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Young Mighty Warriors in sweet comeback victory

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Young Mighty Warriors
Young Mighty Warriors

By Grace Chingoma

Zimbabwe Under-17 women 3-2 Comoros Under-17 women.The Zimbabwe Under-17 women’s national football team saved themselves the blushes at the Cosafa Championships yesterday when they scored three second-half goals to beat Comoros at The Oval Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Young Mighty Warriors
Young Mighty Warriors

The Young Mighty Warriors, who trailed 2-0 at half-time, dug deeper in the second period and were on target in the 78th, 82nd and 94th minutes to win their first match at the regional tournament.

The tournament is running concurrently with the senior team at the Nelson Mandela Bay. And, today their senior team, the Mighty Warriors, need such a huge fighting spirit when they take on Botswana in a Group C decider.

The Mighty Warriors need to win with two clear goals to progress to the semi-finals.

But the Young Mighty Warriors, who were hammered 7-0 last Friday by hosts South Africa in their first match at the tournament, found a way back to winning ways.

The script had appeared to continue yesterday after Zimbabwe conceded in the fourth minute. They had a goal ruled out for off-side and had a penalty saved in the 45th minute.

Zimbabwe were awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time of the first half, but midfielder Bethel Kondo shot straight at the Comoros keeper Ben Ali Said.

But the Zimbabweans, playing in their first Under-17 Women’s’ Cosafa tournament, pulled one back after defender Morelife Nyagumbo rifled home a shot from the edge of the box to beat Comoros keeper with 12 minutes remaining.

Zimbabwe equalised in the 82nd after midfielder Ropafadzo Maferefa, who had missed before finally got it right, heading into the nets to hit the back of the roof.

The Young Mighty Warriors were smelling victory and coach Annie Konje’s tactical change in the 68th minute paid off. Substitute Brenda Ndarowa repaid the coach’s confidence with an added time match winner that broke the hearts of the islanders.

The Young Mighty Warriors meet East Africans guest Tanzania tomorrow before they complete their round-robin matches with a date against Zambia on Thursday.

The two teams that finish top will proceed to the final this Saturday.

Meanwhile, Mighty Warriors coach Sithetheliwe “Kwinji 15” Sibanda says they have been working on the poor finishing which was their biggest let down in the 0-1 defeat to Tanzania in the Group C opener.

The group was thrown wide open on Saturday following Botswana’s 1-0 victory over the Tanzanians.

The Mighty Warriors, who are still to taste victory in the three-team group, just need to win by at least two goals without conceding to finish top in the group and proceed to the last four. The best runners-up from the three groups make the fourth team in the next round.

“The group is still very much open, so if we only can manage to defend well, create chances and utilise them by scoring.

“In as much as we don’t have pressure as a team, we are looking at it as a must-win game. In the match versus Tanzania we missed chances, so we have been addressing finishing at goals in our training sessions so we hope we can get better tomorrow.

“First game we created chances but we didn’t utilise, so our emphasis was a lot on finishing,” said Sibanda.

Teams
Zimbabwe Under-17: Timmly Kavhura, Lucia Chisvo, Tinotenda Taurai (Elise Moyo, 78th minute), Tanyaradzwa Chihoro, Morelife Nyagumbo, Bethel Kondo, Rudo Machadu, Ropafadzo Maferefa, Thando Sibanda (Brenda Ndarowa, 64th minute), Priscilla Marikosi, Melinda Mapasure.

Comoros: Ben Ali Said Amina, Kadafi Naima, Nadjima Youssouf, Issouffi Nilmat, Mohamed Dalila, Ahamed Nourouzamane, Noussrat Mistoihi, Mohamed Chaharizade, Said Ali Hauodhoiti, Saoudata Rachid Athmoumane, Moinahedji Mohamed. The Chronicle.

Pakistan thump Zim to seal T20 series

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Pakistan proved too strong for a sloppy Zimbabwe as they won the second Twenty20 international cricket match by eight wickets in Rawalpindi yesterday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Haider Ali
Haider Ali

Riding on half-centuries from skipper Babar Azam (51) and 20-year-old Haider Ali (66 not out), Pakistan made short work of a modest 135-run target, achieving victory with 29 balls to spare.

Zimbabwe, who were sent in to bat, never recovered from early strikes by paceman Haris Rauf (3-31) and spinner Usman Qadir (3-23) as they were restricted to 134-7 in 20 overs.

Haider, playing only his third international match, cracked three sixes and six boundaries in a 43-ball knock and was declared man of the match.

Azam, ranked second in the world T20 batting rankings, smashed eight fours and a six off just 28 balls, the fastest of his 16 T20 international fifties.

Haider and Azam added 100 for the second wicket, taking away the game from Zimbabwe despite losing opener Fakhar Zaman for just five in the third over.

Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani took two wickets for 33 runs, including Azam.

Khushdil Shah cracked the winning boundary in his 11 not out.

The last match of the series is scheduled for today, also in Rawalpindi.

Earlier, Ryan Burl (32 not out) and Wesley Madhevere (24) were the main scorers for Zimbabwe, with Burl smashing the last ball of the innings for a big six.

Pakistan’s Rauf, who took 20 wickets in last year’s Big Bash in Australia, removed Brendan Taylor (three) and skipper Chamu Chibhabha (15) in successive overs.

Donald Tiripano (15) added 30 for the seventh wicket with Burl before falling to Rauf in the 19th over.

Usman, son of the late Pakistan star spinner Abdul Qadir, chipped in with the wickets of Madhevere, Sikandar Raza (seven) and Elton Chigumbura (18) to further derail Zimbabwe.

Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza became the first umpire to officiate in 50 T20 internationals.

Teams
Pakistan: Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam (capt), Haider Ali, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain

Zimbabwe: Brendan Taylor (wk), Chamu Chibhabha (capt), Sean Williams, Wesley Madhevere, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Elton Chigumbura, Tendai Chisoro, Donald Tiripano, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava. AFP.

EcoCash, Steward Bank drive Cassava Smartech revenue

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Listed financial technology firm Cassava Smartech’s revenues for the four months to February 2020, jumped 318 percent to $4,6 billion from $1,1 billion in the prior comparable period.

“Despite the challenges in the obtaining operating environment, the group recorded revenue of $4,6 billion, compared to four months revenue for the period ended February 2019 of $1,1 billion,” reported management.

Cassava recorded an increase in gross profit margin to 68 percent from 57 percent in 2019 and in the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) margin to 29 percent, from 27 percent in the prior year.

According to the group, the increase occurred despite the pressure that the economic environment has continued to place on the business margins.

“To mitigate this, the business embarked on an elaborate cost optimisation drive to complement the revenue generation initiatives being implemented,” said management.

Cassava said continued depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar against the United States dollar, during the period under review, had a significant impact on the company’s financial performance as it realised foreign exchange losses amounting to $2 billion.

As at the reporting date, the group had net foreign liabilities amounting to US$42,8 million, of which US$30,5 million comprise of the group’s 50 percent allocation of the overall liability in the debentures issued by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited.

When the group was spun off telecommunications giant Econet Wireless Zimbabwe in 2018, it basically consisted of the mobile money (EcoCash) and banking (Steward Bank) segments.

The company has been consistently diversifying to include remittance service, an insurance technology company for cars, education, a ride hailing service and healthcare.

Although the mobile money and banking segments still account for the bulk of its revenue, management is pleased with the growth of the novel segments.

“Mobile money and banking businesses contributed 89 percent (FY19: 91 percent) of total revenue for the year.

“The decline in percentage contribution for the Fintech business segment reflects the positive effects of the group’s revenue diversification strategy.

“The ongoing transformation of the business within the group remains a priority as we work on scaling up the new businesses and diversifying our revenue earnings for sustainability,” said the group.

“We are excited about the growth of Agritech and Moovah revenues included in our Insurtech and Other segments respectively. The growth was largely driven by the digital on-demand agriculture platform catering for both small-holder and large-scale commercial farmers as well as the non-motor business for the short-term insurance business unit.

“Our Life business (EcoSure) maintained solid performance, anchored on innovative digital on-boarding platforms as well as enhanced product mix to cater for the cross profile of the segments we service.” The Chronicle.

Gringo is not dead!

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Nehanda Radio
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Lazarus Boora aka Gringo
Lazarus Boora aka Gringo

This story has now been overtaken by events….

Veteran comedian Lazarus “Gringo” Boora has died. He was 47. Gringo who was admitted at Westview Hospital in Zimre Park died this morning barely a day after his doctor had to deny premature reports that he had died over the weekend.

Below is the old story…….

By Tafadzwa Zimoyo

Local comedian and actor Lazarus Boora (Gringo) is alive and recovering at Westview Medical Centre in Zimre Park, Harare where he is hospitalised.

Lazarus Boora aka Gringo
Lazarus Boora aka Gringo

This was confirmed by Gringo’s doctor, Dr Johannes Marisa yesterday after social media was awash with messages claiming that the popular actor had died.

“I’m surprised by the reports on social media. Gringo is still recovering at our hospital and I’ve just attended to him,” Dr Marisa said yesterday morning.

In an interview on Saturday, the doctor revealed that they conducted tests on Gringo and were awaiting some of the results.

Lazarus Boora (Gringo) is alive and recovering at Westview Medical Centre in Zimre Park, Harare where he is hospitalised.“We’ve conducted all the necessary tests and check-ups that where need to be done. Unfortunately, because of medical ethics and council, I can’t divulge the results and what Gringo is suffering from. For now, we request you to go with what his wife has told you,” he said.

The actor’s wife Netsai Meki, said she was shocked by the fake news of her husband’s death. She also confirmed that he is alive before asking for people to respect Gringo and desist from taking pictures of him on the hospital bed each time they visit him.

“I just fed him this afternoon. I’d like to thank everyone who’s concerned over Gringo’s health and I ask those who visit not to take photographs of him on his hospital bed. They are causing unnecessary alarm and despondency as it sends a wrong signal.

“They can visit, but for now, no pictures,” she said.

According to family members, Gringo is battling intestine obstruction and has a sitting discomfort, backache, hearing and talking difficulties.

Last year the actor underwent surgery for an appendix rupture before he relocated to his rural home in Rusape. He recently returned to Harare where has been staying with his wife and three children. The Chronicle.

No by-elections anytime soon: VP Chiwenga

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By Moses Matenga and Harriet Chikandiwa

Vice-President and Health minister Constantino Chiwenga has vowed that by-elections will not take place anytime soon during the COVID-19 pandemic period despite health officials saying polls were possible.

Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Picture by © AFP/Wilfred Kajese)
Vice President General Constantino Chiwenga (Picture by © AFP/Wilfred Kajese)

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently issued a statement saying that it was safe to conduct elections.

In his opposing affidavit in response to a High Court application by the Election Resource Centre (ERC), the Women’s Academy for Leadership (Walpe) and six other applicants, Chiwenga claimed that banning by-elections would save lives.

This is despite other countries successfully holding elections in spite of the COVID-19 crisis.

Ironically President Emmerson Mnangagwa this week rushed to Tanzania to observe the inauguration of President John Magufuli who was elected in last week’s highly-contested polls.

Other countries like Malawi have also held presidential elections during the COVID-19 era.

In the High Court application, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is cited as the first respondent while Mnangagwa is the second respondent.

“There is, therefore, already an existing considerable risk of a conflagration in the spread of the pandemic due to the laxity which has developed among the population. It is as if the pandemic has ceased to exist,” Chiwenga said.

“As such, any additional restrictive measure to curb the increase of the risk of infection is essential to protect the population,” he said, adding that infections could spiral out of control “to an extent where they can become unmanageable and overwhelm the country’s medical resources”.

Chiwenga said Zimbabwe could not blindly follow what other countries were doing by holding elections during the COVID-19 period.

“It is up to Zimbabwe to take such measures to safeguard its people and it cannot do that blindly following what other countries are doing.

“Some countries in Europe, for instance, went overboard with relaxations, now they are hastily re-introducing the stringent measures which they had before. Now they are reaping the fruits of having opened up too much and having failed to exercise caution, we do not want our country to get into that same situation.”

Chiwenga continued: “It should be noted that while WHO guidelines permit the holding of elections, they require that they should be held in circumstances where the risk of the spread of the pandemic is minimal or minimised.

But Chiwenga said: “With the kind of medical resources available to us, we cannot afford to have a situation such as is taking place in the United States. The numbers of infections and deaths in Zimbabwe may presently be low when compared to the statistics of other countries. This, however, is no justification for holding by-elections which may result in a spike in those numbers, leading to unnecessary suffering or deaths. Government would be irresponsible if it were to allow that to happen.”

Chiwenga then cited the Constitution, saying it clearly states that everyone has a right to life, adding that “there is no need for even one life to be lost simply because we want to hold elections”.

He also said Zec’s functions were not prescribed as an essential service under lockdown legislation and the COVID-19 regulations, hence elections could not be called.

He denied that his move was unconstitutional, saying: “I deny that SI 225A of 2020 is ultra vires section 68 of the Public Health Act or sections 158 and 159 of the Constitution. I further deny that in enacting SI 225A of 2020, I suspended the operation of the Constitution, or acted above, or in conflict with, the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

“I also deny that the regulations contained in SI 225A 2020 are grossly irrational and unreasonable and in support of my denial. I wish to make it clear that I enacted SI 225A of 2020 after taking expert legal advice from officials in my ministry.”

Chiwenga said he had observed that Zimbabweans were no longer wearing masks and observing social distancing in public places. NewsDay

Ziyambi divorce takes nasty turn

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Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi

By Charles Laiton

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi’s estranged wife, Florence, has accused the Cabinet minister of engaging in an extra-marital relationship with an official from the Sheriff’s office, whom he has allegedly been using to falsify information on return of services in the couple’s on-going divorce matter.

Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi

Florence made the remarks in her opposing founding affidavit after Ziyambi approached the High Court seeking leave to serve her with divorce summons through publication in local newspapers.

In his application, which was entertained and granted by High Court judge Justice Jacob Manzunzu on November 2, 2020, the minister said he had caused for summons to be issued on August 28, 2020 after his marriage to Florence had irretrievably broken down.

He further claimed in an attempt to serve the divorce summons to Florence, the Sheriff’s office attempted on six different occasions at both her given residential address and workplace, but their efforts were fruitless.

“Efforts to locate her (Florence) have been in vain. I have even made inquiries with the police officers who are manning her residence and her co-workers have not been forthcoming with the information regarding respondent’s (Florence) current whereabouts,” Ziyambi said.

“Respondent is aware that she has to be personally served with the divorce summons and would do anything to frustrate such personal service, that is why the police officers and her co-workers are not forthcoming on her current whereabouts and this has prompted me to file this present application.”

However, in her response to the claims, Florence dismissed Ziyambi’s assertions saying the minister was simply playing to the gallery and making fun of the divorce proceedings, more so by using his girlfriend identified only as Gamuchirai.

“This is a lie being perpetrated by the applicant (Ziyambi) to please his mistress as he is fond of embarrassing me and scoring bad publicity for me,” she said.

“I have been staying with the applicant throughout our marriage with him and he knows that as a fact. I will prove that fact at an appropriate stage before this honourable court.

“The applicant is also making fun of these divorce proceedings by lying to the court that I am nowhere to be found when he sits in the Cabinet Committee on Legislation which he chairs almost on a weekly or fortnightly basis. I sit in the same Cabinet Committee where I have always attended.”

She added: “… I understand the applicant, who is in some relationship with a senior officer in the Sheriff’s office, is cooking up these false returns of service with that person’s assistance. In the fullness of time, I will not shy away from identifying her in full, but she is called Gamuchirai.”

Florence further said she currently does not have a personal assistant as the one she used to have was promoted and the Office of the President and Cabinet was in the process of recruiting one for her.

She said the purported return of service by the Sheriff’s office was laden with lies.

“However, I deny that I was elusive or evasive to anyone since I am not being served with any harmful court process but divorce summons which the Sheriff maliciously published before I am even served,” Florence said.

Meanwhile, Justice Manzunzu has granted Ziyambi his application and allowed him to serve the divorce summons through the newspapers.

“Applicant be and is hereby granted leave to serve the summons under case number HC4714/20 and any other subsequent pleadings under the case number HC4714/20, including the notice of set down by way of publication in a widely circulating newspaper in Zimbabwe, namely the Herald, or any other publication circulating in Zimbabwe,” the judge said.

“Applicant to further serve the divorce summons (only) on a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police who will be manning the respondent’s residence at 384 New Forest Marlborough, Harare.”The divorce matter is pending. NewsDay

MPs skip Parliament to see boyfriends, girlfriends

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Victor Matemadanda
Victor Matemadanda

By Nkulumani Mlambo

It is taking long to pass Bills in Parliament because MPs, particularly Zanu PF are skipping the august House to see their boyfriends and girlfriends, the ruling party’s national political commissar, Victor Matemadanda has said.

Victor Matemadanda
Victor Matemadanda

He said that there is serious indiscipline among party MPs to the extent that even President Mnangagwa has given up on them.

The MPs only attend Parliament for the purpose of collecting fuel coupons.

Matemadanda, who is also Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans said this during a Zanu PF
Masvingo Province Coordinating Committee (PCC) meeting held at GZU School of Education on
Saturday.

Matemadanda said Zanu MPs have a tendency of attending Parliament sessions only to get fuel
coupons and disappear to their girlfriends and boyfriends leaving Bills unpassed.

He said the party is failing to pass the Bills because of a lack of quorum. “Zanu PF is capable of passing laws on its own in Parliament because we have the numbers but our MPs are not patriotic to the party. We have MPs who soon after getting their fuel coupons on Wednesday disappeared to their girlfriends and boyfriends, leaving Parliament business unfinished.

“Some go to their farms and use diesel for farming instead of Parliament business.

“The President assigned me to talk to these MPs but they have defied me. He even assigned VP Mohadi but they won’t listen to him. The President has given up on these MPs because he believes and has allowed democratic space in the party.

“Therefore as you elect your DCC members please don’t elect place holders; elect real cadres of the
party,” said Matemadanda. Masvingo Mirror

Swindon police shooting: Man dies after street row

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Investigations continued at the scene in Summers Street throughout Sunday
Investigations continued at the scene in Summers Street throughout Sunday

A man has been shot dead by a police officer in Swindon.

Investigations continued at the scene in Summers Street throughout Sunday
Investigations continued at the scene in Summers Street throughout Sunday

The 57-year-old man died just before 03:00 GMT in the shooting in Summers Street, said the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which is investigating.

It said the shooting happened after Wiltshire Police were called to two men “arguing in the street.”

The force said it would be stepping up its presence in the area but added there was no danger to the public.

In a statement, the IOPC said police were called to Summers Street, in the Rodbourne area of Swindon, just after 02:00 GMT.

“At this early stage it is believed a 57-year-old man has been fatally shot during the police response to reports of two men arguing in the street,” the statement said.

The IOPC said the man was confirmed dead in an ambulance at 02:56 GMT.

It said investigators were at the scene and were speaking to officers involved in the incident.

The IOPC added it was “mandatory for us to conduct an independent investigation when the police fatally shoot a member of the public”.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with all of those affected by this terrible incident,” it added.

Wiltshire Police said it would not be commenting on the incident because of the IOPC investigation.

A spokesman said: “We would, however, like to reassure the public there is no risk to the wider community and that there is likely to be an increased police presence in the area for a considerable time.” BBC News

US election: African leaders congratulate Joe Biden

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Leaders across Africa have been congratulating US President-elect Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, following their victory.

Joe Biden visited Kenya when he was vice-president, here meeting those affected by the 1998 bombing of the US embassy (Picture by AFP)
Joe Biden visited Kenya when he was vice-president, here meeting those affected by the 1998 bombing of the US embassy (Picture by AFP)

“I urge Mr Biden to deploy his vast experience in tackling the negative consequences of nationalist politics on world affairs,” Nigeria’s leader said.

Uganda’s president hoped a trade deal that gives African nation duty free access to US markets would be renewed.

Ms Harris was described as a “trailblazer” by Kenya’s president.

She has made history as the first female, first black and first Asian-American US vice-president-elect.

Many of the leaders on the continent have pointed to Mr Biden’s track record and said how much they looked forward to working with him.

The 77-year-old was first elected to the US senate in 1972 and served as Barack Obama’s vice-president for eight years.

Nigeria: ‘Respect will of the people’

Muhammadu Buhari, president of Africa’s most populous nation and biggest economy, said Mr Biden’s victory came at a” time of uncertainty and fear in world affairs”.

“His election is a reminder that democracy is the best form of government because it offers people the opportunity to change their government by peaceful means,” Mr Buhari said.

US President Donald Trump has yet to concede and has not spoken publicly since his defeat.

“Respect for the will of the people is the very reason why democracy remains the best form of government, despite its limitations from one polity to another, and from one society to another,” Nigeria’s leader said.

He added that Nigeria hoped for greater co-operation with the US “especially at economic, diplomatic and political levels, including the war against terrorism.”

He said nationalist politics had created “divisions and uncertainties” in the world – and urged Mr Biden to instead “introduce greater engagement with Africa on the basis of reciprocal respect and shared interests.”

Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo added his congratulations and spoke of Africa’s pride in seeing the election of Ms Harris, who has an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father.

“We in Africa are proud of her success. The first African-American President of the US, Barrack Obama, has Kenyan DNA in him and I am reasonably sure that the first African-American female vice-president-elect of the US will have some Nigerian DNA in her as most of those taken to the Caribbean from Africa went from Nigeria of today,” the ex-president said.

Kenya: ‘A friend to our country’

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Mr Biden’s “emphatic win” was “a demonstration of Americans’ confidence in the leadership credentials of the former vice-president”.

“President-elect Joe Biden is a friend of our country who has visited us in the past and helped in strengthening the strong ties that exist between us and the United States of America,” President Kenyatta said in a statement.

“His win therefore presents an even bigger and better platform for our two countries to collaborate more closely for the prosperity of the people of our two nations.”

He said Ms Harris would be a role model who would “help inspire and embolden millions of young girls across the world to chase and achieve their dreams of greatness and success.”

Mr Kenyatta also thanked Mr Trump and his administration and said that he “wished him well as he exits the high office of the president of the United States of America.”

Uganda: ‘Trade plea’

Uganda’s leader, Yoweri Museveni, sent congratulations to Mr Biden and greetings from the Ugandan people, reminding him of the countries’ close links.

“The USA, with its black population of 47.4m people, as well as a large Christian population linked with us by faith, could easily be a natural ally of Uganda and Africa,” President Museveni tweeted.

“Previous American presidents have already positively used these linkages by putting in place the African Growth And Opportunity Act [Agoa]… We salute this policy & hope that President Biden maintains it.”

Agoa is the flagship US trade legislation designed to boost trade and investment in qualifying African countries by granting duty-free access to 6,500 exported products – it was signed into law by US Bill Clinton in 2000 and boosted and extended by his successors George W Bush and Mr Obama.

It is due to expire in 2025 and if it is not renewed it could have a severe impact on smaller and poorer nations.

Namibia: ‘Opposed apartheid’

The president of Namibia said the country, which gained its independence in 1990 from white-minority ruled South Africa after a 25-year war, appreciated Mr Biden’s support at the time.

“During our struggle for freedom, we came to know him as a senator who opposed apartheid in South Africa and the region,” President Hage Geingob tweeted.

“I look forward to working with @JoeBiden for stronger bilateral relations and multilateralism for a fairer world.”

Liberia: ‘We all face a global health crisis’

George Weah, president of Liberia, one of three countries severely affected by West Africa’s 2014-16 Ebola outbreak, pointed to the coronavirus pandemic in his congratulatory message to Mr Biden.

“He assumes the leadership of the United States at a very challenging time for the country and the world as we all face a global health crisis. I urge all Americans to forge together in peace and unity,” he tweeted.

“As the traditional ally of the United States, Liberia stands ready to further enhance and rekindle our long, historic and unique bilateral relations. Congratulations!”

Egypt: ‘Joint action’

President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, a close ally of Mr Trump who has backed Egypt in the row over a controversial built by Ethiopia on the River Nile, said he hoped good relations between the countries would continue with Mr Biden.

“The president stressed the aspiration for co-operation and joint action to strengthen the strategic bilateral relations between Egypt and the United States, in the interest of the two friendly countries and peoples,” the Reuters news agency quoted his spokesman as saying.

Zimbabwe: ‘Increased co-operation’

The president of Zimbabwe, whose country has a tense relationship with the US over its human rights record, did not stint on his congratulations.

Some Zimbabwean individuals and businesses have been subject to sanctions going back 20 years.

“Zimbabwe wishes you every success in leading the American people. I look forward to working with you to increase co-operation between our two nations,” President Emmerson Mnangagwa tweeted.

Ghana: ‘Unity for all Americans’

Ghana’s Nana Akufo-Addo described Mr Biden’s victory as “decisive” and congratulated Ms Harris on making history.

“It is my sincere hope that President-Elect Biden’s tenure in office will be marked by the delivery of unity, security, progress and prosperity to all Americans,” he tweeted.

“I am hopeful that over the course of his presidency, relations between Ghana and the United States of America will continue to grow from strength to strength, relations which have, over the years, been based on a shared agenda of freedom, development, progress and prosperity.”

Ethiopia, Niger, Senegal, Somalia and South Africa:

Other leaders sent out short congratulatory messages not long after the result came through on Saturday.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Niger’s President Issoufou Mahamadou, Senegalese President Macky Sall, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Somalia’s leader Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, known as Farmajo, were among those who took to Twitter saying they looked forward to working with Mr Biden:

BBC News

Anthony Mandiwanza, when is the right time to step down?

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Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi (Picture by Innovation Village.co.zw)
Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi (Picture by Innovation Village.co.zw)

By Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi

Dairibord, former Dairy Marketing Board (DMB) was once one of the largest food producers in southern Africa, was founded in 1951 and listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) in 1997.

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi (Picture by Innovation Village.co.zw)
Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi (Picture by Innovation Village.co.zw)

Dairibord is the owner of Lyons Zimbabwe, a food company manufacturing beverages, ice creams, cordials, condiments, sauces and spreads and the biscuit and baking company M.E. Charhons, and has a majority stake in Dairibord Malawi jointly owned with the Malawian Government.

In 1997, when Anthony Mandiwanza took over as CEO he gained knowledge and experience, and launched initiatives that helped to boost the bottom line.

Fast-forward, after 24 years the same executive is risk-averse and slow to adapt to change and the company’s performance is on the decline. The pattern is so common that many refer to the “seasons” of a CEO’s tenure, analogous to the seasons of the year.

Research indicates that the longer a CEO serves, the more the firm-employee dynamic improves. The facts point that an extended term strengthens customer ties only for a time, after which the relationship weakens and the company’s performance diminishes, no matter how united and committed the workforce is.

There was a study of 356 United States companies from 2000 to 2010. They measured CEOs tenure and calculated the strength of the firm-employee relationship each year (by assessing such things as retirement benefits and layoffs) and the strength of the firm-customer relationship (by assessing such things as product quality and safety). There was a measure of magnitude and volatility of stock returns. The results show that the optimal tenure length of a CEO is 4.8 years.

Mr Mandiwanza has more than 32 years at Dairibord, 24 of which you have been CEO. Laws of diminishing returns will surely be set in judging how much the company has severely shrunk. The underlying reasons for the pattern, we believe, have to do with how CEOs learn.

Previous research has shown that different learning styles prevail at different stages of the CEO life cycle. Early on, when new executives are getting up to speed, they seek information in diverse ways, turning to both external and internal company sources. This deepens their relationships with customers and employees alike.

Board members should be watchful for changes in the firm executive, management and customer relationship. They should be aware that long-tenured CEOs may be skilled at employee relations but less adept at responding to the marketplace. CEOs that serve for a longtime are great motivators but weak strategists, unifying workers around a failing course of action.

Dairibord has to start working on a succession plan to prevent, “Mugabe Syndrome.” The CEO succession planning is one of the most important responsibilities of the company’s board, and must be part of the key strategic issues as it addresses sustainable corporate governance requirements and needs.

In the case of Dairibord, a Zimbabwe’s listed company, it is the duty of the directors to work thoughtfully to anticipate the future of the company, develop potential successor candidates over the years, and to ultimately have one of them step into the top spot when the need arises.

Mr Anthony Mandiwanza, 24 years as a CEO is a very long-time and makes you the only longest serving CEO in Zimbabwe. It is time for a new CEO to take over the helm of our much loved Dairibord.

Regards

Engineer Jacob Kudzayi Mutisi
Shareholder

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