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Elusive search for a home in Zim literature

October 7, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Vuso Mhlanga Correspondent THE quest for a home and a sense of belonging is the substance of Zimbabwean literature. This is not a sweeping assertion that makes one liable to oversimplification of matters. True, the generality of many literatures, especially African and Caribbean, reflect that search for identity, but that there exist no other literatures […]
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Why do things happen the way they do?

October 7, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Tanaka Chidora Literature Today I grew up surrounded by positive people who could rummage for positive things from a heap of debris. They could interpret every minuscule event of life and give it new positive meaning, and if they could not, they would assign it to some higher and divine authority who knew why things […]
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Haritatos: Born for servant leadership

October 7, 2018, 3:01 pm
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Ruth Butaumocho 2nd Republic Profiles Born after independence in 1980, Cde Vangelis Haritatos was never worried about the colour of his skin, but like any other Zimbabwean, he was miffed by racial discrimination. Hailing from a Greek family whose ideology was deeply rooted in the liberation struggle and the ruling Zanu-PF party in fighting racial […]
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Politics and the neurotic economy

October 7, 2018, 3:02 pm
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Anyone that thinks dialoguing for unity or positions and perks with Nelson Chamisa will in and of itself help revive the economy is selling hopelessness.Chamisa’s happiness will not suffice to revive our economy, not from any angle imaginable.
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Fixing the economy not a stroll in the park

October 7, 2018, 3:02 pm
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Isdore Guvamombe Assistant Editor This is not time for cosmetic economic reforms. It is time for corrective surgery, painful as it might be. And, painful as it should be, the Government of Zimbabwe has understood the need to bravely tackle it. With the birth of the new Cabinet, the theatre room is ready and the […]
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SA, Security Council and foreign policy

October 7, 2018, 3:02 pm
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Gustavo de Carvalho Correspondent The key question for South Africa is how it will position itself in relation to other Security Council members. A focus on economic diplomacy could mean balancing competing interests between traditional partners in the West and BRICS partners in the Council. For South Africa — Africa’s representative in the United Nations Security Council — to make a difference globally and on the continent, details are needed about goals, positions and approaches. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s first real chance to present himself to the international community was at the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Throughout his packed schedule at UNGA, he used the opportunity to remind the world of Nelson Mandela’s legacy. Coinciding with the centenary of Mandela’s birth, this strategy worked when calling for more effective global approaches to peace, security and development. It was also effective in restoring some legitimacy to South African foreign policy, which was tainted under former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure. But what does Ramaphosa’s busy time in New York reveal about South Africa’s foreign policy priorities and strategies? And is economic diplomacy, as is widely expected, dominating the country’s approach on the global stage? Ramaphosa attended a UN Private Sector Forum lunch, a seminar on business opportunities in South Africa, and a round-table on investment in South Africa hosted by Michael Bloomberg. At all three meetings, Ramaphosa marketed the country as a promising investment destination — in line with his goal set earlier this year of attracting US$100 billion over five years. He made the case by drawing direct links between economic development and peace and security, particularly in Africa. Connecting security and economic development isn’t new to South Africa’s foreign policy. But it is clear from Ramaphosa’s recent engagements that this approach will be pursued in an increasing deliberate manner. He rightfully asked UN member states to question how the global body could better secure lasting peace and economic development across the world. Given his focus on linkages between peace, security and development, it was surprising that Ramaphosa’s speeches in New York made little reference to South Africa’s goals during its upcoming UN Security Council term. During its two-year tenure on the council, which starts in January 2019, South Africa’s foreign policy will increasingly be tested, and questioned. As things stand, the country has a lot of catching up to do. The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) spoke to government officials, civil society and academics in New York in March 2018 and all agreed that South Africa’s foreign policy has become less visible and less consistent over the last few years. The ISS research is being conducted to strengthen South Africa’s approaches to peace, security and development in Africa, including during its Security Council membership. The international community is eager to understand what South Africa has to offer, and how it will manage high expectations. Certainly the country should not respond only to external demands, but it does need to clearly communicate its goals, positions and approaches. This is especially important considering that the Security Council is dealing with some stark divides. Permanent members have faced a virtual paralysis on Syria, but also regarding conflicts in Yemen and Ukraine. Such paralysis has also affected Africa, for example when Russia and China blocked a Security Council decision on Burundi that would have infringed the country’s sovereignty. Some of Pretoria’s intentions were revealed in Ramaphosa’s call — during his General Assembly speech — for the UN to become a more effective instrument for mediation, peacekeeping and post-conflict resolution. South Africa has experience in all three areas. It has been active in appointing mediators to countries like Sudan, Burundi and Madagascar. Thousands of South African troops have been deployed to UN peacekeeping operations, including an important contingent in the UN Stabilisation Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO). Pretoria has also advocated for longer-term approaches to conflict resolution, including through bilateral support to post-conflict countries, often via its African Renaissance Fund. But prioritising the future of MONUSCO may not be enough for South Africa to contribute to sensitive Security Council discussions on the effectiveness of peacekeeping, mission mandates and the allocation of limited resources. During its study in New York, the ISS was told that: “We tend to see African states discussing peacekeeping issues when it relates to their own roles as troop contributing countries or when it relates to UN–AU relations, but we see little African participation in broader conceptual and practical peacekeeping discussions.” Together with other elected members, also called the E10, South Africa will have an opportunity to bridge divides and propose solutions. E10 members have in recent times focused on finding creative ways to play a more effective role in the Security Council. Through strategic alliances and greater cooperation, they have been able to exert some influence. Australia and Luxembourg, for example, were key in drafting decisions on humanitarian access in Syria, a role that was recently taken up by Sweden. The key question for South Africa is how it will position itself in relation to other Security Council members. A focus on economic diplomacy could mean balancing competing interests between traditional partners in the West and BRICS partners in the Council. To do so, Pretoria may have to avoid big ideological battles in its voting patterns, particularly regarding non-African issues. South Africa has the advantage of having served on the Security Council from 2011 to 2012. This provides important institutional memory and capacity to deal with a structure that is highly procedural and requires well-resourced multilateral capacity. To be effective, South Africa’s mission in New York (and relevant desks in Pretoria) needs qualified and seasoned diplomats. Key partnerships with other Security Council members should be crafted, including in the E10. Timely and clear communication on the government’s vision and how it will be achieved is also essential. By drawing on Mandela’s legacy, Ramaphosa’s speeches in the UN show that South Africa’s foreign policy clearly connects economic development and sustainable peace, particularly in Africa. But if the country wants to make a difference at the global level and especially in the Security Council, details are needed about how it plans to do so.
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Editorial Comment: Together Zimbabwe shall overcome

October 7, 2018, 3:04 pm
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Friday and early Saturday presented a real bonanza for purveyors of negative news as it became apparent that a number of service stations in cities and towns did not have fuel. Instead, queues meandered wherever the commodity was found.
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Give unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar

October 8, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Catherine Magadzire Correspondent Matthew 22:17-21 — “Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose […]
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Agriculture vehicle for attainment of Vision 2030

October 8, 2018, 3:00 pm
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To travel is to see. And many people still think that big things only happen in Harare and not anywhere else.
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Opposition attempting to scare its way to State House

October 8, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Nicole Hondo Correspondent Zimbabwe has, in the past week or so, been awash with claims and tweaked pictures as well as videos purportedly showing runaway prices, acute shortages and a country on the brink of collapse. Indeed, a person browsing Zimbabwe social media would believe the country was on fire and people were eating dried guava […]
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Workers Party of Korea turns 73

October 8, 2018, 3:00 pm
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October 8 this year marks the 20th anniversary of election of Kim Jong Il (1942-2011) as General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK).
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Notes from the edge of Kenya’s Karura Forest

October 8, 2018, 3:01 pm
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A friend used to complain about the gremlins in his laptop.
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EDITORIAL COMMENT: Deviant, irresponsible opposition a let down

October 8, 2018, 3:02 pm
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A paper by Nathalie Brack and Sharon Weinblum titled, “What do we mean by ‘political opposition’: a theoretical perspective”, offers interesting insights into the notion of opposition in a democracy like Zimbabwe. They attempt to define political opposition and locate it in the governing matrix of a country. They draw from several other scholars, offering key […]
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Columbus Day: Romancing greed, slavery

October 8, 2018, 3:02 pm
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CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS has long been a patriotic symbol for the United States of America. Honoured with more place names than any other figure of American history except for George Washington, he has been praised as a great explorer—courageous, resolute, and victorious.
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Preparing next generation of skilled workers: Day of the Girl

October 9, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Today’s generation of girls is preparing to enter a world of work that is being transformed by innovation and automation.
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There’s no evil in me

October 9, 2018, 3:00 pm
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John 14:30 Amplified; I will not talk with you much more, for the prince (evil genius, ruler) of the world is coming. And he has no claim on me. (He has nothing in common with me; there is nothing in me that belongs to him and he has no power over me.)
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Divorce: Can I say no?

October 9, 2018, 3:00 pm
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Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA) assists a multitude of women through providing free legal aid to indigent women.
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AFM: Deific law in crisis

October 9, 2018, 3:01 pm
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I write my articles mainly from the point of view of the law, but in this article there may frequently be reference to spirituality — indeed when it comes to the need to deal with splits in the body of Christ — the church.
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Why is it so hard for Africans to visit other African countries?

October 9, 2018, 3:01 pm
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Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has said he needs 38 visas to travel within the continent on his Nigerian passport.
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Youth interest in agriculture must be supported

October 9, 2018, 3:01 pm
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In  Zimbabwe and most other African countries, it is increasingly becoming difficult to convince the “Facebook generation” to take up agriculture both as a job and a business.
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