Category: zimbabwe

Source: fastjet links Zimbabwe, SA tourist resorts – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
ZIMBABWE’S fastest growing airline, fastjet, on Wednesday launched its first flight from Victoria Falls to Mbombela Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in South Africa, the first such connection linking the region’s biggest tourist destinations.

The budget airline’s move is expected to bolster arrivals into the tourism hubs previously only linked by charter flights.

In a statement, fastjet said it would be operating three weekly frequencies on the route on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

“Providing a boost for tourism between the two countries, the new direct flight will be a seamless connection for travellers on the safari circuit, effectively linking the Lowveld lodges in and around the Kruger National Park, directly with Victoria Falls, another of southern Africa’s greatest tourist attractions,” the company said.

“We are delighted to be adding another crucial direct flight connection to Victoria Falls. We believe this route will facilitate accelerated travel between these two globally recognised tourist destinations of Zimbabwe and South Africa, thereby massively contributing to the restart of tourism in the region,” fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson Nunurai Ndawana said

The company said it would operate a 50-seater Embraer ERJ145 aircraft on the route, which is suitable for regional network flights.

Its chief commercial officer Julian Edmunds said response had been “overwhelmingly positive”, since the announcement of the plan later last year.

“Our non-stop service from Victoria Falls to Mbombela Kruger Mpumalanga will benefit a variety of travellers especially those that want to maximise their holiday by exploring multiple southern African destinations in a single visit,” he said.

The airline has been buoyed by relaxations of COVID-19-induced restrictions in Sadc’s prime destinations, and the South African adventure comes just before a planned expansion into Maun, one of Botswana’s tourism hubs.

It hopes that the new swing into connecting Sadc’s leisure capitals would lift under-fire operators out of bankruptcy.

fastjet was one of a few airlines that received specific mention by Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) as the locomotives to drive a projected big bounce back in the sector this year.

AAT, which presides over a string of top-end hospitality gems including the world acclaimed Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, said relaxed COVID-19 restrictions came as global airlines trooped back following a frustrating two years characterised by hard lockdowns.

“The activity and forward planning for the region as witnessed by Africa’s Eden travel show in Victoria Falls, coupled with new airline access and support is immense, making now an incredible time to plan your next trip and travel. Tourism is the fourth pillar of our economy, a significant employer and foreign currency earner, so the easing of these regulations will have further positive impacts on communities, conservation and downstream benefits for the economy,” AAT said recently.

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Source: Blanket lifts revenue 21% after shaft launch – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
GROSS revenue at Caledonia Mining Corporation rose by 21% to US$121 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 after it reported its biggest gold output.

Caledonia operates Gwanda-based gold producer Blanket Mine, which has been on an aggressive expansion drive over the past five years.

According to its operating and financial results for the year ended December 31, 2021, gross revenue during the same period in 2020 stood at US$100 million.

Chief executive officer Steve Curtis said operationally, the review period marked a turning point for the business, which commissioned the US$67 million  Central Shaft during the period.

The project was funded through internal resources.

“Production in the year was 67 476 ounces, which was above the top end of the guidance range and was a new record for annual production,” he said.Curtis said the robust operating performance was supported by good cost control.

Gross profit for the year was US$54,1 million, 16% higher than 2020.

Cash generated from operations before working capital increased by 17% from US$42,4 million to US$49,6 million.

“Now that the central shaft is commissioned, we expect further increases in production.

Guidance for 2022 is a range of 73 000 to 80 000 ounces while from 2023 onwards it is 80 000 ounces — 38% higher than in 2020,” he said.

The aim is to improve the quality and security of Blanket’s electricity supply, minimise environmental footprint and help create a more sustainable future for the business.

Curtis said Caledonia was constructing the first phase of a 12MWac solar plant that would provide approximately 27% of the average daily electricity demand at Blanket Mine.

This project, which is expected to yield a modest return for shareholders, is expected to be completed this year.

He said their immediate strategic focus was to complete the remaining underground development associated with the Central Shaft project, which is expected to increase production, reduce operating costs and increase the flexibility to undertake further exploration and development at depth, thereby safeguarding and enhancing Blanket’s long-term future.

“We also believe there is excellent exploration potential in the older shallower areas of the mine and in brownfield sites immediately adjacent to the existing Blanket footprint.”

He said Caledonia continued to evaluate further investment opportunities in the Zimbabwean gold sector with a view to transform the company into a mid-tier, multi-asset Zimbabwean-focused gold producer.

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Source: Poacher shot dead – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY REX MPHISA
ONE poacher died and others are believed to have been injured in a shootout with game rangers in the Bubye Valley Conservancy in Beitbridge yesterday.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) spokesperson Tinashe Farawo confirmed the death, but said he was yet to get full details.

“I can confirm there was a shootout at the Bubye Valley Conservancy during which a poacher died,” he said.

Bubye Valley Conservancy in Beitbridge District is a big target for both local and international poachers after the Government translocated and established the endangered Black Rhinoceros breeding farm in the vast park.

The conservancy also boasts of perhaps the largest number of lions in the county and beyond.

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Source: Campaign on social media, Zanu PF tells Chamisa – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY MIRIAM MANGWAYA/PRIVELEGE GUMODETE/SHARON BUWERIMWE

THE ruling Zanu PF party yesterday scoffed at the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) complaints about a public media blackout ahead of the March 26 by-elections.

Zanu PF said the opposition party should conduct its campaigns on social media platforms.

Nelson Chamisa’s CCC has often accused the State media, particularly ZBC, of bias in favour of  Zanu PF.

But Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said ZBC was not the only campaign platform, urging the CCC to canvass for support on social media.

“ZBC is not the only channel of communication. We have so many channels of communication. And we also have social media and to me, there are limitless sources of disseminating information and singling out one source. I don’t think it’s fair,” Bimha told NewsDay.

“As a party, we want the media to talk about anyone who is in this game and there is no time that we have given instruction to ZBC to talk about us and us only. There haven’t been any instructions to any media house and ZBC for that matter to say that it should talk about us only.”

The CCC accuses the State media of abdicating its constitutional mandate to provide equal and fair coverage to all political parties.

Section 155 of the Constitution compels the State media to provide all political parties and candidates, contesting an election with fair and equal access to electronic and print media, both public and private.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Wednesday, CCC deputy secretary for elections Ellen Shiriyedenga challenged the State media to be non-partisan in covering political party events.

“We demand credible media reforms. Partisan State media reportage has to stop,” Shiriyedenga said.

CCC has also alleged increase in State-sponsored violence against its members ahead of the by-elections.

Yesterday, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said CCC activist Godfrey Karembera, popularly known as Madzibaba Veshanduko, was brutally assaulted by police for allegedly wearing the party’s yellow regalia.

Karembera is a prominent CCC supporter, who is always seen at rallies in yellow apostolic garments “anointing” party supporters.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi could neither deny nor confirm Karembera’s arrest, saying: “If someone breaks the law, does it mean that they should not be arrested because they are political activists? In Zimbabwe, there are laws to be observed and followed. If someone does not want to get arrested they should not commit a crime.”

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, in a report released on Tuesday, accused police of acting as an extension of Zanu PF to derail the CCC campaign momentum.

“Partisan policing of opposition political party rallies growing and disturbing trend has been observed in the run-up to the March 26 by-elections where police have been blocking CCC rallies while allowing Zanu PF and MDC Alliance to freely campaign,” the report read.

The opposition has also accused police of blocking its campaign rallies, over “flimsy excuses”, the latest being in Marondera on Sunday, Binga on Tuesday and Masvingo this coming Sunday.

In banning the Masvingo rally, police claimed that Zanu PF had already booked the venue and when the CCC chose an alternative, the law enforcement agents said it was too close and could cause inter-party clashes.

In a statement, the Election Resource Centre (ERC) said “police-led repression” undermined the crediblity of the upcoming polls.

“ERC has noted with grave concern the rising levels of police-led oppression and intimidation which are characterising political and campaign activities ahead of the 2022 by-elections,” ERC said.

In a recent report, the Zimbabwe Democracy Institute (ZDI) said State-sponsored violence targeting the opposition was being used as a strategy to tilt the electoral environment in favour of Zanu PF.

“The State-sponsored violence against the opposition shows the covert and overt manipulation of the electoral processes. This is a signpost revealing the nature and context within which the 2023 electoral processes will be conducted,” the ZDI said.

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Source: Mbare arts laboratory opens – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY AGATHA CHUMA
MBARE Arts Space Hub in Harare yesterday officially opened an arts laboratory built from part of a US$44 000 grant provided by the European Union (EU) delegation to Zimbabwe to promote, support and identify talent.

The laboratory, located along Parazangu Avenue in Mbare, will be used for exhibitions and is the brainchild of veteran visual artists Moffat Takadiwa and Geri Kam.

Speaking at the launch, EU head of co-operation Patrick Lambrechts said they were committed to uplifting the local creative sector.

“The European Union has been committed to culture in this country for a long time. We see our support for the diverse, rich arts and culture sector in this country, not only as a way to preserve the arts and cultural traditions. We also see it as a tool for the development of this country and its people,” he said.

“Art, in its various forms, is a substantial part of the culture of this country, the narrative of its people, and hence it forms an intrinsic part of the identity of Zimbabweans. We believe this should not only be preserved, but nurtured.”

He added: “As much as we aspire to development and the future rather than the past, it is important not to forget our history. The Mbare Art Space is a remarkable, vibrant non-profit visual arts community that has emerged out of what once was a popular beerhall.”

“Like many of the art works produced here (Mbare Art Space), it is the epitome of converting something once loved, into something new, something to engage women and men, girls and boys.”

“Despite the compounded impacts of COVID-19 and other socio-economic challenges prevalent in the high-density suburbs such as Mbare, the art laboratory project is a great initiative that receives our support because by targeting emerging visual artists it allows then an opportunity to grow as individuals while connecting them with audiences both at home and abroad.”

Harare acting mayor Stewart Mutizwa said: “Many thanks to the people who have put their hands to this vision and converting a beerhall into an art centre is not a waste, but important because the vision and where they want to go shows that we are going to see more arts through this vision.”

Among the delegates who attended the launch were Culture Fund of Zimbabwe  executive director Trust Farai Mupfunya and National Gallery of Zimbabwe executive director Raphael Chikukwa.

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