The vulnerability of Women and men to HIV/AIDS

Socialization plays a vital role in educating men and women about the spread of HIV/AIDS. Gender stereotyping and power relations make women and men, girls and boys vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection.

In Zimbabwe my culture socials men to believe that having many partners is not wrong and that it is part and parcel of manhood. It has been researched and analyzed that men at times are shy to condoms, citing a loss of manliness as a reason for not practicing safer sex. In Africa and around the world, men’s prowess and his ability to produce many children are still seen as a sign of strength. Hence the attempt to prove manhood has caused Africa men to die from HIV/AIDS in many numbers.

In Zimbabwe poverty which is becoming more and more deep-rooted, with large pool of children who have lost parents to AIDS moving into urban cities, young boys too engage in sex work increasing their risk of contracting HIV.

The vulnerability of women and girls is locked into their lack of equality in resources, opportunity and voice through out societies to condemn men’s practice that jeopardize their lives. Women and girls powerlessness expose them to immense risk of HIV infection. Empowering women and a girl child is essential for reducing the vulnerability of HIV infection.

Many women world wide still lack control over their bodies and do not have the right to decide freely and responsibly matters related to their own sexuality. Infected women in Zimbabwe endure further forms of discrimination and less care as this is devoted to caring for the man if both are affected.

Gender violence which is caused by the unequal power relations and family politics between men and women, boys and girls exposes women and girls to rape and sexual abuse, making them vulnerable to HIV infection.

Our societies need to be structure in such a way that both sex males and females have equal chances to stand and defend their rights. Fostering the rights of community members lead to a health society with health relationship. A health society can improve its life style and production can be boosted as most of the time will be spend working instead of attending to the patience.

Journalist as Communicators of Health issues

Journalists are a good vehicle of communication about the health issues affecting the society. Communications is defined as the conveying of a message from one party to another through a medium. The media is one medium through which communications takes place.

HIV/AIDS is causing more damages than anticipated by the community members yet journalists are taking this issue lightly to communicate with the members of the society about it. Facts and figures are the main components of a journalist’s diet for producing and writing news, news analysis and feature stories. Editors and journalist often believe that putting together of facts and figures, with a few voices, is an exercise in objective reporting. Yet there is a lot that journalist should be doing to educate the masses and even opening an arena for discussion on the impact of HIV/AIDS.

In Zimbabwe and around the world what media people fail to grasp is their role as communicators. Researches conducted earlier reflect that the media communicates a variety of messages to various audiences who make up the reading or listening public.
When reporting about HIV/AIDS general in Africa and Zimbabwe in particular, media people have to grasp the complex problems and limitations in typical media representations of gender, to understand that these are deeply embedded social practice and interpretations that can cause confusion to the community members.

Communicating gender requires journalists and other media practitioners to observe the ways people can be marginalised because of gender issues. Journalists when reporting on health issues have to consider the age, class, who gets coverage, from what perspective and through which lens.

Women have to be educated not to regard marriage as a shield against AIDS, but as one way through which AIDS can be contracted. HIV/AIDS has become a grim mixture in women’s live especially in Zimbabwe. Many families are suspicious when their sons and brothers dies and widows are frequently blamed and resented for surviving their husbands.

Media should be in the forefront to encourage women who are about to get married to insist on an HIV test before marriage.

Among Zimbabwean, when a male is infected he receives unconditional support from his family. Women, however, are always blamed. These are some of the issues that media should open a sphere of discussion about.

Muchena’s statement heckled

The process to educate people of Zimbabwe about the crafting of a new constitution started today in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe at Gweru Cathedral Hall. People came from all corners of Midlands to meet the representative for the constitution Senate Committee. This follows the Global Political Agreement that was signed by the three Zimbabwean political parties to form an inclusive government.

Among the members of parliament that were present included MP Ngwenya, Madubeko, Rutswara, Chebundo, Chikwinya, Chingwena and the Midlands Provincial governor Naison Matshaya. Dr Olivia Muchena one of the inclusive government ministers was among the senate committee that visited the city of Gweru.

The Midlands provincial governor Matshaya told the gathered crowd that Midlands’s Province participation in this constitution making process was important since this is the center of Zimbabwe with diverse culture and tribal groups. “People should take away emotions and start to focus on issues that will contribute to the crafting of the Zimbabwean Constitution”, he said.

Dr Muchena was jeered by the crowd when she said that “The British which is causing Zimbabwe problems have no constitution”. The crowd expressed their dissatisfaction by the minister’s speech by heckling her. However, the minister explained to the crowed that it was her party’s idea that relevant stakeholders representing the people of Zimbabwe and certain individuals have to be consulted in crafting a constitution. Muchena clarified certain issues which have to do with the global agreement and defined what the constitution is and meant to the people of Zimbabwe. She explained further the importance of the three fundamentals in the constitution and in the run of the country which among include the executive, legislation and judicial.

The Democratic United Front (DUF) member Tatenda Simukai Mombeyarara said that he had come all the way from Harare to participate under protest because the process for constitution crafting was not people driven. “l am participating under protest and NCA protested and refused to attend this process because they argued that this is a flaw”, said Mombeyarara. He added that the whole process was not just and the crafting of the constitution process is not people driven.

DUF as an organization fights for a constitution-making process which is democratic, participatory, and gender-balanced and people driven. It reverses the attacks by neoliberal, free market, capitalist and political authoritarian structures on ordinary people and democracy over the last two decades and enshrines as legally enforcement and funded the economic, social and political rights of working people and the poor.

The MDC-T representative Hon. Makuyana (Member of parliament) said that the constitution should include all ordinary Zimbabwean voice, which among include those in diasporas, students, arts and culture, human rights and so forth . Makuyana told the crowd that Zimbabwe should initiate a constitution which will prolong without amendments. He also said that soil is for us all and no one even a single family liberated this country. Makuyana added that July has been set aside as a month to talk and teach people about the constitution crafting. In November 2009, stakeholders committee will meet in Harare to discuss about the views paused by the people in all provinces of the country. The whole process that stretches up to next year will have to make sure that by October 2010 the New Constitution of Zimbabwe will be effective and enacted to govern the country

Media and national-building

The media has been relegated to what is often called a nation-building and development role by government

However, Nation building role is highly contested because of differing interpretation by government and media. To Zimbabwean government, the media must priorities national cohesion, which promotes unity among people. But again that is lacking since our media suffers from polarization and are used on patronage basis. It is disgusting to find both the state media and private media creating disunity among the people of Zimbabwe. Media functions as the educator, informer, watchdog and so forth and therefore, reporting in provocative and unbalanced manner creates more enmity than unity among us.

The meaning of the role of the media in nation-building remains unresolved and a source of tension between media and government even in South Africa where media is mostly free from editorial control by government. The tension over the media’s role results in a division between public media and private media.

In Zimbabwe the best way to promote national cohesion and negotiating identities can only be fostered if the affirmation of positive developments that has a basis in what is actually happening in societies, and highlighting those tensions that signal that all is not well. For instance, we need our media to hail the positive developments attained by our Inclusive government. There is a lot that our inclusive government has done which needs a praise and respect. Use of hate speech and blaming others should not find space in our own media. Journalist should learn to be professionals and shun the tendency of playing public relations role for a certain political party both in private and public media.

In സിംബാബ്‌വെ it is very true that some media are playing into conflict situations by inflammatory reporting that fuels tensions and that is done by both private and public media. One of the solutions that can do away with such unethical practices which undermine media freedom to tell the truth and to enhance national building is to practice self-regulation.
In this inclusive government media should be in the lead in national building which is often linked to the role in promoting socio-economic development on the basis that without national unity it is not possible to mobilize a society for national development.

However, African governments have a problem of expecting the media to be a cheerleader for what can be perceived as sunshine journalism. This journalism focuses predominantly on government officials delivering development projects such as new roads, houses and sanitation facilities, to grateful communities as positive news.

The media in Zimbabwe should instill confidence to the members of the society about the positive achievement made by our inclusive government without looking at who does what and how. I wish if journalist can stop being politicians and partake seriously on capacity building. The use of hate speech, blaming tendencies and reporting negatively is what journalist needs to avoid for the good of our Zimbabwe. How is it that we do not learn from our leader who has shown us the way forward? We no longer need witch hunting, provocative, hate language and unethical reportage at this moment in time in our reportage. Journalist can only ensure peace to the people of Zimbabwe by instilling hope and unity among them for the prosperity of our nation.

Communicate with children about HIV/AIDS

AIDS is not something to hide; it’s something natural, especially nowadays and need to be communicated to our children.

HIV-positive parents must realize that living positively with the virus, such as providing proper nutrition and having a healthy attitude, greatly benefit their children because it prolongs their lives and postpones orphan hood. In Zimbabwe the currently economic challenges have affected many families and giving proper nutrition to our children is a problem.

Disclosing an HIV status to a child can be based on many things, such as the child’s age or maturity, but inevitably it is the choice of the individual parent. Parents should be close and lovely to their children so that they can pre-empty the entire secret to them without fear. At times trust among the family members comes through communicating.

Providing food and shelter for children means little if it is not accompanied by psychological support, such as communication and tolerance. Parents should be tolerant to their children and often discuss important issues about their lives freely.

Children may not be able to describe their thought and feelings easily, but this does not mean the illness or death of a parent does not affect them. In Zimbabwe many children are groaning for the death of their parents who died while they still need their love. Talking about death and dying at times can be positive experience for both parents and children. It gives the opportunity for children to say goodbye and start the process of healing to the children. HIV/AIDS education as part of counseling can be an effective way of prevention.

Counseling about HIV/AIDS prepares children for what lies ahead and encourages them to believe that they can manage through grief and loss. Children across the world need to be educated about the dangers of HIV/AIDS to their lives. An ear should be given to their social, economic and psychological needs in order to avoid the unnecessary spread of this disease.

The Village Lodge

Caven Masuku is an electronic journalist based in Gweru, Zimbabwe.

The City of Progress, Gweru has its image boost by “The Village Lodge, owned by Enos Size. The Village Lodge is situated five kilometers away from Gweru City centre on the Harare road. This is one of the best Lodges in Gweru and due to its proximity convenience is an ideal place to retreat.

The Village Lodge is in the Midlands Province, Gweru which is the heart of Zimbabwe. It is a suitable stop-over for travellers connecting the two main cities, Harare and Bulawayo. This place has beautiful scenes which makes one feel comfortable. The services offered there are super and deserve to be hailed. The workers at this Lodge are friendly and professional.

In addition, big organizations can book at The Village Lodge for seminars, workshops and can be accommodated there at reasonable charges. The environment is nice and their service delivery can be compared the local five star hotels found in Zimbabwe.

There are a lot of activities that one can enjoy while enjoying the stay at The Village Lodge. Resort areas such as the Safari game park like the military museum, picturesque “Boterekwa” and Naletali ruins are 20 kilometers away from this lodge.

The Village lodge has simple yet sophisticated rooms with complementing and well selected bathrooms. The guests can choose from family, executive or honey moon suites, furnished with teak antique, under golden grass thatching, decorated with different themes. This can make the guests to feel like in rural area at the same time enjoying luxury of well prepared food.
Each room from this lodge is equipped with tea or coffee making facilities, satellite television and mini bars. The feel, although modern, reflects the traditional home setting. This lodge so far is one of its own which can not be compared with any hotels in Gweru.

The Village Lodge can be contacted through their website which is accessible online through their website http://www.thevillage.co.zw/. Weddings, meetings, workshops and other important activities can be conducted at this lodge . They have big space that can cater for the large crowd and the refreshments are affordable since their charges are reasonable as compared to many local hotels and shops.

Zimbabwe journalist urged to avoid hate speech

All journalist from Gweru today were gathered at The Village Lodge for a workshop organised by MISA Zimbabwe. This Lodge is situated five kilometres away from Gweru city center on the Harare road.

This workshop was meant to educate journalist to report positive about the “All Inclusive Government”, which consist of three main political parties from Zimbabw.

In the workshop journalist had to discuss about the hate speech that is perpetuated by our media houses, especially the public media. Journalist also looked at how hate speech is used by private media in undermining the ZANU PF effort to cooperate in the inclusive government.
It is important for media in Zimbabwe to be serious in capacity building by reporting in a positive manner that can instill the hope of ordinary peoples in Zimbabwe.

Media is very crucial and plays an important role in educating, informing and protecting the citizens rights.

Journalist who gather at The Village identified hate speech that both the public media and private media use that causes discord to our main political parties. Words such as terrorist, the self styled war veterans, imperialist puppets, political prostitution, military junta, octogenerian and so forth are some of the lexicon that carries with it negative connotation that our local media should avoid.

In capacity building the media should touch important issues that matters most to the community that they serve. Therefore there are important issues such as child abuse, poor health system, lack of garbage refusal collection, water shortage, scarcity of foreign currency in rural area and many others that media has to talk about.

Media apart from playing a watchdog role should function as the public sphere for discussion.

Citizens concern should be thrown to a debate forum and contributions from all society members should be captured and addressed. Our media in Zimbabwe are indicisive and do not open such a forum for discussion.

The problem of ignoring the public in favour of politicians and political parties has caused a lot of inaffectiveness of our media functions in informing the public. Ordinary citizens ned to be well informed about what is taking place. Currently our media in Zimbabwe despite the global political agreement the was reached by the three main political parties, hate speech, lies, unobjective and hate speech is rife.

Journalist from both state media and private media expressed their concern about certain issues that impede their role to inform the citizens. Despite the rule by the High Court of Zimbabwe that Media and Information Commission (MIC) of Zimbabwe is relevant to the Inclusive government, journalist especially from private media expressed their concern.

Journalist from Private media said that they were barred from reporting at the COMESA sumit because they did no register with MIC. This makes most journalist to believe that the global agreement regulations are not followed. Hence this could be one of reasons why hate speech is still rife.

Workshops to educate journalists to be modern are important in that it reminds that of what they are expected and required of doing for capacity building in an all inclusive government. At this moment they is need to give hope to the citizens and reporting on stories that meets their needs.

Econet launches branded handsets

THE country’s largest telecommunications company, Econet Wireless, has unveiled its range of branded mobile phone handsets. This move will enable the Econet Company to create for itself a good reputation and image that will lure the clients. So far Econet is the best in Zimbabwe as compared to the other telecommunication companies in Zimbabwe.

In a statement, the company’s chief operating officer, Mr Elvis Gwanzura, said the phones are being sold in a value starter-pack that includes a SIM card and airtime. This strategy is a good market research tact that will see Econet Company increasing the number of clients. Offering such good service is what all it takes to gain customer confidence to support the company. He said two models of the phones would initially be sold.

In The Chronicle, Mr Gwanzura added that plans were afoot by the mobile operator to also launch more models in the near future. "Considering that we paid well over 50 percent in duties and taxes to bring these phones into the country, the price at which we are selling these starter-packs is extraordinary," he said. The mobile network operator also appealed to regulatory authorities to reduce fees on telecommunications equipment.

This, Econet said, would result in even lower prices of handsets and other accessories to the public. The sale of subsidised handsets, Mr Gwanzura said, represented the mobile network operator's commitment to improving accessibility to mobile technology in the country.He said: “By providing affordable handsets, Econet was promoting subscriber uptake. The company does not make money off the sale of the handsets. Our business is in airtime. What we are doing here is lowering the barriers of entry for the public. Our aim has always been to take the lead in developing the mobile market.”

Meanwhile, the mobile operator said it had begun investing in increasing network capacity to add more than 1,5 million additional customers. This will make Econet to become one of the biggest companies of its kind in Zimbabwe in terms of customer size. Their services so far are good although at time their charges were way wide. Their 0913 lines can enable clients to link with friends and relative overseas.

Recently, the mobile operator said delays in rolling out new equipment owing to the problem of getting civil contractors to put up towers quickly constrained the company's efforts to release one million lines.However, Econet has since secured contractors from South Africa and China who are already working on putting the towers.

Econet Company has the best Public Relations and marketing department which is competent enough to sell their goods and services to their clients. The service offered by Econet is of high standards and is worth to be emulated.

An interview with Herbert Ndlovu a renowned drama actor

Herbert Ndlovu (Giant) was born 37 years ago in Gweru on 25 July 1960. He resides in Mkoba and is an actor in two very popular dramas which were once played by Zimbabwe television (ZTV). The two drama acts are namely Zvinengozi and Shamiso. Caven Masuku interviewed Mr Ndlovu who is currently working AMTEC Motors Garage along Gweru-Harare road.

Q. For every successful career there is a starting point, when and where did yours start?

A. It actual started at school when I acted in an English play at Nkululeko High School when I was doing my form one. It actually started and ended there, because I had no exposure then.

Q How many plays have you participated as an actor so far?

A. All in all they are four. The first two are “Zvinengozi” and “Shamiso”. The last two flopped along the way.

Q. What role have you played as an actor in the past two drama?

A. In Zvinengozi: I acted as the canning Uncle who dispossesses his brother’s children of their property. In Shamiso; I acted as the big man who appropriated my late brother’s wealth which was left for his children.

Q. From your understanding are there any cultural bonds that can be passed on through drama?

A. Yes there are, like stealing the property of the dead at the expense of the deceased’s children. This haunts the relatives of the dead as well as the people who live there.

Q. As an actor, do you think drama is an effective way of disseminating information to the society? How?

A. Yes, it is the best way, to expose the evil in our society. It also expresses the difficulties faced by people in modern society. Since it is different from comedy, it really shows and tells the real story in real life situations and it enables individuals to identify problems faced by some people in their mundane lifestyle.

Q. What entertainment and education is brought by drama to people?

A. Watching drama allows one to learn the short comings of issues that plague society. It also acts as a unifying force that brings community members together for them to share language and culture. Drama also educates and widens people’s general knowledge, particularly if one pays attention.

Q. From your perceptions can drama addresses the social and economic problems faced by society?

A. To a certain extent yes, it has some influence. It offers for instance scenarios in which the rich learn about their bad behavior. Society benefits a lot in that it can share the social norms and values and pass them over to the next generation.

Q. Where do you see yourself to be in the near future?

A. It is a pity that I am not a writer, but actually I am planning to become one in the near future. Currently so many things are unfolding and compiling them will take me a step closer to ploughing back to the community what I have learnt from them.

Q. Who inspired you?

A. I can’t tell exactly who my role model is, but what I know is that I use to watch Mukadota in 1980’s and Paraffin 1990’s and my instinct told me I could be better than those two. I probably became an actor by accident.

Q. What do you think should be done to promote Art’s and Drama in Gweru?

A. A lot of people out there are sitting on good drama scripts because they don’t know where to submit them. I am appealing to all those with interest in drama to look for the right people who can help them develop their talents.

Environmental Act that avoid littering

The Environment Management Act which has been put in place by the Zimbabwean government safeguards against littering and destroying of nature in anyway. The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) which has since replaced the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) prohibits environmental degradation which is not observed by many urban residents and small scale miners at large.

Littering is anything thrown away as unwanted material and accumulate as garbage. In towns people create litter from food left overs, empty containers, plastic papers, broken bottles, waste papers, construction rubbles, and scrape metal. EMA board encourages individuals in urban area to be responsible by keeping the environment clean. The City of Gweru has an Act that discourages residents to dump waste all over. An official from the council told Caven Masuku, that Section 28 gives the mandate to fine offenders for littering in an underdeveloped land. The Gweru City Council has been currently charging a penalty fee for breaching Level (1:5) for littering in undesignated area.

In May 2006, the Zimbabwe Lion Insurance Company (ZIMNAT) donated refusal bins to the City of Gweru in a bid to keep the city clean. One of the officials of Gweru City Council who requested anonymity said that “The fine for littering is too little hence it is waste of time to chase after offenders and it is expensive to maintain the police force against revenue collected to guard against the perpetrators”.

The EMA board has it that it is every person’s right to have a clean environment. EMA (Cap 20:27) forbids littering and any one found on the wrong side of the law is liable to prosecution.

The Act also emphasizes that the polluter pays the principle which emphatically stresses the environmental cost to be metered by those responsible. Anyone causing littering should meet the cost for cleaning up and other related damages such as the effects of disease outbreak.

People are encouraged not to throw litter through windows and doors of private or public vehicles. It is everyone’s responsibility to discard litter at a place which has been specially set aside for that. Newspapers, empty bottles containers can be collected and sold to companies that recycle waste material. A clean environment is important for our health and everyone should seriously keep the city clean.

A clean environment means a clean mind therefore our health can be reinforced by tiding up our homes and towns

Educating peers about HIV/AIDS

Peers play an important role in the self esteem of HIV/AIDS- affected children. Often the separation between orphaned children and children with parents is obvious in the classroom. One way of integrating the children is through school clubs.

Talking to children about HIV/AIDS may seem like a desirable thing to do, but parents must overcome many barriers, both individually and within society, before disclosure becomes an option.

In Zimbabwe as well as many African countries, AIDS is such a taboo subject that people will refer to it as “the disease” or anything else besides “AIDS”. Most children whose parents have died of an AIDS-related illness attribute death to such illnesses as tuberculosis, poisoning or diarrhoea.

It is not clear whether children really believe their parents died of these illnesses, or whether they simply say so to protect the family from the possible embarrassment and stigma that HIV/AIDS carries

The views of parents differ on whether or not to disclose their HIV status to their children. Disclosure is primarily dependent on how secure the parent is about the HIV-positive status. If the parent is not yet comfortable with being HIV-positive, HIV/AIDS education will not be shared positively with the child and may make the child feel uncomfortable with the information.

Most parents believe that children around the age of seven are mature enough to understand the finality of death and they could have heard about HIV/AIDS in the community or at school. At that age children do not understand the stigma attached to the virus because they do not understand the implications of sexual transmission.

Disclosure is necessary because children with information can protect themselves from contracting the virus when caring for an infected parent. Because the carer has such intimate contact with the infected person, it is possible that opportunistic infections or even HIV itself can be passed to the carer if proper precautions are not taken.

Others argue that knowing about HIV in the family just makes the child’s life harder. Eventually, it remains the decision of the individual. From an African context both traditionally and emotionally, HIV-positive parents face great difficulties in disclosing their status to their children. Each individual must decide whether talking about HIV/AIDS will assist their children to deal with the future or contribute to their stigmatization and discrimination. Although there are few resources that help in disclosure, they are generally not easily accessible

HIV/AIDS and Children: Zimbabwe

A number of factors have contributed to the difficulties facing Zimbabwe today. These includes the effects of the present political impasse, dollarization, rapid inflation, lack of investment, rising unemployment, escalating cost of living, the effects of frequent droughts and the emergence of HIV/AIDS. However, all the mentioned issues impact negatively to the children in Zimbabwe and leads to moral decadency, immature marriages and increasing death rate.

The present political, economic, social and HIV/AIDS situation in Zimbabwe presents a number of challenges to individuals, families, communities and especially children living with HIV/AIDS.
On an individual level, the income of HIV/AIDS affected families dwindles, usually because the breadwinner is ill or the family’s saving are spent on medical treatment. The current environment for the working class is terrible as most of them are given an allowance which is US$100 and this is too little to suffice the needs of most families in Zimbabwe. Children in these situations are often forced to drop out of school and to work. The situation is exacerbated when the prices of food and household goods increase.

The countries economic crisis has severely impacted upon the country’s health care system, more specifically on the diagnosis of HIV infection and the care of HIV/AIDS patients. In addition, even diagnosing opportunistic infections is too costly for the majority of the population. In Harare Mashambanzou is one nongovernmental organization (NGO) that provides food for HIV/AIDS-affected families. The economic challenges inhibits volunteers for Mashambanzou and around the country from regularly reaching families with counseling, food, and blankets
At the community level HIV/AIDS has placed an additional burden on the extended family system. This structure has provided security for children and families foe generations.

Traditionally in Zimbabwe, family elders would meet and assign a family member, usually the father’s eldest brother, to care for an orphaned child and raise the child as part of his own family.
Recently the capacity of families to cope with additional children has become more and more strained and cumbersome. Relatives because of economic constraints look at their familial responsibility towards related children as more of a financial burden.

There are additional problems for orphaned children without relatives owing to the stigma attached to caring for non-related children. In this emergency, additional support from outside sources is required to help these children to cope

Early marriage is regarded as an option for households absorbing extra children. A man may marry to obtain assistance in taking care of his dependants. A woman may marry to reduce the number of dependants in her family’s household, as well as to obtain additional income through the bride price, that is goods and money given to the bride’s family by that of the bridegroom.

The recent farm invasions have also affected the lives of children living on farms, endangering their physical and psychological security. For instance, there has been an increase case of rape among young girls living on the farms, thus making young girls in these areas more vulnerable to HIV infection.

Choosing the right career

Having a very structured career path can be a way of avoiding responsibility for your own career happiness. Of course one has to plan about his future, but make it as flexible as possible to accommodate your life goals.

A plan which requires you to make partner in three years means that you have a danger of living too much in the future without cultivating and reaping rewards of the present.

One should set achievable goals that can be attained within specified time frame. For example, you should set goals that can be achieved in three months to two years. When chosing a career you have to consider so many thing like am i interested with the career and what job am i going to get after. Again look at the market and demand of the job and the period that you can take to achieve it.

At secondary level one has to consider the subjects to be studies and after as one moves to advanced level one should consider the points that are required at university level to persuade a certain degree. Most people spend much of their time at school than enjoying the fruits. It is wise to go to technical college that trains people for a specific job like Polytechnics. Only those with the flair for academics should go to universites.

Planning on marriage is another important issue that many people take it for granted and causes them lots and lots of problems. One should know when to marry and who to marry with what qualifications. Mind you that you have to live once and the rest of your life without regreting.

No Tariffs on capital goods (COMESA)

The Chronicle paper revealed that countries in the COMESA Customs Union will not charge tariffs on capital goods and raw materials imported from outside the bloc. This will create a strong business rapport among the African states in trading their products. Zimbabwe will benefit immensely in this move and the current challenges faced by many local industries will bear a light burden to import their products which will boost the business.

Semi-processed goods and finished products will attract duty of 10 and 25 percent to create a level playing field for manufacturers and producers in the region. This is reasonable in enabling the business to flow and generate profits that will improve the financial statuses of local industries.

COMESA has defined capital goods as those used to produce other goods while a raw material applies to products that have not undergone any form of processing. An intermediate product is one requiring further processing before it can be used while a finished product does not need any further processing. As we know that most of the African state is much into the extraction than in processing.

According to a COMESA document, member countries had adopted a Common External Tariff for goods imported from outside the 19-member trade bloc. Trade on goods produced in member countries is duty-free under the Free Trade Area set up in 2000.

The newsletter said the FTA, while beneficial to members, did not provide a level playing field in agricultural and manufacturing sectors.
"It is not possible to foster and promote regional production of goods in sectors where producers outside the region are more competitive for a variety of reasons. Nearly all economies in COMESA are small with nascent and fairly fragile industries that require nurturing."

The newsletter said the customs union would protect upcoming companies from competition from bigger and older industries. This will improve the indigenisation philosophy and empower the local business people. Local business suffers from the giant business who most of the times would have gained the regional and world markets.

It said the union would also facilitate increased regional cross-border trade in goods and services. General in Zimbabwe, cross boarder trade which is engineered by women has paid dividends. People from Zimbabwe import goods from neighboring countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and so forth will benefit from the deal sealed by COMESA

COMESA believes that the Customs Union will also go some way in reducing poverty in member countries as enhanced production to meet market demand will create wealth directly and indirectly. Trade between COMESA member countries has risen from US$3 billion in 2000 before the FTA was formed to more than US$15 billion last year. The trading bloc has a population of 400 million, creating an enormous opportunities for businesses in the member countries.
Most Western countries, especially those from the North benefited from similar trade in Europe which made it possible for companies to extend their tentacles. The COMESA stance will go a long way to improve the African states business status.

Semester for the disadvantaged tertiary students

By caven masuku
The Chronicle paper indicates that, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have opened for its second semester and registration is in progress. There has been confusion over the opening dates with parents, students and guardians assuming that the institution would open in August.
The Chronicle paper says that NUST's Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Felix Fandyroy Moyo, said that the first semester ended on 8 May for a 10-day break.

Mr Moyo is quoted in The Chronicle explaining that the 10-day holiday was unusual because the university normally closes for months.“The second semester started on 18 May and as I speak, lectures started on Monday, 1 June. We took a short break so that we could cover the lost time during the first semester, which we started in February instead of early January. Therefore, the idea to open the second semester early was to have a normal second semester,” said Mr Moyo.

“Registration is in full swing and we urge students to come for the second semester. I have received a lot of inquiries about when the university opens, let me clearly state that lectures are on.”He added that students who had problems paying their fees should at least fork out US$200 as deposit fees.

In Gweru Midlands State University (MSU) has revealed that a new semester will be starting on 15 June 2009, to cater for the disadvantaged students who could have continued their studies last year.

Most students who are expected to return for their fourth year expressed their happiness. John Ncube one of the returning students at MSU said that he is happy to resume his studies after a year and some months seated at home. “My brother I am happy that the university has concern for us. Well some will claim that they is no logic but the major business is for us students to get back and pick from where we left last year”, he said

Although many students may drop out of tertiary education due to high fees, it shows that the universities like NUST and MSU are concerned about their students. This is a good move albeit the fact that parent may find it difficult for them.

The whole of last year was wasted time especially on the academic side and such a pay back platform will enable students to recover their lost time. The two state universities, one from Matabeleland and the other from Midlands Province have been hailed for their effort to retain the good learning environment, said Simon Nxele. As a parent I feel happy and hope my children will be able to finish their studies without delays he added

Telone bill beyond reach of many

By Caven masuku
The Herald paper indicated that the Zimbabwe fixed line telephone service provider TelOne charges are unprecedented and are beyond the reach of their clients. Most house holds in Gweru urban has shown dismay about the charges of phone bills which supersede their salary.

The Herald one of the leading daily papers quoted public relations officer Mr Collins Welbesi who said that telephone usage had not declined since dollarisation."Kindly note that telephone utilisation has not decreased with dollarisation. In fact the billed units for April 2009 are 25 percent above the November/December 2008 average”.

"In Zimbabwe, we are seeing heavy utilisation levels of about 25 000 units per month for residential customers,’’ he said. Perhaps what is bothering people is that they can no longer communicate over the phone the way they use to before because of the abnormal charges that are way-wide”, he said.

In the city of Gweru telone customers have received bills far above US$300 and one customer who called alleged that his bill for April was US$4 000.A survey in Gweru as well as to other big cities in Zimbabwe like Harare and Bulawayo has shown displeasure about the TelOne charges which give them a raw deal.

"We feel robbed and disappointed by the billing system TelOne is using."Is it normal, for a home telephone bill to reach high tariff above US$1800," said one customer who resides in Ivene. TelOne estimation indicates that, the average local telephone usage per month at household level is 100 units, which translates to 300 minutes per month."

At the local rate of US$0, 07 per minute the average bill for a household is U$21. It must be stressed categorically that those customers whose bills are ranging between US$300 and US$500 as stated in your inquiry, did utilise the phone," said Mr Welbesi.

Bills for one customer residing in South-Downs, Windsor Park and Lundi Park stood at US$320 for January combined with February charges.In March the bills surged up to US$250 and after the service provider announced the reduction of cost per minute for all local calls, the April bill stood at US$300.

However, despite these high charges the customer said he only managed to pay what he could afford for all these months above and his phone has not been cut off."I only managed to pay US$20 for each month from February up to April, luckily my phone has not been cut off,’’ said a customer who refused with his name.