Opinion / Columnist
As the curtain comes down
2 hrs ago | Views
Zimbabwe is a sun-drenched country in Southern Africa, some fifteen to twenty degrees South of the Equator. It's Central Plateau and Eastern Highlands are high, full of botanical flowers, trees, rocks and wide horizons, and it's climate is not merely tolerable, but attractive, to men of the Southern Hemisphere.
There are a lot of things happening in this teapot-shaped country. As the year comes to an end, I would like to briefly chronicle the events that have made news headlines around the country.
In January we saw the government making some threats on Winky D a pioneer of Zimbabwe's dancehall music.
Threatening musicians was the worst idea ever. Musicians are the voices of the voiceless and marginalised. Art is a significant economic weapon in our society that promotes and accelerates economic progress while also creating employment opportunities.
In February, the opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa, a charismatic leader, was dealt a severe blow by a self-proclaimed Citizen Coalition of Change Secretary General and imposter Sengezo Tshabangu, who made headlines by recalling CCC members. This sparked enmity inside the party and resulted in the death of a Mabvuku preacher named Masaya.
That same month, Chamisa resigned from the CCC, blaming the regime's meddling and infiltration of his party, which he worked to develop.
In March we read again about controversial Henrieta Rushwaya, who is believed to be very much connected to the top politicians. She was being accused of defrauding an Indian investor, Dr. Deepak Hindocha, who is a gold buyer. Rushwaya duped the mining investor of over a million dollars. Henrietta Rushwaya and gold have become bona fide allies. The case just died a silent death.
Just after the launch of the Zig currency in April, our professional police force detained over 80 money changers, accusing them of promoting inflation and undermining the new currency; ironically, they failed to capture individuals implicated in corruption. Surprisingly, there were and continue to be economic saboteurs creating economic bleeding in the country, but no arrests have been made because they are politically connected.
Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of motormouth Chris Mutsvangwa, was arrested in May on money laundering charges. He was imprisoned but eventually released. The case was ignored.
Vice President Chiwenga issued a scary speech warning anybody who were seen exchanging money that they would be crippled by any means necessary, but not a single person was handicapped. Monica Mutsvangwa, on the arrest of her son, described it as political victimisation.
In June, down the Limpopo River, the African National Congress party failed to meet the 50+ barrier, forcing the major parties to form a government of national unity.
Wicknell Chivhayo, Mike Chimombe, and Moses Mpofu, the pieces in the grand scheme of things, were pursued by the police during the month of July. Chimombe and Mpofu were caught and are still in detention, while Chivhayo remains untouchable.
In August, Zimbabwe sent only seven athletes to compete in the most recent Olympic Games. They were represented by almost 100 officials. It is regrettable that these officials are doing nothing back home to uplift sports in the country but want to travel abroad to represent our athletes.
During the month of September, former Zanu PF Chegutu West MP who lost an election in 2018 but was announced a winner through an error made by ZEC also tried to graduate when he failed some of his law degree modules.
During the month of September, former Zanu PF Chegutu West MP, who lost an election in 2018 but was declared the winner due to a ZEC error, attempted to graduate despite failing some law degree modules.
Mozambique had major stay-away in October, with Maputo becoming a ghost town as protesters marched against corrupt elections. During the same month, Botswana's opposition parties expressed political support for the BDP. Masisi lost to the opponent.
In November, a disorganised government failed to provide a backup power supply during the presentation of the country's budget. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's president, had to walk through darkness at the parliament building.
The month of December began on a very downbeat and gloomy note. Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko died in India on Friday, and Zimbabwean mixed martial arts fighter Themba Gorimbo was outmatched by Brazilian Vicente Luque, who defeated him in 52 seconds in a UFC fight held last Sunday morning at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, United States.
Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a gruesome year with you. It's away or homeland. See you next year. I sign off.
Email- konileonard606@gmail.com
X - @Leokoni
There are a lot of things happening in this teapot-shaped country. As the year comes to an end, I would like to briefly chronicle the events that have made news headlines around the country.
In January we saw the government making some threats on Winky D a pioneer of Zimbabwe's dancehall music.
Threatening musicians was the worst idea ever. Musicians are the voices of the voiceless and marginalised. Art is a significant economic weapon in our society that promotes and accelerates economic progress while also creating employment opportunities.
In February, the opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa, a charismatic leader, was dealt a severe blow by a self-proclaimed Citizen Coalition of Change Secretary General and imposter Sengezo Tshabangu, who made headlines by recalling CCC members. This sparked enmity inside the party and resulted in the death of a Mabvuku preacher named Masaya.
That same month, Chamisa resigned from the CCC, blaming the regime's meddling and infiltration of his party, which he worked to develop.
In March we read again about controversial Henrieta Rushwaya, who is believed to be very much connected to the top politicians. She was being accused of defrauding an Indian investor, Dr. Deepak Hindocha, who is a gold buyer. Rushwaya duped the mining investor of over a million dollars. Henrietta Rushwaya and gold have become bona fide allies. The case just died a silent death.
Just after the launch of the Zig currency in April, our professional police force detained over 80 money changers, accusing them of promoting inflation and undermining the new currency; ironically, they failed to capture individuals implicated in corruption. Surprisingly, there were and continue to be economic saboteurs creating economic bleeding in the country, but no arrests have been made because they are politically connected.
Neville Mutsvangwa, the son of motormouth Chris Mutsvangwa, was arrested in May on money laundering charges. He was imprisoned but eventually released. The case was ignored.
Vice President Chiwenga issued a scary speech warning anybody who were seen exchanging money that they would be crippled by any means necessary, but not a single person was handicapped. Monica Mutsvangwa, on the arrest of her son, described it as political victimisation.
Wicknell Chivhayo, Mike Chimombe, and Moses Mpofu, the pieces in the grand scheme of things, were pursued by the police during the month of July. Chimombe and Mpofu were caught and are still in detention, while Chivhayo remains untouchable.
In August, Zimbabwe sent only seven athletes to compete in the most recent Olympic Games. They were represented by almost 100 officials. It is regrettable that these officials are doing nothing back home to uplift sports in the country but want to travel abroad to represent our athletes.
During the month of September, former Zanu PF Chegutu West MP who lost an election in 2018 but was announced a winner through an error made by ZEC also tried to graduate when he failed some of his law degree modules.
During the month of September, former Zanu PF Chegutu West MP, who lost an election in 2018 but was declared the winner due to a ZEC error, attempted to graduate despite failing some law degree modules.
Mozambique had major stay-away in October, with Maputo becoming a ghost town as protesters marched against corrupt elections. During the same month, Botswana's opposition parties expressed political support for the BDP. Masisi lost to the opponent.
In November, a disorganised government failed to provide a backup power supply during the presentation of the country's budget. Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's president, had to walk through darkness at the parliament building.
The month of December began on a very downbeat and gloomy note. Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko died in India on Friday, and Zimbabwean mixed martial arts fighter Themba Gorimbo was outmatched by Brazilian Vicente Luque, who defeated him in 52 seconds in a UFC fight held last Sunday morning at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, United States.
Ladies and gentlemen, it has been a gruesome year with you. It's away or homeland. See you next year. I sign off.
Email- konileonard606@gmail.com
X - @Leokoni
Source - Leonard Koni
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