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 ‘Electricity can go anytime here’: how Zimbabwe’s iron men ran out of steam

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BY NYASHA CHINGONO

Inside a grimy flat in the heart of Mbare, one of Zimbabwe’s oldest townships, steam billows from a hissing iron.

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It is 7am and Nhamo Chari, 42, is racing to finish ironing a client’s clothes before the power cuts out.

“Electricity can go anytime here. We are lucky that today power is still available around 7am. It normally goes at 5am and is restored in the evening,” Chari says.

Zimbabwe has been reeling under crippling power shortages since the start of winter in May. Some of the country’s ageing power plants are being repaired and the rest are struggling to cope with growing demand.

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The country has the capacity to generate about 2,240 megawatts of power, but is producing just 1,300 megawatts.

People in Mbare, in the south of the capital, Harare, regularly go without electricity for more than 17 hours a day.

The shortages have hit Mbare’s ironing businesses, which are becoming a popular hustle in the suburb as unemployment and inflation rates soar across the country.

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Almost 60 people run their businesses from the Matapi block of flats in Mbarel before the power cuts they were earning up to $100 (£83) a week. They support a booming secondhand clothing industry in the area. Chari and his colleagues are inundated with orders from used clothing dealers who want their goods ironed before selling them on.

“Individual traders and companies come to give us work, especially those who manufacture school uniforms. But mostly individuals selling secondhand clothes are our biggest business. I got at least $20 a day, depending on how much work I get,” he says.

However, due to the power cuts, Chari, who started his ironing business when he lost his job eight years ago, now earns just $3 a day – hardly enough to buy a loaf of bread and some milk.

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“Things are tough. Electricity is our biggest problem here as it comes and goes, with no actual timetable. But during the few hours where electricity is there, I try to work as hard as I can so that I feed my family,” says Chari, adding that the money he has earned from the business has helped him put his two children through school.

To make his income stretch, Chari runs a pool table where he charges 150 Zimbabwe dollars (about 34p) for a game.

“At least it is something, I can supplement the little I get when the electricity is back,” he says.

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Tafadzwa Nyakurewa, 35, rents two ironing tables inside a warehouse in the township, but because of the power challenges spends most of his day carrying loads of clothes and goods for traders, rather than ironing them.

“Power cuts have made us redundant. Business was good before this mess,” Nyakurewa says.

“This is where we survive and if power is switched off every day we are stuck. I have three children to feed.”

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Japhet Moyo, secretary general of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), urged the government to act.

Energy minister Soda Zhemu couldn’t say when the crisis would be over. “We would not know … because currently we are working on aged equipment. We can only give assurance when Hwange power station is up and running … That is when we will have self-sufficiency from internal generation,” he recently told parliament. Hwange coal power station, a leading supplier, has been under repair for more than a year. Two new units are being built to increase output, but they are unlikely to be in operation until the end of the year at the earliest.

According to the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (Zimstat), more than 2.8 million people work in the informal sector in Zimbabwe, compared with 495,000 in formal employment.

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Nyakurewa used to earn about $25 a day. Now “if I get $6, I would have worked very hard”, he says.

“I spend my time mending shoes now because during the day, we do not have power. It is a side job to make ends meet.” – The Guardian

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In the community

Matabeleland North launches $250K fundraising campaign against drug abuse

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

In a decisive move to address the escalating problem of drug and substance abuse, the government of has initiated a fundraising campaign in Matabeleland North Province with a target of $250 000.

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The event will take place today at the Edmund Davis Hall in Hwange, focusing on raising funds and awareness to support youth rehabilitation efforts in the region.

Richard Moyo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North, is spearheading this initiative.

In a recent interview with VicFallsLive, he emphasized the critical need for this campaign, stating, “The rise in drug and substance abuse among our youth is a major concern. We have seen children lose their lives and future because of addiction. This fundraising effort is essential to provide them with the help they need.”

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Moyo addressed the need for government intervention, explaining that the cabinet committee on drug and substance abuse has taken significant steps to confront this crisis. “The committee has appointed chairpersons in each of the ten provinces to coordinate efforts against substance abuse. We must act now before the problem escalates further,” he added.

The background of drug abuse in Zimbabwe indicates a troubling pattern. Research shows a significant rise in substance use, particularly among unemployed youth and school dropouts. Moyo noted, “Many of our children are resorting to these substances as a way to cope with their circumstances. They often end up living on the streets, where they are exposed to even harsher realities. We want them to be occupied, and we will build rehab centers and hire people who will help them to quit the addiction because this is more common amongst the 2K children.”

Highlighting the importance of community involvement, Moyo called on local businesses and organizations to support the campaign. “We are appealing to all companies, particularly hotels and businesses in our province, to join us in this fight. Together, we can create a supportive environment for our children. Our president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, launched a nationwide initiative two months ago, and now, it’s time for Matabeleland North to take action,” he said.

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Moyo further elaborated on the fundraising goal, stating that the $250 000 will be directed towards establishing rehabilitation centers and hiring experienced therapists. “These facilities will offer a second chance to those battling addiction. Our youth deserve the opportunity to rebuild their lives,” he emphasized.

Despite acknowledging that Matabeleland North’s drug problem may not be as severe as in other provinces, Moyo maintained that the issue is still significant, particularly in urban areas. “Here, we see children turning to drugs like marijuana, often sold by those who exploit their vulnerability. We must protect our children and provide them with the support they need to thrive,” he concluded.

The community’s response to this fundraising campaign will be pivotal in shaping a positive future for the youth of Matabeleland North, offering hope and resources for recovery and reintegration into society.

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Hwange

Government launches fundraising campaign to combat drug and substance abuse in Mat North

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to tackle the growing problem of drug and substance abuse, the  government has launched a fundraising campaign in Matabeleland North Province.

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The event, scheduled to take place on Friday, at the Edmund Davis Hall in Hwange, aims to raise awareness and funds to support initiatives combating drug and substance abuse in the region.

Edgar Moyo, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, is expected to be the guest of honour at the event, while Richard Moyo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Matabeleland North, will host the gathering.

Background: Zimbabwe’s Growing Drug Abuse Epidemic

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Zimbabwe is grappling with a growing drug abuse epidemic, particularly among its youth. According to recent reports, more than 43% of adolescents and young adults used drugs in 2017, increasing to nearly 45% in 2018 and over 57% by 2019.

The most commonly abused drugs in Zimbabwe include codeine, methamphetamine (crystal meth), glue, bronclee, solvents, chlorpromazine, mangemba, cane spirit, cocaine, and cannabis/marijuana.

Globally, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that 3.5% to 5.7% of persons between the ages of 15 and 64, or between 155 and 250 million people, used illicit drugs at least once in 2013. This number increased to 296 million in 2023, representing a 23% global increase in people using illicit drugs.

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In Zimbabwe, the problem is compounded by acute socio-economic challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and mental health issues. The ease of access to drugs and porous borders also contribute to the growing problem, researchers note.

 

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In the community

Chief Mvutu installation underway

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Hwange District is bracing for a historic event today as Chief Mvutu is officially installed as the new substantive chief.

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The installation ceremony, which comes eleven years after the passing of Silibaziso Mlotshwa’s father in 2014, is featuring speeches, entertainment, and traditional greetings.

According to the programme, the ceremony will commence with the arrival of invited guests, followed by the arrival of distinguished guests.

The event will feature speeches by various dignitaries, including Richard Moyo, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, and Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo, President of the National Council of Chiefs.

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Other highlights of the ceremony include the investiture of Chief Mvutu, the paying of allegiance by village heads, and the presentation of gifts.

The installation ceremony marks a significant milestone in the district’s history, bringing to an end a protracted dispute over the chieftainship.

The event is expected to attract dignitaries, community leaders, and residents from across the district.

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