Energy transition: vast opportunities for Africa despite challenges
…’improving accountability in natural resource governance key to sustainable green future’ Moses Ziyambi The lagging behind of Africa in terms of transitioning to cleaner sources of energy can be rectified by improving the governance of its vast transition minerals which can help power the continent’s future, it has been stated. This was said by researchers, experts and civil society leaders who gathered in Sandton, Johannesburg, last week for the high-level regional dialogue on the just energy transition, natural resource governance and climate change organised by Southern Africa Trust (SAT). Among many other issues in different countries of the region, participants […]
Bikita Minerals in desperate attempt to circumvent closure on employee’s death
Moses ZiyambiBikita Minerals is making frantic efforts to hide circumstances surrounding the recent death of an employee, fearing that the issue may provoke another strong government response five months after the company was ordered to suspend operations over many abuses including lackluster safety standards.Nelson Musendekwa, who was a plant operator at the mine’s gravel packing unit, died on October 24 under dubious circumstances, and his body was retrieved 12 hours later after a crane was hired from Masvingo to remove a vibrating bin discharger which still trapped his body.Sources said the bin which killed Musendekwa, of Mafuka Village under Chief […]
Young climate champion pushes hard from the periphery
Kholwani Nyathi He prides himself in pushing for the meaningful participation of children and young people in shaping their futureDesire NyaguraUNICEFZimbabwe/2023/Kudzai Tinago22 June 2023Epworth, Zimbabwe- Desire Nyagura is emerging as a leading voice in Zimbabwe’s fight against climate change and is aggressively pushing for a clean and safe environment in urban areas. Nyagura (18) from Epworth, a township on the eastern periphery of the capital Harare, has been in the thick of things from an early age by providing leadership as a climate advocate. He is a member of the Adolescent Youth Advisory Committee for UNICEF Zimbabwe and a former […]
Africa Climate Summit: A chance for unity in the face of a common threat
Tatenda Chitagu NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenyan President William Ruto, the host of the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, has urged African leaders to put their differences aside and approach the world superpowers with one bargaining voice to capitalize on the global climate action investments and green opportunities. Speaking at the opening of the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) Ministerial conference at Kenyatta international Conference Center, Ruto rallied African leaders to unite in the face of climate change, whose disasters continue to ravage Africa. “This is no ordinary summit. We are not here just to talk about Africa or climate change in the […]
Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections: the environment, climate change as electoral issues
Moses Ziyambi While the environment and climate change have already become huge electoral matters in some developed countries of the West, political parties in Zimbabwe seem to be slowly but surely embracing similar themes in their campaign messages. While the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has released a manifesto, the ruling Zanu PF, in a drastic departure from precedent, has chosen not to; claiming that its record of delivery should act as its manifesto. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seeking re-election, is basking in his latest achievement of ending crippling power cuts after his government built two new […]
In Rome ITPGRFA asserts farmers’ rights in quest for global food security
Moses Ziyambi A meeting organized by the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) in Italy recently saw stakeholders emphasizing the need to uphold the rights of farmers in the quest for greater food security. Held under the theme ‘Strengthening Seed Systems through Realizing Farmers’ Rights’, the meeting, was organised was held at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Rome during the Nineteenth Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-19). ITPGRFA secretary general, Kent Nnadozie, in his opening remarks, lauded farmers as the custodians of […]
‘At COP28, Africa must emphasize adaptation, climate finance’
Moses Ziyambi Being among the most vulnerable places on the globe, Zimbabwe in particular, and Africa in general, must push the agenda of adaptation as well as loss and damage finance at the upcoming COP28 which will hosted by the United Arab Emirates later this year. Renowned climate researcher Dr Leonard Unganai told EnviroPress that Africa must be resolute in pushing terms that respond to its grim reality as an acutely vulnerable continent. “One of our main issue is vulnerability therefore adaptation, resilience as well as loss and damage are critical to us. Outcomes of COP27 demonstrate success for Africa […]
‘At COP28, Africa must emphasize adaptation, climate finance’
Moses Ziyambi Being among the most vulnerable places on the globe, Zimbabwe in particular, and Africa in general, must push the agenda of adaptation as well as loss and damage finance at the upcoming COP28 which will hosted by the United Arab Emirates later this year. Renowned climate researcher Dr Leonard Unganai told EnviroPress that Africa must be resolute in pushing terms that respond to its grim reality as an acutely vulnerable continent. “One of our main issue is vulnerability therefore adaptation, resilience as well as loss and damage are critical to us. Outcomes of COP27 demonstrate success for Africa […]
Renco Mine workers go on strike over perpetual salary delays
…company sets double-digit gold output target but fails to pay workers Moses Ziyambi RioZim-owned Renco Mine has today, July 07, suspended operations after workers went on strike over continuous salary delays that have seen the company sometimes falling behind by a full month in salary payments. Mine workers who spoke to this journalist on condition of anonymity said it was unacceptable that the company has never paid salaries for over one year and counting. “It seems like it’s now company policy to delay salaries every month. As of now, we haven’t received June salaries yet they still expect us to […]
Energy: Zim talks solar, acts coal
….cites needs for a just energy transition Moses Ziyambi Zimbabwe has pledged a 40 percent reduction in carbon emissions by year 2030 as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) framework formulated at COP26 but there seem to be neither sincere will nor sufficient capacity to transition to cleaner forms of energy. On March 2023, authorities announced that Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 had been successfully synchronised with the national power grid. “Power will be progressively fed into the grid until it reaches 300 megawatts,” the state-controlled Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) said in a statement. Unit 7 (pictured) and […]
Communities set to benefit as traditional leaders get title in reserved areas
Featured pic: Chief Shindi EnviroPress Reporter Having realized that many communities in the country were playing second fiddle when it comes to the extractive natural resources, the government has approved the granting of mining titles to traditional leaders so as to benefit their local communities. The mining industry is one of the country’s economic cornerstones with the sector contributing about 70 percent of the country’s foreign currency earnings. Cabinet on Tuesday considered the update on Sundry Initiatives towards a US$12 billion mining industry by 2023 as presented by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Wiston Chitando. In a post-Cabinet […]
Environment Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu statement on Africa Environment Day
It is my singular honour to deliver this Press Statement on the Africa Environment Day for 2023. This day was designated in 2002 by the then Organization of African Union Council of Ministers in Durban, South Africa, on recognition of the numerous environmental challenges confronting the African continent and the need to establish lasting, innovative nature based solutions to these challenges. In January 2012, the African Union adopted a decision calling for the joint celebrations of the Africa Environment Day and Wangari Maathai Day in recognition of the work and life of the late Professor Wangari Maathai, who dedicated her […]