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Econet’s Akello launches digital learning opportunities across Africa

Published

4 years ago

August 11, 2021

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

Akello, an Econet owned digital edtech company focused on transforming African education through technology, on Wednesday launched an end-to-end digital learning platform that is set to broaden access to learning opportunities for millions across Africa.

“We want to increase access to education across sub-Saharan Africa and level the digital learning field by offering products that target all learners, from those in early childhood learning right up to young adults that are looking to develop new skills and expand their knowledge base,” said Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa, the CEO of Akello.

According to Masiyiwa, two-thirds of sub-Saharan African youth between the ages five and 24 are considered under-educated due to limited access to learning opportunities.

“Akello seeks to address that by transforming and elevating the way young Africans learn by ensuring digital access to the best education from wherever they may be on the African continent,” she said.

Akello, a subsidiary of the Econet Group, will offer digital products aligned to national curriculums and local identities including, among others, Akello Smart Learning and Akello Pre-School.

“We are excited to offer Akello Smart Learning, a revolutionary product providing an interactive digital learning platform experience for primary and high school learners, along with Akello Pre-School, a seamless learning platform for early years educators, tutors and home-schooling parents, which allows ease of teaching and learning,” Masiyiwa said, adding that the company would soon be rolling out additional products, among them Akello Library, Akello Hub and Akello Quiz.

Akello general manager Ms Vimbai Gwata, said the company’s strategy was to make quality, online learning products as widely accessible as possible to all Africans, despite the negative impact the Covid pandemic has had on learning opportunities on the continent.

“With the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns, learners more than ever before require alternative learning tools to help them advance their education,”Gwata said.

“Our Akello digital learning platform is positioned to do just that, and tackle the gap created by missed learning opportunities, whether they are due to the existing shortage of physical textbooks and teachers in some nations, or due to the impact of the current lockdowns on learners across the continent.”

Akello learning resources can all be accessed online by visiting www.akello.co.

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Zimparks launches elephant culling program

Published

4 days ago

June 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

In a bid to address the growing elephant population in Save Valley Conservancy, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has issued permits for a controlled elephant management exercise.

The exercise, slated to commence shortly, aims to cull an initial 50 elephants from the conservancy, which is currently home to 2,550 elephants – more than three times the ecological carrying capacity of 800 elephants.

According to ZimParks, the conservancy has been struggling to cope with the swelling elephant population, which has put a strain on the wildlife habitat and resources. Over the past five years, the conservancy has translocated 200 elephants to other areas, including Hurungwe and Sapi, in an effort to manage the population.

Zimparks says the controlled culling exercise is expected to provide relief to the conservancy’s ecosystem, while also benefiting local communities.

Elephant meat from the exercise will be distributed to local communities while the ivory will be kept by the State.

In a statement, ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo emphasized the authority’s commitment to responsible and sustainable wildlife management.

“We remain committed to ensuring that our wildlife resources are managed in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of present and future generations.”

In the community

Hwange police seek public’s help in locating missing teen

Published

3 weeks ago

May 15, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

The Hwange police are urgently seeking the public’s assistance in locating 16-year-old Latoya Lisa Munkuli, who went missing on May 7, this month.

Latoya, a dark-complexioned female juvenile, was last seen leaving her residence in Hwange around 4 pm.

She was wearing a distinctive outfit consisting of green trousers and a white T-shirt, and carried a black satchel. She stands approximately 1.6 meters tall.

Inspector Glory Banda of the Hwange police is leading the investigation and urges anyone with information about Latoya’s whereabouts to come forward.

If you have any information about Latoya’s disappearance, please contact Inspector Banda on 0785961747 or 0771256607.

National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 months ago

April 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY WANDILE TSHUMA

A National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) locomotive suffered significant damage after catching fire while transporting export coal to Zambi. The incident occurred between Kalala and Matetsi sidings, resulting in the explosion of the locomotive’s fuel tanks.

According to the NRZ press statement on Monday, “A National Railways of Zimbabwe locomotive suffered some damages after it caught fire this afternoon while transporting export coal to Zambia.” Fortunately, the crew members on board managed to escape unharmed.

The NRZ responded swiftly to the incident, dispatching a rescue train with crews to the site. The team successfully extinguished the fire, preventing further damage. However, the locomotive itself sustained considerable damage.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, with investigations currently underway. “Investigations are already underway to establish the cause of the fire and the amount of damage to the locomotive,” the NRZ statement read.