Uncategorized

BancABC, Mama Money launch cross border money transfer service

Published

4 years ago

November 23, 2021

BY OWN CORRESPONDENT

BancABC Zimbabwe, the local banking subsidiary of Pan African group, Atlas Mara, has launched Border Hopper, an international remittance service that allows Zimbabweans abroad to send money home.

The Border-to-Border remittance service was launched with South Africa to Zimbabwe transfers as the first corridor with plans to extend the service to other countries in the region.

The remittance service launched in partnership with Mama Money leverages on the Bank’s agency relationship with Pick n Pay and will allow Zimbabweans to send money through any Mama Money Agent in South Africa, including Pick n Pay stores, to Zimbabwe through Border Hopper.

The funds can be collected at any one of over 40 BancABC kiosks in TM Pick n Pay stores across the country.

Speaking at the product launch, BancABC Zimbabwe CEO, Lance Mambondiani said, “Just over a year ago we launched City Hopper, our domestic remittance service that has proven to be quite popular with our clients. Today, we are excited to extend this service across borders with the launch of Border Hopper”.

“We are grateful for the hard-working Zimbabweans across the world who support their families and contribute to the development of the economy in difficult times,” he added.

“We have seen the spike in remittance values and volumes under the hardships of the Covid-19 pandemic and we wanted to provide a fast, convenient and simple solution to allow our diaspora customers to do their transfers.

“What better way to do that than bringing the service to your backyard through Pick n Pay’s nationwide network.”

Leanne Lancaster, Mama Money chief growth officer said, “We are operating in 54 markets and look forward to expanding our partnership into multiple countries.

“The partnership will create additional stakeholder value ensuring all organisations gain through the cross-functional opportunities.”

Malcom Mycroft, the TM Pick n Pay Zimbabwe MD added: “We’ve picked the right partner in BancABC, a partner that is proactive to bringing value to the business by innovating as fast as we do”.

The Border Hopper service is available to all Zimbabweans and recipients can collect funds at any BancABC kiosk in TM Pick n Pay stores nationwide after presenting their reference number and a copy of their national identity document.

The Border Hopper service has been launched just in time for the festive season and the people at BancABC hope that for the millions of Zimbabweans that receive funds from abroad, it will lead to a very Merry Christmas.

National

Chidzivo, Waison take top honors at Vic Falls Marathon

Published

20 hours ago

July 7, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Blessing Waison and Fortunate Chidzivo took top honors at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon yesterday, as Zimbabwean long-distance runners excelled at Africa’s most prestigious road race.

Econet General Manager – Marketing, Mrs Tariro Muchena (left), and Finance Director, Mr Chengeto Moyo, present the winner’s prize to men’s marathon champion, Blessing Waison, at the 2025 Econet Victoria Falls Marathon, while Victoria Falls Mayor, Mr Prince Moyo, looks on

The event, which featured athletes from over 40 countries, saw Waison storm to victory in the men’s full marathon, clocking 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 16 seconds. He narrowly beat decorated Olympian Isaac Mpofu in a thrilling duel that brought thousands of spectators to their feet.

Godwin Katakura followed closely in third, completing an all-Zimbabwean podium sweep in the 42.2km race. The trio’s success came with bigger rewards this year, after Econet Wireless doubled the total prize purse to $50,000.

Waison walked away with $3,000, while Mpofu and Katakura earned $2,000 and $1,500, respectively.

In the women’s marathon, Chidzivo delivered a commanding performance, clocking 2 hours and 42 minutes to claim another major title in her illustrious career. Ethel Pangiso and Phillipa Dube completed the women’s podium in second and third place, respectively.

Rising star Wayne Kabondo turned heads in the men’s 21km half marathon, overcoming a formidable field to finish in 1 hour, 3 minutes, and 44 seconds. Kabondo pocketed $1,500 for his efforts.

In the women’s 21km race, Caroline Mhandu crossed the line in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 50 seconds, ahead of Miriam Sibanda and Melody Kaseke.

The marathon’s inclusive spirit was evident in the 18km Specially Abled Races, which saw uplifting performances across different categories. Godknows Hamadziripi claimed the men’s tricycle title, while Samson Muroyiwa won the handcycle event.

Among the women, Stella Jongwe triumphed in the handcycle race, and Ratidzo Tomu took first position in the tricycle category.

Organized by Econet Wireless in partnership with Wild Horizons, the 2025 edition drew over 5,000 participants and spectators from more than 40 countries. The marathon route, widely regarded as Africa’s most scenic, winds through game reserves and offers spectacular views of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.

https://x.com/vic_falls_live/status/1941861569450725776?s=46

Beyond the races, this year’s event featured live music, traditional dance, health expos, and community wellness activities.

Uncategorized

Trump orders US exit from the World Health Organization

Published

6 months ago

January 21, 2025

VicFallsLive

Picture: Reuters

BY REUTERS

The United States will exit the World Health Organization, President Donald Trumpsaid on Monday, saying the global health agency had mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic and other international health crises.

Trump said the WHO had failed to act independently from the “inappropriate political influence of WHO member states” and required “unfairly onerous payments” from the U.S. that are disproportionate to the sums provided by other, larger countries, such as China.

“World Health ripped us off, everybody rips off the United States. It’s not going to happen anymore,” Trump said at the signing of an executive order on the withdrawal, shortly after his inauguration to a second term.

The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move means the U.S. will leave the United Nations health agency in 12 months’ time and stop all financial contributions to its work. The United States is by far the WHO’s biggest financial backer, contributing around 18% of its overall funding. WHO’s most recent two-year budget, for 2024-2025, was $6.8 billion.

The U.S. departure will likely put at risk programmes across the organisation, according to several experts both inside and outside the WHO, notably those tackling tuberculosis, the world’s biggest infectious disease killer, as well as HIV/AIDS and other health emergencies.

Trump’s order said the administration would cease negotiations on the WHO pandemic treaty while the withdrawal is in progress. U.S. government personnel working with the WHO will be recalled and reassigned, and the government will look for partners to take over necessary WHO activities, according to the order.

The government will review, rescind, and replace the 2024 U.S. Global Health Security Strategy as soon as practicable, the order says.

The next-largest donors to the WHO are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, although most of that funding goes to polio eradication, and the global vaccine group Gavi, followed by the European Commission and the World Bank. The next-largest national donor is Germany, which contributes around 3% of the WHO’s funding.

Trump’s withdrawal from the WHO is not unexpected. He took steps to quit the body in 2020, during his first term as president, accusing the WHO of aiding China’s efforts to “mislead the world” about the origins of COVID.

WHO vigorously denies the allegation and says it continues to press Beijing to share data to determine whether COVID emerged from human contact with infected animals or due to research into similar viruses in a domestic laboratory.

Trump also suspended U.S. contributions to the agency, costing it nearly $200 million in 2020-2021 versus the previous two-year budgets, as it battled the world’s worst health emergency in a century.

Under U.S. law, leaving the WHO requires a one-year notice period, and the payment of any outstanding fees. Before the U.S. withdrawal could be completed last time, Joe Biden won the country’s presidential election and put a stop to it on his first day in office on Jan. 20, 2021.

SOURCE: REUTERS

In the community

Crocodile attacks on the rise: Zimparks sounds alarm

Published

6 months ago

January 16, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A surge in human-crocodile conflicts has prompted the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to issue a warning to the public to exercise extreme caution when near water bodies.

According to ZimParks, over 20 incidents of crocodile attacks have been reported in the past two months, resulting in eight fatalities and three serious injuries. The attacks have also posed a threat to livestock.

The most affected areas include the South East Lowveld, specifically Lundi, Tokwe Mukosi, and Lake Mutirikwi, which have recorded six incidents. The Central Region, including Munyati River, Kwekwe River, and Sebakwe River, has seen five incidents, while the Mid Zambezi area, comprising Lake Kariba, Hunyani River, and Angwa River, has also recorded five incidents.

ZimParks is urging the public to remain alert and take necessary precautions when engaging in domestic activities near water bodies.

Livestock owners are advised not to leave their animals unattended near rivers or lakes, as they may become easy targets for crocodiles.

“In light of these, the authority urges the public to exercise extreme caution around water bodies and remain alert while engaging in domestic activities near these areas to minimise the risk of crocodile attacks,”Zimaparks cautioned in a press statement.

“To minimize the risk of conflict with crocodiles, livestock should not be left unattended near rivers or lakes to prevent them from becoming easy targets for crocodiles.”

The authority reiterated its commitment to promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife, ensuring safety and fostering respect for wildlife for the benefit of present and future generations.