Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: FBC opens Gwanda service centre to bring banking services closer to customers – herald

Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu sukulwenkosi.dube@chronicle.co.zw

GWANDA residents and businesses will no longer have to travel to Bulawayo or Zvishavane to access selected FBC financial services following the opening of a new service centre in the Matabeleland South provincial capital.

The new facility, located at the Nssa Complex, is expected to reduce the cost and inconvenience of accessing banking and financial services for residents while providing cross-border traders and travellers with a safer way to manage their money when travelling to South Africa.

The service centre offers banking solutions through FBC Bank and Crown Bank, insurance services through FBC Insurance and micro-financing facilities through Micro Plan.

One of the key products being introduced to the Gwanda market is the FBC Rand MasterCard, a South African rand-denominated payment solution designed to meet the needs of cross-border traders and travellers.

The card allows clients to load South African currency directly onto the card for use in South Africa and on international MasterCard platforms, reducing the need to carry large amounts of cash.

In an interview, FBC Holdings head of group marketing Mr Roy Nyakunuwa said the new service centre formed part of the financial services group’s strategy to bring services closer to customers.

“We are commissioning an FBC service centre in Gwanda today. The service centre offers banking solutions for FBC Bank and Crown Bank. It also offers insurance solutions through FBC

Insurance and micro financing through Micro Plan,” he said.

“Micro Plan was already existing in Gwanda but we have moved it to the new service centre in Nssa Complex.”

Mr Nyakunuwa said customers would be able to open accounts, apply for loans, obtain MasterCards and access other banking services at the centre.

He said the Rand MasterCard was particularly suited to Gwanda because of the town’s proximity to South Africa and the significant movement of traders between Gwanda, Musina and Johannesburg.

“One of the most interesting solutions we have for the Gwanda market is the FBC Rand MasterCard. This is a MasterCard purely denominated in Rands where clients can directly load their Rands onto the card,” said Mr Nyakunuwa.

The product, he said, would help reduce the security risks associated with carrying large amounts of cash while travelling.

Mr Nyakunuwa said there had been reports of travellers being robbed while travelling along the highway to South Africa carrying substantial sums of money.

“After taking into account the proximity of Gwanda to South Africa and the trade which happens between Gwanda, Musina and Johannesburg, where people travel quite often to get wares for resale and business, we are offering a safe and secure solution which travellers can use as they travel to South Africa,” he said.

Mr Nyakunuwa said bringing services closer to customers was a deliberate response to concerns raised by clients who had previously been forced to travel long distances to access banking services.

“We are a customer-obsessed institution and we listen to what our customers say to us. Our customers were travelling from Gwanda to Bulawayo or Zvishavane to access banking services. We are now cutting that distance and we are saying we have brought banking closer to the people,” he said.

The new service centre has been welcomed by Gwanda residents, some of whom said travelling to other cities for basic banking services had been costly and inconvenient.

Ms Talent Ncube said the opening of the centre was a long-awaited development.

“It comes as a huge relief to see FBC open a branch here in Gwanda. I was even considering switching banks and moving to one which has a branch in Gwanda,” she said.

“It has been a huge inconvenience for me to be travelling to Bulawayo to get banking services. Even when faced with a small problem, I was being told that I have to visit my nearest FBC branch and that’s in Bulawayo.”

Ms Ncube said she had previously postponed replacing a worn-out ATM card because of the distance she had to travel.

“I was supposed to get my ATM card replaced because it’s worn out, but I was always contemplating because of the distance I was supposed to travel, about 130km just for an ATM card replacement,” she said.

For local businesses, the Rand MasterCard is expected to provide an additional payment option for traders who frequently travel to South Africa to source stock.

Mr Nkanyiso Moyo, a Gwanda businessman, said he intended to open an account with FBC so that he could use the Rand MasterCard when travelling to South Africa.

The development comes as Gwanda continues to expand as a mining and commercial hub, with its strategic proximity to the Beitbridge corridor creating opportunities for cross-border trade and other economic activity.

FBC Holdings has a diversified financial services portfolio covering commercial banking, mortgage financing, short-term insurance, reinsurance, securities trading and micro-financing.

Its subsidiaries include FBC Bank Limited, FBC Building Society, FBC Reinsurance, FBC Securities, Micro-Plan Financial Services and FBC Insurance.

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Source: Zim targets 6 million cattle by 2030 – herald

Victor Maphosa

Mashonaland East Bureau

THE country is intensifying efforts to improve livestock genetics and build a climate-resilient national herd as it targets at least six million cattle by 2030.

Presently, Zimbabwe has about 5,7 million cattle, with Government prioritising indigenous and adaptable breeds such as Mashona, Tuli, Boran and Nguni to improve productivity and resilience in the face of climate change.

Speaking at a livestock genetics workshop at the Grasslands Research Institute in Marondera yesterday, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said improving genetics was critical to modernising the livestock sector.

“As we modernise our agriculture, we must, of course, look at the livestock industry as well,” he said.

“We know our challenges in Zimbabwe in terms of livestock.

“First is the feed, second is the health and the third, of course, is the genetics. In the countryside, our livestock looks smaller.

“That is because of years of inbreeding. That is what we must correct.”

Prof Jiri said the country already possesses valuable genetic resources that were well adapted to local conditions.

“What we are showcasing here is the breeds that are appropriate for Zimbabwe and our message is that we do have good genetics here in Zimbabwe.

“We must select elite genetics from those that are already adapted to our conditions. We still have good genetics of our herd, popularly known as the Hard Mashona and we must ensure that our herd is improved, in the rural areas.

“We do have the Boran, Thuli and Nguni breeds which are adaptable as well in Zimbabwe and we must ensure that we mainstream these to our livestock in the rural areas,” he said.

Government wants rural farmers to benefit from improved genetics through wider dissemination of superior breeds and breeding material.

Prof Jiri said the country was steadily moving towards its herd growth target.

“If we can surpass that, combined with good frame and quality, that will be good. We are moving steadily towards our six million mark.

“Remember also that we are moving into greater challenges in terms of climate change so we must look for varieties and breeds that are resilient to our situation,” he said.

Zimbabwe Herd Book chairperson and Tuli breeder Ms Anne Cooke said climate change had reinforced the need for farmers to adopt cattle breeds suited to local conditions.

“They are much more tolerant of disease. They cope better, they grow faster and they produce more calves, and that means more money for me. “At the end of the day, that is why we are farmers, we want to make money,” she said.

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Source: US$900m funding secured for Hre-Chirundu Highway upgrade – herald

Freeman Razemba in KARIBA

ONE of the country’s busiest trade corridors is set for a major transformation after funding was secured for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Harare-Chirundu Highway and the modernisation of the Chirundu Border Post, with construction expected to begin within weeks.

The US$900 million project, which will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP), is expected to be completed within 18 months and will see the full rehabilitation of the strategic highway corridor, easing congestion, improving road safety and strengthening Zimbabwe’s position as a regional trade gateway.

The route is a critical link between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the wider SADC northbound corridor, carrying thousands of tonnes of regional cargo every day.

At the moment, some sections are damaged, affecting the free flow of traffic and also affecting tourism, especially in Kariba.

Speaking after touring sections of the highway, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said the project reflects the Second Republic’s commitment to modernising key transport infrastructure in line with Vision 2030.

“We have got close to 90 000 kilometres of road network in the country and you know that for several years, some of our roads were not rehabilitated,” he said.

“But I am glad that since the advent of the Second Republic, we took a deliberate plan to say ‘let’s rehabilitate our roads and this is precisely what we have been doing for the past five years’.

“It, therefore, calls for patience from the citizenry. We need to be in every corner, but we know that there are issues of resources where we tap into the fiscus and the idea behind involving the private sector is to make sure that we then focus on the major trunk roads, and some of these roads where people might not see commercial value; that’s where we come in as Government.”

Minister Mhona said the Government has therefore roped in the private sector on the Harare-Chirundu Highway, with the funding model expected to be concluded in the next eight weeks, allowing emergency works to begin on damaged sections of the road, while preparations for the full-scale rehabilitation  continue.

“You have seen that from Karoi coming this side, some sections are in a sorry state. So, we will attend to those sections with speed and again, with the private sector, we are working on the Chirundu Border Post.

“I am happy that we now have a solution, as we have secured the funding for the entire road network; that is, from Harare to Chirundu.

“You will see that, once we begin, we are looking at a timeframe of 18 months to complete the project, as we assured the people of Zimbabwe, and this will run concurrently with the border rehabilitation programme at Chirundu,” he                                                                                   said.

The project follows the completion earlier this year of the rehabilitation and widening of the notorious 7,2-kilometre Makuti section, commonly known as “Wafa Wafa”, one of the most challenging stretches along the highway.

The upgraded section now features climbing lanes, improved curves, drainage facilities and other safety enhancements designed to improve traffic flow and reduce accidents, particularly involving heavy vehicles.

The works were carried out by Japanese firm Dai Nippon Construction, which was awarded the contract in 2024.

The broader Harare-Chirundu Highway rehabilitation project resumed in August 2024, with Tensor Systems, Bitumen World, Masimba, Fossil and Exodus and Company each allocated sections of the road for upgrading, widening and partial dualisation.

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Source: Eastgate clinic brings healthcare closer – herald

Sharon Jiyamwa

Herald Reporter

POPULATION Services Zimbabwe has officially opened a new clinic at Eastgate in Harare, expanding access to affordable primary healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, family planning and preventive care.

Speaking at the official opening, Health and Child Care Deputy Minister Sleiman Kwidini said the facility was an important addition to the country’s efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage and bring healthcare closer to communities.

The clinic supports the country’s National Development Strategy 2 and National Health Strategy, particularly priorities around primary healthcare, health equity, quality care and people-centred services.

“Today, we are opening another door to quality, accessible and people-centred primary healthcare,” he said, adding that the facility would bring healthcare closer to thousands of people who live, work and conduct business in Harare’s central business district.

Deputy Minister Kwidini urged the citizens to seek medical attention early rather than waiting until illnesses become severe, while encouraging regular screening and preventive healthcare as the country faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

“We, therefore, need to move from a culture of treating illness after it has occurred to one that emphasises prevention, screening, and early diagnosis.

“As you heard from the other speakers, early diagnosis and early detection through early screening provides better health,” he said.

He also highlighted the clinic’s role in expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services, particularly for women, adolescents and young people.

The deputy minister commended the Population Services Zimbabwe (PSZ) for its contribution to the health sector and called on private health providers to maintain high standards of professionalism, confidentiality, quality and patient safety.

PSZ country director Mrs Pester Siraha said the Eastgate facility is the organisation’s seventh operational static clinic in Zimbabwe and forms part of its long-term sustainability strategy amid declining donor funding and the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases.

Since its establishment in 1987, PSZ has provided general healthcare, sexual and reproductive health services, family planning and clinical care through static clinics, mobile outreach programmes, public-sector strengthening, social marketing and a toll-free contact                                                                   centre.

“This Eastgate Clinic will be supported by an in-house fully-fledged contact centre or call centre, reflecting our commitment to client-centred care and ensuring that we remain within our call of one-hour support for our clients. Every client has to be closer to a health facility,” she added.

Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Per Lindgärde said they had invested approximately 183 million Swedish kronor (about US$20 million) since 2018 through three successive partnerships with PSZ and MSI Reproductive Choices.

He said the partnership had expanded access to sexual and reproductive health services, strengthened public health facilities, supported healthcare workers and improved access to family planning, maternal healthcare, post-abortion care and cervical cancer screening.

Ambassador Lindgärde said the Eastgate Clinic represented an important legacy of the partnership as Sweden prepares to conclude its bilateral development cooperation with Zimbabwe.

He said the clinic’s location in the heart of Harare was significant because thousands of women travel to the city daily to work, study, run businesses and care for their families.

“By bringing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services closer to where people live their daily lives, this clinic makes quality health care more accessible, more convenient, and more responsive to the realities of urban life,” he said.

The facility provides primary healthcare consultations, diagnostic services, health screening, wellness services and sexual and reproductive health services, with PSZ saying its goal is to provide care that is professional, confidential and client-centred

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Source: Prophet Kusi Boateng arrives for UFIC Conference – herald

Emmanuel Kafe

RENOWNED Ghanaian tele-evangelist Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng arrived in the country yesterday for the United Family International Church annual Jesus Conference, scheduled to run from tomorrow, August 21, to Sunday, August 23.

Prophet Kusi Boateng, who serves as the spiritual mentor to UFIC leader Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, was received at the Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare by senior leadership from the church.

The three-day convocation, expected to draw thousands of worshippers from across Zimbabwe, will take place at the massive UFIC Basilica in Chitungwiza.

Church authorities described the event as a concentrated spiritual gathering featuring intense prayer, worship and biblical teaching.

UFIC spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufa confirmed the arrival, highlighting the spiritual significance of the Prophet’s return to Zimbabwe.

“I want to note that such people are never invited, but they are sent directly by God.

“So, whatever expectations that the nation has towards any people, it is time to get ready. Those expectations are definitely going to come to pass,” Pastor Kufa said. He emphasised that the event is open to the public despite capacity constraints.

“This is not for UFIC members only. It is for the nation. Unfortunately, our place becomes very small, but whoever feels like coming, they are welcome,” Pastor Kufa added.

Prophet Victor Kusi Boateng is a prominent Ghanaian theologian, author, and tele-evangelist.

He is the founder and general overseer of Power Chapel Worldwide, headquartered in Kumasi, Ghana.

Recognised across international charismatic circles for his prophetic ministry and motivational teaching, Prophet Kusi Boateng acts as a father figure and spiritual guardian to several high-profile Pentecostal leaders across Africa, most notably Prophet Makandiwa.

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