NewsHawks Reframing Issues Page 51
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
KARABO MOKGONYANA Children of asylum seekers in
SA have a right to education
ON average, South Africa receives
about 63 339 asylum seeker ap- tions on the lives of the youth, the South Africa, together with oth- and 14 of the ICESCR, member Aylum seekers in South Africa.
plications every year. But the gov- leaders of tomorrow. All I yearn er member states of the ICESCR, states are obliged and have an im-
ernment has done little to afford for is to continue my education. have three main obligations under mediate duty to prioritise the pos- plication for asylum.
both asylum seekers and refugees It’s been 12 years now and I’m still the right to education. First, mem- sible integration of compulsory The right to education is regard-
with protection and social security given an asylum seeker permit of ber states are obliged to respect free primary education.
in the form of effective protection which is difficult to get bursaries or the right to education through the ed as an empowerment right be-
from violent attacks and access to scholarships with. avoidance of any measures that Sixth, in the case of secondary, cause of its ability to enable mar-
shelter, social grants, job security, hinder or prevent the enjoyment higher and fundamental educa- ginalised people to fully participate
basic financial services and govern- “My mother is unemployed and of accessing education. tion, member states have the ob- in their communities and to ele-
ment-funded social welfare pro- she cannot even afford the registra- ligation to take reasonable steps to vate their social and economic cir-
grammes. tion fee required by the university.” For example, in South Africa, realise education and to ensure an cumstances to get out of poverty.
the strict admission policies can be educational fellowship system.
Despite South Africa’s Refugees The legal position both in do- relaxed in the case of asylum seek- Education is one of the best in-
Act acknowledging the vulnerabil- mestic and international law is ers. Last, in both articles 13(3) and vestments that South Africa can
ities of asylum seekers and refugees very clear about education for asy- (4) member states are required to make because of its ability to re-
who are seeking refuge from per- lum seekers. Second, member states must establish “minimum educational duce labour and sexual exploita-
secution, human rights violations protect asylum seekers through standards” for which educational tion and human rights violations
and other justifiable reasons, the First, the right to education is measures that prevent third par- institutions are established. and because it contributes to the
government continues to make it a clear universal human right in ties from interfering with the en- upholding of democracy. Being a
difficult for them to have basic ser- terms of the Universal Declaration joyment of the right to education. Article 13 of the ICESCR does democratic country and a member
vices. of Human Rights. Third, member states must fulfil acknowledge the fact that the right to all of these conventions, it is in
the right to education by taking to education is a progressive right. South Africa’s best interest to effec-
Asylum seekers tend to fall prey Second, although the Conven- active steps to enable and assist in- But this does not empower South tively realise the right to education
to human trafficking because of tion Relating to the Status of Refu- dividuals and communities. Africa to discriminate against asy- of asylum seekers and refugees.
the preliminary nature of their set- gees is not direct about the right to lum seekers in relation to educa-
tlement into the country. They are education of asylum seekers, arti- Member states are expected to tion because that would not be While the government is not
also vulnerable to labour exploita- cle 22 outlines that refugees have a observe other specific obligations. permissible in terms of article 1 of taking adequate action, civil so-
tion (for example, sweat shops and right to access basic education. First, to make sufficient education- the Convention against Discrimi- ciety and other non-state actors
cheap labour), sexual abuse in shel- al institutions and facilities avail- nation in Education. such as corporations through their
ters and citizenship scams, among Third, the African Union Ref- able. corporate social investment pro-
others. ugee Convention feeds off the The legal context of South Africa grammes need be part of a coor-
provisions of the African Charter Second, to ensure accessibility at a national level is that everyone dinated effort to ensure education
The process of getting asylum is on Human and Peoples’ Rights in to educational institutions to ev- has the right to basic education in for refugees and asylum seekers.
not straightforward, resulting in which every individual is entitled eryone without discrimination. terms of section 29(1)(a) of the
exposure to racism, xenophobia to education. Last, according to Third, to ensure that the form Constitution and section 9C(1)(b) South Africa ought to create an
and blatant discrimination. article 13(1) of the International and substance of the education is of the Refugee Act, which allows environment in which every child
Covenant on Economic, Social acceptable to both students and for the permission of study by asy- deserves and gets an education,
The government has failed to and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), parents. lum seekers at the discretion of the regardless of the legality of their
create enabling resources and member states have the obligation officer granting asylum visas. parents and themselves in South
opportunities for something as to realise the right to education to Fourth, the nature of the edu- Africa.
essential as basic education for enable individuals to effectively cation afforded needs to be adapt- The Supreme Court of Appeal
children. They have been discrimi- participate in a “free society, pro- able to the changing needs of so- in the case of minister of Home — Mail&Guardian.
nated against despite the legislative mote understanding, tolerance ciety, especially in the context of Af fairs versus Watchenuka held
framework, which provides for and friendship among all nations the needs of students within their that asylum seekers are granted *About the writer: Karabo
equal and inclusive education. and all racial, ethnic or religious diverse social and cultural settings. the right to study in South Africa Mokgonyana is a legal and de-
groups”. pending the outcome of their ap- velopment practitioner and pro-
Barriers are created by poor mi- Fifth, in terms of articles 13(2) gramme director for the Sesi Fel-
gration policy, ineffective policy lowship and Skill Hub.
implementation, poor documen-
tation and institutional problems
such as discrimination at schools
and home affairs department’s in-
effective asylum and refugee pro-
cessing system.
This can negatively affect the
development of children that need
to go to school and the progress
of asylum seekers who depend on
completing school to obtain a job
for household income.
Furthermore, the government
has done little to minimise lim-
itations to education for asylum
seekers, including the lack of en-
abling legal documentation, the
inability to afford fees and costs af-
filiated with getting an education,
language barriers and successfully
meeting the school admission pol-
icy requirements.
The story of Esther Nkulu is
one of many stories of children
who have been highly affected by
South Africa’s poor migration poli-
cy. Esther has been living in South
Africa for 12 years now under an
asylum seeker permit. She has had
to go as far as starting a petition to
ask the home affairs department to
do something.
“I tried so many places but I am
rejected … Help me bring aware-
ness to how the lack of proper doc-
umentations puts so many restric-
Page 52 Reframing Issues NewsHawks
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
Rhodesian referendum, London talks
In a bid to shed light on the
historically intertwined re- Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Winston Churchill.
lations between South Africa
and Zimbabwe, and their dy-
namics, particularly through
the imperial perspective and
active agent of colonial poli-
tics whose impact and influ-
ence had far-reaching conse-
quences for the two countries
individually and collectively,
as well as through intersec-
tionality, South African-based
Zimbabwean Advocate Tere-
rai Mafukidze focuses on the
1922 Rhodesian referendum
and its implications.
A referendum on the sta-
tus of Southern Rhodesia was
held in the colony on 27 Oc-
tober 1922. Voters, almost all
of them white, were given the
options of establishing respon-
sible government or joining
the Union of South Africa. It
changed the course of history.
Of course, Zimbabwe and
South Africa’s relations had
long earlier been shaped by
other historical processes
and interactions, including
the Bantu migration, Mfec-
ane and mass migration, and
trade well before the colo-
nialists arrived in the region.
Colonialism brought a new
dynamic and politics whose
impact is still being felt up to
this day.
TERERAI MAFUKIDZE cal and economic sense than those the union which averted any action In June 1922, Smuts also called people of Rhodesia.
of Sir Charles Coghlan. Without by Churchill and High Commis- on Northern Rhodesia to join the The BSAC, which had admin-
AT the end of the London discus- being too partisan, Churchill urged sioner. union. Roy Welensky in his biogra-
sions before the October 1922 ref- the Rhodesian delegation to con- phy states that Churchill had prom- istered Rhodesia since 1889, was
erendum, the Colonial Office stated sider incorporation more seriously. Smuts was desperate to get ised Smuts that should Southern about to hand over to local govern-
that the people of Southern Rhode- But the two possibilities, internal Southern Rhodesia joining the Rhodesia join the Union of South ment.
sia had to consider the alternative, self-government and absorption union. He offered generous terms to Africa, Northern Rhodesia would
that is, entry into the Union of into South Africa, could be best be both the BSAC and the electorate be thrown in as a gift! Argument arose over what that
South Africa. decided by the voters of Southern of Southern Rhodesia. These terms government should be. Smuts, lat-
Rhodesia, he suggested.” included a financial deal for BSAC In brief, when Churchill became er Churchill’s close friend, wished
Winston Churchill’s Colonial and financial advantages for Euro- Colonial Secretary in February South Africa to incorporate Rhode-
Office required that a delegation be Interestingly, the idea of North- peans. Southern Rhodesia would be 1921, he was faced with a dispute sia into the union. Rhodesians led
appointed to confer with South Af- ern Rhodesia (Zambia) joining the entitled to elect 10 members to the over “Greater South Africa.” by Sir Charles Coghlan demanded
rican prime minister Jan Smuts on union was also not dead to Chur- Union House of Assembly. Responsible Government (self-gov-
the terms on which Southern Rho- chill. During his time as Secretary of ernment).
desia could join the Union of South The number would subsequently State, important decisions were tak-
Africa. Churchill appointed two North- increase to 17, among other favour- en for the future of Palestine and Churchill accepted a commis-
ern Rhodesian representatives to able conditions, development loans Iraq, Kenya, and Southern Rhode- sion’s recommendation to hold a
Further, once Smuts’s terms were participate in the discussions with for public works, development of sia. referendum on the question.
available they needed to be placed Smuts. The Northern Rhodesian the railway system, Crown lands
together with the Responsible Gov- settlers were also opposed to joining free from charges, etc. A London newspaper report on In September, he allowed Smuts
ernment terms before the electorate the union. 25 January 1922 said the latest po- to declare the terms by which Rho-
by means of a referendum. By offering 10 seats in the South litical development in the Empire desia would join South Africa.
Discussions with Smuts were African parliament to Rhodesia, was embodied in a white paper
Lawrence Vambe, an author, held in April 1922. While talking to Smuts was effectively giving Rhode- which contains the draft of a consti- Churchill said a referendum was
notes that when the delegation went the settlers Smuts was on the other sia more voting powers than South tution for Southern Rhodesia which his “personal wish.” It was duly
to London to meet Churchill over hand also negotiating with the Brit- Africans enjoyed. This meant 1 200 has been hammered out between held, but nearly 60% of white Rho-
self-government, it did not contain ish South Africa Company (BSAC). Rhodesians would have the same Churchill, the representatives of the desians voted against the union.
a single African. voting powers as 2 958 persons in people of Rhodesia, and the present Northern Rhodesia became in-
The discussions with the BSAC the Transvaal. Smuts also promised ruling authority, BSAC. dependent Zambia in 1964. The
He adds: “But it made no dif- delayed Smuts’s finalisation of the to spend £5 million during the south became independent Zimba-
ference, for, especially at this time, terms for Southern Rhodesia’s entry next 10 years to be spent on Rhode- In the accompanying despatch, bwe in 1980.
even the British Government agreed into the union. The elected mem- sian development. Churchill expressed the opinion
that Southern Rhodesia was a white bers of the Legislative Council of that the new constitution, if adopt- To be continued…
man’s country. However, Mr Chur- Southern Rhodesia were impatient. Smuts even offered Coghlan a ed, will confer upon the people of
chill not only shared the dream of They decided to force the issue by cabinet post in the South African Rhodesia full and satisfactory con- *About the writer: Advocate Ter-
a bigger and stronger British do- issuing referendum ordinance of government should he switch sides trol. erai Mafukidze is a member of the
minion in southern Africa. He was 1922. and join the unionists. These were Johannesburg Bar. He practises
also a great friend and admirer of favourable conditions one expected Churchill proposed to appoint a with Group One Sandown Cham-
General Smuts, whose arguments Claire Palley says that this em- to pass. delegation of Rhodesians to ascer- bers in Sandton, Johannesburg.
in favour of the incorporation in barrassed Churchill and the High tain the terms on which Rhodesia His practice areas at the bar are:
Southern Rhodesia into the Union Commissioner. They were placed in However, the settlers would not could enter the Union of South Af- general commercial law, competi-
of South Africa made more politi- a delicate position. Smuts managed be swayed by the favourable condi- rica. Two alternatives would then tion law, human rights, adminis-
to produce the terms of entry into tions. be submitted for referendum to the trative and constitutional law.
NewsHawks Africa News Page 53
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
DANNY BRADLOW African debt: How to break
the unequal relationships
AFRICA is facing some impossibly diffi-
cult choices when it comes to financing
its development. Countries need hun-
dreds of billions of dollars each year to
meet their climate, poverty, unemploy-
ment and inequality challenges. They
cannot meet these needs only from their
own resources, grants and concessional
sources. They will have to tap interna-
tional capital markets.
But these private sources are expensive
and difficult for African countries to ac-
cess and manage.
Currently, 21 African countries
have issued Eurobonds. In 2021, these
foreign currency denominated bonds
accounted for US$144.7 billion of
Africa’s total external debt stock of
US$789.8 billion. The payments due on
these bonds will rise from about US$5
billion in 2023 to over US$10 billion a
year in 2024 and 2025.
Some countries already face challeng-
es servicing their Eurobonds. They face
the prospect of having to restructure
them. Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya
and Tunisia are in this position.
Unfortunately, the current restructur-
ing process is time consuming, complex
and unlikely to produce an optimal out-
come.
For example, Zambia defaulted on
three Eurobonds in late 2020 and has
still not reached an agreement with its
creditors.
Flaws in the current system African countries need hundreds of billions of dollars each year to meet their climate, poverty, unemployment and inequality challenges.
Unlike the case of corporate bankrupt-
cies, there are no courts that can compel The framework can be used to push the based on 20 international norms and sufficient information to understand Principle 5: Monitoring
the creditors to seek a balanced and expe- creditors to be more open to innovative standards that have been developed by how the situation will affect them. The restructuring process should incor-
ditious resolution to the sovereign’s debt approaches to debt restructuring. international organisations, industry as- porate credible mechanisms for monitor-
problems. sociations and civil society organisations Effectiveness: the negotiations lead ing the implementation of the restruc-
This should help the parties reach a over the past two decades. to a timely and efficient agreement that turing agreement.
Instead, bondholder participation in restructuring agreement that balances does not unduly burden or undermine
the restructuring is voluntary. This essen- the interests, rights and obligations of all Some of these norms and standards the sovereign’s sustainable and inclusive Principle 6: Inter-creditor compara-
tially places the sovereign debtor in the the participants in the negotiations and exert a compliance pull on at least some development process. bility
position of a supplicant appealing to the all the parties that are affected by the sov- of the parties involved in sovereign debt The restructuring process should ensure
kindness of its creditors. The bondhold- ereign debt situation. restructurings because of the credibil- Optimal outcome: the agreement that all the sovereign borrower’s creditors
ers are likely to show such “kindness” ity of their sponsoring entities, and the reached by the negotiating parties is the make a comparable contribution to re-
only if they think they can get more Such a framework exists. The DOVE process that was followed in developing best possible mix of economic, financial, structuring its debt.
money out of the debtor by restructur- (Debts of Vulnerable Economies) Fund them. Others are recognised by many environmental, social and human rights
ing the bonds, than by enforcing their Principles offer a conceptual framework of the stakeholders in sovereign debt benefits for all parties. Principle 7: Fair burden sharing
contractual right to payment. for sovereign debt restructuring that is transactions as addressing issues relevant Principle 2: Transparency The burdens of the restructuring should
balanced and respectful of the rights, to sovereign debt restructurings. Con- The sovereign debt restructuring process be distributed fairly and shouldn’t im-
The strong bargaining position of obligations and responsibilities of all the sequently, most international investors affords the negotiating and affected par- pose undue costs on any of the affected
bondholders is further enhanced by legal stakeholders in African debt. support at least some of these interna- ties access to the information that they parties.
arguments about their limited space for The mechanics of a new system tional standards. need to make informed decisions.
compromise. For example, they main- The DOVE Fund Principles serve three Principle 3: Due diligence Principle 8: Maintaining market ac-
tain that they are constrained by their purposes. The DOVE Fund Principles are: The sovereign debtor and its creditors cess
responsibilities to their own creditors. Principle 1: Guiding norms should each undertake appropriate due
They note that they, themselves, are First, the parties directly involved in Credibility: all parties have confidence diligence before concluding a sovereign The restructuring agreement, to the
debtors and are counting on the pay- a sovereign debt restructuring can use in the process. debt restructuring process. greatest extent possible, should be de-
ments from the sovereign to meet their them to guide their decisions and ac- Responsibility: the outcome accounts Principle 4: Optimal outcome assess- signed to facilitate future market access
own obligations to their creditors. tions in the debt restructuring. Second, for all relevant economic, financial, en- ment for the borrower.
the principles can be used as a bench- vironmental, social, human rights and Before concluding any agreement the
In addition, bondholders argue that mark for assessing the terms of the debt governance issues. negotiating parties should explain why — The Conversation.
they have fiduciary responsibilities to restructuring and its implementation. Good faith: there is a clear intent to they expect it to result in an optimal out-
these parties, which include the indi- Third, the principles can be used by any reach an agreement that respects all the come. *About the writer: Danny Bradlow
viduals who have placed their savings investment fund, for example a DOVE rights, obligations and responsibilities of is SARCHI Professor of International
for their retirements, their children’s ed- Fund, to define the approach it will take the negotiating parties. Development Law and African Eco-
ucation or to buy a home with the in- in sovereign debt restructurings. Inclusiveness: all creditors can partic- nomic Relations at the University of
stitutions that buy the bonds of African ipate and all affected parties can access Pretoria in South Africa.
countries. Moreover, they can rely on the The DOVE Fund Principles are
usually unspoken but ever-present threat
to resort to litigation in the event the par-
ties cannot reach agreement.
The negotiating process further fa-
vours the bondholders because it treats
the debt contracts in isolation from all
the other obligations and responsibili-
ties of the debtor. There is no space to
explicitly address the obligations that the
sovereign has to its own citizens under its
constitutional and legal order, and its in-
ternational treaties.
This is unacceptable.
African debtors and their supporters
need to change the dynamics of these
debtor-creditor discussions.
They need to create a conceptual
framework that is based on existing in-
ternational norms and standards that are
widely accepted by creditors and debtors.
Page 54 World News NewsHawks
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
Joe Biden meets African
leaders — Why free trade
is a major talking point
JAMES THUO GATHII is to boost intra-Africa trade and en- undermine national laws on compe- for Africa is the sheer diversity of export products of high value. For
courage production of higher value tition and data privacy. These are all interests in each of the 55 member example, Rwanda’s apparel AGOA
AFRICAN leaders face a dilemma exports. undesirable consequences that Africa states of the African Union. There benefits were suspended in July 2018
over trade relations with the Unit- US trade preferences should avoid. are the least developed economies after Rwanda banned imports of
ed States. Should they push for the The Biden administration’s trade Africa’s agenda like Burundi, on one hand, and secondhand clothes to support its
extension of the Africa Growth and agenda continues to be greatly influ- A high proportion of exports from sub-regional powers like South Afri- own apparel industry. Kenya faced
Opportunity Act (AGOA) or for enced by US multinational corpo- Africa to the US have been precious ca, Kenya and Nigeria, on the other. the same dilemma but chose AGOA
each country’s bilateral trade deal rations that want access to African stones and metals, such as platinum Balancing the competing interests benefits.
with the world’s biggest economy? markets. and diamonds, as well as mineral fu- among these countries has been one
els and apparel. These exports reflect of the stumbling blocks to realising So, supporting renewal of Agoa
AGOA was the signature eco- For example, in July 2022, the the continued inability of African the vision of a continental market. may under certain conditions come
nomic policy of the Bill Clinton US launched a US-Kenya Strategic economies to move away from pri- These differences have also mani- at a price: the ability to become mak-
administration. It provides eligible Trade and Investment Partnership. mary products to industrial produc- fested themselves in negotiations of ers and exporters of high-value prod-
sub-Saharan African countries with tion. Moving African products onto the Economic Partnership Agree- ucts.
duty-free access to the US market for Although the agenda is less am- higher rungs of the global value chain ments with the European Union.
over 1,800 products. It is set to ex- bitious than the Trump administra- requires at least two things: increased What works
pire in 2025 but is up for discussion tion’s, it poses many risks for Kenya. intra-Africa trade and international Pursuing bilateral trade deals with There is one issue where African
at the annual forum on AGOA tak- For example, the proposed regime market policy support. the US will probably burden African countries should speak in one voice.
ing place alongside the US-African may require lifting of tariffs on agri- economies with trade obligations US-Africa trade relations must be
Leaders Summit (13-15 December cultural imports from the US, expos- More intra-African trade would that disproportionately favour highly designed in a way that does not
2022). ing Kenyan farmers to an onslaught produce savings that could be rein- subsidised US industries. undermine the African continental
of highly subsidised US exports. vested into producing higher value free trade area’s goal of increasing in-
The Trump administration pre- products. For example, billions of The US, for example, heavily sub- tra-African trade.
ferred to negotiate bilateral trade The proposed deal’s call for “good dollars invested in buying food from sidises agriculture. Bilateral trade
deals with African countries. regulatory practices” imply roll- outside Africa could be reinvested in deals will likely overwhelm Africa’s This goal could save Africa billions
back of public-interest administra- agro-processing firms if intra-Afri- agricultural sector. This will in turn of dollars annually by buying goods
A free trade agreement negotia- tive processes in favour of foreign can food trade became successful, as undermine the continent’s industri- produced within the continent.
tion with Kenya in early 2020 was corporations. For instance, African contemplated under the continental alisation goals.
supposed “to serve as a model bilat- governments may have to give up market. AGOA has a price African countries should not sac-
eral deal for other African countries”. regulations on environment, labour, Going for the extension of AGOA rifice their collective goal of pro-
consumer and public health whenev- Similarly, countries like the US beyond 2025 isn’t an easy route. This moting intra-African trade through
I have been studying Africa’s er deemed to be barriers to foreign can reorient their trade and invest- is because, as the US has pointed out, the African Continental Free Trade
trade deals and trade blocs for over investments. ment policies to support the devel- few African countries that qualify for Area, and other sub-regional groups
25 years. I was one of the zero-draft opment of productive capacities and AGOA benefits have used them ful- like the East African Community, by
authors of the Africa continental free Likewise, the “digital trade agen- value addition of African agriculture, ly. Of 36 African countries eligible to negotiating bilateral trade deals that
trade area, and have assessed region- da” is likely to be harmful. This agen- trade and services. bring in their exports to the US duty will disproportionately favour US in-
al blocs, the World Trade Organisa- da requires governments to protect free, almost none fully utilises this dustries while hurting African firms.
tion and the AGOA. the interests of the biggest technol- Unless African economies are able preferential access.
ogy companies. That often happens to produce higher value exports, they — The Conversation.
My view is that African leaders at the expense of smaller domestic will continue to earn minimal re- Choosing AGOA could also mean
should seek a renewal of AGOA. The firms and their workers. The digital turns from global trade. having to give up the aim of grow- *About the writer: James Thuo
individual bilateral trade agreements agenda is therefore likely to entrench ing domestic industries that can Gathii is professor of law at Loyola
would undermine the African Conti- the ability of big-tech companies to One of the complicating factors University Chicago in the United
nental Free Trade Agreement. One of States.
the goals of the continental market
Porsche just got angrier Being a Fashion Model
&Life Style
STYLE TRAVEL BOOKS ARTS MOTORING
Page 55 Issue 112, 16 December 2022
‘We had a beautiful performance’:
Mlalazi relishes Nigeria experience
JONATHAN MBIRIYAMVEKA perience it turned out for Mlalazi! Magacha further explained that the Zimbabwe Music Awards elected a new board.
“The reception in Nigeria was awe- biggest challenge was that gospel musi-
EVERTON Mlalazi, one of Zimbabwe’s cians in Zimbabwe celebrate each other’s Mlalazi is married with two children.
leading gospel singers, recently performed some. Our music was well accepted and downfall. And he loves family life, his wife being
in Nigeria, the Mecca of the genre, and we look forward to doing more work in
he says he “relishes” the opportunity to that country. The concert was well organ- Secondly, Mlalazi confirmed that the heavily involved in his music.
feature in the vast West African country. ised. A concert with such a huge cast of tour would open more doors for his mu- “My wife is the manager for my music,”
gospel powerhouses in West Africa would sic to be heard in Nigeria.
Mlalazi mixed and mingled with some definitely live up to its billing. he once said. “She helps me manage both
of the top artistes in that part of the con- “I managed to have a few interviews home and the music. It’s easier planning
tinent. “Sinach capped it all with a powerful with radio stations on the red carpet and my work around her and the kids because
worship service punctuated with role my team took contacts, as I said for fu- they all are involved. My wife and kids
A red carpet was rolled out to Mlala- plays of the story of the birth of Jesus.” ture reference and so that we share our are a huge part of me. I participate in
zi and his band members and the mere music with them,” he said. their lives fully and they do the same.”
mention of his name and Zimbabwe was The concert was a big deal for Mlal-
all the more memorable. azi and the country as well because not Mlalazi also called on Zimbabwean One of his daughters has featured in his
many Zimbabweans have had the chance gospel musicians to support each other to videos as well as live performances, play-
“Hearing my name and that of Zim- to perform in Nigeria, be they secular or develop an industry. ing the piano. On what exactly inspires
babwe being called on that big stage gospel artistes. Mlalazi’s music? He answers: “I am an
was memorable,” Mlalazi told The New- “Let’s continue to work together as ardent student of the Bible. I meditate
sHawks this week. Asked the one thing that he learnt from local artistes to support each other and and agonise on my life constantly and
the experience, Mlalazi said there was a push each other,” he said. that, coupled with my relationship with
“We had a beautiful performance. I need for unity of purpose among Zimba- God, inspires my music. I believe mu-
definitely believe it’s a step in the right bwean artistes. Music, for Mlalazi, is also about life- sic must minister your people’s needs. It
direction in terms of getting our music to style, attitude and glamour. must minister for the broken hearted, to
a larger market. It was a seed and we have “Nigerian artistes support each other. the bereaved, to the sick, to those without
contacts with the radio and TV stations Even big names who weren’t performing Many of his fans will remember how hope.”
there.” on the night were there. I think I saw lavish his 40th birthday celebration was
Todd Dulaney as well there, but he wasn’t in Bulawayo. His career highlight has been the rec-
Mlalazi was part of a line-up of artistes performing,” he said. ognition by Zimbabwe Music Awards for
who performed at Eko Convention Cen- It was a homecoming gig in his home- Best Contemporary Music.
tre in Lagos last week. It is not just Mlalazi who shared such town, where he began his ministry as a
sentiments. Previously, Sabastian Maga- member of Seventh-Day Adventist Chris- Coming from a good family support
He was invited by Nigeria’s top-selling cha also spoke of how divided Zimbabwe- tian. system, Mlalazi acknowledges everyone
gospel musician, Sinach, and what an ex- an gospel musicians are. who has been part of his amazing music
Now based in the capital Harare, where journey.
he holds a day job as a financial analyst,
Page 56 Life & Style NewsHawks
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
Rick Ross on stage at Harare
International Conference
Centre in Zimbabwe recently.
Why do international artistes
get preferential treatment?
MARSHALL SHONHAI side of things. Promoters fail to provide decent general sitting area. These are but a few questions that an artiste
seating to local acts after they perform and can- So, they are left with no choice than mill or their manager can ask. Just from the above
A QUESTION is always asked: “Why are in- not even supply bottled water when the musi- questions, the artiste’s camp can make informed
ternational artistes given better treatment com- cians are on stage. around backstage. This then presents that decisions.
pared to their local counterparts?” Is it true? challenge of people wanting to stand on stage
On whatever amount they are paid, local acts during other performances. This will allow them to provide tailor made
Yes, it is true. No lie about that. are expected to transport themselves to wherev- riders for the event.
The treatment that is given to visiting artistes er the event is, find their own accommodation Now, we need to qualify things here oth-
is totally different: from how they travel, their or have to put up in sub-standard rooms and erwise some are going to take this hospitality Where the event is in your local town, there
accommodation, their meals, drinks and some sort out their meals. Rarely do you find event rider way out of context. This rider must be is absolutely no need for you to demand ac-
even very specific, special and at times ridicu- organizers or promoters going out of their way reasonable and functional, not greedy and out- commodation unless the promoter offers it.
lous demands or requirements. to cater for the needs of local bands and artistes. rageous.
Guess what? It is not their fault; this is exact- Since most organisers and promoters neglect
ly how it is supposed to be because these artistes Let me pause here for a moment and pay Firstly, as an industry we will need to accept the hospitality needs of local artistes, it is in-
would have asked for such treatment. When a tribute to gospel artistes and gospel event or- these riders, this is mainly to event organisers cumbent on the local artistes’ managers to fac-
promoter engages a foreign act, they are sent ganisers. They take hospitality very seriously, and promoters. tor these costs into their performance fees. Like
two documents which are called “riders” and the hosting is top notch, a point to note though I said, it must be reasonable. They should not
there are two types of riders, a technical rider is that this special treatment is reserved for the There has to be a degree of effort in making price themselves out of business.
and a hospitality rider. artistes themselves and not their bands and sure that our artistes are catered for and have
The tech rider is a document which specifies backing vocalists who are left to fend for them- the very basics at least to allow them to give a Local artistes do travel as well, and this is
the types of equipment to be used, the staff to selves. This is something the industry needs to decent performance. Next time an artiste hands mainly to places like South Africa, the United
be provided, and other arrangements directly look into. you a hospitality rider, they are neither being Kingdom, United States, Canada and Austra-
relating to the performance. Things like: stage a “diva”, nor are they being difficult; it should lia, to mention just a few destinations.
size, lighting specifications, the number of mi- Even in instances where a changing room, be a standard requirement. Even if they do not
crophones, guitar stations, specific keyboards, green room or holding room is provided, focus ask, water should be the very minimum we Unfortunately for us, most of our artistes
drums, combos etc. is given to visiting artistes. What promoters do should offer them. who go and play abroad are mainly engaged by
The hospitality rider is a list of requests for not understand is that these rooms help your Zimbabwean promoters out there and to play
the comfort of the artiste, before, during and artistes feel comfortable and gives them a space For the artistes and their managers, there is a for predominantly homesick Zimbabweans.
after the show. Common requests are: Specific pre-show to "get in the zone". need to look at the scope of the event. There are
foods and beverages (typically water, but some- questions that should be asked and answered We have read so many times how disagree-
times alcoholic beverages) and fresh towels, I recall one big show we did this year, the sufficiently before you accept some of these ments arise after these events. The fights are
transportation and hotels. visiting artiste had his own green room, so did events. Some of the critical questions include always around travel, accommodation and per-
So, if you were not in the know, for a pro- his band. the following: formance fees.
moter to bring an artiste to Zimbabwe, he/she
must be ready and prepared to meet the artiste’s Local artistes were all thrown into one room Where is the event? One is left wondering what sort of agree-
requirements on both fronts, technically and where not even water or any refreshments were What time is the artiste going on stage? ments would have been put in place before the
on the hospitality front as well. provided. In contrast, expensive drinks were What time is call time? (The time the artiste artistes actually leave Zimbabwe.
The culture of technical riders has caught on flowing in the visitor’s green rooms. is required to be at the venue).
with local acts, but not so much the hospitality What other events the promoter/organisers I personally feel local artistes are taken for
These also help after performances. has done before? granted and it is high time they started stand-
As a stage manager you are at times left stuck Who is the tech provider? ing their ground.
with artistes and their bands after a perfor- What time is soundcheck?
mance. Most times, their tags do not clear them Tags and accreditation. *About the writer: Marshall Shonhai is an
for VIP sitting and they also cannot go into the Sitting after performance. event organiser who has planned, managed
and coordinated different events in Zimba-
bwe.
NewsHawks Poetry Corner Page 57
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
Title: I yearn Title: The old man Title: I am chattel to a ruthless society
Poet: Stephen Mupoto Poet: Sheikh Al Dirani Poet: Plaxedes Mahanise aka Meredith
Burtley
I yearn to see that tip of Zimbabwe’s breasts, The old man lives on top of a hill,
That erect gourd of life, He is always on top of a hill I was born in a manger of servitude,
Undefiled by the pervasive aliens Even if there is no hill to live on And raised to be docile and subservient.
That bonked her out of youthfulness He lives on the hill of his experiences They taught me to always genuflect,
And left her breasts like draped dough in a dys- He sits in his chair a-rocking to some reggae, Even in the wake of marital abuse.
functional confectionary. He is always sitting in a chair on top of a hill This society has taught me,
I yearn to kiss the soft lips of her rivers, He rocks still even when no reggae plays there That a man is the master,
And wad deep into the chambers, He rocks to the reggae of his life, And I am the sheepish clown,
Where moans of passion are ignited. That sings: “I am that I am” in his heart. That dances to his pleasure.
I yearn to run my fingers down her spine, He smiles at the old sun Battered in silence I am,
And send shivers down her soul, Which his ancestors smiled upon in their day; And still I am taught to endure.
And navigate her precious and plump self, And in their day on this sun Stripped of dignity I am,
Take a stroll in the valleys and gorges of her His great-great-grandchildren will smile too; And still I am taught to be sangfroid and
pride. The sun is old but it never ages pursue the path of peace.
I yearn to have a glance at her peaceful counte- The old man ages without growing old On the verge of death,
nance Because nothing that smiles grows old. And peeping close to the grave,
As she drifts to slumber He smiles at the sun even when no sun shines- I suffer in silence,
But... In his own smiles a much brighter sun shines. Because that is the tradition,
I am devastated by her wanton bedding of nu- That a cultured woman reports not her
merous men, ************************************************ master.
Who bonk her from every orifice. I see the yawning schism,
She groans quietly and haemorrhage, Title: City Of Darkness As I lie as an antique,
As the assailant straddles her in triumph, Poet: Obey Chiyangwa Ready to be pawned to a pawn broker,
And still I call her my first love. As I edge closer to my grave,
***************************************************** On bitterly cold winter nights Yet this society,
Title: That moment Ourselves no safe place to sleep Is unforgiving and ruthless.
Poet: Clemency Takawira Blizzards into scantly protected faces I am a woman,
Snowfall into drooping bleeding eyes Vulnerable to the core,
To watch a tot writhe in pain, Thunderstorms raised hell with compromised And I need to be protected from the ma-
To be a witness to her malaise. peace rauding and sanguine,
To perceive her gasp for air, Darkness had vile things in-store for bed-ridden Beasts of the streets,
Drown in bitter tears, happiness Who have no fear to rape and maim.
And perspiration. Like gnawing hunger and chronic sickness Lord, where art thou?
To hear death knocking at the door. Abject poverty and crippling illness Why art thou slumber in the wake of this
Hopeless case, Stoic Mother's spirits were wandering at the end oppression?
To process the doctor's words, of their tether ***********************************************
Word by word. Committed Father's eyes looked as blank and
Pulse getting weaker. clueless as the skies clear Title: Voice of silence
Skin getting cold. Restless Sister Agatha gnawed at her fingers and Poet: Samuel Chuma
To linger at the coattails of hope, repeatedly grinded her teeth
To put faith in faith. I huddled in my own cold arms and wondered Silence
To summon god. why I had ever been born
To assign gods to her case. The City was a dark and brooding behemoth of Which mouth agape
To whisper to your antecessors. palpable sadness Spittle lips
To mumble to her ancestors. Where we shared the chaos of overcrowded Industrious tongue
Heart beats getting fewer. pavements with insanity and rampant lawless- Yet without voice
Surgeons shaking heads. ness
Then she blinks. Some ardent beggars sang sad songs throughout Silence
Stares. the blistery nights
Smiles. Entreating the gods of good fortune to come res- Pregnant with untold tales
.***************************************************** cue the unfortunate Raped by world weary souls
One always wondered when misery would opt to Howling, screaming
take leave of our wretched lot Yet with confused pleasure
If ever!
*********************************************** Silence
Loaded with whisperings
From ancient gods of garb
Constipated and farting
Deafeningly in the face of reason
Page 58 People & Places NewsHawks
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
Scenes at ANC's 55th National Conference being held in Nasrec, South Africa.
NewsHawks Sport Page 59
Issue 112, 16 December 2022
MOROCCO’s amazing run at the Morocco have built a strong case
football World Cup has two quick les- for Africa in World Cup fairy tale
sons for fellow African nations: turn
more and more to Europe as a short- The Moroccan team huddles at half-time during their World Cup semi-final with France.
er-term measure, and thereon bring
the high-performance models right number of the Moroccan players were federation’s programmes. same man who steered the Atlas Lions kind of firm decision-making that led
here to Africa. struggling with the words of the na- Pitso Mosimane, one of Africa’s best ship in Qatar, and what a year it is has to the awarding of this tournament to
tional anthem before a group stage coaches, summed it up in May this turned out to be for the 46-year-old Qatar.
Out of the 26-man Morocco squad fixture. gaffer!
that reached the World Cup semi-fi- To be honest, this is not a hang- Yes, there have been unwanted side-
nals – the first by an African and Ar- ing offence at all for someone who Generally it has been a major im- shows, bribery allegations, accusations
abic nation – 14 of the players were grew up singing a different nation- provement for Africa at this World of rights abuse, and outcry over cul-
born in Europe. al anthem at school. And Moroc- HawkZone Cup, from the collective shame of Rus- tural restrictions in Qatar during the
sia 2018 where none of the five teams tournament. But this subject for an-
It is the largest foreign-born contin- co’s players have certainly made up from the continent progressed past the other day. In the end, most will agree
gent for any team in the World Cup, Enockfor the lack of local knowledge. first round, to two in Qatar, and even that Qatar has staged quite a spectacle,
and for the Moroccans this has been They might not have fluency better now with one in the semi-finals. and the quality of the football has been
the cornerstone of their success. Muchinjoin the national anthem before the equally eye-catching.
Morocco, though, were tactically
While the footballers might have game, but they have entertained better, more organised, disciplined Football is a global sport, and there
answered the call from the land of their with their fluidity during the game. and confident. The other four showed will always be cynics with regards to
forefathers only after realising they may And their adoring fans back home flashes of brilliance, every one of them Africa hosting, just like it was with
never represent their countries of birth, and in the diaspora will care less winning a game at least, but were not Qatar. But there are a few countries
the truth is that these players are Eu- about where their heroes were born. year. Mosimane’s side, Al Ahly, lost to always able to stick to a certain struc- which have proven to have the infra-
ropean by upbringing – they grew up But it will be improper to entirely Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca in the ture and game plan. structure and financial muscle to bring
in the same top-notch football system credit Morocco’s success to their for- African Champions League final in the World Cup back.
with the European teams’ players. eign-born stars. Like the other foot- May, prompting Mosimane to com- The World Cup is about to end, we
balling giants in North Africa – Egypt, ment: “You know in North Africa, not have witnessed an enthralling tourna- Morocco have had five unsuccessful
You could see for yourself the at- Tunisia and even Algeria – the Mo- to say anything about my country, but ment. Africa is now set to get more bids before, including the next World
titude of the Morocco players on the roccans put their money where their the football in North Africa is totally spots after the World Cup has been Cup edition that was given to North
pitch, they felt they were on the same mouths are and the governments heav- different from South Africa. I’m sorry expanded, five more places and a pos- America.
level with their opponents. It is no sur- ily invest in sport, football being the we're are 20 years behind Morocco. sible extra one starting in 2026 in the
prise therefore that they claimed the biggest beneficiary. North Africa takes football very seri- United States and Canada. Perhaps with their on-field perfor-
scalps of two European sides – Spain They have a well-developed struc- ously.” mance now in this World Cup, all the
and Portugal – in the knockout stage ture from the grassroots, up to the These remarks ring true now in the This is great news for the continent. more reason to allow them the oppor-
on their march to the semis. clubs and all the way to national teams. wake of Morocco’s World Cup fairy- Fifa, though, now has to make it an tunity to exhibit their organisational
Highly-qualified professionals, both tale. The coach who guided Wydad to even more universal event by bringing skills in hosting.
Another European team, France – local and foreign, are hired on compet- that Champions League triumph seven back the World Cup to Africa after
which gave birth to a big chunk of Mo- itive perks to implement the national months ago, Walid Regragui, was the South Africa was an admirably success- *This edited piece first appeared
rocco’s foreign-born stars – stood in the ful host 12 years ago. in pan-African publication, This Is
way of the Atlas Lions in the last four Africa.
and in the end proved too good for the It requires boldness from Fifa, the
African heroes with a workman-like
2-0 victory.
But they bowed out with grace, the
Moroccans, not allowing themselves to
be humiliated by the defending cham-
pions.
Quite a number of African nations,
mostly in the north and west, have a
huge diaspora community, with the
Francophone ones in West Africa be-
ing heavily represented in France.
Over the years, while a lot of them
have represented France itself, others
either born or raised there retraced
their roots and put up their hands for
selection by their native African coun-
tries.
Such sides have been the best per-
forming African teams over the years.
Morocco have gone a step further and,
because of their success, you can pre-
dict more African teams tapping into
their diaspora talent base than ever be-
fore.
Of course it is not West and North
Africa that can and has been doing
that. Movement to different parts
of the world has increased markedly
across the last three decades, and the
offspring of those who originally set-
tled in the new countries has shot up.
A good number of them have recon-
nected with the Mother Continent
and played international football for
African teams.
Morocco’s number though, 14 in a
World Cup squad, is staggering.
While it has brought the results,
others might been inclined to see the
downside of it.
Does selecting foreign-born players,
who probably had you as a second op-
tion, affect the essence of international
football, that of national pride and pa-
triotism?
Before the group stage clash with
Belgium, Morocco’s coach Walid Re-
gragui spoke about how he had a word
with four of his players who are Bel-
gian-born, warning them not to stay
“focused” and not to get “emotional”
playing against their country of birth.
One observer also noted how a
Sports SRC pushes The collective
shame of Africa
for action after and the football
Zifa damning World Cup
exposéThursday 1 October 2020
Friday 16 December 2022 @NewsHawksLive TheNewsHawks www.thenewshawks.com
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Dream final: Messi$60Covid
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IT is a match that is already being out to KhupeOf course there are 20 other players
billed as Lionel Messi versus Kylian on the football pitch on Sunday who
Mbappe, but there is far more to this will play a role in the destination of
World Cup final than just two players this year’s World Cup. Here are some
— no matter how great they are. who may make the difference in the
World Cup final in Qatar.
After four weeks of intense action in Olivier Giroud has been a revela-
Qatar where the best 32 teams in the Unofficial president calls for emergetion in this World Cup tournament,
world duked it out in a 64-game tour- breaking France’s all-time interna-
nament, the destination of the next tional goalscoring record en route to
World Cup title comes down to this. a four-goal contribution at this tour-
nament.
The final, which takes place on Sun- The 36-year-old has the chance to
day 18 December, sees two-time cham- match or beat his rivals for the Gold-
pions Argentina face off against reign- en Boot in the final as he aims to im-
ing title holders France in a match that prove upon the 53 goals he has already
is already being advertised as a straight scored for his national team.
shootout between seven-time Ballon Argentina’s Julian Alvarez was one
d’Or winner Lionel Messi and France’s of the stars of the semi-final against
23-year-old phenom Kylian Mbappe, Croatia, as he netted two goals to help
who could become the second-young- send his team into the final. Much will
est player to win two World Cups after be expected of the 22-year-old, who
Pele in 1958 and 1962. now has four goals in total this World
Cup campaign, as the albiceleste aim
But for either to lift the famous gold to unlock a French defence that has
and green trophy, they will need all of only kept one clean sheet this tourna-
the players on their team to be at their ment.
absolute best. A lot has been said about Antoine
Griezmann’s transformation at this
The stadium World Cup from a key member of the
This year, the World Cup final will forward line to a box-to-box midfield
take place at the Lusail Stadium in Lu- role where he has been as effective in
sail, Qatar. The stadium is the biggest defence as he has in attack. Against
in Qatar and boasts a capacity of just Morocco, all of these qualities were in
shy of 90 000 people (88 966), with display and the final stats, which show
maximum attendance achieved in Ar- Lionel Messi (left) and Kylian Mbappe he created twice as many chances as
gentina’s World Cup matches against ALwmmwPtWcMtitnhhhSoSihaairemoelTMGsOelijdisrlunehtsgepel'weitdss,eocaots iIMoonrhscuNMteCitmiuA’orwdsmabpnSurerrptaortotagep shaeIpaolsmeAlnDeeriWpllnehMeytreepptdvlaEignoyisaelohneneattrttlssnoadoleyslids’otertetishh’MiiyarsnanMoaCidlfvwspnarFbwisge’uebvseWiaioaipetfranpttdohaf.tsphhooploeyraaspermreep,pnslemt1n’dschptow1cohstaeesbC.cwrhaneteaoeoytriucMoaditmraaMetshp.ewnlsswneericaha.siiirsentnnrtiiaeeIssnnhdes--tf.,istya1a3srccsha2heiooonssw49aisgssagmntso6Biifisshissatstiosn6)utteprhetirssv.eissatse) hbetretaWnrstrioiuiMt)ndosonstvrt,taiWfgeioetbBkGtoorchrahreaeonrotny uecpenah1r.rsfroyzpldite1dcMdvirsehlpde$’igiMmsanClnsioia3or,RsctoyauutsWoew.sloeslnpl2s.uatlrnioeorvirtteraunBnhnroKclsln(uadduilot1holdmlomororl4iuCendtissea(broc easgu1nlnehmton(5ptarbhi1sannewee,gl6hodndesgohi,faMatgseaegges5ntoglinoeopsegtaoa,arhshliooasysslin4es-ttfi,,lsitoFmhathkM2atwiesnrn1reetinialsellyt-aA—deplwanxhycfcrfebioeckeiiogcuidelaeeynOtoletlfrydnhoiin,-aaoSlnno.reyitodnumFcirlmAngtfndcnaehs oofeuarpEdpteta’nsseBosiaanllefcmraasyrgeizsrny.untaanfo.eaoeocdniatflwnrorailleF,t.ctmihzwoeZocnab’sednroa.einttedngypmhahamauecltebnearteik'oiyyalfdrsrseiecnenenttyWkrhrhlzsaiafti,eeklpnoraotawehslsrgdreahtkaladieyFdoitssgteilhrwhlntbaraCwarignestlnfenuhehaociasnndpyaeerttnd
Mexico and Croatia. that this will be his last World Cup. c
Both teams will receive vociferous However, having long been burdened
support when the final takes place with the expectations of matching the
at 16:00 CET (GMT +1) on Sunday 1986 World Cup triumph of Diego
18 December as the albiceleste take Maradona, Messi has been enjoying
on les bleus in what will be a historic his swansong in Qatar. Both Messi
final showpiece in Lusail. and Mbappe have scored five goals in
Stars to watch the World Cup and the Golden Boot
While 22 players will be on the winner will most likely be decided be-
pitch on Sunday, there are only really tween the two of them on Sunday.
two names already being talked about
for player of the tournament: Argenti- There has not been a World Cup in
na’s Lionel Messi and France’s Kylian history where teammates have been
Mbappe. 1-2 for the Golden Boot. However,
At 35, Messi has already stated this could all change in the final as
ALSO INSIDE Morocco have built a strong case for Africa