In a rare display of political tolerance, President Robert Mugabe yesterday put aside political differences and heaped praises on his rivals in the MDC parties.

In the past, Mugabe has used most of his public appearances to lambast his Zanu PFs political opponents, accusing them of being agents of imperialists determined to bring about regime change in Zimbabwe.

But yesterday, speaking at the commissioning of the Landa John Nkomo High School, Mugabe seemed to be on a charm offensive. The school is to cater mainly for children of the largely marginalized San community.

Mugabe sent Tsholotsho villagers into stitches when he said he always had Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khuphe (MDC-T) on his mind.

I noticed that even Vice- President Nkomo omitted her in the introductions. I cannot forget her because she is always on my mind, chuckled the President. She dresses meticulously. How can anyone forget a person of such charm, a very charming lady indeed?

Turning to Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture David Coltart, Mugabe said: You are among us from the white race. When we started the inclusive government, I wondered if he would actually fit in.

I said to myself it is the challenge on the part of a person like him to be amongst many blacks and had to be looked down upon by others who would ask what he is doing working with a terrible dictator like Robert Mugabe, he said.

Mugabe said when the inclusive government was established they were not sure whether, the other partners in the GPA would work in common purpose.

He said there was realisation that despite coming from different political parties, they were all Zimbabweans working for the interests of the country.

Mugabe described Information Communication Technology minister Nelson Chamisa as having so much wisdom for his age.

We call him the youngest among us and we wonder why at this age before his hair turns grey, he has the wisdom of the elders. He said he read the books that we read and we encourage him to go forward, he said.

Mugabe commended Nkomo for building the school using his own resources.

ZIMBABWE is “just setting into an information communication technology revolution” and has set a 2015 target for all schools to produce school leavers with the requisite 21st century skills to play a part in the worldwide digital economy, President Robert Mugabe said on Friday.

Launching the government’s e-learning programme at a newly-built school in Matabeleland North, Mugabe pledged his government’s commitment to put computer technology at the heart of the school curriculum.

“Comrades and friends, the speed of global technological and economic transformation demands that we move abreast of other developing countries if we are to derive the full benefits of the ICT revolution and turn the digital divide into digital opportunities for the nation,” Mugabe said.

The schools e-learning programme was launched at Chogugudza Secondary School in Mashonaland East last March, and Friday saw it shift to the southern region with the launch at the Landa John Nkomo High School in Manqe, Tsholotsho.

Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said it was their vision that every school in the country – both secondary and primary – must use computer technology by 2015.

“Our agenda is benchmarked on 2015, we have a digital programme that by 2015 Zimbabwe should be fully on the digital platform, we are building a knowledge economy and our citizens must be digital natives,” Chamisa said.

“All schools ultimately are going to benefit, we have in excess of 8,000 schools countrywide and I am working with David Coltart [Education Minister] who is the implementing minister and the President to see this programme through.”

Under the programme, the ICT ministry will give out computers to schools, train the teachers and provide maintenance through the government-owned technology company, ZARNet.

The ministry also works hand-in-hand with the Rural Electrification Agency to ensure power – both solar and electric – is extended to all schools countrywide.

“We have a standard agenda on ICTs,” Chamisa went on, “as you may know ICTs are becoming part and parcel of teaching tools. Gone are the days when teachers used chalk board and duster, now you need PowerPoint, Keynote and projectors… that’s the direction that this country is taking. We are moving from mere pedagogy to webagogy.”

Education, Arts, Sport and Culture Minister, Senator David Coltart has ordered the Sport and Recreation Commission (SRC) to launch investigations into allegations of doping within the local sport of rugby after two Young Sables players tested positive to performance enhancing drugs.

The Zimbabwe Under 19 rugby team has been under the spotlight after some players are alleged to have tested positive for banned substances after undergoing random testing at the Junior World Rugby Trophy that was staged by the United States.

Zimbabwe Rugby Union President, John Falkenburg recently admitted that two players had tested positive but it has emerged that as many as 13 players may have tested positive.

The International Rugby Board is believed to be currently investigating the alleged use of banned substances by the Young Sables whose only victory at the Junior World Rugby Trophy came against Russia in a 7th and 8th place play-off.

Government recently reversed its decision to force all privately-run schools and crèches to cede 51% of their shareholding to locals under its controversial indigenisation policy.

Both Indigenisation and Education ministers Saviour Kasukuwere and David Coltart respectively confirmed the U-turn last night.

Coltart said he met Kasukuwere and they agreed to spare non-profit-making mission schools, religious institutions and community-owned schools from being compulsorily indigenised.

Kasukuwere had announced the move in a Government Gazette published last week, sparking protests from fellow government officials, parents and administrators of private schools.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said government had not sanctioned such a decision.

“Minister Kasukuwere and I agreed that mission, religious, church and community trust schools run not for profit will not be subject to indigenisation,” Coltart said in a statement last night.

“I am pleased to report that I had a very constructive discussion with Kasukuwere this evening regarding the notice recently issued.

“We are agreed that the rights contained in section 20(3) of the Constitution, namely the right of religious and other groups to set up and run schools, will be fully respected by Government.

“Accordingly all mission, church, religious, community and trust schools run not for profit will not be subject to any indeginisation policy.

“I hope that the agreement in this regard will settle all those parents, teachers, administrators and other interested in the education sector who feared that this critically important component of our education sector was going to be disrupted.

“I encourage all those who have been concerned this past week to stop worrying and to get on with the fine work they have been doing in delivering a quality education to tens of thousands of Zimbabwean children.”

Contacted for comment, Kasukuwere downplayed the matter, saying the announcement had been misinterpreted.

“It was a question of misreading that caused the panic and we are on the same page with Coltart,” he said.

“If a school is run for profit then it’s a company that is subjected to the laws of the country but council run schools and church related institutions you can’t indigenise because they are for the community and already benefiting the community.

“Such schools were not on the notice and were never put there and I was also shocked where this was coming from.”

The regulations gave foreign owned institutions across all sectors of the economy including banks a year to hand over their majority shareholding to locals as part of President Robert Mugabe’s empowerment crusade.

The Sunday News

By Walter Sabele

14 July 2012

EDUCATION, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has urged Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clubs to play a role in controlling their errant fans during soccer matches.

Coltart’s clarion call comes amid revelations that Government would introduce a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy that seeks to close in on clubs whose fans perpetrate hateful and discriminatory language aimed at its rivals.

In an interview with Sunday Sport last Thursday Coltart said it was hoped the policy would go a long way in curbing violent conduct among other ills in Zimbabwean soccer.

The new measures might see clubs such as the PSL powerhouses Highlanders, Dynamos and CAPS United bear the heavy brunt the most as their supporters have composed derogatory songs that denigrate their opponents.

Coltart said the move was necessitated by a need to turn football into a family sport rather than a violent one.

“We will soon be launching a “No tolerance against derogatory chants” policy which is aimed at ensuring that stadiums are cleaned of all the offensive and discriminatory language currently polluting match venues. It is standard international procedure that clubs should be liable for how their fans behave during matches thus, if these offensive chants persist, serious action will be taken against the clubs,” said Coltart, who watched the high profile game between CAPS united and Highlanders on Sunday last week.

Coltart said it was unethical for the fans to chant insulting slogans as in most cases that resulted in violence among themselves.

“My visit to Barbourfields on Sunday last week was pretty disheartening as the manner in which fans conducted themselves was contrary to our efforts of making football a family sport, as the fans were using football as an avenue of expressing their grievances to the police officers present through all kinds of insults you can think of,” he said.

Coltart also advised that for Barbourfields to be in a position to host international matches, fans needed to adopt a different attitude altogether as the current one was rather repulsive to their bid.

“How can we push for the hosting of international matches throughout the country when fans are behaving in such a horrible manner? We do not want to embarrass ourselves in front of the international community so there is need for clubs and fans to clean up the mess,” he said.

The call by the minister comes after he recently directed the Sports and Recreation Commission to ensure that national team games were spread across the country.

“I believe that the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields are the only grounds which meet Fifa specifications and so, in future, matches should be held alternately and evenly at all three of these grounds,” Coltart was quoted as saying.

Veteran soccer administrator Ndumiso Gumede also echoed the minister’s sentiments that clubs should do more to conscientise fans on the importance of using proper language to cheer their teams.

“Sadly, that is in football, that when people go to matches, foul language is to be expected, as soccer is believed to be an emotional and passionate sport that has a lot of effect on people but I also think clubs are also not taking up the initiative to enlighten their fans enough against the use of offensive chants, which are often along tribal lines and containing traces of psychological sexual abuses to those of the feminine sex.

“Imagine If I had to take my daughter and my wife to watch a game at one of the local stadiums and fans start singing songs which are entirely vulgar — do you honestly think I will be comfortable when my daughter is psychologically molested like that?’’ said Gumede.

Gumede also felt the Government should borrow a leaf from countries such as Scotland where stiff penalties have been used to curb the use of abusive language during matches.

“The Government should simply act upon enacting punitive measures on the clubs as they are failing to address the matter at hand. Let us take a leaf at countries such as Scotland where they have totally made it a crime punishable with up to five years for any abusive statements uttered during games,” he added. In December 2011 the Scottish parliament passed the Offensive Behaviour at Football  Matches and Threatening Communications Bill, which criminalises “offensive” songs and chants by football fans and making “serious threats”, including expressions of religious hatred, online and elsewhere. The law carries penalties of fines as well as prison sentences of up to five years.

On the 11th July 2012 Senator David Coltart launched the new CAMFED (Campaign for Female Education) project in Guruve. The project has received US$19 million from the British Government.

Education, Sport and Culture Minister David Coltart has urged Zimbabweans not to focus too much on quantity and instead look at the quality of the athletes who will represent the country at the Olympic Games in London this month.

SW Radio Africa reports that Coltart was reacting to weekend reports that Zimbabwe will be fielding the “smallest and probably weakest sporting team to ever compete” in the games. Only seven athletes including swimmer Kirsty Coventry have qualified.

Joining Coventry will be marathon runners Cuthbert Nyasango, Wirimayi Zhuwawo, triathlete Chris Felgate, rowers Jamie Frazer McKenzie and Micheen Thornycroft. Although sprinter and strong medal hopeful Ngoni Makusha qualified, an unfortunate injury ruled him out of the games.

As Coltart explained the reason for this small number, “is mainly dictated to us by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). As you know they set qualifying times and athletes have to meet those times, otherwise they are not accepted to the Olympics. So unfortunately we have these seven or so,” who have qualified.

“Its not necessarily (quantity) the nation should be looking at. Think back to the 2008 Olympics, Zimbabwe also had a very small team but we came away with way more medals than South Africa who went with a team of over 200 and so we shouldn’t really be looking at the quantity, we need to look at quality,” he said.

Asked whether government was responsible for the deterioration in sporting standards Coltart said:

“There is no doubt that education and sport in the last two decades has been under-funded and tied into that is the collapse of the economy in the last 10 to 12 years. That’s has meant some of our best athletes have left the country or their talent has not been identified and nurtured.”

He said because of this crisis Zimbabwe did not have as many athletes going through its system and excelling, as was the case in the past.

Zimbabwe’s indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere has backed down on a bid to take over private schools.

Zimbabweans should stop basking in the shadow of a long gone education glory, Education minister David Coltart has said.

Daily News reports that Coltart said government should quit priding Zimbabwe as an education haven because resource constraints have seriously compromised the sector.

“The foundation of our education sector is still strong. We have good basic curriculum, highly qualified teachers, a deep-rooted passion for education exhibited by parents, guardians and the children themselves.

“There is no doubt it ends at the foundation, the rest of the structure is in a crisis, the teachers’ morale is now gone and seriously education is underfunded.

“There is a danger that we assume that because education was strong in the past then it will continue like that. We will be wrong. That is not the case anymore,” Coltart told the Daily News on Sunday.

Zimbabwe’s much touted literacy rate of more than 90 percent has been disputed as outdated since the figures are based on data collected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation and the government more than a decade ago.

Coltart said though government was making “notable” moves towards addressing the welfare of teachers, there were other educational needs that seriously require redress.

“I commend the government for constantly engaging teachers representatives to address remuneration issues but outstanding none salary issues are still a problem. Every day I receive messages from parents complaining over lack of proper infrastructure.

“There are many schools without desks, stationery, classrooms and the children in resettled areas are literally learning in tobacco barns. Unless we address those challenges we will not go far, even the best teacher will struggle to teach inadequately clothed and hungry children in a barn,” said Coltart.

Coltart emphasised the need for government to prioritise education and castigated the extensive travel expenditure by leaders at the expense of more deserving areas.

“Ironically, the amounts we are spending on addressing educational needs are still very tiny compared to what we are spending on defence, security and foreign travel.

“The glory we have been enjoying now is a result of government’s investment in the first 10 years of independence,” he said.

According to the 2012 national budget, Education got $14,8 million to cater for the country’s three million children while President Robert Mugabe’s office and Cabinet received $70 million, defence $66 million and Home Affairs $30 million.

Daily News

By Wendy Muperi

13 July 2012

Britain on Wednesday gave Zimbabwe a $19 million four-year grant to provide bursaries for marginalised secondary school female students.

Officially launching the programme in Guruve, Education minister David Coltart described the British government as an “all-weather friend”.

“On behalf of government I am most grateful for the gesture made by the British to the education sector,” Coltart said.

“Let me share with you that DFID this year committed $73 million to supporting education efforts in Zimbabwe.”

The grant released through the Department for International Development (DFID), and administered by the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed), will benefit at least 24 000 girls from 28 rural districts with comprehensive bursaries between 2012 and 2016.

Coltart said government should prioritise the empowerment of girls through education for national development.

“Though the relations between our two governments have not been good, the British people have continued to support us. Through the cooperation, we have managed to restore stability in the sector. The new bursaries we are launching today are a great and timely complement to allow girls who would otherwise not benefit from such valuable and commendable investments,” he said.

“The education of a girl child is one of the most important task and prerequisite of any government for sustainable economic growth and development. A government that neglects the education of a girl child condemns itself to a bleak future,” said Coltart.

“To put it in context, the Zimbabwean government this year has allocated only some $5 million dollars on non-salary expenditure,” he said.

Dave Fish, head of DFID in Zimbabwe, said the programme will change lives of the girl child.

“This programme will transform lives and communities. It helps the most vulnerable girls with the basics — school and exam fees, uniform and stationery.

“Things that a young lady needs to stay in school and do well,” said Fish.

Camfed director Angeline Murimirwa said there was need for a multi-sectoral approach for the country to achieve satisfactory progress in education.

Since February this year, the UK government has committed over $350 million to help ensure the poorest people in Zimbabwe have access to basic services such as education, health, water and sanitation.