• Wonderful compliment paid to Andy Flower by one of the world's best bowlers ever – http://t.co/LYgffm0F #
• Hear some S Africans put down their cricket loss to Zim because their team was not full strength. Nor was ours – no Taibu, Price or Coventry #
• Congratulations to Brendan Taylor and his merry men for an outstanding victory over South Africa. Sorry this is belated but have been away #
• "The biggest problem is us and not sanctions which were imposed on us by some other people” Vice President Mujuru quoted in Daily News 30/6 #
• Decentralise Venues – Coltart http://t.co/miKCuw2R #zimbabwe via @allafrica #

Education, Sport and Arts Minister, David Coltart, has issued a directive for national sporting events to be held across the country with effect from August 1st 2012.

As published in ZimEye, in a directive letter to the Sports and Recreation Commission chairman Joseph James, Minister Coltart spelt out the need to decentralise Warriors’ football matches away from Harare to other deserving towns around the country, and called for the football fraternity to emulate other sporting events like cricket that are nationally spread out.

Coltart’s directive effectively means that the next Warriors match may move to Barbourfields Stadium away from Harare where all national sporting activities have historically been played at either the National Sports Stadium and Rufaro Stadium.

According to Coltart the purpose behind this directive is to ensure national equity and fairness and also build a national sense of pride.

“The purpose behind these directives is to ensure national equity and fairness. The current problem is that virtually all matches in some disciplines are played in Harare. If we are to build national support for all sporting disciplines and a national sense of pride, our national teams must be seen by as many Zimbabweans as possible throughout the nation,” he says.

Coltart’s directives letter broadly reads:

“All sports associations recognised by the SRC will immediately advise the SRC of the venues which are accepted/recognised for international fixtures by the relevant international sporting body. For example, I believe that the National Sport 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.

With effect from 1st August 2012, the SRC shall only authorise international sporting events (in terms of Section 19(d) of the SRC Act) on condition that all sporting associations hold all matches involving representative Zimbabwean teams, including both friendly and official matches, at all internationally accepted venues on an equitable and alternating basis.

For the avoidance of doubt, in any calendar year matches should be evenly spread amongst all internationally accepted venues. For example, in every calendar year, Zifa will have to ensure that the Warriors and Mighty Warriors play an equal number of matches each at the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields. Ideally matches should be held systematically and sequentially at all venues.

If financial considerations demand that a particular series be held at one venue (and because of that, an even distribution of matches at all venues cannot be achieved in that calendar year) then the SRC must only grant permission for future series in subsequent years if the relevant sports association holds any subsequent series at a different venue. In other words, there must also be equitable sharing of sporting series as well as individual matches.

The purpose behind these directives is to ensure national equity and fairness. The current problem is that virtually all matches in some disciplines are played in Harare. If we are to build national support for all sporting disciplines and a national sense of pride, our national teams must be seen by as many Zimbabweans as possible throughout the nation.”

New Zimbabwe reports that Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart has ordered the Sports and Recreation Commission to stage some national team matches out of Harare. David Coltart made the intervention in a letter to the SRC’s board this week.

The minister said: “If we are to build national support for all sporting disciplines and a national sense of pride, our national teams must be seen by as many Zimbabweans as possible throughout the nation.

“For some time, I have been concerned about what I perceive as an inequitable distribution of international sporting fixtures in Zimbabwe. For example, the Warriors have not played outside of Harare for some time, thus depriving football supporters throughout Zimbabwe of the opportunity to watch the national team.”

The national team has played all Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers either at Rufaro Stadium or the National Sports in Harare.

He said he recognised that only certain facilities are acceptable for international events and to that extent, only certain stadia can be used.

The minister said other exceptions could be made, including financial reasons for wanting an event staged at a particular venue.

“The SRC should exercise its discretion to authorise, subject to undertakings having been obtained that equity will be obtained in future fixtures. The SRC must publicly announce this change in policy and annually produce a report detailing where all international matches have been held, the dates they have been held, the respective attendance figures and the report should give any justification applied to allow any deviation from a precisely equitable share of matches at all internationally accepted venues,” he added.

The directive – which Coltart wants implemented from August 1 – will affect all national football teams, including youth sides and the women’s team.

Apart from the National Sports and Rufaro, Bulawayo’s Barbourfields Stadium is the only other sporting facility approved to host international matches.

SRC director general Charles Nhemachena said: “I can confirm we did receive the letter and the board is going to consult and respond.”

The following was originally published in the Zimbabwe Independent by Kevin Mapasure:

SPORTS minister, Senator David Coltart, has directed the Sports and Recreation Commission to ensure that national teams play some of their matches outside Harare. Coltart is particularly concerned with national teams who have been confined to Harare for a long time.

In a letter to the sports supreme body, Coltart directed that Warriors play some of their matches at Barbourfields stadium in Bulawayo as opposed to the National Sports Stadium and Rufaro only.

Part of the letter reads: “For some time I have been concerned about what I perceive as an inequitable distribution of international sporting fixtures in Zimbabwe. For example, the Warriors have not played outside of Harare for some time, thus depriving football supporters throughout Zimbabwe of the opportunity to watch the national team.

“I recognise that only certain facilities are acceptable for international events and to that extent, only certain stadia can be used. This will be taken into account in the formulation of the directives.”

Coltart wants the SRC to take keen interest in the venues for international matches and monitor that they are distributed equitably throughout the country.

But Coltart’s demands are at variance with Zifa who want to capitalise on revenue by hosting most Warriors’ matches at the National Sports Stadium which accommodates 60 000 fans.

Both Rufaro stadium and Babourfields have a carrying capacity of 30 000.

“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.”

His directive brings an interesting dimension to a debate over venues for the Warriors, already in the public domain.

Some fans and players have demanded that the Warriors play their home assignments at Rufaro stadium, while Zifa has stood firm arguing that the National Sports Stadium had the best security.

Of late, paying fans have barely reached 30 000 in competitive matches meaning Barbourfields can easily host the team.

The mighty Warriors on the other hand have played all their competitive home matches at Rufaro stadium.

Coltart’s demands apply to all sporting disciplines.

The following was originally published in the Herald Online:

June 2012 public examinations are in danger as workers are threatening to strike over late payment of US$420 000 housing allowances by the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council.

Zimsec has yet to implement a court order to pay its 290 workers over US$420 000 in outstanding housing allowances dating back 12 months, although the council is owed US$1,9 million by the Treasury in what amounts to subsidies to keep examination fees affordable. Zimsec still has an appeal pending on the Labour Court ruling to pay allowances.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister David Coltart is now involved in trying to resolve the dispute.

At the weekend he said he held a meeting with some of the board members last week as part of the measures to resolve the impasse. “I met Zimsec board deputy chairperson (Mrs Hilda Shindi) who also chairs the committee and I ordered the board to go back to the workers to resolve the issue,” said Minister Coltart.

The Minister said the problem was that Zimsec operates on a tight budget and is still owed US$1,9 million by Treasury.

This, he said, has affected the entire system as well as creating cashflow problems. “It is my hope that the workers will get something soon because they are an important instrument in the processing of public examinations and day-to-day running of the examination body,” said Minister Coltart.

What sparked off the latest unrest at Zimsec were reports, believed by the workers, that senior managers were granted loans amounting to US$50 000. Workers feel that the agreement over their allowances has to be implemented first, using available funds.

There are now growing fears that the disgruntled workers are likely to throw into disarray the finalisation and processing of the examinations currently underway as the workers are mooting an industrial action to force management to pay them.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement entered between Zimsec management and workers on June 6 last year by the Works Council was signed as a total package. All the relevant authorities endorsed the agreement.

Workers had demanded a 56 percent increment and US$210 in housing allowances, while the examination body was offering 10 percent. To end the stalemate, workers and management later agreed that sums set aside for housing, vehicles and personal use, as well as the budget for leave encashment could be used to fund workers’ allowances and that the money saved on not filling vacant posts could be used to increase salaries and allowances. Having found the money then it was possible to distribute it.

Calculations were done with cash from loans coming to US$420 000, which could then be converted to increase workers’ allowances and salaries.

After management moved away from the agreement, the workers approached the Labour Court, which ordered the examination body to pay the US$420 000.

A spokesman for the National Education Union of Zimbabwe—a body that represents the workers — Mr Matthius Guchutu yesterday accused the examination body of violating labour laws.

Zimsec, he said, had invited “solidarity” action as it was failing to honour a binding CBA signed between the workers and Zimsec management in June last year. “We are left with no option but to take the route of an industrial action. They agreed to pay the workers but nothing has come to date. Morale within the workers is low.

“Despite taking the legal route we have also engaged Minister David Coltart, who also ordered them to honour that agreement but there are no efforts to pay the workers,” he said.

“The employer (Zimsec) including the Board has taken a stance to defend the non-justifiable expenditure of the amount agreed for housing allowance in the 2011 works council meeting. A series of meetings have been held to try and twist the agreed position.

“What the management should know is that the workers they are denying allowances are the same workers who are involved in the processing of examinations and as such they should be treated with respect,” he said.

Efforts to get a comment from Zimsec Board chairperson Professor Norman Maphosa were fruitless as he is out of the country. His deputy Mrs Hilda Shindi declined to comment.

“Professor Maphosa speaks on behalf of the board,” she said. Zimsec public relations manager Mr Ezekiel Pasipamire yesterday insisted the matter was still pending at the courts.

“To us we are still waiting for the court’s decision since the board made an appeal,” he said.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture minister David Coltart has said the senior national mens team, the Warriors, must play their games across the country instead of Harare alone.

This directive is among a raft of orders sent to the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) chairman Joseph James to be implemented by all registered national associations in a letter titled: Proposed Directions in Terms of Section 23 of the SRC Act: Equitable Distribution of International Sporting Activities.

While other big sports, rugby and cricket, play across the country, Zimbabwes most loved sport football has seen its flagship, the Warriors, playing either at Rufaro or the National Sports Stadium (NSS).

The two stadiums, along with Barbourfields in Bulawayo and Mandava Stadium in Zvishavane, have been certified fit to host international matches by the Confederation of African football (Caf).

Mandava has the next best facilities in the country after the NSS, Rufaro and Barbourfields.

The Bulawayo venue last hosted the Cosafa Senior Challenge in 2010, having earlier hosted a dead rubber Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi.

But in a communication with the SRC, in a letter dated June 21, Coltart wanted immediate changes to the current system.

For some time I have been concerned about what I perceive as an inequitable distribution of international sporting fixtures in Zimbabwe.

For example, the Warriors have not played outside of Harare for some time, thus depriving football supporters throughout Zimbabwe of the opportunity to watch the national team.

I recognise that only certain facilities are acceptable for international events and to that extent only certain stadia can be used. This will be taken into account in the formulation of the directives.

My intention is that this directive should take effect from the 1st of August 2012.

Coltarts proposed directives are:

All sports associations recognised by the SRC will immediately advise the SRC of the venues which are accepted/recognised for international fixtures by the relevant international sporting body. For example, I believe that the National Sport 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.

With effect from 1st August 2012, the SRC shall only authorise international sporting events (in terms of Section 19(d) of the SRC Act) on condition that all sporting associations hold all matches involving representative Zimbabwean teams, including both friendly and official matches, at all internationally accepted venues on an equitable and alternating basis.

For the avoidance of doubt, in any calendar year matches should be evenly spread amongst all internationally accepted venues. For example, in every calendar year, Zifa will have to ensure that the Warriors and Mighty Warriors play an equal number of matches each at the National Sports Stadium, Rufaro and Barbourfields. Ideally matches should be held systematically and sequentially at all venues.

If financial considerations demand that a particular series be held at one venue (and because of that, an even distribution of matches at all venues cannot be achieved in that calendar year) then the SRC must only grant permission for future series in subsequent years if the relevant sports association holds any subsequent series at a different venue. In other words, there must also be equitable sharing of sporting series as well as individual matches.

The purpose behind these directives is to ensure national equity and fairness. The current problem is that virtually all matches in some disciplines are played in Harare. If we are to build national support for all sporting disciplines and a national sense of pride, our national teams must be seen by as many Zimbabweans as possible throughout the nation.

As preparations continue for the Innovation Africa Summit in Cape Town this October, AfricanBrains is pleased to announce that along with participation from various South Africa ministries the following visiting ministers have also confirmed their attendance:-

• Nigeria Minister of State for Education, Hon. Barr Ezenwo Nyesom Wike
• Zimbabwe Minister of Education, Hon. David Coltart
• Zambia Minister of Education, Hon. John Phiri
• Kenya Minister of Education, Hon. Mitulu Kilonzo
• Malawi Minister of Education, Science & Technology, Hon. Eunice Kazembe
• Swaziland Minister of ICT, Hon. Winne Magagula
• Swaziland Minister of Education & Training, Hon. Wilson Ntshangase
• Burundi Minister of Higher Education & Scientific Research, Hon Dr Julien Nimubona
• Tanzania Ministry of Education & Vocational Training, Hon. Dr Shukuru Kawambwa
• Ethiopia Minister of Education H.E. Ato Demeke Mekonnen

The conference will feature keynote addresses from both government and private sector leaders, focusing on the transformation of African economies the realisation of advances in technology for the benefit of education and research in Africa.  Conference attendees will have the opportunity to debate key issues such as developing e-skills and the knowledge economy, investment in African digital content, e-learning, improving connectivity and advancing multi-stakeholder partnerships.

Last week’s press release publicising the event has so far been picked up by over 50 websites.

For more information on the Summit please visit – www.africanbrains.net/ia

The following originally appeared in the Zimbabwe Independent on June 22, 2012 —

TAFATAONA Mahoso believes the visit by UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay indicated that the majority of African elites “remain thoroughly confused about the doctrine and practice of human rights in contrast with the real prevailing and historical situation of human life, survival, autonomy and dignity on earth”.

What baloney is this, readers of his turgid column may well ask? Pillay’s visit “reminded many of a similar and scandalous visit by Anna Tibaijuka in 2005”, Mahoso claimed.

Did it? What it did do is remind Zimbabweans of the cruelty wrought by Operation Murambatsvina where people were made to tear down their homes and become internal refugees.It was one of the most disgraceful episodes in the country’s recent history. Pillay’s recent visit also reminded us of the persistent human rights abuses that the state media pretend never happened.“Both women came in the name of the United Nations,” Mahoso says, “but carried other baggage which had nothing to do with the purposes of the UN as understood by the majority of its members.”

Mahoso provides as an example of this claim David Coltart’s proposal for a Truth Commission so that victims of abuse and oppression may be given the opportunity to say what happened to them and their loved ones and what should happen regarding justice and reconciliation.Mahoso is so incensed by this suggestion that he decides to call people names and invent a history for them. Coltart is branded “a former Rhodesian Selous Scout”.What is “scandalous” is that Mahoso almost certainly knows that Coltart was never a Selous Scout. But he finds it useful to make the charge to bolster his otherwise threadbare argument.It is also “scandalous” that the editor of the Sunday Mail in which this allegation appeared was happy to provide Mahoso with a platform to tell whoppers of this sort. Did he make any attempt to verify Mahoso’s claim? It would have been easy enough to do so.

Some years ago when Aippa was new on the scene Mahoso headed a committee that ascertained the people of Zimbabwe wanted an ethical media. He dined out on this claim for years. He even wrote letters of complaint to editors charging them with falsehoods.He now occupies an important media post. But the invective remains the same.“In the hands of Senator David Coltart human rights are used to advance the temporary fortunes of the MDC party and its Rhodesian sponsors,” Mahoso claims. “That is why only Rhodesians and those Africans defined as victims of Gukurahundi from Matabeleland region are to be humanised while the rest of the nation is demonised.”Does he believe this junk? Who do the majority of Zimbabweans trust, Pillay or Mahoso? Let’s have a straw poll.

The same gang Mahoso serves have devised what they think is a vote winner. They are proposing to change the design of Africa Unity Square so it no longer resembles a Union Jack from the air.This is very obviously a populist measure which is unlikely to make much impression. How many people want to fly over the square in order to see the change of design? And how are they going to do that?The last time they did something to the square it was to remove the flower sellers as part of Operation Murambatsvina. That was hardly a progressive move! In previous elections they have changed road names thinking that would win votes. It didn’t.

The square was originally called Cecil Square after Robert Cecil, Marquess of Salisbury, who was British prime minister in 1890, not after Cecil John Rhodes as many people think.

Ask the authorities planning the name change and see what they say. Here’s betting they think it was named after Rhodes.

Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa has laid bare the levels of desperation his party has reached in their bid to cling on to power. The Daily News reports that Mutasa justified the army’s dabbling in politics saying trade unions are doing the same for the MDC.“In as much as I do not know much about what is going on at Copac, personally I do not have a problem with the military choosing to campaign for a party of their choice,” Mutasa said. “It is common knowledge that trade unions (ZCTU) campaign for the MDC and should we then say they should not do that? These people fought with us during the liberation struggle, so why should we discriminate against them. We cannot stop them from campaigning,” he said.How can the ZCTU’s support for the MDC be equated to the army’s involvement in politics? Only Cde Didymus and his ilk seem to know.

In any case Zanu PF clearly has a lot more support in the trade union arena. They can count on the support of Mushandi Munhu Workers’ Federation, the Zimbabwe Congress of Student Unions as well as Zimbabwe Federation of Trade Unions among a host of civic organisations they have been churning out.

Last week we ran a story in which Indigenisation and Empowerment minister Saviour Kasukuwere, at the forefront of a crusade to take over ownership of foreign-owned banks, was a former Genesis shareholder.

Kasukuwere’s Migdale Holdings, through various shelf companies, reportedly holds a 17,20% stake of Genesis. Kasukuwere is now very keen to distance himself from the Genesis melée, claiming he had sold his equity in the bank.This irony, however, is clearly lost on Kasukuwere along with National Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Board chairperson David Chapfika whose bank, Universal Merchant Bank, folded in 2001.These very same people are now promising us heaven on earth claiming the indigenisation and empowerment drive will create more than five million jobs and reduce the unemployment rate to single-digit levels.

Chapfika claims it will also create a sustainable economy that can withstand the effects of the “illegal” economic sanctions imposed on the country by Britain and its Western allies.

NewsDay reports that Chapfika in April said the there was nothing sacred about the banking sector.

“If you want to kill cattle, kill them all. You can’t say this one is too fat today and leave it,” Chapfika said. There you have it!

Whose idea is it to have children dress up in uniform and march around?

Can we guess that some of these kids are the children of chefs? Did the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child including the African child propose that they should put on uniforms and parade at the opening of the “child parliament”? Child soldiers are not in favour nowadays because of events elsewhere in Africa. But nobody told our rulers.

While support for the disabled child is noble, the military theme is not. The Zanu PF party flag was in evidence we noted. But Morgan Tsvangirai, Arthur Mutambara and Thokozani Khupe who attended didn’t seem to mind!

We were pleased to see that Nando’s on Samora Machel has cleared a path to its door.

The popular spicy chicken outlet has invested tens of thousands of dollars in its new premises but the customers weren’t able to get in because kombi drivers had blocked the entrance.This is all part of what NewsDay has identified as the growing anarchy in Harare. The mayor has lost control as people simply do what they like. Kombis park anywhere making it difficult for other motorists to get into the city centre. Car sales yards have set up their premises in the suburbs, the one opposite Prince Edward School being a case in point. On Kwame Nkrumah Ave noisy car-wash merchants compete for the attention of motorists looking for parking. In Strathaven patrons at a local bar block access for residents trying to get in and out.Then there are the churches with their loudspeakers blaring day and night.This is what happens when the social order breaks down. Zanu PF officials are reluctant to say “No” to applications for change of use because there are votes to be had in saying “Yes” or just looking the other way. Meanwhile it is anarchy out there and city officials think this is the time to launch their 13-year Vision aimed at transforming the capital into a world-class city by 2025. They are completely delusional. First they have to restore law and order.

Did you know Canada and Zimbabwe are at war, according to the Herald?

“Canada has indisputably declared war on Zimbabwe for its revolutionary pursuits,” the edition of June 14 announced. “This is an open war,” Tendai Moyo who is a researcher and social commentator told us. This all has something to do with Queen Elizabeth being head of state and the Canadian “aborigines” being subjugated!

So what’s he going to do about it? “In the face of such belligerence we can no longer afford to keep on giving the other cheek,” he says. “It is high time we counter these acts of aggression.”As you would expect, Moyo says he is guided by a resolution of the Zanu PF Mutare 2010 conference which urged the government to take measures through government against foreign companies that impose sanctions. Moyo points to Canadian ownership of Caledonia Mine.Isn’t it weird how this band of half-baked polemicists think Zimbabwe has options. They will, as the expression goes, cut their noses to spite their faces. By the way, does Zimbabwe have a foreign policy? All those envoys sent out to smooth the path ahead of the Luanda summit and not a word of solidarity.
Some formulaic mention of sanctions but nothing much else. Pathetic.

We hope the Herald’s Victoria Ruzvidzo had a nice stay in Vanuatu and that she managed to win over the locals.

“Of course the world has largely been fed with untruths about our country but we need to harvest this awareness and turn it into dollars somehow,” Victoria reflects.She obviously hasn’t reached any conclusions yet. But wherever she goes people have been curious to know about Zimbabwe. “They know we are a sovereign state and that our president has made his views clear on the global stage regarding our sovereignty –– a trait admired even by his worst enemies.”And there are more than a few of those. Looks like Victoria has her work cut out!By the way, if you want to win friends Victoria, it’s not such a good idea to call their country “the back of the beyond”.

Meanwhile ZBC has once again failed to broadcast the ongoing Twenty20 triangular series pitting Zimbabwe, South Africa and Bangladesh in Harare.

Cricket lovers will have to rely on Supersport for coverage of an event happening in our own country. ZBC also failed to screen the Castle Premier Soccer league because they demanded payment from Delta. As if to add insult to injury, ZBC still has the temerity to demand payment of licence fees to watch Vimbai “European” Chivaura and Mahoso giving us the benefit of their Jurassic-era thinking.