GOVERNOR MANGUDYA'S PhD QUESTIONED.

It has emerged that the newly appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), John Mangudya attained his PhD in Business Administration from an unaccredited institution of higher learning, Washington International University (WIU).
According to information at hand, Mangudya is a holder of several qualifications that make him fit for the central bank position, but it is the PhD at WIU that has set tongues wagging. He also holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Economics degrees from the University of Zimbabwe. WIU is described by Wikipedia as: “An unaccredited institution of higher education founded in 1994 and currently incorporated in the British Virgin Islands. “It describes itself as a ‘university without borders’ serving clients from around the world via distance education.” The university’s website states that WIU’s graduates were from 112 countries.
Mangudya could not comment on the matter, saying he was in a meeting.
Asked to comment on Mangudya’s qualifications  and academic profile, Makoni said: ‘I don’t know what certificates he holds and neither do I know which universities he went to; all I know is that he is competent and professional.’ However, Makoni said that Mangudya’s job will not be easy because of the political and economic challenges which the country faces. He said: ‘The question is will he be allowed to operate according to his competence and qualification or he will be interfered with politically, which has been the problem for his predecessor.’ He added: ‘The many challenges which the economy faces will without any doubt make his job very difficult and stressful.’
Wikipedia said: “Lack of accreditation has consequences for WIU degree holders in some circumstances. For instance, the Michigan Civil Service Commission lists WIU among unaccredited institutions from which degrees will not be accepted to satisfy educational requirements indicated on job specifications.”
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) lists degrees awarded from WIU as “sub-standard” meaning according to the THECB in this case, a degree conferred outside the United States by an institution that the coordinating board determined was not the equivalent of an accredited or authorised degree. The THECB described WIU as having no accreditation from a CB (Coordinating Board) recognised accreditor. “There are no textbooks to read, curriculum to follow or formal exams to take.”

NEW GOVERNOR FOR THE RESERVE BANK OF ZIMBABWE APPOINTED

President Robert Mugabe has appointed John Mangudya to head the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) at a time when the central bank's power and influence have greatly diminished.Mangudya replaces Gideon Gono who was also head of CBZ before assuming charge at the central bank in 2003. Gono stepped down from the RBZ last year, leaving his deputy Charity Dhliwayo running the apex bank as acting governor.This appointment was confirmed by Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa on Sunday.Zimbabwe ditched its local currency in 2009 in favour of the U.S. dollar, leaving the RBZ unable to set interest rates or bail out troubled banks.

Commenting on the appointment, Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa told The Sunday Mail that he looked forward to Dr Mangudya’s contribution at the central bank. He said the new RBZ chief believes in “discretionary fiscal and monetary policies”. “His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, R. G. Mugabe, has appointed Dr John Panonetsa Mangudya Governor of the Reserve of Bank of Zimbabwe with effect from 1 May 2014 for a period of five years,” he said

A brief history on Dr. Mangudya given by Radio Voice Of People stated that “Dr Mangudya is a Keynesian economist who believes in discretionary fiscal and monetary policies and in the rational expectations hypothesis.” Dr Mangudya is an economist and former chief executive of one of the country’s best performing commercial banks. He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Economics degrees from the University of Zimbabwe as well as a Doctorate in Business Administration from Washington International University. He began his career in 1986 as an economist with the Reserve Bank until 1996 when he joined the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) as regional manager in charge of Southern Africa. He joined CBZ Bank Limited at the turn of the millennium as general manager (international banking). He rose through the ranks, becoming executive director (corporate and merchant banking) in 2004 and managing director in 2006 before his appointment as chief executive in 2009. Dr Mangudya is also former Bankers’ Association of Zimbabwe president.In 2012, he became group chief executive officer of CBZ Holdings Limited. The group has grown and consolidated its position under his leadership, which advocated what has come to be known as the “One CBZ business model”. He is also the board chairman of the Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe and the Agricultural Marketing Authority of Zimbabwe.

The former RBZ Governor, Dr Gideon Gono, said  "This appointment is a sure confidence booster to the financial markets and this economy in general. Mangudya is one man I know will be equal to the task and challenges ahead. He obviously will find both deputy governors Dr Charity Dhliwayo and Dr Kupukile Mlambo incredible pillars of support technically and experience wise, together with the dedicated team of professionals I left behind. I join all my predecessors in welcoming Dr Mangudya aboard the community of governors,” said Dr Gono. Dr. Gono welcomed Dr Mangudya whom he worked with to turn around the CBZ.

In a report given by Sw Radio Africa, Former finance minister Simba Makoni said he knows Mangudya at both a personal and professional level and he is confident that ‘he will measure up to the task.’ Makoni said: ‘I know he is competent and I know he does things on the straight and narrow.’ On Mangudya’s academic profile Makoni said: ‘I don’t know what certificates he holds and neither do I know which universities he went to; all I know is that he is competent and professional.’ However, Makoni said that Mangudya’s job will not be easy because of the political and economic challenges which the country faces. He said: ‘The question is will he be allowed to operate according to his competence and qualification or he will be interfered with politically, which has been the problem for his predecessor.’ He added: ‘The many challenges which the economy faces will without any doubt make his job very difficult and stressful.’

University of Zimbabwe economics lecturer Mr Innocent Makwiramiti welcomed the appointment. He said Dr Mangudya had the necessary exposure and experience to head the central bank. “I think considering his experience and exposure the good doctor has the requisite exposure and experience,” he said. “The man has managed to transform the CBZ to one of the best-performing banks in the country. I have no doubt in my mind that he will perform. Remember, CBZ used to handle Government funds before this function was transferred to the RBZ.” AAG founder Dr Philip Chiyangwa said Dr Mangudya’s track record of assisting black businesspeople is well documented and proves that he is the right candidate for the job as the country charts its economic destiny. “Some of us and many businesspeople out there who have worked closely with Dr Mangudya have so much confidence in him. His track record and experience as a shrewd banker speaks for itself. This is really a confidence booster and we are sure that he will take the central bank to greater heights, especially at this time when Zimbabwe is charting its economic destiny through ZimAsset,” said the businessman.

An economist, Mr Blessing Sakupwanya, said Dr Mangudya was an experienced financial services expert.
“The market was expecting his appointment. He has shown that he can adapt in any situation because the man is an experienced banker. No one matches his experience because Dr Mangudya has been involved in many sectors of the economy during his tenure at CBZ,” he said.

Tony Hawkins, who is an economist and RBZ board member, said the new governor will face a ‘restricted role’ because the country doesn’t have its own currency. Hawkins said while Mangudya is both experienced and ‘well trained’ the governor’s job is ‘seriously constrained by the dollar economy.’ He said ‘money supply is obviously out of the bank’s control.’

WILL MDC-T LAST?

Mixed feelings have been witnessed nationwide following instabilities in the MDC-T political party. The Movement for Democratic Change MDC-T led by Morgan Tsvangirai was formed in 1999 when they challenged Robert Mugabe’s ZANU PF, the party which was enjoying and still enjoys political power since independence in 1980. Therefore, it can be said that Morgan Tsvangirai is a brave man. He has continuously fought Robert Mugabe even though he has never the nation’s harmonized elections held since his party came into power. Tsvangirai’s party has fought head on and is still fighting up to today.  MDC-T gained popularity and is one of the powerful political parties in the country with many supporters who are crying for political change in Zimbabwe. MDC-T has managed to stay positive and continue to criticize the government and call for leadership change.

Opposition Leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

However, following the internal fights within the MDC-T, citizens are kept at their toes to see whether the party will last till the next harmonized elections to be held in 2018. A rational citizen can argue that instead of the party to be reconstructing and re-strategise themselves, the party officials and those concerned are fighting each other to an extent of making their fights public through the social media. In an interview with the Southern Eye early this week, the National Spokesperson for the party, Douglas Mwonzora, confirmed that the party will monitor social media (facebook ) against their party members to ensure that internal party fights are not made public via social media. It is alleged that party members have been disseminating information about the party and that hate language against their colleagues dominated these messages sent out to the public. Mwonzora made a promise that all those who are found publicizing internal party affairs will be dealt with.  “We know there are a number of MDC people denigrating other officers, we will deal with them. There is no good reason for them to avoid due process of law. I am going to deal with anyone posting hate language against anyone and they will be brought to book,” Mwonzora warned.

The party fights are more serious and very controversial. Lately party officials were suspended and clashes were also seen when these suspensions were declared unconstitutional thereby null and void. Manicaland provincial chairperson Julius Magarangoma and spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya were suspended facing charges of offensive language against their party members. Harare provincial spokesperson Obert Gutu and Mashonaland West national representative Chalton Hwende are claimed to have been very active on Facebook and they have been posting hate speech against their leadership describing them as “puppets, puppeteers and rebels”. The two were allegedly angling themselves for top leadership positions in the opposition party and were believed to be close to party leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Nothing has been done to them at the moment but action will be taken as promised by Mwonzora.

There is also alleged rift between MDC-T Secretary-General Tendai Biti and Organising Secretary Nelson Chamisa. It is claimed that these two clashed over the suspension of Magarangoma and Muchauraya. Biti ordered the pair to ignore the suspension order issued by Chamisa describing it as unconstitutional. It is said that Senior MDC-T officials have met and resolved that Chamisa be charged for overstepping his mandate and fuelling divisions in the party. It is claimed that Chamisa is the biggest problem in the party and he is dividing the party all in the name of becoming the Secretary-General, but Chamisa has vehemently denied the claims that he wanted to become party secretary-general at the next congress.

Job Sikhala who has rejoined the MDC-T, last week addressed MDC-T supporters at Stanley Square in Makokoba, Bulawayo said personal egos must be put aside and that his reunion with Tsvangirai was going to usher in a new democratic dispensation in the country. He said Mugabe and his party must be removed from power. Cries and complaints about massive rigging in the 2013 harmonised elections must be ignored and new measures must be taken in order to win the upcoming 2018 elections. A number of individuals who had broke away from MDC-T  in 2005 have rejoined the party and Job Sikhala is one of them. Meanwhile, Tsvangirai is expected to resolve the factional fights which have threatened to split the party. How successful will these measures be, and can people vote MDC-T into power? Credit must be given to Tsvangirai who is said met Tendai Biti to see the way forward not dwell on issues of lesser importance.

GUKURAHUNDI KILLINGS WILL FOREVER HAUNT ZIMBABWE:WILL THERE EVER BE PEACE BETWEEN THE SHONA AND THE NDEBELE.

Amongst all the painful incidents that have ever happened to the people of Matebeleland, it is clear there is non that can be closely compared to the 1980-88 Gukurahundi killings. Twenty thousand people according to the number the Zimbabwean government agrees it killed, were killed although survivors are adamant that the number of people who were killed is almost four times that and despite all attempts by the Zimbabwean government fighting to see the matter shelved, civil organizations are continuing to press hard, calling for the redress and retribution of Gukurahundi. We witnessed the honouring of the late Vice President of Zimbabwe, Dr. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo on the 22nd of December 2013, yet his followers who were killed following have not been honoured. Will Zanu Pf ever admit and make right the wrongs done in the 1980's. The bodies of the victims are lying there in bushes being washed away by the rains every year yet nothing is being done about it. Yes, Nkomo was honoured and the people of Matebeleland witnessed this grand occasion but the question is, "who will honour the victims of these atricities and will there be honoured the way their leader was?".

Zimbaweans must not ignore the fact that the killings really took place and people were killed. Zimbabwe knows for a fact that Gukurahundi happened and as long as this is not spoken about openly and redressed, Gukurahundi will forever haunt Zimbabwe. The perpetrators of Gukurahundi whom most of them are claimed to be high ranking officials in the Zimbabwean government are afraid of the damage that may happen to their careers and personal images if the issue of Gukurahundi is brought to light. This is why they go out of their way to crush all efforts being done to speak out about Gukurahundi. Citizens must not back down till justice has been attained. Nothing whatsoever must stop the will of the people to get justice over this atrocity. This genocide really violated the people's rights and the human rights being talked about on a daily basis.

As of late, the Matabeleland South branches of Zimbabwe's main opposition parties have called for a full probe into the Gukurahundi atrocities and prosecution of the perpetrators. These atrocities need to be tackled head on and resolved if the country hopes for any reconciliation until then we will continue to fight within ourselves, Ndebeles and Shonas, superiority and inferiority will forever prevail in Zimbabwe.Contributing in a public debate forum on National Healing and Reconciliation organised by the National Youth Development Trust in Gwanda yesterday representatives of the four main opposition parties all agreed that the atrocities need to be tackled head on and resolved if the country hopes for any reconciliation.

The four parties, Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) represented by Mbonisi Gumbo who is also the national spokesperson, MDC T represented by former parliamentarian Thandeko Zinti Mkandla, MDC represented by former Gwanda Mayor Lionel De Necker and ZAPU represented by Mncedisi Tshabalala all agreed that urgent action must be taken to deal with the people responsible for the atrocities. In an article by the Southern Eye staff reporter on the 14th of February a number of issues were raised in this debate carried out. It asserts that: "The forum held at the Gwanda Red Cross Hall was convened to look particularly into the operations of the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission as set up in Part 6 of Chapter 12 of the new constitution of Zimbabwe. The constitution states that the commission must exist for a ten year period from the effective date of the new constitution in which time total reconciliation of the warring Zimbabwean tribes must have been sorted. The commission is expected in the period to have managed to seek truth on all past atrocities the country has experienced and pave a way for no further such atrocities happening in future.

The Gukurahundi atrocities of the early 80s in Matabeleland is the immediate example of issues that need to be attended to. Other such issues that come to mind are the political violence of the 2005 and 2008 general elections and the Murambatsvina operations that left thousands homeless. Contributing to debate, Mr Mkandla of the MDC T queried government's commitment to the commission seeing that its almost a year since the constitution was effected and already time is being lost before the commission has even been set up. Mkandla doubted ruling ZANU PF's commitment to the commission as it is likely to touch mostly on their senior members most of who are directly linked to the Gukurahundi atrocity if reports from enquiries on Gukurahundi are anything to go by.

 It is said that ZANU PF has the majority in Parliament and if they are serious about the commission they would have set it up already and aligned all the required legislation as a matter of urgency seeing that the commission is time framed. Gumbo of MRP stated that his party as believers of Matabeleland cessation from Zimbabwe to revive the Mthwakazi Nation does not believe that reconciliation in Zimbabwe is a possibility and the separation of the country into two states is the only way out." Representing the Welshman Ncube led MDC, De Necker echoed Mkandla's sentiments calling upon ZANU PF as the parliamentary majority to take the lead in ensuring the setting up of the commission and its total functionality. "Our party as a very small minority in parliament can do very little to push for the speedy set up and operational of the commission but ZANU PF must take it upon themselves as bound by the constitution to set up the commission and urgently."

We as the citizens of Zimbabwe call upon the government through the Ministry of Youth to urgently facilitate psychological counselling of several young man from Matabeleland who are still suffering from traumas of seeing their parents butchered in front of them. A lot of young people in Matabeleland are still having traumas of seeing their parents killed in front of them, their sisters and mothers being raped and pregnant mothers' stomachs being ripped open and no help has ever been accorded to these young people. And for various reasons it is very difficult if not impossible for the two parts of Zimbabwe to unite and the only way that can bring a peaceful solution is to allow the country to break into two and bring back the Mthwakazi Nation and there is need for the government to speed up the probe into Gukurahundi as the country remains divided with a lot of questions unanswered around the issue.

JOSHUA MQABUKO NYONGOLO NKOMO: A LEGEND

It is no doubt that the late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Joshua Nkomo is a large political icon whose name and legacy is subject to use and abuse by those left behind. On the 22nd of December 2013, in Zimbabwean history, Nkomo was honoured nationwide as we saw the erection of the gigantic statue in Bulawayo. The Bulawayo airport was named Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and the main street in Bulawayo was changed to Joshua Mqabuko Nyongolo Nkomo street and we are yet to see the re-opening of his hospital, Ekusileni.Throughout his career Nkomo preached the simple gospel of non-tribalism, no racial discrimination, equal opportunities and equal distribution of land among the whites and dispossessed blacks.He was convinced that once the land imbalance in Zimbabwe was corrected, everyone would be uplifted socially and economically.Our departed hero, may his legacy live forever.

The late Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo.

 Born on June 17,1918 to black missionary teachers in the Semokwe reserve of south west Matebeleland, Joshua Nkomo earned himself respect from all his country man and respectable names like Chibwechitedza, Father Zimbabwe and Umdala Wethu to mention but a few. Nkomo was a hero as we saw the establishment  and unveiling of his statue and the refurbishment of the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo on the 22nd of December 2013. The 22nd of December is a Unity Day that marked the end of the Gukurahundi massacres. The Bulawayo main street was also renamed after the late Vice President  as symbolising the "real story of Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans, our struggles and our aspirations as a people."

Dr. Nkomo studied in South Africa where he met some of the influencial leaders of the ANC (African National Congress) whose ideas influenced and shaped his political career. It was during this time when he met Nelson Mandela and other regional leaders. Upon his return to Bulawayo, Nkomo founded a number of small organisations which were banned by the British colonial authorities before founding ZAPU in 1962 which was immediately banned. Frustrated with the lack of progress in negotiations with the authorities, subtle indifferences from the international community and the constant banning of liberation movements, Nkomo decided to form a government in-exile as a way of stepping up to international pressure on the colonial regime and effect political change in Southern Rhodesia. His ideas came under heavy criticism from his Secretary General,Robert Mugabe, Julius Nyerere, then President of Tanzania and his once trusted friend, Ndabaningi Sithole, who it seems were now becoming alarmed by his popularity at home and abroad.

A year after ZAPU's formation, the party split on ethnical grounds with Robert Mugabe breaking away with the Shona majority and leaving ZAPU as the mostly Ndebele organisation. It is this breakaway from the ZAPU that has caused harm in Zimbabwean  as a nation. It is this separation on ethnic grounds that caused the notorious Gukurahundi massacre of 1986 and up to present day, the two ethical groups have not seen eye to eye. The ethical issues have since formed a system whereby the Shona people are seen as superior to the Ndebele people. And will there ever be unity between these two ethical groups?. Nkomo gained popularity in those years but despite hi's popularity, he lost the 1980 elections and went on to decline the presidential post offered to him. In 1982, he was appointed cabinet minister and he was accused of plotting a coup, this is where it all began. His documents were seized and he was restricted to his Bulawayo home. He soon sneaked out of his home town via the Botswana boarder into Britain.  It is said that after his escape thus when Mugabe unleashed the notorious Korean Fifth Brigade upon Nkomo's Matebelelalnd and some parts of Midlands, which was known as the Gukurahundi. It is alleged that the massacre was to deal with what was known as the dissidents. This army killed an approximated number of 20 000 people.The killings went on until 1987 when Nkomo signed into the Unity Accord which marked the end of these atrocities. Thus Nkomo was reconciled with Mugabe and the two parties merged, leaving Zimbabwe as effectively one party state. 

Nkomo throughout his life believed that once the land imbalances was corrected, everyone in Zimbabwe would be uplifted socially and economically. At the unveiling of his statue President Robert Mugabe addressed thousands of people who attended and said, "Dr.Nkomo was a man of the people, who was not a tribalist nor a regionalist. He indeed immersed in unity. The statue and street will allow us to continuously reflect on where we stand as a nation, also to introspect on what we are doing, vis a vie what Dr.Nkomo stood for. We note that an earlier attempt had not satisfied us that the statue  was an accurate representation of him, a man of the people, a man that we honour and respect. 

Dr. Nkomo was the Vice President of Zimbabwe until his death on July, 1999.

   OUR DEPARTED HERO,  MAY HIS LEGACY LIVE FOREVER AND HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.

here is no doubting that Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo is a large political and historical figure whose name and legacy remains available for use or abuse by those who remain behind. - See more at: http://bulawayo24.com/index-id-opinion-sc-columnist-byo-41168-article-Joshua+Nkomo%3A+Thin+line+between+honour+and+dishonour.html#sthash.xODArd8y.dpuf

FLOODS HIT TSHOLOTSHO AND TOKWE-MUKOSI.

Who would have thought that ethical differences between the Shona and Ndebele could have such effects even after so many years? The Gukurahundi genocide left scars on the people of Matebeleland. A lot of people lost their loved ones from the genocide. From then, the Shona people were deemed to be superior to the Ndebele people of Matebeleland. Even so there is still that gap between the Shona and the Ndebele speaking people. As of late the floods that have hit the two parts of Zimbabwe have been dealt with differently. The Tokwe-Mukosi incident of Masvingo was declared a national disaster while the Tsholotsho floods have been given less attention. Priority was given to Masvingo floods more than it was given to Matebelelaland. Zimbabwean citizens are facing huge challenges in trying to get shelter as the floods have destroyed practically everything that they have inclusive of their property and their crops.  

Minister of Local Governance Ignatius Chombo.

The government has revealed that it does not have enough resources to help more than 60,000 families affected by floods in the Tokwe Mukosi dam basin. In an interview with NewZimbabwe.com, local government minister Ignatius Chombo said the situation in the area was so bad that relocation of the affected families need to be speeded up. However the relocation effort was being hampered by the lack of resources. Furthermore, the flooding that happened at Tokwe-Mukosi dam basin has come about because our engineers had anticipated that the dam would take three years to fill but, to our surprise, this has just happened in half season “So it becomes necessary therefore that we speed up relocation of all the people now, not it three years, we don’t have enough time.

It had been alleged that the government had done nothing about the Tsholotsho floods and the help was being rendered to citizens in Msvingo while neglecting the situation in Tsholotsho. These accusation were widely felt as no effort was being made in helping the vicitms in Tsholotsho. Stung by accusations that flood relief efforts have all been centered on Tokwe-Mukosi in Masvingo, the government has responded by sending a high powered delegation of no less than eleven ministers descended to water-ravaged Tsholotsho. The ministerial team, led by the Senior Minister of State Simon Khaya Moyo, will assess the damage caused by recent floods as well as the needs of the affected families, many of whom were left homeless. Also on the tour was the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs in Matabeleland North Cain Mathema, Professor Jonathan Moyo (Information, Media and Broadcasting Services), Sydney Sekeramayi (Defence), Dr Ignatius Chombo (Local Government, Public Works and National Housing), Joseph Made (Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development), Lazarus Dokora (Primary and Secondary Education), David Parirenyatwa (Health and Childcare), Obert Mpofu (Transport and Infrastructural Development), Kembo Mohadi (Home Affairs), Saviour Kasukuwere (Environment, Water and Climate) and Walter Chidhakwa (Mines and Mining Development). Killian Mupingo, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture

Villagers of Mapili and Mbamba on Wednesday told Southern Eye that government officials had not lived up to their promise to chip in with assistance after they lost their crops and homes that were washed away by the floods. The government and donor agencies only provided food, shelter and clothing to flood victims in Sipepa and Gariya while neglecting villagers of Maili and Mbamba area that were equally hard hit. However, these allegation have been dismissed by other villagers who asserts that the government intervened and helped all the villagers equally. No-one has been left out by the government and it it said that villagers are continuing getting help from the relevant authorities. Government officials must live up to

their promises and make lives better for their citizens who voted them in power.

It can be concluded that the government of Zimbabwe is facing huge challenges in trying to deal with these disasters, nevertheless, the measures taken so far are of great importance and people's lives have been made better by the donations made. Due to climate change, the rainy season is not yet over and heavy rains are still experienced in some parts of the country and we appeal to the government to take action and help the citizens in need. This kind of help must be given to all people affected despite their ethnic groups and their geographic location. Help must be rendered to all the citizen needing it and the Tokwe-Mukosi incident must not be given prominence than the Tsholotsho floods because all these are floods that have destroyed people's lives and the government must give help in those areas as these people have rights. The right to shelter, food and all the basic needs for their survival, therefore, let no-one's rights be violated in these incidences, lets see our government at work and trying all their best in making sure that the current situations are being made better by the help they offer.