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Jan - April 2021 ZOU aligns Strategic Plan Editors' Note

I am delighted to present to you this exciting January - April to NDS1 2021 -2023 2021 edition of MyZOUnews. In this issue, we share the various activities and on-going issues within the University Community, the ZOU Family.

A new season is upon us and it is a great time to re-energise ourselves for the challenges ahead. Let us accomplish our goals and objectives. Let's get to work!

Colleagues, our year started on a somber note, as we lost two staff members, Mr Ishamel Vingirayi and Mr Augustine Kudakwashe Mubika. May their departed souls rest in eternal Screen shots of the virtual strategic plan workshop in progress peace.

he University's senior members of Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC). Coming back home, colleagues, lets continue to help in staff, administrators and The workshop facilitator articulated the flattening the COVID-19 pandemic curve through protective stakeholders held a Virtual provisions of NDS1 and how the practices, so as to protect ourselves and others from this T infectious disease. You can protect yourself and others by Strategic Planning Workshop aimed at University's Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 washing your hands frequently with alcohol-based hand rub or aligning the University's blueprint with could fit NDS1 particularly Chapter 8. soap with running water, covering your nose and mouth when the National Development Strategy 1 Chapter 8 of NDS1 speaks of how Human coughing and sneezing with tissue or flexed elbow, avoiding (NDS1) 2021- 2025. The two-day Capital Development and Innovation close contact with anyone with cold or flue-like symptoms, workshop, which ran from 10 – 11 mirrored the primary mandate of the keeping a social distance of one metre and avoiding touching February 2021, was officially opened by University. your face. the Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul #Protect yourself and protect others, stay safe. Henry Gundani. The workshop resolved that the University should contribute to national Till the next communique… n his welcome remarks, the Vice development in the following areas: Chancellor highlighted that the 1. National Priorities Stewart Mwandiwanza University's Strategic Plan 2019 – i. Human Capital Development A/Director Information and Public Relations I Tel: +263-242 793003/7/8. 2023 was not 'business as usual' but a and Innovations practical plan as ZOU was poised to meet ii. Governance [email protected] the NDS1 stated objectives by 2025. 2. National Key Result Areas Kindly share your success stories from your Unit so that we i. Innovation and knowledge- share with the rest of the University stakeholders in future “ZOU welcomes the NDS1 initiatives that driven economy publications. collectively point to a transformative and ii. Public service delivery inclusive development agenda... 3. National Outcomes Send your contributions to [email protected] or Fundamentally realigning the ZOU i. Specialised workforce [email protected]. Let your success stories inspire others! Thank you all who have contributed in the past, you have Strategic Plan 2019 – 2023 with the ii. Increased innovation for made this and earlier editions captivating! NDS1 would revitalise the University's industrialisation focus on delivery of quality service to iii. improved access and utilisation Remember, Stay in touch! satisfy the needs of its clients and of advanced knowledge and stakeholders…. An NDS1 accountability technologies Staff Writer: measuring tool, Monitoring and 4. Sectoral Outcomes T. Kurwa, A/Information Officer Tel: +263-24-2793003/7/8 Ext 239 Evaluation, will be used to track progress i. Improved access to quality, [email protected] towards goals, desired outcomes and equitable and inclusive You may follow us on Facebook, youtube, Instagram, Twitter. outputs within various Units and education Departments using a robust Integrated ii. I m p r o v e d u p t a k e a n d Results Based Management (IRBM) application of STEM/STEAM system.” he said subjects BECAUSE WE CARE iii. improved availability of CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION The workshop was facilitated by Mr. specialised skills for industry, Leonard Mwaita, from the commerce, and public sector. Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM), on behalf of the Continue on page 2

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ZOU commemorates

from page 1 International Mother Tongue Day On Sunday, the 21st of February 2021, the status as the linguistic tool of Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), administration. ZOU aligns Department of Languages and Literature in the Faculty of Arts, Culture and Heritage Mrs Madongonda zeroed in on the Studies, joined the rest of the world in persisting negative attitudes towards Strategic commemorating International Mother mother tongue and their effects on society; Tongue Day. The theme for the year 2021 and why people continue to shun and was “Fostering Multilingualism for denigrate their mother tongue forty years Plan Inclusion in Education and Society.” ZOU after Zimbabwe gained independence. In focussed on two topics, “Fostering Pride in this light, she interrogated why indigenous the use of Mother languages to Promote languages are still viewed negatively, Unity and Nation Building” and “The Role of associated with labels and stereotypes to NDS1 National Languages in the Modern Era in such as backwardness, typical of strong Enhancing Socio-economic and Political rural background (SRB), as opposed to Development in Zimbabwe, Southern being “musalad” associated with English 2021 -202 African Development Community and language proficiency, affluence and Africa”. Different presenters from the prestige. In that regard, she cited the Department contributed towards the education sector as being at the core of In his concluding remarks, Professor mentioned themes. The institution either eradicating or reinforcing the Gundani, said that he was delighted by the participated and contributed radio content stereotypes. robust engagement from all stakeholders. on Power FM Zimbabwe, which was He encouraged stakeholders to seriously broadcast on the day, with recordings done Prof Chirimuuta focused on the positive implement the strategies outlined therein by the following presenters from the afore- effects of promoting the mother tongue in a mentioned Faculty: society. She unpacked the term mother and embrace a new work ethic based on tongue as “that kind of language one excellence, integrity, accountability, ! P r o f e s s o r E n n a S u k u t a i comes into contact with at the point of innovation, teamwork and customer focus. Gudhlanga inception, the language of mutual ! Mrs Angeline Mavis Madongonda relationships, the language of life.” She “It goes without saying that corruption, ! Professor Chipo Chirimuuta underscored that where society fails to lethargy, red tape and incompetence are not ! Dr Nhlanhla Sibanda recognise mother languages, disharmony, ! Mr Peter Makwanya also conflict and insecurity are the resultant tolerated and real or imagined silos would be contributed an article on outcomes. dismantled…. My plea, colleagues, is for us “International Mother-Tongue all to put our shoulders to the wheel and Day in the context of climate Dr Sibanda explored the role of national deliver an Education 5.0 University. An change” that was published in the languages in the modern era in enhancing African proverb says, 'if you want to go fast NewsDay of 22 February 2021. socio-economic and political development. go alone, but if you want to go far go He underscored the role of mother tongue Prof Gudhlanga's presentation gave and its significance in national together'. Let us work as a TEAM to achieve background information on the colonial d e v e l o p m e n t a n d i m p l o r e d t h e more. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, let and post-colonial language policies. The development practitioners to closely us not lower our guard, rather let us continue presentation exposed the reasons behind consider the use of mother tongue in to mask up, sanitise and practise social the shunning of indigenous languages, fostering community participation and distance.” with English being accorded a prestigious ownership of projects. Referring to Continue on page 3

1st Semester 2021 INTAKE APPLY NOW

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2020 - 2021 SRC Inducted from page 2 The 2020 – 2021 National Student the expiry of the previous council's ZOU Executive Council held an term of office. induction workshop from 3 - 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 0 a t t h e Professor Chakuchichi charged the commemorates Management Training Bureau in newly elected SRC to run activities of Msasa. The induction marked the the student Council in a transparent International commencement of duty by the new manner in line with best practices and SRC. to desist from unethical conduct. Mother The Dean of Students, Professor “The positions you have assumed David Chakuchichi took the SRC make you servants of your t h r o u g h t h e i r r o l e s a n d constituency, the student. Serve Tongue Day responsibilities in order to ensure a them well,” said Professor seamless term of office. The new 11- Chakuchichi. member SRC is under the leadership scholars such as Frantz Fanon who argued that “to of Moses Sibanda, from Manicaland In response, SRC President, Moses speak a language is to take on a world and culture”, Dr Regional Campus. Sibanda assured the University's Sibanda showed how one's mother tongue is tied to Management that the SRC members their culture and vice versa. Drawing from Ndebele The induction of the new student would ensure a harmonious working mother tongue, he also discussed how values leadership board follows their relationship with the University associated with peaceful coexistence in the families successful bid for office in elections M a n a g e m e n t a n d a l l o t h e r and nation at large could be fostered through proverbs held to choose new members of the stakeholders. and idiomatic expressions drawn from one's mother Student Representative Council after tongue.

It was pleasing to note that some of students from ZOU tuned to Power FM and followed the presentations. One of them, Tineyi Nyoni from Province had this to say, “Greetings Prof, was so excited to listen to your presentation on Power FM as we celebrate International Mother Tongue Day.”

ZOU extends its appreciation to the Executive Producer Current Affairs and Outreach, Hazvinei Sakarombe, at Power FM Zimbabwe for facilitating the community engagement of this magnitude. In appreciation of the perceived long-lasting community engagement, partnership and contribution by the Department on behalf of the University, the Acting Power FM Station Manager, Thabani Patience Gambiza, had this to say.

“On behalf of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (Power FM Zimbabwe) I would like to extend my Members of the 2020/2021 SRC pose for a photo with the Dean of sincere gratitude to ZOU for assisting in content for our Students, Professor David Chakuchichi (left), and members of the station on the day. May this be a long-lasting Student Services Unit at the Induction workshop. partnership between both parties as we both appreciate our Zimbabwean arts, culture and heritage The full list of the new SRC members is as follows; through Radio Broadcasting. Thank you to ZOU once again.”

BECAUSE WE CARE CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION

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HEALTH AND WELLNESS The Zimbabwe Open University has !· Continued to provide online defines one's mental state. To help us moved a gear up in its efforts to ensure support to students. maintain one's mental health, here are the safety and wellbeing of staff and !· P o s t p o n e d w r i t i n g o f some tips: students through acquiring a examinations to allow putting in · Eat healthy, if possible, stick to sanitising booth at the entrance of structures to prevent spread of your routine eating schedule and C o r n e r H o u s e . T h e m o v e infection among staff and ensure you eat a well-balanced complements national efforts in students. diet. Eat a variety of food, flattening the COVID-19 pandemic as !· Examinations undertaken using including fruits and vegetables. the sanitising booth is self-dispensing, COVID 19 WHO guidelines Poor diet may cause mood thus breaking the infection chain in swings and lethargy. Make sure line with WHO Covid-19 guidelines. Mental Health and Wellbeing during there is enough calories. COVID-19 · Drink plenty of water, at least two litres a day. Water has an added Other efforts by the University to fight Mental health is as important as the benefit of washing away all the pandemic physical health. Several theorists have toxins in your body, reducing attempted to define the concept of mental chances of getting constipation !· Established a National Health health. Maslow emphasised an and improving blood viscosity and Wellness Committee to individual's motivation in the quest for self- thereby reducing incidences of assist with the implementation of actualisation. He identified a hierarchy of blood clots. plan of action. Existing Health needs with the lower ones requiring · Exercise regularly in your and Wellness committees in the fulfilment before those at higher level. backyard with bodyweight Regional campuses have been Maslow described self-actualisation as movements or go for a walk or mandated to take active roles in being psychologically healthy, highly jog or workout with a jump rope. COVID-19 mitigations. The evolved and fully mature (Maslow, 1970). Exercise can make one feel National Health and Wellness WHO defines mental health as the state of happier and this is attributed to committee will also make wellbeing in which every individual the release of endorphins. recommendations on SOPs and realises his or her own potential, can cope · Engage in activities that protocols that need to be with the normal stresses of life, can work enhance intellectual and implemented in conjunction with productively and fruitfully and is able to cognitive stimulation, for Deans and Heads of Unit and make a contribution to his or her example playing chess, tsoro or other relevant stakeholders. The community. For the purpose of this text, computer games. committee is led by the Dean and in line with the framework of stress/ · Reach out to others through Faculty of Science. The adaptation, Townsend (2009)'s definition social groups to avoid feeling committee is taking advice from is adopted where mental health is viewed lonely. t h e H e a l t h S c i e n c e s as successful adaptation to stressors both Department. The committee can from internal and external environment These tips are not comprehensive, be reached on 0775 108 581 which are evidenced by thoughts, feelings neither are they conclusive. If you think !· Disinfected all university and behaviours that are age appropriate you need someone to talk to call the ZOU facilities prior to opening the and congruent with the local and cultural Call Centre on +263 242 793003 or toll campus and there is regular norms (Robert, 1983). Anxiety, fear of the free number 08677311311 or seek disinfection of all university unknown and uncertain future are some of medical help from your doctor. premises. the stressors that people are experiencing !· Staggered staff working during this pandemic. While having a flue Click the following link for more schedules to maintain the has been an everyday phenomenon, this information on mental health from WHO: recommended social distancing has been a nightmare because one is not https://www.who.int/campaigns/connecti in the offices sure whether they have contracted n g - t h e - w o r l d - t o - c o m b a t - !· L a u n c h e d a C o v i d - 1 9 COVID-19 or not. We all have coronavirus/healthyathome/healthyatho dashboard experienced these emotional issues at m e - - - m e n t a l - !· Provided face masks, hand some time during the prolonged health?gclid=Cj0KCQjwirz3BRD_ARIsAI sanitiser and temperature lockdown. And the degree to which we m f 7 L O x r n Y 1 g y 7 L d 1 w y O c N 4 1 8 z - checks at all campuses have been able to adapt to these changes DHDBrCxoHbZsqLdweOgjPYosEbN1Re

Picture collage: 1) Staff member entering the sanitising booth, 2) Staff member washing hands, 3) Staff member inside the booth, 4) Staff member on the way out

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In Remembrance

The Late Ishamel Vingirayi The Late Augustine Kudakwashe Mubika

The ZOU family was saddened by the loss of Mr Ishamel Vingirayi and Mr Augustine Kudakwashe Mubika. Both members of staff passed on after a short illness.

The late Mr Ishamel Vingirayi passed away on 13 January 2021 and at the time of his death, he was the Regional Campus Programme Coordinator, Marketing Department. He joined ZOU on 1 June 1994, when it was still the distance college of education as an Administrative Assistant. He later moved to Chinhoyi University of Technology as the Assistant Registrar, Student Records Management. He returned to ZOU as the Senior Assistant Registrar, Records and Registration Officer until 2010 when he was promoted to become a Marketing Officer, a position he served until 2017. In the same, year he moved to the Academic side to become a Regional Programme Coordinator within the Marketing Department, the post he held at the time of his untimely death. In between, he acted in various capacities within ZOU.

The late Mr Kudakwashe Mubika passed away on 23 February 2021. He was the Regional Programme Coordinator, Education. He joined ZOU as a temporary full time lecturer in the then Faculty of Arts and Education in 2001 and became a full time lecturer in 2004. He was appointed senior lecturer in July 2012 and retired in 2017. He was appointed a lecturer on post-retirement basis from 2018 and remained in that position until his death. Mr Mubika was a legend of the struggle for black liberation, workers' rights, social justice and academic excellence.

These committed, ever cheerful and easy going cadres would be remembered for their immense contribution to the ODeL cause.

May their souls rest in eternal peace.

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