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Community

Upcycling artist helps MEAG cleans up Elizabeth Windsor Road the disabled This article is sponsored by…

Just Swift It! Staff Writer

t a time when environmentalists are preaching recycling, visual artist Africa Kamutengo found a business scavenging for discarded materials to craft them into valuable art pieces. His craft which includes handmade jewellery, metal and plastic flowers and toys is readily received on the market for its sheer creativity and appeal. He uses a wide range of recycled raw materials including plastic, bottle tops and beverage cans. Kamutengo’s passion however is not limited only to art, but also to ensure the well being of the disadvantaged in his society. “For the past four years I have worked with disabled people from Mabvuku and Tafara operating at the Mabvuku Art Centre,” explains Kamutengo. “I noticed that most of the disabled in our society are discriminated against to the extent that they are not given jobs no matter how talented they are.” With encouragement from his disabled friend and fellow artist Lloyd Biswas, Kamutengo engaged individuals from his community to work with him. He teaches them craft work and how to make different art pieces. Kamutengo said, “I have worked with a number of disabled people, some of them from the National Disability Trust.” He said he is currently working with Biggie Jonasi and Easter Bitoni. “With Biggie (Jonasi) we make replica toys of famous footballers. He crafts them

while I paint them,” he said. Kamutengo and Jonasi found an opportunity in the great enthusiasm for football and exploited it. “We do not make much money but the little we earn from our sales we share equally,” said Kamutengo. Jonasi is paralysed from the waist down. “Easter (Bitoni) helps me with the jewellery,” said Kamutengo. Before she started working with Kamutengo, Bitoni used to make homemade floor polish for sale. Her business is now flooded with many competitors so she is focusing more on art. The trio’s art however does not sell well on a day to day basis. “Most of our business comes through art fairs and expos,” said Kamutengo. He said they sell an average of 15 necklaces which cost $2.00 each and an average of ten footballers which cost $5.00 each at public functions. “Sometimes we struggle to take part in the fairs because of the high prices we have to pay for our table,” he said. A table on average costs $75.00 depending on the art fair or expo. “We plan to establish an art shop in the city centre or shopping centres in the affluent suburbs so that we will have a constant income,” said Kamutengo. However, the three cannot afford to pay rentals for a shop. He said, “We are hoping one day things will work out.” Meanwhile, Kamutengo has urged city officials and the government to put in place policies that favour the disabled. He said, “Most of our infrastructure, especially art venues, is not friendly to people with disabilities.”

Martina Kwenda

lizabeth Windsor Road in Marlborough is a busy thoroughfare with hundreds of motor vehicles and pedestrians using it every day. Besides a road, it seems that the traffic passing along it also sees it as something of a dumping area, with a disgusting amount of litter being chucked into the street. Marlborough Environmental Action Group (MEAG) decided to sort this problem out at a Saturday clean up held in June. Several prominent community figures and community groups were present including Councillor Charity Bango and Mabelreign District Officer Ms. Mverechena. Representatives from Miracle Missions, Imagine Avonlea and City of Harare were also in attendance. Naturally at the heart of the operation were local residents, who gathered at the Civic Centre to receive cleaning materials before setting to work. Councillor Bango addressed residents saying that, “The time for playing the blame game is over. Yes, City of Harare are not doing their jobs, but we have a role to play. If

Verandah Gallery Charity Exhibition, 27 July In aid of Emerald Hill Children’s Home on their 100th Anniversary!

or 100 years, Emerald Hill Children’s Home has been caring for children who have been orphaned, abandoned or abused. In addition, the Emerald Hill School for the Deaf has catered for hearing impaired people in a country where such services are very hard to come by. Reliant on donations from well-wishers, these charities started an annual art exhibition in 1992 to raise funds for renovations, and thus the Verandah Gallery was born. This year marks the 24th year that the exhibition has been running, and promises to be a wonder-

ful and interesting event. Last year the exhibition raised $8,240, a significant figure indeed. The money raised serves three purposes, helping Emerald Hill to keep doing its important work, giving exposure and income to numerous artists, and providing an enjoyable day out for Harare’s residents. Visitors can expect great live music by the Detema Jazz Band, and food and drinks served by the Vabatsiri Soroptimist Club and Da Vino supplied wine bar, who also donate a percentage of their profits to the charities.

For the premier Art Exhibition of the year come to The Verandah Gallery, 16 Woodholme Rd, Emerald Hill on Sunday 27 July. Gate opens 10am to 4pm. The Verandah Gallery cards will be on sale along with the 2015 ‘Aspects of Africa’ calendar which is launched on this day. This year, to celebrate their Centenary, some of the Emerald Hill Children will be there to entertain us with a song and a dance around midday! For further information please email Anna Fleming: info@verandahgallery.co.zw

everybody did their part, this road would not be this dirty.” She emphasised that cleaning it up wasn’t enough, residents and passersby would have to observe neatness and order on a daily basis. Other speakers including MEAG committee member, Rudo Bangajena, emphasised the importance of enforcement. “There should be heavy penalties given for littering including community service to clean designated areas,” suggested Bangajena, who added that companies must be held to account for the impact their products have on the environment. She highlighted dis-

posable nappy makers as a particular concern and should be tasked with providing a solution to the waste their business generates. As the crew of volunteers worked their way along the road, two CoH trucks gathered up the tons of rubbish and removed it to Pomona dump. It was gratifying to organisers to see passersby abandon their commitments to lend a spirited hand, even if it was for a short while. One volunteer identified only as Fadzi said “We need to educate the masses about separation because some of the litter we pick up is recyclable so people should be taught how to dispose of it.” Another person suggested that gardeners need to be educated on recycling and composting since they are the people that deal with rubbish every day. Changing of mindset was a theme through the day, with volunteers and leaders highlighting how shameless residents have become with regards to littering. Councillor Bango said “Every step counts in changing mindsets, and it begins with you, and an ideology of environmental cleanliness.” Once the hard work was done, the clean up team retired to the Civic Centre for refreshment and to watch a soccer match between Marlborough Atletico and visitors FC Dutch. The home side was beaten 4–1.

Paint job for HNSPCA

ocal paint supplier, Artisan Paints, has taken it upon themselves to rejuvenate the dilapidated HNSPCA head office on Enterprise Road. This comes at a time when HNSPCA is looking to let this prime office space with a view to supplementing their budget for animal welfare projects across the country. Shelley Martin explained that “mostly our inspectors are on the road, so we will keep the charity shop, and some office space on the side, but the main offices will be rented out.” She also described a recent vaccination and sterilisation programme carried out in Kariba that saw 191 dogs treated – just

the kind of welfare project that the spruced up offices will help fund in the future. Artisan Paints director Laura Tofts showed Harare News the 6 roomed office space. It is a big job but progress has been smooth. “We donated all the paint, but HNSPCA is paying for the labour,” said Tofts, who also said that Artisan Paints has previously helped spruce up the HNSPCA surgery which is kept busy with Harare’s huge number of sick, stray or maltreated animals. Donations like that made by Artisan Paints will go a long way in bettering the existence of thousands of animals across the country. Head Office Bay 2, St. James Building, 3 Borgward Road, Msasa 480807 / 0772 758 786 accounts@artisan.co.zw www.artisan.co.zw Alexandra Park Branch 47 Churchill Avenue, Alexandra Park 744591 / 0782 798 079 sales@artisan.co.zw Bulawayo Branch Spinweave Building, 3 Coventry Street, Cnr Fife Street Extension, Belmont, Bulawayo 0782 798 078 byo@artisan.co.zw

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Environment

Residents switch to gas Clean and Green Staff Writer

ailure by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to supply adequate electricity has pushed many residents to opt for gas as an alternative source of energy. Massive load shedding in the recent months has seen many residents switching to gas instead of firewood and paraffin. Avondale resident Wendy Mutize says, “It’s faster to cook with gas and at the same time cheaper than using other alternative energy sources like firewood.” She also expressed happiness with the lower levels of pollution that gas emits. Gas which like petroleum is a fossil fuel but gaseous in its state, is composed mainly of methane (CH4). Geologist Tawanda Furamera explains, “Gas is formed along with oil fields and coal beds as a result of anaerobic digestion of various kinds of dead matter that include plants and animals, under the earth’s surface. It is drilled the same way as oil.” Gas burns with lower emissions than other fossil fuels. This is largely because of the fact that it has only one carbon, making it greener than the traditional alternatives. Furamera said, “For the same amount of heat, gas emits 30% less carbon dioxide than burning oil, and 45% less carbon dioxide than burning coal, thereby reducing the impact on air quality.” Due to the clean burning

process, gas doesn’t produce ash after energy is released. This makes it a convenient and expeditious source of heating and generating electricity. Gas can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG), biogas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG (mostly advertised as LP gas) is however the most popular gas in Harare, sold at many filling stations and even by informal traders on street corners around the city. “Gas has a high heating value of 24,000 Btu per pound,” said Furamera. He said this is why it widely used as a primary source of heating whilst cooking.“Its high flamma-

bility however makes is extremely dangerous if handled carelessly,” he said. Some residents still desist from using gas due to fear of risks of explosions. “I rather stick to my paraffin stove because with children in the house gas is not really safe,” said Braeside resident Jacob Masengauta. He said a small mistake when handling gas equipment may end up in a huge explosion. “My children love playing with fire crackers and in the event of a leak with no adult around this may turn into a huge disaster.” Energy expert Shelton Ndlovu said a substance (containing carbon monoxide) that has a strong odour is added to help detect a leak. This reduces the risks of gas explosion. He said, “The substance may be harmful and cause deaths if not carefully handled.” Gas is cheap (less expensive than gasoline and paraffin) and therefore cost-effective. “People can also make gas (biogas) from their homes by building a bio-digester in which they can decompose their waste,” said Ndlovu. He said the equipment required when using gas for cooking and heating is 50% cheaper than that required for electric appliances for the same purposes. However, some of the appliances and equipment being sold on the market especially imports from Asian countries may pose danger of explosions. Ndlovu said, “To be safe buy your appliances from accredited stores.”

Valuing biodiversity through ecosystem services Stephen Tsoroti

nvironmentalists have called on urban planners to seriously consider ecosystem services site based assessments, as these will help in the conservation of biological diversity. Environmentalists say recent studies show that local authorities and communities can derive a lot of benefits from properly managed ecosystems. According to Togarasei Fakarayi, Programme Manager with Birdlife Zimbabwe, assessment of ecosystems is vital for decision making. These assessments provide specific guidance on implementing practical methods for assessing some of the services that are likely to be most important to the range of stakeholders in each ecosystem. Fakarayi says ecosystem services are the benefits that people receive from nature – for example, the production of food, the provision of clean water and the regulation of climate, as well as opportunities for cultural, spiritual and recreational experiences. “In recent history there has been a big decline in biodiversity as a result of human activities and species are becoming extinct much faster than at any time in the past. Ecosystem services have also changed markedly and many are in a reduced or degraded state. Recognising that these changes affect us there is a growing interest in

ecosystem services, from academics and conservationists to policymakers, economists and finance ministries. This has led to a rapid expansion of the literature seeking to define, measure and value ecosystem services,” says Fakarayi. Environmentalist Katy Lannas agrees; measuring ecosystem services can strengthen arguments for conserving important sites for biodiversity, especially ecosystems like wetlands. “The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment gave wetlands a value of 15 trillion dollars. In 1997 New York City avoided spending between three and eight billion dollars on new waste water treatment plants by investing one and a half billion dollars on the purchase of wetlands. This land purifies the water supply for free. Wetlands are like highly efficient sewage treatment works, absorbing chemicals, filtering pollutants and sediments and breaking down suspended solids,” she says.

Measuring ecosystem services can strengthen arguments for conserving important sites for biodiversity.

Programme Officer at the Conservation Society of Monavale (COSMO) Dorothy Wakeling concurs. “We need to know the state of our wetlands and data collected should help us make informed decisions. Wetlands in Zimbabwe must not be comprised,” said Wakeling. The subject of ecosystem services is fairly new in Zimbabwe. Ecosystem services are not fully captured in commercial markets or adequately measured in terms of economic services and so they are often given little weight in policy decisions as is the case with Harare wetlands which face extinction due to incessant developments. Information about the importance and value of ecosystem services as linked to human well-being is largely absent in Zimbabwe. In an attempt to address this information gap, Birdlife Zimbabwe has embarked on a pilot study to measure ecosystem services in the Driefontein Grasslands IBA (Important Bird Area). This study is using a Tool kit for Ecosystem Services Site-based Assessment (TESSA) developed by Birdlife International and the Tropical Biology Association. The toolkit is user friendly, applicable at site level and has the potential of collecting reasonable amounts of data for economic valuation of ecosystem services. Birdlife Zimbabwe wishes to replicate this study at other IBAs in the country.

Zimbabwe – new recycling initiative launches

Kundai Marunya

new recycling company Clean and Green Zimbabwe was launched with a vision to maximize on recyclable recoveries. The organisation which was officially launched at the Miracle Missions monthly environmental meeting at the Highlands Presbyterian Church collects recyclable material, separates it and prepares it for recycling. Clean and Green Zimbabwe’s Nyasha Makuyana explains, “Our organisation is made up of a partnership of Zimbabweans in the diaspora who want to come back home to do something positive. Currently we are a collection centre but we hope to set up a recycling plant before the end of year if all goes well.” He said waste is one of the most menacing problems Harare and the rest of Zimbabwe is facing. “We have so far collected 350 tonnes of waste which we have separated and got ready for recycling. We want to get to a point where nothing goes to landfill,” said Makuyana. He said their future plans also include collecting over 1000 tonnes of waste weekly and setting up centres across the country. He added that though many people are separating waste at source it ends up being collected by city council to be disposed at landfills. Makuyana said, “We acknowledge the work being done by different organisation including Miracle Missions and Environment Africa

and we are just here to complete the circle by having somewhere to take the recyclable waste.” Clean and Green Zimbabwe collects their waste from different organisations and events such as the OK Grand Challenge and HIFA while individuals can also drop some material off at their plant in Msasa. He said, “We also buy waste from organisations such as Better Environment in Highfields and Moyo Munyoro in Mabvuku.” Moyo Munyoro is a group of ladies who came together to look after disabled children. In terms of environmental awareness Clean and Green Zimbabwe is in talks with different schools to build partnerships that will see children being taught about recycling from a tender age. He said, “We want to start from the grassroots so we can have a whole new generation of responsible citizens.” He added that if children are taught at young age they can take that education home and cause a ripple effect in their communities. “Directly we have created more than 70 jobs with a vision of creating more,” said Makuyana. Indirectly, unemployed youth are earning an income by selling their waste to the organisation. If you want your recyclable waste collected you can contact Nyasha Makuyana on nyasha.makuyana@ gmail.com or call him on 0774 368 150.

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12 Harare News

Issue 12 July 2014

Plants for life

Aloe Congress shows human-plant relationships Jan Raath

“S

haped by suffering” is how South African botanist Ernst van Jaarsveld described the aloes and succulents that have adapted to thrive in some of the harshest, hottest regions of the world. The Aloe, Cactus and Succulent Society of Zimbabwe, the country’s own small group of enthusiasts dedicated to the study and survival of these species, held a unique gathering last month (June) of experts from all over the world to reveal their insights into some of the world’s rarer plant forms that Southern Africa is home to. For two days at the Wild Geese Lodge just outside Harare, the audience of 65 at the “Xerophytica (plants that withstand drought) congress” heard of new research and developments into these unique forms of plant life, from cycads and baobab trees to cacti and the extraordinary Welwitschia mirabilis. Ernest van Jaarsveld from South Africa’s Kirstenbosch botanic gar-

den demystified the notion of the supposed slender survival chances of the weird Welwitschia plant and its dull green leathery leaves that extend for metres on the sands of the Namib desert. He got seeds of the plant to germinate in three days. He couldn’t explain, though, how fossils of the plant were discovered in northern Brazil. Ben-Erik van Wyk, professor of

Botany at Johannesburg University, spoke of the extraordinary success of the modest Aloe vera plant that has generated a medicinal industry of US$110 billion a year. The place of aloes in ancient medicine is revealed in the paintings of the San people (Bushmen) in South Africa. The San also use the white latex of Euphorbia plants to fix arrow heads to their arrows, he said. To

test the strength of the plant’s glue, he once smeared some in the back pocket of a friend’s jeans where his wallet was. It could only be reached by cutting it out. Piet Vorster of Stellenbosch University in South Africa told of attempts to create a female partner for last survivor from the wild of the cycad species, Encephalartos woodii. Crossing the male seed again and again with another cycad species so that it eventually produces a plant that is genetically 99% woodii, he eventually got a single female seedling that, he hopes, will be close enough to be a partner to the lone plant in Durban. Many succulent species in Southern Africa are faced with extinction for their value as muti. He described whole pick-up loads of the rare Namibian stone-like lithops genus being dumped in township muti markets, most of it left to rot. The many species of aloe in the mountainous coastal regions Arabia are under even greater threat following a population explosion

there, according to American collector Tom McCoy. Some species have been decimated by sheep that eat aloe flowers – leaving no seed. Tribesmen cut out the centres of other aloes to feed their donkeys. Buhle Francis of the National University of Science and Technology in Bulawayo revealed a terrifying new threat, from the vicious barbed thorns of the Opuntia fulgida cactus, which she calls “the demon invader of the savannah.” The densely sprawling cactus from the deserts of Arizona and northern Mexico was originally brought by a Mr Harvey for his garden in the Tuli cattle breeding station in the sixties. Known also as the “jumping cholla” for its ability to spread, and without any natural enemies, it has entrenched itself in large areas of south-west Matabeleland that are increasingly choked by the cactus. Birds, bats, snakes goats, cattle and donkeys are increasingly being found impaled to the spines of the plant, which cause horrendous injuries and slow death to animals.

Herbal medicines gaining acceptance Patrick Musira

any people across the city are using the services of traditional healers and traditional medicines (TM) although many do so secretively wary of a certain stigma attached to the practice. The acceptance by some medical aid societies to refund purchase of TM, however, is bringing people out of the closet and growing the number of both herbal practitioners and sellers. Some organisations are also now accepting traditional healers’ authority to give employees sick leave. Newspapers are awash with adverts proclaiming the efficacy and effectiveness of these herbs that claim to be able to cure any disease, illness and sickness under the sun. However, the increase in the number of providers of TM – most trading under exotic names like Dr Songolo, Dr Ali Baba, Dr Zoro, Dr Zathema and Dr Nguni – has drawn mixed reactions from residents. While TM’s popularity has grown, so

have questions and concerns about its safety in the face of aggressive marketing. “If you look at it from a purely medical standpoint, every herb works,” says Edmore SaMushonga, a herbals street vendor plying his trade on Leopold Takawira Street. He says it all has to do with politics, “as there are hidden interests that do not want anything good to come out of traditional minds”. Dr Bernard Madzima, Ministry of Health and Child Care’s director of family health, distancing himself from local council’s lack of clear and decisive position, told Harare News: “Although the Ministry has an oversight on all health issues in the country Harare City has a health department headed by Dr Mungofa. Please see him.” After weeks of stonewalling, the new director of health services at Town House, Dr Prosper Chonzi, finally responded saying although council was aware of these actions, they were working on plans to curtail such illegal activities.

“Medicines, whether traditional or modern, are potentially very dangerous if not used properly,” he said. There is need for serious regulation, thus the establishment of the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe (MCAZ). “Traditional medicines, if not prescribed properly, can lead to serious complications such as acute renal failure, liver failure and death. Again it is illegal for people to sell these. The MCAZ, police and council will continue to confiscate and prosecute illegal sellers of unregistered medicines, be they traditional or modern, for as long as they are being sold on the streets,” he emphasized. Most of the traditional herbs being sold are reported not to be registered with the MCAZ, responsible for regulating all medicines circulating in the country’s medicines market through a process of registration and authorization. Gugu Mahlangu, director-general of MCAZ, says that while some TMs are exempt from registration where

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such medicines are manufactured for distribution by third parties, registration or authorization is required. “The same principles apply to allopathic medicines that are compounded in practice settings and administered to patients, but this is

While TM’s popularity has grown, so have questions and concerns about its safety in the face of aggressive marketing.

now a rare practice,” she said. “The Authority has authorized the distribution of some herbal preparations that would be considered complementary medicines, provided they make no claims to cure any disease or defect.” He ex-

plained that minimal testing is carried on such preparations. A local herbalist operating from the Avenues area defends the practice, saying most so-called side effects from herbs are nothing compared to conventional drugs, though emphasising care in TM use. “Those who use the herbs need to take care with regards to dosages as the effects might be dire. Remember, if people are told to take a teaspoon of the drug, they will take a cup,” he says. Investigations show that while most of the herbal drugs are locally produced, a significant number have come into the country illegally from countries such as Zambia, Tanzania, Mozambique and South Africa, with others from as far afield as the Far East. While other experts are urging for strict monitoring and compliance – especially with regards to packaging and labeling on TM that are approved by the Authority – others still insist there’s no harm in TM use.

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Restaurants & food

The Pointe – busy and for good reason Mystery Eater

n these financially stressed times I have, in vain, been searching for good food at reasonable prices in an amenable setting. The last couple of restaurants reviewed have provided not at all bad but, in my view, unreasonably over-priced food – and on both occasions we have dined in solitary splendour. I have been taken to task by a prominent local businessman (not in the food industry) for comparing Harare prices with Johannesburg in my last review. He said the cost of running a business in Zimbabwe is far greater than in South Africa. I agree that the cost of raw materials – whether food or other – is greater. But wages are, if anything, cheaper, as is power. So the search for a good value eat-out has continued. And I am ecstatic to report that I can this month write a good review at last. Don’t get too excited – this is not, nor does it pretend to be “Fine Dining”. The Pointe, in 3rd Street between Baines and Josiah Chinamano, is plastic-covered tables at their finest. It has flashing fairy lights in gaudy colours draped around the walls, Grandma’s glass cabinets stuffed full of relics from the past, and inexplicably, a wall full of photographs of Elvis. I asked if this had been “The King’s” favourite restaurant and was assured by the witty femme maitre d that “No, but we were very close.” Never mind that he was probably dead before

she was born! On a freezing June evening both the welcome and the temperature were warm. And how delightful to sit in a restaurant with other fellow diners! The service was prompt, swift and friendly. Drinks appeared within moments of ordering, together with a basket of bread and a very good simple coleslaw salad – thank goodness, one without gloopy mayonnaise, just a delicious fresh dressing. The menu is huge – always a bit of a worry – but all the dishes we ordered seemed freshly prepared and were extremely good. Starters are priced from $3–$5 and span a wide variety including a choice of homemade soups. We chose giblets and deep fried mushrooms. The mushrooms were sizzling hot, juicy and delicious, served with a good sauce tartare. The soft, succulent giblets came in a mild tomato-

based sauce and were also cooked beautifully. Without pausing for breath, the mains were served – if I am looking to find fault, almost too quickly. I had char-grilled Portuguese sardines with green peppers and boiled spuds ($3 per sardine – I had 4 which was plenty) from a fairly wide choice of fish dishes. My partner chose one of the house specialities, charcoal grilled half chicken and chips ($10). The chicken was superb – moist, tasty and with a finely judged amount of peri-peri to give it a good kick. Mild or plain are the other options for this dish. My first mouthful of sardine was a disappointment as they had not been scaled properly which is essential for this fish. At that moment a finger-bowl arrived so I rolled up my sleeves, peeled back the skins (and scales) and ate with my fingers – and they were good. The Pointe also have daily spe-

cials, all of which sound like delicious hearty good food and priced at $10–$12. The Oxtail (Tuesday) is particularly good. And I look forward to trying the Sunday roast suckling pig. We had one pudding – a crème caramel which was nothing more, nothing less and to complete our sense of well being, we finished off with an Irish coffee apiece. We asked for the no-sugar version which is a challenge to the barman as the cream tends to sink into the coffee if there is no added sugar to help it float. Both arrived looking like perfectly poured Guinness, piping hot coffee sipped through vanilla flavoured cream. Again, if I am to nit-pick, they were a little light on the whisky, but otherwise a perfect way to round off dinner. The food portion of the bill for two of us was $35. The bar bill a further $15. The Pointe could not be

described as posh – or even smart. Eclectic to the point of being almost downright weird – but certainly warm, friendly, efficient and thoroughly enjoyable. I recommend it heartily. Service Ambience

Food Value Overall

Average: $20–$25 pp inc. drinks. The Pointe: 116 Baines Avenue 734240/0772 468 123 Open every day: 9am–10pm Friday: OPEN LATE! 9am–3am

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14 Harare News

Issue 12 July 2014

Arts & culture

Vital repairs at the National Gallery Michael Nott

rtists, art lovers, and gallery goers in general who just drop in for a cup of coffee or to browse the gift shop, will have no doubt noticed that the National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) has been closed for a while. Renovations started on 5 May and the gallery was completely closed a few weeks after that. It is scheduled to reopen, towards the end of July or early August. The Gallery has been slowly falling into a state of disrepair over the past 30 years due to central government’s inability to adequately finance such organisations. The leaking roof has been getting steadily worse, to the point where the safe keeping of some of the extremely valuable art works in the permanent collection was threatened. The domed skylights were leaking in places, some of the glass and Perspex panels in the skylights were cracked and the gutters between the roof sections had rusted away. The sad old ‘grande dame’ of galleries was badly in need of a facelift and some tender loving care. Thanks to some generous donor funding to the tune of US$400,000 the Gallery is now able to do some essential maintenance work to deal with the most serious problems. One of the most urgent problems was the leaking expansion joint that runs through the Gallery from front to back. The building is over 100 metres long so the expansion joint

was included in the original design to allow the building to expand and contract in response to changing temperatures. The old copper flashing has since been removed and the joint sealed. The domed skylights have been replaced with new ones and the damaged plaster in the light wells has been restored. Along the front and back edges of the roof, cement coping stones, meant to seal the edges, had begun to break up. In fact they had expanded and shifted so much that on some of the corners of the building they had pushed the terrazzo façade off completely. The coping has since been replaced with aluminium flashing, which is probably more in line with the original design and the terrazzo is being repaired. The building was designed by Messrs. Montgomerie and Oldfield who also designed the Harare

City Library – formerly the Queen Victoria Memorial Library. Building started in 1955 and it officially opened in 1957. Very few of the original drawings still exist so much of the repairs have had to rely on uncovering the layers of past repairs to reveal the causes of the current problems. The flat roof in particular presented a number of difficulties. It appears that the roof was originally sealed with layers of felt and mastic asphalt. On top of this had been placed concrete cooler tiles which had sunk into the waterproofing and caused major problems. These had to all be removed and in the process it was discovered that the cement screeding had begun to break down. Large areas of the screed had to be replaced, which was not in the original budget. On top of the new screed they have

now applied a torch-on waterproof membrane which will then be covered with expanded polyurethane insulation board with gravel on top. The gutters between the glass skylight sections were originally made of steel and then also plastered with a cement screed. Needless to say these had rusted through and also needed to be replaced and again this was not in the original budget. The old skylights had been made from Georgian wired cast glass with Perspex diffusers in front of them. Many had cracked and been badly repaired. The panes in the skylights will all be replaced with laminated white opalescent glass with new Perspex diffusers – a mammoth and slightly dangerous task in itself. But at least the building will now be completely waterproof. However, that’s not the end of the renovations. The building is still in

need of a complete overhaul of the electrics and the lighting. The air handling system – which helps to maintain the temperature and humidity, needs to be completely replaced. It’s vital to install a new fire suppression system, particularly in the storage area where much of the permanent collection is kept. The parquet floor in the main gallery needs to be refurbished. These are not just cosmetic changes but are necessary for the continued successful running of the institution. Funds are limited and it is estimated that at least another $600,000 is required. You can help to preserve and maintain this important and unique institution by becoming a Friend of the Gallery or by making a donation directly to Ms Doreen Sibanda, Executive Director, The National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Julius Nyerere Way, Harare.

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Anniversary letter from the editor rubbish, and profiteers grab vital wetlands for development or drain our water table for a quick dollar. Hopelessness is a terrible thing. However it’s not part of the Harare News agenda! We believe in Harare and the citizens that will build her up once again. Our encounters with you, the Sunshine City residents, have filled us with hope. The arts scene is as vibrant as it has ever been, our students are flying high, creating, dreaming, and building. We are seeing a communitylevel renaissance happening with networks of motivated, positive residents being born and growing in number and scope. There are heroes aplenty too, people who are making a difference and are deserving of support. It is with this in mind that we move into our second year and, though still in our infancy, do so with excitement and happiness.

the improvement of our city, our lives. Zimbabwe has been a tough place to live in the past years. People’s outlook has shifted from looking to the future into day-to-day survival mode. The consequences of this are manifold. Long term thinking and planning has been replaced with short term hustling. Issues such as the environment and infrastructure development, issues that will impact future generations to whom we leave Harare after we are all gone, have slipped down our collective agenda. Even the collective agenda, our vision as a society so to speak has been eroded. Our complex and difficult political and economic circumstances have reduced us to individuals. We have stopped questioning how we behave in the public sphere. Littering is rampant, driving is terrible, neighbours burn

Dear reader, It’s our birthday! It’s been twelve months since we launched, a proud and happy milestone for the Harare News team. This also makes it a great time to announce that we are doubling our print run to 20,000 copies and are reaching more people than ever in Mbare, Dzivarasekwa, Mabvuku, Tafara and Kuwadzana. We welcome our new readers to the pages of Harare News and look forward to engaging with you about the issues in your neighbourhoods. It hasn’t been an easy year. Not for us, not for anybody. Business is bad in all sectors, and our fledgling community newspaper has had to jump through several wildly flaming hoops to survive. It is only by revisiting our mission statement that we grow ever firmer in our resolve to provide news and information to promote

From the desk of the editor, I wish to thank enormously the hard working and passionate team at Harare News: the journalists, photographers and community contributors, the tireless admin staff, the distribution team and our very talented designer. We also extend our huge gratitude to the advertisers who have shown their support of a fledgling project. In doing so, we believe they have given something back to the communities in which they exist. And of course thank you to you the readers who pick up Harare News, read it and share it. And to those of you who engage with the articles or with us through letters and feedback. Please keep it up – it’s the reason we are here! Email your comments to editor@ hararenews.co.zw.

Thank you for your birthday messages! Happy Birthday Harare News. Keep going strong and have a fabulous newsroom bash. :) – Natalie Kombe Harare News you have given Harare City Library wonderful coverage and much more to share with our followers. Thank you. Wishing you many, many more years online and in print. – Harare City Library I’ve so enjoyed reading your newspaper and eagerly look forward to the latest issue each month. I especially enjoy the environmental, gardening and restaurant articles. Well done HN! – Jocelynne Lake Congratulations Harare News! Happy birthday. – Janet Bwititi @hararenews an Irish birthday proverb for you, ‘The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune.’ May you grow from strength to strength! HBD – @zamzigmedia Congratulations on reaching an important milestone. Thank you for your support for Harare’s music and arts scene as a whole. We at Mokoomba wish you many more years of sound business and the insightful reporting that Harareans have grown to love. – Mokoomba Harare News has been a breath of fresh air during its first year of existence in that it has religiously adhered to its core business of gathering and disseminating community news within Greater Harare. The citizens of Harare have had an overdose of negative news as a result of most of our media outlets placing undue and, quite often, unwarranted emphasis on local party politics at the expense of innumerable positive things that are taking place in our city and country on a daily basis. Congratulations! Makorokoto! Amhlophe! Muchadeyi Ashton Masunda Former Mayor of Harare

Corrections: 1. In the June issue of Harare News in the ‘Meet your councillor’ article (page 4) which profiled Ward 18 Councillor Allan “Rusty” Markham, we incorrectly suggested that Sam Levy’s Village, Celebration Centre and Borrowdale Race Course fell within Ward 18. They do in fact fall under Ward 17. 2. In the same issue, an article titled ‘Time to enforce smoking laws?’ was published under the name Owen Chirinda. The author is in fact Norman Mukwakwami.

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18 Harare News

Issue 12 July 2014

Schools

Junior Council Celebrates with the world cillors, Nkosinathi Kutenha from The Heritage School told Harare News, “The march was superb. I met some very cheerful people who are not members of the Junior Council and their passion for goodwill inspired me and motivated me. We all came from our respective schools with a purpose and in the end we were unified, so I’m glad I participated because it was a good way to interact with other people whom I hardly see, who have the same

Phoebe Ruvarashe Nyashanu

n Saturday 14 June 2014, the Harare City Junior Council commemorated World Day against Child Labour with the rest of the world. Children from schools all over Harare came together for the event that was organized by the then Prospective Junior Councillors, now Honourable Councillors. The event was established by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the umbrella of the United Nations to raise awareness of the issue of child labour. The ILO has data which shows that hundreds of millions of girls and boys across the globe are forced into work that deprives them of education, health, leisure and other basic rights and freedoms. More than half of these are working in hazardous environments, are enslaved, involved in drug trafficking, prostitution and even armed conflict. Among the many schools in attendance was Mabelreign Girls High who brought their Marimba Group to perform as well as Lord Malvern High who brought their singing

and dancing groups. Numerous schools were represented and put on splendid performances that left the crowd cheering for more. Mayor of Harare, His Worship Honourable Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni gave a very informative speech on the event and the purpose of the day. Also gracing this splendid event with her presence was the Junior Town Clerk, Her Worship

Ruvimbo Mujuru from Christ Ministries High School who also gave opening remarks about the day. The event culminated in a march around the streets near Town House, with numerous banners carrying anti-child labour messages, and the crowd shouting “STOP CHILD LABOUR”. After the march, one of the organizing Prospective Junior Coun-

“Vanishing wetlands” postcard competition winners

Students from various schools receive prizes for art works depicting the spiritual significance of wetlands. The event was hosted by Friends of the Gallery and the Italian Ambassador, His Excellency Enrico de Agostini. Photo: Fungai Tichawangana

drive, to serve.” American Politician Alexis Herman once said, “If we can’t begin to agree on fundamentals, such as the elimination of the most abusive form of child labour, then we really are not ready to march forward into the future.” The Harare Junior Council event was a commemoration for a good cause and one that gave people the will to prevent as well as eradicate Child Labour in our city, our country and our world.

Talk to Tete Another boy in my class stole $22 from my bag. I know it was him, but I don’t know how to deal with it. He is not a nice guy, and there is no way to show that it was him for sure. What can I do? I am sorry you have had cash stolen. I imagine that has left you not only short of money, but also feeling angry and upset. Sadly, if you cannot prove it was a particular person, there is nothing you can do to bring him to justice, or to recover your money. It is advisable to report it to the school authorities. You could also make a public announcement explaining what this loss means to you. We often feel better if we can be open and honest about how we are feeling. This would have the added advantage of reminding everyone to look after their own valuable. Is there any way you could discuss with others in your class how to keep small valuables safe in future? At my school sport is compulsory, but there are no sports that I like. I am called fat a lot, and I am big and find running so hard. I wish to move to another school where I don’t have to play any sport, which schools are these? I think my parents will say no anyway. I am sorry you are being insulted and feel bad about yourself. It is

horrid having to play sport if you really don’t enjoy it, particularly if you are carrying extra weight. I think you will find that most schools emphasise sport and changing schools is unlikely to solve the problem. Better to find a way to feel good about yourself. I imagine you would like to feel healthy? If you had to design your own “Get Fit Programme” what would you include? Walking? Dancing? Taekwondo? Find someone, at school or elsewhere, to help you design such a programme. Someone who can make it fun to set goals and celebrate when you achieve them. Research shows that visualisation can help! If you spend ten minutes every day creating a vivid image of your ideal self, in good physical shape and full of energy this will help you make different choices so you achieve your goals. Once you are healthier you are likely to feel happier and you might even find a sport that you enjoy… or at least don’t mind quite so much! Good luck.

Tete is a qualified occupational psychologist with over ten years experience working with schools. Send your questions to her at talktotete@hararenews.co.zw.

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Schools

New categories at Speech and Drama Festival Kundai Marunya

Young golfers practise their chipping at an HHPC lesson.

A Ray of Hope for Zimbabwean Golf Kudzayi Zvinavashe

he esteemed Hatcliffe Girls Development Trust (HGDT) that brought us household names like Shamiso Makwara and the award winning female amateur golfer Yolanda Mubaiwa is the brain child of Pro Golfer, 58 year old Jessie Nyakatawa. The HGDT initiative was started in 2006 by Nyakatawa when she was the president of the Zimbabwe Ladies Golf Union (ZLGU). It targeted girls from the high density suburb of Hatcliffe who could not afford to play golf. One of the core aims of the initiative was to dispel the myth that golf is an elitist sport and to support talent among the less privileged. The initiative was nominated in the recent inaugural golf awards hosted by the Zimbabwe Golf Association running under the theme, “Celebrating Golf Excellency”. Nyakatawa stopped the programme for two years between 2010 and 2012. The programme has now restarted and has since changed its name to Hatcliffe High Performance Centre (HHPC) and now provides lessons for boys as well. The initiative has received sponsorship to help the children with golf regalia, golf clubs, transport, membership fees and funds to take part in tournaments. Since she restarted the programme it has been recognized by influential individuals and organisations but it hasn’t received much funding. “I have been running this programme on a shoestring budget and I have had to bankroll it from my own funds. The parents help with their children’s transport

fees sometimes,” said Mrs Nyakatawa. An interview with her revealed that her passion for golf and her care for the children are the only things that have kept the HHPC initiative running for so long. “Even if there is no funding I can`t just abandon the kids who are so eager to learn about the sport. The Borrowdale Brooke Golf Club Management and a few well wishers have been very supportive.” One of the parents whose child is a beneficiary of the HHPC initiative applauded the programme saying that it plays an important role in keeping the children off the streets. But the training session for the children was a sad sight as they were not wearing proper golf attire, had no cool drinks and since they had been at the golf course since early morning some had not had a proper meal. One of the amateur golfers said, “The corporate world has been reluctant to support talent from the grassroots level and as a result very few Zimbabwean golfers turn professional. So we find that even our prestigious local tournaments are flooded with more foreigners than locals.” This year’s recent Zimbabwe Open Golf Tournament attracted more than 156 golfers of which only 31 golfers were from Zimbabwe. During the interview with Nyakatawa she stressed that sponsoring a junior golfer costs less than sponsoring soccer or many other sports, “Sponsoring a junior golfer would cost around US$500 for the whole year inclusive of the club membership, transport, food, accommodation and tournament fees and other essentials.”

he annual 101st National Institute of Allied Art (NIAA) Speech and Drama Eisteddfod has two new categories, namely dance and public speaking. The Eisteddfod, which commenced on the 24th June at the Midlands Christian College in Gweru, is being held at Harare International School (HIS), Reps Theatre, Twin Rivers School and Prince Edward School. NIAA secretary Kathy Norman says, “This year the Eisteddfod introduced movement in the form of a dance section.” Adjudication of this took place at Reps Theatre on June 24th, with a panel of local dance teachers adjudicating. “NIAA is excited about this new section as it completes the coverage of all the Arts, as in our original charter, and hopes to see it grow in years to come,” she said. Norman said 48 participants have also entered another new category, public speaking. “Candidates will deliver a four minute speech on a topic of their choice,” she said. “This has been brought back by public demand despite the fact that there is a schools public speaking annual competition.” The Eisteddfod is being held at both the Beit Hall and the Music Auditorium at Prince Edward School. Choral speaking will be held at Twin Rivers School and the Performing Theatre at the Harare International School. More than 1800 entries have been received from over 60 participating schools. Norman said, “Our final concert will take place at HIS on Saturday the 12th July showcasing a selec-

tion of the best entries from the Eisteddfod.” Certificates and trophies will also be handed out to exceptional individuals and groups at the final concert. Meanwhile, NIAA engaged two adjudicators from South Africa and USA to be part of the festival. Norman said, “Our adjudicators, Victoria Bryan from the USA and Claire Wilson from RSA, will be working together – listening to and watching participants deliver poems by themselves and in groups as well as mime, and the like.” Bryan is no stranger to Zimbabwe as she was in the country to assist with an Outreach Program earlier. “The outreach has been helpful in assisting over 200 teachers from 53 schools who attended the workshops,” said Norman. This is however Wilson’s first visit to Zimbabwe. She majored in Drama, English and History at the University of the Witwatersrand and is currently studying for her Masters. Norman said Wilson is very active in the theatre world in Johannesburg and has adjudicated the Germiston Eisteddfod. NIAA festival director Gavin Peter said, “We are looking forward to this explosion of creativity and talent.” He said the festival gives people the opportunity to write and design fresh new speech and drama. “This must always be encouraged and supported. I hope many of you will come and be part of the audience to support our young performers,” he said. The full programme is available to the public at the venues. Admission charge is $2.00 per person or a season ticket is $10.00.

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Coventry starts Rio 2016 Olympic training supplemented by a gym workout on most days as well. Having previously had to juggle a degree in hotel and restaurant management with her athletic endeavours, Coventry relishes the chance to focus solely on her training, with her days only beginning at 7am instead of 5am. Her regime entails lots of healthy eating, and a daily nap between 1:30 and 3.00pm. That said, her term on the IOC does keep her busy outside of the pool. She is part of the Athlete’s Commission which works with top sportspeople from around the world to uphold their rights and

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irsty Coventry, Africa’s most decorated Olympian, has started preparing for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, though training is set to start in earnest when she heads to the US this month. “I will be leaving Zimbabwe to go back to the US in July. I have been training for the last few months though the serious training will begin when I arrive in America, “ Coventry told Harare News via email from Tokyo where she is working as part of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “Once I have spent time with my coach in Charlotte, North Carolina, we will start looking at my events. I will probably only make the decision as to which events I will be aiming for at the end of 2015,” she added. Rio will mark her fifth appearance at the Games in an Olympic career spanning more than 16 years. Coventry first swam at the millennium Olympic Games in Sydney aged just 16, and has competed at every event since. She will be 33 at Rio. Coventry’s first medals were at Athens ’04 where she won one of each colour. Building on this, she took the pool by storm at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, winning three silvers and a gold, and making her the most decorated female swimmer of all time for individual events, a status shared with Krisztina Egerzegi of Hungary, who was last decorated in 1996. Coventry’s London 2012 Olympics were marred by a knee injury in the build up to the Games. De-

Rio 2016 will mark Kirsty Coventry’s 5th Olympic Games. spite this setback at a critical time, she reached the finals in the 200m backstroke and 200m individual medley, though never made it to the podium. Now Coventry is looking to open up a lead over Egerzegi and claim the title of greatest woman Olympian in the pool for herself alone. As any professional athlete would, she has her eyes on gold, and with seven medals and four Olympics under her belt, knows what is needed to get there. “It takes hard work, one hundred percent strength and huge mental effort to win a gold medal,” she says. For Coventry, confidence is vital, but it’s more than just a mindset. “When I am standing on the block, about to dive in for a race, I know that I have done everything I need to be where I am. I cannot teach myself to have that much confidence, I

have to know that I have earned it.” A backstroke specialist who has also shined in the medley events, Coventry says that she is not eyeballing the competition too closely ahead of the 2016 Games, suggesting that “If you narrow down your competitors you open yourself up for big surprises and anyone on any day could be a big surprise.” This is a lesson from her past, when back in Athens ’04, she swam to silver in the 100m backstroke in lane 1 – an outside lane to which the slowest qualifying times are allocated. It earned her the name ‘Outside Smoke.’ “Everyone has a chance of doing really well and although this adds pressure on me, it reminds me that I can’t control what everyone is doing, I can only control what I am doing,” says Coventry. Her training requires Coventry to spend 18 hours a week in the pool,

It takes hard work, one hundred percent strength and huge mental effort to win a gold medal.

ensure that they meet their obligations as Olympians. She is also part of the Tokyo 2020 Coordination Commission, the World Anti Doping Agency, and Olympic Solidarity – the developmental arm of the IOC that works with Olympic Committees worldwide to nurture promising athletes from all backgrounds.

Her transition from being just an Olympic athlete to include mentorship and oversight roles have enriched Coventry’s perspectives on this prestigious world event; “Since being elected onto the International Olympic Committee, the Olympics has become more important and only now I can see the bigger picture. It’s about the positive impact sport has on a person’s family. It is about the impact sport has in the community and the impact it creates for a nation, from health to social benefits, from bringing people together and creating peace amongst all of us.” With her busy schedule, Coventry is not at home in Harare as much as she would like. She uses what time she does have to see her family, and is also active with the Tikki Hywood Trust – a private voluntary wildlife conservation organization with a focus on the protection of the critically endangered pangolin species (see Harare News, June 2014). Zimbabwe will always be close to her heart, and her big personal achievements have her dreaming big for her country too. “We have the potential to be one of the greatest countries in the world and I hope that we can all strive to work together to achieve this. I believe that we can. I would like for us as a nation to honor our promises, strive for excellence, work hard, be a family, come together and help each other – this is my hope for our Zimbabwe,” she says. To follow Kirsty’s progress and share messages of support with her as she embarks on her journey to Rio de Janeiro, following her on Facebook (OfficialKirstyCoventry) and Twitter (@KirstyCoventry).

Kirsty Coventry’s journey to become the greatest African Olympian began at very early age. As an accomplished athlete she takes pleasure in giving back and inspiring the youth.