In the community

Amid power cuts in Zimbabwe, food preservation made easy by grannies

Published

1 year ago

May 10, 2023

Admin

BY IGNATIUS BANDA

Amid silent refrigerators spawned by crippling electricity cuts, township grannies are relying on their smarts and traditional preservation: roasting and smoking meat over fires as they attempt not to throw away food.

And this at a time more and more Zimbabweans are going hungry amid a combination of shrinking incomes and price increases.

For 79-year-old grandmother Tabeth Chisale, food and perishables, such as beef sourced by her children, fill the fridge, but she is increasingly frustrated by the unrelenting power outages.

“Recently, we went for seven days without electricity,” Chisale said

“We were informed it was not because of the regular power cuts but some thieves had vandalised the power supply,” she said, at a time there are increasing reports of the theft of copper cables and transformer oil from power base stations.

The country’s power utility has blamed erratic power supply on the vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

However, amid such a chaotic and erratic energy supply, grannies such as Chisale must find or have found ways of making the best out of a bad situation.

“Once I suspect the meat is going bad, I roast the meat over a fire, then hope that electricity will be restored in time.

“I then stew the roasted meat.

“You cannot watch the meat go bad in these trying times,” she said, her practice for many here a hard-to-understand culinary secret: first roasting meat, then boiling it

Smoking meat over a fire to preserve it has been around for centuries, but Zimbabwe’s energy crisis has reminded older generations of the practice at a time when large-scale enterprises such as butcheries are having to rethink how they do business.

Local food scientists have raised concerns about the consumption of bad or rotting food, noting that it reverses the small gains the country is making towards addressing nutrition deficits among children and the elderly.

In a country where supermarket shelves are stocked with expired food items, the practices of Chisale show the desperation of consumers, local analysts say.

For Desmond Mugadza, chair of the food science department at the Midlands State University, the answer is simple: “Avoid over-stocking perishables.”

“Food must be free from bio-hazards to ensure it is safe for consumers to eat as all food items have a shelf life,” Mugadza said.

“We should rely on science on whether food is safe to consume,” he added.

Yet the desperation of consumers such as Chisale has meant that they have sought ways to salvage their food without the support of science.

It has been a long practice here amid economic hardships that bargain hunters stock up on food and other basic commodities because of regular price increases, creating difficulties in how the food is stored in the absence of electricity.

However, the food preservation methods available to Chisale come with a downside: “The meat that I try to save doesn’t taste as it should, but it’s still meat,” she said.

In Zimbabwe, where the backyard poultry business has become the favoured source of income for the unemployed, power cuts have wreaked havoc for people such as Nelisiwe Mudimba.

“When you slaughter your birds, you pray that they will be sold before they go bad in the fridge,” Mudimba said, adding that on numerous occasions, she has had to throw away dozens of rotting chickens.

She says she has also tried smoking the chickens over a fire, feeding some to her dogs, but: “I cannot eat all these chickens.

“What’s the point, then, of operating such a business?”

These concerns come as global agencies lament the continued wastage of food when millions go hungry.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, “One-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally.

This amounts to about 1.3 billion tons per year, worth approximately US$1 trillion.”

While FAO says most food losses in developing countries are during post-harvest and processing levels, in countries such as Zimbabwe, power cuts have only added to the food waste crisis.

Local consumer rights groups say inflation has added to the challenges as those who already cannot afford basics face more headaches with trying to stock the little food available in their homes.

“Consumers are unable to buy basic commodities that they desperately need because of the increasing gaps between prices and incomes,” said Effie Ncube, spokesperson of a local consumer rights group.

“To prevent the unlawful sale of expired goods, two things are required. The first is to ensure thorough enforcement of the Consumer Protection Act.

Secondly, the government should address the root causes of the economic crisis that has led to runaway inflation, lack of incomes, and general price volatility,” Ncube said.

For now, Chisale and her peers continue to seek old ways to address new challenges and make their own local desperate efforts not to throw away food, albeit against their will. – IPS

Binga

Hope and comfort in hard times: Marvin Dube’s ‘Munoziva Zvose’ releases August 3rd

Published

2 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Admin

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Meet Marvin Dube, a gospel artist with a voice that can move mountains. Born in Kadoma and raised in various towns across Zimbabwe, Marvin’s roots trace back to Binga Junamina village, where his Tonga heritage runs deep.

Now based in the United Kingdom, Marvin is making waves in the gospel music scene with his latest single, “Munoziva Zvose,” set to release on August 3rd.

The song was born out of a powerful vision shared by Marvin’s friend, Simbayi Zwidza. “He saw a vivid image of God knowing everything we go through, even the things we don’t understand,” Marvin recounts.This message resonated deeply with Marvin, prompting him to write a verse thanking God for his grace in the face of hardship.

“‘Munoziva Zvose’ is a message of hope and comfort,” Marvin explains. “It reminds people that they’re not alone in their struggles. God is with them, knows their struggles, and will answer their prayers.” The song is a testament to Marvin’s artistic vision: using his music to touch lives, heal the brokenhearted, and spread God’s love.

What makes this track even more special is that Marvin is featuring on it alongside Simbayi Zwidza, whose vision inspired the song. “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Simbayi on this powerful track,” Marvin says. “Together, we’re bringing a message of hope and comfort to those who need it most.”

Marvin Dube

What sets “Munoziva Zvose” apart from Marvin’s previous releases is its deeper, more reverent tone. The song leans towards worship music, encouraging a stronger connection with God. With its powerful melody, strong vocals, and heartfelt lyrics, this song is a blessing for anyone seeking a more profound connection with God, he says.

Marvin’s church, Spoken Ministry, has been incredibly supportive of this project, and he knows it will strengthen and edify the body of Christ. With Simbayi’s gift as a missionary preacher, the song’s potential to reach more people and share the message of faith is amplified.

“This song is a tool for evangelism,” Marvin says. “We plan to use this release to inspire others, share the message of hope, and continue to drive the missionary work we’re passionate about.”

Get ready to be inspired by Marvin Dube’s “Munoziva Zvose,” a song that will resonate with anyone facing difficult times and remind them that God is always with them.

Binga

Food insecurity hits Matabeleland North province amid El Nino crisis

Published

1 day ago

July 26, 2024

Admin

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A devastating food insecurity crisis has gripped Matabeleland North province, with a staggering 520 524 people struggling to access basic nutrition, according to Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.

The region has borne the brunt of the severe El Nino effects, leaving a significant portion of the population vulnerable.

Minister Ncube revealed these alarming figures while presenting the mid-term budget, which focuses on addressing the far-reaching consequences of El Nino.

To combat this crisis, Ncube said the government has distributed 1 839.2 metric tonnes of grain, for Matabeleland North, which represents only 16% of the required 11 711.8 metric tonnes needed to sustain the population for three months.

The crisis has reportedly affected a staggering 7.7 million people nationwide, including six million in rural areas and 1.7 million in urban areas, who are projected to face food insecurity in 2024.

Minister Ncube outlined a two-pronged response strategy to address the grain shortage.

“Government (will be) importing 300 000 metric tonnes of grain for distribution to vulnerable members of society, while expecting the private sector to import at least 464 000 metric tonnes of grain for sale through normal market channels.”

Nationally, the grain importation plan for 2024 aims to address the shortfall of 765 000 metric tonnes.

The government, according to Ncube, has already imported 10,187 metric tonnes of grain, now stored in Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos.

Furthermore, ZWL60.9 million has been allocated for grain distribution to 10 provinces, resulting in the distribution of 32 241.2 metric tonnes of grain to food-insecure households as of June 15.

Minister Ncube emphasized that the government’s efforts are being complemented by insurance risk premiums from the Africa Risk Capacity, estimated at US$31.8 million, and combined payouts from the government and development partners.

These funds will be distributed through cash transfers to the most affected districts.

Development partners such as the are also supporting food mitigation efforts in response to the declaration of a National State of Disaster.

In the community

Lupane’s dark classrooms: MP seeks answers on electrification and poor academic performance

Published

1 day ago

July 26, 2024

Admin

BY STAFF REPORTER

34 out of 141 schools in Lupane are electrified

A Lupane Member of Parliament, Mail Nkomo, recently expressed concern in the National Assembly about the zero-pass rate in Lupane and sought solutions to address this issue.

She directed her concerns to the Minister of Energy and Power Development, asking when the ministry would electrify schools in Lupane to address the zero-pass rate.

In response, Minister Edgar Moyo stated that only 34 schools in the district are powered. “Lupane has a total of 141 schools, comprising 114 primary and 37 secondary schools,” he responded.

“Of these, 34 schools, including administration blocks and school cottages, are completely electrified.” Minister Moyo added that his ministry is constructing power lines outside Lupane Centre to cater to more schools.

“Somgolo and Makhekhe schools were recently completed, and other schools have had solar systems installed through the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and development partners collaborating with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.”

Nkomo further probed the minister on the government’s policy regarding rural electrification and power sustainability in rural areas, as well as plans for maintaining power lines in public places.

Minister Moyo elaborated, “The Ministry, through the REA, collects 6% of all electricity sales made by ZETDC and other retailers. The Rural Electrification Fund (REF) is used to provide access to a reliable electric power supply for rural dwellers, regardless of their location or occupation, in a way that allows for a reasonable return on investment through an appropriate tariff that is economically responsive and supportive of rural areas. The REF hands over the network to ZETDC for operation and maintenance to ensure efficient grid expansion and total access strategy.”

Matabeleland North province has had the worst Grade 7 pass rate in recent years. For instance, in the 2021 Grade 7 results, 51 schools failed to achieve a single pass, according to government data. The previous year, 85 schools recorded a zero percent pass rate. Since then, the ministry has refused to release provincial results to the media, citing concerns about causing divisions.