National

‘Visionary and pioneer’: Bulawayo leads tributes to ‘legend’ Cont Mhlanga

Published

3 years ago

August 1, 2022

BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI

Amakhosi Theatre Productions founder Cont Mhlanga, who died on Monday aged 59, has been described as a Zimbabwean arts legend whose works will impact generations to come.

Mhlanga, a playwright, author, actor, film maker, creative director and media entrepreneur, died at a Bulawayo hospital after he was admitted 10 days ago.

Bulawayo City Council described him as “a legend in the creative industries, who began his career in the arts and karate at a young age and is known for the formation of the Amakhosi Arts Centre, Skyz Metro FM and Breez FM” in Victoria Falls.

“Cont Mhlanga was awarded the civic honours on the 18^th October 2002 in recognition of his role in the introduction and subsequent development of theatrical art in Bulawayo, particularly the setting up of Amakhosi Theatre Production,” city mayor Solomon Mguni said in a statement.

“This was in recognition of the fact that community theatre became world renowned and was a great tool in the marketing of the culture and inspirations of the people of Bulawayo.

“Civic honours are awarded to citizens who have rendered long and meritorious public work in the city or had brought distinction to it.

“The resolution to award civic honours was made on the 3^rd July 1963 and Mr Cont Mhlanga became the 67^th recipient joining other citizens, who had brought distinction to the City of Bulawayo.

Mguni added: “Mr Mhlanga was a visionary and pioneer, who spearheaded many projects in the creative arts industry and was instrumental in the formation of the Bulawayo Cultural Affairs Office (BCAO).

“He was a Bulawayo citizen at the heart serving the city and championing the telling of its story through arts, film and theatre and spearheading a number of projects with great leadership, passion and excellence.”

Former Information and Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo also paid tribute to Mhlanga on Twitter where he described him as an “inimitable cultural genius, a legendary playwright, filmmaker, creative director and a grounded political activist whose institution-building legacy is epitomised by Amakhosi Threatre and Skyz Metro FM.”

Some of Mhlanga’s most famous plays include The Good President, The End, Sekunjalo, Amakorokoza, Workshop Negative and The Members.

Former president Robert Mugabe’s regime banned The Good President, which mirrored the late strongman’s iron fisted rule.

Mhlanga through Amakhosi mentored many influential artists in Zimbabwe.

He was also an outspoken political activist, who routinely clashed with the authorities, and spoke fiercely against the marginalisation of Matabeleland.

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National

Ranger killed by elephant in Kariba

Published

3 weeks 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

2 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.

National

Retailers send Mnangagwa SOS as shops continue shutting down over operational woes

Published

2 months ago

January 27, 2025

VicFallsLive

BY ZIMLIVE

The Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers (CZR) has implored President Emmerson Mnangagwa to intervene and save the sector which has seen various formal retail and wholesale businesses closing shop countrywide due to operational challenges.

In a statement on Sunday, CZR president Denford Mutashu said the continued closure of formal retail and wholesale businesses is a direct consequence of the tough economic environment that has consistently failed to support formalised sector players who face stiff competition from informal businesses and vendors the majority of whom have no tax obligations to deal with.

Mutashu said his association was concerned that authorities continue to downplay the crisis.

“The recent closure of several outlets under the N. Richards Group, coupled with Spar Zimbabwe’s painful decision to shut down Queensdale Spar, Choppies Zimbabwe’s exit from the market, and Mahommed Mussa’s significant reduction of shop space by 60%, highlights the growing crisis.

“As the representative association for these and other brands, CZR is alarmed that while formal businesses face enormous challenges, the authorities continue to present a different picture of the operating environment,” he said.

Given the situation, Mutashu said, only President Mnangagwa can rescue the troubled sector.

“CZR therefore calls for urgent intervention from His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, to rescue what remains of the formalized retail and wholesale sector,” said Mutashu.

He said the sector was in urgent need of rescue.

“While CZR acknowledges the continued support from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, it is clear that the root causes of these challenges are fiscal and monetary in nature. These require urgent and decisive action to ensure the survival of formal businesses.

“CZR therefore appeals to the Presidium to prioritize interventions aimed at saving jobs and mitigating the ongoing wave of shop closures and retrenchments,” he said.