NewsHawks 15 July 2022

NewsHawks World News Page 51

Issue 89, 15 July 2022

STEPHEN COLEMAN The fall of Boris Johnson:
democracies must introspect
BORIS Johnson’s resignation as prime
minister is not just a portentous po- number of simplistic policies. It was,
litical event. His time in office – and however, perhaps unprecedented in
the nature of his departure – throw its willingness to flirt with the policy
up vital questions about democratic rhetoric of populism.
values and institutions.
Better discourse surely involves
Blaming the failings of an entire paying attention to how our current
political culture on the moral defi- media ecology too often rewards the
ciencies of one leader might make loudest, most contentious dema-
us feel righteous, but most of us gogues and enables politicians who
know that the rot goes rather deeper know how to capitalise on the worst
than  one flamboyant character. The practices of the journalistic trade.
fall of Johnson could be taken as a
historical juncture to be built upon – Boris Johnson’s resignation as prime minister is not just a portentous political event. Oxbridge politics in a changing world
and not just in the UK. A final, important matter, is how to
Governing takes time and thought. sidelined or mocked. al liability but a more important role bring a much wider range of voic-
Some have  argued  that the politi- And it calls for an honest appraisal, Parliaments, which are supposed for parliament to play is to challenge es and experiences into democratic
cal debate preceding the Brexit refer- followed by serious efforts to fix what policy proposals that are clearly not politics. Recent events in the UK
endum was a nadir; that public hopes does not work well. This is quite dif- to  hold governments to account  on thought through or are offered as have included a  damaging lobby-
and fears were cynically exploited by ferent from government by propa- behalf of the public, need to assert mere crowd-appeasing gestures. ing affair and multiple revelations of
politicians who did not even believe ganda whereby every manifest failure their power. The British parliament political figures breaking their own
the substance of their own messages. is described as a success and critics are may have acted to remove a prime The Johnson government was far lockdown laws during the pandemic.
Johnson’s premiership fell because minister who looked like an elector- from unique in having promoted a Further, Johnson’s end came in the
it seemed to recognise  no distinc- immediate wake of accusations of
tion between what is true and what is serious sexual misconduct  against a
politically expedient. Once that dis- senior figure in his government.
tinction ceases to matter, democratic
discourse becomes unsustainable and These might all have attracted a
political communication becomes a degree of weary popular interest in
matter of permanent decoding. the Westminster soap opera. But the
overall effect has surely been further
Integrity depends upon binding erosion of the electorate’s already low
structures, such as codes of conduct trust in politics, fuelling renewed mo-
and ethics committees. It also relies tives for disengagement.
on a cultural commitment by poli-
ticians and citizens to call out inten- The end of any leader’s career is an
tional deceit, corrupt practices and opportunity to reflect on what expec-
hateful speech. The fall of Johnson is tations  we have of our democratic
a good moment for explicit reflection representatives. During Johnson’s
on how far any democracy is prepared tenure, too much time has been spent
to tolerate, and even reward, machia- discussing what the British public is
vellian tendencies. willing to put up with. Johnson will
Red-meat politics soon be gone from Downing Street.
The Johnson years highlight the im- The question instead should be what
portant difference between a popu- do the people want next – and how
lar government and a government can they make it happen?
making  meaningful difference  to its
people. Too often, attention-grab- *About the writer: Stephen Cole-
bing “red-meat” solutions have been man is professor of political com-
proffered in response to intractable munication at University of Leeds
challenges. Flying refugees to Rwan- in the United Kingdom.
da or declaring Brexit “done” may
have made for ephemerally forceful
headlines and opinion poll effects,
but they are typically merely symbolic
and often dangerously counter-pro-
ductive.

FROM SUMMERS TO WINTERS

WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK

Landline: 08644 305473 Arosenty Air @AirArosenty 0777 662 600/0717 063 253
[email protected]

Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model

&Life Style

STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING

Page 52 Issue 89, 15 July 2022

Can the film and television
strategy revive creative sector?

JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA Tsitsi Dangarembga. haka, Nakai Matema, Ignatius Matope, Rino Zhuwarara. long overdue since government was not
The preliminary stage of the film strat- Professor Nhamo Mhiripiri, Cont Mh- Some filmmakers told The NewsHawks forthcoming.
FOR the longest time, the film and tele- langa, Charles Munganasa, Antony Mu-
vision sector has been without a develop- egy development began in May with the tambira, Joe Njagu, Amanda Ranganawa, that the film and television strategy will “This is a first, especially being initiated
ment strategy. hosting of a stakeholders' workshop in Priscila Sithole, Richard Tenton and Dr set the tone for the development of the by the government itself. In the past there
Harare which attracted over 35 practi- Ben Mahaka. sector. has been efforts by practitioners to devel-
And with no strategy at all, what this tioners in the film and television sector op our own policy/strategy then try and
means the film and television sector was from the different provinces in the coun- Rumbi Katedza of Mai Jai Films said pitch it to government but to no avail.
not part of national development policy try. the process should identify key areas in
but instead dependent on donor funding. the value chain that need to be worked on “This is a very welcome development
The workshop examined the state of to grow. for the sector as it shows that government
Of course, funding has been the big- the film sector in Zimbabwe, the expecta- is recognizing the Film sector and making
gest impediment to the growth of the sec- tions for the strategy drafting process and “The tabling of a film strategy should the first effort to have a strategy that will
tor notwithstanding lack of strategy. submitted nominations for the national ensure that film becomes a key part of na- drive the sector,” he said.
team members who were tasked with the tional policy to benefit the growth of the
But now that the National Arts Coun- production of the strategy. industry,” she said. Asked what the expectations were
cil of Zimbabwe, which is the regulatory regarding the buy in from government
authority for the creative sector, has start- Some 23 prominent filmmakers and “Ideally, the process should identify Njagu said it was a welcome development.
ed the process of drafting a strategy for academics were selected for the nation- key areas in the value chain that need to
Zimbabwe's film sector, expectations are al team and an induction workshop for be worked on to grow, capacitate and “The good that will come out of this is
high that it will lead to the revitalisation them was held in Harare on 1 July 2022 professionalise the industry so that those a clear plan and way forward for the devel-
and expansion of the sector. to start the actual crafting of the strategy. issues are addressed at a national level, and opment of the sector to transition it into
subsequently, build a strong Zimbabwean a proper industry. The development is
A film and television strategy would The national team comprises Raisedon film brand. Increased film production can impossible without government involve-
be good not only for the sector but also Baya, Joseph Bunga, Knox Chatiza, Mun- lead to employment creation, a boost in ment as they govern how every industry
downstream sectors that include model- yaradzi Chidzonga, Stephen Chigorimbo, tourism and a plethora of other residual runs and also the inclusion in the national
ling, make-up, fashion and music. Kudzai Chikomo, Kelvin Chikonzo, Tsit- benefits.” budget to help capitalise the sector.
si Dangarembga, Daves Guzha, Rumbid-
The drafting of the film strategy fol- zai Katedza, Marian Kunonga, Ben Ma- Joe Njagu said the film strategy was “The drawback from not having a
lows the successful launch of the Zimba- strategy has been seen in how we failed to
bwe music strategy on 1 June 2022 and engage the government to be involved in
is part of the NACZ vision of having dif- the sector. There was no plan or roadmap
ferent cultural and creative sector (CCS) for the industry. Hopefully this sees some
strategies produced in the mould of the order coming to the sector and establish-
national cultural and creative industries ment of guilds/unions to gate keep the
strategy (NCCIS) launched by the gov- sector too,” he said.
ernment in 2020.
Munya Chidzonga, who starred in Lo-
The NACZ is leveraging on the exper- bola, said the crating of the strategy was a
tise obtained by its team comprising staff step in the right direction.
and CCS practitioners in the crafting of
the music strategy to develop the film “The film sector in Zimbabwe has in-
strategy as well as the visual, literary and credible potential. It is our responsibility
other sector strategies in the immediate to create a policy framework that pro-
future. motes both local and international invest-
ment as well as governmental support,” he
Film and television have become the said.
second sector to have a strategy devel-
oped following the realisation that the Ben Mahaka, affectionately known in
production and distribution of film and the Studio 263 soapie as Tom Mbambo,
audio visual works is one of the most dy- said the film strategy set out to profession-
namic growth sectors in the world with a alise the sector.
huge potential for attracting commercial
investment and capacity employ a large “I think that the film strategy will
number of youths and women in high- foster a better understanding of the en-
skilled jobs. vironment in which we are operating by
gathering data about every aspect of the
According to the latest Unesco African filmmaking process; who are the practi-
Film Industry Report, the film sector ac- tioners, where are they, what stories are
counts for over US$5 billion in revenues they telling, what resources do they have
and employs over 5 million across the and what resources do they need, what are
African continent, with the potential to the markets and how can they be accessed?
generate US$20 billion and employ up to Practitioners, government and the private
20 million people. sector have to have a clear and common
understanding of these factors so that we
The film strategy is meant to respond can chart a way forward together,” he said.
to the challenges bedevilling the local in-
dustry which include the largely informal On what has been the biggest draw-
nature of operations by players, piracy back within the sector, Mahaka said: “The
and illegal exploitation of audio-visual biggest impediment is funding. It costs
content as well as a lack of clear distribu- money to make and market films. As a
tion infrastructure. nation, we still balk at the idea of invest-
ing US$100 000 or US$200 000 or even
The strategy is expected to leverage the more on a feature film, but it’s a worth-
increased participation of women behind while investment.
and in front of the camera, the licensing
of new television stations and the new Those numbers are not stratospher-
ability to monetise online content on ic when you consider that is the kind of
social media platforms YouTube, Netflix money that was spent on films that we are
and mobile video services. still talking about decades after they were
made. Films like Neria and Yellow Card.”

NewsHawks Life & Style Page 53

Issue 89, 15 July 2022

98.4FM celebrates 5th anniversary

MIDLANDS province’s biggest Station Manager
commercial radio station — 98.4 Chengetai Murimwa
Midlands FM — on 14 July cele-
brated five years since its first live time flies when you are having fun: ment. community.  and downs but very important les-
broadcast. “It’s already five years since the sta- “Since half of our exis- “The support has been sons learnt along the way”. 
tion started its first live broadcast, great and we will contin-
The music station, which broad- but it only seems like yesterday”. tence was characterised ue coming up with tai- 98.4 Midlands FM is under AB
casts from Gweru, serves a diverse by at-home listening lor made packages that Communications and its sister sta-
group of listeners in the miner- “It has been an incredible jour- due to the outbreak will best suit our clien- tions are ZiFM Stereo and Hevoi
al-rich province.  ney and the success of the station of Covid-19, we are tele,” said Mutengo.   FM which broadcasts in Masvingo.
is owed to the staff, past and pres- coming up with new Programme pre-
The station is known for promot- ent, the advertisers to whom we are offerings on air which senter Johanna — STAFF WRITER.
ing local artistes, such as Skiddo grateful for their continued support will include corpo- Mathe, bet-
Chikandamina, Samukoko, Nyasha and our loyal listeners who keep rate activations ter known as Leo Mutengo
David, Defeater King  and Oxygen, supporting the station. We are and fun events Ginger on air,
to mention a few.  targeting our Dynamite says joining
looking forward to continuing Midlands lis-
The station also airs regional and growing together over the teners,” said the regional
international hit songs.  next five years,” said Mu- Sibanda. commercial
rimwa.  radio station
98.4 Midlands FM broadcasts in Kim Sibanda, the assistant The key gave her an
English, Shona and Ndebele lan- station manager in charge of account exec- opportunity
guages to cater for the cosmopoli- utive and one to showcase her
tan audience in the province.   programming, said they will of the pioneers talent. 
continue striving to churn out at 98.4 Midlands “It’s been an
The station has an array of inter- quality programming. FM, Leo Muten- exciting journey
esting shows starting the day with “As a station we are focused on go, said he was and a learning
The Wake Up Call hosted by the quality programming that enter- pleased with curve,” she said.
hyperenergetic Kim Sibanda and tains and educates listeners in Mid- the support Dynamite
Reason Sekeremo. lands and beyond,” said Sibanda.  the station has says: “It’s been a
She said the past five years the been receiving wonderful jour-
The duo has been a favourite with station’s programming has strived from the Mid- ney full of ups
listeners in the Midlands Province to give a dynamic combination of lands business
as they come up with entertaining music, talk, sport and entertain-
skits, puzzles and riddles where
winners walk away with prizes. 

Other shows to look forward to
are Dandaro, hosted by Dynamite
and The Drive hosted by DJ Vas
and Ginger. Dynamite explodes as
she hosts the mid-morning show
which comes with riveting topics
and good music mix. The combi-
nation of DJ Vas and Ginger has
become a household name in the
Midlands with the upbeat music
they play.  

Another show that listeners look
forward to is the Saturday and Sun-
day mid-morning show hosted by
Farai Kanengoni, better known as
Daddy K. The two shows take the
old listeners back as Daddy K en-
tertains them with some '80s and
'90s Funk and some R&B

Over the last five years the station
has won a number of awards which
include the Outstanding Radio Sta-
tion Award at the Midlands Media
Awards and Outstanding Leader in
Media and Communications at the

Zimbabwe CEOs Network
Awards, among others. 

From Monday to Thursday
during its talk time slot the station
hosts informative current affairs
programmes that are hosted by
Vincent Mhene, Catherine Maso-
cha and Sukoluhle Ndlovu.

Station manager Chengetai
Murimwa
said

Kim Sibanda

Page 54 Poetry Corner NewsHawks

Issue 89, 15 July 2022

Title: Such is my world Title: Let’s Talk Title: Gaia
Poet: Andy Kahari Poet: Nissi Poet: Temba Munsaka

Hate the taverns, the bar man, Before we get married, Epithet: The Demented Scribe
The brew, the puke I’d like to let you know; Walking down the Mighty Lake,
The messed up pants, There gon be days when you’re gon be so in sooty sandals raising hell on a typical sa-
The foul stench, love with me vannah escarpment
Inebriating our children; Days when you’ll hold me so tight as if you’re Drops of sweet sweat ambling along my
But never the concocter, the brewer; not gon see me anymore. frame like drops of dew along the grass
The breeder, the wonder not, And there gon be days when you’ll miss me but stork,
Where in earthly heaven, the last time you saw me was an hour ago. to give ants rivulets to satiate from
The brood swim under dusk? Please know there’s gon be a week where & bespatter my gleaming torso-
Hate the croc, the lion, the hyena, you’ll be so mad at me as my drumbeat dawdling scatter locusts!
The leopard and the cheetah A full week you’ll be quiet, unhappy and won’t Tilapia diving out of the blue deep to kiss
For invading the huts, the kraal, the village... talk to me the sun,
But never the cheating human; A week where I’ll be mad at you and things flippers in aerobic formation to befuddle the
The plunderer of the river, won’t be like they used to be. leprechaun kingfisher
The mountain, the forest; Heck there will be days I’ll start hating you: and The cabrettas orbing away to safety to the
Desecrating the deer, the buffalo, you- me bending horizon,
The zebra, the eland; Loathing everything you say, and everything as the sky and great expanse cuddle in a
Food for the beasts! you do. hot picturesque embrace
Hate the sharp shooter, Days where I’m gon feel like I made a mistake Dry morse brittle under my strides,
The sniper, the marksman, And sadly you’re gon have those days too. to petrify nature as dust like helium is freed
The rifleman, the bullet chamber loader, Days I wish I could punch you in the face from mother earth,
The spotter and the bomb; And days I realize that that’s a wish and grow wings over the translucent waters
But never the miner, That can never be addressed. Ripples of white waters rolling off a sub-
The excavation of suffering, Babe there are days we are gon make up merged rock,
The escalation of hurt to be mine To be very clear, minutes of heart throbbing and to sketch a rainbow in the sky
The shaping of the arrow tipped bullet, sweat dripping making up Blood 'n' sand edifice,
The packing of the flesh tearing shrapnel! Steaming the kitchen windows & plates break- a constant fluid in parched low veld!
Hate, condemn, chide, curse, ing: falling from the kitchen counter. The stubborn rugged hills remain un-
The chicanery There will be months were we will keep push- changed,
The chiefdom, the kingdom, ing- forging ahead as they continue to impose upon life below
The parliament; Reminding ourselves of that very moment we At that moment,
But not the man, the woman, said “I do” I cherished the beauty of life!
The constituents, the electorate Into years I will realize that you’re truly all I have
The vote caster, in this world. ZAMBEZI VALLEY ENCLAVE - a collection
The neighbourhood dog, There will be decades to meditate that even if I of protest pieces
Not chasing away the irate campaigner! love, hate or get angry with you
Damn, such is my world! That there’s absolutely nothing I can ever do ************************************************
Because I’m forever stuck with you
Overview: From that very moment I said I do. Title: Mittens for my Kittens
We know where the issue is but we cast a blind Poet: Sheikh Al Dirani
eye, and look elsewhere in the hope of not fac- .*****************************************************
ing our truth, which we now know we have let Title: Imprints of Pain The sneering wind is up with spears
out of hand for too long; rendering it almost too Poet: Samuel Chuma Rising in an icy Antarctic altercation,
complex to solve. With the sun on a thermal vacation
The easy way is thus simply to shift blame. the imprints of your words The sparrows die out of the sky
still linger in my mind In fluffy feathered death giving up the
***************************************************** startlingly defined ghost.
Title: Pain and Confusion heading grief-wards My furry cat gives a purring protest
Poet: Andile Sayi the love that we planted Shocks a winter with catty teeth chattering
somewhat still stands in bone-rattling yawns.
I felt the light in my womb, with boughs drooping downwards An icy blizzard out of Antarctica
The weight that felt like the moon. as i water it with my tears Slices around my old man’s shins
The feeling of greatness attached, the promises that we pledged Freezing on my grandfatherly chin
Two souls came out unannounced. in sugared midnight escapades The hoary icicles of my beard.
Uncontrolled release of emotion, now turn bitter on my tongue Grand me a heath for my wish,
Pain overshadows tears of joy. as i swallow my words Steep my spirit in near-scalding sauna,
Pain again when the light fades to darkness, it hurts like yesterday Borrow me a balmy October,
Confused if both worlds are a curse or worse. your decades old departure Bless my knee marrows with a thaw.
cutting merciless at my heart
with the daggers of today.

NewsHawks People & Places Page 55

Issue 89, 15 July 2022

Journalists tour Harare-Beitbridge highway

Ministry of Transport permanent secretary Theodius Kudzanayi Chinyanga addresses journalists on Thursday just outside Masvingo during a tour of the Harare-Beitbridge highway.

Page 56 Sport NewsHawks

Issue 89, 15 July 2022

The comedy of errors that is Zim’s PSL

JUST a few games into this year’s gations of peddling the illicit drug them retaining the league title.
Premier Soccer League (PSL) sea- “mutoriro”. The other sides — Chicken
son, I saw quite a few impressive Things might not be all rosy at Inn and Dynamos — who both
games that whet my appetite for the Sunshine Boys, but then re- looked to mount a charge against
the local game. sorting to peddling drugs, for a FC Platinum’s dominance — have
top-flight league player, is a very all fallen flat in the last few weeks
That interest in Zimbabwean sad tale to read. as they have let the platinum min-
football had long disappeared be- Benjani Mwaruwari’s home- ers open a healthy five-point cush-
cause of the rot that has eaten into coming, as he landed the Ngezi ion at the top.
the PSL. Platinum FC hot seat, was greet- Perhaps the feel-good factor
ed with much pomp and fanfare. about the league has been the
The interest came back again, Alas, the numbers who
and such was the conviction I had Undertaker have been at-
that we were going to witness an has found tending High-
intriguing title race unlike in the the going HawkZone landers’ home
past few seasons where Norman really tough games at BF.
Mapeza’s FC Platinum have dom- at the Bao- New Por-
inated the local scene. bab. In the Alwyn tuguese coach
11 games Mabehla Baltemar Brito
How wrong I was! Admittedly, he has tak- has brought
the evidence from the local games en charge so back the glam-
does not lie, and the game is slow- far, Mwaru- our at Bosso
ly degenerating into arenas of wari’s Madamburo have managed and this past weekend he gave a
comic relief. Benjani Mwaruwari. only three wins. However, far debut to teen sensation Prince
An iconic club, the great Bosso, from that madness, FC Platinum’s Ndlovu.
Just a few weeks ago, in a PSL The drama just keeps on un- pleading for a laptop donation! Mapeza is again proving his clout At least we still have 17 more
game played at Sakubva Stadium folding in the league, again as as probably one of the best coach- rounds of action, but again the
in Mutare, a Tenax player refused Highlanders, the country’s oldest But this is Zimbabwe for you. es on the land. 2021-22 season looks decided and
to be substituted in open defiance. club, extended a begging bowl Probably the saddest chapter FC Platinum are on a five the league looks set to remain in
to “well-wishers” for a laptop for that has unfolded in the league game unbeaten run and it would the Midlands with Mapeza’s Plat-
A few weeks later, again in a their chief executive officer! so far is the arrest of Harare City be shocking really to bet against inum.
match played at Sakubva between forward Jerry Chipangura on alle-
Manica Diamonds and Bulawayo How low can we really get?
City, for almost half an hour the
game had to be stopped after goal-
posts fell!

Trusted ICT &
Business Solution

Provider

Reliable ICT Services
for Businesses

Computers, Printers, Computer Sofware,
Consumables, Networking, Accessories

Reach Us On

[email protected] 263(0)242793020
[email protected] 0717 824 764
0771 542 550

NewsHawks Sport Page 57

Issue 89, 15 July 2022 First Open Golf Championship
in 1860 and King Lobengula
JOHN KELLEY this year, but at least he declares he them will fail. The main incentive
IN PORTSMOUTH, ENGLAND Collin Morikawa. ble winner may not really be a serious has decided to play, having come is getting one's name on the trophy
boundary wall beyond it. Famously consideration on previous evidence through a pro-am in Ireland without base, as well as prominently on the
THE long history of golf marches on one occasion by Tom Watson. medical mishap. back pages of newspapers, with in-
relentlessly onward with the 150th terviews and features to follow. And
anniversary this year of the first Open Over the years the Old Course has Previous Open Championship also to be noted for ever in the histo-
Championship in Britain back in been hated and loved in equal mea- winners at St Andrews back to 1970 ry books as the 150 years anniversary
1860. It was staged that year at Prest- sure. Bobby Jones, perhaps the fin- have included two relative surpris- landmark champion.
wick on Scotland's west coast, not far est golfer of all time, said he would es, Zach Johnson 2015 and Louis
from Glasgow.  More than 10 years never play it again, but later called it Oosthuizen 2010. Then there were We are in the midst of a Gaelic
were lost through World Wars. the world's greatest golf test. It is one the heavily favoured Tiger Woods in trinity in golf – the Irish Open at
of three courses at St Andrews but 2005 and 2000, Nick Faldo 1991, Mount Juliet, the Scottish Open at
It was also in 1860 that Lobengula the other two are never used for the Seve Ballesteros 1984 and Jack Nick- the Renaissance club near North Ber-
became legendary King of the Mata- Championship. laus in 1978 and 1970.  wick and The Open at St Andrews.
beles and the year Abraham Lincolm There might be an omen in that for a
was installed as United States presi- The "auld claret jug" trophy is cur- St Andrews has a reputation for "Scottie" winner on Sunday. Maybe
dent. A year after that came the start rently held by the Japanese-American disappointingly producing winners not Adam Scott despite being a for-
of the American civil war over slavery. Collin Morikawa (pictured), who by long distances with very few dra- mer Masters winner nor Zimbabwe's
won in 2021 at Royal St George's, matic tight finishes to excite the Scott Vincent, even having had five
150 years is perhaps a contrived Sandwich, on Britain's south coast. crowds over the years. Oosthuizen victories. But Scottie Scheffler per-
anniversary but it was and is of great He is therefore one of several "ones won by eight shots when I was there haps, despite an indifferent start at
historical significance in golf, estab- to beat,"  including the 2022 US working for Agence France-Presse. North Berwick.
lishing Scotland so long ago as the Open winner last month, England's Some even grumbled at the time
originating nation though the Dutch Matthew Fitzgerald, a most welcome that St Andrews should therefore The Open is run by the R&A,
and even the Chinese might dispute result for Europeans and an incentive be dropped as a venue, but this was not the PGA, which means all those
the fact. But that is another story. to keep the trophy on this side of the quickly and widely scorned as being professionals taking part in the su-
Atlantic. almost blasphemous. per-rich Saudi Arabia breakaway tour
This year The Open Champion- will not be banned from the cham-
ship will happen all over again from Fitzpatrick is no flash-in-the-pan. Winning The Open at the "home pionship, though they are from PGA
Thursday among the dunes of the He won the US Amateur in 2013 of golf" is never mainly about money, tournaments in Europe and America.
Royal and Ancient course at St An- at the age of 18 to announce his po- although it is a principal factor and
drews, now the undisputed "home" tential. He has seven European tour mindset for many who realise their *Author and journalist John Kel-
of the game. By coincidence a field of victories behind him, has remained in limitations and strive desperately to ley, a keen golfer, still plays the game
close to150 will tee up. the world top 50 for seven years and make the cut (and therefore get some at the age of 91 and writes occasion-
has made two Ryder Cup appearanc- cash) after 36 holes.  About half of ally for The NewsHawks.
Four days of intensity and spe- es. After the US Open last month he
cial character will be savoured by at banked US$3.15 million to go with a ADVERT
least 60 000 enthusiastic followers pile of ranking points! SPACE
each day despite poor spectator view-
points and whatever the weather has But can he do it all over again at St To place your booking contact
in store. It does not have the advan- Andrews this week? He clearly has all Charmaine on 0735 666 122
tage, for instance, of Royal Birkdale's the necessary qualities. Email- [email protected]
many high ground positions. Prize Land line- (0242) 721 144/5
money will total around the equiva- However, maybe it will be Rory
lent of US$13 million, with the win- McIlroy at long last. His drought in The NewsHawks @NewsHawksLive www.newshawks.com [email protected]
ner banking about US$3m. Back in the Majors has lasted 29 champion-
1860 the field was only eight players ships without a win, though with sev-
and the top prize was £25 plus a belt eral near misses and recent signs of a
and buckle. breakthrough. Unfortunately for him
he is rather error-prone with his driv-
There is now in place a Royal and er but is always entertaining.
Ancient decree that The Open will
be hosted at St Andrews Old Course The evidence of recent years points
every five years. There are eight oth- towards another American winner.
er courses on the Open rota, four of It was once thought that Americans
which are in Scotland, but the next could not cope with frequent bad
championship in 2023 will be at weather conditions in Britain, Scot-
Hoylake, Royal Liverpool. land especially. But that has been
proved false, ever since Arnold Palm-
The winner is always known as er won 60 years ago.
"Champion of the Year", which is
stated at every Open prizegiving, Once again the winner will most
thus routinely laying the claim of the likely come from anywhere in the top
R&A that it is the premier champi- 30 or 40 of those rated, so that it is
onship. This is because The Open is just not possible to predict any one of
truly open to all professionals and them with conviction. Whether Tiger
amateurs worldwide who are invit- Woods can be considered as a possi-
ed or qualified.  There are 46 places
available this year for those coming
through lengthy qualifying tourna-
ments.

That first Open at Prestwick was
competed for by just eight profes-
sionals playing three times over a 12-
hole layout.

However, that did not last very
long because the course was consid-
ered too short and with too many
blind shots needed.

It was won by Scotland's Willie
Park, who beat Old Tom Morris into
second place. The Championship
was dominated by British players
right up until 1922 when the first
American-born professional of con-
sequence, Walter Hagen, began his
many years of prominence.

St Andrews Old Course also has a
few well-known and unusual quirks
and traditions, including combined
double greens (such as the fifth out-
ward and 13th inward)  where putts
can sometimes be as much as 40 me-
tres long. Another characteristic at
some holes is the designed choice of
an easy driving line, leaving a difficult
approach to the green, or vice-versa.

The famous Road Hole 17th has
been controversially altered to make
it easier, the drive for that one being
over the corner of a hotel grounds and
in the past many an awkward chip
shot has been played from the road
surface that runs behind the green,
or very occasionally rebounded off a

Sports Nurturing
footballers
on the other
side of town

Romanticism v
Realism: How we
blew it againThursday 1 October 2020

Friday 15 July 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS CULTURE
The quiet return of$60Covid
tariff for
visitors &
tourists
Community
radio
regulations
under review

Story on Page 3 Story on Page 8
the ‘GooCdhMamuriusangreua’ c
ENOCK MUCHINJO out to KhupeAway from the game in Zimbabwe,
IN BULAWAYO Butcher was quite a popular figure
around town, establishing a diversified
WHEN a Facebook account last week circle of friends in a country he has
posted a photo of somebody resembling always had great affinity for, having
former Zimbabwe cricket coach Alan played club cricket in the African coun-
Butcher, fresh from landing at the air- try in the 1970s.
port in Harare, old friends in the coun- Unofficial president calls for emerge“It’s my first time back in Zim since
try promptly inquired: “Is that you, I left in April 2013,” Butcher said. “I’ve
Butch?” been overwhelmed by the love and
warmth I’ve received. It’s been great
It was indeed him, but you can un- catching up with old friends and I’m
derstand why someone would think it loving every minute of it. Zimbabwe
could have been a striking lookalike. has a special place in my heart.”
So unforgettable were Butcher’s expe-
Butcher’s return to Zimbabwe, for riences in Zimbabwe that it motivated
the first time in nearly a decade, has him to write a book, a fascinating story
been a low-key affair. A rather unglam- titled “The Good Murungu — A Crick-
orous occasion for somebody who had et Tale of the Unexpected.”
such a lasting impact on the African The title is inspired by a domestic
nation’s cricket team, and even wrote a worker at Butcher’s Harare home, who
whole book about his memorable times called him a “good murungu (good
in Zimbabwe. white man)” in gratitude for being
bought a new bed.
68-year-old Butcher comes back to “The Good Murungu was short-list-
Zimbabwe as assistant coach of Jersey, ed for two cricket book awards and was
the smallest nation in an eight-team pretty well received in the UK,” said
tournament in Bulawayo, which has Butcher.
settled the last two teams to qualify for “I’ve been pleased by the number of
the T20 World Cup in Australia in Oc- people who claim to have read and en-
tober. joyed it in Zimbabwe!”
In a short tournament with very little
Island nation Jersey is a self-govern- free time in-between games, Butcher has
ing British Crown Dependency, near tried to meet as many familiar people
the coast of north-west France, with a as he possibly can. He remembered to
population of around 100 000. make a friendly phone call to his ex-gar-
dener in Harare. And with the tourna-
Cricket, due to the English connec- ment being in Bulawayo, Butcher could
tion, is a favourite pastime of the Jersey not miss the opportunity to touch base
folk, but the national side is still an in- with one of the City of Kings’ favourite
ternational minnow in the sport. sons, Chris Mpofu.
Alan Butcher as Zimbabwe's coach in 2011. The ex-pace bowler was a senior
But the rapid growth of cricket across
the globe, beyond the non-traditional where he last coached at the highest lev- ment after his appointment as Zimba- game to be spread wider and that im- player in Butcher’s Zimbabwe team,
cricketing playing regions of the world, el of the game. bwe’s coach was at the T20 World Cup provement in quality is being seen.” and outside the game the two became
will make teams like Jersey a force to “I have not had a job in profession- in the West Indies in 2010. Butcher — who had a short playing bosom buddies. Fittingly, a picture
reckon with in the not-so-distant future. al cricket since I left Zim, so I’ve pretty There will not be another World Cup career with England — guided Zim- of them together graces the cover of
much been retired!” Butcher, who is as- ALfoSrOhimINbSecIaDusEe JerseyFidnidanoctequMalinfy,istybwabwipeetos oa utrtiu$m3p.h2anBtilrleitournn dtoeTpeostsitoBrustcfhuern’sdbosok. Zim's latest land c
Jersey will continue to improve, cer- sisting Jersey head coach Neil MacRae, but Butcher has been thoroughly im- cricket, against touring Bangladesh in “I saw Bobby (Mpofu’s middle name
tainly by working with knowledgeable said. pressed by the brand of cricket played in 2011, with the host also winning the and nickname) at Queens yesterday and
coaches like Butcher, who joined the “I coach my local club Coggeshall Bulawayo by such teams as Jersey. ODI contest in that series. it was great to catch up,” said Butcher.
side before the tournament in Zimba- Town CC and do a bit of speaking and “There has been some very good He was fairly successful with the “I hope we’ll have a longer time be-
bwe on a short-term arrangement. commentating. But I’ve been enjoying cricket as you have seen,” commented Zimbabwe team, a side he had inherited cause it was very brief.”
having the time to do more things out- Butcher. “Jersey gave Zimbabwe a scare at rock bottom, but the former Surrey Brief, but quality time is always guar-
“I’m assistant coach and was recom- side of cricket.” yesterday (on Tuesday) and USA have coach lasted just his initial three-year anteed with Alan Butcher, a good friend
mended by Peter Such, the ex-England, Englishman Butcher’s first assign- some quality. It’s great for the world contract in his first international job. to many around the world.
Essex and Notts off-spinner,” Butcher
told The NewsHawks here.

“He had been working with the
team, but was unavailable for this tour
and he put my name forward.”

Jersey is Butcher’s first major gig in
nine years, and it comes in a country

ALSO INSIDE 1860: The first Open Golf Championship and King Lobengula