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ISSUE NUMBER 767 VOLUME 2 03 - 09 MAY 2021

Uganda detects Indian variant- raising fears of COVID surge

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Tanzania’s new president plans income tax cut, other economic changes

AFRICAN page 5

COUNTRIES Children in the Wilderness- restarts school feeding FACE HIGH RISK scheme OF COVID-19 RESURGENCE page 10 2 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021

THE AFRICAN STORY

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Head of Design Ame Kolobetso [email protected] African countries face high Distribution & Circulation Mogapi Ketletseng [email protected] Risk of COVID-19 Resurgence Echo is published by YMH Publishing YMH Publishing, Unit 3, Kgale Court, Plot 128, An analysis by the World With more than 4.5 million infections is a real risk in many The pandemic has had GIFP, Gaborone Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed cases and over 120 countries even if the region’s widespread impact across many Postal address: shown that the risk of COVID-19 000 deaths to date, the continent case count in recent weeks sectors, with key health services P O BOX 840, resurgence remains high in has not experienced a surge in appears to be stable,” said in several African countries Gaborone, several African countries due to cases since January and the Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO still reeling from disruptions Botswana Telephone: (267) 3933 805/6. poor adherence to public health epidemic curve has plateaued Regional Director for Africa experienced more than a E-mail: [email protected] measures, mass gatherings, low for six weeks. However, the during a virtual press conference year since the first cases were www.echo.co.bw testing and vaccination rates. relatively low number of cases on Thursday. “Combatting confirmed on the continent. Three countries face very high has encouraged complacency COVID-19 fatigue appears to Of the 40 countries responding DISCLAIMER: risk of COVID-19 resurgence, and there are signs of reduced be the key battle in our collective to a WHO survey conducted Echo Newspaper welcomes concise letters from readers. 20 face high, 22 moderate risk, observance of preventive response to the pandemic.” earlier this year, 95% reported Letters must carry the and only one country faces measures. Most countries in the region disruptions of varying degree. full name and address of low risk, according to the risk Recent political rallies in are experiencing community While the survey shows there the sender. Letters must assessment of 46 countries. countries such as Benin, Cote transmission, yet 31 out of the has been an improvement in conform to the laws of The risk was estimated using d’Ivoire, Guinea and Kenya 46 countries analysed performed service provision, with 41% Botswana and to the Press Council of Botswana’s Code seven indicators with data from caused a spike in new cases. fewer than 10 tests per 10 000 of services disrupted between Of Ethics. Letters will also be the past four weeks, including Upcoming elections in Cabo people per week in the past January and March 2021 edited for length, libel and COVID-19 cases per million Verde, Ethiopia, The Gambia, four weeks. This suggests that compared with 64% in the last language. people; the percentage of change Sao Tome and Principe and the number of cases reported in quarter of 2020, the persistent in new cases; the percentage Zambia could trigger a rise in the past 28 days may not reflect high levels of disruption to of change in new deaths; the cases due to mass gatherings. the true situation as countries health services even after many reproductive number (the rate “We cannot be lulled into continue to target only people countries have eased restrictions at which an infection spreads); a false sense of security. The with symptoms for testing. is concerning. The COVID-19 the pandemic trend; the average devastating surge of cases and A new upsurge of COVID-19 pandemic appears to be having weekly number of tests per 10 deaths in India, and increases in infections is a real risk in many a long-term impact on health 000 people; and the percentage other regions of the world, are countries even if the region’s services. of the population that has clear signs that the pandemic is case count in recent weeks “The pandemic’s shockwaves received at least one vaccine not yet over in African countries. appears to be stable have persisted, but we must dose. A new upsurge of COVID-19 “Most new cases are still not work hard to ensure that they Read more Echo being detected among known do not become intractable and stories on our contacts. Investigation of further weaken health system’s Facebook page by clusters of cases and contact capacity to cope with potential tracing are worryingly low in surges in COVID-19 infections,” scanning the QR most countries in the region,” Dr Moeti said. code below with Dr Moeti said. “We must scale Most countries have your mobile phone up testing including through implemented policies to revamp rapid diagnostic tests to enhance essential services, but more response to the pandemic.” support is needed to enhance Additionally, it is important the welfare of health workers, for countries to step up case restore people’s confidence in finding in areas with widespread seeking health services and community transmission, build stronger safeguards for increase capacity to isolate health system to better cope cases and reorganize the with shocks. health workforce including by redeploying health workers (APO) to the most-affected areas. Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 Road to Zambia Elections 3

not immediately have further information. The spokesperson in the ministry of Health, Emmanuel Ainebyoona told Reuters the country’s coronavirus task- force was to discuss the situation on Friday. So far, Uganda, like many African countries, has experienced a relatively mild COVID-19 outbreak. But concerns it could be vulnerable to contagion from the Indian variant are underscored by its large Indian community and strong relationship between the two countries as India is a major exporter to Uganda. As of Tuesday, Uganda had reported 41,797 infections and 342 deaths, health ministry data showed. On Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention warned India’s intense outbreak was a reminder that Africa must stay vigilant. The head of the health agency John Nkengasong said the African Union will convene a meeting of African health ministers on May 8 to “put everybody on alert”. India reported more than Uganda detects Indian variant- raising 379,000 new coronavirus cases and 3,645 new deaths on Thursday alone. It was the highest fears of COVID surge number of deaths reported in a single day in the world’s second Uganda has detected the Indian of cases just when its outbreak Pontiano Kaleebu, head of the The variant, he said, had most populous country since the variant of the novel coronavirus, has waned. government-run Uganda Virus been detected in recent days start of the pandemic. igniting fears the East African “Yes, we have got one Research Institute (UVRI) told on a Ugandan who had returned nation could suffer a resurgence individual who has that variant,” Reuters on Friday. from a visit to India. He did (Reuters.) 4 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021

African countries commit to double agricultural productivity

-Development banks and partners to markets, and promoting The International Fund for for millions of Africans. By infrastructure and equipment pledge over $17 billion to increase agricultural research and Agricultural Development said modernizing African agriculture, Invest in new businesses to food security development. it aimed to provide an additional small-holder farmers will be in transform agricultural produce A coalition of multilateral The various parties adopted $1.5 billion to support national a better position to bring more to support small producers. development banks and a communiqué outlining these efforts to transform food and affordable food to consumers Create a financing facility for development partners has commitments at the end of the agricultural systems in Africa and create decent livelihoods food security and nutrition in pledged over $17 billion in event. over the next three years. IFAD for millions of young Africans Africa financing to address rising Of the overall amount pledged, will also invest more in creating involved in the processing, The forum communiqué hunger on the African continent, more than $10 billion came the pre-conditions for increased storage and marketing of food.” reflected these action points, and to improve food security. from The African Development agricultural productivity. The The Arab Bank for Economic emphasizing the call for a These funds were pledged on Bank, which said it would invest organization is helping to develop Development in Africa (BADEA), financing facility for food the final day of a two-day high- $1.57 billion on scaling up 10 a growing pipeline of investments committed up to $1.5 billion security in Africa. It was felt level dialogue called Feeding selected priority commodities to restore land, create jobs and over the period 2020-2024 that this would be an appropriate Africa: leadership to scale up over the next five years. This build resilience to climate change in agriculture. The Islamic channel for scaling up climate successful innovations. The will help countries achieve in the Sahel region. This will Development Bank Group said resilience and successful African Development Bank and self-sufficiency. Another $8.83 contribute to the Green Great it would earmark $3.5 billion to agricultural technologies. It the UN’s International Fund for billion will go towards building Wall objectives, and will create develop the agriculture sector will include digital innovations Agricultural Development (IFAD) strong value chains for these 10 million jobs in the region by in Africa in the next three years. to farmers across Africa, and will hosted the event in partnership commodities over the next five 2030. It said these investments will allow countries to better address with the Forum for Agricultural years. This will include programs Let us now create today, develop commodity value chains malnutrition and stunting. Research in Africa (FARA) and to create opportunities for young a stronger partnership: a for both staple food and cash Sub-Saharan Africa has a the CGIAR System Organization people – particularly women. partnership for greater scale; a crops. quarter of the world’s arable on 29 and 30 April. African Development Bank partnership to take technologies In an additional show of land but only produces 10% Seventeen African heads of state President Dr. Akinwumi A. and innovations to hundreds of solidarity, The Bill & Melinda of its agricultural output. The signed on to the commitment to Adesina said: “Let us now create millions of farmers Gates Foundation, joining low productivity of staple crops boost agricultural production by today, a stronger partnership: a IFAD President Gilbert F. a coalition of development makes African agriculture doubling current productivity partnership for greater scale; a Houngbo said: “We praise the partners, declared that it will uncompetitive. As a , the levels through the scaling up partnership to take technologies African leaders’ commitment to invest $652 million in the next continent imports one-third of of agro-technologies. This will and innovations to hundreds of increase agricultural productivity three years. This will support the calories that it consumes. include investing in access millions of farmers.” and improve food security agricultural research and This makes food systems more development initiatives in vulnerable and dependent on Africa. This funding is expected external food supply chains. to empower 300 million farmers The outcomes from this with a host of new innovations. week’s Leaders’ Dialogue will President Macky Sall of Senegal be communicated to the UN summed up interventions Secretary General as Africa’s by African heads of state on commitments towards the Thursday with the following UN Food Systems Summit in seven-point action list: September this year. They will Accelerate agricultural lay the foundation for Africa production by taking to present a unified voice to technologies to scale step up efforts and partnerships Increase investment in research towards reaching the Sustainable and development Development Goals by 2030. Optimize technology Improve business language (APO) in agriculture to open up to the world Support access to markets and the installation of basic Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 Echo Report 5 Tanzania’s new president plans income tax cut, other economic changes

Tanzania’s new President Samia Suluhu Hassan has said that her the government would reduce the income tax rate by 1 percentage point to 8%, in the 2021/22 financial year beginning in July, and also planned to PRESS RELEASE: remove “unfriendly taxes and charges to Tanzanians”. Hassan, who took office in NURTURING BEST BUSINESS PRACTICES AND STANDARDS AMONGST SMMEs March following the death of President John Magufuli, said in a Labour Day speech in the northern Mwanza region that the COVID-19 pandemic had The Local Enterprise Authority (LEA) and Botswana Bureau of Standards (BOBS) have hurt global economic growth, partnered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU); as a commitment to work and that Tanzania’s economy had not been spared. together to contribute towards the growth of local Entrepreneurs and Enterprises. Under this Her remarks were the latest MoU the two entities intend to ensure that Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises in Botswana acknowledgement of the coronavirus, in stark contrast are compliant to the business practices and professional standards in the provision of to the denials of her predecessor Magufuli, who was Africa’s most commodities and services to local and international markets. prominent COVID-19 sceptic. Last month, Hassan announced This joint effort will among others focus on offering appropriate awareness creation amongst she was forming a committee SMMEs to utilize local and international standards, testing, certification, inspection and to research whether Tanzania should follow the course taken equipment calibration to enable them to compete in both domestic, and most importantly by the rest of the world against export markets. the pandemic. “Due to steps I’m planning to take by removing unfriendly The MoU further demonstrates commitment to expose entrepreneurship and business taxes and charges to Tanzanians, management training on standards and quality assurance as well as mentorship programmes tax revenues will decline for a short period and will later to assist entrepreneurs to uptake and adhere to quality standards. increase,” she said on Saturday. The new president has The parties will also facilitate linkages and channel information relating to standards indicated in public remarks since she took office on March 19 implementation to individual SMMEs. that she will also seek to improve the investment climate in the LEA and BOBS have also committed to provide support and facilitate for testing of products country of nearly 60 million for specified parameters for quality assurance and compliance with available standards and people. Under Magufuli, foreign direct investment plunged other industry/sector specific quality associations. Additionally, the two entities will facilitate and investors complained of a resources required for the adoption of Quality and inculcate quality culture amongst SMMEs. difficult business environment. (Reuters.)

6 Business & Finance (SMME’s) Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 LEA Upskills Local Businesses For Growth & Success

an idea into a manufacturing business it is today. LEA handheld Mattie’s Success to source relevant machinery for fabricating high quality braids. The Authority also facilitated for the business to be compliant to local procurement and licensing requirements such as PPADB and trade mark registration.

In addition, LEA trained the Mattie’s Success employees on Records Keeping and Export Awareness to enable them to manage the business well and monitor profitability as well as being export ready and compliant. The business also benefitted from other LEA capacity development initiatives such as business coaching and monitoring services.

Furthermore, LEA facilitated market access and linkages to supply wholesalers, retail stores, salons and individuals. The business participated at various seminars and exhibitions such ARTICLE BROUGHT TO as the trade fairs, flea markets Mattie’s Success is a LEA assisted was a business idea. LEA assisted and road shows to promote their YOU BY LEA enterprise based in Ghanzi. her to develop a business plan products through the support Directed by Ms. Matlhogonolo and access funding to start the of LEA. 72116914 Seadimo, the business project. Through LEA business Currently the business has manufactures hair braids. advisory services, the client has five full time employees. Email: since been afforded targeted [email protected] When Ms. Seadimo registered interventions to advance their Contact Details: with LEA in 2016 what she had business and expand what was

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Empowering the entrepreneur to start and grow their business Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 Echo Report 7

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the local utility provider does not reflect the commodity’s true value or cost. Industry players can take several steps to reduce water usage in their own operations such as reuse, wastewater utilisation, more efficient cooling systems and reducing leakages. Technology enablers such as water efficient equipment, controls and meters can help companies make these changes. The urban population of Africa is expected to triple to 1.34 billion by 2050, placing increased demand for water. The continent is not on track to meet the sustainable development goal (SDG) 6 – securing sustainable water and sanitation for all by 2030. This is due to the inefficiencies in the management of this finite resource. In most Impact of Water scarcity on African nations, water sector legislation and regulation remain unimplemented and there are gaps in the governance Economic growth in Africa structures within the water By Emmanuel Allottey power generation, mining, water consumed to household and quantities of water can either sector. A revision of water policy high technology and pulp and and industry will be highest impede or enable economic is required to ensure water Water plays a crucial role in paper all depend heavily on reflecting the water intensive growth and affects the supply rights, permits and adequate the economy, serving as an water and face a risk if water nature of the agriculture chain of most companies, not tariffs are implemented to ensure input to production and the scarcity is not mitigated. industry. only those for which water is prudent management. basis for sustaining life. The Water consumption can be Irrigated agriculture accounts a primary input or production Water availability in the future African continent is covered by classified into three groups; for an average of 62% of total requirement. will be impacted by population three deserts - the Sahara, the Agriculture, Industry and water demand. African nations Businesses should understand growth, urbanisation and Namib and the Kalahari which Household. The proportion of striving for food security to their reliance on water and climate changes. Collaboration influences the availability of water consumed varies with alleviate poverty need to be develop strategies to transform between stakeholders will water. African economies reliant the activities driving economic aware of the cost of water their business model to support ensure a sustainable supply on industries such as agriculture, growth. In Agriculture driven required to produce food. a water secure future. The water and consumption of water and food and beverage sector, economies, the proportion of Access to appropriate quality tariffs a company gets from ultimately economic growth.

Securing your Home ownership through Insurance

caused by fire, theft or natural Not having a home inventory disasters like flood. The second - this complete list of your area requiring protection is the possessions will be especially contents inside the house. crucial when making claims Contents insurance helps pay for personal belongings in cases to replace or repair your personal of extensive damage. Failure belongings if they’re stolen or to document the damage – damaged by a covered peril. immediate documentation Mortgage protection insurance at the moment the damage is is designed to make sure your discovered through pictures family is financially covered makes claims easier. Failure to when it comes to fulfilling your read and understand what the mortgage obligation to a financial coverages in your policy mean – institution. this can lead to disappointment By Emmanuel Allottey most expensive investment tailored to protection needs The insurance market in Africa where claims are not covered an individual will usually of a homeowner. Financial is the least penetrated in the by the policy. Property ownership is the undertake, and this investment institutions that support home world and the opportunities for Wealth and property most significant measure of requires obligatory protection. ownership through mortgage growth are tremendous. Failing accumulation are on the rise wealth accumulation. The rise Insurance cover is the ensuing lending often have predefined to have insurance to protect in Africa, driven by Financial in middle class population with step in securing and maintaining insurance covers required to your house in the event of a Institutions empowering purchasing power has created a home ownership. secure funding. disaster is the biggest mistake individuals to Save, Borrow, demand for home ownership. Insurance provides financial The biggest threat requiring a homeowner can make. Other Invest and Protect their wealth. Greater collaboration between relief if a covered event damages protection through insurance common mistakes commonly Contact your financial service Governments, Property your home, property or personal is damage to the structure of made include; under-insuring provider and explore your developers and Financial belongings and in some cases the house. Building insurance a home – this is where the options to protect your wealth! institutions have increased the inability to service mortgage specifically covers the building insurance cover received is lower supply of affordable housing. payments. There are different structure of a home against than the cost of reversing the Home ownership is the types of Insurance policies accidental loss or damage damage incurred. Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 9 Echo Report 10 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021

Uganda introduces 12% internet data levy critics say move will stifle online access

Uganda says it has introduced for those connected, according introducing in the financial year education. they have to make sure there’s a 12% tax on internet data, to digital advocacy group the due to start in July to help boost Dorothy Mukasa, chief good internet connectivity for potentially hiking prices for World Wide Web Foundation. revenues and pay a ballooning executive of Unwanted Witness, them to be able to function,” online access in the east African Uganda’s Parliament tweeted public debt. a digital communications rights she said. country where consumers are late on Thursday that lawmakers Many Ugandans have criticised watchdog said the tax measure “But now the same government already paying some of the had passed the ‘Excise Duty the move, saying it will further would make internet in Uganda which is wooing investors is the world’s highest internet costs. (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ which impede access to the internet unaffordable, in addition to it same government hiking cost Data costs in African countries introduced the 12% duty on at a time when the COVID-19 being notoriously slow. of production ... connectivity are high relative to other regions, internet data. pandemic has made online “Internet has become a factor is poor and now the cost is so a fact blamed for slow internet The levy is among a raft of services even more crucial for of production ... for any investor high, how will somebody invest penetration and limited use even new taxes the government is sections of the economy, like to make investment decision and get value for money?” The government of President Yoweri Museveni has already

Uganda’s Parliament tweeted late on Thursday that lawmakers had ‘‘passed the ‘Excise Duty (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ which introduced the 12% duty on internet data.

been criticised for maintaining a ban on access to Facebook, which it cut off in January ahead of elections. Museveni was declared the winner of the Jan. 14 poll, but the United States has said the election was neither free nor fair and has imposed travel sanctions on some officials. (Reuters.) Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 Echo Report 11

interact with both academic and nonacademic audiences. And activists have created online databases to monitor As press freedom continues to Kenyan legislators, track official documents and monitor parliamentary proceedings and struggle in Kenya, alternatives records. Satirists, parodists and cartoonists have not been left behind. They are using digital keep hope alive media outlets to share animations and cartoons that keep leaders accountable. They also encourage citizens to participate in issues of governance. And environmental and civil society organisations are using the global reach of websites to promote green energy locally. Many of these voices do not aspire to be as objective as the traditional press. They often have an agenda. Some of their agendas include fighting impunity or corruption, exposing injustice against the poor and marginalised, promoting deeper citizen engagement in governance, and creating political understanding. Despite being unapologetically agenda-driven, they are dismantling the notion of the traditional mass media – television, newspapers, and radio – as the primary or only As we mark World Press These assaults on press freedom This has opened up space for Even though Kenya ranked sources of information that is Freedom Day 2021, let us occurred within the COVID-19 other media workers to report 102 out of 180 countries on the in the public good. remember that 2020 was terrible pandemic, which compounded the news and create content. World Press Freedom Index, The newer voices may not be for the press in many parts of existing problems. In Kenya, There is an emerging group of there has been an emergence included in journalism ranking the world. the first COVID-19 case was citizens, activists, experts, and of voices in the digital space lists but they also face their Two ranking measures – the announced in March 2020. Since independent journalists who who are speaking truth to own particular challenges to World Press Freedom Index 2021 then about 600 journalists have have become an alternative power without many of the their freedoms of speech and and African Media Barometer been retrenched. Many have source of credible, useful documented constraints faced expression. publications – indicate that endured pay cuts, and others information. by mainstream journalists. Their voices and views are journalists globally continued long delays in salary payment. This year’s World Press Freedom However, audiences take stifled or limited through to face multiple challenges. A September 2020 report Day theme – Information as on the burden of assessing legislation, disinformation and These included intimidation, published by Article 19, a human a Public Good – provides an the credibility of information censorship campaigns, internet physical or online harassment, rights organisation that promotes opportunity to appreciate this that does not necessarily go shutdowns, new tax regimes, and surveillance, disappearance, freedom of expression, indicated wider range of voices. through traditional verification content and revenue-generation threats, arbitrary arrests, that at least 48 journalists had processes. restrictions from social media assaults, and lack of access to been attacked or restrained from Digital technologies have Pundits are airing talk shows companies. public facilities, authorities or doing their work during the provided relatively cheap and on YouTube to analyse and dissect Thus, despite the emergence of data. pandemic. accessible platforms which the political landscape without new voices in the digital space, Reporters Without Borders The various reports and citizens and activists have used limiting themselves to strictly Kenya is nowhere near an ideal reported that 50 journalists from rankings measure the degree of to share ideas and to present government or official sources. situation when it comes to press around the world died in the freedom available to traditional the views and perspectives Activists are using social media freedom. course of duty. Their deaths were journalists working in established of marginalised or non-elite to fight Kenya’s inefficient Generally, the mainstream linked to investigative stories media outlets. They show that communities. These platforms electricity provider. press should be able to operate about corruption, misuse of mainstream media houses include WhatsApp, YouTube, Academics are taking independently, sustain itself public funds, organised crime, have been hardest hit by these Instagram, Facebook, Twitter advantage of new media financially, and share information and the coverage of protests. challenges. and blogging websites. platforms to teach, debate and for the service of society. Its normative role – widely espoused as being to serve the public good - is often interfered with by heavy-handed political and economic systems that limit the independence of media houses and individual journalists. That is a disservice to the citizens. The rankings help to show the range of challenges that deny Kenyans quality and untainted information from the traditional gatherers and sharers of news. But the alternative voices also give hope that no matter what tactics are used to muzzle, restrict, limit or censor information, trustworthy information that serves the public good can still find its way to those who matter most: the citizens. (TheConversation.) 12 Conservation Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021

Why renewable energy won’t end energy poverty in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe is one of the African researchers, it’s a given that policy makers and implementers for significant exports. replicate the energy inequalities countries that hopes renewable renewable energy technologies have highlighted some aspects The influx of cheap and that served the powerful and energy technologies will help to are the answer. They could meet of energy poverty rather than poor-quality Chinese goods to ignored the economically weak. address their energy problems. Zimbabwe’s growing energy others. This has led to renewable Zimbabwe hasn’t helped. These Renewable energy technologies About 42% of Zimbabwe’s demand and achieve universal energy being touted as an include electrical equipment would work if, somehow, they households are connected to access sustainably. At face value antidote to energy poverty. such as solar panels. did more for the poor than for the electricity grid. this is appealing – but the devil From the data, the following Energy as a tool of accumulation: the powerful. But in reality, the The country has huge and is in the details. political and economic factors For China, energy poverty in opposite is true. diverse renewable energy Research found that they’re emerged. They explain why Zimbabwe is an opportunity First, the private partners potential. Its sustainable energy only one piece of the puzzle renewable energy isn’t a magic for its economic growth. The (independent power producers) portfolio could include solar, and other pieces are habitually bullet for energy poverty: unequal distribution of economic aren’t ordinary citizens, but hydro, biomass and, to a limited missing. No matter how The politics of energy and power keeps Zimbabwe energy the economically powerful and extent, wind and geothermal. well designed and efficient technological dependency: poor. Accumulation is happening politically connected. Zimbabwe put forward a National technologies are, their at one pole and energy poverty Second, the flawed nature of Renewable Energy Policy in 2019. effectiveness is linked to the China has become a source of at another. To illustrate this, the tendering system cannot The policy aims to have 16.5% country’s political economy. finance for large-scale energy consider a poor rural household: be overstated. It’s normally of the total generation capacity Socio-economic and political projects in Zimbabwe. This is would it risk investing in a solar associated with corruption and (excluding large hydro) from factors keep conventional energy true for both coal-based and panel and a battery knowing that political interference. renewable sources by 2025. This out of reach of the poor. My renewable energy generation. the equipment might be of poor In a bid to address the concerns increases to 26.5% by 2030. study shows that they can do What’s seldom acknowledged quality? This isn’t only true for of investors and developers, These are among the goals it the same with renewable energy. is the skewed nature of this households, but also countries. renewable energy projects are has presented to the United These factors may even worsen relationship. China has global Because most renewable energy exempted from customs and Nations Framework Convention inequality. Adding renewable dominance in renewable energy technological resources and general excise regulations. This on Climate Change and they are energy technologies into the technologies. For example, the expertise are concentrated in is guided by legislation such as promoted in its climate policy. existing energy sector structures Chinese solar PV cell and module China, they would need to be the Value Added Tax Act and its For policy makers, non- is like pouring new wine into makers quickly dominated global transferred from this region regulations. For the investors governmental organisations, old wine skins. sales. And the country’s wind of technological dominance to and developers, the goal is to the private sector and some The research analysed how turbine producers are poised Zimbabwe. This makes Zimbabwe increase supply – and for them to more technologically dependent. benefit in the process – despite It’s a vicious cycle where the the socio-economic problems powerful country invests in these and inequalities this generates. technologies, sells the product in Renewable energy technologies the name of addressing energy are politics by other means. The poverty, ploughs the profit back way forward lies in challenging in as new investment, and begins the political and economic accumulation once more. fundamentals of this technology. This is made possible by Renewable energy technologies accumulation’s close relative: are not a wholly independent public-private partnerships. For variable in the development example, the National Renewable process – they depend on socio- Energy Policy promotes public- economic and political relations. private partnership and private If those aren’t addressed, participation through tendering universal energy access through for off-grid technologies. When renewable energy technologies the interests of the private will remain a dream. sector are put at the heart of infrastructure planning, public- (TheConversation.) private partnerships are likely to Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 13 Travel with the devastating economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 4 191 food hampers have been handed over to date, positively impacting 17 000 community members. The hampers contain essential food items including maize meal, rice, peanut butter, sugar beans, salt, cooking oil, and soya chunks and will help to alleviate the pressure placed on household breadwinners, while providing much-needed sustenance to their dependants. The latest round of donations, which took place in March, saw 506 hampers donated in Zimbabwe and 60 in Zambia. “With tourism being the predominant source of income in these villages, the challenges brought about by the pandemic have been particularly difficult, and have motivated us to raise crucial funds to help particularly vulnerable families,” notes Sue. In another CITW initiative to further ensure food security, community members have also planted donated sorghum and millet seed at all the community and school gardens, which will make a significant difference to the school children’s and teachers’ lunch time meals. The early preparation of the gardens, worm beds and fertility trenches by the dedicated community members, coupled with the good rainfall received this year, promises to ensure a successful crop. Additionally, CITW has been Children in the Wilderness- Zimbabwe providing hygiene products as well as educational assistance in the form of student allowances restarts school feeding scheme since the onset of the pandemic. While Eco-Clubs and other After a one-year hiatus due Safaris’ non-profit partner, has a nutritious start to the day. “We are so pleased that school projects have had to to the COVID-19 pandemic, has provided two tonnes of Deliveries of the porridge schools have now returned, wait for the resumption of Zimbabwean schools are open nourishing porridge to primary took place between the 30th and the children can get back schools, CITW has continued again, and Children in the schools in Matabeleland North of March and the 7th of April, to learning again. Furthermore, driving various other important Wilderness (CITW), Wilderness province, ensuring each child at St Mary’s, Dinde, Jabulani, the importance of food cannot empowerment initiatives during and Lesedi primary schools, be underestimated, as it is this time, such as the worm situated between Victoria Falls impossible to learn anything on beds and fertility trenches. A and Wilderness Safaris’ camps in an empty stomach. The porridge community meeting hall was also Hwange National Park, resulting makes such a difference to the completed in Jabulani, providing in 2 000 primary school children children, helping them through shelter for income-generating receiving an essential energy- the school day, and also easing groups to gather and work on packed breakfast for the next some of the pressure on the their projects, and to display few weeks. The instant porridge, parents. We are so grateful to the and sell their products, once Mighty Meal, is made from 100% Grand Circle Foundation who tourism resumes. Zimbabwean-grown ingredients provided the funding”, explains “As the future of our continent including white sorghum, Sue Goatley, Children in the is in the hands of these young nyimo beans (bambara nuts), Wilderness Zambezi Programme children, CITW’s efforts to groundnuts and baobab fruit Co-ordinator. support them, the communities powder, and simply requires The porridge donation follows themselves, the schools and hot water to prepare. the 170 tonnes of food distributed other learners in the Zambezi by Wilderness Safaris and region is as steadfast as ever, CITW between August 2020 and we will continue to provide and March 2021 to some of the much-needed relief and a most vulnerable families in the glimmer of hope during these Zambezi region, still struggling turbulent times,” Sue said.. 14 Echo Report Echo Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 CLASSIFIED ADS Call 3933805/6 To Advertise.

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led to the departure of their Swiss coach Rene Weiler and the hiring of Mosimane, who just weeks after his arrival saw Ahly to last season’s title when the competition was belatedly completed in October and November. The quarter-final draw for the continent’s secondary competition, the African Confederation Cup, was also conducted on Friday. African Champions League quarter- final draw: Al Ahly (Egypt) v Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) Mouloudia Alger (Algeria) v Wydad Casablanca (Morocco) Chabab Belouizdad (Algeria) v Esperance (Tunisia) Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa) v Simba (Tanzania) African Confederation Cup quarter- final draw: CS Sfaxien (Tunisia) v JS Kabylie (Algeria) Orlando Pirates (South Africa) v Raja Casablanca (Morocco) Pyramids Al Ahly to meet Sundowns in (Egypt) v Enyimba (Nigeria) Coton Sport (Cameroon) v Diaraf Dakar (Senegal) Teams mentioned first play at Champions League last eight again home in the first leg. Quarter- final ties will be played on May 14-15 and May 21-22. The semi- Record African Champions Ahly, against his former club in Mosimane led Sundowns expense of the Egyptians but finals are set for June 18-19 and League winners Al Ahly will an already-tense rivalry to 2016 Champions League then lost in the semis. June 25-26. The Confederation face South Africa’s Mamelodi South African Mosimane left success and in 2019 was at the Last season Ahly gained a Cup final will be on July 10 and Sundowns in the quarter-finals Sundowns in September to join helm when the Pretoria club measure of revenge by beating the Champions League final on for a third successive season the Cairo giants, whose nine handed Al Ahly their heaviest Sundowns 3-1 on aggregate, July 17. The venues for the finals after the draw was made in Champions League triumphs defeat in more than 80 years, as again in the last eight, just have yet to be determined by Cairo on Friday. are more than all the titles they beat them 5-0 in the first before the outbreak of the the Confederation of African The clash also pits Pitso of the other quarter-finalists leg of their quarter-final tie. COVID-19 pandemic. Football. Mosimane, the coach of holders together. Sundowns advanced at the The hiatus that followed (Reuters.)

elevated from his usual number three position to open due to an injury to Prince Masvaure who did not bat in the second innings. Hasan’s ability to get reverse swing on the slow surface helped him rip through the Zimbabwe middle and lower order, and he was ably supported by left-arm spinner Nauman Ali (2-27). Fawad’s 140 from 204 balls included 20 fours, before he was the last man out chasing quick runs to boost his side’s total. He became the fourth for seamer Blessing Muzarabani (4-73) after a bottom edge that well taken by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva. Seamer Donald Tiripano completed figures of 3-89. Fawad, who takes a bizarre front-on stance at the crease, has now scored a on all four occasions he has passed 50 in test . Openers Imran Butt (91) and Abid Ali (60) also scored fifties for the touring side. “Getting bowled out in two Pakistan crush Zimbabwe sessions on day one let us down, and to then field for 130 overs put us behind the eight ball. We Seamer Hasan Ali took nine as he took a career-best tourists into a commanding outstanding finish by Hasan.” need to work on our batting as wickets in the match as Pakistan 5-36 to help bowl Zimbabwe position. Tarisai Musakanda top- a group,” Zimbabwe stand-in defeated hosts Zimbabwe by out for 134. He recorded figures “We had planned to put 300- scored in Zimbabwe’s second skipper said. an innings and 116 runs after of 4-53 during the home side’s plus on the board (as a lead), innings with a career-best 43 The second and final test will tea on the third day of the first first-innings score of 176. and then bowl them out for before he was needlessly run be played at the same venue test at the Sports Club Pakistan posted 426 in reply, 150-200,” Pakistan out chasing a suicidal third run. from Friday. on Saturday. anchored by Fawad Alam’s Babar Azam said in the post- It was a wasted opportunity Hasan moved past 50 test superb 140 which put the match presentation. “It was an for the batsman who had been (Reuters.) THE AFRICAN STORY

SportEcho Newspaper 03 May - 09 May 2021 Total CAF CC Draw - What they said

Following the 20202-21 the semifinals. There are no easy beat them at home. Last season then we will think of the next Total CAF Confederation Cup of difficult teams, all the teams “Coton Sport is a good team they reached the CL semifinal step. We will play at home first knockout stages draw, some of that qualified are strong. Sfaxien from a country that’s a great and a year before they won the then away and that’s not easy the team’s coaches shared their is a team with great experience football nation and we respect CC. They have lot of experience for us, but we have to focus views on how they see the draw. in this tournament and we them well. Cameroon is near to and some very good players. It’s on the home leg first. In this respect them well. Our target us and that’s a good point. We a very big and difficult game for tournament there are many Dennis Lavagne (Coach, JS is to go as far as possible in the will prepare for the match in the us, but in football everything big teams and it’s always not Kabylie) competition. At the beginning best way. We qualified from a is possible. We have to focus easy but we are happy to play our target was the group stage, tough group that contained two before the game and analyze at this level, and we will fight then the quarterfinals and now Tunisian sides and a team from our opponents. We are also a till the end. we want to go the semifinal.” Burkina Faso. We had a very good group stage campaign, The draw is good, and we Cheikh Gueye (Coach, Jaraaf) and our team gets better with respect all the teams. We don’t every match. Now we are in have a choice because at the the quarterfinals and we want quarterfinals all the opponents to reach the semifinals. We are strong. Our ambition this take every match at time and year is to go as far as possible for our target now is to reach the our club, and we will prepare semifinal.” very well for the coming quarterfinal games. Jaraaf is a Joseph Zinnbauer (Coach, very good team, and we know Orlando Pirates) this is not going to be easy. But “We know our opponent well. we will do our best to reach the All the teams in the quarterfinal “We will face one of the biggest semifinals. The tournament are strong. The match will be clubs in Africa, which is Raja. big team with big supporters, starts now.” played on the pitch. We will play They are a big club with big and we will do our best. Now to win against Sfaxien and reach supporters, and it’s tough to we think about Raja first, and (Cafonline.)--