Minister Chamisa takes ICT to rural areas

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk


Sunday, 17 May 2009

JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News)--ZIMBABWE has intensified efforts to take
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to the rural areas so as to
improving the people's lives, a government minister has said.
Addressing business people in Sandton, Johannesburg on Thursday night,
Zimbabwe's Minister of Information, Communication and Technology, Nelson
Chamisa, said as technology plays key role in development of any country but
Zimbabwe's rural areas, where the majority of the country lives, was lagging
behind due to a number of factors.
"Zimbabwe has a population that is highly educated in the whole of
Africa, a huge literate rate which is pegged at 98 percent. The main dilemma
faced with our people is that we do not have PCs at schools, government
offices and households, hence the need to work with the region, the
continent and the international community.
"We have serious challenges such as internet speed which are very
slow. AS the ministry of ICT, we intend to introduce information kiosks in
the countryside so that our professionals deployed there find life easier,"
said Chamisa.
He urged regional, continental and international companies to invest
in the revival of the sector, particularly in rural areas where a
significant number of professionals such as teachers, health, agricultural
experts, scholars and other individuals dwell.
Chamisa, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the
ministry, Engineer Sam Kundishora, said the government was also exploring
ways of working with fellow Zimbabweans in the Diaspora, United Nations
Development Progamme (UNDP), regional, and other interested ICTs from around
the globe in that regard.
He said the country intends to lure back its citizens, but experts in
ICT back to the country to start rebuilding the nation, as well as offering
huge incentives as part of the attractive package.
CAJ News

Only God can rescue Zim: Tsvangirai

http://www.zimonline.co.za/

by Lizwe Sebatha Monday 18 May 2009

BULAWAYO - Only through divine intervention can Zimbabwe be rescued
from crisis, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said at the weekend.

The former opposition leader who formed a unity government with
President Robert Mugabe to try to end years of political strife, acute
recession and food shortages in Zimbabwe, urged his compatriots to pray hard
to God for the success of the shaky unity government.

"The only way we can rescue this country is when Zimbabweans start
praying hard. We have to pray hard and ask God to save this country . . .
without prayers, we will not go anywhere," said Tsvangirai, who was speaking
at a memorial service for his late wife Susan held in Bulawayo city on
Saturday.

About 400 people, among them deputy prime minister Thokozani Khupe,
Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, local councillors and members of the
Methodist Church and other churches attended the memorial service held at
Bulawayo's Large City Hall.

Susan died in a car accident in March that left Tsvangirai injured and
for a short while threatened to destabilise the unity government until
Tsvangirai publicly rejected suspicions that the car crash may have been an
attempt on his life by hardliner elements in Mugabe's ZANU PF party opposed
to unity.

"We have to pray for the success of the unity government and also ask
for a God-fearing leadership."

Tsvangirai, Mugabe, and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, the
leaders of Zimbabwe's three main political parties, agreed to form a unity
government under a power-sharing deal brokered last year by former South
African President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the regional Southern Africa
Development Community (SADC).

The coalition government is seen as offering Zimbabwe the best
opportunity in a decade to restore stability and end a devastating economic
and humanitarian crisis that had seen the once prosperous country suffer
rampant inflation of more than 200 million percent, acute food shortages
affecting more than half of the country's population, record unemployment
and deepening poverty.

But the success of the Harare administration hinges on its ability to
raise financial support from rich Western countries that have however said
they will not immediately help until they are convinced Mugabe is committed
to genuinely share power with his former opposition foes. - ZimOnline


The Battle Belongs to the Lord;Prime Minister,Sir you remind of King Jehoshaphat.You are King Jehoshaphat of Today

Jehoshaphat knew that unless he heard from God, he was not going to make it. That need was what The Amplified Bible calls his “vital need.” There are some things we can do without, but others are vital. Jehoshaphat knew having God's direction was vital.

"After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat. 2Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 5Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6and said: "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

8They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9`If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'. . . 14Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly. 15He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: `Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.. . . 22As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.. . . 30And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side,"

Tsvangirai launches the government's 100 day plan

The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, The Right Honourable Morgan Tsvangirai,





Harare International Conference Centre, May 13th 2009

Vice President Mujuru, Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara, Deputy Prime Minister Khupe, Honourable Ministers and Members of Parliament, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Government Officials, Invited Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I would like to welcome you to this historic launch of the new Government’s 100 Day Plan. This Plan will provide the blue print for the implementation of key sector reforms and the initiation of essential development and rehabilitation programmes.

The first 100 Days of this Government represented the process of formulation and consolidation. Today with the launch of this Government’s commitment to the next 100 Days, we move into the sphere of implementation.

More importantly , this 100 Day Plan has the potential to change the culture of Governance in Zimbabwe as it represents a Ministerial commitment to delivery to the Zimbabwean people to which they will be able to hold individual ministers, and the government as a whole, accountable. Indeed, accountability is the cornerstone of any democracy and this Government will not shy away from its responsibilities as defined by the GPA.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am particularly proud of the work that has gone into developing this plan as it represents the first concrete example of what can be achieved if the various signatories to the GPA are committed to working together for the betterment of our nation. I would like to express my gratitude to the World Bank for sharing our vision and for supporting the development of the 100 Day Plan. It was through their support, that we were able to take all our ministers and the acting permanent secretaries to Victoria Falls to develop this implementation agenda.

We went to this remote location to build a sense of team work, mutual respect and cooperation amongst colleagues and associates who yesterday were bitter political adversaries. During the course of the retreat, we formulated an agreed vision for the way forward and a detailed plan of how to get there which is what we are presenting to you today.

This implementation plan is based on the commitments contained in the GPA and the vision provided by the Short Term Emergency Recovery Plan (STERP) which was launched in March of this year. Ladies and Gentlemen, the development of this 100 Day Plan was undertaken by myself as Prime Minister and executed through my office in line with my mandate and responsibilities under the GPA. Indeed, it is important that we recognise the key role played by this agreement in the development of the Plan.

It is from the GPA and the Constitution of Zimbabwe that every member of Government derives his or her mandate. Its clarity on the structure of the inclusive government and the roles of the individuals and institutions within it should allow the machinery of governance to run smoothly during this transitional period. The GPA states that, the Executive Authority of the Inclusive Government shall vest in, and be shared among the President, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, as provided for in this Constitution and legislation.

Within the agreement, the authority and responsibility of the Prime Minister includes but is not limited to;

Chairing the Council of Ministers and is the Deputy Chairperson of Cabinet;
Exercising executive authority;
Overseeing the formulation of government policies by the Cabinet;
Ensuring that the policies so formulated are implemented by the entirety of government;
Ensuring that the Ministers develop appropriate implementation plans to give effect to the policies decided by Cabinet: in this regard, the Ministers will report to the Prime Minister on all issues relating to the implementation of such policies and plans;
Ensuring that the legislation necessary to enable the government to carry out its functions is in place: in this regard, he/ she shall have the responsibility to discharge the functions of the Leader of Government Business in Parliament;

Being a member of the National Security Council;
Reporting regularly to the President and Parliament.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am aware of, and I accept the responsibilities placed upon myself and my Office to ensure the formulation of all relevant policies and their efficient and effective implementation.

I am also aware that, while it is vitally important to have a coherent plan to guide our policy development and implementation, it is as important that the will exists to ensure that such a plan, once developed, is implemented. This is particularly relevant to a coalition Government such as ours. If all the signatories are not fully committed to abiding by the agreement to which they have appended their names, then the technical implementation of Government policy will falter.

Sadly, there appears to be a reluctance by residual elements from the old government to obstruct and frustrate the successful implementation of the GPA. This attitude, should it continue, will limit the effective implementation of the 100 Day Plan and subsequently impact negatively on our ability to make a positive difference to the lives of all Zimbabweans. What continues to plague Zimbabwe can be best described as a reluctance to accept the reality of the changes taking place within the country.

This residual resistance represents an unwillingness to accept the fact that the new political dispensation is not only irreversible, but also offers the country the only viable way forward. The continued violations of the rule of law and the GPA prevent the inflows of development aid, obstructing a progressive legislative agenda and risk keeping Zimbabwe mired in poverty and the fear of persecution.

Ladies and Gentlemen as different political parties, it is natural that we have different political agendas. However, as co-signatories to the GPA, we should be united by our agenda of Governance and of delivering essential services to the people while simultaneously promoting their freedoms. Such is the clarity of the GPA and the Constitution, that if there was truly a political will to abide by their letter and spirit, these issues could be resolved immediately. In doing so, we would prove to the international community that we are genuine and serious about restoring Zimbabwe to its rightful place in the family of nations.

The reality of the situation is that we must deliver more to the people and more quickly. The citizens of this great nation have been steadfast and resolute in allowing this new Government the opportunity to prove its worth. The members of the civil service have allowed us to introduce an interim allowance in lieu of salaries. While this allowance is more than their previous salaries, it falls short of what their counterparts in the region receive.

The Government is aware of this, and is grateful for their support and patience. However, there is a limit to the progress that we can make while the GPA is not fully implemented and while the rule of law continues to be violated. Those individuals that continue to undertake these actions are in effect stealing from every Zimbabwean. Ladies and Gentlemen, once we embrace this need for mutual cooperation to drive our nation forward, we can then concentrate on the business of Government, delivering services to the people and driving the legislative agenda.

The next 100 Days of this Government are vital to proving our commitment to restoring Zimbabwe to its proud place in the international family of nations. I know that the vast majority of Ministers, Government officials and members of the civil service are committed to rebuilding our country and are committed to implementing fully the 100 Day Plan.

I acknowledge that resources are scarce, but all Ministers involved should be aware that there are many projects and policies that can have a positive effect on people’s lives and which can be introduced at little or no cost. I invite all stakeholders and representatives of Civil Society to work with us to ensure the successful implementation of all the targets identified in the plan.

I thank the international community and donor organizations for the support they have afforded our country and for their continued commitment to working with the Government and all stakeholders to deliver to the people the Zimbabwe our liberation heroes fought for. Despite the challenges we have faced in the first three months of this new political dispensation, the GPA still represents the only viable way forward for this country,. Indeed, the positive impact that we have had on the lives of the people, in a relatively short timeframe, justify the purpose and role of the GPA in providing a stable framework within which we can take our country forward.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I call upon each member of our new Government and every citizen of Zimbabwe to join me in putting the interests of our nation and our people first – to join me in choosing progress and prosperity over poverty and persecution. There is no viable alternative for our country, our people or ourselves. I believe in a future for Zimbabwe that puts the welfare of its citizens first, where development leads to growth, which in turn leads to prosperity for all.

Let us work together to make the next 100 Days a tribute to our ability to unite, to implement the necessary legislative reforms and to initiate the programmes of rebuilding our beautiful Zimbabwe that the people demand and deserve.

I thank you

Botswana urges Zimbabwe to end suffering

GABORONE - Botswana has called on the Zimbabwean ZANU-PF to end unilateralism and facilitate the process of rebuilding the economy in order to end the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe.

A press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation states that failure to demonstrate commitment in this regard on the part of ZANU-PF may lead to the withdrawal of pledges made and further discourage the international community from assisting Zimbabwe.

The ministry states that Botswana pledged a line of credit for the new government in Zimbabwe in the hope that all parties will live up to the spirit of the Global Political Agreement.

The Foreign Affairs ministry is, however, concerned at the recent developments in the neighbouring country, and in particular, the detention of 18 human rights activists or political detainees on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe's previous government.

Other charges include failure to resolve the issues of key appointments in the government, which should be equitably distributed amongst ZANU-PF, MDC (T) and MDC (M) and the continuing illegal farm invasions.

"These irresponsible and provocative acts can only serve to undermine the implementation of the GPA and efforts by the international community to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the economy in Zimbabwe", further reads the statement.

The ministry maintains that an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence amongst the parties to the GPA remains the bedrock for full international re-engagement with Zimbabwe, which that country requires. BOPA

McGee reportedly going back to the US military

By CHIDO GONDO
Published: Saturday, May 09, 2009

HARARE — The United States ambassador James McGee reportedlt is going back to the military in a move analysts say is in preparation for anticipated chaos in Zimbabwe the Zimbabwe Telegraph has heard.


Security chiefs - responsible for widespread torture

“I’m going back to the US military, and my speciality will be Zimbabwe,” McGee was quoted by a South African newspaper, Mail & Guardian, as having said this week. When pressed to explain what he meant, his response was curt: “You’ll find out.”
With no solution in sight to the outstanding issues, the government of national unity’s collapse is imminent and that may result in total chaos as Robert Mugabe’s regime clings to power.

The main wing of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai wants the appointments of the central bank governor, attorney-general, permanent secretaries and diplomats reversed as they were arbitrarily done by the ageing Zimbabwean dictator well after the formation of the unity government.

In a veiled threat, the MDC has given the three principals to the government of national unity (GNU) until Monday to resolve these outstanding issues, failure of which the matter will be referred to the broker of the current arrangement, former South African president, Thabo Mbeki.

Analysts say Mugabe may agree to have Gideon Gono removed from the Reserve Bank but will fight tooth and nail to keep Johannes Tomana as the government chief law officer as removing him would open a flood of prosecutions against him and his regime, accused of widespread human rights abuses and genocide.

Hardliners in the MDC want the GNU agreement to be met to the letter or they pull out of the whole arrangement and force elections, a situation that will be vigorously resisted by Mugabe, sliding the southern African country into a bloodbath.

In such a scenario, analysts say, the US would lobby the African Union and the United Nations to send in troops to restore order and that is where people like McGee, with his present knowledge of Zimbabwe and his diplomatic and military backgrounds, would come in.

Insiders say the move by the US to recall McGee, Mugabe’s arch-critic in the diplomatic community, has sent shockwaves in Zanu PF with many urging the despot and a coterie of hardliners in the ruling party to see sense and allow the Mbeki-brokered arrangement to work as they see it as the only way to escape repercussions of their 29-year misrule.

McGhee has openly criticised Mugabe accusing him of intransigence. He has openly said that until there were real political reforms in Zimbabwe, targeted sanctions will remain in force and his country will not loosen the purse strings.

“The United States has a tendency of forcing its will on weaker nations,” said Saviour Kasukuwere, the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment. “But I do not see that happening as we are complying with the GNU agreement.”

When asked if Zanu PF had fully met its side of the bargain, he replied, “You do not expect that to happen overnight, do you? At least we have made some changes and the process is still ongoing.”

“The US wants to invade our country militarily because of our little problems with the MDC,” said Richard Ndlovu, Zanu PF’s acting political commissar. “That is why it has a base in Botswana. But we will shame them and comply with the GNU agreement.”

Many in Zanu PF, however fear prosecution from an MDC government with full executive powers.

“Many do not want to stay in government any longer,” said an analyst in Harare who preferred anonymity. “They have made enough money. All they want now is to go into civilian life unpunished. But they are staying and urging Mugabe on because they are not so certain about the future.”

“Guarantees alone against prosecution are not enough,” quipped another analyst, who also did not want to be identified for obvious reasons. “The new government can make a U-turn on those promises and start taking them to jail one by one.”

Gift Nyandoro responds to suspension from MDC-M

Sir, l hope this letter finds you well


Ago Mutambara

It is almost a year and two months since l left your organization; the last time l met and interacted with your organization being at the national council meeting wherein your organization sought to have a post mortem of the harmonized election results of the 29th March 2008.

Since then l have come to hear of the activities of your organization through press and in particular of your recent employment as one of the two deputies to the Prime Minister Morgan Richard Tsvangirai.

Please accept my belated congratulations to such unusual and extraordinary appointment.

Sir, l have just received a letter dated 7th of May 2009 depicting a letter head of your organization and l got served with the letter by supposedly one of your messengers; Mr. Zimuto.

Frankly speaking the contents of the letter has taken me by surprise. It seeks to suspend me from your organization purportedly on the basis of a said misconduct which l am said to have brought the name of your organization into disrepute.

At first, l thought it has been April fools day. lt is unimaginable that one can be suspended from the membership of an organization which he has since ceased subscribing to.

I had decided not to respond to the letter fearing the temptation of dignifying its contents which by any stretch of kindergarten- mentality, it borders on psychiatric pride.

However, when the purported suspension got corroborated by the Saturday Herald edition of the 8th of May 2009; that’s when l realized that l could not keep quiet any more. To do so would have been certainly to allow Satan to run away with a Christian bible from the Christian pulpit.

Sir, you would certainly agree that I once made numerous visits to your residence being in the company Edwin Hamunakwadi; a Harare lawyer; seeking audience with you regarding what l perceived to have been a retrogressive culture in your organization.

For the avoidance of doubt, my worries and reservations related to the following: Tribal Carnage and Ideological Bankruptcy.

Sir, l wish to address the two points raised above in seriatim. I further pray that emotions and unreasonableness should never cloud the better part of my judgment, sincerity and integrity. In politics there is no such thing as permanent hatred or friendship, but we are servants of permanent interests.

I suppose that the permanent interest that binds Zimbabweans at this point in time of history, whether the rich and the poor, the educated and the non ones; is nothing more other than the desire to see a free Zimbabwe.

A free Zimbabwe; that upholds and observe the rule of law. A free Zimbabwe that can only be realized by visionary political parties that cherish and celebrate institutional party democracy before such parties are given the chance to rule our Motherland.

Sir, when MDC split as a political party, I was one of those who unfortunately chose to side with your organization. I remember very well how one learned Professor successfully convinced me that Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had abdicated the founding principles of MDC as a political formation.

I saw false glory permeating the days to come; alas, little did l know that political leadership is never measured by the number of degrees one holds. It simply requires a degree in common sense. Regrettably I lacked one by then.

Now that I'm served with a purported letter of suspension from your organization despite that l quit its membership silently and decided to pursue an honest life as a lawyer, let me therefore for the public good and avoidance of doubt; categorically state my reasons for my disassociation with your organization.

Tribal Carnage.


Sir, you would remember well that l continuously reminded you that your organization was modeled along perilous tribal lines’ failed to appreciate how a movement seeking to translate itself into national politics would remain secluded to Matebeleland.

Firstly it was launched in Bulawayo, and it repeatedly carried out all of its major organizational activities into Matebeleland. The launch of the election campaign for the harmonized election was done in Bulawayo.

The organization was never seen anywhere else in Mashonaland save for the token appearances in Chitungwiza mainly through the hardworking of Job Sikhala. Members of the organization who queried such imbalance of party activities faced the wrath of party leadership.

One would be systematically sidelined to the extent that one dies a natural death with an incurable regret of ever having joined a train of tribal carnage.
Sir, you would certainly agree that efforts were once made by your organization on allegations that l labeled your Secretary General (Welshman Ncube) a tribalist.

I recall well being advised by your national chairman Mr Mudzumwe that l was not allowed to attend national executive and council meetings because of the purported tribal allegation on my part.

I got victimized because l had the guts to shame the devil. You would certainly recall sir the night l asked you at your residence whether you were still the leader of the party or you were a place holder. I only remember you reminding me that you were a holder of a robotic PHD.

What became of the later conversation God knows? Sir, l can no longer afford to masquerade as a force of doom; for l know what Zimbabweans want. History shall have to be rewritten correctly one of the days to come.

Ideological Bankruptcy
Sir, the culmination of the harmonized elections became a rude awakening to me. I did all l could to understand the rational why yourself as the President of your organization you opted not to run for the presidency but opted to hide behind the back of DR Simba Makoni. It was a decision that your leadership took to the surprise of all Zimbabweans.

As if that was not enough your organization went to propose a candidate for the position of the speaker of parliament basing on the unholy alliance with Zanu PF. Your organization fought tooth and nail to deny Mr MoYo the people given right of speakership if the March 2008 vote was anything to go by.

More surprisingly, your selected candidate was someone who had been rejected by people at the polls and you could not see sense in picking a winning candidate amongst the ten MPs you had; without doubt you received backlash during the vote. God knows up to date who of the ten MPS pays allegiance to your organization up to date.

My heart still quivers at the thinking that your organization also deposed a supporting affidavit to a court application seeking to nullify the election of Mr Moyo as a speaker of Parliament.

I have since been convinced that politicians will never learn. History shows that one such application was done seeking to abduct Mr Tsvangirai out of office but it failed with a thud.
A reading of your purported cabinet appointments shows that the beneficiaries are rejects of the electorate. Please God forbids.

The elected MPs are nowhere to exercise and represent the will of the people. lt reminds me how I got reprimanded by a dear professor for having chided party leadership that had taken tractors which were being dished out like confects by Gideon Gono.

I’m now convinced that the claim by certain politicians that they fight for the good of the people is nothing but a naked lie of professional and competent thieves.

Sir, for the foregoing reasons; I decided to leave your organization quietly. In life we have the capacity to choose whether to worship Satan or God. It equally begs the question whether Satan can suspend Jesus Christ from his organization wherein Christ is never a member to it.

Sir there is no way I can appear before a disciplinary hearing which is a nullity. It is not there and a nullity is a nullity. It remains a question whether one still wants to fight the people of Zimbabwe or not.

I realized lately that no matter how you turn the wheels of a stationery vehicle it will never change direction. No reasonable person will remain waiting for a bus at the railway station hoping it would turn up; it won’t.

Sir in life we should never lose focus of the adage that being forewarned is being forearmed. I have no doubt that one day the very curse that l ran from your organization would come to devour you.

The omen is just around the corner and it is only for the visionary to perceive it. Just remember that l warned you out of the desire not to see prospective leadership of the country getting devoured by one common Cobra.

Sir, l wish to state the fact that l ceased being a retrogressive force long back. I since graduated with a degree in common sense. I have had enough lessons that one cannot fight against the cause of the people willy-nilly.

My only advice to the brethren that might be still pursing the path of retrogression is to the effect that when one sleeps with the devil one should not blame anybody for giving birth to a vampire. Sir, l wish your organization the best in its efforts and endeavors.

by Gift Nyandoro

MTN on the verge of entering Zimbabwe market

By SOUTHERN AFRICA CORRESPONDENT
Published: Thursday, May 07, 2009



MTN is said to be moving toward acquiring Telecel, a local service provider, in order to capture the remaining African mobile markets. The announcement that MTN is entering Zimbabwe comes less than two months after the company said it was also entering the Angolan mobile market should the Angolan government approve a license.



ICT Minister Hon Nelson Chamisa

Unlike other regional telecom sectors, Zimbabwe's telecom sector has remained stagnant over the past decade due to an unfriendly political situation that had scared away international or regional telecom investors. Currently, Zimbabwe has one of the worst communication networks in the region.
MTN spokesperson Nozipho January-Bardill said the company has always been looking for value-enhancing opportunities and Zimbabwe has presented one.

Zimbabwe has three mobile-phone service providers: Econet, Telecel and NetOne. Telecel is 60 percent owned by Egyptian operator Orascom, which has already hinted that it would like to get out of Zimbabwe and concentrate on North Africa and the Middle East.

"Operating in Zimbabwe is high on our agenda," Bardill said.

Bardill said the Zimbabwean market presents a very good market for investment because mobile penetration is still very low and MTN is accustomed to entering emerging markets against several rivals.

Mobile-phone subscribers in Zimbabwe complain that the country's tariffs are far above regional averages. With the entry of MTN into the country's mobile market, the cost of communication is expected to come down.

Last month, the country's Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) approved the issuance of 3G licenses, paving the way for investment by international telecom companies offering new-generation services.

POTRAZ is giving telecom service providers a blanket license, allowing them to offer new-generation services and expand their services throughout the country.

Zimbabwe is trying to regain its position of having the second-fastest growing information and communication technology sector in the southern Africa region after South Africa.

The government has been criticized for neglecting the ICT sector and decreasing funding to it.

According to the Global Information Technology report 2008-09, Zimbabwe was ranked last among 132 countries on the network readiness index.

This means that Zimbabwe ranks below all of the 13 Southern Africa Development Community countries.

originally on Zimbabwe Telegraph

BOCCIM wants investment safeguards finalised between Botswana/Zimbabwe

Monday, 04 May 2009

Maria Machailo-Ellis


Baledzi Gaolathe


As Botswana prepares to take advantage of rebuilding the ruined Zimbabwe economy that is in an abyss by committing to underwrite bank loans, the country’s employer confederation has warned that investment safeguards should be finalised.
BOCCIM - the Botswana Confederation of Commerce Industry and Manpower - said this week that it supports the government’s initiative to support the Short Term Economic Recovery Programme (STERP).
“BOCCIM is of the view that Botswana will need to fast track the finalisation of the Investment Protection Agreement to secure investments in Zimbabwe and to provide the potential investors with the confidence to do business there,” the employer federation said.
The comments, by the Maria Machailo-Ellis led organisation, come after the revelation that Botswana had committed to guarantee P500 million from local financial institutions for business dealings with Zimbabwe industry in a country described as being in a state of ‘contingent liability’.
The credit line is a sequel to the extraordinary summit of SADC Heads of States that met in Swaziland in March 2009 to discuss the funding model to help Zimbabwe.
“There may also be a need to revisit the various bilateral trade agreements with Zimbabwe to ensure that they are used effectively to facilitate trade between the two countries,” it added.
Zimbabwe has draconian empowerment laws, like the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, that came at the height of farm seizures and massive capital flight from investors who have put money into Zimbabwe.
The law was meant to transfer 50 percent of business to Zimbabweans who were said to have been disadvantaged, and giving black Zimbabweans the right to take control of foreign entities.
Meanwhile, BOCCIM, which is expected to lead a mission to Zimbabwe next week, said the credit line will facilitate the growth of enterprises between the two countries.
Next month, BOCCIM will be inviting its members on a mission to Zimbabwe to assess opportunities since the credit line will help in the purchase of goods and services from Botswana, where feasible.
“The mission will give the Botswana private sector an opportunity to scan the business environment in Zimbabwe first hand and to participate and to appreciate any risks as well as to build contacts for future relationships,” BOCCIM noted.
The organisation is making friends with peers like Employers Confederation of Zimbabwe (EMCOZ), Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) and others, through the Business Council of Zimbabwe to prepare for the mission.
Last week, one official said that on their recent fact-finding mission in Zimbabwe, where they met with the Zimbabwe Business Council, BEDIA and other government agencies were told that most of the industry equipment was lying idle, while the lack of working capital was cited by Zimbabwean companies as a current challenge.

Sunday Standard

Tsvangirai Meets Workers for May Day

Written by Makusha Mugabe
Sunday, 03 May 2009



Morgan Tsvangirai in ZCTU regaliaPrime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai donned his old Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions regalia at today's Worker's Day celebrations to tell workers to be patient with the inclusive government which is broke and cannot pay the wages demanded by their unions.

But whether teachers, policemen, nurses, doctors, soldiers and government workers will listen to his call will determine whether Zimbabwe does not degenerate into civil strife, with walkouts by civil servants, leading to further collapse and the government's inability to pay even the US$100 allowances that it has been paying.



The US$100 civil service allowances are being paid by donors in hard currency which Zimbabwe is not earning sufficiently because of the collapse of its export sector, but thanks to friendly donors the government has been able to tide them over the difficult period, and prices have been stabilized, though they are still high.

The money is coming from donors as the government is not collecting sufficient taxes to pay all its needs, because there is no industry and no agriculture, but trade unions are demanding four times as much as the government says is able to pay – thus pitting Prime Minister Tsvangirai who is responsible for all government finances against his erstwhile supporters in the worker's movement.

The workers workers supported Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and voted for it and for him as President against Robert Mugabe a year ago, but Mugabe refused to leave and went on to assault MDC supporters until Tsvangirai negotiated a settlement in an effort to rescue the nation which was doomed to collapse in a political and economic crisis that had brought Zimbabwe to ruin.

But the government is not making any headway in attracting financial support from those who matter because Mugabe is now back paddling on agreements signed.

While some MDC supporters are calling for pullout from the government, but Tsvangirai has taken the pragmatic stance which recognises that Mugabe and his military machine would not allow any opposition and would stop the movement towards free and fair elections.

Meanwhile the government is broke and only able to pay the $100 allowances, which Tsvangirai said would improve “when things improve”

He pleaded with ZCTU to give the new government time to fix the economy before pressing its demands for a minimum wage of $454.

"We have been in office for less than three months. I plead with you to please give us time," he said. "Your demands must be realistic, taking into account that your government is broke and that industry has not been performing."

ZCTU President Lovemore Matombo had earlier told thousands of cheering workers at the rally that the labour movement would call national strikes and protests to press its case.

The government has appealed for billions of dollars from the West to help revive Zimbabwe's shattered economy, but Western donors such as Britain want to see further progress in implementing the power-sharing agreement, which Mugabe is going back on.

Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 May 2009 )

Tsvangirai: MDC seeking to improve lives

http://www.upi.com

Published: May 1, 2009 at 2:54 PM

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, May 1 (UPI) --

Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says his Movement for Democratic
Change party wants to improve the lives of the country's citizens.
Speaking with party officials in the city of Bulawayo, Tsvangirai said
improving people's lives should be the main objective of the country's
current coalition government, SW Radio Africa said Friday.

Tsvangirai recognized how coalition governments throughout the world's
history have been problematic, just as Zimbabwe's new political system has
been.

The MDC leader has failed to find common ground with Deputy Prime Minister
Arthur Mutambara and President Robert Mugabe during five recent coalition
government meetings.

Such disagreement among the country's top officials has delayed the
appointment of other top posts including governors and ambassadors, SW Radio
Africa said.

Tsvangirai also commented on the strike threat issued by Zimbabwean teachers
unions, saying although teachers deserve higher pay, Zimbabwe is currently
financially unable to meet such demands.