AirZim, which is saddled with huge debts, has been flying domestic routes three times a week, but the national passenger carrier has had to schedule daily flights to accommodate delegates streaming into Bulawayo for the ZITF.

A return ticket to Bulawayo cost about US$350. Officials at the airline said the daily flights between Bulawayo and Harare would continueafter the ZITF in order to stimulate air travel ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly being co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Zambia in August.

Anna Hungwe, the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe’s public relations manager, who was among the people that failed to secure a seat on an AirZim flight to Bulawayo for the trade fair this week, said ZITF had offered the airline an opportunity to enhance its image.

“The ZITF has always been a time when the airline receives a boost in terms of income as people love air travelling as it is more convenient and, at a time like this, people value their time as well as (a service that offers) value (for money),” she said.

Adapted from NewsdzeZimbabwe

The woman, Dorothy Mukwati, is nursing a blue eye after Elvis Nkomo beat the lights out of her for trying to ‘domesticate’ him using baboon urine. The incident reportedly happened last Saturday.

Mukwati posted on Makhox Women’s League Facebook page after being beaten up.

“Ladies, I took the advice about baboon urine but I am sad to tell you that it backfired. I bought the urine at Egodini (bus terminus) and hid it under the mattress but my husband discovered it while he was looking for his papers. As I am writing, I am nursing a swollen face,” read the message she allegedly wrote.

Mukwati has however, deactivated her Facebook account but women on the page sympathised with her. When reached for comment, the woman could not divulge more information.

“I was beaten up. That is the long and short of it,” she said before hanging up the phone.

The husband, Nkomo, who was meant to ‘consume’ the suspected baboon urine, could not be located to get his side of the story.

Since late last year, Bulawayo women are reportedly scrambling for baboon urine which is selling like hot cakes. The urine is sold at the Bulawayo City Council run toilets at Egodini commuter omnibus terminus. The urine which goes for $2 is sold with a mixture of soil giving it a solid look.

“You grind the mixture before you sleep but after bathing, you then have to apply the powder in your privates. When applying you do not have to overdose because once you become damp, the urine’s smell is pungent,” said an elderly woman as she explained how women use baboon urine to curb their husband’s bed hoping antics.

In a day she said at least 30 customers buy her love concoctions and makes more than $50. She said the ulterior motive is to drive the man into adopting a baboon’s urinating habit.

According to the elderly woman who is selling the urine, a baboon is disciplined when it comes to urinating.

“A baboon by its nature urinates only on one spot. Even if it travels from Matopo to Bulawayo, when it gets pressed, it will travel all the way to Matopo before it relieves itself. When you apply the powder, the man will absorb the baboon’s urine and it will start regulating his bedding tendencies. Once you use this (baboon urine), just like the animal does, he will never release his seeds of manhood to any woman but to you only,” she explained

Adapted from NewsdzeZimbabwe

, Industry and Commerce Minister Professor Welshman Ncube said yesterday.

Addressing delegates at the Zimbabwe International Business Conference in Bulawayo, Prof Ncube said it was critical for the country to invest in value addition to bring about positive changes to the economy.

He said value addition or beneficiation of natural resources was the cornerstone of the Industrial Development Policy launched in 2012 whose focus is to transform Zimbabwe from a producer of primary goods into a producer of competitive high valued goods.

He said at present the leather industry was one of the areas that presented opportunities in the value chain.

Prof Ncube said raw hides and skins were being exported and this did not augur well for the country.

“The country is well endowed with exotic skins obtained from crocodiles, buffalo, hippo and other wildlife. This is an area where investment is critical as products made from these skins are sought after in the major European fashion houses. Zimbabwe could benefit from expertise to locally manufacture a variety of products from these exotic skins as opposed to exporting them raw. We will be launching the Leather Sector Strategy by mid-June this year,” he said.

The Minister said the leather industry had potential and all that was needed was right partners.

“There are a number of opportunities presented in the strategy and we will shortly be approaching some countries and organisations represented here today to participate in its implementation.”

Prof Ncube said areas with potential for value addition also included the cotton and textile sector.

He said the Industrial Development Policy calls for investment in value addition that bring about positive changes to the Zimbabwean economy and have a trickle-down effect to citizens, thus changing and transforming their lives.

Prof Ncube said Zimbabwe like all developing countries continued exporting its commodities including minerals in raw form with little or no value addition impacting negatively on the socio-economic development.

He said as a result of lack of value addition, jobs were being exported and revenue was lost to other countries that had developed and embraced value addition as a priority in their manufacturing.

He said Zimbabwe’s cotton industry produced between 270 000 tonnes and 300 000 tonnes of seed cotton per annum of which 41 percent was converted through ginning into cotton lint.

“Zimbabwe’s textiles currently cannot consume all the lint produced and ginners are exporting 70 percent plus of total production, with the remainder being further processed by the spinners. There is therefore room for investment to add value to cotton lint within the spinning sector.”

Prof Ncube said processed yarn from the spinning sector was also exported without being fully beneficiated.

“If such value addition investment and opportunities within the cotton sector are realised, then we will be in a position to export finished garments and related cotton and textile products to ultimately benefit our economy,” he said.

The minister said the list of products that were produced in Zimbabwe where investment in value addition could be realised was long.

“We look at our variety of fruits that can be processed into juice, vegetables that can be processed into special oils. Our diversified mineral base presents value addition opportunities still to be realised. We can learn from other countries such as India whose jewellery industry was well developed. Their imports of raw diamonds have created tens of thousands of jobs. Zimbabwe can become the jewel of Africa with targeted investments in value addition.”

He said it was also critical to consider levying raw exports to encourage investment in downstream industries.

In 2012, Zimbabwe recorded a trade deficit of $3.6 billion after the country imported goods worth $7.484 billion against exports valued at $3.8 billion.

Prof Ncube said the trade deficit could be attributed to many factors including fluctuations in international prices, low capacity utilisation and closure of some companies resulting in uncompetitive products on the international export market.

“The major contributor has been that most of our exports are in raw form and attract low prices on the international market giving us low export earnings. Such a challenge compelled us to anchor our Industrial Development Policy (2012-2016) on value addition and the promotion of trading of those products in line with the National Trade Policy (2012-2016),” he said.

The two policies, he said, were meant to drive the production of value added goods as well as facilitating their exports so that Zimbabwe narrows its trade deficit.

Adapted from Chronicle Zwe

THE Government has been urged to channel resources towards the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge border post to speed up the clearance of passengers and goods.

Speaking at a civic reception to welcome exhibitors and the business community to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair on Tuesday night, Bulawayo Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo said authorities should address challenges facing the business community when clearing goods and passing through Beitbridge border post.

“It is important and critical that the relevant authorities from the national to local level ensure that the operating environment is improved so as to attract investors.

“It is disturbing that for many years the clearing of passengers and goods has been a cause for concern at the Beitbridge border post. There is no denying that Beitbridge is the major entry point and the face of Zimbabwe,”he said.

Clr Moyo said there was a need to create a predictable political, economic and social environment as conflicting policy pronouncements served to confuse investors who required stability.

“Referring specifically to Bulawayo, we continue to work towards coming up with a permanent solution to the water woes.

“In 2012 on this very occasion, I lamented the fact that this city has waited patiently for a century for the Zambezi water project to be implemented,” he said.

Clr Moyo castigated the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion for its half-hearted efforts towards reviving industry in Bulawayo.

“Over two years ago the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion assured the nation that Bulawayo would be declared a special economic zone.

“Even though the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) was announced, there has been no real development or significant benefits,” he said.

Clr Moyo said local employment had suffered severely, affecting the livelihoods of people.

“Even those who have means have tended to import labour from outside the city. Regrettably what they might not realise and appreciate is that this behaviour is self-defeating as their enterprises are also affected.

“We appeal to the banking sector to support local industry from whom they derive their super profits. It does not make economic sense to bank locally and yet be referred to other centres for assistance,” he said.

Clr Moyo extended a special welcome to the City of Polokwane in South Africa which is participating at the fair for the first time together with the city of Ethekwini.

“To our foreign visitors, Bulawayo industry is under-capitalised, with plenty of under-utilised accommodation. We therefore encourage you to take advantage of that in many ways besides entering into joint ventures,” he said.

Adapted from Chronicle Zwe

The banks were among institutions and individuals slapped with sanctions by the US more than a decade ago over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses.

On Wednesday the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued a licence that authorises transactions with the two banks “provided they don’t involve someone under U.S. sanctions”.

The US said the development was part of an “action for action” response to encourage continuing political progress after the country organised a referendum on a new constitution with fresh elections expected later in the year.

“Our sanctions program reflects a continuing commitment to help the people of Zimbabwe restore the stable, peaceful, democratic country they rightly deserve,” the State Department official said.

“We are prepared to consider further rolling back our sanctions on Zimbabwe in response to positive progress on Zimbabwe’s part in meeting its reform commitments.

The move comes after the European Union (EU) also suspended its own sanctions, offering to remove them completely if the country organise credible new elections.

Zimbabwe has however rejected conditional easing of the sanctions which President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party say are illegal and responsible for the country’s economic problems.

Adapted from New Zimbabwe.com

The MDC-T leader, who has been primed by his handlers to call for security sector reforms, also said he would not fire any service men if he happened to get into power.

Mr Tsvangirai said this on Saturday while addressing about 3 000 supporters at Tsvovani Stadium in Chiredzi.

Some of the supporters had been bussed from as far as Masvingo, Ngundu, Zaka, Triangle and Checheche.

“For the future of this country, it is dependent on Zanu-PF and MDC . . . for the future stability of this country, it is between (Mr) Morgan Tsvangirai and President Mugabe, (the two have) to ensure that this country moves forward,” he said.

Mr Tsvangirai, who is also Prime Minister in the inclusive Government, left his supporters in stitches when he said other smaller parties were insignificant and not deciding factors.

“As the MDC we do not hate anyone in the army or the police. What we simply want is for them to be professional. They are the future (service men) of this country. We will not sack anyone when we get into power…where will we get other soldiers?” he asked.

Earlier on the party’s Masvingo provincial chairman Mr Wilstaff Sitemere had decried serious factionalism tearing the party apart. Some party officials from Masvingo who spoke to the Herald in Chiredzi also said there was rampant indiscipline in the party to the extent that candidates employed unorthodox means such as creating fake membership cards to ensure they got approval tocontest in primaries.

Reports say some disqualified candidates resolved to petition Mr Tsvangirai asking him start afresh the process of approving candidates.

Mr Tsvangirai tried to calm the losing aspiring legislators and councillors by promising them that more jobs would be created for them if the MDC-T managed to defeat Zanu-PF in the polls set for anytime this year.

“Those who lost should work with whoever won. If we win the elections, there will be a need to appoint ambassadors, commissioners and other posts in Government. Everyone has a role to play in the MDC,” he said.

The MDC-T leader promised to create jobs, revamp the health delivery system and improve the education sector among other things.

He, however, did not tell his supporters how the country that has been devastated by the effects of the illegal economic sanctions he called for would mobilise money to finance the projects meant to create the promised jobs.

“When we get into power we are going to deal with the unemployment problem by encouraging direct foreign investment, adopt zero tolerance on corruption…we are saying if you are a corrupt councillor, Member of Parliament or President . . . get out and leave us alone. We want to uproot corruption,” he said.

Although Mr Tsvangirai pledged to purge his party of corruption, eyebrows are being raised on how he is going to do it this time after failing to rein in councillors who looted properties and stands in MDC-T led councils and his legislators who allegedly abused the Constituency Development Fund.

Mr Tsvangirai also said his party wanted to introduce free education from Grade One to Seven and free medical care for people suffering from terminal illnesses.

“We believe Zimbabwe should engage outsiders, but we will still protect our sovereignty as a country. Zanu-PF has failed to do that and has lost direction.”

Commenting on the forthcoming elections, Mr Tsvangirai said his party was ready “even tomorrow” but on condition all Global Political Agreement outstanding issues were dealt with.

On poll dates, Mr Tsvangirai insisted that June 29 was not possible and he had the right to have an input.

“President Mugabe and I will have to agree on the dates and make  the announcement when the time comes. He knows that . . . we meet every Monday and we have to agree on the days . . . Who said the polls will be held on June 29?” he said.

Mr Tsvangirai said all Zimbabweans were supposed to learn the indigenous languages.

“In future if you do not know three local languages you cannot be employed in the civil service. That will force the people to learn local languages,” he said.

The MDC – T leader said his party learnt a lot during the past four years it has been in Government, adding it had amassed enough experience to govern the country.

“For the past four years we have been part of the inclusive Government . . . some say it was a marriage of convenience while others say it was a forced marriage. That does not matter we agreed to do that for a purpose.

“God had a purpose for this, things cannot happen at the same time.

“Some say we have been on apprenticeship to run the country and we have learnt a lot. We did not lose anything for the past four years we have been in power. This was a successful soft landing of the crisis in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Adapted :  The Chronicle Byo

Born Leonard Kwangari Gwaindepi in Chivi on the 6th of February in 1959, Dembo is one the country’s  great musicians and his popular song Chitekete is fondly remembered by many music lovers. Many of Dembo’s songs still appeal to the music lovers even today.

His fusion of socially conscious poetic lyrics and superb guitar skills was what made Dembo a timeless artiste. Almost two decades after his death, his music is still recording high sales

Some of Dembo’s albums include Amai Nevana Vavo, Kuziva Mbuya Huudzwa, Nhamo Mhoto, Kukura Kwedu and Ruva Rashe. His popular Chiteketeke was one of the few to achieve success beyond the country’s borders. The song was infact played at the Miss World Pageant held in Namibia in 1996. It was also voted the best song since Independence when the country celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 2005. When the nation was commemorating Dembo’s death, what came out very clear is that most of Zimbabwe’s musicians are dying young. The other musicians who like Dembo died young include System Tazvida, Solomon Skuza, Nduna “Ndux Malax” Malaba, James Chimombe and John Chibadura. Most of them died at the peak of their music careers

The curse of the 90s

.

The others to follow were Tongai Moyo, Cephas Mashakada and Sam Mtukudzi.

Commenting on the deaths of  fellow musicians, Willis Wataffi said musicians were at risk because of the nature of their work.

“When you are an artiste you are always on the road so there are many dangers. There is the possibility of road accidents and high risks of contracting HIV/Aids,” he said.

Wataffi said what was crucial was for musicians to have good managers to manage both their lives and their music careers.

“When we achieved stardom as Afrika Revenge what we needed was guidance but we did not get that. The reason why groups like Ilanga, Bundu Boys and Afrika Revenge broke was because they lacked guidance. What we need is for experienced artistes like Tuku to also play a mentorship role because they have seen and passed the dangers of the music industry,” he said.

What is however comforting is that the country’s 90s generation of musicians left Zimbabwe with a rich musical history that the country will continue to treasure for generations to come.

THE Ugliest Man in Harare for 2012, William Masvinu.

It seemed awkward that there was a pageant for those who were defined as ugly.

But who would think that in just a few years time the pageant would be one of the most popular events on the country’s entertainment calendar.

Yes, the Mr Ugly competition has become one of the prominent pageants for males in the country and one would never imagine that a sane person would come forward and be proud of their ugliness.

The Mr Ugly winners have moved from being “Ugly to Uglier” with each competition that takes place.

It is again that time of the year when fans of the ever-growing pageant look forward to the competition.

The search for the country’s most hideous man intensifies next month in the border town of Beitbridge where it was initially launched.

Speaking to Saturday Leisure, Lovemore  Chonzi said preparations for the show were on course and the show dates for the show would be released soon.

“Initially we had planned to host the show this month but we were forced to postpone it due to other reasons but the Mr Ugly Beitbridge would take place next month,” said the man who is the brains behind the pageant.

Mr Ugly was inaugurated in 2010 in Beitbridge where Elmas Moses popularly known as VaChiganda won the competition.

The idea of Mr Ugly was mooted by a group of people in the border town called the Veranda Boys.

Last year, 30-year-old Austin Mbewe beat stiff competition from Kudakwashe Chiramba and Chitova Chizhira to win the competition.

Mr William Masvinu crowned Mr Ugly Harare 2012  however seems to be the most popular.Soon after the Harare competition, Chonzi accused the organisers of the pageant held in the capital for hijacking his idea.

He said the pageant was a Beitbridge idea stolen by Harare organisers.

He, however, revealed that he had since approached his lawyers

who would assist him in dealing with those who do not seek permission to host the show.

“This is my idea, and many people have just decided to host their own Mr Ugly competitions without seeking my permission.

I have since approached my lawyers who will deal with those violating my intellectual rights,” he said.

He declined to shed light on what exactly would happen to the organisers of the same show in different cities.

Besides the Mr Beitbridge competition, there was the Harare version and the Mr Tsholotsho pageant which was however, cancelled for unknown reasons. Despite it being a big event in the country, the Mr Ugly competition did not take place in the City of Kings and Queens where most beauties and princes in the modelling circles have emerged from. Or maybe there are no ugly men in Bulawayo.

Adapted :  The Chronicle Byo

Although most artistes during this era mainly focused on the rhythm and blues and hip-hop genre, Sandra chose a different way, she focused on traditional music and dance.

It was her unique style of dancing that saw her rise to stardom and was arguably one of the best artistes in the country.

However, her dance style soon earned her all sorts of names and was described as loose and likened her act to a sign of moral decadence.

But Sandy, who ventured into the cut-throat profession more than a decade ago, never saw it that way.

Even her latest album titled No matter What seems to emphasise that she remains unfazed.

Moreover, the sultry dancer whom some have labelled a “spent force” has declared 2013 “her year of resurrection.” Aside her profession, Sandra doubles as both a mother and entrepreneur.

The vivacious dancer who walked down the aisle two years ago to her high school sweetheart Nkanyiso Sibindi, said she is happily married and as a woman she saw it fit to diversify and be a helping hand to her husband.

“Sandra Ndebele is a different woman to that artiste they see on stage, I have a life besides music, I am a mother of two naughty boys and I am an entrepreneur,” said Ndebele.

“I am a hard working woman, besides music, I run Sandy Crafts, an online shop specialising in beads and cultural wear.

“I sell most of the stuff when I travel to Europe, that is where we have a ready market,” said the sultry dancer.

Besides the craft shop, she also travels to Dubai to buy goods for resale back home.

“I don’t have a shop in town but I get orders from people and I bring them exclusive goods such as handbags and shoes among other accessories,” said Ndebele.

She said most people had a biased perception about people who are labelled celebrities in town.

“People think that by becoming a celebrity you are exclusive and you cannot do any household chores or take care of your children but I am different.

“Though I have a maid, I do all the household chores that every woman does, I cook for my family whenever I am around and by the way I am a good cook,” she said with a smile.

Ndebele, whose husband is a lawyer by profession, though not practising at the moment, said they travel a lot.

“I have a very supportive husband who stands by me all the time, we often travel together for our tours if he doesn’t have any commitments,” said the nimble-footed singer who has also tried a hand at acting.

In 2008, she founded the all-female ensemble Intombi Zomqangala which she said she established in a quest to mould professional dancers.

“I realised that some girls were being exploited by bar managers who pay  them peanuts after their performances and as such I founded Intombi, which is a platform to learn and move forward.

“It’s more on the empowering side and also to promote and preserve our cultural dances,” she said.

Together with Sandra, Intombi Zomqangala has travelled to European countries namely Russia, Austria, Canada and Germany.

As a parting shot, Ndebele said she was disappointed by dancers who use the dance floor as a platform for prostitution and urged them to be “professional” in their conduct.

“These girls must stop performing for $50, they must unite and refuse to be exploited by promoters and pub owners, and they must treat themselves with dignity.

“Present yourselves as professionals then everyone will take you seriously. It takes yourself to prove who you are, do not hide under the guise that you are a dancer yet you are a prostitute,” said Ndebele.

Her latest album No Matter What features South Africa’s all-time classic hitmakers, Platform One.

Adapted :  The Chronicle Byo