The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has not paid some teachers for their work during the August elections, despite having signed contracts. Payments that were made to some teachers were in local currency, contrary to the agreed United States dollars. The Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe and the Educators Union of Zimbabwe are advocating for the teachers, with the former's president, Takavafira Zhou, highlighting the impact of inflation on delayed payments. Zec's deputy chairperson, Rodney Kiwa, expressed unawareness of the issue, while the chief elections officer, Utloile Silaigwana, refused to discuss contractual matters.

Africa's debt exceeds US$1.8 trillion, or 60% of its GDP, as of 2023, which hampers social well-being, particularly education. With high debt servicing, countries allocate less budget to education, leading to teacher shortages, inadequate learning materials, and poor infrastructure. This perpetuates poverty and hinders economic development. Solutions include debt cancellation, combating illicit financial flows, and investing in education to break the cycle and unlock Africa's potential.

Afro fusion artist Evans Mapfumo will perform at Festac 2024 in Kisumu, Kenya, from May 20 to 26. The festival celebrates various aspects of African culture, including music, dance, and crafts. Mapfumo, who is also a music teacher at Zengeza 1 High School in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe, is seeking funding for travel and accommodation. He aims to market the Zimbabwean brand and find new markets for his talent. Notable past performers at Festac include Stevie Wonder and Miriam Makeba. Mapfumo released his debut album in 2022 and plans a second release later this year.

Zimbabwe is filled with stagnant companies with limited prospects and cash-flows, known as 'dogs and zombie companies', as reported by Mark & Associates Consulting Group. These companies are seen as barriers to productive growth, locking up capital and talent. The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency reported slight increases in capacity utilization for large firms in manufacturing and mining for the third quarter of 2023. However, Mark & Associates warns of chaotic growth cycles and potential desertion by top professionals due to economic challenges and high taxes, contributing to a significant brain-drain with skilled professionals emigrating for better opportunities.

Tino Kadewere has completed his loan move from Olympique Lyon to FC Nantes until the end of the season, with an option for Nantes to purchase him if they avoid relegation. Kadewere's value has decreased since his transfer to Lyon from Le Havre, and after a promising start, he has struggled in recent seasons. He is looking forward to a fresh start at Nantes, where he will wear jersey number 15. Kadewere expressed his gratitude to Lyon and is excited to play in front of Nantes supporters.

Natsumi Miyata, also known as DJ King Her, is a disc jockey, television presenter, and radio show host with a diverse background, including a Japanese father and a Chinese-Zimbabwean mother. She has made significant strides in Zimbabwe's entertainment industry. Her education includes attending Dominican Convent School and studying in South Africa, where she became a qualified graphic designer and quality assurance assistant in pharmaceuticals. Miyata's upbringing was influenced by local music, and she has a passion for music production, self-development, and travel. She values prayer, healthy eating, and self-discipline, and aspires to leave a legacy in the creative industry through the King Her Academy program, mentoring aspiring DJs.

Zambia has postponed the opening of its school year by three weeks due to a cholera outbreak that has resulted in 3,757 infections and 128 deaths since October. The delay is a containment measure similar to actions taken in January 2018. The outbreak has prompted increased vigilance and screening by South Africa's health department for travelers from cholera-endemic areas. Education Minister Douglas Syakalima emphasized the importance of prioritizing the lives of school communities despite the pandemic's negative impact on education.

The article expresses concern for Zimbabwe's democracy in 2024, highlighting threats made against the main opposition party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), by a government spokesperson. It criticizes the government's readiness to silence critics and compares current tactics to those used by colonialists, suggesting that such actions will further isolate Zimbabwe internationally and undermine any efforts at re-engagement. The article calls for the government to respect opposing views as a sign of a maturing state.

Showmax, an African streaming service, is preparing for a significant relaunch with a new look, application, and product suite. Owned by MultiChoice and Comcast, Showmax will offer Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Entertainment Mobile, and Showmax Premier League. CEO Marc Jury highlights the service's unique content mix, including African shows and international hits, and its readiness to scale using the global Peacock platform. The relaunch follows a partnership with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky, promising an increased supply of international content. Showmax has been recognized for its innovation and is poised to become Africa's leading streaming service.

Zimbabwe's mobile phone usage has significantly increased, with active subscriptions rising by 6% in the third quarter, reaching 14.79 million and a mobile penetration rate of 97.5%. This growth was primarily driven by the state-owned operator NetOne. Econet, the market leader, experienced a modest 2.2% increase in subscribers, while Telecel saw a 1.4% decline. Mobile voice traffic increased by 30%, and mobile internet and data subscriptions grew by 7.5%. The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe's director general, Gift Machengete, reported that operating costs rose by almost 100%.

Drug abuse is a growing problem globally, particularly among young adults and even children as young as ten. A video of young children drinking alcohol in Harare's central business district has raised concerns. Drug abuse leads to hundreds of thousands of deaths annually, with opioids causing the most overdoses. Factors contributing to drug abuse include peer pressure, family dynamics, trauma, substance use by caregivers, genetics, and mental health issues. Drugs of abuse are categorized into depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens, each with different effects. The consequences of drug abuse include a higher risk of transmissible infections, social neglect, and increased chances of accidents. To combat drug abuse, the article suggests counseling, keeping youths engaged in activities, and strict law enforcement against drug suppliers.

Banks' credit creation in Zimbabwe has grown nearly 18% to ZWL$16.8 trillion from June to October, contributing to the sharp depreciation of the Zimbabwe dollar. The local currency reached a new low of US$1:ZWL$12,000, with projections of it hitting ZWL$15,000. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe's October economic review indicated that broad money stock was at ZWL$16.79 trillion, with significant increases in local currency deposits due to bank credit creation. Year-on-year, broad money increased by 792.71%, influenced by exchange rate depreciation and changes in foreign currency deposits.

Deputy Information Minister Omphile Marupi retains his Gwanda South parliamentary seat after his main challenger, Patrick Dube of the Citizens Coalition for Change, lost a High Court bid to overturn Marupi's victory in the August 2023 polls. Dube cited electoral malpractices such as vote rigging, vote buying, and intimidation. However, High Court Judge Justice David Mangota dismissed the petition, ruling that Dube failed to give proper notice to the respondent and filed his petition out of time. Mangota also stated that Dube failed to comply with mandatory provisions of the Electoral Act and the Electoral Court Rules.

Distribution companies in Zimbabwe, responsible for importing international consumable brands, have accused local manufacturers of hindering their ability to obtain import permits, following the government's restriction on importing certain products to boost local production. The Statutory Instrument (SI) 64 of 2016 restricts the importation of 43 products, requiring companies to apply for quarterly permits. Distribution companies claim this has led to a loss of government revenue from taxes and levies. Popular brands like Lays and Simba potato chips have vanished from shelves, with local brands like Cairns Foods' Chompkins taking over. Cairns Holdings Limited CEO Nancy Guzha denies influencing permit issuance and addresses concerns over product safety. PepsiCo, the parent company of Lays and Simba, finds the Zimbabwean investment climate challenging. The import regulations have also impacted vendors and consumer choices, with a preference for imported brands due to quality. The article also touches on the bottled water sector, where South African brands are facing similar issues.

The article discusses the recent strengthening of the South African rand against the US dollar, which has reached R13,84 to the dollar from a previous low of R16,84. This change is expected to benefit South African exporters while making imports more expensive. The Zimbabwe Cross-Border Traders’ Association notes that a stronger rand favors exporters. The article also touches on the political stability in South Africa and the US's decision not to hike interest rates as factors contributing to the rand's strength. Additionally, there are mentions of the potential impact of the US presidential elections on the rand and the difficulties faced by exporters and importers due to central bank regulations and cash shortages in Zimbabwe. The central bank has introduced a 5% export incentive, backed by the African Export-Import Bank, to encourage exports, and the government has restricted imports of products that have local equivalents.

USAid has warned of impending price increases in Zimbabwe for 2024, following a series of price hikes on goods and services due to new government taxes, fees, and levies. Inflation rates reported by ZimStat for December rose to 26.5% annually and 4.7% monthly. The government's 2024 national budget reintroduced duties on basic food and commodities, and additional taxes are expected to further drive up prices. Despite a reversal on a policy requiring informal sector retailers to be registered and tax-compliant, USAid notes that the informal sector remains a key source for affordable goods for poor households. The government has made some adjustments to its revenue measures, including Vat exemptions for essential items, in an attempt to control the economic impact.

The article reports on the recent increase in fuel prices in Zimbabwe, with petrol and diesel prices rising by at least 5 cents. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (Zera) attributes the hike to the rise in the international crude oil prices and changes in the free on board (FOB) price. The article compares fuel prices in Zimbabwe with those in neighboring countries, noting that Zimbabwe's prices are higher due to the use of the US dollar and various taxes and levies. The impact of the price increase on the economy and the cost of doing business is discussed, with insights from Zera CEO Gloria Magombo, economist Tony Hawkins, and representatives from the business community. The article also touches on the statutory instruments that determine fuel pricing in Zimbabwe and the government's limited options for raising revenue.