HARARE – The beginning of a New Year always symbolises new beginnings for most people and the Christian community usually start the New Year with prayer and fasting while appealing for divine intervention. Over the past few decades, many Zimbabweans have turned to God for solutions to the socio-economic and political problems. While most people…
HARARE – Zimbabwe enters an election year with implementation of outstanding reforms and a new constitution lagging way behind schedule. Civil rights activists warn that given the marked interest of the security sector in politics and elections, there is a high potential for increased state-sponsored violence and intimidation ahead of the election this year; and…
HARARE – Production on the once productive farms has sharply deteriorated and farm workers are bearing the effects of the change — going for months without wages — more than a decade after the Zanu PF-led government invaded farms. Not everyone has engaged in successful farming, and new forms of social differentiation are emerging on…
HARARE – “I am so grateful to be standing in front of you today. I know that I owe my life to God who gave his people the wisdom to manufacture life-prolonging drugs. “When I came here last year, I looked like I would not last the following day, my CD4 count was 14 and…
HARARE – In 2007, live on British television, the Archbishop of York, Bishop John Sentamu, cut his collar up with scissors to protest against President Robert Mugabe being in power. He said he would only replace his collar if Mugabe was removed. Five years down the line Robert Mugabe is still the President of Zimbabwe….
HARARE – “Gwede rinofarira rugare nhamoichauya manheru (the freshman enjoys comfort now but suffering will come in the evening),” goes a popular tune sung by seniors to intimidate new comers at mission schools. I first heard this song over 19 years ago but the sound of those senior girls singing still rings in my ears…
HARARE – “My son Shakespeare, do not go around shaking your spear everywhere,” exclaimed Albert Nyathi as he recited his poem My Son, at the unveiling of a World Aids Day theme song initiated by a youth singing sensation Theo Phoenyll. Being an unknown musician, the teenage sensation’s nerve to spread a message against HIV/Aids…
HARARE – When Zanu PF held its first congress in independent Zimbabwe, there was a celebratory mood in the country with Chimurenga music guru Thomas Mapfumo releasing songs specifically for the occasion. Known in other circles as “Hurricane Hugo”, after independence Mapfumo went on to compose songs to congratulate the then ruling Zanu PF party…
HARARE – They’ve been called noisy, unwieldy and looking like a plastic bag. Although the female condoms were approved in 1993, they haven’t exactly been embraced. After a second version of the female condom was approved in 2009, HIV/Aids health campaigners began distributing them in major cities and offering training on how to use them…
HARARE – Despite the reign of terror characterising the conduct of elections in Zimbabwe, campaign periods are like an early Christmas to many disadvantaged communities. Successive Zimbabwean elections have been blighted by violence and allegations of rigging. But for some communities, campaign periods are a time to receive as politicians play Father Christmas in a…
