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Showing posts from September, 2025

NetOne Strengthens Market Position Through Strategic Infrastructure Investment in Q2 2025

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  NetOne Strengthens Market Position Through Strategic Infrastructure Investment in Q2 2025 By Allan Mbotshwa Zimbabwe's telecommunications landscape witnessed significant developments in the second quarter of 2025, with NetOne positioning itself as a key driver of the country's digital transformation. The company's performance data reveals a strategic approach centered on substantial network improvements and customer-focused service delivery, under the leadership of Group CEO Engineer Raphael Mushanawani. The cornerstone of NetOne's Q2 strategy was an unprecedented expansion of its telecommunications infrastructure. The company spearheaded industry growth by installing *224 new LTE base stations*, demonstrating a clear commitment to delivering enhanced high-speed internet services to its customer base. This ambitious LTE rollout was supported by the addition of *108 new 3G sites*, ensuring comprehensive coverage across diverse geographic areas. The company also strengt...

Global peace and security at risk if Israel left unchecked - Palestinian Ambassador Almassri

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  Global peace and security at risk if Israel left unchecked - Palestinian Ambassador Almassri By Allan Mbotshwa The Palestinian Ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Tamer Almassri warns that Israeli apartheid state's unchecked aggression will have far-reaching consequences on global peace and security .If left unaccountable, Israel will continue to commit reckless acts, even against its allies, under the guise of fabricated excuses. The Israeli military's relentless bombardment of Gaza City has turned the once-thriving metropolis into ruins, with entire city blocks being reduced to rubble by airstrikes and remotely controlled robots laden with explosives. The devastating assault has resulted in the martyrdom of over 65,283 Palestinians, with a disproportionate number of victims being children and women. Furthermore, over 12,000 people remain trapped under the debris. Dr. Almassri emphasizes that Israel's blatant disregard for international law, crimes against humani...

Muyenziwa Challenges President Mnangagwa Term Extension Bid

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  Muyenziwa Challenges President Mnangagwa Term Extension Bid HARARE – 18 September 2025 By Own Correspondent FORUS leader Manyara Muyenziwa has submitted a petition to Parliament challenging the legality and morality of the “ED 2030” campaign, which seeks to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure beyond the constitutionally mandated two terms ending in 2028. In her submission addressed to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and copied to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Justice, Muyenziwa described the campaign as a “calculated assault on constitutionalism and democratic accountability.” “This is not partisan, it is patriotic. It is not personal, it is principled,” she wrote. “Any attempt to retain Mnangagwa beyond 2028 is a direct violation of Section 91(2).” The petition outlines alleged strategies by ZANU PF to amend entrenched constitutional clauses, delay elections, and present the push as popular demand. Muyenziwa warns these manoeuvres are “not on...

Journalism in Zimbabwe’s Legal Minefield-Reporting LGBTQI Stories Under Threat

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  Journalism in Zimbabwe’s Legal Minefield-Reporting LGBTQI Stories Under Threat By Panashe Mutero In Zimbabwe, the act of reporting on LGBTQI issues is not simply about amplifying marginalized voices-it is a calculated risk, often shadowed by legal ambiguity and societal hostility.  For journalists committed to truth-telling, navigating this landscape requires more than editorial skill-it demands legal fluency, ethical clarity, and moral courage. One of the most overlooked challenges facing Zimbabwean reporters is the precarious legal context surrounding LGBTQI coverage.  Same-sex relationships are criminalized under colonial-era laws, and despite growing public discourse, the state has yet to meaningfully address discrimination or provide legal protections for LGBTQI individuals.  This legal vacuum breeds fear-not only among activists, but also among journalists who risk backlash for reporting on these issues. Many media houses lack clear editorial guidelines on ho...

The Ripple Effect-Inclusive Reporting as a Catalyst for Shifting Public Perception

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  The Ripple Effect-Inclusive Reporting as a Catalyst for Shifting Public Perception By George Matutu In a society where social norms often harden into unyielding attitudes, the media occupies a peculiar position of influence. It does not simply reflect public perception-it helps construct it.  Reporting on key populations, including LGBTQI individuals, has historically been fraught with misrepresentation, selective coverage, and sensational framing. But as inclusive reporting practices take root, we're beginning to witness the slow but steady erosion of stigma-and the emergence of empathy. The true power of media lies not in its volume but in its framing. For generations, the community was either rendered invisible or caricatured in ways that legitimized exclusion.  Headlines favored controversy over nuance, and stories leaned on tropes that reinforced fear rather than fostered understanding.  The result was a self-reinforcing cycle of marginalization: distorted nar...

Opinion: Why Training Journalists to Cover LGBTQI Issues Is Journalism’s Moral Reset

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  Opinion: Why Training Journalists to Cover LGBTQI Issues Is Journalism’s Moral Reset By Loveness Mapuranga “Training opened my eyes to the realities of the LGBTQI community. I now report with empathy, ”says Nyasha Rangwani., Freelance Journalist. Across Zimbabwe’s vibrant and often politically charged media terrain, one journalist’s shift in approach marks a broader reckoning: journalism, if it is to remain relevant and responsible, must first become reflective.  This shift is embodied by The Reporting Guide developed by the journalists-a tool not only of professional refinement but of ethical awakening. For journalists like Nyasha, training was a gateway-not merely to better reporting techniques, but to deeper understanding. “Before the training, I relied on outdated stereotypes,” she admits.  That admission echoes loudly across newsrooms in Zimbabwe, where the default lens on LGBTQI individuals has long been one of suspicion or sensationalism. What Freelance Journalis...

South African Duo to light up Castle Lager Braai Fest 10th anniversary

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South African Duo to light up Castle Lager Braai Fest 10th anniversary By Allan Mbotshwa Castle Lager is pulling out all the stops to mark the 10th anniversary of the Castle Lager National Braai Festival, with two of South Africa’s biggest music powerhouses, DJ Tira and Heavy K, set to headline the main event at Harare’s iconic Glamis Arena on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This year’s celebrations go beyond just the big stage.  In the lead-up to the grand finale, Castle Lager has launched a series of “Micro Castle Lager Braai” events in 10 cities across Zimbabwe.  Each weekend, communities have been gathering to enjoy great music, sizzling braai, and the unmistakable taste of Castle Lager, creating a nationwide countdown to the festival.  Adding to the spirit of giving back, the brand is donating 10 hospital beds to a local hospital in every city hosting a micro event — a gesture that underscores Castle Lager’s commitment to communities that have supported it for more than ...

NetOne: A Pillar of Zimbabwe's Digital Transformation

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  NetOne: A Pillar of Zimbabwe's Digital Transformation By Allan Mbotshwa ​NetOne is playing a pivotal role in Zimbabwe's digital industry, acting as a key partner to the government's vision of creating a digitally inclusive economy and leaving no citizen behind. The company is actively working to bridge the digital divide by expanding its network infrastructure, ensuring that communities in even the most remote areas are connected. ​A core part of this initiative is NetOne's partnership with the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services on the "Digitalise Zimbabwe Roving ICT Expo". This nationwide movement aims to democratize technology by training 1.5 million coders, deploying mobile technology trucks to underserved communities, and establishing digital ambassadors across all provinces. NetOne’s commitment extends beyond just connectivity; it is about empowerment, opportunity, and dignity. ​Through these efforts, NetOne is enabling tangible transformation...

Castle Lager Braai Festival turns 10 ... promises spectacular event

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  Castle Lager Braai Festival turns 10 ... promises spectacular event By Allan Mbotshwa Castle Lager is celebrating a major milestone this year, proudly marking a decade of bringing the nation together through the beloved Castle Lager National Braai Festival. To honour this 10th anniversary, the brand is rolling out an exciting series of “Micro Castle Lager Braai” events, taking the celebration directly to the people in 10 cities across Zimbabwe. These smaller-scale braai events are running every weekend leading up to the main festival, creating a nationwide countdown to the big day on Saturday, October 18, 2025.  Castle Lager brings communities together with nationwide micro braai events, leading up to the 10th anniversary grand celebration at Glamis Arena Each micro event will feature a diverse lineup of local artists and DJs, blending great music, delicious braai, and the classic taste of Castle Lager.  It’s an opportunity for friends and families to come together ...

Two New Peaceful Tools to Counter Israel’s Policies

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  Two New Peaceful Tools to Counter Israel’s Policies Israel’s genocide policy in Gaza and preparatory action in the Westbank show a new quality and level of defiance of all types of global values and legal rules or commitments. Two countries, Egypt and Qatar, have had their personnel go to extreme lengths of personal workload, commitment and diplomatic engagement to help improve the fate of the suffering civilians – but to no avail. Meanwhile, Israel’s government habitually blocks all efforts to bring about a ceasefire, even if the proposals come from Washington.  In this desperate situation, new and unusual approaches are gaining strength and persuasiveness in order to prevent, at the last minute, the completion of what appears to be a firmly decided genocide, tolerated in many ways by the majority of governments worldwide. Israel's government may achieve high approval ratings at home among a population that has been shamelessly lied to and misled, but the vast majority of ...