ZESA Holdings Group Stakeholder Relations Manager, Mr Fullard Gwasira clarified the new electricity tariffs In a telephone interview. He said that the 31% increase in tariff was not an increase in the overall charge to ZESA customers and the new tariff is structured as follows:

- The first 50 kWh had increased to 2.35c
- 51kWh to 300kWh will be charged at 11c
- Any usage over 300kWh will be charged at 15.c

Mr Gwasira said that with the new tariff they expected the average customer bill to be charged at 9.34c/ kWh. Since ZESA has removed the fixed monthly charge, this will translate to a marked reduction in charges to the customer, as long as they remain within expected usage parameters.

ZESA has changed its tariff scheme because the company is unable to sustain its operations. In the period 2009 to present the commodity prices of water, diesel and coal, all of which are required to generate power increased, but ZESA was not been able to raise its tariffs in order to compensate. Electricity in Zimbabwe was subsidised by the government through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, however, since dollarization, the RBZ has been unable to support ZESA operations leading the power supplier to operate at sub-economic levels. Other factors affecting electricity tariffs include the strengthening of the Rand against the US Dollar, as ZESA purchases power from South Africa and Mozambique, both countries are members of the Rand monetary Union. Further there had been no inflation adjustments to the price of electricity.

Mr Gwasira went on to say that on the 1st January 2009 ZESA had written off customer bills that were unpaid prior to this date.

View the tariff schedule here

Shame, poor Tendai Biti, for all his well meaning it seems his partners in Zimbabwe’s economy, our so called captains of industry, are only in it for short term profits and themselves. It wasn’t that long ago that Zimbabweans were making trips across the border to Musina and Francis Town en mass to buy their monthly groceries. And now our so called captains of industry are doing their best to revive what had become a dying means of survival.

The logic behind a reintroduction of import tariffs cannot really be faulted. According to an analysis in the Financial Gazette, there had been an improvement in the supply of basic goods on the market, and local producers needed protection from government to allow their industries to grow. But before the ink had even dried on the Minister’s midterm fiscal policy, retailers, local manufacturers and even hoteliers practically fell over themselves in their rush to increase prices.  By the end of July not only had the prices of the commodities listed by the Minister increased, but also the prices of those that were not listed including bath soap, detergents and hotel accommodation.

Let’s be honest, the quality of Zimbabwean goods has decreased so much that they would be unable to compete on an open market. My most favourite thing to snack on is potato chips, and in the 90s I was a Willard’s tomato flavoured chips loyalist. Yet when Willards potato chips returned to supermarket shelves, my favourite flavour had a bitter after-taste and was far more expensive than imported Simbas or Lays. So I stopped buying them. In terms of cooking oil, I’ve found that the cooking oil I used to buy in Mbare during gore renzara, that had been pressed from soya beans and sun flower seeds left food without any strange tastes or smells after frying unlike the locally produced cooking oils I’m now supposed to start buying. And, it’s all very nice that a certain locally produced soap lasts and lasts, but it would be nice if the manufacturers reduced that soaps percent content of perfumes, because it’s scent also lasts and lasts. And how about diversifying that product range to include shower gel and body lotion.

In a post about the launch of the ‘buy Zimbabwe’ campaign, blogger Zakeo Zakeos observed:

… it amazes me that some people still choose to have seminars and such without consulting me first. Because if these learned gentlemen had taken 2 minutes to brief me that they are concerned about Zimbabweans not buying enough local products, I would have given them one devilishly simple but amazingly effective strategy: Stop making shit.

From Flavorwire:

Australia-based artist Ghostpatrol is turning the tables on the drawing process by transforming the pencil from tool to canvas in playful art that combines sculpture with illustration.

At the unveiling of its flag Mthwakazi Liberation Front Vice President Edgar Gumede told the NewsDay that:

“It is time we face reality. The naked truth is that we are under black colonial rule, masterminded by the Mugabe-led regime. It is not true that we in MLF hate Shonas. No, no, no, we don’t! We hate the colonial system of government that they imposed in Mthwakazi.”

This is a South Africa based party, which was launched to protect and safeguard the interests of Mthwakazi State.  But one wonders who are the Mthwakazi and who are they fighting against and who colonized them in the first place? If my memory serves me right MLF supporters clashed with MDC supporters during the SADC summit held in South Africa a clear sign that the party is serious in its fight against any political party and tribe Zimbabwe, especially the Shonas. During the skirmishes MLF supporters went on to burn the Zimbabwean flag and recently the same party made news headlines when they said they wanted to unveil Mthwakazi flag and currency.

In my own view even if a new government comes to power MFL will continue with its struggle for independence. Whether MLF is a genuine party or not is a question that many people would ask since this party is only heard in the newspapers and operates mainly from South Africa.

In a follow up to my disappointment with the MDC’s cancelled Minister’s feedback meeting, I was interested to get a new text message last night from them:

You are invited to attend the MDC 12th Anniversary Rally at Gwanzura Stadium on Saturday 10 September 2011, Time 10:30am – 4:30pm.

So the community feedback meeting is cancelled. But not the anniversary rally?

It’s hard not to be cynical that this is because politicians find it so much easier to talk at people, rather than speak with them.

It’s funny how suddenly hearing an old song can transport us to a different time and place. A bit like childhood smells but we won’t explore that thought any further. And how our appreciation of music develops and changes. I was going to say, “matures” but let’s face it, some of us haven’t. I can clearly remember my music choices being almost exclusively the popular choice of the day – the Neil Diamond record was carefully hidden at the back of the cupboard (even today I wouldn’t easily admit to listening to him) – but then there are Michael Bolton fans ….

I can vividly remember driving around Austria, young and slim (who says alcohol is fattening?), with several beaus of varying potential awaiting my call (it’s true I tell you) and listening to “Antenna Steiermark” (radio station) who had a summer of non-stop rock’n'roll and catchy, upbeat music. The window rolled down, on my way paragliding. Let me tell you that there is a marked difference between running down a slope, and jumping off something – a bridge for instance, or swimming or meeting someone for coffee.  I had all the time in the world.

These days I find myself listening to really crap music because the lyrics are sublime. And also listening to really beautiful music but having no clue what that chap Eros Ramazotti is singing about. The name says it all, Italian crooner, good-looking, macho … yes I have spent some time studying the CD cover.

I dance to DSTV’s contemporary music channel with the kids. Sometimes we pretend we’re a band. We use tennis racquets for guitars, a hairbrush for a microphone and multi-coloured wigs and if dad is lucky we force him to sit through a show. Unrehearsed because we can’t decide on the music in advance, so inevitably no one knows the words. It must be a bit painful to be on the receiving end.

Come to think of it he never sits through more than 3 songs so I don’t feel too bad.