WJMP-Candidate
I have been selected as a participant in the 2012-13 Women's Journalist Mentoring Program run by U.S Embassy Public Affairs Section & the Humanitarian Information Facilitation Center( HIFC )This is an amazing opportunity for me to grow as a radio broadcaster after winning an award for Contributing to Children, World Peace & Human rights by JCI TOYP-Ten Outstanding Young Persons of Zimbabwe.This is a great achievment as a woman with a disability in Zimbabwe.

JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD SHARE THIS....

Revolution and Technology

One, was that it’s being admitted that the Tunisian government was outwitted by a young and bored generation. But one that was also well-educated and armed with nothing but cyber cafes.

If the government had tapped into the potential of the younger generation, they would have better understood the social media strategy being launched against them. But instead of appreciating that demographic…they restricted it.

That restriction led me to my second thought. America most definitely has a young, bored, well-educated and well resourced generation on our hands. But I don’t think they would ever pull this off.

The reason? The average Tunisian young adult is oppressed, uncomfortable and longing for the chance at a 20 hour per week job. The American young adult on the other hand, is playing Xbox 20 hours a week. Boy, what a difference.

What Can We Do to Affect Change?

My take-aways are these two thoughts…

1. We need to get really uncomfortable…really fast.

2. As John Piper said about it today in one of his tweets, “Lord Jesus, cause this “first internet revolution in the world” to serve the advancement of the gospel.”

Question: How can you get out of your comfort zone more for the sake of the gospel? And how can we as Christians use modern day technology to our advantage?

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Today is World Contraceptive Day~ Remember this is a human right issue that every human being has the right to full access & a choice to "Reproductive Health Care". Persons with disabilities are normally sidelined when it comes to this critical issue. When you see a person with a disability share this information with them and remember knowledge is power!

 

 

http://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/pages#!/pages/Soneni-aka-Thandeka-Gwizi/109108992499494

I am so, so honoured to announce that i am a nominee / semi fianlist for JCI Zimbabwe 2012 TOYP- Ten Outstandingd Young Persons of Zimbabwe. My catergory is...Contribution to Children, world peace/human rights. The awards will be presented in Kariba on the 5th of October. I would not have gone this far without your support & belief in me as a woman with a disability, broadcaster, Poet, feminist, a friend & your prayers! In God i trust! Thank you all & "watch the space" luv yah...spread the word.See More

Anna Miti's voice

Anna edited

Women and the New Media

Ten Female journalists from different media houses in Zimbabwe were part of the Famwz New Media programme, which gave them an opportunity to learn more about the digital media and how they can use them to their advantage.

Soneni had little knowledge of New media but this experience has equipped her such that she can utilise this new knowledge in her media work. She believes the new knowledge she has acquired will help her to improve her  career in broadcasting and embrace the new technology.

It was all smiles for Sofia and Tari during the FAMWZ New Media course. They believe they have learned a lot and this course will take them a long way in their career and more importantly in making their work easy. Now they are not only confined to the traditional media but can also take up on line publishing responsibilites.

Anna saw the new media as a breakthrough and a must for women in any sector especially in putting forward their agenda and issues. As a woman who fights for the betterment of women's lives, she added that women have to acquire the skills in order to utilise new technology for their benefit and hopes to do the same at her work place and in her programmes.

Youths resort to vending

The Global Political Agreement brought hope to the majority of Zimbabweans but five years on, high unemployment rates is like athorn in the flesh for the majority of the youths.  

 

An unidentified youth takes a rest after spending the whole day moving from one industry to the next in search of employment. Zimbabwean youths resort to vending to avert poverty. 32 year old Portia Chimusoro, who is originally from Mutoko says because of poor harvests, she decided to come to Harare for employment. Having worked as a maid for a couple of months without a salary, she ventured into vending.

While others are exhibiting resilience and are optimistic that the current economic woes bedeviling the country are coming to the end with the advent of the new draft constitution, the majority of youths have taken to the streets as vendors. Running battles with the law enforcement agents have not deterred their determination to eke out a living out of vending. Always on the look- out for municipality and Zimbabwe Republic Police, the vendors display their wares on card board boxes along pavements in the.capital city

Various wares are sold on the streets from airtime, fruits, belts and shoes. Young entrepreneurs in the shoe making business sell their 'original' shoes to the vendors who in turn sell from the streets because they cannot afford to register SMEs and rent office space within the CBD to formalize their business.

War veterans Chairperson Joseph Chinotimba addressing youths attributes the current economic woes including the high rates of unemployment to sanctions from the West; "This is not what we fought for," he said.

"Elements within our society are causing all this because they are being used by the West," said Cde Chinotimba. 

An unidentified vendor chats with a colleague while taking a break from his daily routine, as is the norm for unemployed youths in our "independent' Zimbabwe . 

FAMWZ Social Media Course Blog: The mighty Victoria Falls

FAMWZ Social Media Course Blog: The mighty Victoria Falls: By Tinotenda Sibambo Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is located on the border between Zambia and Zi...

Love in Marriage

Unconditional love sealed by marriage

Love in marriage is what people desire to fulfill this gap to a group of people that are sidelined by society and family. We need to accept, embrace and support couples that are indifferent and resppect them. Love and marriage is choice and it is considered as a human right issue regardless of their colour or disability  indifference. All couples are entiled to freedom of choice, maternal care and right to life privileges.

Unconditional marriage

                                      

It is every girl's dream to wear that white dress and walk down the aisle but for persons with disabilities and interracial marriages the dream can be a night mare. When one does get married and wears that white gown it proves to the world that love is unconditional.

They say true love is blind

This couple shows the other side of love. This is a unique lovely relationship that proves that love is not  bound by strong physical structure. How does one define love, is it based on the outside appearance? 


What colour is love?



Love has no limitation, colour and it is not driven by race. Most racial marriages are not accepted due to cultural differences and family beliefs. Couples in such marriages have to prove their love and committment. They risk being disowned by family and the community they live in. Most of the time their marriage is lonely and they lack family support. 








Children are the fruits of marriage and a gift to all

What seals a marriage for some couple is having chidren and this can be influenced by their culture and the country they come from. How important and relevant is it for couples to worry about the health of their children? This question worries all couples, whether they are a couple with disability, inter-racail couple or non-disabled couple that fear of " what will my child be like when they are born" Children are a gift from God, receive them with love and great appreciation. Just as we have different couples expressing what true love is this should be seen through the fruit of the womb.



The plight of Lodgers in Harare

The economic situation of Zimbabwe has seen a number of people migrating to the nearest urban centers in search of employment opportunities. This has lead to overpopulation in cities and towns. As such many people have turned their homes into guest lodges. One might be quick to conclude that most of these people are compassionate, however this has turned into a money making scheme.  In the quest for money the home owners populary known as "landlords" will at times have more people staying at a house than those house capacity can carry. The worst cases are around the high density areas of Harare, with examples of  around 21 people living in a seven roomed house sharing a common bathroom and toilet. This possess health hazards such as the spread of diseases such as typhoid and cholera.

A case study of one of such houses was conducted by the reporter. The house belongs to one famous lady in the Mufakosi area called "Madube" (name changed for privacy ).





Outside Madube"s house in Mufakosi high density surburb



The door with missing door handle

Four male tentants, who share a single room sleeping in their quarter.

The common bathroom where tenants share

The wall where the electricity supply socket should be

Typical kitchen come bedroom (2 in 1)



Rashelb by rache chauke

The Famwz New Media Course for female journalists goes a gear up as  these media practitioners engage in a heated debate on issues affecting media women in News rooms. Emilia Bundo is stressing a point, while veteran journalist, Anna Miti (left), Soneni Gwizi(obsructed by a chair), Indiana Chirara (in blue), Upenyu Makoni our tutor , follow the discussion.

Tarisai  Jangara

She is showing off her skills and enjoying to have taken part in the New Media Training Course.

Tinotenda Sibambo in redofia  is part of the pioneer class which graduates this Friday.

Sofia Mapuranga and Sally Nyakanyanga hard at work, blogging.

Chipo Sabeta  taking a break.

 EFFECTS OF INTERNET ON THE MEDIA

By Indiana Chirara

THE internet have tremendously improved the Media in Zimbabwe  since now news can be accessed at anytime and it is also spreading much more faster compared to newspapers.

Through internet Zimbabwean Media is following the footsteps of other well known international media such as CNN and Aljeezira.

In addition articles being published are more detailed because of the avalability of  broad information on the internet  and they is also authenticity and through the avalability of different sources of information.

The usage of internet enables the process of news gathering to be much more faster,therefore it saves a lot of time.

Media houses can take advantage of  facebook to lure companies to advertise their products and services on their webpage and this will definately attract a wider audience.

However the use of  internet is not all that good,because they are some weakenesses which comes  with it.The information on the internet is not always accurate.
This inaccurate information can be of great danger if used,it can also cause harm in many ways.

 The way internet is becoming popular,they is great need for media houses to engage in training programmes for their employees so that they can fully embrace with the ever changing technology.
However in most cases Media houses are  reluctant to take up such programmes due to the expenses.

As time goes on people will start to shun  traditional modes of information sources like newspapers and magazines.


Currently the accessibility of internet in the country is still  low,at the momemt not everyone have access to internet. However internet coverage  is spreading on a faster rate as more and more broadband is being in stalled  throughout country by different telecommunication companies .

 
In Zimbabwe almost every media house have internet access,though more needs to be done to improve internet accessibility,because at times internet will be down or very slow which will  hinder the progress of  work.

Due to internet,Newspapers are being overtaken as they are published at a specific time which differs from the internet,as anything can be published at anytime.

Which means by the time a newspaper publishes a story it will no longer be news worthy as it will be all over the internet already,therefore they is need for media houses to keep their websites alive,they need to be updated everytime they is something news worthy.

Keeping the audience upadated  enhances the trust of the media  house.


According to (ZAMPS) Zimbabwe All Media products and service survey in Zimbabwe they is  1,223,947 total number of people in Zimbabwe who are using the internet.



From the way things are changing   in 10 years time  almost three quarters of the population will be using the internet, the Media in Zimbabwe will be more concerned  their websites.
.
Almost every media house in Zimbabwe does have employees who are responcible  for  their websites but they are not taking really putting much effort to keep their websites updated.

The more people embracing on internet the more pressure on media houses to keep their audience updated.


It wont be surprising that in the coming years each and every school will have   coimputers as well as   qualified lectures,unlike the current situation in the country whereby a school might have computers but with no qualifed teacher in IT.

In addition, information and technology will be be taught from a very age in most parts of the country in the coming years,which means that internet will be  a neccessity to  all the media houses.

The mighty Victoria Falls

By Tinotenda Sibambo

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.Travelers can access the falls through either Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The falls are also close to the border of Botswana. The Zambezi River, which originates in northern Zambia, serves as the fall's water source.Bellow are some people who visit to see the mighty Victoria Falls

 Statistically speaking, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. This recognition comes from combining the height and width together to create the largest single sheet of flowing water.

The name Victoria Falls was given to the falls by the Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone. He named the falls after the reining queen at the time. The locals called the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “smoke that thunders.” Many people still refer to this nickname, which accurately defines the falls.Below is David Livingston's statue

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A lot of tourists visit Zimbabwe to see the Victoria falls,here are some of them

A lot of tourists visit Zimbabwe to see the Victoria falls,here are some of them

As you move into the later part of the dry season, August through October, it is quite possible you will see more rock face than falls. However, this also opens the door for walking across the top of the falls which can be a unique and exhilarating experience as well.

WARREN PARK RESIDENTS SITTING ON A TIME BOMB

HEALTH HARZARD HIT WARREN PARK

 



Uncollected gabbage in Warren Park D





Residents of Warren park D are  sitting on a time bomb   as the City Council has not been collecting gabbage for the past six months.

A woman carrying gabbage to the dumping site.

The residents have resorted in to dumping their gabbage  in alleys close to their homesteads, which is a danger for their lives as flies are all over the place spreading diseases.

Resident dumping gabbage close to the homes

In an interview with Mrs Mhlanga who is a resident  in the area,she said the lives of children are in great danger as most of the times play near the gabbage.
"I always fear for the lives of our children,they are always playing in the dirty most of the times  and it is very disturbing as you will come across a children eating something from the rubbish"
It has been a year ever since we saw the council collecting the gabbage,"she said.
She added that  most of the times the children are suffering from measles due to uncollected gabbage.
"We have too many cases of measles in this area,am really scared this might result in the death of some of our children if this situation is not dealt with.

Flies all over the dumping site,endangering the lives of people

In an interview with one of the councillors who declined to be named, he said the council was facing a very tough time as they were facing financil difficulties to operate.

 Most children are likely to suffer from measles as they usually play in the dirty.

"We are aware of the situation in Warren Park but currently as council our hands are tied because we do not have resource to conduct our duties.
"We are apealing to the coperate world to assist us, so that we can be able to clear up this mess before the situation gets out of hand,he said.
He added, that they were also in fear of the residents lives especially children.

Living without water

Imagine living without running water, having to skip morning shower, not flushing the toilet, brushing your teeth, making coffee, cleaning clothes and dishes.

Such has become the daily reality for many families as water shortages have hit suburbs of Harare.

Women in search for water

Desperate situation call for desperate measure- Some people have resorted to fetching water from unsafe open sources making them prone to waterborne diseases.

Clean water flowing in the city center

Whilst taps are dry and residents are exposed to unclean water. Clean water is flowing in the city center and council is doing nothing to preserve the precious liquid.

Drainage pipe 

Now that the rain season is close by,  drainage pipes have not been cleaned. The drain will get overflowed and its filthy water will spread across the city which is not healthy. 

Potholes being used as dumping sites

While repairing damaged pipes the council takes long to complete repairing. As a result pedestrians end up using the hole as dumping sites.

My darling daughter

Now that you are here my daughter, there are a few things that I want you to know as you embark on this journey to becoming a woman. Let me warn you, it is not an easy journey, not that I want you to be scared, but I want you to be prepared. First things first, I want you to know that I value you, I cherish you and love you so much. I have done so, even as you were kicking, even as my abdomen was slashed open so you could come as safely as possible, for me and you, into this world.

I want you to know that sometimes you will be required to take up your sword and fight for what is yours, simply because no one will hand it to you. So if you must, go ahead darling daughter and take up your sword of truth and your shield of faith. One day you will want to have a little one of your own, go ahead, nothing can stop you. Regardless of what they say, if you want to be a mother, to stay home and look after your child, if you are able, do so. There is nothing wrong with such a choice.

                  You are your mother`s daughter, so you have a voice, use it. If you get that nicrophone into your hands, shine and shine again. Tell them you are a precious, strong, beautiful person.  I chose to be a journalist, but you can be anything you want to be in the world. If unlike me you love maths and like finding X without knowing Y, by all means go ahead, be an engineer, a fashion designer, anything as long as it gives you true happiness.

                It might happen, believe me it will. You might find a man who will make you feel like you want to give him all of your heart, be careful, but by all means do love. After all, my darling daughter, no one has ever loved except she who has loved without fear of hurt.

                After all has been said and done, the world is your oyster, take it and make it yours. Fly high my darling daughter!!

Facts about the role of the media

Journalists have the power to shape the face of the media; be it in print and electronic media. This industry has grown and created opportunities for journalists to choose how they want to send their information. However, they are governed by media ethics of the organisation they report to. Their creativity and research work can be limited and deprived causing very little space for freedom of expression in their writting or broadcasting which is mainly shaped by policy makers.
The media has become the chief purveyor of information and opinion about public affairs; but the role and status of journalism, along with other forms of mass media and other electronic devices rather than print media and has faced news organizations with the ongoing problem of monitoring on digital news.

This has created many opportunities for media houses to broadcast stories that shape societies, to some the news is biased and to some it is fair news. As the saying goes another men's meat is another men's poison.
Some media houses are a threat to society and this puts journalists at a great risk. Many journalists have lost their lives, their jobs and at times they have been made to work in harsh working conditions.

This affects the public as they might not receive correct information that is relevant. Media manipulation can be dangerous to; the public, the media house and the journalists as it can be misleading with negative information. Yet on the other hand, it can influence the public to change their attitudes towards certain beliefs, that is, stereotype.

In all this, the media should be guided by journalism ethics, mission and respecting the public in their information dissemination, meeting the goals to educate, inform, entertain and being a voice to all groups of people.

SUSTAINABLE UTILIZATION OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES

 

Sometime mid-February this year, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa in partnership with the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation held a training workshop for anglophone journalists and scientists on communicating research to policy makers in particular,agricultural research. There we learnt how natural resources and also available resources can sustainably be used to address food security, nutritional and poverty issues.





 

Journalists and scientists from East, West and Southern Africa went on field training at a community radio station in Ghana called radio Arda, and here they are seen listening attentively to a testimony on how the community radio station was started and its objective. The station which broadcasts in local languages was started by someone as a way of giving back to his community to help them adapt to the climatic conditions of their area and boost agricultural productivity as well as keep them updated about topical issues.

 

 

Radio Arda Editor briefs us on how they broadcast as we listen on and take down notes. It was very interesting to note that mostly, they do their bulletins in the local language basing it on community stories and the main bulletin at night captures all national stories not forgetting to note that the news crew works on a voluntary basis for the benefit of their community.

Journalists being briefed on some of the challenges the station faces in their operations which range from staff turnover in search of greener pastures, funding since they can not advertise alcohol and tobacco products due to the Christian background hence most of their funding comes from death announcements and orbituaries which generate little money to sustain operations.

Journalists and scientists go to the farms on a fact finding mission to estabish how the community is beneffitng from radio Arda programmes and news articles in terms of improving agricultural productivity and access to information on topical issues.

Emilia asks a question on how the farming community adapts to the agro-ecological conditions of their area in light of producing in the sandy soils.

 

Journalists and scientists listen to the testimonies by farmers and extension officers on how they are working together to improve agricultural production to ensure food security as well as the important role Radio Arda is playing in informing them of crop diseases outbreak, pests and advice on how to control them as well as initiatives being undertaken to help farmers.

The testimonies continue and farmers take us through the paces on how they started to grow onions, tomatoes, maize and okra in the sandy soils.

 

Behind me is vast lands under onion, okra and tomato production which farmers say with the help of extension officers manged to make use of the available resources and turn around their fortunes.

 

 

Chatting with some members of the farming community.

 We then took a tour around the water locked nation and there discovered a sea shore where people gather sea shells which they use as necklace pendants and or earrings as part of jewellery, while others use them as ornaments in their houses.

 



Part of the community making good use of the sea species as food and can be seen drawing a caster net out of the white waters which will be full of tilapia, cat fish and bream. When cooked, roasted, fried or grilled, the fish species make good relish which can be taken with rice, yam, cassava or pap.

Since the place is highly humid, the community uses coconut fruit as a cooler, one can cut it in half and drink the some what sweet soime what sour fluid that oozes out of the fruit.

Ghana is endowed with vast tracks of water and land  which the community is sustainably utilizing to ensure food security, eradicate poverty as well as boost agricultural production.
The setting up of a community radio station has enabled the community to improve on productivity as well as keep abreast with all developments in the country not forgetting the understanding of news through production in local languages a sure sign that the community is sustainably using the available resources.