Tobacco farmers have demanded that the reafforestation programme should be expedited amid indications that only 4 500 hectares of gum trees have been planted since collection of the levy started in 2015.
The current sluggish reforestation efforts may make Zimbabwe’s tobacco less appealing on global markets that now favour products produced using sustainable methods.
As reported by <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/tobacco-farmers-demand-answers-on-us46m-afforestation-levy/">The Herald</a>, Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) chief executive officer Rodney Ambrose said currently, 70 per cent of the tobacco produced in the country is cured using wood. He said:
<blockquote>
It’s now almost 10 years since TIMB started collecting an afforestation tax of 0.75 per cent from growers with over US$40 million collected and very few afforestation programmes taking place.
Afforestation programmes are critical to the sustainability of Zimbabwe’s tobacco production and markets, as close to 70 per cent of the crop is cured using wood.
</blockquote>
In the 2015 national budget, the Government re-introduced the tobacco levy on tobacco growers at a rate of US$0.015 per dollar of the selling price.
The funds generated from the levy are meant for financing re-forestation activities.
In the 2016 national budget, the tobacco levy was slashed by half to 0.75 per cent due to El Nino and has remained on that level until now.
Calculation of statistics from TIMB shows that over US$46 million has been collected since 2015.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Tobacco Farmers Want Afforestation Programme To Be Expedited

Parents and guardians have been urged to openly discuss career choices with their children rather than choosing career paths for them.
The call was made by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) board chairperson, Raymond Mawerera while speaking at a prize-giving day at Lady Ereneta International High School.
Mawerera advised learners to consider a career in the tourism sector such as tourism management, hospitality, transport, and food and beverages. <a href="https://www.hmetro.co.zw/let-your-kids-decide-career-paths-parents-urged/">He said</a>:
<blockquote>
I am sure parents have heard the stories of children who pursued academic careers that their parents, but not themselves, wanted.
An uninspiring story that keeps doing the rounds is about a young man who spent seven years at medical school and, soon after his graduation party, he handed over his certificate to his father and said “dad, here is your degree, now I am going to do what I want” and proceeded to join a music band.
I do not want to be misunderstood. I am not saying do not get involved in your child’s career choice, but I am only urging us, as parents, to create an atmosphere in our homes in which we can sit down with our sons and daughters and discuss openly where they want their lives to go.
Our children are products of what they learn and experience and this is mostly at home and at school, where they spend the bulk of their time.
</blockquote>
Choosing a career can be a challenging and overwhelming process but life coaches generally agree that it is crucial for one to assess their interests, skills, values, and personality before making a choice.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Parents Urged To Allow Kids To Decide Career Paths

The 2023 edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, which is Zimbabwe’s premier international tourism showcase, is set to take place from 12 to 14 October in Bulawayo.
The annual event brings together key players and stakeholders in the global tourism industry, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and showcasing the best of Zimbabwe’s rich tourism potential.
Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is organised by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.
ZTA’s Chief Executive Officer, Winnie Muchanyuka expressed her excitement about the upcoming event, saying:
<blockquote>
The 2023 edition of Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism will beam the light on tourism and place the entire travel and tourism on center stage.
We look forward to showcasing the beauty, heritage, and hospitality of our country, and promoting Zimbabwe as an irresistible destination for travellers looking to experience authentic African tourism.
… An exciting array of activities awaits participants. These will include business-to-business meetings for industry players and buyers.
A Tourism investment forum will be held to showcase opportunities that are available to potential tourism sector investors.
The aviation sector will also converge to talk about various issues affecting the aviation sector.
A career guidance session will be held for the upcoming tourism leaders.
Buyers will take up the usual destination site visits in the different locations across the destination to get an understanding of the country’s incredible tourist attractions.
</blockquote>
Muchanyuka urged upcoming tourism players who have difficulties in accessing the market to come and register as exhibitors at the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo.
Registration for the 2023 edition of the Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo is now open and can be completed online.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Sanganai Hlanganani World Tourism Expo 2023 Set For October

Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZTA) secretary-general Goodwill Taderera said that the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council (ZIMSEC) 2022 Ordinary Level examinations should be rewritten to preserve the credibility of the examinations.
ZIMSEC told Parliament last year that about 590 suspects were caught cheating while sitting for November 2022 Ordinary and Advanced Level final examinations.
Speaking to NewsDay, Taderera said ZIMSEC should arrange for the examinations to be rewritten in order to address the widespread leakage. Said Taderera:
<blockquote>
Everything is falling apart now. We have always red-flagged the ZIMSEC malpractices.
It has actually been going on for years. We have heard learners doing 20 subjects with flying colours and we have been suspicious.
Now this year, we had evidence of learners who had access to the papers before they sat for the examination.
That was enough reason for ZIMSEC to arrange for rewriting of the examinations to restore its integrity as an examinations body.
Rewriting is the only fair way to address the malpractice.
</blockquote>
However, Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education chairperson Torerai Moyo, said it is too late for ZIMSEC to run a rewrite. Moyo said:
<blockquote>
ZIMSEC is investigating the leakages through the marking process which would determine the extent of the cheating.
If there is a pattern of uniformity in the answers by pupils, as reported by the examiners, then there is proof of cheating. But I think it is too late for ZIMSEC to run a rewrite.
The bottom line is ZIMSEC should be accountable for how it runs the examinations.
One way is to amend the Act that governs how examinations are run to give room for stiffer penalties for cheating.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200005729/zimsec-marking-schemes-leaked-before-exams">NewsDay</a>

Teachers' Union Says ZIMSEC 2022 O' Level Exams Should Be Rewritten

Tobacco farmers have pleaded with the government for help to alleviate the negative impacts of the current electricity crisis on farming.
US$300 million of irrigated tobacco crop is reportedly under threat as load shedding is affecting the curing of the golden leaf.
In a letter dated 5 December 2022, the Zimbabwe Tobacco Association (ZTA) pleaded with the Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka to intervene. Part of the letter reads:
<blockquote>
There is an immediate requirement for tobacco farmers to access concessionary-priced diesel fuel for generator use either through their contractor or through a government facility.
Listings of affected farmers and requirements can be accessed through associations, unions, contractors and TIMB.
For effective curing and handling of this crop, 24 hours of continuous power is required on tobacco farms.
Currently, farms are getting on average seven hours of power per day, barring any faults, which is 30% of the requirements from the utility.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe is experiencing power cuts of up to 18 hours a day due to reduced generation at Kariba caused by low water levels and recurrent breakdowns at Hwange.
As of 8 December, 2022, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) was generating 506MW from its 5 power stations.
Hwange was generating 296MW, Kariba 200MW, Bulawayo 10MW, while Munyati and Harare were generating nothing. | <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/power-cuts-shocker/">Business Times</a>

Load Shedding Disrupts Tobacco Curing

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) has challenged players in the tourism sector to voluntarily pay their taxes to enable the government to improve infrastructure within the tourism sites across the country.
Addressing tourism players in Bulawayo on Friday, ZIMRA commissioner general, Regina Chinamasa, said:
<blockquote>
There is a need to complement the tourism sector with equally world-class services such as roads, security and health services within the tourism sites across the country.
Such services are driven by the government through largely the taxes and levies we all pay. Tax compliance by the tourism and hospitality sector is therefore key.
We want the tourists to have a memorable drive to the different sites across the country, enjoying the scenic sights along the way.
</blockquote>
Currently, the tourism sector contributes about 7% of Zimbabwe’s gross domestic product (GDP).
Chinamasa believes the sector can contribute more to economic recovery as the country is considered one of the preferred destinations by tourists. She said:
<blockquote>
The sector has vast potential to be among the anchor sectors of the country. Currently, tourism and hospitality is among the top three foreign currency generators in our country.
The country is home to a robust, diverse and rich culture that is admired by many. Your sector is ably managed as evidenced by the world-class hotels, lodges, resort sites, and camps among other sites that offer a hospitality environment.
With such a glamour record, the country is considered one of the preferred destinations by tourists.
</blockquote>
| <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zimra-urges-players-in-the-tourism-sector-to-pay-tax/">Business Times</a>

ZIMRA Urges Players In The Tourism Sector To Pay Tax

Commenting at a preparatory event at The first ICAO/UNWTO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa in Cape Verde, the ZTA Head Of Corporate Affairs said that the major points were to harmonize the relationship the airline business and the tourism industry in its totality.
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WATCH: ZTA Head Of Corporate Affairs Comments On Air Transport and Tourism

Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Board member Mrs Rita Likukuma has been appointed ZTA Acting Chief Executive with effect from the first of this month.
In a statement, ZTA Head Corporate Affairs Godfrey Koti said the Minister of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Senator Prisca Mupfumira and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Board appointed Mrs Likukuma on an acting role of Chief Executive with effect from 01 February 2019.
ZTA Chief Operating Officer Mr Givemore Chidzidzi had been acting since November 2018 on behalf of Dr Karikoga Kaseke who has been off work on medical grounds. Likukuma is the Deputy Chairperson of the current Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Board and Non-Executive Director of PG Industries.
More: <a href="http://www.zbc.co.zw/new-zta-acting-chief-executive-appointed/">ZBC</a>

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