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Zimbabwe turns 44 in style – The Herald

Fungi Kwaramba in MURAMBINDA

FOR exactly 41 years, no major event was held outside Harare, the citadel of both political and economic power in Zimbabwe, but for the past two years and counting, that has changed with the independence celebrations being rolled out to other provinces, in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of decentralisation, which is aimed at “leaving no one and no place behind”.

Already, Bulawayo and Mashonaland Central provinces have had their turn of hosting the main independence celebrations.

Bulawayo hosted the 42nd independence celebrations, while Mt Darwin in Mashonaland Central, the bedrock of the country’s liberation struggle, hosted the event last year.

This year is Manicaland Province’s turn, and over 70 000 people are expected to converge at Murambinda B High School in Buhera today for the country’s 44th Independence celebrations.

Speaking about decentralising the main Independence Day celebrations in 2022, President Mnangagwa said: “Recently, Cabinet resolved that this year’s 42nd Independence Day celebrations will be held in Bulawayo.

“This landmark event will be the first to be held outside Harare since independence, which is testimony that Zanu PF is walking the talk with regards to devolution and the realisation of development that leaves no one and no place behind.”

This year, Independence Day celebrations are being held under the theme, “Zim@44: Unity, Peace and Development Towards Vision 2030”.

Murambinda town and the province of Manicaland at large hold a special place in the country’s history, a history inked by blood, a history that culminated in Uhuru on April 18, 1980.

A brief history perhaps: At the tail-end of the country’s liberation struggle, when the embers of the gruelling war were dying after the defeat of the minority settler colonial regime, thousands of freedom fighters were assembled at Dzapasi/Foxtrot, here in Buhera, waiting for elections that ushered in majority rule.

The place, heavy with the weight of history, remained tucked in the semi-arid lands with little to speak to the world of the stories it carried in its bosom, its bowels, hills and valleys.

But that all took a turn with the advent of the Second Republic, which sought and still seeks to indelibly engrave the country’s history, written in blood, to endure until the end of time so that the heroic deeds of its heroes permeate for generations to come, as a fountain of inspiration and source of pride.

In his address to schoolchildren at the Children’s Party here yesterday, President Mnangagwa, himself a major protagonist in the country’s protracted war of independence, said the country must always unite, in its diversity for development that leaves no one and no place behind, because the liberation struggle was shouldered by all regions with scant regard to anyone’s ethnicity or background.

“We should embrace the values of our liberation, by always respecting and loving one another. Your language, culture, and traditions might be different but you are all Zimbabweans.

“You are great, great-grandchildren of Munhumutapa, we are a united people. We fought for our independence and freedom from colonial rule, now we are a free people. You, our children, must always be proud of being Zimbabwean, our rich history and national identity.”

It is for that reason that the country is today celebrating its 44th Independence in Murambinda, a bustling town in the heart of Buhera, that is nestled between picturesque mountains and which, like many parts of Zimbabwe, had never hosted a major national event of this magnitude.

In its journey to Murambinda Growth Point, the Independence Flame that will be torched today, ever a symbol of the country’s self rule and sovereignty, was taken to Mutasa’s Magamba (Butcher Camp) in Rusape, then Nyanga, Mutasa (Matumba Six Shrine), Mutare Provincial Heroes Acre, Chimanimani, Chipinge and Foxtrot.

Speaking after torching the Independence Flame last week, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said the Butcher site alongside similar sites like Chibondo were torture chambers used by a desperate white minority government that sought to delay the inevitable, the rule by the majority.

This was part of a larger strategy of Rhodesia’s stubborn response to the black people’s demand for independence and freedom.

Speaking of the Magamba site, VP Chiwenga said it was one of the many sacred sites in the country where freedom fighters are interred.

He said the shrine, often referred to as “Butcher Site”, was a secretive interrogation, torture, and execution base for the colonial regime during the late phase of the Second Chimurenga.

“It is here where the lives of hundreds of liberation fighters, war collaborators and civilians came to a brutal end through the atrocious Rhodesian regime tactics . . . nothing else could demonstrate the deep respect for our departed heroes than to immortalise and memorialise our heroes for generations to come,” said VP Chiwenga.

Because the country’s independence was fought in all regions, by brave and committed sons and daughters from across the country, this year’s Independence Day celebrations are being held in Murambinda.

This town was buzzing last night, with at least 70 000 people expected to witness the main event that will be accompanied by a rare football extravaganza pitting Zimbabwean soccer giants, Highlanders and Dynamos, at a pristine stadium built at Murambinda B Secondary School.

Reaping rewards from the celebrations, Murambinda B Secondary school now boasts of a solar-powered borehole, a drip technology garden, and a fishery, in a project that will be mirrored at every school in the country.

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Radio licences become mandatory for motorists – Chronicle

Radio licences become mandatory for motorists

Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

GOVERNMENT yesterday announced that it is now mandatory for motorists to first purchase a radio licence before acquiring vehicle insurance cover or policy unless there is an exemption from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

This follows the approval of amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act by Cabinet including the Media Practitioners’ Bill, which seeks to regulate the operations of the media to ensure professionalism in the sector.

Cabinet also approved the amendments to the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) Act, which seeks to ensure uniformity in the training of media players.

In his post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the proposed media reforms will create a conducive media environment in the country.

He said the changes to the Broadcasting Service Act will compel motorists to buy radio licences whenever renewing their vehicle licences thereby boosting the public broadcaster’s revenue streams.

Dr Muswere said the amendments to the Broadcasting Services Act follow those that were approved in 2019 but had critical gaps that needed to be fine-tuned including ensuring gender balance in regulating the sector.

“The additional amendments will, among other provisions, provide for the following: ensuring gender balance in the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe Board; introduction of annual applications for broadcasting frequency spectrum licences; broadening and introducing new definitions under Section 38A; and prohibition of the sale of motor vehicle registration licence or motor vehicle insurance cover or policy to a person without a current radio licence or an exemption from ZBC under Section 38B,” he said.

“In terms of the amended Act, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation revenue base will be broadened since it will be mandatory for all motorists to have a current radio licence before either disposing of their vehicles or purchasing motor vehicle cover or policy.”

Dr Muswere said the amended ZMC Act will among other things standardise training in journalism and mass communication in the country to enhance professionalism.

He said the Media Council of Zimbabwe will be established for purposes of regulating the media including its ownership and tenure for Commissioners and the reporting structure.

“Foreign ownership of mass media services in Zimbabwe will be limited to promote local content, local business and employment. Zimbabwe Media Commissioners will serve for a one five-year term, which is renewable once, and the Commission shall report to the Minister as provided for in the Constitution,” said Dr Muswere.

He said the additional principles are a product of wide consultation with players in the media sector including journalists unions.

Dr Muswere said Cabinet also approved the Media Practitioners’ Bill whose thrust will be to professionalise media players defining who becomes a media practitioner.

He said the law will allow the independence and co-regulation of the media practitioners.

“It will also allow the growth and development of the media industry. The nation is advised that the Media Practitioners’ Bill seeks to create a legal framework that outlines parameters for the regulation of the media as provided for in Section 249(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe,” he said.

“This entails the creation of a Zimbabwe Media Practitioners Council, which will be responsible for the regulation and enforcement of professionalism among all media practitioners.”

Dr Muswere said the Media Council will use delegated power from the ZMC to discipline its members.

“The Media Practitioners Council will also deal with conduct and ethics. Media practitioners/councillors will be elected and will include nominees from the Editors’ forum, public media institutions, private media institutions and academic institutions.” —@nqotshili

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Zimbabwe’s ZiG is the world’s newest currency and its latest attempt to resolve a money crisis – The Associated Press

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Out with the Zimbabwe dollar, in with the ZiG.

Zimbabwe on Tuesday started circulating a new currency to replace one that has been battered by depreciation and often outright rejection by the people. The ZiG was introduced electronically in early April, but people are now able to use banknotes and coins.

It’s the southern African country’s latest attempt to halt a long-running currency crisis underlining its persistent economic troubles. The government had previously floated various ideas to replace the Zimbabwe dollar, including introducing gold coins to stem inflation and even trying out a digital currency.

Since it was launched electronically on April 5, the ZiG — short for Zimbabwe Gold and backed by the country’s gold reserves — appears to be heading down the same path of mistrust, with some government departments refusing to accept it.

The ZiG is the sixth currency Zimbabwe has used since the spectacular 2009 collapse of the Zimbabwe dollar amid hyperinflation of 5 billion percent, one of the world’s worst currency crashes to date. That set off a chaotic series of events: first the U.S. dollar was allowed as legal tender, then banned, then unbanned.

A new “bond note” became legal tender, the Zimbabwe dollar was reintroduced before the gold coins and digital currency were tried.

However, nothing brought any currency stability and the U.S. dollar remains the most trusted for ordinary Zimbabweans.

As the shiny new ZiG banknotes hit the streets, the mistrust was evident.

Kudzanayi Mande, a vegetable trader at the crowded Mbare market in the capital of Harare, said she would rather forgo a sale than accept the ZiG. She was confused, the 56-year-old said.

“Already there is an official exchange rate and a depreciated black market rate, so I will wait a bit to see what its real value is,” she said. “The U.S. dollar is still a safer bet.”

The government has allowed some businesses, such as gas stations, to refuse to accept the ZiG in favor of U.S. dollars. Some departments, like the office that issues and renews passports, accept only U.S. dollars.

At the same time, other businesses are being ordered to only use the ZiG, and face punishment if they don’t.

“The government prints the money so it should be the first to accept the currency and everyone else will follow,” said Gift Mugano, an economics professor at South Africa’s Durban University of Technology.

“Otherwise it is behaving like someone who feeds on takeaways but wants others to eat the food they cook,” Mugano said. “It becomes suspicious.”

Many in Zimbabwe still remember when a 100 trillion Zimbabwe dollar banknote was printed in 2009 at the height of the hyperinflation to keep up with spiraling prices.

At one point, a loaf of bread cost more than 500 million Zimbabwe dollars. Prices would change from when customers walked into a grocery store to when they lined up to pay at the cash register. Restaurants stopped displaying prices on menus as they would go up over the course of a dinner. People lugged around bags stuffed with banknotes. Savings and pensions became worthless.

Through the ordeals, the greenback remained precious — and highly valued on the black market.

Across Zimbabwe, the U.S. dollar is still widely used, from paying rent and school fees to buying groceries. Many take their local currency earnings to the black market to exchange for dollars since banks don’t give out U.S. dollars. Some people stash their U.S. dollars at home.

The government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has taken a hard-line approach — dozens of black market currency dealers were arrested and have been in pretrial detention for weeks, accused of trying to undermine the new currency. After the ZiG was introduced electronically, bank accounts of some businesses were frozen, accused by the government of rejecting the new currency.

Authorities say they have faith in the ZiG because it’s backed by the country’s gold reserves. Mnangagwa said in a speech on Monday it was a matter of “our national identity and dignity” to trust the ZiG.

Though some hopeful Zimbabweans headed for the banks Tuesday to get their hands on the new currency, many remained skeptical after two decades of turmoil.

An online news outlet published a political cartoon showing a policeman struggling to hold up a collapsing house with the word ZiG on it.

The caption: “World’s first police backed currency.”

___

Follow AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

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New ZiG notes and coins hit Bulawayo streets – Chronicle

New ZiG notes and coins hit Bulawayo streets

Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]

DEPOSITORS have started withdrawing their Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) notes and coins from local banks in Bulawayo with members of the public expressing excitement over the circulation of the new money.

Hopes are high that the structured currency would deliver the desired economic and bring relief to the transacting public following its launch early this month.

This morning, many banks confirmed that they have started issuing ZiG with people withdrawing their money with no challenges.

Mrs Sithabile Gumede who also managed to get her ZiG from a local bank said this will bring ease of transacting with the issue of change being solved.

Mrs Sithabile Gumede

She said the Government should come up with policies to protect the new currency so that it will remain strong to retain buying power.

“I’m happy that we now have our own currency and this will help in terms of change. We call upon the Government to come up with ways to protect this currency so that speculators will have no room to misuse it,” she said.

Banks yesterday took delivery of notes and coins from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe for commencement of withdrawals by depositors today.

The Central Bank has since set weekly cash withdrawal limits at ZiG3 000 for individuals and ZiG30 000 for corporates to manage the initial roll-out.

Mr Lameck Nyathi from Lupane said: “We are happy to get this new currency, what we wish is to see this money maintaining its value.

“I understand that this is Zimbabwe Gold and gold has value,” he said”

Mr Nyathi said in Lupane people have been waiting to see the ZiG. Mr Tapiwanashe Marava who also withdrew his ZiG today said with the ZiG there is no going backward, and commended the Government for taking a huge step towards Vision 2030.

“This is money, now you can go buy some bread and bring back change. With Government policies in place and laws to protect this new currency, this will take us through to Vision 2030,” he said.

An official from First Capital Bank Mr Takudzwa Marumahoko said they have started issuing ZiG, adding that senior citizens have also shown interest in the new currency as shown by their eagerness to hold it in their hands.

-@SikhulekelaniM1

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