavirus is not from God but from the devil, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy.’’
His sermon excerpt says; God’s people, need not to worry during these dangerous and uncertain times because God is always ahead of the devil. “instead of allowing fear to dictate our every move, let’s continue to place our entire trust in the Lord and claim His powerful promises of protection,’’ said Joseph Prince.
Prophet TB Joshua held a prayer against coronavirus (see Video Source: https://youtu.be/Wqtx_bSgHJw). In his service in early March 2020 TB Joshua prophesied that God has started to clean the virus and it will disappear the way it came by March 27. “CORONAVIRUS IS BEING WASHED OUT BY THE RAIN OF GOD! GOOD BYE CORONAVIRUS,’’ he said.
“Thousands if not millions or billions are going to die; so don’t say it wasn’t public. We need to keep praying because they cannot cure it. Our learned people will cry and they will ask God to help them. It will be painful. I am saying it so that we pray against it,” said Prophet Makandiwa.
‘TURNING POINT’ Book Launch Indeed a turning point!
By Mightyman Nsingo
THE National University of Science and Technology has proved to be well esteemed in grooming students who are innovative and provide solutions to their societies. In its various faculties, the university has made sure to make their students think in other terms and not to be limited in what they do.
A third-year student currently studying accounting, Tendai Dara, raised the NUST flag high through launching his second book titled ‘Turning Point’ on the 21st of March this year at Batanai Gardens in Harare. Besides being an Accounting student, he widened his scope to think outside his accounting programme and use his writing skills for bettering society.
The launch of his book was graced by speakers such as, Sinikiwe Kademaunga, Pedzi Chimbwanda, Linda Sibayoni, Coach Taffy and Cythnia Chirinda.
During the launch, Kademaunga empowered everyone through her words of wisdom as she noted that “life is all about choices and going against the odds.”
Coach Taffy echoed Kademaunga sentiments as he challenged people to leave their comfort zones and search for the true sense of their purpose.
The book turning point is a self-discovery manual seeking to bring meaning to everything that people do. It seeks to help people find their purpose.
Dara noted that our education system teaches us how to be good employees but society knows no degree, so his book provides valuable life lessons that can help one reorient their life to God’s purpose for creation.
All the speakers applauded the author for having written a well-articulated masterpiece to help people find a true sense of purpose.
Pedzisai Chimbwanda, one of the speakers, noted that “leaders lead from behind and inspire from the front, this is what Tendai has done, he is helping so many people both younger and older.”
The Launch of the book was indeed a turning point as the event was graced by over 80 people and the first copy of the book was bought for USD 75 by the manager of Unilever who had the highest bid.
Dara, humbled himself in front of everyone at the launch through going down on his knees before starting his speech. He also thanked God for using him. He also expressed his thanks to, Brigdetek Solutions, Ceecee Fantasy Solutions and Pillar of Hope Foundation for their sponsorships that made the event a success.
In his speech, Dara noted that the motivation for writing Turning Point came from his personal experiences, where he was once a lost soul but as Paul, God’s light shone on him. He noted that the book is not just an inspiration, it is a response to God’s call to his people.
Dara whose doing attachment, revealed that his success in writing the book was due to time management. He noted that his success is inspired by the God’s ability to create the heavens and earth in seven days.
“I sleep a maximum of 4 hours a day because l understand that what God sent me to do is bigger and more important than sleeping. I always tell people that l have 38 hours a day because l make sure l have a to do list which l follow religiously throughout the day.”
Connect with Tendai Dara
More About Tendai Dara
https://www.entrepreneurship-campus.org/members/tendaidara/
https://www.millenniumfellows.org/2019/nust-zw/tendai-daraSPORTS, VARSITY LIFE
Most likely to frequently engage? Then contraception is a no brainer!
By Gugulethu Ncube
The pill or injection? Condom or pill or both? Still undecided they opt for skin-on-skin and protection for the next time.
But what if next time never comes because you lost her number because it was a one night casual sex act, or what if next time never comes because you realise you are late for your period and you are too depressed let alone stand him. What if ….No, we have exhausted that time for doubting, second thinking or making uninformed decisions, no we are past that. Young people today have the privilege to be capacitated with the knowledge that enables them to make worthwhile decisions on their sexual reproductive health and rights.
Old tale but truth has without tire professed ‘you can take a donkey to the drinking place but you cannot force it to drink’, moreover, true to say that agency exists and it is surely thrust upon each and every one of us by simple virtue of being human, irrespective of gender, race, nationality, age or political view. However, with so many options and unfortunately as many myths and misconceptions, young people still fall prey to incidences such as teenage and unwanted pregnancies which in turn beget some of the most undesirable outcomes. Issues such as suicides, depression, school dropouts, illegal abortion to mention a few proceed _all because Mary said she heard that the pill causes infertility, or I could not go to the clinic to access the injection because Sister Dorothy will look at me in some type of way.
A variety of youth organizations are working tirelessly each day to make sure that young people access quality and comprehensive sexual reproductive health services including contraceptives, with emphasis that all family planning methods are safe for young people though not turning a blind eye to the fact that side effects exist and are unique with an individual hence the idea of laying down options and allowing the young person make her own informed decisions.
Sihle Tshuma, a NUST student said she is grateful for the health fairs that happen in the institution as it gives her a chance to interact with service providers who assist with information in different contraceptive methods which at the end of the day gives me a choice on which contraceptive method to use.
Mixed and unsettled emotions have since arose from the general population in question that how can as said by the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Councils (ZNFPC) access to family planning services be availed to young women from as early as at the age of 10years old. The answer to the concern is broken down to as simple as this proceeding question “How old is the youngest mother is Zimbabwe?” … Food for thought!
The aim and mandate of sexual reproductive health programming in general is to see a time where young people are able to fully enjoy their sexual reproductive health rights, and as such, in as much as young people are urged to delay sexual debut, it is no secret that despite the counsel, young people are indulging hence needless of appraisal of the undeserving and prematurely done act. Young people still have the right to access contraceptive services in line with the aim to reduce teenage pregnancies.
Tendai Machemedze, a Resource Centre minder with SAYWHAT highlighted that the rate of teenage pregnancies are alarming and there is great need for capacitation on assertiveness in relation to contraception usage.
The pill or injection? The device or jadelle? The condom or abstinence? The agency bell rings.
Fortunately or unfortunately or by the laws of nature, many factors come into play, and because family planning mostly affects the women, Mbalenhle Dlodlo, a student at NUST said questions such as “Do I need to tell my partner about my family planning or the method I’ve chosen?” “How is he going to take it?” As well as concerns such as “Will I be able to bear children later in the future?”
Mission Gwafa, a programs manager at ZNFPC said, “The concerns are real, burning and absolutely called for, but if only young people knew the golden fact in contraception, that ALL FAMILY PLANNING METHODS are safe for young people. Less unwanted pregnancies would we perceive, less infant mortality would we encounter, a generation where young people and particularly the girl child is in control of her life, her decisions, her infinite potential and her sexual reproductive health.”
Gwafa went further to say, “If only the condom gospel could reach the ear and penetrate the reasoning in mind, then moreover, less incidences of STIs would we have, and our drive to a zero-new infection generation would be accelerating.”
NUST Reacts to Covid 19
By Stacy Nyathi
National university of Science and Technology suspends sporting and entertainment activities in compliance with the President’s directive in the fight against COVID19.
This comes after the President’s address banning gathering of more than 100 people all over the country. However lectures are still being held although some mass lectures have more than 100 students.
The Student Representative Council President, Innocent Dombo, said the student body will show its compliance to the ban by postponing all sporting and entertainment activities scheduled for this semester until further notice. He emphasized that the events were not being cancelled but just postponed to a later date that will be advised.
Activities that have been affected include the Career fare, Interfaculty competitions, Mozambique educational trip and Culture night, Miss NUST, among others which had been scheduled for March and April 2020.
Sporting activities like trainings can still go on as long as the activity contains a group of less than a 100 people.
The SRC is looking for innovative ways to keep the NUST students entertained and informed throughout this crisis by creation of content that can be accessed online. Dombo expressed that it is essential that students still get entertainment and refreshment despite the pandemic, taking into consideration the influx of fake news circulating on social media.
Meanwhile major national events like the annual Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and Independence have been postponed. Global events have also been cancelled or postponed with speculations that the 2020 Olympics to be held in Tokyo will also be affected.
HOW CAN BULAWAYO BENEFIT FROM THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
By Nompumelelo Damba
Music is said to be our universal language hence it must be recognized for its potential to transform the city of Bulawayo, which is regarded as the cultural hub.
Music is one of the biggest industries in the world. According to Goldman Saachs research the industry will generate more than $131 billion by 2030.
Key Strategies for Bulawayo to become a music city and these are drawn from a report, The Mastering of a Music City, by global music industry body, IFPI’
- Creating friendly policies
Just like any other music success stories the city of Kings and Queens has an opportunity to create a viable music industry by creating an environment that enables musicians to flourish.
This can be best achieved through easy access to music hubs
According to the former Billboard executive editor Robert Levine earning a living as an artists has never been easy
“ It has never been easier to distribute a creative work. At the same time, it’s never been harder to get paid for it,” notes Levine.
Professional development for musicians not only help artists develop the skills they need to run their business and careers, they also make a municipality more music-friendly.
- Establishing a music office
Some cities have established a music office or officer to act as a single point of contact between municipal authorities and the music community. For example, the Seattle Office of Film + Music in the USA
- Establishing a music advisory board
Music advisory boards make it possible to road test proposals with key stakeholders before approval by City Hall.
- Availing spaces and places
Music needs a home, from education to rehearsal to recording to performance; a successful music city needs a variety of quality spaces and places. For Bulawayo it is easier because they do not necessary need new buildings but the local authorities can find innovative ways of renovating abandoned movie theatres and other creative centers and also repurpose industrial building that have been turned into churches.
- Engaging the business community
Working with multiple small and medium businesses, each playing a different role and often only working part-time in music. This collaboration will significantly improves the chances of developing effective regulatory and business environments that allow music economy to thrive in the city.
- Supporting audience development
One of the weaknesses that Bulawayo is faced with is that the audiences are not 100% receptive to their own local artist. Any successful music economy needs a receptive and engaged audience.
The main purpose of this article is to help Bulawayo to realize that music drives economic value a vibrant music economy drives value for cities in several important ways. It fuels job creation, economic growth, tourism development and artistic growth, and strengthens a city’s brand.
Challenges faced by Zimbabwean female politicians
By Thandekile A. Ncube
Zimbabwean women continue to struggle from historical sidelining and structural inequalities that exist in the political, social and economic spheres. Colonization era ensured that women remained in rural areas, whilst men were in towns or mines working, and that reinforced the patriarchal system and gender inequalities approved by some cultural, religious and traditional customs.
Our society has continued to subject women to societal prejudice whenever they want to partake in politics or encounter any male, especially in the political arena. In our culture, a proper Zimbabwean woman is expected to be wedded, passive, reliant on men and hard working. When a woman displays fierceness, independent, determination and economically emancipation, a lot is said about her. Those who have attempted to enter the political arena have often been welcomed by animosity particularly from their male counterparts who feel intimidated by strong women usually accompanied by terrible stereotypes with their reputation being dragged to the mud by other fellow women who have accepted their oppression and are reproducing it. A woman who is brave enough to run for office in Zimbabwe remains to be seen. Women who make it to the political circle in most circumstances its because of their spouses who got high ranking positions in politicians. These women do not get appreciated for their individuals efforts without their spouses being mentioned.
Women also face patriarchal obstacles in efforts to enter into mainstream politics. In rural areas, young girls are married off at a very young age with poverty or religious beliefs being the main reasons thus they are deprived their right to education and freedom of conscience. Women also have a weak financial muscle to fund an election campaign thus those with strong financial muscle are mostly men who do not believe in women leadership skills. A research conducted shows that about 37% of women in Zimbabwe have no access to media especially those in rural women suffer from lack of information thus contributing to their low participation in politics. Young women living in rural areas are further marginalised because of lack of access to information. Huge family tasks pose a big challenge for women to dedicate themselves to political careers. Women spend more time doing unpaid chores.
Local is lekker…
By Edna Nkatha
The music and entertainment industry in Bulawayo and countrywide is flourishing with new up-and-coming singers, poets, songwriters, podcasters, artists and rappers. I am sure you have noticed just how much of these young people are rising up the ranks to become the most influential individuals in the 21st century. With that said, Bulawayo’s music and entertainment scene which is characterised by a dynamic list of exceptional artists whose determinism, innovation and brainpower, has paved way for the next generation, the game changers we see today. As such, Bulawayo youths have taken it upon themselves to create space for growth in the entertainment industry by creating recording spaces in their local communities. However, there have been concerns raised due to lack of recognition, be it airplay on the radio or television. It is no secret that the fight is on to retain high and top performing talent. But the question is, are we really living up to that as Bulawayo citizens or how much effort is being fuelled, in supporting local talent.
As I scanned through trends on social media, I could not help but dig deep into the archives on Twitter, where certain individuals expressed their discontent towards the attitude the media industry has on local talent. One gentleman said,
“Bulawayo has a wealth of music talent, but lacks expertise in business of music. From labels, artists, promoters and executives..”- @ChrisNqo on Twitter December 15, 2017
Whilst another complained on the idea that local businesses aren’t playing local music,
“Why are restaurants in Bulawayo not playing local music? Why are kombis (commuter omnibuses) not playing our music? Do artists have to submit their music to restaurants and kombis as well?” – @Shakespeare’sSon on Twitter December 15,2017
which is quite telling because the masses might probably take note of the quality of music, hence comparing it with music from overseas or in other African countries. I have visited our neighbouring country, South Africa, several times and I must say that nation takes pride in local talent, not only in music but the arts industry as a whole. We should take a stride in developing a whole new perspective towards enriching the arts industry & changing the whole narrative altogether. The notion that “you have to be qualified to gain entry into the industry so that you are well paid” has discouraged a lot of talented people from persuing their dreams. FOOD FOR THOUGHT!
I tend to wonder how we are going to grow as an industry if we continually look to our neighbours for inspiration or support our neighbour’s craft while we freeze out our very own craft. There is absolutely nothing wrong in gaining inspiration from what others are doing. Trust me, it’s okay, great even! Yet if we look closely, our craft on the entertainment side of things is equally as good as what is produced outside of Bulawayo. Maybe if we toned down a little on comparing our musicians, actors/actresses, poets, song writers, podcasters or rappers, to talents from other countries we could do more good than harm. A little support and words of encouragement for the budding talents could actually go a long way!
My understanding of talent is somewhat distorted but experts define it as someone who has a natural ability to be good at something, especially without being taught. Have you ever wondered if it was possible to let a random passionate individual in the community grace your local screens or soothe your ears just because they are a natural? There is someone out there, it could be you or me who has that gift and wants their voice to be heard but the only stumbling block stopping them from living their dreams are, qualifications! Over the years we’ve been socialized to believe that doctors belong in hospitals, teachers in educational institutions or lawyers in courtrooms. I would love to see diversity in these parts of our nation, that is, Zimbabwe particularly in The City of Kings, a qualified doctor who sings, full time doctor who is also a radio broadcaster or maybe a television presenter who is a full time attorney or next-door neighbour who completed their ordinary level at a community school but wants to grace your screens with their unique voice. Oh! What a joy that would be!! Let’s have it all, a radio presenter search or television presenter search, air local dramas you name it. What’s your take?
@mbokodoness on Twitter
Bulawayo arts industry affected badly by the Covid 19 pandemic
Many events have been cancelled in Bulawayo following government’s suspension of gatherings of more than 100 people. Other events which have been suspended in Bulawayo are the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and Independence Day celebrations that came with galas. Government has postponed the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), all national Independence Celebrations previously planned and pending International Sporting fixtures until the threat of Coronavirus recedes.
Organisers of the ZITF shutdown gig said they were devastated as they were planning to go big and bring international acts. Other events which have been similarly affected are the Bulawayo Comedy Fiesta night which was slated for March 26 to 28. Regional acts TT Pasha and Kagisure from South Africa, Triccs from Botswana, Masapo from Lesotho and Gabbi from Zambia were billed to perform. World Children’s Theatre Day celebrations which had been organised for this Friday have also been postponed indefinitely The National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) in Bulawayo which was supposed to hold a Zimbabwe Independence exhibition on April 18 said they were still deliberating on hosting the event or cancelling it. The gallery’s director, Butholezwe Nyathi said they would give their official position on the matter today.
Madlela Skhobokhobo who was billed to launch his fourth album on April 4 in Gwanda is also yet to make a decision as well as the Geraldine Drama Competitions which are supposed to hold their finals at the Amphitheatre on April 7. However, some event organisers have decided to go ahead with their events.
Among them are Loziba Festival organisers who have said the event slated for March 27 to 29, is going on as planned although they will come up with a mechanism where they will sell less than 100 tickets per event.
Intwasa moved to 2021
THE organisers of Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo have postponed this year’s edition of the arts and culture fete to next year due to the global COVID-19-induced restrictions.
The festival had been scheduled for September 20 to 27.
Festival director Raisedon Baya said the postponement was necessitated by the country’s COVID-19 regulations which include prohibition of public gatherings.
“The 16th edition of Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo which was scheduled to take place from September 20-27 has been postponed to 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, despite the shelving of the main festival, Intwasa will host events digitally on social media platforms. Should the lockdown restrictions be relaxed, Intwasa Extra will be held in December,” he said in a statement. While some festivals have chosen to go virtual, it seems as if the organisers have chosen to wait until they can give the offering they prefer.
Intwasa is an annual platform that celebrates the diversity of human cultures and creations in music, spoken word, theatre, dance, literary arts, fashion and crafts. The festival usually attracts artsist and arts lovers from all over the world has become part of the city’s calender.
Poetry as tribute to mthwakazi hero
South Africa based poet, Bongani Mncube has penned a poem as a tribute to the late Author and Mthwakazi hero David Magagula who passed on in South Africa this week.
Magagula is one of the pioneers of the Matabeleland Struggle for the secession of the region from Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland provinces to revive the Jamason Line.
Mncube’s poem reads as follows:
One day I will tell my grandchildren this.
I have worked with great men
I rubbed shoulders with heroes.
One of them was the great David Magagula.
From afar you will see a radical activist.
From afar you will see just a politician.
When you came close to him.
You will see a very generous human being.
He shared everything with everyone.
To him it was never myself it was ourselves.
To him it was never me it was us.
From a distance others saw just a writer.
From a distance some just saw a teacher.
But when you came close you saw a nation builder.
When you came close you saw a uniter.
To him it was never about personal gains.
To him it was never about material gains.
It was about everyone living happy and free.
Free from anger and hatred.
Free from poverty and starvation.
Free from ignorance and pain .
One day I will tell my grandchildren.
I walked, worked, laughed, with one of Mthwakazi’s great sons.
Lala uphumule qhawe lakithi.
Breaking the “Black Tax” syndrome
By Edna Nkata
So I’ve been thinking about this so called “Black Tax” and how we’re stuck with it whether we want it or not. I did a bit of some digging of my own to actually find out what Black Tax is and why it is so prevalent in our lives.
Just so you know, this is not some voodoo magic to try and help you get your way out of a situation…
In fact, Black tax was and still is a legacy introduced in South Africa during apartheid which was brought into their democracy intentionally. This apartheid system, deprived black South Africans of the opportunity to build generational wealth whilst white South Africans were given first preference. Social injustice and racial segregation were the order of the day. Black people had no equal rights such that you would find a white South African being given the privilege to go into democracy with proceeds of their wealth which they would proudly pass on to their children.
Today Black Tax, is money forced on young professionals by either their immediate family or guardian. In other words, it is the idea that you have to pay back to your family. What does this mean for the young black professional here in Zimbabwe? How does this relate to our culture or lifestyle since it has never been introduced to us? One may ask… Is it a responsibility or a choice?
This is an ongoing debate, that is a hot topic for most African societies or homes, whether it is one’s obligation to take care of family members or pay them back. While, there are many perspectives on this matter, this blog will try and address how it came about, its role in society and how one should deal with it.
It is a given, that many young Zimbabweans are faced with the pressure to redress this concept, “black tax”. A couple of months ago, BET, a DSTV channel (129) aired a sitcom called “Black Tax”, a show about an independent, single mother of one, Thuli Dlamini played by Jo-Anne Reyneke, who is dealing with widely known, unspoken rule in her community- that when you’re successful, you pay everyone back the support they gave you while you grew up. Thuli works as an Estate Agent for a prestigious company in South Africa, trying to survive in the hustle and bustle of city life. Little does she know, that her parents, upon visiting her, had other plans. They decided to move in with her seeing that financially all was going well and they would not have to work anymore now that their daughter was working. To make matters worse, her brother comes into the picture, and now the tables have turned for this single mother who now has to take care of her daughter, parents, brother as well as her nephew. Her brother keeps asking for money to finance his imaginary “lavish” lifestyle that she can afford but feels unhappy about this state of affairs. The whole family now looks to her for help with their financial difficulties.
I know you may think or question how this applies to you? I hold a strong opinion that the actions of her brother, particularly his expectations on her sister’s finances could simply have been avoided. Black Tax is not about feeding someone else’s ego or expensive taste in material things, rather it is about being responsible. Picture this, it is our responsibility as young Zimbabweans to look after our siblings and buy them khaki covers or text books for school. It is however, a burden if we fork out money to buy a Rich Mnisi sweater for your brother, so he can show off to his friends when it is way over your budget. A popular Ndebele proverb says, “Isigogo sigoqwa sisemanzi” meaning, a child is disciplined from a young age, once they are older it is difficult to tame them. This means that it is also the responsibility of the parents to teach all their children about responsibility or helping each other as they grow. It does not have to be a one man’s job.
I believe that as a young Zimbabwean, black tax has now become an emotional burden more than it is a cultural issue, an African thing, an economic issue, or a moral obligation. Young Zimbabweans, have shifted responsibility into a burden, failed to set and implement financial boundaries towards our brothers, sisters, parents, or friends. Most young people believe, that materialism is the report card to success, that talking about how much money we earn at our work places will only cause trouble or strain our pockets because you know we always think our parents are financially illiterate. This vastly makes it a cultural issue.
You are a few weeks away from graduation, you are young, vibrant, still got the zeal to work harder and make money even after tertiary or you are a budding artist from kwaBulawayo or Harare, trying to make ends meet for your immediate family, mother, father, sister or guardian who will be expecting you to bring something at the end of each month because well you are working.
Set the tone with your parents, brother, guardian, sister…etc on how you plan to manage your finances. This I believe, helps reduce their expectations and limits unnecessary pressure off of your back. For what it’s worth, one should learn to be transparent and share their financial vision or plan with those that will benefit from the finances. Culture or societal expectations should not be an excuse to avoid that “talk” (Financial conversation) with your parents. The current bad economic situation everyone is facing during the pandemic will not be torn anytime soon, if you fear to talk to your brother about where you stand with your financial status. Get this, if you fail to communicate, fail to set and stick to those dreaded financial boundaries, we are building a gradual degeneration of moral behaviour and deteriorating character of the youth of Zimbabwe.
Humble Beginnings …
By Edna Nkata
Born and raised in the City of Kings, kwaBulawayo, South African based Zimbabwean Siyabonga “Gahd” Mahlangu (24) is here to prove that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Having found inspiration from growing up in a musically gifted family, Mahlangu, heeded his call to his own destiny, that is to produce music and rap.
“I’ve always been surrounded by everything musical, that is instruments, choirs, you name it”, he said. “This was bound to hit me sooner or later”.
Mahlangu describes his music as a subtle-wild card.
“My music literally taps into a different universe, filled with beautiful sounds that one can touch and feel but at the same time has an element of surprise to it”, he said. It pretty much depends on how I’m feeling”, Mahlangu said.
One of the elements that make one’s music stand out, is their secret behind their creative process. Mahlangu’s creative process stems from the beats he makes.
“The beat drives everything, if it’s not it and the atmosphere isn’t right then the whole studio session is doomed”, he said.
Of all the talents Mahlangu has, playing drums is his forte. Mahlangu is often reserved and taciturn. However, playing drums has turned his life around as they are a way of expressing himself.
“If it wasn’t for my music career, I would probably be on some corporate desk, feeling miserable”.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and government regulations, the line of work of many artists in the entertainment scene has been put on hold and Mahlangu’s talent has been affected badly. However, before the pandemic, Mahlangu has managed to perform at several events one of them being the ‘Love Life’ concert at the “Love Life Youth Centre” in South Africa.
Of notable significance is how the digital age has impacted the lives of many individuals globally in the entertainment industry. The internet has played a significant role in connecting the world of music or entertainment beyond geographical boundaries and this has kept it alive for the longest period of time. Mahlangu feels strongly too about the digital age and alludes much of his work towards it. With a significant number of followers on all his social media accounts, Mahlangu, as an up and coming artists has managed to put himself out there by sharing his music from the comfort of his home to the world.
“Well, I feel that if it wasn’t for the internet, we would not have as many musicians now as we did before its existence”, he said. “The competition is much steeper. However, the internet has made distributing music much easier and interacting with our fan base a breeze especially now that there is Covid-19 knocking on everyone’s door”.
When asked who he hopes to collaborate with on his future projects and what he would do to change the music industry in Bulawayo, he had this to say:
“I would love to collaborate with Tehn Diamond from Zimbabwe and Ghosteman from the United States of America”, he said. “My hopes and dreams for the Bulawayo music industry, would probably be to sign Bulawayo artists on a foreign based label, seeing that there is so much talent mushrooming from my hometown. I believe it is possible for all Bulawayo artists to be noticed”.
Mahlangu strongly believes that anything is possible and that only the naysayers can be an enemy of progress if you allow them to control your life.
“Don’t let anybody tell you what you can or cannot do. Everything is just a reach way”, he said.
If you would like to explore some of Siyabonga’s work, check out the links below and support local music.
https://m.soundcloud.com/user-796175160/tulips-revolver
https://musics.link/The47Ronin
The INEVITABLE : BREAking the black Tax cycle podcast
By Edna Nkata
Listen to my podcast on Anchor https://anchor.fm/michelle-nkata/episodes/The-Inevitable-Breaking-the-Black-Tax-Cycle-eh05ac
WHERE IS UBUNTU-UMUNTU-UNHU TODAY?
By Portia Muzorava
The Culture of Zimbabwe has many different cultures, which may include beliefs and ceremonies. Ubunthu of South Africa, Umunthu and Unhu of Zimbabwe represent indigenous values and humanity of the human spirit, which are: extended family, love, warmth, support, dependence, sharing, tolerance, togetherness, responsibility, generations, respect for elders, hospitality, cooperation, understanding and friendship.
Culture includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, law, customs or any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member of society. This definition captures the exhaustive nature of culture. Culture embraces a wide range of human phenomena, material achievements and norms, beliefs, feelings, manners, morals and so on. It is the patterned way of life shared by a particular group of people that claim to share a single origin or descent, hence the Ubuntu-Umuntu-Unhu concept.
Growing up in some rural parts of this country, we were taught indigenous values and humanity of the human spirit, starting from an early stage. We would eat in the same plate as kids, a custom that is carried out in most parts of Masvingo, so as to build strong relationships between siblings, cousins, relatives and friends. A few years later, things started to change, sharing the same plate started being viewed as something that is backward and unhygienic.
Years back a family, would comprise of the whole clan, everyone staying in the same area, at the same place, sharing one home, sharing the same cattle kraal, ploughing in the same fields, eating the same food. Through this we had a sense of dependence, we could depend on each other. We shared a bond of love. Love and sharing started from within making it easier to share it with outsiders, everyone spreaded love. It didn’t matter whether we were total strangers or not, we were filled with love, warmth, we would support each other, and we were tolerant. Everyone would grow up with values of the concept of Unhu, everyone would grow up with a zeal to uphold this concept.
It’s saddening now when one tries to compare the past and the present or perhaps try to think of the future. Have we lost it? Where is the love? Where is the tolerance, the spirit of sharing, the cooperation? Just like in the American films, even a Zimbabwean family comprises of parents and their kids, that’s it, no aunts, no uncles. Is it the internet, is it the technology or it’s us who are becoming ignorant and just finding something or someone to take the blame for our ignorance. The Unhu concept nolonger holds any value, it’s now each man for himself and the Lord for us all. We are not moving forward because we are competing against each other. Everyone wants to be the best on their own, forgetting that we can achieve more together. A candle never loses its light by lighting another one hence the Ubuntu concept, our own culture. We are losing it just by saying ‘that’s backward.’ �8V�>�
TOTEMS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
By Portia Muzorava
Previously totems showed respect, honor and prestige, to the extent that men and women in most communities preferred calling each other by totems. A newly married woman would be called by her totem during her first pregnancy period for example ‘MaMoyo’ for the Moyo totem.
This was also used when chanting mantras for Chiefs, a custom that is still being followed today, the king’s men would use the Chief’s totem. This was done as a way of showing respect as well as praising the Chief. Totem poems were recited for both women and men as a way of praising each other. Children would also be called using totems. Totems could be used as lullabies.
Back then young boys and girls who were in love relationships could call each other sing totems for example the guy could call his girlfriend ‘mamoyo wangu’ whilst the lady answers with ‘Gushungo vangu’. It was forbidden to marry someone who shares the same totem as you. Totems were of much importance to our culture, and it strengthened relations as well as building them.
Nowadays it’s not surprising to find someone who doesn’t know their totem, people are intermarrying, and totems no longer hold such values as they did in the past. In relationships the sweet totemic names have since been replaced with names like ‘bae’, ‘boo’, to the point that if you call your boyfriend by his totem, he can tell you that you are backward or you have a ‘strong rural background.’
Only a few individuals are still into it. I can recall one ex of mine who I once called by his totem, he clearly told me that I was making him appear old, which he is not and he added that it wasn’t sweet. That’s what it is like in the 21st Century, in the near future it’s possible that anything that has to do with totems will be totally wiped or it’s going to be followed in rural areas only.
CULTURAL MISCONCEPTIONS
By Portia Muzorava
Culture can be referred to the totality of the pattern of behaviour of a particular group of people. It includes everything that makes them distinct from any other group of people for instance, their greeting habits, dressing, social norms and taboos, food, songs and dance patterns, rites of passages from birth, through marriage to death, traditional occupations, religious as well as philosophical beliefs
Idiong (1994: 46) states that “there are some misconceptions that are widely held about ‘culture’ as a word. Such misconceptions can and often lead some persons to have a negative perception of ‘culture’ and all that it stands for.” This misconception may have arisen from a partial understanding of the meaning of culture. Our culture in particular, is like a two-sided coin. It has soul-lifting, glamorous and positive dimensions even though it is not completely immune from some negative outcomes. It is the sum total of shared attitudinal inclinations and capabilities, art, beliefs, moral codes and practices that characterize us as Zimbabweans. It can be conceived as a continuous, cumulative reservoir containing both material and non-material elements that are socially transmitted from one generation to another. It is the same as the Zimbabwean heritage.
Coming straight from Masvingo to Bulawayo I was surprised to find out that its not only the language that is different but rather a lot of things. In terms of greeting habits, young boys in Masvingo greet each other saing ‘madii’, where as in Bulawayo the say ‘eta bro’, in Harare or any other city the young boys there have different greeting habits.
Coming to social norms and taboos, if you move from one place to another, sometimes you may feel like it’s a new world where as maybe the difference is just a little one. The Ndebele always make fun of the Shonas for eating mice, which the Ndebeles call rats, it’s not one sided, the Shonas make fun of the Ndebeles for eating ‘amacimbi’.People from most parts of the country make fun of people from Masvingo for eating ‘harurwa’. Dance patterns that are usually followed in Harare are ‘maclarks’ a dance that goes along the popular genre in that city, Zimdancehall. InBulawayo, the dance parts are usually those ones that are done in South Africa ‘goli’, the dance patterns also go along the music genres that are poplar in South Africa. This shows that culture can differ from one ethnical group to the other not to talk of a country, just as people speak a different language and so is their culture but this is usually based on misconceptions that people hold.
“Better Late than Never” The hope for one local artist.
By Leslie Dube
A local artists from Lobengula suburb has been forced to put on hold his dream of advancing his career in the neighboring country South Africa due to travel restrictions and the ongoing pandemic that has forced many people to stay at home.
Sibusisiwe Nsingo, a 20 year old man who had attained an internship in one of the South African theater and arts training schools, has been forced to be patient and wait for the right time when the dust is settled so that he can enhance his career.
Nsingo started his career in Magwegwe hall vocational training center where he ventured in performing arts undertaking both acting and poetry. He has been involved in many arts festival including the Intwasa arts festival which is housed in Bulawayo which many artists have the opportunity to perform in.
In narrating his story, Nsingo was hopeful that when the time is right he will advance his career and that all the things work for greater good. He further highlighted that he is delighted that the offer is still on the table for the next year if the pandemic still persists.
Nsingo also highlighted that this pandemic has given him time to implore his creative mind and write many poems. He said he is excited about his latest poem tittle “Ngubani owayesazi?” in which he tackles contemporary issues to do with the Corona virus.
The dream which Nsingo had has been delayed but in his own words, he said;” Even the greatest in history have faced delay but they kept going, it is better for the dream to be achieved late than never”
The end///
NUST JOURNAL-ZW 