NewsHawks 24 June 2022

NewsHawks Africa News Page 51

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

Investigate Arthur Fraser, David Mahlobo and
Thulani Dlomo – State Capture Commission

From left: Former spy boss Arthur Fraser, Former state security minister David Mahlobo, Former top spy Thulani Dlomo.

‘The evidence suggests that this Commission “President Zuma defended his friend- While the Joint Standing Committee fake security clearance certificates by Zu- in the recruitment. Such appointments
may not in fact have been necessary if the ship with the Guptas and their close asso- on Intelligence “may not have performed ma’s personal spy, Thulani Dlomo, the were not in the best interests of the in-
(State Security Agency) detected, fully in- ciation with him,” Zondo said. its oversight function effectively over the head of the CDSO.  telligence service as there was a risk that
vestigated and countered State Capture as a SSA and Crime Intelligence”, the findings non-meritorious appointments were
threat to our constitutional order when the And while Zuma might not have given by the High-Level Review Panel into the “The politicisation of the CDSO could made who would feel beholden to those
symptoms first appeared,’ said Chief Justice express instructions, “He said enough at SSA that the money must be repaid were be traced back to the restructuring of the who recruited them.”
Raymond Zondo in the commission’s final the meeting with the trio to make it clear “steps in the right direction”. SSA’s counter-intelligence capacity which
report. to them that his view was that there was shifted focus and resources to the personal Convincing evidence had also been
PIVOTAL moments in the capture of the no justification for the investigation and Zuma’s proclamation marking the end and political security of former president placed before the commission of  ques-
South African state by former president in his view, it should not be pursued.” of the intelligence services as envisaged in Zuma,” said Zondo. tionable intelligence reports, including
Jacob Zuma included issuing an uncon- the Constitution was issued on 11 Sep- one by former Crime Intelligence head
stitutional proclamation collapsing the Other findings are that the weight of tember 2009. These were run under Dlomo and Richard Mdluli who had alleged that
country’s intelligence services as well as evidence of former state security minister “were the results of the politicised intelli- there was a plot to oust Zuma.
halting an investigation by his spy chiefs David Mahlobo’s involvement in mov- “Once the proclamation was intro- gence priorities”.
into the Gupta family. ing “huge” amounts of cash, some of it duced, Parliament and its Committee did An intelligence report used to recall
for Zuma, “is overwhelming” and that not do anything about it for a whole pe- With regard to Arthur Fraser’s illegal the then finance minister Pravin Gordhan
These are two of the findings the State the outlay of cash was “fast and loose, as riod of four years, even though the proc- Principal Agent Network (PAN), Zondo and his deputy, Mcebisi Jonas, could not
Capture Commission made about the was the frequent blurring of lines between lamation had usurped Parliament’s legisla- said: “Again, apart from suspending the be located, the commission was told by
State Security Agency (SSA), a pivotal projects”. tive powers,” said Zondo. PAN programme in 2011, it appeared the outgoing Inspector-General of Intelli-
cog in the Zumafication of the state, in that no formal action or consequence gence, Setlhomamaru Dintwe.
the commission’s final report, which was With Mahlobo as his bagman, Zuma After these changes, members of the management was taken by the executive
handed to President Cyril Ramaphosa on sat back and as part of “Project Commit- SSA had to swear allegiance to Zuma per- or the agency management. The agency’s The only person who had a copy was
Wednesday. ment” received R2.5 million [US$156 sonally as well as recognise the authority of internal investigation team members were Zuma, who said he would discuss it when
000] a month in 2015/16 updated to the then minister of state security, Cwele.  subjected to various forms of intimida- the time was ripe.
It was in 2011 that Zuma and his R4.5 million [US$282 000] in 2016/17.  tion.”
then minister of state security, Siyabonga Before this, employees had taken an With regard to Mahlobo’s denials,
Cwele, attempted to charm the then di- “The impropriety of a minister doing oath of allegiance to the Constitution and A report by an internal SSA team that Zondo said evidence regarding his in-
rector-general of the SSA, Jeff Maqetuka, this admitted no debate,” said Zondo. the SSA. revealed possible criminal conduct by Fra- volvement was “quite detailed, given proj-
and the heads of the domestic and foreign ser had been handed to the Directorate ect by project” and “overwhelming”.
services, Mo Shaik and Gibson Njenje, Mahlobo, on the evidence before the Under Zuma there was a doctrinal shift for Priority Crime Investigation, but the
into dropping their investigation into the commission, said Zondo, not only in- from national security to state security, prosecution had been halted by Cwele, “It is unimaginable that all these people
Guptas. volved himself in operations but also di- resulting in the SSA’s involvement in the “apparently on the instructions of Presi- could be lying, add to that the fact that
rected them. political activities of the African National dent Zuma”. he admits to some of the allegations, such
“The evidence suggests that this Com- Congress. as, but not limited to, the formation of a
mission may not in fact have been neces- “The Commission finds therefore that Zondo found that Cwele did indeed trade union to rival Amcu.” 
sary if the SSA detected, fully investigated Mr Mahlobo did indeed involve himself This had resulted in a conflict between say that Zuma had issued the instructions.
and countered State Capture as a threat to in operational matters at the SSA, and fur- the head of state and his personal interests Dlomo’s involvement in the issuing of
our constitutional order when the symp- ther that large amounts of cash were deliv- on the one hand, and his interests in his Despite the PAN investigation and the weapons constituted prima facie criminal
toms first appeared,” said Chief Justice ered to him on several occasions.” official capacity as head of state. handing over of this to the Hawks, “little conduct in relation to the Firearms Con-
Raymond Zondo. progress has been made and no charges trol Act and was referred by Zondo “for
Since Mahlobo had denied receiving “One example of such conflict was have yet been brought against those impli- further and thorough investigation, par-
The commission has recommended the cash, “as testified to by a number of when the SSA became involved in the de- cated that the Commission is aware of”. ticularly as some of the firearms and am-
that law enforcement agencies resume the witnesses”, then, “if it were to be estab- tention of Mrs MaNtuli Zuma, President munition have not been returned”.
investigation that was blocked by Zuma lished in a court that large amounts of Zuma’s wife, without due process after it Zondo found that with regard to the
with a view to the National Prosecuting cash were given to Mr Mahlobo, it would was alleged that she was involved in trying SSA’s use of firearms, testimony had been Zondo recommended that law en-
Authority (NPA) “possibly considering if mean that he stole the money”. to poison him,” said Zondo. given that Dlomo had frequently removed forcement agencies “conduct such further
there is enough evidence, possible crim- guns and ammunition from Musanda, investigations to establish whether any of
inal charges against all those implicated Preliminary analysis of evidence given The project involved about 40 individ- the SSA’s headquarters.  the persons implicated … in this report
including Mr Fraser”. about the SSA, said Zondo, indicated uals drawn from different directorates in did not commit one or other crime”. 
“gross non-compliance with operational the SSA. Dlomo had also instituted an “unlaw-
The allegations were serious and point- and financial directives, especially in the ful and parallel vetting system”, recruiting In particular, Zondo recommended
ed to “massive abuse”. establishment of covert projects and the The Presidential Security Support Ser- an individual from “outside the SSA to the that “law enforcement agencies should
creation of special-purpose vehicles to si- vices became one of the biggest consumers vetting of the persons recruited from out- conduct further investigations with a view
The commission found that Cwele “in- phon funds”. of SSA resources, the report found. side the SSA”. to the NPA possibly bringing criminal
volved himself in operations by the SSA” charges against such people including
in calling a halt to the Gupta investigation. This cost the state about R1.5-billion This was because members of the This, he said, created “a potential dan- Arthur Fraser in relation to the PAN pro-
Zondo found also that Jacob Zuma did between 2012 and 2018. Chief Directorate of Special Operations ger to national security”. gramme and any other matter released by
not want the Guptas to be investigated. (CDSO) and the irregularly recruited and the evidence before the commission and
Disciplinary action should be taken, trained “co-workers” travelled extensively. Mahlobo too had been involved in the Mr David Mahlobo and Thulani Dlomo
said Zondo, in respect of financial mis- No evidence has ever been provided of recruitment of people to the SSA. in regard to SSA cash received”.
management, and money looted from the any value for these expenses.
Secret Services Account should be recov- The commission was satisfied, said — Daily Maverick.
ered.  Recruits, often with no qualifications, Zondo, that “irregular appointments were
earned R40,000 a month and were issued made and ministers involved themselves

Page 52 World News NewsHawks

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

UK work visa for elite graduates exclusive
and it is based on flawed assumptions

THE United Kingdom government’s
announcement of a new work visa op-
tion  aimed at attracting top graduates
has elicited some backlash because the
list of eligible institutions features no
universities from Africa, Latin Amer-
ica or South Asia. The Conversation
Africa’s Nontobeko Mtshali asked Orla
Quinlan, director of internationalisa-
tion at Rhodes University in South Af-
rica, to share her thoughts on the impli-
cations such visa programmes have for
international integration and intercul-
tural efforts in higher education.

What has the UK government an-
nounced?
The UK government recently intro-
duced a new “High Potential Indi-
vidual” short-term work visa.  Home
secretary Priti Patel said the intention
was put “ability and talent first” – not
where people come from.

The conditions of the high poten-
tial individual visa allow a stay of two
or three years in the UK for gradu-
ates holding a master’s degree or a
PhD, respectively. This visa can’t be
extended, but holders may apply for
longer-term visas.

Applicants need to have financial
resources to acquire the visa and to
sustain themselves while searching
for employment. The high potential
individual visa doesn’t pertain to in-
ternational students who are already
registered at universities in the UK.

But the visa is restricted to gradu-
ates from specific universities featur-
ing in the top 50 places of two inter-
national university rankings.

Who is eligible? The UK’s high potential individual visa demonstrates short-sightedness about the experience, insights and skills that graduates from the global South could
The most recent list of eligible univer- bring to the UK. Source: Tolga Akmen/AFP
sities comprised more than two doz-
en US universities. Other institutions used, it’s been suggested that the Im- exclusion sends a negative message. continue. These mobile students need er education?
are in Canada, China, France, Ger- pact Rankings produced by Times The high potential individual visa prospects in the countries where they The high potential individual visa
many, Japan, Singapore and Sweden. Higher Education might be more ap- study, as one option, to circulate the isn’t particularly going to affect the
propriate. This measures universities’ shows short-sightedness about the ex- global pool of talent. mobility of students to, and from Af-
Each of these universities appeared impacts on the 17 UN Sustainable perience, insights and skills that grad- rica’s higher education sectors because
in at least two of the following rank- Development Goals. At least, this uates from the global South could The claim from Priti Patel that this it’s a work – not a study – visa. But it’s
ing systems: the Times Higher Edu- ranking is more inclusive of global bring to the UK. Many individuals visa “puts ability and talent first – not a troubling manifestation of a chang-
cation world university rankings, the South universities. demonstrate high achievement out- where someone comes from” doesn’t ing value system which is increasingly
Academic Ranking of World Univer- What does this tell us about in- comes, in spite of operating in un- stand up to scrutiny. The UK is offer- exclusionary, elitist and undermining
sities and the Quacquarelli Symonds equality in higher education? der-resourced universities. This is due ing an elite visa for well-off graduates of diversity.
world university rankings. Attending the highly ranked eligible to their resilience and grit – the stron- from elite institutions to come and
institutions requires the means to pay gest predictor of success, according to stay temporarily in the UK for two to Higher education in Africa is
African universities don’t appear for fees, accommodation and living the studies of American scholar Angel three years. acutely aware of its local challenges.
in the top 50 of any of these ranking costs. For example, almost all the Lee Duckworth. These include the impact of struc-
systems. The criteria they use consid- US institutions on the list are private Should something change? The call  from Rishi Sunak, the tural social and economic inequali-
er aspects like the university’s research colleges that charge high fees. Many Countries are entitled to make their UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, ty, environmental degradation and
output, high achieving academics high-performing students from the own decisions. But some countries for students to “take advantage of this climate change in African coun-
and  alumni, reputation among em- global South can’t afford to attend. are making short-term populist deci- incredible opportunity to forge their tries. We know that we cannot have
ployers, and international student Many brilliant students will, there- sions, rather than longer term strate- careers here” is hardly realistic. A visa global peace and security if we don’t
ratio. fore, never be eligible to access the gic decisions for the benefit of their of this duration is simply not long improve education and job oppor-
high potential individual visa. own citizens and the world. enough to genuinely forge a career tunities for all. That is why African
The performance of individual stu- beyond an initial experience. universities are concerned with high-
dents isn’t a criterion in any of these Universities from Latin America, The world needs to build relation- er education being relevant and solv-
rankings. Africa and most of Asia aren’t on the ships for future global collaboration. Any person who has just arrived in ing real problems by connecting our
list of eligible universities. It’s not We need to create, share and dissem- a new country still has to acclimatise research, teaching and learning and
Ranking systems are commercial even possible for many universities to inate knowledge – a key lesson of to the culture, find a job and develop community engagement and sharing
entities. While deeply flawed, they meet the specific criteria chosen. This the COVID pandemic. Mobility of relationships before they can start to our knowledge with the world.
play an increasing role in  shaping higher education students needs to contribute.
opinions  about the quality of tertia- What are the implications for high- — The Conversation.
ry education institutions. But many
universities that don’t feature in rank-
ings graduate students who excel in
their individual performances. The
ranking systems are already  heavi-
ly contested. To only correlate high
performing individuals with specific
universities is unscientific. Rankings
have little to do with individual per-
formance.

If any ranking system has to be

NewsHawks World News Page 53

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

Márquez, renowned Afro-Colombian activist:
What environmental racism means to me

ROBERT VALENCIA

In an exclusive interview, Francia sat Francia Márquez told Earthjustice that "people must be more conscious about the kind of officials they elect, because it’s not just the lives of social leaders that are at
down with Earthjustice to talk about stake, but the very existence of humanity today."
the state of the environmental move-
ment across the globe, the US role in ample of structural racism, and every EDITOR’S NOTE: For According to Global Witness, more ica’s greatest challenge. Otherwise, U.S.
her community’s plight, and how she time a social leader’s voice or mine is decades, Colombia sprayed than 1,700 environmental defenders powerful companies will keep pouring
deals with constant death threats. lifted up to demand rights enshrined in tremendous quantities of the were killed worldwide between 2002 in here while we’re in the midst of a
the Constitution, then we end up being cancer-linked chemical gly- and 2018. What should environmen- crossfire. 
Environmental activist Francia military targets by armed groups in our phosate over the countryside tal organizations do to stop this? So how can we be more aware of the
Márquez will become the first Black territory, particularly right-wing para- in an attempt to wipe out the Much of the pressure environmental challenges the environmental move-
vice-president of Colombia after win- militaries. coca plants that feed the coun- leaders experience comes from devel- ment is facing?
ning an election on 19 June as part of a How would you describe Colombia’s try’s cocaine trade. Earthjustice oped countries. The U.S. is responsible Sometimes I believe we’re victims of our
progressive ticket. environmental movement currently?  worked with our partners at for what happens to us as environmen- own invention. We elect legislators who
Colombia is the world’s second-dead- the Interamerican Association tal leaders because of its multinational only cater to interest groups and oth-
Márquez campaigned on a promise liest country for environmental activ- for Environmental Defense companies’ work in our communities. er harmful industries. People must be
to shift the country's economy from ists, according to Global Witness. It is (AIDA) to end the danger- These companies, directly or indirectly, more conscious about the kind of offi-
fossil fuels to clean energy. She has a re- unfathomable that we’re still witnessing ous spraying program, which are complicit of this genocide. If there cials they elect, because it’s not just the
cord of standing up for environmental killings in a country that is supposedly was suspended in 2015. Re- weren’t economic interests in these lives of social leaders that are at stake,
justice, and in 2018 she won the pres- making strides in achieving peace af- cently, Colombia’s president territories, we wouldn’t have to get up but the very existence of humanity to-
tigious Goldman Environmental Prize ter  the [2016] accord. Unfortunately, has  pushed to begin spraying and fight in order to have a decent life. day. 
for her work to retake her community’s interest groups, some economic sectors, again. We’re risking our lives to stop harmful Is there something else you’d like to
ancestral territories from illegal gold and politicians do not want to change extractive industries, because the latter add?
mining. However, her international rec- the current economic model that leads stay away from growing coca, but there are enjoying benefits at the expense of Humanity’s greatest challenge is to ei-
ognition comes at a very risky price. to what I call “necro-politics,” or the is no willingness from the government, the many people who have died.  ther work together to preserve this plan-
politics of death. They don’t want to and aerial spraying of glyphosate will You are holding the U.S. accountable et or destroy it. It’s up to us to assume
Francia was born in Yolombó, a town stop fracking, and the Colombian gov- deteriorate our environment.  for the current state of your commu- our own responsibility and defend life.
nestled in the southwestern department ernment thinks of extractive industries nity. How can individual Americans In Colombia, we’re creating campaigns
of Cauca, where more than 250 000 as the only means of development.  make a difference when the Trump to incentivize reforestation, as well as
Colombians of African descent live. administration keeps rolling back en- recycling.
In November 2014, she spearheaded With respect to aerial coca fumiga- vironmental protections while siding We want to raise awareness about the
a women-run march to protest illegal tion, the government doesn’t seem to with industry?  products that can be composted and
gold mining, due to the use of mercury understand that coca won’t be eradi- The population has the power to change how we re-use certain items. There is so
and cyanide to break down rocks and cated and that people will instead be the course of history. The U.S. will have much we can do.
obtain the coveted metal. This process displaced. In order to stop coca crops, presidential elections next year. Will
has tainted Rio Ovejas, a critical wa- the government should invest in social Americans re-elect him? This is Amer- — Earth Justice.
terway for fishing and drinking water investment in farm products  so they
and, as a result, Francia and 80 wom-
en walked for 10 days to Colombia’s
capital, Bogotá, to protest the town’s
conditions. After 22 days of protests on
the streets, the Colombian government
agreed to stem illegal mining in the
town of La Toma. 

Because of her anti-illegal mining
work, she has been a target of orga-
nized crime. In 2014, Francia was dis-
placed  from her hometown of Suárez
following death threats, and last May,
armed men opened fire on Francia, as
well as a group of social leaders and hu-
man rights advocates. Despite all obsta-
cles, she decided to study law and advo-
cate for her community.

In an exclusive conversation with
Earthjustice in 2019, Francia addressed
environmental racism in Colombia and
abroad, her perilous journey as an activ-
ist, and why the U.S. is responsible for
the current conditions in her commu-
nity.  
What are the effects of environmental
racism in your country?
Colombia is a country that has tradi-
tionally been run by wealthy families.
When Black and Indigenous communi-
ties demand that large-scale mining be
removed from our communities and we
ask for protection under the rule of law,
the ruling families say that we’re posing
a hurdle to economic development.
That’s when I ask, what kind of devel-
opment are they referring to, especially
when Indigenous and Black communi-
ties lack basic utilities? The community
I live in has no drinking water, and our
river has been polluted with chemicals
used for illegal mining.

Furthermore, the Colombian state
does not invest in social projects. Their
idea of economic development is to
extract ore and territories from ethnic
communities. This move is a sheer ex-

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 54 Issue 86, 24 June 2022

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA

GROWING up, we all desire certain Everton Mlalazi.
things, for various reasons.
dere because while we come from differ- Gospel music star Vine.”
The desires are influenced by different ent churches, my belief is that prayer is a Mlalazi: ‘Prayer is a Asked if he was using money since he
things — some by surroundings and oth- universal language,” said Mlalazi. universal language”
ers by family expectations. shot to fame, Mlalazi said:
“Regardless of which church you go to, that there is fragmentation. We could influence my music has on people’s lives. “If you want to begin a music career
For a young person it hurts, therefore, you need to seek the Lord in prayer. Due work together more than what we are do- The testimonies I get from many people
not having the stuff you desire. to Covid-19, many were losing hope and ing currently,” he said. are really humbling but also encourage me in gospel remember the three Ds – de-
we decided to do Mwari Hamushanduki to continue in ministry,” he said. termination, dedication and discipline.
It can be a source of great personal an- (God you do not change) and I thought His career highlight has been the rec- These will take you places. It is not about
guish that can last well into adulthood. Bishop Benjamin Dube has been singing ognition by Zimbabwe Music Awards for “I have been nominated for about resources but those three that will take
for a long time and if I sang with him to Best Contemporary Music. FIVE awards and have received 2 so far as your music forward. Good music speaks
For gospel singer Everton Mlalazi, the reassure people that God doesn’t change, a solo artist and one with my group The for itself and it will get the attention it de-
story was the same. The budding musician maybe some would believe.” “I was really humbled by that and the serves.”
used to like live performances, but could
not afford the admission fees because at Of late, gospel music has become Coming from a good family support
the time he made his early inroads, music competitive such that artists are looking system, Mlalazi acknowledged everyone
— even the gospel genre — had already at ways to differentiate themselves, or do who has been part of music journey.
been commercialised. better than others through song and visu-
als. However, Mlalazi says he was not in “My family (wife and kids), my music
You basically had to pay yourself to competition with anyone. producer (Nigel Nyangombe) and the
play music in front of crowds! whole technical team and the fans who
“I am not aware that there is competi- have supported me, and fellow artists for
“Growing up, I found it hard to attend tion in gospel music. However, I believe the encouragement. May God bless you
music concerts because I couldn’t afford all,” he said as a parting shot.
them,” Mlalazi told The NewsHawks this
week.

“So for the few times we host concerts
we try to make them reachable to many.
It’s a free will offering to God.”

But it is not just a free show, when it
comes to staging live concerts. Mlalazi
now invests heavily in the productions,
with the recent one being the Vine Con-
cert.

“On the Vine Concert we wanted to
see the best way to show heaven on stage.
It’s impossible because we know that the
Glory of God covers heaven and the beau-
ty is unimaginable. However, that’s what
we wanted to show with the classical mu-
sic to it. We have only held two concerts
and there have been many paying concerts
that are sold out. We try as much as pos-
sible to attend concerts for fellow gospel
musicians.”

Music, for Mlalazi, is also about life-
style, attitude and glamour.

Many of his fans will remember how
lavish his 40th birthday celebrations were
in Bulawayo. It was a homecoming gig in
his hometown, where he began his minis-
try as a member of Seventh-Day Adventist
Christian.

Now based in the capital Harare, where
he holds a day job as a financial analyst,
Mlalazi is married with two children.

And he loves family life, his wife being
heavily involved in his music.

“My wife is the manager for my mu-
sic,” he said. “She helps me manage both
home and the music. It’s easier planning
my work around her and the kids because
they all are involved. My wife and kids are
a huge part of me. I participate in their
lives fully and they do the same.”

One of his daughters has featured in his
videos as well as live performances, play-
ing the piano. 

What exactly inspires Mlalazi’s music?
He answers: “I am an ardent student of
the Bible. I meditate and agonise on my
life constantly and that coupled with my
relationship with God inspires my music.
I believe music must minister your Peo-
ple’s needs. It must minister for the bro-
ken hearted, to the bereaved, to the sick,
to those without hope.”

Mlalazi has in recent times worked
with some of Zimbabwe’s finest gospel
musicians, and as he explains, the collabo-
rations were not by chance.

“When Covid-19 was ravaging, I did
Pfugama Unamate with Minister Mahen-

NewsHawks Poetry Corner Page 55

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

Title: If You Were To Leave Author: Kwanele Mtungwa no rapture here
(to Alex Magaisa) Title: Heartless Father but only a sad allure
as the tired feet
it should be on a sunday He wakes us up early in the morning. discover their final rhythm
when winter's hands, numb, To water tomatoes in a sober shuffle-waltz
fumble under our woolen defences, And other fruits. to oblivion
eating into our meagre memories of warmth We trudge bare footed
food Selling these along the streets. *************************************************
happiness Hunger and disease burning out our skins. Title: The Hunted
love We seek food from selling. Poet: Ivainashe Ernest Nyamutsamba
hope; And to acquire the golden light at school.
it should be on a sunday To cover our birth suits with nylons. You hunt me down
when the yarns of revelation But Father takes away all. Like stratcom
we would have wound around ourselves Some to buy dogs that bark day and night for Look at me down
are threatening to choke the revelation out of no reason. Like baggage
our hearts, The other to buy beer for him and his friends. Sny at my being
our minds surveying the scene with the trepida- He slaughters the goats that we keep, As I am a monster
tion And gives us the soup to lubricate our throats. No my friend
that heralds impending doom; Yet he is a respectable man in the community. I’m human made like you
it should be on a sunday Leaving a cat sleeping on the fireplace for a My kindred…
when the morning is cruel, week. I’m human made like you
when only the memory of you, He doesn't eat at our home at all. You talk about love
the memory of your incessant hope, But buys food from higher places. All i see is hate
is the thing that dulls what mornings do to We are sick of eating unhealthy food. You preach about peace
hopeless people; No money to buy mother some pills for blood All i see are pieces
it should be on a sunday pressure. Follow…follow…hollow…
when knowing is not synonymous with power, He is always adorned in suits and travelling. Petty…petty…people…preach
when knowing numbs the mind Leaving a home falling apart. What they do not speak
and leaves us staring at each other, Travelling to buy dogs. Pathetic peace proving
knowing fully well that no face bears something More dogs that bark for no solid purpose. Pungent stench…
that carries a difference, This home needs no pets father. Bellows from their pathetic
a sunday when gentleness takes its things and We need food, school fees and clothes. Pale faint beating hearts
leaves. One dog is enough to safeguard us. Like a typhoon
if you were to leave, leave on a sunday. If we are well fed I bring out the koon
And bouncing. In a house nigger
#RIPMUSAIGWA We can defend ourselves from any enemy. Give me something bigger
That can pull my trigger
***************************************************** ***************************************************** I know you are eager
Title: Gone Rain Title: Slow March To hear something bigger.
Poet: Farai Chinaa Mlambo Aka Nevanji Poet: Samuel Chuma
Wekanyi
...and still it remains
It once rained in this great nation to abduct the consciousness
Before it came to its damnation and flee with it
and ruination; into the grey mists
What happened to our rain? of memories that once were
Did the devil snatch the reins? But now remain entombed
Or the gods abnegated their reign? In unyielding caskets
Our great rivers; In an arid 'scape
Save, Runde and Gwaai Of the mind's cemetery
Zambezi, Odzi, and Nyanyadzi time piped the tune
Tokwe, Mukosi and Mukuvisi - and we danced the dance
Would fill right to the brim stomping and high-kicking
Much to the delight of breams during Youth's carefree reign
Once the monsoons blew we dared to dare
We would no sooner escape the blues and against winds of convention
As the rains pounded the earth; blew our vanity-puffed chests
Mothers would kindle fires at the hearths only relinquishing our folly
And forget their multifaceted dearths when our efforts rebounded
We would all muddle and rejoice back at us in
Splashing each other at puddles of choice explosive admonition
We let ourselves carefree and look silly now the music
As we sailed our plastic boats willy-nilly once loud and clear
And cruised over a terrain so hilly begs a passage through
Gone is the good rain the disinterested air
All that remain are these bloody ruins!

Page 56 People & Places NewsHawks

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

ANDREW MAMBONDIYANI How indigenous traditions are
saving Zim’s endangered wildlife
A HILL with an imposing protruding
rock stands on the outskirts of Village F, a Local communities’ traditional methods of conservation reduce
small farming community in Zimbabwe, conflict and can offer strong protection for threatened animals.
about 50 kilometres south of the eastern
border city of Mutare. Farmer and beekeeper Nicholas Mukundidza explains how he is protecting a nesting place for southern ground hornbills in Zimbabwe. Photo by Andrew Mambondiyani

A small perennial river, Nyadziye, me- ground hornbills could not be found. However, Sharon Mushure, one of the placed on Zimbabwe’s Specially Protect- only be broken if the person surrenders
anders leisurely around the hill, which “I’m sure they have flown out to forage researchers involved in the study, cau- ed Animals list. A recent report by Earth. himself or herself and confess to the tradi-
is known locally as Buwesunike. Dense tioned that there are weaknesses too: Fires org reveals that worldwide, more than a tional leaders and pay a heavy fine,” Rug-
trees surround Buwesunike Hill, and a for food. They can spend a couple of days started by villagers can threaten habitat, million pangolins have been poached for ohwo explains. 
plethora of bird species chirp excitedly in out before they come back,” he says. and the lack of documentation of tradi- commercial use over the past decade.
the undergrowth. tional beliefs makes them vulnerable to A local story tells of two men believed
A recent study  reveals that  southern disappearing. Although the forests in this part of to be from Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare,
For years, this hill has been a nest- ground hornbills have now disappeared country are still home to a number of who tried to smuggle a pangolin from the
ing place for a small group of  southern from some parts of Africa as a result of Elsewhere in the Mutare district, pangolins, Rugohwo says it is uncom- area. They had to abandon it after it start-
ground hornbills. In this part of the coun- human activities, including habitat de- leaders rely on traditional beliefs to pro- mon to find these reclusive and nocturnal ed making weird noises as the duo were
try, southern ground hornbills — identi- struction, indirect poisoning, and electro- tect  pangolins, known here as  harakab- mammals. A sighting signifies a long life driving toward a police traffic checkpoint.
fied by their unique jet-black feathers, cution, as well as trade in live birds and vuka or haka. Geofrey Rugohwo, a tradi- or a chance for greatness, says Mutambir- This story amplifies the mysteries and
bright-red throats, and large black beaks use in traditional cultural practices. tional leader in Chitora, says it is a serious wa. trepidations surrounding pangolins.
— are considered sacred. Farmers in this offense for anyone to be caught with a
area say the birds bring in the rains and But for over 40 years, Mukundidza has pangolin, let alone kill or eat it. “We don’t know how many pangolins The Zimbabwean government sup-
herald the start of the farming season. In been farming close to Buwesunike Hill. are in this area, but we still have many. It’s ports efforts like those in Village F and
the local Jindwi dialect, farmers call these He says he has never seen or heard of any- “This animal is important for us. It’s our duty to protect them for future gen- Chitora. Any person convicted of the un-
giant birds mariti; in other dialects, they one trying to harm or kill the birds. a highly respected animal and cannot be erations,” Rugohwo says. “We have very lawful killing, possession of, or trading in
are known as  matendera. Killing them killed by anyone in this area. If a person few cases of outsiders coming to poach any protected animals gets a mandatory
would anger their ancestors, the farm- There is no proper research done on kills or eat it, that person will face the the animals here.” jail term of nine years, or more for second
ers believe, resulting in droughts for the traditional methods of conservation in wrath of our traditional leaders or the offenders.
whole community and bringing serious this part of the country. However, a study spirits of the land,” Rugohwo says.  Rugohwo says if a person kills a pan-
misfortune to the offender. done at Zimbabwe’s Nharira community golin in middle of the forest without be- “Our common agenda is to protect
of Chikomba district reveals that conven- Experts say very little is known about ing caught, that person will ultimately be wild animals, and we work with the
A mix of beliefs like these, taboos and tional strategies of conserving wildlife and the status of pangolins in Zimbabwe, but punished by the spirits of the land.  communities to protect the animals,”
myths, passed orally from generation forest resources through fencing the pro- they are thought to be in decline. More says Tinashe Farawo, a spokesperson for
to generation, has been at the centre of tected areas or imposing fines on trespass- than four decades ago, the pangolins were “The offending person will suffer from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Man-
wildlife conservation in many parts of the ers usually creates disputes between locals various curses or misfortunes, which will agement Authority. “Our relation with
Zimbabwe. While these taboos are not and the forest and wildlife management these communities is like that of the fish
grounded in scientific explanation, they authorities. and the water. We rely on them for infor-
have helped to protect and preserve some mation on what is happening and what
of country’s endangered wild animals and “When compared to conventional needs to be done. As long we are working
birds from poachers — including the strategies, the [Indigenous knowledge] well with the communities, the cases of
southern ground hornbill. approach is better as it avoids such con- poaching will go down.”
flicts and requires less state resources for
Poaching and destruction of habitats enforcing laws to protect wildlife and for- Ultimately, Farawo says local commu-
of animals and birds by farming and est resources,” the study says. nities are the ones responsible for wildlife
other activities are growing issues in the day to day.
country. Tensions around conservation In Chikomba district, local people be-
have risen particularly in communities lieve poachers in the sacred Chirozva and “They’re the ones who stay with the
living near wildlife conservancies and Daramombe hills can be chased away by birds, and they are the ones sharing
game parks.  bees, wild animals, or snakes, the study boundaries with these animals. They’re
documented.  the custodians of the wild animals.”
However, Indigenous groups under
traditional chiefs, including Zimunya “In other instances, mishaps such as — yesmagazine.
and Marange in eastern Zimbabwe, have prolonged dry spells and reduction in *About the writer: Andrew Mam-
found other ways to limit hunting and ac- crop yields may befall the entire commu- bondiyani is a journalist based in Zim-
tivities that harm the animals. Local tradi- nity,” the study adds. “Key informants babwe with a special interest in climate
tional leaders — village heads, headmen, further reported that the convicted in- change and the environment in general.
and chiefs — strictly enforce the limits dividuals [for breaking the taboos] are His work has appeared in local and in-
and taboos and impose heavy fines on forced to pay fines in form of a livestock ternational publications.
whoever is caught breaking them. On the or buckets of grain to the traditional lead-
rare occasion a villager breaks the taboos, ers.”
they are brought before the traditional
leaders’ courts and forced to pay for the
violation in the form of livestock: cattle,
goats, sheep, or chickens, as well as grain.
In some cases, the fines are used for the
revered rainmaking and thanksgiving cer-
emonies or wildlife conservation projects
in the area.

David Mutambirwa, executive director
and founder of Mhakwe Heritage Foun-
dation Trust, a Zimbabwe-based founda-
tion advocating for heritage and culture
preservation, says Indigenous knowledge
systems are critical to wildlife protection.

“Indigenous knowledge systems have
been used and are still being used to pre-
serve and conserve wild animals,” he says.
“There are certain trees which cannot be
cut down. These knowledge systems in-
volve taboos, values, and norms which are
followed in many rural communities.”

Following White colonial rule in Zim-
babwe, which ended in 1980, he says
some communities discarded their tradi-
tional ways of wildlife conservation.

“The advent of the so-called Western
civilization in our country affected our
cultures in many ways,” he says. “But
we are working hard to sensitize these
communities through a multifaceted ap-
proach.”

In Village F, though, residents held on
to their reverence for the southern ground
hornbills. 

“We jealously protect this nesting
place,” says Nicholas Mukundidza, a
farmer and beekeeper at Village F. “As
you can see, we don’t cut down trees here.
Instead, I have put my beehives to protect
these trees,” he says, pointing to several
wooden beehives scattered on trees in the
thick forest.

Mukundidza took me on a short hike
through a heavily wooded path to the
edge of Buwesunike Hill. But on this
particular hot afternoon, the southern

NewsHawks Sport Page 57

Issue 86, 24 June 2022

Arsenal legend
Seaman plays
exhibition cricket
in Rwanda

David Seaman keeps wicket to a female batsman on Thursday in Kigali.

FORMER Zimbabwe captain Ham- including legendary former Arsenal the ongoing Commonwealth Heads ex-players – some of whom played Chigumbura and Stuart Carlisle
ilton Masakadza led an Africa Select captain David Seaman. of Government Meeting (CHOGM) international cricket – all invited to while Leonard Nhamburo – coach of
XI team in an exhibition match in in Kigali. 58-year-old Seaman kept Rwanda by the Commonwealth. the Rwandan women’s team – was the
Rwanda on Thursday, winning by The match, which involved both wicket for the Commonwealth side. fourth Zimbabwean.
25 runs against a Commonwealth XI male and female players, attracted a Masakadza was joined by fellow
number of delegates from attending The African select side included ex-Zimbabwe internationals Elton – STAFF WRITER.

HIS name sounded as Zimbabwe- You can never go wrong just a handful of appearances for
an as they come, yet a lot of us were with a polished diamond Harare City. What Tino had learnt
only getting to know about him for in junior football here, under the
the first time as told by South African ported this week, he will become the ton Villa midfielder Marvelous Na- I can also take you back to the re- hard-working and unsung heroes of
media. third current Zimbabwe internation- kamba’s. tired talismanic pair of Knowledge Zimbabwean football at the acade-
al to play in the world’s best football Initially groomed in the youth Musona and Khama Billiat, whose mies, had equipped him well enough
In those days, when South Africa’s league. Two born in Zimbabwe, and structures of Zimbabwean football gi- rough edges were also smoothened for the European market.
football Press corps preferred his mid- the other in England. ants Highlanders, it was later at Bantu after they left Zimbabwe as teenagers.
dle name, he was known as Nyasha Rovers, which has a strong academy You could argue a case for Zimba- On the contrary, we have seen es-
Munetsi. And if you take a closer look, you system, that Nakamba got his first bwe’s PSL, that Lyon forward Tino tablished players from our league
will observe that they all perfected breakthrough under the guidance being signed by clubs outside Zimba-
The reason he was an unknown their art elsewhere and not in Zimba- of club owner and shrewd talent bwe, even in South Africa, and failing
quantity back home was that when bwe, in environments where scientific scout Methembe Ndlovu. to elevate their status once they leave
Munetsi left to play football in South methods of coaching football have At 18, Nakamba was recruit- these parts.
Africa, he was only 19, fresh out of a been embraced and refined to squeeze ed for the development side of HawkZone
Harare academy, never having kicked every ounce of ability out of talented For me, there is a simple conclusion
a ball in Zimbabwe’s top-flight com- footballers. French side Nancy and in 2014 to make: there is something right that
petition, the Premier Soccer League Enockfeatured for their senior side, mak- Zimbabwe’s academies are doing, but
(PSL). The two years that Munetsi spent then something terribly wrong with
with Pirates, one of the biggest clubs ing two appearances in Ligue 1. the PSL and how players are coached
So when news broke out of South in Africa and one of the most profes- MuchinjoDutch outfit Vitesse and Bel- in the clubs.
Africa that Soweto giants Orlando sional, bolstered what the Zimbabwe-
Pirates had signed a very highly-rat- an had learnt earlier in Cape Town gian side Club Brugge were the The solution is perhaps to get our
ed young Zimbabwean central mid- and at Baroka. next European suitors, where the best young talent out of the country
fielder called Nyasha Munetsi from diamond was further polished, as early as possible. But they all can-
FC Cape Town, to initially loan him Reims liked what they saw and in and polished shinier that it glim- not go, they all will not go.
out to Baroka, football fans across 2019 off Munetsi was to French Ligue mered in the direction of England, Kadewere did feature in our league
the Limpopo who did not follow the 1 football. where Aston Villa could not resist the before he made the grade in Europe. Some of the diamonds therefore
South African second-tier league were sparkle. But even he left as a teenager, with must be polished right here in Zim-
wondering just who this hyped chap Munetsi’s story resonates with As- babwe and this can only be possible
was. through synergising all football inter-
ests and activities in this country.
If Marshall Munetsi (as he is known
now) moves from French side Reims Because right now it is not the case.
to English Premiership club Brighton Maybe the forced international foot-
& Hove Albion, as has been widely re- ball sabbatical can make people find
each other for the greater good.

Sports Zim evade
‘grudge match’
with De Villiers

Real Madrid’s

golden era

sustained by

myth, epic and
Thursday 1 October 20c20old intelligence

Friday 24 June 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE
Zimbabwe in Dutch test ahead$60 Covid
tariff for
visitors &
Community
radio
regulations

of France World Cup qualifierstourists
Story on Page 3
under review

Story on Page 8

Chamisa reac
out to Khupe

Unofficial president calls for emerge

Members of Zimbabwe's rugby squad pose in Amsterdam with some Zimbabweans living there, including singer and dancer Vimbai Zimuto (on the ground, in white).

SPORTS WRITER between his Pumas side and Griquas this Sat- Europe-based players in the starting line-up, fore the match against Netherlands, a friendly
urday. Mafura has been picked to start on the led upfront by the powerful tight-head Cleopas tie carrying Test status.
A NETHERLANDS team led by former right wing in that epic match in Kimberly. Kundiona.
Springboks assistant coach Dick Muir will this Other qualifiers-bound players to miss the The 22-year-old prop recently completed a SQUAD
Saturday provide Zimbabwe a much-needed Dutch clash are loose forward Tapiwa Tsomon- move from French third-tier side Stade Olym- Starting line-up: 1. Tyran Fagan 2. Mat-
chance to challenge themselves ahead of World do and utility back Riaan O’Neill, who will be pique Chambéry to Pro D2 club USON Nev- thew Mandioma 3. Cleopas Kundiona 4. Sean
Cup qualifiers in France next week. waiting for their teammates to return to France, ers, who play in the second league of France’s Beevor 5. Godfrey Muzanargwo 6. Jason Fra-
where they are based and hadAloLnSgOcamINpSaigIDnsEin rFuignKbauynnsdycisoetenmMa .dinidisntoyt wtasipteemsuocuh tac$t3io.n2 iBniltlhieon ds9e.erHp7oi.ltsBoinitsoeMlresluedfTuarsnihkdaims(caalapt8a.inZN) iy1ma0s.'hsaMlaTaratcreuusssteNnlageanl d c
Zimbabwe arrived in France last week for the the just-ended season.
qualifiers following their participation in the Although rugby is a minor but growing sport Currie Cup for Zimbabwe in South Africa, but 11. Shingi Katsvere 12. Takudzwa Chieza 13.
Currie Cup in South Africa. The squad then in the Netherlands, the national team, nick- is expected to be one of the Sables’ key men in Matthew McNab 14. Shayne Makombe 15.
took the short flight to Amsterdam for the his- named The Oranges, is considered one of the their World Cup qualification quest. Takudzwa Musingwini.
toric first Test against the Dutch in preparation strongest tier-three sides in European rugby. The Sables have been welcome in the Dutch Subs: 16. Liam Larkan 17. Victor Mupunga
for the African contest over the next few weeks. On the world rankings, they are positioned capital by a jolly group of Zimbabweans living 18. Bornwell Gwinji 19. Godwin Mangenje 20.
26th, eight places above Zimbabwe on 34. there, including musician and dancer Vimbai Johan Du Preez 21. Kyle Galloway 22. James
Not featuring for Zimbabwe against the Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have included six Zimuto, who will sing the national anthem be- Forrester 23. Ngoni Chibuwe.
Dutch is classy backliner Tapiwa Mafura, who
will only fly to France after the Currie Cup final

ALSO INSIDE Seaman plays exhibition cricket in Rwanda