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AUSC Region 5 Declares April to be the Month of Sport for Development and Peace – sportanddev.org

The milestone decision by the African Union Sports Council (AUSC) has been announced in favour of promoting peaceful and more inclusive societies.

AUSC Region 5 dedicated the month of April as the month of Sport for Development and Peace. This milestone decision was made to heighten attention towards commemoration of the power of sport to promote peaceful and inclusive societies in support of the United Nations which declared the 6th of April as the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace IDSDP). This year’s United Nations IDSDP theme was “Promoting Sport for Peaceful and Inclusive Societies”.

As part of the activities to commemorate IDSDP, Region 5 had several activities which included radio and television interviews. In addition, and to cap the month-long commemoration, Region 5 hosted a Sport for Development Stakeholders Workshop on Saturday 20 April 2024 at the University of Botswana. The theme for this year’s Stakeholders workshop was, “Towards a more peaceful and inclusive Region: What Role Can Sport Play?”

The workshop was held to unpack how key stakeholders could effectively use sport to drive social change, community development and to foster peace and understanding within societies.

According to the UN, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace presents an opportunity to recognize the role that sport and physical activity play in communities and in people’s lives across the world.

AUSC Region 5 recognises the power of sport to positively transform societies. Region 5 further recognises and promotes sport as a fundamental right and a powerful tool to strengthen social ties, sustainable development and peace, as well as solidarity and respect for all. The 2024 stakeholders workshop was therefore hosted to create dialogue around ways of effectively using sport as a tool for social development and cohesion.

The workshop was officially opened by the Deputy Permanent Secretary (DPS) in the Botswana Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture (MYGSC), Mr Tshepo Maphuting on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. Mr Maphuting commended the efforts by Region 5 towards seeking collective interventions to foster sustainable peace and development through sport in the region. He placed emphasis on the need for the Region to galvanise its efforts towards creating a better society for future generations.

Speaking at the same workshop, Region 5 CEO, Mr Staney Mutoya challenged stakeholders and Member Countries to do more in the use of sport as a solution to African challenges. He noted that peace in the Region 5 context was not the absence of guns and gunfire, but heightened poverty, unemployment, drug and substance abuse, youth delinquency, climate change, gender inequality and non-accidental aggression all of which had placed serious threat to the peace and harmony and economic development of the region.

The hybrid workshop was attended by over 30 sport administrators, students and athletes drawn from Government ministries, Region 5 Member Countries, The Association of International Sport For All (TAFISA), Botswana National Sports Commission (BNSC), Botswana National Olympic Committee (BNOC), Women and Sport Botswana (WASBO), Regional

Confederations, National Federations and University of Botswana. Presenters included Mr Allan Williams, Executive Director at the Sport for Social Change Network (SSCN) and Stanley Mutoya, Region 5 CEO.

One of the activities held during the workshop was a panel discussion on the role of stakeholders in promoting sport for a peaceful and inclusive Region. The panellists included Ms Keenese Katisenge-Tizhani, TAFISA Vice President Africa, Region 5 CEO, Stanley Mutoya and Allan Williams, Executive Director at SSCN. Others included the Region 5 Sport for People with Disability (SPWD) Committee Chairperson, James Chiutsi, University of Botswana Senior Lecturer, Prof Tshepang Tshube and Dineo Mogapi from BNOC.

Proceeding the panel discussion, the audience was given an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Impressively, the reactions from the participants added value to the workshop and addressed some of the challenges the Region continues to encounter in the sport for development sector.

The workshop ended on a high note with plenary discussion during which participants openly discussed key interventions and risks to effective implementation of sport for development programmes.

Earlier in the Month, the Region commenced the commemoration of IDSDP by issuing a statement through the CEO which was delivered through the official Facebook page. Further, the CEO appeared for a TV interview on Botswana Television where he outlined the Region’s sport for development programmes and interventions.

Throughout the month of April, the Region ran posts on social media aimed at creating awareness around the need to promote peace and inclusion across the region and beyond.

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Provincial Culture Month launch preparations on course – Chronicle

Provincial Culture Month launch preparations on course

Mthabisi Tshuma, [email protected]

PREPARATIONS for the provincial Culture Month launches have begun in all the provinces, except for Matabeleland North.

May is celebrated as Culture Month in Zimbabwe, with various provincial events leading up to the main celebration on May 31, taking place at Chisumbanje’s Marega Primary School in Chipinge, Manicaland province.

This year’s theme is “Our Culture, Building Zimbabwe Brick by Brick”, and the National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NACZ) is overseeing the co-ordination of the events that primarily focus on promoting and developing arts.

Commemorations will take place in Bulawayo on May 29 at Amakhosi Cultural Centre, while in Matabeleland South, they will be held at the Matobo Cultural Centre on the same day. In Harare, commemorations will be at Cyril Jennings Hall in Highfield on May 24, while Mashonaland East will celebrate at St Francis of Assisi in Chikomba with Chief Chivese on June 1. Mashonaland Central, will celebrate with Chief Musana on May 31 at Chinyakare Heritage Site and Masvingo will hold their celebration on the same day at Mwenezi with Chief Negari. Midlands will celebrate at Chief Mataruse’s homestead in Mberengwa on May 29, while celebrations in Mashonaland West will occur at the Korekore Cultural Village with Chief Nemakonde.

Cleopatra Dube, the NACZ Bulawayo provincial arts manager, stated that preparations were on track for the event in the City of Kings and Queens, showcasing diverse cultures.

“Preparations are on track, with the venue secured at Amakhosi Cultural Centre. There will be performances of traditional and contemporary dance, theatre and comedy, primarily by artists from areas around Amakhosi. Exhibitors of various goods and services will also be present,” said Dube.

Percy Vela, the NACZ Matabeleland South provincial arts manager, expressed similar readiness for their event, which is hosted annually and traditionally, spearheaded by Chiefs, who are the custodians of culture.

“Districts rotate annually in hosting the launches, with previous celebrations slaughtering more than 20 beasts for the commemorations. Although the Culture Month is observed throughout May, the launch is a one-day programme. Various cultural activities will take place across the province, culminating in one major celebration. Matobo is prominently buzzed with excitement for this year’s events,” said Vela. — @mthabisi_mthire

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Thousands risk losing properties over unpaid bills – Chronicle

Peter Matika, [email protected]

THOUSANDS of Bulawayo residents may lose their properties if they default on paying their bills, the Bulawayo City Council has warned.

More than 2 000 households have reportedly had their water supplies disconnected as the council seeks to recover a staggering US$45,8 million from debtors.

At least 622 households in Lobengula suburb alone have been referred to BCC’s legal section to recover debts through court proceedings, according to the latest council minutes.

Although property attachment is the last resort to recovering debts, residents’ associations and the council’s legal team held a meeting, where the council’s representative, Mr Dickson Moyo, warned that residents are at risk of losing their properties through litigation proceedings in court.

He said the council has an open-door policy that enables residents to engage to avoid the tedious process of litigation.

“Each month, there are statements sent to residents showing the consumption for the month and the amount they are supposed to pay.

“The water bill states at the bottom the amount due for the particular month, which is a way to remind residents whether their debt is increasing or decreasing.

“We do this so residents can liaise with our offices if they are facing any challenges or don’t understand their bills,” said Mr Moyo.

He said despite sending out monthly statements and notices before disconnections and legal action, many residents ignore them.

“There are processes that are undertaken before all this. Summons are issued beforehand. These come from the courts through the messenger of court. If the legal section receives a list of houses owing this much, we then issue summons, which we take to the clerk of court for processing,” said Mr Moyo.

He said after receiving summons, defendants are normally given time to respond, which is about seven days, to allow one to interact with the council and the courts to negotiate a payment plan.

“In most cases residents ignore these summons, leading to default judgments. When this occurs, a bidding process is initiated and it is done through the messenger of court and not through BCC,” he said.

“The bidding process depends on the highest bidder and the amount offered. Property may be sold at an insignificant price and you may end up owing, leading to more property being attached.”

Bulawayo City Council

Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) secretary for administration, Mr Thembelani Dube, urged residents to settle their bills to avoid litigation, as attaching properties could worsen the plight of already poor residents.

“Council too should also give residents ample time in notifying them of the intention to cut them off. Water is a right and there has to be a mutual understanding between BCC and residents,” said Mr Dube.

“If people are owing, they should engage BCC and make payment plans to avoid situations where they have their property attached. This should not be an option because some may never recover from that.”

The tough measures against defaulters come as the Government directed the council to improve its revenue collection efficiency by 22 percent during the second quarter of the year.

The council’s debt ballooned to US$52 million in March as residents, industries and Government departments owed the local authority various amounts.

Domestic debtors accounted for the highest debt of US$29 million, followed by industrial and commercial debtors, who owed US$14 million, while Government departments owed US$3 million.

The directive to improve revenue collection by Local Government and Public Works Permanent Secretary, Dr John Basera, was part of the conditions of approving BCC’s 2024 budget.

The city’s budget was approved on March 22, with the Government ordering the council to also complete auditing its accounts.

“Revenue collection efficiency should improve from 38 percent to at least 60 percent in the second quarter of 2024,” wrote Dr Basera, who also challenged the council to develop a programme that ensures a continuous engagement with residents.

There has been a 30 percent increase in debtors between February and March, and the council attributes the rise to continuous rebasing of tariffs as the country was still using the local currency.

The council said it was facing resource constraints in the debt management section.

During the period under review, the city’s creditors increased by four percent from US$13,2 million to US$13,6 million, mainly attributed to procurement of critical infrastructure development components.

Meanwhile, council departments have been challenged to improve service delivery to meet customers’ expectations, which in turn would support the council through timely payment of bills.

Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, referred questions to the council’s public relations department, which requested questions in writing.

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Mines Bill should clarify role of mining surveyors – Chronicle

Mines Bill should clarify role of mining surveyors

Michelle Moyo, [email protected]

THE Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill should clarify and elaborate on the roles of mining surveyors, to ensure adequate compliance with the industry regulations and enhance the sustainability of operations.

The Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ), an affiliate of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, made this submission in Bulawayo last Friday as part of its contribution to the Bill formulation process, which should guide new regulations for the entire mining sector.

AMSZ president, Mr Gabriel Mwale, said as an association they had formally presented their submissions on the Mines and Minerals Bill, which seeks to ostensibly replace the current Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) of 1961.

“The Act needs modernising and re-alignment to other existing statutes. Mine surveyors require better distinction in the Act, to clearly elaborate the things they must do to assure compliance and value within the entire industry,” he said.

The office of the mine surveyor has traditionally been used by the mines to ensure compliance with the legal requirements of the Mines and Minerals Act and in specific terms, Statutory Instrument 109 of 1990 Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations.

“In terms of underground mining, the mine surveyor has been responsible for safe mining in terms of safe holdings and prevention of misalignment of underground surface structures,” said Mr Mwale.

“During their studies, the mine surveyor studies Mining Law and related safety regulations. All plans on a mine are drawn and certified by the mine surveyor.”

As a way of enhancing the importance of the mine surveying profession to the mining industry, Mr Mwale said they were participating in career guidance or awareness events organised by various tertiary institutions that include the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM).

He said they were also rolling out awareness programmes to small-scale miners on the relevance of the profession to their sector.

“We are still up-skilling, acquiring various modern techniques and skills for the application of latest technology, as a way of advancing the science and practice of mine surveying,” said Mr Mwale.

ZSM head of the survey department, Mr Linton Mapasure, said the school has the vision to come up with world-class surveyors, but faces a number of challenges, among them industrial attachment and equipment.

“For the purpose of training, we have been investing in modern technologies. However, the equipment-for-student ratio is very low.

“We are, therefore, appealing to well-wishers to assist with equipment. We are also facing challenges for student attachment hence we are also calling for companies to work with our students,” said Mr Mapasure.

ZSM was established in 1926 and has four academic divisions catering to over 600 students.