Wednesday 23 October 2013



Bulawayo Agenda to hold ideas festival

Ronald Moyo
Editor

Bulawayo Agenda has announced that it will hold its sixth annual ideas festival in Bulawayo on from 31 October till 2 November to discuss issues that affect societal development in Zimbabwe.
In a statement released over the weekend, Bulawayo Agenda Executive director Thabani Nyoni said the ideas festival is aimed at providing solutions for the development of Zimbabwe.
“The main aim of the event is to proffer solutions in terms of how we can collectively see and envision a better Zimbabwe,” he said.
“This is a unique opportunity for ordinary citizens to get a closer appreciation of the work done by civic society organisations and how they can take part in the campaign for a democratic society.”
Nyoni added that the event will also highlight the challenges faced by rural communities and traditional leaders in accessing justice
Bulawayo Agenda Head of Research and Information, Mmeli Dube said the festival running under the theme, “Re – imagining a Republic of ideas” will also bring together the Civic Society, Government, Business, Church and ordinary citizens around Zimbabwe and in the SADC region to share ideas and find solutions to governance and social challenges.
“The festival is a unique and hybrid platform established by Bulawayo Agenda on the firm belief that ‘ideas run the world’ and if given space, they could resolve a lot of our governance and social problems,” he said.
“The festival will feature more than six activities over the two days which include leaders conferences, arts performances, film festival and exhibition at the Bulawayo City Hall car park.”
Last year the Bulawayo Agenda ideas festival ran under the theme, “battle of Ideas” with guest speakers such as the then Minister of Water Resources Development and Management Samuel Sipepa – Nkomo, MDC secretary general Priscilla Misihairabwi – Mushonga, former Bulawayo Mayor Thaba Moyo and a number of Members of Parliament and Civil society organisations featuring in the event.

Friday 12 July 2013

fatherhood

FATHER-HOOD AT 20...

By C Banda

As l sit on this wooden desk, l feel the burden on my shoulders. Does life really have to be this hard? Dad its been 12 years since you left and filling your shoes has been impossible. No it hasn't but dad being a father
at 20 is so difficult.

Sam's dad had passed on 12 years ago and Sam was left to look after his 2 siblings and his mum. Sorry to interrupt you Sam, you may continue...

''Like l was saying, its been hard. Every night when l wake up to study, l hear mum cry and every drop of her tears makes my heart break. l am trying to be strong, to balance school and fatherhood. l have a small business l have started to try and feed the family and pay my fees as mum is now jobless. Today l managed to buy my little sister her new winter uniform.
She hasn't taken it off since then. My heart rejoices!

I just wish l was like all the normal 20 year old's. I wish l could hang out with my friends and get to chill too. But l rise with the sun, and as l try to sleep, the sun rises again. I have matured before my age, l am now failing to fit in with my peers. Being a father is so tough. My advise to my peers is to cherish the life that they have and love their parents. For
me, its maturity, maturity and maturity.

maturity

 "Mature, if you still can."

By C. Banda

Your age does not define you, you define your age. The crazy thing is the older I get the more I see what they told me is true. If we would listen to our parents, life wouldn't be as bad. I'm grown isn't an excuse for
ignorance. Age doesn't define maturity. When we humans reach a certain age, that's when we realize what's important in
our lives. Sometimes problems don't require a solution to solve them; instead they require maturity to outgrow them. Some people think maturity is to do with age. In fact mature people are those who have learned from
their mistakes, have a better vision in life and understanding. Some people are like trees, they take forever to grow up. Just because I'm young, doesn't mean I don't know anything about life, I've been through too much not to know, but I'm still learning everyday its ups and downs. I always tell my best friend Roy that I will treat my next woman better than my
last. Not because she's different, but because I am. I have learned a lot since my last relationship and each day I continue to learn and open my mind to the many ways to love your woman the right way. One's age does not guarantee emotional and
spiritual maturity and stability.
Openness of heart and mind do. Sometimes you gotta shut up, swallow your pride and accept that you're wrong.
Its not giving up. Its called growing up. Being nice to someone who did you foul in the past is kinda like a mature way of
getting revenge because it sometimes confuses the hell out of them and brings them to the realization that they no longer can manipulate your emotions with their actions...something they thought they'd always be able to do. Maturity is when your world opens up and you realize that you are not the center of it. Being nice to someone you dislike doesn't mean you're FAKE. It means you are mature enough to tolerate your dislike towards them. Some people
mature too fast, some too slow. Some never had a childhood, some never grow. Age is just a number, I repeat. Maturity is a choice. Forgive and forget, and don't hold grudges, because those who hold grudges are
immature, those who never forgive are weak, and those who accept things the way they are, are growing. In conclusion, know that there's more to life then getting laid and partying. Don't think I'm weird, I just grew up and matured. There's still time for you to do the same.

Monday 17 June 2013



Father! - To God himself we cannot give a holier name. Happy Father’s Day 2013


"I have had a hard life, but my hardships are nothing compared to the hardships that my father went through to get me where I started." A quote from Bartrand Hubbard, a quote that is true to most of us. A quote which, though true, we do not say out because of pride. Because of lack of appreciation. Fatherhood has been turned into a job, a career path for most men. The job best described in three word, provider, proVIDER, PROVIDER. That is the thankless position of fathers in the family- the provider of all, and the enemy of all. Fathers have not been appreciated and have been turned into basic necessities, something someone should have, but believe me, that’s not the case. It is a pity that for us humans, that it takes loosing something, to finally realize and appreciate its value. I lost my dad when I was ten, and believe me when I say, I could trade anything in this world, ANYTHING, just to share a moment with my father again. I suddenly remember being very little and being embraced by my father. I would try to put my arms around my father's waist, hug him back. I could never reach the equator of his body; he was that much larger than life. Then one day, I could do it. I held him in my arms, but instead he never held me back, he was gone. And, all I have ever wanted since then, is to have things back as they were, when I couldn’t hold him. Usually when I am asked the reason why i study so hard and aim to be so successful, my answer has always been the same. " I want to be able to afford,  to trade everything that I would have accumulated, just to have a moment with my father, when that opportunity comes." 
Even though, dad has been gone for so long, when something special happens to me, I talk to him secretly not really knowing whether he hears, but it makes me feel better to half believe it. You know, it’s at moments and days like these, that I truly miss that man. That man would promise us that things would be ok. I was a child then, but clearly I could see that everything would not be ok. That did not make my father a liar. It made him my FATHER. You know, the greatest gift, which a child can ever have when growing up is a father. Growing up, I had a friend, who used to always brag about how brilliant a firefighter, his father was. He always said that, "Collin, you know what; God will definitely make my father go to heaven, because if He makes the mistake of taking him to hell, my father will put out all the fires in hell." That’s just how much we love our fathers. They are the closest thing that can be likened to a super-hero. They are selfless. Of course, no doubt, mothers take the trophy and will always have the spot light and constant appreciation. But, the fact that there is someone behind the scenes, who makes mum bring out her best, is something that makes father's, IRREPLACEABLE. A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. Any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.
Oh the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away. That’s how I can express the feeling of having a father. To the youth, always know that it is much easier and nicer to become a father than to be one. Let us respect our fathers, as they are God given. The bible, in Exodus 20:12, states the fifth commandment: Honor your father and your mother; so that you may have long life in the land that the Lord has given you. Proverbs 6:20 says," My son, obey your father and don't neglect your mothers’ teachings." A wise father knows his child. But maybe it is a very wise child who takes time to know his father.
I shall conclude by the words of Pope John XXIII who said, "It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a father. To the father's, Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers don’t aggravate your children. If you do, they will become discouraged and quit trying. Ephesians 6: 4 says, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." A rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. A father is a man who carries pictures of his family where his money used to be. A father is respected because he gives his children leadership. Appreciated because he gives his children care. Valued because he gives his children time. Loved because he gives his children the one thing they treasure the most- himself. That being said and done, the most important thing that a father can do for his children, is to love their mother.
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and especially, father figures. In a harsh world that has left many families without fathers, it will be ignorant of me and you, not to honor all those who have taken it up upon themselves, to head families and be father-figures. The child-lead families, the step fathers and guardians, we greatly appreciate you and honor you. Not only today, but, till God comes for us. 

By C. Banda

Friday 14 June 2013

The day of the African child 2013- “Eliminating harmful social practices and cultures that affect children: Our responsibility.


By Collin Banda
Orgasm, the one word that could describe the feeling that all the villagers had. But for chiedza, it’s a whole different feeling. The echo of his voice, uttering abusive words, immerse her daily into the nightmare that has become her life. The beauty of the world that surrounds her, only manages to emphasize the horror her life is. What once brought joy now engulfs her in pain and misery. a victim, a means to an end, is what he had become. Sold to the highest bidder, to cover a debt, a monthly supply of two bags of maize are all it took for chiedza’s dad to barter trade his daughter, all this colour blocked as  the ultimate gift of love to her family. Emptying herself to marry, not for love, but for love of her family. A forced marriage became her duty, her Godly ordained mission.
        
The pride of being an African child is slowly being eroded. Societies and cultures are slowly killing the African child. Unfair customs and practises have taken root in our day to day lives, something we have to stand up for, and STOP. This years, 23rd Day of the African Child is running under the theme, "Eliminating..." It is shocking to realise how much we are being robbed of our rights and privileges. Some of the leading practises in our African societies and cultures, include; child labour, child trafficking, early child marriages,forced/arranged marriages, labia pulling for girls, discrimination against girl child when it comes to education, preference being given to boys than girls in families, female genital mutilation and discrimination against children with disabilities. It is actually shocking to note the rates at which these are taking place in Africa. Early and forced child marriages are a major concern in Africa. Stats show that 14% of girls in Yemen are married before 15 years of age, 52% before 18 years. In south Sudan, over half the girls between 15-19 are married. Statistics realised by the World Health Organization show that, woman married at a young age are prone to miscarriages and still births, because of under developed pelvis and bodies. 74% of all women who die from child birth are married before 20 years of age. Girls who are forced into marriage at an early age are vulnerable to mental instability, no education, abuse and struggle in adjusting to a new home, as well as the responsibilities that come with marriage and child care. This causes the crisis of child caring for child thus ensuring that both mother and child to suffer and the continuity of the harsh cycle of disadvantage. This fosters a spirit of hatred and insecurity giving birth to a nation filled with hostility an anger. These feeling are the gas on which wars feed.
Solutions of forced marriages
Education- informal education on a bases of voluntary work. Give then hand skills, something to make sure they can get a living from. Lets try and desist from solutions that are money intensive, because right now we don’t have the money.
Government policies-should enforce the importance of children by giving them opportunities to showcase the different skills that they have. They should allow well wishers the opportunity to work in the impoverished communities. They should make a point of giving at least 51% of education grants to the poor and not just on an academic base but on the bases of need.
CHILD LABOUR  in Africa is the employment of children that deprives them of their childhood. Africa has the world’s incidence rate of child labour, with more than 40% or 48 million of children in sub-saharian Africa are forced into child labour for survival. International Labour Organisation estimates that agriculture is the highest employing industry of child labour with most children under paid or not paid.
children ploughing as their family duty       children hired on fishing farms in Burkina Faso
so as to save money their parents
would use to pay hired help
.
Solutions for child labour
Community centre- lets cry and keep children in school for as long as possible. using volunteers who want to give back to society by teaching others. This will make it cost free.
As we should improve our police force, form alliances
Let stop focusing much on the awareness and accept that these things exist. For the past years we have been raising awareness but it hsnt helped that much. Why not focus on the victims. Lets find the cure to these, lets rebuild our community to facilitate the recovery of these victims. Create support groups
It is such a shame that in Africa we are still working with the old saying “PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!” but it is unfortunate that we are still trying to prevent a situation that is now beyond prevention. It is time we find the cure because prevention has failed because the disease is now full blown.Yes we have brought these injustices into light and have brought awareness to the world and to the children of Africa but it is now the time to work on the defeating the crisis we have indetifined. it is true that indetification is the first step to solving a problem now its time to take the second step implimenting the solutions we have come up with. For the past 22 Days of Celebrating an awareness campaigns its now the hour on this 23rd Day to act. We do not need to start big we just take it step by step, just like the youth that brought this day into being  in 1976 did not just start by protesting but planed and built towards this day, a day of change and because they took it step by step the managed to create a ripple effect that made people to sit up and take notice,thus we to should build towards the great event. Starting with us the youth. Let us be the change we desire to see. This is our day, our future, our hope, our continent, OUR LIFE! Donot allow the foundation the laid down for us 37 years ago be eroded and lay in waste because we are not Youth enough to fight for what we believe in.
Let not this day be celebrated as a reminder of what happened on the 16 of June 1976, because if that the only reason we celebrate this day then it should not be an International Day but a National Day for South Africans for this was their fight and their achievement, but let this day be celebrated not just as a reminder of the great youth of Soweto but of the great YOUTH of Africa that have continued to make this day worth celebrating with their input on the history and legacy of this Grand Day. In the spirit of the children of Soweto of 1976, stand up and take charge of your life. TAKE THE PEN OUT OF THE HANDS OF OTHERS AND WRITE YOUR DESTINY AND THAT OF YOUR FELLOW YOUTH BY YOURSELF!

Wednesday 17 April 2013



The African Sun

 By Fungai Makwarimba

As the African sun rays kiss my heels.
I feel my heart beat like a djembe drum at my feet.
Anxious of what prey i am to eat or what challenge i am to feast,
i graciously embark in to the streets of the great city of kings.

As businessmen rush for the next board meeting score, the poor lady
rushes to "emnkambo", the Ecocash man serves ten people in every three
minutes and the streetkid begs but is shown no pity.

With beautiful artifacts at  the City Hall to "ongwaqa labo singanga
nkamisa
" the city's heartbeat pulses  with the sound of gumbooters
entertaining Bulawayo citizens  kumaNAMAs.

With the sculpture still sitting at the tower block thinking on how to
stop gender based violence, the youth advocate for child rights, the
varsity student works for his degree and the kings in the city ensure
that Bulawayo is proudly called the city of kings.

When the sun sets to the west,,the horizons awake,,the walkers
talk,the savanna plain some how becomes a bar and the Kudus drink at
the watering hole ,quenching the thirst of the day's work and the
sweat of success...

Thursday 21 March 2013

Ivory City by Ronald Moyo


Relentless is the sun that scorches us
Tireless are the people that work beneath it
Loving is the God that watches us
Everyone who leaves will miss it

Forward we go beyond the horizon
Bulawayo growing, blooming
Grooming, success looming
Further we go, more we wizened

Ivory are the tusks that enriched our ancestors
Green is the envy that bequeathed our neighbours
1840, built this city the men that will not rest us
Bulawayo our home, our quest, their festus.


Deal with the Devil by Yvette Lisa Ndlovu

 
A distant howl is heard
Nearing... Closer...Coming
hounds on the trail
seeking flesh- soiled flesh.

Ghosts creeping in the yard
Creeping...creeping...creeping
graves dug unwilling to rest
humming your name
The noise of the dead.

Skeletons banging on the closet.
Secrets out!
Oceans of blood flooding your walls.
swash...swash...swash
Stained hands.

 Forfeit sleep   
Night reverberates your name.
 
Source; Poertysoup.com 

 Woeful Year by Blessing Mwoyongewenyu

 
Farewell, thou woeful year, Of your woes I got my full share And grieved my heart in pain and care But now, of your days, I have spend the last That onwards you be known my past As I, with glee, set my back upon your sight And look ahead on tomorrow’s year With the last shred of my bartered hope It was indeed in vain That we labored and toiled As we strove to climb the ever-rising mountain And, in hope of some paltry prize Raced in pursuit of howling gales, Or vainly still, upon a rained day Mopped the sodden floors of roofless huts Till our bloody-sweat did stream The valleys of this our cursed land As we wailed our somber song of woe In sighed notes and groaned tones! And for dance our flimsy starved selves Did sway and limb in the wind, Cracking our horned hands In applause to our fated doom! But farewell then, woeful year It is here that we do apart: You to the tales of a past, And me to the beckoning of a future Farewell indeed, Year of my woes!

Source; Poetry soup

Thursday 14 March 2013



Technology trends by Fungai Makwarimba

NOKIA 808
The Nokia808, a total full touch slick phone which runs on the symbian (belle) operating system. Physical dimensions of 123.9x60.2x13.9mm (big enough hey?). Has a wide L.C.D screen of 4.00 inches which has a resolution of 360x640 and projects a picture density of 184ppi. This Nokia Goddess is full touch capacitive and has multi touch features, light sensor and proximity sensor.
If you the type of person that carries lots of coins and fears that the Nokia 808 screen will be damage then you have absolutely nothing to worry about, for the Nokia 808 has a scratch resistant L.C.D glass, so now your only worry is that it doesn’t get stolen. A full 11 hours of battery talk time and a stand by time of 19.4 days.
Now for the hardware behind the genius performance of the Nokia 808, what does this phone really carry? This Nokia has a hardware single core processor 1300Mhz with ARM11, it has a graphics processor which makes sure that whatever is displayed on its screen is of the finest quality. It has an internal memory storage space of 16GB and has a micro SD slot for and memory expansion.

Now this is the reason why I say this phone is just amazing, it has a camera which is 41 Mega pixel, not 4,1. The camera features a L.E.D and xenon flash light, has auto focus and face detection.

 

  
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Bulawayo by Ronald Moyo
The city of Kings, skies and kontuthuziyathunqa, these are some of the common names that have been given to our city Bulawayo. These names capture the royal heritage, the beautiful climate and the hustle and bustle of the city’s industrial sector. The city has undoubtedly got potential to grow to be the heaven on earth that its founders dreamed it will become and 2013 is set to be the year that this dream becomes a reality.
The year has begun on a high note with the heavens opening up and pouring its ever vibrant people with the rains that they were praying and fasting for throughout 2012. Our city’s cultural beliefs once again proving to us that they are the keys to wisdom after our elders told us leap years are dry years in 2012. Immediately on new year’s day precipitation was the background noise in the ears of many people in the city of kings. A sound of hope as the porous soil fills with water and our vegetation becomes ever more greener motivating the utopian feeling that 2013 is the year of growth.
Yes we may have our pitfalls here and there such as water cuts to compensate for the once shrinking water supplies but as valuable as water is to life even more so is the value of the creativity and intelligence flowing in the minds of the city youth, a resource Bulawayo cannot do without. 2013 is the year this resource will embrace its capacity to fuel the city to become an epicenter of innovation and drive it to success.
From mere observation, the everyday layman can see that this city will not remain stagnant in 2013. As will be captured by this site throughout the year, we will witness the people of Bulawayo spearheading their development, the youth becoming more actively involved in the growth of the economy, promotion of culture, reaping the fruits of their education and hard work with inspiring literary works and an overall appreciation of the royalty that is Bulawayo.
The city is a brew of various ethnicities that ingredient its unique taste of lifestyle, arts and culture. This site will be the dish from which you can experience the taste of Bulawayo from this year, 2013 and beyond.
ENDS