The Citizen, Jason Moyo Avenue, Bulawayo (2026)

17/08/2026

Ghana’s Coding Revolution Offers Lessons for Zimbabwean Education

By Staff Reporter

Ghana’s decision to integrate coding, artificial intelligence (AI), computational thinking and digital citizenship into its basic education curriculum has opened a new conversation about how African education systems should prepare children for a rapidly changing technological economy.

The West African country is revising its curriculum from kindergarten through junior high school, with the reforms designed to give learners exposure to technology, science, engineering and mathematics from an early age.

Ghana’s Education Minister, Haruna Iddrisu, has described the reforms as a “Smart Start curriculum”, arguing that foundational education is critical for developing literacy, numeracy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The revised curriculum introduces artificial intelligence literacy, computational thinking, coding and digital citizenship, while also incorporating electronics and technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
The reforms are not entirely focused on technology. Ghana is also incorporating civic education and ethical values, reflecting an attempt to ensure that technological advancement is accompanied by responsible citizenship.

For Zimbabwe, the Ghanaian experience provides an important policy lesson. Rather than waiting until students reach university or specialised technical colleges before introducing programming and emerging technologies, Zimbabwe could begin developing digital competencies at primary-school level.

A possible Zimbabwean approach could introduce computational thinking and digital literacy at lower primary level, followed by coding, robotics and basic AI concepts at upper primary and secondary school. At the same time, TVET institutions could provide more advanced training in programming, electronics, automation, robotics and AI applications.

Such a reform could also be linked to Zimbabwe’s broader ambitions for industrialisation, digital transformation and employment creation.
However, Ghana's experience demonstrates that changing the curriculum is only one part of the equation.

The Ghana News Agency reported that the curriculum review committee recommended a phased and adequately resourced teacher-training programme, together with a monitoring and evaluation framework.

This is particularly important for Zimbabwe, where schools differ significantly in access to electricity, computers, internet connectivity and qualified teachers.

Introducing coding into a school without computers, reliable electricity or trained educators could turn an ambitious national policy into a privilege available mainly to well-resourced schools.

The lesson, therefore, is not simply that Zimbabwe should “teach coding”. It is that coding must be accompanied by infrastructure, teacher training and equitable access.

Ghana’s own 2026 Budget provides an indication of this broader approach. The government committed to overhauling basic-school education to equip learners with practical skills including electronics, robotics, coding and AI, while also continuing investments in TVET infrastructure and training.

There is another lesson for Zimbabwe: African countries do not necessarily have to wait for models developed elsewhere before designing their own technology curricula.
Ghana’s reforms explicitly seek to connect education with African realities, while its broader policy framework links STEM, coding, digital literacy and TVET with national development.
For Zimbabwe, this could mean developing AI and coding programmes around local challenges — from agriculture and mining to healthcare, financial services, manufacturing and public administration.

A child learning to code in Zimbabwe should not only be taught how to build an application. They should also be encouraged to ask how technology can improve water management, agriculture, healthcare, transport, education and government services.

The Ghanaian reform therefore presents Zimbabwe with a timely question: Are Zimbabwean schools preparing children for the economy that exists today, or the economy they will enter tomorrow?

As artificial intelligence increasingly changes the workplace, the countries that invest early in digital skills are likely to have an advantage in developing the human capital needed for the next phase of economic transformation.
Ghana has chosen to move the starting line closer to childhood.

Zimbabwe now has an opportunity to consider whether it should do the same.

14/08/2026

Beitbridge - Bhekimpilo Mbedzi Arrives Home after 34 Days under Emmerson Mnangagwa’s incarceration.

National Demcratic Working Group (NDWG) Chairperson for Matabeleland South Mr. Bhekimpilo Mbedzi has now arrived at his home reconciling with his family after 34 days under incarceration under the Emmerson Mnangagwa regime at Beitbridge Prison. He is in high spirit and determined to walk the path of fighting for the freedom of his country.

He said he is not intimidated as he has not committed any offence in his vicious opposition of CAB3. He says Mnangagwa must reverse the law that intends to entrench his dictatorship and one many family rule.

Let's welcome Bhekimpilo Mbedzi but showering him with loves ❤️. - NDWG communications

14/08/2026

73 ZPCS Inmates Graduate at Bulawayo Polytechnic College

Seventy-three inmates from the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) Bulawayo Metropolitan Province graduated from Bulawayo Polytechnic College on 13 August 2026.

The graduates, comprising 68 males and five females, completed short courses in Boiler Making, Hospitality and Food Preparation, Plumbing, Carpentry, Auto Mechanics, Bricklaying, House Wiring, Tailoring, Cosmetology, Mechanics, Animal Husbandry and Crop Production.

The graduates joined thousands of students at the college’s 97th graduation ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development Honourable Simelisizwe Sibanda as Guest of Honour.

Addressing the graduands, Honourable Sibanda said education was instrumental in driving economic development and human capital development was central to the nation’s future.

He commended the partnership between Bulawayo Polytechnic College and ZPCS, describing the inmates’ graduation as "a demonstration of inclusivity within the education sector."

"You must become torch bearers and use the expertise you have acquired to contribute meaningfully to national development," he said.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Honourable Judith Mkwanda Ncube said the certificates represented practical knowledge and skills that could enable the graduands to earn a living and contribute to the economy.

Lungisani Mazanga, who graduated in Crop Production, said the certificate represented the capabilities he had acquired.

"I pledge to use my skills to contribute to the nation, particularly in agriculture," he said.

Cosmetology graduate Rumbidzai Tauro said the training had equipped her with skills to improve her life and contribute to the national economy.

The Acting Officer Commanding Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Assistant Commissioner Priscilla Mtembo, was among senior ZPCS officers who attended the ceremony.

13/08/2026

🚨 MAENDELEO CHAP CHAP ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO LEADERS WHO LEFT FOR UDA!!

Dr. Alfred Mutua and his Maendeleo Chap Chap party have given elected leaders who defected to UDA until September 15, 2026 to return to the party or face disciplinary action. The party says it will back President William Ruto for the presidency in 2027, but will field its own candidates for every other elective position. The party now faces a crucial test as it seeks to reclaim leaders who abandoned it for UDA ahead of the 2027 elections.

13/08/2026

Bulawayo Remembers Cont Mhlanga

By Arts Correspondent

Bulawayo's arts, cultural and policy communities gathered on Thursday for the inaugural Public Memorial Lecture in honour of the late Cont Mhlanga, celebrating the life and enduring legacy of one of Zimbabwe's most influential playwrights, theatre practitioners and cultural visionaries.
Held at the Byo Club, the memorial lecture was organised by the Public Policy and Research Institute of Zimbabwe (PPRIZ) under the theme, "Building the Future through Culture, Literature, Theater, and Performative Art." The event brought together artists, academics, policymakers, civic leaders, students and members of the public to reflect on Mhlanga's contribution to Zimbabwe's cultural landscape. Among those in attendance was the Member of Parliament for Emakhandeni-Luveve Constituency, Hon. Discent Bajila.

The programme opened with registration, followed by welcome remarks from PPRIZ Programmes and Information Manager Abigail Siziva. Senior Policy and Research Manager Dr Wayne Malinga outlined the objectives of the memorial lecture before guests were treated to a cultural performance by Um'Afrikakazi.

Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu officially opened the event, describing Mhlanga as a courageous and visionary leader whose influence extended far beyond the theatre stage. Ndlovu recalled that at a time when many believed political success could only be achieved through political parties, Mhlanga demonstrated remarkable courage by contesting as an independent candidate for council in Lupane and winning. The Deputy Mayor said the achievement reflected Mhlanga's commitment to serving his community and his willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

A visual presentation chronicled Mhlanga's life and achievements, highlighting his role as a playwright, director, mentor and founder of Amakhosi Theatre. The presentation traced his decades-long commitment to nurturing young talent and using theatre as a platform for education, dialogue and social transformation.

Family, friends and colleagues shared personal reflections on the celebrated arts icon. His third born child, Zolipha Mhlanga, offered a family tribute, while former student and colleague Thulani Mbambo-Khumalo reflected on Mhlanga's mentorship and dedication to developing future generations of performers. Lewis Ndlovu and Dr Qhubani Moyo also paid tribute, recounting Mhlanga's influence both professionally and personally.

The audience also viewed a recorded message from Cont Mhlanga, allowing attendees to hear his voice and revisit his vision for Zimbabwean arts and culture.

The highlight of the afternoon was the memorial lecture delivered by guest speaker Albert Nyathi, who challenged Zimbabwe to preserve and invest in its cultural heritage. Nyathi emphasised that literature, theatre and the performing arts are essential tools for national identity, civic education and social cohesion, urging institutions to continue supporting artists who inspire meaningful public dialogue.

Closing the event, PPRIZ Executive Director Dr Gordon Moyo said the memorial lecture would become an annual platform to celebrate Mhlanga's legacy while encouraging critical conversations on culture and public policy. He noted that honouring the late playwright was not merely about remembering the past but about inspiring future generations to use creativity as a force for national development.
The event concluded with networking and refreshments, leaving participants with a renewed appreciation of Cont Mhlanga's lasting impact on Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and the broader African cultural landscape.

Though he is no longer present, the messages shared throughout the afternoon underscored a common belief: Cont Mhlanga's voice continues to resonate through the artists he mentored, the stories he told and the enduring institutions he helped build.

13/08/2026

Kwekwe Man Petitions Parliament Over Kariba Ferry Disaster

By Midlands Correspondent

Parliamentof Zimbabwe has been petitioned to establish an urgent fact-finding mission into the Lake Kariba ferry disaster that claimed at least 44 lives on 11 August 2026, with the petitioner calling for a comprehensive review of Zimbabwe’s maritime safety laws and enforcement systems.

The petition was submitted to the Clerk of Parliament on 13 August by Zimbabwean citizen Emmanuel Nkosilathi Moyo (pictured) , who invoked Section 149(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe in urging Parliament to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

According to the petition, the passenger ferry capsized on Lake Kariba on 11 August, with rescue and recovery operations continuing at the time the document was submitted. Initial reports cited in the petition indicated that the vessel had a stated capacity of approximately 90 people but may have been carrying substantially more passengers.

Moyo said the exact number of people aboard, including children who may not have been captured in ticketing records, must be authoritatively established.

The petition raises a series of questions that Moyo says require independent parliamentary scrutiny, including whether the ferry was operating within its legal passenger capacity, whether passengers had appropriate life-saving equipment, and whether the vessel had valid licensing, inspections and safety certification.

It also calls for an investigation into the vessel’s mechanical and structural condition, weather and lake conditions before departure, the conduct of the captain and crew, passenger manifests, emergency communication systems and the speed and coordination of the search-and-rescue response.

Moyo, however, cautioned against prejudging the circumstances of the disaster.

“I emphasise that these questions are matters for a proper investigation and should not be prejudged,” he said in the petition.

The proposed parliamentary inquiry would seek evidence from survivors, families of victims, local residents, ferry operators, maritime professionals, rescue personnel and other stakeholders.

The petition further asks Parliament to establish the precise number of passengers and crew who were aboard the ferry and publish an authoritative list of victims, survivors and people still unaccounted for, subject to appropriate privacy considerations.

Moyo is also calling for Parliament to examine previous ferry and boat accidents on Lake Kariba and determine whether lessons from earlier incidents were effectively implemented.

The petition proposes a comprehensive review of Zimbabwe’s maritime legislation, regulations, licensing requirements and institutional arrangements governing passenger vessels and inland water transport.

Among the proposed reforms are strict enforcement of passenger capacity limits, mandatory and accessible life jackets for every passenger and crew member, regular independent vessel inspections, minimum safety and maintenance standards, mandatory passenger manifests and weather and lake-condition assessments before departure.

The petitioner also wants improved communication and distress equipment, regular emergency and evacuation drills, minimum competency and certification requirements for captains and crew, stronger monitoring and enforcement mechanisms and penalties for operators who knowingly breach maritime safety requirements.

The petition further calls for an assessment of Zimbabwe’s search-and-rescue capacity, including boats, helicopters, divers, communications equipment and trained personnel needed to respond effectively to emergencies on Lake Kariba and other major inland waterways.

Moyo said the disaster should not end with condolences, but should trigger concrete action to improve safety on Zimbabwe’s waterways.

“The loss of life in this disaster therefore demands more than expressions of condolence. It requires a serious examination of whether Zimbabwe's maritime safety system is capable of protecting citizens who depend on water transport,” the petition states.

The petition notes that Lake Kariba is an important means of transport for communities living around the lake, particularly in areas where road access is difficult.

Moyo is urging Parliament to make the findings of any inquiry public and ensure that appropriate legal and administrative action is taken if investigations establish negligence, unlawful conduct, regulatory failure or other wrongdoing.

He also appealed for the matter to be treated as an urgent national issue, highlighting the need to provide answers to bereaved families and support to survivors.

“The families who have lost loved ones deserve answers. Survivors deserve justice and support. Citizens using Zimbabwe's waterways deserve confidence that their lives will not be placed at unnecessary risk,” the petition states.

Moyo ultimately wants Parliament to initiate a comprehensive fact-finding process and use its findings to strengthen the country’s maritime safety framework.

“I therefore call upon Parliament to initiate a comprehensive fact-finding process, publish its findings and use those findings to strengthen Zimbabwe's maritime safety laws, institutions and enforcement mechanisms,” he said.

The petition was submitted to Parliament in Kwekwe on 13 August 2026 through email in accordance with Appendix E of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

13/08/2026

Kwekwe Ward 13 Residents Set for Public Engagement Meeting

By Midlands Bureau

KWEKWE, Zimbabwe — Residents of Ward 13 in Mbizo Constituency are set to engage their local authority on key service-delivery challenges at a public meeting scheduled for Friday, 21 August 2026.

The meeting, convened by Ward 13 Councillor Alphonse Mugwagwa, will be held at Kushanduka Primary School (Chana B) from 2pm. According to the public notice, the engagement is intended to provide residents with an opportunity to give feedback on service delivery and discuss issues affecting the community.

The agenda includes seven key areas: the prepaid water meters project, road rehabilitation, waste collection, town planning and development control, the city masterplan, the Council Stabilisation Plan and revenue collection.

The meeting comes as local authorities across Zimbabwe continue to face pressure to improve basic municipal services, particularly water supply, road maintenance, waste management and urban planning.

The inclusion of the prepaid water meters project on the agenda is expected to provide residents with an opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarification on the implementation and implications of the programme.

Residents will also be able to engage Council representatives on road rehabilitation and waste collection, two areas that directly affect the quality of life and public health in urban communities.
The discussions on town planning, development control and the city's masterplan are expected to focus on how current and future developments are being managed, while the Council Stabilisation Plan and revenue collection will provide an opportunity for residents to discuss the municipality's financial sustainability and service-delivery capacity.

The public notice also highlights the city's ongoing cholera-prevention messaging, urging residents to maintain proper hand hygiene to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases.

Councillor Mugwagwa has called on residents to attend the meeting, which is being presented as an open public engagement on the delivery of municipal services in Ward 13.

The meeting is expected to provide a platform for residents to raise concerns directly, seek accountability and contribute to discussions on the development and management of their community.

12/08/2026

Statement: Hierarchy of Blameworthiness in the Kariba Ferry Disaster

By Senator Sesel Zvidzai

The loss of life in this ferry disaster demands that responsibility be examined through a clear hierarchy of blameworthiness.

More than half of the passengers reportedly lost their lives after approximately 160 people were loaded onto a ferry that appeared old and was operating routinely on the Zambezi River reportedly in this instance while the river was on high tide.

The starting point must be the primacy of human life thus the safety of same

Where an operator knowingly places passengers on an unsafe vessel or permits a vessel to operate in dangerous conditions without adequate safeguards, that conduct must attract the highest level of scrutiny

The immediate operational responsibility lies with those who made the decision to load and transport the passengers.

Questions must be asked about the vessel's seaworthiness, passenger capacity, weather and river conditions, availability of life-saving equipment, and whether the crew were properly trained and qualified and fit to navigate the journey on this particular trip

Responsibility extends to the management of the government agency that owned or operated the ferry. Management has a duty to maintain vessels, enforce safety procedures, conduct inspections and ensure that no vessel is put into service when its condition or the prevailing circumstances make the journey unsafe.

Additionally, regulatory and supervisory authorities must answer for their role.
If inspections, certification, licensing or safety monitoring were required and were not properly undertaken, those responsible for regulatory oversight cannot simply distance themselves from the tragedy.

They cannot WASH their hands in Pontius Pilate fashion and refuse to take responsibility

There has to exist institutional and ministerial accountability. Where a government agency operates under a ministry or public authority, the responsible leadership must account for whether adequate systems, funding, maintenance programmes and safety standards were in place.

Political responsibility is not necessarily the same as criminal culpability, but public office carries a duty to account when institutional failures result in catastrophic loss of life at an industrial scale as in this horrendous case

There is the question of systemic responsibility. If this tragedy resulted from years of neglect, inadequate maintenance, weak enforcement, overcrowding, insufficient investment or a culture of disregarding safety warnings, then responsibility must not be reduced to the individual who happened to be at the helm on the day of the disaster.

The central question should therefore not simply be “Who was driving the ferry?” It should be:
Who knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that these passengers were being placed at unacceptable risk, and who had the authority and responsibility to prevent it?

The families of those who died deserve more than condolences.

They deserve the truth, accountability, justice and meaningful measures to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

A full independent investigation should establish the chain of decisions leading to the disaster and identify responsibility at operational, managerial, regulatory, ministerial and systemic levels, with appropriate legal action wherever negligence or wrongdoing is established.

Of cause at this embryonic stage of events, those who lost family members want nothing except to grieve their losses without anything that may appear like adding salt onto the painful wound.
They are already enduring excruciating pain…yet the other side of the coin is a need for assistance to help them find healing and closure.
I express deep and heartfelt condolences to The families, to Hon Gwangwaba and to the Nation.

Sesel Zvidzai

06/08/2026

Bulawayo Launches Door-to-Door Customer Satisfaction Survey

The City of Bulawayo has launched a citywide door-to-door customer satisfaction survey aimed at gathering residents' views on the quality of municipal services, in a move expected to shape future service delivery and strengthen public engagement.

The survey, which will be conducted in partnership with Head Hunters International, will run from Thursday, 6 August to Friday, 14 August 2026, covering all 29 wards in the city.

According to a public notice issued by the Office of the Town Clerk, the exercise seeks to provide the local authority with valuable insights into how residents perceive the services it offers, while identifying areas that require improvement.

"The purpose of the survey is to gain insight and understanding of how clients feel about the services provided by the City of Bulawayo and measure the levels of client satisfaction and perception towards the services provided by the City of Bulawayo," the notice states.

The survey comes at a time when local authorities across Zimbabwe are increasingly relying on citizen feedback to improve accountability, enhance service delivery and ensure that development programmes respond to the needs of residents.

Residents can expect visits from trained data collectors employed by Head Hunters International. The City has assured the public that all survey personnel will carry National Identity Cards as well as stamped City of Bulawayo authorisation letters to verify their legitimacy.

Authorities have urged residents to cooperate with the survey teams by providing honest and accurate information, saying public participation is essential in helping the council understand community expectations and improve the quality of municipal services.

"You are kindly requested to supply the survey team with the relevant information and help them complete the questionnaire at hand. Your cooperation in this matter will be greatly appreciated," the notice further reads.

The findings are expected to provide the City with evidence-based information on residents' levels of satisfaction with services such as water supply, refuse collection, road maintenance, sewer management, housing services, customer care and other key municipal functions.

The survey is also expected to help the council identify gaps in service provision, measure public confidence in the local authority and guide future planning and policy decisions.

Residents who have questions or require further information about the exercise have been advised to contact the Town Clerk's Department through the Corporate Communications Unit.

The City of Bulawayo has in recent years placed greater emphasis on citizen participation as part of its vision of becoming "A City of Kings, A Smart and Sustainable City by 2030." Officials say initiatives such as customer satisfaction surveys provide an important platform for residents to directly influence how municipal services are planned, delivered and improved.

06/08/2026

Zimbabwe Government convenes high-level meeting on inters*x rights.

The Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs today convened a high-level breakfast meeting on inters*x rights and legal recognition in Harare, aimed at strengthening Zimbabwe’s approach to protecting inters*x persons and addressing gaps in existing laws.

The meeting, held at Holiday Inn Hotel, was attended by Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi, Minister of Justice; Hon. Edgar Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; and Hon. Dr Douglas T Mombeshora, Minister of Health and Child Care. In addressing the issue, officials emphasised the need for public understanding of what inters*x means and why it is often misinterpreted in society.
Inters*x refers to a range of natural biological traits such as chromosomes, go**ds, hormones, or reproductive anatomy that may not fit typical definitions of male or female. It is not a choice or a disease and it is not caused by wrongdoing; rather, it is a form of human biological variation.

Speaking during a side interview, Hon. Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Government’s work began after a court challenge involving inters*x rights. “Basically what we have done is we have received a court challenge regarding this issue (inters*x) and we referred it to the Attorney General,” he said. “After that we decided as a Ministry that we need to undertake research.” Hon Ziyambi explained that while Zimbabwe’s Constitution recognises two s*xes, the legal and administrative systems must respond to lived realities where people do not fit neatly into the binary classification used in many government processes. The Ministry said the research was conducted through the Law Development Commission, supported by the UNDP, and the breakfast meeting was convened to gather expert input.
“The research and this meeting are part of work in progress,” Hon. Ziyambi said. “We have presentations and testimonies and lived experiences, and we believe that out of the meeting, we will be able to come up with concrete measures.” Hon. Edgar Moyo described the meeting as both a wake-up call and a pathway toward legal reforms. He said there is a gap in the law. “There is real gap in our statutes to address those issues. Because we are basically classified as male and female and then there are people falling in between,” he said.

Minister Moyo highlighted that stigma and cultural barriers have contributed to inters*x issues being kept “under the carpet”. He also pointed to how inters*x persons may face repeated humiliation and exclusion when required documents and identity processes do not match their biological traits.

He said awareness and services must be strengthened, including within families and child protection systems. “Testimonies were heartbreaking, noting that parents may not always know or may not understand the issue early enough, particularly when traits emerge later,” he said. He added that his Ministry will work on providing inclusive support and recognition, stressing that Government must “live beyond culture” and “be adaptive” in promoting inclusivity.

Participants reviewed barriers faced by inters*x persons in Zimbabwe’s documentation and public services systems, including: legal documentation systems that recognise only binary s*x markers; difficulty obtaining birth certificates and national IDs, due to mismatches between biological variation and documentation categories and exclusion from education enrolment, health services, banking employment and voting among many other challenges highlighted.

Officials also noted that many communities misunderstand inters*x through cultural beliefs and stigma, often treating the condition as taboo or “irregular”. They said families may keep such matters private, especially when traits become more noticeable later in life or when a person is pressured to conform to strict gender expectations.

The Ministry said it will validate the findings, draft legal and policy recommendations for Cabinet consideration, maintain ongoing engagement with inters*x persons and civil society organisations (CSOs), and provide feedback to participants on progress made.
The process will rely on both expert guidance and the lived experiences of inters*x persons, emphasising that inclusion must be practical, humane and grounded in real life.

The Citizen

17/08/2026

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

13/08/2026

12/08/2026

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Listing takedown request