Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Digital drive gathers pace in rural areas – herald

Ivan Zhakata

Herald Correspondent

GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities, with Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera on Sunday saying no Zimbabwean should be left behind in the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Speaking at the 8th Edition of the Digitalise Zimbabwe Roving ICT Expo held at Makaha Secondary School in Mashonaland East Province, Minister Mavetera said the initiative was a key vehicle for taking technology and opportunities directly to communities.

“The Digitalise Zimbabwe Roving Expo is designed to take technology, information, and opportunity directly to the people,” she said.

“It bridges the gap between Government programmes and citizens by bringing ICT awareness, digital skills training, innovation and services to communities, especially those in rural and underserved areas.”

Minister Mavetera said the programme was in line with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030, which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy, with ICTs playing a central role in driving innovation, improving service delivery and creating jobs.

“Connectivity is no longer a luxury, it is a necessity for development,” she said.

The Minister also commissioned a new base station in Mutoko and said it was a major step towards improving network coverage under the Government’s Tower Relocation and Infrastructure Sharing Policy.

She said the policy allows mobile network operators to share infrastructure, thereby reducing costs and accelerating the rollout of connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“This base station will connect learners to digital education platforms, empower farmers with real-time information, enable entrepreneurs to participate in e-commerce and improve access to Government services,” said Minister Mavetera.

She said the development would improve network access in the district, where communities previously faced challenges in accessing mobile connectivity.

Minister Mavetera also highlighted the recent launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which will guide the adoption of emerging technologies in key sectors such as agriculture, health, education and public service delivery.

She said the Government was implementing various capacity-building initiatives, including the Digital Skills Ambassadors Programme, the Cyberus Cybersecurity Training Programme and the 1,5 Million Coders Programme, to equip citizens with relevant digital skills.

“These programmes are equipping Zimbabweans with the skills required to thrive in the modern digital economy,” she said.

Minister Mavetera urged communities, particularly youths, to take advantage of opportunities presented through ICTs.

“Do not wait for jobs, create opportunities for yourselves through ICT,” she said.

The expo, which attracted stakeholders from Government, academia and industry, also saw the launch of the 8th Edition of the Digitalise Zimbabwe Magazine.

The post Digital drive gathers pace in rural areas  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Three burnt beyond recognition in Gwanda – herald

Freeman Razemba

Senior Reporter

THREE people were burnt beyond recognition after a cabin they were sleeping in caught fire in Gwanda in unclear circumstances.

The incident occurred at Lone Mine 50 Compound, Makwe, Gwanda and investigations are in progress to establish the cause of the fire.

In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner i confirmed the incident.

“The ZRP confirms a fire incident which occurred on March 19, 2026 at around 2200 hours at Lone Mine 50 Compound, Makwe, Gwanda, in which three people died after a cabin they were sleeping in caught fire.

“The victims were burnt beyond recognition and their bodies were taken to Gwanda Provincial Hospital Mortuary for post-mortem. Investigations are in progress to establish the cause of fire,” he said.

The post Three burnt beyond recognition in Gwanda appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

Source: Council, community set up oversight committee to drive development in Harare South – herald

Obey Musiwa

Online Reporter

HARARE City Council and local communities have established a joint oversight committee aimed at accelerating development in Harare South through a collaborative model that blends council authority with community ownership—spanning title deeds, clinics, schools and beautification campaigns.

The District Monitoring and Evaluation Team (DIMET) is fast becoming a symbol of how decentralisation can deliver tangible results under Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030.

Speaking to Zimpapers, Harare City Council Regional Manager Engineer Norman Karidza said DIMET was born out of stakeholder engagement and is designed to align regional activities with council policies and the broader Government thrust.

He said the initiative ensures inclusive planning and a sense of ownership among residents.

This initiative is community-centric, aligning our regional activities with the City of Harare strategy, Call to Action, and SI 170 of 2025. The collaborative approach guarantees sustainable development and a sense of ownership in the region,” Engineer Karidza said.

DIMET operates on a three-tier structure comprising implementation, supervisory and steering committees, ensuring that residents are not passive recipients of development but active participants in shaping their future.

Engineer Karidza noted that the three-tier execution strategy provides structure and accountability.

“The implementation team focuses on day-to-day operations within the district. The steering team, headed by the Regional Manager, offers strategic direction in line with council policies, community needs, and government thrust,” he said.

DIMET Supervisory Committee Chairperson Ms Kuziva Barbara Towemhera highlighted progress in securing title deeds, beautification, and health infrastructure. She said the initiative has already delivered title deeds in Southlea Park and is working to extend land security to other districts.

“We managed for Southlea Park to receive its title deeds. Ushewekunze and Border Gezi are still verifying their names to join us,” Ms Towemhera said.

She added that the committee is driving modernisation and social empowerment.

DIMET Implementation Committee Chairman Cde Trust Rutsvara emphasised his personal history with the area and the committee’s role in bridging residents and council. He said DIMET transformed a former tobacco training institute into a clinic proposal, now under council assessment.

“I then proposed a clinic on that tobacco training institute infrastructure and it was seconded by everyone who was there. As we speak right now, the departments of City Council are coming here and there to assess for renovations,” Cde Rutsvara said.

He said the implementation committee champions unity, peace, and development through practical projects.

“We are ambassadors of unity, peace and development between residents and city council. ‘Our community, our responsibility’—that is our slogan,” he said.

DIMET head of Supervisory Committee on Local Governance Pastor Tawanda Utete emphasised governance priorities and the importance of aligning with Vision 2030.

He said DIMET is focusing on infrastructure, service delivery, and transparency as the region transitions from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2.

“We have aligned ourselves with the mantra of President Mnangagwa under Vision 2030. We are mostly considering infrastructure development, service delivery, community engagement, security, land use, and budget transparency,” Pastor Utete said.

The post Council, community set up oversight committee to drive development in Harare South  appeared first on Zimbabwe Situation.

HARARE – Schools have been ordered to enforce a cap on the number of subjects candidates can sit at both Ordinary and Advanced Level to ease pressure on learners, the ministry of primary and secondary education said on Sunday.

O’ Level candidates will now be limited to a maximum of nine subjects, while A’ Level candidates will be restricted to three.

The deadline for the registration of candidates for the ZIMSEC final examinations in November is March 27.

The ministry has directed schools that registered candidates for subjects above the new limits to refund the affected pupils.

Tawungana Ndoro, the ministry’s director of communications and advocacy, said: “The policy on capping the number of subjects that one can register for at both O’ and A’ Level is now in force.”

Authorities say they have seen a surge in students registering for an unusually high number of subjects, which they insist serves no purpose, as university entry requirements are typically based on passes in three A’ Level subjects.

In November last year, a student from Pamushana High School in Masvingo sat for 12 A’ Level subjects and scored 56 points.

It later emerged that the school had to seek special permission from ZIMSEC for him to sit some of the exams after other students had taken the tests due to scheduling clashes.

Ndoro said the new measures will “ensure depth of learning, quality of instruction and the integrity of learner outcomes,” following some suggestions that examinations had become too easy.

Some parents, however, believe allowing their children to take more than the mandatory subjects gives them an advantage when applying for university places.

The presidency has also weighed in on the debate, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba labelling the practice of taking on extra subjects as “illusory grandeur.”

“Anything beyond the 15 points in three subjects at A’ Level is superfluous — a vanity flight,” Charamba said.

“No attention is given to the needless pressure and stress on the misguided child, the financial strain on parents, or the profligate misuse of time — all without a clear career path.” – ZimLive

The post Ministry says no student allowed to register more than 9 O’ Level and 3 A’ Level subjects appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.

MUTARE – Zimbabwean conglomerate Innscor Africa Limited has acquired a significant strategic stake in Tanganda Tea Company following its participation in the company’s US$8 million rights issue.

The capital-raising initiative, structured as a rights offer, invited existing shareholders to purchase additional shares in order to inject fresh capital into Tanganda’s operations and support its growth and sustainability plans.

Innscor’s investment was executed through its subsidiary, Rutanhi Investments, which acted as the underwriter for the transaction. As part of the underwriting agreement, Rutanhi committed to acquiring any shares not taken up by other investors.

Following the completion of the offer, Rutanhi subscribed for 54% of the newly issued shares, resulting in a 27% equity stake in Tanganda. The move effectively positions Innscor as a key shareholder in one of Zimbabwe’s most established agricultural brands.

In a statement, Innscor said the transaction is expected to unlock “considerable value” for both Tanganda and its shareholders, while also contributing to broader agricultural sector development in Zimbabwe.

The group highlighted the strategic importance of the investment, noting that it aligns with its long-term vision of supporting sustainable agribusiness ventures and strengthening local value chains.

“This investment will add considerable value to the Tanganda entity and its shareholders, whilst also contributing to the continued development of Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, and ensuring the long-term preservation and sustainable growth of one of Zimbabwe’s most iconic brands,” the company said.

Market analysts view the deal as a significant vote of confidence in Tanganda’s turnaround prospects, particularly at a time when Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector is seeking increased capitalisation and modernisation.

The transaction also underscores a growing trend of local corporates leveraging rights issues and underwriting mechanisms to stabilise key industries, attract investment, and enhance operational resilience in a challenging economic environment.

With Innscor’s backing, Tanganda is expected to strengthen its balance sheet, improve production efficiencies, and expand its footprint in both domestic and export markets, particularly within the tea and macadamia segments.

The post Innscor Secures 27% Stake in Tanganda After Backing US$8 Million Rights Issue appeared first on The Zimbabwe Mail.