Saturday, December 29, 2012

Highlanders pulled out of Rhodesian league in 1976

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The History of Highlanders

1976 - Highlanders got dissatisfied with the
national administration led by Mr. John Madzima
and pulled out of the RNFL and formed the South
Zone Soccer League (SZSL). Some disgruntled

senior members of the team broke away from
Highlanders to form their own club, Olympics.
They even took the Black&White strip. But
... highlanders survived. The teams that formed the
nucleus of the SZSL were Black Chiefs, Callies,
Portuguese, Old Miltonians and Highlanders (all
from Byo.), Black Horrors (Plumtree), Ramblers
(Gwanda), and Go Beer Rovers (Gwelo).
1979 - most Harare-based clubs saw the wisdom
of Highlanders' decision and lent their support to
the club against the injusticies of the national
association, i.e. unfair gate takings distribution,
improper methods of accounting of finances, and
that certain teams were being favoured. The

National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) was
then formed as a result.
1980 - NPSL and the RNFL were merged to form
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).
1986 - a group of senior players left after falling
out with the executive over money. Apprentices
were upgraded to the senior team. Players who
included the likes of Rahman Gumbo, Mercedes
Sibanda, Willard "Nduuuna" Mashinkila-Khum­alo,
Madinda Ndlovu, Dumisani Ngulube and many
others. In Zimbabwe players from Highlanders
who have played at the highest level of
professional football in the world include players
like Peter Ndlovu and Bruce Grobelaar

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Betty Makoni Pays tribute to the late Nomqhele Tshili

Betty Makoni a founder of girls child network and champion of young women has paid tribute to both Nomqhele Tshili And Adam Ndlovu. This is what I she said in her blog. (I just thought this was worth sharing)

Since the death of Adam Ndlovu was announced, I am touched to imagine what his family must be going through. I was moved like many in the world. I kept hearing though that when this accident happened there was also a 24 year old woman who died in the same car. A day or so after, I learnt from a young woman via inbox Facebook that some Zimbabweans had posted many nasty things on the news sites many of which were directed to this young woman. How sad and in our culture it is a taboo to be this disrespectful.
I do not stop on one side of the story and so I researched on who exactly Nomqhele Tshili was. First point of call I googled her. As you know even what I google about someone and especially posted by another unreliable source is not what I take with full heart. I went to her Facebook page and luckily she was a friend of one of the young women on my page. I followed her page since she opened it and from there I came up with the following story.
Nomqhele Tshili was a single mum and her daughter`s photo in uniform is the first to capture my mind since I work for girls. She is her mum`s exact duplicate-look alike. I just thought how people could so easily not choose to send condolences to a nine year old girl and choose to attack her deceased mum. In all her status updates she sounded a very spiritual young woman who uses the bible to seek for answers and it looks like she posted something that made her stay strong one of which is, `Lord Jesus you are the pillar that holds my life.` Later on, as I scrolled down her Facebook page I realised she was in fact a graduate in Bible Studies.

In following her daily posts on Facebook I discovered like many young women she had challenges but she was so determined to forge ahead with her life and she posted `It’s time to let go of e past, before it affects e future. Gudnyt people.` What I like about Nomqhele Tshili is that always she found reason to move ahead with her life and all her postings show exactly she self motivated herself daily. She wanted the future to be best which many of us do not think about.
As one reads deeper into her thoughts I shared deep sadness when she paid tribute to her late mum and the message she posted in May read like `Msng someone who wl alwys b loved. Today its e 9th year since she left m. Wl alwys her, my mum.` This message tells me she lost her mum when she was about 13 years and she might have faced many struggles as an orphaned girl and therefore to have a degree and lead in a church is quite an achievement.

I always try and find out about young women like Nomqhele Tshili. I always want to learn about their daily challenges which many do not talk about. There are many who die in tragic situations like her and society should know these young women may not be heroes like some men with big names but their daily triumphs show heroism. In this young woman, I saw a single mum determined to achieve. I saw a graduate and I saw an orphaned girl who keeps strength. In her case she found the church a place to be and it is now people in her church who will come and celebrate her spirituality.
On behalf of all girls I give strength to her daughter and hopefully all family members will unite and support her till she reaches her potential as a woman leader. One day when her daughter googles she will know women like me paid tribute and wished her peaceful rest. Our heroes are not big names only. Our heroes are young women who struggle daily.
I also say rest in peace Adam Ndlovu and I followed you from way back as you did us proud as a nation. Such heroic deeds leave pleasant memories.
Peter Ndlovu wishing you a speedy recovery.

This article is a direct extract from Betty Makoni's blog!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

A closer look at the Ndlovu brothers tragedy



 
Last Sunday the whole  nation of Zimbabwe woke up to a shocking headlines that Adam Ndlovu is no more. Adamski as he was affectionately known by his fans, died travelling to a friendly soccer match in Victoria Falls in the early hours of the morning. The car  they were travelling in allegedly burst the tire and veered of the road killing him and a young lady by the name Nomqhele Tshili 24. Peter Ndlovu who was the driver of the vehicle was taken to the hospital in serious condition. Sources say he broke some ribs and both legs during the accident that  ripped about three trees not to far from the Victoria falls airport. Tshili is alleged to be have been Peter's girl friend. Ndlovu later stabilized while Nomqhele was buried in her home area Esiphezini, not too far from Bulawayo last Tuesday.

Police have not yet released their report but, Adam Ndlovu was laid to rest yesterday on Saturday in Bulawayo. Thousands of people from various walks of life were witness to the heroic send off of one of the greatest soccer stars the country has ever produced. Dignitaries, churches and politicians from all spheres of influence made sure to register their support to the Ndlovu family especially Peter and Madinda. The three brothers were a bad combination during the 90s both as Highlanders and Zimbabwe national strikers. While Adams was the least popular of the three, he had remarkable career especially as marksman to the  famous Reinhard Fabish's "Dream team".

 It must be mentioned that the famous national side had at least eight Highlanders players, and naturally, this did not go well with people from the other side of the country. They were grumbling and complaining, despite the fact that the team achieved a tremendous  historic success. It would be to petty to talk about the fierce rivalry for supremacy between Highlanders and Dynamos in those days. As a matter of fact this still exist even to this very day. So given that fact, the three Ndlovu brothers completely and almost single handed destroyed Dynamos. They did not want to hear about Dembare, beating them home and away, most of the times. Clinching major titles and cups. If you are true Zimbabwean you know that humiliating Dembare like that is an unforgivable sin. It will take along time for the capital city's darling team fans to forget that period in history. On the other side this trio earned Bulawayo and Matabeleland's soccer royalty, even though they we darling in the national colors too.

Almost all of them have had the opportunity to coach the national team at different stages, except Adam. He a was now the head coach of Chicken Inn at  the time of his death. Madinda and Peter have coached under 23 and the senior national team in various level and season. I did not talk about Peter great exploits both locally and a broad. No one person in Zimbabwe has dedicated his life to the sport both as a player and an ambassador than Peter Ndlovu. In short the Ndlovu name is a big name in Zimbabwe's football. More powerful than local and national politicians. That is why every political party took it upon themselves to publicly show sympathy to the Ndlovu at such terrible time. Everybody and their uncle wanted a piece of not only Adam, but of the Ndlovus at large. I will not mention names.


It is also amazing that most people from Matabeleland wanted Adam to be declared a national hero. Personally, I think that was pushing it a little bit too far. Lest anybody get me wrong, I am great fan for the Ndlovus and the entire Highlanders institute.  It seem to me that Bulawayo and Matebeleland people are so frustrated in many ways, especially politically and economically. Its a fact we are the poorest region, and our people lose jobs every day, and to make matters worse we see Harare and other regions prospering daily. It has been like that for many years. I do not blame anybody for the frustration at all. We saw our fathers being frustrated, and now we the children are seeing the reality of regionalism and tribalism is action, and God forbid that we are not frustrated. Its real, not imagined. Given this back ground, I  think as much as we have been marginalized from all angle, we have tended to oppose everything that the other side says.

Sadly this happens on minor issue more that important ones. The city of Bulawayo has no water, and nobody says a word, yet people are uniting their efforts to have Adam declared a national hero. I have no doubt in my mind that Adam and many other players are sports heroes. They are celebrated heroes whether declared or not, but for us to major on the minors is losing sight on the big picture. Rest in peace Adamski. You played your role!

To be continued!





Thursday, November 1, 2012

Mat 'land educationists launch Maths Association


 

 

EDUCATIONISTS from the Matabeleland region yesterday launched the Matabeleland Mathematics Association (Matma) in a bid to promote the teaching of the subject at schools and also improve pass rates.

The development comes following an outcry over poor Mathematics passes from schools in the region.The low pass rate in Mathematics has made it difficult for pupils from this part of the country to get places at tertiary institutions dotted around the country where subject is a major requirement.

The Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, David Coltart, officially launched the new organisation at a ceremony held at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust).

The launch was attended by Nust Vice Chancellor Professor Lindela Ndlovu and senior university staff members, provincial education directors from Matabeleland North and South as well as college principals and heads of schools in Bulawayo.

In his speech, Minister Coltart said the initiative was the first of its kind in the country and commended educators from the region for being pro-active.

"This is an important day for Matabeleland region in general and Nust in particular because Matma is the first ever regional Mathematics organisation that will be coordinating all Mathematics activities in our three provinces, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South," said Minister Coltart.

"The formation of Matma is an initiative of concerned members of the society, academics, teachers and others who have Mathematics at heart."

Minister Coltart expressed concern over low enrolment of students from Matabeleland region at different institutions of higher learning in the country and said this was because most pupils do not have Mathematics at Ordinary Level.

He said the development was also responsible for the shortage of qualified Mathematics teachers in schools as there were few people who train as teachers for the subject.

Minister Coltart commended Nust for partnering with the educators and the ministry in responding to educational problems in the region.

He pledged Government commitment towards supporting the initiative and said his ministry would help in lobbying for partnership from development partners.

In his address, Prof Ndlovu said promoting improved teaching of Mathematics would give impetus to the development of education.

"The advancement and perfection of Mathematics are intimately connected with the prosperity of the State," said Prof Ndlovu quoting the French revolutionary leader Napoleon Bonaparte.

Matma chairperson Dr Senelani Dorothy Hove-Musekwa said the new organisation's mission was to stimulate mathematical thinking in Matabeleland and revitalise the teaching of the subject in schools.

United College of Education principal Mr Sipho Moyo expressed optimism that the initiative would result in improved passes in Mathematics.

Provincial education directors in the three provinces applauded the initiative and called for the spreading of the programme to cater for pupils in remote areas.

Matabeleland South director Mrs Tumisang Thabela expressed hope that the programme would help reverse the effects of the brain drain and increase interest in Mathematics.

Her Matabeleland North counterpart Mrs Boithatelo Mnguni said the programme should be broadened to also promote teaching of science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

Bulawayo provincial education director Mr Dan Moyo said he expected the programme to generate pupils' interest in science subjects and help them achieve their maximum potential.

Nust's director of information and public relations Mr Felix Moyo called for comprehensive stakeholder involvement and appealed for funding from development partners.

"There is a need to give this association all the support it deserves because what it stands for is at the heart of our lives. The Government and other development partners should also assist us," said Mr Moyo.

Nust's Dean of Faculty of Applied Sciences Dr Dumisani John Hlatshwayo urged stakeholders to take the programme seriously and called on the Government to make a positive discrimination in giving higher salaries for Mathematics and Science teachers as a form of incentive.

Nust is already coordinating another sensitisation programme under the banner of Schools Enrichment Programme (NustSep) in which lecturers meet pupils and teachers in knowledge sharing at different strategic centres.
 

Monday, October 22, 2012

Polokwane City pledges to partner with Bulawayo!



Bulawayo, October 21, 2012, - South Africa’s Polokwane executive mayor, Freddy Greaver, has said Bulawayo has the potential to rise from the ashes of de-industrialisation, and with the right partnership, can reclaim its industrial-hub position in the SADC region.
 
Greaver was speaking at a function, held at the Bulawayo Large City Hall on Friday evening, where a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that laid the foundation for a twinning arrangement between Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, and Polokwane, South Africa’s Limpopo province capital city, was signed.

“From today onwards, the exchange between Polokwane and Bulawayo is going to mean that our people work together,” he said.

“Indeed many will argue that Zimbabwe and Bulawayo are going through trying times. We know too well what it means. We are here today because we believe in the resurrection of the giant called Zimbabwe, the resurrection of a giant called Bulawayo.

“We are here because we believe the day shall come when the people will look at this city as the heartbeat of the economy of Zimbabwe, the heartbeat of the economy of SADC.”

Bulawayo has over the years suffered de-industrialization with the ministry of industry and trade estimating that slightly over 100 industries closed down since the beginning of January this year.

Economist Eric Bloch told the gathering on Friday that while the closing down of industries was countrywide, it was most sad in Bulawayo, “because it has always been the industrial hub in the SADC region.”

Polokwane mayor Greaver said Polokwane will never turn its back on Zimbabwe because, “You (Zimbabweans) were there for us yesterday during our struggle for freedom. In this time of your difficult, it can’t be us, the people of South Africa; it can’t be us, the people of Polokwane, who turn our backs on you.”

Bulawayo mayor, Thaba Moyo, said the signing of the MoU emphasised, “the need to foster economic engagement among our people through the various sectors.”

“Talk of a global village is meaningless if we cannot as neighbours establish relationships between ourselves,” he said.

“It has to start from among us. Bulawayo has been on the decline for quite some time now. Many industries are operating below capacity. Our joining hands with Polokwane are but one intervention that we hope our business communities will take advantage of.” Online reports

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Ubuntu! What goes around comes around.

Its been said that respect  older people as if they were you parents, and those younger that you as if they are your brother and sisters.  This is a common law among those of us brought up in the African villages. Those were the same villages that adhered to the saying that "it takes a village to raise a child" In short this is the very essence of "ubuntu". My own definition of ubuntu is plain simple. It is living in world where you acknowledge other people's existence and being considerate of their feelings by both your words and actions. Even the holy scriptures tell us to "Treat other people as we would like to be treated by them" Matt 7v7. Some have nick named this passage  as the golden rule of contact. I am not a big fan of the saying "What goes around comes around", but this is common saying too among many cultures.


One of  the hardest thing in life is to migrate.  Its one thing to migrate, but its another thing to migrate to halfway around the world. This means living your people, parents , relatives, child hood friends, culture, language. Quite often migration is because of  a reason, and there can be thousands of them. It only makes sense to the  migrant. Its been exactly twelve years since I left home today. I told some of my readers that, I had not travelled anywhere outside Zimbabwe up until twelve years ago headed to the great USA.

It so happens that as I go around meeting people in their home because of my demanding technical job, one thing never ceases to amaze me. It is the fact that some how as  human beings,  we are all the same in one way or anonther . I usually get to my customers and greet them professionally and get into business. I can imagine that in their minds they think I am robot. Just in there to fix what Iam suppose to fix and leave. Well I do, that but more than that, I try to strike a conversation to loosen them up. I ask than about their children. Where they were born and raised. I tell them about myself, if  ever they are curious. I tell them how long I have been here, and my experience with the job. I tell them about my kids. Some would ask me about my parents, and the state of my home country. If I miss it or not. I tell them that there is no place like "home". The most interesting part of the conversation is when they tell about their own families. I can see the light in their eyes. Some would tell me about their kids, grand kids, sisters, brothers, mother , father and so on. Each day is new experience  to me in as far as people that I am going to meet.

Well there are few instances that I regret having asked about their family. This is because they all look perfect until I know who is who and what.  For example one time I met these two old folks, probably in their late eighties, they looked perfect to me as a married couple. I thought they had been married for a long time. But when I asked the man. He said six years only. First I thought he said sixty years.  He then told me that, his first wife died after being with her for many years and the same thing had happened to her present wife. Her  first husband died. So these two meet in a fiftieth high school reunion as widow and a widower. Apparently they had previously been high school sweet hearts. So they hooked up again and got married after alsmost fifth years. I can not tell you how many families look perfect on the picture frames.  It kind of like our very own families. There are stories, some perfect and some not so perfect.

The most extra ordinary thing that I have found out is the fact that people do not always connect only in terms of blood. Sometimes its destiny. For example I have a lot of people who are my parents'  age who have kids, the same age is me, some older and some younger who give  me good advice and suppport. These come in form of church women, pastors, elders, sunday school teachers, neighbours and mere community people and some times customers. They sometimes do not have kids of their own. Some of them have kids who migrated half way around the world too. People who have kids in missions, in China , Europe  and Africa etc. Some got jobs in thousands of miles away in Los Angels. Denver, Portland Oregon, Houston Texas, Alaska etc.

Through out all this, I am amazed at the connections that God gives us despite the fact that we are from different cultures, only brought together by destiny. This often gives me comfort and I try to put myself in the shoes of my mother or father.  I was brought up knowing exactly that I should look after my parents at an old age. Long distance was unheard of. I do not know if what goes around comes around, but I am often amazed at the grace given to my mother by other people. When I went there couple years ago. I was amazed at how younger people of my age  respected her and honored her. She seems to have other children that we do not know.  Some do not even have their own biological parents, but they respect and honor her as their own.

 Recently I was struck as called my mother on the cell phone, she seems to have a hard time hearing me. I suspect its because of old age or network. While she was struggling  to hear me, a younger female voice took over the phone and took down the mgs for her. I could hear her tell my mom what I was saying.  I was amazed to see"'ubuntu" in operation even in such difficult times.They must have been in a church service.  Tell me if the spirit of ubuntu does nto exist anymore? I think it exist even beyond cultural boundaries of Africa. This is not a green card to negleting your parents! It rather a motivation to be the best you can under any cirmcustances.







Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Former Matopo high School teacher produces a movie!

WHILE most teachers spend the day dirtying their hands with chalk writing on the chalkboard, going through their student’s books, one tutor has been spending his time producing a movie — a movie about nurturing the youth.
Thobeka Msipha, a former teacher at Matopo High School is the writer, editor, director and producer behind the recently released 90-minute movie titled Fortify minds.
Fortify minds is a musical movie made of a 35-member cast and all of them are students from Matopo High School. The students are also part of a choir called Joy unspeakable.
Fortify minds is a movie whose rationale is to teach the youth to be on guard from forces that want to destroy their lives by influencing them to embrace a life of delinquency.

“This movie is about a young man who gets a musical calling in his life. It seeks to capture the youth who I feel do not realise the effects of saying, doing and hearing things that do not build on their lives,’’ said Msipha.
Msipha says the moral lesson of the movie is that people should know that the battle is in the mind, that if the enemy wants to achieve a desired goal he will deal with the mind and the rest will fill into place.

Msipha is optimistic that Fortify minds will be a success and harbours ambitions to turn the movie into a series.
“I have a big idea on this movie because I hope to make it a series, but I am short of a reputable producer. I am thus appealing to established producers to come and assist me,’’ he said
All the scenes of the movie were shot at Matopo High School, in the classrooms and teachers’ cottages.

Msipha is also the man behind Joy Unspeakable. He mentored the group when he was still a teacher and made it possible for it to come up with its ten-track debut album titled Ndinxwanelu thixo.
“The choir I was leading recorded its first album in 2006 and one of the songs Beautiful Zimbabwe got Matopo High School 10 computers and a laptop for me from President Robert Mugabe,’’ he said.
The success of Joy Unspeakable saw Msipha awarded the opportunity to compose a song for the National Coral Music Competitions for high schools in 2009. He named the song Bhekisizwe seZimbabwe. The song was sung in the country’s three official languages — English, Ndebele and Shona. (This article was written by Millicent Muthenjwa a leisure reporter for Bulawayo Sunday News.)Thank you sir!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Can Tsholotsho teach US a lesson about democracy?







A Zimbabwean man based in Washington DC, thinks that Tsholotsho can teach USA a thing or two about democracy. In his Ndebele poem Phithizela Ngcobo says Tsholotsho has voted for all individuals not the party. He say in 1980 Tsholotsho voted for PF Zapu. In 1995 the same constituency voted for ZANU PF, and in 2000 The voted for MDC. In 2005 they voted for an independent candidate. Reciting his poem that brought down the house in Mzilikazi celebration in Indianapolis last month, Phithi showed that he has a lot to offer as writer and public speaker.

Sizwa bathi ipolitiki yeMelika  ayinhlang’ ifun’ abazimiseleyo
Loba beth’ idemocracy yavela khona kodw’ esikuzwayo kwahlukileBath’ amavoti wonke kawaqakathekanga ngoba kulamanye amastates aqakathekiley’ ekuvoteni
Algo2000 lo olebizo lesiShona uAl Gore wathol’ amavot’ amanengi kuloGanga uBush
Kodwa uGanga nguye owacin’ ebe ngumongameli ngoba evotelwe ngama states aqakathekileyoSabamba owangaphansi thina sathi kwanzima bo kant’ asibuzanga elangeni!Kwaphinda futhi ngo2008 lapho iKhozisikazi likaClinton elavotelwa ngabanengiKodwa kwacina kube liKhalath’ elingu Obama umongameli loba wayevotelwe ngabalutshwanaHawu iph’ idemocracy yenu ke bantu beMelika?


  English translation of Ngcobo's Ndebele poem

"We hear that politics is interesting in America, it needs those who are born for it.
Even  as  we in Zimbabwe cherish American democracy, it is amazing that we hear that they do not count all the votes from all the voters. In 2000 there were thousands of votes that were not counted in Tallahassee Florida. This were from a poor constituency. A crazy female judge had to decide the outcome of the elections. This is how Bush won the Presidency against Al gore. There are also some important States and less important states when it come to voting for Presidents. Referring to blue and red states. Blues being Democratic Eastern states and red being Southern conservatives states. These do not normally change the way they vote. They are partisan. Also the two major political parties have  to use delegates system in case of a deadlock. That means at some point, ordinary people's votes do not matter. All that matters is how the  delegates vote.   As it was in the case of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in 2007. Delegates decided the outcome" claims Phithi.
 
Phithi is a rural Tsholotsho born and raised young man who has worked in book publishing as an editor in ZImbabwe and the UK but now training to be a teacher in Washington DC. Phithi holds a BA in ENglish and Ndebele from the University of Zimbabwe, an MA in Publishing from Oxford Brookes University UK and is currently studying for an MA in Education and Human Development at George Washington University, Washington DC.

Who said we don't have Ndebele intellectuals?


Thursday, October 4, 2012

Ndebele names for kids/babies

I just thought to throw out a few Ndebele names for kids out there in case one needs a name for their  new baby. These are coming from my mind at random and no particular order. I will try to put the meaning where possible.







Andile = increased either boys or girls

Ayanda= Boys are increasing (For boys)

 Sibusisiwe  (Busi)= We are Blessed for girls

Thando= Love for boys

Ntando = Will for boys

Thabo= Happiness for boys (only)

Sizo = means  "help"  It  can be for both boys and girls

Zenzo = Action for boys

Thabani =  means "Be happy" normally for boys

Thulani = Be still or be quiet for Boys

Sithabile = means "We are happy" normally for girls only

Siphiwe = means "we are given"  normally for girls

Thandiwe= means "one who is beloved" normally for girls can be shortened as Thandi

Buhle= means "beauty" or one  who is beautiful"

Nomathemba = means "We have hope" for girls

Themba = means 'Hope /Faith/Trust" In Ndebele all theses three are translated as themba" Boys

Bekezela = means "be patient" both boys and girls

Sithembile = means 'we are hopeful" this one is for girls

Thando = means = "Love" for both boys and girls

Bhekithemba= have hope ( for boys)

 Bhekilizwe = "see the nation" (for boys)

Sibangilizwe= We are fight for our country) for boys

Nkosilathi = means "God is with us" Nkosi is equivalent to God or king in Ndebele but for name sake it refers to "God"

Mandlenkosi  or Mandla = means "Power of God" almost like the above in the literal sense. (for boys only please)

Thamsanqa =  means "Blessings or Lucky or even good fortune" for Boys

Lindiwe = means  "One who is guarded, this one if for girls"

Thokozile= means "We are happy, almost like "Sithabile" above check for Girls

Ndabezinhle=  or Ndaba (news)= means "Good news" News that makes one happy (Boys)

Dumisani=  means "Praise" Boys

Nkululeko= Freedom for boys

Nomusa = One with kindness ( for girls)

Nontando= one with strong will (for girls)

 Mehluli = One who defeats ( for boys)

Thubelihle= good opportunity (for Boys and girls)

Sithabisile = means  "We are made happy or we are very happy. girls

Sikhethiwe= means  'we are chosen" girls

Sikhangezile= means "We are received" or we are receiving" girls

Phumuzile= we are rested now " For girls)

Melusi =means "Sherpard" or one who tends to sheep/goats and cows. (boys)

Silibaziso= one to kill time with! (for girls)

Meluleki= One who give advise (for Boys)

Sipho =means "gift" both boys and girls

Ntombizodwa= or Zodwa means girls only ( for girls)

Sithabisile  or (Thabi )= One who makes us happy (for girls)

Thokozile= one who makes us happy ( for girls)

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Zim PM angers Bulawayo Residents





Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) have lashed out at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’ s sentiments that the water problems facing Bulawayo should not be treated as a regional issue, alleging the inclusive government is downplaying the city’s water crisis.
The PM allegedly told a private CSOs meeting on Saturday in Bulawayo that the crisis is not peculiar to the city but is a national problem. Shalom Trust leader Anglistone Sibanda speaking to Radio Dialogue said Tsvangirai’s views that water problems should not be seen as a Matabeleland issue but a national crisis are a sign that the government is not committed to ending the city’s water problems.
“The PM came to the meeting ill prepared because what he said to us was shocking, he really didn’t want to give us solutions or hope regarding the water situation in Bulawayo,” Sibanda said.
“He tried to convince us to stop discussing regional issues but to focus on the national agenda which he kept referring to as removing Zanu PF from power but to us regional issues are what affect our daily lives.”
“In a way, the PM is not concerned about the issues that affect Bulawayo and Matebeleland and as civic society leaders and as Bulawayo residents we are worried about that,” he said.
Sibanda, also of the Matebeleland Civic Society Forum said the water crisis being experienced in the region is a sign of a leadership crisis.
“When you have national leaders of that level who will try to downplay issues affecting people, it is a clear sign of a central government that will not provide solutions, as it is at the moment we will have to be content with supporting local authority initiatives,” Sibanda said.
The MDC-T leader, addressing his supporters during the party’s 13th anniversary at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo, accused Zanu-PF of failing to craft viable water policies before the formation of the inclusive government.
“The water crisis in Bulawayo is a deliberate policy executed for the last 30years to marginalise and disfranchise the people of this region,” Tsvangirai said.
“The water problems did not start because the MDC T is in coalition, these problems are a manifestation of a deliberate policy presided over by Zanu PF.”
Habakkuk Trust Chief Executive Officer and Matebeleland Civic Society Forum spokesperson Dumisani Nkomo said no urgent measures are being put in place by government to address the water crisis. Nkomo said it is sad that parties in the inclusive government have started trading blame over water crisis.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Highlanders- Bosso F.C more than a football team




 
 
 
I have been around the globe a bit to come to this conclusion that, unless you have a seen a soccer fan. You have never seen a real fan. Growing up in the city of Bulawayo in Southern Zimbabwe in the mid eighties and nineties, I witnessed what real die hard soccer lovers and footballs faithfuls can do. In this case I am not just talking about any regular fans, I mean hundreds of  thousands of  Highlanders FC  followers.

I would not be fair to talk about crazy Highlanders Bosso fans around the city of Bulawayo, if I do not mention what I saw happening in my own home growing up as a little boy. The biggest culprit is my own father. Believe it or not! I am pretty sure Bosso is his second religion. My earliest memories take me to my dad coming home talking loud to himself.  I  could hear him singing loudly as soon as he parked his vintage blue and green Vauxhall sedan outside. For a while I began to think that my father was drunk. I later understood that he was under the influence of Bosso frenzy. He would sing song like "Thuza ubaba edlule ethenge isikali" By now I think you know why I thought  he was drunk. My  elder  step brothers were big fans too.

I was a fan like everybody else but the disappointment of not being able to see the team all the time kind of dampened my zeal. As young boys in the Luveve area, we had the privileged of free transport whenever the team played in Luveve Stadium. Even if we did not have money we could try all the tricks until  the gate keepers allowed us in.  Most definitely they allowed us all after half time. Just to see the team colors was enough. If you happened to have money that day, you were a king. I believe it was 25 cents at the gate around 1985-86 for kids. The mood of the city kind of revolved around Highlander's performance. So did the mood in our house. My father a very nice and kind man, would be very tough whenever Bosso lost a match. He would do this that he did not usually do. Things like checking our school books one by one, exercise by exercise.You knew something would come up. At times he would  just go to bed early without cracking jokes as he traditionally did in evenings.

 What  was happening in our family was not exclusive. Bosso is a religion in Bulawayo period. I still remember, how one had to wake up early in the morning to get the newspaper if Highlanders won the previous day. The paper would sell like hot buns. If you happen to be a little late you will find the  vendor already left his spot at the bus terminus. At school, some teachers were harsh whenever the team lost. Severe punishment was administered to unlucky pupils that Monday.


To be continued!

The Club  and the cultural impact!









Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Mhlanga wants Rhodes 's remains exhumed from Matopos


 
 


It is that time of the year again that drives me nuts till mid-September when the secretary of the Rhodes scholarship in Zimbabwe continues to advertise for suitable candidates for the scholarship awards for only two Zimbabweans.

Two? If there are two things that have remained a thorn in Zimbabwean cultural heritage, it is Rhodes’s grave at the Matopos and Rhodes’s Trust at Rhodes House, University of Oxford in Britain.

These two deserve the country’s most urgent attention. What makes it worse is that it always coincides with the King Mzilikazi Umgubho Celebrations that come every September. Rhodes is the man who destroyed Mzilikazi’s long life work, vision and dream of creating Africa’s first non-tribal cosmopolitan state.

Rhodes’ legacy specified four standards by which applicants were to be judged: It is however, one that has always puzzled me each time I come across the image of Rhodes and any documentation of his Trust.

It reads; truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.

Everything about the Rhodes scholarship from its administration to beneficiaries contradicts the above values of truth; sympathy for and protection of the weak; unselfishness and fellowship.

How do the current Trustees, the University of Oxford, investment beneficiaries, trustee employees and the scholarship recipients themselves justify the continuation with the present arrangements of a scholarship that was created out of lies, theft, courage to evict locals from their land with no compensation, looting their cattle, natural resources and minerals, perpetuating gross human rights violations in the process with no sympathy and failing to protect the local weak to create a heritage profit that they continue to selfishly enjoy?

Because this scholarship stole from black children from Africa to reward white children from the rest of the world forever and ever; then it’s fine. No one in the “civilised” world will speak against its injustices that it promotes to this day.

Only two awards for Zimbabwe where Rhodes’ bones lie on the nation’s religious Hill of Malindizimu at the centre of the nation’s most important spiritual shrines. Ahh Amakhiwa ayasijayela sibili. A world of racist thinkers is a funny and complex world to live in.

They want their own educated and “civilised” to own the best land and exploit the best natural resources by themselves for their own kind.

The same Rhodesians who displaced locals committing human rights violations that the late novelist Ndabezinhle Sigogo describes vividly in his Ndebele novel Umhlaba Umangele translates “Shocking Land Evictions”.

The same Rhodes who did not want to educate and develop locals are today running all over the world de-campaigning Zimbabwe just because it is them now on the losing end of the stick with the same land and natural resources that they themselves committed gross human rights violations when they forcibly removed the locals.

And guess what the white racist world is listening, and these are now human rights violations worth their support and attention. Yaaah yahh.

Just to show that educating an African was never the agenda of any white government in Rhodesia; teacher education is the corner stone of educating a nation but by 1951, 61 years after Rhodes occupied Mashonaland and three years later destroyed the Ndebele State, created his Rhodesia and installed himself as King Mlamulankunzi, looted land, cattle and minerals to create this particular scholarship, his countryman’s all white racist government was educating only 335 teachers a year all being trained by missionaries and not even the all white government and losing 220 of them to South Africa each year.

It was not until 1953 when Garfield Todd became Prime Minister that the first ever Five Year Education Plan for Africans by the all white government was put in place in this country and Todd’s Cabinet rebelled against him for putting an education plan for Africans.

Note that 1953 is only 27 years away from the country’s independence in 1980. For 78 years till 1980 the Rhodes Trust only gave scholarships to white Rhodesians. They are not willing to disclose how many black students they have given scholarships since 1980.

May be its only a Mutambara in 1991 who knows?

It is clear they did not care about the education of the black indigenous child and population just as the Rhodes Scholarship Trust today does not care about the education of the same child and population in this country.

For them two a year is cool returns for what Rhodes looted for all those years as king of this country. To them they inherited a clean international super dream prestigious scholarship fund that is not connected to any forms of human rights violations in its existence.

After all they have the protection of the British Parliament.

President Mugabe in his 32 years in power way less than Rhodes, has educated more local graduates with his presidential scholarship fund in Zimbabwe than Rhodes and his DeBeers in 110 years but a lot of those white graduates who were educated by Rhodes and his DeBeers’ human rights dirty money, some of whom became Prime Ministers in their countries want their “demon” Mugabe dead for what he has done for Zimbabwe and they have support from the British Parliament.

What is wrong with the British Parliament?

How many definitions do they have of gross human rights violations? Was Rhodes not Prime Minister of some country when he displaced the whole local population to create DeBeers and his Trust? Yes he was. Does that matter to anyone out there? By the look of things, certainly not!

The world that thinks in black and white is indeed a funny and complex place to live in. The Rhodes scholarship like the Zimbabwe stone bird is a Zimbabwean and African heritage and it must be brought back to Africa where its founder rests at the Matopos today.

This nonsense of keeping it in Britain to invest in the British companies while those in Bulawayo are dying and educate non-Africans who are born in super rich countries who can easily afford to educate their children must come to an end.

Our children get to keep the bones while their children get to keep the profits and the benefits! It’s time the Rhodes Trust and all its assets are listed as a national repatriation concern.

The logic of spending so much money on only two lucky people a year in a country where Rhodes the founder lies in a province that has all districts with no high school mathematics or science labs is stupid and silly and a mockery to Rhodes’s leadership development vision by those administering his legacy today, a legacy he stole from the very same districts.

How do the Trustees expect kids from these provinces to ever get a chance to Oxford or any other university to develop as leaders as in Rhodes’ will?

This too must change. It was fine back then when the University of Oxford was the only university in the English speaking world and white people were the only important people in the then world.

However, Africa has now got great Universities and all of Rhodes’ scholarship funds must be spent on the African continent on African scholars at African universities. To hell with spending it in Oxford and on students from rich continents who will never set their feet in Africa.

Rhodes made his money from African resources and no one knows this fact more than the University of Oxford itself. We are no longer living in the old world, so old selfish wills that perpetuate colonial legacy are over.

They should be changed by new Acts of Parliament to be in line with today’s world and its demands or as his will puts it; with sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship.

Our children must never forget that 50 percent of DeBeers annual profits and its assets belong to the children of Zimbabwe.

Whoever inherited, bought or traded in stolen assets created on the foundation of human rights violations have become thieves and human rights violators themselves and justice must be applied accordingly no matter how long it takes where historical evidence exists.

It is documented that Rhodes’ company ruled Zimbabwe longer than King Lobengula and President Mugabe, and for that the heritage he created educates only two Zimbabweans a year. Ngumbhedo lo!

The African Union and Africa’s national governments should seriously pay attention to such social and economic injustices and negotiate for corrective measures with the responsible institutions and governments across the world.

What comes out of Africa should benefit Africa first. Period.

The Rhodes Trust is based at Rhodes House, Oxford England and was established in 1902 under the terms and conditions of the will of Cecil Rhodes, and by subsequent Acts of British Parliament.

It is an educational charity whose principal activity is to support scholars selected from the citizens of 14 specified geographic constituencies in order to study at the University of Oxford for a duration of one, two, or three years and have been awarded annually since 1902.

The Rhodes Trust consists of two registered charities, the Cecil Rhodes Trust Scholarship Fund and the Rhodes Trust Public Purposes Fund. It’s time this Rhodes thorn is swiftly removed from the Zimbabwean cultural flesh once and for all.

Cont Mdladla Mhlanga is a Zimbabwean playwright, actor and theatre director. He is also the founder and head of the Amakhosi Theatre Productions company.

By Cont Mhlanga.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

A Case For Sovereignty In Matebeleland

                        
 
 
 
Matebeleland prior to the arrival of the British, was a sovereign state with diplomatic ties with a number of countries including Britain. This was known as the Kingdom of Matebeleland which came to an end through one act of unprovoked aggression by the British. It was later subdivided into different provinces.
Since 1980 Matebeleland has experienced the full effect of ethnicity; what started out as an exercise to eliminate supposed banditry ended up in a full scale ethnic cleansing exercise which saw the butchering of the population on a scale unimaginable in what was to be the new shining light in Africa - under the guidance of Robert Mugabe. I refer to the Gukurahundi of course. These dreadful atrocities were kept under wraps for a long time and which have, only of late, been given full recognition - with others insisting it never happened.
Many organizations have tried to high light these dreadful atrocities. Readers will recall that Zapu 2000 tried to get Enos Nkala and Joseph Msika to explain these happenings to the people of Matebeleland - but to no avail.
If one were to read the "Final Solution" written by Zanu pf at the time of the Lancaster House talks one will realise that the question of ethnicity was always a priority and we have seen since 1980 the dominance of the Karanga over the Manyika and in turn the dominance of the Zezuru over the Karanga. Indeed the whole succession battle within Zanu pf is one which is based purely on tribal/ethnic grounds. This has led to the marginalization of the likes of Emmerson Mnagagwa, who was tipped to be the likely successor to President Mugabe, but he is a Karanga, and this has led to a massive split within Zanu pf, which readers will be fully aware of.
Apart from the historical aspect there are many factors which contribute to the need for secession from what has become a man made fiasco.
We have seen Zanu pf undermining the constitutional process - this is well documented.
We have witnessed the futile attempts by President Zuma and Sadc to try and mediate - the latest meeting in Maputo confirming this is a futile exercise.
We have seen the MDC breaking into different factions - getting more tribal and fractured by the day.
We see the massive influence/grip of the Chinese in the country. So much so that it would be fair to say it is only they and the newly found diamonds that have kept the country and Zanu pf alive and in power.
We have seen that the Government of National Unity has not worked.
We have seen a Prime Minister who cannot carry out his duties. I remind readers that it is this same Prime Minister who said that all farm invasions will end and those who partake will "See the full wrath of the law" We all know that farm invasions is still an on going exercise.
The Prime Minister is still trying to have his car released - which was impounded by the police in the 2008 elections - surely this all but tells the story.
We saw the delegate from the ANC of South Africa tell delegates at the last Zanu pf congress that "The ANC of South Africa will ensure that you Zanu pf will stay in power" - this is the party of the main facilitator in the Zimbabwe crisis. Surely comment is not needed.
We have seen the interference of the military in the political process.
Can I draw readers attention to recent developments.
MDC has always opposed the land invasions and Morgan Tsvangirai is on record in saying that the wrong doings should be "redressed" Yet of late they have endorsed a constitution which all but legalizes those invasions. Minister of Finance Biti recently said at a gathering that they (MDC) fully endorse the land grab/invasions and "Zimbabwe will never be a colony again" It wasnt that many months ago that he opposed these measures. Ironically it is the same white farmer who has now been deserted who in many ways got Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC on the road, as it were.
Within these recent times we have seen all members of the opposition sing President Mugabe's praise. Prime Minister Tsvangirai even went as far as embarking on a tour to many countries asking for the removal of sanctions.
Then we saw all factions of MDC vote with Zanu pf on the Human Rights Commission bill. Readers will know this will enable a new commission to be put in place who will be charged to investigate/act on issues relating to matters of State. However, they will NOT investigate or look into matters prior to February of 2009. Thus effectively brushing the dreadful atrocities of the 80's under the carpet - as if they never happened. Is this not a dreadful travesty of justice? Surely I am with in the bounds of reality in saying this must be tantamount to treason. What effect do readers think this will have on the people of Matebeleland ?
How did this sudden change of heart come about. This is how I surmise the situation.
It is a known fact that one of President Mugabe's greatest fears is landing up in the Hague - as did Charles Taylor. We all know that the West (Britain in particular) has been trying to bring about change in the country - massive support for MDC. Given the Chinese influence and grip on the country they (the West) had to find a middle of the road solution to prevent what could turn into a Syria type situation. I am of the opinion that the West went to the President using immunity against prosecution as a bargaining tool.
Clearly there must have been an agreement - which would account for the above. Since then we have seen the delivery of 1100 Land Rover vehicles from the British government for the police. This is in spite of the fact that they are an extended arm of Zanu pf - of late disrupting and banning MDC meetings.
Given all of the above would it not be safe to say that Matebeleland would be so much better of divorced from this man-made chaos and return to what it was before - a sovereign state.
What we will see is a situation very much like the present. Even if the MDC were to win an election they have proved by their latest deliberations that they are not worthy of the vote from Matebeleland.
Zapu has thrown in their lot with Zanu pf so that will isolate them . It is worth mentioning that in the 1980 elections Zanu pf obtained some thing in the region of 18,000 votes in Matebeleland and in 2008 that dwindled to less than 3,000.
There is a clear call from the people of Matebeleland for sovereignty and the right to pave their own future and that of generations to come. There is an absolute hunger for sanity and stability.
We have a constitution in place that will protect the rights and property of all people. Our judiciary will be totally independent from government. All legal transactions prior to 1980 will be adhered to - thus returning land to its rightful owners. I wrote the land policy and it was readily agreed to by the executive. Perhaps above all provision will be made for accountability. I am totally convinced the chaos we see in Zimbabwe today is largely to blame for the lack of accountability.
It is my hope that this article confirms that there is not only a historical aspect to the sovereignty of Matebeleland but a real need.
 
Matebeleland Liberation Organisation

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Bulawayo residents to do synchronized toilet flushing

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — City authorities in Zimbabwe's second largest city said Saturday they were appealing to home owners to flush their toilets at a specified time as a way to unblock sewers after days of severe water rationing.
Bulawayo City Council has asked its more than 1 million residents to flush their toilets simultaneously at 7:30 p.m. when water supplies are restored. City officials say "synchronized flushing" is needed to clear waste that would have accumulated in sanitary facilities which will have been affected by days of water outages.
Bulawayo's two main supply dams have been drying up because of drought conditions prevailing in the arid, southwestern part of Zimbabwe, raising fears of worsening water shortages before the rainy season starts in November.
Synchronized flushing was first introduced to Bulawayo two decades ago at the height of a drought that ravaged the southern African nation.
Residents told The Associated Press late Saturday that they weren't "aware" of the new system the city council was proposing. They said the whole issue wasn't properly communicated to them.
Old water pipes have not been replaced in years which saw world record inflation before the formation of a coalition government between longtime President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Power and water outages are common in Zimbabwe following years of political turmoil and economic meltdown.
Civic organizations said any moves by city authorities to solve water and sanitation problems dogging the southwestern province were welcome, but were also awaiting communication from them

Friday, September 21, 2012

Politics and traditional fashion


Mthwakazi traditional  gear







 Mthwakazi politicians battle on the arena of traditonal gear!

Monday, September 10, 2012

BCC & ZESA up in arms over Thermal power station









A BITTER war is raging between the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) and the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) over the Bulawayo Power Station with the former accusing the latter of not compensating them and further not honouring their promise of yearly royalties.

This comes amid revelations that urban councils from around the country are set to petition the Ministry of Energy and Power Development for the effective return of all power stations to the local authorities.

According to the latest council minutes the local authority had since ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the takeover of the power station and why the power utility had stopped paying annual royalties to the council."The financial director explained that Zesa did not compensate council for the takeover of Bulawayo Power Station, however, records showed that at one point council was receiving royalties but Zesa had unilaterally discontinued this, the matter is now being investigated," reads part of the minutes.

Contacted for comment, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said as councillors, they have been shocked to learn that the power utility had not compensated them for the station and had further breached the promise to pay them annual royalties.He said they had thus ordered the financial director, Mr Kimpton Ndimande, to investigate the matter further and give them a more detailed report so that they could come up with strategies to ensure that Zesa fulfils its obligations.

"We honestly did not know that these guys did not pay even a cent for our power station and they further decided on their own to stop giving us the annual royalties. Something is definitely wrong here that's why we ordered an investigation to be conducted for us to get the finer details, besides that is our power station at the end of the day and we find it unfair for them to take it from us just like that," said Clr Moyo.
Zesa public relations officer, Mr Fullard Gwasira, said he needed more time to look into the issue so as to get the finer details.

Meanwhile, Clr Thaba Moyo, who is also the first vice-president of the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (Ucaz) hinted that plans were now in full swing to force the power utility to hand back the operation of power stations in towns and cities as they were clearly failing to run them.
"With or without their compensation, we have to take back our power station, we have engaged other urban councils who were affected by the takeover and are now in the process of petitioning the minister and Zesa to give us back what rightfully belongs to us.

"What we noted is that as Bulawayo we can't do it alone and need other local authorities to assist us. To be frank Zesa is just failing to manage the station, if it was under us it was going to be simple as it will be directly under our nose and we know what it needs," said Clr Moyo.
BCC has on a number of occasions insisted that the power station had to be returned to the local authority so as to improve the power situation in the city.

Last month, the Harare City Council also demanded the Harare Power Station back from Zesa. The city council accused the power utility of running down the power station. The Bulawayo thermal power station became part of Zesa in 1987 after the amalgamation of all the local authority electricity undertakings.The council's position on the station hardened early this year after Zesa disconnected electricity at Tower Block and the city council over a debt of more than $20 million.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

MLF leader hails Mlizikazi day world wide!

 
 
 
 
 



 
MZLIKAZI DAY-LEST WE FORGET (by David Magagula-MLF)

Mthwakazians all over the world,today we celebrate the long and very constructive life of a giant. Mzikazi Mashobane Khumalo passed on on this day in 1896.To us,its like yesterday. We salute Your bravery and love for peace,progress and prosperity. It is these aspects of UBUNTU that has seen Your good work develop and Your nation expand into millions that we are now. It is with hunger and thirst for freedom ,peace and good living together that we implore Your spirit of bravery ,courage,determination and selflessness ,focus and resilience to guide us in our struggle to re possess our country from the Colonialism that engulf us from the Zimbabweans. We are aware of your presence among us and Your Spirit continues to sow seeds of fright,division and un certanity among our oppressors. Now they are confused and scared of us for demanding the country You left us. Bayethe,we have started celebrating Your August life and we know You are ever with us for the writing is clearly on the wall for the Oppressors to read.We urge You to strengthen our resolve to fight for our country.

Young Mthwakazians form a student forum!

 
Press Release: FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE


MTHWAKAZI STUDENTS FORM UNION


We hereby give birth to the establishment of Mthwakazi Student´s Congress herein abbreviated as

(MASCO). MASCO will ensure Mthwakazi students get access to educational opportunities. In a
 
ccordance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the right to

education includes an obligation to develop equitable access to higher education. In addition to the

access to education provisions, the right to education encompasses also the obligation to eliminate

discrimination at all levels of the educational system, to set minimum standards and to improve

quality.
 
One of MASCO’s main goals is to mitigate the institutional obstacles faced by the most deprived in

Mthwakazi society. One main approach we take is the establishment of chapters in tertiary

institutes and educational projects in such communities. We believe education is essential to a

community’s development.

After years of marginalization and severe structural genocide in the academic, political, social and

economic arena. We are proud to announce the formation of MASCO. MASCO is a new student´s

congress that caters for the students of Mthwakazi both in tertiary and the lower levels. MASCO

strives to propel the academic excellence of the young people of Mthwakazi, it stands to also

protect the academic interests of the young Mthwakazi nationals.

Our philosophical framework is centred on the belief that all men are created equal and by that

principle they deserve equal opportunities. Noting that our people have been structurally

marginalized and disadvantaged in the academic platform and thus crippling the advancement of

our society we strongly set our vision on the premise of EDUCATING, EMANCIPATING and

LIBERATING.

Spearheaded by an interim committee MASCO works in all universities and colleges which have

Mthwakazi nationals across the world. We work through chapters that are headed by chapter

PREMIERS. Currently we have established a few chapters in universities and colleges locally

regionally and internationally. We look forward to expanding our networks to other universities and

colleges that have Mthwakazi nationals.

MASCO will be officially launched on the 17

th of November 2012 at a venue to be disclosed. The 17

th of November commemorates the anniversary of the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of

Prague after demonstrations against the killing of student Jan Opletal and worker Vaclav

Sedlacek as well as against the occupation of Czechoslovakia, and the execution of nine student

leaders, over 1,200 students sent to concentration camps, and the closure of all Czech

universities and colleges at a demonstration that was held on the 28th of October to

commemorate the anniversary of the independence of the Czechoslovak Republic. During this

demonstration the student leader Jan Opletal was shot and died from wounds on the 11th of

November. On the 15th of November his body was meant to be transported from Prague back to

his home in Moravia. His funeral procession consisted of thousands of students, who turned this

event into an anti-Nazi demonstration. However, this resulted in drastic measures being taken by

the Nazis. All Czech higher education institutions were closed down, more than 1,200 students

were arrested and sent to concentration camps, and nine students and professors were executed

without trial on the 17th of November. Due to this, 17 November was chosen as International

Students’ Day.

As such we have chosen this day due to the similar suffering our nation has suffered in all

spheres of life.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Ronald ‘Gidiza’ Sibanda

Where are they now

Ronald ‘Gidiza’ Sibanda is arguably the country’s most decorated midfielder since independence.


Once the country’s most sought-after midfielder, Ronald ‘Gidiza’ Sibanda.
With 89 senior national soccer team caps, he won four COSAFA Cup winners’ and two runners-up medals, the Thabo Mbeki Inauguration trophy and Namibia 10th Anniversary Cup with the warriors.
He scooped two Independence Cup runners-up medals, a Castle Cup runners-up medal, and Champions of Champions trophy with Zimbabwe Saints and the Madison Trophy and Madison trophy runners-up medal with Amazulu.
The lanky midfielder, considered one of the best passers of the ball after the Moses Chunga era, made his debut for Zimbabwe Saints as a 17-year-old, in a league match away to Hwange in 1994.
“I played my debut match as a striker in a Saints outfit that was professionally run back then,” he said.

Famous midfielder

With such immense talent, Sibanda did not take long to establish himself at the Bulawayo-based then-PSL club, cementing his role in the attacking midfield. He later went on to represent all junior national teams, as he marched on to become the country’s most sought-after midfielder.
His ability to well-time runs, support the man on the ball, switch play within a second and pass well troubled many opposition team. By 1998, he was already one of the PSL’s best midfielders, alongside Butholezwe Mahachi, Blessing Makunike, Siza Khoza and Desmond Maringwa.
His combination with Mahachi and Solani Hlomulo is well-remembered for the manner in which Saints single-handedly handed back the championship to city rivals, Highlanders.
As the championship race headed to the wire, Bosso players wept at missed chances, after the Bulawayo giants had drawn 0-0 with a Benjani Mwaruwari-inspired Air Zimbabwe Jets and needed slightly more than a miracle to get back on track.
Saints provided just that and hammered Dynamos 3-1 at Barbourfields Stadium to put Bosso back on the even-keel that saw them win the first of their historic four championships on the trot.
Whenever Gidiza played, the whole of Chikwata became untouchable. It came as no surprise that Saints ended that season occupying third position on the log.
“Whenever I donned that blue and white shirt, I played with great honour. We easily tormented the big teams with more followers, including Dynamos and Highlanders. I always made sure that even in games they won, their midfielders got the humiliation they would always talk about against us,” said the Bulawayo-born Sibanda.

Talk of the town

His performance was always the talk of town and Gidiza soon became the most sought-after player in Zimbabwe with Highlanders, Dynamos and Amazulu queuing up for his signature.
“I played for the national Under-17, Under-20 and Under-23 sides, I made my national team debut in 1997,” said the 35-year-old former kingpin.
In 1999, Sibanda was loaned out to Harare giants Dynamos in 1999, to bolster their squad for the African Champions League, after they had lost the final to Ivory Coast’ Asec Abidjan 4-2 in the previous year’s final.
“We reached the mini-league phase of the tournament, but fell short of our goal of winning the trophy. We also did well in the domestic league, but Bosso and Saints gave us a torrid time and the former ended up being crowned champions again.”

Amazulu relegated

He returned to Saints in the 2000 season and after playing for two more years, Sibanda left for Chikwata’s big-spending neighbours, Amazulu.
“I moved alongside former Saints team mates, Muzondiwa Mugadza, Matambanashe Sibanda, Mlungisi Ndebele, Sikhumbuzo Banda and Nkosana Gumbo,” he added. “Our great unity and hard work at Amazulu finally paid off in 2003, when we successfully wrestled the championship by ending Highlanders’ dominance of the league. We really deserved it because we had worked hard throughout the season.”
Amazulu went down the following season after Lupepe’s religious beliefs meant that Usuthu failed to fulfill seven Saturday fixtures.
“I think the PSL sabotaged Amazulu by trying to force us to play on Saturdays despite knowing about the club owner’s religious position. It was a sad thing for us to get relegated in that manner. No PSL team has ever been run so professionally.”
In 2006, Sibanda joined Dynamos again, but things turned nasty due to infighting.
“I stayed for only six months at Dynamos, before the infighting forced my move to Njube Sundowns, where I spent another six months before moving to Botswana’s Flamengo Santos. I left them in 2008, again due to internal problems, and joined FC Windermere in the local first division. I finally quit the game when we failed to gain promotion to the PSL at the end of my first season.”
With his Level Two coaching certificate, Sibanda is currently coaching a family juniors’ football club in Lobengula. By MkhululiChimoio

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Ndebele people not happy with Njelele invaders

 



The 568 caused a stir on Thursday when they descended on Matopos National Park and conducted rituals without the knowledge and approval of the traditional leadership from Matabeleland South province.
Meanwhile, political leaders in Matabeleland South yesterday condemned the group saying its visits were disrespectful.
Governor Angeline Masuku said the Njelele shrine was not a cemetery where bones of dead people are dumped, as doing so was tantamount to polluting an important place used by traditional leaders to ask for rain.
 
"Njelele is not a place where bones should be dumped. Kambe izulu siyabe sizalibona njani (how can we receive rains) if people pollute the shrine with bones of dead people? Now I am not surprised that there is drought, it is because of such misconduct," she said.
 
Governor Masuku castigated the chiefs that were involved in the visits, saying they had angered the region and showed no respect for the chiefs in the province.
"Those chiefs should take stock of themselves to see whether they were doing that for the good of the nation. Now we are wondering if those people really have the interests of the nation or they have a certain agenda. They should come out in the open and say what their agenda is and who they are working for and what exactly they are looking for," she said.
 
The Governor said church leaders should help the nation through prayers to contain such malpractice.
Zanu-PF provincial chairman Andrew Langa said the province was not happy with the group's behaviour.
While Njelele is a national shrine, it would be nice that those who want to go there should first consult the leadership in the province. We were not informed and we are not happy at all," he said
"It is wrong for chiefs from other provinces to walk into our province without the knowledge of the chiefs in this province. Let us not use the national shrine for our personal issues. There is a need for the higher offices to intervene so that this problem is stopped."
 
The group of war veterans made headlines early this year when it visited Njelele shrine twice without approval and reportedly conducted unsanctioned rituals.
 
War veterans, chiefs and political parties have roundly condemned the unsanctioned visits.
The group had said their visit had the blessing of senior Government officials and said Ministers Kembo Mohadi and Francis Nhema were aware of their visit and that Minister Nhema gave them game meat for consumption during their cleansing ceremony.
 
Minister Mohadi has distanced himself from the group and accused it of trying to bring him into their "stupid" activities.
The President of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, is on record as saying the issue, if not handled properly, had the potential of fuelling tribal hatred and destroying the unity in the country.
 
He said the group was corrupting the country's cultural values and misleading the nation and his organisation did not condone that.

The custodian of Njelele shrine Mr Solifa Ncube (81) popularly known as Khulu Thobela has described the group's actions as uncultural and provocative.
 
Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo also distanced the party from the saga. (Njelele is one of  Matabeleland's most scared shrines )

Future land wars in Zimbabwe?


 

 
The real issue about the land is we are seating on our own time bomb at our risk, at our own peril like our neighbours South Africa. When we consider South Africa’s simmering land issue, yes, it’s easy to assume that South Africa might be at a worse position than Zimbabwe. I would not say Zimbabwe is at a better position, but we are both on the edge, seated on a time bomb, the difference being the gravity and the nature of the explosions. We might say we have seen the worst and have crossed the bridge but it might not be when we look at and study events in the build up to Burundi and Kenya violence.
 
Equally worrying on land issue is the silence and seemingly disinterest by political challengers to Zanu PF, to confront, engage and debate fully the land grab and redistribution consequences. So much energy and talk has been directed at challenging the merits and application of the Indigenization program, to the detriment of the real issue: the LAND and violence.

At the moment political parties gunning for control of government seem to scatter the land issue, burying their heads in the sand, but truly not far from now, the sound of voices of the affected people will travel faster and deeper than their heads are buried with devastating consequences.

Previous land redistribution need to be revisited to reverse the injustices and avert potential black land wars. If the incoming governments after Zanu PF choose to remain silent or turn a blind eye on land grabs and unjust distributions, I would say, not taking action to effect required change for the benefit of the people is equally as corrupt as those who participated in land grabs for self aggrandizement because both ends, inaction Vs action are extremes equally apart and perpendicular to the required solution which is midway.

It now remains to be seen if the next government will act to reverse the unjust land redistribution imbalances in accordance with terms of Chapter 2 of draft constitution if adopted, which states that on Development and empowerment, all State and governmental institutions and agencies at every level must endeavour to facilitate rapid and equitable development, and in particular must take measures- To redress imbalances resulting from past practices and policies; The State must ensure that, where appropriate and practicable, the people of an area benefit from the resources in that area.

It is relevant at this point to note that Zimbabwe’s recent history is all but about LAND, and when those in authority now and in future governments deal with the land issue, they should do so in a manner that in retrospect, 5, 25, 75, 100 years from now they would say, ’We did not plant a seed of destruction in the country.”

Clement Moyo writes in his own capacity and views expressed here are his, and do not represent any organisation or group. Thanks to some online publications!