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Daily News Cartoon
ARE YOU CONSCIOUS THAT THE end is nigh? We are seeing so much civic action in the streets and on social networks.

#ThisFlag
Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira was on Monday involved in a nasty brawl with activist, Evan Mawarire, a cleric fronting what has become known as #thisflag campaign.

Mawarire had appeared on Mandiwanzira’s ZiFM Stereo radio station with Zanu PF activist, Tafadzwa Musarara in a heated debate over the social media campaign to force government to “listen to the people’s voice”.

The cleric told NewsDay that he had been waylaid by Mandiwanzira, as he made his way out of the studio.

“Mandiwanzira was waiting for me outside the studio and began shouting at me. He called me all sorts of names and accused me of seeking to subvert the government. He was yelling and cursing, accusing me of abusing Cabinet ministers and seeking to make white people happy in order to destroy Zimbabwe. He said I must be taught a ‘lesson’.

 “I will remove you on Twitter. I will dismiss you,” the minister is heard angrily shouting at Mawarire in what appears to be in a corridor at ZiFM Stereo.

On his Twitter account, Mandiwanzira said: “Shocked that lying pastor brags on radio that he does work for government ministries and turns around to say ‘murikudya mega (you are enjoying on your own to the exclusion of everyone)’.


#MPsFloorBasking
Human trafficking has been a menace in many countries and on many innocent lives. We have been having many Zimbabweans being gobbled by crocodiles crossing Limpopo with some crumpled by lions trying to cross to Botswana.

KuLINKUNDLA HALF TIME (chasing the rest)

We saw these on Whats-app groups...are they back???
ARE YOU CONSCIOUS THAT 2008 is BACK? A few signs have been recorded in the streets of Zimbabwe to prove that we are back to that year we all hated. Prices of goods have been going up, queues reappeared in banks, strikes have been seen, unemployment is total, and finally, those notes that are not tender beyond our borders are back. We have been collecting peoples’ reactions to this thing.
Our Thando says, “Why are we caught in the 20th century creating notes when we can digitalize all transactions? The government should just stop trying, this is the result of the rule of old people, and they should just start investing in innovation.”
“I cannot believe that we live on a Beta version of a country forever. All things are just trial and error, at the end it’s the citizens who suffer”…I say.
WE GOT AFRAID when we heard that the Minister of State security is ready to go to war for the “pledge”. Not that we care much of religious choices but for a whole minister who didn’t go to war when we lost $15 billion to tell the nation that, we say this is evidence of misplaced priorities. Hope it ends only on headlines, you can fancy to read it here… http://goo.gl/TiRnz4
ON BOND NOTES; The former Minister of Finance, the man who at least did not fail in a five year term to hold the finance gears properly had this to say on the introduction of Bond Notes…. The return of the Zimbabwean dollar marks the gross admission by this regime that it has failed and failed in absolute terms and that it will drag every one along in the plunge to abyss that now awaits this economy.
It is a cynical, disrespectful and contemptuous move that has absolutely no logic, sense or justification on any rational ground whatsoever.
A national currency at the end of the day is a relationship that captures the country s productive capacity. It reflects a country s output and the strength, quantity and quality of its real economy.
Indeed in the narrow sense the currency is no more a reflection of the interface between a country s exports and its imports. In short, a country s currency is easily a reflection of its current account or trade position.
Thus countries with strong economies that export a lot and therefore enjoy trade surpluses will tend to have strong and stable currencies.

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He loved the war
Fought in the war
Won the war
But lost the battle
                                                                By The Protest Poet 2016


BE CONSCIOUS THAT in the last week there was too much happening all over the world. Thando took some time out to amass consciousness in Azerbaijan. She wrote us from there.
The 26th of April 2016 marked the official opening of the 7th Global Forum of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) at the Baku Convention Centre in Azerbaijan. The Global Forum brings together more than 2,500 participants, including Heads of State and Government, political officials, civil society representatives, religious and youth leaders, who are sharing their perspectives and solutions along the theme "Living together in inclusive societies". The world leaders are systematically addressing the rising disparities of wealth and opportunities within societies lead to marginalization and exclusion.
The opening speeches by the heads of UN and Azerbaijan addressed pertinent issues concerning world peace and overcoming challenges; the following are random points to be noted from the speeches;
  • We are losing the battle against violent extremism and Islamism, it is time to act.  
  • Corruption is a tool in the hands of the terrorists fueling conflicts, there has to be an economic strategy to fight extremism
  • The United Nations is not strong enough, it cannot build peace by sending violent troops from nations to peacekeeping missions, it needs its incapacitated force. 
  • Civilizations are mortal
  • Governments should respond to violence by extending economic empowerment to its people
  • We know that extremism and terrorism flourish when human rights are violated and aspirations for inclusion ignored. We must pay particular attention to addressing the causes of violent extremism
  • We are at a time of crisis; we need inclusive societies as soon as yesterday.

The highlight of the event according to the UN Higher Representative Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser was done before the event and this was the creation of the Narratives of tomorrow created by the 150 young leaders, aged 18-35, from all around the world. He elaborated on the role of young people in peace building initiatives emphasizing that the young people are agents of change today and that if they are told that they are the future they should just leave and come back in the future.
The Zimbabwean young delegate and Director of Youth for Innovation Trust, Miss Thando Gwinji, noted the relevance of the event in bringing together different people from different backgrounds to figure out a way forward in addressing issues of coexistence. She emphasized on the importance of the grassroots approach to the intercultural dialogue and applauded the forum for bringing forth young representatives who are capable of directly imparting the information discussed to the masses.
The outcome of this youth engagement, titled 'Narratives of Tomorrow,' has been presented to high-level representatives of the UN and governments during other sessions of the Forum. It was also published as a reference to be used by youth organizations, other civil society organizations, the UNAOC.

TIME-OUT-We took time to act busy also during trade fair which happens annually in Bulawayo in the month of April. This event is for those who are in business; however it presents opportunities for networking. Zimbabwe has an unemployment rate standing at 90%; one wonders what actually will be exhibited, produced by whom? Where?
It was a frenzy on public days as youths, especially school going ones had a chance to visit the space and set their eyes on the President of Zimbabwe, and at least get drunk like the whole nation.
Auntony, our friend photographer shared his best snaps from the fair. For real, the pictures summarize all.

His Excellency listening to a submission.
"I want to see the President"
This is real business...She hopes
The VP Mphoko watches on as science is explained.
ARE YOU AWARE that there is a WORKERS’ DAY in our Calendar? Yes, meant for those working. Zimbabwe sits at nearly 90% unemployment in Zimbabwe and those working also unhappy. We hear that the Vice President had to address an empty stadium in Harare https://goo.gl/jMisie .