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Ramaphosa announced that all of SA's 20 land ports - including Beitbridge - will be closed for exit and entry until 15 February.
South Africa is one of the hardest-hit countries in Africa with over 740,000 infections.
The country recorded 60 more virus-related deaths on Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 20,011.
BY SHARON SIBINDI SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean Amapiano star, Sha Sha and stand-up comedian Learnmore “Long John” Jonasi are leading the list of this year’s sixth edition of the Zimbabwe Achievers Awards (ZAA) South Africa to be held on December 5 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Sha Sha has been nominated for the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award category while Long John is vying for the Male Personality of the Year. The duo will also battle for honours in the People’s Choice Award and Outstanding Achievement in Entertainment respectively. The awards organisers will this year introduce the inaugural ZAA Botswana edition scheduled for December 11 at the Zimbabwean embassy in Gaborone. In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, ZAA international chairman Conrad Mwanza said he was optimistic that they would succeed against all odds. “We are delighted to be bringing the sixth edition of ZAA SA after what has surely been a tough year. 2020 has been one of the most difficult years in recent memory due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, but we are pleased to announce the ZAA SA dates and congratulate this year’s nominees,” he said. Mwanza said they would use the occasion to celebrate and honour the heroes as the lockdown restrictions ease up. “We acknowledge the tremendous strides that have been taken by people in various disciplines. The voting platform for ZAA SA will open on the ZAA website starting from October 25 to November 20,” he said, adding that a Botswana-based company, Adventureland, had partnered them as brand ambassadors in the new era of celebrating Zimbabweans in Botswana. He said nominations for the ZAA Botswana edition were underway on their website and voting would start on November 6. “We welcome Botswana to the ZAA family and look forward to continue growing in a way that mirrors the growth and achievements of our people in various lands. We firmly believe in celebrating excellence to inspire excellence,” he said. “We are delighted to work with Adventureland led by Davison Charamba and his partners for this latest chapter. We are grateful to them for believing in the vision and committing to partner us as we go on a mission to amplify the Zimbabwean success stories in Botswana which lead to development and unity within our diaspora communities.” Mwanza acknowledged the support of their sponsors and partners over the years as ZAA celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. “We have been able to keep this vision going for so many years because of the notable exploits of Zimbabweans. The support from our communities and partners such as Zororo Phumulani has also been very crucial. We will continue to keep celebrating our people’s success in the world,” he said.
Pangolins Need Protection
Pangolins, the world's only mammals with scales. Unique creatures sometimes called scaly anteaters. Not well known and yet among the most poached and illegally trafficked animals in the world and nearing extinction because of high demand for their scales in Asian traditional medicine. Going for around 20,000 USD, many poaches ruthlessly hunt them for profit. Professor Raymond Jansen, the chairman of the African Pangolin Working Group, describes the undergoing poaching and trading operations, \"The majority of trade leaving Africa are dead pangolins in the form of loose scales in large sacks. But in southern Africa they are often brought to a willing buyer, someone perceived to be a wealthy individual where they ask large volumes of money for a living pangolin.\"
Local Pangoolin-Protection Initiatives
The African Pangolin Working Group in South Africa — a team of veterinarians and wildlife experts — have been rehabilitating pangolins rescued from poachers for nearly a decade.
Many pangolins arrive traumatised at a Johannesburg wildlife clinic. Nicci Wright, the founder of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, gives an inside look into the situation, \"When we receive those pangolins, they're all compromised. Whether they've been with the poachers for a couple of days or sometimes up to two weeks. So we see pangolins in a variety of different physical states. Some are very emaciated, they're skeletal, they got wounds, they got injuries, they go snare wounds. It's pitiful, very very difficult to emotionally deal with that kind of suffering and abuse.\"
Hope is on the Horizon
The group has recorded 97 tons of pangolin scales seized last year from smugglers attempting to transport them out of Africa — which equates to roughly 150,000 illegally trafficked animals - a 20% estimate of the total figure as not all cases are known by authorities. Nevertheless, steadily growing anti-poaching initiatives in South Africa work in collaboration with the police to identify and catch poachers and traders, who often in undercover operations — to protect the country’s pangolins.
TLU SA have published a scathing open letter to Ramaphosa and the ANC, saying that urgent policy reform is needed to save the economy.
SOUTH AFRICA-BASED Zimbabwean Afro fusion singer Philani “Phitso” Mhlanga has combined his voice with sungura musician Peter “Young Igwe” Moyo to denounce girl child abuse in song. The song, titled Dare Pavarume, was produced by Oscar Chamba of KOM Studios in Harare. BY WINSTONE ANTONIO The project comes amid a surge in cases of abuse of girl children during the coronavirus pandemic. The five-and-a-half minute song, which is available on YouTube, Reverberation, Spotify and iTunes, denounces girl child abuse. In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style yesterday, Phitso said art played an important role in educating the masses, hence the use of music to make sure that people appreciate the dangers associated with abusing the girl child. “Every woman is special, she must be respected. All men must protect the girl child. So through this song, we are saying it’s high time men speak out and educate each other to end this evil behaviour by fellow men in society,” he said. “Some of the situations that our sisters and mothers are in today are a result of us men who are causing their suffering. It’s time, the world started to respect women and those who abuse them in different ways should be punished.” Phitso, who frontlines The Legacy Band said he drew inspiration from the late music icons Oliver Mtukudzi and Tongai Moyo. In a bid to advocate for a better society through his craft, Phitso recently released a single titled Manyanya that has political connotations, which challenge and encourage men to provide for their families. Phitso said he had shelved plans to release his forthcoming album, Chigondora to concentrate on single releases in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. “We have decided to put on hold the release of the album Chigondora and concentrate on singles that will be timely in the midst of this global COVID-19 pandemic that has affected almost every sector of life,” he said. Born in the Checheche area of Chipinge, Phitso released his debut gospel album titled NaJesu Tinosvika Chete in 2013. It was followed by Dream Again Zvinoita the following year, which had hit songs MaZimbabwe, Ibva Muroad and Zvinoita. Follow Winstone on Twitter @widzoanto
Ten South African universities are pulling out all the stops to complete the 2020 academic year before the end of 2020. The other 16 are aiming for next year.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is crucial to protect health services during the pandemic, which is why the alcohol sales ban will continue to limit trauma cases at hospitals.
South Africa has finally made its down payment for the Covax vaccine programme, after missing the payment more than once, leading to public outcry.
As is custom at the Masters, golfing greats Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player got the tournament under way as Honorary Starters
So you couldn't catch the latest episode of Skeem Saam? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Be warned of spoilers!
ANC members have blocked roads in Naledi, Soweto, apparently in a bid to prevent voters from partiipating in local by-elections
All matches during the England tour to South Africa will take place in the Western Cape, with Newlands and Boland Park playing host.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says signs of a resurgence in Covid-19 cases in the Eastern Cape should serve as a warning to citizens to remain vigilant.
If the government's new Tobacco Control Bill gets the go-ahead, a 'public cigarette ban' would seriously limit where smokers can light-up.
Xbox is citing 'Unforeseen logistical challenges' for launch day in South Africa. Some stores will only receive stock after the official launch.
One of South Africa's top experts on COVID-19 says that inter-provincial travel 'may be reviewed' to limit the spread of the virus in summer.
Mthembu also warned that South Africans must remain vigilant of the threat posed by COVID-19, and must continue to follow safety protocols.
The Rand to Dollar exchange rate has been strongly impacted by developments from the US Election - and ZAR has made major gains on the American currency.
