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‘Promote literacy to eliminate social ills’ – The Herald

Bulawayo Bureau

LITERACY is key to eliminating social ills, poverty, gender inequality, and uncontrollable population growth as the country moves towards attaining Vision 2030. 

This emerged during the International Literacy Day (ILD) commemorations in Gwanda, Matabeleland South last Friday. 

ILD is an international observance, celebrated each year on September 8, and it was declared by UNESCO on 26 October 1966 at the 14th session of UNESCO’s General Conference. 

The day serves as a global platform to advocate for and raise awareness about the importance of literacy as a fundamental human right and catalyst for sustainable development. 

This year’s commemorations were held under the theme: “Promoting literacy for a world in transition: Building the foundation for sustainable and peaceful societies.” 

The event was organised by the Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust in partnership with Book Aid International.

Speaking during the event, various stakeholders implored parents and guardians to invest in developing literacy skills among learners and promoting the culture of reading. 

They urged learners to embrace several Government initiatives, which are in line with the competence-based curriculum.

Blanket Mine’s corporate social responsibility officer, Mr Samson Gombingo said guardians and parents should be at the forefront of promoting the reading culture in their children. 

“Literacy is central to equipping individuals with the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies, transforming education and shaping more sustainable and peaceful societies. Evidence shows that literacy programmes help enhance democratic values, peaceful coexistence, and community solidarity,” he said.

“Development of literacy levels requires corroborated effort from various stakeholders in our society.”

Mr Gombingo said literacy empowers people and improves their self-esteem, creativity, and critical thinking. 

“It also enables them to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values required to thrive in our rapidly changing society and economy. Literacy also contributes to social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental growth,” he said.

“More reading materials, libraries, and learning opportunities in multiple forms can help improve literacy in our country. Our educational opportunities depend on literacy, and literacy is at the heart of basic education for all.” 

Mr Gombingo said illiteracy and poverty constitute a mutually reinforcing vicious cycle that is difficult to break.

“This is due to the fact that illiteracy perpetuates poverty and denies people access to information knowledge and data,” he said.

Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust director, Mr Mike Moyo, said their organisation seeks to improve the quality of life for people in Matabeleland South, particularly children. He said working with various partners they have rolled out various programmes that seek to develop literacy levels among communities.

“As a trust, our education programmes are designed to reach all children by providing supplementary reading materials and activities. These allow them to attain higher levels of functional literacy, explore the world at hand and afar through books, and be exposed to ideals of their rights as children,” said Mr Moyo.

“The Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust runs a library and there are various programmes. Over the years, the trust has become an innovative vehicle for economic development and livelihoods, not just creating a reading culture.”

Mr Moyo said they have distributed books to 75 primaries and nine secondary schools, reaching out to 23 731 learners. Edward Ndlovu Memorial Trust has also distributed books to Kip Keino Children’s Home, Gwanda Provincial Hospital and the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service in Gwanda. Mr Moyo said they have established micro libraries in various schools and equipped libraries in various schools. Edward Memorial Ndlovu Trust has also facilitated the training of teacher librarians.

“A second thrust of our programming targets the adults in the families of the children. We support them in income-generation and small business activities which will create the home environment to provide food security as well as funds for education and social activities,” he said. 

The beneficiaries also receive materials and activities to raise their awareness on important issues, which include the protection of children in their homes and in the community. “Our target is to open wider life opportunities to the children and youth of the region, increase their resilience, and reduce their vulnerability to adversities and predatory elements within the society. They and their parents gain skills and strategies for sustainable lives and livelihoods,” said Mr Moyo.

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African 2026 World Cup Qualifying Fixtures



3rd October 2023


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Although the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still years away, the African qualifiers are set to begin soon. The next World Cup will be held in three locations for the first time in history – the US, Canada, and Mexico. CAF has secured 9 slots for African teams who will battle it out for a chance to play on the global stage. Below, we review the African 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification schedule and fixtures.

New Qualification Format

Nine CAF teams will make it to the World Cup. This is a change from the previous five, which means local and international betting sites have to update their betting lines even as the CAF adjusts its qualification format. The CAF announced this new format on May 19 this year. Now, participating teams will be drawn into nine groups of six teams, with each group winner qualifying directly for the World Cup. 

Draw and Groups

On July 13, the CAF performed the draw for the qualifications in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. All 54 CAF football associations will be represented, and the teams will be divided into the following groups:

  1. Group I: Chad, Comoros, CAR, Madagascar, Ghana, Mali
  2. Group H: Sao Tome and Principe, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia
  3. Group G: Somalia, Botswana, Mozambique, Uganda, Guinea, Algeria
  4. Group F: Seychelles, Burundi, Gambia, Kenya, Gabon, Ivory Coast
  5. Group E: Eritrea, Niger, Tanzania, Congo, Zambia, Morocco
  6. Group D: Mauritius, Eswatini, Libya, Angola, Cape Verde, Cameroon
  7. Group C: Lesotho, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Benin, South Africa, Nigeria
  8. Group B: South Sudan, Sudan, Togo, Mauritania, DR Congo, Senegal
  9. Group A: Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Egypt

Schedule

The qualifiers will be held across 10 match days with some combined dates for the playoff semifinals and finals. The closest dates to look forward to are:

Matchday One: Nov. 13-21, 2023

  1. Group I: Comoros Vs. Central African Republic, Ghana Vs. Madagascar, Mali Vs. Chad
  2. Group H: Liberia Vs. Malawi, Equatorial Guinea Vs. Namibia, Tunisia Vs. Sao Tome e Principe
  3. Group G: Botswana Vs. Mozambique, Guinea Vs. Uganda, Algeria Vs. Somalia
  4. Group F: Burundi Vs. Gambia, Gabon Vs. Kenya, Ivory Coast Vs. Seychelles
  5. Group E: Niger Vs. Tanzania, Zambia Vs. Congo Brazzaville, Morocco Vs. Eritrea
  6. Group D: Eswatini Vs. Libya, Cape Verde Vs. Angola, Cameroon Vs. Mauritius
  7. Group C: Rwanda Vs. Zimbabwe, South Africa Vs. Benin, Nigeria Vs. Lesotho
  8. Group B: Sudan Vs. Togo, Senegal Vs. South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo Vs. Mauritania,
  9. Group A: Ethiopia Vs. Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso Vs. Guinea-Bissau, Egypt Vs. Djibouti

Matchday Two: Nov. 13-21, 2023

  1. Group I: Chad Vs. Madagascar, Comoros Vs. Ghana, CAR Vs. Mali
  2. Group H: Sao Tome Vs. Namibia, Liberia Vs. E. Guinea, Malawi Vs. Tunisia
  3. Group G: Somalia Vs. Uganda, Botswana Vs. Guinea, Mozambique Vs. Algeria
  4. Group F: Seychelles Vs. Kenya, Burundi Vs. Gabon, Gambia Vs. I. Coast
  5. Group E: Eritrea Vs. Congo, Niger Vs. Zambia, Tanzania Vs. Morocco
  6. Group D: Mauritius Vs. Angola, Eswatini Vs. Cape Verde, Libya Vs. Cameroon
  7. Group C: Lesotho Vs. Benin, Rwanda Vs. S. Africa, Zimbabwe Vs. Nigeria
  8. Group B: S. Sudan Vs. Mauritania, Sudan Vs. DR Congo, Togo Vs. Senegal
  9. Group A: Djibouti Vs. G. Bissau, Ethiopia Vs. B. Faso, S. Leone Vs. Egypt

Wrapping Up

The African (CAF) qualification campaign will kick off in November and set the stage for the 54 participating countries to compete for the 9 World Cup slots. Meanwhile, Morocco’s run in the 2022 World Cup has revitalized enough hope on the continent for a real shot at the trophy.

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We do not recognise Mnangagwa as President – says opposition as MPs boycott 10th Parliament opening, SONA address



3rd October 2023


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By Staff Reporter

CITIZENS Coalition for Change legislators have snubbed the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa at the opening of the 10th Parliament.

According to a source, the decision to steer clear of the SONA along with the official opening of the 10th Parliament came from the party.

This is the latest protest by the opposition party following the conclusion of the general elections in August.

President Mnangagwa emerged winner with a 52,6% share of the vote while Chamisa got 44%.

CCC has since disputed the election results while calling for a rerun.

“We have been told to remain in our constituencies. The directive came as a party position,” revealed the source.

Opposition spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said: “We are boycotting the processes that Mnangagwa wants us to undertake on the basis of the fact that we as CCC do not recognize an election that put him there. The election was a sham, it did not go well. If fell abysmally short of the expected standards of a free and fair election in terms of the laws of Zimbabwe as well as in terms of SADC and AU protocols on free and fair elections.

“Accordingly, we are not attending that process. We want to send a clear message that there should be a free election in Zimbabwe under the auspices of SADC. So, that is the message that will be sending out.”

After the contested 2018 general election, then MDC-Alliance MPs walked out as soon as Mnangagwa began his SONA in protest.

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Zanu PF dispels any hope for Transitional government, maintains August elections were free and fair

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By Leopold Munhende | Chief Correspondent

ZANU PF Treasurer General Patrick Chinamasa has dispelled hopes for a transitional government or rerun, options being pushed regionally after Zimbabwe’s heavily criticised August polls.

Chinamasa took to Twitter Monday to declare that, despite regional and international criticism of the election, Zanu PF maintained it was free and fair.

He described calls for a rerun of the elections won by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as neocolonial.

Mnangagwa claimed 52.6% of the presidential vote against main contender Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) President Nelson Chamisa’s 44%.

“I ask the CCC class and its Prefect, Nelson Chamisa, to repeat after me the following that the 23rd of August 2023 was free, fair, transparent, and credible; that there will be no rerun of the elections,” said Chinamasa.

“There will be no Government of National Unity (GNU), there will be no so-called Transitional Authority (whatever that may mean), Zimbabwe, under Zanu PF’s watch will never be a banana republic.

“Zanu PF will forever say “NO” to neocolonialism and hegemonism and an emphatic “NO” to subjugation by sanctions-imposing Western countries, Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo, Ichitongwa Nevene Vayo, Ichinamatirwa Nevene Vayo, Ichichengetedzwa Nevene Vayo, Ichidzivirirwa Nevene Vayo. 

“Zimbabwe will never, never, never be a colony again.”

Mnangagwa’s re-election has received massive criticism after heavy bungling by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on August 23.

Late provision of voting material, allegations of voter intimidation by Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) backed Forever Associates Zimbabwe (FAZ), barring of opposition rallies, arrest of opposing politicians and accusations ZEC had been captured by the military all worked against its credibility.

The European Union (EU), Commonwealth, United Kingdom (UK), regional body SADC and AU all questioned its fairness.

Zanu PF has spent the greater part of Zimbabwe’s post election period to lay into Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema whom it accuses of orchestrating negative reviews of Zimbabwe’s polls by SADC.

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