To all the Residents of Khumalo Constituency,

Please remember that the Mobile Voter Registration is happening this week in Ward 4 at the following School:

Tennyson Primary School 06/07/13-09/07/13

Our country is our responsibility – go and get registered

News Day

By Veneranda Langa

8 July 2013

EDUCATION minister David Coltart yesterday left for South Korea where he will be involved in negotiations to hire mathematics and science teachers to beef up the local staff complement.

Speaking to NewsDay before his departure yesterday, Coltart said his initial target was to bring in six South Korean mathematics and science teachers as a pilot project, adding the deal was being facilitated by the Korean Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Kwang-chul Lew.

“I have been involved in negotiations with the Korean Ambassador this year to arrange for South Korean Maths and Science teachers to come and work in Zimbabwean schools as we have a desperate shortage of those in Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, I am unable to give you the name of the Korean organisation that is to sponsor this initiative as I am not in the office and am preparing to catch a flight,” said Coltart.

“Initially, we are going to have a pilot project where we will be aiming to start with just six teachers to see how the project will work, and if it works we will then bring in more teachers,” he said.

“The salaries of these South Korean teachers will also be fully paid by the Koreans. We are in the process of identifying the schools where these teachers will be deployed. If the project works well, we will expand to other subjects. However, Zimbabwe’s greatest shortage is in Maths and Science teachers,” he said.

The minister said South Korean teachers were respected internationally for their prowess in teaching Maths and Science subjects.

The education sector is still recovering from a decade-long economic meltdown that saw most qualified teachers leaving for greener pastures in the Diaspora.

Southern Eye

By Blessed Mhlanga

8 July 2013

KWEKWE — Most students in rural schools are condemned to failure owing to the government’s neglect of schools and nonexistence of infrastructure to support learning in most of the institutions.

At Zibomvu Secondary School, with an enrolment of 198 students, only one classroom block stands as part of the learning infrastructure. There is a staff complement of just five teachers, some of them forced to take three subjects across all forms.

During a visit to the school by Education minister David Coltart, students in two different classes sat side by side as they learnt in the open despite freezing temperatures.

Silobela legislator Anadu Silulu said there was hardly any learning at the school during the rainy season because all the students and teachers would be forced into the single classroom at the school, to hide from the rain.

“Imagine having 198 students in one classroom taking shelter from the harsh weather! No learning would take place. Most of the time it rains it means we lose valuable time and would not be able to cover the syllabus on time,” he said.

The pass rate at the school is very low, in fact, only one pupil out of 20 manages to pass with the required five “O” Level subjects.

At Brooms Groove Primary School, a scenario that has become a common feature in most rural schools obtains. Teachers are forced to take three classes in one go.

Acting headmistress Fungai Mari has in her combined class 32 pupils from Grades 0, 1 and 2 all bundled in the same class, needing to learn different concepts from the same teacher at the same time. The school, which is 29km from Kwekwe, has a staff complement of just three teachers teaching Grades 1 to 7 between them.

“When I teach, I tell them that what I am saying now is for Grade 0 please listen. This will be after I give the other grades work to do,” she said.

Timpson Moyo from Silobela Ward 25 said there was a gap in the education system between rural and urban schools, which would take centuries to mend.

“Our children just go to school so that they learn the basics of reading and writing. We do not really expect them to pass because the conditions for passing are just not there,” he said. “Teachers do not want to stay at the school. Every year we have a new teacher or sometimes no teacher at all.”

Stanley Ndlovu said some of the students finished school without even grasping the basics of education.

“Some of these students cannot even read or write and to see these levels of ignorance in schools 33 years after independence is just shocking and disappointing,” he said. “We are trapped in a vicious circle, where we know our children will never escape this life of poverty. They go to school to fail and then become herd boys never escaping this life.”

The enduring story of former Gandavaroyi Primary School headmaster Peter Chihiya who wrote Grade 7 national examinations for 32 pupils at his Gokwe school, in an attempt to have someone passing from his school, made sad reading.

Chihiya was smoked out, arrested and found guilty of fraud. He was sentenced to 20 months in prison.

Eight of those months were suspended on condition of good behaviour, while the other 12 months were set aside on condition he carried out 420 hours of community service.

In a letter of apology to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (Zimsec), which was presented in court as part of his mitigation, Chihiya apologised for his wayward behaviour saying he was only tempted into the offence with the hope of improving the pass rate at the school.

“First and foremost, I would like to apologise to Zimsec and the children of Gandavaroyi,” he wrote. “I am really sorry. I did not intend to do so, but I got tempted in an effort to improve the pass rate at the school. I blame no one but myself for these actions.”

Chihiya was embarrassed that the school always recorded 0% pass rates and he thought to avoid embarrassment, he should write the exams himself.

Coltart, while addressing teachers and villagers at Xavier Sibangani Primary School during a tour of Silobela and Zhombe rural schools, said the education system was littered with illiterate pupils who were just passing through the system. Coltart placed blame on his government for failing to provide adequate resources to schools and supporting infrastructure to uplift learning standards, especially in rural areas.

“This is reflected in the results of most of our secondary schools, especially in rural areas where conditions for teachers are deplorable and therefore, not attracting the best brains in the teaching field,” he said.

Politics has also been at the centre of disturbing education, with teachers viewed as MDC supporters being hounded out of schools during election time. Coltart said this should be stopped and teachers protected.

“Schools are not the place for politics. Party politics should stay away from our schools because they affect the education of our children,” he said.

The Education ministry in partnership with Unicef launched an education transition fund which in phase one saw the provision of textbooks in schools. The second phase saw an injection of $62 million towards rehabilitating and building new infrastructure in disadvantaged schools.

However, with elections set for July 31, many fear the transitional fund would evaporate if polls were to be disputed and most in the rural areas who hoped to see their children one day access quality education keep would just their fingers crossed.

Southern Eye

By Njabulo Ncube

7 July 2013

THE MDC and Zapu election pact unveiled on Friday has added impetus for a grand coalition against President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party ahead of the watershed June 31 elections.

Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa and his MDC counterpart Welshman Ncube told journalists in Bulawayo that the pact was a culmination of talks that began last December.

The pact will result in candidates from the two political parties working together and supporting each other during campaigns.

The two parties agreed that they would not discuss or enter into a pact or coalition with any other party other than with each other.

MDC and Zapu said despite the alliance, it remained the individual candidate’s prerogative to voluntarily withdraw from the harmonised elections and support a candidate from the other party.

Former Highlanders chairman Rodger Muhlwa, who was eyeing the Bulawayo East constituency on a Zapu ticket, was the first candidate to withdraw from the polls, making way for MDC’s candidate David Coltart.

Analysts yesterday said while the coalition was necessary to break Mugabe’s octopus-grip on power, Ncube and Dabengwa must rope in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who outpolled the 89-year-old Zanu PF leader in the March 2008 presidential election.

Tsvangirai was forced to withdraw from the runoff election by State-sponsored violence, which left more than 200 people dead and thousands displaced.

The analysts said the electoral pact would be all encompassing if it embraced the MDC-T.

But some analysts were quick to say Zimbabweans should be disabused of the notion that anything led by Ndebeles is tribal.

Dumisani Nkomo, the chief executive officer of Habakkuk Trust, who doubles up as political analyst, said a broader electoral pact including MDC-T would have been ideal.

“There is still a window of hope though slim, to include the MDC-T, which has been accused by some of being arrogant in its approach towards talks,” he said.

“A broader pact is still an option, but all parties should negotiate as equals and the big brother- small brother mentality has to stop as an alliance will be a win-win situation.”

He predicted that failure could result in a runoff as was the case in the last presidential polls, adding that this could be an opportunity for a pact on the presidential candidate.

“This time Ncube and Dabengwa would have more leverage as they hold the deciding vote.”

Effie Ncube, a Bulawayo-based analyst, said the coalition between MDC and Zapu was a step in the right direction, but doubted its impact.

“Whether the Ncube and Dabengwa pact will succeed, it is highly questionable,” he said.

“The one that will certainly do very well in the pending polls is the one where Tsvangirai will be involved.

“PM Tsvangirai is the real big deal as he is a major contributing factor to real change.”

Blessing Vava, an activist with the National Constitutional Assembly, said the pact was a strategic move to consolidate the Matabeleland vote ahead of the harmonised poll.

However, he was sceptical of its electoral chances if it did not involve Tsvangirai.

“It might be a warm-up to the grand coalition with the main MDC,” he said.

“The only way forward is for these parties to forge an alliance with Tsvangirai and support one candidate for the presidential vote if the coalition is going to mean anything. Otherwise this might be viewed as an ethnic coalition which might fail to get support in other parts of the country.”

He said as long as Tsvangirai was out of that coalition it would not get much support.

“Hate him or love him, Tsvangirai is an important player in any coalition to be formed against Mugabe, without him it’s as good as nothing,” Vava added.

“These two parties (MDC and Zapu) do not attract much support from across the country. They will only probably gain some percentages in Matabeleland largely because of the ethnic card.”

Paul Siwela, a 2002 losing presidential candidate, was dismissive of the coalition saying in had no chance of toppling Mugabe and Zanu PF.

“We have made it very clear that Mugabe is going to retain the presidency by hook or crook,” he said.

“These elections will be a farce, so this so-called coalition will not work. Mugabe is quite aware that he is dealing with political novices.”

Zapu pulled out of the 1987 unity accord with Zanu PF citing unfulfilled promises.

Southern Eye

By Silas Nkala

7 July 2013

ZAPU yesterday launched its July 31 election manifesto at Stanley Square in Bulawayo where MDC leader Welshman Ncube was a key speaker.

MDC and Zapu on Friday sealed an election pact that will see the two parties helping each other during the harmonised polls.

Zapu president Dumiso Dabengwa said his party was ready to take over power and the forthcoming polls provided a perfect platform.

“Since our revival, the so-called political commentators and the media have tried to discount us,” he said.

“Even Baba Jukwa (a faceless Facebook character) is saying we have 1%,” he said.

“We are here to launch our manifesto. Zapu is there to fight for people’s will — which means under Zapu, people must not be afraid to express concern in local authorities and the government.”
Dabengwa said Zapu members had been pushing for a coalition with the MDC.

“According to what we agreed on, Zapu will support and vote for MDC candidates in constituencies where Zapu has no candidates and the same with the MDC,” he said.

“We have vowed not to abandon each other. Welshman Ncube and I have agreed that if he does so I will deal with him and if I do leave him he must deal with me.”

Dabengwa said they had also agreed that they would not have any other coalition with other parties without first agreeing as an alliance.

“If there are some who want to join us, they are free to do so. For instance MDC-T and Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn are welcome if they want to join us,” he said.

But Dabengwa revealed that he would not withdraw from the presidential race to support Ncube’s candidature.

“People didn’t want me to step down even though I wanted to do so,” he said.

“So we agreed with MDC that whenever one of us wins and does not have an outright majority prompting a runoff, the party of the one who lost will back the winner.”

He said Zapu had 40 parliamentary candidates in the southern region and six in the northern region.

On the other hand, MDC has about 200 parliamentary candidates across the country and this means that Zapu will back over 100 MDC candidates in the elections.

“In Bulawayo we have discussed with our candidates to see if they could step down for MDC candidates, but most of them said they were prepared to contest and only one Rodger Muhlwa of Bulawayo, said he respected the MDC candidate for Bulawayo East, David Coltart, and stepped down for him,” Dabengwa said.

Ncube told the same gathering that his party shared the same values and principles with Zapu such as devolution.

“We know we got independence, but we are still not free,” he said. “We remain in bondage in the prison called Zimbabwe. In this election we must free ourselves.”

The Sunday Mail

By Sunday Mail Reporter

7 July 2013

Following the sitting of the Nomination Court almost a fortnight ago, all candidates who will square off in parliamentary elections on July 31 are already preparing for the race. Whether favoured contenders will crumble, pretenders pummelled and victors bask in glory will be determined on this day. This week, The Sunday Mail looks at some of the intriguing duels likely to emerge in some National Assembly constituencies.

Tussle of the Doctors

Dr Philip Chiyangwa vs Dr Peter Mataruse
Dr Philip Chiyangwa (Zanu-PF) — is a man who needs no introduction. One of Zimbabwe’s well-known businessmen, Dr Chiyangwa has made a spectacular return to politics after previously serving the constituency between 2000 and 2005.  With his trademark riches in hand, he has embarked on a vigorous campaign in the town where he has enjoyed popularity for years. Having been recently conferred with an honorary doctorate in philosophy, the property mogul’s curriculum vitae is among the most colourful.

During his time as a legislator, Dr Chiyangwa made news headlines after he moved a motion calling for the axing of Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay, who was accused of supporting white farmers who had refused to comply with Government’s empowerment policies.

Dr Peter Matarutse (MDC-T) — The Chinhoyi-based medical doctor is not new in political circles as he once served as Mayor of Chinhoyi. He sailed through as a candidate for his party after beating the then incumbent, Mr Stewart Garadhi. During his tenure as Mayor, Dr Matarutse served as a Zanu-PF member. He is viewed as a technocrat, which could help him in the contest.

Mabvuku-Tafara : the urban test 

Cde Godwills Masimirembwa vs Mr James Maridadi Cde Godwills Masimirembwa (Zanu-PF) — This may be one battle in which the notion that Harare is an MDC-T stronghold will be put to the test. The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) chairman has been carrying out philanthropic work in the constituency through his non-governmental organisation, the Godwills Masimirembwa Trust. Mr Masimirembwa is also the chairperson of the Zimbabwe Institute of Legal Studies.

Mr James Maridadi (MDC-T) — He rose to prominence as a radio disc jockey and power utility Zesa Holdings spokesman. He made a surprise switch when he was appointed Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesperson after the formation of the inclusive Government.  He was, however, deemed a victim of senior MDC-T officials who felt he did not have a strong political history. He was later replaced by journalist Luke Tamborinyoka.

Masvingo Urban

Dr Daniel Shumba vs Mr Tongai Matutu. Dr Shumba (Zanu-PF) —Business tycoon Dr Shumba is one of the many “comeback kids” in Zanu-PF.  A former Zanu-PF chairman for Masvingo, he is also a retired colonel, having served in the Zimbabwe National Army. He, however, left Zanu-PF in 2006 after being part of senior party officials that conducted a controversial meeting in Tsholotsho. After leaving Zanu-PF, Dr Shumba went on to form the United People’s Party (UPP) where he served as the interim president. He, however, rejoined Zanu-PF in 2010 and his comeback was later endorsed by the Politburo.

Mr Tongai Matutu (MDC-T) — The Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment gets into this contest after he only narrowly managed to sail through in his party’s primary elections.  A lawyer by profession, the jury is still out on his performance in the inclusive Government. In September 2010, Mr Matutu allegedly slapped and punched Chief Serima at Matizha Business Centre. Masvingo magistrate Mr Oliver Mudzongachiso on Thursday found him guilty and ordered him to pay a fine of US$100.

Bulawayo East — labour and law meet 

Ms Tabita Khumalo vs Mr David Coltart  Mr Coltart (MDC) — The Minister of Education, Arts, Sport and Culture, who served as a Senator in the Seventh Parliament, has chosen to run for a National Assembly seat. During his tenure in Government, Mr Coltart experienced mixed fortunes. He was credited with recording some achievements in the ministry and is generally regarded as a hard working public servant.

One of the lowest points of his tenure was when he was adjudged to have played an influential role in the awarding of a tender for the printing of books to a British-owned publishing firm, Longman, ahead of indigenous companies that include Zimbabwe Publishing House, Mambo Press and College Press.  He also, it was alleged, attempted to smuggle Western ideology into the country via literature that contains dodgy political undertones.

Ms Khumalo (MDC-T) — A vocal political operator known for her no-holds-barred approach, she courted controversy after saying she had mobilised more than 300 prostitutes in Bulawayo to make them join a representative union under which their activities would be legalised.

“Yes, I have so far mobilised more than 300 commercial sex workers. I want them to form a union and make them sign a petition that will seek to decriminalise their activities. They are workers, just like you and me. I do not see any harm in them being unionised. I will, therefore, help them join worker representative unions such as the ZCTU so that they get the recognition and services that other workers’ unions in the country are getting,” she was quoted as saying.

At grassroots, she is known as a community mobiliser.  Well, the die has been cast, the gloves are off and it is game on.

Daily News

By Wendy Muperi

7 July 2013

HARARE – With two days left before the curtain comes down on the second voter registration exercise, frustration continues to characterise the process as centres continue to serve a few people per day.

“I got here around 5am and I was number 20,” one elated first-time voter told the crew after staying at the office for five hours before being served.

Hundreds of people are failing to make it into the vital book every day.

State media recently said nearly half-a-million first- time voters have managed to register — but due to the limited time the officials have — first-time voters are being deprived of the 30 days of voters’ roll inspection, as required under the law.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s (Zec) Rita Makarau, in an interview with State media, said the organisation — responding to complaints — has deployed more teams to speed up the process.

Six more teams were now on the ground in Harare while between one and two were added in some needy rural communities.

Nevertheless, the number of people who will not cast their vote remains high as thousands are being turned away every day for lack of the required paper work — particularly the issue of citizenship.

Some commentators and political parties allege the delays and inefficiency are meant to dishearten voters especially in MDC strongholds.

Education minister David Coltart said massive-scale rigging will win Zanu PF victory in the impending general election only if Zimbabweans succumb to apathy.

“However, that will only work if we are apathetic. If we all turn out and vote — every last woman and man who want to change our beloved nation for the better — rigging becomes more difficult. It is easier to rig an election when few people turn out and becomes progressively harder the more who vote,” said Coltart in a Facebook post on Friday.

“But one cannot vote unless one is registered — every person still has that opportunity until July 9. So if you are not registered please do so over the next 5 days. We cannot afford to allow Zanu PF to steal the future of our children again,” he added.

Zimbabwe’s second round of voter registration commenced on June 19 and is expected to end on Tuesday July 9, this brings the total days devoted to the process to 50.

News Day

By Phillip Chidavaenzi

6 July 2013

It is now a reality that Zimbabwe is headed for elections, and the techno-savvy among the country’s politicians have taken to social media as they explore new campaign strategies primarily targeted at young people who constitute the bulk of potential voters.

The country’s youths spend lots of time on the internet and social media: Facebook, Twitter and Blogger among others and these have become a target area for vote-hungry politicians.

Bulawayo East legislator David Coltart (MDC), who is very active on social media, recently opened a Facebook page titled David Coltart Campaign 2013 which provides information on the forthcoming elections, voter registration centres and his re-election campaign. By yesterday, the page had secured 479 likes.

Jessie Fungayi Majome (MDC-T), Harare west legislator, runs a very active Facebook page, which goes by her name, through which she constantly interacts with residents in her constituency.

Through the site, residents in the constituency are able to track their parliamentary representative.

Majome also uses the Facebook page to facilitate effective representation of her constituency.

“Dear Harare Westerners. The awful Bloomingdale and Ashdown Park electricity blackout is back again for three days! In this cold weather! Thanks Chinhoyi Resident for alerting me.

“I’ll follow up with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority to see what is being done. Just when we have processed the Electricity Amendment Bill in Parliament to streamline by unbundling the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, thereby separating electricity transmission and commercial supply of it .

“That should result in greater efficiency, meanwhile, let’s follow up these faults,” she wrote.
Following her successful nomination to represent the party again in Harare West, Majome took to Twitter on June 28.

Youth Development Minister and MP for Mt Darwin South, Saviour Kasukuwere (Zanu PF) is also another techno-savvy, youthful legislator who commands a 2 498 and 6 635—strong following on Facebook and Twitter respectively.

Kasukuwere has recently been using his Twitter account to campaign for President Robert Mugabe.

One of his most recent posts was an open invitation for people to come and attend the launch of Zanu PF election campaign and manifesto.

Former MP for Hatfield Tapiwa Mashakada is also active on Facebook and Twitter. But his use of the social media platforms has been confined to his ministry’s work and the same goes for Elton Mangoma (Makoni North), Tendai Biti (Harare East) — who has 10 000 likes on Facebook, Nelson Chamisa (Kuwadzana) and Eric Matinenga (Buhera).

Biti has also used the platforms to beef up Tsvangirai’s political fortunes.

In one instance, he wrote on Facebook: “I spent hours with the PM yesterday in two very challenging meetings, but his patience, kindness, fairness and ability to hear and be heard never ceases to amaze me.

“I think that humility is the greatest quality of leadership and this man has it in surplus. This is the kind of leader that Zimbabwe has never had, maybe during the rein of Garfield Todd.”

Zanu PF’s legislators have also been part of the bandwagon, notably its young turks such as Walter Mzembi (Masvingo South) and Supa Mandiwanzira (aspiring for Nyanga South).

Psychology Maziwisa, the Zanu PF deputy information director, commands 8 379 Facebook likes.

Maziwisa has occasionally used the platform to throw potshots at the MDC-T.

Multimedia expert John Mokwetsi said apart from its ability to lure the youth vote, politicians have realised the potential of social networking sites in reaching a wider audience.

“Due to the short notice of the election date, politicians have realised that social networks can give them the reach they need.

“The country has a mobile penetration rate of 97% and uptake of the Internet has risen significantly,” he said.

He cited cases of the shadowy character, Baba Jukwa, whose following on social networks has risen sharply within a very short space of time.

News Day

By News Day Reporter

6 July 2013

The Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture yesterday said schools will close on July 26 to allow for the holding of harmonised elections slated for July 31.

The term was initially scheduled to close on August 8.

In a statement, Education minister David Coltart said this was necessitated by the fact that schools would be used as polling stations.

“This is necessary to enable the participation of teachers in this national exercise as well as the use of schools as polling stations,” said Coltart.

“In order to compensate for lost time, the third term will, therefore, begin on 3 September 2013, instead of 10 September 2013. The end date for the third term remains 5 December 2013.

“The ministry hopes that all concerned will take note of this change to the school calendar.”

The Herald

By The Herald Reporter

6 July 2013

The Ministry of Education, Art, Sports and Culture has brought forward the closure of schools for this term from August 8 to July 26 to cater for the harmonised elections set for July 31.

Education, Art, Sports and Culture Minister David Coltart said in a statement yesterday that the early closure of schools would enable teachers to participate in the national exercise as polling officers.

Most polling stations would be located at schools, a situation that could have disrupted learning and disturbed voting if pupils were allowed to be at schools.

Minister Coltart said in order to compensate for the lost time, the third term would begin on September 3 instead of September 10, while the closing date for the third term remains December 5.

The harmonised elections are scheduled to be held on July 31 after the Constitutional Court upheld the date and threw out five different applications which sought the postponement of the poll to various dates.

The court upheld the proclamation made by President Mugabe on June 13 for the election and nomination dates, which was being challenged by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has since indicated that all its systems were in place for the harmonised polls and now awaited the release of funds from Treasury for voting material and allowances for polling officers.

At least US$130 million is required to conduct the polls to elect a President, national assembly members and councillors. Five presidential candidates, aspiring Members of Parliament and councillors filed their nomination papers at the Nomination Court on Friday last week.