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Vanessa Gonye

Harare, Zimbabwe
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About Vanessa
Vanessa Gonye is a journalist based in Harare, Zimbabwe. She is currently focusing on print journalism, with health reporting being the major area she covers. She is however an all rounder and can take up any task at any given time. Vanessa has a passion for grassroots reporting and loves traveling to marginalized communities to bring out issues affecting them and putting them on the map.
Languages
English Ndebele Shona
Services
Vox Pop News Gathering Feature Stories
+9
Skills
Politics Current Affairs Health & Fitness
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Portfolio

Harare water: Government provides ZWL$9 billion for chemicals

09 Jan 2024  |  newsday.co.zw
The Zimbabwean government has released ZWL$9 billion to the Harare City Council for a month's supply of water treatment chemicals, fulfilling its promise to assist with the city's water purification needs. Despite the funding, the amount falls short of the US$1.5 million required monthly. Harare faces severe water shortages, leading residents to use potentially unsafe water sources and increasing the risk of waterborne diseases. The government has also committed to drilling more boreholes to mitigate the water crisis, exacerbated by the destruction of wetlands.

EMA records peat fires in Harare in bid to eliminate them

05 Apr 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) in Harare has initiated a project to record and eliminate peat fires in the city's wetlands. Peat fires, which burn underground and release smoke on the surface, pose environmental and physical dangers to residents, including high-degree burns in two reported incidents. EMA's environmental education and publicity manager, Amkela Sidange, outlined a five-stage process to address the issue, starting with clearing vegetation to expose the affected areas. The agency has also set up barriers to prevent access to the hazardous zones and is collaborating with local communities to manage the situation. Residents have expressed concerns about the health impacts of the smoke, especially during moist conditions. The Harare City Council has provided temporary solutions, but the problem persists due to shifting fire locations and inadequate rainfall to naturally extinguish the fires.

Cholera outbreak hits Harare suburbs

05 Apr 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
Harare's Glen View 3 and Budiriro suburbs are experiencing a deadly cholera outbreak, with five deaths and 35 hospital admissions reported by Health Minister David Parirenyatwa. The situation is causing alarm for a potential citywide outbreak, reminiscent of the 2008 crisis that claimed over 4,500 lives. The outbreak is attributed to contaminated water sources and poor sanitation, as local authorities struggle with water provision and garbage collection. Parirenyatwa visited patients and emphasized the importance of good hygiene and safe drinking water. The government is investigating the source of the outbreak, with suspicion falling on boreholes in the area. Residents blame the local council for the uncollected garbage that may be contaminating water sources. Zimbabwe is also facing typhoid outbreaks in several other towns.

Cholera Containment Efforts in Harare and the Ongoing Battle Against Typhoid

15 Mar 2023  |  The Standard
The article by Vanessa Gonye focuses on the cholera outbreak in Harare, Zimbabwe, and the subsequent containment efforts. Glen View Poly Clinic, initially an epicenter, now sees fewer patients, indicating a successful containment. The government, with support from the WHO and other partners, has managed to control the spread in Harare, though sporadic cases and fatalities continue in rural areas and among apostolic faith sects that resist medical treatment. A vaccination campaign was launched, with over 600 health workers trained and more than 700,000 doses of cholera vaccine administered. Despite some public hesitancy due to misconceptions and side effects, the response to the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) has been largely positive. The article also touches on the presence of typhoid, with over 1,000 cases reported in Gweru and efforts to conceal the outbreak by local authorities. The WHO introduced an OCV and typhoid conjugate vaccine, with 320,000 doses planned for parts of Harare.

Nyaradzo: A tale of growth and service

02 Mar 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
Nyaradzo Funeral Assurance Company celebrated its 18th anniversary, reflecting on its growth from a 10-person startup to a significant organization with over 1,500 employees and a regional presence. CEO Philip Mataranyika discussed the company's origins, inspired by the challenges faced at funerals in Zimbabwe, and its commitment to African traditions. The company faced controversy for Mataranyika's personal involvement in high-profile funerals, including that of national hero Oliver Mtukudzi. Nyaradzo is also addressing environmental concerns with its Friends of the Environment initiative and is considering cremation services due to land scarcity. The company has diversified with subsidiaries offering various services, including repatriation cover for the diaspora and events management solutions.

Insulin

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The article is a personal account of the author's struggle with type 1 diabetes since their diagnosis on July 20, 2007. The author describes the initial misdiagnosis of a wound, the eventual discovery of diabetes, and the subsequent challenges faced, including managing their diet, the high cost of insulin and medication, and frequent hospitalizations. The author used to take NovoRapid and Lantus insulin but had to stop due to the high cost. They highlight the lack of awareness and government support for diabetes in Zimbabwe, comparing it unfavorably with the attention given to HIV/AIDS and cancer. The article also references data from the South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition about the prevalence and economic impact of diabetes in Zimbabwe.

Harare City Council mayor Jacob Mafume

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The Harare City Council is considering the implementation of a waste management and clean water model introduced by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). This model has been successful in providing clean drinking water and effective waste collection in Mbare and Southlea Park, areas previously known as cholera hotspots. Mayor Jacob Mafume praised the MSF projects for constructing 72 water points and expressed the need for a new water source for Harare's growing population. The city's last dam was built in 1976, and current waterworks are outdated. MSF's project, which began in 2015, has focused on groundwater solutions, waste management, and disease prevention. Recently, three boreholes in Harare were closed due to typhoid contamination but have since been reopened with new chlorinators.

Rape victims struggle to get justice

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The article tells the harrowing stories of two young girls, Shungu Mufudzi and Alice Svumani's daughter, who were raped and impregnated by relatives and a neighbor, respectively. Despite reporting the crimes, justice has not been served, and the perpetrators remain free. The victims have received support from organizations like the Rozaria Memorial Trust and Musasa Project, with backing from the UNFPA. The article highlights the increasing cases of minor abuse in Zimbabwe, with a focus on the ineffectiveness of the police and the government's response to the crisis. Women's Affairs minister Sithembiso Nyoni is quoted on the statistics of rape and domestic violence, emphasizing the severity of the issue.

Interview with COVID-19 Chief Coordinator Agnes Mahomva

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
Vanessa Gonye from NewsDay interviews Agnes Mahomva, the COVID-19 chief coordinator in the President’s Office of Zimbabwe, discussing the country's response to the pandemic since its onset in 2020. Mahomva highlights the 'whole of government and society' approach, strong leadership, and the collaborative efforts in addressing health systems and challenges. She notes Africa's preparedness due to past experiences with outbreaks and a younger population. Despite recent spikes in cases, Mahomva emphasizes the importance of vigilance and vaccination, which has seen over 58% of eligible individuals receiving their first dose. She predicts that COVID-19 will become a manageable disease but stresses the need for continued vigilance and institutionalizing best practices. Funding challenges are acknowledged, with a focus on collaboration across sectors. Mahomva also touches on her previous role with the PMTCT of HIV under the Elizabeth Glasser Paediatric AIDS Foundation.

Kidney patients suffer in silence

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The article tells the personal stories of individuals in Zimbabwe who have been battling kidney disease and undergoing dialysis treatment. Nhamo Save and Vasco Mukunangana share their experiences with the challenges and side effects of dialysis, including financial strain and physical exhaustion. The government hospital, Parirenyatwa, has reduced dialysis fees to make the treatment more affordable. The Ministry of Health and Child Care notes that Zimbabwe sees 1000 new cases of kidney failure annually, with only 700 able to access dialysis, often due to cost. The article also touches on the prognosis for dialysis patients and the importance of managing conditions like diabetes to prevent kidney damage.

Kidney patients suffer in silence

19 Feb 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The article tells the personal stories of individuals in Zimbabwe who have been battling kidney disease and undergoing dialysis treatment. Nhamo Save and Vasco Mukunangana share their experiences with the challenges and side effects of dialysis, including financial strain and physical exhaustion. The government hospital, Parirenyatwa, has reduced dialysis fees to make the treatment more affordable. The Ministry of Health and Child Care notes that Zimbabwe sees 1000 new cases of kidney failure annually, with only 700 able to access dialysis, often due to cost. The article also touches on the prognosis for dialysis patients and the importance of managing conditions like diabetes to prevent kidney damage.

Desperation as doctors’ strike continues

02 Jan 2023  |  The Standard
The article by Vanessa Gonye focuses on the dire situation in Zimbabwe's healthcare system, exemplified by Timothy Kafiramberi's struggle to get medical attention for his son at Parirenyatwa Hospital amidst an ongoing doctors' strike. The doctors have been on strike for over a month, demanding salaries in US dollars and better working conditions. The government's refusal to meet these demands has led to a healthcare crisis, with no doctors available to diagnose or treat patients. The article also mentions the plight of another parent, Simon Katswe, who is unable to afford the US dollars needed for his son's medical tests. The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors’ Association criticizes the Health minister for not addressing the crisis effectively. Efforts by the First Lady to negotiate with the doctors have not yet resulted in a resolution. The article highlights the desperation of patients and their families as the standoff between the government and healthcare professionals continues.

Overview of the health sector in Zimbabwe for 2022

01 Jan 2023  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The article provides an overview of the health sector in Zimbabwe for the year 2022. It discusses the decline in COVID-19 cases and deaths, the lifting of curfews and mask mandates, and the resurgence of measles, which led to more fatalities than COVID-19 in a short period. The government responded with a vaccination program targeting apostolic sects, which was successful in reducing measles cases. The article also covers the launch of a polio vaccination campaign due to cases in neighboring Mozambique, the rise in diabetes cases, and Zimbabwe's achievement in HIV and AIDS management, including hosting an international conference. The health sector faced challenges such as health worker exodus, underfunding, and service disruptions. Despite these issues, there were improvements in health delivery and access to facilities, contributing to better overall health outcomes.

Cholera Outbreak Declared a State of Emergency in Harare

28 Aug 2019  |  NewsDay Zimbabwe
The government has declared a state of emergency in Harare due to a cholera outbreak that has resulted in over 20 deaths and more than 2,000 hospitalizations. A primary school in Glen View has been closed after two students died. The outbreak has spread to other suburbs and regions, including Chitungwiza, Midlands, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Mashonaland Central. Health Minister Obadiah Moyo criticized the Harare City Council for poor sanitation management, which has contributed to the spread of the disease. Measures are being taken to combat the outbreak, including the setup of makeshift clinics and educational drives. The situation in Masvingo is reportedly under control after a single fatality last week.

Zimbabwean Students' Chat Leads to Educational Revolution for Vulnerable Children

01 Nov 2018  |  The Standard
Dionne Sanyanga and Tafadzwa Ngosi, two Zimbabwean students at the University of Cape Town, founded Inspire Tutors, a community-based organization aimed at improving the lives of institutionalized and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. The organization, which began in 2017, provides academic and psychosocial support, advocates for inclusive and quality education, and promotes independence over dependency. Despite challenges such as a lack of volunteerism culture in Zimbabwe and financial constraints, Inspire Tutors has ambitious plans for expansion and seeks recognition for their model as a solution to educational crises. They encourage Zimbabweans to get involved through volunteering, donations, and sponsorship. The article highlights the significant number of orphans in Zimbabwe and the limited capacity of children's homes in Harare.
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