Harare to ration water in wealthy suburbs as typhoid cases rise

Maybe they’ll start with the homes of government ministers, and Mugabe’s Mansion.

Yeah right.

Taking action against a Typhoid outbreak, which to date has had 900 reported cases, the City of Harare hastily dispatched Municipal Police to contain the spread of the disease by closing down Mereki, a popular braai spot in Warren Park. So far city and government health officials have named fish, raw meat sold in butcheries and fruits and vegetables for sale from open air vendors and people’s markets as vectors of the Salmonella Typhi bacterium. Authorities even went so far as to issue a statement saying that water was not the problem in this outbreak. According to the World Health Organisation, water, or in this case the lack of it, is the cause of a typhoid outbreak.

Water and sanitation delivery services have been poor at best and nonexistent at worst in all of the areas affected by Typhoid. Health officials report that cases have been found in Chitungwiza, Epworth, Dzivarasekwa, Budiriro and Warren Park. The epicentre of the outbreak is said to be in Kuwadzana. Residents of all these areas have complained vociferously to anyone who would listen about erratic water delivery, sewerage flowing unabated in the streets, zero refuse collection by the city and the decrepit state of their public ablution facilities. Given this set of circumstances it is surprising that outbreak is not more severe.

I was biking up the road the other day and had to slow and detour. The City of Harare was painting white centre lines and lane markings, and traffic was discombobulated. While negotiating around this mess, I had time to think. Why is this new regime in the City painting road markings?

Well, the immediate answer is obvious, to guide traffic! But, the real question – why did the previous regimes not paint, and allow what was painted to deteriorate to invisiblity – and why can this new one now do it? The obvious answer (it is the answer to everything) …  Sanctions!

That knee jerk answer is a) a lie, b) a cover for total incompetence. On the second point I know, as we have succeeded in turning MacDonald Park Pool (Cambridge Road, Avondale) from a green pond where a Hammerkop fed on frogs, into the bestest public pool in Harare, that makes more on gate takings on a Saturday than it does to shut it and hold a wedding on the grounds! And how did we do it? No sanctions busting involved. The chlorine gas comes from the atmosphere (the air we breath) which does not respect borders. The labour came from the community, where we also borrowed a pump. The paint came from Astra (a local company). Etc. No sanctions busting involved!

On the second point, we know there have NEVER been sanctions against Zimbabwe. It is a lie, so often repeated that even the ruling party (that is, the new ruling one – with the majority of seats in Parliament, not the old ruling/losing party – that brought us democracy) talks about ‘removing sanctions’. It is easy to see which ‘ruling’ party has the better verbal gymnasts and brains.

So, back to the original topic – road paint and sanctions. Why is the new regime able to overcome sanctions and paint road markings, while the previous regime was only able to… well, did they do anything?

The new regime at least tries to give the people some of what they want – while the real agenda is to take power, now that they have legitimacy. The old regime has only one agenda, hold on to power, now that they have lost legitimacy.

If you’re a young Zimbabwean looking for work experience here are some opportunities for you …

Finance Assistant Intern: Progressio Zimbabwe
Deadline: 12 January 2012

Full time twelve-month placement, based in Harare

Job Purpose: The Finance Assistant will assist the operationalisation of proper finance and administration procedures that are in line with organizational guidelines and internationally recognized standards of accountability in the country office and between Progressio and its partners.  The Finance Assistant will also support in managing the Country Office and project budgets and ensuring compliance with finance related donor requirements.

Job responsibilities include
-Assisting in ensuring proper financial admin procedures in the Country Office
-Assisting in providing support to the Finance and Administration Officer in budget preparation and budget management
-Assist in ensuring that Progressio Zimbabwe complies with all financial requirements of donors on all grant funded projects
-Participating in purchasing for goods and services and processing of payments in line with procedures

Person specifications
-Currently studying for a degree or holder of a first degree in accountancy
-Computer literate, especially working knowledge of Microsoft Excel (or equivalent spreadsheet applications) and ability to learn other software packages
-Excellent command of written and spoken English
-Highly adaptable and a fast learner

All those interested are to send through their application letters and detailed CVs to sandra [at] progressio [dot] org [dot] zw

Interviews: Week of 15 January 2012 (in Harare)

Programme Assistant Intern: Progressio Zimbabwe
Deadline: 12 January 2012

Full time twelve-month placement, based in Harare

Job purpose : The Programme Assistant will assist in ensuring the smooth functioning of the Country Office and its programme processes, facilitating smooth interaction with the organisation’s stakeholders and managing Progressio Zimbabwe’s communications activities.

Job responsibilities include
-Assist in providing support to Country programme development and management processes
-Assist in maintaining programme management information and communication systems in the Country Office
-Assist in ensuring that the Country office runs smoothly

Person specifications
-Currently studying for a degree or holder of a first degree in social sciences
-Knowledge of SPSS a must
-Excellent command of written and spoken English
-Highly adaptable and a fast learner

All those interested are to send through their application letters and detailed CVs to sandra [at] progressio [dot] org [dot] zw

Interviews: Week of 15 January 2012 (in Harare)

Intern: Finance
Deadline: 13 January 2012

A Church based organisation in Harare is seeking the services of an Intern for a period of 12 months commencing January 2012. The position is only available to students undergoing degree programmes in related fields.

Job purpose: Strengthens the operations of the Finance Unit to deliver its mandate in the most effective and efficient manner at Diocesan and National levels.

Academic qualifications: Studying towards a University degree in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration, Audit or related fields.

Work Experience
At least one year experience in Finance, Accounting, Audit or Business Administration in a Church or NGO field.
Ability to prepare analytical financial and management reports.
Having worked with donor funded programmes.

Required Competencies
Analytical skills, ability to link faith and justice
Communication skills – writing, presentation and facilitation
Creativity in programme design and management
Ability to combine office and field work
Ability to work in a team and also provide leadership at own level
Self supervision
Commitment to the Christian values of the organisation on and off work.

Essential job results
Student currently enrolled for a degree programme in Accounting, Finance or Business Studies
Experience in cashbook and bank reconciliation preparation
Excellent skills in Microsoft Office package (Outlook, Word, Power Point, Excel, Access)
Knowledge in Pastel Accounting Software will be an added advantage
Ability to work under pressure and meet cut-off dates or deadlines.

Duties
Assisting in financial reporting processes.
Assisting in field audit visits.
Assist in administrative record keeping.
Any other assigned duties.

Application procedure
All interested interns candidates who meet the requirements listed above are to send in their applications enclosing the following:

Motivation Letter
Candidate’s Curriculum Vitae
Certified copies of current educational and any professional certificates
Details and contact numbers of two referees
Dates of availability to commence work if offered position
Letter of recommendation from your university, stating that you are currently enrolled and your expected date of graduation.

The full remuneration package and other conditions of service will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates only. Due to the large numbers of applications communication will only be made to shortlisted candidates. Applications should be sent to: ahr54 [at] ymail [dot] com

LONDON, United-Kingdom, December 9, 2011/ — Legatum (http://www.legatum.com), a private international investment group and Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, today announced that SECURICO has won the US $100,000 grand prize of the 2011 Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship (http://www.AfricaAwards.com).  Based in Harare, Zimbabwe, SECURICO provides guarding services and electronic security solutions, and is the first security company in Zimbabwe to be ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) certified. SECURICO has more than 3,400 employees, 900 of which are women, making it the largest employer of women in the private sector. The company exemplifies the vital role played by entrepreneurs in creating economic growth, prosperity, and realising opportunity in Africa.

African press Organisation

Kubatana! Get Up. Stand Up in Harare to mark International Human Rights Day. Join Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on Thursday 8th. Meet 12:30 at High Court. Sharp!