HARARE – Nothing lasts forever. The young eventually become the old and they subsequently perish. Such is the law of nature. 1980 is pretty different from 2013. Dialectical materialism dictates that life is in constant motion and more particularly, that the old gives way and collapses into the new. Thus, it will be utter folly…
HARARE – One can hardly go a day in Zimbabwe without the topic of sanctions creeping — no, barging — into the conversation. I have often remarked that this is a topic I find little reason to dwell on, and usually avoid doing so. It is a nonissue which has lots of billowing smoke, but…
HARARE – Reports coming out of Chitungwiza over circumstances surrounding the dismissal of close to a dozen-and-a-half municipal employees are a sad pointer to what has become a scourge of most local authorities. As we are made to understand, the group facing dismissal comprises party activists of obscure professional skills who got engaged by Chitungwiza…
HARARE – The most important cultural event (though fading very fast) in Zimbabwe around August or early September is the rain making ceremony called “Mukwerera” in Shona language. The main ceremony is held at the Matopos in Matabeleland South province. This is an ancient ceremony where all the chiefs send emissaries to Matopos so that…
HARARE – The year 2012 is coming to an end and 2013 is drawing near. All indications are that life will not be any better in 2013, for the larger majority of Zimbabweans. The country faces severe food shortages, which have become chronic. As in previous years, belatedly and grudgingly, the inclusive government acknowledged the…
HARARE – As the curtain comes down on the year 2012, Zimbabweans are faced with an uncertain and ominous year ahead, particularly pertaining to governance issues. While it is certain that the country is heading towards polls, it remains unclear whether there shall be a referendum due to political parties’ bickering. There are serious concerns…
HARARE – The ANC’s Mangaung Congress this week dominated the political media space. The Bull Eland observed that Zimbabweans were more interested in that electoral outcome than ongoings at home. This attitude reminded me of how things that happen next door can come alive in one’s own home. For instance, as we enjoy the festive…
HARARE – The introduction of independent power producers into Zimbabwe’s electricity sector will involve big changes, as what had been accepted as a natural monopoly starts the metamorphosis to an open, competitive electricity market. We welcome the move by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) to license 10 independent power producers (IPPs) with a capacity…
HARARE – “It is no longer viable to say I have a degree because the information communication technology (ICT) revolution has surpassed everything.” These were the wise words of the energetic professor Arthur Mutambara calling for the revamping of the universities curriculum to meet the demand of the economy. It is true that the world…
HARARE – Disturbances in Gwanda in which alleged tribal skirmishes erupted over mine claims should be handled with great caution. Elsewhere in this edition, we report an incident in which some miners in Matabeleland allegedly clashed over gold claims along suspected tribal lines and this is regrettable. The disturbances by miners are coming just as…
