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Mat North ready to shine at NAPH national finals

Published

2 years ago

July 31, 2024

BY SPORTS REPORTER

Matabeleland North province is gearing up for the National Association of Primary Heads (NAPH) ball games national finals in Bulawayo on Wednesday and Thursday with a strong contingent ready to take on the competition.

According to NAPH Matabeleland North Sports chairperson Wilson Ndlovu, the province is proud to be participating in all ball games disciplines for the first time.

“We are more than ready; our preparations have gone well, and our coaches have done a fantastic job in preparing our children for the national event,” Ndlovu said in an interview with VicFallsLive.

“For the first time, we are fielding teams in all disciplines on competition – soccer, rugby, tennis, basketball , netball, handball and volleyball – unlike in the past when we only participated in a few. We saw a lot of skill exhibited by our students during provincial competitions, and we’re confident they’ll do well.”

Ndkovu added that they have qualified coaches who have taken the children through rigorous preparations.

The teams are currently camped at David Livingstone Primary school in Umguza district.

The United College of Education, Northlea Hugh School and Heartsfields Rugby Ground will host the events.

While the meet is a contest for bragging rights, NAPH is using it as a platform to select the best team to represent the country in the upcoming COSSASA games in Bulawayo in August.

Here are the results of the Matabeleland North provincial ball games played last week ahead of the nationals:

_Handball Girls:_
1. Binga
2. Hwange
3. Umguza A
4. Tsholotsho
5. Lupane
6. Bubi
7. Nkayi
8. Umguza B

_Handball Boys:_
1. Bubi
2. Umguza A
3. Lupane
4. Hwange
5. Umguza B
6. Tsholotsho
7. Nkayi
(NB: Binga did not bring a boys team)

_Volley Girls:_
1. Tsholotsho
2. Nkayi
3. Hwange
4. Bubi
5. Binga
6. Lupane
7. Umguza A
8. Umguza B

_Volley Boys:_
1. Hwange
2. Binga
3. Nkayi
4. Lupane
5. Tsholotsho
6. Umguza A
7. Bubi
8. Umguza B

_Basketball Girls:_
1. Hwange
2. Bubi
3. Nkayi
4. Umguza A
5. Umguza B

_Basketball Boys:_
1. Bubi
2. Hwange
3. Umguza B
4. Nkayi
5. Umguza A

_Netball:_
1. Tsholotsho
2. Lupane
3. Hwange
4. Binga
5. Bubi
6. Nkayi
7. Umguza A
8. Umguza B

_Soccer Girls:_
1. Nkayi
2. Tsholotsho
3. Hwange
4. Bubi
5. Umguza A
6. Umguza

_Soccer Boys:_
1. Hwange
2. Nkayi
3. Tsholotsho
4. Bubi
5. Lupane
6. Umguza A
7. Binga
8. Umguza B

Note that this is the first time Matabeleland North is participating in all disciplines, including tennis and rugby, which was previously not included.

In the community

MP press govt on Binga hospital, mortuary crisis

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Members of the Parliament of Zimbabwe have raised concern over the state of health services in Binga District, questioning delays in upgrading key facilities.

Binga South MP, Fanuel Cumanzala asked the Minister of Health and Child Care:

“Whether there are any plans to rehabilitate Binga District Hospital to make it suitable for a nursing school, as earlier announced by the government.”

He further queried:

“Whether there are any concrete plans to permanently resolve the challenges faced by Binga District, particularly regarding the mortuary, which has not been fully operational for a long time.”

In a follow-up question, the legislator pressed government on broader service delivery gaps:

“What measures are being taken to improve healthcare services in Binga District, particularly in rural areas.”

“What measures are being implemented to reduce incidence of malaria and waterborne diseases in the Zambezi Valley.”

“Whether there are any plans to upgrade and expand healthcare facilities in Binga District in light of population growth and increased economic activity.”

No response was recorded in the proceedings

In the community

Hwange residents invited to constitutional amendment public hearing

Published

1 day ago

March 20, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Residents in Hwange are set to have their say on proposed changes to the country’s supreme law as the Parliament of Zimbabwe rolls out public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill.

The outreach programme will reach the coal-mining town on Tuesday, 31 March, with the hearing scheduled for 10am at Edmund Davies Hall, located at the No.1 Colliery Club near Thomas Coulter Primary School.

Attendance is free, and members of the public are being encouraged to participate and express their views on the proposed amendment.

According to Parliament, the hearings are part of a nationwide consultation process aimed at gathering citizens’ input before the bill is finalised. The proposed legislation—Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill (H.B. 1, 2026)—seeks to introduce changes to key governance provisions.

The Matabeleland North outreach will begin in Tsholotsho on Monday, 30 March, before moving to Hwange, then to Binga on Wednesday, 1 April, and concluding in Lupane on Thursday, 2 April.

Parliament has also opened channels for written submissions, which can be sent to the Clerk of Parliament or via email.

However, authorities have warned that individuals wearing military uniforms, political party regalia, or carrying flags and badges will not be allowed into the hearings.

Residents in and around Hwange are urged to attend in numbers and make their voices heard.

In the community

Free dental outreach treats over 700 in Victoria Falls

Published

4 days ago

March 17, 2026

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

More than 700 residents in Victoria Falls have received free dental care following a three-day outreach programme held at Mkhosana Clinic.

The initiative, led by global charity SmileStar in partnership with CIMAS, saw 705 patients treated between 9 and 11 March. The programme builds on previous outreach efforts in the region and is expanding this year to include Matobo.

A team of 16 volunteer dental professionals—many from Dentex—provided urgent treatment, pain relief, and oral health education, while also sharing skills with local healthcare workers.

Team leader Dr Mitesh Badiani said tooth decay linked to high sugar consumption, particularly among children, was the most common issue encountered.

“Many of these dental problems are preventable, and education plays a key role in helping to avoid such problems in the future,” he said.

The outreach received support from Africa Albida Tourism, with the team hosted at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Africa Albida Tourism managing director Nigel Frost said the initiative would have lasting benefits for the community.

“This initiative provides vital dental care and education that will continue to benefit the residents of Victoria Falls long after the clinics have ended,” he said.

Mark Cockburn added that the programme highlighted the impact of volunteerism in addressing healthcare gaps.

Following the Victoria Falls outreach, SmileStar continued its programme in Hwange, before moving to Matobo today and tomorrow at Ethandweni Children’s Home, with a target of treating more than 1 000 patients across the three regions.