National

Swiss college helps Hwange school set up e-learning facility

Published

3 years ago

March 2, 2022

BY ISAAC NTULI

A Switzerland-based college is providing support to a Hwange school to set up online learning facilities at a time poor Zimbabwean schools are reeling from Covid-19 induced disruptions.

The Swiss institution Empower Me First College said it will provide Ndlovu Secondary School on the outskirts of Victoria Falls with virtual e-learning connectivity that will see over 300 learners benefiting.

Speaking at the launch of the pilot programme recently, the director of Empower Me First College Bridget Cohn said their target was to equip learners and teachers with technology as a way of improving the pass rate in rural schools.

“We are here to empower marginalized and disadvantaged communities with knowledge,” Cohn said.

“All the learners have to bring is an android phone and we will supply the lessons, teachers, data bundles and internet connectivity.”

Ndlovu Secondary School’s e-learning centre’ co-ordinator Sitshengisiwe Mlilo said they were looking forward to the implementation of the programme, which they hope will transform the learners’ education.

Meanwhile, in the past two weeks Empower Me First College’s technicians have tried in vain to connect more than two hundred potential learners who had gathered at Ndlovu Secondary School and other proposed learning centres in Katchetchete ward for registration due to poor electricity supplies and internet connectivity.

At the event, a Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe official who only identified himself as Gladwell said they were only connecting schools in Mashonaland and Matabeleland North was not in their immediate plans.

The non-Formal Education Policy was crafted by the government in 2015 and is targeting learners who dropped out of school due to either early pregnancy, lack of financial assistance to pay school fees, and other issues.

Four more additional e-learning canters are set to be established in Simakade Primary School, Bethesda Primary School, Chimbombo Primary School,and BH28 Resource Centre in the Hlanganani village under Chief Mvuthu.

Related Topics:Covid-19 Empower Me First College Victoria Falls

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National

Coal train in flames: NRZ locomotive damaged in fire incident

Published

2 weeks 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.

National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

2 months ago

March 14, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

A 62-year-old ranger, Josphat Mandishara, was tragically killed by an elephant in Kariba yesterday.

Mandishara, who worked for the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), was on patrol in the Gatche-gatche area with fellow rangers and police officers.

At around 10 pm, Mandishara returned to the harbor where their boat was docked, and that’s when he encountered the elephant. The elephant charged at him, causing fatal injuries. His colleagues were nearby, resupplying at the Gatche-gatche Irrigation Scheme.

Mandishara’s body was taken to Kariba District Hospital for a post-mortem, and the incident was reported to the police.

ZimParks has sent a team to manage the problem elephant and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Director General of ZimParks, Prof. Edson Gandiwa, and his team have sent condolences to Mandishara’s family, friends, and colleagues. Mandishara will be remembered for his dedication to wildlife conservation in Zimbabwe.

National

ZIMRA customs officer appears in court for criminal abuse of office

Published

3 months ago

February 3, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY STAFF REPORTER

A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) customs officer, Phillip Kuvenga, has been accused of criminal abuse of office for allegedly assisting in the importation of banned motor vehicles.

Kuvenga, 28, who is stationed at Victoria Falls, allegedly received documents from clients, completed valuation sheets, and carried out the valuation process. However, he is accused of endorsing different chassis numbers to deceive his supervisors during the validation and approval process.

After obtaining approval, Kuvenga would capture the correct chassis numbers in the ASYCUDA World System. He would then alter or replace the documents submitted earlier to his supervisors.

The offense came to light when a motor vehicle that had not yet arrived in Zimbabwe was found to have been already registered. A thorough check by ZIMRA led to Kuvenga’s arrest.

Kuvenga appeared in court on February 1, where he was denied bail by Magistrate Gift Manyka. He is expected to appear in court again today for another bail hearing.