Stewart Mutizwa, Director General of Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
September is celebrated the world over as the Tourism Month and it is the duty of everyone to commit to sustainable tourism practices that prioritise the well-being of our planet and its people, Stewart Mutizwa, Director General of Zimbabwe Youth in Tourism has said.
Mutizwa said Tourism Month is a celebration of the power of travel to connect, to inspire and to transform us.
Tourism Month is an initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
And the month-long celebration aims to raise awareness about the importance of tourism in promoting economic growth, cultural understanding and environmental sustainability.
“It’s a time to recognize the incredible contributions of the tourism industry to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange.
“Let’s embrace the diversity of our cultures, traditions and natural wonders,” said Mutizwa.
He also revealed that everyone should take time to explore, discover and experience the beauty and magic of our world.
“A time to celebrate the transformative power of travel and the tourism industry’s contributions to economic growth, job creation, and cultural exchange.
“This year’s theme, highlights the importance of sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of our planet and its people.
“Throughout the month, we will be showcasing the diversity of our cultural heritage, natural wonders, and vibrant cities.
“Whether you’re a local or a visitor, we invite you to explore, discover, and experience the beauty and magic of our destination Zimbabwe World of Wonders.
“Tourism Month also presents an opportunity to recognize the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to make our destinations welcoming and memorable.
“So let’s come together to promote responsible tourism, support local communities, and preserve our environment for future generations.
“Join us in celebrating Tourism Month and let’s make a positive impact on the world we share,” added Mutizwa.
World Tourism Day celebrated on September 27, Sanganai/ Hlanganani World Travel Expo 12-14 September, Botswana Annual Tour Guide Competition and Cultural Festival 23-27 September in Maun, Botswana and Muka Business Expo 20 September at Rutendo Hall in Mufakose are some of the events lined up for this month.
Cimas Health Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs. Tatenda Madzikanda, showing members of the media recently acquired Cimas Health Group Mobile Clinic at the Harare Agricultural Show on Saturday
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
In a ground breaking development, Zimbabwe’s largest private medical aid society, health and wellness service provider, Cimas Health Group, recently acquired a state of the art mobile clinic which will be staffed by a combination of health experts.
The development shows how Cimas Health Group continues to embrace innovative models to improve ways of service delivery in the health sector as services will be provided on wheels directly to communities in need.
The Cimas mobile clinic attracted hordes of show goers at the recently ended Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) exhibition in Harare, which was running under the theme: “Cultivating Prosperity Growing Business Innovating for Change. Nurturing our Future.”
Cimas Health Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr Vulindlela Ndlovu said acquiring the mobile clinic underscores the group’s commitment to providing global standard health and wellness solutions regardless of their location or circumstances
“In today’s fast-paced world, access to quality healthcare is of utmost importance and as Cimas continues to be innovative in the health sector, we purchased a mobile clinic in our efforts to improve the accessibility of health services.
“This mobile clinic is a transformative tool in the healthcare delivery system as it revolutionises the way medical services are provided. It brings healthcare directly to communities, regardless of their location or infrastructure limitations,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu added that through the mobile clinic, they seek to take health services delivery to underserved populations and areas with limited or reduced healthcare infrastructure.
“Our mobile clinic will be used to provide a wide range of services that can be tailored to specific needs of the populations thereby bringing healthcare directly to communities in need,” he noted.
“Using this mobile clinic will help us expand our efforts to deliver health care to less privileged societies as the mobile clinic will be used to cater for a wide range of healthcare needs, including preventive care, vaccinations, health education, and primary healthcare services.”
Cimas Health Group’s Head Clinics Dr. Travolta Mushayamano speaking to members of the media during the tour of the Cimas Health Group stand at the Harare Agricultural Show on Saturday
He further noted that by operating this mobile clinic, Cimas can bridge the healthcare gap and ensure that even the most vulnerable populations can receive the medical attention they deserve.
“Strengthening health service delivery is crucial for Cimas and to the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which include the delivery of interventions to reduce child mortality and maternal mortality,” added Ndlovu.
Journalists were taken on a tour of the Cimas Health Group stand at ZAS, and they got to experience the services offered.
UNFPA Representative, Ms Miranda Tabifor and Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director,GivemoreMakoni
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will collaborate with the Zimbabwe Cricket to raise awareness on Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence women and girls.
This partnership will bank on the huge following for cricket as well as having players serve as role models on and off the field of play.
Speaking at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding on Friday in Harare; UNFPA Representative Miranda Tabifor described the partnership as a landmark event.
“We know how the nation loves cricket and the cricket players serve as models within the society and we believe that through this partnership and the influence and the power that they have in the community; we are going to advance the good cause of reducing Gender Based Violence in Zimbabwe,” said Tabifor.
Added Tabifor: “indeed today is a historic day, for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), it is historic for us because it is a great pleasure for us to proceed in this landmark signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding with Zimbabwe Cricket Association.
“It is a framework and collaboration to strengthen awareness raising on issues of Gender Based Violence and all other forms of violence against women, including to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights of the women and young people in Zimbabwe.
“The partnership with Zimbabwe Cricket Association is pivotal to UNFPA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025, which notes that; I quote: UNFPA will expand its multi-stakeholder partnerships and innovative collaborations for impact.
“It also notes that organisations, associations and initiatives are essential to the achievement of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The partnership is an accelerator in achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reducing maternal mortality including within the framework of UNFPA support to the Government of Zimbabwe under the 8th Country Programme of Cooperation.”
Ms Miranda Tabifor and Givermore Makoni sign the MOU
Zimbabwe Cricket Managing Director, Givemore Makoni, said they were elated to be part of the MOU, as it was their first with any UN agency.
“It gives us an opportunity to play our role to not only promoting the girl child to play better cricket on the field, but also to support, raise awareness that will help to protect the girl child off the field of play.
“This cooperation marks the beginning of a great relationship that will see Zimbabwe Cricket contributing to raising awareness on the ills of Gender Based Violence.
“The partnership also demonstrates the Zimbabwe Cricket desire to become the number 1 sport in the country.
“For without the support, participation and inclusion of women and girls, this strategic objective will not be realised.
“We also appreciate that this partnership, though primarily aimed at supporting the female and girl child, will also require engaging men and boys to raise awareness on positive masculinity and the positives it brings in ending violence against women and girls.
“With its huge following nationwide of cricket lovers especially men and boys, the potential for Zimbabwe Cricket Association is huge.
“This presence a chance for the cricket players who are role models in society to use their fame and influence for a good cause,” said Makoni.
Gender Based Violence is a huge problem in Zimbabwe as it is reported that about 1 in 3 women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence.
And about 1 in 4 women have experienced sexual violence since the age of 15, hence efforts of such partnerships aimed at ending the vice are well appreciated.
An organisation of single parents living with HIV is promoting self-reliance by engaging in several income generating activities for their wellbeing.
Not only that, the members also take care of some orphans by sending them to school and providing other needs.
Single Parent Movement for HIV and AIDS, co-founder Tariro Chigango, said they realised that self-reliance was their only hope as opposed to waiting for handouts.
Speaking at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, Chigango said though the journey hasn’t been easy since the organisation’s inception in 2008, they have remained resolute.
“We formed this organisation with Irene Kachinga and Hughs Masvosva in 2008. Our aim was to promote self-reliance to single parents who are living with HIV and AIDS.
“We realised that because of the numerous challenges facing single women and men living with HIV, we had to think of ways to make ends meet.
“We are into different contemporary work; some are into beads, some are into farming and as for me I’m into batik, I’m into printed batik.
“There are several income generating projects which our members are engaged in so that we earn a living for ourselves and children.
“We have so many members and we have since lost count because when there was Covid-19, we had some of our people move to other areas around the country.
“You will find out that we have some in Mount Darwin, some in Guruve, some here in Harare and other places. We have members in many provinces,” said Chigango.
She added that apart from selling various products, the organisation is also involved in training women and school children in various income generating skills.
“They (those who wish to be trained) come to our offices in Harare at the National Art Gallery and there is also an option to be trained at home or anywhere where they feel comfortable with.
“We are doing all this because we want to remain empowered, we do not want to be a charity case,” she added.
Chigango however revealed that it hasn’t been easy, as they have faced numerous challenges, which have threatened their operations.
“It has been difficult for us, especially when it comes to funding, that has been really difficult for us.
“We could do more but unfortunately funding has been the major challenge. Lack of funding has also been a major challenge because others who wanted to get into such projects have also failed to do so.
“We are also facing a challenge of having our own working place so that we can work freely from there and we can do more.”
Despite the challenges they face, Chigango said they have remained hopeful as they have managed to make big strides in other people’s lives.
They have managed to send some orphaned children to school, something which gives them a cheer and the resolve to do more.
The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) is on a massive drive to empower inmates through various initiatives by enhancing their correctional facilities and transforming lives.
One of those initiatives is the Commissary System (Calling App and Online Shopping Platform) which allows inmates to send and receive money, buy and call their loved ones whilst in prison.
In an interview at their stand at the ongoing Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, where the application was also being introduced to members of the public, ZPCS Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Meya Khanyezi said the application had brought so much convenience for inmates.
“An inmate is given a gadget and he or she does the transactions with the assistance of officers, but let me point out that they don’t take the phone into the cells, no, but they just use it for these facilities.
“So relatives can also send money and inmates can actually call their relatives wherever they are because it has a facility which allows them to purchase airtime and call, as long as there is money in their account.
“So they use their prison number to do everything concerning this application.
“There is an administrator who knows let’s say that at Harare Central Prison there is an inmate with such and such a number who has made a purchase or they are making a call so they link them,” said Ass-Comm Khanyezi.
Further with empowering inmates, Ass-Comm revealed that they had also entered into some partnerships with some companies such as Willdale Bricks whereby inmates go and work and they are paid.
“Inmates can actually go to Willdale, stay there for a month or so working and they come back to prison.
“We are saying this person is serving a term but is allowed to go and work a month or so and they come back to prison.
“So in our books we know that there is a certain inmate who is currently working at Willdale, then we can also let’s say McDonald Bricks and Boarder Timbers, we will know that we have our inmates who are working there.
“The reason why we are doing this is because rehabilitation is about changing the mind, so we make sure that an inmate spends more of his or her time out of prison, than just behind bars because when they come back, they will be thinking about what was happening the whole day.
“So you will see that with time, prison will just be a structure because they will be thinking of what transpired let’s say at work and even plan for the next day so that they earn more.
“They will think more of their work and when they wake up, they are quite geared for the day,” she added.
Ass-Comm Khanyezi added that when inmates engage in sporting disciplines, it also gives them a platform to think more about those activities and even plan on success on the field of play.
“So this is what we are doing; we are enhancing our correctional facilities and transforming lives.
“We also have community engagements, where we are going into churches, we are also going into schools.
“We are trying to bridge the gap between the offender and the offended and in this case I’m talking about the community because in most cases, the community doesn’t like offenders.
“But we are trying by all means to bring these people together so that come day of release, this inmate is able to go back and join the society successfully without being pointed fingers.
“So this has helped to bring some form of understanding, like for the community to say yes this person wronged the society but after serving their time and going through rehabilitation, they have since changed and they can sit side by side, that’s what we are pushing for.
“This is so, such that come the day of release, an inmate is able to sit side by side with the offended without any skirmishes like what we used to witness long back,” added Ass-Comm Khanyezi.
Apostle Mike Mutambikwa preaching in Moonlight Nightclub
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The world over, religions have different places of worship.
For Christianity it’s in churches, Islam it’s Mosques, Judaism it’s Synagogues, Hinduism and Buddhism it’s Temples, just to mention but a few.
However in Harare’s Tafara/Mabvuku suburbs, there is a unique group of Christians.
Their places of worship are bars and nightclubs.
And indeed the concept of a church in a bar or a nightclub is certainly unconventional, but one thing is for sure, the message of acceptance and non-judgment is quite powerful.
After hearing this story during a recent visit to this neighbourhood, the journalistic instinct in me really kicked in.
So out of curiosity, I decided to attend one Sunday service on August 25, 2024.
Along with my uncle Lewis; we went to Moonlight Nightclub at Kamunhu Shopping Centre in Tafara, for the church service.
I joined other men and women who made a beeline to get into the church service as we climbed up the stairs to where the service was being held.
As I got into the nightclub, I noticed that other men and women were already in attendance.
One man was standing in front, leading other congregates in intercession.
He then led the church in singing “Makanaka Jesu munoshamisa,” a song which speaks on the immense power of Jesus and how worthy he is to be praised.
And as he led the church in song, congregates joyfully joined in, singing, dancing and clapping hands.
One man wearing a maroon chino, pink shirt and grey blazer then walks in, accompanied by two other men, one of them holding a big speaker.
I then get to know that this man is Apostle Mike Mutambikwa, who is the founder and head of Early Christhood Development (ECD) church.
Apostle Mutambikwa patiently waits, till the man leading the intercession ends, before taking over.
He leads the church in several prayer points, one of which is to ask God for protection against any spiritual attacks that might hinder their progress.
And indeed congregates pray and then he makes declarations; “There is power in the name of Jesus, healing in the name of Jesus, deliverance in the name of Jesus.”
Apostle Mutambikwa then led the church in the song, “Hakuna wakaita sa Jesu,” (There is no one like Jesus). And as he sings, he also dances, as other congregates join in.
He then explained the significance of the song, as he said some people were at that time bedridden either in hospital or at home, but Jesus had been merciful towards us, so we have to praise him whole heartedly.
Apostle Mutambikwa then also sang “Makanaka Hossana”, a song which also praises God for his goodness, as more congregates continued to walk in.
We are now in excess of 60 men and women, though the former make the majority.
He then preaches on how as Christians we should be complete by God’s grace and referencing from Luke 17, on the story of Jesus healing 10 lepers.
Apostle Mutambikwa preached on the significance of just one leper who remembered that he had to thank Jesus.
The preaching was so clear, such that congregates appreciated by clapping of hands and shouting “amen”.
As he continues preaching; he also takes time to sing, linking the word with the song.
And after a good 30 minutes of preaching, Apostle Mutambikwa then gave The Grace. And despite being in a nighclub, throughout the whole church service no one is tempted to go drink or smoke which really amazes me.
As some announcements are being made; one church elder walks around the room collecting offerings.
And true to ECD fashion, all congregates then stand outside Moonlight Nightclub greeting each other.
Some then reveal that they are planning to go and see one congregate who was not feeling well.
As for Apostle Mutambikwa, he was rushing for another church service in Old Tafara but I still managed to get to interview him.
He revealed, “every Sunday I have six services, four of those are in the bars and then two we hold them at places where we gather. The ones at the bars are strictly for adults, then for others everyone is welcome.
“Then we also have midweek services which we hold at these congregates’ houses.
“Many lives have been changed, some things may not be so evident because the people will be seen back in the bars drinking beer but we are talking of change that can be seen at the family level.
“Like sitting together with the family, being responsible parents, going to work and even bathing.
“Because remember some of these people who come to our church are those that are looked down upon and judged by the society.
“Some were famous for sleeping at the shopping centre once they are drunk but all that has changed, so these are some of the major changes that are happening in God’s mission.
“We even have some who had a calling to be preachers and we are now grooming them so that they claim back their calling,” said Apostle Mutambikwa.
As for the name ECD; Pastor Mutambikwa said this was necessitated to show the early development of Christians, just like those in school Early Childhood Development.
“We take these congregates as they are, some take alcohol, some smoke.
“You will find out that just after a church service, some would then go on to smoke but we have devised means to say at the church premises, there is no smoking.
“We used to have situations whereby some would briefly go out to smoke, but I’m happy with the work God is doing because this is no longer the case.
“We have also said no drinking or smoking in the 100-metre radius of church premises just after the service.
“And our message is that no one should say I’m better than others or to say I know God better no.
“We are saying that we are all at the same level,” said Apostle Mutambikwa.
He added: “we started in 2017 but going to bars like RedBull, we started this year and for Moonlight Nightclub it’s been 2 years now.
“God called me to minister to these people and also in these settings.
“Kune vanhu vasingagamuchirike kupinda muchurch let’s say vane rasta, vanhu vanotanga kuvatarisa kuti nhasi manga mune ma rasta auya. (Some people with dreadlocks may not be comfortable to be in the traditional church settings because they will be judged).
“Or those people who will be drunk may not feel comfortable because people will point fingers at them but for us, everyone is welcome in our church. And they get the benefit of hearing the word of God right as it is.
“So God called me to this area. Some of these people are well aware of God’s teachings or principles and some of them actually love God a lot but sometimes life will make people take certain decisions.
“We are trying to encourage those people who backslid to return to God and also we have some who have never set foot in church.
“Some are shy but here we encourage them to feel welcome and be part of us.”
And after attending ECD and got to witness Apostle Mutambikwa’s preaching, I just had a thought; if it’s really about a place of worship or it’s solely about the word that is preached.
The Government has put in place Safe Shelters and One Stop Centres that provide comprehensive Gender Based Violence (GBV) services to women across the country, Vice President Colonel (RTD) Kembo Mohadi has said.
VP Mohadi revealed this at the High-Level Women in Leadership Summit which was hosted by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, in Harare last week.
The two day summit ran under the theme; “Accelerating Gender Parity through Collective Action: Strengthening Accountability and Solidarity to Transform Policies into Tangible Progress.”
VP Mohadi said the Safe Shelters and One Stop Centres were necessary as the country deals with the GBV vice which continues to mar the developments which have been made to increase women’s participation in public life.
“While all the above interventions are in place, the Government is alive to the challenges posed by Gender Based Violence in our society.
“In response, the Government developed the High Level Political Compact on ending Gender Based Violence and harmful Practices, which the President acceded to, together with other progressive partners.
“In addition, laws and policies have been reviewed to align them with the new developments in the policy environment.
“These include the marriages Act Ch.5.17, Section 70 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, as well as the Public Service Sexual Harassment Policy.
“Additionally, the Government has put in place Safe Shelters and One Stop Centres that provide comprehensive Gender Based Violence services to women across the country,” said VP Mohadi.
In his solidarity message at the summit, Edward Kallon, UN Resident Coordinator, said it was necessary to continue fighting GBV as it prevents women from reaching their full potential.
“Gender-Based Violence is a significant barrier to women’s entry into and advancement within leadership roles.
“It creates a hostile environment that undermines their confidence, restricts their opportunities, and perpetuates gender inequality.
“Addressing GBV is crucial to enabling women to step into leadership roles. UNFPA’s comprehensive approach to combating GBV, from policy advocacy to survivor support, plays a key role in breaking down the barriers that limit women’s leadership potential,” said Kallon.
He also revealed that by creating safer, more supportive environments, UNFPA helps pave the way for women to take on leadership roles across all sectors of society.
“We must also double our efforts in addressing obstacles to women in leadership and political participation.
“The UN General Assembly Resolution 66/130 of 2012 should be our collective rallying point. The UN Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) is leading the UN effort to promote gender equality and empowerment of women with support from the UNDP and other Agencies, Funds and Programmes.
“The UN entities are working together to support the government to develop the third National Gender Policy.
“We have also collectively worked together in the development of a Women in Decision Making and Leadership National Strategy. “While we do not have all the answers as the UN, we will continue working with the Government of Zimbabwe and its people to achieve your desire for reaching gender parity in all spheres of development.”
Disabled Women Support Organisation which empowers women, girls and parents of children with disability, says they engage in several income generating projects because they have vowed not to be labeled as beggars or a charity case.
The organisation is exhibiting at the 114th Edition of the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show, which is running under the theme, “Cultivating Prosperity: Growing Business. Innovating for Change. Nurturing Our Future.”
“Our main vision as an organisation is that we want to empower each other as women with disability because we have got families to take care of.
“Our families look up to us for their survival, so we realised that this vision is quite important for us because we can empower ourselves using the different talents that we have and we make products which we then sell.
“We want to show that we are not beggars or a charity model but we are actually empowering ourselves to earn a better living for ourselves and our families,” said Gladys Masembura, a Board Member of Disabled Women Support Organisation in an interview at their stand.
Masembura revealed that the organisation was formed in 2011 and is based in Harare’s Mufakose suburb.
“Our organisation mostly works with women with disability and girls with disability and also parents who have children with disability.
“Our aim is to empower and encourage each other so that we are not charity models, so we carry out income generating activities as women with disability and we take care of our families.
“So like now we have a lot of things that we are selling here; we have dolls, we have flowers and flower pots which we make using recycled materials,” said Masembura.
She added that while they are hopeful to earn a living from the several items which they sell, they have continue to face challenges when it comes to finding markets for their products.
“We have a challenge with the market for our products; we have quite a wide range but the market hasn’t been easy to come by.
“So it is just our appeal to our fellow Zimbabweans to help us with markets for products.
“We also make dish washing liquids and we also do drink production and petroleum jelly.
“We have limited funds but we can actually do a lot so that we fully empower ourselves,” added Masembura.
Masembura added that through various trainings, they had been taught about the climate change and it effects; hence they are now engaging in good environmental practices such as recycling plastics to make beautiful products.
As of June 1, 2024 globally, just 18 countries had a woman Head of State and 15 countries have a woman head of government, evident that women are still under-represented, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon has said.
Kallon said that at the current rate; gender equality in the highest positions of power, may not be reached for another 130 years.
He was speaking in his solidarity remarks at the Inaugural Zimbabwe High-Level Women in Leadership Summit which was held in Harare last week.
The two day summit which was hosted by the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, ran under the theme“Accelerating Gender Parity through Collective Action: Strengthening Accountability and Solidarity to Transform Policies into Tangible Progress”.
Kallon revealed that despite other strides that have been made globally to empower women; “the journey is far from complete- globally, women are still under-represented at decision-making levels in most areas of public administration, private sector and the judiciary.
“Women represent 23.3 per cent of Cabinet members.
“The five most commonly held portfolios by women Cabinet Ministers are Women and gender equality, followed by Family and Children Affairs, Social Inclusion and Development, Social Protection and Social Security, and Indigenous and Minority Affairs.
“Only 26.9 per cent of parliamentarians in single or lower houses are women, up from 11 per cent in 1995. Only six countries have 50 per cent or more women in parliament in single or lower houses: Rwanda (61 per cent), Cuba (56 per cent), Nicaragua (54 per cent), Andorra (50 per cent), Mexico (50 per cent), New Zealand (50 per cent), and the United Arab Emirates (50 per cent).
“Data from 141 countries show that women constitute more than 3 million (35.5 per cent) of elected members in local deliberative bodies.
“Only three countries have reached 50 per cent, and an additional 22 countries have more than 40 per cent women in local government,” said Kallon.
He further revealed that balanced political participation and power-sharing between women and men in decision-making is the internationally agreed target set in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
“Consequently, we must continue to push for gender parity in all spheres of life.
“This means not only ensuring that women have a seat at the table but that their voices are heard, valued, and acted upon.
“True leadership is not about filling quotas; it is about recognizing and harnessing the full potential of all individuals, regardless of gender,” said Kallon.
He also revealed that the summit was a testament to the strength, resilience, and indomitable spirit of women who continue to break barriers, challenge norms, and lead with vision and purpose.
Kallon also revealed that over the past 30 years, the international community has made commitments to promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 5 in particular.
And consequent to these commitments, Kallon added that governments are expected to implement policies and programmes to advance gender equality, including in leadership positions, giving women full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision-making.
“Women bring unique perspectives and solutions to the table—perspectives that are crucial for addressing the multifaceted challenges we face in our societies.
“From economic inequalities to climate change, from peace building to sustainable development.
“Zimbabwe, like many other nations, has seen women rise to prominent positions of leadership.”
He also revealed that the UN is committed to supporting Zimbabwe in its efforts to empower women and girls.
“Our collective mission aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5, which calls for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
“We stand in solidarity with the women of Zimbabwe as they lead the charge towards a more equitable and just society.
“However, solidarity is not a passive stance; it is active and requires concrete actions.
“It means standing together to address the barriers that women face, from discriminatory practices to unequal access to opportunities.
“It means challenging the status quo and creating spaces where women can thrive without fear of prejudice or discrimination,” he added.
He also had a reassuring message for the women, as he urged them to keep up the momentum and not to be discouraged by the alarming global, regional and national statistics.
“You are on the right path, especially with some gains reported in the UNDP 2023 Human Development Report, in which Zimbabwe is at the top 15 in Africa in respect to promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.
“Continue with intensification of such awareness campaigns to educate the public about the importance of women’s participation in leadership roles as it takes time to challenge existing power structures and social norms biased towards male leadership.
“Continue collaboration with local media, civil society organizations, and community leaders to disseminate information, challenge gender stereotypes, and promote inclusive governance practices.
“Ensure that your good laws and policies do not remain on paper but that they are implemented, monitored and evaluated. If we do so, the desired transformative changes will happen.
He also reassured saying, “together, let us continue to break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and create a world where every woman and girl can achieve her full potential.”
Walvis Bay, Namibia — The Zimbabwe archery team made a powerful statement at the Region 5 tournament, held from August 22nd to the 24th, as they competed against some of Southern Africa’s best in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The event brought together top archers from Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, and the host nation, Namibia. Zimbabwe’s presence was felt with two strong teams: a National team and a Development team, each comprising 16 talented archers.
In a tournament renowned for its intensity and prestige, Zimbabwe’s Development team delivered outstanding results. The team secured a third-place finish overall in the highly competitive 3D (animals) category and grabbed silver medals in the Bullseye event.
A standout performance came from Jonathan Howard, who demonstrated exceptional skill, earning bronze in both the 3D and Bullseye categories. He further distinguished himself by winning gold for combined scores and clinching an overall bronze with his cumulative performance.
The National team also showcased their skill, capturing bronze in the 3D category. Among the top performers was Andrew Manning, who ranked 9th in Africa, solidifying his position as a rising star in the sport.
Under the expert guidance of coaches Rob Jackson, Simon Allot, Michael Philp, and Ray Funani, and with support from a dedicated group of teachers and families, the Zimbabwean archers displayed remarkable prowess and a strong potential for future success. This tournament has fueled their ambition, with plans to retain much of the team for next year and to inspire greater participation in the sport across the nation.
Looking ahead, Zimbabwe has set its sights on hosting the 2026 Region 5 championships, with an official bid expected by November 2024. Botswana is also in the running to host, ensuring a competitive selection process. South Africa ultimately took home the tournament’s top honors, while Namibia delivered a robust performance on home soil.
This year’s event has not only underscored Zimbabwe’s growing talent in archery but also laid the groundwork for future triumphs. With a burgeoning archery community, Zimbabwe is poised to reach even greater heights in the years to come.
Zimbabwe National Team Roster:
Andrew Manning
Savannah Hunter
Tapiwa Dzvairo
Isabella Nicolle
Musa Kurenzvi
Devam Patel
Vuso Mlambo
Matthew Hildebrand
Isabella Philp
Margaret Songore
Matthew Gratwicke
Juliet Whitaker
Ivy-Blue Nice
Mandisa Mucheki
Tayla Logan
Khia Yatras
Zimbabwe Development Team :
Jonathan Howard
Nathan Chanakira
Kaden Hahn
Madison Marshall
Busi Ndlovu
Blaise Fouche
Riaan Bezuidenhout
Lianna Mashumba
Nonhlanhla Nyathi
Lizzy Whitaker
Christiano Uriri
Rutendo Gambara
Melissa Zambe
Garth Walraven
Grace Makwangudze
Noku Chandiwana
Coaching Staff:
Rob Jackson
Simon Allot
Michael Philp
Ray Funani
The future looks bright for Zimbabwean archery as the team sets its sights on more podium finishes and greater recognition on the international stage.
NEWSSPACE 