Masvingo music fans are warming up to the maiden Lake October music and sport festival taking place at the Caravan Park and Lake Mutirikwi over the weekend with the stage already set.
The musical show to be headlined by Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and Winky D is promising to be a thriller as well as an early Christmas present for the entertainment starved fans in the ancient city.
Lake October Festival public relations officer Lulu Shoko said as a precursor to event, there will be a golf match this afternoon at Masvingo Sports Club while a 21km marathon will take place at Lake Mutirikwi tomorrow. The musical show will be held tonight at the Caravan Park.
She said after the show, a number of activities will also be held as part of their efforts to market Masvingo as a tourist destination.
“Event attendees will also engage in boat cruising. On Saturday night, DJ Stavo, supported by Masvingo artistes Alchemy, Sir Clakaz, Howard ‘HD’ Mpofu and Floks will perform at the same watering hole.”
Shoko said this was a rare festival where music and sport were being used as promotional tools in tourism.
“We expect a full house as fifty percent of the tickets which are going for $15 for VIP and $5 ordinary have been sold thus far.
“This festival will leave an indelible mark in Masvingo which has been taken as an ordinary province especially on social media. Our aim is to liven up the sleepy city and after such an event, things won’t be the same,” she said.
Those attending have been guaranteed of tight security as organisers have enlisted the services of the Zimbabwe Republic Police and other private security companies The Chronicle
Preparations for the Victoria Falls International Jazz Festival are well on course with Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation Dr Thokozile Chitepo being announced as guest of honour.
Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana
The three-day jazz festival is expected to kick off in the resort town tomorrow.
Organisers have made a number of changes to the initial programme and line-up with the main venue now being The Kingdom Hotel.
Family activities that had been set for Invuvu Rest Camp have been moved to Mama Africa Restaurant where there will be a live jazz Sunday afternoon show.
Entertainment will be provided by Klara Wojtkowska of Poland, Edgar Bere as well as Jazz Invitation and Friends.
Some of the House, Zimdancehall and Gospel sessions have been scrapped off while other international artistes have been removed with new names being added.
Initially organisers had targeted sensational South African music icon, Yvonne Chaka Chaka but have since replaced her with Dr Chitepo. This is after Chaka Chaka indicated that she had other commitments.
The main jazz festival will now be held on Saturday at The Kingdom Hotel and will feature performances by Patrick Lupi of France and Steve Dyer.
A jazz awards ceremony has been slated for the Victoria Falls Hotel and will start at 6:30PM. There will also be a Zim tribute set where selected artistes will honour some industry greats.
Dudu Manhenga will pay tribute to Dorothy Masuka while Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana will honour Tladi with Rute Mbangwa paying tribute to Zexie Manatsa.
Saturday evening will close with a jazz invitation session featuring Jeys Marabini and Plus Friends.
Festival coordinator Clayton Mugabe said the awards would be presented to Dorothy Masuka, Zex Manatsa, the late August Musarurwa, Green Jangano also late and South Africa jazz promoter Peter Tladi for their contribution to jazz music.
He said preparations for the fete were going on well adding that various speakers including the Permanent Secretary and National Arts Council of Zimbabwe director Nicholas Moyo had confirmed attendance
October 26 will see one of Bulawayo’s most decorated hip-hop artistes Cal Vin being roasted at the Thistle Room (former Walkers Pub & Grill) in Bulawayo at an event organised by Umahlekisa Comedy Club.
Hip-hop singer Cal Vin from Bulawayo
Dubbed the ‘Roast of Cal Vin’, the event will see the rapper being raked over the coals by a wild panel of roasters consisting of noticeable names in the showbiz circles.
Ntando Van Moyo, the founder of Umahlekisa Comedy Club, will be the roast master on the night with the panel comprising Mandla da Comedian, Maroosh, hip-hop artiste Msizkay, Nyasha Diva Mtamangira, Floppy X, journalist Sindiso Dube and Mr Lit.
Moyo said people should come in their numbers to witness the story of Cal Vin being told in a comical manner.
“Everything good, bad, and ugly about Cal Vin shall be spilt on the night. The rapper will also get a chance to roast everyone on the roast panel.
“The line-up is amazing and we have surprise panelists for him,” Moyo said.
He said they wanted the show not to be a once off as it is their hope to have celebrities’ tell their stories in a comical manner.
This concept was taken from the Comedy Central Roasts concept, a series of celebrity roast specials that air on the American television channel Comedy Central. On average, one to two roasts air every year with eight to 10 people invited to roast each other before finally roasting the title subject of each show.
South Africans have also done several roasts series including the roast of Somizi, Steve Hofmeyr and flamboyant businessman Kenny Kunene. The Chronicle
Gold output at Blanket Mine in Matabeleland South clocked 13 978 ounces during the third quarter period ended 30 September 2018, which is a 10 percent increase when compared to the second quarter.
Blanket Mine workers process gold
Parent company, Caledonia Mining Corporation, revealed in a recent production update that total output for nine months at the Gwanda-based mine stood at 39 559 ounces, which is marginally below the 39 710 ounces produced in the corresponding period in 2017.
“Approximately 13 978 ounces of gold were produced during the Quarter, 10 percent above production in the second quarter of 2018 and three percent below production in the third quarter of 2017,” said Caledonia.
“Gold produced for the nine months to September 30, 2018 was 39 559 ounces, marginally behind the 39 710 ounces produced in the corresponding period in 2017.”
Caledonia said positive production was expected to continue into the fourth quarter after directors of the firm took a decision to marginally reduce and narrow the range of 2018 production guidance from between 55 000 to 59 000 ounces to a range of between 54 000 and 56 000 ounces.
Caledonia chief executive officer, Mr Steve Curtis, said the recorded production for the third quarter was a welcome improvement and that the company expects further improvement in the last quarter to December.
“Production of 13 978 ounces in the third quarter of 2018 is a welcome improvement on the production levels achieved in the first two quarters of 2018. The company expects this improvement to be maintained in the fourth quarter of 2018,” he said.
“Notwithstanding the improved operating performance, we believe it is appropriate to adjust and tighten our production guidance for 2018 from the previous level of 55 000 to 59000 ounces to a slightly reduced level of 54 000 to 56 000 ounces.”
Mr Curtis went on to say that grade during the quarter continued to be below expected levels and remains a key area of focus for the business.
Caledonia expects grade to return to budgeted levels in the fourth quarter of 2018 with their technical teams making progress in improving mining practices to minimise dilution. The Chronicle
Eleven prominent lawyers have been shortlisted to attend public interviews for the Prosecutor-General’s post.
Jessie Majome
The post fell vacant following the suspension and subsequent resignation of Advocate Ray Goba in July.
Included on the shortlist is former MDC legislator Ms Jessie Majome, former High Court Judge Mr Maphios Cheda, Acting Prosecutor-General Mr Kumbirai Hodzi and Bulawayo lawyer Mr Tavengwa Hara.
In a statement the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said the interviews will be held in public.
“The Judicial Service Commission wishes to advise the public that following invitation to members of the public and to His Excellency, the President, to nominate suitably qualified persons to be appointed to the position of Prosecutor General of Zimbabwe in terms of Section 259 as read with Section 180 (4) of the Constitution the Commission received 11 valid nominations.
“Starting at 9AM on Thursday November 1, 2018 at Rainbow Towers Hotel in Harare, the Commission will conduct interviews in public of the following 11 candidates…,” read the statement.
Other shortlisted candidates are former deputy prosecutor general Mrs Florence Ziyambi, Law Society of Zimbabwe president Mr Misheck Hogwe, lawyers Mrs Wendy Mangeya, Messrs Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, Edmund Edios Marondedza and Calvin Tichaona Mantsebo and Ms Noria Mashumba.
The office of the PG has of late become a hot seat, with two previous Prosecutors- General having been fired for misconduct. Adv Goba, who chose to resign pending an investigation into his conduct, became the third PG to leave office over the past 10 years.
The first to be removed from office was former Attorney-General Mr Sobusa Gula-Ndebele in May 2008, who doubled as head of criminal prosecution and civil litigation.
He was fired for conducting himself in a manner inconsistent with public office. The dismissal followed recommendations by a tribunal which investigated him.
Mr Gula-Ndebele was succeeded by Mr Johannes Tomana, who was removed from office last year after a tribunal found him to be grossly incompetent in the execution of his duties.
Adv Goba assumed the hot seat but was suspended from office on a raft of misconduct allegations.
Mr Hodzi has been Acting PG since July 24 this year. He had been Deputy Attorney-General in charge of the Legal Advice Section since 2012.
Adv Goba was suspended on allegations of failing to prosecute high-profile cases, travelling abroad without Cabinet authority and use of abusive language, among other charges.The Chronicle
File picture of President Emmerson Mnangagwa capping graduates at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)
By Cletus Mushanawani
President Mnangagwa will today cap 1 719 graduates at Bindura University of Science Education’s 17th graduation ceremony in Bindura.
File picture of President Emmerson Mnangagwa capping graduates at the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT)
The university, which has produced 11 756 graduates to date, has five faculties, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science, Faculty of Commerce, Faculty of Science, Faculty of Science Education and Faculty of Social Science.
At this year’s graduation, President Mnangagwa is expected to cap 878 male and 841 female graduates.
The graduation ceremony will be President Mnangagwa’s second visit to the institution after he officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony of the National Sports Academy early this year.
In a statement, Bindura University of Science Education, said they scored a number of outstanding research initiatives in 2018.
“Bindura University is leading a national project to the tune of 38 387 euros under the Biodiversity Information for Development (BID) programme.
“The programme seeks, among other goals, to catalogue, digitise and publish species records for non-timber forest products.”
The university also signed the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Zimbabwe and represents the country on the International Governing Board.
It also received a grant worth $350 000 from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM).
“The grant will allow the research team to expand work on use of tied contour rain water harvesting system in small grain and legume production for improved household food security, nutrition and income-generation in semi-arid smallholder farming areas of Zimbabwe.
“The university received funding from the International Foundation for Science for the expansion of work in flood recession cropping in Muzarabani area.
“It also received international recognition when the Institution was nominated to host the African Alliance for Disaster Research Institutes (AADRI).
“The alliance seeks to deepen the understanding of disasters and find implementable solutions to achieve disaster resilience; for example, human technical system and infrastructure resilience, survivability and well-being, by integrating knowledge and technologies from around the continent,” read the statement.
This year the university also introduced new programmes that include Masters in Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Masters in Economics,
Masters in Purchasing Supply and Chain Management, BSc in Electronic Engineering, BSc in Optometry, BSc in Animal Health and Production Extension, BSc in Culture and Heritage Studies, BSc in Agricultural Engineering and Mathematics and a Postgraduate Diploma in Infection Prevention and Control.
The university has also forged partnerships with the University of Mauritius, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, University of Johannesburg, Codeco (Pvt) Ltd and TelOne.
The areas of cooperation include staff and student exchanges, research and commercialisation of technology, among others. The Chronicle
Today Clothing retail giant Edgars Stores opens one of its branches in Bulawayo that has been given a a major facelift with a view of enhancing shopping experience.
Edgars
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed retail chain said the branch, which is located at the corner of Jason Moyo and 8th Avenue went through a radical overhaul in a bid to create the ultimate shopping experience in a more inspiring environment with improved core infrastructure and better in-store navigation.
“The revamped store is due to open its doors to the public on Friday. The revamp comes at a time when we are navigating a constantly evolving retail landscape. The current revamp is not only exciting but also happens to be the only major facelift the store in particular has had since the turn of the millennium,” it said. The store was last refurbished in 1997.
“This Southern region flagship branch will set the tone for things to follow in other stores. The store is spread across 3 020m2 of retail floor space and is currently the biggest store in the Edgars Group. This allows for ample space to carry a wide assortment of merchandise and cater for different customer needs,” said Edgars.
The company’s marketing executive Ms Rumbie Dzimba was quoted as saying: “We have realised that it is important to ensure that we are aligned with our customers by being customer-centric and approaching this from a 360 degree aspect hence we will be offering a good range of merchandise assortments of our private label brands, namely Signature, D66, Charter Club, Kelso, Merien Hall, Penny C, New Wave, Free 2 BU among others.
“Our aim is to breed red, hot confidence in all who choose to express themselves in true Edgars style.”
As a brand, the listed clothing concern aims to a strong footing in the market and with the refurbishment of one of its Bulawayo branches, this will go a long way in creating customer convenience.
“The revamp is infused with new design, not only to make customers feel intrigued, but to also ensure customers enjoy the shopping space and easily locate items they are looking for.
“Known for the positive values we embody, we want to infuse the same into the fresh designs in our new store format, which has seen the change in aesthetics of one of our key departments – Beauty and Body Care,” said the clothing giant.
It said it credits the key to its survival and success over the years to delivering value and quality to its customers. The retail chain has over 70 years of existence and has acquired a large physical store footprint across the country with a total of 26 stores. The Chronicle
The #BuyPrinceDube campaign has raised just over $2 500, with a Harare-based Highlanders’ member donating $1 500.
Prince Dube (left) and Bukhosi Sibanda
Addressing the media at the club’s weekly Press conference yesterday, Highlanders chief executive officer Nhlanhla Dube said:
“We set ourselves a closing date; remember it was supposed to run for nine days and at the time of closing we had registered just slightly over $2 500, but there were still other groups that were saying they were still putting money together and were going to channel it through and we continue to encourage people to donate.
We are still giving it a little bit of more time just to allow those that are still sourcing something to come through.
I know the South African and Harare chapters are still doing something so we are still open, we haven’t really closed yet.”
The campaign to buy back Prince Dube was launched late last month and the young striker has since been signed on a two-year contract.
Dube said all the money will be accounted for transparently and those that want receipts for their contributions were free to visit the club’s offices in Bulawayo.
“All funds are coming through via EcoCash except one that went in our bank account and they’re all receipted. We have generated a register where we record amounts coming in and everything is receipted even if it’s a dollar so that whoever wants to collect his or her receipt can come and get it. This is being done for transparency and accountability purposes,” said Dube.
He said the 21-year-old striker will be unveiled to the fans before their league match against Bulawayo City at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.
“We launched the campaign after a request from our fans and we have brought the boy home so this Sunday we want to formally present him to the supporters,” said Dube. The Chronicle
Richard Chihoro (left), Lloyd Chigowe (centre) and Murape Murape closely follow proceedings during Dynamos’ league match against FC Platinum at Mandava in 2018
By Eddie Chikamhi
Dynamos are badly handicapped ahead of the resumption of their relegation fight with some key players missing for their Castle Lager Premiership battle against army side, Black Rhinos, at Rufaro on Sunday.
TAG TEAM . . . Richard Chihoro (left), Lloyd Chigowe (centre) and Murape Murape closely follow proceedings during Dynamos’ league match against FC Platinum at Mandava
The Glamour Boys are likely to march into combat without almost half a dozen regular players, mostly defenders, as injuries and suspensions take a huge toll on interim coach Lloyd Chigowe’s efforts to rescue the team from relegation.
Central defenders, Godfrey Mukambi and James Marufu, are suspended after amassing three yellow cards each while Phakamani Dube who has been one of their outstanding players in defence, remains doubtful after missing training this week due to illness.
Another defender Jimmy Tigere was also conspicuous by his absence at yesterday’s training as he has reportedly accompanied his wife, who is not feeling well, abroad to seek medical treatment.
Their captain Ocean Mushure is still AWOL. Midfielder, Denver Mukamba has since resumed training but was also reported to be struggling with a hamstring injury.
But Chigowe yesterday said DeMbare are up for the task.
The lanky coach also said Dynamos supporters should continue supporting his efforts as he believes he cannot achieve the goal alone despite making a promising start into the job.
Dynamos last week moved from the relegation zone and took a two-point cushion after beating old rivals Caps United 2-1 in the rescheduled Harare Derby at Rufaro.
The win ended a five-match barren run and Chigowe is confident the giants will not sink, with five games remaining.
“I just want to disown the statement that I am a Messiah. I cannot be equated to Jesus Christ. He was too holy. Obviously I have got a job to do and I believe I can do it. Of course, there is also need for divine intervention.
“But going forward Rhinos are tricky opponents. We are trying as best as we can to come out with the best combinations under the circumstances because we have got some suspensions that have affected our team.
“Two of our key players Godfrey Mukambi and James Marufu are suspended for this game and, as it were, we were already depleted given the absence of Ocean Mushure and some of the injuries we already have.
“Phakamani is critically ill. He has not been able to train this whole week and we have to make an adjustment about that one. But it is now for the other guys who will be called up to show that they are really made to be Dynamos players.
“Denver is training, he also has a hamstring challenge and we have rested him for today’s (yesterday) training. Hopefully, by tomorrow (today) he might have recovered.
“Whether he starts or not, it will depend on his physical condition. But in our state now we will accommodate anyone because we are depleted.
“Having said that, we have registered more than 20 players. We should be able to put up a team that will compete and fight with pride and honour.
“I think Rhinos, if they are lucky, might be the only team lucky to face a depleted Dynamos otherwise after this it will be guns blazing against any other opponent coming our way,” said Chigowe.
DeMbare are fighting on two fronts, as they are also set to go into the hat this afternoon for the Chibuku Super Cup semi-final draw.
They made it to the last four along with Triangle, Caps United and defending champions Harare City.
While their main aim is to survive the chop, DeMbare are also keen to finish with a consolation silverware.
“It’s a tricky Harare City, they edged us home and away in our league encounters. Triangle gave us a torrid time when we went to Gibbo and Caps United will be itching for revenge so we will accept whatever comes out of the draw and prepare thoroughly,” said Chigowe.
Their opponents Black Rhinos will also be without their captain Bruce Homora who is also suspended this week because of yellow cards.
Also suspended this weekend is Mutare City goalkeeper Alfred Chiname, Humphrey Ncube, Tatenda Tavengwa (both Bulawayo City), Washington Kahuni, Peter Muzondo (both Shabanie Mine) and the Caps United duo of Joel Ngodzo and Justice Jangano. The Chronicle
He could be the next big thing in contemporary music and he is determined to work hard towards that possibility.
Ashton Nyahora, popularly known as Mbeu
Ashton Nyahora, popularly known as Mbeu, is sowing his seeds in various areas widely and they have been germinating at an amazing rate.
He has performed at big festivals and continues holding shows in many venues every weekend.
It is evident that his mentor Oliver Mtukudzi has given him handy tips for the music journey.
Mbeu’s manager Eugene Museredza has been pushing the brand with zeal and the combined effort is preparing the ground for a bright future.
“We are happy with how people are receiving our music. We are doing our part and fans are supporting us. Our shows have become exciting,” said Museredza.
“The young man knows that working hard is the only way to make it in life.
“In music one has to work harder because success comes with impressing fans. I am happy that he is maturing and living up to many tasks that are coming his way.
“We are making use of live shows to reach out to a wider audience and every week we will be out in different venues delivering our music.”
As part of the process of sowing their seeds in many places, Mbeu and his Mhodzi Tribe will tomorrow night perform at Red Café in the city centre.
Mbeu has performed at the venue before and will be looking forward to meeting the patrons again as well as attract new admirers of his music. The Herald
The musical show to be headlined by Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi and Winky D is promising to be a thriller as well as an early Christmas present for the entertainment starved fans in the ancient city.
